59 - Wirral : 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

Low-lying but gently rolling platform punctuated by low sandstone outcrops. This western portion of the Wirral peninsula stretches from the mid-Wirral sandstone ridge to the Dee Estuary.

Justification for selection:

• The area’s landform comprises a low-lying peninsula, defined by the Mersey and Dee estuaries, which slopes gently from a dramatic sandstone ridge.
• The ridge separates the area from the industrial and residential development of the Merseyside Conurbation to the east.

Geology is dominated by glacial till overlying Triassic red mudstones and sandstones, with sandstone ridges and outcrops.

Justification for selection:

• The harder coarse red Triassic sandstone reaches the surface to create ridges and outcrops in many parts of Wirral, providing long views over the estuaries and lower areas of farmland.
• Rock outcrops such as Red Rocks, Hilbre Island, Middle Eye and Little Eye are distinctive features of the coast.
• The eastern shore of the Dee Estuary is backed by a stretch of till cliffs. Natural coastal erosion is prevalent on the soft cliffs and the presence of slumped material is common. Soft cliffs supply sedimentary material and therefore perform an important coastal processes role.

The north Wirral coast is characterised by extensive beaches along the foreshore; while the large funnel shaped Dee Estuary lies between the Wirral peninsula and north-east Wales.

Justification for selection:

• A dynamic landscape affected by the movements of the sea.
• The Dee Estuary is a commercial waterway providing access to the Port of Mostyn, to Shotton and to Connah’s Quay.
• In addition to the large areas of intertidal sand flats, mudflats and coastal salt marsh, the Dee also includes the islands of Hilbre; three small low lying sandstone islands located approximately 1 km off the extreme north-west corner of the Wirral peninsula.
• Long distance panoramic views extend across the vast expanse of the Dee Estuary towards the far shores. At low tides the full extent of the mud flats and channels is visible from a few locations but most vantage points provide views over a green expanse of coastal salt marsh with open water a considerable distance beyond.
• The sea wall at Parkgate delineates the former coast line before the rapid silting of the Dee Estuary following the canalisation of the River Dee in the 18th century.

Drainage is into the Dee Estuary in the west and the Mersey Estuary in the east, with a network of small streams and drainage ditches.

Justification for selection:

• The south-western part of the NCA contains streams draining to the Dee Estuary.
• Most small rivers in the north of the peninsula drain into the Birket which itself flows into the River Mersey via Wallasey Pool (Birkenhead Docks), while Clatter Brook and the River Dibbin drain into the Mersey at Bromborough Pool.
• Drainage ditches are present along many field boundaries.

Predominantly broadleaved woodland, with woodland cover on sandstone ridges, country parks and country estates.

Justification for selection:

• Woodland cover is relatively low at 856 ha (5 per cent of the NCA).
• Woodland includes mature pines, particularly in coastal regions.
• Woodland concentrated on the outcrops, ridges and in country estates and country parks forming prominent landscape features.
• Pockets of woodland often create the impression of considerable woodland being present.
  Formal landscape created by former, large country estates and mixed agricultural land, with areas of improved pasture, arable farming, market gardens and extensive areas given over to grazing horses.
• A mosaic of former large country estates, parks and mixed farmland, with areas of improved pasture, arable farming, market gardening and growth of nursery stock.
• Horse paddocks are also a dominant land use.

Fields defined by intermittent clipped hedgerows with copses and some red sandstone walls and field ponds ‘marl pits’; coastal areas often with a geometric field pattern bounded by ditches draining former marshlands.

Justification for selection:

• Fields are medium in size, bounded by intermittent flailed hedgerows that are often replaced by post and wire fencing.
• In coastal areas fields are either bounded by ditches draining former marshland or hedges characterised by gorse scrub.
• Smaller-scale, but important, landscape features include copses and field ponds.
• The practice of marling resulted in many pits or ponds in farmed areas.

A significant coast and estuary with internationally, nationally and locally recognised wildlife and habitats while inland extensive areas of lowland heathland are associated with sandstone outcrops.

Justification for selection:

• The coastal strip along the Dee Estuary and north Wirral foreshore is characterised by extensive internationally important areas of intertidal sand flats, mudflats and coastal salt marshes with internationally important populations of wildfowl and waders. These areas include parts of the Dee Estuary Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site, and the Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.
• Relic fragments of coastal sand dunes, including Red Rocks Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which provides habitat for a population of natterjack toad.
• Inland, large tracts of lowland heathland occur on sandy hills in Wirral, such as at Heswall Dales SSSI and Thurstaston Common SSSI. The silver-studded blue butterfly has been re-introduced to lowland heathland in Wirral as a conservation measure.

The rural landscape, with country estates, scattered farms and mix of ancient and post-medieval fieldscapes, is interspersed with residential commuter belt development, with towns and villages coalescing due to suburban development linked by an intricate network of lanes, bridleways and footpaths.

Justification for selection:

• Many towns and villages have expanded to act as dormitory settlements for the nearby urban centres of Birkenhead, Liverpool, Ellesmere Port and Chester.
• Settlements are typically linked by an intricate network of lanes, bridleways and footpaths.

Red sandstone is common throughout the area; the pink hues of the local red stone bring warmth to the landscape and provide a unifying theme in buildings, walls bridges and churches.

Justification for selection:

• Many traditional buildings are of local red sandstone, reflecting the underlying geology, with some older structures in half timber.
• Boundaries of red sandstone walls are a common theme running throughout the Wirral.

Recreation and tourism supported by good access to the dramatic coastal landscape and outstanding ornithological interest, with a number of accessible green spaces.

Justification for selection:

• Wirral provides access to recreational resources for the adjacent Merseyside Conurbation and Mersey Valley populations.
• The Dee Estuary is an important recreational area.
• Country parks such as Wirral Country Park, Local Nature Reserves, including Hilbre Islands, and 23 Local Wildlife Sites.
• National Trust land.
• RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands nature reserve on the south-west coast.
• There are a large number of golf courses along the coastal strip and in rural areas. Some golf courses include good habitat for wildlife.

Landscape opportunities

• Conserve and enhance coastal and estuarine habitats, allowing the role of natural coastal processes to be maintained.
• Conserve and enhance coastal salt marsh habitats.
• Manage the coastal sand dune systems to prevent further fragmentation and ensure coastal sand dune habitats are maintained and enhanced.
• Conserve, enhance and restore lowland heathland as a characteristic element in the landscape; woodland regeneration has occurred on some areas of former lowland heathland. Consider clearance and restoration of lowland heathland habitats in appropriate locations on these sites.
• Protect and manage the area’s small woodlands and copses, restoring broadleaved woodlands
• Increase tree cover in appropriate locations to provide multiple benefits including enhancing the landscape, helping improve water quality, adapting to climate change and reconnecting habitats.
• Manage and restore the significant network of hedgerows and hedgerow trees, improving hedgerow condition, to enhance the landscape as well as providing habitat corridors for wildlife.
• Retain and enhance the network of sandstone wall field boundaries for their visual and historic qualities.
• Conserve and enhance the network of infield ponds (‘marl pits’), pond margins and pond landscapes.
• Ensure that horse paddocks are integrated into the agricultural landscape.
• Maintain or restore semi-natural grasslands, lowland meadow, acid grassland and other semi-natural and species-rich grassland.
• Increase habitat for farmland birds, providing mosaics of overwintered stubbles, spring sown cereals, buffer strips and extensively managed grass for year round bird habitat and maintain or restore wet grassland habitat for breeding birds.
• Maintain and enhance the sense of tranquillity and locally important views of the coast and countryside.
• Carefully integrate residential commuter settlement expansion to retain the contextual associations with the rural landscape setting.
• Provide networks of green infrastructure, creating a high-quality environment to support biodiversity, provide recreational and educational opportunities, enhance the landscape, create local routes for walking and cycling and provide accessible natural green spaces for people close to where they live and work.
• Manage and enhance historic parkland landscapes, and restore the structure and character of designed landscapes.
• Support the England Coast Path to ensure that sensitive features are not negatively impacted. Where possible incorporate better public access provision in the future.