JCA No. 39 - Humberhead Levels
Overall comments (note 1)
The Humberhead Levels is a low lying productive agricultural landscape, noted for its open character and extensive views. Generally biomass crops could be easily assimilated in to the current pattern of cropping, although care needs to be taken as to the cumulative effect of extensive schemes, which could create unwelcome enclosure and obstruct long views. There are areas where local soil and field pattern variations mean that biomass crops might not be so easily accommodated, and more care would need to be taken to ensure that they are introduced in such a way as to contribute to local landscape character. The planting of biomass crops is NOT APPROPRIATE within the Isle of Axholme Special Project Area, where the primary aim is to protect the extensive pattern of mediaeval open strip fields.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Predominantly flat, low lying land with peat formations and deposits of sand creating distinctive local variations |
|
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Overall, very little woodland cover, limited to occasional blocks of woodland in open landscape |
PB – plantations of an appropriate scale could be assimilated into the large scale landscape and would contribute to the limited woodland cover |
PB – plantations of an appropriate scale could be assimilated into the large scale landscape |
Remnant birch and oak woodlands and extensive conifer plantations on sandy soils to north and south |
PB – but avoid planting in or close to birch and oak woodlands |
PB – plantations could contribute to the wooded character of these local landscapes |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Fields are large, regular and geometric, usually divided by dykes |
PB – where plantations follow existing field patterns and buffer zones along watercourses are maintained |
PB – where plantations follow existing field patterns and buffer zones along watercourses are maintained |
Small scale fields in Fishlake and Sykehouse area to the east, with strong field pattern delineated by well developed hedges |
N – but avoid obscuring field pattern by cumulative impact of extensive plantations |
N – but avoid obscuring field pattern by cumulative impact of extensive plantings |
|
Internationally important area of remnant mediaeval open strip fields on raised land at the Isle of Axholme |
PA – plantations of coppice are not appropriate within the Special Project Area, as it introduces enclosure and obscures the open strip field pattern |
PA – planting of Miscanthus is not appropriate within the Special Project Area, as it introduces enclosure and obscures the open strip field pattern |
|
Strong patterns of cable fields near Goole |
PA – avoid obscuring field pattern |
N – as long as plantings respect local field patterns |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Intensively farmed area, predominantly arable and root crops, with some livestock |
N |
N |
Pastoral livestock farming dominates in Fishlake and Sykehouse area to the east |
N |
N |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Limited to scattered farmsteads on higher land, and linear villages |
N |
N |
Industrial centres such as Goole and Selby |
N – although there could be opportunities for planting adjacent to industrial sites |
N – although there could be opportunities for planting adjacent to industrial sites |
|
Narrow winding lanes in Fishlake and Sykehouse area |
PA – harvesting machinery would impact on narrow hedged lanes |
PA – harvesting machinery would impact on narrow hedged lanes |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Internationally important mires on peat |
PA – avoid |
PA – avoid |
Important fragments of wetland habitats, such as flood meadows, especially along lower Derwent |
PA – priority is to be given to wetland habitats; avoid planting on or adjacent to them, or increasing their fragmentation |
PA – priority is to be given to wetland habitats; avoid planting on or adjacent to them, or increasing their fragmentation
PB – can contribute to character of riparian landscape |
|
Areas of remnant heathland on sandy soils in north and south |
PA – priority is to be given to opportunities for restoring heathland; avoid fragmentation |
PS – priority is to be given to opportunities for restoring heathland; avoid fragmentation |
|
| Historic features (note 11) | Important time-depth of palaeo-environmental evidence contained within layers of soil deposits |
PA – avoid deep cultivation where underground evidence is significant |
|
The Isle of Axholme is the only surviving landscape of mediaeval open strip fields, and is of national and international importance. Within the Special Project Area, funds are available to support farmers to manage the land to retain its historic features. |
A – plantations of coppice are not appropriate within the Special Project Area, as it introduces enclosure and obscures open strip field pattern |
A – planting of Miscanthus is not appropriate within the Special Project Area, as it introduces enclosure and obscures open strip field pattern |
|
Widespread evidence of drainage history in rivers, dykes and artefacts. |
PA – avoid obscuring important local historic features |
|
|
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Several major rivers drain in to the Humber estuary. |
N |
N |
Most rivers and streams embanked. |
N |
N |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Long and expansive views punctuated by water towers and power stations |
PA – avoid creating extensive plantations which would introduce enclosure and obstruct long views |
PA – avoid creating extensive plantations which would introduce enclosure and obstruct long views |
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