JCA No. 114 - Thames Basin Lowlands
Overall comments (note 1)
A small-scale narrow low-lying landscape a flat but gently undulating clay vale. Urban fringe pressures such as land use conflicts between agriculture, housing, industry and recreation interest will impact on the introduction of biomass crops. Miscanthus and SRC could be accommodated in the flatter parts of the north and east - an open and relatively featureless landscape and around the neglected urban edge, M25 and river valleys.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Gentle undulating lowland plain, rising to the south and east with flatter open featureless parts to the north and east. Soil is very heavy and clayey difficult to cultivate - less fertile acid soils (east). |
N – Low-lying landscape with some potential to accommodate SRC. Poor soils may be unfavourable. |
N – Low-lying landscape with some limited potential to accommodate Miscanthus. Poor soils may be unfavourable. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Commons and woodland (Oak/ash woods and shaws), individual mature tree specimens. West is sparsely wooded. Densely planted ornamental conifers. |
PB – Would contribute to woodland cover, if plantations were kept relatively small, in scale with local woodland cover. |
PA - Out of character of the wooded landscape. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Small- medium sized uneven fields. Wire fences replace hedges close to urban areas, derelict hedgerows, and some hedgerow oaks. Strong hedgerow pattern of streams and ditches. |
PB – There could be opportunities to restore the wooded field patterns / boundaries in association with planting. |
N – There could be opportunities for enhancement of boundaries in association with planting, although would introduce a new character. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Predominantly a pastoral landscape of permanent pasture. Extensive riverside grazing meadows. |
PA/N - Introduction of SRC into areas of pasture would result in its loss and change of character. |
PA/N - Introduction of Miscanthus into areas of pasture would result in its loss and change of character. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Fragmented urban expansion, unkempt character at the edges of settlements. Large areas of estate land, parks and large villages, mineral extraction and pony paddocks. Major roads dissect area (M25, A3). North-east predominantly built-up the east has sparser settlement. Esher and Epsom Commons widely used. |
PB – Opportunities for SRC screening untidy developments and urban fringe clutter in the urban edge, which has a neglected feel. Care should be taken not to restrict or obstruct well-used rights of way. |
PA/N – Would introduce a new character. Opportunities for Miscanthus screening untidy developments and urban fringe clutter in the urban edge. Care should be taken not to restrict well-used rights of way. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Ancient woodland, bluebells, field ponds, meadows and heathland. Peat is locally present in minor tributaries. |
PA - Unsuitable for biomass crops |
PA - Unsuitable for biomass crops |
| Historic features (note 11) | Historical field patterns, boundaries. Landscaped parks some National Trust properties. |
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) | River Mole in the east and the Wey in the west meander through the lowland landscape, broad flat valleys with riparian wet woods and water meadows. |
PB – Could contribute to local riparian landscape. |
N – Flooding e.g. the river Mole would create an unsuitable environment for Miscanthus. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Extensive views from Hog’s Back chalk ridge across the Thames Basin Lowlands. Open and larger-scale views to the North Downs to the south. |
N – Any planting should take residents’ views into account. There could however be opportunities for intermittent screening of eyesores. |
N – Any planting should take residents’ views into account. There could however be opportunities for intermittent screening of eyesores. |
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