JCA No. 141 - Mendip Hills
Overall comments (note 1)
The predominantly Carboniferous limestone landform of the Mendips rises abruptly out of the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels and Moors in the west. In the east, it descends into a complex pattern of low ridges as it gradually merges with the southern end of the Cotswolds, the Yeovil Scarplands and the Avon Vales. The western half of the area falls within the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area combines the classic features of a karst landscape, with complex ritual, industrial and agricultural landscapes extending in time from the prehistoric period to modern quarrying. The Mendip Hills are also renowned for their extensive, open views and this, together with the physical and cultural constraints, will limit opportunities for SRC and miscanthus plantings. Potential areas of search for sites may be restricted to the ‘Strawberry Belt’ at the base of the south western slopes between Wells and Axbridge, and perhaps in the valleys east of the Mendip plateau extending from Wells to Frome.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | A chain of prominent limestone hills extending inland from the coast and rising up sharply from surrounding lowlands. | N - Impractical on steep valley sides. Potential areas of search for sites may be restricted to the ‘Strawberry Belt’ at the base of the south western slopes between Wells and Axbridge, and perhaps in the valleys east of the Mendip plateau extending from Wells to Frome. | N - Impractical on steep valley sides.Potential areas of search for sites may be restricted to the ‘Strawberry Belt’ at the base of the south western slopes between Wells and Axbridge, and perhaps in the valleys east of the Mendip plateau extending from Wells to Frome. |
| Significant local variations in landscape character are associated with: the Bleadon Hills; land in the Lox Yeo valley and adjacent hills; the south western slopes between Wells and Axbridge, (with vertical limestone cliffs); the central plateau and northern slopes, from Shipham towards Stoke St. Michael; | |||
| Ridges and valleys east of the plateau extending from Wells to Frome. | |||
| Woodland (note 6) | Prominent conifer plantations on the central ridge. The edges of the plateau and the escarpment slopes support broadleaved woodland. | N/PA - Impractical and undesirable to plant on steep valley slopes, and planting would be undesirable on high land. | N/PA - Impractical and undesirable to plant on steep valley slopes, and planting would be undesirable on high land. |
| The eastern part of the area has many ancient woodlands - particularly in the valleys but also on less steep ground. | N / PB - in some parts of eastern Mendip where consideration needs to be given to new tree planting and hedgerow reinstatement. Some mass planting of SRC may help to mitigate some impacts of quarrying. | N – woodlands may help to break up views of appropriate plantings in the eastern farmland | |
| Small groups of willow on the Lox Yeo valley floodplain. | |||
| Boundary features (note 7) | A largely rectilinear field pattern on the central plateau with hedges and enclaves of stone wall field boundaries. | PA – masking of highly visible, historic field patterns | PA - masking of highly visible, historic field patterns |
| Ancient, irregular field patterns with hedges and stone walls on the ridges east of the central plateau | |||
| Land within the ‘Strawberry Belt’ is divided into many narrow fields | |||
| Agriculture (note 8) | Much of the area is under improved pasture, with some horticulture on the south west lower slopes. | PA/N - the potential for SRC could be ascertained in the ‘Strawberry Belt’, and to the east of the JCA. | PA/N - the potential for Misc. could be ascertained in the ‘Strawberry Belt’., and perhaps to the east of the JCA |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Villages are concentrated at the foot of the Mendip slopes. Elsewhere settlement is scattered. | PB - planting may provide some benefits such as screening of major roads/quarry development from certain viewpoints. | PB - planting may provide some benefits such as screening of major roads/quarry development from certain viewpoints. |
| Major transport routes such as the M5 and A38 cut through the western end of the area. | |||
| Quarrying in East Mendip is a major industry, with large and active superquarries seeking to expand further. | |||
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Unimproved limestone grassland on the plateau slopes, with open moorland in the north. | PA - not appropriate: planting would create a loss or weakening of semi-natural character within or surrounding these landscapes | PA - not appropriate: planting would create a loss or weakening of semi-natural character within or surrounding these landscapes |
| “gruffy ground” left from the lead industry which has re-vegetated to form important semi-natural habitats. | |||
| Marshy land in the valley bottoms, including some neutral unimproved meadows and damp woodlands. | |||
| Historic features (note 11) | Extensive prehistoric remains; over 300 barrows were constructed across the Mendip Plateau, forming a ritual landscape of national significance. | PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. PA – where views of historic structures and parklands are restricted | PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. PA – where views of historic structures and parklands are restricted |
| Remains of deserted Medieval settlements and lynchets and industrial archaeological sites, reflecting the past lead, coal and cloth industries. | |||
| Parkland is characteristic of the Wells Bowl. | |||
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Abandoned mine workings have developed as ponds. | PA – physical and visual impacts on these local landscape features | PA – physical and visual impacts on these local landscape features |
| Springs emerge at the foot of the plateau. | |||
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | The plateau in particular is characterised by “immense” views e.g. across the Bristol Channel and Somerset Levels from key viewpoints. | PA – where plantings restrict or obscure public views or where the scale of planting weakens the characteristic pattern and scale of boundaries and land cover N - opportunities in the east – where planting does not curtail public views. | PA – where plantings restrict or obscure public views or where the scale of planting weakens the characteristic pattern and scale of boundaries and land cover N - opportunities in the east – where planting does not curtail public views. |
| The tall churches of Mendip are visible from great distances and form distinctive elements to many views. | |||
| Restricted views within the eastern valleys | |||
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:
14 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002