Planning Cumbria Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 – 2016 Technical Paper 5 Landscape Character Preface to Technical Paper 5 Landscape Character 1. The Deposit Structure Plan includes a policy (Policy E33) on landscape character, while the term landscape character is also used in other policies. It is important that there is clear understanding of this term and how it is to be applied in policy terms. 2. This report has been commissioned by the County Council from CAPITA Infrastructure Consultancy in Carlisle. It is currently not endorsed by the County Council. On receipt of comments the County Council will re draft the report and then publish it as a County Council document. The final version will replace two previous publications: Technical paper No 4 (1992) on the Assessment of County Landscapes and the Cumbria Landscapes Classification (1995). 3. The report explains how landscape has been characterised in Cumbria (outside the National Parks) using landscape types and provides details of the classification into 37 landscape types and sub types. A recent review of the classification of County Landscapes (now termed Landscapes of County Importance) and their detailed boundaries are also included. 4. It should be noted that this report does not constitute Structure Plan Policy. It provides background information to enable the policy to be implemented and monitored. 5. Comments on this report should be sent to: Mike Smith Countryside and Landscape Officer Cumbria County Council County Offices Kendal Cumbria LA9 4RQ Tel: 01539 773427 E Mail: [email protected] i CUMBRIA AND LAKE DISTRICT JOINT STRUCTURE PLAN Landscape Character Contents page number 1 Introduction • Scope of the Technical Paper 3 • Structure of the Technical Paper 3 2 Context in relation to the Structure Plan • Description of Cumbria’s Landscape 5 • Relationship to Statutory & Non Statutory 5 Designations within the County • The Landscape Character Policy 5 • National and Regional Guidance 6 • Forces That Affect Landscape Character 8 3 Landscape Characterisation • Cumbria’s Landscape Classification Methodology 15 • Cumbria’s Landscape Classification 17 4 Indicators for Monitoring Landscape Change • Table summarising all indicators 108 Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 1 5. Appendices Appendix 1 Landscapes of County Importance (LOCI) 110 Appendix 2 Historic Landscape Characterisation 112 Appendix 3 Ecology 114 Appendix 4 References 118 Appendix 5 Glossary of Landscape Terms 119 6. Plans • Plan 1: Landscape Classification • Plan 2: Landscapes of County Importance (LOCI) Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 2 Section 1: Introduction cover), cultural (land use/management and land patterns) and natural factors Scope of the Technical Paper (geology/ landform). 1.1 This technical paper aims to provide a clear understanding of Landscape 1.5 It provides information for Planning, Character and how it has been defined in Development Control and Environmental Cumbria. It updates and rationalises two Impact Assessments (EIAs) in Cumbria previous publications, namely the (outside of the Lake District National Assessment of County Landscapes Park). Technical Paper No 4 (published in July 1992) and the Cumbria Landscape 1.6 This document’s relationship to the Classification (published in October 1995). current Structure Plan is outlined in Section 2. It describes generally the 1.2 Landscape Character is only one of landscape of the County, its relationship to many considerations when analysing our statutory and non-statutory designations, environment and proposals for policies and to national and regional development. Other considerations relate guidance. Factors that change landscape to socio-economic, land use planning and character and the significance of tranquil quality of life factors. It is important that areas defined by the Council for the all issues are considered together, to Protection of Rural England is also achieve balanced, holistic decision- summarised. making. 1.7 Section 3 describes the landscape 1.3 The Joint Structure Plan includes a character of Cumbria, through the policy (policy E3) on Landscape classification of generic landscape Character. Other policies within the character types and then more specific Structure Plan also refer to the term landscape character sub-types. Details Landscape Character. on characteristics, location, natural, cultural and historic associations provide further information. Photographs give Structure of the Technical Paper visual representations of both the 1.4 The Technical Paper provides a landscape character types and sub-types. description of the Cumbrian landscape and its associated features, together with 1.8 Section 4 provides information on analysis of historic (evolution of land measurable characteristics which can be Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 3 monitored and gauge change in landscape character. 1.9 Section 5 contains appendices 1-5 1.10 The plans showing Cumbrian landscape character types, sub-types and Landscapes Of County Importance are located in Section 6. Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 4 Section 2: Context In Relation To Relationship to Statutory and Non- Current Structure Plan Statutory Landscape Designations 2.4 The high quality of this environment Description of Cumbria’s Landscape has been recognised by designating the 2.1 The landscape of Cumbria is unique. central core of the county as the Lake Its outstanding scenery ranges from the District National Park and an inclusion of open coastlands, estuaries and salt part of the county in the Yorkshire Dales marshes through breathtaking lakes and National Park. fells to gentle agricultural lowlands. Each area of Cumbria is individual, formed 2.5 Other landscapes have been through the influences of varied geology, acknowledged nationally to be landscapes soils and the influences of man over the of the highest quality, an example being last 5000 years. They are woven together Hadrian’s Wall Military Zone World to create the complex fabric of the Heritage Site, whilst the North Pennines, County’s landscape. The diverse Solway Coast and Arnside/Silverdale are topography exposes fine valleys created Areas Outstanding Natural Beauty. In from past glacial activity, geological addition a short length of coast at St Bees features, woodland and pasture. Head has been designated as Heritage Coast. In recognition of the uniqueness 2.2 The county is home to rare native and rarity of limestone pavements, 41 plants and animals, such varied flora and areas in the County outside the National fauna makes nature conservation and Parks have been covered by Limestone habitat value in Cumbria very high. Pavement Orders designed to protect this unique habitat and landscape feature. 2.3 Archaeological, cultural and historic links with the past are plentiful, often The Landscape Character Policy defining landscape character. These 2.6 Policy E33 of the Joint Structure Plan elements are constantly evident and is as follows: respected, maintaining a traditional thread throughout the hamlets, farms, villages Policy E33 Landscape Character and towns of Cumbria. These aspects are 2.7 “Development and land use change expanded upon within the Landscape should be compatible with the distinctive Characterisation detailed text (See section characteristics and features of Cumbria’s 3). landscapes as defined by the `Landscape Map’ in Figure 8 and the `Cumbria Historic Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 5 Landscape Characterisation Programme’. county perspective and are designated Proposals will be assessed in relation to: County Landscapes due to this. • Locally distinctive natural or built 2.9 The methodology, further definition features and plans of Landscapes of County • Visual intrusion or impact Importance is outlined in Appendix 1 and • Scale in relation to the landscape Plan 2: Landscapes of County and features Importance. • The character of the built environment National and Regional Guidance • Public access and community 2.10 This Technical Paper has taken into value of the landscape account the following National and • Historic patterns and attributes Regional guidance: • Biodiversity features, ecological networks and semi-natural 2.11 Planning Policy Guidance no 7: The habitats Countryside – Environmental Quality and • Openness, remoteness and Economic and Social Development tranquillity (1997) contains a section on the government’s policy relating to the In addition, development and land use character of the countryside and The change detrimental to the distinctive Character of England Map. The approach character of landscape designated as of outlined should “help in accommodating County Importance will not be permitted, necessary change without sacrificing local except where required to meet local character. It can help ensure that infrastructure needs, which cannot be development respects or enhances the located elsewhere and which is sited to distinctive character of the land and the minimise environmental impacts and built environment.” meets high standards of design.” 2.12 Planning Tomorrow’s Countryside 2.8 Landscapes of County Importance (2000) outlines the importance of (LOCI) consist of rural areas within landscape character in relation to Cumbria, which have not previously been implementing sustainable development designated