JCA No. 77- North Norfolk Coast
Overall comments (note 1)
The North Norfolk Coast is at the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is primarily intertidal, which would be unsuitable for planting biomass, and those areas that are fresh marsh or are slightly higher should not have their character changed by these land uses. Areas of fresh marsh in arable use are candidates for restoration to grass and should not therefore be planted with biomass.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Vast area of coastal plain. Very extensive intertidal sand and mudflats, sand dunes, sandy beaches, shingle banks, saltmarsh, reedbeds, tidal creeks, fresh grazing marsh. North face of Cromer Ridge and of North West Norfolk chalklands separate coastal strip from inland areas, a very few parts being in this area |
PA – Most of this area is not suitable for planting. Fresh marshes should not be planted. |
PA – Most of this area is not suitable for planting. Fresh marshes should not be planted. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Limited to pine trees on some of the dunes |
PA – avoid detracting from these woods |
PA – avoid detracting from these woods |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Fresh marshes divided by drainage ditches. Gappy hedges in the few higher areas of arable. |
PA – avoid intrusion on these features |
PA – avoid intrusion on these features |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Predominantly grazing marsh with small areas converted to arable and other small arable areas on higher land |
N – biomass crops in these areas would very significantly alter their character and should be avoided |
N – biomass crops in these areas would very significantly alter their character and should be avoided |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Lack of settlements and roads on the coastal marshes but distinctive flint villages strung along the coast road. Wells Harbour and Wells caravan site |
N – inappropriate to separate settlements from the coast |
N – inappropriate to separate settlements from the coast |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Fresh marshes, reedbeds and very wide variety of intertidal habitats |
PA – avoid these habitats |
PA – avoid these habitats |
| Historic features (note 11) | Limited to individual examples such as Blakeney chapel, Thornham Coal Barn |
PA – avoid these features and their settings |
PA – avoid these features and their settings |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Most of this coast is managed by conservation agencies |
PA – avoid this area |
PA – avoid this area |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wild, remote and open, with long sweeping views. |
PA – these views should not be closed off |
PA – these views should not be closed off |
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: 11 May 2007
Page published: 11 May 2007