JCA No. 33 - Bowland Fringe and Pendle Hill
Overall comments (note 1)
This is a medium to large scale landscape, often outward looking, with a pattern of small woodlands and good hedges providing opportunities to accommodate some biomass planting, particularly in the valley bottoms and areas grading into the Lancashire and Amounderness Plain. The area is mostly within the Forest of Bowland AONB, and is valued for its relatively unspoilt countryside close to urban populations, so care in siting crops will be needed.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | An undulating, rolling landscape with local variation created by numerous river valleys and by the moorland outliers of Beacon Fell, Longridge Fell and Pendle Hill on the S side of the area. To the N drumlins are characteristic while to the S, strong, mounded outcrops of limestone form distinct landscape features. |
PB - There is potential in some of the lower-lying flatter areas. Areas where limestone outcrops at the surface or forms scarps should be avoided to avoid obscuring the distinctive landforms. |
PB - There is potential, particularly in the transitional areas with gentler slopes on the western fringes |
| Woodland (note 6) | Semi-natural woodland, much of which is ancient, occurs on the main valley bottoms, side valleys and ridges, and is dominated by oak, ash and alder. Part of the Ribble valley falls within the Elwood initiative area, encouraging new planting. |
PB - The existing pattern of small woodlands has potential to help accommodate SRC into the landscape |
PB - The existing pattern of small woodlands has potential to help accommodate Miscanthus into the landscape |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Medium- to small-scale fields are defined by hedgerows with mature hedgerow trees. |
PB – areas with good hedgerows. Avoid very small scale irregular fields near settlements PA – estate landscapes and higher areas with stone walls |
PB – areas with good hedgerows. Avoid very small scale irregular fields near settlements. PA – estate landscapes and higher areas with stone walls |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Land use is mainly permanent, improved pasture for dairy and livestock farming. |
PA – would be out of character to introduce into predominantly pastoral landscapes |
PA – would be out of character to introduce into predominantly pastoral landscapes |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | A network of winding hedge-lined country lanes connects small, often linear, villages, hamlets and scattered farmsteads, mostly in local stone. The area is easily accessible from nearby centres of population to the S and W. |
N - Avoid planting where it would affect the setting of locally distinctive villages and farmsteads |
N - Avoid planting where it would affect the setting of locally distinctive villages and farmsteads |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | There are lush hay meadows and some rough grazing at higher elevations. |
PA – where semi-natural habitats would be affected |
PA – where semi-natural habitats would be affected |
| Historic features (note 11) | Isolated country houses set in well-maintained formal parkland are typical of the area and may be enclosed by belts of woodland and estate fencing. |
N – while belts of woodland could help to accommodate SRC, designed landscapes and their settings should be avoided |
N – while belts of woodland could help to accommodate miscanthus, planting should not affect designed landscapes and their settings |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Meandering and commonly tree-fringed rivers with ox-bow lakes, numerous watercourses and bodies including a number of reservoirs and field ponds north of Preston. |
N - SRC should not be planted where it could affect natural geomorphological processes, but there could be opportunities within floodplains. |
PB – could contribute to riparian landscapes, although watercourses and water bodies should be avoided, as should floodplains subject to seasonal flooding. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | The Bowland Fells provide a dramatic backdrop to the north with extensive views across the river valleys and Lancashire Plain below. |
N - The landscape is generally large scale enough to accommodate biomass crops without significant adverse impact. Avoid known viewpoints |
N - The landscape is generally large scale enough to accommodate biomass crops without significant adverse impact. Avoid known 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