JCA No. 156 - West Penwith
Overall comments (note 1)
West Penwith is a distinct, granite landscape of moorland, coastal plateau, secluded valleys and rugged coast. Most of the area is included within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The landscape has a very strong historic character and maritime influence that is also reflected in patterns of settlement, vegetation and continuity in traditional livestock farming. In this context, the opportunities for biomass plantings are restricted mainly to areas of mixed farming and arable cropping towards the south of the area. SRC may be accommodated in the sheltered valleys on gentler slopes although these sites are generally not well served by vehicular access. Discrete plantings of miscanthus may be accommodated within the existing pattern of arable crops on the low ridges off the skylines and where public views of the wider landscape are not obscured.
| Generic landscape characteristics (note 2) | Key landscape characteristics (note 3) | Potential effects (PA, N, PB) (note 4) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRC | Miscanthus | ||
| Topography (note 5) | Exposed granite plateau in the north, falling south and east to incised valleys separated by low ridges |
N – impractical on exposed granite plateau and low ridges |
N – impractical on exposed and wet granite plateau and low ridges |
Elevated coastal plateau, dissected by shallow valleys leading to sandy coves between rugged headlands with high cliffs |
N – impractical on coastal land exposed to salt laden winds |
N – impractical on coastal land exposed to salt laden winds |
|
| Woodland (note 6) | Treeless on the granite plateau and trees very sparse on the coastal plateau |
PA – Plantings would create enclosure and contrast strongly with existing pattern |
PA – Plantings would create enclosure and contrast strongly with existing pattern |
Broadleaved woodlands on steep slopes in the sheltered valleys to south and east |
N – few opportunities in valley bottoms where access allows |
N – impractical on steep slopes |
|
| Boundary features (note 7) | Intricate, irregular pattern of small ancient fields bounded by Cornish hedges on the coastal plateau and sheltered valley slopes. |
PA - Physical impacts and masking of small-scale ancient field patterns and boundary features |
PA - Physical impacts and masking of small-scale ancient field patterns and boundary features |
Irregular pattern of small to medium sized fields bounded by Cornish hedges on ridges between sheltered valleys |
PA/N - Creates enclosure in an open exposed landscape; some opportunities in the sheltered valleys |
N – could fit medium to large fields, depending on small scale – although contiguous fields create seasonal masking of field patterns |
|
Regular pattern of 18c and 19c enclosure fields on higher land |
N/PA – impractical on exposed sites; creates enclosure on sites adjacent to moorland |
PA - loss of pastoral character |
|
| Agriculture (note 8) | Unenclosed rough grazing on the exposed moorland, outlying granite outcrops and cliff tops |
PA – impractical on moorland and loss of open, semi-natural character |
PA – impractical on moorland and loss of open, semi-natural character |
Livestock pastures, some containing boulders, on the coastal plateau and within sheltered valleys |
PA/N – creates enclosure and loss of pastoral character; few opportunities in sheltered valleys |
N – impractical on boulder strewn fields or steep ground |
|
Mixed farming with some arable and horticulture on low ridges in the south |
N – opportunities on arable land |
N – opportunities on lower slopes within the existing pattern of arable crops |
|
| Settlement and development (note 9) | Dispersed farmsteads and hamlets. Villages and towns along roads set inland or on the coast |
PA - Longer term loss of public views |
N – If not planted in close proximity to settlements. N – where plantings do not obscure public views |
Roads and lanes following ridges link to footpaths and tracks across remote moorlands, devoid of modern structures |
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| Semi-natural habitats (note 10) | Mosaics of western heath and grass moorland with strong maritime influence |
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 |
Willow carr and scrub in shallow coastal valleys |
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| Historic features (note 11) | High concentrations of prehistoric settlement remains including ritual/burial sites and hill forts |
PA - Physical impacts and weakened historic character. Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings
|
PA - Physical impacts and weakened historic character. Avoid these and other known archaeological remains and their historic landscape settings |
Prehistoric and medieval field systems and sites associated with early Christian religion |
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Extensive remains of the tin mining and processing industry |
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| Rivers and coasts (note 12) | Poorly drained granite plateau with headwater streams |
N – impractical; also physical impacts on these natural features |
N – impractical |
Watercourses in shallow coastal valleys and incised sheltered valleys, lead to a rocky coastline |
PA – high visual impact on these distinctive natural features |
PA – high visual impact on these distinctive natural features |
|
| Views and inter-visibity (note 13) | Extensive and dramatic views to and from the granite ridge and outcrops |
PA – restriction of views from public roads and footpaths N – small-scale plantings may be accommodated in discreet locations |
PA – restriction of views from public roads and footpaths N – impractical in narrow valleys |
Long views across the coastal plateau and low ridges from public roads |
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Restricted views in sheltered valleys and coastal coves |
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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