Clun
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Introduction
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The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme has now closed to new applicants. Defra introduced a new Environmental Stewardship Scheme on 3 March 2005 which supersedes (with enhancements) the ESA and Countryside Stewardship Schemes. These pages are in the process of being updated to reflect the latest information relating to this ESA.
The Clun ESA extends to just over 21, 000 heactares of upland valleys and hills in South West Shropshire. The Clun ESA is a predominately pastoral landscape of gently rolling hills surrounding an elevated landscape. It is located on the Welsh Marches, being bounded on three sides by the Welsh border. The two broader valleys of the rivers Clun and Teme drain eastwards, away from their source in the Welsh uplands.
Description
The Clun ESA lies within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gently rolling hill tops and valley sides, with their small scale field patterns contrast with the broader valley floors of the rivers Clun and Teme. The varying patterns and sizes of grass fields are enclosed by long established hedges, often with mature trees, and the presence of isolated farmsteads and clustered settlements contribute to a traditional character. The area was long fought over by the Welsh and English which is reflected in the many earthworks and historic features associated with defensive sites such as Offa's Dyke.
Significant Habitats and Species
Over 90% of the area is now protected by ESA agreements which all have compulsory hedge management and restoration programmes in place. The ESA is also bounded to the south by the nationally important River Teme SSSI. For many centuries, agriculture has consisted of a mixture of sheep and arable farming but there remain fragments of remnant heathland on the upland plateau and ancient semi-natural woodlands on the steep valley sides. These support a variety of plants and associated invertebrate fauna. The wet grasslands of the river valleys are also valuable habitats.
ESA Management Options
The management options for the different landscape types that can be entered into ESA agreements for Clun are given in the ERDP documents section of this site, under Annex X of the England Rural Development Programme. This is a whole farm scheme with four management options:
- To maintain and enhance landscape quality through the management of characteristic elements such as hedgerows, traditional buildings, habitat mosaics, field parcels, extensive permanent grassland and historic features.
- To enhance the nature conservation interest of grassland by reversion of improved grassland to extensive permanent grassland or rough grazing.
- To enhance the nature conservation interest of arable land through reversion to permanent grassland and the creation of conservation headlands.
- To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale native woodland.
Contacts
Tony Phillips Tel: 01952 234037
David Ragbourne Tel: 01952 234033
Helen Kent Tel: 01952 234017
Fax: 01952 234040
Jordan House
Hall Court
Hall Park Way
Telford
TF3 4NF
Page last modified: 26 April, 2006
Page published:
10 December, 2002