JCA No. 107 - Cotswolds
Overall comments (note 1)
The Cotswolds landscape is a steep scarp and long, rolling dip slope cut into a series of plateaux by numerous rivers and streams. Characterised by limestone walls, especially on the predominantly arable plateau top and hedgerows, beech woodlands and limestone grasslands on the scarp slope. Most of the area falls within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Energy crops, particularly SRC, may be appropriate on the plateau top and the broad river valleys to the east where existing small woodlands are a feature, however, care must be taken to retain the open exposed nature of the plateau top landscape and the pattern of the limestone walls. Large scale Miscanthus (and SRC) plantations in areas of strong field boundary pattern (walls or hedgerows) should be avoided as they would weaken the character of the area.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | A steep western scarp face dissected by steeply incised valleys and a long, rolling dip slope cut by numerous rivers and streams into a series of rolling plateaux and valleys to the east. |
N/PA – Impractical on steep scarp slopes. |
N/PA – Impractical on steep scarp slopes. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Dense beech woodlands and tree clumps are characteristic on the scarp slopes and ridge tops. |
Impractical to plant on steep valley sides where beech woodlands occur. |
N – Impractical to plant on steep valley sides. Possible to accommodate at the whole field scale into the arable and mixed farming landscape. |
| Small to moderate size coniferous and broadleaved shelterbelts and plantations border roads on the flat plateau top and other areas of broadleaved woodlands occur on the upper slopes of the valleys. | N/PB – Possible to fit small plantations into existing pattern of small farm woodlands on plateau top and upper valley slopes. But, avoid causing enclosure in areas where existing woodland is limited. PA – need to consider scale, pattern and cumulative impact in a predominantly open arable landscape. |
||
| Boundary features (note 7) | Large rectilinear fields divided by limestone walls are characteristic on the ridge tops and higher land. | N – Potential for planting in the valleys.PA – Avoid obscuring patterns of limestone walls. | PA – Planting may obscure patterns of limestone walls, in particular where large scale rectilinear fields are weakly divided by relic walls or where a strong field pattern is characterised by walls and well maintained (low) hedgerows. |
| Well treed hedges occur on the scarp face and valleys and divide rectilinear fields on the dip slope. | |||
| Agriculture (note 8) | Predominantly arable across the plateaux and on the dip slope with some areas of meadows and pasture in the valley bottoms. | PA – In a predominantly open arable landscape. N - Areas where existing woodland cover occurs on the wold would accommodate moderate size plantations. |
N - Accommodate at the field scale into the arable and mixed farming landscapes. |
| Pasture occurs on the steeper scarp slopes and valleys. | |||
| Settlement and development (note 9) | The principal towns of Bath, Stroud and Cirencester lie on the edge of the area. | PA - Movement of harvesting equipment could be difficult on narrow lanes. | PA – Movement of harvesting equipment could be difficult on narrow lanes. |
| Small towns and villages lie along the scarp foot, in valley bottoms and on the gentler valley sides. | |||
| Small hamlets and isolated farmsteads occur on the higher ground. | |||
| Complex network of roads link settlements. | |||
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Unimproved limestone grassland occurs on the scarp slope and ridge-top. | PA – Where it would result in the loss of semi-natural habitats or impact on the character of the beech and other broadleaved woodlands. | PA – where it would result in the loss semi-natural habitats. |
| Wet meadows with alder and willow carr occur in the valley bottoms. | |||
| Beech woodlands on the scarp slopes and ridge-tops are nationally important. | |||
| Woodlands on the plateaux tops. | |||
| Historic features (note 11) | Numerous Iron Age hill forts and prehistoric earthworks on the crest of the scarp slope and on the hilltops (of the outliers). Neolithic and Bronze Age barrows and tombs are prominent on the wold. Historic parks, designed landscapes and gardens are significant on the dip slope. | PA - Avoid these and other known historic features and retain their setting in the landscape. PA – where the setting of, or views into or from, parklands are obscured. |
PA - Avoid these and other known historic features and retain their setting in the landscape. PA – where the setting of, or views into or from, parklands are obscured. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Streams and rivers flow through deeply incised river valleys of the scarp slope. | N - Impractical along the steeply incised river valleys.Planting within the undulating broad valleys of the dip slope will increase the sense of enclosure. | N - Impractical along the steeply incised river valleys.Planting within the undulating broad valleys of the dip slope will increase the sense of enclosure. |
| Broad valleys divide the dip slope into a gently undulating landscape. | |||
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Extensive views across the open higher ground and from the ridge-top across the Severn Vale. | N – planting in enclosed areas in the valleys or areas of the wold where small woodlands are a feature. PA - planting on gaps along ridge-top that removes opportunities for views. PA -Extensive planting on the wolds would change the predominantly open exposed character of the area. |
N/PA – Extensive planting on the lower slopes of the scarp and on the ridge-top will be visible from within the Severn Vale and from the ridge-top above. |
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