JCA No. 113 - North Kent Plain
Overall comments (note 1)
Relatively large scale, open, agricultural landscape. 2.4% of the area within the Kent Downs AONB.
There are opportunities for both SRC and Miscanthus to be accommodated in the JCA particularly around urban developments; Miscanthus could be accommodated on arable areas and SRC on the higher ground of the Blean. However there are areas under much pressure where there are sensitive views, habitats and other interests to be taken into account. Much of the western part is currently and will continue to be developed for housing etc as is part of the Thames Gateway Growth Area.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | An open, low and gently undulating landscape characterised by high-quality, fertile, loamy soils. |
N – The lowland topography is potentially able to absorb SRC, but steep slopes should be avoided. |
N – The lowland topography is potentially able to absorb Miscanthus, but higher ground should be avoided. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Predominantly treeless landscape. West devoid of trees and hedges. East shelterbelts of poplar and alder and orchards. Blean has the largest area of continuous woodland (ancient trees) – several of high conservation value. |
PA/N – Avoid obscuring views of orchards. Opportunities to contribute to woodland cover, if plantations were kept relatively small, in scale with local woodland cover. |
PA – There are limited opportunities for Miscanthus. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Exposed arable/horticultural fields with sparse hedgerow pattern. Regular patterns of rectilinear fields defined by changes in crop type rather than hedges. |
PA – SRC could be very prominent in the open landscape but the scale of the fields would be appropriate. |
PA – Miscanthus could be very prominent in the open landscape but the scale of the fields would be appropriate. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Extensive fields of cereals, root crops, horticulture, some pasture. Orchards and horticulture predominant in the east. |
PA/N – Out of character with the cropped agricultural use. Avoid loss of pasture. |
PB/N – In keeping with the extensive agricultural use. Avoid loss of pasture. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Urbanisation and large settlements (Dartford, Gillingham, Chatham, Margate and Broadstairs on Thanet) are often visually dominant. M2 and A2. |
PB/N - Urban fringe areas may have potential to accommodate SRC. Avoid tourist destinations and viewpoints. |
PB - Urban fringe areas may have potential to accommodate Miscanthus. Avoid tourist destinations and viewpoints. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Extensive areas of grazing marsh and reed beds. Ancient coppice woodland and permanent grassland. |
PA – Need to protect vulnerable habitats. |
PA – Need to protect vulnerable habitats. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Roman roads and defences. Bronze Age small-fields and lynchets. Historic parklands. |
Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic landscape character. |
Avoid known archaeological sites and their settings, and respect historic landscape character. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Darent, Medway, and Great Stour rivers. |
PA – Should avoid the open plain/coastline, height, size and textures are likely to appear conspicuous and alien. |
PA – Should avoid the open plain/coastline, height, plot size and textures are likely to appear conspicuous and alien. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wide views over extensive land of the Thanet plateau. |
N – While in some areas crops may stand out, the scale of the landscape will help to accommodate them. |
N – While in some areas crops may stand out, the scale of the landscape will help to accommodate them. |
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