125 - South Downs : 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 broad elevated east-west chalk ridge with a steep north-facing scarp slope and a gentle southerly dip slope, cut by numerous dry valleys and combes.

• The chalk ridge and its carved topography define the South Downs and its landscape character, and are prominent in views from surrounding areas.
• The distinctive carved topography is important for geomorphology, most pronounced in the eastern half of the NCA.
• PanoManage, enhance and integrate the recreational opportunities and the enjoyment of the landscape. Conserving the natural environment and the tranquility of the landscape will contribute to this aim.ramic views across the downs and the Low Weald from the scarp and hill tops are a particular feature of the NCA.

Chalk cliffs at the eastern end of the NCA and important inland exposures of chalk in old quarries and on some steep scarp slopes.

• The eastern chalk cliffs around Beachy Head and Seven Sisters form part of the Sussex Heritage Coast and are highly distinctive landscape features. Small but significant chalk areas occur at the mouths of estuaries and along the developed and undeveloped coastline, at risk from ‘coastal squeeze’ due to various factors including sea level rise.
• The chalk cliffs are constantly eroding and support a range of specialised plants, including algae, and provide nesting sites for fulmar, kittiwake and peregrine falcon.
• Inland exposures provide opportunities to study the Chalk geology, are often starkly prominent and have wildlife habitats at threat from infilling and scrub encroachment.
• Cliffs between Beachy Head and Seaford Head form a Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site of international importance for its landscape and research into coastal geomorphology.

Remnant areas of species-rich chalk grassland surviving on the steep scarp and valley slopes, most notably in the east, with associated rare chalk heath and species-rich scrub habitats.

• Chalk grassland is a defining habitat of the South Downs chalk ridge.
• The chalk grassland supports a diverse array of scarce plants and important populations of invertebrates and breeding birds if in close association with arable production.
• Remnant areas form a significant proportion of the remaining British species-rich chalk grassland resource, with several areas of international importance, designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and significant Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), many at risk due to a lack of traditional grazing.
• Rare chalk heath occurring in association with loess deposits and species-rich chalk scrub, including juniper scrub in the West Sussex and Hampshire, are important wildlife habitats.

Large areas of ancient and broadleaved woodland within the western half of the NCA, and localised areas in the east.

• Ancient woodland is a particular feature of the central downs and, to a lesser extent, the west, and includes relict large-leaved lime woodland, the distinctive ash and beech hangers of the scarp, including Duncton to Bignor escarpment Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (with the East Hampshire Hangers SAC falling outside the NCA to the north), and the notable yew woodland of West Sussex, including several areas of international importance.
• In this area there can be found a significant population of surviving English elm, the greatest concentration worldwide.

Rivers and associated wetland habitats, including the principal rivers of the Arun, Adur, Ouse and Cuckmere in the east, and the chalk River Meon in the west and the winterbournes of the chalk ridge.

• The four principal eastern rivers cut through the Chalk in distinctive U-shaped valleys, their flood plains largely drained and agriculturally improved and their courses often engineered.
• Arun Valley is internationally designated as a RAMSAR site and also as a Special Protection Area (SPA).
• The Cuckmere estuary is of particular importance and although affected by human intervention, it is the only undeveloped estuary in the south-east of England.
• The River Meon has typical chalk stream ecology, with remnant wetland habitats including wet meadows and watercress beds under threat due to lack of traditional management.

Coastal habitats including saline lagoons, vegetated shingle, estuaries and saltmarsh, chalk and greensand reefs.

• Small but significant areas at the mouths of estuaries and along the developed and undeveloped coastline are at risk from ‘coastal squeeze’ due to sea level rise.
• Coastal environments include cliff tops, cliff faces, wave-cut platforms, beaches, coastal springs and salt marshes.
• Chalk cliffs and inland chalk exposures support a range of specialised plants including algae and provide nesting sites for fulmar, kittiwake and peregrine falcon, as well as other coastal habitats including saltmarsh and vegetated shingle.
• The South Downs Way National Trail provides easy access to the coastline for the local population and visitors alike.

Large historic parklands are a feature of the central downs.

• Examples include, Uppark, Stansted, West Dean, Goodwood and Arundel.
• Large numbers of ancient and veteran trees and associated flora and fauna.
• Designed landscapes represent many phases of the development of the English landscape Collections of native and non-native trees provide a bright assemblage of autumn colours.
• Largely accessible by the public, providing opportunities for recreation.

A strong field pattern enclosed by hedgerows with numerous hedgerow trees.

• Hedgerows provide important wildlife habitats and linkages between the woodlands and parklands of the western downs, while reinforcing historic field patterns.
• Hedgerows support a range of species-rich flora and fauna.

Dispersed downland settlement of villages mainly within valleys and scattered farmsteads, with local vernacular of flint and brick plus roofs of tile or slate.

• Settlement pattern is typical of the downland area, with villages established where water is available in valleys. and along spring lines.
• Flint is a particularly distinctive building material of the South Downs.

Prominent and accessible heritage assets.

• Bronze-age round barrows and prominently-sited iron-age hill forts on the scarp and hill tops, especially in the west.
• Earthworks, including one of the best examples of Neolithic enclosures in the country, the Trundle, and medieval lynchets on steeper pasture slopes,
• Mixed use farmsteads which reflect the variety of the South Downs landscape.
• Hill figures such as the mysterious Long Man of Wilmington.

Drove roads and ancient routes along the accessible downland tops that provide rights of way and contribute to recreation.

• The NCA is predominantly covered by National Park designation, and is particularly well used and highly valued as a recreational resource.
• The South Downs Way National Trail.
• Around 4,500 ha of open access land (4.4 per cent of the NCA).

Landscape opportunities

• Conserve the tranquillity and special character of the chalk ridge, conserving the dispersed downland settlement pattern and traditional flint vernacular, as well as drove roads and ancient routes along the accessible downland tops that afford panoramic views over the downs and the Low Weald.
• Manage recreational pressures to protect historic rights of way and tranquillity.
• Protect and manage the area’s geodiversity, conserving important inland exposures and the distinctive chalk cliffs along the eastern coastline by ensuring that active coastal processes enable them to be sustained providing nesting sites for fulmar, kittiwake and peregrine falcon.
• Conserve distinctive earthwork features that include bronze-age barrows and iron-age hill forts, and restoring and managing historic estate and parkland landscapes that are a particular feature of the central downs.
• Managing and significantly enhancing the area’s rivers and their associated wetland habitats, through the restoration of river geomorphology and the expansion of flood plain habitats to help manage river flooding.
• Positively manage and expand the area’s broadleaved woodlands, ancient woods and parklands, seeking opportunities for the restoration of planted ancient woodland sites. Conserve the English elms surviving in the Ouse and Cuckmere valleys. Bring areas of ancient and/or semi-natural woodland under sustainable management, especially the internationally designated beech hangers and yew woodlands, expanding and re-linking woodlands to enhance landscape character and provide a robust habitat with enhanced adaptation to climate change.
• Traditional management practices should be re-introduced to conserve remnant wetland habitats include flood plain grazing marsh, reedbeds and fens.
• Manage and significantly enhance the area’s rivers and river valley landscapes through restoration and significant re-linking of wetland valley habitats including lowland meadows, reedbeds, fens and flood plain grazing marsh, and restoring natural river morphology of engineered sections where of particular benefit to biodiversity.
• Manage and enhance the agricultural landscape, including the restoration and management of hedgerow boundaries on the western downs and slopes within river valleys to enhance the wildlife network.
• Conserve historic field patterns and create conservation headlands and field margins and promote winter stubble on the arable-dominated dip slope for the benefit of farmland birds and wildflowers.
• Plan for a landscape-scale expansion of semi-natural chalk grassland within appropriate fields of thin chalk soil on the chalk plateau and dip slope, protecting existing valued habitat and assemblages of species. Identify opportunities for linking, expanding and restoring existing fragments on the scarp and valley slopes to create a robust, inter-linked wildlife network with enhanced adaptation to climate change.
• Plan for an evolving landscape outside of the National Park surrounding the south-eastern conurbations, maintaining food production and areas of semi-natural woodland that help to preserve and enhance the tranquillity of the National Park while maintaining the expansive, open downland character of its eastern extent.
• Plan for the regeneration and replanting of existing, predominantly, small hill-top beech plantations particularly in the west and east chalk uplands.
• Encourage restoration and ongoing management of estate and parkland landscapes and the management and conservation of veteran parkland trees for biodiversity and heritage value.