92 - Rockingham Forest : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

Rockingham Forest National Character Area (NCA) is essentially a broad, low, undulating ridge underlain by Jurassic limestone which falls away from a prominent, steep northern scarp overlooking the Welland Valley. Large areas of woodland remain a significant feature of the landscape and, while not forming continuous belts, the blocks of woodland often coalesce visually with hedgerow trees and smaller copses to increase the perception of extensive woodland cover across the landscape.

The landscape is a patchwork of woodland and large to medium-sized fields of mixed arable with some pastoral use surrounding small nucleated villages. Fields are commonly bounded by well-managed hedgerows with mature trees or drystone walls and display the rectilinear pattern of the enclosures set within a more sinuous pattern of older enclosures, winding lanes and watercourses.

Popular today as a recreational resource, Rockingham Forest takes its name from the Royal Hunting Forest that existed across the area from the 11th to the 19th century. Historically, the heavy clay soils deterred widespread clearance for agriculture and so many of the woodlands are ancient. Formerly extensively coppiced, these woodlands contain a rich diversity of species that are of considerable nature conservation interest; several sites are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs) for this reason.

The NCA is noted for its population of the black hairstreak butterfly. Due to changes in woodland management over the past 50 to 100 years, it is now restricted in its UK distribution to a narrow belt of woodlands between Oxford and Peterborough. The red kite now has a strong and expanding local population; these stunning birds can readily be seen soaring over pastures and woodlands and are rightly a popular visitor attraction.

Thirty-four SSSI lie wholly or partly within the NCA and there are three NNRs, one of which (Barnack Hills and Holes) is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation to protect its internationally important orchid-rich grassland which colonised this former limestone quarry.

The area contains many outstanding 17th to 19th century country houses, and there are 11 Registered Parks and Gardens. These include large country houses and mature parkland estates – such as Deene Park, Kirby Hall and Rockingham Castle – which are important landscape features, adding to the overall wooded character of the area. Imposing churches with towers and spires are a striking feature of the villages. These churches contain architectural features dating from the 13th to the 15th century and there are significantly earlier buildings in the east of the NCA.

Settlements generally lie along the river valleys and are linked by narrow winding lanes which contribute to the remote rural character of much of the area. The older buildings are generally of attractive creamy-grey limestone in the east and ironstone in the west. Roofing materials include thatch, the distinctive thick Collyweston slates, clay pantiles and Welsh slate.

Large-scale, modern, mixed-use development is evident on the fringes of larger settlements such as Kettering and Corby, creating visual intrusion and extending the urban fringe. These settlements are targeted for further growth. There is also pressure for residential development in the villages, potentially eroding architectural and historical character.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

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

SEO 1

Extend the area and connectivity of broadleaved woodland, individual trees and hedgerows in the core Rockingham Forest area, seeking to enhance historic landscape character and biodiversity and increasing the potential for timber, biomass, access and recreation, while helping to regulate the impacts of climate change and maintaining and improving water and soil quality.

SEO 2

Maintain and enhance the quality of natural sites of interest across the area, and particularly within the farmed landscape, seeking to realise opportunities to strengthen ecological networks and increase the quantity and quality of semi-natural habitat mosaics and geodiversity sites, providing additional benefits to recreation and so enhancing visitors’ experiences and understanding as well as the local economy.

SEO 3

Manage and enhance the distinctive elements that contribute to the overarching sense of place and history of the Rockingham Forest area. Seek to retain its predominantly rural character and core areas of tranquillity while planning to accommodate sensitively designed new development, including functional green infrastructure.

SEO 4

Enhance the functionality, biodiversity and historic features of the many small rivers and streams that cross the Rockingham Forest area. Seek to strengthen their contribution to regulating water flow and quality in the Nene and Welland catchments, enhance their role as landscape features, and improve riparian corridors for wildlife and recreation.