JCA No. 154 - Hensbarrow
Overall comments (note 1)
A diverse and historically rich landscape dominated by the upland granite mass of Hensbarrow Downs and the dramatic and dynamic landscape formed by china clay extraction. Extensive areas of open heathland and scrub also add to strong character of area, contrasting with a surrounding enclosed rolling pastoral landscape. Low Cornish hedges, in many places define remnant ancient field patterns.
Small scale opportunities for energy crops exist in some lower areas to the south where an existing pattern of mixed cropping, particularly where linking to existing woodland or landform and higher hedges have created areas of enclosure. However low yields of SRC are predicted. Loss of pasture and semi natural habitat should be avoided. Large scale planting would significantly alter the open character of this landscape, particularly if in contiguous blocks.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Dominated by upland mass of Hensbarrow Downs where the china clay industry has created a ‘lunar’ landscape. |
N – Opportunities for planting within the lower undulating areas in the southern part of the JCA. Impractical on steep slopes of granite uplands and incised river valleys. |
N – Opportunities for planting within the lower undulating areas in the southern part of the JCA. Impractical on steep slopes of granite uplands and incised river valleys. |
| Woodland (note 6) | Generally not a wooded landscape, but willow scrub and trees in shallow river valleys, clumps and shelterbelts around farmsteads. More small farm woods, hedgerow trees and valley woodlands in southern areas. |
N – Planting could link to existing areas of woodland. Scale needs to reflect existing pattern avoiding masking distinctive landform. Large scale planting would introduce new enclosure. |
N – Planting could fit within areas of mixed farming alongside woodland features. Large scale planting would introduce new enclosure. |
| Boundary features (note 7) | Irregular pattern of ancient small pastoral fields enclosed by Cornish hedges (stone walls) on edge of open exposed moorland. |
PA – Planting would obscure the distinctive field pattern and create enclosure in open landscape |
PA – Planting would obscure the distinctive field pattern and create enclosure in open landscape |
Slightly bigger and more regular fields with more shrubs and hedgerow trees on lower and more sheltered land. |
N/PA - Some planting opportunities where higher woody hedges. Large contiguous areas would change extent of enclosure and mask field patterns. |
N/PA - Some planting opportunities where higher woody hedges. Large contiguous areas would change extent of enclosure and mask field patterns. |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Predominantly livestock farming with limited areas of arable and horticulture generally in more sheltered and lower areas to the south. |
N/PA – Opportunities for small scale planting where mixed farming. Avoid loss of pasture. |
N/PA - Opportunities for small scale planting where mixed farming. – Avoid loss of pasture |
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Dispersed settlement pattern of hamlets, farmsteads and small villages linked by narrow sunken winding lanes, becoming unenclosed across the moors. |
N/PA - Planting should not be close to settlements & disrupt views. Movement of harvesting equipment may be difficult. |
N – Planting should not be close enough to settlements to disrupt views out. |
Roadside development and settlement enlargement has started to change the nature of the settlement pattern. |
PB – May be opportunities to reduce impact of intrusive development. |
PB – May be opportunities to reduce impact of intrusive development. |
|
| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Central uplands have a mosaic of wet and dry heath, extensive grassy marshes, gorse scrub, willow carr in river valleys. Some china clay waste heaps being restored to heathland and grassland. |
PA – Avoid loss of semi-natural habitats as these contribute significantly to landscape character |
PA – Avoid loss of semi-natural habitats as these contribute significantly to landscape character |
| Historic features (note 11) | Ancient field pattern remains in many places alongside the historically open grazing land of the moors. Features such as hill forts and tumuli. |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological sites and their settings, masking ancient field patterns and respect historic landscape character. |
PA – Avoid these and other known archaeological sites and their settings, masking ancient field patterns and respect historic landscape character. |
Industrial archaeology linked to both mining and china clay extraction – the later still continuing. |
PA – Avoid loss or damage to known archaeological sites and their settings |
PA – Avoid loss or damage to known archaeological sites and their settings |
|
Estates and parkland feature in landscape around the Luxulyan river valley system |
PA – Avoid loss of grassland within parklands as would erode historic character. Avoid loss of views into parks. Opportunities may exist beyond the parkland core where mixed farming. |
PA – Avoid loss of grassland within parklands as would erode historic character. Avoid loss of views into parks. Opportunities may exist beyond the parkland core where mixed farming. |
|
| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Shallow river valleys with willow scrub |
N – May be opportunities providing landform is not masked. |
N – May be opportunities providing landform is not masked |
Deep steep sided wooded valleys within the Luxulyan river valley system |
Impractical on steep valley slopes |
Impractical on steep valley slopes |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Wide views from higher land and hills |
PA - avoid planting on higher ground where views out to wider landscape would be impeded |
PA - avoid planting on higher ground where views out to wider landscape would be impeded |
Low Cornish hedges facilitating good views in lower areas. Topography creates localised enclosure. Views across open moor such as Goss Moor where not impeded by scrub. |
N – if in more enclosed areas of landscape where topography limits extensive views. Avoid restricting views from roads. |
N – if planting occurs in more enclosed areas of landscape where topography limits extensive 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