adopted March 2007 Wrexham LANDMAP Background Supplementary Planning Guidance The LANDMAP summary document SPG has been Summary Document produced to provide a consolidated and simplified Wrexham has a diverse and varied landscape version of the Wrexham Introduction LANDMAP -Technical This Supplementary Planning Landscape, whether rural or urban contributes greatly to our every day Appendices adopted in Guidance (SPG) is one of a series experience of where we live and work, and influences our perception of November 2004. The Technical of guidance notes which support an area, sense of identity and well being. The LANDMAP study has Appendices should be refereed Methodology and Status been undertaken to identify the key elements and features which make the polices of the adopted Unitary to where information about the This document has been prepared using the LANDMAP methodology up the landscape within the Wrexham Borough. It is clear from the Development Plan. The UDP assessment methodology and devised by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to describe and study that the landscapes of Wrexham are diverse and varied, as seeks the conservation and assessment valuations for each evaluate the Visual, Geology, Ecology, History, and Cultural aspects of enhancement of the landscape and demonstrated by the identification of 27 different Landscape Character aspect is required. the landscape and provide a basis for a consistent Wales-wide its natural and built features of Areas. approach to landscape assessment. significance and planning applications need to demonstrate The Welsh Assembly Government's Planning Policy Wales March how they have achieved this. This 2002 recognises that LANDMAP 'is an important information resource guidance forms a material upon which local planning authorities can draw in making landscape Wrexham Council takes the consideration in the determination assessments needed to inform local policy, guidance and decision view that a proposed making in this field. of all planning applications which development, could affect the form, appearance which does not conserve or and setting of the built and natural enhance the landscape / landscape and its features. townscape, or its natural and Further Information built features considered to be of significance, is unlikely to For further information please Information is presented in the following format be approved. contact: Planning Department, Map of LANDMAP Landscape Character Area summary - indication of Wrexham County Borough Council, Character Areas Area sheets important qualities or attributes Lambpit Street, Wrexham Landscape context - location LL11 1AR The centre spread map provides Seperate sheets are available for within the authority, relationship an introduction and overview to each of the 27 landscape with other landscape types both Tel: 01978 292019 the landscapes of Wrexham and: character areas. These sheets within the authority and beyond Fax: 01978 292502 present concise information for e-mail: [email protected] Categorises and groups areas Key characteristics of Visual, Visual, Geology, Ecology, History, Geology, Ecology, History, and within 4 common broad and Cultural aspects within each landscape types (i.e. areas with Cultural character All our information is available character area. The format of available in accessible formats Landscape sensitivity - the broadly similar features such as information provides: settlement or landform) into pressures and threats upon Visit our website: www.wrexham.gov.uk/planning Rural/Urban villages, Uplands, Maps indicating the location landscape Urban, and Rural lowlands of the character area within the Management Guidance - aims authority and the character area and guidelines to achieve the Sub-divides the area further boundary management strategy for the into 27 detailed landscape area character areas A brief statement of: Glossary & Bibliography Introduces Key Landscape Landscape Character - a Issues for each landscape type mental image of the landscape, Provides clarification of the its landform, features, openness technical terms used and or enclosure information resource referred to Wrexham Landscape Character Area Guidance Wrexham Landscape Character Area Guidance © Wrexham County Borough Council 2007 RURAL/URBAN VILLAGES LANDMAP Character Areas URBAN Wrexham urban villages are associated with past coal Wrexham town is the main residential, commercial and mining, and located on the edge of the uplands and to social centre, and is of regional importance, performing the north of Wrexham town. The villages are set among Rural/Urban Villages : Key Landscape Issues many of the functions of a city in North Wales. The farmland, wooded valleys and regenerating or restored Wrexham Industrial Estate is a very large employment landscapes. This complex character area contains main The future of 'urban fringe' landscapes area of national importance, set within open countryside roads, railways and canal, as well as Offa's Dyke and and containing many habitats and species of high The potential for urban forestry 8 prehistoric hill forts, reflecting Wrexham's history on the 14 biodiversity value. border between Wales and England, upland and Impact of new housing on traditional community 9b Landscape Character Area lowland. identity 10 Wrexham Town Detailed Character Areas 9c Maintenance of local distinctiveness 8 8 11 Wrexham Industrial 7a Chirk 13c The future of Bersham tip Estate 7b Cefn Mawr 6 7d 7c Rhosllanerchrugog, Rhostyllen, Ruabon, Pen y Cae The need for footpath and cycle 7d West Wrexham Ridges and Valleys links 10 8 Gwersyllt, Llay, Gresford, Borras The long-term impact of sand 9a 11 Urban : Key Landscape Issues 9a Clywedog Valley and clay quarries and landfill 1b Impact of cumulative development on wildlife and 9b River Alyn Valley Preservation of local history and green space within urban areas 9c Ffrith Valley industrial archaeology 14 5b 7c Impact of long term expansion of urban areas into 9d Froncysyllte to Newbridge surrounding countryside 13a Protection and enhancement of urban character areas 12b 7b UPLANDS 13a Ruabon/Esclusham Mountain is an open moorland 9d 13b plateau with remnants of former quarrying and mining. Much of the area is uninhabited, but there are scattered 12a farmsteads on the eastern slopes, and to the north, 1a 3 4a 5a the highest village in Wales - Bwlchgwyn. 2 7a 13a 3 4b Ceiriog Valley/Berwyn Mountain is a rural upland 3 3 15 area consisting of the enclosed River Ceiriog 1a Valley, and surrounding hills. The higher 4a hills are open moorland, and the lower 3 areas contain a mixture of small farms and woodlands, with villages along 4a 3 3 the valley floor. 4b RURAL LOWLANDS The Eastern lowland areas of Wrexham are largely rural Detailed Character Areas and agricultural and share many characteristics of the 1a Berwyn Mountain 3 Rural Lowlands : Key Landscape Issues neighbouring Cheshire and North Shropshire landscape. 1b Ruabon/Esclusham Mountain The general area also includes the River Dee floodplain Impact on rural character of commuter pressure 2 Ceiriog Forest and flat river terraces, and Fenn's Moss, an extensive Conservation and management of historic parks, area of heathland and bog. There are scattered 3 Berwyn Foothills gardens and boundary walls farmsteadings, attractive small villages, and historic 4a Ceiriog Valley Slopes landscape features including medieval ridge and furrow Hedgerow and hedgerow tree conservation and 4b Ceiriog Valley Corridor and moated sites. Upland : Key Landscape Issues restoration 5a Chirk Estate and above Froncysyllte Detailed Character Areas Impact of development in remote and wild areas Impact of flooding defence measures 5b Eastern slopes of Ruabon Mountain 12a Dee/Ceiriog Wooded Valley 6 Minera, Gwynfryn, Bwlchgwyn Effects on agricultural land use of economic changes Impact on historic landscape features of agricultural and conservation constraints changes 12b Wych Valley 13a Welsh Maelor Impact on cultural identity of rural villages and farms of Effects of economic diversification and recreation in commuters and incomers the countryside 13b English Maelor 13c Dee Terraces Landscape protection - potential Area of Outstanding Footpath and cycle links between town and country Natural Beauty designation 14 Dee Floodplain Impact on landscape and wildlife by farm building 15 Fenn's Moss Management of tourism and recreation conversions to housing Wrexham Landscape Character Area Guidance.