JCA No. 20 - Morecambe Bay Limestones
Overall comments (note 1)
There is a variety of different landscape sub types in this distinctive character area, which is also physically subdivided by prominent ridges and wide estuaries. There is some limited potential for biomass crops, particularly SRC, in the flat or undulating lowland areas, away from the coastline, but much of the landscape is designated, including parts of the Lake District National Park, the Arnside and Silverdale AONB and the Forest of Bowland AONB. Other Areas of Search for National Park or AONB extension are proposed, so generally there is a need for very sensitive siting of any future biomass crops.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Faulted outcrops of Lower Carboniferous limestone form upstanding blocks and bare limestone scars, pavements and cliffs around Morecambe Bay. Lower lying pastoral areas are found between the hills and the coast, contrasting with surrounding limestone hills. |
PA - The limestone hills are unsuitable for SRC. The varied but small scale topography offers few opportunities to accommodate blocks of SRC. |
PB - Flat or undulating lowlands may have potential. Undulating lowland topography would help to break up views. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Some scrub and broadleaved woodland is found in the inland areas, with some areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland. There are relatively few trees on the coast. Coppice woodlands are a further feature of the area which reflect past traditional management practices. |
N - Woodlands are associated with the hills, where SRC is unsuitable. Where they exist in the lowlands they may help to absorb SRC into the landscape |
N – There is very limited potential for woodland to help mitigate the effects of Miscanthus. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Fields are generally enclosed by limestone walls or hedges. |
PB - Hedges could help to accommodate SRC into lowland landscape. Avoid upland areas with stone walls. |
PB - Hedges could help to accommodate Miscanthus into lowland landscape. Avoid upland areas with stone walls. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Sheep and cattle graze the coastal pasture and intertidal commons. Lowland raised mires surrounding the limestone outcrops have been reclaimed for agriculture. Rough grazing is a feature of the higher grounds on unimproved limestone grassland or rough fell vegetation. |
PA – coastal pasture and intertidal area |
PA – coastal pasture and intertidal area |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Settlements are generally dispersed and rural in character, having usually grown around large farmsteads. |
PA - Most settlements are surrounded by locally distinctive countryside, where biomass crops could have an adverse impact. The impact on tourist destinations would need to be carefully assessed. |
PA - Most settlements are surrounded by locally distinctive countryside, where biomass crops could have an adverse impact. The impact on tourist destinations would need to be carefully assessed. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Semi natural areas include a mosaic of species rich grassland, limestone pavements, scrub, semi-natural coppice woodland, herb-rich grasslands, peaty fenlands and mosslands. |
PA - SRC should not be planted where it would affect semi-natural habitats |
PA - Miscanthus should not be planted where it would affect semi-natural habitats |
| Historic features (note 11) | Historic features include burial mounds and stone circles on higher ground, prehistoric settlements and enclosures on Birkrigg Common and medieval field patterns. |
PA - Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic landscape character |
PA - Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic landscape character |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | The coastline consists of shifting intertidal sand flats and saltmarsh with minor channels and pools, with further substrates exposed at low tide. R Leven and R Kent flow into Morecambe Bay. |
PB – floodplains only |
PB – floodplains only |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | There are outstanding views from hills to sea, lowland valleys and high fells. Within valleys views may be interrupted by vegetation or topography. |
PA - ridges and viewpoints. As lowlands are usually over-looked, planting should respect existing land use pattern |
PA – ridges and viewpoints |
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