1. Upper Medway Valley

Home , Cotchford Farm, East Sussex, Forest Row, Groombridge, Hammerwood, Hammerwood Park

Upper Medway Valley 1

Cowden

A264 Hammerwood Park Groombridge Bolebroke Place Spa Valley Railway Castle

Groombridge Ashurstwood Hartfield Forest Way CP

Weir Wood Buckhurst Reservoir Park Kidbrooke Park Forest Row 5 7 A 2

Crowborough

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The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1

rich varied pattern small, relatively natural winding of woods, trees River Medway characterised by and hedges on scattered alder and willow slopes spectacular views from spurs mainly open attractive villages lying valley floor in the valley are typically characterised by stone and white weatherboarding

Forest Way, a linear country park is lined with scrub and trees

affluent gentrified farms and country houses including Hammerwood Park

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 • Orchards and hop fields. Contents • Rich varied pattern of woods and deciduous shaws. A. Landscape Description • Intensive farming has reduced former shaws to narrow hedges B. Landscape Evaluation interspersed with mature trees. C. Vision and Strategy D. Guidelines for Managing Change • Characteristic tree species are coppiced chestnut with oak standards. A Landscape Description • Other characteristic species are beech, wild cherry, lime and Key Landscape characteristics Scots pine. • This covers the river Medway Valley from Weir Wood Reservoir in the • Many scattered small farm ponds and hammer ponds as relics west to Groombridge in the east. Ashdown Forest lies to the south of the iron industry which thrived in this area. and the border with Kent to the north. • A sense of tranquillity and relative remoteness away from the • A broad flat river valley overlooked by gentle spurs which afford main settlements and roads. spectacular views across the valley. • A close network of winding, sunken lanes with scattered • Relatively natural winding river channel fringed with alders, willows settlements and individual dwellings often strung out along them. and poplars. • Traditional building materials for the area are red brick, often • Weir Wood Reservoir, a large body of open water lies on the county laid as Flemish bond with blued brick ends, red tiled roofs and boundary. t i l e h u n g u p p e r s t o r i e s a r e t y p i c a l . S a n d s t o n e c o r n e r s , o r q u o i n s , are also found on some properties. • Unusually for the High Weald the settlements tend to be in the valley rather than on higher ground. • White weather boarding is a particular characteristic of the area, notably in Hartfield. • Scattered and individually distinctive villages often centred on a church. • The Uckfield to London main line railway runs across the eastern part. • The picturesque village of Hartfield with its Winnie the Pooh associations. • The Spa Valley historic steam railway runs from Eridge to Tunbridge Wells via Groombridge. • Distinctive country houses and estates, notably Hammerwood Park, Bolebroke Castle, Brambletye, Buckhurst Park, Kidbrooke Park and • The Forest Way linear country park crosses the area from Forest Row Groombridge Place on the Kent border. to Groombridge following the disused railway line. • Hammerwood, Buckhurst, Kidbrooke and Groombridge Place have • Much of the central part of the area is free of main roads and traffic, Registered parks and gardens but the A264 cuts across the northern edge and the A275 cross the west side. • Scattered and often isolated large farmsteads.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Cultural Interests Cotchford Farm in Hartfield was the home of A.A. Milne (1882- Hammerwood Park is a country house designed by architect Henry 1956) and the surrounding countryside, especially Ashdown Forest Latrobe in 1792 and situated in the north west corner of the area, inspired his Winnie the Pooh stories. The farm was later owned by near the Kent, Surrey and Sussex border. It is a Grade I listed Brian Jones (1942-1969) the founder of the original Rolling Stones building and one of the first houses in England to be built in the who tragically drowned in the swimming pool. Greek Revival architectural style. The designed parkland is thought The Brambletye Inn in Forest Row was frequented by Sir Arthur to have been influenced by Repton as a collaborator with Latrobe. Conan Doyle (1859 -1930) and features in some of the Sherlock There is evidence that Capability Brown may have also had an Holmes stories. influence on the parkland’s evolution. The more formal gardens near the house were created in the 19th and 20th centuries. Other notable residents of Forest Row have included writers Owen Barfield (1898-1997), Violet Needham (1876-1967) and Ben Elton Buckhurst Park was landscaped in 1830–1835 by Humphry Repton, (1959- present) whose landscape plans for the park were embodied in one of his “Red Books”. In the early decades of the 20th century, the estate was leased for over 25 years to Robert Henry Benson (1850–1929), a merchant banker and art collector, who continued to make improvements to the house. Finding the house and grounds very much as Repton had left them, in 1902 he called upon architect Edwin Lutyens to add an extensive wing. Lutyens later credited his decades-long appointment as architect of New Delhi, the grand central area of which is still known as Lutyens’ Delhi, to a chance meeting at a country-house party at Buckhurst during Benson’s tenure. Grade II* Listed Bolebroke Castle is a 15th Century hunting lodge and one of the earliest brick built buildings in Sussex. It was used by Henry VIII as a base for hunting in Ashdown Forest and for courting Anne Boleyn. The film The Other Boleyn Girl was filmed at the castle.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Table 1 Key positive Landscape Attributes

• A broad flat river valley overlooked by gentle spurs which • A sense of tranquillity and relative remoteness away from afford spectacular views across the valley. the main settlements and roads. • Relatively natural winding river channel fringed with alders, • A close network of winding, sunken lanes with scattered willows and poplars. settlements and individual dwellings often strung out along them. • Weir Wood Reservoir, a large body of open water lies on the county boundary. • Traditional building materials for the area are red brick, often laid as Flemish bond with blued brick ends, red tiled • Unusually for the High Weald the settlements tend to be in roofs and tile hung upper stories are typical. the valley rather than on higher ground. • White weather boarding is a particular characteristic of the • Scattered and individually distinctive villages often centred area, notably in Hartfield. on a church. • The Spa Valley historic steam railway runs from Eridge to • The picturesque village of Hartfield with its Winnie the Pooh Tunbridge Wells via Groombridge. associations. • The Forest Way linear country park crosses the area from • Distinctive country houses and estates, notably Forest Row to Groombridge following the disused railway Hammerwood Park, Kidbrooke Park, Bolebroke Castle, line. Brambletye, Buckhurst Park and Groombridge Place on the Kent border. • Scattered and often isolated large farmsteads. • Orchards and hop fields. • Rich varied pattern of woods and deciduous shaws. • Characteristic tree species are coppiced chestnut with oak standards. • Other characteristic species are beech, wild cherry, lime and Scots pine. • Many scattered small farm ponds and hammer ponds as relics of the iron industry which thrived in this area.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 B Landscape Evaluation • Engineered flood defences and other features which detract from the natural river valley. Table 2 Current Condition • Loss of riverside trees. • Aircraft noise associated with Gatwick planes taking off and This is a largely unspoilt and tranquil rural landscape with landing over the area. few intrusive features. The landscape is in generally good condition and well managed as farmland with a strong historic • Development pressures in the villages. structure. Agricultural change and diversification has led to • Agricultural diversification to hobby farms and horsiculture. some gentrification of the rural landscape and farm steads. Some areas of more intensive agriculture have larger fields • Recreational pressures and in particular golf course due to shaw and hedgerow removal. Creeping suburbanisation development. and urban fringe pressures are evident around the towns and • Changes in the types and frequency of grazing animals in the larger villages detracting from local distinctiveness. As with countryside impacts on character as they are a characteristic most of the High Weald landscape the historic field patterns feature. Lack of grazing can give an unmanaged appearance to of small fields and significant hedgerows remain intact. the landscape and reduce the biodiversity value. Many woodlands have been affected by lack of management, rhododendron invasion and coniferisation. • The wider land management initiatives associated with the High Weald AONB. • Farm Environment Plans, much of the farm land is under Entry Forces for Change impacting on positive attributes Level Stewardship Agreements, notably around Hartfield and south of Hammerwood and organic stewardship at Ashurstwood. Past / Current forces for change • Intrusive modern farm buildings. • The positive land management initiatives associated with the High Weald AONB. • Loss of traditional coppicing in woodlands and increase in game shooting. • Creeping suburbanisation and cumulative changes in the rural landscape, roads and villages which are not in sympathy with • Woodland Grant schemes are scattered across the area, notably local distinctiveness or vernacular architecture. at Hammerwood. • Urban fringe pressures, particularly around the nearest towns, • Increasing traffic on the A roads which cross the area and the East Grinstead and Royal Tunbridge Wells. main roads along the ridges and rat running on rural lanes.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Future Forces for Change Table 3 Potential Impacts of Climate Change • The need to provide local housing in the villages, especially the larger service centres of Forest Row and Hartfield. • Potential changes in woodland / tree species composition and accelerated growth of species such as birch, • The associated infrastructure required for new development such as waste water treatment works. • Changes in ground flora which produce distinctive seasonal displays and other native vegetation. • Demands for traffic calming and road improvements which could introduce increasing urban clutter to rural roads, villages and • Increased prevalence of pests and diseases due to warmer lanes. weather e.g. Phytophera of Alder. • Continued agricultural change due to changing markets, • Changes in precipitation and temperatures will change the economic pressures and response to climate change. types of crops that farmers grow. • The spread of small agricultural holdings, hobby farming, • Potential impact on the viability of grazing sheep, dairy and paddocks farm shops and allotments for local food production. beef. • Pressure for locating renewable energy facilities for solar, wind • Increased temperatures and a decline in precipitation levels and bio energy. may dry out wetland habitats and ponds and alter stream flows. • Pests and diseases of trees which could impact significantly on the mature tree stock. E.g. phytophora of alder and Ash dieback. • Changes in water levels in ditches, ponds and streams • Failure to control invasive species of plants and animals in water courses, such as New Zealand Pigmy Weed (Crassula helmsii), Parrots Feather (Myryophyllum aquaticum), Mink and European Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). All of these impact on the native flora and fauna which are characteristic of the area. • Water quality in the River Medway catchment.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 C Vision and Strategy Table 4 Vision 5. Consider the potential to plan for recreational access in this An accessible peaceful valley set in a rich varied tapestry of character area identifying areas where public access can hedges and fields with abundant woods and parklands creating be encouraged whilst protecting other areas where wildlife scope to enjoy remoteness and seclusion. A vibrant working conservation is the priority. landscape with thriving land based activities which conserve the characteristic features and wildlife of the area. Traditional 6. Integrate proposed and existing development into the villages with a conserved and enhanced local vernacular and landscape through planting of tree features and woodland to sense of place. define the village boundaries with the countryside. 7. Ensure that the design and layout of new developments respect the character and form of the landscape and existing settlements. As noted in the current Landscape Character Guidance – A Landscape Strategy identifies “what change if any is desirable for 8. Control the spread of suburbanisation by minimising clutter of any landscape character area as a whole?” signage and other urban features in lanes and villages. 9. Conserve the setting of historic buildings and landscape Landscape change and adaptation to meet the strategy requires: features and notably the Registered parklands of Hammerwood 1. Planning for the enhancement of the northern part of the Park, Buckhurst Park, Kidbrooke Park and Groombridge Place. Western Ouse Streams and Ashdown Forest Biodiversity 10. Consider appropriate species for new plantings to maintain Opportunity Area and the Weir Wood SSSI. landscape character and biodiversity but also adaptation to 2. Protect and manage existing woodland habitats and in climate change influences. particular the characteristic ghyll woodlands. 3. Protect and manage existing wetland habitats and plan for restoration of ditches and riverside vegetation to restore habitat linkages and continuity. 4. Plan for the creation of multifunctional green infrastructure to maximise the opportunities for biodiversity and recreation offered by the rural lanes, rights of way network, river valley and extensive woodland.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 D Guidelines for Managing Change Development considerations for housing and other development Proposals within the High Weald AONB need to have regard for the current High Weald Management Plan: http://www.highweald.org/downloads/publications/high-weald- aonb-management-plan-documents/1475-high-weald-management- plan-3rd-edition-2014-2019/file.html

The main pressures for development in this character area will be to accommodate housing for the populations in the rural settlements of Forest Row, Hartfield and Groombridge. There will inevitably be a demand for local housing in the smaller villages.

Tourism is an important source of income to this area and there is likely to be increasing demand for accommodation in hotels, bed and breakfast, caravan and camp sites. The modern trend for luxury and exotic camping (glamping) is already appearing in the guise of teepees, tree houses and the like. There will be demand for new facilities and to improve or expand existing, some of these putting pressure on ancient woodland. Any new development should respect the key positive attributes in the landscape outlined in Table 1 above.

Proposed development should consider opportunities for proactively meeting the Landscape Change Strategy aims for this Landscape Character Area as set out in 1-10 above.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Table 5

Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem protection and enhancement Services for each area of interest Countryside and Farmland Countryside and Farmland Provisioning services Farm environment plans relating to much of the farm Encourage establishment of more farm conservation schemes Water availability land including organic farming. to conserve the landscape structure of hedges, shaws, ponds and streams. Food production Pressure for farm diversification and development of hobby farms, solar arrays, wind farms, waste recycling Conserve hedges, trees and ghyll woods. Maintain the mixed Regulating services operations etc. farmed character of the area. (water purification, air quality maintenance and climate regulation) Expansion of camping and caravan sites as well as other Protect and manage historic field patterns and conserve holiday related development such as ‘Glamping’. boundary features. Water quality and protected aquifers. Land falling out of positive management and dereliction Maintain water levels in drains and ditches. Regulating water flow and preventing of farm buildings. flooding Conserve and enhance byways and rural lanes. Use tree and Loss of hedgerows and other traditional field woodland planting to screen intrusive farm buildings and Soil conservation and erosion control boundaries. caravan sites. Habitat and species resilience to climate Loss of traditional orchards, pasture and species rich Plan for and manage changes which may occur in the change meadows. landscape due to changes in farm management brought Carbon sequestration. Areas of peat in about by economic influences and climate change. Low water levels and poor water quality in some drains the river valleys, hedges, trees, reed and streams. Address existing flooding issues of farmland and properties beds and grassland regulate air quality through flood management and by identifying areas which by absorbing and retaining CO2. Deterioration of by ways and lanes due to erosion of un- can provide flood alleviation. surfaced routes by horses, bikes and 4 wheel drives. Cultural Services Enhance the biodiversity value of wet meadows, drainage Sense of Place and local distinctiveness. Damage to verges on narrow country lanes caused by and stream channels. increasing size of farm vehicles and passing traffic. Source of Inspiration Reduce the risk and incidence of soil erosion by encouraging Overstocking and arable production on some soils can Sense of History the restoration of arable land to pasture. result in soil erosion and reduce soil quality. Tranquillity Apply best land management practices to prevent soil and fertiliser run off, thereby protecting surface and ground water. Biodiversity

inaccessible nature of these woods. belts to strengthen the landscape character and holds CO2. where this is appropriate habitat creation. Traditional management has stopped as it is not Habitat and species resilience to climate change commercially viable e.g. pollarding of stream side Consider the need to adapt to changes enforced by willows. climate change, such as specific tree diseases and Cultural possible adaptation in species selection. Tranquillity Tree diseases. Plant trees and woodland to contain existing and Sense of Place and local distinctiveness Ancient parkland trees dying off and not being new built development. replaced. Cultural heritage (traditional woodland Encourage planting of trees along streams and management) Extensive areas of woodland are already in ditches where appropriate for the habitat. woodland grant schemes. Biodiversity Replant parkland and individual hedgerow trees. Pressure for glamping sites in woodland. Invasive species competing with native flora and fauna e.g. Spanish Bluebell, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Other Key Habitats Other Key Habitats Provisioning Deterioration and loss of habitats : Encourage management of river and stream Nature’s larder of free berries and herbs. channels, especially conservation of riverside trees Water and vegetation. Conservation of insect pollinators for pollination of Loss of river and streamside vegetation. crops. Conservation and re-creation of wet meadow/ Deterioration of water quality in streams, ditches pasture habitats. Regulating and ponds Agri-environment schemes to maximise biodiversity Habitat and species resilience to climate change Invasive species of plants and animals which and encourage the retention of grazing. Cultural compete with native flora and fauna. Opportunities to maximise reed bed creation. Appreciation of nature Wet Meadows Encourage measures to improve water quality. Educational value Financial and viable farming constraints affecting Continue schemes to encourage farmers to the continued management of wet meadows Biodiversity minimise the use of chemicals and fertilizers. reducing the biodiversity value. Improvements to Grassland and meadows reducing species richness. Loss of wetland meadows to arable farming.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Recreation, Green Infrastructure (GI) and ANGS Recreation, Green Infrastructure and ANGS Provisioning Recreation, Green Infrastructure (GI) and ANGS Where appropriate develop Green Infrastructure Protected farmland. Strategies based on a county wide GI mapping. Pressure on bridleways and byways as multi use, including cycling and 4 wheel drives increasing Plan for and manage recreational pressure on the Regulating erosion. countryside which could be affected by the increase Habitat and species resilience to climate change in population in nearby towns and villages as well Lack of funding to manage and enhance GI for as the seasonal holiday makers. Water quality and protected aquifers. improved access. Maximise opportunities for access away from Regulating water flow and preventing flooding Need for better recreational linkages and improved sensitive habitats. sustainable transport corridors. Carbon sequestration Consider opportunities to create new green Extensive footpath and bridleway network. corridors and improve existing as safe ideally Cultural Need for improved access to natural green space motorised traffic free recreational routes. Recreation for all users both close to homes and in the wider Maximise opportunities for and manage water countryside. Heritage assets and cultural heritage based recreational activities. Gentrification Inspirational Loss of tranquillity due to more cars and access. Tranquility Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest The character of the villages Protect and Enhance the character of the villages Provisioning Encourage the production of Neighbourhood Plans Gentrification Local amenities and facilities. which incorporate village design guides. Urbanisation Plan for new development in the villages to ensure Regulating Development pressures it is designed to a high standard to reflect local character and sense of place. Use of sustainable materials Gradual loss and deterioration of heritage features. Establish defined development edges to villages Habitat and species resilience to climate change Fast traffic on rural lanes with new tree planting. Water quality and protected aquifers. Visitor pressure and cars detracting from local Prepare village design guides and tree conservation Regulating water flow and preventing flooding character and distinctiveness of the area in general. plans. Consider traffic management on rural lanes Cultural Sense of Place and local distinctiveness Heritage assets Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Medway Valley 1 Glossary (also refer to the full version in the County Landscape Assessment).

ANGS: Accessible Natural Green Space Natural England – Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt)

Assart: Field created from the clearance of woodland

Clunch Barn: constructed of a building material composed of hardened clay or chalk marl.

Ecosystem Services: The services provided by nature which support living systems and can be evaluated.

Enclosure: The separation of land from the common by fence or private use.

GI or Green Infrastructure: Multifunctional green areas which provide areas for recreation, wildlife, water supply catchment, flood relief, food or timber production.

Glamping: New types of camp sites with permanent tent features in yurts, teepees, vintage caravans, timber pods etc. Woodlands are popular locations for these.

Local Nature Reserve: Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and amended by Schedule 11 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, by principal local authorities.

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance for biodiversity designated under the Ramsar Convention.

SNCI or Local Site: a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

SSSI: A national designation for Site of Special Scientific Interest, these may be of biodiversity or geological significance or both.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High