JCA No. 145 - Exmoor
Overall comments (note 1)
Exmoor is an elevated upland plateau landscape that includes surrounding hill farmland. Most of the area falls within the Exmoor National Park, and it contains a wealth of environmental features unique to the south west and is therefore a much-valued landscape for outdoor recreation by the public.
The opportunities for SRC and miscanthus plantings are limited both by physical constraints and also by potentially adverse effects on the unique and distinctive landscape character that depends largely on the continuation of traditional farming practices. The opportunities are generally restricted to the lower fringe of farmland around the south side of the upland plateau. Here, small-scale, discrete plantings of SRC may be accommodated in some of the wider valley bottoms. Miscanthus may be accommodated on lower areas of mixed farmland retaining the balance between arable crops and grassland.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Upland plateau deeply incised by narrow river valleys with steep slopes and flat valley bottoms |
N – impractical on exposed plateau, headlands and steep slopes |
N – impractical on exposed plateau, headlands and steep slopes |
Complex coastline with high cliffs, headlands and combes |
|||
Low-lying vale – Porlock to Dunster |
N – some small-scale opportunities on less exposed sites within the vale |
N – some small-scale opportunities on less exposed sites within the vale |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Broadleaf woodland and conifer plantations on steep valley slopes and coastal combes |
N – impractical on the steep slopes. Small-scale plantings towards the west may fit within woodland pattern |
N – impractical on the steep slopes. |
Scattered farm woodlands towards the east e.g. Brendon Hills. |
N – where plantings fit with the scale and pattern of farm woodlands |
N – woodlands may help to break up views of plantings |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | 19c moorland edge enclosures bounded by beech hedgebanks, often stone faced |
PA – not appropriate: plantings create enclosure within the open, pastoral character of this elevated landscape |
PA – not appropriate: plantings create enclosure within the open, pastoral character of this elevated landscape |
19c enclosure, regular field pattern with hedgebanks or walls and sparse trees on high farmland |
|||
Ancient, irregular field pattern with mixed species hedgebanks on lower farmland |
N – opportunities for discreet, small/medium scale plantings within the lower farmland valleys |
N – opportunities within the fringe farmland to the south and west where plantings fit with the scale and pattern of arable cropping and grassland |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Unenclosed heather and grass moors, grazed, on the high plateau |
PA – plantings enclose the open, unenclosed moorlands |
PA – plantings enclose the open, unenclosed moorlands |
Predominantly livestock pastures on plateau farmland and flat valley bottoms |
PA – plantings reduce the permanent pastures that characterise these landscapes |
PA – plantings reduce the permanent pastures that characterise these landscapes |
|
Mixed farming in the Porlock to Dunster vale |
N – some opportunities inland for small-scale plantings in the shallow valleys |
N – some opportunities inland where plantings fit with the scale and pattern of arable cropping and grassland |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Villages and farmsteads in sheltered valley bottoms |
N – plantings should respect views and public access around settlements PA – highly sensitive near large coastal settlements |
N – plantings should respect views and public access around settlements PA – highly sensitive near large coastal settlements |
Valley and ridge roads connected by steep winding lanes and bridleways |
|||
Well-populated coastal resort towns at Minehead, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe |
|||
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Extensive, unenclosed moorland includes heather, grass, bracken |
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 |
Coastal and fringe heathland, e.g. County Gate and within Brendon Hills |
|||
Valley mires and bogs within enclosed farmland |
|||
Saltmarsh at Porlock and dunes at Braunton |
|||
| Historic features (note 11) | Prehistoric barrows, ritual sites and hill forts on the upland plateau and coast |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. PA – where views of buildings and parklands are restricted |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. PA – where views of buildings and parklands are restricted |
Medieval farmsteads and historic parklands |
|||
Medieval field patterns (and open field system at Braunton Great Field) |
|||
Industrial/mining remains in enclosed farmland |
|||
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Many fast flowing streams that flow from the upland plateau feed the main rivers |
PA – where plantings physically impact upon or obscure these natural characteristic landscape features |
PA – where plantings physically impact upon or obscure these natural landscape features |
Narrow flood plains contain tree-lined river channels within valley bottoms |
|||
Dramatic, cliff coast truncated by low saltmarsh at Porlock |
|||
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wide, extensive views across a large scale landscape, from the upland plateau and surrounding hills |
PA – where plantings restrict or obscure 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 views or where the scale of planting weakens the characteristic pattern and scale of the landscape, including boundaries and land cover |
Restricted and localised views along the secluded, incised valleys |
N - opportunities in the south for small-scale plantings where public views are not curtailed. |
N – these small-scale and linear landscapes are not well suited to planting |
|
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 s10 May, 2007CA. 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:
15 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002