JCA No. 152 - Cornish Killas
Overall comments (note 1)
This area contains a varied landscape of elevated plateau, incised valleys, coastal cliff headland and flooded valleys. The landscape has a strong historic character, with views across the inland plateau, coastal headland and ria or estuary landscapes. Some portions of the area stretching inland from the north and south coasts fall within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where landscape is particularly varied with intricate field patterns and other distinctive features. Biomass plantings would not be appropriate, or easy to establish, in these areas where they would be highly conspicuous in the landscape. Miscanthus may be more appropriate on the inland plateau tops or lower slopes and set away from the skylines, main roads and coastal settlements, and where in scale with the existing mixed cropping patterns. Opportunities for SRC are more localised within the broader coastal valleys, off the exposed hilltops and linked to existing blocks or belts of woodland.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Undulating slate plateau incised by narrow, steep-sided valleys with flat bottoms |
N – impractical on steep slopes, may be some opportunities, small-scale in wider valley bottoms |
N – impractical on steep slopes, may be opportunities on gentle, lower slopes |
Rugged coastal headlands and cliffs |
N – impractical on exposed coastal land |
N – impractical on exposed coastal land |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Extensive broadleaf woodland on river valley slopes |
PA - Large blocks would contrast strongly with existing pattern |
N – impractical on steep slopes |
Broadleaf woodlands bordering rias (drowned valleys) |
N – could link to lower lying woodland at waters edge |
N – may help to break up views of plantings |
|
Sparse woodland on plateau tops |
PA - Creates enclosure in an open landscape |
N – could fit within scale of mixed cropping |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Ancient, irregular field pattern inland and in valleys with stone faced Cornish hedges (banks) |
PA - Physical impacts and masking of historic field patterns and boundary features |
N – could fit medium to large fields, depending on extent of planting |
Later enclosure, regular field pattern towards the coast, with low, wind pruned, thorn hedgebanks |
PA - Creates enclosure in an open exposed landscape |
N – although contiguous fields create seasonal masking of field patterns |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Mixed farming on the plateau, with some horticulture towards the west |
N – could fit on lower slopes or within shallow valleys |
N – where plantings fit within the existing pattern of arable crops |
Predominantly pasture on the lower slopes and wet pastures within valley bottoms |
N – if small scale plantings, links to existing trees |
PA - Loss of natural, pastoral character and impeded views |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Dispersed hamlets and farms. |
N – If not planted in close proximity to settlements. May help to soften edges around caravan sites |
N – If not planted in close proximity to settlements. |
Frequent market and coastal resort towns and villages, with some conspicuous caravan sites |
|||
Settlements connected by a network of ridge top and valley roads or lanes |
PA - Longer term loss of public views |
N – where plantings do not obscure public views |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Patches of heathland on coastal cliffs, across the inland plateau and around the ‘upland’ granite fringes (e.g. around Bodmin Moor) |
PA - Loss of habitat and close proximity - strong contrasts in natural/formal patterns |
PA - Loss of habitat and close proximity - strong contrasts in natural/formal patterns |
Sand dunes and occasional salt marsh along the coast |
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| Historic features (note 11) | Frequent historic parklands, mainly in the sheltered valleys near the south coast |
PA - Physical impacts and weakened historic character |
PA - Physical impacts and weakened historic character |
Prehistoric remains such as barrows, hill forts on the plateau and cliff tops, and Medieval stone bridges over watercourses |
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. |
|
Remains of tin mining such as engine houses and chimneys around the coast and ‘upland’ areas |
|||
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Many streams flowing off the inland plateau into river valleys |
N – If riparian access and views kept open |
N – If riparian access and views kept open |
Flooded river valleys (rias) and wide estuaries |
N – If riparian access and views across the estuaries are kept open |
N – If riparian access and views across the estuaries are kept open |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Broad views across the inland plateau, coastal headlands and ria or estuary landscapes. |
PA – restriction of views from public roads and footpaths |
PA – restriction of views from public roads and footpaths |
Restricted views in the generally more secluded river valleys. |
N – small-scale plantings may be accommodated in discreet locations |
N – impractical in narrow valleys |
|
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