Land at Redlands, East of Basingstoke Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

LAND AT REDLANDS, EAST OF BASINGSTOKE LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX 5 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT TABLES for COOPER ESTATES STRATEGIC LAND LIMITED.

MAY 2016

INDIGO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Landscape Baseline - Physical influences Potential for Landscape Assessment – Moderate or Key constituent elements More Significant Assessment of sensitivity Effects Element Description, location and geographic extent. Condition / intactness of Value of element Susceptibility Sensitivity element within the within the Study Area Study Area

Geology The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane lies across the boundary of two distinct geological Underlying geology appears Medium value No. - - formations, producing a comparatively varied geological structure that has a strong influence to be intact within the Undesignated Residential (In landscape character upon landform and landscape character. The southern part of the Borough is dominated by Study Area (there is no component which development on terms effects on the deep chalk bed of the North Downs. The northern part of the Borough (which includes evidence of significant nevertheless has value Site of the nature geology are considered the area around the Site) lies on the southwestern edge of the London Basin, where the chalk departure from the general locally in terms of its proposed is unlikely in terms of physical strata dip towards the north and are buried beneath the younger deposits of sands and clays topography of the area). influence on the to affect underlying effects on geological laid down during the Tertiary period during progressive periods of marine flooding. character of the geology. features in the landscape. landscape (such as Underlying geology of the area around the site is dominated by London Clay2 with the characteristic scarp bedrock geology being described as “London Clay Formation - Clay, Silt And Sand. slopes, ridges or low Sedimentary Bedrock formed approximately 34 to 56 million years ago in the Palaeogene lying river valleys). Period. Local environment previously dominated by deep seas.”3 Effects on less visually

obvious aspects of There are no geological SSSI or obvious geological features within the Detailed Study Area. geology such as effects

on groundwater reserves are the domain of other experts and fall outside the scope of Landscape Character Assessment.1)

Soils Soils within the area generally follow underlying geology and consequently within the Soils on the Application Site Medium value No. - - Detailed Study Area they are clay based. are heavy, and prone to Grade 3 agricultural land. Soils will be (In landscape character waterlogging. Otherwise retained on Site and terms effects on soils Soilscape England lists the soils in the area as follows:4 soils appear to be in there will therefore are considered in reasonable condition. be no change (as a terms of effects on the  SLOWLY PERMEABLE SEASONALLY WET SLIGHTLY ACID BUT BASE-RICH LOAMY AND result of soils) to characteristics of that CLAYEY SOILS characteristics of landscape. For  Main Surface Texture Class = LOAMY the landscape such example, clay soils give  Natural Drainage Type = IMPEDED DRAINAGE as drainage or rise to poorly draining  Natural Fertility = MODERATE vegetation. landscapes where  Characteristic Semi-natural Habitats = LOWLAND SEASONALLY WET PASTURES AND WOODLANDS water (ponds, lakes,  Main Land Cover = GRASSLAND AND ARABLE SOME WOODLAND streams etc.) often becomes a Agricultural land on the Application Site is classified as Grade 3b – (Moderate). 5 characteristic feature, and vegetation is Agricultural land within the immediately surrounding landscape is also largely classified as characterised by clay Grade 3; however, an area of Grade 4 land – (Poor) wraps around the site to the southeast loving species such as and east along the course of the river Loddon; and some small areas of Grade 2 land (very English oak. good) lie to the southeast either side of the River.

1 Such effects won’t affect landscape character unless they impact so greatly as to affect other factors such as vegetation. 2 Source: Basingstoke and Dene Landscape Assessment - Main Report, page 5. 3 Source: British geological Survey Geology of Britain viewer - http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html 4 Source: Magic.defra.gov.uk 5 Source: Natural England London and South East Region 1:250 000 Series Agricultural Land Classification map and Basingstoke and Deane Screening Opinion received on the 29th April 2015. Element Description, location and geographic extent. Condition / intactness of Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity element within the within the Study Area Moderate or Study Area More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Vegetation Vegetation within the Study Area consists primarily of moderate to large fields; with a strong The condition of Medium value Yes. High susceptibility High Sensitivity pattern of native hedges; and low woodland cover. vegetation on site is varied Hedgerows and trees are Residential Vegetation is (In landscape character (refer to tree survey for undesignated but development of the particularly susceptible terms effects on Fields are primarily arable although some pasture is found on the lower lying ground along the detail). nevertheless have value nature proposed to change of the nature vegetation are River Loddon. locally. has the potential for proposed. considered both in There are no Tree moderate or more It has limited ability to terms of the effects on A few areas of ancient woodland (as classified by Natural England) exist, the closest of these Preservation Orders, but a significant adverse accommodate the the physical resource being at Guinea Copse within the urban area of Chineham (some 500m southwest of the site’s number of trees onsite and effects on nature of the proposed (the amount and type southwestern corner); at Long Copse, Page’s Copse, Forked Copse and Round Copse along the boundary are vegetation on and development without of vegetation added or (between 900 metres and 2km to the east of the Application Site’s eastern boundary); and at Category A or B and immediately around undue consequences lost as a consequence Buckfield Copse (approximately 1km to the northeast). Refer to drawing 518-A05 in Appendix should be retained. the Application Site. for the maintenance of of the proposals); and 3. the baseline situation. the effects on the

wider landscape Other significant areas / lines of deciduous trees can be seen on the aerial photo on drawing character). 518-A01 in Appendix 3. These include (amongst others):

 Woodland along Whitmarsh Lane to the south and southeast of the site.  Woodland to the west of the A33, north of the Taylors Farm roundabout.  Woodland within the urban area to the west of the A33, south of the Taylors Farm roundabout (e.g. Petty’s Copse). Hedgerows are also characteristic of this landscape, forming boundaries between fields and along roads (refer to the aerial photo). These are generally well developed and divide the landscape; however, many are maintained at a relatively low height (often around c.2m) and do not truncate views across it. In the southern part of the Study Area hedgerows become less frequent as field size increases.

The Application Site itself consists of parts of two arable fields (the “northern field” and the “southern field”), divided by the remnants of a hedgerow. Details of the vegetation on site can be found on the Tree Constraints Plan prepared by Barrell Tree Consultancy (a copy of which forms part of this planning application).6

There are no TPO trees on the Application Site. Trees Within the site: Within the site there are 11 mature trees found within the western part of the southern field. These appear to be the remnants of parkland associated with Sherfield Hall. The trees include:

 Two ‘Category C’ Hornbeam trees (c.10 and 14m in height) located towards the southwest corner of the site. Of these the eastern tree is leaning and somewhat one-sided.  A large, mature ‘Category A’ Plane tree (c.16m height) located 10m from the western boundary about 130m from the southwestern corner of the site; and a very large ‘Category B’ Lime tree (c.25m height) some 30m close to the northeast.  Two substantial, mature ‘Category A’ Oak trees (c.16 and 19m height) some 50m northwest of the northwestern corner of the ‘Redlands’ garden.  Two mature ‘Category B’ Lime trees (c.18 and 21m height) both with decline in the crown; and a mature ‘Category A’ Horse chestnut (c.22m height) close to the northern boundary of the southern field (about 40m south- southwest of the western end of the woodland block on the northern boundary of this field).  Two mature, ‘Category C’ Lime trees (c.15 and 17m height) with declining crowns, some 50m south-east of the above group. Trees along the site boundaries: Along the site boundaries vegetation is characterised as follows:

The northern boundary. This boundary lies in two parts:  The boundary of the ‘northern field’: o This boundary crosses the existing open field. There is no existing vegetation along the boundary line.  The boundary of the ‘southern field’. This boundary is characterised by: o A collapsing post and wire fence between the northern and southern fields on site; with occasional bramble; one ‘Category A’ Sycamore towards the west (c.15m height); a small ‘Category C’ Oak (c.4m) in the centre; and a medium sized ‘Category C’ Sycamore (C. 9m) at the eastern end.

6 Barrell reference 15087-BT3 o A woodland belt along approximately two thirds of the boundary (the central and eastern end), consisting of one ‘Category A’ Horse Chestnut (c.16m height); two ‘Category A’ Lime (c. 23m in height); five ‘Category A’ Oak trees (between c.18 and 25m in height); two ‘Category B’ Oak (c.13 and 18m in height); two ‘Category A’ Ash (c. 16 and 25m in height); two ‘Category B’ Ash (c. 18 and 19m in height); nine ‘Category C’ Sycamore (between 10 and 19m in height); three ‘Category U’ Sycamore (between c. 15 and 18 m in height) and one ‘Category B’ Hawthorn (c.18m height). The eastern boundary. o This boundary crosses the existing ‘southern’ field. The only existing vegetation along the boundary line consists of one ‘Category A’ Oak tree (c.17m height) immediately adjacent to the northeastern corner of the ‘Redlands’ garden. The southern boundary. This boundary lies against the garden of ‘Redlands’ and the ‘Redlands Lane’ and is broken into three parts:  The boundary along the northern edge of the ‘Redlands’ garden. o This boundary is characterised by a post and rail fence with some groupings of small elm regeneration to about 5m in height.  The boundary along the western edge of the ‘Redlands’ garden. o This boundary is characterised by a post and rail fence with one ‘Category A’ Oak (c.17m height); and seven ‘Category B’ Oak trees along the fence line (7 at c.17m and one c.15m height), four of which are just within the ‘Redlands’ garden.  The boundary along the edge of the ‘Redlands Lane’. o This boundary is characterised by a Hawthorn hedgerow of around 3m in height with elm regeneration to c. 4m; and 7 large ‘Category A’ Oak trees (between c.17 and 27m height); One ‘Category B’ Oak (c.17m height); one ‘Category C’ Oak (c.14m height); and one ‘Category C’ Lime (in the south west corner). The western boundary. This boundary lies along the A33 and lies in two parts:  The boundary of the ‘southern field’: o This boundary is characterised by a Hawthorn hedgerow of around 5m in height with trees at random intervals. Trees include one ‘Category B’ Chestnut (c.11m in height) and two Sycamore, one ‘Category C’ and one ‘Category U’ (c.10 and 11m in height respectively) in the southwest corner of the site; a ‘Category C’ Ash (c. 9m in height) and a ‘Category U Sycamore’ (C. 12m in height) near the large plane tree about 100m to the north: a substantial ‘Category A’ Sycamore (c.23m height) and a ‘Category B’ Hornbeam (c,16m height) half way up the edge of the southern field; and a group of three ‘Category C’ Sycamores (c.10m height) about 40m from the northwestern corner of the field.  The boundary of the ‘northern field’: o This boundary is characterised by a 35m length of Hawthorn hedgerow around 2m in height at the southern end with a Hawthorn hedgerow of around 5m in height to the north. A small group of ‘Category C’ Ash (c.10m height), Hawthorn (c.8m height) and Sycamore (c. 13m height) is found about 50m north of the boundary with the southern field; with a block of ‘Category C’ Ash (c. 10m height) along the road verge to the east of the Taylor’s farm Roundabout. o To the northeast side of the roundabout the verge approaching the roundabout to the west of the hedge contains a small planted copse of mixed native woodland (c. between 7 and 10m height). Trees around the site Significant other vegetation in close proximity to the site boundaries includes:  A mixed woodland belt including substantial canopy trees and understorey Yew screening Sherfield House to the west of the A33.  Trees within the gardens of Sherfield House, including a large Redwood, a very large Lime and a large Cedar which are prominent in views from the wider landscape.  A line of around 35 mature Lime trees (each with associated epicormic growth) along the southern edge of footpath RoW4 which passes in an east to west direction through the gardens of ‘Redlands (c. 23 to the west of ‘Redlands’ and 12 to the east).  A ‘Category A’ Oak tree (c. 16m height) at the junction of Redlands Lane with the A33.  Approximately 15 mature trees of between approximately 17 and 25m in height (primarily Oak but including two (one twin stem) Scots pines) to the north of the line of the footpath within the gardens of ‘Redlands’.  A copse of mature oak and ash (in height) offsite in the extreme southeastern corner of the southern field (the northern end of a larger woodland belt that descends the hillside to the south towards Whitmarsh Lane).  A native hedgerow with several small oak and ash trees on the eastern boundary of the southern field (between approximately 55m (northern end) and 110m (southern end) to the east of the eastern Site boundary).  Relatively recent tree planting to the east of the above hedgerow; stretching north along the western side of the adjacent field.  A group of maturing ash trees located on the edge of the ponds found immediately to the northeast of the site (c. 9 and12m height).

Landscape Assessment – Landscape effect significance Assessment of magnitude Geographical Significance of effect Element Description of size / scale of change Reversibility of effect Type of effect Magnitude extent over (Sensitivity x Magnitude) (and which sensitivity) landscape Permanent Reversible / Avoidable / Direct / Adverse / effects will / temporary irreversible unavoidable indirect beneficial / be felt effect neutral Vegetation makes an important contribution to the character of the landscape. The effects on The effects of the limited removal of trees Direct effects Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Vegetation vegetation will onsite and the removal of the trees and on the Adverse. Negligible Adverse Slight adverse effect As far as practicable proposed roads are located outside the root protection (High largely be felt hedgerow to enable access to the site will vegetation areas of the existing trees and houses are outside the area identified by the Sensitivity) at the site largely be felt in the early years, however, as resource on Arboricultural consultant where shading/dominance/future growth may be an level, planting on site grows the effects of additional site. issue so as to ensure that there will not be any adverse effects on existing onsite however, planting will become positive. Effects of loss or surrounding (offsite) vegetation. there will be are therefore temporary and reversible in the The proposals retain all trees and hedgerows around the site boundaries with some effects medium to longer term, however, given the the exception of a small length of hedgerow and associated trees adjacent to on views into nature of the development and restrictions the Taylor’s Farm Roundabout (to allow for the site access); and two poor the Site from regarding access they are unavoidable. quality lime trees with declining crowns in the central northern part of the site viewpoints (tree survey tree numbers 33 and 34). close to the Site (refer to The existing ploughed field site will largely be replaced with housing, with visual ‘tussoky grassland’ created within the linear park along the western site assessment). boundary, along the southern site boundary, and adjacent to the woodland belt

on the northern site boundary; amenity grass created in the central open space; and lawns will be established in the gardens of all the houses. Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 Moderate beneficial Extensive tree planting (including some large scale trees where space allows) will be undertaken around the site boundaries, within the public Beneficial. Low Beneficial effect green space, along road corridors, and within the front and rear gardens of the proposed houses.

The woodland on the northern boundary will be under planted with evergreen species; some additional small woodland copses will be planted inside the curve of the Site access road and on the northern site boundary; and new native hedgerows (including randomly spaced trees) are to be established along the outside of the site access road and along the northern and eastern site boundaries. The existing hedgerows along the southern boundary, around the boundaries with the garden of ‘Redlands’; and along the western site boundary (adjacent to the A33) are to be ‘gapped up’ and reinforced with an additional line of hedgerow (inside the site).

Along the road corridors planting will also include new hedge and shrub planting around the house frontages; and within the linear park along the western site boundary two wetland areas will be created in the base of dished attenuation features. In the short term (year 1) the removal of the trees at the site access point and two limes on site will be felt, but the extent of overall hedgerow / tree loss is limited. At this stage planting will be of limited stock sizes but the significant amounts of tree and hedgerow planting and the establishment of grass areas will have a positive effect on the vegetation resource on site. At this stage vegetation lost is largely compensated for by new planting and the effect on the vegetation resource will be small. Year 15 Year 15 Year 15 In the medium term (year 7) planting will be well established. The grass areas and new native hedges will be fully established and new trees will Beneficial. Medium Beneficial Major beneficial effect begin to contribute more significantly to the landscape resource. At this stage the new planting will more than adequately compensate for the loss of a limited length of hedgerow and the limited tree loss; and will provide slight enhancement of the overall vegetation resource. In the longer term (year 15) the additional hedgerows and tree planting will become a significant landscape resource and will integrate fully with the character of the existing landscape. At this stage the new planting will be well established and will more than adequately compensate for the limited loss of hedgerow / trees; and will provide moderate enhancement of the overall vegetation resource.

Landscape Baseline - Human influences Potential for Landscape Assessment – Moderate or Key constituent elements More Significant Assessment of sensitivity Effects Element Description, location and geographic extent. Condition / intactness of Value of element Susceptibility Sensitivity element within the within the Study Area Study Area

Designated heritage The landscape around the Application Site contains a multitude of Heritage Assets, however, Heritage Assets have a High value No. - - assets there are no Conservation Areas / Sites of Archaeological Importance / Historic Battlefields / notable presence within Designated heritage Sherfield Hall is or nationally registered Historic Parks and Gardens on the Application Site itself or within the the Study Area. Condition Assets are highly valued entirely screened (Refer to drawing Zone of Visual Influence of the development: of the resource as a whole by nature. from the 518-A05, Appendix 3) is good. Application Site; the  The closest Iron Age Hill fort is at Dulls Down Copse, approximately 2km north of (In landscape character listed milestone will the Site. terms effects on be unaffected; and designated heritage  The closest point of the Old Basing Conservation Area lies some 1.2km to the south the closest listed assets are considered of the site. buildings are some both in terms of the distance from the effects on the physical  The nearest Registered Historic Parks and gardens are found at: Site and the heritage asset o Tynley Hall - approximately 3km to the east. development will (including Sites of have only very o Archaeological The Vyne - approximately 2.85km to the west-northwest. limited effects on Importance / o Basing House - just over 3km to the south-southwest. their settings. Conservations Areas / Listed Buildings / A Roman road passes in a north-northeast to south-southwesterly direction through Chineham (approximately 900m west of the site) and crosses Pyott’s Hill (within the Zone of Visual Influence) to the south. Scheduled Ancient Similarly, the Pyott’s Hill entrenchment (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) lies approximately 600m to the south-southwest of the Application Site, running along the edge of the Zone of Visual Influence of the development. Monuments/ Registered Parks and A number of listed buildings are found around the site as identified on drawing 518-A05 in Appendix 3. The majority of these lie outside the estimated Zone of Visual Influence of the development, however, a number lie just on the Gardens); and their edge of the ZVI as follows: setting7).  Approximately 180m south-south west of the Site there is a Grade 2 Listed milestone8 adjacent to the A33.  Approximately 640m south-south west of the Site there is a Grade 2 Listed Toll House9 adjacent to the A33.  Approximately 1.4km across the fields to the south of the Site there are a Grade 2 Listed Farmhouse10 and a Grade 2 listed barn11.  Approximately 585m to the north of the Site is a Grade 2 listed house (formerly the ‘Le Favre Arms’ Public House)12.  Approximately 750m to the north of the Site is a Grade 2 listed Church13. Sherfield Hall,14 a Grade 2 listed building lies approximately 60m to the west of the Application Site across the A33; however, the building is well screened by existing vegetation to the west side of the A33 and is outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development. Similarly Sherfield Court, 15 a Grade 2 listed building lying immediately to the north of the Church of St Leonards falls just outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development. The Application Site itself is not registered on the Historic England website as one of the country’s ‘Historic Parks and Gardens’, however, it is briefly mentioned on the Hampshire Gardens Trust Research Website;16 it is recorded as being “Park .. separated from the Hall” on the Hampshire Register of Historic Parks and Gardens;17 and is recorded as “Sherfield Hill Park” on historic maps.18

7 Setting of a heritage asset is defined in the NPPF as “The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced.” 8 Milestone - Circa early C19 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 490143. 9 The Old Tollhouse - Early C19 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 138918. 10 Basing Lodge Farmhouse - C17 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 138913. 11 Barn - Early C18, Late C19 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 138914. 12 Le Fevre - C18. Early C19 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 139008. 13 The Church of St Leonards – C14, restored 1866-1872 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 139006. 14 Sherfield Hall – C18, C19 - Grade II listed – English Heritage Building ID: 139019. 15 Sherfield Court – Early C18, early C20 - Grade II listed – English Heritage Building ID: 139007. 16 The only reference to the parkland being: “The farm was removed to a site beyond the main road; here Pigott created a small park in view of the house by removing the existing hedgerows and putting the land to grazing pasture”. 17 The Hampshire Register of Historic parks and Gardens states: House (LB II), now converted into 4 dwellings. Specimen trees from C19. Part of early C20 gardens and walled garden survive (2010). The Park is separated from the Hall by the A33 road. 18 For example the Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1894 and Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1909.

Condition of the ‘parkland’ as a heritage asset is poor.

Landscape Assessment – Landscape effect significance Assessment of magnitude Geographical Significance of effect Element Description of size / scale of change Reversibility of effect Type of effect Magnitude extent over (Sensitivity x Magnitude) (and which sensitivity) landscape Permanent Reversible / Avoidable / Direct / Adverse / effects will / temporary irreversible unavoidable indirect beneficial / be felt effect neutral Undesignated Heritage assets make an important contribution to the character of the The effects on The effects on the setting of the ‘parkland’ Direct effects Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 heritage landscape. the setting of trees will be permanent and given the nature on the setting Adverse. Medium adverse Major adverse effect assets the remnant of the development they are irreversible and of the In this case whilst the ‘parkland’ is undesignated, its condition as a heritage asset parkland trees unavoidable ‘parkland’ (High is poor, and the trees themselves are to be largely retained (see above under will largely be trees on site. Sensitivity) vegetation), the development proposals will affect the setting of the trees in all felt at the site periods, changing it from an arable field to a housing development. level, Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 The trees themselves will be retained, however, the proposals will cause an however, Adverse Medium adverse Major adverse effect adverse change to the setting of the trees. The proposals will therefore be there will be damaging to this undesignated heritage asset, causing a moderate adverse some effects change to the ‘parkland’. on views into the Site from

viewpoints Year 15 close to the Year 15 Year 15 Major adverse effect Site (refer to Adverse. Medium adverse visual assessment).

19 Setting of a heritage asset is defined in the NPPF as “The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced.” 20 The only reference to the parkland being: “The farm was removed to a site beyond the main road; here Pigott created a small park in view of the house by removing the existing hedgerows and putting the land to grazing pasture”. 21 The Hampshire Register of Historic parks and Gardens states: House (LB II), now converted into 4 dwellings. Specimen trees from C19. Part of early C20 gardens and walled garden survive (2010). The Park is separated from the Hall by the A33 road. 22 For example the Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1894 and Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1909.

nature of the proposed

development without undue consequences for the maintenance of the baseline situation.

Landscape Assessment – Landscape effect significance Assessment of magnitude Significance of effect Element Description of size / scale of change Geographical extent Reversibility of effect Type of effect Magnitude over which landscape (Sensitivity x Magnitude) (and sensitivity) effects will be felt Permanent Reversible / Avoidable / Direct / Adverse / / temporary irreversible unavoidable indirect beneficial / effect neutral

Land-use and its management makes an important The effects on landuse / The effects of the change of land use will be Direct effects Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Landuse / contribution to the character of the landscape. management will largely felt in the short, medium and long term. on the land use Adverse High Adverse Substantial adverse effect management be felt at the site level; on site. (High sensitivity) Although the site has a restricted Zone of Visual Influence however, there will be Effects of the change will be permanent and (visibility of the site from the surrounding landscape is fairly some effects on views irreversible; and given the nature of the limited) and residential land uses are found immediately to into the site from development they are unavoidable. the northwest across the Taylor’s Farm Roundabout, viewpoints within the the proposals change the land use on Site from entirely Zone of Visual Influence Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 agricultural to residential. (refer to visual Adverse High Adverse Substantial adverse effect assessment). In all periods the proposals will result in a major change in the land use on Site; and furthermore the development will

break across the A33, introducing suburban development in

an area currently characterised almost entirely by Year 15 Year 15 agricultural land use / management practises. Year 15 Adverse High Adverse Substantial adverse effect

 Relatively large scale open arable fields which are strongly enclosed by vegetation The integrity of Church

along the Pyott’s Hill entrenchment to the west; but are open to the east with low, End to the north remains, well-trimmed hedgerows containing isolated mature trees and no woodlands in the with little sense of part of the Zone of Visual Influence on Pyott’s Hill to the south of Petty’s Brook. coalescence between this hamlet and the northern  A small cluster of properties is found around Church End (to the north of the end of Chineham. application site) and scattered individual houses are found around the Site at Redlands; Redlands Lodge (immediately adjacent to the southern site boundary); Sherfield Hill Farm (approximately 200m to the north of the Site); and to the northeast along Wildmoor Lane. South of the Site the landscape is largely rural (the notable exception being the sewage treatment works and incinerator along Whitmarsh Lane). Pyotts Hill Entrenchment forms a distinct, linear wooded edge to this part of Chineham, with the relatively recent ‘Lillymill Chine’ development bridging the A33 as it turns southwest towards the centre of Basingstoke.

The pattern of hedgerows and trees around the Application Site generally follows the pattern found within the wider Study Area, with the exception of the stand-alone mature trees found on the Site which appear to be remnants of parkland associated with Sherfield Hall.

Within the Study Area, development along the A33 is largely screened along the road:  From the Chineham Park roundabout (some 2.5km to the southwest) development either side of the road is largely screened by woodland, however, where it passes between built up areas the road is a dual carriageway and has the character of an urban distributor road.  Heading north from a point approximately 1.1km south of the Site, however, the road narrows to single carriageway; and at the junction with Whitmarsh Lane the woodland on the eastern side of the road fades away allowing views of the farmland to the east. From this point on views to the west remain largely screened by roadside woodland with only occasional glimpses of development. To the west side of the Taylor’s Farm roundabout, however, two to three and a half storey townhouses within the Sherfield Park Development overlook the road. 23 In this location these form a somewhat incongruous urban element in an otherwise fairly rural scene.

23 This development forms part of the Allocation referred to as “D3.7 Remainder of Taylor’s Farm” in the 2011 Local plan and was carried forward from the 1991 – 2001 Local Plan. Landscape Assessment – Landscape effect significance Assessment of magnitude Significance of effect Element Description of size / scale of change Geographical extent Reversibility of effect Type of effect Magnitude over which landscape (Sensitivity x Magnitude) (and sensitivity) effects will be felt Permanent / Reversible / Avoidable / Direct / Adverse / temporary irreversible unavoidable indirect beneficial / effect neutral

Landscape The pattern and character of settlement makes an The effects on pattern / The effects of the change of landscape / Direct effects Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 pattern and the important contribution to the character of the landscape on character of the settlement pattern / character will be felt in the on landscape / Adverse. Medium Adverse Major adverse effect pattern / the edge of an urban area. settlement will primarily short, medium and long term. settlement character of be felt at the site level; pattern and In this case of development on the Application Site the settlement and from publically Effects of the change will be permanent and character. landscape pattern (created by existing hedgerows and accessible locations in irreversible; and given the nature of the (High sensitivity) boundaries) will be largely retained around the site; and the immediately development they are unavoidable. although the nature of development will require new surrounding landscape boundaries to be created across existing fields, the resultant (refer to visual fields will not be dissimilar in size to fields found within the assessment). surrounding landscape.

In addition, the suburban character of Chineham will remain unchanged; however, residential development to the east of the A33 in this location will bring the suburban character found in Chineham across the A33 into open countryside (whilst this scenario exists further south, in that location the Pyott’s Hill entrenchment forms a strong edge between the Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 countryside and the suburban area). Adverse. Medium Adverse Major adverse effect

Broaching the A33 in the area of the Site will therefore be

damaging to the wider landscape / settlement pattern in all

periods. In isolation, the proposals will lead to a

degradation of the relationship between the urban area and

the adjacent countryside, diminishing of the integrity of the

surrounding landscape setting.

Year 15 Year 15 Year 15 Adverse. Medium Adverse Major adverse effect

Element Description, location and geographic extent. Condition / intactness of Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity element within the within the Study Area Moderate or Study Area More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Character of Within the area immediately around the site the character of buildings / built form is Whilst buildings within Medium value No. - - buildings & built dominated by post 1960’s development. much of the suburbs of Much of built form within Whilst the nature of form Chineham to the west of the Study Area is of good development will To the west of the A33: the A33 are of no particular quality however, there result in significant (In landscape character  Housing within the Sherfield Park estate is all recently built, consisting of two to merit and the incinerator are only 3 listed buildings new built form terms effects on the three and a half storey, largely red and yellow brick facades under slate or to the south is an industrial within the Zone of Visual within the character of buildings & concrete/clay tiled roofs. Occasional properties are also rendered or have elements monolith, within the Zone Influence (none of these Application Site it is built form are of timber cladding. As set out above, adjacent to the Taylor’s Farm roundabout on of Visual Influence of the are in close proximity to likely to be similar considered in terms of the A33 (immediately to the north of the Site), two to three and a half storey Application site buildings the site); and the new architectural style, townhouses overlook the road forming a somewhat incongruous urban element in to that seen within are generally of good development at Sherfield heights, massing etc. of an otherwise fairly rural scene. the recent quality, many with Park dominates in the buildings / built form; Sherfield Park Further south development either side of Thornhill Way consists of older (1970’s- characterful and historic area close to the Site. and whether the development 1990’s) two storey development consisting of largely brick facades (various colours) elements. proposals will be across the A33 under concrete pan-tiled roofs. Occasional properties are tile hung or rendered at Overall value is therefore compatible with the first floor level and there is some use of faux Tudor detailing. Overall condition is good. Moderate. and is therefore existing built form unlikely to have a found in the  Sherfield Hall, forms the exception in this area of Chineham, (however, as set out moderate or more surrounding above the building is well screened by existing vegetation to the west side of the A33 significant effect on landscape). and is outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development). It is a C18 to C19 the existing Grade 2 listed building consisting of a symmetrical front (east) of 3 storeys (5 upper character of windows), with later addition to the south of 2 storeys (2 upper windows). It has a buildings and built hipped clay tiled roof with red brick facades and stone detailing; and a late C19 brick form in the area. porch. The north elevation has a chimney stack and a projecting part of 2 storeys  (2 upper windows). Further west is a large attached late C19 block of contrasting Gothic style.24 To the south of the site:  Redlands is a substantial property dating from between 1894 and 1909.25 It is three storeys in height; with white painted faux Tudor elevations under a thatched roof with substantial red brick chimneys. It has two long single storey outbuildings to the west of the main house.  Redlands Lodge is a more recent property dating from the 20th century. It is two storeys in height with some ‘Velux’ style windows in the main roof; and has red brick facades under a concrete tiled roof. It has a large single storey outbuilding immediately to the south of the main house, linked by a conservatory; and a separate double garage.  The Integra North Energy Recovery Facility (a substantial incinerator building with associated chimney) is also found on the lower lying ground along Petty’s Brook, approximately 600m to the southeast of the site. This is a substantial facility dominated by two metal clad monolithic boxes. It falls outside the Zone of Influence of the Application Site (it is not visible from the Site itself), however, it is clearly visible from within the parts of the ZVI to the south of Petty’s Brook and therefore forms part of the Site’s context when seen from these locations. To the north of the site a cluster of properties of varying ages are found at Church End. Several of these are listed including:  Le Fevre (formerly the ‘Le Favre Arms’ Public House). This is a C18 to early C19 Grade 2 listed building consisting of a two storeys; white painted brick elevations under clay tile roof.26  The Church of St Leonards. A C14 church which was almost wholly restored in 1866 and 1872. It has a tiled roof and flint walling with stone dressings, parts of the base wall at the eastern end are of stone rubble, and the priest's door and west door have old stone frames. There is also some survival of C14 traceried windows. 27  Sherfield Court (outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development). This is an early C18, and early C20 building two storey building located adjacent to a moat which surrounds a medieval structure. It has a hipped tile roof and is primarily built of red brickwork in Flemish bond. 28  Other properties at Church End are more recent consisting generally of 2 storey, red brick facades under clay tile or concrete tile roofs (occasional slate); however, of particular note are a number of late Victorian two storey (old estate cottages?) along Wildmoor Lane. These consist of red brick under clay tiled roofs with intricate tile hanging to upper floors and include ‘The Laurels’ and ‘Sanguillo’ nearer the A33; and the semi-detached ‘Buckfield Cottages’ further east along the lane (outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development). There are no buildings on the Application Site itself.

24 For full description refer to English Heritage Building ID: 139019. 25 Sources: Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1894 and Hampshire and Isle of Wight SI.XW – OS six inch map dated 1909. 26 For full description refer to English Heritage Building ID: 139008. 27 The Church of St Leonards – C14, restored 1866-1872 - Grade II listed - English Heritage Building ID: 139006. 28 Sherfield Court – Early C18, early C20 - Grade II listed – English Heritage Building ID: 139007. Element Description, location and geographic extent. Condition / intactness of Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity element within the within the Study Area Moderate or Study Area More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Access / movement Within the Study Area roads are dominated by the A33 linking Basingstoke to Reading. Roads are in good Medium value No. - - condition and provide The roads and footpaths Existing roads / (Refer to drawing West of the A33 numerous residential roads provide local access within the residential area of useful links throughout the within the Study area are footpaths etc. will 518-A06, Appendix 3) Chineham. The majority of these are screened from the Application Site by built form or urban area. Public Rights of Way, not be adversely (In landscape character vegetation along the A33, however, the Taylors Farm roundabout to the north of the Site valued at a local level. affected by the terms effects on the provides access to Gaiger Avenue and the newly built Sherfield Park residential area. Footpaths are in good proposals; and access / movement are condition and they provide whilst beneficial considered in terms of East of the A33 minor roads within the Study Area consist of: excellent links through the effects will occur as effects on public access countryside to the east of a result of the  Wildmoor Lane which loops through the countryside to the north of the Site from within the landscape the A33. development (as Church End to the south end of Sherfield on Loddon. (roads, footpaths, additional public bridleways, byways,  Whitmarsh Lane which runs along Petty’s Brook providing access to the sewage access will be access land etc.). works and incinerator to the southeast. created within the Application Site

itself; and links from The Basingstoke to Reading railway line runs to the west of Chineham; and National Cycle Network Route 23 passes through Chineham approximately the development to 750m to the west of the site. Both are well outside the Zone of Visual Influence of the development. footpath RoW4 to the south will The network of footpaths and bridleways is fairly dense in the area immediately around the Application Site; becoming less dense in the part of the Study create additional Area to the south of Petty’s Brook. Within the Zone of Visual Influence of the development Public Rights of Way (PROW) include: links to the wider countryside); given  RoW1 (Whitmarsh Lane) – A footpath running to the south of the site heading east from the A33 to the corner of Wildmoor Lane by Ducketts the extensive Farm. countryside access  RoW4 – A footpath running immediately adjacent to the southern site boundary heading east from the A33, through the garden of ‘Redlands’, in the area these to meet Moulshay Lane (RoW5) just to the west of Moulshay Farm. will be of limited overall benefit to  RoW5 (Moulshay Lane) - A footpath running south from Wildmoor Lane (north of the site), past Moulshay Farm, to the point it meets the wider area. Whitmarsh Lane (RoW1) to the southeast of the site.  RoW6 - A footpath running east from the A33 (north of the site) along the north side of the hedge heading east past Sherfield Hill Farm towards Moulshay Lane (RoW5).  RoW7 - A footpath running south from Wildmoor Lane (northeast of the site), across the fields to the point it meets Moulshay Lane (RoW5) to the northwest of Moulshay Farm.  RoW8 – A footpath to the east of the site running east to west from the corner of Wildmoor Lane by Ducketts Farm to the corner of Moulshay Lane, north of Mouslhay Farm.  RoW23 – A footpath to the northwest of the Site running through the Churchyard of St Leonard’s Church at Church End. No roads or other Public Rights of Way currently cross the Application Site; and there are no National Trails or Long Distance Paths; Bridleways, Byways or areas of open Access Land within the Zone of Visual Influence of the proposed development.

Community spaces Whilst access to the surrounding countryside is relatively good (see above), there are no N/A Low value No. - - designated community spaces (local green spaces, village greens, playing fields or allotments) There are no known Development on (In landscape character within the Study Area east of the A33. community spaces. the Application Site terms effects on will have no community spaces are adverse effect on considered in terms existing community whether there are any spaces; and whilst community spaces in open space will be the landscape (such as created within the parks, village greens, Application Site (a allotments, playing beneficial effect), as fields, play areas, other for access above publically accessible this will be of green space etc.): and limited overall the effects benefit to the wider development would area. have on these).

Landscape Baseline - Aesthetic and perceptual factors Potential for Landscape Assessment – Moderate or Key constituent elements More Significant Assessment of sensitivity Effects Element Description, location and geographic extent. Value of element Susceptibility Sensitivity within the Study Area

Landscape scale The landscape around the Application Site to the east of the A33 varies from open farmland in the part of the Zone of Visual Medium value No. - - Influence on Pyott’s Hill to the south of Petty’s Brook; to a smaller-scale and more enclosed landscape around the Landscape scale is typical Whilst the nature of (In landscape character Application Site. of that found around the development will terms effects on scale Application Site. It result in significant are considered in Built form consists of largely small scale residential units, although larger units (up to 3.5 storeys) are found along within the contributes to landscape new built form on terms of effects on the Sherfield Park development; and a large incinerator facility dominated by two metal clad monolithic boxes is located to the character and is the Application Site on the size of elements southeast. therefore valued at a it is unlikely to have in the landscape such local level. a moderate or as fields or woodland Adjacent to the Taylor’s Farm Roundabout three storey terraced buildings form a somewhat incongruous urban element in more significant areas (where large an otherwise fairly rural scene; and whilst the incinerator facility falls outside the Zone of Influence of the Application Site (it Built form contains some effect on the overall scale refers to large is not visible from the Site itself), it is clearly visible from within the parts of the ZVI to the south of Petty’s Brook and detracting elements. scale of the elements such as large therefore forms part of the Site’s context when seen from these locations (see above under Character of Buildings and Built landscape. fields / large areas of Form). Field boundaries woodland and small would be retained, scale refers to small and although fields / elements); and existing fields would effects on the scale of be sub-divided built form). these changes

would barely be perceived from surrounding public domain and would not create a scale of remaining field that is out of character with the surrounding landscape (similar scale fields can be seen around the area). Furthermore, built form would be of a similar scale to buildings found within Church End and Chineham; and would therefore be compatible.

Element Description, location and geographic extent. Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity within the Study Area Moderate or More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Complexity The landscape around the Application Site is of moderate to low complexity. Medium value Yes. Medium Medium sensitivity The complexity of the Whilst housing Landscape character / (In landscape character It consists largely of rural elements (arable fields, woodlands, trees and hedgerows), with transport elements (the A33); and Study Area is typical of already exists component moderately terms effects on some residential elements in the view (primarily Church End to the north and the Sherfield Park development off the that found within many within this capable of accepting complexity are Taylor’s Farm Roundabout to the west of the site). areas near urban centres, landscape, change of the nature considered in terms of however, the screening complexity within proposed. the effects on the of Chineham to the west the Study Area will number and type of makes this appear a less be affected as The landscape has differing elements that complex, more rural significant areas of moderate ability to make up the landscape landscape. housing does not accommodate the (where a complex form part of the nature of the proposed landscape is composed It has value at the local view from many development without of many interconnected level. locations in the undue consequences for parts; and a simple surrounding the maintenance of the landscape contains only landscape. baseline situation. a few component elements)).

Landscape Assessment – Landscape effect significance Assessment of magnitude Significance of effect Element Description of size / scale of change Geographical Reversibility of effect Type of effect Magnitude extent over (Sensitivity x Magnitude) (and sensitivity) which landscape Permanent Reversible / Avoidable / Direct / Adverse / effects will be / temporary irreversible unavoidable indirect beneficial / felt effect neutral

The complexity of the landscape makes an important contribution The effects on The effects of the changes in complexity will Direct effects Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Complexity to its character. complexity will be felt in the short, medium and long term. on landscape Adverse Low Adverse Slight Adverse Effect (Medium largely be felt at complexity. sensitivity) In this case whilst suburban development exists to the west of the the site level; Effects of the change will be permanent and

A33; to the east of the road the proposals will introduce an area of however, there irreversible; and given the nature of the

suburban housing into an area that is currently almost entirely will be effects development they are unavoidable.

agricultural. on views into

the site from Whilst the ZVI is relatively limited, and whilst some viewpoints some Year 7 Year 7 Year 7 already see the suburban development in Chineham as part of the viewpoints Adverse Low Adverse Slight Adverse Effect scene; from some viewpoints the proposals will add a component to within the Zone the scene not currently visible causing a slight adverse change to the of Visual complexity of the landscape in all periods. Influence (refer

to visual assessment).

Year 15 Year 15 Year 15 Adverse Low Adverse Slight Adverse Effect

Element Description, location and geographic extent. Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity within the Study Area Moderate or More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Degree of Enclosure The landscape immediately around the Application Site is fairly enclosed. There are no long distance views and fields are Medium value No. - - / Openness enclosed by hedgerows and woodland areas. Visibility is restricted by hedgerows, tree belts and the nature of the The enclosure found Whilst the nature of topography. around the Site is typical development will (In landscape character of that found locally. It result in significant terms effects on the From the part of the Zone of Visual Influence to the south of Petty’s Brook, however, the landscape is more open, with contributes to landscape new built form degree of enclosure / views stretching 4 or 5km to the east. character and is within the openness are therefore valued at a Application Site it is considered in terms of From the urban area built form and vegetation restricts visibility - the Zone of Visual Influence of the Application Site has local level. unlikely to have a the openness (or very limited penetration into the urban area. moderate or more otherwise) of views significant effect on across the landscape the degree of (where openness enclosure / refers to a landscape openness within the with wide, expansive wider landscape. views across an area). Landscape enclosure / Development on openness is generally Site will have no determined by the effect on the sense number of elements of openness south above eye level; of Petty’s brook; including buildings, whilst around the slopes, tall vegetation Site the landscape is such as woods and tall more enclosed and hedgerows, and walls / the development fences). will have limited effects on the sense of enclosure / openness. Tranquillity Tranquillity around the Application Site is varied: Low / medium value No. - - Tranquillity is not an Whilst the nature of  To the west traffic on the A33 and within the urban area dominates. (In landscape character element of particular development will terms a tranquil place  Away from the A33 the landscape is predominately rural, consisting of an arable landscape with woodland and value within the Zone of result in significant is one that is calm, hedgerows. Settlement density is low, with a number of villages, hamlets and isolated farmsteads scattered throughout Visual Influence, as traffic new built form peaceful, quiet, serene. the area, accessed through a network of narrow winding roads. In these parts the landscape retains a particularly noise on the A33 within the Effects on tranquillity peaceful, rural character. dominates, however Application Site are therefore further east towards the (with some loss of considered in terms of The site sits at a transition. Away from the urban edge / A33 tranquillity increases progressively as one moves east-northeast River Loddon value tranquillity on the (away from the A33 and the M3 corridor). Moderate levels of tranquillity are to be found on the footpaths heading east the effects on these increases. Application Site characteristics of the away from the Site. On Site, however, tranquillity is lower as it is heavily affected by the presence of the A33 immediately itself and on the to the west. Background noise levels are constantly present. landscape on and footpaths

around a Site). 29 immediately around These observations are backed up by the 2007 CPRE Tranquillity study which shows tranquillity levels on the Site on the the site) it is

‘low’ side of the range of tranquillity given. unlikely to have a

moderate or more significant effect on overall tranquillity within the Study Area. Around the Site the A33 dominates.

29 CPRE tranquillity map - see http://maps.cpre.org.uk/tranquillity_map.html?lon=-1.03617&lat=51.29824&zoom=14 Element Description, location and geographic extent. Value of element Potential for Assessment of sensitivity within the Study Area Moderate or More Significant Susceptibility Sensitivity Effects Wildness The landscape around the Application Site is not a wild landscape. Human influences in the form of transport elements; the Low value No. - - urban area; agriculture and built form dominate the landscape; and background noise levels are ever present. Even away Wildness is not an The Study Area is (A truly wild landscape from the main urban centre the landscape is a rural / agricultural landscape – a result of centuries of human intervention. element of value in this not wild in any is uninhabited, landscape. sense. uncultivated, unaffected by human intervention. Although clearly there are degrees of wildness, in landscape character terms effects are considered in terms of the effects on these characteristics both on site, and in the wider landscape).

Remoteness The landscape around the Application Site is not a remote landscape. It is not distant from civilization. Low value No. - - Remoteness is not an The Study Area is (A remote landscape is element of value in this not remote. one that is located far landscape. away, distant, far from civilization. Although clearly there are degrees of remoteness, in landscape character terms effects are considered in terms of the effects on these characteristics both on site, and in the wider landscape).

Sense of place The Application Site lies in a predominately agricultural landscape bounded by lower ground in the Loddon Valley to the Low / Medium value No. - - east; with characteristic dividing hedgerows and woodland blocks; however, residential elements overlooking the Taylor’s Sense of place within the Existing sense of (In landscape character Farm Roundabout and the A33 to the west diminish the strongly rural sense felt further east. Detailed Study area is place within the terms, sense of place is moderate at best. Study Area is considered in terms of There is some sense of history as a result of the presence of the remnant parkland trees associated with the Sherfield Hall limited. Whilst the whether there are (although the hall itself is not seen from the A33, the Application Site or the landscape east of the A33); however, these are It is not an element of nature of characteristics (or a remnants and are not considered distinctive elements in the way that Oast Houses are distinctive in Kent for example. particular value in this development will combination of landscape. result in significant characteristics) that There are no special features within the landscape; or special views (either within the rural landscape or to or from the built new built form makes a place special up area). within the and unique. A location Application Site it with a strong sense of The overall sense is of fairly ordinary agricultural land on the edge of an urban area. The sense of place on the Application will not have any place has something Site and within immediate Study Area is limited. effect on any unique or particular to particular perceived that location, whilst sense of place. one with little sense of place is unremarkable and looks much like many other similar locations).