JCA No. 126 - South Coastal Plain
Overall comments (note 1)
A flat coastal plain, comprising major urban developments, linked by the A27/M27 corridor, which dominates much of the open intensely, farmed coastal plain. 11% falls within the Chichester Harbour AONB, and 5% lies within the, designated but yet to be confirmed, South Downs National Park.
Biomass crops, particularly Miscanthus, may be appropriate in the lower coastal plain where fertile arable soils could produce high yields, albeit bringing a new character through creating some enclosure. SRC could be appropriate to the upper coastal plain 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 flat coastal plain with an intricately indented shoreline, extending inland divided into a lower and upper plain. |
N – Opportunities on upper plain. |
N – Opportunities on lower slopes and where opens out to floodplains. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Small and medium sized broadleaved woodlands - ancient and semi-natural, and coniferous plantations (Upper coastal plain). Shelterbelts of pine, oak or poplar and heaths (Lower coastal plain). |
PB/N – On higher ground. The scale of planting should respect local scale and pattern of woodland cover. Could be located by shelterbelts. Avoid planting on heaths. |
PA/N – Large blocks would contrast with pattern of small woods. Could be located by shelterbelts. Avoid planting on heaths. |
Small number of coastal heaths and woodlands (Lower coastal plain). |
PA/N – Avoid coastal heaths, planting should respect local scale and pattern of woodland cover. |
PA/N – Avoid coastal heaths, planting should respect local scale and pattern. |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Drainage dikes, wire fences or low banks (Lower coastal plain). Homogeneous landscape of large open fields with few trees or hedgerows, low hedges around large arable fields. (Lower coastal plain). Hedgerows and garden exotics link with woodland to provide an enclosed field framework (Upper coastal plain). |
PA/N – Care should be taken to maintain the essential open ‘treeless’ character of the coastal plain landscape. Large blocks would create enclosure. |
PA/N - Care should be taken to maintain the essential open ‘treeless’ character of the coastal plain landscape. Large blocks would create enclosure. |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Intensive arable farming predominates with mixed farming, hay meadows, horticulture and paddocks near urban areas (Upper coastal plain). Large arable fields of the lower plain, dairy, beef or poultry. Horticultural glasshouse estates and market gardens (Lower coastal plain). |
PB/N – Plantations may sit well in these landscapes. |
PB/N – Plantations may sit well in these landscapes. |
Permanent grassland (Arun floodplain) a feature of poop quality land. |
PA – Poor soil quality would reduce the yield potential. |
PA – Poor soil quality would reduce the yield potential. |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | The lower plain (coastal margins) comprising urban fringes, seaside resorts linked by major road systems and hamlets, villages with minor roads. Chalk quarries of Ports Down. |
PB/N – Tree planting around edge of settlements on lower plain should only serve to shield views of urban development - to minimise their effect upon the open character. |
PB/N – Tree planting around edge of settlements on lower plain should only serve to shield views of urban development - to minimise their effect upon the open character. |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Mudflats, salt marshes and wetland scrub fringe the undeveloped harbours. 5% SSSI. Species-rich meadows remain inland (Upper coastal plain). |
PA – Avoid habitats, which are vulnerable to change. |
PA – Avoid habitats, which are vulnerable to change. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Important Roman villa sites around Chichester, Roman fort at Portchester and a post-medieval abbey at Tichfield. |
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) | Streams and rivers flow through the Plain to the sea, forming wide alluvial floodplains. |
N – Would create some enclosure. SRC yield potential is low in these areas. |
N – Would create some enclosure. Potential for high yields. |
Coastal inlets and harbours comprise complex series of creeks, mudflats and shingle beaches. |
Inappropriate to plant in these areas. |
Inappropriate to plant in these areas. |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | From the Downs and coastal plain edge there are long views towards the sea and the Isle of White. |
PA – Plantations on the lower coastal plain will detract from the open character. |
PA – Plantations on the lower coastal plain will detract from the open. |
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