JCA No. 137- Isle of Portland/Weymouth Lowlands
Overall comments (note 1)
The Isle of Portland is a dramatic and distinctive limestone peninsular linked to the varied ridge and valley landscape of the Weymouth Lowlands. Much of the Weymouth Lowlands are also within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The opportunities for biomass plantings are very restricted by physical and visual constraints in this largely exposed and open coastal area. Some opportunities exist for SRC in the few valley bottoms and mixed farming parts of the vales. Miscanthus may be appropriate in arable and mixed farming areas within the pattern and scale of existing cropping, and where the small-scale features of the landscape (e.g. trees and boundary patterns) will not be obscured.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Narrow limestone ridges, and rugged limestone plateau peninsular of Portland Bill |
N – impractical on the windswept limestone ridges and plateau |
N – impractical on the Portland plateau |
Undulating clay vales and coastal valleys |
N – opportunities on the lower-lying land |
N – opportunities on the lower-lying land |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Sparse woodland, restricted to steeper valley slopes in the west |
N – impractical on steep slopes adjacent to woodlands |
N – impractical on steep slopes adjacent to woodlands |
Copses and clumps around farmsteads |
PA - large blocks contrast strongly with pattern of clumps and copses; also not appropriate close to farmsteads |
PA - large blocks contrast strongly with pattern of clumps and copses. |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | A rectilinear field pattern with low, sparse hedges across the ridge tops |
PA – field sized blocks mask the field patterns and create enclosure |
PA – field sized blocks mask the field patterns and create enclosure |
Intricate, irregular field pattern of bushy hedges on the slopes |
N/PA – impractical on slopes and could be very conspicuous |
N – impractical on slopes |
|
Large-scale field pattern with ditches and hedges inland from the coast, and stone walls in the Bride Valley |
N – opportunities for some whole field plantings in the undulating vales and some valley bottoms |
N – opportunities for field plantings on lower slopes and in the undulating vales PA could mask important stone wall boundary patterns |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Mixed farming in the vales; predominantly arable on the ridge tops |
N – some opportunities for small-scale plantings in the sheltered vales |
N opportunities for field plantings in the vales, within the existing pattern of mixed farming |
Predominantly pasture on the slopes, on Portland, and within valley floodplains and coastal farmland |
PA – weakening of the pastoral landscape character |
PA – weakening of the pastoral landscape character |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Extensive urban fringe around Weymouth and densely settled on Portland |
PB - some small-scale opportunities close to the urban fringe non-residential areas of Weymouth |
PA – large scale plantings not appropriate |
Farmsteads and hamlets on the valley sides with compact villages on the lower slopes |
N – siting of planting and any structures should respect local views from settlements and public rights of way |
N – plantings should respect local views from settlements and public rights of way |
|
Ridges entirely free of settlement or built development |
PA – associated structures not appropriate to remote character |
PA – associated structures not appropriate to remote character |
|
Circuitous coastal road with few lanes |
N – impractical access |
N – impractical access |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Scrub patches in steep grassland fields |
PA – obscured views over or loss of habitat |
PA – obscured views over or loss of habitat |
Brackish coastal lagoon and marshes – The Fleet, and Radipole Lake at Weymouth |
|||
| Historic features (note 11) | Prehistoric settlement remains on limestone ridges and beside The Fleet |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. |
Roman and Medieval quarrying and settlement remains |
|||
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | River Bride with chalk stream tributaries in the sweeping valley to the west |
N – some small-scale opportunities in the valley bottoms and clay vales near watercourses |
N/PA – opportunities on the lower valley slopes and in the vales, but larger scale may mask riverside trees and scrub |
River Wey and tree-lined tributaries drain the vale; marsh estuary at Weymouth |
|||
Long brackish lagoon (The Fleet) behind Chesil Beach |
PA - obscured views along the coast |
PA - obscured views along the coast |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Open views from across the exposed ridge tops and over the coastal farmland |
PA – plantings obscure public views from ridge tops |
PA – plantings obscure public views from ridge tops |
Restricted views across enclosed valleys in the higher land to east and west |
N – opportunities for small-scale plantings in valley bottoms |
N – opportunities for planting on lower slopes and within the vales |
|
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:
20 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002