Endurance Estates Land Promotion Ltd Land to the East of Parsonage Road, Takeley Appendix 1 LVIA Methodology

4. EFFECTS ON VISUAL AMENITY

The effects on visual amenity considers the changes in views arising from the proposals in relation to visual receptors including settlements, residential properties, transport routes, recreational facilities and attractions; and representative viewpoints or specific locations within the study area as agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

Sensitivity of Visual Receptors

Sensitivity is determined by a combination of the value that is attached to a view and the susceptibility of the visual receptor to changes in that view that would arise as a result of the proposals – see pages 113-114 of GLVIA3. Both value and susceptibility are assessed on a scale of high, medium or low.

The criteria for assessing the value of views is shown in Table 6:

Table 6, Criteria for assessing the value of views

Views with high scenic value within designated landscapes including but not limited to World Heritage Sites, National Parks, Areas of HIGH Outstanding Natural Beauty, etc. Likely to include key viewpoints on OS maps or reference within guidebooks, provision of facilities, presence of interpretation boards, etc. Views with moderate scenic value within undesignated landscape including urban fringe and rural countryside. MEDIUM

Views with unremarkable scenic value within undesignated landscape with partly degraded visual quality and detractors. LOW

The criteria for assessing the susceptibility of views is shown in Table 7:

Table 7, Criteria for assessing visual susceptibility

Includes occupiers of residential properties and people engaged in HIGH recreational activities in the countryside using public rights of way (PROW).

Includes people engaged in outdoor sporting activities and people MEDIUM travelling through the landscape on minor roads and trains. People along PRoWs within urban environment.

June 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN Page |7 Endurance Estates Land Promotion Ltd Land to the East of Parsonage Road, Takeley Appendix 1 LVIA Methodology

Includes people at places of work e.g. industrial and commercial premises and people travelling through the landscape on major roads LOW and motorways. People travelling along residential roads in urban environment.

Magnitude of Change on Visual Receptors

Professional judgement has been used to determine the magnitude change on visual receptors as shown in Table 8:

Table 8, Criteria for assessing magnitude of change for visual receptors

Major change in the view that has a defining influence on the overall HIGH view with many visual receptors affected.

Some change in the view that is clearly visible and forms an MEDIUM important but not defining element in the view.

Some change in the view that is appreciable with few visual receptors LOW affected.

NEGLIGIBLE No notable change in the view.

5. DEGREE OF LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS

The degree of effects are professional judgements based upon all the factors in terms of landscape and visual sensitivity and the magnitude of change arising from the proposals. The cross referencing of landscape and visual sensitivity and the magnitude of change determines the overall degree of effects as shown in Table 9:

Table 9, Degree of landscape and visual effects

Sensitivity

High Medium Low Negligible

High Major Major Moderate Negligible

Minor to Medium Major Moderate Negligible Moderate Minor to

Low Moderate Minor Negligible Change Magnitudeof Moderate

June 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN Page |8 Endurance Estates Land Promotion Ltd Land to the East of Parsonage Road, Takeley Appendix 1 LVIA Methodology

Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible

6. NATURE OF EFFECTS

GLVIA3 includes an entry that states “effects can be described as positive or negative (or in some cases neutral) in their consequences for views and visual amenity.”7 Unless specifically stated all effects are adverse.

7 Para 6.29, Page 113, GLVIA, 3rd Edition

June 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN Page |9

APPENDIX 2

ESSEX LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 2003 - EXTRACT

JULY 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN

Essex & Southend-on-Sea Replacement Structure Plan Review

ESSEX LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT

Final Report

2003

CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES Environment Landscape Planning PAGE Preface i Executive Summary ii User’s Guide iii

CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Study Context 1 1.3 Study Objectives 3 1.4 Approach and Methodology 3

2.0 EVOLUTION OF THE LANDSCAPE 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Physical and Cultural Influences 9 2.3 Historic Landscape 16 2.4 Planning Policy Framework 18

3.0 LANDSCAPE CLASSIFICATION 27 3.1 Introduction 27 3.2 Regional Character Areas 27 3.3 Landscape Character Types 30 3.4 Landscape Character Areas 31 3.5 District Level Assessments 35

4.0 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER PROFILES 37 4.1 Introduction 37 4.2 Chalk Upland Landscapes (A) 38 North West Essex Chalk Farmland (A1) 4.3 Glacial Till Plateau Landscapes (B) 45 Central Essex Farmlands (B1) North Essex Farmlands (B2) Blackwater and Stour Farmlands (B3) Gosfield Wooded Farmlands (B4) 4.4 River Valley Landscapes (C) 67 Cam Valley (C1)

Page iv 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Stort Valley (C2) Lee Valley (C3) Roding Valley (C4) Chelmer Valley (C5) Blackwater/Brain/Lower Chelmer Valleys (C6) Colne Valley (C7) Stour Valley (C8) 4.5 Wooded Hill and Ridge Landscapes (D) 111 Epping Forest and Ridges (D1)] Brentwood Hills (D2) Danbury Hills (D3) Tiptree Ridge (D4) 4.6 London Clay Landscapes (E) 134 South Essex Farmland (E1) South Colchester Farmlands (E2) Tendring Plain (E3) North Colchester Farmlands (E4) 4.7 Coastal Landscapes (F) 155 Thames Estuary (F1) Crouch & Roach Farmland (F2) Dengie and Foulness Coast (F3) Blackwater Estuary (F4) North Blackwater/Colne Coastal Farmlands (F5) Mersea Island (F6) Brightlingsea-Clacton-Frinton Coast (F7) Hamford Water (F8) Stour Estuary Slopes (F9) Stour Estuary (F10) 4.8 Urban Landscapes (G) 206 Harlow and Environs (G1) Chelmsford and Environs (G2) South Essex Coastal Towns (G3) Colchester and Environs (G4)

5.0 LANDSCAPE ISSUES IN ESSEX 229 5.1 Introduction 229 5.2 Countywide Landscape Issues 229 5.3 Landscape Character Type Issues 236 5.4 Landscape Character Area Issues 237

1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page v BIBLIOGRAPHY 239

APPENDICES

A. Record of Stakeholder Involvement B. Summary Matrix of Sensitivity Evaluations

FIGURES

1. Study Area & Context 2. Topography & Drainage 3. Geology 4. Soils 5. Planning Context 6. Regional Character Areas 7. Landscape Character Types 8. Landscape Character Areas 9. Tranquil Areas

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Page 34 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 4.3 Glacial Till Plateau Landscapes (B)

4.3.1 The Glacial Till Plateau dominates the north and west of the study area, and is part of the extensive claylands that stretch from north Essex into south Suffolk and beyond. It is heavily dissected by the River Valley landscapes that cut into the boulder clay.

4.3.2 The key characteristics of this division can be summarised as:

Gently undulating, glacial boulder clay (‘till’) plateau dissected by major river valleys. Predominantly arable, with some wooded areas and an irregular field pattern. Scattered farmsteads, hamlets and large villages, and relatively few towns. Historic buildings are frequent features in the landscape – these include timber-framed and colour-washed houses, and a rich selection of historic barns. Woodland blocks and hedgerows visually link together to form an often wooded skyline. Winding road pattern away from major routes, with verges and strong hedgerows.

4.3.3 Typical hedgerow species are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Ash and Field Maple, with occasional Elm, Oak, Hazel, Dogwood, Elderberry.

4.3.4 The Glacial Till Plateau comprises four Landscape Character Areas within the study area:

Central Essex Farmlands (B1) North Essex Farmlands (B2) Blackwater Farmlands/Stour Farmlands (B3) Gosfield Wooded Farmlands (B4)

1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page 45 4.3.5 Central Essex Farmlands (B1)

Key Characteristics

Irregular field pattern of mainly medium size arable fields, marked by sinuous hedgerows and ditches. Many small woods and copses provide structure and edges in the landscape. Scattered settlement pattern, with frequent small hamlets, typically with greens and ponds. A concentration of isolated moated farmsteads. Network of narrow, winding lanes. Mostly tranquil character away from major roads and Stansted Airport.

Overall Character

The Central Essex Farmlands is an extensive area of gently undulating arable farmland bisected by the Chelmer Valley. Irregular fields are enclosed by thick but intermittent hedgerows, or just marked by grassy banks and ditches. In long views scattered small woods and copses, and hedgerow trees coalesce to sometimes create the illusion of a wooded horizon. The dispersed settlement pattern is characterised by small isolated hamlets and farmsteads, often straggling along lanes, with a few widely separated towns and larger villages. Narrow strip greens and moated farmsteads are distinctive features of the area. Away from the A120, A130, A12, M11 road corridors/Stansted Airport and its flightpaths,

Page 46 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 gentr—l2issex2 p—rml—nds This map is reproduced from This map is reproduced Survey material with the Ordnance Survey on permission of Ordnance of Her behalf of the Controller Stationery Office. © Crown Majesty’s Copyright. Unauthorised infringes Crown reproduction copyright and may lead to or civil proceedings. prosecution Essex County Council 076619 2001.

1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page 47 large parts of the area have a tranquil character, embracing tracts of fairly secluded countryside.

Character Profile

Geology - Glacial Till (Chalky Boulder Clay).

Soils - Slowly permeable calcareous clay soils. Some deep well drained calcareous clay and fine loamy soils.

Landform - Gently undulating plateau 30-90 m in height. - Locally more rolling, where dissected by small shallow valleys of streams and brooks. - Some areas to the south almost flat, e.g. around Boreham.

Semi-natural vegetation - Ancient ash-maple woodland with hazel coppice, also oak-hornbeam woodland. - Pockets of calcareous/neutral meadows and marsh. - Alder-carr in some river/stream valleys.

Pattern of field enclosure - Irregular field pattern. Predominantly medium size fields, but small fields occur around settlements. Localised areas with large fields where hedgerows have been removed. - Fields bounded by thick hedgerows or solely by banks and ditches.

Farming pattern - Mainly arable, small areas of pasture, associated with settlements.

Woodland/tree cover - Scatter of small-medium size woodlands and small copses with irregular indented outlines. - Occasional poplar tree belts and small mixed plantations of regular shape. - Some areas where woodland cover is more sparse. - Hatfield Forest is a large important area of ancient coppice and wood pasture with pollarded trees. - Intermittent hedgerow trees of oak, ash, hornbeam. Localised areas with more frequent hedgerow trees, e.g. around Terling/Fairstead, and the northern Roding villages.

Page 48 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Settlement pattern and built form - Frequent hamlets (ends, greens, tyes) and farmsteads with only a few villages and towns. - Rich historic architectural detail in market towns such as Thaxted, as well as in many of the smaller settlements. - Typical historic vernacular of half timber, colour wash plaster, thatch and pegtile roofs, some decorative pargetting. - Some villages near A12 corridor have more modern suburban development.

Communications - Many small, narrow winding lanes, sometimes taking dramatic right angled turns. Variable width grass verges. Lanes are often sunken where valleys are crossed. - Major A120, A130 and M11 roads cross parts of the area.

Other landscape features - High density of moated farmsteads. - Spire of Thaxted church is a local landmark in the north. - Large castle mounds at Pleshey, Gt Canfield. - A few small historic parklands, e.g. Terling Place and New Hall Boreham. - London Stansted Airport - extensive flat runways and large buildings. - Various small active and disused airfields e.g. North Weald, Boreham. - Two locally visually prominent pylon routes cross east-west in close proximity north of Thaxted, and another route runs north-south between Braintree and Chelmsford. - Sand and gravel pits near Boreham and Chigwell St James. - Small irrigation reservoirs are common.

Landscape Condition

The condition of the hedgerows and woodlands overall is moderate. In some parts many hedges have been lost, or are very fragmented. In others, such as around Terling they are well managed.

Localised erosion of character occurs due to sand and gravel workings.

The condition of the small settlements overall is good. However, some farmsteads have large visually intrusive modern sheds and/or conifer planting out of character.

1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page 49 Past, Present and Future Trends for Change

The landscape was subject to early enclosure and then evolved gradually.

However, significant change has occurred since the Second World War with rationalisation of field pattern and loss of hedgerows associated with agricultural intensification. This is now considered to have peaked.

Future trends for change may include increasing urban and transportation developments especially associated with the major road corridors. This may include pressure related directly or indirectly to Stansted Airport expansion and potential growth area in RPG9.

The main influence on the landscape will probably continue to be agricultural. Pressures could include larger farm buildings, irrigation reservoirs, forestry and various recreational uses near urban areas. Equally changes in the agricultural subsidy regime could bring opportunities for conservation and restoration of hedgerow pattern, and improved management of woodlands.

Page 50 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page 51 APPENDIX B - SUMMARY MATRIX OF CHARACTER AREA SENSITIVITY EVALUATIONS To be read in conjunction with paragraphs 1.4.15 - 1.4.17

1179902R Essex LCA Final Report_07-02 Page 245

APPENDIX 3

BRAINTREE, BRENTWOOD, CHELMSFORD, MALDON AND UTTLESFORD LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS 2006 - EXTRACT

JULY 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN

BRAINTREE, BRENTWOOD, CHELMSFORD, MALDON AND UTTLESFORD LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS

September 2006

CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES

Environment Landscape Planning Landscape is a continuum and character does not in general change abruptly on the ground. The boundaries between Landscape Character Types and Areas should be considered to reflect zones of transition in many cases. The assessment was undertaken at a scale of 1:25000, and should only be used on its own to inform decision making at this scale. A1 (! (!B3 (!A2 (!B4 (!B1 Key (!B3 (!B2 Uttlesford District Boundary (!H1 Saffron Walden Landscape Character Areas (e.g A3) B5 Landscape Character Area Sub-Unit (e.g. A3a) (!B2 (! A - River Valley Landscapes H2 (! A1 - Cam River Valley A3 - Stort River Valley (!A5 (!H3 (!B9 (!A4 A3a - Stort River Valley Floor B7 (! (!B8 A5 - Pant River Valley A6 - Upper Chelmer River Valley F1 (! B - Farmland Plateau Landscapes B1 - Ashdon Farmland Plateau A5 (! B2 - Hempstead Farmland Plateau B11 (! B3 - Bumpstead Farmland Plateau (!B11 (!H4 (!A12 B7 - Debden Farmland Plateau (!A3 B8 - Thaxted Farmland Plateau B10 - Broxted Farmland Plateau (!B10 (!B13 (!B13 (! B11 - Lindsell and Bardfield Farmland Plateau Braintree B12 - Hatfield Forest Farmland Plateau B13 - Rayne Farmland Plateau B14 - Roding Farmland Plateau (!A6 B16 B15 - Pleshey Farmland Plateau (! (!B16 (! (!A3 B16 - Felsted Farmland Plateau (!A3a H - Chalk Upland Landscapes (!B12 H1 - Elmdon Chalk Upland B14 B16 A10 (! B15 (! (! (! H2 - Arkesden Chalk Upland (!B17 H3 - Langley Chalk Upland H4 - Berden and Farnham Chalk Upland A6 (! 0 2 4 km

B15 (! S:\Projects\11100101_Mid_Essex_LCA\GIS\Projects\improve_130906\figs\111001101_7_01_uttles_lca.mxd

Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Figure 7.1 (!B21 Maldon and Uttlesford Landscape Character Assessments Uttlesford District (!B20 CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES Landscape Character (!A7a www.cba.uk.net This is Ordnance Survey material ©Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings 100023542. 2006 Types and Areas (! August 2006 289

7.3 Farmland Plateau Landscapes

7.3.1 The key characteristics of this Landscape Character Type are:

x Elevated gently rolling Boulder Clay/Chalky Till plateau landscape which is incised by river valleys x Network of winding lanes and minor roads x Medium to large-scale enclosed predominantly arable fields x Long distance views across valleys from certain locations x Well wooded in places (with several areas of semi-natural and ancient woodland)

7.3.2 This Landscape Character Type contains the following Landscape Character Areas:

B1 - Ashdon Farmland Plateau B2 - Hempstead Farmland Plateau B3 - Bumpstead Farmland Plateau B7 - Debden Farmland Plateau B8 - Thaxted Farmland Plateau B10 - Broxted Farmland Plateau B11 - Lindsell & Bardfield Farmland Plateau B12 - Hatfield Forest Farmland Plateau B13 - Rayne Farmland Plateau B14 - Roding Farmland Plateau B15 - Pleshey Farmland Plateau B16 - Felsted Farmland Plateau

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 305

B10 BROXTED FARMLAND PLATEAU

Key Characteristics x Gently undulating farmland on glacial till plateau, dissected by River Roding. x Large open landscape with tree cover appearing as blocks on the horizon or as scattered trees along field boundaries, with intermittent hedgerows. x Higher ground where plateau broadens and flattens is expansive and full of big sky views. x Dispersed settlements and few villages of any size. x Some sunken lanes. x Moats, halls and historic farmsteads scattered over the area.

Overall Character

This character area is in the glacial till plateau farmland, bisected by the river Roding. It lies between the upper Chelmer and upper Stort river valleys, and stretches from Henham and Ugley Greens eastwards to Molehill Green and the rural fringe to the west of Great Dunmow. Stansted Airport juts into the area at the southwest, and the southern limits reach Puttock’s End, below Takeley. This gently undulating arable farmland is in the southern reaches of the boulder clay; the farms are large and the landscape is open, with few trees except in blocks or near settlements. Hedgerows are intermittent and field pattern is delineated mainly by ditches or grass tracks, occasionally with trees or scrub. Rough grassland and pasture for horses can be seen near settlements, bounded by post-and-rail fencing. Tree cover appears in blocks of mixed deciduous types and is often seen as a distant framework on the horizon, or appears to link into a continuous backdrop. The river Roding winds its way southwards from Molehill Green in the centre of the area. Settlement pattern is varied; the village of Henham is a

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 306 nucleated settlement while Takeley and Broxted are linear. Most settlements are hamlets or farmsteads scattered over the plateau or along the lanes. The ancient market town of Great Dunmow, to the east of this character area, is the largest in the vicinity. Vernacular buildings are pale colour-washed plaster, many with pargetting, and thatched roofs. Farm buildings are sometimes red brick with black-stained weatherboarding. The historic past is also visible in the many moats, halls and ancient woodland spread over this countryside. New residential development outside Henham is more suburban; with little link to local building materials or vernacular style. This is also apparent in the villages around Takeley. Stansted Airport is a major influence on the character of the southwestern part of this area. Though screened by trees and shrubs, its buildings and tower can be seen in long views. The access roads and perimeter roads have brought an urban feel with them. The sound of aircraft is almost constant. The A120 and the B1256 cut across the southern part of this area, and a small piece of the M11 crosses the northwest corner. Water towers, telegraph poles and telecommunications masts are sometimes seen on the horizon. In spite of the proximity of the airport and major roads in the south and west, there still remain only winding lanes and minor roads for access to the scattered farmsteads. Many of these lanes are sunken, with verges of varying widths, sometimes tree-lined, and often quite peaceful. Many footpaths including the Harcamlow Way cross the area. The texture of the landscape is influenced by the topography and the contrasts with trees, fields and local building materials. Away from the Stansted flight path tranquillity is moderate to strong.

Visual Characteristics x Churches set on hills are visible in long views. x Telecommunications masts occasionally visible. x Stansted Airport and tower visible in long views from many locations within the character area. x From several locations in the north and east of the character area, panoramic views across the Chelmer Valley slopes and views to Great Dunmow. x Commercial premises growing around airport.

Historic Land Use

Evidence of historic land use within the Character Area is dominated by pre-18th century irregular fields, probably of medieval origin and some maybe even older, interspersed with linear greens and a number of former common fields. Historic settlement is largely dispersed, comprising church/hall complexes, isolated farms, many moated sites and small hamlets, often along linear greens. The main historic landscape features include: x A significant proportion of ancient woodland, and many hedgerows which are also of considerable antiquity. x Intricate, twisting and sunken roads, of ancient origins.

Ecological Features

This Character Area is dominated by intensive and widespread arable agriculture. However, the area does contain 17 sites of nature conservation value. These include: x Elsenham Woods SSSI and part of High Wood SSSI comprising ancient woodland habitats. x Halls Quarry SSSI comprising a variety of grassland and scrub habitats. x Five CWSs with a variety of ancient and semi-natural woodland habitats including: Harland Wood, Lady Wood, Middlefield Wood, Prior’s Wood and Hoglands Wood. x Nine CWSs with a variety of grassland, woodland and wetland habitats including: Palegate Meadow, Broxted, Pledgdon Green, Elsenham Hall Fields, part of Wilkinson’s Plantation, Turners Spring, Molehill Green Meadow, Stansted Sewage Works and Fen and Little Easton Airfield.

Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 307

Key Planning and Land Management Issues x Past loss of hedgerows and decline in hedgerow management. x Potential loss of hedgerows and field pattern due to the further introduction of intensive agricultural practices. x Pressure from increased traffic on rural lanes and erosion of verges. x Pressure from expansion of village settlements which may be detrimental to landscape character x Pressure from visually intrusive expansion due to Stansted Airport. x Potential for erection of new farm buildings on the higher ground, which may be visually intrusive x Pressure to use quick screening ability of conifer plantings which are out of character with this landscape. x Pressure for new development from Stansted Airport second runway.

Sensitivities to Change

Sensitive key characteristics and landscape elements within this character area include blocks of mixed deciduous woodland (visible on the horizon) and scattered trees within field boundaries (which are sensitive to changes in land management). The open nature of the skyline of higher areas of plateau is visually sensitive, with new development potentially visible within expansive views across the plateau. Sunken, often tree-lined lanes are also sensitive to new development, or increases in traffic flow associated with such development. There is a sense of historic integrity, resulting from a dispersed historic settlement pattern and several visible moats and halls (the pattern of which is sensitive to change or new development). There are also several important wildlife habitats within the area (including 14 sites of importance for nature conservation, comprising ancient woodland, grassland and wetland habitats) which are sensitive to changes in land management. Overall, this character area has moderate to- high sensitivity to change.

Proposed Landscape Strategy Objectives

Conserve - seek to protect and enhance positive features that are essential in contributing to local distinctiveness and sense of place through effective planning and positive land management measures.

Suggested Landscape Planning Guidelines x Conserve the rural character of the area. x Ensure that any new development responds to historic settlement pattern, especially scale and density, and that use of materials, and especially colour, is appropriate to the local landscape character; such development should be well integrated with the surrounding landscape. x Encourage the appropriate use of colour as well as deciduous tree planting to mitigate the visually intrusive effects of large modern farm buildings; avoid coniferous screen planting. x New farm buildings such as sheds should be sensitively located within the landscape to respect local character and avoid the skyline. x Small-scale development should be carefully sited in relation to existing farm buildings. x Encourage sensitive conversion of barns which respects traditional materials, built fabric and landscape character.

Suggested Land Management Guidelines x Strengthen and enhance hedgerows with hawthorn where gappy and depleted. x Conserve and manage ecological structure of woodland, copses and hedges within the character area. x Conserve and manage areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland as important landscape, historical and nature conservation sites. x Conserve historic lanes and unimproved roadside verges.

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 311

B12 HATFIELD FOREST FARMLAND PLATEAU

Key Characteristics x Gently undulating arable farmland that forms part of the glacial till and Central Essex Farmland. x Hatfield Forest, an important area of ancient woodland, forms the distinctive character of this landscape. x The forest area is intimate and enclosed, while the arable farmland to the south has a much more open character, although framed by distant woodland. x Field pattern is a mixture of irregular in the forest and semi-regular to regular outside the forest. x Settlement pattern is dispersed through the forest alongside wooded greens and lanes, while to the south the farmsteads are quite scattered. Modern housing is also found throughout the forest, usually well integrated within their own grounds and enclosed by woodland. x Harcamlow Way and Forest Way cross the area x The proximity of Stansted Airport affects the tranquillity of the area.

Overall Character

This character area is enclosed by Stansted Airport to the north, Pincey Brook to the south and east, and the Stort river valley slopes to the west. The northern part of this area contains the protected ancient woodland of Hatfield Forest. Here there are dispersed farmsteads that nestle in woodland clearings that also contain wood pasture and grazing cattle. At Bush End the ancient pollarded hornbeams in the wood pasture are a particular feature. Outside the forest boundaries the open field pattern of agricultural intensification is visible and farms are few. Even though the land is open the link with the forest landscape can still be seen in the way dense woodland frames views to the north.

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 312

The Pincey Brook, which joins the river Stort further south, is extremely narrow in this character area, although its floodplain extends well into the area. Public access to the river is limited to the Forest Way National Trail. It is visible only on the footpath, or at bridging points. The field pattern is irregular in the forest, but further south the open fields are typical of post enclosure, regular patterns in which hedgerows have been reduced or removed. Horse pasture is visible near the settlements, as are areas of unimproved grassland. Field boundaries are ditches or grassy tracks, with intermittent hedgerows visible in some fields. Access in this countryside is limited to two main lanes through the forest and a few other minor lanes crossing the farmland. The A 1060 and the B183 skirt the edges, while the M11 can be heard on the eastern fringes. The Harcamlow Way, Forest Way and many lesser footpaths form a comprehensive network over the plateau. No large structures intrude on the horizons here, as the forest backdrop screens and frames most views. The scale of this landscape is small to medium. The texture is richly varied by the mix of deciduous woodland, pasture, streams and arable fields as well as by the vernacular architecture of half-timbered, brick and colour-washed plaster. The more contemporary housing in Hatfield Forest is usually well screened and has not significantly altered the character of the area, although the access lanes have to carry quite heavy traffic. Stansted Airport, while not visually intrusive, has affected the tranquillity of the area, though, at times, the former very strong sense of tranquillity can be found.

Visual Characteristics x Church spire at Hatfield Broad Oak visible from the open farmland in the south. x Intimate small-scale views of Hatfield Forest from across village greens or clearings in the woodland. x More open farmland in the south is framed by a woodland backdrop to the north. x Ancient coppiced hornbeams are a feature in the wood pasture at Bush End. x Historic farmsteads surround wooded village greens in Hatfield Forest or are sparsely scattered through the woodland itself.

Historic Land Use

Evidence of historic land use within the Character Area is dominated by Hatfield Forest, an important survival of a medieval forest, comprising a mixture of wood pasture, coppice woods, pollards, timber trees, a warren, lodge and lake. Settlement is largely dispersed, comprising church/hall complexes, isolated farmsteads, a large number of moated sites, and scattered roadside and greenside settlement, with clusters of settlement at Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak, the Hallingburys and the Canfields. The main historic landscape features include: x Hatfield Forest, an important survival of a medieval forest, comprising a mixture of wood pasture, coppice woods, pollards, timber trees, a warren, lodge and lake. x Portingbury Hills hillfort. x More regular fields at the forest fringes, probably the result of encroachment on the forest itself. x The large medieval parks of Hallingbury Hall and New Barrington Hall. x A network of twisting lanes, often sunken roads. x A number of areas of ancient woodland, in addition to Hatfield Forest. x Enclosed meadow pasture, which survives in the valley floors.

Ecological Features

This Character Area is comprised predominantly of woodland and arable land. The area contains the following sites of nature conservation value: x Hatfield Forest SSSI and NNR, comprising a variety of woodland, woodland pasture and grassland habitats. x CWS at Hatfield Broad Oak comprising woodland habitats.

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Key Planning and Land Management Issues x Noise and air pollution issues from proximity to Stansted Airport. x Pressure for more infrastructure to support expansion proposals for Stansted Airport that will affect the Forest. x Past loss of hedgerows and decline in hedgerow management. x Potential loss of hedgerows and field pattern due to the further introduction of intensive agricultural practices. x Pressure from expansion of adjacent settlements (Hatfield Heath, Great Hallingbury and Little Hallingbury). x Pressure from increased traffic on rural lanes. x Potential for erection of new farm buildings which may be visually intrusive.

Sensitivities to Change

Sensitive key characteristics and landscape elements within this character area include the intimate and enclosed Hatfield Forest (where dispersed farmsteads nestle in woodland clearings that also contain wood pasture and grazing cattle). This area, which also has strong historic integrity, is sensitive to changes in land management and also to potential new development. Other sensitive historic visible features include Portingbury Hills hillfort, Hallingbury Hall and New Barrington Hall (large Medieval Parks), enclosed meadow pasture in the valley floors and a network of twisting, often sunken lanes. The pattern of historic farmsteads, surrounding wooded village greens, within Hatfield Forest, is also sensitive to change or new development. The Forest (which is a SSSI and NNR) and woodland habitats at Hatfield Broad Oak provide important habitats for nature conservation. Overall, this character area has relatively high sensitivity to change.

Proposed Landscape Strategy Objectives

Conserve - seek to protect and enhance positive features that are essential in contributing to local distinctiveness and sense of place through effective planning and positive land management measures.

Suggested Landscape Planning Guidelines x Conserve the landscape setting of existing traditional dispersed settlement pattern and generally undeveloped character. x Ensure that any new development responds to historic settlement pattern, especially scale and density, and that use of materials, and especially colour, is appropriate to the local landscape character; such development should be well integrated with the surrounding landscape. x Encourage the appropriate use of colour as well as tree planting to mitigate the visually intrusive effects of large modern farm buildings. x Conserve open views to historic buildings and local landmarks.

Suggested Land Management Guidelines x Strengthen and enhance existing hedgerows with hawthorn where gappy and depleted. x Conserve and manage areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland as important landscape, historical and nature conservation sites ( as is currently being done by the National Trust in parts of the Hatfield Forest, where they manage traditional woodland coppice and wood pasture). x Conserve historic and or sunken lanes and unimproved roadside verges. x Conserve and promote the use of local building materials which are in keeping with the local vernacular and landscape character.

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B14 RODING FARMLAND PLATEAU

Key Characteristics x Raised farmland plateau dissected by Pincey Brook in the west. x A mixture of medium to large semi irregular arable fields. x Large open views contrast with enclosed wooded character of other villages and some lanes. x Many historic features in the landscape including a motte and bailey mound at Great Canfield. x Ancient churches at Hatfield Heath, Bush End, the Roding villages. x Hedgerows a feature of the field pattern.

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 318 x Settlement pattern consists of several small to large villages, scattered hamlets and regularly dispersed farmsteads scattered over the plateau.

Overall Character

This character area is defined by the gently undulating glacial till plateau dissected by Pincey Brook in the west, and is comprised of countryside south of Great Dunmow and Takley, just west of High Easter to the east, and most, but not all, the Roding villages to the south. It is a landscape of wide-open views, especially on the higher ground surrounding High Roding, contrasted with the more enclosed, channelled views near settlements. Along the lanes, matures trees are often visible in the hedgerows and in the verges. Poplars are a feature of the windbreaks in this area, and the smaller, irregular field patterns near old settlements give way to larger, more regular fields on the higher plateau. Tree cover appears in woodland blocks and knits together with the hedgerows to form quite a wooded skyline. There are many irregular patches of ancient woodland. Fields tend to be delineated by hedgerows, which, even if they are gappy at times, are more a feature here than in the adjacent Broxted Plateau Farmland (B11). The fields here are mainly arable, but pasture for horses is a feature near settlements, where riding schools can be found. The Rodings are in an area with a long history of settlement and this cultural history is still visible in the many moated farms, halls, ancient churches, some windmills and the motte & bailey castle mound at Great Canfield. Vernacular building style is colour-washed plaster with thatched or peg tile roofs, but mellow red brick dominates in some places, like Hatfield Broad Oak. Agricultural buildings appear in large clusters, in many materials from corrugated metal to black-stained weatherboarding. Village greens are a feature of the area, and the large common at Hatfield Heath, part of the Green Belt, visually enhances the village. Though the settlements are regularly dispersed their scale is small, and this makes the area feel more remote than it actually is, given the proximity of Stansted Airport to the north. Roads ring the area but internally it is winding lanes and tracks that give access to most farmsteads. A comprehensive network of public rights of way crisscrosses this countryside, including the Three Forests Way national trail. The texture of this landscape is layered in all seasons, from smooth green fields in spring to summer’s golden grain, then the coarse stubble after harvest, all framed by the changing deciduous woodland and hedgerows. It is an area with moderate to strong tranquillity.

Visual Characteristics x Long-distance views of Great Dunmow possible from higher ground. x Windmill at White Roding a local landmark. x Hatfield Heath functioning mill. x Long distance views of the church at High Roding and High Easter across the high plateau. x Open, spacious feel to high plateau area.

Historic Land Use

Evidence of historic land use within the Character Area is dominated by pre-18th century irregular fields, probably of medieval origin and some maybe even older, although on a micro-scale there is evidence of pre-18th century co-axial sinuous fields within the individual farms. The settlement is largely dispersed, comprising church/hall complexes, isolated farmsteads, a large number of moated sites, and scattered roadside and greenside settlement, with clusters of settlement at Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak, and the Canfields. The overall grain of the landscape is very irregular, with numerous small twisting roads and lanes linking the settlement and the many small tributary valleys. This area includes much of an ancient Saxon territory known as the ƫrodingas, which stretched from High Roding in the north down to Beauchamp Roding in the south.

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Ecological Features

This Character Area is dominated by intensive and widespread arable agriculture. The area contains 21 sites of nature conservation value. These include: x Ten CWS sites comprising a variety of ancient and semi-natural woodland habitats including: Roffey Wood, High Rodingbury Wood, Dobs Wood, Poplars Wood, Bromshawbury Wood, Cammasshall Wood, Row Wood, Downhall Wood, Colvillehall Wood and Man Wood. x Eleven CWSs comprising a variety of grassland, wetland and heathland habitats including: Runnel’s Hey, Canfield End Church, Canfield End Pastures, Canfield Thrift, Fitzjohn Marsh, Bury Spring, Aythorpe Roding, Aythorpe Roding Churchyard, Barrington Hall, Hatfield heath and Matching Airfield Grasslands.

Key Planning and Land Management Issues x Past loss of hedgerows and decline in hedgerow management. x Potential loss of hedgerows and field pattern due to the further introduction of intensive agricultural practices. x Potential loss of species rich riverside grassland and marshland due to intensive agricultural practice. x Potential for pollution of the Pincey Brook from fertiliser and pesticide run-off from higher farmland areas. x Pressure from increased traffic on rural lanes and erosion of verges. x Pressure from expansion of village settlements which may be detrimental to landscape character and visually intrusive. x Potential for erection of new farm buildings that may be visually intrusive. x Potential for visually intrusive leisure development (such as golf courses/polo clubs).

Sensitivities to Change

Sensitive key characteristics and landscape elements within this character area include mature trees within hedgerows and woodland blocks (which are sensitive to changes in land management). The open nature of the skyline of several areas of the plateau is visually sensitive, with new development potentially visible within expansive views across the plateau. There is a strong sense of historic integrity, with many visible historic features, including many moated farms, halls, churches, some windmills and the motte and bailey castle mound at Great Canfield. The clustered pattern of historic settlement at Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak and the Canfields is also sensitive to change or new development. Also, the large common at Hatfield Heath is sensitive to changes in land management. There are several important wildlife habitats within the area (including 21 sites of importance for nature conservation, comprising ancient woodland, grassland, wetland and heathland habitats) which are sensitive to changes in land management. Overall, this character area has moderate to- high sensitivity to change.

Proposed Landscape Strategy Objectives

Conserve - seek to protect and enhance positive features that are essential in contributing to local distinctiveness and sense of place through effective planning and positive land management measures.

Suggested Landscape Planning Guidelines x Conserve the rural character of the area. x Conserve the undeveloped nature of the floodplain of Pincey Brook. x Seek opportunities for habitat restoration along the floodplain of Pincey Brook. x Ensure that any new development responds to historic settlement pattern, especially scale and density, and that use of materials, and especially colour, is appropriate to the local landscape character; such development should be well integrated with the surrounding landscape.

11100101R Final LCAs_09-06 Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 320 x Encourage the appropriate use of colour as well as tree planting to mitigate the visually intrusive effects of large modern farm buildings. x Conserve open views to historic buildings and local landmarks like churches.

Suggested Land Management Guidelines x Strengthen and enhance hedgerows with hawthorn where gappy and depleted. x Conserve and manage areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland as important landscape, historical and nature conservation sites. x Conserve and manage the ecological structure of woodland, copses and hedges within the character area. x Conserve historic lanes and unimproved roadside verges. x Conserve and manage wet meadows within the floodplain. x Conserve and promote the use of local building materials which are in keeping with the local vernacular and landscape character.

Section 7.0 – Landscape Character of Uttlesford District 11100101R Final LCAs_09-06

APPENDIX 4

UTTLESFORD COUNTRYSIDE PROTECTION ZONE STUDY - EXTRACT

JULY 2021 | RCH | P20-1461EN