Appendix C Landscape Character Assessment NEWQUAY TOWN FRINGE DESCRIPTION
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Appendix C Landscape Character Assessment NEWQUAY TOWN FRINGE DESCRIPTION Newquay is a north coast town, situated on cliff tops between two river valleys, the Gannel and Porth, that run east to west. The coastline is indented with many coves and projecting high rocky headlands. The Gannel Valley, with its tidal river forms a clear edge to the south and west of the town and has an extensive beach backed by dunes at Crantock. The Porth Stream at Whipsiderry lies in a tight narrow valley on the northern edge of the urban area. Chapel Stream and its small catchment is a shallow valley between two ridges. The majority of the urban area of Newquay is built in the Chapel Valley. Inland of the urban area of Newquay, to the east there is good quality undulating agricultural land. The settlement at Newquay is defined by two clear ridges that emerge from down land at Qunitrell Downs. The southern ridge runs in an east west direction, maximum height 77m. The more northerly lower ridge, approximate height 57m, runs north west from Qunitrell Downs then west from St Columb Minor. The landuse in the immediate vicinity of these ridges is a mixture of agricultural and caravan and camping sites. The village of St Columb Minor lies to the east of Newquay. The village has a distinct identity centred around the ancient church and tightly built village centre. The village does however join Newquay with built development along the A3059 (Henver Road). NEWQUAY TOWN FRINGE CHARACTER TYPES 1. High Cliffs High indented coastline with undeveloped dramatic headlands. On the headlands are a number of important historic features including ancient iron age settlements, burial grounds and the Huers Hut, overlooking Newquay Bay. A links golf course is situated inland to the east of Fistral Beach and contributes to the undeveloped headland landscape of the coastal urban area. 2. Steep Sided Estuary and River Valley The south side of the Gannel Valley has steep north facing slopes with a mix of pasture and scrub, the north side of the valley is developed from East Pentire to Trevemper roundabout. Newquay Town Framework Plan Greenfield Land Assessment February 2011 The estuary forms a well defined urban edge to the south of Newquay. The Gannel valley extends east inland to Kestle Mill and beyond and remains well defined. 3. Twisted Steep Sided Valley Whipsiderry Valley is a flat bottomed valley that is largely undeveloped with good rural and maritime views. The urban fringe is clearly defined on the ridge above the valleys southern edge from St Columb Minor church to Porth. The urban form has penetrated the valley along the coast strip (approx 100m deep) with a mixture of camping and caravan on the valley bottom and hotels, self catering accommodation and residential on the south facing slopes above Porth beach. 4. Chapel Valley The valley is a shallow basin with an open aspect contained by two ridges. The valley runs north west to south east, and forms a deep “V” where it meets the Gannel Estuary. The upper reaches of the valley are generally gently sloping; there are some steeper slopes below the southern ridge south of Chapel. There are a number of scattered historic settlements in the valley (Lane, Gusti Veor, Gusti Vean and Chapel). 5. Quintrell Downs Quintrell Downs lies on productive wet downland at the eastern end of the two ridges that run west and north west to Newquay. Quintrell Downs lies on higher ground at the head of the Chapel valley and above the Gannel valley to the south and the catchment of the Porth River to the north. A former staging post and grain store Quintrell Downs now lies on an important rail and road intersection. Newquay Town Framework Plan Greenfield Land Assessment February 2011 Cornwall Town Frameworks Urban Extensions Landscape Architects Field Assessment Sheet Cell 1 ASSESSOR; DATE; SHEET NUMBER; Landscape Survey Information Landscape Value Landscape Overall Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Landscape Landscape Character Area No. 14 Landscape Visual Final Cell Judgement Description Landscape Description Unit No’s. Character Sensitivity Record descriptive Sensitivity information for each survey sub heading listed Record information for each survey sub heading listed - Place a value of H/M/L- Place a value of Place a value of (Score- 1-10) see guidance H/M/L- see H/M/L- see As per previous matrix guidance guidance Natural Landscape Features Topography/ landform Confluence of two steep sided river valleys running from the south east and north east Score Score Landscape Value (1-3) + Landscape Sensitivity (1-5) H / M / L H / M / L = Vegetation cover/ trees Pastoral with some scrub on steeper valley sides and flat valley bottom. Overall Landscape Assessment (1-10) Field pattern/ boundary Low Cornish hedge bank, small fields. Stunted hedgerow trees, some mature wetland trees in type valley bottom One colour for each cell/ sub cell Land use Low input pasture – mainly horse grazing. Include notes on the most suitable type of Distinctive landscape/ St Columb Minor Church tower development if this seems historic features relevant Water bodies/ courses Porth river converges with smaller stream from north east. Most inappropriate for development- 10 Red Settlement/ Built Features Greatest potential for Settlement type The cell includes significant area of urban edge from St Columb Minor to Porth development with mitigation- 2 Green Distinctive manmade Power lines run from Porth north east inland toward Trevelgue campsite. Sewerage pumping In between scores have features station at Porth. potential for some types of development with careful nd mitigation, further detailed Distinctive historic or St Columb Minor church tower (2 highest in Cornwall) is a prominent landmark and part of study may be required cultural features the St Columb Minor conservation area. Vernacular (use of local Distinctive golden local stone used in village centre in St Columb Minor NB. All development materials) For Landscape Sensitivity requires mitigation combine Landscape Character Transport Pattern Sensitivity with Visual Sensitivity A Road/ B Road/ other B3276 (see previous matrix) Railways None Farm/ Private tracks Tracks along line of footpath / bridleway Final score will be between 1 (Low Cycleways Cycle Route 32 just enters the southern extremities of the cell. Sensitivity) and 5 (High Sensitivity) PROW Footpaths and bridleways traverse the cell from south to north and east to west. Informal paths Siginificant number of informal paths on land adjacent ot Porth. Cornwall Town Frameworks Urban Extensions Landscape Architects Field Assessment Sheet Visual Prominence (tick appropriate) Open/ long distance Prominent from Towan Head and A3059 approach from St Columb Major (high) Intermittent (medium) Limited (low) Landscape Condition Integrity and unity of The main Porth river valley is largely complete with minor urban intrusions along the landscape ridgeline to the south. The hotel accommodation on the coast road north out of town is prominent from most of the cell. Trevelgue campsite which is accessed through the cell but outside the cell boundary to the north is not visible from any of the key view points in the cell. Aesthetic & Sensory Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) The cell is relatively tranquil given its proximity to the coast. There is some background noise from the coast road B3276 and the A3059, this varies with time of day and season. how is the landscape An exposed quite sculptural “U” shaped river valley. Far reaching views in all experienced? directions. Key sources / visual or At the western extremity of the cell the coast road from Porth to Watergate. A3059 noise (both within and at the south east extremity of the cell. Church bells (six of). Prevailing winds are outside the cell) from the west which will carry noise from the urban and beach area. Cell to Cell relationship What is the key information relating to Cell 2 borders cell 1 to the south, the boundary falling along the old road into St adjacent cell? Columb Minor from the A3059. Photograph numbers 14 photos from five viewpoints Other Information The cell contains an Area of Great Landscape Value near the coast, Grade 2 agricultural land is also identified in the north west of the cell. There is a significant area of flood zone along the valley bottom along the entire length of the cell. Cornwall Town Frameworks Urban Extensions Landscape Architects Field Assessment Sheet `CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; Cell 2 ASSESSOR; DATE; SHEET NUMBER; Landscape Survey Information Landscape Value Landscape Overall Landscape Sensitivity Assessment Landscape Landscape Character Area No. Newlyn Downs Landscape Visual Final Cell Judgement Description Landscape Description Unit No’s. Character Sensitivity Record descriptive Sensitivity information for each survey sub heading listed Record information for each survey sub heading listed - Place a value of H/M/L- Place a value of Place a value of (Score- 1-10) see guidance H/M/L- see H/M/L- see As per previous matrix guidance guidance Natural Landscape Features Topography/ landform Gently sloping river valley Score Score Landscape Value (1-3) + Landscape Sensitivity (1-5) H / M / L H / M / L = Vegetation cover/ trees Pastoral Overall Landscape Assessment (1-10) Field pattern/ boundary Cornish bank hedge tightly trimmed and uniform across cell. type One colour for each cell/ sub cell Land use Arable and pasture Include notes on the most suitable type of Distinctive landscape/ Cell borders St Columb Minor cemetary development if this seems historic features relevant Water bodies/ courses Cells northern boundary borders the Porth River Most inappropriate for development- 10 Red Settlement/ Built Features Greatest potential for Settlement type The cell has some urban fringe bordering St Columb Minor. There is one farm Trewollack development with located in the centre of the cell mitigation- 2 Green Distinctive manmade One chimney located in the bottom of the valley.