Kirk Ireton Conservation Area Appraisal

Kirk Ireton Conservation Area Appraisal 5. Landscape Context LANDSCAPE CONTEXT valleys have been cut. Slopes are moderate but steepen along these valleys. The boundary of the Kirk Ireton Conservation Area was extended in November 1992 to include Soils reflect the geology and steepness of slope. its historic landscape setting because it was All are agriculturally poor and, as a consequence, considered to make such a strong contribution the dominant land use is permanent grassland to the special character of the area. for pasture or hay. Occasional arable fields exist where the better drained soils are found. The surroundings have been shaped by medieval agricultural practise where the surviving pattern Key wildlife habitats are provided by the of field boundaries, sunken lanes and footpaths network of watercourses and belts of woodland reflects the pre-enclosure landscape and hedgerows which link isolated patches of habitat present within the farmed landscape. Patches of heathy acid grassland with bracken, gorse and occasional heather occupy the thin, well drained soils over the sandstone. Bracken is wide-spread along field boundaries and roadside verges. Blocks of semi-natural woodland, many of ancient origin, are widespread within the landscape type occupying the steeper slopes and areas of heavy soil within the valleys. These blocks tend to be small to medium sized and irregular in outline. Oakwood – sessile oak View from the boundary of the Conservation Area to the (Quercus petraea), pendunculate oak (Quercus north at Moor Lane. robur), downy birch (Betula pubescens), silver birch (Betula pendula), holly (Ilex aquifolium), Landscape Character rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), and hazel (Corylus avellana) – predominates on the acid soils. The The Conservation Area falls within the Wooded lower lying ground where flushed slopes and Slopes and Valleys landscape type of the waterlogged ground is present supports small Derbyshire peak Fringe and Lower Derwent areas of wet woodland with ash (Fraxinus landscape character and the surrounding excelsior, birch (Betula spp), hazel and alder landscape is broadly typical of the type. (Alnus glutinosa). Landscape Character Map Hedgerow trees of oak, ash and holly strongly influence landscape character as do the sinuous lines of trees – particularly alder – that follow the stream valleys. Fields tend to be small and enclosed by hedgerows where hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), holly, hazel, field maple (Acer campestre) and ash are dominant and, occasionally, dry stone walls. The field pattern is often irregular suggesting that the fields were cleared directly from woodland with trees and shrubs left standing to create the hedgerows. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent There is a dense network of winding lanes many of which, on the steeper slopes, are sunken, along with farm access tracks and footpaths. Wooded Slopes and Valleys Local Wildlife Sites The local landform is strongly influenced by the This is a non-statutory designation afforded to underlying geology of sandstone and Millstone areas identified as important for nature Grit beneath the higher ground, and the softer conservation. The Register of Wildlife Sites is mudstone through which a number of stream maintained by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The 32 designated sites are protected within the land use alternate-leaved golden saxifrage, large bitter policies of the statutory Local Plan. cress and lemon scented fern. There are two Local Wildlife Sites (See Figure The west of the site has been extended to 3a) close to the boundary of the Conservation include a small area of unimproved neutral Area to the east at: grassland with notable species including lady’s bedstraw, oxeye daisy and restharrow. Greenhill Wood Complex (DD267) part of which is just inside the Conservation Protected Trees Area. Bottoms Wood (DD369) which is just The Conservation Area designation provides all outside the Conservation Area trees with a stem girth of 75 mm and above measured one metre above ground level with a Greenhill Wood Complex measure of protection. No felling, lopping or topping of these trees is permitted without Selected Ecological Features: providing six weeks written notice to the Council. Secondary broad-leafed woodland Secondary broad-leafed wet woodland Unimproved neutral grassland An area of 5.03 ha. occupying a narrow stream valley orientated east/ west. The margins are wooded with pendunculate oak, alder, willow (Salix spp), field maple and ash. Hawthorn, hazel, elder and spindle (Euonymus europaeus) are recorded from the understorey and in the more scrub-dominated areas. The field layer includes bluebell, dogs mercury, Trees within the streetscene on Wirksworth Road wood anemone, herb Robert, ivy (Hedera helix), wood sorrel, moschatel and bramble (Rubus In addition Tree Preservation Orders (T.P.O.s) fruticosus). have been placed on two woodlands on the eastern boundary of the Conservation Area: Wetter areas have opposite leaved golden Greenhill Wood Complex – Derbyshire saxifrage, bugle, large bittercress, wild angelica, County Council TPO/032/W35 wood sedge and creeping jenny. Bottoms Wood – Derbyshire County Council TPO/032/W34 There are also small areas of species rich grassland that support herbs like betony, lady’s Works to trees covered by these T.P.O.s can bedstraw, common knapweed, germander only be undertaken with the written consent of speedwell and tormentil. Derbyshire County Council except where they are deemed to be dead, dying or dangerous. It Bottoms Wood may be a requirement to replace any protected tree that is felled with a tree of appropriate Selected Ecological Features: species and size (see Figure 9). Secondary broadleaved woodland Unimproved neutral grassland Land for Sport and Recreation An area of 3.5 ha situated along a narrow stream Areas so designated are protected by Policy L4 valley, the site supports damp, possibly ancient, of the Derbyshire Dales District Council woodland dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica) Adopted Local Plan (2005) which states that and oak with field maple, hawthorn and ash. planning permission will not be granted for any Some veteran trees. development that would prejudice the use of specifically identified sites for sport and Ground flora is restricted in some places by the recreation including: dense canopy, however, more open areas Kirk Ireton – land to the north of Main support a diverse range of species including Street. (see Figure 3a) bluebell, yellow archangel, wood sorrel, 33 The hedgerows contain a wide variety of species including hawthorn, black thorn, elder (Sambucus nigra), privet, field maple, bramble and elm (Ulmus spp). Many contain a high proportion of holly. Hedgerow trees are mainly oak, ash and sycamore. Particular features include: Mature specimen trees in the street scene Sport and recreation at Village Field north of Main Street Public Rights of Way The rights of way system including footpaths, green lanes and bridleways is a most important means of access to and enjoyment of the countryside and is protected by local planning policy. Looking east down Main Street. Mature trees in the middle distance provide the setting for Holy Trinity Church and this part of the village. Local footpath across fields on the northern side of the village DDDC records show a network of public footpaths within the Conservation Area (see Figure 3a). Sycamore tree on the road frontage at The Barley Mow Vegetation As the soils are poor the landscape character Field trees. type is one traditionally associated with woodland. Much of the early settlement and clearance for agricultural purposes was probably achieved through woodland assarting which is reflected in the large number of small, irregular fields with mixed species hedgerows. The main areas of woodland that survive are at Bottoms Wood and Greenhill Wood on the eastern edge of the Conservation Area and it is the fields, hedgerows and hedgerow trees that now provide the principle structure. Mature oak trees within the fields to the south west of the village 34 The collection of maple trees in gardens attached to Green Farm Field Lane Above and below: Trees within the church yard of Holy Trinity Above and Below: Village greens - open spaces at either end of Main Street Narrow lanes: Private gardens: Planting schemes in private gardens, provides a sense of greenery and lush growth which contributes to the attractive nature of the village and complements the rural setting. Top Lons 35 36 KEY Conservation Area Trees, Hedgerows and Woodland Tree Preservation Orders KIRK IRETON CONSERVATION AREA Trees and Woodland FIG 9 Kirk Ireton Conservation Area Appraisal 6. Setting & Character SETTING AND CHARACTER The greater part of the village extends westwards along Main Street which runs back from the edge Preamble and up the slope which rises to approximately 225 This section of the appraisal looks primarily at the metres a.o.d. on this side. Beyond the village, setting of the Conservation Area, identification of ground continues to rise to a ridgeline at views, relationships between the structures and the approximately 243 metres a.o.d. which serves to spaces, landmarks and open spaces that characterise shelter the settlement from the prevailing winds. the area. The general sloping landform is cut through with minor streams and watercourse valleys to create an Kirk Ireton has a unified character which is undulating appearance with localised steep slopes. demonstrated through its historic building core and by the materials used

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