110 - Chilterns : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The Chilterns form the north western edge of the chalk aquifer that underlies the London basin. These soft rocks form a steep, north west facing escarpment and a more gentle ‘dip slope’ to the south east. Small streams flow through larger valleys on the dip slope and from the foot of the escarpment. The upper reaches of these streams are often dry. The River Thames cuts through the escarpment at the Goring Gap in the south.

The countryside is an attractive patchwork of mixed farmland and woodland, with fields surrounded by hedgerows. Around half of the National Character Area (NCA) falls within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A small area south of the River Thames falls within the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Outside the AONBs there are major settlements with extensive urban fringes. These include Luton, Hemel Hempstead and High Wycombe. Motorways and railways make the area very accessible from London. There are many opportunities for visitors and local people to enjoy the outdoors. These include rights of way and open access commons, woods and downland. The area also has many Registered Parks and Gardens, golf courses, shooting estates and urban green spaces. The Ridgeway and the Thames Path National Trails pass through the Chilterns. The River Thames and Grand Union Canal are also important for recreation.

Scatters of flints indicate that settlement dates back to Palaeolithic times. Farming in the valleys and on the escarpment began in Neolithic times and continues to this day. Today, arable farming is concentrated on the better soils found in the valleys and at the foot of the escarpment. Cultivation is more difficult on higher ground due to steep slopes, complex topography and poorer, clay-with-flint soils. This has led to a patchwork of mixed farming, woodland, grazed downland and common land.

Nucleated settlements are found in the valleys and along the foot. They often have medieval buildings. The main routes tend to follow valleys through the chalk hills. On the chalk plateau, settlement includes a scatter of farms and villages, linked by ancient routes. These sometimes take the form of sunken lanes.

There are many commons on the plateau, often providing green space near to people’s homes. Surviving areas of downland are mainly found along the escarpment. Downland is strongly associated with prehistoric archaeology and often have ecologically rich grassland and scrub. Some areas are designated as National Nature Reserves (NNR) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

The Chilterns are one of the most wooded lowland landscapes in the country. Woodland makes up 14% of the area of the NCA. Woods are often found on poorer agricultural soils, on commons and ‘hanging’ on steep slopes. The area also has a long history of wood-based industries. These have helped maintain many woodlands on ancient sites and means the area has a rich woodland archaeology. More recently, local demand for wood fuel is helping to maintain the woodland resource. The Chilterns NCA is renowned for its native beechwoods. Several are of ecological importance and have been designated as SAC.

Traditional buildings, and some more recent additions, make distinctive uses of local materials, particularly brick and flint. Large mansions and follies, often with protected gardens and parkland, are common.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Manage the wooded landscape, the woodlands (including internationally important Chilterns beechwoods), hedgerows, commons and parklands with the aims of conserving and enhancing biodiversity and the historic landscape and its significant features; maximising the potential for recreation; and securing sustainable production of biomass and timber.

SEO 2

In pockets of historic land use where natural and cultural heritage are both particularly rich, aim to restore and strengthen the historic landscape, ecological resilience and heterogeneity, and to conserve soils. Ensure that species-rich habitats are conserved and extended, including internationally important species-rich Chiltern downland. Secure environmentally and economically sustainable management to ensure conservation in the long term.

SEO 3

Conserve the Chilterns’ groundwater resource, River Thames and chalk streams by working in partnership to tackle inter-related issues at a catchment scale and also across the water supply network area. Seek to secure, now and in the future, sustainable water use and thriving flood plain landscapes that are valued by the public.

SEO 4

Enhance local distinctiveness and create or enhance green infrastructure within existing settlements and through new development, particularly in relation to the urban fringe and growth areas such as Luton. Ensure that communities can enjoy good access to the countryside.