JCA No. 118 - Bristol Avon Valley and Ridges
Overall comments (note 1)
An enclosed landscape strongly influenced by the River Avon and its tributaries, which carve gorges through the limestones and sandstones and wide shallow gently undulating valleys through the clays and mudstones. Extensive areas of ancient woodland occur on the scarps and steeper slopes. The area includes Bristol and the settlement pattern in the area is generally dense.
Small areas (<10ha) of energy crops, in particular SRC, would be appropriate within the Character area which lies within the Bristol and Avon Community Forest Area, and in particular may bring benefits to the degraded urban fringe and motorway corridor landscapes. Planting within the Chew and Gordano Valleys would be out of character as are both high value landscapes with little tree cover and good views and planting would create enclosure. Care should also be taken to protect the setting of the historic parklands within the area.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Complex landform of low lying, shallow vales that contrast sharply with limestone scarps and high open downland ridges. |
N – impractical on scarp slopes and steep valley sides; possible opportunities on lower more gentle slopes of the valleys. |
N – impractical on steep valley sides; possible opportunities on the flatter arable land and lower slopes. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Extensive areas of ancient woodland occur on the scarps and ridges between Congresbury and the Avon Gorge and on the Failand Ridge. |
N – Impractical to plant on steep valley sides where main woodlands lie. |
N – Impractical to plant on steep valley sides.
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Elsewhere smaller and fragmented woodlands are confined to steeper land. |
PB – Planting in the valleys and on less steep slopes in more enclosed areas. Restrict plantations to <10ha in size as large blocks would add enclosure in a generally un-wooded landscape. |
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| Boundary features (note 7) | Large fields with low intermittent hedges and few hedgerow trees occur on the flatter land and downland. |
PA – Care should be taken not to obscure field boundary patterns, especially where medieval field patterns occur. |
N – appropriate in larger fields, but would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
Traditional stone walls in the shallow broad valleys and farmed coal measures and on areas of the downland. |
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Irregular fields (strong medieval field patterns) with overgrown species rich hedges occur in the valleys and steeper slopes (predominantly in the south east). |
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| Agriculture (note 8) | Arable is predominant on the flatter land in the north east and pasture on downland; semi-improved grasslands occur in wetter valley bottoms and on downland slopes. |
N – although plantations would alter the balance with cropping, thus altering character. |
N – in the predominantly arable areas, although may bring some enclosure. |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | 21% of the land area is urban with Bristol and its commercial, industrial and residential areas, major roads (M4 and M5), airfields and reservoirs. |
PB - opportunities exist around the urban fringe to soften hard urban edges, degraded farmed landscapes around industrial developments, the airport and the M4 and M5 corridors. |
PB – opportunities may exist around the urban fringe |
Settlement is generally dense, especially in the south with many villages enlarged as commuter settlements. |
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In limestone areas settlements are clustered around springs whilst in the vales they are scattered, linked by a complex network of lanes with linear mining villages superimposed. |
PA – plantations would increase sense of enclosure already created by narrow lanes in remoter areas; movement of harvesting equipment could be difficult. |
PA – would increase the sense of enclosure in small scale intimate areas with narrow lanes |
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| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Calcareous grasslands on limestone ridges and combes. |
PA – where it would result in the loss of, or impact on, unimproved grasslands, wetlands and woodlands. |
PA – where it would result in the loss of, or impact on, unimproved grasslands, wetlands and woodlands. |
Remnant areas of heathland, acidic and neutral grasslands on shallow ridge and sandstone uplands. |
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Wetlands in the valley bottoms. |
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Ash and maple broad-leaved ancient woodlands. |
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| Historic features (note 11) | Neolithic long barrows, stone circles and Iron Age hill forts are important features. |
PA - Avoid these and other known historic features and retain their setting in the landscape. |
PA - Avoid these and other known historic features and retain their setting in the landscape. |
Parkland is an important feature in the south and west where the woodlands and mature and exotic trees bring a distinctive local character. |
PA – where the setting of, or views into or from, parklands or the built heritage are obscured. |
PA – where the setting of, or views into or from, parklands or the built heritage are obscured. |
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| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | The River Avon and its tributaries, the Frome and Chew, strongly influence the whole character area, carving gorges through the limestones and sandstones and wide shallow valleys through the clays and mudstones. |
PB – Planting in the valleys and on less steep slopes and on low lying land near the Avon. |
PB – on low lying land near the Avon. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | The high quality landscapes of Chew Valley and Gordano Valley are visible. |
N – where planted in more enclosed areas. |
N – where planted in more enclosed areas or on low lying land. |
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