JCA No. 19 - South Cumbria Low Fells
Overall comments (note 1)
The Cumbria Low Fells are partly within the Lake District National Park, extend as far as the edge of the Yorkshire Dales park, and include Areas of Search for extension of these designated areas. The JCA includes a range of scenic high hill or very undulating landscape types together with river valleys. The landscape is often scenic, with contrasts between uplands and traditionally farmed lowlands, and introduction of biomass crops could have an adverse impact on the perceptions of the area by visitors. Valleys and undulating lowland to the east of Kendal may have limited potential for planting.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Undulating low fells and ridges, together with 300m+ high rugged fells. Underlying Silurian slates and shales contribute to the area’s gentler, undulating character and form compared with the nearby high fells. Distinctive drumlin topography to the SE of Kendal, with Lune Valley and higher rolling farmland beyond | N - There are relatively few areas of lowland to the W of Kendal but opportunities may exist in valley floors |
PA - Miscanthus is unlikely to be suited to the rugged or very undulating topography of the JCA but there could be local opportunities in wider valleys. |
| Woodland (note 6) | The area includes substantial woodland and large mature trees. Small broadleaved and coniferous copses are found on the rugged fells and coniferous and broadleaved woodland on the small valley slopes and ridges. |
N – Although there is large amount of woodland present, it is not generally located where it could help in assimilating biomass crops other than in or near the Lune valley |
N - Although there is large amount of woodland present, it is not generally located where it could help in assimilating biomass crops. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Field boundaries are generally dry stone walls (local sandstone, or limestone in the south) and field sizes in the lower areas are generally small to medium, increasing towards the east.
| PA - The distinctive field patterns formed by stone walls could be obscured by biomass planting. Areas of drumlins and the Lune Valley have a hedgerow pattern which would help to absorb SRC if planted on lower ground. |
PA - The distinctive field patterns formed by stone walls could be obscured by biomass planting. Areas of drumlins and the Lune Valley have a hedgerow pattern which would help to absorb Miscanthus |
| Agriculture (note 8) | A pastoral landscape, with improved undulating pastures and some areas being particularly well managed to provide a parkland character, particularly adjacent to Windermere and Coniston lakes. Extensive areas of semi improved pasture with ridges and hollows. |
PA - SRC could appear alien in areas of pastoral farming |
PA - Miscanthus could appear alien in areas of pastoral farming. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Settlement is largely in small hamlets and villages on the lower slopes, linked by a network of minor roads. |
N/PA - Biomass crops should not be planted where they could affect the setting of locally distinctive settlements |
N/PA - Biomass crops should not be planted where they could affect the setting of locally distinctive settlements |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | The low fells include heathland, tarns and becks, small wetlands and mires, rough grassland and bracken. Undulating fields of species-rich grassland. |
PA - Biomass crops should not be planted where they could affect semi-natural habitats |
PA - Biomass crops should not be planted where they could affect semi-natural habitats |
| Historic features (note 11) | Historic field systems date from medieval times and there are several deer parks in the area. Sheep walks, established on the fells from the 13th century, are also historic landscape features. |
PA - Avoid designed landscapes and their setting and respect historic landscape character. |
PA - Avoid designed landscapes and their setting and respect historic landscape character. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Large lakes, including Lake Windermere and Coniston Water, streams and minor river valleys are characteristic features of the area. Rivers are fast flowing over rocky beds. |
PA - The settings of lakes, and watercourses should be avoided where they are associated with ‘natural’ landscapes. |
PA - The settings of lakes and watercourses should be avoided where they are associated with ‘natural’ landscapes. There are likely to be few opportunities near rivers and lakes. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | The area offers a variety of outstanding views, inward, outward and within, ranging from very enclosed to exposed and open. |
PA - SRC could be an alien element in valued scenic views. |
PA - Miscanthus could be an alien element in valued scenic views. |
The information contained in the above table and accompanying footnotes has been produced by Natural England, on behalf of Defra, to assess opportunities and optimum sitings of energy crops
1. Overall comments
This section summarises the key characteristics of the JCA and the potential impacts and issues concerned with energy crop planting. It aims to provide an overall indication of the suitability for biomass crop establishment. In JCAs where the physical characteristics are so extreme that it is unlikely that land managers will want to plant biomass crops this is generally noted.
2. Generic landscape characteristics
The headings are based on those used in Natural England’s Countryside Quality Counts (CQC) project, with the addition of ‘topography’ and ‘views and inter-visibility’. They provide a way of breaking down the physical and visual qualities that help to make up the landscape. The potential impacts of energy crops have been assessed against this common framework.
3. Key landscape characteristics
This section aims to highlight for each of the generic categories, the specific landscape features and characteristics within each JCA that may be relevant to the growing of energy crops
4. Potential effects
This section summarises the main potential effects of SRC and miscanthus on each of the key landscape characteristics and features. In making the assessment we considered both the presence or absence of crops, and the the effects of scale and pattern in the landscape. Where the impacts are likely to differ between SRC and miscanthus this has been noted. Although it is very difficult to estimate impacts at such a general level we have attempted to assess whether the landscape impact could be beneficial, neutral or adverse, as follows:
- PB - Potentially beneficial
- N - Neutral
- PA - Potentially adverse
5. Topography
Topography, or landform, is often one of the main influences on landscape character, particularly in hilly or upland areas. We have summarised the overall topography of each area, together with an explanation of any specific or exceptional areas or major landform types. Topography will influence how obtrusive energy crops might be in some areas, or how they might fit in well in others.
6. Woodland
This covers all types of woodland, from ancient and semi-natural woodlands to commercial plantations, and includes broadleaved, conifer and mixed woodlands. As well as woodland type, we are interested in the pattern and scale of woodlands and how woodland cover varies across the JCA. In some areas there are close associations between specific types of woodland and particular landforms. Issues of concern include how biomass crops might contribute to or impact on local patterns of woodland cover, and what layouts or scale might be appropriate.
7. Boundary features
These include all forms of traditional boundaries, including hedgerows, stone walls and ditches. We are also interested in field patterns, particularly where these are of historic importance or are distinctive to the area. Issues considered included whether the establishment, growth or harvesting of energy crops could have an impact on traditional and valuable boundaries, either through direct damage (eg to allow access for farm machinery) or by obscuring or affecting the integrity of existing field patterns.
8. Agriculture
Agriculture includes arable, pasture (livestock), horticulture and mixed farming. In areas that are already intensively cropped, energy crops are likely to be less of an issue, and the impacts could be beneficial or neutral depending on scale. Adverse impacts are more likely in pastoral areas, particularly in low intensity, unimproved grassland areas. In areas where there is an existing underlying trend from grass to arable, the assessment has taken account of any existing landscape and land management priorities that may exist.
9. Settlement and development.
This covers population centres, roads, other infrastructure and mineral workings. In most cases energy crops are unlikely to have a significant impacts. However, in some cases there may be issues concerning the scale or pattern of planting where this would impact on the character of the local road network, or significantly affect the setting of towns or villages.
10. Semi-natural habitats
In this section we are concerned with the presence or absence, scale, and pattern of semi-natural habitats, other than woodland which is covered under 6. In general, many impacts will only be apparent at the detailed site level, which is outside the scope of this exercise. We have only commented where it is likely that biomass crops would impact on semi-natural habitats that are an integral part of the landscape.
11. Historic features.
Historic features refer not just to visible monuments and remains, but also historic areas such as parks and battlefields. As well as the presence or absence of features, we are interested in their density and pattern of distribution, and whether they are above or below ground. Specific, extensive archaeological or historic landscapes are noted. Issues considered included whether planting would obscure or damage historic sites, or whether it would affect the setting or integrity of a historic site. It is important to note that historic remains are extremely widespread and many have not been fully recorded. At this scale we have only referred to obvious sites and concentrations of sites. More detailed site assessment will normally be necessary.
12. Rivers and coasts
Water plays a key role in determining landform and defining landscape character. Issues of concern include whether energy crops could obscure watercourses or disrupt drainage patterns, and any hydrological and coastal management issues.
13. Views and inter-visibility
In some JCAs, views in, out or across an area are a key characteristic of the landscape. These may be broad, sweeping views or local, intimate ones. A key concern will be whether biomass crops would obscure or otherwise have an impact on the nature of these views.
Page last modified:
15 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002