The Low Weald

This broad low lying, gently in wide, very shallow valleys. Small, narrow Scattered trees, especially oak, are an undulating clay vale underlies and commonly sunken streams cut into the important part of the landscape. Many trees heavy clays locally forming flat low-lying are in closely spaced rows along the lines a small-scale intimate landscape areas that are often subject to flooding. of old hedgerows, disused railway lines, with an intricate mix of copses bridleways, green lanes and watercourses. Historical Impact of Man Riparian trees, commonly Alder, are also and shaws, a patchwork of fields The history of the Low Weald is similar to and hedgerows. In the east this characteristic of the area. Hedgerows are tall that of the High Weald but because of the with many mature trees but in the east these gives way to a more open and relatively gentle landform and light soils, have been largely removed to make way for sometimes prairie- like landscape. it readily supports arable agriculture, but arable agriculture. This has in places given has been subject to far greater modern day rise to an open prairie character. change. Location Agriculture The Low Weald lies between the High Weald The Low Weald supports a prosperous brick The area is generally mixed farming, with and the Downs. It is on average 9 kilometres and tile making industry which continues the lighter soils on greensand being arable. north to south, extending from Ditchling in to the present day. Clay and sand pits are a the west, to Polegate and Hellingly in the characteristic of the landscape, some being Other habitats and features east. significant features. Wet grazing land and riparian habitats are widespread, particularly in the Ouse Valley. Landform Woodland and Hedgerows Broad, low lying, gently sloping clay vales The Low Weald is much less wooded than Settlement Pattern and Routeways with small greensand ridges underpin the the High Weald; considerable areas in The historic settlement pattern of the Low landscape of the Low Weald. This gently the east have almost no woodland cover. Weald was one of a preference for the undulating countryside, flattens out towards Exceptions to this are Plashett Wood, Vert higher and drier sandstone outcrops. The the rivers. In comparison to the High Weald Woods and Abbotts Wood, the latter being settlement pattern is relatively dispersed; the slopes are very gentle. The land rarely one of the largest woods in East Sussex. settlements tend to be small, nucleated or exceeds 40m AOD with many areas below Most of the rest of the woodland is small linear, following roads. An intricate network 15m AOD. and restricted to shaws and tree belts. Much of lanes link farms settlements. Many of of the woodland is coppice with standards, these are orientated north-south and are The Low Weald is typically dissected by usually Hornbeam with Oak and spectacular considered to be Drove Roads along which river floodplains. The Ouse and Cuckmere carpets of bluebells in spring. farmers moved their animals to access flow southward following winding courses

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment Weald The Low The Low Weald

the Downs. Typically they meet the steep Remoteness Roads: Traffic is a major influence on Bostals which climb the scarp slope of the The topography of the Low Weald is tranquility. Recent bypasses of towns, such Downs. gentle,and a good cover of hedges, trees as Uckfield and Polegate, have had an and small woods help to afford a significant impact on the countryside. Rural lanes are Grand houses, Gardens and Parkland degree of remoteness in many areas. affected by increasing traffic. The area has a wealth of significant stately homes often with historic designed Urban influence/ urban fringe problems: Problems pressure and change in the Low landscapes. Areas of ancient deer park, The creeping intrusion of urban land use Weald which are rich in archaeological and wildlife and suburban living is spreading from the interest, are a feature of this landscape. Agriculture: Agricultural intensification has main settlements. This is manifested in Moated gardens and monastic grounds such led to significant removal of hedgerows modern ribbon development and small as Claverham House and Michelham Priory creating some prairie-like landscapes. holdings along roads. Pony paddocks and are also significant. Modern farm buildings and associated wire fencing have replaced traditional field clutter are highly visible, especially from the patterns and hedges. Other details Downs Uncharacteristic planting detracts from the Older houses are usually built of brick and traditional and historic sense of place. timber with tiles made from the local weald Woodland and hedgerows: Woodland The general clutter of urban land use, such clays. Timber framed buildings are more quality has declined due to lack of as business and road signs, road markings, common in the east. Nearer the Downs, flint traditional management, particularly bollards and lighting detract from rural buildings and walls are a feature as flint coppicing. Replacement of the native character. was quarried from the chalk hills. Wealden deciduous woodland with extensive conifer sandstone was used extensively, especially plantations has detracted from landscape Development: The Low Weald of East where the Greensand outcrops occur locally. quality and character. There has been a loss Sussex is under increasing development Heavy Horsham stone tiles appear on larger and decline of hedgerows and trees and pressure. Gentrification of vernacular buildings and especially churches. consequent fragmentation of landscape buildings and landscapes erodes the local structure. This is due to lack of management character of towns and villages. and changes in farming practices.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment Weald The Low The Low Weald

Recreation: There are some popular local Establish boundaries for development on the attractions: Arlington Reservoir, Abbots edges of towns and villages with new screen tree Wood, Michelham Priory, Ditchling Common planting. Tree planting on a large scale to improve Country Park and Barcombe Mills. The area is well landscape character and counter climate change. served by rural lanes and Rights of Way and has great potential for informal recreation and access. Conserve and enhance the historic built environment and settlement pattern. New Water Resources: The Ouse and Cuckmere development should be carefully located and rivers and their catchments are significant designed to compliment and sit comfortably with features of the area. There has been a loss of local landscape character. Use of vernacular styles characteristic wetland features such as wet and building materials should be considered meadows, riparian woodlands and reedbeds. where appropriate. The design of new development should include buildings and their setting down Landscape Action Priorities for the Low Weald to the detail of hard landscape layout. Proposed planting schemes should also reflect local Encourage the uptake of farm environment plans character. to conserve the essential landscape structure of hedges, trees and small woods. Improve the screening and integration of farm buildings and associated clutter with bold tree planting. Manage woodland sustainably to prevent further decline of the woodland resource with particular emphasis on ancient woodland, coppice, shaws, hedgerows and riparian woodlands. Encourage the conversion of conifer woodland to broadleaved.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment Weald The Low