JCA No. 33 - Bowland Fells
Overall comments (note 1)
The scenic qualities of this valued AONB landscape depend on the contrasts and links between the massive but simple uplands and the verdant lowlands. Biomass crops would introduce new textures and patterns which have the potential to adversely affect the integrity of the landscape. There is little or no scope for absorption or mitigation of either SRC or Miscanthus.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | The large-scale, sweeping landform of the Bowland Fells is incised by narrow, wooded, intimate valleys and cloughs. |
PA - SRC would be intrusive and alien in the upland landscape. Valley locations would offer more favourable physical conditions but the crop would be highly visible because of its contrasting texture and height. |
PA - There are likely to be few locations which are physically suitable, and these would be visible and the crop likely to be perceived as alien because of its contrasting colours, height and seasonal changes. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Extensive coniferous plantations occur to the south-east and east of the area. |
PA - The existing coniferous woodland is itself conspicuous in the landscape and would not necessarily help to absorb SRC into the landscape. |
PA - There would be strong contrasts in winter between Miscanthus and the dark conifer plantations. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | The upland pastures are criss-crossed by dry stone walls. Regular enclosures are found on higher ground where commons were systematically subdivided; more irregular enclosures are found on the slopes |
PA - The enclosure pattern would be obscured by biomass crops |
PA - The enclosure pattern would be obscured by biomass crops |
| Agriculture (note 8) | The fells are grazed mainly by sheep, with some cattle. |
PA - would introduce an alien element in this pastoral landscape |
PA - would introduce an alien element in this pastoral landscape |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | There is a scattered settlement pattern, with picturesque stone villages and strong unity of building materials, styles and village form. |
PA - The unity of the landscape composition could be adversely affected by the introduction of conspicuous new landscape elements. |
PA - The unity of the landscape composition could be adversely affected by the introduction of conspicuous new landscape elements. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | The open, rolling heather moorland and blanket bog are managed for grouse shooting and grazed by sheep. |
PA - These high quality habitats would be unsuitable for, and adversely affected by biomass crops |
PA - These high quality habitats would be unsuitable for, and adversely affected by biomass crops |
| Historic features (note 11) | In medieval times the Bowland Fells was part of the Royal Forest of Lancaster, the top providing hunting ground for wolves, with deer on lower slopes. |
PA - This historic landscape still has great unity. |
PA - This historic landscape still has great unity |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | The valleys of the Lune, Ribble, Hodder and Wyre are linked to the fells by wooded cloughs. |
PA - SRC would be an intrusive element even in the valley bottoms as these are part of a larger landscape with which they have strong visual connections. |
PA - Miscanthus would be an intrusive element even in the valley bottoms as these are part of a larger landscape with which they have strong visual connections |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | The uplands and lowlands are open and often intervisible |
PA - Absorption and mitigation are likely to be difficult |
PA - Absorption and mitigation are likely to be very difficult |
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