Exmoor
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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 ESA extends over 80,615 hectares of the north Devon and west Somerset uplands of Exmoor and the Brendon Hills. Most of the land has Less Favoured Area (LFA) status and is included in the Exmoor National Park (ENP). About half the ENP lies above 300m. The underlying geology consists mainly of Devonian Age sandstones and slates, with some small outcrops of limestone.
Description
Along with the adjacent Quantock Hills Exmoor forms one of only three extensive upland areas in southern England and is consequently of outstanding environmental interest. The diverse landscape is centred on a smoothly moulded upland core and includes coastal cliff, high moorland, fringe hill slopes of enclosed land, incised wooded valleys, and a scattering of villages and isolated farmsteads. The area is rich in archaeological sites dating from the stone age to nineteenth century industrial remains. Agriculture is based on a long tradition of extensive hill/upland livestock farming, mainly sheep with some beef.
Significant Habitats and Species
The main nature conservation interest lies in the upland semi-natural habitats, especially the moorland, its fringe and the coastal heaths. In addition, woodland is widespread, including particularly good examples of ancient semi-natural oak woodland in the incised river valleys and coastal fringe. The high nature conservation interest of the ESA is recognised by the designation of eight biological Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) covering 23% of the ESA
ESA Management Options
The management options for the different landscape types that can be entered into ESA agreements for Exmoor are given in the ERDP documents section of this site, under Annex X of the England Rural Development Programme. This is a whole farm schemes in which all eligible land must be entered in, there two main management options:
- Option one has basic requirements applying to all land, this includes provisions for the maintenance of stockproof hedgerows, banks and walls, weatherproof traditional farm buildings and the control of bracken. Features of historical interest must not be damaged, destroyed or removed. Other rules provide for an extensive management regime of both moorland and enclosed grassland with restrictions on cultivation, drainage, stocking rates and use of fertilisers, lime, pesticides and herbicides.
- Option two aims to maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest and landscape character of moorland by management and stocking levels and to increase the area of heather moorland by reversion on land previously improved for agriculture.
Contacts
Richard Andrews Tel: 01823 285559Helen Baker Tel: 01823 285568
Peter Hull Tel: 01823 285520
Charlotte Maddox Tel: 01823 285518
Maryanne Walker Tel: 01823 285521
Colin Leppard Tel: 01823 285521
Fax: 01823 285560
Riverside Chambers
Castle Street
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4AP
Page last modified: 26 April, 2006
Page published:
10 December, 2002