Mendip District Council Assessment of Special Landscape Features November 2012 MENDIP -------------~_. DISTRICT COUNCIL Contents Introduction 1 Relevant Policy 4 Methodology 4 Feature categorisation and assessment of quality 7 Designation of Features 32 Special Landscape Features Pro-formas 33 Assessment of Special Landscape Features 1 1 Introduction 1.1 Special Landscape Features were included in the Mendip District Local Plan, which was adopted in December 2002. These features were described as being of particular value and therefore requiring special protection as they are often the most vulnerable areas and least able to accommodate change whilst retaining their particular value. Para 7.28 of the Local Plan goes on to say that some of the features are defined for their contribution to the scenic quality of the District whilst others have historical or cultural associations which make them special. The Local Plan included the following policy: 1.2 Policy EN7 – Development will not be permitted where it will have an adverse impact on the scenic value or integrity of the Special Landscape Features defined on the proposals map. 1.3 The following table (Table 1) lists the Special Landscape Features included in the Local Plan and a brief description that includes a reason for designation as included in Appendix 7 of the Mendip District Local Plan. Table 1: Special Landscape Features within the Mendip Adopted Local Plan 2002 Name of SLF Description Alford Park Historic parkland Asham Woods, Chantry Prominent woodland block which is distinctive in the landscape, particularly when viewed from the north and east Barren Down, Shepton Hillside forming a backdrop to view of Shepton Mallet. Also has historical Mallet associations Barrow Hill, Panborough Knoll, rising from the levels Beacon Hill, Shepton Mallet Prominent wooded hill which forms the skyline from vantage points to the north and south. Also has historical associations Ben Knowle Hill, Wookey Prominent hill rising out of the levels. Also shows historic field patterns Blackers Hill, Gurney Slade Hillfort and valley complex Butleigh Park/Cedar Historic parkland with prominent tree avenue Avenue Dulcote Hill Prominent hillside, particularly when viewed from Wells Emborough Grove Wooded valley and lake Farleigh Castle, Farleigh Historic castle and its setting overlooking the River Frome valley Hungerford Fenny Castle Hill Prominent hillfort rising from the levels Glastonbury Tor Nationally recognised hill with historic and cultural associations Harter’s Hill, Coxley Knoll, rising from the levels Holcombe Pools and church Steep sided wooded valley area Ivythorne Hill, Street Dramatic hillside forming backdrop to Street from the north and a feature of views from the levels to the north and south. Kings Castle/Tor Complex of historic earthworks combined with dramatic wooded hills and Woods/Lyatt, Wells valleys Lamyatt Beacon/Creech Hill Prominent range of hills Meare Pool and associated Complex of ancient pool and medieval farming systems visible in the medieval areas landscape Mells Valley Dramatic wooded valley with a variety of archaeological features visible in the landscape, in particular a complex of industrial features from the 18th and 19th centuries Palace Fields and Park Historic parkland forming the setting to the Bishops Palace and southern Woods, Wells part of Wells Assessment of Special Landscape Features 2 Spargrove Manor Complete complex of medieval farms and mills, with remains visible in the landscape Underwood, Wells Edge of Mendip Hills, forming the backdrop to Wells Wearyall Hill, Glastonbury Dramatic hill forming the setting to Glastonbury with historic and cultural associations Worminster Prominent range of hills Down/Launcherley Hill 1.4 None of these special landscape features are within the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which lie in the district and they are therefore designated for their local significance. 1.5 In undertaking a review of policies within the Local Plan, as part of the work on the Local development Framework Core Strategy, it was decided that a review of the special landscape features was needed to determine whether the designations were still relevant and needed. 1.6 In December 2008 the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Further Issues & Options Consultation Paper was published. Within the consultation paper were three questions related to special landscape features, asked in order to determine whether people felt they were still relevant and necessary and whether there were any other landscape features that they thought should be designated. The questions asked can be found in box 1. Box 1 Q100a: Do you feel that the Special Landscape Features described above should continue to be protected as part of the Core Strategy? Q100b: Do you think there are any other landscape features that should be offered similar protection? 1.7 The consensus amongst respondents to the consultation was that they should continue to be protected. A question was raised over what designating something as a special landscape feature involves – would the landowner have an obligation to maintain it and would any public funding be available for this. 1.8 English Heritage raised the point that as many of the features are man-made and represent important archaeological sites there should be some acknowledgement of this aspect within the body of text that accompanies them. Many of the archaeological features are Scheduled Ancient Monuments of national significance. 1.9 A number of other features were proposed for protection under a SLF type policy: Frome: The area in Spring Gardens adjacent to the River The southern side of the lake at Orchardleigh House where there is a huge variety of orchids that need protection Marston Bigot Parklands The medieval strip farm/historic field patterns at Packsaddle, Frome. This is the site of the confluence of the Mells and Frome rivers with industrial features of the 18th and 19th centuries including a woollen mill and an iron foundry. Villages: Assessment of Special Landscape Features 3 Ponter’s Ball to the east of Glastonbury, a large linear feature The Lake Villages at Meare The former Deer Park at Westbury sub Mendip A wooded escarpment to the east of West Pennard The boundary of Ivythorn Hill should be extended along the hillside to include Walton Hill Purpose of this paper 1.10 The main purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the special landscape features identified in the Mendip District Local Plan 2002 will continue to require special protection through a specific policy within the Core Strategy. The paper also intends to bring together various strands of information on the special landscape features in order for it to be evident why they deserve local designation. The same information will be collated for those potential special landscape features that were proposed through the consultation process for the Local Plan. 2012 Update 1.11 The first version of the Assessment of Special Landscape Features was published alongside the draft Core Strategy in February 2011. Comments were welcomed on the assessment and a number were received. The details of these can be found in the Consultation Report which accompanies the publication of the pre-submission Local Plan Part I. 1.12 One comment was concerned with the classification of Barrow Hill which was excluded from the list of Special Landscape Features as a result of the assessment in 2011. The respondent included a number of reasons why Barrow Hill should remain as a Special Landscape Feature whilst acknowledging the fact that development in this area was unlikely. This new evidence has been investigated and the pro-forma for Barrow Hill updated accordingly. Some further work has also been carried out in relation to Alford Park, the other feature that was not taken forward in the previous assessment. Again this is reflected on the updated pro-forma for this feature. The end result is that both features – Barrow Hill and Alford Park have been re-included in the list of Special Landscape Features which will continue to be protected through policy within the Local Plan Part I. Assessment of Special Landscape Features 4 2 Relevant Policy National Planning Policy Framework 2.1 At the time of the publication of the first version of this assessment, in February 2011, national planning policy was set out in a number of planning policy statements and planning policy guidance. Since then these policy documents have been replaced by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The relevant sections of the NPPF in relation to this assessment are detailed below. Paragraph 109: 2.2 “The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by protecting and enhancing valued landscapes…” 2.3 Paragraph 113: “Local planning authorities should set criteria based policies against which proposals for any development on or affecting protected wildlife or geodiversity sites or landscape areas will be judged. Distinctions should be made between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites, so that protection is commensurate with their status and gives appropriate weight to their importance and the contribution that they make to wider ecological networks.” 2.4 Paragraph 126: “Local authorities should take into account… The wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits that conservation of the historic environment can bring Opportunities to draw on the contribution made by the historic environment