Truro & Landscape Strategy

September 2008

Contents

1.0 Introduction and Methodology 3.0 Collaborative Visioning

Purpose of Study and Study Context Vision and Objectives for ’s Landscape

Methodology Baseline Data 4.0 Landscape Framework for Truro Collaborative Visioning Landscape Structure Landscape Framework Spatial Vision Access and Movement Network Biodiversity Network 2.0 Landscape Baseline Landscape Framework Plan

Baseline Descriptions and Implications for the 5.0 Delivery Masterplan

1. Basic Geography Conditions for Delivery Actions for Delivery Natural Systems 2. Landform Appendix 3. Geology and Hydrology 4. Vegetation 5. Biodiversity

Land Use and Human Systems 6. Heritage and Culture 7. Access and Movement

Environmental Character 8. Visual Setting 9. Historic and Current Landscape Character

Landscape Change and Development 10. Development Pressures and Directions for Growth

Truro Landscape Strategy 1 2 Truro Landscape Strategy 1. Introduction and Methodology

Purpose of Study and Study Context Extension Area methodology has been developed to enable an In the baseline analysis the data is compiled into The second part of the workshop started to identify • An Open Space and Leisure Provision Strategy interrogation of the baseline data so that the potential the above categories. Key layers are taken from the key elements of the landscape framework for • The Energy and Sustainability Strategy for the landscape to inform the structure of the city is the baseline analysis to form the spatial vision and the City. It involved discussing how the existing Truro is a City that has been long defined by • A Conservation Area Strategy clearly identified. landscape framework plans in sections 4 and 5 landscape resource, groups of trees, hedges, the iconic image of the Cathedral and viaduct • A Contributions Strategy respectively. watercourses, and so on, can be brought together sitting within the bowl. With a potential growth in The landscape strategy ultimately needs to be with development to ensure that the City continues to households of 50% together with new community Methodology deliverable, and the study identifies ways in which the Section 3: Collaborative Visioning have a great setting. and commercial uses it is inevitable that this key elements can be delivered through a combination relationship with its landscape is going to be of private sector, public sector and community-led Community Workshop 1 redefined in some way. Integration with the Landscape Strategy for investment. A vision is the intended result of a set of objectives. Community Workshop 1 was held at the Truro, Falmouth and Penryn It is capable of being represented graphically and Church Hall on the 17 November. The Truro has already outgrown its landscape setting This study follows from the Landscape Strategy for The main subsections of the methodology are: can be used to convey the aspirations a client or workshop included presentations by LDA Design, once before. The direction of growth towards Truro, Falmouth and Penryn (LDA Design, 2000), community has for a place. The need to deliver Sustainable Energy Partnership and Threemilestone has protected the ‘bowl’ but it is which was prepared to inform the review of the • Baseline data (Section 2.0 of the report) sustainable development means that any vision New Masterplanning, which led on to a series of probably fair to say that, whilst there has been a Carrick District Local Plan, to assist the Council • Collaborative Visioning (Section 3.0) should address social, economic and environmental workshops in small groups looking at the following clear vision of how the historic city should relate to its with making decisions regarding the prospect of • Landscape Framework (Section 4.0) issues. A good start for any visioning process topics: setting, there has not been a correspondingly clear future development beyond the existing settlement • Delivery Strategy (Section 5.0) therefore is to consider social, economic and vision for how this new urban entity should sit on the boundaries of the three towns. In particular, the 2000 environmental objectives and develop a compelling • From a landscape perspective what makes Truro Highertown ridge. study aimed to identify where new development Section 2: Baseline Data picture of how these can be integrated by the vision the place it is? would be more or less acceptable from a landscape for the place. The process of setting objectives • How do we make Truro a sustainable community The landscape surrounding Truro is fundamental perspective and, in those areas which were thought and developing the vision is a good opportunity over the next 20 years? to providing a strong structure for both the historic more able to accommodate development, to provide Baseline data were collated in GIS using ArcView 9.2. to engage stakeholders and members of the • What sort of place do we want Truro and settlement and the urban extension. The Issues and guidance on how it might be designed to fit with its Data were sourced from the District Council, County community in a collaborative process. Threemilestone to be in 20 years? Options Version of the Truro and Threemilestone immediate landscape and townscape setting. This Council and consultants working on the Sustainable Area Action Plan (January to March 2007) highlights new report is intended to be consistent with the 2000 Urban Drainage Strategy. Data was also sourced A series of three workshops was held to identify Each group identified a set of key priorities for the significant challenges in the integration of the report, but focuses on Truro and Threemilestone. from previous work undertaken by LDA Design (The objectives, develop the vision and inform the masterplanning study under each of the topic areas. proposed growth of the city with the surrounding This study has found that the character assessment Landscape Strategy for Truro, Falmouth and Penryn; masterplan for Truro and Threemilestone. These are included in Appendix 2. These priorities landscape. In addition to fundamental questions (for in the 2000 report remains valid. LDA Design, 2000). The following data have been were used by LDA Design to develop a set of core example how landscape features such as nature compiled: Stakeholder Workshop 1 objectives to underpin the development of the reserves, hedges, and trees can be meaningfully A new landscape framework for Truro This workshop involved representatives of the landscape strategy. integrated into what will become an urban area) there The methodology has been developed by LDA 1. Basic Geography key authorities and agencies concerned with the are also major choices for the future with regard to Design to ensure that the Truro and Threemilestone development of Truro. The aim was to develop clarity Community Workshop 2 where potential development occurs. This study Masterplan is prepared with a full understanding of Natural Systems about how the landscape setting of Truro should Community workshop 2 was held at Highertown starts to provide answers to some of these major the landscape resource of the city. The approach 2. Landform perform as a resource and setting for the city. The Church Hall on 19th January 2008. The workshop challenges in a positive way that embraces the has also been designed to provide opportunities for 3. Geology and Hydrology session identified the key environmental, economic included presentations by LDA Design and New concept of sustainable development by integrating a range of stakeholders and members of the public 4. Vegetation and social functions of the landscape, particularly Masterplanning, which led to a series of workshops social, economic and environmental issues. The to contribute meaningfully and transparently into the 5. Biodiversity those identified by Natural ’s Countryside In in small groups looking at specific areas of change study avoids the ‘traditional’ landscape approach masterplanning process. and Around Towns Initiative. The following questions in and around Truro and Threemilestone, including which might simply provide a series of constraints Land Use and Human Systems were considered: opportunity sites in the city centre, Treliske, , to development. It provides a landscape framework The image, identity, economic success and quality 6. Heritage and Culture Threemilestone, and Higher Newham. which shows how the most important parts of the of life of any city is often strongly influenced by how 7. Access and Movement • How should the landscape setting of Truro provide landscape resource surrounding the town can be it relates to its landscape setting. For example, an benefits to the community? The groups were invited to scrutinize sketch scheme used to provide a structure and as an asset for future iconic town such as Oxford would not be what it Environmental Character • How can the landscape contribute to the economy proposals for each of the above areas which were growth. Where appropriate the landscape strategy is were it not for the way that the floodplains of the 8. Visual Setting and competitiveness of Truro? presented by New Masterplanning. also defines the limits to the growth of Truro. Thames and Cherwell interact with town 9. Historic and Current Landscape Character • How should the landscape setting of Truro helping to give it its distinct character. In addition contribute to the quality of the natural and cultural This study complements other studies also being to accommodating biodiversity, providing open Landscape Change and Development environment of the City? prepared at the time of writing: space needs, protecting cultural assets and so on, 10. Development Pressures and Directions for • Drawing it all together - A vision for the landscape • A Sustainable Urban Drainage Strategy the landscape makes up the fundamental structure Growth setting of Truro • A Movement Framework for the City and Urban of any city and helps to define it as a place. The

Truro Landscape Strategy 3 Section 4: Landscape Framework

The landscape framework section draws on all previous sections. Firstly, it proposes a spatial vision showing how Truro could relate to its landscape setting in the future. It then provides a rational interpretation of this vision for access & movement and biodiversity networks.

A series of plans were compiled, under the following themes:

• Spatial Vision • Access and Movement Network • Biodiversity Network

These three plans come together into a single illustrative landscape framework plan.

The Spatial Vision sets out Truro should sit within its landscape context. The Spatial Vision aims to provide a design-led physical framework for the growth of Truro that is informed by the landscape in which it is set. It identifies those attributes of the landscape surrounding the city that are fundamental to its image and identity as an settlement and shows how they might inform future growth.

The landscape framework shows how Truro can grow whilst preserving its image, identity and key environmental assets. The framework was identified by mapping and linking the most important aspects of the visual, ecological and cultural attributes of the landscape that surround the City. Consideration has also been given to how the landscape contributes to the image and identity of the City and the quality of life it offers its residents. Future character descriptions (pages 38 - 42), which conclude section 5, articulate these qualitative aspects.

4 Truro Landscape Strategy 2. Landscape Baseline

The following section describes the existing landscape surrounding Truro and Threemilestone through a series of themes: Basic Geography

1. Basic Geography ST Natural Systems KE CLE

2. Landform: Elevation, Aspect and Slope N A 3. Geology and Hydrology W MEN

4. Vegetation L YN L 5. Biodiversity E P N TS LAT Land Use and Human Systems B3284 V RI

K A 6. Heritage and Culture ENWY 7. Access and Movement N EA L DG V L E A U E Environmental Character L Y L A39 A390 8. Visual Setting E 9. Current Landscape Character Y Treliske Hospital Landscape Change and Development !0. Development Pressures and Directions for Growth A390 Railway Viaducts H IGH ER ! TOWN R Cathedral 1. Basic Geography ID(GE

The basic geography is illustrated in the plan New School opposite. The features marked are: New County Hall • The main A and B roads - the A39, A390 and B3284 N TIN EY/C • The railway line - the main line to and the A Falmouth branch line L E • The four plateaus - the St. Clements, the Kenwyn, N the Highertown and the IC A39 • The four rivers - the Allen, the Kenwyn, the Calenick K and the Truro Rivers V • A selection of landmarks - the Cathedral, the A LL railway viaducts, the hospital, new County Hall and EY T the new David Lander School LENICK RIDG RU CA E RO

R

Landmark buildings IV Rivers and streams E R Railways 1,000 A & B Roads ] Meters

Truro Landscape Strategy 5

! ( Implications for the Masterplan: NATURAL SYSTEMS Aspect • The form of new development should reflect the • South-facing slopes, particularly along the Legend

topographic structure of the City’s setting. The Highertown ridge, give the opportunity to optimise North-facing 2. Landform: Elevation, Aspect and Slope convergence of four ridges and three valleys solar gain through passive design. The south-facing South-facing provides distinctive contrasting settings for the aspect also has potential for siting photovoltaic historic City and newer settlement on Highertown arrays. At the macro scale, Truro sits within a natural ‘bowl’ ridge. formed by the junction of the Rivers Allen and Aspects of landform are taken forward in the Kenwyn at their confluence with the . • Ridges and valleys are natural limits, constraining landscape structure analysis (section 4). the outward spread of development. For Truro, The dramatic setting of the City is actually created by the edge of the bowl performs this function. For the coming together of four ridges: the St. Clements Highertown, the valleys of the River Kenwyn and ridge to the east, which marks the eastern boundary the River Tinney do so, although within these of the City; the ridge which terminates at Kenwyn; the broader topographic constraints development must Highertown ridge, which has been the focus of much integrate with landscape structure in extent, form recent development; and the Calenick ridge, which is and pattern. highly visible from the settlements in Highertown, but which lies outside the landscape setting of the City. • In the City, characteristic views are defined by the green edge to the Truro bowl. These are generally The hills and ridges which surround Truro contain inward looking views which don’t extend beyond the city, determine its setting and to the north, the City in the bowl, although there are also some south and east have naturally limited the extent of important views along the Truro River. Along the built development. In contrast Highertown extends Highertown ridge, settlement has a much more 1,000 ] Meters westwards from Truro along a narrow ridgeline. The outward looking perspective, with more distant landform falls away steeply from the Highertown to views possible to the Calenick and Kenwyn ridges. Threemilestone ridge north and southwards toward In the landscape framework it is therefore important Slope the Kenwyn and Tinney river valleys. North of the to consider how topography defines views. Legend hospital the land falls away particularly steeply. Percent • The lower slopes to the north of the hospital fall 0.00 At the micro scale there is considerable local away steeply to the Kenwyn valley floor. These 0-5% complexity in the topography which is closely related north facing slopes act as natural constraints to 5-10% >10% to hydrology and drainage patterns. To the south of expansion. The landscape framework needs to Highertown the landform sloping down from the ridge consider the steepness and shape of the slopes is dissected by minor tributaries creating attractive and their appropriateness for development. undulations which fall in all directions. Slopes are generally convex which provides a roundness and • The edge of the Truro bowl contains views of the softness to the undulations in landform. city and has historically contained its growth. Opportunities should be sought to make use of sites on the edge of the bowl to improve the city’s landscape setting. The masterplan / landscape framework needs to take account of hills and ridgelines which contain views and act as viewsheds.

• Development must respond to the complexity of local topography. The form of new urban areas in Highertown, for example, should reflect the fine variations in slope and aspect formed by the 1,000 ] Meters Gloweth Stream and other local drainage lines.

6 Truro Landscape Strategy Elevation

ST

KE CLE N A

W MEN

L YN L E P N TS

LAT V RI K A ENWY N EA L DGE V L A U E L Y L E Treliske Hospital Y

HIG HER TOWN R IDGE

N TIN EY/C A Elevation (metres) L E 100 - 110 N IC 90 - 100 K V 80 - 90 A LL 70 - 80 EY 60 - 70 CALENICK RIDGE 50 - 60 40 - 50 30 - 40 20 - 30 10 - 20 1,000 0 - 10 ] Meters © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2007 License number 100023554 © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2004 License number 100023554

Truro Landscape Strategy 7 NATURAL SYSTEMS Hydrology Truro lies at the confluence of the and River Kenwyn where they combine to form the tidal 3. Geology and Hydrology Truro River. The River Tinney, also known as the Calenick Stream, flows into Calenick Creek which merges with the Truro River to the south of the City. Geology The river valleys provide a setting for the City and are Geology strongly influences the character of Truro’s a strong linear feature in its wider landscape. landscape. The bedrock geology of the Variscan belt of strata dictates the landform as well as The River Kenwyn flows eastwards, north of the influencing local soil and habitat types and providing Highertown – Threemilestone ridge, into Truro. The the opportunities for mining which have shaped the river is heavily modified and culverted in places, area’s cultural landscape (see Land Use and Human before its confluence with the River Allen. It then Systems 5. Heritage and Culture). flows southwards into the intertidal area at Wharf. The River Tinney flows eastwards, south The Variscan belt of Strata extends across Europe of the Highertown - Threemilestone ridge, and from the edge of the Carpathian mountains to south- discharges to Calenick Creek. The watershed west England. A common feature of parts of the between the main watercourses lies close to the Variscan belt is the presence of folded strata, such as route of the A390 with the River Kenwyn draining slate, together with locally extensive granite masses. land to the north and the River Tinney draining land This association is the product of a period of violent to the south. earth movement that occurred some 300 million years before the present, when two continental Tributary streams add to the complexity in landform, masses were in collision along an extensive common draining land to the north and south before joining boundary. The period of compression that resulted with the River Kenwyn and River Tinney respectively. in the folding and fracturing of the Earth’s crust, and More detail on the baseline hydrology is given in the also in melting of the deeper crust, was followed by SUDs Strategy. an uplift of the deformed strata to form a mountain chain. Erosion followed over a long period during the Implications for the Masterplan: Permian and Triassic eras, when the area that is now • The river valleys structure the landscape and South West England was an arid desert in equatorial have influenced the urban form. This should latitudes. The grey slate and crystalline granite that be emphasized by defining and enhancing the are seen around the coasts and in inland quarries character of the River Valleys, strengthening their in present day Cornwall represent the roots of the role in providing a landscape setting for Truro Truro River from Boscowen Park former mountain range exposed by deep erosion. and Threemilestone. For Truro the Rivers Allen, (County Minerals Local Plan, 1998) Kenwyn and the Truro River itself are important. For • Improve accessibility to and along the Rivers for Aspects of this baseline hydrological information are Highertown, the focus should be on the Kenwyn people wildlife. The River Valleys, in particular the taken forward in the landscape structure analysis Soilscape (accessed through www.magic.gov. and the Tinney, their tributaries and the landscape Kenwyn and the Tinney should be principal links (section 4) and biodiversity network plans (section 5). uk, February 2008) indicates the soil geology to be structure these provide for Threemilestone and its connecting Threemilestone to Truro for walking primarily composed of freely draining slightly acid connection to Truro. and cycling. Containing river and woodland loams. The main land cover associated with these habitats, and linking to heathland and grassland is arable and grassland. The soil type is consistent • Reconnect Truro to its river and harbour front. The on the valleysides, for example Carrine Common, with the locally characteristic habitats of neutral river is the economic reason for Truro’s location Bussavean Meadows or Nansavallen Wood, and acid pastures, deciduous woodlands and acid and is an under-performing asset. Masterplanning the valleys are key connectors in Truro’s habitat communities such as bracken and gorse in more of the city and quay area would be big factors in network. upland areas. re-connecting the town to its landscape. Areas of landscape near the Truro River, such as Higher Newham and Boscawen Park should be significant components of this masterplan.

8 Truro Landscape Strategy Hydrology

River Kenwyn River Allen

Langarth Stream

Treliske Stream River Kenwyn /

Gloweth Stream / /

River Tinney River Truro

Legend

Rivers and streams

Flood Zone 3 (Environment Agency) Carrine Stream Truro River Key sites for biodiversity and SUDS (SUDS Strategy) / Kea Stream

1,000 ] Meters © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2004 License number 100023554

Truro Landscape Strategy 9 NATURAL SYSTEMS farmland with intricate and complex small-scale fields, often surrounded by tall hedgerows. There are strongly recognisable patterns on some of the 4. Vegetation slopes on the edge of Truro, including on the steep slopes either side of Kenwyn / Pencarrick and near Trennick Lane and the Truro River. By contrast, many As well as some large woodland blocks (Nansavallan of the plateaus have larger fields and less intricate and Treworder Wood) the Allen, Kenwick and Tinney hedgerow structures, due to being better suited to Valleys form low lying wooded corridors providing modern farming. strong structure and enclosure within the landscape. Intact hedgerows define medium sized fields with a Implications for the Masterplan: particularly intimate pattern of small field and mature • Vegetation is an important structural element in the hedgerows to the south of the Truro to landscapes surrounding Truro and Threemilestone. Railway line. The network of wooded river valleys, the vegetation which lines green lanes, hedgerows and particular Heathland: Consistent with the geology of the blocks of landmark vegetation will form an Landmark tree groupings on the golf course Nansavallen Wood from new County Hall area, heathland is evident in the landscape to the important layer within the landscape framework. south of Highertown, along roadsides and at Carrine • At the scale of Truro, the River Kenwyn and Tinney Common. The heathland habitats are of value in are the principal west to east corridors. More Hedgerows and Field Patterns biodiversity terms. locally, the tributaries of these and the other main rivers tend to provide local corridors which are well Principal woodland blocks: The vegetation plan vegetated. This is complemented by the hedgerow opposite differentiates from OS Mastermap data the structure of the landscape. The masterplan needs principal woodland blocks, which have been verified to ensure green infrastructure is part of the new against aerial photography. Most of the woodland in development and that it connects new and existing the Truro and Threemilestone area is contained within development. the lower lying valleys. There are some dominant • The masterplan needs to consider the existing blocks on slopes visible from the Highertown Ridge, hedgerow pattern and its role in informing the layout for example, Nansavallan Wood to the south of of new development. Keep important hedgerows, Penwithers Junction. enhancing the hedgerow structure where supportive of distinctive character, for example in Landmark groupings of trees: Within the setting certain areas to the south of Threemilestone. of Truro and Threemilestone, there are several • Differences in the character of vegetation to the prominent groupings of trees which are located on north and south of Highertown should encourage higher ground, or on the visible slopes which line the different characters to come through in urban edge of Truro’s bowl. These groups include: development. • the ring of trees at the ancient settlement to the • The ring of trees surrounding the ancient settlement north of Treliske, when viewed from the Highertown to the north of Gloweth is important, as are Ridge. significant blocks of woodland at Nansavallen • the golf course provides a parkland setting to and Newbridge.Elsewhere, distictive groupings of Treliske with prominent groups of pines, especially individual trees such as the pines on the Treliske when viewed from the north. golf course and east of Boscawen Park act as • prominent tree groupings north west of important landmarks, particularly if they are seen Penventinne, at Killagorden and Malpas (Trennick as part of the setting of build development. The Parkland). masterplan should preserve landmark groupings of trees. Hedgerow patterns: There are areas of distinctive hedgerow patterns in the landscape surrounding Aspects of this baseline vegetation information are 1,000 Truro. The area to the south and southwest of the taken forward in the biodiversity network plans ] Meters Highertown Ridge contains areas of post-medievel (section 5).

10 Truro Landscape Strategy Vegetation

k

k

k k Landmark trees and tree groups

PrincipalWoodlandBlocks Vegetation mapped from OS data Coniferous trees Non-coniferous trees Scrub Heath Marsh and reeds Rough grassland Orchard Rivers and streams MM_Truro_inland_water 1,000 Meters © Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2004 License number 100023554 ]

Truro Landscape Strategy 11 NATURAL SYSTEMS including amphipods, polychaete worms, the sea cucumber Leptopentacta elongata and bivalve molluscs. 5. Biodiversity •Large shallow inlets and bays - the SAC is a ria system in that supports a wide range of communities representative of marine inlets and shallow bays. The Rivers (the mudflats of Upper Truro River), woodlands rias of the Fal and Helford have only a low freshwater (Nansavallon Wood, Treworder Woods), heathland input and as a result the area contains a range of fully (Carrine Common Halbullock Moor) and hedgerows marine habitats from extremely sheltered in the inlets provide a rich mosaic of habitats in the landscape to the wave-exposed, tide-swept open coast. surrounding the City. • Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae) - The Fal and Helford is an example of Designated sites saltmarsh vegetation in a ria (drowned river valley), a There are a number of European and Nationally physiographic type restricted to south-west England designated nature conservation sites in Truro’s and west Wales. There is a narrow saltmarsh zonation landscape setting shown on the plan opposite. typical of rias, from pioneer to upper marsh, and transitions to woodland where the fringing trees Fal and Helford estuary, to the south and east of overhang the tidal river, an unusual juxtaposition of Higher Newham, and Carrine Common, are both vegetation in the UK. (www.jncc.gov.uk, accessed designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). February 2008). SACs are areas which have been given special protection under the European Union’s Habitats Carrine Common/, the Malpas Estuary Directive. to the east of Higher Newham and Carrick Heaths, south of Shortlanesend and east of Roseworthy are Carrine Common is one of only four known all designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest outstanding localities in the United Kingdom of (SSSI). A SSSI is an area of special interest within Temperate Atlantic wet heaths with Erica ciliaris and the United Kingdom by reason of its flora, fauna, Erica tetralix. It has a large area of Dorset heath Erica geographical or physiological interest. ciliaris and is important for the representation of the full geographical distribution of temperate Atlantic wet County Wildlife Sites are designated at Bussavean heaths. This site also takes account of the ecological Meadows to the south of Shortlanesend and east variation of the habitat type, as E. ciliaris at Carrine of Roseworthy, Treworder Woods to the north of Common occurs on soils that appear to be more Treliske, Halbullock Moor to the north of and adjoining Carrine Common free-draining than is usually the case in Dorset and Newbridge Farm, Nansavallon Wood to the south and elsewhere in Cornwall. The occurrence of this habitat on the other side of the River Tinney to Trethowan and type under such conditions is thought to reflect the Estates, Carrine Common and the Upper Implications for the Masterplan: • In certain parts of the landscape, extensive ‘re- highly oceanic climate of Cornwall. (www.jncc.gov.uk, Truro River. • The River Valleys of the Kenwyn and the Tinney and wilding’ should be considered to increase the local accessed February 2008). their tributaries are particularly important aspects of cover of biodiverse habitats, such as heathland, Halbullock Moor is also a Cornwall Wildlife Trust the habitat network and development should ensure typified locally by Carrine Common. The following habitats are the primary reasons for Reserve, as is Fox Corner located in the grounds of their enhancement. The landscape framework designating The Fal and Helford SAC: New County Hall between the Richard Lander and should enhance connectivity of habitats to create • Biodiversity permeates the wider agricultural and • Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water Tregothnan Estates sites. green corridors for wildlife and people. urban landscape. Whilst the plan opposite shows all the time - the low tidal range and a wide range of only the designated / more important sites, a critical substrates results in biologically one of the richest • The masterplan should knit biodiversity into the aspect of future work on biodiversity networks (see examples of sandbanks in the UK. urban fabric, through green character areas which Section 5) will be the consideration of this wider • Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at structure new development in greenfield sites, and biodiversity asset. low tide - the SAC supports examples of sheltered through re-naturalising parts of the river system in intertidal mudflats and sandflats representative of the city which have lost their landscape and wildlife Aspects of the biodiversity baseline are taken forward south-west England, and is particularly recognised for interest. in the biodiversity network plan (section 5). the importance of the species living in the sediments,

12 Truro Landscape Strategy