North Devon and Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment 36 November 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
5 Seascape Character Area profiles North Devon and Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment 36 November 2015 © Andrew Wheatley This is an interactive map - please click on the Seascape Character Area (SCA) of interest and you will be automatically directed to the relevant profile North Devon & Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment Seascape Character Areas Local Authority boundaries Exmoor National Park AONB Seascape Character Areas 01: Minehead Harbour to Hurlstone Point 02: Porlock Bay 03: Central Bristol Channel 04: Gore Point to Countisbury Cove 16 03 05: The Foreland and Lynmouth Bay 06: Valley of Rocks 09 07: Lee and Woody Bays 08: Woody Bay to Little Hangman 06 05 07 04 01 09: Lower Bristol Channel 13 08 02 10 15 11 10: Ilfracombe and Combe Martin Bays 14 11: Ilfracombe to Morte Point 12 12: Woolacombe Bay 13: Horseshoe Rocks West 17 Somerset 14: Outer Bideford Bay District 15: Lundy 18 16: Lundy North 27 19 North Devon 17: Croyde Bay & Baggy Point 20 23 District 18: Braunton Burrows and Saunton Coast 24 21 19: Taw-Torridge Estuary 26 20: Northam Burrows and Westward Ho! 22 21: Abbotsham Coast 25 22: Clovelly Coast 23: Inner Bideford Bay 24: Hartland North Coast Torridge 25: Hartland Atlantic Coast District 26: Hartland Race 27: Lundy South Map Scale @ A3: 1:350,000 0 10 20 E km © Crown Copyright, 2015. All rights reserved. License No. EK001-310466. Not to be used for navigation. CB:DM EB:Goosen_V LUCLON 6500-01_032_RPT_SCA_overview_A3L_InteractiveMap 09/11/2015 Source: LUC, OS,Natural England © Natural England copyright [2015].Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown Copyright and database right 2015 Ordnance Survey Licence Service Layer Credits: Esri, DeLorme, GEBCO, NOAA NGDC, and other contributors Sources: Esri, GEBCO, NOAA, National Geographic, DeLorme, HERE, Geonames.org, and other contributorsNo.100021929. SCA 1: Minehead Harbour to Hurlstone Point Click here to return to interactive overview map of the Seascape Character Areas (SCAs) SCTs within the SCA: A High Coastal Heaths; B High Wooded Coasts, Coombes and Cleaves; E Farmed and Settled Vale; F Enclosed Farmed Hills with Commons; 4P Moderate Energy Coastal Waters. This is the eastern-most SCA within the study area and is characterised by a strongly articulated landform, with undulating plateaux and rounded moorland hills, steep, rugged cliffs and rocky shores. Offshore the waters are characterised by strong tidal streams and currents and a seabed of dynamic sand and gravel sediments and biogenetic reefs. It contains nationally and internationally designated coastal habitats, including coastal heathlands which support a rich birdlife. It has a long history of maritime trade and onshore there is evidence of ancient settlement at prominent cliff- and hill-top positions. Despite its proximity to busy tourism sites and development at Minehead, the area retains high levels of tranquillity and remoteness. The SCA’s coastal area forms part of the Exmoor National Park and Exmoor Heritage Coast. North Devon and Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment 38 November 2015 x Old coastguard lookout station on Hurlstone Point, forming a characterful Key characteristics seascape feature. Built in 1900, it also housed a rocket warning signal and rescue Natural / physical influences equipment, as well as a tall semaphore signalling system. x Strongly articulated landform, with undulating plateaux and rounded moorland x Exotic plantings within the woodlands and on the slopes of North Hill date from th hills (reaching 308m AOD at Selworthy Beacon) plunging down to steep, rugged landscape enhancements undertaken in the 19 century by the Luttrells, of cliffs carved by streams cascading to rocky shores. Dunster Castle. x Underlain by a solid geology of Lower and Middle Devonian rocks, a varied x North Hill and Selworthy Beacon used as armoured vehicle ranges in World palette of purples, reds and pinks visible in the coastal cliffs. War II. Tracks and targets survive on North Hill. x Maximum water depth of 27m, the seabed underlain by Triassic mudstones x All of the SCA west of North Hill is owned and managed by the National Trust topped by dynamic sand and gravel sediments and biogenetic reefs further as part of their Holnicote Estate. offshore. Variety of fish species including bass, rays, mackerel, congers and x The inland section of the SCA is a much-visited and much-used recreation codling. destination, in part due to its close proximity to Minehead. x Cliffs topped by open coastal heathland and moorland. Cliff faces cloaked by x Steep terrain of the coastal cliffs– the SW Coast Path and ‘Rugged Path’ varied textures and colours of bracken, woodland, heather and exposed rock traverse the slopes with little or no access to the foreshore. Experienced climbers with yellow lichens at their bases. enjoy the challenge– including the "coastguard wall" on Hurlstone Point. x To the east, Culver Cliff offers a striking wooded backdrop to Minehead x SCA used for low-intensity commercial netting and angling, with charter Harbour and promenade; the replanted ancient woodlands also of nature boats operating from Minehead to explore the wider Bristol Channel and Severn conservation interest. Estuary. Minehead is also popular for crabbing. x Nationally and internationally designated coastal habitats including tracts of x Waters crossed by Royal Yacht Association sailing routes and used by the local coastal heathland supporting a rich birdlife, including breeding populations of club at Minehead. Sightseeing cruises on historic vessels also pass through, stonechat, lesser redpoll and Dartford warbler. including the famous Waverley paddle steamer and MV Balmoral. x Shoreline defined by shifting banks of grey pebbles and boulders interspersed by small patches of brackish water and sand– the largest area being Perceptual and aesthetic influences Selworthy Sands in the west. Important areas of Sabellaria reef are found x High levels of tranquillity, remoteness and dark night skies associated with offshore. the coastal cliffs and adjacent waters, contrasting with the busier ‘honey pot’ sites x Strong tidal streams and currents, reaching up to five knots at springs. on the moors above and development at Minehead. Seafarers advised to only approach the drying harbour of Minehead within two x Pockets of bright green improved pasture fields in a regular pattern provide hours of high water due to the significant tidal range – characteristic of the wider contrasting colour and uniform texture against the naturalistic cliffs of purple, Bristol Channel. yellow and gold, particularly apparent when viewed from the sea. Cultural and social influences (past and present) x Far-reaching views to the South Wales coast, including the chimney and smoke plumes of Aberthaw Power Station. The sweeping beam of Nash Point x Evidence for ancient settlement in commanding cliff- and hill-top positions, Lighthouse forms a strong maritime feature on the night-time skyline. This SCA is including cairns, tumuli and the Iron Age defended settlement of Furzebury Brake, the closest point to Wales along the Exmoor coast. a Scheduled Monument. x Strong visual connections between Hurlstone Point, the sweeping arc of Porlock x Long history of maritime trade and exchange of materials between Minehead Bay and Foreland Point (SCAs 4 and 5). Contrasting views of development to the and other Bristol Channel ports. Herring fisheries also flourished before port east, including the Butlins complex and across Bridgwater Bay to the developed jurisdiction moved to Bridgwater in 1834. Severn Estuary beyond. x Nationally important medieval fish weirs preserved in Minehead harbour, x Glimpses of large-scale container ships and tankers travelling via the Bristol further demonstrating centuries of fishing activity. Channel to and from the major ports of South Wales and Avonmouth. x Ruins of the medieval Burgundy Chapel in a cliffside position overhanging the x Perceptual qualities vary according to prevailing weather conditions - a sea. Theories suggest it was erected in thanksgiving for escape, named after sense of foreboding and wildness pervades when storms and winds whip across the unsuccessful expeditions to Burgundy. waters of the Bristol Channel. North Devon and Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment 39 November 2015 Special qualities and key seascape sensitivities The special qualities of this seascape that would be most sensitive to change include: x The setting provided by moorland hills of Bossington Hill and Selworthy Beacon rising behind the coast. x Coastal heathland, displaying a variety of colours and textures and home to a rich diversity of plants and wildlife. x Exotic plantings found within the woodlands of Culver Cliff and on the slopes of North Hill, part of 19th century landscape enhancements undertaken by the Luttrells of Dunster Castle. x Dynamic sand and gravel sediments and biogenetic reefs supporting a variety of fish and other marine life. x Accessibility of the seascape for recreation and ‘breathing space’ by the nearby residents of Minehead, with opportunities to take part in a range of coastal and water-based activities. x The striking and much photographed sea and coastal views, including those enjoyed from the SW Coast Path. Historic landmarks visible from the sea including Burgundy Chapel and the coastguard lookout on Hurlstone Point. x The wild, open, windswept and remote qualities associated with this seascape – lying in immediate stark contrast to development at Minehead. North Devon and Exmoor Seascape Character Assessment