JCA No. 25 -Vale of Pickering
Overall comments (note 1)
An area of low-lying undulating lowland bordered by foothills of the North York Moors to the north, the Yorkshire Wolds and Howardian Hills to the south and the North Sea to the east. Predominant land use is arable, with more woodland cover towards the west, and open drained landscape to the east. There is potential for assimilating biomass crops within the farmed landscape. 3.8% lies within the Howardian Hills AONB.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Low lying and flat but gently undulating lowland rising to foothills of the North York Moors / Cleveland Hills in the north and steep scarp of the Yorkshire Wolds / Howardian Hills to the south and west. |
PA – would introduce enclosure which would change the character of the open landscape |
N |
| Woodland (note 6) | Limited in the lower lying eastern part of the Vale, but more extensive in western areas and around the Vale edges, with copses and more hedgerow trees. |
PB – could contribute to the network of small woodlands if kept in scale with existing woodlands, but avoid the cumulative effect of mass plantations |
PB – could contribute to the network of small woodlands if kept in scale with existing woodlands, but avoid the cumulative effect of mass plantations |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Low hedges with hedgerow trees in the west, but in the east, medium to large rectilinear fields are often enclosed by drainage ditches and dykes. |
N – but avoid obscuring field patterns. |
N – but avoid obscuring field patterns. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | In the west mixed farming with a higher proportion of grassland, but becoming predominantly arable farming towards the east, with pastures along some river floodplains throughout. |
PB – small scale plantations could contribute to the pattern of woodland that breaks up the predominant arable landscape |
PB – could introduce some structural variation, colour and texture within the normal cropping of the arable land |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Most settlements lie along main transport routes on higher ground around the fringes, with a few small nucleated settlements on drier ground in the vale. Villages are linked by a network of straight roads and tracks, although there are few that cross the Vale. |
N |
N |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Limited to small and fragmented areas of wetland habitats and neutral grassland. |
PA – avoid planting on semi-natural habitats, and avoid further fragmentation |
PA – avoid planting on semi-natural habitats, and avoid further fragmentation |
| Historic features (note 11) | The Vale is rich in many layers of historic evidence, including Mesolithic settlements preserved in waterlogged conditions, Neolithic sites, Bronze and Iron Age sites around the fringes. Medieval sites include castles, fortified manor houses, churches, and medieval strip fields. 17th and 18th century country houses and designed landscapes. Historic linear settlements are located above the flood level close to springs and shallow wells, with long thin burgage plots running from the main street. |
PA – Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic |
PA – Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Pastoral floodplains of rivers Rye and Derwent and their northern tributaries. |
PB – could contribute to the riparian character of the landscape if kept as relatively small and discrete parcels |
PB – could contribute to riparian character of the landscape, especially in the arable areas. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | In the east – long views and open landscapes. In the west – flat land enclosed by hills. |
PA – avoid introducing too much enclosure and obscuring long views in the open landscape of the Vale in the east |
PA – avoid introducing too much enclosure and obscuring long views in the open landscape of the Vale in the east |
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