National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper1, Biodiversity 20202 and the European Landscape Convention3, we are revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future. 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 2 National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents Summary The Yardley Whittlewood Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a low and gently Key ecosystem services provided by the Ridge include the sense of history that undulating limestone plateau commonly referred to locally as the Ridge. It runs in stems from the establishment of Royal Hunting Forests, the high number of large, a south-west to north-east direction between the nearby towns of Northampton well-managed estates, historic country houses and associated parkland landscapes. and Milton Keynes. The Ridge is more distinct in the south-west where it rises from Due to the high proportion of woodland, especially ancient woodland, the Ridge is the adjacent low-lying claylands. From the top, the land slopes away gently in most highly biodiverse, containing a range of habitats and species of principal importance directions, giving long views over the surrounding countryside. and offering opportunities for people to have contact with the natural environment. Recreation is a significant service and is generally associated with parkland and The Ridge contains a variety of semi-natural habitats, including ancient woodland, woodland sites, such as Salcey and Whittlewood forests, where people can enjoy the wood pasture and parkland, hedgerows, lowland meadow and flood plain grazing health benefits of walking and other outdoor activities. The wooded character of the marsh. It is a well-wooded landscape with a historic feel stemming from the Ridge offers a potential timber resource and a role in helping to regulate the climate, former Royal Hunting Forests of the 13th century around Yardley Chase, Salcey and especially where woodland is Whittlewood forests. The Ridge retains a high proportion of ancient woodland of under active management. national importance designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and supports a wide range of species, particularly scarce species of butterfly such as the white The area is facing challenges such admiral and wood white. as how to protect and enhance its unique natural and historical Despite being close to Northampton, Milton Keynes and Towcester, the Ridge assets while accommodating the retains a rural character due to its sparse population and lack of major settlements. A pressure for development and suburban feel is brought to some parts of the NCA by transport infrastructure such increased demand for leisure as the M1, communication masts on higher ground and formal recreational facilities and recreation. Opportunities such as Silverstone Circuit and Santa Pod Raceway which have had an impact exist to protect and enhance on tranquillity. However, the large number of historic houses, designed parkland key landscape attributes, to landscapes and use of local limestone in village buildings give a strong sense of cater to increased recreational both place and history. The area offers numerous opportunities for leisure and demands and to promote a quiet recreation, with the parkland and woodland sites in particular being popular greater appreciation of local destinations for local communities and visitors from further afield. distinctiveness. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce. 3 National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents Statements of Environmental Opportunity SEO 1: Manage, enhance and extend the woodland resource around Salcey, Yardley Chase and Whittlewood, to support a strong sense of place and history, reduce soil erosion and flood risk, improve water quality, benefit biodiversity, support timber and biomass production and aid in climate regulation. SEO 2: Protect, manage and promote the historic features and designed landscapes, including the registered parks and gardens, remnant Royal Hunting Forest and Grand Union Canal, to ensure that local distinctiveness is preserved, a sense of place and history is maintained and to provide improved interpretation and educational opportunities to increase people’s understanding and enjoyment. SEO 3: Manage and plan for the recreational use of the area’s woodlands, parkland and visitor attractions, and conserve the overall tranquillity of the area, including strategic views from the elevated landform of the Ridge over the surrounding landscape. Enhance access connections for people and wildlife by putting in place multi-functional green infrastructure networks, building on existing resources such as the Grand Union Canal and numerous cycle and walking routes to create strong access and ecological networks. SEO 4: Manage agricultural practices and strengthen semi-natural habitats, particularly those near the Oolite aquifer and along watercourses, to protect and improve soil quality, reduce erosion, regulate water flow and improve Salcey Forest Treetop walk: a popular visitor attraction in the area. water quality both in the aquifer and in watercourses and to help climate regulation. 4 National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents Description Physical and functional links to other National Character Areas The Yardley Whittlewood Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a broad, low and gently undulating limestone plateau that is elevated above the lower lying Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands NCA to the south and east, and the Northamptonshire Vales NCA along its north-westerly extent. It abuts the Northamptonshire Uplands and Cotswolds NCAs in the south-west. The elevated topography creates a physical boundary between the catchments of the River Nene to the north and the River Great Ouse to the south. Water is shed into the main watercourses of the rivers Til, Tove and Kym before reaching the Nene and Great Ouse where it travels through the Northamptonshire Vales, the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands and The Fens NCAs and out into the Wash estuary. The River Great Ouse rises in this NCA, near Brackley, and the River Kym/Til rises near Wymington (Bedfordshire). An aquifer supplying water for public, agricultural, horticultural and industrial use within this and in adjacent NCAs lies under the limestone in the western part of the NCA. The Grand Union Canal cuts through where the River Tove dissects the ridge, functionally linking it to the Northamptonshire Vales and the Bedfordshire and A well wooded landscape with good views of the surrounding countryside. Cambridgeshire Claylands NCAs. The gently sloping land offers views of both the NCA itself and adjacent NCAs. Major transport routes run north–south through this NCA, including the M1 Good views of the Ridge and its well-wooded character can be seen from the and the A5, and the West Coast and Midlands main line railways. The NCA A509 near Olney and in the Tove river valley. The Ridge lies between the major offers numerous recreational opportunities for nearby urban communities, towns of Northampton and Milton Keynes and is crossed by numerous roads. including two National Cycle Routes and an extensive rights-of-way network. 5 National Character Area 91: Yardley Whittlewood Ridge Area profile: Supporting documents Key characteristics