JCA No. 148 - Devon Redlands
Overall comments (note 1)
The Devon Redlands are a hilly landscape, cut through by steep-sided valleys with wide floodplains.
Biomass plantings, particularly Miscanthus, may be appropriate in lower-lying arable areas, albeit bringing a new character through creating some enclosure. Large scale SRC plantations in areas of small woodlands and copses should be avoided as they would be out of character and would disrupt local patterns of woodland cover.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | A hilly landscape with steep valleys, opening out to floodplains and saltmarshes at the coast. |
N – impractical on steep valley sides, but possible opportunities on lower slopes and where opens out to floodplains. |
N – impractical on steep valley sides, but possible opportunities on lower slopes and where opens out to floodplains. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Large woodlands confined mainly to steep valley sides.
Small, irregular broadleaved woodlands and copses give sense of enclosure, particularly in upper valleys. |
N – Impractical to plant on steep valley sides where main woodlands lie. PA - large blocks would contrast strongly with pattern of small woods and copses. The scale of planting should respect local scale and pattern of woodland cover |
PA – large scale plantings should be avoided where the local pattern of woodland cover is small and irregular |
| Boundary features (note 7) | An irregular pattern of fields with varied hedgebanks inland. Large fields and low-cut hedges on floodplains. |
PA – avoid obscuring patterns of hedgebanks PA/N - whilst appropriate in larger fields, would bring some enclosure and hence alter character. |
PA – avoid obscuring patterns of hedgebanks PA/N - whilst appropriate in larger fields, would bring some enclosure and hence alter character |
| Agriculture (note 8) | Mainly mixed farming. However, pasture more widespread as land rises north to the Culm, whilst arable typifies lower floodplain and coastal landscapes. |
N – although plantations would increase the wooded feel of the landscape and alter the balance with cropping, thus altering character |
N – in mixed farming areas. PB - on lower floodplain areas, where could be accommodated into current cropping patterns |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Extensive urban development and transport links on lower valleys and coasts. Villages, hamlets, farmsteads |
PB – opportunities may exist in the urban fringe PA – plantations would increase the sense of enclosure already created by narrow lanes in remoter areas; movement of harvesting equipment could be difficult |
PB – opportunities may exist in urban fringe PA – could increase the sense of enclosure in small scale intimate areas with narrow lanes |
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Open heathland east of the Exe (Pebble Bed heaths). |
PA – where it would result in loss of of impact heathland and saltmarshes. |
PA – where it would result in loss of heathland and saltmarshes. |
| Historic features (note 11) | Prehistoric settlement remains such as Bronze Age barrows on Halden Hills and Iron Age hill forts on high ground. Roman and medieval remains and sites such as mills, bridges and water/flood meadows. |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings.
PA – where views of parks and gardens are restricted |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings. |
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | System of rivers draining into Exe and Teign. Floodplains and saltmarsh on coast. |
PB – on flatter land by watercourses and on floodplains |
PB – on flatter land by watercourses and on floodplains |
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wide views from higher land but enclosed at local scale inland due to landform, woodland and hedgerows. Open towards coast. |
N – where planted in more enclosed areas. PA - where planted on low-lying land / floodplains, due to loss of relatively open views. |
N – if where planted in more enclosed areas. PA - if where planted on low-lying land / floodplains, due to loss of relatively open views. |
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:
15 March, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002