JCA No. 144 - Quantock Hills
Overall comments (note 1)
The Quantock Hills are a discrete and varied landscape with a prominent ridge, scarp slopes, deep valleys and low hills. The Quantock Hills are also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty centred on the high swathe of unenclosed moor and heath, woodlands and surrounding farmland, valued by the public for outdoor recreation and dramatic views. Much of the ridge and valleys below contain semi-natural vegetation; opportunities for biomass plantings are restricted to the farmland towards the south-east. SRC may be accommodated as small-scale plantings in some of the wider valleys. Miscanthus should be restricted to arable fields within existing cropping patterns rather than large blocks of contiguous fields.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Prominent sandstone ridge |
N – impractical on exposed ridge and steep scarp slopes |
N – impractical on exposed ridge and steep scarp slopes |
Steep south-west facing scarp slopes falling to the fringes of the vale |
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Combes, valleys and low hills to the east and south east |
N – some opportunities in sheltered valley sites |
N – opportunities in the lower hills |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Broadleaf woodland and conifer plantations on the scarp and steep valley slopes and combes |
N – impractical on the steep slopes. Small-scale plantings towards the east may fit within woodland pattern |
N – impractical on the steep slopes. |
Boundary trees create a wooded appearance |
N – where discrete plantings are contained within a well-treed landscape |
N – woodlands may help to break up views of plantings |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Irregular pattern of small to medium sized fields bounded by hedge banks to the east |
N/PA – plantings not appropriate in scarp slope fields |
N/PA– plantings not appropriate in scarp slope fields |
Regular pattern of large fields bounded by hedge banks on the scarp slopes |
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| Agriculture (note 8) | Unenclosed rough grazing on the high ridge top |
PA – plantings enclose the open, unenclosed moorlands |
PA – plantings enclose the open, unenclosed moorlands |
Dairy pastures and mixed farmland on lower hills towards the east and south-east |
PA/N – avoid permanent pastures; opportunities in the mixed farmland areas |
PA/N – avoid permanent pastures; opportunities in the mixed farmland areas within existing crop patterns |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Villages and farmsteads in sheltered combes and valleys, and along the spring line |
N – plantings should respect views and public access around settlements PA – highly sensitive around the ridge top routes |
N – plantings should respect views and public access around settlements PA – highly sensitive around the ridge top routes |
Roads mainly to the east, with a strong network of ridgeway droves and valley footpaths |
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| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Swathe of unenclosed heather and grass moorland on the high ridge |
PA – not appropriate: planting would result in a loss or weakening of semi-natural character within or surrounding these landscapes |
PA – not appropriate: planting would result in a loss or weakening of semi-natural character within or surrounding these landscapes |
Ancient oak woodlands in the valleys |
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| Historic features (note 11) | Prehistoric barrows and ritual sites on the high ridge and lower hills |
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 |
Medieval settlement remains, farmsteads and field patterns |
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Industrial/mining remains in enclosed farmland |
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Medieval deer park remains and historic parkland landscapes |
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| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Fast flowing headwaters drain the high ridge |
PA – where plantings physically impact upon or obscure these characteristic features from public view |
PA – where plantings physically impact upon or obscure these characteristic features from public view |
Tree-lined watercourses within valley bottoms |
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Spring lines on the scarp slopes |
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| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wide, extensive views from and across the high ridge |
PA – where plantings restrict or obscure public views or where the scale of planting weakens the characteristic pattern and scale of the landscape including boundaries and land cover |
PA – where plantings restrict or obscure public views or where the scale of planting weakens the characteristic pattern and scale of the landscape, including boundaries and land cover |
Open views of the steep scarp slopes from the surrounding area |
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Restricted and localised views within the combes and valleys |
N - opportunities in the east for small-scale plantings where public views are not curtailed. |
N – some opportunities on lower valley slopes |
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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 10 May, 2007ng 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