JCA No. 146 - Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes
Overall comments (note 1)
The Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes is a varied landscape of fringe hills, undulating vale, floodplain and low coastline. The mix farming throughout the vales provides some opportunities for appropriately located biomass plantings. Miscanthus is more suited to mixed farmland within the existing pattern of arable cropping. SRC is better suited to lower-lying sites contained within the vales and river valleys.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Central, low clay vale flood plain, and low northern coastline |
PB – opportunities on low-lying land although set back from the coastline |
N – although not suited to wet ground |
Fringe hills and undulating vale |
N – small-scale plantings within the vale near watercourses |
N – opportunities on the lower slopes |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Woodland sparse in the vale |
PA - Creation of a wooded character in open landscape |
N – larger scale plantings are likely to be more conspicuous in open landscapes |
Mixed woodlands on fringe hilltops |
PA - Conspicuous blocks on high land, monoculture contrasts with woodland |
PA - Conspicuous on high land |
|
Mature hedgerow trees throughout |
N – need to allow margins around existing trees |
N – need to allow margins around existing trees |
|
Willows and Alders on floodplains |
PB/N - link to willows in appropriate locations |
PA/N - large scale would not fit with informal pattern of riverside trees |
|
Old orchards scattered throughout |
PA - obscured views of orchards if adjacent |
PA - Obscured views of orchards if adjacent |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | An irregular field pattern of medium sized fields with thick, mixed species hedgerows often on banks. |
N/PA - Large-scale plantings may mask field patterns |
N/PA - Large-scale plantings of contiguous fields may mask field patterns |
Thorn, late enclosure hedges around River Tone floodplain |
PB/N - Regular field pattern more suited to field sized plantings |
N – Regular field pattern more suited to blocks |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Mixed farming in the vales |
N – opportunities for planting at appropriate scale |
N – opportunities for planting within the existing pattern of arable crops |
Horticulture in vales near settlements |
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Pasture dominates the floodplains |
PA - Loss of permanent pasture and local views on level land |
PA - Short term loss of pasture and local views |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Densely settled with large towns |
N/PB - Conspicuous to public view; opportunities to soften edges in non-residential areas |
N – Conspicuous to public view |
Taunton, Bridgwater, Wellington with conspicuous edges in landscape |
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Scattered villages and farms |
N – avoid close proximity, need to respect public views |
N – avoid close proximity |
|
Motorway, main roads and network of winding lanes |
PA - Conspicuous to public view |
N – Short term conspicuous to public view |
|
High public Access |
PA/N - Enclosure of accessible landscapes and impeded views |
N – Seasonal enclosure and loss of views |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Coastal low cliff and scrub patches |
PA - Regular blocks of monoculture out of scale and not in character |
PA - Regular blocks of monoculture out of scale and not in character |
| Historic features (note 11) | Medieval farmsteads and vestiges of open field systems
|
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. |
Historic parklands throughout vales, particularly near the towns |
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| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | River Tone floodplain |
PA - Appropriate location to avoid loss of open, riparian landscapes and key views from footpaths |
PA - Appropriate location to avoid loss of open, riparian landscapes and key views from footpaths |
Many tributary watercourses |
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Streams flowing to the coast |
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| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Broad views across the vale and coast from higher land at the fringes |
PA – plantings on higher land may obscure panoramas/vistas |
PA – plantings on higher land may obscure panoramas/vistas |
Locally enclosed vale by undulations and boundary hedgerows and trees. |
PB – opportunities to fit plantings into enclosed landscapes |
PB – opportunities to fit plantings into enclosed landscapes |
|
Conspicuous settlement features across the open, low vale and floodplains |
PA – plantings may obscure specific views from roads and foot[paths |
PA – plantings may obscure specific views from roads and foot[paths |
|
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:
10 May, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002