JCA No. 54 - Manchester Pennine Fringe
Overall comments (note 1)
This area, transitional between urban valley bottoms and Pennine uplands is generally unsuitable for biomass crops, but there could be limited opportunities in lower urban fringe areas for SRC to be planted without an adverse effect on landscape character.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | This transitional area runs along the boundary of the Millstone Grit uplands of the Southern Pennines and the Dark Peak and the overlying Coal Measures which dip south and east beneath the Manchester plain. The smooth, undulating landform has been cut by a series of steep sided valleys |
PA - Biomass crops would adversely affect the character of the uplands and steep-sided valleys. There could be limited opportunities in lower areas where the uplands grade into the Manchester plain |
PA - Biomass crops would adversely affect the character of the uplands and steep-sided valleys. There could be limited opportunities in lower areas where the uplands grade into the Manchester plain |
| Woodland (note 6) | Woodland cover is sparse overall, though there are concentrated pockets of woodland within the narrow, steep sided stream valleys. Areas of scrub are also found on steeper slopes. |
PA - SRC would be very visible in areas of sparse woodland, and those areas with pockets of woodland would be unsuitable for SRC |
PA - There are few opportunities for mitigation through existing woodland. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | The lower, steeply undulating foothills are characterised by a regular pattern of fields, varying in size according to the topography. Hedges in lower areas give way to stone walls on higher ground. |
PA/N - Areas with hedges would offer more opportunities to accommodate SRC into the local landscape. Areas with stone walls should be avoided. |
PA/N - Areas with hedges would offer more opportunities to accommodate Miscanthus into the local landscape. Areas with stone walls should be avoided. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Agriculture is based on stock rearing, with fields comprising a mixture of variable quality grassland and rough grazing. |
PA - Biomass crops would appear alien in a pastoral landscape. |
PA - Biomass crops would appear alien in a pastoral landscape. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Traditional buildings such as farmsteads and the cores of older settlements are constructed in characteristic Pennine stone. Stone walls and winding lanes combine with these buildings to give many parts of the area a consistent, upland feel. The larger urban areas are located in the valley bottoms and at the foot of escarpments. Nearby countryside often has an unkempt appearance due to heavy recreational use from adjacent urban areas and the diversification of farming into urban related uses. |
PA/N - There may be limited opportunities in urban fringe areas to accommodate SRC planting |
PA/N - There may be limited opportunities in urban fringe areas to accommodate SRC planting |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Semi-natural habitats include unimproved grassland, rushy meadows and herb rich hay meadows. |
PA - Semi-natural habitats are scarce and unsuitable for biomass crops |
PA - Semi-natural habitats are scarce and unsuitable for biomass crops |
| Historic features (note 11) | While there are prehistoric and medieval landscape elements (barrows and field systems), 18th and 19th century industrialisation that has had the most significant influence on this landscape., including continuing quarrying, sand and gravel working, landfilling and brick making. |
N - While biomass crops should avoid areas where there would be an adverse impact on historical landscape character, there could be opportunities for SRC on or near restored mineral workings |
PA - Miscanthus should not be planted where there would be an adverse impact on historic landscape character, but there are unlikely to be many opportunities for planting in this area. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | River valleys on the Pennine edges are steep sided and fast flowing |
PA - Possibly limited opportunities in broader flatter valleys downstream |
PA - There are unlikely to be opportunities for Miscanthus. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Excellent views from many upland areas and ridges. Urban areas with good views to hills, but sometimes enclosed in steep-sided valleys. |
N – The limited opportunities for planting would not often interfere with views |
N |
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