JCA No. 147 - Blackdowns
Overall comments (note 1)
The Blackdowns is a diverse landscape of exposed ridges, narrow valleys, vales and coastal river floodplains. The area also contains a wide range of wildlife habitat and archaeological features, and falls within the Blackdown Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the East Devon AONB. Much of the area has a pastoral character largely dependant on the continuation of traditional farming practices; in this context the opportunities for appropriately located biomass plantings are mainly restricted to the vales and floodplains. The extensive areas of exposed and steep ground are not practical for planting SRC, although the secluded valley bottoms and river floodplains provide some opportunities for discrete, small-scale plantings. The larger fields on the gentler slopes of the vales towards the south, where mixed cropping predominates, provide more suitable opportunities for miscanthus planting.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Open, windswept plateaux and ridges; sheltered valleys with steep slopes, and wider vales to the south |
N – impractical on plateaux and steep valley sides; small-scale opportunities in folds of valleys and vales. |
N – impractical on plateaux and steep valley sides; small-scale opportunities in valleys and vales |
Exposed coastal headlands and under-cliffs |
N – impractical due to physical conditions |
N – impractical due to physical conditions |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Broadleaf and conifer woodland on steep scarps and slopes |
N – impractical on steep slopes; may be small-scale, localised opportunities in combes |
PA – impractical on slopes and would contrast with wooded character |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Ancient, irregular field patterns in the valleys with bushy, mixed species hedgebanks and frequent hedgerow trees |
N – opportunities in larger fields within folds of valleys |
N – opportunities in larger fields within folds of valleys |
19c enclosure on the plateaux with regular field patterns including trimmed beech hedgebanks |
PA – where planting will obscure the historic field pattern |
PA – where planting will obscures views of the historic field pattern |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Predominantly pasture on the plateaux and within northern valleys |
N – opportunities for small scale plantings in some valley locations |
N – opportunities in some larger arable fields in less exposed locations |
Wet grassland and scrub on the steep valley sides |
PA – impractical and loss of pastoral character |
PA – impractical and loss of pastoral character |
|
Mixed farming in the wider southern valleys |
PB – opportunities in valley bottoms, within the existing mixed cropping patterns |
PB – opportunities within the existing mixed cropping patterns |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Farms, hamlets and villages mainly in the valleys |
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 |
Valley and ridge roads linked by sunken lanes |
N – impractical beside lanes, steep access |
N – impractical beside lanes, steep access |
|
Well populated towns at Sidmouth, Seaton and Lyme Regis on the coast |
PA – plantings conspicuous in open landscapes around coastal towns/tourist areas |
PA – plantings conspicuous in open landscapes around coastal towns/tourist areas |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Patches of heathland on the plateaux and coastal headlands |
PA – where it would result in the loss of habitat |
PA – where it would result in the loss of habitat |
Spring line mires on greensand slopes and in narrow valley bottoms |
|||
Willow carr in wet valley bottoms |
|||
Salt marsh in coastal valleys |
|||
| Historic features (note 11) | Prehistoric barrows and hill forts on high ground |
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 settlement remains |
|||
Mills, bridges, fords in the river valleys |
|||
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Fast flowing streams in valleys feed main rivers draining to the coast
|
N – opportunities for small scale plantings; avoid loss of open, riparian landscapes and key views from footpaths |
PB – on lower slopes set back from watercourses, and on floodplains |
Coastal floodplain and estuaries |
|||
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Open and extensive views from the ridge tops and coastal headlands |
N – where planted in more enclosed areas. |
PA - where planted on ridges and headlands, due to loss of relatively open views. |
Local views into open river valleys and hillsides from roads and 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