8B: OPEN DOWNS

Seasonally parched open arable landscape in high summer from A339 - low often fragmented hedge lines. Dramatic far reaching views across the North lowlands.

South of – some Shothanger cross roads above Woodland below Woodgarston farm modern development has started toBasingstoke to the north west © – site of former chalk pits which extend into lower slopes of the area Andrew Smith Geograph dotted the area © Andrew Smith.

Roman road at – forms a Outside Basingstoke high proportion Low density nucleated pattern of strong rural settlement boundary ©of historic buildings – timber framed small settlements - Sebastian Ballard - Geograph and typically orange red brick.

Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area comprises an area of downland which forms a shallow bowl, within which the settlement of Basingstoke is located at the head of the River Loddon. It is the topography and settlement that unify this area. The northern boundary of this character area is particularly marked as a result of a dramatic change in geology to the lower lying heaths and clays. To the south the change is more transitional as the land rises onto an elevated and often wooded chalk plateau. The western and southern boundaries are marked by a gradual transition to a more enclosed mosaic of farmland and woodland.

1.2 Component County Landscape Types Open Downs

1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: Basingstoke and Dean Basingstoke Down

The boundaries of this LCA are similar to those of the character area above.

1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 130: and JCA 129: Thames Basin Heaths NA 78: Hampshire Downs and NA 66: London Basin

1.5 Townscape assessment areas: Basingstoke

2.0 Key Characteristics • Rolling chalk landform with broad sweeping undulations, forming a bowl around the head of the River Loddon and north facing slopes which extend down to the lower lying heaths. • Extensive tracts of intensive arable cultivation defined by well trimmed hedgerows or ancient tracks and footpaths. • Visible framework of winding ancient lanes and tracks which formed boundaries to extensive open field systems and lead up to higher ground. • Generally low woodland cover with scattered blocks of woodland and stronger hedgerow structure in southern parts of the area. • An archaeologically significant area, with settlement and exploitation going back to prehistoric times.

Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

• Extensive areas of mid to late 20thC. urban development of Basingstoke which is visible, mainly from within the character area. • Major transportation routes include a Roman road, Basingstoke Canal, railway and M3. • Remote and quiet landscape outside of built up areas. • Beyond the major settlement of Basingstoke the landscape is lightly populated with low density nucleated villages and occasional farmsteads. • Sense of openness, space and emptiness, especially when climbing up out of the bowl shape landform where Basingstoke sits.

3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 This landscape is underlain by chalk with occasional deposits of clay with flint particularly in the north and west. The gently rolling topography of the landscape has developed as a result of the erosion of the chalk. The bowl shape of the area forms the head of the River Loddon valley.

3.2 This landscape comprises a large scale pattern of arable fields with low, well trimmed hedgerows which are weak and broken in places. Woodland blocks are infrequent although where they occur or form shelter belts they are visually dominant e.g. north of Piccadilly Hill or along Lane. In places there are small patches of grassland on steep slopes and areas of parkland e.g. Worting Park or adjacent to historic villages e.g. Cliddesden. Close to the urban edge of Basingstoke some land is used for recreation purposes e.g. Basingstoke Golf Course and Weybrook Park Golf Club.

3.3 This area falls within the Environment Agency Loddon catchment area. The tributary to the River Loddon flows through the central developed area of Basingstoke but it is not a major feature of the town. Due to the porous chalk geology there are no other watercourses within this character area.

4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 Beyond the urban area this landscape has an open and exposed character with little shelter from vegetation. Extensive views across gently rolling landform to the north and across Basingstoke are possible from the upper rim of the area. Horizons are typically open with distinctive rounded and flowing land forms.

4.2 Footpaths and bridleways tend to follow former drove road routes across the downs although they are not prolific, leaving large swathes of arable farmland relatively inaccessible.

4.3 This landscape has only moderate or low tranquillity overall as a result of the influence of the urban conurbation of Basingstoke, the major communication networks such as the railway and M3, and recreational uses of the landscape e.g. golf courses at Basingstoke Golf Club. There is also considerable night blight from Basingstoke on the surrounding downland landscape. Collectively these influences serve to undermine the sense of remoteness experienced here. Nevertheless there remains a sharp contrast between the open simplicity of the downland farmland compared to the enclosure created by the urban area of Basingstoke.

Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This is an arable landscape with some improved grassland. There are some very small patches of unimproved grassland but these tend to be isolated within the productive, agricultural landscape. The east of this area comprises urban land, with residential development, industry and Basingstoke town centre. Within the urban area, open land such as amenity grassland and sports pitches provide habitat variation. Gardens also provide some habitat opportunity and variation, as do street trees and other planting.

5.2 Woodland cover is low; there is one significant area of parkland/ woodland over grassland in the north east of the area, on the interface of the urban and agricultural landscapes. Other woodland is mainly broadleaved woodland with some mixed plantation. Woodland tends to be linear, enclosing farmsteads or fields.

5.3 There are few SINCs within this landscape character area, all are small in size and most are designated for their ancient woodland resource. This LCA contains Daneshill Park Wood LNR and Popley Ponds LNR.

6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 Archaeologically this character area is very significant.

6.1.2 A number of Mesolithic items have been found in this area and it is clear that it was being utilised during the Mesolithic, evidence points in particular to the immediate flanks of the Loddon itself.

6.1.3 It is important to note the close correlation between the open downland landscape type and Neolithic Long Barrows and settlement i.e. the reasons which led to open downland are to a large degree co-incident with those areas showing the earliest evidence of occupation and exploitation. It seems likely that the open downland areas were enclosed and settled at the early stages of landscape development. There is a Long Barrow in Basingstoke, and a Neolithic settlement was recently found within this character area during recent development to the north of Basingstoke. A considerable amount of Neolithic flint work was found in the Basingstoke area by early collectors.

6.1.4 Likewise in the Bronze Age there is evidence of both settlement and burial mounds of sufficient presence to suggest that the area was being intensively utilised in this period. Where in other areas it has been suggested that areas were exploited extensively by settled populations in adjacent areas, it is areas like this landscape character area that would have been settled and were exploiting adjacent less sparsely settled or wild areas.

6.1.5 This pattern continues into the Iron Age with a dense cluster of settlement sites and the Iron Age hill fort at . But the evidence also seems to suggest that by the Iron Age the peculiar focus of intense settlement onto the Basingstoke area has further enhanced, in common with only a handful of other places in Hampshire. The existing importance of this part of the Loddon valley can be seen by the fact that the Roman road from the north to the south bends to pass through Basingstoke rather than pass to the west which is the direct route. Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

6.1.6 In the Roman period too the Basingstoke area was densely settled in a manner paralleled in only a few places in Hampshire. The Portland Roman road which connected to forms the western limit of the present day town.

6.1.7 The mechanisms of the lineage between the open downland of the present landscape and the earliest origins of this landscape are not discernible, but the evidence shows that it is a landscape that has the origins of its evolution in the Neolithic and is a landscape which has evolved throughout the prehistoric, settled, occupied and intensively utilised.

6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 Although this landscape shows continuity of occupation and exploitation as indicated above, it is the dominance of modern built development and the pattern of 17th, 18th and 19th century enclosures which determine the overall character and pattern of the landscape today. This character area can be divided into three areas: Firstly the built up area of Basingstoke which has expanded most rapidly over the last 60 years; secondly the areas to the north (between Basingstoke and Sherborne St John) and south of the town which comprise large scale rectilinear fields dating from the 18th century formal enclosures6; and thirdly fringe areas to the northwest and parts of the southeast which have medium sized fields with wavy boundaries and fields bounded by tracks and paths. These tracks probably formed the framework for extensive medieval (and possibly earlier) open field systems. Much of the landscape has been subject to boundary loss and reorganisation.

6.2.2 Prior to enclosure (mainly pre 1800) and the growth of Basingstoke in the 20th century, much of this landscape (with the exception of fringe areas to the north and west) would have comprised an expanse of open fields with open downland. The OSD maps show almost no areas of downland left by 1800. In the fringe areas, the northwest and southeast parts of the character area, where the soils were influenced by a cap of clay with flints, the landscape is likely to have been wooded until much later, being cleared for agriculture in a more piecemeal fashion during the 17th and 18th centuries. This pattern of clearance would have created the characteristic wavy field boundaries. The creation of formal enclosures (mainly in the 18th century) lead to the planting of hawthorn hedges to divide individual fields, often connecting the older hedges associated with lanes and tracks. This process is evident in areas such as Pidden Hill and north of Wotton St Laurence.

6.2.3 The growth of Basingstoke has resulted in the extension of built areas extending up the sides of the Loddon valley and onto the higher surrounding downland. This process of expansion has resulted in the loss of surrounding agricultural land, although some field patterns are still evident in housing layout, road layout and vegetation belts within the urban form. Similarly the Iron Age hillfort at Winklebury now forms the playing fields associated with the Winklebury school, its historic downland context having been completely altered by housing development. Former dispersed farmsteads which would have been typical of the early settlement pattern in this landscape have also been subsumed by the growth of the town e.g. Farm which now forms South Ham School.

Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 The modern communication networks which pass through this landscape and Basingstoke - including the Basingstoke canal, railway and M3 corridor - have substantially influenced the growth of Basingstoke over the last century. These networks run in an east-west direction through the natural ‘bowl’ that defines this landscape. The canal was completed in 1794 connecting Basingstoke with the River Wey and then the Thames, and enabling the import and export of goods. However the completion of the railway, in the first half of the 19th century, which again connected Basingstoke to London and south to Winchester, provided a much more effective and faster form of transportation. It was the railway that led to the most significant growth of industry associated with the town. Since then the M3 has also contributed to the prosperity of the town which was designated a London overspill town in the 1960’s and has had substantial housing growth since this time. The development of high rise office blocks with characteristic roof gardens has become known locally as the ‘hanging gardens of Basingstoke’

6.3.2 Basingstoke first evolved as a nucleated settlement located on the springline of the River Loddon, and its historic core (which has Conservation Area status) can still be appreciated. It prospered in the medieval period as a centre for the woollen industry. Immediately beyond Basingstoke and within the character area there is little development, with the exception of Worting, Wooton St Lawrence and Cliddesden. These nucleated settlements reflect the pattern of early medieval manor houses associated with a church and manor farm which have grown gradually over many centuries but remain largely intact and protected by conservation area status. In these historic settlements the local vernacular of the area can best be appreciated. Elsewhere the modern growth of Basingstoke and the ease with which building materials could be transported from outside the area has resulted in a wide range of building styles and construction materials. In the intact historic areas vernacular building materials typical of the area include 18th century timber framed buildings with brick infill and some use of blue and vitrified header bricks for decoration. The use of flint for walling can also be seen, particularly on churches. Slate is used extensively for roofing and stone has been used in the construction of civic buildings within Basingstoke. On the northwest edge of the town is Park Prewett which is a 19th/20th century mental hospital. The layout of buildings reflected new thinking in patient care, remains relatively intact and is designated a Conservation Area.

6.3.3 Isolated farmsteads are also found in this landscape although they are limited in number e.g. Field Barn Farm and Woodgarston Farm, both of which are located on the northern slopes of this character area overlooking the lower lying landscape to the north.

6.3.4 The public parks of Basingstoke and their much earlier origins are of particular note in this character area and include War Memorial Park, Eastrop Park, Glebe Gardens and South View Cemetery.

Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

EVALUATION

7.0 Forces for Change 1. Built development, particularly proposed major residential and employment sites in and around Basingstoke. 2. Suburbanisation of rural areas surrounding the town, e.g through increased recreational land use such as golf courses. 3. Changes in land management, especially intensification of agriculture. 4. Potential development of masts and other tall structures. 5. Climate change, particularly its effects on faming practices and resultant changes in the appearance of the landscape. 6. Minerals and Waste projects (safeguarded sites for a quarry and aggregate recycling facilities). 7. Demand for countryside access and recreation facilities, and improved access between Basingstoke and the surrounding countryside.

KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 The town of Basingstoke sits within a natural “bowl” in the landscape, and reflects many centuries of transport influences (Roman roads, canal, railway and motorway)and built development. Outside built-up areas, the landscape is remote, open and quiet, reflecting the sparse settlement pattern of historic nucleated villages and dispersed farmsteads linked by rural lanes and footpaths. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.6.7 Threats: Intrusion of large-scale built development, mineral works and major roads on the landscape. Loss of the landscape setting of the town and coalescence of settlements as a result of continuing development. Increased demand for recreational land use (e.g. golf courses) having a suburbanising affect on the countryside around the town. Lack of access from Basingstoke into the surrounding countryside. “Night blight” from streetlights in urban areas impacting on the sense of remoteness of the surrounding countryside. Close proximity to large populations can introduce greater likelihood of conflict through misuse (e.g. fly tipping, trespassing) on local farmland. Significant noise and visual intrusion from the M3 and A-roads on the immediate surroundings of the town.

Opportunities: Use minerals and waste planning and conditions to ensure works have a minimal impact on the qualities of the landscape. Use of planning policies and conditions to maintain and enhance the landscape setting of Basingstoke, particularly through the sensitive use of planting and edge treatment, and careful siting of new development and sports/ recreation facilities. Promote LDF and CAP actions to improve linkages between Basingstoke and surrounding countryside, and provide additional open air recreation sites such as Country Parks. Explore measures to reduce light pollution. Promote CAP actions to educate the public about responsible behaviour in the countryside. Explore measures to reduce the visual and acoustic impacts of major roads, possibly through the creation of new native woodland corridors.

Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs

7.2 A landscape with a history of settlement and cultivation from earliest times, visible today through prehistoric earthworks, the framework of winding ancient lanes and tracks (which formed boundaries to open field systems and led up to higher ground), and areas of historic parkland (including several of Basingstoke’s public parks). FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3.4.5 Threats: Damage to archaeological sites by ploughing, neglect or other means. Loss of settings of archaeological features (for example, the Iron Age hillfort at Winklebury, which is now surrounded by housing and forms the playing fields for Winklebury school.) Potential large scale structures dominating the setting of archaeological sites, especially hill top earthworks. Loss of historic field patterns due to field amalgamation or neglect of hedgerows. Potential damage to historic tracks due to use by motorised vehicles. Loss of parkland trees due to over maturity, possible exacerbated by disease and drought caused by climate change.

Opportunities: Agreements with farmers to prevent further damage to buried or upstanding archaeology. Use of planning policies to ensure that any new development respects the settings of archaeological sites, including earthworks on hilltops. Target agri-environmental schemes to resist further loss of hedgerows and historic field patterns. Use of CAP actions (and Rural Roads Initiative where appropriate) to minimise potential damage to historic routes by motor vehicles.

7.3 An open, agricultural landscape, with extensive tracts of intensive arable cultivation defined by well-trimmed hedgerows or ancient tracks, and occasional linear woodlands or shelterbelts. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 3.5 Threats: Past (and potentially future) intensive agricultural practices, leading to a reduction in biodiversity. Hedgerow structure weak and broken in places, affecting the structure of the landscape. Isolation of small patches of remnant grassland. Potential under-management of some ancient semi-natural woodlands.

Opportunities: Target agri-enviornment and other grant schemes to improve the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape, in particular: Management of grass field margins, hedgebanks and uncultivated buffer strips adjacent to sensitive wildlife habitats; Manage and restore hedgerows to improve landscape structure and wildlife habitats; Link areas of remnant unimproved grassland to create wildlife corridors, possibly using road verges or tracks to do so; Improve management of linear woodlands. Enhance the opportunities for urban areas to provide habitat variation (e.g. grassland, gardens and street trees).

Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Basingstoke Open Downs