JCA No. 25 - Yorkshire Moors and Cleveland Hills
Overall comments (note 1)
Prominent upland plateau dissected by dales, lying between the Tees Lowlands in the north, Vale of Pickering in the south, the Vale of Mowbray in the west, and bordering the North Sea to the east. Most is designated North York Moors National Park.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Dominated by high moorland plateau tilted to the south, steep escarpment along its northern edge and gentler slopes along the Vale of Pickering. Cleveland Hills blend into the Hambledon Hills and North York Moors to the east. Roseberry Topping is a distinctive landmark (outlying hill) in the north. High moorland is dissected by a series of broad, sweeping dales but steep-sided in places. |
PB – opportunities along gentler slopes of valley bottom |
PB – opportunities in the valley bottoms. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Higher moors are generally treeless |
PA – avoid because it would introduce woodland into an open landscape. |
PA – would introduce enclosure into an open landscape |
| Broadleaf woodlands in the sheltered dales and lower areas to the south. | PB – where plantations are of a small scale that are in sympathy with existing woodland patterns. | PA – inappropriate land cover in steep valleys, and would introduce enclosure in the lower more open areas | |
| Extensive areas of coniferous plantations located on the lower areas of moorland. | PB – could introduce deciduous woodland to ameliorate the impact of existing coniferous plantations. | PA – the plantations are often conspicuous in the landscape, and Miscanthus would exacerbate this by creating a strong visual contrast. | |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Varied field boundaries across the area, combination of stone walls | PA – avoid obscuring integrity of historic field patterns and boundaries | PA – avoid obscuring integrity of historic field patterns and boundaries |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Rough grazing on higher moorlands.Mixed, predominantly pastoral farming in the Dales.Arable on the lighter soils of lower areas to the south. | PA – unsuitable terrainPB – provided this does not lead to loss of pasturePB – on lower slopes or valley bottoms such as southern slopes of the Tabular Hills. | PA – unsuitable terrainPB – provided this does not lead to loss of pasturePB – where arable areas are located in the valley bottoms and provided the plantings respect existing field patterns. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Nucleated settlements within upland dales. Elsewhere, more dispersed with a scatter of farmsteads and roadside cottages. Small fishing villages cling to steep valley sides.Industrial facilities such as the potash works at Boulby and military communications infrastructure at Fylingdales. Large caravan parks along the coast. | NPB – although MOD at Fylingdales will restrict accessibility, could provide some screening to works. PB – could provide some shelter and screening | NPB – although MOD at Fylingdales will restrict accessibility, could provide some screening to works. PB – could provide some shelter and screening |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Extensive heather moorland. High stretches of cliffs punctuated by sandy or rocky bays, forms part of the heritage coast. | PA – where would lead to loss of habitat. . | PA – where would lead to loss of habitat. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Varied archaeology from prehistoric to industrial - Catterick twentieth century military camp and Menwith Hill ‘golf balls. Upland dales: ecclesiastical sites (Rievaux/Ryedale Abbeys). | PA – respect historic landscape character and avoid known archaeological sites and their settings. | PA – respect historic landscape character and avoid known archaeological sites and their settings. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Rivers flowing south, east or north east, from upland mass. Streams and rivers cut deeply into high moorland plateau. | PB – except on steep slopes, small scale plantations could contribute to riparian landscape | PB – except on steep slopes, small scale plantations could contribute to riparian landscape |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Moorland plateau has good horizons and open skies. Panoramic views across contrasting dales |
PA – planting would be obtrusive in the open landscape and would obscure views.
|
PA – planting would be obtrusive in the open landscape and would obscure views. |
| Upland dales - Steep, broad glacial valleys cut through Middle Jurassic sandstones and mudstones to reveal the Lower Jurassic shales. | PA – planting would obscure valley views. | PA – planting would obscure valley views. | |
| South Hambleton Hills and Tabular Hills - open, exposed landscape with distinctive landforms - scarps and south facing dip slopes. Southern slopes cut by a series of small river valleys and shallow dry valleys. | PB – on lower valley slopes | PB - In arable, low-lying areas. | |
| Coast - Abrupt, cliffy coastline with rocky bays and occasional sandy beaches | PA – would obscure views of clifftops and coastline. | PA – would obscure views of clifftops and coastline. | |
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:
25 April, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002