Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 Page 14 PART 3 – Character, analysis & concept

Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 Page 15

National Character

The (NCA) profiles guide and inform planning decision-making. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape scale to ensure proposals are in keeping with the character of the region and continue in their contribution to the nation. The vast majority of the Plan Area sits in the Redlands National Character Area (NCA). North Wood is with The Culm NCA and Great Plantation within NCA.

National Character Assessment – 148 The Devon Redlands National Character Area (NCA) has a very strong, unified character. The underlying red sandstone and consequent red soil dominate the landscape through ploughed fields, cliffs and exposures, and are visually evident in the traditional stone and cob farmsteads, hamlets and villages that are scattered across the area. To the south-west of , the , a ridge of heathland and woodland, dominate the skyline. Long fingers of coniferous plantation and broadleaved woodland follow ridge lines, enclosing steep pasture on both sides of the dramatically rising ridge. Conifer plantations are softened by wide margins of bracken, birch and heath and there are far-reaching views eastwards over the and beyond to the Blackdowns and westwards to . Opportunities Plan the future management of the commercial areas of woodland, particularly the visual impact of felling and balance the need for replanting against the regeneration of semi-natural habitats and mass recreation. Increase sequestration of CO2 through increased woodland area, and encouraging sustainable management of woodlands; the management and restoration of heathland and associated mire habitats and the expansion of wetland habitats in the river valleys. Avoid clear felling areas of woodland on steep slopes, and encourage new woodland planting to impede overland flows. Provide wide grass buffer strips and reed beds adjacent to river banks to act as silt traps, preventing livestock access to the water’s edge. Plant areas of wet woodland and expand/interlink existing valley woodlands to further minimise soil erosion. Restructuring existing conifer plantations as they reach maturity, to allow for reversion to lowland heath and associated mire habitats, and enhancement of the setting of historic assets, while maintaining the wildlife interest of Haldon Forest and balancing recreational demand ______National Character Assessment – 151 South Devon (Great Plantation)

In the east the Bovey valley widens to a basin ringed by wooded hills. It is characterised by the lakes, ponds, and spoil heaps of the ball clay industry, and some pockets of heathland. Provision of timber is currently low. Timber exists in the form of just over 2,223 ha of coniferous plantation across the area, although the majority of woodland is broadleaved at approximately 8,894 ha with nearly 3,500 ha recognised as ancient semi-natural woodland. ______

National Character Assessment – 149 The Culm (North Wood)

Woodland and parkland often indicates the presence of estate land with sporting interests and continuity of ownership and management for hardwood timber production. In general, the character of the landscape is unchanging and somewhat timeless. In places, the woodland and timbered nature of the landscape has increased and been enhanced. The relatively high proportion (13 per cent) of woodland in this area is not reflected in the availability of timber. Much of the woodland is located in the very difficult to access coastal combes and steep-sided valleys. © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242] 00.5 1 2 3 4 Miles

Haldon Ridge and Foothills Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 The Haldon Ridge and Foothills has a strong sense of place and is one of the most Page 16 prominent landscape features in eastern Devon, affording a textured, rising backdrop to Landscape Character much of the surrounding landscape, including the towns of and and parts of Exeter. The area encompasses a narrow, forested plateau with adjoining steep Devon’s landscape character assessment describes the variations in character scarp slopes broadening to more open farmed ridges and valleys to the south. From this between different areas and types of landscape in the county. It provides an landscape there are spectacular panoramic views east to the coast and west to evidence base for local development frameworks and plans, articulating what Dartmoor. In places, the sides of the main wooded ridge are deeply incised with combes people perceive as distinctive and special about all landscapes in Devon. It also set out strategies and and small river valleys lending topographic interest. This landscape supports a diverse guidelines for the protection, management and planning of the landscape. range of habitats including heathland, conifer plantations, mixed and broadleaved woodland, with a higher concentration of pasture and arable fields to the south. The Plan Area sits in four Devon Character areas (as show) which is then split into 7 Landscape Character Types. The Haldon ridge is the key landscape component of the Plan Area dominating both the area and Collectively these land uses give rise to high scenic quality and provide varied texture and skyline. Proposals will ensure that the key features and aspirations for these areas are accounted for. seasonal changes. This landscape also includes notable areas of parkland.

Strategy —To protect the panoramic views to and from the wooded ridge as well as to key features and Exe Estuary & Farmlands Teign Valley & Slopes landmarks such as Haldon Belvedere; manage the network of valued semi-natural habitats including broadleaved woodland and heathland and varied historic features. Opportunities are sought to restore The estuary is the visual focus of this area; and although Devon has a The Teign valley is perhaps the broadleaved woodland particularly along valley sides and steep slopes and to restore and connect areas of number of estuaries few are as extensive as the Exe. This is a most dramatically steep and heathland. The landscape’s time-depth continues to have a strong influence, whilst opportunities for landscape of open skies characterised by the sound of seabirds, the consistently wooded valley in sustainable recreation and limited low-carbon development are sensitively accommodated. Field patterns are reinforced through the restoration and management of Devon hedgebanks using traditional masts of boats, and mud and dunes at Dawlish Warren. Views over the Devon. Its steep, deep, narrow management techniques. New development is sympathetic to the existing field pattern, woodland and lanes river are distinctive and the detail of the scene changes according to valley, twisting course, woodlands and reflects existing patterns and local vernacular tide and season. The open expanse of intertidal mudflat when covered and nearby moor on Dartmoor are Protect Manage Plan with water reflects the colour of the huge skies above. The whole scene • • • inspiring. It provides a wooded Protect dramatic panoramic Manage existing field Plan to screen visually intrusive is framed by rising landform on either side, which provides low level views to and from the ridge by enclosures and enhance the sections of the A38 and A380 and often rocky flank to the sensitive siting of development, network of hedgerows and corridors to limit the impact of noise enclosure. The land rises gradually to the high ground of Woodbury eastern boundary of Dartmoor particularly tall structures, and hedgebanks through and movement on the surrounding Common to the east and Haldon to the west. National Park. The steepness of the avoidance development on reinstatement of enclosure landscape. the valley sides is accentuated by prominent ridges and valley where it has been previously • Plan for gradual heathland sides. lost. restoration through reduction in the height of the land either side, • • Protect the overall strong Manage the network of conifer plantations and replacement giving it a distinctive appearance sense of tranquillity and dark broadleaved woodland, banks with a balanced mix of broadleaved night skies. and lines of mature trees; and woodland and heathland; in the wider landscape. The valley • Protect views to historic remove laurel and rhododendron • Plan for the planting of deciduous floor is relatively narrow (even in landmarks, such as Haldon where they have colonised. edges to coniferous plantations to the south) and is flat-bottomed, Belvedere (Lawrence Castle). • Manage the mosaic of reduce impact of harsh edges and open and marked by the tree-lined • Protect and appropriately heathland habitats for landscape clear fells. manage the rich cultural heritage and wildlife benefits • Plan for the progressive course of the river with occasional of the area including Bronze Age • Manage the areas of historic restoration of quarries and associated historic stone bridges, which add barrows, hillforts and historic parkland and associated features landfill sites, including woodland, interest. Frequent broadleaved parklands through appropriate including veteran trees through grassland and wetland enhancements. management agreements and the development of conservation • Plan for the interpretation of woodland along the valley sides conservation management plans. management plans. features of ecological, geological and (some ancient), gives a heavily

historic interest wooded appearance, although many areas are in fact pastoral. Bovey Basin These are marked by small, The Bovey Basin is a relatively small area, characterised by predominantly flat, broad alluvial irregular fields with mature hedges floodplain enclosed by encircling hills and, importantly, by the influence of ball clay extraction and broken by a series of activities. The quarrying activity has resulted in large areas of despoiled land including open cast interlocking tributary valleys – quarries, spoil heaps (creating regular-shaped hills), settling lakes, and large modern industrial particularly to the north where the buildings. These features, along with road infrastructure and development, have altered the river valleys become narrower and more basin character, giving rise to a fragmented and disturbed ambience in places. Nevertheless, there are remnant areas of irregular, mainly pastoral fields with hedgerows, woodlands and some important intimate. This is a landscape with areas of acid heath, e.g. Bovey Heath and Knighton Heath, reflecting the presence of high levels of tranquillity and dark underlying sand and gravel. The tree-lined Rivers Bovey and Teign also provide a more naturalistic night skies. Within the valley are character amongst an otherwise complex, settled landscape; and the designed parkland of Stover scattered settlements and Estate lends a sense of continuity within an area which has undergone considerable change. This is farmsteads and there has been a generally an inward-looking landscape due to the basin landform and the presence of notable areas of history of mining, reflected in the mixed and coniferous woodland, which provide a sense of enclosure. © Crown copyright and database right [2018] 00.5 1 2 3 4 now dismantled railway. Ordnance Survey [100021242] Miles

Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 Analysis & Concept Analysis & Concept Page 17 Powderham Black Forest

Analysis: Area of recently felled ground has remained unstocked Analysis: The mature with the intention having been Red oak stand here is of Analysis: The A379— to Analysis: Significant areas of to plant with broadleaves. good form with laurel Dawlish and Teignmouth quality mature and mid-rotation intruding underneath. Concept: Prescriptions need to road, popular with tourists, sweet chestnut are key outline a plan, considering both Concept: Thinning will passes adjacent to the components. These areas are now conifer and broadleaves as continue with laurel forest. due for intervention to release restock possibilities. control as part of the crops and stimulate structural Concept: Proposals will ongoing management. diversity. ensure that the safety and amenity value of the Concept: Options of patch felling woodlands are maintained and different thinning regimes will and enhanced where be considered to best achieve this. possible.

Analysis: Japanese larch is a major component planted either in 1955-6 Analysis: The mature larch and Sweet chestnut crops have been underthinned. (!) or 2007 ( !).The proportion of This has been done to retain larch combined with the red oak ( !) and sweet chestnut components make windfirmness and act as a amenity edge Analysis: Park, Registered Park and Analysis: The roadside this woodland vulnerable to Analysis: Powderham Park to the recent clearfell to the north. Garden is a designated parkland partly attributed to and two overhead part of the Powder Castle and Phytophthora ramorum. Concept: These crops will retained until Lancelot Brown, with landscape structures, around powerlines (11kV & Estate is a Registered Park and the crop behind has reached a sufficient an early C19 mansion. Concept: The reliance on these 132Kv) mean that this is Garden which abuts the height so as not to create a significant Concept: Black Forest, adjoins the north-east drive disease susceptible species needs to complex and fragmented woodland on the eastern edge. change on the landscape. Thinning will be addressed to ensure resilience is area of woodland to from the House, and was described by Loudon in Concept: Whilst the need to be minimal. not compromised. manage 1842. It is noted for its mixed woodland structure designation does not cover the which will be retained. Concept: Where possible woodland, proposals will look Legend proposals will look to to complement the Park simplify the management Garden where possible. Powderham Castle RPG of the crops and Legend p.54 Red Oak constraints in this area.

p.55/56 Japanese larch Mamhead Park RPG

p.2007 Japanese larch p. 16 Sweet chestnut

Felled/Unstocked p.71 Sweet chestnut

A379 Unthinned edge 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Miles Class A/B Roads Class A/B Roads

Class C Roads © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242] Class C Roads

Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 Analysis & Concept Analysis & Concept Page 18 North Wood Webberton

Analysis: Seeding western hemlock is continuing to colonise riparian Analysis: A large Statutory Plant Health Notice zones. felling due to Phytophthora ramorum occurred in Concept: Proposals will address the 2010 means a considerable area in the heart the need for riparian zones to be of Analysis: Much of the forest block sits forest restocked recently. dappled shade, provided Analysis: A minor road dissects north to in an intimate wooded landscape and is surrounded by neighbouring broadleaf Concept: The site is now well established. predominantly broadleaf in mixture south, and boundaries the woodland on and conifer woodlands. However given the significant intervention, with discreet conifers. the eastern edge. retaining structural diversity through surrounding Concept: Proposals will ensure the Concept: Proposals will be in mature crops for the next 20 years is important. integrity of crops are maintained and consultation with neighbours to ensure driver experience enhanced where management complements adjacent possible through scalloping. crops and habitats.

Analysis: Windy Cross Scheduled Monument is Legend found on the boundary of the Vulnerable Crop woodland. Analysis: Riparian Riparian Area Concept: Proposals will be in areas of scrubby Neighbouring Woodlands consultation with Historic broadleaf are found Minor Roads to ensure this around the source and Class A/B Roads cultural on the banks of the feature and small stream that starts Class C Roads its setting is in the woodland. maintained . Concept: These areas Analysis: The mature Douglas fir will be retained for crops found on the periphery of the water quality and soil woodland have been overthinned. stability. Excessive opening up (to light) has Analysis: The crop here is adjacent Analysis: Areas managed for pearl-bordered fritillary led to bramble explosion, fir to two roads, and is underthinned are a mixture of maintained open habitat and young regeneration is evident in places. and vulnerable to the wind. conifer crops. Concept: Thinning and clearfelling Concept: This area will remain Concept: Dialogue and partnership work with Butterfly will be delayed to allow the crops to unthinned and will require one single Analysis: Here there is evidence of Conservation will remain ongoing to ensure these and close canopy again. removal intervention in the near old industrial working with used other sites are maintained and continue to deliver future, to ensure road and public limekilns found in the area. exceptional biodiversity value. safety. Analysis: Much of the forest block sits Concept: These areas will be in an intimate wooded landscape and is retained and protected at the time surrounded by neighbouring broadleaf of operation. Legend and conifer woodlands.

Windy Cross SM Concept: Proposals will be in SPHN consultation with neighbours to ensure Pearl bordered Fritillary management complements adjacent Neighbouring Woodlands crops and habitats.

W. hemlock Watercourses 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Class A/B Roads Miles Class C Roads © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242]

Analysis: The ‘Raptor Viewpoint’ has Analysis: The Tower Wood and Bullers Hill Quarry SSSIs are notified for Analysis: The Douglas fir and spruce dominated Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 displaying the residual facies of the different Palaeogene ‘Haldon not received the treatment intended ridgeline, some of which is original 1920s planting Page 19 for it and is now in need of Gravels’. Both are in ‘favourable condition’. creates, a large visible mass on the landscape. intervention to improve the visibility Concept: Proposals will ensure there is no loss in condition. and management of the point. Concept: Proposals will look to diversify and lighten the ridge where possible, using a mixture of well- Concept: Opportunities to open up designed clearfells and continuous cover systems. the viewpoint and include external Analysis & Concept partners in the management and interpretation of this site will be Main Block (North) explored. Analysis: The Forest Park Gateway is the focus of formal recreation provision, with paid car parking, a café, play and picnic sites, Segway and Go Ape and the Analysis: Catastrophic windblow has Analysis: A Go Ape high start of numerous marked trails. occurred in numerous sites across the ropes course uses the forest, most of which has been tidied up. Concept: Proposals will enhance visitor experience Corsican and Scot pine This area in Freers remains blown and though improving amenity and stability of crops around crops here as a unstable. areas of high recreation pressure. framework to work from. Concept: Proposals will address the Concept: Proposals will instability and visual impact of this site, ensure that these crops ensuring the SSSI features are accounted are protected and made for and enhanced. resilient for the future, so as to protect their Analysis: The wooded areas of the heathlands, current recreation value. predominantly the spruce and Corsican pine, need considering given their poor stability and health and their high landscape impact. Analysis: A large proportion of Gatepark Concept: Proposals will address failing tree crops to has windblown following produce a valuable ecological assemblage and high one recent catastrophic amenity landscape. event. The remaining crops continue to suffer Analysis: Remnant and restored lowland heathland from exposure. is found in a number of places. The SSSI units are in Concept: Proposals will ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition ( ). Most address the significant open areas are recovering adequately through structural change and constant management, however some discreet areas stability of the site as require significant resource to be recovered. well as the restock and Concept: Proposals will be in consultation with SSSI implications. Natural England and be effective in delivering a resilient and productive heathland habitat and Analysis: Whiteway wood runs north to landscape. Consideration will be made for where to south along the west flank of a spur from the target and significantly extend open habitat. ridge. This is Ancient Woodland and most 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 likely managed as oak coppice in the past. Miles The majority of this areas is now Douglas fir and larch dominated and therefore PAWS. Heathland SSSI Units Quarry SSSIs Priority Lowl and Heathland Concept: Proposals will outline a plan of Analysis: Here the Corsican pine is now failing nm nmnm nmnm nmnm nm Whiteway Ancient Woodl and restoration to native species cover in line significantly from Dothistroma. Recently Visible Ri dge Crops with Keepers of Time policy. This will be planted Sitka spruce complicates the option to Analysis: The busy A38— to Exeter road Wooded Heathland Features achieved through a process of thinning out simply remove. Forest Park Facilities passes adjacent to the forest. GoApe the conifer to favour ancient woodland Concept: Options for underplanting, selective Gatepark features and native regeneration. Concept: Proposals will ensure that the safety Freers or delayed felling will be explored to resolve and amenity value of the woodlands are Neighbouring Woodlands A38 the complex forest structure. maintained and enhanced where possible. © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242] Class A/B Roads Class C Roads

Analysis: The busy A38 and A380 roads are © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242] Analysis: The fir and spruce dominated ridgeline, creates a Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 the main routes south of Exeter and dissect large dominant mass on the landscape. 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Page 20 Miles and abut the forest. Concept: Proposals will look to diversify and lighten the ridge Concept: Proposals will ensure that the where possible, using a mixture of well-designed clearfells and safety and amenity value of the woodlands continuous cover systems. are maintained and enhanced where possible. Analysis & Concept Main Block (South)

Analysis: Pine species, namely Scots, Corsican, Weymouth and Radiata dominate the cover in this area of the forest.

Concept: Proposals will address Analysis: Much of the forest block is Dothistroma infection where possible, surrounded by neighbouring broadleaf and using heavy thinning, species choice conifer woodlands, some of which are within and underplanting where appropriate. the SSSI. Concept: Proposals will be in consultation with neighbours to ensure management complements adjacent crops and habitats.

Analysis: The Mamhead Obelisk is a historic feature of Mamhead Park, having been installed to guide ships into the Exe Estuary. It is now a focal point for recreational users with spectacular views out towards the mouth of the Concept: This feature will be protected, with the feasibility of peeling back crops from the Obelisk to make it more visible, explored. This will be for the purpose of enhancing Analysis: Remnant and restored lowland and restoring its cultural value and will only be undertaken heathland is found in a number of places. The with input and agreement with other parties. SSSI units are in ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition ( ). Most open areas are recovering adequately through constant Analysis: Mamhead Park, Registered Park and Garden management, however some discreet areas is a designated parkland partly attributed to Lancelot require significant resource to be recovered. Brown, with landscape structures, around an early C19 mansion. Concept: Proposals will be in consultation with Natural England and be effective in Concept: Obelisk Plantation is part of the designation delivering a resilient and productive heathland and noted for its mixed woodland structure. This habitat and landscape. Consideration will be character will be retained. made for where to target and significantly extend open habitat. Legend

gh Mamhead Obelisk

Pri ority Lowland H eathland

'Unfavourable - recovering' SSSI Units

Analysis: Dawlish Water is a watercourse prone to flooding which Mamhead Park RPG rises in Haldon and run through the centre of Dawlish town. Pines Riparian areas of mature broadleaf are found at and around the Neighbouring Woodlands source. Old R iparian Broadleaf Visible Ridge C rops

Concept: These areas will be retained and enhanced for water A Roads quality and soil stability. This will ensure that the value of the Class A/B R oads forest to flood management is maintained Class C R oads Dawlis h W ater

Analysis: The A380 to road passes Haldon Forest Plan 2018 - 2028 Analysis & Concept adjacent to the forest. Analysis & Concept Page 21 Ideford & Waddon Brake Concept: Proposals will ensure that the safety Great Plantation and amenity value of the woodlands are maintained and enhanced. Analysis: Restored lowland Analysis: Industrial estates residential areas are heathland makes up the Ideford Analysis: Sites felled in 1998 and with close distance of the block, with Bovey Common. Not designated, this is Analysis: Felling of these crops has been restocked through SP seed trees Tracy town within 2km. good condition and provides delayed with regeneration of spruce, fir are not fully stocked and under habitat for numerous rare and and hemlock now sporadic across the Concept: Proposals will be in consultation with producing. protected species. sites. neighbours to ensure management complements Concept: Proposals will look to adjacent crops and habitats. Concept: Proposals will ensure Concept: Proposals will outline a remedy these sites to full that the quality of this habitat is programme to develop a set of production, possibly through maintained. shelterwood and selections systems to enrichment/under planting. precipitate natural regeneration where Analysis: Areas are possible. Legend managed for Pearl- Analysis: The A38— Great Haldon Heath SSSI bordered fritillary through Plymouth to Exeter PriorityLowlandHeath periodic cutting. and A382 Bovey Analysis: Small stands/singles of Heathland scrub roads pass adjacent Corsican pine remain, following Concept: Dialogue and Devel oping shel terwoods partnership work with to the forest on two heathland restoration. Corsican pine crops Butterfly Conservation sides. Concept: Proposals will look to A Roa ds Trust will remain ongoing Concept: Proposals remove these over time, given Class A/B Roads to ensure these and other will ensure that the their exposure and infection of Class C Roads sites are maintained and safety and amenity Dothistroma needle blight. Analysis: Great Haldon Heath continue to deliver value of the SSSI is located ether side of exceptional biodiversity woodlands are value. Ideford Common. maintained. This may mean felling mature Concept: The restoration work crops adjacent to the has complemented the road (e.g. A) are designation. Proposals will look to Analysis: An area of heathland prioritised. ensure the condition of this SSSI restoration is now developing Analysis: This area on the periphery is richer with a higher proportion of is maintained. scrub. This is acceptable in the cycle of management. regenerating broadleaves. Concept: These sites will be managed Analysis: Much of the forest block is Concept: Proposals will ensure surrounded by neighbouring broadleaf and Analysis & Concept this area remains as open habitat sensitively and consideration will be given to increase the broadleaf components conifer woodlands. Well Covert for the long term . where appropriate. Concept: Proposals will be in consultation Analysis: A large areas of PAWS is on the with neighbours to ensure management west portion of the woodland, complements adjacent crops and habitats. predominantly pole stage Douglas fir.

Concept: Proposals will outline a plan of Analysis: Whilst the vast majority of the restoration to native species cover in line Block is made up of pine, only a relatively Legend with Keepers of Time policy. small proportion is Corsican pine which is suffering from Dothistroma needle blight. Pearl bordered fritillary Corsican pine crops Legend Analysis: A large areas of ASNW is on the Concept: Given the extent and age of nmnm Surrounding_Woodlands nmnm nm ASNW east portion of the woodland, predominantly these crops, underplanting would not be nm Rich broadleaf area nm PAWS managed coppice with standard beech, ash appropriate here. Proposals will prioritise nm Scots pine regeneration sites and oak. the addressing of these crops. Surrounding Woodlands Urban/built areas A Roads Concept: Proposals will ensure that the A Roads 0 0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 quality of this habitat is maintained. Class A/B Roads Miles Class A/B Roads Class C Roads Class C Roads © Crown copyright and database right [2018] Ordnance Survey [100021242]