JCA No. 60 - Mersey Valley
Overall comments (note 1)
There are opportunities within the Mersey Valley JCA for both SRC and Miscanthus to be accommodated without significant landscape effects, due to the low-lying valley character, the complex land use pattern including arable and mixed farmland, and the existing urban influence on the landscape. However this is also an area under much pressure where there are sensitive views, habitats and other interests to be taken into account.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Broad river valley, low lying, with low relief, estuarine in west, and with extensive areas of reclaimed mossland in the west |
PB - The river basin topography has potential to accommodate SRC |
PB - The gentle slopes of the Mersey Valley have potential to accommodate Miscanthus |
| Woodland (note 6) | Scarce, mainly associated with settlements, occasional former parkland, or natural regeneration on derelict or unused land, but increasing because of Mersey and Red Rose Forests initiatives. |
PB - There are opportunities for mitigation through new tree or copse planting associated with SRC |
N /PB - There are limited opportunities for tree and woodland planting in association with Miscanthus although in some areas this could change the local landscape character |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Regular large scale field pattern, often defined by degraded hedgerows with isolated hedgerow trees. Network of ditches in reclaimed mosslands |
PB - Neglected hedges have much potential for enhancement and mitigation of SRC impact. |
PB - Neglected hedges have much potential for enhancement and mitigation. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Open arable farming to north of valley, mixture of arable and dairying to the south. Agricultural character is weakening and changing however. |
PB - The more mixed farming to the south may accommodate SRC better than the more open arable farmland to the north of the Mersey |
PB - Miscanthus may be acceptable as a seasonal crop where farming is currently mixed or predominantly arable use. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Large densely populated urban areas, much residential expansion. Dense communications network - major roads, railways, canals, pipelines, transmission lines. Large scale industry along the Mersey, landfill sites. |
PB - There are opportunities for SRC to be absorbed into the complex land use pattern if local views and recreational uses are taken into consideration. |
PB - There are opportunities for Miscanthus to be absorbed into the complex land use pattern if local views and recreational uses are taken into consideration. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Salt marshes, remnants of semi-natural mosslands, pockets of basin peats, aquatic habitats. |
PA - In order to strengthen local character, where mosslands are in poor or declining condition SRC should only be planted in the vicinity where it could have no adverse impact |
N - In order to strengthen local character Miscanthus should not be planted on areas with potential for natural habitat enhancement. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Industrial archaeology, limited remains of ancient frontier fortifications, much remains of early settlement lost under urban expansion. Remnant designed parklands with plantations |
N – SRC should not be planted where it affects remaining historic sites, buildings, designed landscapes or their setting |
N - The sensitivity of remaining historic sites, buildings and designed landscapes or their setting should be respected. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | River Mersey, tributaries, ditches, floodplain, estuary. |
PB - SRC may be accommodated in lowlying damp situations where willow might occur naturally. |
N - Opportunities for Miscanthus may be limited in very lowlying damp areas, particularly where winter flooding occurs. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Much of area is open and flat, with views across valley. Some parts dominated by industrial artefacts, roads and bridges |
N - Care would be needed near settlements and viewpoints due to creation of enclosure and possible obstruction of views. |
N - Care would be needed near settlements and viewpoints due to creation of enclosure and possible obstruction of 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:
15 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002