DAVID WILSON HOMES

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD HERTFORD HEATH HERTFORDSHIRE

LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL ISSUES REPORT

MAY 2014

DAVID WILSON HOMES

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD HERTFORD HEATH HERTFORDSHIRE

LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL APPRAISAL ISSUES REPORT

David Williams Landscape Consultancy Ltd School House Pepper Lane Reading RG2 7DD

Tel: 01189 099081 Ref: DWLC/0101/A4/L1A/DHW Mobile: 07826 270368 E-Mail: [email protected] Date: 21st May 2014.

COPYRIGHT

The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of David Williams Landscape Consultancy Ltd

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

David Williams Landscape Consultancy (DWLC) was instructed by David Wilson Homes in January 2012 to undertake a preliminary landscape and visual assessment of land to the west of London Road on the western edge of Hertford Heath (hereinafter referred to as the Site). This included advising on the landscape and visual issues which might affect the possible future development of the Site for residential use and to prepare an outline landscape strategy.

The aim of the appraisal is to assess the landscape characteristics of the Site and its local context, to identify the potential to accommodate development and to highlight the landscape and visual issues that would need to be addressed moving forward. This report represents the results of the landscape and visual assessment.

The Site is located to the west of London Road (B1197) adjoining the built up area of Hertford Heath and housing areas fronting on to London Road. The Site lies on the western edge of the village and north west of the junction of Elbow Lane and London Road which is situated close to the south eastern corner of the Site. The Site forms a square shaped parcel of open countryside of some 5.4 hectares (13.3 acres) comprising one improved grass field to the west of London Road. The location of the Site is shown on Drawing No. 0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan whilst details of the Site are shown on Drawing No.0101/L2 – Site Appraisal Plan.

The Site is not designated as having any particular landscape value or quality, such as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Special Landscape Area and, in Section 4.0 of this report, consideration is given to the landscape and visual issues likely to arise from the development of the Site for housing and associated infrastructure. Four landscape and visual issues have been identified as forming opportunities to developing the Site and these are: landscape character, existing trees and vegetation, visibility and public views of the Site and planning designations, including the Green Belt. The Site lies outside the built up settlement boundary of Hertford Heath and is identified as lying within the open countryside and Green Belt.

The following can be concluded from the landscape and visual appraisal of the Site and the surrounding area, and consideration of the likely landscape and visual issues relating to potential development of the Site for housing, associated infrastructure and open space:

i) That the boundaries to the Site are well defined by existing landscape features such as field boundary hedgerows and trees to the south, east and north and by an extensive area of woodland to the west of the Site as well as development along London Road / Elbow Lane to the south east corner of the Site; ii) That these boundaries provide containment and enclosure to the Site, apart from sections of the northern boundary where the hedgerow is discontinuous and allowing the opportunity to enhance the landscape and Green belt;

iii) That, whilst there are a number of near and a few middle distance views towards the Site, the Site is generally well contained and enclosed within the landscape, to the west of Hertford Heath mainly by the strong framework of woodlands and hedgerows in the vicinity of the Site; iv) That the Site lies within Character Area 64 - Hertford Heath LCA, as defined in the East Herts Landscape Character Assessment 2007 which suggests a “Conserve and restore” strategy for managing future change although the assessment does not reflect the recent changes in the landscape to the north west of the village with the granting of planning permission for a golf course development on land to the north of the Site; v) That the landscape character / setting / approach to the village has changed and will continue to change in the near future and therefore the landscape context of the Site has / will change reducing the landscape sensitivity of the area and increasing its capacity to accommodate residential development; vi) That the initial assessment of the Site indicates the boundaries of the Site could form a suitable new Green Belt boundary which accords with the guidance in paragraph 85 of the National Planning Policy Framework; vii) That the assessment of the Site indicated that the Site could accommodate residential development associated infrastructure and open space; subject to the provision of mitigation measures to reduce landscape and visual effects, and; viii) That the introduction of new structural planting, whilst ‘softening’ the built up edge of the village, would also enhance the landscape, visual amenities and biodiversity of the area by improving the local ‘green’ infrastructure and connections to adjoining wildlife habitats and have a positive effect on the adjoining Green Belt.

Contents

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Landscape Context

3.0 Site Description and Visual Appraisal

4.0 Consideration of Development Issues

5.0 Conclusions

Appendices Illustrative Material Plans

Drawing No. 0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan at 1:10,000 scale at A1 size Drawing No. 0101/L2 – Site Appraisal Plan at 1:1250 scale at A1 size Drawing No. 0101/L3 – Visual Appraisal Plan at 1:2000 at A1 size Drawing No. 0101/L4 – Landscape Constraints and Opportunities Plan at 1:1250 scale at A1 size Drawing No. 0101/L5 – Landscape Strategy Plan at 1:500 scale at A1 size

Photographic Appendices

Photographs 0101/P01 – Site Appraisal Photographs – A to C Photographs 0101/P02 – Site Context Photographs – 1 to 16

Appendix A Copy of the Northern Thames Basin Character Area No.111 – taken from the Character Map of England and the Countryside Character Assessment Volume No 6 – East of England published by the Countryside Commission/English Nature in 1999.

Appendix B Copy of the relevant extracts taken from the ‘East Herts Landscape Character Assessment’ 2007.

Introduction

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 David Williams Landscape Consultancy (DWLC) were instructed by David Wilson Homes in January 2012 to undertake a preliminary landscape and visual assessment of land to the west of London Road on the western edge of Hertford Heath, and to advise on the landscape and visual issues which might affect the possible future development of the Site for residential development and to prepare an outline landscape strategy for the Site.

1.2 The aim of the appraisal is to assess the landscape characteristics of the Site and its surroundings, to identify its potential to accommodate development and to highlight the landscape and visual issues that would need to be addressed as part of the next stage of the project.

1.3 More specifically, the brief was as follows:

• To review background documentation including landscape planning designations affecting the Site; • To carry out a landscape and visual appraisal of the Site, in order to assess its visibility and its relationship with the surrounding area; • To summarise the key issues with regard to the potential development of the Site; • To provide advice on landscape mitigation measures to the client/project architects, and; • To form conclusions on the acceptability of the development on the Site and on the surrounding Metropolitan Green Belt.

1.4 The approach taken to this assessment was to undertake a field survey of the Site and surrounding area and to review the background information available, including the: East Hertfordshire Local Plan Second Review April 2007, the East Herts emerging Draft District Plan – Preferred Options Consultation 2014, East Herts District – Wide Green Belt Review 2013 and the East Herts District Landscape Character Assessment 2007 to assess the landscape context of the Site.

1.5 A number of site visits have been carried out initially in January 2012 and then again in early November 2012, to assess the landscape context of the Site and a limited number of photographs were taken as a record of the Site’s visibility and the Site’s landscape and visual characteristics. This report represents the results of the landscape and visual assessment of the Site and its surroundings.

1.6 This report is set out under the following headings: • Landscape Context; • Site Description and Visual Appraisal;

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• Consideration of Development Issues, and; • Conclusions.

1.7 Information is presented on the following plans: • Drawing No. 0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan; • Drawing No. 0101/L2 – Site Appraisal Plan; • Drawing No. 0101/L3 – Visual Appraisal Plan; • Drawing No. 0101/L4 – Landscape Opportunities and Constraints Plan, and; • Drawing No. 0101/L5 – Landscape Strategy Plan.

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2.0 LANDSCAPE CONTEXT

Site Location

2.1 The Site is located to the west of London Road (B1197) adjoining the built up area of Hertford Heath and housing areas fronting on to London Road. The Site lies on the western edge of the village and north west of the junction of Elbow Lane and London Road which is situated close to the south eastern corner of the Site. The settlement of Hertford Heath lies between the town of Hertford, (1.6 kilometres to the north west of the Site) and town of Hoddesdon (2.2 kilometres to the south east of the Site) within an area of open countryside. The village of Hertford Heath lies to the west of the A10 and south of the A10 / A414 junction and A414 road which follows the south eastern edge of Hertford.

2.2 The village of Hertford Heath lies on a low ridge / plateau of high ground with the land falling towards the River Lea or Lee valley which follows a curved alignment from west to east. The settlement of Ware is located to the north of the River Lea valley and east of the A10. To the north east and east of the Site beyond the A10 are the villages of Great Amwell and St Margarets lying on the western side of the Lea valley whilst the village of Stanstead Abbotts lies on the eastern side of the River Lea valley.

2.3 The Site forms a square shaped parcel of open countryside of some 5.4 hectares (13.3 acres) comprising one improved grass field to the west of London Road with an existing gated access point located in the north eastern corner of the Site. The location of the Site and surrounding landscape context is shown on Drawing No. 0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan.

2.4 To the west and south of the Site lie areas of woodland and open farmland which extend towards the parklands at Brickendonbury and the village of Bayford and London to Hertford mainline railway approximately 3.0 to 4.0 kilometres to the west and south west of the Site. To the north of the Site are areas of open farmland (Jenningsbury Farm) and the parklands of Balls Park which extend up to the built up edge of Hertford to the north west and A414 / A10 to the north and north east. The land surrounding Jenningsbury Farm was granted planning consent for the development of a golf course in the 1990’s and some built development has already taken place. It is understood that work on earth grading to create the course should commence later this year.

2.5 The Site and settlement of Hertford Heath lie in an area of gently undulating topography of low ridges and shallow valleys between 30 to 95 metres AOD to the south and east of the River Lea valley which forms the main topographical feature in the wider surrounding

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area. The village of Hertford Heath occupies the top of a broad north – south ridge / plateau of high ground at about 95metres AOD with the land gently sloping to the north, west and east from this ridge. The Site is situated on the west facing slope of the ridge at about 85m AOD with the land gently falling westwards across the Site.

Surrounding Area

2.6 The landscape in the vicinity of the Site comprises predominantly open farmland subdivided by a structure of field hedgerows, belts of mature trees and substantial blocks of woodland located to the north, west and south of the Site. To the east of the Site is the built up area of Hertford Heath with Haileybury College and areas of open farmland and woodlands occupying the land to the east of the village. The farmland consists of small to large sized regular and irregular shaped fields, predominantly in arable use with the occasional smaller linear fields in pasture use or used as horse paddocks to the south of the Site or adjoining isolated farmsteads. To the north and west of the Site are areas of historic parkland at Balls Park and around Brickendonbury (Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre) and other institutional uses.

2.7 The landscape surrounding the Site and village of Hertford Heath comprises a mosaic of open and enclosed fields with a strong (good) structure of hedgerows, belts of mature trees and areas of woodland providing a high degree of enclosure and containment within the landscape restricting and limiting views.

2.8 To the west, south and east of Hertford Heath there a number of substantial woodland blocks including Great Stock Wood, Little Stock Wood, Balls Wood to the west, Hobbyhorse Wood, High Wood, Box Wood and Dells Wood to the south and Golding’s Wood, Much Wood and Leafyoak Wood to the east. In addition, Hertford Heath Nature Reserve / SSSI consisting of rare damp heathland, ponds and ‘Goldingtons’ area of Oak / Birch woodland habitat is situated to the south and east adjoining the village whilst Balls Wood is also a Nature Reserve covering about 55 hectares of varied woodland habitat. The predominant tree species in the locality is Oak, Ash, Hornbeam and Field Maple species and an under-storey of mainly Hawthorn, Hazel and Blackthorn.

2.9 The undulating topography together with the existing framework of hedgerows, belts of trees and occasional blocks of woodland in the area surrounding the Site provide some enclosure and containment to views within the landscape.

Landscape Character

2.10 The landscape character of the area is defined in the Countryside Character Assessment Volume 6: East of England (published by the Countryside Agency (now Natural England) in 1999), as the Northern Thames Basin - Character Area No. 111. The Northern Thames

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Basin Character Area consists of four sub-character areas: Hertfordshire Plateaux and River Valleys; Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges; London Clay Lowlands and Essex Heathlands. The Site and surrounding area lies within the Hertfordshire Plateaux and River Valleys sub-area and comprises much transitional countryside as rural Hertfordshire merges into the northern London suburbs.

2.11 Whilst the Countryside Character Assessment is a generalised overview of the character of England, the assessment identifies the Hertfordshire Plateaux and River Valleys sub- character area as having the following key characteristics:

• “ A diverse landscape with a series of broad valleys containing the major rivers Ver, Colne and Lea and extensive areas of broadleaved woodlands being the principal features of the area. The landform is varied with a wide plateau divided by the valleys. • Hertfordshire’s large towns, the M25 and M1 motorways, railway line and prominent electricity pylons are also a major influence on character. • Floodplain land is commonly arable sub-divided by hedgerow- deficient field boundaries. Open grazing land remains in certain areas. • Many river valleys have been extensively modified by reservoirs, current and reclaimed gravel pits, landfill sites, artificial wetlands, river realignments and canals. • Smaller, intimate tree-lined valleys supporting red brick villages provide a contrast to the more heavily developed major river valley floodplains. • Within these river valleys, organic field shapes are common, defined by water courses and the legacy of woodland clearances rather than formal enclosure patterns. • Broader plateau areas are mainly in agricultural use, with field patterns exhibiting the regular shape characteristic of 18th century enclosures.”

2.12 The assessment also identifies a number of changes in the countryside including:

• Loss of trees through Dutch Elm disease. • Loss of hedgerows due to field enlargement. • Inappropriate management of set-aside land has led to an unkempt and muddled appearance to the landscape in some areas. • Major roads such as the M1 and A1 have a major influence on the character of the landscape. • Pressures for urban-related developments including electricity pylons and general industrial development which add clutter and appear discordant within the landscape.

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• Associated problems such as fly-tipping and vandalism can also have a marked effect on landscape character. • Agriculture has become a less dominant land use and recreation, both formal and informal, has become a significant land use. • Green Belt designation has created development pressure on adjacent landscapes while at the same becoming neglected due to the ‘hope value’ of the land for future development. • Gravel extraction has altered the character of the riverside landscapes.

2.13 In terms of ‘Shaping the Future’ of the Hertfordshire Plateaux and River Valleys sub- character area, the assessment suggests the following:

• The conservation of woodlands and hedgerows partially through promotion of economically viable uses of these features would ensure their continuity. • Agri-environmental schemes are needed to help enhance the landscape and nature-conservation value of farmland. • The encouragement of appropriate land management in smaller farms would help retain the traditional, hedged, irregular field shapes. • An overall strategy would help enhance the character of the landscape within the Green Belt. • A coordinated programme of river valley restoration should be considered.

2.14 A copy of the description of Character Area No. 111 – Northern Thames Basin Character Area, taken from the Countryside Character Assessment Volume 6: East of England is contained in Appendix A to this report.

2.15 In 1997, Hertfordshire County Council adopted, as Supplementary Planning Guidance, the Hertfordshire Landscape Strategy: Volume 1. The landscape strategy set out six landscape character regions for the county of which there are three within East Herts District, namely: Region 4 - The East Hertfordshire Plateau; Region 5 - The Central River Valleys Region; and a small part of Region 6 - The South Hertfordshire Plateau. A key action within the landscape strategy was the pledge to under-take landscape character assessments, at a finer resolution, for each of the ten district councils. This ‘local level’ landscape character assessment work was completed in stages and, in September 2007, the Council adopted the ‘East Herts Landscape Character Assessment’ (EHLCA) as a Supplementary Planning Document to the East Herts Local Plan Second Review 2007.

2.16 The EHLCA built upon the earlier county character assessment and the Site is identified as lying within Character Area 64 – Hertford Heath LCA, which extends north of Broxbourne Woods, east of Bayfordbury and Balls Parkland and west of Great Amwell, with Character

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Area 63 – Bayfordbury, Brickendonbury and Balls Parkland LCA to the north west and west and Character Area 78 – Great Amwell Ridge and Slopes to the north and east.

2.17 The Hertford Heath Character Area (64) is described as:

“ An area of gently undulating wooded farmland, much of it pasture, w ith extensive areas of woodland and heath. At the heart of this rural area lies Haileybury College, which also influences the only settlement in the area, from which it takes its name. The damp acid grasslands and relic heath are ecologically and visually important.”

2.18 The key characteristics of Character Area 64 are identified as follows:

• gently undulating wooded pasture • open aspect to east • strong presence of woodland with regular field pattern • ancient woodland throughout with heathland

2.19 The assessment identifies the Hertford Heath Character Area as having four distinctive features. These are:

• “ settlement of Hertford Heath and Haileybury College • Ermine Street • Nature Reserve (Balls Wood) and Hertford Heath • A10(T) appears to form boundary of urban edge to east”

2.20 The assessment also includes an evaluation section and in terms of the visibility of the Hertford Heath Character Area, it states the following:

“ VISUAL AND SENSORY PERCEPTION There are few views into this area, due to the density of woodland and the lack of roads. From within views are limited by hedgerows and woodland. This is a small to medium scale contained landscape, with large woodland blocks balanced by small to medium fields. It is in many ways a simple landscape, coherent, ancient and tranquil, save for the constant hum of vehicles on the A10(T).

Rarity and distinctiveness. Although the farmland is not unusual, the architecture of the college is notable. Hertford Heath SSSI is important as a fine example of a threatened habitat in southern England, now rare in the county.

VISUAL IMPACT There appears to have been little land- use change in this area, possibly minor changes from pasture to arable. The main impact is that of the high embankments of the transport corridor (A10(T)), which is limited to the eastern side of the area. Hertford Heath appears to have accommodated 20th-century housing within its

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envelope, rather than on its edge, and it has no significant impact on the wider landscape.”

2.21 The assessment goes on to conclude the following, in terms of condition and strength of character (robustness) of the landscape:

“ CONDITION Land cover change: insignificant Age structure of tree cover: mature Extent of semi- natural habitat survival: fragmented Management of semi- natural habitat: good Survival of cultural pattern: intact Impact of built development: low I mpact of land- use change: low

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER Impact of landform: apparent Impact of land cover: prominent Impact of historic pattern: continuous Visibility from outside: concealed Sense of enclosure: partial Visual unity: coherent Distinctiveness / rarity: unusual”

2.22 The assessment suggests a “ Conserve and restore” strategy for managing future change and lists ten guidelines or bullet points for the area. Of relevance to the Site, and its development, are the following guidelines:

• “ encourage landowners to safeguard existing hedges, increase hedged field boundaries, create permanent grass strips around field margins and prevent spray drift, using financial incentives as available. • encourage the reversion of arable to pasture and management to maximise biodiversity potential. • promote the creation of buffer zones between intensive arable production and important semi- natural habitats and the creation of links between semi-natural habitats to form ecological corridors. • encourage woodland planting on poor quality agricultural land, where this is in keeping with local landscape character, is on the site of former woodland or can provide an ecological link to other

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woodlands or habitat. Use only locally indigenous species, of local provenance if possible. • ensure that any proposed woodland planting will contribute to the local landscape rather than impoverishing or destroying an existing and valued habitat or historic artefact, such as a bank or ditch. • ensure that proposed improvement to the landscape within Landscape Conservation/Development Areas will reinforce and contribute to the distinctiveness of the local landscape character and that they will not jeopardize any existing area of historic, ecological or landscape significance. • resist any development, reclamation or drainage of heathland areas and areas adjacent to them . • resist any development or change of use that might affect or diminish the distinctiveness and integrity of this landscape character area, unless it can be effectively and immediately screened in a manner that would not in itself have a negative impact on local landscape character.”

2.23 Copies of the relevant extracts taken from the ‘East Herts Landscape Character Assessment’ are contained in Appendix B to this report.

Landscape Planning Context

2.24 In terms of the landscape planning context, the relevant Government guidance and Statutory Plans for the area are:

• the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) March 2012; • the National Planning Policy Guidance 2014; • the ‘saved’ policies contained in the East Herts Local Plan 2007, and; • the emerging East Hertfordshire Draft District Plan – Preferred Options Consultations 2014.

East Herts Local Plan 2007 (saved policies)

2.25 The East Herts Local Plan is to be replaced by a Local Development Framework, which is now called the East Herts District Plan, and the District Plan is being prepared in a number of stages and until the District Plan is adopted, many of the Local Plan policies have been ‘saved’ and will continue to be used to determine planning applications in the district.

2.26 The Site lies outside but on the edge of the built up area of Hertford Heath which follows the western side of London Road immediately adjoining the Site. The adopted Proposals

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Map for the East Herts Local Plan identifies the Site as lying in open countryside and the Metropolitan Green Belt and therefore subject to the ‘saved’ policies contained in the Green Belt and Countryside chapter (Chapter 4) of the plan. The land to the south and south west of the Site is identified as a Local Wildlife Site (and area of Ancient Woodland) subject to Policy ENV14 of the Local Plan.

2.27 The Proposals Map shows the Metropolitan Green Belt as a blanket designation covering the countryside areas within the south western and eastern parts of the District. The Green Belt surrounds Hertford Heath covering the Site, and extends in an arch from Bishop’s Stortford in the north to Harlow and Hertford in the south and south west. There are no landscape designations such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Special Landscape Areas covering the Site or surrounding area and there are no Listed Buildings within the vicinity of the Site.

2.28 The ‘saved’ Local Plan policies, relevant to the Site and its potential development for housing, include the following:

• Policy GBC1 – Appropriate Development in the Green Belt • Policy GBC14 – Landscape Character • Policy ENV1 – Design and Environmental Quality • Policy ENV2 – Landscaping • Policy ENV11 – Protection of Existing Hedgerows and Trees

Emerging East Herts District Plan

2.29 Since 2006, East Herts Council have been progressing with the Local Development Framework (now known as the East Herts District Plan). Since then, there have been significant changes to the planning system including the proposed abolition of regional plans, the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in March 2012, the National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) in March 2014 and proposed neighbourhood plans.

2.30 As referred to in paragraph 2.25 above, the District Plan is being prepared in a number of stages and, in relation to the progress of the District Plan, the plan has completed the ‘Awareness Raising’ and ‘Issues and Options’ stages during 2008 to 2011. The Council are presently consulting on the Draft District Plan - Preferred Options Plan for 12 weeks until 22 May 2014 and following the Pre-Submission and Submission & Examination stages, it is intended that the District Plan will be adopted sometime in early 2016. Until the District Plan is adopted, the East Herts Local Plan 2007 and its ‘saved’ policies will continue to be used to determine planning applications across the district.

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2.31 As part of the preparation of the Draft District Plan – Preferred Options Plan, the Council produced a number of reports as part of its supporting evidence base. These included the East Herts Landscape Character Assessment (already referred to above in paragraph 2.15), a ‘Housing Capacity Assessment’ October 2007, an ‘Edge of Settlement Assessment’ (EoSA) November 2007 both prepared by consultants Entec UK to inform the ‘Strategic Land Availability Assessment’ 2011 (SHLAA) which is being prepared by the Council, and Green Belt Review 2013 technical study.

2.32 The ‘Issues and Options’ document identifies the settlement of Hertford Heath as a Category 1 village, one of the 10 ‘Larger Service Villages’ within the District which is referred to in Development Strategy Options B, C and D, where growth is directed to the five towns and villages in the District depending on the size and services within the villages.

2.33 The Preferred Development Option, as set out in the Draft District Plan, proposes to re- categorise the village of Hertford Heath from one of the larger villages and has now identified the village as a Group 2 village under Policy VILL2 Group 2 Villages and therefore only suitable for infill development of up to 5 dwellings per site and limited affordable housing for local community identified needs together with small-scale employment, leisure, recreation and community facilities. Policy VILL2 goes on to state that development will be permitted subject to a number of criteria and all other relevant policies in the District Plan. Item (III) of the policy states the following:

“ Development will be limited to the built up area as defined on the Policies Map. All development should:

a) Relate well to the village in terms of location, layout and connectivity;

b) Be of a scale appropriate to the size of the village;

c) Be well designed and contribute to the character of the village;

d) Not represent a significant open space or gap important to the form and/or setting of the village;

e) Not represent an extension of ribbon development or an addition to an isolated group of buildings;

f) Not unacceptably block important views or vistas and/or detract from the openness of the countryside;

g) N ot be significantly detrimental to the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.”

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Strategic Land Availability Assessment’ 2011

2.34 In response to submission through the “Call for Sites” process, the Site has been allocated the ref. Site 25/001 by the Council.

Green Belt Review 2013

2.35 The Green Belt Review seeks to address whether the District’s assessed need for development can be accommodated within the constraints created by the Green Belt (GB). The GB Review addresses the five purposes of the GB, as set out in the NPPF (Paragraph 80), to determine which Green Belt sites are suitable and sequentially preferable to release to meet strategic development needs as well as considering the functions of the GB (Paragraph 83 of the NPPF) and also the GB role in promote sustainable patterns of development (Paragraph 84 of the NPPF). The GB Review also considered the six criteria within the NPPF (Paragraph 85 of the NPPF) that should be used when defining new GB boundaries. The approach / methodology used to undertaken the review is similar to and consistent with that used by adjoining local planning authorities and therefore is considered to be a ‘sound’ and appropriate approach for determining the release of land from the Metropolitan Green Belt within the district.

2.36 The GB Review does not recommend that any of the land around Hertford Heath is released for development due to the work undertaken as part of the Supporting Document (Sieve 1 exercise) to the District Plan. This initial sieve 1 exercise is considered to be flawed as the assessment of the landscape relied on the 2007 East Herts Landscape Character Assessment and ignored recent changes to the area to the north west of the village with the commencement of development on the construction of the golf course on land to the north of the Site and therefore the character / setting / approach to the village has changed and will continue to change in the near future.

Previous Local Plan Inspectors Comments in respect of land west of London Road, Hertford Heath

2.37 A slightly larger site (5.6ha) was promoted by the landowner at the last Local Plan Review in 2005/2006 as Omission Site 206. The Local Plan Inspector considered the Site and proposals at that time and made the following comments (Chapter 17 - section 17.60, paragraph 17.60.1 to 17.60.2), relating to the suitability of the Site to accommodate housing development and likely impact on the open countryside:

“ This Omission Site off London Road is some 5.6 ha and its development would be totally out of scale with the village. It would also involve an unacceptable intrusion into open countryside on the opposite side of the main road to the village proper. It would be an isolated development and intrusion into land, which forms part of a swathe of agricultural land and is part of the open setting to the

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village. I have no detailed evidence about contamination of this land brought about by previous works. Regardless of any degree of contamination, the site in its present form is physically and visually part of the open setting of the village and cannot strictly be classified as previously developed land” .

2.38 The Inspectors recommendation in paragraph 17.60.2 was:

“ Make no modification in response to the objections.”

2.39 Whilst the Inspector did not support the allocation of the land at that time; the landscape context of the Site has begun to change with the commencement of the golf course development on land to the north and will change more once authorised earthworks commence later this year. Therefore the setting / approach to the village will change. The Site is well contained by robust hedgerows and areas of woodland and the perception of the Site is very limited (mainly restricted to the London Road and public footpath immediately to the east and north of the Site) and therefore the landscape and visual impact will be very localised. The present Site boundaries follow existing physical and visual features in the landscape and these are capable of forming future defensible long term boundaries to the Site and built up area of Hertford Heath and also the Green Belt.

Public Rights of Way

2.40 The Public Rights of Way (PROW) within the vicinity of the Site and the west of Hertford Heath are relatively limited and these are shown on Drawing No.0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan. There are no Public Rights of Way across the Site.

2.41 The nearest public footpaths to the Site are Public Footpath HH009, which is situated immediately to the north and extends westwards from London Road following the northern field boundary to the adjoining linear field to connect to HH045 near Great Stock Wood and Swallow Grove Farm to the west of the Site, and Byway HH008 which is situated to the south east of the Site extending south from London Road following Elbow Lane (Ermine Street Roman Road) southwards.

2.42 In addition to the north of the Site is Public Footpath HH006 which follows the existing field boundaries northwards from London Road near the Townsend Arms public house about 300 metres to the north of the Site and Byway HH001 which follows Ermine Street and the existing farm track to Rush Green Farm and the A10 / A414 roundabout to the north of the village.

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3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION AND VISUAL APPRAISAL

Site Description

3.1 As shown on Drawing No. 0101/L2 – Site Appraisal Plan, the Site forms a square shaped parcel of land of some 5.4 hectares (13.34 acres) comprising one improved grass field to the west of London Road. The existing boundary features, land uses and topography within and adjoining the Site are illustrated on the Site Appraisal Plan, Drawing No.0101/L2 contained at the rear of this report.

3.2 The boundaries to the Site are well defined to the north, east, south and west. To the north, the Site’s boundary is defined by discontinuous sections of hedgerow and line of mature trees which separates the Site from the adjoining linear field and public footpath. The vegetation along this boundary comprises a mix of Oak and Field Maple trees up to 20 metres in height and an under-storey of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Rose and Hazel up to 3 metres in height which partially screen / obscures views into the Site from the Public Footpath HH009. To the north of the northern boundary and Public Footpath HH009 is a tall thorn hedgerow between 3 to 5 metres in height and line of mature veteran Oak trees up to 20 metres in height which assists in containing and restricting views towards the Site from viewpoints (allotment gardens and London Road) to the north.

3.3 To the east, the Site’s boundary is defined by London Road and its adjoining robust hedgerow and mature trees which provide containment and enclosure along this edge of the Site. Within the hedgerow there is a slight change of level / bank about 0.5m in height with the higher ground on the London Road side of the hedge. The vegetation along this boundary comprises a mix of mature trees, mainly Oak species up to 20m in height with an under-storey of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Wild Rose and Oak saplings. In the north east corner of the Site is a short section of track and field gate forming the existing access point to the Site. The southern end / section of the eastern boundary is defined by timber panel fencing, about 1.8m in height, and a section of trimmed conifer hedge, up to 2 to 3 metres in height, forming the boundary to the adjoining detached house with a mix of Pine (Corsican Pine and Coast Redwood) and Beech, Oak trees located within the rear garden of this property.

3.4 To the east of this boundary, there are a row of detached and semi-detached cottages and houses fronting onto London Road forming the western edge of the village. Partial and glimpsed views into the Site can be obtained from a short section of the road and adjoining dwellings.

3.5 The southern boundary of the Site is defined by robust hedgerow and groups of mature trees which provides containment and enclosure to the Site along this edge and restricts

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views into the open parts of the Site from short section(s) of the Byway HH008 to the south east. The hedgerow is approximately 5 metres in width comprising Blackthorn, Spindleberry and Field Maple up to 9 metres in height with several groups of mature Hornbeam and Oak trees between 11 to 20 metres in height. Within this belt of vegetation there is a shallow ditch and bank.

3.6 The western boundary of the Site is formed by an area of woodland with the eastern edge of the wood formed by Hawthorn, Ivy and Elder species up to 6metres in height with a group of Ash, Oak, Hornbeam and Field Maple trees, up to 20 metres in height, located near the south western corner of the Site. The woodland connects to Balls Wood to the south west and provides containment and enclosure to this edge of the Site and screens views from locations to the west and north west of the Site.

Topography

3.7 As mentioned earlier, the village of Hertford Heath occupies the top of a broad north – south ridge / plateau of high ground at about 95metres AOD with the land gently sloping to the north, west and east from this ridge. The Site is situated on the west facing gentle slope of the ridge. The highest point within the Site adjoins the eastern boundary at about 90m AOD with the land gently falling westwards across the Site to a low point at about 79m AOD located in the north western corner of the Site.

Vegetation

3.8 Vegetation in the vicinity of the Site comprises predominantly Oak, Hornbeam and Ash tree species and an under-storey of mainly Hawthorn, Hazel and Blackthorn. In addition to the hedgerows and trees forming the Sites boundaries, there is a small fenced off area of rough grass containing a grain feeder and a number of low corrugated shelter(s) (situated near the north eastern corner of the Site); otherwise the Site is devoid of any other vegetation.

3.9 The Site Appraisal Plan, Drawing No.0101/L2, also illustrates the nature and extent of views into and towards the Site whilst Drawing No.0101/L3 Visual Appraisal Plan shows the visual barriers in the locality of the Site. A number of photographic panoramas are included in the Photographic Appendix 0102/P01 – Site Appraisal Photographs, contained at the rear of this report and these photographs illustrate the character and visual appearance of the Site as existing.

Landscape and Visual Appraisal

3.10 A preliminary assessment of the Site’s visibility was undertaken in January 2012 and then again in November 2012. This assessment indicated that whilst there are a number of

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near and middle distance views towards the Site, the Site is well contained and enclosed within the landscape to the west of Hertford Heath. This containment is formed by the woodlands and robust hedgerows forming the Site’s boundaries and adjoining structure of tall hedgerows and mature trees in the vicinity of the Site.

3.11 The assessment also showed that views towards the Site can be obtained from a limited number of vantage points in the immediate vicinity of the Site (Photograph No’s 1 to 14) to the north, east and south; and a few middle distance views (Photograph No’s 15 and 16) to the north from a short section of London Road on the approach to Hertford Heath.

3.12 Near distant views towards the Site are obtained from a short (300 metre) section of Public Footpath HH009, from locations within the southern half of the Hertford Heath allotments gardens to the north of the Site and from the section of London Road immediately to the east of the Site where partial and glimpsed views are possible through the boundary vegetation. In addition, there are glimpsed / partial views towards the Site from a very short section of Byway HH008 / Elbow Lane to the south east of the Site where the roof tops of new dwellings may be visible above the southern boundary hedgerow if houses were located close to the south eastern corner of the Site.

3.13 The assessment demonstrated that there are also a few middle distance vantage points where views towards the Site can be obtained. These views are from a very short section of London Road to the north of the Site on the approach to the village where partial / glimpsed views are possible through gaps in the road side hedgerow looking southwards across the open fields towards the Site.

3.14 The assessment also indicated that, whilst there a number of near distance and few middle distance views towards the Site, views into the open parts of the Site are generally screened or curtailed by intervening vegetation and / or the robust boundary hedgerows and trees when seen from the north, north west, east and south east.

3.15 The assessment confirmed that there are no near or longer distance views from vantage points to the south and west of the Site due to the visual barrier formed by the adjoining woodland areas and also that there are no long distance views (views over 1 kilometre in length) from the surrounding landscape to the north, east, south and west due to the undulating topography, and intervening vegetation within the locality of Hertford Heath. The assessment also confirmed that the built up areas of Hertford Heath effectively restrict middle and long distance views from locations to the east of the Site.

3.16 The assessment therefore concentrated on the limited number of key views towards the Site and a second set of photographs (Photograph No’s.1 to 16) were taken from publicly accessible viewpoints. These photographs are included in the second part of the

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Photographic Appendices 0101/P02 – Site Context Photographs contained at the rear of the report. The locations from where these photographs were taken are shown on Drawing No.0101/L3 – Visual Appraisal Plan.

3.17 The photographs illustrate the visibility of the Site as existing and its relationship to the adjoining built up area of Hertford Heath, its relationship to the wider countryside and the character of the surrounding landscape. The photographs consist of primarily near distance partial and glimpsed views from locations to the east and south east of the Site; open and partial near distance views from the north and partial / glimpsed middle distance views from locations to the north along the London Road.

3.18 As part of the visual assessment consideration was given to the following:

i) The Site’s contribution to the wider landscape and setting of the village; ii) The Site’s suitability for accommodating housing development, and; iii) The identification of those areas of the Site where landscape mitigation measures would be required to minimise the effects of housing development on the Site, in the locality and wider surrounding area.

3.19 Based on the site visit in January and November 2012, the following viewpoints with views in to or towards the Site were identified:

a) Near distance partial and glimpsed views from a short section of London Road immediately to the east of the Site looking westwards (Photograph No’s.1, 2, 3 and 4) b) Near distance partial and glimpsed views from viewpoints on London Road and Elbow Lane (Byway HH008) to the south east of the Site looking west and northwards (Photograph No’s 5, 6, 10 and 11); c) Near distance partial views from a short (300 metre) section of Public Footpath HH009 immediately to the north and north west of the Site looking southwards (Photograph No’s 7, 8, 9 and 12); d) Near distance open and restricted views from the southern half of the Hertford Heath allotment gardens situated to the north of the Site looking southwards (Photograph No’s 13 and 14); e) Middle distance partial / glimpsed views from a very short section of London Road to the north of the Site on the approach to the village looking southwards through gaps in the road side hedgerow (Photograph No’s 15 and 16).

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Summary

3.20 In general, it can be concluded that the boundaries to the Site are well defined by existing landscape features such as field boundary hedgerows and trees to the south, east and north and by an extensive area of woodland to the west of the Site. These boundaries provide containment and enclosure to the Site, apart from sections of the northern boundary where the hedgerow is discontinuous and contains ‘gaps’ allowing views into the Site along this edge.

3.21 In the immediate vicinity of the Site, the perception of the Site and its surroundings varies depending on the location of the viewer. In the majority of views from the east, only a small part(s) of the Site can be seen or perceived as open pasture farmland (adjoining the built up areas of Hertford Heath) with a wooded backdrop to the west. This is due to the robust vegetation and trees located along the eastern London Road boundary which effectively screens or curtails open views into the open parts of the Site. The eastern boundary hedgerow and trees form a notable feature in views along the London Road (north and south) and contribute to the rural countryside setting to this part of the village with the open parts of the Site contributing to a lesser degree.

3.22 In views from near distance viewpoints to the south east, views towards the Site are possible although the open parts of the Site are screened by boundary vegetation. However, from these viewpoints, the roof tops of new dwellings may be visible above the southern boundary hedgerow if houses were located close to the south eastern corner of the Site.

3.23 In views from near distance vantage points to the north (a short section of Public Footpath HH009), the open parts of the Site are partially visible through the intervening hedgerows and trees with views extending across the Site to the western, southern and eastern boundary hedgerows and trees depending on the location of the viewer. From the footpath, these boundary features form the backdrop to the Site and curtail distant views beyond the Site, although the roof tops of some dwellings located along London Road can just be perceived through the eastern boundary hedgerow and trees.

3.24 From the footpath the open parts of the Site are clearly evident with the Site contributing to the character and visual appearance of the landscape and forming a small part of the setting to the village. In addition, from viewpoints along the footpath, the development of the Site for housing would be clearly visible along the northern boundary but rooftops of some of the new houses on the Site would be seen against a backdrop of trees to the east, south and west.

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3.25 In the views from the southern half of the allotments gardens (which are separated from the Site by a tall hedgerow and trees forming the southern boundary of the allotments and by a narrow open field) there are restricted and partial views towards the Site. From locations within the allotments, the open ground within the Site is difficult to perceive with a view extending across the Site to the canopies of trees on the southern and eastern boundaries. Views west and south westwards from the allotments tend to be curtailed by the tall hedgerow defining the western edge of the allotments and by a line of mature trees forming part of the northern field boundary to the narrow open field situated to the north of the Site.

3.26 In the few middle distance views from locations to the north (short sections of London Road) the extent of the Site visible in the view is significantly reduced, due to the flat landform and intervening hedgerows and trees to the north of the Site which effectively screens views and restricts views into open parts of the Site. In these views, the contribution that the Site makes to the visual appearance and character of the landscape is limited and the introduction of housing within the Site would result in a minimal / negligible change to the view, although the roof tops of the houses located on the northern edge of the Site may just be perceived.

3.27 However, development within the southern parts of the Site would be screened from view. In addition, in the near future, middle distance views from London Road will fundamentally change following commencement of the earthworks associated with a golf course development on land to the north of the Site and therefore the character / setting / approach to the village will be noticeably different and additional screening (landform changes and tree planting) will be introduced curtailing views towards the Site.

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4.0 CONSIDERATION OF DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

4.1 In this section of the report, consideration is given to the landscape and visual issues likely to arise from the development of the Site for housing and associated infrastructure.

4.2 There are four landscape and visual issues which have been identified as forming constraints or opportunities to developing the Site (also refer to Drawing No.0101/L4 – Landscape Constraints and Opportunities Plan) and these are set out in the sections which follow.

Landscape Character

4.3 The Site forms a square shaped parcel of open countryside of some 5.4 hectares (13.3 acres) comprising one improved grass field to the west of London Road with an existing gated access point located in the north eastern corner of the Site.

4.4 The boundaries to the Site are well defined to the north, east, south and west. To the north, the Site’s boundary is defined by discontinuous sections of hedgerow and line of mature trees which separates the Site from the adjoining linear field and public footpath which partially screen / obscures views into the Site from the Public Footpath HH009. To the east, the Site’s boundary is defined by London Road and its adjoining robust hedgerow and mature trees which provide containment and enclosure along this edge of the Site. The southern boundary of the Site is defined by robust hedgerows and groups of mature trees which provide containment and enclosure to the Site along this edge and restricts views into the open parts of the Site from short section(s) of the Byway HH008 to the south east, whilst the western boundary of the Site is formed by an area of woodland which provides containment and enclosure to this edge of the Site and screens views from locations to the west and north west of the Site.

4.5 The village of Hertford Heath occupies the top of a broad north – south ridge / plateau of high ground at about 95metres AOD with the land gently sloping to the north, west and east from this ridge. The Site is situated on the west facing gentle slope of the ridge. The highest point within the Site adjoins the eastern boundary at about 90m AOD with the land gently falling westwards across the Site to a low point at about 79m AOD located in the north western corner of the Site.

4.6 The overall character of the Site reflects the landscape character areas described in the East Herts Landscape Character Assessment (see paragraph 2.15 to 2.22 earlier). The Site lies within the “Northern Thames Basin” - Character Area No. 111 as defined in the Countryside Character Assessment Volume 6: East of England (published by the Countryside Agency, now Natural England, in 1999), and Character Area 64 - Hertford

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Heath LCA, as defined in the East Herts Landscape Character Assessment 2007. Character Area 64 extends north of Broxbourne Woods, east of Bayfordbury and Balls Parkland and west of Great Amwell and the assessment describes the area as:

“ An area of gently undulating wooded farmland, much of it pasture, with extensive areas of woodland and heath. At the heart of this rural area lies Haileybury College, which also influences the only settlement in the area, from which it takes its name. The damp acid grasslands and relic heath are ecologically and visually important.”

4.7 The assessment suggests a “ Conserve and restore” strategy for managing future change and lists seven guidelines for the area a number of which are of relevance and could be brought forward if the Site was developed for housing. However, the assessment was carried out sometime ago (to inform the last Local Plan Review) and does not reflect the recent changes in the landscape to the north west of the village with the implementation of planning permission for a golf course development on land to the north of the Site. Therefore the character / setting / approach to the village has changed and will continue to change in the near future and the landscape context of the Site has / will change reducing the landscape sensitivity of the area and increasing its capacity to accommodate residential development.

4.8 Notwithstanding the above, it is acknowledged that development of the Site for housing would result in a notable change to the character and visual appearance of the Site. This is unavoidable given that the Site is a ‘greenfield’ site and is inevitably the case for an area of land located adjacent to an urban area. However, the introduction of mitigation measures, such as the retention of the existing hedgerow and trees within the Site and the provision of areas of new structural planting and open space, would result in the landscape effects of developing the Site for a housing scheme being localised and the effects minimised.

Existing Trees and Vegetation

4.9 Development of the majority of the Site would be unconstrained by hedgerows and trees, as it is mostly devoid of these features being a single open grass field with field boundary hedgerows and trees. The Site contains a number of mature hedgerows and groups / lines of trees forming the boundaries to the Site with an area of woodland to the west. The hedgerow and trees form visually significant features and provide containment and screening within the landscape and should be retained and strengthened, where possible, for these reasons.

4.10 The proximity of the trees and hedgerow would constrain the location and extent of built development due to the protection distances required to retain and protect the trees as

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well as minimising the effects of overshadowing and the loss of daylight. The proposed land uses close to retained trees should preferably be an open use such as rear gardens or as public open space where the long term management of the trees can be secured.

4.11 An Arboricultural Constraints Report has been completed by Southern Ecological Solutions in November 2012 which is compliant with BS 5837:2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations’. This report states, in section 5.0, the following:

“ While individual trees may be mixed in quality, the majority of trees make up groups and hedges of higher combined quality. The more prominent individuals have been separated out were appropriate. Generally however the site’s trees make a significant contribution to appearance and environmental significance of the area.”

4.12 A tree condition schedule is also included in the report and this identified that the majority of the trees and groups of trees / hedgerows were category ‘A’ trees apart from the hedgerow along the northern boundary (G2 = category B3) hedgerow along the western boundary (G4 = Category B/C3), hedgerow on the southern boundary (G7 = Category B2) and a small number of individual trees (T3 = B2, T4 = B1, and T5 = C1). The root protection distances of all the trees and hedgerow would need to be taken in account as part of the detail design and layout of the proposed development in due course.

Visibility and Public Views of the Site

4.13 The visual assessment indicated that, whilst there are a number of near and middle distance views towards the Site, the Site is generally well contained and enclosed within the landscape, to the west of Hertford Heath, mainly by the strong framework of woodlands and hedgerows in the vicinity of the Site.

4.14 The assessment also showed that views towards the Site can be obtained from a limited number of vantage points in the immediate vicinity of the Site; and very few middle distance views to the north. Near distant views towards the Site are obtained from short sections of public footpaths and roads in close proximity to the Site (Public Footpath HH009, Byway HH008 and short section of London Road) where partial and glimpsed views are possible through and / or over the boundary vegetation.

4.15 The assessment indicated that there are a very limited number of middle distance vantage points where views towards the Site can be obtained (mainly from a short section of London Road to the north) and where the views into the open parts of the Site are generally screened or curtailed by intervening vegetation.

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4.16 In addition, the assessment confirmed that there are no long distance views (views over 1 kilometre in length) from viewpoints to the north, west and south, due the strong framework of trees / hedgerows and woodlands in close proximity to the Site, with the built up areas of Hertford Heath curtailing middle and distance views from vantage points to the east of the Site.

4.17 On the basis of the visual appraisal, it is possible to identify the relative visibility of various parts of the Site and these are shown on Drawing No. 0101/L4 – Landscape Constraints and Opportunities Plan. Three categories of visibility are shown on the plan, although in reality, the visibility of various parts of the Site is ranked on a sliding scale from visually contained areas through to visually exposed or least contained areas.

4.18 It should be noted that the assessment is based on views from publicly accessible areas, although it is recognised that a number of residential properties within the surrounding area (houses on London Road and a group of dwellings located near the south eastern corner of the Site) would obtain private views towards the Site. In addition, Drawing No. 0101/L4 shows existing visual barriers (mostly vegetation) and the existing built up areas of Hertford Heath, which partially influence and form the context of the Site in some of the views of the Site.

4.19 The areas of land with a highest degree of visual containment which are considered most suitable (from a visual point of view) for accommodating new housing development comprise:

i) The south eastern parts of the Site.

These areas of the Site are generally well contained in views by existing hedgerows / trees and woodland to the west, in the local views to the north, and east and partially screened in local views from the south east and in the longer middle distance views from the north. The rooftops of new houses introduced into this part of the Site may be seen in some local views from the east and south east but the change in view will have a limited effect on these viewpoints as well as when seen from more distant vantage points.

4.20 The areas of land with a moderate degree of visual containment are:

ii) The central, eastern and southern parts of the Site.

These areas are visible in the majority of local views within and immediately adjoining the Site, mainly to the east and north, but are screened from view in longer middle distance views from the north. These areas are therefore considered to be slightly

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less well contained than the visually contained areas referred to above. However, it is considered that these areas are suitable for development but careful consideration needs to be given to form, scale and layout of the development and the introduction of appropriate mitigation measures within and on the edges of the development would be required to minimise the visual effects.

4.21 Those areas of the Site with the least degree of visual containment comprise:

iii) The northern and eastern parts of the Site.

These areas are visible in the majority of local views within and immediately adjoining the Site to the north west, north and east with development in this area potentially being perceived in the longer distance views to the north. It is considered that these areas are also suitable for development, at a lower density, with careful consideration given to height, form, scale and layout of the development, particularly the roofscape of the development. In addition, the development would need to be set back from the northern and western boundaries in order to allow for the introduction of appropriate mitigation measures within and on the edges of the development to minimise the visual effects.

Planning Designations

4.22 The Site lies outside the built up settlement boundary of Hertford Heath and is identified as lying within the open countryside and Green Belt. The Site, however, is not designated as having any particular landscape value or quality, such as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Special Landscape Area although the woodland areas close to the western edge of the Site are identified as ancient woodland.

4.23 The policies in the National Planning Policy Framework apply from the 27th March 2012. The Framework sets out the Government’s vision of sustainable development, which should be interpreted and applied locally to meet local aspirations.

4.24 Section two of the Framework provides a definition of what is meant by delivering sustainable development and sets out three components of what this means for the planning system. The three components are planning for prosperity (the economic role), planning for people (a social role) and planning for places (an environmental role). Throughout the Framework document it emphasises that at the heart of the Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development and requires policies in Local Plans to follow this approach.

4.25 Of particular relevance to the Site is Section 9 ‘Protecting Green Belt land’ of the Framework. This section provides guidance on the Green Belt land surrounding

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settlements to which the Government attaches ‘great importance’. Paragraph 79 of the Framework sets out the fundamental aim of Green Belt Policy which is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open; the essential characteristic of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence.

4.26 Paragraphs 80 to 85 of the NPPF provide guidance to local planning authorities on the purposes, land uses and advice on when defining (existing and new) Green Belt boundaries. Paragraph 81 provides guidance on the beneficial uses of Green Belts and states:

“ Once Green Belts have been defined, local planning authorities should plan positively to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt, such as looking for opportunities to provide access; to provide opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; to retain and enhance landscapes, visual amenity and biodiversity; or to improve damaged and derelict land” .

4.27 The initial assessment of the Site indicates that the Site contributes in a limited way to the beneficial uses of the Green Belt being a relatively small area of open farmland with no public access across the land. The Site currently does not contribute to opportunities for public access, outdoor sport and recreation and it is not damaged or derelict land. However, there is an excellent opportunity to promote the Site through the review of The East Herts District Plan and this could deliver significant public access improvements and provision of some open space areas for outdoor sport and recreation activities through the development of the Site for housing and open space.

4.28 In addition to the above, the assessment also indicated that, whilst the Site does contribute in a limited way to the character and visual appearance of landscape immediately adjoining the western edge of Hertford Heath (when seen from locations in close proximity to the Site, mainly from the Public Footpath HH009 to the north), the assessment concluded that in the middle and longer distance views towards the Site, the contribution that the Site makes to the visual appearance and character of the landscape is very limited and this is likely to reduce as work progresses on construction of the permitted golf course to the north of the Site. It is considered that the introduction of housing within the Site would result in a minimal / negligible change to the views from locations to the north on London Road.

4.29 It is acknowledged that development of the Site for housing would result in a notable change to the character and visual appearance of the Site and loss of a small area of Green Belt. This is unavoidable given that the Site is a ‘greenfield’ site and is inevitably the case for an area of land located adjacent to an urban area which is surrounded by the Green Belt.

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4.30 However, there is an excellent opportunity to improve and enhance the built up edge of Hertford Heath through the provision of areas of new structural planting and open space, (including the retention of the existing hedgerow and trees) within the Site and this would minimise the landscape effects of developing the Site for housing on the locality and adjoining Green Belt.

4.31 The introduction of new structural planting, whilst ‘softening’ the built up edge of the new development, would also enhance the landscape, visual amenities and biodiversity of the area by improving the local ‘green’ infrastructure and connections to adjoining wildlife habitats and have a positive effect on the adjoining Green Belt.

4.32 Paragraph 83 provides guidance on Green Belts and when they should be reviewed whilst Paragraph 84 and 85 of the Framework provides guidance on the issues that need to be taken into account in reviewing the Green Belt and when defining new Green Belt boundaries. The existing boundaries to the Site, especially the wooded area on the western edge of the Site, would form a defensible Green Belt boundary.

4.33 In addition to the above, Section 11 ‘Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’ of the Framework is also of particular relevance to the Site and surrounding landscape. This section provides guidance on the natural and local environment, and in paragraph 109, it goes on to state that:

“ The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:

• protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, geological conservation interests and soils;

• recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services;

• minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures;

• preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability; and

• remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate.”

4.34 Paragraph 113 requires Local Planning Authorities to set out criteria based policies against which proposals for any development on or affecting protected wildlife or geo-diversity

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sites or landscape areas will be judged and that the policy criteria need to reflect the hierarchy of the protected status of designated sites and give appropriate weight to their importance.

4.35 Paragraph 114 of the NPPF goes on to state that:

“ Local planning authorities should:

i) set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure; and

ii) maintain the character of the undeveloped coast, protecting and enhancing its distinctive landscapes, particularly in areas defined as Heritage Coast, and improve public access to and enjoyment of the coast.”

4.36 The NPPF, at paragraph 115, provides guidance on the protection of valued landscapes and ‘great weight’ should be given to protecting the landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, this guidance is not relevant to the Site, its immediate surrounding area and the proposed development.

Landscape Strategy

4.37 In order to satisfactorily accommodate residential development, associated infrastructure and open space uses within the Site and surrounding landscape, a landscape strategy will be required. The strategy is illustrated on Drawing No.0101/L5 – Landscape Strategy Plan, included at the rear of this report, and set out below are the broad components of a landscape strategy for the Site which would need to be adhered to:

a) The retention of existing hedgerows and adjoining trees on Site boundaries where possible;

b) The introduction of significant new belts of structural planting and landscape ‘buffers’ along the western, southern and northern boundaries of the Site to provide containment and further visual screening to the north and south and offset the development from the woodland to the west. The northern tree belt should be up to 10 metres in width to provide a new ‘firm’ development boundary / edge to the Site and appropriate environment for the proposed development. These landscaped ‘buffer’ areas could form part of the public open space, and include pedestrian links around the development, thereby forming part of a ‘green grid’ network around and through the Site, as well as providing links to the wider public footpath network;

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c) The introduction of an area of open space and landscape planting along the western boundary and within the north western parts of the Site; the area could incorporate flood attenuation features.

d) The northern, western and southern open spaces should also incorporate pedestrian / cycleway routes thereby forming part of the ‘green grid’ network around and through the development.

e) The provision of a comprehensive landscape scheme, including open space areas, within the housing areas and adjoining the access roads to create an attractive and pleasant environment for the new residents.

4.38 The landscape strategy would assist in reducing the visual effects of the development when seen from the surrounding landscape, strengthen the existing boundaries of the Site and create an appropriate setting and landscape structure for the residential development of the Site. The structural planting proposed along the northern boundary of the Site would also create a ‘soft’ edge to the settlement and form an appropriate transition between the town and open countryside to the north.

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DWLC/0101/A4/L1A/DHW Page No.30 May 2014 Conclusions

5.0 CONCLUSIONS

5.1 It can be concluded from the landscape and visual appraisal of the Site and the surrounding area, and consideration of the likely landscape and visual issues relating to potential development of the Site for housing, associated infrastructure and open space, the following:

i) That the boundaries to the Site are well defined by existing landscape features such as field boundary hedgerows and trees to the south, east and north and by an extensive area of woodland to the west of the Site as well as development along London Road / Elbow Lane to the south east corner of the Site; ii) That these boundaries provide containment and enclosure to the Site, apart from sections of the northern boundary where the hedgerow is discontinuous and contains ‘gaps’ allowing views into the Site along this edge; iii) That the Site forms a square shaped parcel of land of some 5.4 hectares (13.34 acres) comprising one improved grassland field to the west of London Road; iv) That the Site is not crossed by any public footpaths although Public Footpath HH009 follows the northern edge of the adjoining field to the north of the Site; v) That, whilst there are a number of near and a few middle distance views towards the Site, the Site is generally well contained and enclosed within the landscape, to the west of Hertford Heath mainly by the strong framework of woodlands and hedgerows in the vicinity of the Site; vi) That views towards the Site can be obtained from a limited number of vantage points in the immediate vicinity of the Site to the north, south east and east; and in some middle distance views to the north; vii) That near distant views towards the Site are obtained from short sections of public footpaths and roads in close proximity to the Site where partial and glimpsed views are possible through and / or over the boundary vegetation; viii) That in the few middle distance views from locations to the north (short sections of London Road), the extent of the Site visible in the view is significantly reduced, due to the flat landform and intervening hedgerows and trees to the north of the Site which effectively screens views and restricts views into open parts of the Site; ix) That the assessment confirmed that there are no near or longer distance views from vantage points to the south and west of the Site due to the visual barrier formed by the adjoining woodland areas and also that there are no long distance views (views over 1 kilometre in length) from the surrounding landscape to the north, east, south and west due to the undulating topography, and intervening vegetation within the locality of Hertford Heath;

DWLC/0101/A4/L1A/DHW Page No.31 May 2014 Conclusions

x) That the Site is not designated as having any particular landscape value or quality, such as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Special Landscape Area; although, it does contain features of importance such as hedgerows and mature trees especially along the western and eastern boundaries of the Site; xi) That the Site lies within Character Area 64 - Hertford Heath LCA, as defined in the East Herts Landscape Character Assessment 2007 which suggests a “Conserve and Restore” strategy for managing future change although the assessment does not reflect the recent changes in the landscape to the north west of the village with the commencement of the golf course development on land to the north of the Site; xii) That the landscape character / setting / approach to the village has changed and will continue to change in the near future and the landscape context of the Site has / will change reducing the landscape sensitivity of the area and increasing its capacity to accommodate residential development; xiii) That the Site contributes in a limited way to the beneficial uses of retaining land within the Green Belt (paragraph 81 of National Planning Policy Framework); xiv) That the initial assessment of the Site indicates the boundaries of the Site could form a defensible new Green Belt boundary which accords with the guidance in paragraph 85 of the National Planning Policy Framework; xv) That the assessment of the Site indicated that the Site could accommodate residential development associated infrastructure and open space; subject to the provision of mitigation measures to reduce landscape and visual effects; xvi) That there is an excellent opportunity to improve and enhance the built up edge of Hertford Heath through the provision of areas of new structural planting and open space, (including the retention of the existing hedgerow and trees) within the Site and this would minimise the landscape effects of developing the Site for housing on the locality and adjoining Green Belt; and xvii) That the introduction of new structural planting, whilst ‘softening’ the built up edge of village, would also enhance the landscape, visual amenities and biodiversity of the area by improving the local ‘green’ infrastructure and connections to adjoining wildlife habitats and have a positive effect on the adjoining Green Belt.

DWLC/0101/A4/L1A/DHW Page No.32 May 2014

PLANS - Drawing No. 0101/L1 – Landscape Context Plan

The Scaling of this drawing cannot be assured Revisions Date Initials

LEGEND

Boundary of Site

Built Up Area

Ridgelines

Slopes

Contours @ 5m Intervals

Existing Woodland Blocks

Existing Tall Hedgerows

Existing Trimmed Hedgerows

Public Footpaths / Bridleways

100 400

0 200 800

Project : LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH

Drawing Title : LANDSCAPE CONTEXT PLAN

Date : Scale : Drawn by : Nov 2012 1:10000 @ A1 PDB Project No. Drawing No : Revision : 0101 L1

PLANS - Drawing No. 0101/L2 – Site Appraisal Plan

Allot The Scaling of this drawing cannot be assured 75m Revisions Date Initials

80m Gdns LEGEND Boundary of Site

ROMAN ROAD Existing Trees / Woodlands

Existing Tall Hedgerows

Drain

Existing Trimmed Hedgerows 85m Slopes

The Paddock 75m Contours @ 5m Intervals

Land Use (Arable/Pasture/Horrse Paddock) 90m Pheasant Rearing Area

Public Footpaths / PROW's A

Drain Distant Views

C Road Woodland Local Views Woodland Road Partial / Glimpsed Views

Site Appraisal Photographs C (Photographs A - C) 91m Hall B 12.5 50

95m 0 25 100 Post Wood Green Project : LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH

Drawing Title : SITE APPRAISAL PLAN Woodside

Date : Scale : Drawn by : Priors Wood Rd Nov 2012 1:1250 @ A1 PDB Project No. Drawing No : Revision : 0101 L2

Heathgate

Issues

PLANS - Drawing No. 0101/L3 – Visual Appraisal Plan

Moat B1197 The Scaling of this drawing cannot be assured

Track Revisions Date Initials

Reservoir

LO covered N LEGEND D O Jenningsbury N

Farm Boundary of Site ROAD 16

15 Existing Trees / Woodland

Existing Tall Hedgerows CSWY VICARAGEA Y IC A R A G E C A U S EW V Existing Trimmed Hedgerows War Meml Track

Pheasant Rearing Area

Public Footpaths / PROW Allot 14 Gdns Distant Views

ROMAN ROAD

13 Local Views

4 Drain Partial / Glimpsed Views

8 7 Visual Barriers 9 The Paddock 3 12 Site Context Photographs 4 (Photographs 1 - 16) HERTFORD HEATH CP 2

Drain

Great Stock Wood Woodland Road Woodland

25 100 1 Playing 0 Woodland Road 50 200 Field

Path Project : LAND WEST OF Hall LONDON ROAD, Path HERTFORD HEATH 6 Post Wood Green

Drawing Title : 5 VISUAL APPRAISAL PLAN 10 Path Date : Scale : Drawn by : Nov 2012 1: 2000 @ A1 PDB Woodside Project No. Drawing No : Revision :

Priors Wood Rd Reservoir 0101 L3

11 covered

Heathgate

Issues

PLANS - Drawing No. 0101/L4 – Landscape Opportunities and Constraints Plan

The Scaling of this drawing cannot be assured Revisions Date Initials Allot

Gdns LEGEND

Boundary of Site

ROMAN ROAD Existing Trees / Woodlands

Existing Tall Hedgerows

Drain Existing Trimmed Hedgerows

Public Footpaths / PROW

The Paddock Visually Contained Area

Moderately Visually Contained Area Least Visually Contained Area

Visual Barriers

Landscape Constraint

Drain Landscape Opportunities Woodland Road Woodland Possible Access Points

Woodland Road

Hall 15 60

0 30 120

Project : Post Wood GreenLAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH

Drawing Title : LANDSCAPE & OPPORTUNITIES PLAN

Woodside Date : Scale : Drawn by : Nov 2012 1: 1250 @ A1 PDB Project No. Drawing No : Revision : Priors Wood Rd 0101 L4

Heathgate

Issues

PLANS - Drawing No. 0101/L5 – Landscape Strategy Plan

The Scaling of this drawing cannot be assured Revisions Date Initials LEGEND

ROMAN ROAD Boundary of Proposed Site Allocation Existing Trees / Woodlands

Drain Existing Tall Hedgerows

Existing Trimmed Hedgerows

Proposed House Areas

Indicative Access Routes The Paddock Central Green

Entrance Green

Entrance / Roadside Planting

Structural Buffer / POS

Habitat Enhancement / POS

Linear POS

Drain Woodland Road Woodland

Woodland Road

12.5 50

0 25 100

Hall Project : LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH

Drawing Title : LANDSCAPE STRATEGY PLAN

Date : Scale : Drawn by : 19-05-14 1:1000 @ A1 PDB Project No. Drawing No : Revision : 0101 L5

Priors Wood Rd

Heathgate

APPENDICES

Photographic Appendices - Photographs 0101/P01 – Site Appraisal Photographs – A to C inclusive

Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

Photograph A - View taken from near the north eastern corner of the Site looking westwards.

Photograph B - View taken from the south eastern corner of the Site looking north westwards.

Photograph C - View taken from western boundary of the Site looking eastwards.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Appraisal Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P01 Photographs A-C

APPENDICES

Photographic Appendices - Photographs 0101/P02 – Site Context Photographs – 1 to XXX inclusive

Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

Photograph No 1 - View taken from Woodland Road/ London Road junction looking west.

Photograph No 2A - View taken from London Road looking south west.

Photograph No 2B - View taken from London Road looking north west.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 1-2B Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

Existing access to the Site

Photograph No 3 - View taken from London Road near the north eastern corner of the Site looking south westwards.

Photograph No 4 - View taken from London Road/ Public Footpath HH009 junction looking south westwards.

Photograph No 5 - Glimpsed view taken from Byway HH008 looking north westwards.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 3-5 Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

Glimpsed view of the Site

Photograph No 6 - View taken from London Road opposite the Village Hall looking north westwards. Northern boundary of the Site Public Footpath HH009

Photograph No 7 - View taken from Public Footpath HH009 looking south west.

The Site Balls wood Public Footpath HH009

Photograph No 8 - View taken from Public Footpath HH009 at a point midway along the Sites northern boundary.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 6-8 Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

Photograph No 9 - View taken from Public Footpath HH009 near the north western corner of the Site looking south eastwards.

Photograph No 10 - View taken from London Road near Old Forge Row looking north westwards.

Photograph No 11 - Glimpsed view taken from Byway H008 looking north westwards.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 9-11 Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

The Site Balls wood

Photograph No 12 - View taken from Public Footpath HH009 looking eastwards.

Photograph No 13 - View taken from the southern end of the Hertford Heath allotments looking south.

Photograph No 14 - View taken from seating area within the Hertford Heath wild life meadow and pond area looking south.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 12-14 Note: For correct viewing size print at A1 size. For Illustrative Purposes Only

The Site

Photograph No 15 - View taken from London Road looking south. The Site

Photograph No 16- View taken from London Road looking south.

LAND WEST OF LONDON ROAD, HERTFORD HEATH, HERTFORDSHIRE Site Context Photographs Date: November 2012 Sheet: 0101/P02 Photographs 15-16

APPENDICES

Appendix A Copy of the South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland Character Area No.86 – taken from the Character Map of England and the Countryside Character Assessment Volume No 6 – East of England published by the Countryside Commission/English Nature in 1999.

Character Area 111 Northern Thames Basin

This description consists of four sub- character areas: Hertfordshire Plateaux and River Valleys; Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges; London Clay Lowlands and Essex Heathlands. Woodlands are an important feature of the Northern Thames Basin. Ancient parklands Hertfordshire Plateaux and wood pasture were once widespread.Those And River Valleys remaining, such as here in Key Characteristics Broxbourne, harbour many veteran trees. ● A diverse landscape with a series of broad valleys containing the major rivers Ver, Colne and Lea and extensive areas of broadleaved woodlands being the principal features of the area. The landform is varied

with a wide plateau divided by the valleys. J.TREVOR JAMES

● Hertfordshire’s large towns, the M25 and M1 Landscape Character motorways, railway line and prominent electricity pylons are also a major influence on character. The Hertfordshire Plateau is a varied landscape characterised by a mix of settlements, woodland and mixed ● Floodplain land is commonly arable sub-divided by agriculture. It has a predominantly rural feel with few large hedgerow-deficient field boundaries. Open grazing developments but it is not notably picturesque: indeed it land remains in certain areas. can have a confused, disorderly feel where the variation in ● Many river valleys have been extensively modified land use and topography conflict. Landform is varied with by reservoirs, current and reclaimed gravel pits, a high broad arable plateau divided by more wooded and landfill sites, artificial wetlands, river realignments pastured valleys. Field patterns vary from the small organic and canals. shapes found in the north to regular rectangular fields found towards the Bishops Stortford area, the result of 18th ● Smaller, intimate tree-lined valleys supporting red century enclosures. Many of the enclosure fields have, brick villages provide a contrast to the more however, had hedgerows removed and the landscape thus heavily developed major river valley floodplains. appears open and featureless in the east. The woodland Within these river valleys, organic field shapes are cover comprises a number of small ancient beech and oak common, defined by water courses and the legacy woods found mainly in the valleys to the west. of woodland clearances rather than formal enclosure patterns. This area comprises much transitional countryside as rural Hertfordshire merges into the northern London suburbs. It ● Broader plateau areas are mainly in agricultural use, is often despoiled by urban activity, particularly the with field patterns exhibiting the regular shape motorways and associated services, power lines and so on. characteristic of 18th century enclosures. However, there is much local landscape diversity and

115115115115 116 interest characterised by a patchwork pattern of fields farming in Hertfordshire while historically they formed the and woodlands. basis of the market garden industry within the Lee Valley. Gravel deposits beneath these fertile soils have for some The higher ground of the plateau forms a distinctive considerable time been exploited for use in the building backdrop to the river valleys. The more heavily wooded industry. This has given rise to the distinctive features of high ground of the plateau to the east gives ‘tunnelled’ gravel workings and flooded pits in the area. views onto the relatively open farm land at the bottom of the valleys. The farmland has a well-wooded character due Historical and Cultural Influences to the small organically-shaped fields having been carved from woodland and is still largely divided by well Four thousand years ago, neolithic farmers made the first maintained hedgerows. This pleasant pastoral character impressions upon this landscape; their long barrows can still becomes less apparent close to settlements where market be seen today. It was not, however, until c.650 BC that gardening and grazing of horses has led to loss of hedges, human occupation made lasting marks when social changes, hedgerow trees and a proliferation of wire fences and small associated with the spread of knowledge and use of iron, sheds. The western plateaux are generally less well wooded led to the construction of defensive forts. It is unknown and more developed than the plateau areas to the east. whether these early iron-using peoples or their predecessors Broxbourne Woods, an extensive area of woodland with penetrated much of the wooded clay plateaux of almost continuous tree cover, comprises a significant Hertfordshire. feature within the plateau to the east. Views within the Iron Age settlements and woodland clearings provided a woods vary from the enclosed ‘tunnel’ effect of views from basis on which the Romans built settlements and north- the woodland or from between hedges to sudden south roads which are still in evidence today. The full unexpected framed views over huge areas out and down to extent of Roman settlement is uncertain but it is thought the Lee Valley and towards north London. that, when the Anglo-Saxons arrived at the beginning of the Historically, human development of this area has largely 5th century, extensive clearances had already begun. taken place within the river valleys, giving rise to structures Hertfordshire’s unique concentration of ‘homestead moats’ and features of great heritage value. Electricity pylons and aligned with the grid pattern are thought to be influenced general industrial developments are often superimposed or by Roman estate management techniques. adjacent to such features as the Roman Verulamium and Names such as Blacklands and Black Acre seem to originate historic houses and parklands. Motorways form significant from the decay and burning of Roman sites, as many of the developments within the area and often form discordant settlements in the centre and west of the county appear to features through ridges. have returned to forest.

Physical Influences The ends and greens of placenames are typical of the hamlets created through piecemeal clearing of the woodlands. The area is quite complex topographically, having many Dispersed hamlets and single farmsteads dominated the map valleys cut into the broad plateau landform which is often of Hertfordshire, with nucleated villages and triangular obscured by vegetation cover. Rivers drain the plateau into green villages resulting from settlements which developed the Colne and Ver on its north-western side and into the around enclosures in dense forest. Lea on its eastern side. In places, river erosion has created The medieval expansion which occurred 250 years after the isolated landforms such as the Shenley Ridge. Norman Conquest was related to the increasing prosperity The soils of much of this area are based on London Clay of the area and was the period in which towns took root. which produces heavy acidic soils often prone to There was a movement of rural populations towards main waterlogging in winter months and to shrinking and cracking roads, further clearance and new settlement. Much of the in summer. This has made them difficult to cultivate, which arable land in the 13th century was therefore of recent has resulted in a predominance of pasture fields. enclosure and cultivation, through piecemeal processes. There is a rich endowment of late medieval timber-framed The principal river valleys are occupied by the Ver, Colne buildings, moated sites, castles and homes of the wealthy and Lea. Many of these valleys are broad shallow landforms from this period. characterised by mainly well-drained and fertile friable brown earths likely to be alluvial deposits left by the river Late in the medieval period, following substantial population Thames. These brown earths in comparison to the acidic decline, the nature of field patterns changed as prosperity waterlogged soils of the London Clay plateaux are moisture grew. Abandonment of small sites left an interlacing of tracks retentive and relatively easy to work. The valleys, and paths between marginal settlements, many sunken therefore, provide some of the most productive arable winding lanes still being seen today.

117 The 16th and 17th centuries brought newcomers, rapid Water has been used for the processing of produce and for inflation and wealth to the area. The growth of London local industries, particularly for the powering of paper and provided an increasing market and Hertfordshire became a silk mills. Examples include Hatfield paper mill, which was source of homes and estates for new farmers and London converted from a fulling mill, and the silk throwing mill in merchants. Manors changed hands rapidly: a wealth of Watford. Woodcrafts were important for furniture making Elizabethan and Jacobean houses remain from this period and corn for straw hat and plait making. and mark a number of major building phases. Examples Barley was grown for malt, making ‘Maltings’ an include Hatfield House, built by Robert Cecil in 1607, and important part of the Hertfordshire landscape, the valleys Balls Park and Tyttenhanger designed by the architect Peter of the Lee and Stort now being the cradles of the industry Mills. Mid-17th century houses often adopted the Dutch in Britain. Inns are consequently an important feature of gable style, as seen at Rohamstead, while in the late 17th the villages. and 18th centuries brick buildings were common. Modern communications, roads and waterways have made Much medieval parkland in Hertfordshire was disemparked a lasting impact on this area, allowing the export of goods through the demand for profitable farming, eg Theobalds, into London and the industrial revolution to reach west one of William Cecil’s parks. The site today is covered by Hertfordshire. Canals provided cheap transport for paper Cedars Public Park. Cassiobury is an example of an and silk. Factories, strikes, commuters and intellectuals impressive surviving park. Capability Brown and Humphry arrived in the county. Repton both worked on many of Hertfordshire’s parklands. The railway landscape of the 18th century determined the Follies and tombs remain as 18th century evidence of routes which major communications have subsequently landlord influence, including the grotto at Amwell built by followed, the original routes in themselves being heavily the poet John Scott and the tombs at St Alban’s Abbey. influenced by local opposition, as in the case of Watford The narrow winding lanes, high hedges, ends and greens, Tunnel. The Welwyn Viaduct (1848) designed by Lewis hints of ancient furlongs, strip farming and individual Cubitt is a lasting monument of the railways. clearings are a legacy of past agricultural practice. The The area is now a zone of commuter homes, new towns reversed ‘S’ of the open furlongs can be seen to have and the Garden Cities of Ebenezer Howard, distorted by dictated the piecemeal enclosure which continued into the the trunk roads and M1 running from London northwards. 20th century. The least fertile areas were the earliest It is a consequence of London’s expansion, a new landscape cultivated and the corn land of the heavy clay uplands was superimposed upon the earlier, human landscape. the first to be enclosed. Grazing continued on the wide greens along the roadsides, which can still be seen. The pattern in the 18th century was of small irregular shaped fields resulting from enclosed furlongs, some unenclosed furlongs and unenclosed waste in the west. Associated settlement patterns were scattered; hamlets and isolated farmhouses on winding lanes remaining today. Ley farming was common in the 16th century and the floating of water meadows to keep off frost in the 17th century. By the 18th century, however, new crops were seen and crop rotation practised. Clover, turnips, barley,

peas, fallow, wheat and oats typified the mixture of crops BILL MEADOWS seen. William Ellis was a popular agricultural writer of this The plateaux contain several medium sized towns amongst the time. Hedges were regularly layered - ‘plashed’ and the largest of which are Hertford, St Albans,Welwyn GC and Hatfield. All, such as Hertford here, are located within the river valleys cuttings used for fuel. reflecting the historical use of the valleys as a means of access. Parliamentary enclosure was later (1845) and largely confined to the remaining unenclosed wastes and commons Buildings and Settlement as piecemeal enclosure had already transformed the arable The plateaux contain several medium-sized towns as well as areas. Large rectangular fields, thorn hedges and straight several smaller towns and villages. The river valleys contain roads from village nuclei to the parish boundary with wide most of the largest settlements in the area including among grass verges are all a consequence. others Watford, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield Hertfordshire was considered the first and best corn county and Hertford. Their location within the valleys reflects the in England, largely due to its proximity to London. historical use of the valleys as a means of access into the

118 heart of the area allowing for the clearance of the ancient The Changing Countryside ‘wildwood’. Having been cleared, the valleys developed as the main routes through the area and provided good sites ● Loss of trees through Dutch Elm disease. for early settlements. The valleys had easy access to water, ● Loss of hedgerows due to field enlargement. were dry and sheltered, and also had good soils for agricultural development. ● Inappropriate management of set-aside land has led to an unkempt and muddled appearance to the landscape in Land Cover some areas.

The eastern part of the plateaux is heavily wooded with ● Major roads such as the M1 and A1 have a major some traditional coppice woodland, with oak as standards influence on the character of the landscape. and coppiced hornbeam (the unusual prevalence of ● Pressures for urban-related developments including hornbeam related to its historical use as a quality firewood electricity pylons and general industrial development which crop for London). Several areas have not been coppiced for add clutter and appear discordant within the landscape. many years, allowing the coppice stand to grow into quite Associated problems such as fly-tipping and vandalism can dense ‘high forest’ with a limited understorey and reduced also have a marked affect on landscape character. wildlife value. Where coppicing has been maintained or reintroduced, the woods have developed a multi-layered ● Agriculture has become a less dominant land use and canopy creating an interesting appearance as well as being recreation, both formal and informal, has become a of greater ecological benefit. Birch and ash are also frequent significant land use. in this area. The more western part of this region is less ● Green Belt designation has created development pressure on heavily wooded due to its proximity to a greater number adjacent landscapes while at the same becoming neglected of Roman roads such as Watling Street, now the A1(M), due to the ‘hope value’ of the land for future development. which would have allowed for easier clearance. This area has also been subject to greater pressure for development ● Gravel extraction has altered the character of the due to settlements along this road. riverside landscapes.

Field patterns vary, with those in the east being small and Shaping the Future often organic in form. Some still look as though cut out from the ‘wildwood’ and provide examples of ● The conservation of woodlands and hedgerows partially wood/pasture agriculture. The western part of this region through promotion of economically viable uses of these having been more extensively developed has a mix of features would ensure their continuity. ancient organic fields with the more rigid forms of the later Enclosure Act fields. Most fields are defined by hedges ● Agri-environmental schemes are needed to help enhance although fences are becoming more common, in particular the landscape and nature-conservation value of farmland. in areas associated with horse grazing. ● The encouragement of appropriate land management in The river valleys contain some of the largest blocks of smaller farms would help retain the traditional, hedged, woodland in the county. The names of some of these irregular field shapes. woods give an indication of their species although many ● An overall strategy would help enhance the character of have been felled and replanted with non-indigenous the landscape within the Green Belt. species, such as former lime-woods which are now coniferous plantation. These woods often follow and ● A coordinated programme of river valley restoration accentuate the valley form, following the contours of the should be considered. valley sides above flat and predominantly open valley floors. Large tracts of heathland were once widespread Selected References but are now only found as isolated remnants within Munby, L M (1977), The Hertfordshire Landscape, Hodder commons such as Bricketwood Common or Colney Heath and Stoughton, London. Common. In many places, the fields in the river valleys are large and open and the few hedges that do remain are Hertfordshire Planning and Environmental Department often neglected remnants. Much of the valley land is (1995), Pre-draft of Hertfordshire Landscape Strategy, under arable production. The Lee Valley contains a mix Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire. of gravel pits and heavy industrial development but is important as a recreational and wildlife resource, as are Glossary the Thames Water reservoirs which form significant landscape features. plash: make or renew a hedge to enclose a wood 119 Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges

Key Characteristics

● Well wooded and prominent hills and ridges on a belt of sand often referred to as the ‘Bagshot Hills’ stretching through Essex from Epping Forest to Tiptree.

● Wooded commons with ancient and some secondary woodland defined in many places by peripheral medieval wood banks. Also notable medieval and later historic homes and their parks.

● Historically scattered and relatively sparse settlement pattern largely obliterated by modern developments

including extensive residential developments and AGENCY JOHN TYLER/COUNTRYSIDE large towns. Wet grassland pastures in the many flood plains are a valuable habitat as well as a strong landscape feature.This example is ● Landscape flattens out further north defined by straight on the northern edge of the Thames Basin at Hornestreet and regular field patterns of late enclosure comprising in Essex. of arable, horticulture and market gardening uses. The ridges of Epping Forest, Brentwood to High Wood, ● Some significant areas of well-hedged landscape and Thorndon to Billericay and Danbury to Wickham Bishops ancient, semi-natural woodlands. are dissected by the valleys of the rivers Roding, Wid and Chelmer. The Ter, Brain and Blackwater also contribute to Landscape Character the drainage of much of the area while Hanningfield Reservoir provides a notable body of open water. The wooded hills and ridges form a transition zone between the South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland, which covers Historical and Cultural Influences a large area of Essex to the north-west, and the lower lying London Clay Lowlands to the south-east. The higher land within the Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges was originally extensively commoned before gradually There are several ridges including Epping Forest, Hainault, becoming enclosed into small farms and crofts. In contrast, Thorndon, Galleywood and the Danbury to Tiptree ridge. the lower ground such as around Ingatestone and These ridges are formed by the resistant beds of the Hanningfield was essentially a tight patchwork of fields as underlying Bagshot Sands. shown on Tudor maps. Most are crowned by characteristic woods, some of which Wooded commons were widespread during the medieval are ancient with areas of secondary woodland on former period such as Tiptree Heath, a partly compartmented common land. wood-pasture where a complex system of byelaws dictated woodcutting. Late enclosure had a major effect Physical Influences on these commons and few remnants remain today. Thorndon Country Park does contain remnants of The hills and ridges rise above the London Clay lowlands Childerditch Common which have been preserved by the to an altitude of approximately 100 m AOD and are capped incorporation of the common into Thorndon Park during in most instances by ancient drift gravels which overlie the the 18th century. fine sands of the Bagshot Beds. The highest point is Danbury Hill at 116 m AOD. The soils are easily cultivated Deer were introduced into substantial areas of wood- but inherently very acid and stony and of low natural pasture during the 12th century to establish the Royal fertility. Numerous springs give rise to wet soils at the base Forests of Epping, Hainault, Wintry and Writtle. Here, of the Bagshot Beds and contribute to the generally limited Forest Law protected the king’s deer and governed potential of the hill slopes for agriculture. Paleosols occur woodcutting within the Forest. The Forest wood-pastures, in the Drift gravels, examples of which are preserved where cattle, pigs, sheep and deer were grazed among undisturbed in woodland at Epping Forest, Warley (south pollarded trees, gradually gave way to extensive grazing of Brentwood) and at High Wood. plains. Enclosure and agricultural improvements of the 19th

120 century destroyed much of the remaining Forest lands – The Changing Countryside only Epping bears a resemblance to its former existence. Epping Forest was purchased by the Corporation of London ● New roads and improvements, urban developments and for Londoners by Act of Parliament – a significant cultural unsympathetic location of overhead power lines are influence on this particular landscape feature. major changes that have affected the landscape.

Woodlands were typically extensively defined and ● Loss of tree cover to Dutch Elm disease and to embanked during the Middle Ages. Between 1250 and 1330 storm damage. a large number of deer parks were created on private land. ● Damage to archaeological features from development and These parks were contained within a perimeter fence and agriculture. usually contained some woodland which was often managed as compartmented coppices but also as uncompartmented ● Pressures for new golf course developments. pollards and grazing. Many of these parks have reverted to ● Pressures from increases in recreational use of the area. woodland with their parkland origins remaining in their names such as Park Wood. ● There have been major losses of ancient semi-natural The settlement pattern was largely one of scattered villages woodland after the second world war, especially during within a landscape that was relatively sparsely populated. the 1950s and 1960s, as a result of conifer planting and An important Roman road ran north to south through the incremental clearance of the woodlands. Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges connecting Colchester Shaping the Future with London, the route of which is now followed by the modern A12. ● Opportunities should be considered to support the existing woodland character. Buildings and Settlement ● New planting would soften hard edges around The historical scattered and relatively sparse settlement settlements and individual buildings. pattern has been largely obliterated by modern developments including extensive residential developments ● Archaeological features are in need of protection and large towns. The present-day pattern of settlement and conservation. follows the 19th century pattern of dispersion around an ● The area has a number of neglected and insensitively area where population was concentrated in numerous managed ancient woodlands and veteran trees. nucleated settlements which have since developed into substantial urban areas. ● Many parklands are in need of conservation and protection. The A12, a former Roman road, comprises a major communications route through the character area Selected References connecting London with Colchester and the port of Harwich beyond. Scarfe N (nd), Essex: A Shell Guide, Shell. Milton P (1991), Essex Landscape Conservation Programme Land Cover 1977-1989: A Review, Essex County Council, Chelmsford. This area includes the most wooded parts of Essex, with Edwards, A C (1978), A History of Essex (Fourth Edition), the hilltops and ridges crowned by woods. Many of these Phillimore, London. woods are quite ancient with large areas of secondary Essex County Council (1992), The Essex Environment: A woodland on former common land. Report on the State of the County’s Environment, Essex County Farmland in the lower lying areas is usually in the form of Council, Chelmsford. medium-size fields in regular or irregular layouts, with patches of small irregular fields often of greater antiquity. Glossary The areas of Epping Forest and Hainault Forest have been AOD: Above Ordnance Datum largely unaffected by modern-day developments.

121 within these lowlands. They are well-wooded, but much London Clay Lowlands urbanised by the developments around Rayleigh and Southend.

Key Characteristics Physical Influences

● Flat, extensive tract of traditionally unproductive This landscape character area is underlain largely by London farmland on heavy clay soils. Clay, the dominant geological constituent of the London Basin. In the south the clay is overlain by river gravels and ● Very sparse settlement pattern of hamlets and a alluvium. The clay plain is broken only by the group of hills few villages. at Rayleigh, Langdon and Hockley, formed of the sandy ● Ancient planned landscape of long hedgerow Bagshot Beds capping the London Clay. boundaries and rectangular fields of mainly pasture - a The generally flat and typically gently undulating lowlands contrast to the more evolved landscape of the adjacent are drained by numerous streams such as the Roach, boulder clays, wooded hills and ridges, and coast. Crouch and Blackwater which merge before widening out ● Historical dominance of elm in the shrub and tree into the flat marshes to the east. To the north, the tiny content of hedgerows. Layer Brook has been dammed on its way to the Roman river to form Abberton Reservoir. ● The overall landscape pattern reflects the simple rectilinear character of the fields and hedgerows. Most soils are heavy clays although lighter soils occur in some footslope positions. On level sites, winter ● The open expanse of Abberton Reservoir provides waterlogging over impermeable subsoils is severe and contrast to predominantly enclosed nature of drainage is needed to improve the soil for arable crops. the landscape. Traditionally, the land was ploughed on the ‘stetch’, a form of ridge and furrow that promoted limited surface run-off. Landscape Character Most of the ‘stetches’ have been ploughed out and The London Clay Lowlands lie south and east of the Essex underdrainage systems using clay pipes installed. Wooded Hills and Ridges, within the Northern Thames Basin, stretching from the outer suburbs of London at Grays and Thurrock, north-eastwards to the Dengie peninsula and the south side of Maldon. It embraces the town of Basildon, the village of Tolleshunt D’Arcy and the Abberton Reservoir and extends to include the Langdon and Hockley Hills. Much of the area is separated from the North Sea by the Greater Thames Estuary character area. The field patterns and boundaries of this area display the characteristics of early planned landscapes, which contrast MARK BOULTON/COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY MARK BOULTON/COUNTRYSIDE with the evolved landscape of the boulder clay plateaux and The alluvial sands and gravel overlaying the London Clay are river valleys to the north and west. The field arrangements heavily extracted.This is a dominant land use in areas particularly close to the London fringe in the south of the character area. follow a simple roughly rectilinear pattern except where crossed by main water courses; some abut long hedgerow Historical and Cultural Influences boundaries stretching for miles. These ancient patterns are considered to be Roman or possibly earlier. The London Clay Lowlands are characterised by their Traditionally, arable farming has been difficult owing to the planned landscapes created on a very large scale during the heavy and rather infertile nature of the clay. This has led Roman period. Over two large areas, a pattern of rectilinear to sparse settlement and an emphasis on pasture. The landscape division exists based on axes which run straight for general arable use today is recent in historical terms. considerable distances, regardless of the local grain of the landscape. This pattern covers virtually the whole of the A characteristic of the region is the historic dominance of non-marshland part of the Dengie peninsula and the area elm which once provided both the tree and shrub content from Thurrock in the south-west, north-eastwards to of hedgerows. The outbreak of Dutch Elm disease in the Wickford. It represents Roman field boundaries which are 1970s virtually destroyed the once considerable population considered to be have been Imperial estates. The historical of standing trees in the farmed landscape. interest of these areas is often very subtle: indeed, the The south-east Essex Hills around Langdon, Hockley and straightness of the hedges are easily interpreted as a sign of Rayleigh comprise the only pronounced rise in topography late enclosure. Moreover, the loss of hedgerow elm has left 122 the landscape looking neglected and featureless. Abberton Reservoir forms a notable feature within the area with its convoluted shoreline and surface area of more than There is evidence of early Saxon occupation of the four square kilometres. Lowlands, especially in archaeological finds around Mucking in the south, and Rawreth and Wickford are possibly Saxon Large and regular fields of ley pastures dominate the poor settlements. Over many centuries, the Saxons carved out ley heavy clay soils with intensive arable crops such as wheat settlements within the wooded ribbons and by 1086 much and barley limited to a few improved areas where of the present day Essex landscape had already taken shape. underdrainage systems have been installed. Hedgerows are generally species-poor with a high preponderance of Seventeen groves dating from at least 1650 exist in the area blackthorn. The outbreak of Dutch Elm disease in the of the Grays Thurrock pits surrounded by much 1970s virtually destroyed the population of elm hedges, elm development and mineral extraction. hedgerow trees and field trees within the farmed landscape Wooded commons, a form of wood-pasture often with but elm is now managing a comeback as a hedge species. elaborate byelaws governing woodcutting, were also a Various types of development and significant mineral historical feature of this area. The largest and most highly extraction dominates the area around Grays and Thurrock, organised example of a wooded common was the partly with substantial sand and gravel pits visible in the alluvial compartmented Tiptree Heath west of Abberton Reservoir. deposits that overlay the London Clay. However, most wooded commons were uncompartmented, with grassland and pollard trees. Like all Essex Commons, The Changing Countryside these were greatly diminished by late enclosure. London Clay soils are often difficult to cultivate and only ● Past emphasis on arable production over the more sufficiently friable for cultivation over a very limited traditional pasture use is contrary to the inherently period. Farming in this area was traditionally mixed and infertile nature of the chalk-less heavy clay soils. permanent grassland would have been dominant here. The ● Recent loss of former comprehensive tree and hedgerow intensive wheat and barley production seen today is the elm cover, through Dutch Elm disease. result of ploughing and fertilising in response to agricultural ● Urban developments have extended out from London to policies of the 1950s and 1960s. influence much of the area, including the development of commuter settlements along major transport routes to Buildings and Settlement the capital.

The town of Basildon began life as a post-second world war ● Pressures for mineral extraction. new town developed in response to the then current Government policy to reduce pressure on London housing. Shaping the Future Southend is a 19th century seaside resort. Many of the villages and towns within the London Clay Lowlands are commuter ● Conservation of hedgerows should be considered through settlements servicing the capital, the outer suburbs of which traditional coppicing techniques and, where appropriate, include such settlements as Grays and Thurrock. replanting of hedgerows – in particular with elm. Traditional buildings are of timber with brownish red plain- ● The conservation of margins within arable fields is tiled roofs. Weatherboarding is usually more typical than important to the area. colour-washed plaster as the principal walling material. The Selected References weatherboards are often painted white although traditionally they were painted black or tarred. The browns Milton, P (1991), Essex Landscape Conservation Programme and reds of the tiled roofs form a contrast with the black 1972-1989: A Review, Essex County Council, Chelmsford. or white painted weatherboards. Jarvis, S M and Harrison, C T (undated), In Search of Essex, Land Cover Essex Countryside, Letchworth. Edwards, A C (1978), A History of Essex (Fourth Edition), The ‘plotland’ woods of Laindon and Thundersley are a Phillimore, London. distinctive landscape feature found on former urbanised land where woods have sprung up on the sites adding Essex County Council (1992), The Essex Environment: A interest and variety. Further interest and variety is provided Report on the State of the County’s Environment, Essex County by the hills around Langdon, Hockley and Rayleigh. These Council, Chelmsford. hills are quite well wooded relative to the surrounding land Buckley, D G (ed), (1980), Archaeology in Essex to AD 1500: but have been heavily developed due to their location close Research Report No 34, The Council for British Archaeology, to Rayleigh and Southend. London. 123 River valleys form notable areas of often enclosed landscape Essex Heathlands within the broad plateau. These range from narrow steep- sided valleys with abundant woodland and small, well- Key Characteristics hedged fields to more gentle valleys with wider floodplains and lush waterside vegetation. ● Intensively farmed plateau encompassing an area of former heaths and commons on soils derived from Some clusters of woodland, many of which are ancient, are ancient river deposits, much of which has an open, scattered throughout the area. However, much of the often relatively treeless character. plateau has an open almost treeless character due to the loss of field boundaries in many areas. ● Arable farming more common to the north, although horticulture and market gardening is also quite evident, Physical Influences particularly around the former heaths near Colchester. Broadly, the plateau landform is relatively flat with only minor ● Straight and regular field patterns reflect the planned undulations in relief. Notable variations include the locally characteristics of late enclosure of this area and steep-sided slopes of the Stour, Colne and Roman river valleys despite the presence of arable farming many which, together with their tributaries, drain the plateau before hedgerows and woodlands have been retained. discharge into the North Sea along the Essex coast. ● Abundance of archaeological features and remains The surface geology of the Essex Heathlands is dominated identified by cropmarks and overlain by later by sands and gravels deposited by a proto-Thames river, physical features including hedgerows. before it was diverted by ice sheets to its present course. ● Clusters of woodland, many of which are semi- Locally, around Tendring, deposits of wind-borne silty natural and of ancient origin. loam overlie the sands and gravels.

● Intricate pattern of hidden creeks and small valleys The soils are generally light and free-draining, supporting extending the influence of the coastal marshes inland. mainly pasture and areas of heathland. Less extensive but more fertile loams tend to support arable farming. Landscape Character Historical and Cultural Influences The Essex Heathlands, part of the Northern Thames Basin, are broadly bounded by the estuary of the river Stour and the Although not as rich in visible archaeology as some other Suffolk Coast and Heaths to the north, while the London Clay areas of Essex, numerous historic sites exist in the Lowlands and the Essex Wooded Hills and Ridges run into Heathlands especially around the Colchester area. These the area from the west. To the east lie the coastal marshes of include old mills, crop marks, earthworks, hill forts, ancient the Greater Thames Estuary framed by the North Sea beyond. settlement sites with associated barrows and prominent Roman castles. The light soils of the Heathlands, considered The area essentially comprises a broad sandy plateau to have been relatively open and unwooded since prehistoric developed on soils derived from ancient river deposits. times, are particularly rich in buried archaeological remains Historically it was dominated by extensive heaths and that range from early Stone Age peoples to remains commons as shown by maps of the late 18th century where associated with the Roman occupation of the area. heaths embraced much of the land north of Colchester as far as Dedham. However, the area is now generally characterised Heathland was an important resource during medieval times by small isolated pockets of largely scrub-dominated heathland in this area of Essex. Heaths were used extensively as within a mixed agricultural landscape. In contrast to the more pasture under commoners rights and heather and furze typical farming landscapes within Essex, much of the area is were cut for fuel. Many heaths were still in evidence in the distinguished by a combination of improved grassland and late 18th century and formed a vast network, interspersed arable fields, punctuated by a regimented pattern of by wood-pasture where livestock was grazed amidst horticultural and market gardening on the light sandy soils of coppiced or pollarded woodland. Much of the Heathlands the former heaths. Much of the former heathland has the were subject to late enclosure as evidenced by the straight straight lines and planned characteristics of late enclosure and and regular field patterns, and the mostly enclosed is rich in buried archaeological remains. settlements found within the Tendring plateau. Late enclosure destroyed most of the heathlands and those areas A pattern of small but intricate creeks and small valleys that were left untouched have reverted to woodland. break up the plateau edges where the land falls gently towards the Greater Thames Estuary along the coast. These To the north and east of Colchester are extensive distinctive features extend the coastal influence far inland smallholdings dating to between the first and second world creating contrast and variety. wars. These were established to re-settle the unemployed 124 and homeless of the time and are a significant influence on The small isolated remnants of heathland are largely the landscape in the Boxted and Ardleigh areas. A large dominated by scrub and survive on the poorer soils amongst number of these smallholdings are no longer farmed and the mixed farming where agricultural improvements have current usage does not reflect the agricultural character of not yet been applied. Late enclosure destroyed most of the the area. heathlands and those areas that have been left untouched have now reverted to scrub and woodland. Agricultural land use is generally mixed, with improved pastures, arable fields, horticulture and market gardening typical. The often large and regular fields are predominantly ley pastures with many fields under arable in the northern part of the area. Horticulture and market gardening is particularly evident around the former heaths near Colchester. Woodland cover is typically confined to a few small clusters within the open character of the landscape. Some of these small clusters of woodland are semi-natural and of ancient origin. The typically straight hedges range in quality from

TREVOR J.TREVOR JAMES the predominantly species-poor hedges with few hedgerow The Essex Heathlands and Bagshot Hills lie towards the east of trees, to lengths of more healthy hedges within the arable the area making a distinctive landscape.The broad sandy plateau farmed landscape. now only survives as fragments within the wider arable landscape. The narrow steep-sided river valleys that dissect the broad Buildings and Settlement plateau are relatively well-wooded compared to the wider landscape with small, well-hedged fields that characterise Scattered farms reflect the edge of former heathlands and the floodplains associated with lush waterside vegetation. the pattern of late enclosure, linked by a network of characteristically straight roads. The Changing Countryside The principal building type characteristic of the Essex ● Heathlands are antique timber buildings with Hedgerow loss, due to under-management or overcutting. weatherboarding and white-washed plaster typical as walling ● Set-aside policies have not enhanced the open and materials. Brick is generally more common in the north of intensively farmed character of the landscape. the Heathlands. ● Loss of rural and agricultural character to suburban Colchester, the major settlement in the area, is a fine features. example of a walled Roman settlement and is claimed to be England’s oldest recorded town, dating from 49 AD. Shaping the Future The claim is based on the fine pre-Roman settlement of Cunobelin whose earthworks stand today to the south and ● Woodland matters need to be considered, particularly west of the present day town. Colchester was a thriving the planting of trees around farmsteads and the creation Roman colony until, in 60 AD, its inhabitants were of woodland groups. massacred in the Boudiccan Revolt. As a town, it was again ● The restoration and replanting of hedgerows needs to be thriving by Domesday and built its great wealth on cloth addressed. production and export. Colchester retains part of its Roman city wall, the Selected References Roman/medieval street plan and the Dutch Quarter where immigrant Flemish weavers congregated. Of note, is a Edwards, A C (1978), A History of Essex (fourth edition), suberb example of Victorian civic architecture: the Grade 1 Phillimore, London. listed Town Hall. Milton, P (1991), Essex Landscape Conservation Programme 1977-1989: A Review, Essex County Council, Chelmsford. Land Cover Jarvis, S M and Hamson, C T (undated), In Search of Essex, The widespread occurrence of light free draining sandy soils Essex Countryside, Letchworth. supports mainly pasture and small areas of heathland while Buckley, D G (ed), (1980), Archaeology in Essex to AD 1500: the less extensive but more fertile loams tend to support Research Report No 34, The Council for British Archaeology, more arable farming. London.

125

APPENDICES

Appendix B Copy of the relevant extracts taken from the ‘East Herts Landscape Character Assessment’ 2007.

Summary Assessment Evaluation Guidelines Area HERTFORD HEATH 64

Buntingford

Stevenage

District map showing location of Bishop’s Watton Stortford LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA at Stone ©Crown copyright .All rights reserved. Hertfordshire County Council Sawbridgeworth 100019606 2004 Ware Hertford

Area 64

LOCATION KEY CHARACTERISTICS North of Broxbourne Woods, east of the Bayfordbury and Balls • gently undulating wooded pasture Parklands and west of Great Amwell. • open aspect to east • strong presence of woodland with regular field pattern LANDSCAPE CHARACTER • ancient woodland throughout with heathland An area of gently undulating wooded farmland, much of it pasture, with extensive areas of woodland and heath. At the heart DISTINCTIVE FEATURES of this rural area lies Haileybury College, which also influences the • settlement of Hertford Heath and Haileybury College only settlement in the area, from which it takes its name. The • Ermine Street damp acid grasslands and relic heath are ecologically and visually • Nature Reserve (Balls Wood) and Hertford Heath important. • A10(T) appears to form boundary of urban edge to east

Golders Wood, Hertford Heath (HCC Landscape Unit)

East Herts District Landscape Character Assessment - Page 92 Summary Assessment Evaluation Guidelines HERTFORD HEATH - Area 64

PHYSICAL INFLUENCES Settlements and built form. Hertford Heath is now a sizeable Geology and soils. Slowly permeable seasonally waterlogged fine village, but developed from two seperate hamlets including Little loam and clay soils over chalky till (Beccles 3 series) with some Amwell to the north end around the Goat Public House and similar Windsor series and Hallsworth 1 series soils overlying another hamlet closer to the site of Haileybury College now an boulder clay educational establishment. There are also some isolated farms. Topography. Narrow plateau orientated north-south that slopes to the north and east towards the Lea Valley and more gently OTHER SOURCES OF AREA-SPECIFIC westwards. INFORMATION Degree of slope. Typically 1 in 25 but up to 1 in 10 in the A Biodiversity Action Plan for Hertfordshire, p.82. secondary valleys to the eastern slopes. English Nature SSSI notification. Altitude range. 75m to 98m Pevsner, N. rev. Cherry, B., Hertfordshire, Penguin (2000). Hydrology. There are many ponds within the woodland in this HCC data on historic parks and gardens. area, and several minor watercourses flowing north-eastwards to the river Lea Land cover and land use. This area is wooded farmland, with farmed areas mainly under pasture yet with some localised arable land to the perimiter. Forestry is the dominant land use, with recreational use as a secondary feature. Vegetation and wildlife. This is predominantly a relatively flat de-calcified boulder clay plateau, dominated ecologically by damp acid grasslands, mostly improved but with important remaining old pastures at Dalmonds and by Balls Wood. Several ancient and old secondary woodland blocks are basically acidic/damp oak/hornbeam, botanically rich with Herb Paris, orchids and a range of sedges. Old hornbeam coppice stools are characteristic features along sections of Ermine Street. Balls Wood is partly replanted mixed woodland. The other main feature of the area is the relic wet heath at The Roundings, which although partially scrubbed with oak/birch and aspen, contains open areas which are actively maintained as a nature reserve and contain some rare species including petty whin. Old acidic ponds here are highly important for invertebrates, amphibians and bats. The other half of the heath (Goldingtons) is largely secondary oak/hornbeam. Wild service trees are a feature of many old hedges.

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES Early evidence of human dates from the Bronze Age. Significant finds include ingots and tools associated with bronze manufactured and a chieftain’s chariot grave found in 1956 north of Trinity Road. The historic pattern of this area today is both apparent and widespread, with a mix of ancient woodland, a medievel settlement and an early 19th-century educational establishment. Haileybury College was designed in 1806 by William Wilkins (who designed Downing College, Cambridge and University College, London) as a training school for the East India Company. Repton visited in 1808, the year before it opened. He skilfully adapted three rectangular brick pits to form two sinuous pools and an island, and visually combined the two pools by careful planting to give the impression of a wide, meandering river through the park Field pattern. The field pattern is irregular and small to medium in scale, with grazing sheep. Adjacent to Balls Wood the field size is larger, where fields are subdivided by fencing for horse pasture. Transport pattern. Elbow Lane is part of Ermine Street and contributes its Roman strictness of line, despite the modern surfacing. Roads in this area are narrow and sinuous, except for the A10(T) which curves around the eastern boundary; verges are variable and not notable.

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VISUAL AND SENSORY PERCEPTION ACCESSIBILITY There are few views into this area, due to the density of No recreational land uses were noted during the survey, although woodland and the lack of roads. From within views are limited by there is a limited network of footpaths. Ermine Street forms part hedgerows and woodland. This is a small to medium scale of a north-south route but its character has been eroded by contained landscape, with large woodland blocks balanced by transformation to a gravelled/tarmac access road. Equestrian small to medium fields. It is in many ways a simple landscape, activity is widespread. coherent, ancient and tranquil, save for the constant hum of vehicles on the A10(T). COMMUNITY VIEWS Rarity and distinctiveness. Although the farmland is not unusual, This area is regarded as distinctive, largely on account of its the architecture of the college is notable. Hertford Heath SSSI is woodlands (D). important as a fine example of a threatened habitat in southern England, now rare in the county. LANDSCAPE RELATED DESIGNATIONS SSSI: Hertford Heath. VISUAL IMPACT There appears to have been little land-use change in this area, possibly minor changes from pasture to arable. The main impact is that of the high embankments of the transport corridor (A10(T)), which is limited to the eastern side of the area. Hertford Heath appears to have accommodated 20th-century housing within its envelope, rather than on its edge, and it has no significant impact on the wider landscape.

CONDITION STRENGTH OF CHARACTER Land cover change: insignificant Impact of landform: apparent Age structure of tree cover: mature Impact of land cover: prominent Extent of semi-natural habitat survival: fragmennted Impact of historic pattern: continuous Management of semi-natural habitat: good Visibility from outside: concealed Survival of cultural pattern: intact Sense of enclosure: partial Impact of built development: low Visual unity: coherent Impact of land-use change: low Distinctiveness/rarity: unusual

Strengthen Conserve Safeguard and and and reinforce strengthen manage

Improve Improve Conserve and and and reinforce conserve restore CONDITION Restore Improve condition Reconstruct and to maintain POOR MODERATE GOOD restore character

WEAK MODERATE STRONG

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

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STRATEGY AND GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING CHANGE: CONSERVE AND RESTORE • encourage landowners to safeguard existing hedges, increase hedged field boundaries, create permanent grass strips around field margins and prevent spray drift, using financial incentives as available. • encourage the reversion of arable to pasture and management to mazimise biodiversity potential • promote crop diversification and the maintenance of mixed farming in this area • promote the creation of buffer zones between intensive arable production and important semi-natural habitats and the creation of links between semi-natural habitats to form ecological corridors • encourage woodland planting on poor quality agricultural land, where this is in keeping with local landscape character, is on the site of former woodland or can provide an ecological link to other woodlands or habitat. Use only locally indigenous species, of local provenance if possible. • ensure that any proposed woodland planting will contribute to the local landscape rather than impoverishing or destroying an existing and valued habitat or historic artefact, such as a bank or ditch • ensure that proposed improvement to the landscape within Landscape Conservation/Development Areas will reinforce and contribute to the distinctiveness of the local landscape character and that they will not jeopardize any existing area of historic, ecological or landscape significance • resist any development, reclamation or drainage of heathland areas and areas adjacent to them • promote the re-establishment of low-density stock grazing for the management of heathland habitats • resist any development or change of use that might affect or diminish the distinctiveness and integrity of this landscape character area, unless it can be effectively and immediately screened in a manner that would not in itself have a negative impact on local landscape character

View north from Goldings Wood (HCC Landscape Unit)

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