64 - Potteries and Churnet Valley : Analysis: Landscape Attributes & Opportunities

Analysis supporting Statements of Environmental Opportunity

The following analysis section focuses on the landscape attributes and opportunities for this NCA.

Further analysis on ecosytem services for this NCA is contained in the Analysis: Ecosytem Services section.

Landscape attributes

A complex and varied geology and topography that results in a transition from lowland to upland landscape.

Justification for selection:

• Variations within the underlying geology and the influence of a range of past and present-day geomorphic processes have produced a diverse landscape with an elevation of 100 m in the south of the NCA, rising to 350 m in the north and east of the NCA, where it meets the margin of the Peak District.
• Gritstones, sandstones and shales of the Carboniferous and Triassic periods dominate the underlying geology; limestone outcrops in the extreme east marks the rise to the limestone uplands of the White Peak NCA.
• The gorge-like character around Alton, up to 80 m deep, was cut by glacial meltwater and is known locally as ‘little Switzerland’.
• Coal seams and ironstone have been worked resulting in spoil tips that are base-rich even where the soils are acid-rich.
• In the Churnet Valley, the juxtaposition of Millstone Grit (base-poor) and limestone (base-rich) have produced varying soil types on the valley sides influencing the water chemistry of the numerous streams.

Upland moorland of the Staffordshire Moorlands with prominent ridges.

Justification for selection:

• Prominent ridges underlain by Middle Carboniferous deposits of the Millstone Grit Group on the Staffordshire Moorlands in the north, at Mow Cop and Congleton Edge form part of the watershed between the Rivers Trent and Mersey.
• The ridges provide unrestricted views westwards across the lowlands of the Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain NCA.
• Deeply dissected moorland plateaux underlain by softer mud rocks of the Millstone Grit Group form poorly drained and seasonally waterlogged soils and peaty soils.

Well drained limestone plateau with isolated hills.

Justification for selection:

• In the extreme east, the area is underlain by the oldest rocks of the NCA from the Lower Carboniferous Period. The topography rises to meet the limestone uplands of the neighbouring White Peak NCA in the Peak District.
• Panoramic views down the head of the Churnet Valley from the area around Leek.
• A well-drained limestone plateau with steep-sided wooded valleys and underlain by reef limestones. Reef knolls form isolated hills rising up from the plateau, for example Ellis Hill.

Woodland and the wooded valley of the River Churnet and the numerous steep-sided wooded ravines and ancient wood pasture.

Justification for selection:

• Extensive woodland in the valleys in the Churnet Valley and generally sparse elsewhere except for isolated blocks of woodland.
• The Churnet Valley runs through a smoothly undulating pasture landscape linked by short, steep-sided wooded stream valleys, known as ‘cloughs’ and provide areas of tranquillity.
• The Churnet Valley SSSI and Coombes Valley SSSI represent the highest-quality areas of the largest remaining concentration of semi-natural ancient woodland in Staffordshire. Oak woods are the dominant woodland type, with birch on the upper slopes.
• Riparian woodland is important along the valleys and cloughs of the NCA as a source of coarse woody debris to watercourses that provide valuable habitat for invertebrates and aquatic species.
• Large Forest Enterprise leaseholds and other commercial coniferous woodlands in the south, mostly comprising Corsican pine that supplies the paper and pulp industries outside the NCA.
• Parkland landscapes create local distinctiveness with exotic species of trees that include conifers and evergreens that are particularly visually significant during the winter.
• Blocks of woodland often surround ancient wood pastures which, as well as being historic landscapes of cultural importance, provide a habitat for specialised wildlife that depends on deadwood and over-mature trees.
• Isolated blocks of broad-leaved semi-natural woodland, many including ancient woodland remnants occur on the western edge of the city of Stoke, contiguous with Newcastle-under-Lyme.
  Hedgerows with hedgerow trees at lower elevations, giving way to dry stone walls at higher elevations.
• Substantial hedgerow banks with frequent hedgerow oaks confine views and create a sense of enclosure in the Churnet Valley. Parkland and remnant parkland woods surround ancient lowland pastures and there are very small scale field patterns epitomised by historic squatter enclosures11, for example at Toothill.
• Dry stone walls at higher elevations, around Leek and bordering the Peak District. Large, rectilinear fields in the style of 18th- and 19th-century enclosures.
• Well-trimmed hedgerows with many large hedgerow oaks surrounding medium-sized fields in the south and east.
• Areas of ‘trapped countryside’ in Stoke, retaining old field patterns and hedgerows

Large areas of permanent pasture grazed by sheep, dairy and beef cattle with coalfield farmlands close to the conurbation. Limited cropping of cereals.

Justification for selection:

• In terms of productivity, the majority of the NCA has poor-quality soil and this is reflected in the land use, with 89 per cent of the farmed area being improved pasture for grazing and stock rearing with some dairying.
• The flatter areas are used for more intensive silage production and some arable cropping, mainly of cereals in the south of the NCA with limited horticultural production of hardy stock.
• Sparsely wooded landscapes with medium-sized fields on restored agricultural land surrounding former mining villages.
• Isolated areas of ‘trapped countryside’ in Stoke, with some land unmanaged or in equestrian use.
  Limited and fragmented areas of unimproved grassland and heathland on higher land.
• Juxtaposition of differing communities of plants on the slopes of the Churnet Valley SSSI arising from the variation in geology, for example Carboniferous Millstone Grit (base-poor) and Carboniferous Limestone (base-rich).
• Unimproved grassy pastures and hillsides on limestone, particularly around the Coombes and Churnet valleys support numbers of orchids, including the greater butterfly orchid, while around the fringe areas of the Weaver Hills, frog orchid can be found.
• Parkland and remnant parkland woods often surround species-rich, ancient lowland pastures.
• Unimproved neutral and acid grasslands are evident in the species-rich farmland of the urban area.
• Neutral grassland in the north-west of the NCA, straddles the border with the neighbouring NCA, for example Dane-in-Shaw pasture.
• Lowland heathland and upland moorland characteristics. Extensive areas of heathland and moorland on the Millstone Grit outcrops. Lowland heathland at Wetley Moor SSSI is a remnant of a much larger area. Fragmented heathland also occurs around the Potteries and to the south of Stoke.

The rivers Trent, Dove and Churnet, numerous streams and their associated headwaters; canals, feeder reservoirs, subsidence pools and ponds.

Justification for selection:

• The River Trent rises due north of Stoke-on-Trent at Biddulph Moor. The Trent and a number of tributaries flow through the urban catchment before its confluence with the River Tame near Alrewas in the Trent Valley Washlands NCA.
• Poor water quality in the River Trent downstream of Stoke-on-Trent has impacted adversely on aquatic ecosystems.
• The River Churnet rises in the neighbouring South West Peak NCA, flowing into Tittesworth reservoir, just outside the NCA, before flowing through Leek and finally south east through the Churnet Valley before its confluence with the River Dove at Rocester.
• A short stretch of the River Dove flows parallel to the south eastern boundary of the NCA flowing through a broad flood plain with few trees.
• Tufa springs occur in the Churnet Valley, for example at Booths Wood, and are a major contributor to species diversity providing breeding sites for many scarce invertebrates, including nationally scarce soldierflies and two species of craneflies.
• Limestone streams, riffles and scour ponds are important habitats for fish and aquatic species.
• Woody streams, where wood and debris fall into the watercourse host sites for the nationally scarce hoverfly, Chalcosyrphus eunotus.
• Freshwater pearl mussels and metapopulations of native crayfish are among a range of species that are used as indicators of high water quality.
• Rudyard Lake reservoir, the Caldon Canal and Trent and Mersey Canal are well used for recreation and tourism.
• Other large open waterbodies include Westport Lake, a former subsidence pool and there are a number of ponds throughout Stoke created by mining subsidence.

Historic Parks and Gardens, country houses, remnant parkland.

Justification for selection:

• Large number of country houses and parklands established by wealthy industrialists in 19th century.
• The most notable parkland in the NCA is Alton Towers, known for its theme park that makes a significant contribution to the visitor economy of the region and provides employment.
• Trentham Gardens and Biddulph Grange are also popular visitor destinations.
• Woodland avenues and drives further strengthen the parkland structure in the landscape. The countryside directly surrounding the parklands was often managed to create designed views out across the countryside, for example at Farley Hall.
• In the urban areas, formal parks offer quiet recreation, for example Fenton and Hanley.

Six towns of the Potteries forming a major conurbation contrasting with a rural settlement pattern of scattered farmsteads and sheltered villages.

Justification for selection:

• Sprawling industrial towns representing 19 per cent of the NCA.
• Historic centres of the six towns – Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton – comprising civic buildings and large Victorian churches which are now prominent features in the landscape.
• Extensive areas of reclaimed land between the older urban areas which are now in residential, industrial, commercial and amenity use.
• Large housing estates with significant urbanisation to the west of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
• A landscape rich in industrial heritage; derelict extractive and industrial sites with occasional buildings, subsidence pools, canals and disused railway lines with fragmented areas of naturally regenerated vegetation.
• Frequent dispersed hamlets, individual cottages, farms and clusters of houses along a dense network of lanes in rural areas. In the Churnet Valley, many of these lanes are sunken, evoking an enclosed feel to the character area.

Brick and sandstone older buildings with tile and slate roofs.

Justification for selection:

• Red brick and sandstone are the prominent building materials of the NCA, although Millstone grit is extensively used in upland areas as a material for farmhouses and drystone walls.
• Plain clay and large numbers of Staffordshire blue tiles or Welsh slate used for roofing. Occasional occurrence of Westmorland slate or stone slates.

Extensive footpath and rights of way network linking population centres with rural areas, parks and open spaces.

Justification for selection:

• The Caldon Canal and Trent and Mersey Canal provide good access for recreation and tourism and link the population centres of the Potteries with the rural Churnet Valley.
• In the urban area, landscape-scale reclamation of former mines and industrial sites has led to the creation of the Lyme Valley Park, Central Forest Park, Westport Lake, Chatterley Whitfield Heritage Country Park and the garden festival site at Etruria, providing a sense of tranquillity in the heart of the urban area.

Landscape opportunities

• Protect and enhance the many Local Geological Sites in the NCA by promoting sustainable management of sites that provide opportunities for volunteering, education and community involvement
• Identify a stock of open mosaic habitats on previously developed land, to conserve these sites that often provide habitat that cannot be recreated and for their value to the sense of history they provide.
• Manage and protect the important river valley landscapes by maintaining the mosaic of riparian pasture and woodlands.
• Enhance the interpretation of post-industrial sites and conservation areas.
• Protect watercourses to reduce incidences of diffuse pollution entering surface water and groundwater.
• Protect from further loss and degradation of heathland and moorland habitats and reduce fragmentation of semi-natural habitats.
• Create new or extend areas of semi-natural habitats to reverse fragmentation and link them together to create a coherent habitat network.
• Manage core sites, for example SSSI, NNRs, LNRs and Local Sites network, to improve their connectivity and condition.
• Maintain and restore the pattern of small pastures and hedgerows with hedgerow oaks in the area, particularly around the Churnet Valley.
• Protect and enhance the historic landscape character comprising parkland and industrial heritage in and around the urban area and throughout the Churnet Valley.
• Conserve and enhance historic assets in the wider landscape; above and below ground archaeology and historic buildings.
• Maintain and buffer the areas of semi-natural woodland by creating and managing transitional scrub communities between woodland and adjoining habitats. Manage estate mixed woodland, parklands with veteran trees, throughout the NCA. Encourage successional planting of native mixed species to maintain the structural diversity and landscape character.
• Conserve and restore drystone walls in upland areas and restore traditional hedgerows in preference to stock-proof and ranch-style fencing where equestrian land use prevails.
• Manage public access sensitively throughout the river valleys and manage adjoining land to maintain the current levels of tranquillity.
• Restore traditional buildings and historic parklands and the surrounding hamlets and preserve features of remnant parklands and squatter enclosures.
• Conserve and enhance the canal network that provides valuable wildlife and recreational corridors linking urban with rural areas.
• Conserve and enhance the heritage rail network in the Churnet Valley as a sustainable transport solution to link the valley with the urban centres.
• Ensure that the grouping and design of new developments should reflect the juxtaposition, scale and materials of traditional local buildings characteristic of the area; manage small-scale extraction of local building stone to this end.
• Create new or extend public rights of way and permissive access to improve the connectivity between population centres and rural areas and core sites, for example SSSI, NNRs, Local Nature Reserves and Local Sites.
• Create new or extend public rights of way, permissive access and circular routes and cycle routes through green spaces in urban areas to improve the connectivity between residential areas and places of work and between tourist attractions to encourage physical activity.