JCA No. 125 - South Downs
Overall comments (note 1)
Predominantly Chalk outcrop rising gently form the South Coast Plain with north facing scarp and distinctive chalk cliffs ending at the sea. The Downs have a wild, exposed and remote character. 84% of the area is in the East Hampshire and South Downs AONBs.
Energy crops, particularly Miscanthus, may be appropriate in central Downs lower floodplain arable areas, albeit bringing a new character through creating some enclosure. SRC would be appropriately located on higher ground by settlements.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | A chalk landscape of high exposed rolling hills, steep scarps, rounded open ridges and dry valleys (combes). |
N – impractical on steep valley sides, possible opportunities on lower slopes and where opens out to floodplains. |
N – impractical on steep valley sides, possible opportunities on lower slopes and where opens out to floodplains. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Few trees on the upland slopes (e.g. eastern Downs). |
Impractical to plant on steep valley sides. |
Impractical to plant on steep valley sides. |
Woodland concentrated on steep scarp slopes, extensive plantations on broad dip slopes of the western downs, scattered copses, coniferous and broadleaved woodlands (beech, ash and sycamore). |
PB/N – Impractical to plant on steep scarp slopes. Large scale and nature of planting would not be in keeping with wooded nature of many areas. |
Impractical to plant on steep scarp slopes where mainly woodlands lie. |
|
Large estates with formal designed parkland, majority in the west chalk uplands. |
N – Potential to locate in an already enclosed landscape. |
N – Potential to locate in an already enclosed landscape. |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Hedges are rare on the eastern downs, but provide enclosure on the western downs. |
PA/N - Whilst suited to larger fields, would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
PA/N - Whilst suited to larger fields, would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Rectilinear pastures and wet grazing meadows (dairy cattle and sheep). |
PA – Avoid loss of pasture. |
PA – Avoid loss of pasture. |
Large open arable areas (cereals) on higher ground to intensive farming in the centre of the Downs to the coastal plain. |
N - SRC could be incorporated into to the large arable areas. |
PB - on lower floodplain areas, where could be accommodated into current pattern of cropping. |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Lightly settled landscape with scattered villages, hamlets and farmsteads. Prominent urban area to the east. Major north-south routes concentrated in river valleys, with few roads small and rural within the Downs. Disused chalk quarries and landfill sites. |
PB/N - Avoid disrupting setting of villages. Minor roads could limit access for harvesting. Opportunities for screening urban settlements and major roads. |
PB/N – Avoid disrupting setting of villages. Minor roads could limit access for harvesting. Opportunities for screening urban settlements and major roads. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Chalk grassland (grass-leys) on east and far west slopes and combes. SSSI. |
PA – Avoid chalk grassland, which is vulnerable to change. |
PA – Avoid chalk grassland, which is vulnerable to change. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Rich in archaeological remains, particularly Neolithic and Bronze Age round barrows tracks, flint mines and prominent Iron Age hillforts. ‘The Trundle’ of Neolithic rings and ditches. Roman roads and drove roads. ‘Arundel Castle’. |
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) | Rivers from the Low Weald cut through the Downs forming river valleys and broad floodplains. |
N – Would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
N – Would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Panoramic views from escarpment tops and the coastal headlands – provides a sense of remoteness. (E.g. South Downs Way). |
PA - Planting on low-lying land / floodplains lead to loss of relatively open views. |
PA - Planting on low-lying land / floodplains lead to loss of relatively open views. |
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