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]

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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

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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)

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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

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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.

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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

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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 as Coastal Heritage, Area of and also states “The character and Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or diversity of the whole landscape is fall within the National Park. These important in an increasingly standardised landscapes are highly valued from a countryside.” The document goes on to

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mention “ Understanding and consideration the advice provided by the acknowledging the diversity of character - currently published Topic Papers. its landscape, wildlife and natural features - is an essential part of all decisions that 2.16 Tranquil Areas have been defined by influence landscape change and the The Council for the Protection of Rural degree of protection that we offer.” England (CPRE) as:

2.13 The Rural White Paper: Our “places which are sufficiently far away Countryside: The Future, A Fair Deal for from the visual or noise intrusion of Rural England (2000) expresses the development or traffic to be considered importance of understanding, evaluating unspoilt by urban influences” and thus and protecting the countryside diversity affecting the visual and landscape and character. Section 9.3 highlights the character of areas. needs of “ensuring that the valued features and attributes of the whole 2.17 By mapping these areas in countryside are conserved and accordance with its own criteria, the enhanced.” CPRE has identified a significant reduction in Tranquil Areas in England 2.14 The Landscape Character (over 20% loss between the 1960’s and Assessment Guidance for England and 1990’s). The importance of safeguarding Scotland, The Countryside Agency and the remaining areas is recognised in the Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) provides Government’s Rural White Paper. comprehensive up to date guidance for character assessment for England and 2.18 Tranquil Areas need to be Scotland and “sets out the full scope of considered in any decision-making activity involved in landscape character regarding development in Cumbria. In assessment,..” . The guidance is aimed at addition to the protection of existing “all those individuals and organisations Tranquil Areas, there are opportunities to whose activities affect the landscape.” mitigate any potential loss of tranquillity and even to restore tranquillity. 2.15 The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage is currently 2.19 Regional Planning Guidance for the writing a series of Topic Papers which North West (RPG13) published by The supplement their guidance document. Government Office for the North West This Technical Paper has taken into contains general policies affecting landscape character as well as a specific

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policy on landscape character (policy English Language). In this context, forces ER2). The general points include linking affecting change to landscape character the state of the region’s environment with include international and national politics, its economic and social well being, human activity, economic climate and protection and enhancement of the rural natural processes. These forces can areas and protection of best and most affect change to a lesser or greater versatile agricultural land linking wider degree, on different scales and over sustainability considerations of England. varying periods of time. Physical change can provoke subjective response: what 2.20 Policy ER2 (Landscape Character) may be seen as a positive change to one sets the scene by describing the may be seen as negative to another. This northwest’s finest landscapes and their paper provides a professional rich diversity with relation to their interpretation of how the direct, physical conservation and enhancement by a effects of forces; the factors, either benefit range of planning designations. In addition or adversely affect landscape character. to these designations, the policy seeks to restore degraded areas and avoid 2.23 The following describes how these damage to the landscape by new forces affect change, citing examples of development. Where avoidance of factors where appropriate in order to make damage is impossible or impractical and an informed decision or proposal, which mitigation measures are insufficient, may affect a change to the landscape compensation is provided through character of Cumbria. The landscape landscape enhancement elsewhere. character of the area of interest (as described in section 3 of this paper) should be considered with appropriate FORCES THAT AFFECT LANDSCAPE planning policies relating to a particular CHARACTER development proposal in conjunction with 2.21 The landscape character of Cumbria the following text, which describes the is constantly changing as a result of forces affecting landscape character. various forces that affect the physical appearance of the landscape and 2.24 Politics of not only this country but consequently, landscape character. also other nations can affect change. The Earth Summit in Rio in the late 1992, 2.22 A force is “something capable of followed by a number of meetings of bringing about a change or exerting an nations who ratified the Rio treaty, effect” (Longman’s Dictionary of the specifically in Kyoto (1997) and at the

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second Earth Summit in Johannesburg in Environmental Partnerships and the 2002, changed attitudes on a global scale County’s, Biodiversity Action Plan. Over with the result of government’s around the time, the implementation of grant-aided world subscribing to policies that would schemes will change the appearance of improve our environmental conditions. the landscape for example as brown field The factors which affect the actual change sites are reclaimed for public open space to landscape character are policies such and woodlands. as those advocating renewable power sources, such as wind energy, meeting 2.26 Within the overall heading of political the country’s housing requirements, force, the specific factors or policies which improving infrastructure, creating may influence change to landscape employment sites and improving character in Cumbria include the following countryside management. Government factors: has recognised the need to marry development and environmental 2.27 Renewable Energy targets are set to protection in order to achieve a balanced increase from 3% to 10% over the next approach to implementing wide-ranging ten years. This is a Government objective policies. to generate more electricity from alternative sources. In order to implement 2.25 Government bodies offer advice and this change, the use of wind turbines (both grants to encourage organisations, on and offshore), hydropower (harnessing developers and individuals to visually and tidal energy), production of biomass ecologically improve the environment. (coppice willow and poplar plantations) Such bodies include the North West and waste by-products (such as methane Development Agency, The Countryside gas) will be considered as viable Agency, The Forestry Commission and generators of electricity. Cumbria County Council. Each organisation develops programmes and 2.28 New structures, such as wind budgets which encourage or promote turbines, in the landscape will have an landscape reclamation, conservation, affect on landscape character in Cumbria enhancement and /or species and planning policies exist to advise and diversification. Some of these initiatives influence the design of such sites. The include the Land Reclamation visual effects of large-scale structures, Programme, Single Regeneration Budget which by necessity will generally be (SRB), Woodland Grants, Development located in exposed, upland areas of Works, Environment Fund for Cumbria will require sensitive, considered

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assessment. Such developments will 2.30 Residential development is a key (almost always) require an Environmental factor affecting change to landscape Impact Assessment (in accordance with character. Regional Planning Guidance the Town and Country Planning 13 for the North West acknowledges that (Environmental Impact Assessment) whilst housing development will increase (England & Wales) Regulations 1999) to to meet local demand, new houses should be carried out as part of the planning improve and enhance the environment process. Policies relating to Renewable through quality of both design and Energy are supported by Technical Paper materials. The Government is 4 Renewable Energy Development in encouraging developers to utilise existing Cumbria – Identifying the Potential. under-used, derelict and brown field sites before expanding the urban fringes into 2.29 Technical Paper 6 identifies a Greenfield sites. There are no green belt number of areas within Cumbria where designations in Cumbria (due to the fact onshore wind energy developments could that there is currently no threat of two or be located in order to meet the County’s more conurbations merging). The fringes contribution towards the Government’s of Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle are national renewable energy targets. Such particularly vulnerable to housing areas have been identified by using a development as these are identified within sieving process which, from a map RPG13 as key regeneration areas. Local showing all suitable areas in terms of wind architectural styles, materials and size of resource, then excludes areas protected buildings are elements which combine to by statutory and non-statutory define the sense of place and landscape designations (such as National Park, Area character. Appropriate development in the of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World urban fringes and around market towns Heritage Site etc). It then refines the such as Penrith, Longtown, Ulverston etc. information to look at factors such as the and small villages should respect local potential for `cumulative’ impact i.e. the scale, character, context and the landscape becoming to a greater or lesser vernacular style. degree a `wind energy’ landscape and on the likely environmental impacts of 2.31 Commercial Development in the form developing particular sites. The character of industrial, retail and business premises of upland and coastal areas of the County are a pre-requisite to fulfilling the are particularly vulnerable to change Government’s aim to encourage resulting from the introduction of wind investment into the North West. Much of energy developments. the Cumbrian landscape comprises of

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uplands, lowlands and coastal plains: it is held in December 2002) a route from not essentially urban. Settlements are Parton to Lillyhall is undergoing relatively small and consequently will not construction and Stainburn to Great absorb large development in the urban Clifton bypass has recently opened. By fringes as readily as larger conurbations in introducing a new road into countryside (a other counties. The effect of development feature typical of the urban environment), in the urban fringes will be to extend the the effect on landscape character is to urban areas, thus reducing the `green’ urbanise it. Ring roads can create landscape of Cumbria. The susceptibility `pockets’ of landscape which have wider of the urban fringe areas to sprawl into effects as, once severed from larger areas open countryside can be overcome by of countryside; the smaller areas become defining the edges with landscape vulnerable to development. Some areas of features, characteristic of the area, such Cumbria can accommodate this type of as hedgerows, copses or woodlands. New change more readily than others. In areas structures should empathise with scale; where a sense of remoteness and texture, pattern and materials that reflect tranquillity is a key characteristic, a new the local vernacular style or are road will impinge on these characteristics, representative of the landscape character reducing the quality of the area and the of the area. Standardisation in design and way in which the particular location is construction practice is a factor, which can perceived. reduce the visual appeal of an area by neutralising the effects of unique places. 2.33 Environmental Protection safeguards Areas particularly at risk to development areas of Cumbria through the are those adjacent to major roads such as implementation of various statutory the M6, A590 and A6. Development, designations (as referred to in sections 2.4 which respects the existing character, can and 2.5). Such protection means that enhance the environment and strengthen these landscapes are a valuable resource the character of a place. to the County and development, which would cause physical change, would need 2.32 Transport Policy currently advocates serious consideration. Areas protected by widening existing roads as opposed to Statute are positively affected by building new ones, however this is not recognition of their value and physical always practical. Cumbria is set to have a change will, often be gradual rather than new road built to the north west of Carlisle sudden. (the Carlisle Northern Development Route – awaiting the outcome of Public Inquiry

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2.34 Agriculture, Land and Woodland 2.35 Minerals Extraction is, and has been Management are major land uses in a major industry in Cumbria. Many Cumbria. Impacts and changes to disused workings are visible in the working practice sometimes have effects landscape as relics of earlier operations. on other industries, such as tourism and Such artefacts contribute to defining the can alter the landscape character of landscape character of particular areas affected areas (as seen during the such as Dalton-in-Furness. The nostalgia outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease). The associated with such relics can have a fabric of the countryside in Cumbria is the positive effect on landscape character as result of decades of farming. Many of the historic associations affect the way the character types and sub-types identified in area is perceived. The Cumbria Minerals this paper are the result of farming and Waste Local Plan 1996-2006, practice: hedgerows, dry stone walls, adopted in June 2000, control the extent sheep farming and associated farm of new operations. The effect of rock, buildings are all examples of key features, gravel and sand extraction on landscape which define landscape character. character is to temporarily (albeit for the Changes in political strategy such as the life of the planning permission) change the introduction of the Common Agricultural visual appearance of areas of the Policy in the 1980’s affect working landscape, prior to restoration. Long term practices and consequently change the effects of restoration plans can be to alter make-up of the landscape. DEFRA, the biodiversity and consequently landscape Government body with responsibility for character would also change. addressing rural issues, has introduced a number of land-based or agri-environment 2.36 Human Activity is closely allied to schemes which encourage good practice economic climate. Trends in recreational with farmers, such as the Countryside pursuits can be linked to economic well Stewardship Scheme, Farm Woodland being and conversely, economic Premium Scheme, Organic Farming depression. The effect of human activity Scheme and the Woodland Grant as a force for change is visible across Scheme. Initiatives which alter farming Cumbria. In south Cumbria for example, practice such as encouraging lowland the increasing demand for cycleways and farming as opposed to upland farming will footpaths, supported by a Countryside impact on the landscape: the reduction in Agency initiative `Greenways’ has led to upland farming will allow natural the creation of new all-purpose routes in development of heather moorland for the Furness peninsula. Similarly, the example. demand for adventure sports has resulted

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in areas around Howgill being used for Areas particularly vulnerable to such hand gliding activities and some fields factors are those considered to be of around Carlisle being used for quad bike visual interest or appeal which have racing. Such activities can reduce the hitherto been inaccessible. Areas, which sense of remoteness of an area, bringing could be visually and ecologically the place into general use and familiarity. improved, include those within unmanaged woodlands where hung trees 2.37 Other areas of Cumbria experience and overgrown saplings prevail. The the pressures of human activity where Countryside Agency is monitoring informal and disorganised recreation such changes that will occur as a result of this as motorcycling on grassland, fly tipping new Act of Parliament. and `joy riding’ together with disposing burnt out vehicles on open land serve to 2.39 Economic Climate can affect the have a detrimental visual effect on the appearance of the landscape and landscape. Such pressures scar the consequently change the way it is landscape, eroding vegetation through perceived. The health of the country’s inappropriate and over-use of particular economy as a force for change is evident areas. If left unchecked, such activities in people’s desire to spend money `getting can influence how particular environments away from it all’ and visiting the are perceived and ultimately become countryside. Many people are considering characteristic of an area. lifestyle changes, which include purchasing second homes or moving into 2.38 Access over open countryside and the countryside. Cumbria is a prime common land is set to alter as a result of location for such change due to a large recent legislation. The Countryside and proportion of the County being rural. Rights of Way Act 2000 increases land There are many second homes and access and rights of way over larger areas conversion of redundant farm buildings making them accessible to walkers than into residential properties. Similarly, there were previously. This could increase the is a demand for a wider range of popularity of walking in certain areas of recreational facilities and improvements to Cumbria which have previously been left transport systems as more pressure from unexplored. Changes in the landscape increased traffic is experienced on rural could manifest themselves as `desire roads. The effect of changes occurring as lines’ (routes created over time through a consequence of people having more popular and regular use), facilities for disposable income is to improve and walkers and change to habitat diversity. enhance derelict buildings and

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surrounding areas. The landscape character can alter due to such change of use, from agricultural practice into `holiday home’ for example.

2.40 Natural Processes such as the effects of disease and climatic changes including Foot & Mouth Disease and Global Warming can have long-term effects on landscape character. Effects of such processes can be seen as species diversification as a result of no grazing, prohibited access over the countryside, rising sea levels and flooding respectively. Such changes are monitored by organisations such as the Countryside Agency.

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Section 3: Landscape comprehensive coverage of each Characterisation landscape type. 3.6 At each viewpoint field survey work Cumbria’s Landscape Classification recorded objective information on Methodology landform, landcover and features. 3.1 Landscape character is the description Photographs were also taken to document of the way that different components of the landscape type. our environment interact with each other and us. 3.7 The information gathered from the desk study and field survey was 3.2 The appearance of the landscape is synthesised enabling the landscape types not the only focus, genus loci (sense of and their boundaries to be refined. Each place) created by feelings, smells, type was given a name relating to the memories and associations contributes dominant elements and features present. significantly to defining landscape Within landscape types more detailed character. Historic influences, social, areas were identified as sub-types. Thus economic and environmental value are the landscape character of Cumbria also focuses. outside the National Parks has been classified into 13 separate Landscape 3.3 Landscape classification provides Types, 10 of which were further divided information on character, identity and into Sub-Types making a total of 37 value. different landscapes. (Refer to Figure 1).

3.4 The main stages for the classification Landscape Types process, previously carried out for 3.10 These are landscapes that are Cumbria Landscape Classification (1995) relatively uniform in composition and were a desk study and a field survey character. They are generic in form and followed by analysis and presentation of may occur in different areas of the County. the data. They are recognisable distinct landscapes. 3.5 Preliminary landscape type Examples include: Estuary and Marsh boundaries were identified, based upon Main valleys analysis of topography, geology, Upland Fringes vegetation cover and aerial photos. Landscape Sub-Types Viewpoints were selected to give 3.11 Also generic in form, these are areas within the Landscape Types, which are

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individual in composition, character and the Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan identity. (CBAP) habitats in each landscape sub- Examples include: Gorges type. Broad valleys Valley Corridors Cultural Associations Dales 3.16 The cultural association descriptions are summaries of the social behaviour 3.12 Within the classification there is patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions and all information on the geology other products of human thought and work /geomorphology, ecology, historic determining the cultural influences upon environment and cultural associations of the landscape sub-types. landscape sub-types and they are outlined below: Historic Environment 3.17 Historic Environment data and Geology/Geomorphology descriptions are based upon the Cumbria 3.13 The geology/geomorphology Historic Landscape Characterisation descriptions are summaries of key Programme and data derived from the landform and rock evolution interests Cumbria sites and monuments record. associated to specific landscape sub- types. 3.18 Refer to Appendix 2 for a description of the historic landscape characterisation Ecology programme, character types and 3.14 The ecological descriptions are attributes. summaries of the key biodiversity interests of each landscape sub type.

3.15 Appendix 3 includes reference to the nature conservation designations and lists

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Figure 1: Cumbria’s Landscape Classification Map Key

Carlisle

Workington Penrith

Whitehaven

Kendal

Barrow-in-Furness

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Type 1: Estuary & Marsh

Dynamic maritime landscapes lying at the interface of land and sea. They comprise of wide beaches and the more sheltered expansive mudflats of the Solway Coast, 1a

1a 1b Duddon Estuary and Morecambe Bay. They Carlisle tend to be soft and low lying with only a 1b narrow strip of more exposed coast with high 1a cliffs south of St Bees. 1a

Workington Penrith The estuaries stretch well inland and strongly interact with other landscapes. Beaches of Whitehaven mud and sand with rocky boulders (scaurs) LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK and shingle on the upper foreshore are often 1a backed by low boulder clay cliffs. YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL The sheltered waters of the upper estuaries PARK 1b 1a are fringed by salt marshes subject to tidal 1a 1b inundation. These are only covered by the 1a 1a Barrow- 1a highest tides and rise almost imperceptibly to In- Furness around 5 m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD). 1a

Landscape Sub-Types

1a Intertidal Flats 1b Coastal Marsh

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Type 1: Estuary & Marsh

Sub-Type 1A: Intertidal Flat Key Characteristics • Dynamic landscape changing rapidly with daily tides and through cycles of erosion and deposition of the sand and mudflats.

• Vast intertidal habitat for invertebrates and form internationally important roosting and feeding grounds for wading birds and wildfowl

• Cultural artefacts and historical routes or ‘waths’ across the sands enrich this landscape and strengthen a sense of the past.

Landscape Character The beaches comprise mud, sand, shingle This subtype comprises of wide beaches and pebbles, the latter tending to form the and expanses of mudflats within the upper foreshore where they are estuaries that are exposed at low tide. associated with increased gradient.

These are dynamic landscapes, changing Flocks of wading birds frequent this with the daily tides but also through the landscape. These are particularly centuries by processes of erosion and noticeable on the coming tide when the deposition. beach area becomes progressively restricted. These are landscapes, At low tide mudflats predominate. These detracted only by minor or distant are dissected river channels that are industrial structures. Litter and old constantly changing position. Sometimes industrial waste and spoil can be spread patches of strewn boulders (scaurs) or along the coast and have an unsightly pebbles and exposed bedrock occur. effect on the beaches.

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Geomorphology This is a dynamic system with phases of erosion and deposition. Mudflats have greatly increased over the centuries following progressive siltation. Inflowing rivers carry little suspended sediment load. Sediments derive mainly from the Irish Sea. River channels are constantly shifting thus affecting the extent of the salt marshes. On the open coast the processes of long shore drift operate.

Ecology The intertidal sand and mudflats of the Cumbrian coast are some of the most important wildlife habitat in the UK. The flats support huge numbers of invertebrates such as cockles, lugworms, sandhoppers and mud snails and provide the main feeding grounds for internationally important numbers of wintering and passage waders and wildfowl. These include shelduck, pintail, oystercatcher, grey plover, dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, curlew and redshank. Between Maryport and Silloth and along the outer shore of Walney boulder scars support mussel beds and reefs formed by colonies of the polychaete worm Sabellaria alveolata, the former providing feeding areas for eider duck, oystercatcher, turnstone and purple sandpiper (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The route across “Kent Sands”, latterly “Morecambe Bay”, was described by numerous writers including Ann Radcliffe, Elizabeth Gaskell in “The Sextons Hero”, Edwin Waugh in “Over Sands to the Lakes”, Melvyn Bragg in “The Maid of Buttermere” and in “The Lonsdale Magazine. It is too an area well documented through the work of artists including J.N.W Turner, David Cox, Norman Nicholson, Thomas Sunderland and poets such as William Wordsworth.

Historic Environment Within the intertidal zone of Morecambe Bay are a number of wrecks dating throughout history. Throughout the county there is evidence of historical rights of way, various cultural artefacts relating to shipping and trade. The waterlogged conditions ensure excellent organic preservation, particularly of wood, leading to the survival of artefacts ranging from preserved prehistoric forests to fish traps (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 1: Estuary & Marsh

Sub-Type 1B: Coastal Marsh

Key Characteristics

• Located within sheltered areas of Cumbria’s estuaries are extensive areas of Salt Marsh with man-made hedge topped sea dykes.

• Salt marshes lie above daily tides, closely grazed fine sward, creeks and channels in dendritic pattern.

• Higher marshes open, dissected by streams with sporadic scrub and remnant field hedges exist.

Landscape Character sward etched by an intricate maze of Extensive areas of saltmarsh occur creeks and channels in a dendritic pattern. around the sheltered waters of the County’s estuaries. These rise almost This gives way to higher, older imperceptibly from high tide level where saltmarshes dissected by streams they are often marked by low erosion cliffs meandering towards the sea and around 5m AOD where they are usually frequently colonised by gorse scrub. enclosed by man-made sea dykes. The marshes are essentially open except The marshes lie above the average daily for patches of scrub and remnant field tides. The higher the marsh, the less hedges on the higher marshes. This frequent is tidal inundation. This results in contrasts with the strong enclosure a transitional landscape character. created hedge-topped sea dykes where the hedges are left to grow taller to assist On the seaward edge, lower saltmarshes as windbreaks. are characterised by a closely grazed fine

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Common grazing rights occur on the The prolific birdlife on the marshes is also marshes and sheep and cattle wandering an integral part of their character. Man freely across them have been an essential and manmade elements are noticeably feature for centuries. absent.

Geomorphology Saltmarshes are constantly changing. There is accretion by sediment at high tides. River channels constantly cut new courses. The area of marsh can be considerably reduced or enlarged by the changing course of a river. The seaward edge is characterises by a system of dendritic creeks and erosion cliffs up to 3m high. A series of terraces within the marshes can be related to isostatic uplift and creek migrations. Sections of creeks can be cut off leaving isolated sections of water known as pans or fleshes.

Ecology All the coastal marsh in Cumbria is of international ecological importance. These saltmarshes provide feeding grounds for wildfowl and roosts for waders, including pink- footed geese, Bewick’s swan, whooper swan, wigeon, teal, barnacle geese, curlew, knot, bar-tailed godwit, redshank, lapwing and golden plover. Peregrine falcon and merlin hunt over coastal grazing marsh during the winter months. Other birds breed on saltmarshes, including redshank, lapwing, black-headed gull and terns. Saltmarshes support a number of uncommon and rare invertebrates, whilst upper saltmarshes are important for natterjack toads and great-crested newts (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations William Wordsworth amongst other local poets who took inspiration from the Duddon estuary. In 1307 Edward the first anticipated the invasion of Scotland. His strategy was to invade via the Solway Mosses. He died before the invasion took place at Burgh-by-Sands where today there stands a monument in his memory. In May 1568 Mary Queen of Scots fled the rebellion in Scotland and escaped by boat down the Solway Firth. Historic Environment Historical this is a highly volatile environment resulting in the remains of former settlements lost to the sea, as well as once marine features becoming land locked such as former quays. These coastal marshes also contain the remains of salt pans. (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 2: Coastal Margins

A predominantly flat open landscape incorporating diverse characteristics. Comprising of areas from Cumbria’s coastal 2b margins to the urban fringes of coastal 2b 2c 2d Carlisle developments. Where the sea meets the 2c 2d 2c 2c land, sandy beaches and a dune landscape 2b 2c are present, very open and grazed. The soft 2a organic forms of the coast become geometric 2d mosaic of undulating pasture/moss land and Workington Penrith sporadic woodland. Whitehaven Coastal plains consist of boulder clay LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK topography, large field systems with 2a agriculture being the main land use. Urban YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES developments tend to be strong forms upon a 2b NATIONAL 2b PARK flat open landscape where weak field 2d 2c 2c 2c 2a boundaries are coupled with man-made 2d 2d 2d landforms and a visible industrial heritage. Barrow- 2d In- 2a Furness 2c

Landscape Sub-Types

2a Dunes and Beaches 2b Coastal Mosses 2c Coastal Plain 2d Coastal Urban Fringe

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Type 2: Coastal Margins

Sub-Type 2A: Dunes & Beaches

Key Characteristics

• Dunes and raised beaches between the sea and farmland. Vegetation predominantly semi-natural grassland either grazed or mown.

• Bounded by minor roads leading to isolated farms/linear stone villages with access through minor tracks and paths.

• Detractors exist in the form of hard man-made sea defences and tourist development.

Landscape Character banks and walls form the boundaries of This subtype comprises of dunes and farms and roads though there is a raised beach sandwiched between the tendency for these to be replaced by sea and farmland. Varying from fences. hummocky dunes to flat raised beaches, occasionally re-graded by man. The Hard sea defence works and tourism vegetation is predominantly semi-natural development are the main detractors. grassland which is occasionally grazed or There are wide attractive views across mown. Access is by minor tracks and open sea or estuary backed by mountains. paths.

The landscape type is often bounded by minor roads serving a string of linear villages and isolated farms. Buildings tend to be substantial stone construction, closely spaced for shelter. Cobble stone

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Ecology All the sand dune systems in Cumbria are either of international or national ecological importance. Cumbrian dunes and their damp dune slacks support a large proportion of the UK population of natterjack toad, plus breeding colonies of eider duck, terns, gulls and great crested-newt. Sand dunes are also important for rare plants, including coralroot orchid and dune helleborine (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The remains of ancient beaches (remnants of ancient seas) may be found far inland, complete with shells and beach pebbles.

Historic Environment A very volatile environment frequently remodelled through wave and wind action, though rarely permanently settled evidence of prehistoric erodes out of the dunes in the form of stone tools and the remains of fires (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 2: Coastal Margins

Sub-Type 2B: Coastal Mosses

Key Characteristics

• Flat although undulating landscape with mosaic moss heath, Willow Carr brush scrub woodland and pasture.

• Field shapes vary, enclosed by trimmed hedges, gapped hedges and fences.

• Picturesque backdrop of the Lakeland Fells/open flat panoramic views.

Landscape Character mosses. Vernacular farm buildings lie on Flat to undulating mosses (peat bogs or the fringes. Enclosure may be by trimmed raised mires) have been formed by peat hedges or overgrown gapped hedges and accumulation in alluvial or boulder clay fences. basins. They rise up to three metres above surrounding levels. Formerly much The Duddon Mosses have the benefit of more extensive, they have been reclaimed the backdrop of the Lakeland Fells. Others since the 12th century. Today they offer a have more open views with emphasis on mosaic of moss, heath, willow carr or birch the horizontal plane. scrub woodland and pasture.

Field shapes range from the small and irregular in undulating areas to large rectangular fields on flat

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Ecology This is a landscape of great ecological importance, dominated by lowland raised bogs of international significance. Most of the remaining raised mire in England lies in Cumbria. Whilst many of the mires have been subjected to peat extraction and drainage there are still extensive areas of relatively intact raised mire in the county and these support communities dominated by Sphagnum mosses and cotton-grasses, whilst drier areas of mire are often dominated by heather or birch and Scot’s pine woodland. The drained margins of these mires can support large areas of rush and purple moor-grass pasture. Lowland raised mire supports a range of uncommon and rare species, including the large heath butterfly, variable dragonfly, reed bunting, skylark and redshank (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The mosses have a rich cultural heritage and contain evidence of reclamation, particularly in areas north of the county in the areas held by Holme Abbey. Within the field systems is the preserved evidence of former peat rooms in long narrow enclosures. In general there is good boundary preservation and evidence of both traditional field patterns consisting of small irregular enclosure and later larger more regular enclosures. The coastal mosses are also important for the twentieth century military sites such as airfields, radar and radio installations (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 2: Coastal Margins

Sub-Type 2C: Coastal Plain

Key Characteristics

• The line of Hadrian’s Wall and its associated forts and lookout turrets are a significant archaeological feature.

• Long and narrow fields in undulating areas with larger fields in flat areas, divided by hedges and scarce tree cover.

• Land-use of pasture mainly dairy cattle, but also beef and sheep, arable crops grown in drier areas.

Landscape Character gorse scrub occurs around the moss and saltmarsh fringes. Flat coastal plain based on marine alluvium or reclaimed mosses to Further inland small copses or undulating boulder clay areas up to 15m shelterbelts, associated with farms or AOD. Improved pasture predominates churches are prominent features. divided into large square fields surrounded Scattered hedgerow trees are found in by drainage ditches. more sheltered areas. Birch woodland

occurs on the edges of the mosses. In undulating areas fields are often long and narrow and possibly mediaeval in Around the head of the Solway and origin. In drier areas, particularly on Levens estuaries small coniferous and boulder clay, arable crops are grown deciduous plantations are found, producing a patchwork of colour and associated with large estates. texture. Rougher pasture with rushes or

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Field division is primarily by hedges, but shelter. Inland, buildings are more spread replaced with fences, particularly on more out and softened by hedges. Dismantled marginal farmland. On the exposed coasts railway lines are strong linear features hedges tend to be sparse, often cutting across the Solway coastal plain. comprising of gorse, sometimes planted These features are reinforced by on cobblestone banks. Coastal villages associated scrub and woodland. tend to be closely knit with stone walls for

Ecology As this is some of the most agriculturally improved land in Cumbria, ecological interest is largely confined to remnant lowland raised mires, most of which are wooded with birch or Scot’s pine, with only small areas of open mire vegetation. These woods however can be large and are often important for red squirrel. Large flocks of wintering barnacle geese, pink- footed geese and whooper swan frequent the large fields around the Solway. This agricultural landscape is also important for farmland birds, particularly barn owl and corn bunting, with most of the few remaining Cumbrian populations of the latter species occurring in this landscape type. The lower reaches of both the River Esk and River Eden flow through this landscape and both are important for otter and Atlantic salmon. The banks of these rivers also provide nest sites for sand martins (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The Coastal plain has a highly nucleated settlement pattern with evidence of the late enclosure of outfields. The settlements are characterised by vernacular buildings constructed of local stone with red sandstone, a feature of the north of the county. Many of these buildings date to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. On the Solway Plain clay built buildings are a characteristic feature too. Amongst the characteristic archaeological remains are former sea defences but the most significant archaeological feature is Hadrian’s Wall, which, west of Carlisle, runs through the Solway Plain. Some present villages such as Burgh-by-Sands occupy the sites of former Roman forts along the Wall (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 2: Coastal Margins

Sub-Type 2D: Coastal Urban Fringe

Key Characteristics

• Generally flat areas influenced by development, dereliction and transport routes with man-made landforms on coastal edges.

• Land cover is typically a mix of mown grass, pasture, scrub and semi natural grassland over weak field patterns.

• Built elements include large-scale roads, frequent derelict buildings and tourism development.

Landscape Character Roads, railways, holiday parks and These are generally flat areas influenced derelict buildings are frequently found, as by urban and leisure related development, are dilapidated fences and hedges, new dereliction and transportation routes. buildings and extensions. Sometimes they include the man-made landforms of reclaimed industrial sites and mines.

Coastal edges are usually hard and man- made. Land cover is typically mixed; predominantly pasture, but sometimes mown grass or semi-natural grassland and scrub. Field patterns are weak. Field division is often by gapped hedges or fences.

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Ecology This landscape supports a surprising wealth of wildlife, often, but not exclusively, associated with former industrial sites. Areas of iron slag are often colonised by herb-rich grasslands, which can support uncommon plants and animals including small blue butterfly and purple broomrape. Great crested newts and natterjack toads are frequent in damp ground and pools within this landscape; and where it adjoins areas of saltmarsh and intertidal sand and mudflat areas can be used as a high tide roost by wintering and passage waders and wildfowl. Hodbarrow Lagoon is of importance for breeding and wintering birds and scarce aquatic plants such as spiral tasselweed (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations Barrow-in-Furness is a Victorian model town, planned on grid pattern, utilising the natural harbour and local Raematile deposits for building steel ships. Iron-man, John Wilkinson built the first iron ship on the river Severn, firstly experimented with a small version on Witherslack Mosses. He was a leading light of 18the century industrial revolution and was involved with Backbarrow Iron Furnace.

There are rich Haematite deposits in Low Furness (Lindal), Millom (Hodbarrow), Egremont (Florence Mine) and west Cumbria. Monks of Furness Abbey first exploited Furness Iron “industrially” in the 12th/13th century. The iron was target for Scots raids. There are rich coal deposits in west Cumbria. Whitehaven in 17th or 18th century was the second west coast port (after Bristol) trading with Ireland, the West Indies and American Colonies for rum, sugar, cotton and tobacco. Rum butter, Kendal mint cake and Kendal snuff have all derived from these.

Historic Environment The cultural heritage of this zone is highly variable from area to area. Near Silloth twentieth century military remains are a significant feature in the landscape. Around Barrow the landscape is marked by former industrial manufacturing and mining sites. On Walney Island there is much below-ground evidence of prehistoric habitation and land use, especially relating to the Mesolithic Period (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 3: Coastal Limestone

A landscape rich in history derived from prehistoric features and medieval enclosure patterns.

The limestone scarps and pavements are Carlisle common throughout each sub-type although land management, land use and industry have dictated the character of these areas.

Workington Penrith The order and intensity of the farmland creates neat, ordered, vast rolling Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT landscapes, larger in scale and more open NATIONAL PARK than the wooded hill and pavement areas.

YORKSHIRE Kendal Late 19th Century iron mine workings in the DALES 3a NATIONAL PARK Barrow area on the areas of this character 3b 3a type have left a landscape which contrasts 3c 3a 3a with other areas in this type, man-made 3a Barrow- In- irregular landforms and spoil heaps Furness generally create a visually complex landscape.

Landscape Sub-Types

3a Open Farmland and Pavements 3b Wooded Hills and Pavements 3c Disturbed Areas

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Type 3: Coastal Limestone

Sub-Type 3A: Open Farmland & Pavements

Key Characteristics

• Steep scarp slopes, limestone pavement or other rocky outcrops.

• Grazed land with stone wall field boundaries, sporadic scrub and woodland on steep scarp slopes. Stately homes and parklands

• Tops carry rough pasture as open common or fell. Extensive views from high ground.

Landscape Character In South Westmorland this sub-type In Furness these are open, rolling embraces the bare and craggy Farleton limestone hills rising to 136m AOD between Urswick and the coast and 230m Fell and the extensive and mainly open AOD near Grange over Sands limestone pavements of Hutton Roof and (Hampsfield Fell) within close proximity of Farleton Knott. These areas are a few the coast of Morecambe Bay. These are miles from the coast but have similar land topographically similar to other limestone cover characteristics to those above. areas, with steep scarp slopes, limestone Together with Clawthorpe Fell they form pavement or other rocky outcrops. distinctive scarp and rocky skyline features. Most of the land is grazed with a distinctive (sometimes historic) pattern of The sub-type excludes the intricate fields bounded by stone walls. Otherwise pattern of woodland, limestone land cover is varied with a tendency for pavements, meadows and fields within the scrub and woodland. Arnside/ Silverdale AONB that is classified

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as 3B. While land cover is predominantly Some attractive semi-natural woodland rough grazing there are extensive and pavements are found at Curwen near plantations on Hutton Roof as well as Clawthorpe. extensive areas of bare rock with scrub developing around the edges. The main discordant feature is the extensive working quarry at Holme Park, which is dominant mainly from the west.

Ecology The ecological habitats of this landscape are almost entirely determined by the underlying limestone geology. Where the rock outcrops open limestone pavements support a range of characteristic and rare species, including dark red helleborine, limestone fern, rigid buckler- fern, angular Solomon’s seal and lily-of-the-valley. Pavements also support a number of rare invertebrates, such as the narrow-mouthed whorl-snail. Thin soils over limestone support limestone grassland, including the nationally scarce blue moor-grass grassland type. This grassland supports a range of uncommon plants, including spiked speedwell and is important for a variety of uncommon and rare butterflies, including northern brown argus, high-brown fritillary, pearl-bordered fritillary, Duke of Burgundy fritillary and small blue. The woods of this landscape are of the upland mixed ashwood type and support a rich flora and fauna, including dormouse, mezereon and yew. Juniper scrub is also characteristic of this landscape (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations Areas within this sub-type are rich in Neolithic remains, many artefacts such as bracelets and axe heads have been found. Several sacred sites are present. A stone circle exists at Birkrigg Common.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is nucleated, but mainly became so in the nineteenth century. The field pattern is mixed but characterised by dry-stone walls with features including bee boles. Many of the farm buildings are traditional and limestone built. There is much evidence of quarrying and numerous limekilns. Stately homes with parklands are a characteristic. Archaeological remains include evidence of past iron working, Iron Age and Romano-British settlement sites characterised by well preserved extant earthworks and medieval fortified sites including tower houses.

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Type 3: Coastal Limestone

Sub-Type 3B: Wooded Hills & Pavement

Key Characteristics

• Low rolling wooded hills and pasture mainly drained mossland with coastal features include Cliffs salt marshes and shingle beaches.

• In addition to limestone pavement land cover is equal proportion of woodland and agricultural land.

• Views out across Morecambe bay and up to the Lakeland Fells exist.

Landscape Character woodlands as well as some natural yew This is a landscape of low, rolling, wooded woods and Forestry Commission hills, pasture and mainly drained Limitations. Limestone pavement is an mossland, terminating in a varied coast important feature of the area but most of including estuarine features such as cliffs, the pavement is within woodland blocks salt marsh and shingle beach. Land cover albeit forming open clearings. is a roughly equal mixture of agricultural land (predominantly pasture) and There are dramatic views across the woodland. The pasture is divided into sands of Morecambe Bay to Grange-over small to medium-sized fields bounded by Sands and the Lake District fells. Large stone walls and hedges. features such as Arnside Knot and Middlebarrow Hill sometimes dominate A complex network of narrow winding local views, which are generally limited by lanes enclosed by high hedges threads rolling topography or woodland. Pele through the area. Woodland cover is towers are notable historic extensive and includes former coppice features of the area.

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Ecology A landscape characterised by large expanses of upland mixed ashwood and wooded limestone pavement, limestone grassland and species-rich hedgerows. The woods support red squirrels, dormouse, high-brown fritillary and mezereon, whilst the grassland is important for butterflies such as northern brown argus, high-brown fritillary, pearl-bordered fritillary, Duke of Burgundy fritillary and small blue and rare plants such as fingered sedge (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations Limestone Kilns are a common feature within this landscape sub-type. Many date back from late 18th Century to mid 19th Century where farmers burned limestone to create quick lime, which was then added to the land to improve its fertility.

The Pele Tower on Arnside Knott is an old coastal beacon defence designed to resist sieges in the time of Edward I.

Historic Environment Much of the woodland is ancient coppice wood and contains evidence of former woodland management and industries. There are former quarries, limekilns and occasional iron mines scattered throughout. Caves contain evidence of prehistoric occupation from the Ice Age through to the Romans (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 3: Coastal Limestone

Sub-Type 3C: Disturbed Areas

Key Characteristics

• Landscape created by mine workings located on undulating land (glacial till).

• Patchy woodland cover, small areas of marsh, reed beds and field boundaries defined by wire fences.

• Features include abandoned mine buildings, old limestone quarries and reclaimed agricultural land.

Landscape Character The sides of the heaps and depressions There are three small pockets of are commonly covered by scrub, willow, hummocky land up to 130m AOD north of alder, hawthorn, gorse, elder, bramble and Dalton-in-Furness. They have been rose. Small patches of marsh occur and created by mine workings superimposed there are reed beds in many of the ponds. on undulating land developed on glacial till overlying Carboniferous limestone. Woodland cover is patchy, ash and birch around Burlington Pits, ash and sycamore Mining has left an irregular landform around Lindal Moor. Grazing fills in around strewn with spoil heaps and steep sided these semi natural habitats. Several pits depressions containing ponds. This have been filled in with refuse and disturbed ground is fast becoming reclaimed for agriculture. ‘naturalised’ and taking on a bosky appearance.

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Views tend to be intermittent, frustrated by long views across the coast. the hummocky terrain. The hilltops offer

Ecology A rich diversity of semi-natural habitats forms a valuable wildlife refuge bounded by pasture or built up areas. Habitats include open water, scrub, woodland, carr and roadside verges. Ponds are steep sided and deep with little emergent vegetation. Shallow ponds have been created to improve the habitat for fish. Between the ponds there is willow/alder carr, hawthorn scrub and patches of unimproved, herb rich grassland which was formerly found in surrounding fields. Birds using the ponds include mallard, moorhen, common and black- headed gull. Insects such as butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies also occur. Former mine workings and quarries and steep banks support stands of limestone grassland, together with areas of gorse and hawthorn scrub. Damp hollows hold stands of rush pasture, reed bed and wet woodland in the form of willow carr (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations These areas have a heavy industrial mining heritage. This is celebrated through Norman Nicholson’s poetry of Millom. Percy Kelly, a local artist painted around Hodbarrow iron mines and also the works at Millom.

Historic Environment An industrial landscape with evidence of former iron mining and limestone quarrying (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 4: Coastal Sandstone

A large scale open coastal landscape. The sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head provide, a key feature juxtaposed against rolling coastal hills heading both south towards Sellafield and north-eastwards towards Whitehaven. The Carlisle landscape is either simple or varied and balanced. The predominance of pasture fields and low hedges provide a managed ordered landscape. Workington Penrith

Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT 4a NATIONAL PARK

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

4a Coastal Sandstone

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Type 4: Coastal Sandstone

Sub-Type 4A: Coastal Sandstone

Key Characteristics • Sandstone landscape consisting of coastal cliffs and rolling hills, plateaus and large open fields divided by poor hedges.

• Small blocks of woodland planting occur on valley sides. Gently rolling pastoral fields with prominent hedge banks.

• Exposed landscape nearer the coast, intimate and enclosed as move inland.

Landscape Character hedge banks dominate. Small blocks of It comprises the distinctive sandstone cliff mostly planted woodland occur on the scenery of St Bees Head with its valley sides. lighthouse and rolling coastal hills. These extend southwards towards Sellafield as The railway southwards follows the progressively lower, largely unspoilt rural shoreline. It is generally hidden but the coastline and north-eastwards to follow open character of the landscape offers the valley of the Pow Beck towards the wide views that are partly spoilt by edge of Whitehaven. caravan sites and the presence of the Sellafield complex. The northern part rises up steeply from St Bees to an undulating plateau with large The valley of Pow Beck which cuts open fields divided by poor hedges. dramatically through the higher ground is Between St Bees and Sellafield gently often open and bare, but higher up is rolling pastoral fields with prominent more wooded with well maintained hedges.

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Geology The cliffs at St Bees Head are of considerable scientific significance for their exposure of a sequence of Permo-Triassic red sandstones.

Ecology The cliffs of St Bees Head support colonies of breeding seabirds, including razorbill, guillemot, puffin and kittiwake. The cliffs also support large areas of coastal heath and species-rich grassland. Inland the landscape is largely agricultural, but along the valley of Pow Beck there is areas of rush pasture, reed bed and swamp vegetation. Small, deeply incised tributaries to Pow Beck hold small woodlands (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The St Bees area is characterised by remnants of the former monastic landscape created by the twelfth century Priory. The settlements are nucleated and surrounded by the fossilised strips of former medieval field systems. Many of the buildings are in the local vernacular tradition and built of sandstone (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 5: Lowland

This landscape type includes areas of lowland agricultural pasture within the county. With 5b 5b 5e undulating rolling topography and dissecting 5b 5b valleys the landscape has attractive qualities. 5b 5a Carlisle 5b 5c 5b 5b Agricultural areas under urban influence lie on 5a the fringe of development. There is an 5a 5a awkward juxtaposition between Whitehaven5c modern/traditional development, agricultural Workington Penrith lowland pasture and past mineral workings in 5a 5a certain locations. This demonstrates the Whitehaven 5d Kendal 5a LAKE DISTRICT development pressures that this landscape NATIONAL PARK 5b type is under.

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES This is generally a large-scale open NATIONAL PARK landscape, simple in form but sensitive to 5b 5c change. 5b

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

5a Ridge and Valley 5b Low Farmland 5c Rolling Lowland 5d Urban Fringe 5e Drained Mosses

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Type 5: Lowland

Sub-Type 5A: Ridge & Valley

Key Characteristics

• Scattered farms and villages in linear form along ridges, regular medium to large pasture land, gently rising land.

• Land cover dominated by pasture, native woodland, planted woodlands with hedge and tree clumps.

• Well-managed and simple texture, uncharacteristic features are main detractors are elements such as pylons.

Landscape Character Roads are generally straight, but wind An open landscape between 50-130m through valleys where they are flanked by AOD with regular, medium to large high hedges or banks. pasture and occasionally arable fields characterised by undulating topography, There are scattered farm buildings and which rises gently to high wide ridges with villages, which are often linear in form long views or falls to small, narrow valleys. along ridge tops. Most parts are well managed with some areas converted to Field patterns tend to be oblong with forestry or with valley woodland. straight boundaries enclosed by hedges or fences. Land cover is dominated by Other areas include elements such as pasture with both native broadleaved and pylons. There are attractive views over the planted woodlands and some unimproved Solway Firth. land. Features include high hedges, woodland and tree clumps.

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Ecology Much of the ecological interest of this agriculturally improved landscape lies in species-rich hedgerows and hedge banks, particularly where they are allowed to grow tall. Most woods are plantations, both of native broadleaves and of conifers, but native oak woodland is found along the more deeply incised river and stream valleys. The larger conifer plantations are important for red squirrels. Less common habitats include species-rich rush pasture and purple moor-grass wet grasslands and, in a few rare cases, hay meadows. Small patches of species-rich pasture are occasionally present along steep banks. West of Carlisle several small remnant lowland raised bogs are present, now largely covered by woodland. Several important river systems flow through these valleys, including the River Eden and tributaries of the River Derwent, which are important for Atlantic salmon, otter and freshwater pearl- mussel (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment Culturally very varied. In general villages developed late in a historically dispersed settlement pattern. It features ancient market centres such as Aspatria, Wigton and Dalston. Settlements often surrounded by traditional field systems with some fossilised strips. On the outskirts of many settlements are the remains of former industries including iron mining and working, coal mining, quarrying and lime burning. Evidence of Roman occupation is prolific in places and includes Roman roads and settlements like Papcastle. More recent military sites are a feature as at Great Broughton and Great Orton (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 5: Lowland

Sub-Type 5B: Low Farmland

Key Characteristics

• Pasture with patchy woodland, intensely farmed agricultural land. Undulating and rolling topography.

• Fields large and rectangular with boundaries comprising of hedgerow trees, fences and hedges. Woodland is uncommon west towards the coast.

• Views affected by pylons.

Landscape Character Tree clumps, riverside and hedgerow Much of this type is intensively farmed trees are notable features. Woodland is agricultural land below 100m AOD. The uncommon particularly in the west. topography is undulating but local Straight roads are common. variations include rolling topography and meandering river valleys on the lower The valley of the River Lyne, which runs plain around Carlisle. from Kirklinton north-eastwards, is an important linear feature east of Carlisle. It Views are sometimes wide or long includes hanging woodlands and parts of distance. Lines of pylons dominate some it are both Site of Special Scientific views. The predominant land cover is Interest and ancient semi-natural pasture with patchy woodland (particularly woodland. east of Carlisle) and arable land. Fields tend to be fairly large and bounded by hedges or fences and/or hedgerow trees.

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Ecology An intensely, agricultural landscape where semi-natural vegetation is scarce. Hedgerows are common, but often species-poor and woodland is scarce west of Carlisle. Significant woodland cover is however present along the River Lyne, supporting a range of upland oak and wet woodland communities. Small and medium sized rivers are a common feature of the landscape, supporting small ribbons of woodland and otters. Several small remnant lowland raised bogs are present around the Carlisle area and these support areas of birch and pine woodland, rush pasture and purple moor-grass and small areas of raised mire vegetation. One has a colony of the uncommon white-faced darter dragonfly. This landscape is important for farmland birds, including yellowhammer, linnet and tree sparrow. This landscape is also important for barn owl to the north and east (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins collaboration “The Lazy Tour of Idle Apprentices” describes a journey from Carrode Fell to Allonby.

Historic Associations In the north of the county this landscape type is greatly influenced by the presence of the Anglo-Scottish border and contains a number of medieval fortified sites including tower houses. Cropmark sites of prehistoric and Romano-British settlements are found. Other archaeological and historical interest in the landscape includes Hadrian’s Wall and sites as diverse as Egremont Castle, the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Gretna and stretched across the Scottish border, Britain’s earliest operational nuclear power station at Calder Hall. The settlement pattern is varied including areas of dispersion and nucleation and in general the field pattern is very regular with the area to the north of Carlisle characterised by late enclosure (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 5: Lowland

Sub-Type 5C: Rolling Lowland

Key Characteristics

• Open lowland agricultural landscape dominated by undulating and rolling topography.

• Dominated by pasture with some scrub woodland, sparse hedges on upper ground, whilst on lower ground hedgerows and hedge trees are common.

• New housing developments and sand pits are present in some views.

Landscape Character variable relating to topography. The boundaries are managed but not usually In Carlisle this is a lowland agricultural dominant. This sub-type includes parkland landscape based on sand deposits, mostly (e.g. along the Eden), plantations and open in character and dominated by scattered woodland. Some villages are of undulating or rolling topography with some vernacular character built in the local steep sided dissected valleys and some stone, but others are less characteristic low summits. with some new development. Detracting

elements include sand pits and new Land cover is dominated by pasture with housing developments. some woodland, scrub and other marginal land. Hedgerow trees and hedgerows are In Allerdale the topography and land cover dominant lower down; while on the higher are similar to those around Carlisle but are ground the rolling topography tends to based on mudstones or limestone overlain dominate, with more sparse hedges and with glacial drift. other vegetation. Field patterns are

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In Barrow this type covers a rolling fringe landscape to the north of the town with well-managed fields and high hedges. The urban edge and nearby quarrying influence the character.

Ecology Largely an agricultural landscape with only isolated areas of semi-natural vegetation. Hedgerows and occasional small woodlands are the most widespread features of ecological interest, however a feature of note in this landscape is the presence of a number of basin mires to the south-east of Carlisle. These support a range of mire and fen communities, together with a rich invertebrate fauna and breeding sites for birds such as reed bunting, reed warbler and sedge warbler. The Rivers Eden and Cocker flow through sections of this landscape and are important for otter and aquatic plants such as water crowfoots (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations Eaglesfield was the birthplace of John Dalton, 1766-1844, who established the Atomic Theory in 1803 with paper on ‘the relative weights of the ultimate particles of bodies’. In 1794, he published the first description of colour blindness.

George Graham born 1673 at Kirklinton was apprenticed to Thomas Tempion, and made various clocks and scientific instruments for the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is predominantly dispersed but there are some nucleations surrounded by traditional field systems including some fossilised strips. The domination of red sandstone as the main building material gives a distinctive local character to the villages. The often ancient hedgerows define the fields. There are some stately homes with surrounding parklands as at Corby Castle. Formal parkland boundaries are surrounded by stone built walls of nineteenth century date which form the park pale (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 5: Lowland

Sub-Type 5D: Urban Fringe

Key Characteristics

• Long-term urban influences (i.e. opencast coal workings) upon the countryside.

• Remained rural in character often locally attractive wooded valleys.

• Semi-urbanised lowland woodland and farmland around the urban centres.

Landscape Character In spite of the scars of former industries, This landscape subtype is where much of the countryside’s character is still agricultural landscapes have been intact with wooded valleys (e.g. subjected to urban influences for a long Eden/Keekle and Common End). time. The areas have however remained Evidence of derelict land is still found, for mainly rural in character. example at Park Side and Moor Row, while some areas are threatened by In West Cumbria, for example around urbanisation. In Carlisle this type forms a Keekle and Moor Row, small settlements ring of semi-urbanised low farmland associated with former mining and around the city which includes large associated activities spread over a institutional buildings like Garlands pleasant ridge and valley landscape. Hospital, the racecourse and the villages While deep mining of iron ore has largely of Cummersdale and Rickerby. Parts of gone, in some places it was replaced with the area, including the banks of the Eden, opencast working of coal. are popular recreation areas.

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Ecology Largely an urban influenced landscape with mainly species-poor hedgerows and occasional small areas of woodland (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment On the outskirts of Carlisle there is buried evidence of prehistoric settlement including burnt mounds. In West Cumbria the urban fringes contain much evidence of former coal and iron mining. The settlement pattern is generally dispersed and of fairly recent origin. The fields are regular and indicative of late enclosure (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 5: Lowland

Sub-Type 5E: Drained Mosses

Key Characteristics

• Mainly flat open landscape with mossy fields, sparse hedges and relict woodlands.

• Low ridges planted as shelter belts defining geometric grazing fields.

• Built elements include yards, pylons and trappings of peat extraction and buildings.

Landscape Character untidy yards, buildings, pylons and the This is a mainly flat, open landscape of trappings of peat extraction. drained mossy fields with sparse hedges and relict woodlands. One part has a series of low ridges planted with avenues and shelterbelts defining grazing fields on an unusual grid pattern. Drainage ditches and roads tend to be straight.

There are attractive views, particularly southwards from the low ridges. And others are spoiled by prominent pylons.

This is an unusual, if simple landscape occasionally marred by the presence of

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Ecology This landscape is dominated by two extensive raised mires. Whilst Bolton Fell has been subject to extensive peat extraction the centre of the mire still retains characteristic raised mire vegetation with abundant Sphagnum mosses and species like bog rosemary and cranberry. Walton Moss supports areas of raised mire vegetation, together with areas of wet heath and birch woodland. There are extensive areas of rush and purple moor-grass on drained mossland around both mires (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The drained mosses have some potential for studying past landscapes through analysis of plant remains in preserved peat. They also contain evidence of former peat extraction. (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 6: Intermediate Land

A large-scale open landscape, the intermediate land between lowland and rolling upland areas. The land use is predominantly 6a grazing land bound by hedgerows and stonewalls. A well-managed landscape Carlisle interrupted by M6 motorway/mainline railway. 6a 6a Penrith 6a 6a 6a Workington Penrith

6a Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

6a Intermediate Land

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Type 6: Intermediate Land

Sub-Type 6A: Intermediate Land Key Characteristics • Grazing land between 100-200m AOD. Intermediate between the lowland and upland landscapes.

• Planned villages with greens displaying topographical and archaeological evidence of their medieval origins.

• Carlisle area is dissected by the deeply incised valleys of the black and white Lyne, which are well wooded.

Landscape Character In Eden there are very broad valleys and This type comprises of predominantly narrow ghylls. Most of this landscape type grazing land between 100-200m AOD. It is is fairly simple in character with few strong intermediate between the lowland and features. A number of historical elements more rolling upland types. have been identified.

It varies from rolling high land with wide views and few hedges to undulating more enclosed land with a regular pattern of hedges or hedgerow trees. Stonewalls are also common.

In Carlisle the area is dissected by the deeply incised valleys of the Black and White Lyne which are well wooded.

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Ecology A landscape of improved pastures with species-rich hedgerows and, in the Eden Valley small woodlands. Along the White and Black Lyne rivers there are more extensive river valley woodlands with a range of upland oak and wet woodland communities. Areas of rush pasture and purple moor-grass are occasional, with one area supporting the rare marsh fritillary butterfly. A couple of small basin mires are to be found near Penrith. Species-rich roadside verges are occasional to the north and south of Penrith. Tributaries of the River Eden, as well as the Black and White Lyne and River Petterill support otter and to the north of Brampton (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment Within this landscape type there is considerable cultural diversity. The area is characterised by planned villages with greens, probably originating from the twelfth century. They often possess large churches and consist of largely sandstone buildings. The villages are characterised by the large number of traditional farm buildings within them and are surrounded by large former open common field areas. Archaeological survivals include well- preserved earthworks of late prehistoric and medieval settlements and a variety of Roman remains including roads, marching camps and forts. Inglewood Forest is distinct form much of the rest of the intermediate land as it is late enclosed and characterised by post-medieval squatter settlements (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 7: Drumlins

This is a working landscape defined by its pronounced patterns of drumlins and regular field patterns. The subtle differences in landform scale have contributed to defining these sub-types. Frameworks of hedges and Carlisle 7c occasional woodland support this dynamic bare rolling landscape. The predominant land cover is pasture and improved grassland. Many of the villages and hamlets in this area Workington Penrith retain a strong historic structure and grain responding to the shape of the landscape. Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

7b YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES 7b NATIONAL PARK 7b 7a

7b Barrow- In- 7a Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

7a Low Drumlins 7b Drumlin Field 7c Sandy Knolls and Ridges

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Type 7: Drumlins

Sub-Type 7A: Low Drumlins

Key Characteristics

• Tracts of low drumlins around 40m high with broad rounded tops with frequently steep sided

• Strong agricultural pattern of medium to large improved grassland fields with minimal tree cover.

• Expanding historic stone villages, with peripheral modern housing, scattered farmhouses.

Landscape Character Furness these are often planted on small Tracts of low drumlins (oval whaleback stone banks. Tree and shrub cover is hills left by glaciers) around 10m high notably absent with only occasional frequent steep sided with broad rounded tops. These are isolated and less distinct hedgerow trees particularly in sheltered with less containment than the higher valleys, copses around buildings and drumlin fields (7b). They are often in streamside trees. Scattered farmhouses parallel alignment to give a distinctive are reached by a network of winding lanes grain to the landform. and tracks.

There is a strong agricultural pattern with In South Lakeland expanding villages medium to large regular shaped fields of have an historic stone built centre improved agricultural grassland and surrounded by modern housing. Isolated occasional arable fields. Field division is industrial developments detract locally usually by neat, low cut thorn hedges. In influence character at a local level, as do

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overhead power lines, main roads, views. In Furness there are glimpsed motorway and railway. However the, views of neighbouring limestone hills and impact of these is reduced by hilly the coast. topography and hedges, which screen Geomorphology Drumlins moulded by an ice sheet in outwash sands and gravels or boulder clay provide important evidence of glaciation and the direction of ice movements in the Quaternary period.

Ecology A landscape of improved pasture with species-rich hedgerows and occasional small woodlands. The Kendal Canal runs through Holme and supports a range of aquatic plants, whilst otters are present in the small rivers (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is mixed and field pattern variable. There are a number of traditional market centres such as Burton-in-Kendal and Milnthorpe. The characteristic archaeological feature is the medieval fortified site as at Burneside. The evidence of the former iron industry is distinctive around Barrow and south of Kendal one of the most significant features is the northern end of the Lancaster Canal (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 7: Drumlins

Sub-Type 7B: Drumlin Field

Key Characteristics

• 100m high drumlins with rounded tops, steep sided, distinct landform grain, hedges and stone walls with rigid boundaries.

• Farms within valleys, built

development of traditional and modern

designs, linked by narrow lanes, tall

hedges and steep banks.

• Drumlins are crossed by the M6 motorway, railways and power lines.

Landscape Character Small broadleaved woods and hedgerow Rolling drumlins (oval, whale back hills) trees are abundant around Kendal but moulded from boulder clay by glacial perhaps due to exposure these rarely processes. The parallel alignment of these occur in Furness, where tree cover is hills gives the landform a distinctive, restricted to sheltered valleys of farms and uniform grain. They are about 100m high, villages. have broad rounded tops and they are frequently steep-sided. The drumlin fields are crossed by power lines, main roads, railways and the M6 Becks and immature rivers wind through motorway. The Lancaster Canal, south of the hills and occasional tarns occur in the Kendal, though partly infilled, retains its hollows between them. Field division is bridges, tunnels and planting. primarily by thick, well managed hedges with some stone walls either in higher Being on the fringe of major towns, parts or around villages. recreational and development pressures result in urban fringe features.

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Geomorphology The drumlins provide evidence of glaciation. During the Pleistocene period these areas were glaciated several times and till (boulder clay) was deposited. The present topography resulted from the last glaciation when the ice sheet deposited the ‘Lake District Drift and moulded it into a striking drumlin pattern. The orientation of the drumlins is NW/SW around Kendal and NNW/SSE in Furness.

Ecology A landscape of improved pasture with species-rich hedgerows and occasional small woods. Small areas of rush pasture are occasionally present in hollows. The northern section of the Kendal Canal supports a range of aquatic plants, whilst otters are present in small rivers (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The landscape consisting of nestling farms within the drumlins are interesting and often painted by artists such as; William Collingwood, Arthur Tucker and Hubert Coutts. Particular features of this sub-type are kettle tarns, which were formed in basins by the melting ice age.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is largely dispersed and the field pattern regular with a mix of field sizes, but distinguished by the recent removal of many hedged boundaries. The traditional buildings are constructed of limestone. The most distinctive archaeological feature is the evidence from industrial activity such as paper making and gunpowder manufacture (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 7: Drumlins

Sub-Type 7C: Sandy Knolls & Ridges

Key Characteristics

• The land cover is generally pasture. Regular knolls and ridges.

• Field patterns are irregular, with significant amounts of woodland cover in the form of hanging woods, coniferous plantations and semi natural woods.

• Landscape is similar to rolling lowlands (Sub-type 5) with greater variation in topography due to the knolls and ridges.

Landscape Character enclosed parkland like appearance to a This landscape relates to the rolling landscape which is also rich in historic lowlands (sub-type 5c) to the west but has features including The Mote (Brampton); more pronounced topography with Written Rock of Celt, Tortie (Naworth) and prominent knolls and ridges especially Stanegate (Roman road). around Brampton. Most views are framed by woodland or The predominant land cover is pasture. topography. There are some longer vistas However, significant woodland cover is northwards from the ridges near present with coniferous plantations, semi- Brampton. natural woods, parkland (Naworth) and hanging woods (Gelt).

Field patterns are irregular. The combination of knolls and ridges with mature woodland and pasture creates an

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Geomorphology The ridge to the east of Brampton, which stretches for 4 km is, a ‘kame’ formed of gravel from glacial meltwater.

Ecology A landscape of improved pasture with species-rich hedgerows and frequent upland oak woodland, particularly along the Gelt, and conifer plantation. Otters are present along the River Gelt and other rivers (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The medieval castle of Naworth 12 miles north east of Carlisle. The castle dates back to the early 14th century, although there is evidence of an earlier fortification in 1270. The area has been a popular location for a variety of artists such as Ben Nicholson, Winifred Nicholson, George Howard, Christopher Wood and Donald Wilkinson.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern consists of small nucleations surrounded by recently modified traditional field systems containing some fossilised strips. There is some parkland associated with major estate centres such as Naworth Castle. Buildings are limestone built and generally in a vernacular tradition outside of the ‘Georgian’ town of Brampton. The principal archaeological features are the route of the Roman road known as the Stonegate and a variety of medieval castles (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 8: Main Valleys

The characteristics of this landscape type combine linear landscape features with 8b significant alterations in topography and rural 8b elements. Carlisle8A

Such landscapes are common within the county. Height and location determine many 8a 8d of the features, although streams, rivers, Workington Penrith hanging woodlands, pasture, scrub and 8c woodland are common throughout. Whitehaven 8b LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK The orientation, population density and scale 8c 8d of these landscapes vary, affecting 8d YORKSHIRE perceptions and the experience gained. Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK 8b 8b

8c Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types:

8a Gorges 8b Broad Valleys 8c Valley Corridors 8d Dales

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Type 8: Main Valleys

Sub-Type 8A: Gorges

Key Characteristics

• A linear landscape feature, which extends down the valley from North of Lazonby to Wetheral.

• Lined with steep rocky cliffs, ancient semi-natural birch woodland, occasional coniferous planting and hanging woods.

• Fast flowing river within the gorge and impressive views from high ground.

Landscape Character fields come down to the river, the gorge is This is a linear landscape feature, which lined with oak/ birch woodlands, which are cuts through the Sandstone Ridge (type classified as ancient semi natural (though 10) and Rolling Lowland (subtype 5c). some have been replanted with conifers). Part of the gorge is an SSSI in recognition It has a strongly distinctive character with of its high ecological importance. For steep rocky gorge, cliffs, attractive reference to the Lune Gorge see sub-type hanging woodland, fast flowing river and 8c. impressive views.

It extends down the valley of the River Eden from near the ‘Nunnery’ north of Lazonby to Wetheral. Except for a short section near Armathwaite, where pasture

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Ecology A landscape of high ecological interest, much of which lies in the upland oak woodland which lines the steep banks and cliffs of the Eden gorge. These woods are important for birds such as pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler and goosander. The damp cliffs support a diverse assemblage of mosses, liverworts, ferns and species such as the river jelly lichen. The river itself is of international importance and supports otter, Atlantic salmon and lampreys (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The Settle to Carlisle railway runs through this landscape sub-type and is regarded as the most scenic railway in England. A section of the route runs adjacent to the valley of the river Eden. Skilled engineering was required to overcome the complex landform of this area.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is concentrated into a few large villages which had an industrial past associated with water power. Buildings are sandstone constructed, largely dating to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. There are elements of ornamental designed landscapes on the river banks as at Armathwaite (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 8: Main Valleys

Sub-Type 8B: Broad Valleys

Key Characteristics

• Narrow and deep valleys and plains with land cover of pasture with scrub and woodland.

• Fences and hedges are the main boundaries throughout, however stonewalls are also present.

• Field boundaries and woodland often appear neglected

Landscape Character The Eden Valley is a major linear feature, These are main broad valley features that which runs through the eastern part of remain predominantly rural in character. Cumbria from south-east to northwest. They include the valleys of the Eden, The valley landscape varies in local Irthing, Kent and Lune. While generally character but is unified by the river. Some broad and large in scale, the topography parts are generally flat with fields of can vary. Sometimes it forms plains or improved grazing land dominant. Other deeper or narrower valleys. Land cover is parts, around Warcop and Kirkby mixed but predominantly pastoral with Stephen, are narrow and twisting with plantations, scrub and other woodland wooded banks. From Culgaith to often present. Fences and hedges form Kirkoswald the valley is deep and wide most boundaries but stone walls can also with extensive plantations, small be found. Field boundaries and woodland woodlands, parkland and extensive views. often appear neglected. Around Appleby there are high, steep, rocky banks and attractive hanging

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woodlands. North of Kirkoswald the valley pattern of farmland, parkland and small narrows to an impressive gorge identified woods and a small scale pattern of as a separate landscape subtype (8a). improved pasture fields and meadows, The valley contains a number of generally enclosed by thick hedges with predominantly vernacular villages, notably occasional stone walls and fences. Field Langwathby, Temple Sowerby, Warcop and hedgerow trees are frequent. The and Great Musgrave built in the local red woodland is predominantly broadleaved sandstone as well as other features of with some coppice and mixed plantations. architectural and historic interest. Parkland dominates the southern part of the valley. The River Kent itself has The Irthing Valley is an historic landscape meanders, narrow rocky sections with associated with Hadrian’s Wall. The upper falls, historic bridges and weirs. Main part near Birdoswald forms a deep gorge roads are conspicuous and noisy, clothed in hanging woodlands. The Wall discordant elements. Views tend to be and associated earthworks follow a shortened by undulations, woods and prominent ridge running along the hedges. northern rim westwards from Birdoswald to Banks from which there are fine views The Lyth Valley is consistent in character over the valley to distant hills. West of with the flat mosses drained for pasture at Banks, the valley widens out and the the mouth of the Kent, but is more strongly landscape has a softer appearance with defined by limestone escarpments to the old trees and woodland clumps and east and west. Damson orchards are a hedges (generally in poor condition) more distinctive feature of this valley. The Lune frequent than walls. At the same time Valley runs southwards from Sedbergh to farming becomes lusher and the land Kirkby Lonsdale and is strongly defined by more intensively managed. the Barbon and Middleton Fells (subtype 13c) to the east and lower rolling farmland The Kent Valley in the extreme south of (subtype 9b) to the west. The valley is the County comprises a weakly defined broad and open in this section with flat to lower valley, generally below 50m AOD, gently undulating relief. The meandering merging into a drumlin field to form a course of the river itself is inconspicuous broader valley between limestone with only two minor bridging points escarpments to the west and foothills to between Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale. the east. The undulating landform broadens to form a flat plain at the mouth Landcover is varied with a high proportion of the river. There is a mixed land cover of tree cover. Pasture fields and meadows

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are most commonly enclosed by hedges trees. with frequent hedgerow or streamside

Ecology The wildlife of these valleys is dominated by rivers which support species such as otters, Atlantic salmon, bullhead, lampreys and white-clayed crayfish, giving several international ecological importance. The river banks are often wooded with upland oak and wet woodland communities and patches of rush pasture can also be present. Along the Lyth Valley small wooded remnants of once more extensive lowland raised bogs are present. Species-rich hedgerows frequently bound the fields of improved pasture, and these, together with the river habitats provide important habitat for bats. Species-rich roadside verges are a feature of the Lune valley east of Tebay. Earth cliffs along the river bank provides nesting sites for sand martins whilst riverside woods support nesting goosander (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations The broad valleys of the area have been popular locations for artists. The Lune Valley and the upper Lune Valley in Ravenstonedale were painted by J.M.W. Turner, Norman Adams, David Morris.

The Eden Valley is the location for one of Andy Goldsworthy’s sheepfold sculpture walks. From 1996-2001 a series of sheep folds and sculptures were created throughout Cumbria. They provide environmental art features within the landscape to communicate the relationship between stone, sheep, and walls.

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is dispersed except in the Eden and Irthing valleys and part of the Lune Valley. There are varying building styles with sandstone the primary building material in the north and limestone in the south. There are a number of historic weirs and bridges associated with the rivers. The most frequent archaeological sites relate to water powered industries; paper, gunpowder and iron manufacturing on the River Kent and corn mills on all the river systems. There are Roman sites such as Kirkby Thore in the Eden and Lune valleys and in the Irthing Valley Hadrian’s Wall and forts such as Birdoswold form the most significant archaeological components. There are a number of ornamental landscapes, particularly in the Kent and southern Lune Valley (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 8: Main Valleys

Sub-Type 8C: Valley Corridors

Key Characteristics

• Mainly lowland river valleys passing through urban fringe countryside forming urban corridors.

• Meandering rivers, floodplain pastures and hanging woodland other distinctive features include; roads, railways, pylons and scattered development.

• Distinct topography, flood risk and steep slopes restrict development.

Landscape Character In Barrow-in-Furness the upper corridor These are mainly lowland river valleys has distinctive branched and incised passing through urban fringe countryside. valleys with ancient woodland on the sides They have distinctive topography and form and disused quarries, grazing land and urban “corridors” containing roads, marshy areas in the valley bottoms. The railways, pylons and scattered lower corridor is similar but less development. distinctive.

The Derwent valley below Cockermouth is The Lune Gorge is a variation of this sub- an open corridor in the east, but acquires type. It is a unique feature: a deep but a deeper, more enclosed character in the narrow upland valley, which is enclosed west. This subtype includes meandering on both sides by high fells. It forms a gap rivers, floodplain pastures and hanging between Shap Fells on the west and the woodland. Howgillls to the east and has been exploited by the railways in the mid 19th century, it was more recently chosen as

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the route for the M6 motorway. Roads and have also resulted in a number of artificial railway features dominate the gorge but cliff features of high geological interest. At valley side features include rough pasture, the northern end of the Lune Gorge there bracken, scree and broadleaved is the former railway village of Tebay. woodland. Earthworks for transport routes

Ecology These river valleys support areas of upland oak and wet woodland, scrub, rush pasture and floodplain grazing marsh and provide habitat for bats, otter, sand martin and Atlantic salmon (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The Lune gorge is especially characterised by the route-ways going through it from a Roman road with an associated fort, through to a nineteenth century railway and the M6. There is some archaeological evidence of valley specific activities such as Broughton Mill in the Derwent Valley and fish traps at Seaton Weir (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 8: Main Valleys

Sub-Type 8D: Dales

Key Characteristics

• Distinctive, wide V-form upland valley with limestone scarps and steep slopes.

• Dominated by rough pasture with woodlands on the river banks and stone wall boundaries, steeper slopes are covered in bracken and scrub.

• Roads in the valley bottom; settlements are generally absent, except for the random isolated field barns.

Landscape Character riverbanks. There are small plantations Mallerstang is a generally distinctive, wide elsewhere. V-form upland valley, defined by steep slopes culminating in a skyline of angular The grazing land is divided into small limestone scarps. Some parts have lower fields by stone walls which run up the ‘belvederes’ or small plateaux halfway up slopes. A long series of walls divides the the slope, while a narrow gorge is found at lower fields from the higher grazing the top end. commons, which offer a contrast of texture. Stone field barns are dotted about The River Eden, which flows along the the valley. Old trees stand alone, follow valley bottom at a fairly even level is fed walls or are clustered near buildings. by numerous side ghylls which are often deeply incised. The road hugs the valley bottom while higher on the west side the Settle to Land cover is dominated by rough Carlisle railway forms an unexpected pasture. Small woodlands occur on the feature. Settlements are generally absent.

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The small section of dale at Fell End is distinct, stepped profile formed by also a V-form valley defined on the west alternating bands of mudstones, by the steep slopes of Ilarter Fell and on sandstone and limestone of the Yoredale the east by the limestone scars and series. The valley bottoms are less even terraces of Fell End and Stennersceugh and include drumlin features as well as Clouds and the more open slopes of Black wet meadows. Moss. Early mining and many features including To the south beyond the National Park mine buildings modify much of the area boundary, the valley widens and divides and small tips are evident. Settlements, (Rawthey Valley and Uldale). The valley which include the market town of Alston bottom is followed by the main road and and the villages of Garrigill and Nenthead, headwaters of the Rawthey. are mostly associated with early mines or mining. Land cover is dominated by rough pasture, many of the steeper slopes being Old farmsteads are dotted about the covered with bracken and scrub. Small valleys and fields bounded by stone walls square pasture fields bounded by stone cover the valley bottom. Road patterns walls cover the valley bottom with some also serve the needs of commerce. Large- larger fields on the valley sides and scale afforestation has affected some of isolated ‘intakes’ even higher still. the higher valley sides, particularly near Alston. Tree cover is mainly confined to streamsides and field boundaries but Culturally the landscape was developed there are some small copses. Other as small holdings with mining being features include isolated barns (often carried out as a part-time activity. derelict) dotted about the fields, limestone pavement and old bridges. Today there is a noticeable air of neglect in much of the landscape with some In the North Pennines, the topography is mainly small-scale untidiness and similar but valley sides have a more dereliction.

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Geology and Geomorphology Significant physiographic features and geological exposures are mainly associated with the rivers and past mining activity.

Ecology These high river valleys support narrow bands of upland oak woodland and occasional areas of wet woodland, together with rush pastures and hay meadows. The roadside verges provide an important wildlife habitat in these dales, supporting broad swathes of species-rich grassland and tall herb vegetation, characterised by meadowsweet, wood crane’s-bill and, around Alston, melancholy thistle. The rivers support otter, dipper and, in the Alston area, are noted for the flora and invertebrate fauna of their shingle banks which include rare helleborines. This mosaic of habitats in the Tyne and Nent valleys provides the main black grouse stronghold in Cumbria. Statutory designations: Alston Shingle Banks SSSI (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations Nenthead is rich in mining heritage, regarded as the most important single site associated with the lead mining in the north Pennines. The mining dates back from Roman times where lead was smelted to extract silver content. The Quaker London Lead Company built the village of Nenthead in the 1830’s.

Historic Environment Generally characterised by a dispersed settlement pattern with an irregular field pattern featuring surviving ring garths and evidence of intacks as well as isolated field barns. The fields are generally enclosed with dry stone walls and the buildings are limestone built. In Alston there are many traditional buildings of seventeenth and eighteenth century date. Outside of Alston, bastles are a characteristic feature of the rural buildings. Archaeological features include medieval defensible structures such as Pendragon Castle, evidence of quarrying, lime burning and coal and lead mining including surviving binsteads (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 9: Intermediate Moorland & Plateau

These are medium to large scale open 9c landscapes ranging from open exposed heath 9a moorland, intensely farmed ridges to 9c 9c 9a extensively planted coniferous plateau. Improved grassland a dominant land cover Carlisle throughout. Horizons are wide and the scale vast and remote. Colours are muted and monochrome.

Workington Penrith 9d

9b Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK 9b

9d Barrow- in- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types:

9a Open Moorlands 9b Rolling Farmland & Heath 9c Forests 9d Ridges

Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 74

Type 9: Intermediate Plateau

Sub-Type 9A: Open Moorlands

Key Characteristics

• High mostly open landscapes 150- 250m AOD with parts rising to 500m.

• Undulating semi-improved pasture to unimproved, unfenced moorland and attractive deciduous woodland.

• Although termed “moorland” land in some areas of this Sub-type have been partially improved and have a managed character i.e. Gilgarran area.

Landscape Character areas, the area is not extensively planted This is a high, generally open landscape with conifers. 150-250m AOD with parts rising to 500m. In North Copeland the topography is less distinct and mainly consists of open, In Carlisle the extensive coniferous forests undulating moorland covered by improved of Kershope and Spadeadam largely farmland. define the boundaries. Here the landscape ranges from undulating, semi- On the district boundary around Gilgarran improved pastures in large rectangular there is a locally more enclosed landscape ‘lots’ to unimproved and unfenced dominated by semi natural woodland. moorland. Most of the moorland and moss areas are around 100m AOD. The Gilgarran area There is deciduous woodland in the more rises to 180m AOD. Although termed sheltered valleys. In contrast to adjacent ‘moorland’ most of the land has been partially improved and has a managed

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character. Moresby Moss is an exception. moorland to the west and prominent ridge In the south, the partly afforested Keekle to the east (sub-type 9d). Valley contrasts with the more open

Ecology A landscape of rough pasture with extensive areas of rush pasture and purple moor-grass and areas of acid grassland. Upland oak woodland is present in steep river valleys and one of the largest areas of alder wet woodland in Cumbria is found south of Bewcastle. Areas of upland heathland are occasional to rare in this landscape, whilst blanket bog is extensive south-east and north-east of Bewcastle. Species-rich springs and flushes are locally frequent, particularly where there is a calcareous influence to the irrigating waters (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is generally dispersed with some clusters of nineteenth century industrial workers housing. The fields are often large and formed by late moorland enclosure. There is good preservation of earthworks including prehistoric settlements and medieval shielings. The landscape type features remains associated with the border, including fortified sites, Roman roads and forts and evidence of coal mining around Moresby (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 76

Type 9: Intermediate Plateau

Sub-Type 9B: Rolling Farmland & Heath

Key Characteristics

• Relatively high farmland and heath 160-210m AOD with shallow relief ridges and hallows from 150m–250m AOD, producing occasional rocky outcrops.

• Rolling in appearance with coniferous plantations, rough poorly drained pasture and semi heathland.

• Narrow wooded valleys with wetland features.

Landscape Character hollows between 150m and 250m AOD In Eden this is a belt of relatively high with a northeast to southwest grain. farmland and heath 160-210m AOD which is characterised by its rolling appearance Silurian hard rock geology gives rise to and the predominance of rough and poorly occasional rocky outcrops and a knobbly drained pasture and semi-heathland with outline to the ridges. There is a varied small and medium sized coniferous land cover pattern with improved pasture plantations. Much of the higher ground is dominant. Medium sized fields enclosed under estate management where mostly by stone walls give way to hedges on the coniferous plantations, clumps and plateau edges. There are frequent individual trees form the main features. coniferous plantations particularly above the Lune Valley. Rough pasture occurs on In South Westmorland this is a plateau ridge tops with patches of heather, landscape between the Kent and Lune bracken or rushes. Valleys with a shallow relief of ridges and

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Features include: field boundary trees roads serves scattered hamlets and which increase in number at lower levels, farms. Masts and pylons only influence marshy hollows and stream valleys with character in some areas. gorse and willow scrub. There are also tarns and small reservoirs often obscured There are views of surrounding fell tops by plantations. Killington Reservoir is an from the summits and into valleys from the important feature. A network of minor plateau edges.

Geology Significant exposures of Permian rocks in Eden District include the Penrith Brockram.

Ecology A landscape of rough and improved pasture containing areas of rush pasture and purple moor-grass, upland heathland and acid grassland. Of note in the area south of Killington Reservoir is the presence of a series of small raised bogs, whilst conifer plantations in this area provide nest sites for long-eared owl. Species-rich roadside verges are a feature of this landscape south of Appleby and above the Lune valley (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment In South Westmorland there is a dispersed settlement pattern with limestone built farmsteads often featuring date stones on both houses and farm buildings. In general buildings date from the late seventeenth century onwards. The field system is late and often originated in nineteenth century enclosure. In Eden, however, the settlement pattern is based on nucleated villages with a field pattern of early enclosures often containing fossilised strips (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 9: Intermediate Plateau

Sub-Type 9C: Forests

Key Characteristics

• Areas of high rolling or undulating moorland and plateau with large areas of coniferous planting.

• Open attractive areas with extensive views towards distant hills and craggy scarps.

• Roads, security fences, buildings and overhead power lines are detractors.

Landscape Character fences, buildings and overhead power These are areas of high rolling or lines influence the landscape character. undulating moorland and plateau with There are remnants of moorland around extensively planted coniferous forest now the periphery. subject to cycles of clear felling and replanting. Afforested areas generally contain very large and extensive planting blocks with This type consists of two separate areas firebreaks and access roads. There is little divided by open moorland (sub-type 9a). variation in tree species and sitka spruce The northernmost block, Kershope Forest, dominates. is itself divided into two by the small agricultural valley and settlement of The open areas consist of exposed and Bailey. Part of the forest at Spadeadam to simple moorland with extensive views the south-east is used for military towards distant hills and craggy scarps. purposes, its associated roads, security

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Ecology Extensive coniferous plantation dominates this landscape and provides nest sites for goshawk. Within and around the edges of these plantations there are large areas of blanket bog, rush pasture, purple moor-grass and small raised bogs. These are particularly extensive in Spadeadam Forest. Isolated areas of hay meadow and wet woodland are present in the upper reaches of the River Irthing. Species-rich springs and flushes are present where there is a calcareous influence to the irrigating waters and support species such as small white orchid (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Cultural Associations In the 1950’s Spadeadam was the test location for the “Blue Streak” missile project, the equivalent to the American Atlas missile. It was suddenly cancelled in 1960. Britain attempted to salvage the project by utilising the “Blue Streak” technology to enter the Space Race and form the first stage of a satellite launcher.

Historic Environment The landscape remains largely unenclosed and the settlement pattern is largely dispersed and post-medieval in origin. A number of the farms originated as bastles in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Prehistoric sites including burial cairns are relatively common. Other important potential heritage sites include twentieth century military sites such as the Blue Streak missile testing range at Spadeadam (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 9: Intermediate Plateau

Sub-Type 9D: Ridges

Key Characteristics

• Distinct ridge running northeast to south west from Dean Moor to Weddicar Rigg.

• True heathland moorland, intensely farmed managed landscapes with prominent stone wall boundaries for long rectangular fields.

• Woodland and small belts of trees form prominent features, whilst in the open areas remnants of old woodland form strong local features.

Landscape Character Much of the original moorland has been In Allerdale and North Copeland this type lost and the remnants are under threat. comprises a distinct ridge running northeast/southwest from Dean Moor to The ridge forms a distinct feature in an Weddicar Rigg, rising at its highest point otherwise rather bleak setting and forms a to about 250m AOD. natural link with the rolling fringe sub-type (12b) to the northeast. The character varies from true heather moorland to farmed managed landscape. In Furness this type comprises a large The latter is particularly distinct on block of moors and hills above Dalton and Weddicar Rigg where prominent stone Ulverston. This is a large-scale landscape walls define fields. Remnants of old with smooth, rounded tops and steep woodland form strong local features in the sides. Unmanaged heather cover or open moorland. bracken on higher ground gives way to pasture on the lower slopes.

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A valley on the southern slopes open moorland at Kirkby Moor, which is accommodates two large reservoirs, visible from a wide area. The views which are discordant features. A major towards the Duddon Estuary and wind farm has been constructed on the Morecambe Bay are striking.

Ecology Areas of moorland are present on the higher sections of these ridges, with upland heathland dominant on Kirkby Moor and rush pasture and purple moor-grass dominant on High Park. The lower slopes support rush pasture and swamp, together with improved grassland. Steeply incised valleys support small upland oak woodlands. Kirkby Moor provides a southwest outpost for red grouse in Cumbria (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment Settlement is sparse but in the lower areas is generally nucleated whereas higher up it is dispersed and later in origin. Lower down the fields are irregular and often small, but on higher land they are generally regular and a product of late enclosure. The landscape is strongly affected by large-scale quarrying with the quarries at Bannishead being a particularly distinctive feature. Other characteristic archaeological remains are prehistoric settlements and burial cairns (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 10: Sandstone Ridge

This landscape consists of a sandstone ridge running from Penrith breaking off into a series of hills as you move north of Lazonby toward Carlisle. This open, large-scale landscape is sometimes varied in character with landcover Carlisle of improved farmland, conifer plantation or unimproved heathland. Open expansive views are present both toward and away from 10a the Lake District National Park. Workington Penrith

Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types:

10a Sandstone Ridge

Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 83

Type 10: Sandstone Ridge

Sub-Type 10A: Sandstone Ridge

Key Characteristics

• Ridge 100-250m AOD running north from Penrith to Carlisle.

• Land cover is dominated by farmland or conifer plantation although there are significant areas of improved heathland.

• Attractive long distance views.

Landscape Character Landcover is dominated by improved A distinctive ridge runs north from Penrith farmland or conifer plantation but with towards Carlisle at an elevation of 100- significant areas of unimproved heathland. 250m AOD. It is particularly prominent from the M6 corridor to the west whence it There are attractive long distance views provides a mainly afforested skyline. over the Petteril valley to the Lake District in the west and eastwards across the The southern part of the ridge including Eden to the Pennines. Beacon Hill and Lazonby Fell is most pronounced. North of Lazonby Fell it The type generally lacks clear ‘historic’ breaks into a series of isolated hills. Here field patterns. Farming out by ‘open range’ the ridge is partly intersected by the Eden methods may result in neglect of field Gorge which forms a dramatic feature on boundaries. Uncharacteristic new farm the east side. Whinfell forms an outlier to entrances and large-scale modern farm the south of Penrith at 200m AOD. buildings also occur.

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Geology Scientifically important exposures of Permian sandstone occur.

Ecology This ridge supports the main areas of lowland heathland in Cumbria on Wanfell and Lazonby Fell. Whilst most of the conifer plantations are of limited ecological interest, those south of Penrith support a range of uncommon plants associated with native Scot’s pine woodland, including northern bilberry, creeping lady’s tresses and common wintergreen. A basin mire supporting a range of uncommon and rare mire species, including lesser tussock sedge is also present on the southern end of the ridge. Rush pasture is occasionally present. At the northern end of the ridge a series of ponds and wetlands formed by mineral extraction support a range of swamp and fen communities (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment Settlement is sparse but mainly nucleated. Buildings are of sandstone. The field pattern is regular of nineteenth century origin (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 11: Upland Fringes

Generally perceived as peaceful rural backwaters, these landscapes are characterised by rolling low fells, hilly plateau 11a farmland and moorland. Colours are in some areas, whereas elsewhere they are muted. Carlisle 11a Patches of heather and features such as streams, stonewalls and sparse woodland 11a creates diversity. 11a 11a Workington 11B Penrith The landscapes are balanced and calm.

Rocky outcrops and patterns of large fields Whitehaven 11a LAKE DISTRICT 11a add to the diversity. There are only a few 11a NATIONAL PARK 11a uncharacteristic elements, one of which is the 11a 11a M6 motorway. YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES 11b 11b NATIONAL PARK 11a 11a 11a 11a

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

11a Foothills

11b Low Fells

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Type 11: Upland Fringes

Sub-Type 11A: Foothills

Key Characteristics

• Hills between 75m and 250m AOD with occasional rocky outcrops and dissected by numerous streams and minor river valleys.

• Rolling, hilly or plateau farmland, moorland, improved grassland, unimproved heathland and extensive conifer plantations.

• Semi natural woodland in small valleys, large areas of farmland are bounded by stone walls and hedges.

Landscape Character In Carlisle and Eden the type is In West Cumbria this is a broad type characterised by rolling, hilly or plateau transitional in character between the farmland and moorland generally 150- general countryside and the distinctive 250m AOD adjoining the North Pennines open moorland and fell found mainly in the AONB. Land cover ranges from improved Lake District. It varies between pastoral grazing land with some arable to landscapes with small fields to rolling unimproved heathland or moorland with higher topography with fine long distance extensive conifer plantations. views. The elevation is 75m - 250m AOD.

Most farmland has a pattern of large fields In South Lakeland this type comprises tending to be square with stone walls or rolling hills between I00m and 250m AOD hedges in generally poor condition. Many with occasional rocky outcrops. of the areas offer good views towards the Numerous streams and minor river valleys Pennine scarp. Quarrying has affected dissect the hills. some parts.

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Land use is predominantly improved around farms. Occasional marshy hollows pasture and meadows and there is a and small tarns with willow scrub add strong pattern of stone walls giving way to interest. The harmonious character is hedges at lower levels. The rich green of weakened by inappropriately sited and improved fields often contrasts strongly designed modern farm buildings, pylons, with the mottled and subdued hues of spoil heaps and coniferous plantations. surrounding fells. There are some small Minor roads serve scattered farms and woods on steeper slopes and alongside hamlets. Topography and woodland tend streams and rivers. Numerous field to shorten and frustrate views but there boundary trees and tree clumps occur are glimpses of surrounding fells.

Ecology Largely an agricultural landscape but includes many small pockets of ecological interest. In the north and east there are areas of upland heathland and acid grassland, whilst rush pasture is frequent on poorly drained ground throughout, as are species-rich hedgerows, though these tend to be confined to lower ground. There are many small river valleys and these often support small upland oak woodlands. These woodlands are particularly notable along the upper River Belah east of Brough, where they are accompanied by stands of species-rich grassland. Occasionally there are outcrops of limestone and these support areas of limestone grassland and upland ash woodland. Species-rich springs and flushes are present where there is a calcareous influence to the irrigating waters. The numerous rivers and becks provide habitat for species such as otter, dipper and, along the River Eden, freshwater pearl-mussel (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The settlement pattern is dispersed and the field systems mainly a product of late enclosure. Some of the farms originated as late sixteenth or early seventeenth century bastles. Traditional farm buildings are limestone built and the field boundaries generally consist of drystone walls. Ring garths and intacks are identifiable. Upstanding archaeological remains are widespread and include prehistoric stone circles and cairns, medieval shielings and droveways, remnants of late medieval deer parks and the prolific remains of past industries. These include quarrying and lead mining in the Pennines. Some areas, like Warcop Common, are especially rich in archaeological remains (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 11: Upland Fringes

Sub-Type 11B: Low Fells

Key Characteristics

• Rolling low fells between 200m and 300m AOD with rocky outcrops.

• Open diverse grassland consisting of bracken, moorland, heather and improved pasture and small woods and scrub on the steeper slopes and by farms.

• Distant views along Kent and Lune valley.

Landscape Character Elsewhere the contrast is weakened by These comprise rolling low fells between intervening semi-improved grassland often 200m-300m AOD with a northeast to marred by dilapidated stone walls and southwest grain. Relatively soft fences. The landscape is relatively sedimentary rocks have eroded to fairly featureless with only occasional field rounded forms with only occasional rocky boundary and streamside trees, small outcrops and a knobbly outline in places. woods or scrub on steeper slopes, tree clumps by farms and rushy hollows with The vegetation is generally open willow scrub. Occasional farmsteads grassland with varying intensity of coincide with the improved land served by management. Sometimes there is a strong peripheral lanes. contrast between rich green improved pasture enclosed by stone walls and open The M6 motorway and to a lesser extent moorland of rough grass, bracken and the A684 affect the character. Fell tops remnant heather. afford distant views down the Kent and Lune valleys.

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Ecology These low fells support areas of upland heathland and acid grassland, with areas of rush pasture and purple moor-grass and stands of gorse scrub. Small upland oak woodlands are present along stream valleys and small stands of wet woodland are present in damp hollows (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment There are few settlements and most are isolated farmsteads. The field system is a product of late enclosure and defined by drystone walls. There is evidence of some medieval deer parks and widespread evidence of quarrying (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 12: Higher Limestone

This open and sometimes exposed, varied scale landscape is diverse in character, historic features, textures and has distinctive limestone characteristics. Improved pasture and heather moorland is abundant. Other Carlisle land cover includes ancient woodland and parkland. On the higher ground limestone 12b pavement, scars and grasslands are present; 12b 12c these have high ecological and conservation Workington Penrith 12b 12b value. Shap Granite underlies the western 12b fringe of this Landscape Type. Whitehaven 12a 12a LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK 12d 12a 12d

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

12a Limestone Farmland 12b Rolling Fringe 12c Limestone Foothills 12d Moorland and Commons

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Type 12: Higher Limestone

Sub-Type 12A: Limestone Farmland

Key Characteristics

• Rolling upland farmed landscape 250- 300m AOD with distinctive limestone characteristics in the form of strong field patterns with high stone walls.

• Land cover dominated by improved or semi-improved pasture and small broad leaved, coniferous or mixed plantations.

• The landscape is of historic character, which evokes a strong sensory response.

Landscape Character Land cover is dominated by improved or This is a rolling upland farmed landscape semi-improved pasture. Tree clumps and 250-300m AOD with distinctive limestone small broadleaved, coniferous or mixed characteristics. These include a strong plantations often near farmhouses are pattern of fields bounded by high stone typical features. walls which emphasise the landform and other built stone features. There are views of the Lakeland Fells, the Howgillls and the Northern Pennines. In the Orton-Raisbeck area the scale is Some views include discordant elements larger with a pattern dominated by large particularly around Shap where quarries, allotments. Around some of the villages pylons and the M6 motorway are and hamlets smaller scale pasture with concentrated and at Ravenstonedale some long, narrow fields are found with where new farm sheds are visible. This is more hedges and field boundary trees. a landscape of historic character, which evokes a strong sensory response.

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Geology and Geomorphology Carboniferous Limestone outcrops provide high geological interest. Till and fluvioglacial deposits exposed along Scandal Beck provide key evidence for interpreting late Quaternary stratigraphy.

Ecology This landscape supports some of the most species-rich hay meadows in Cumbria and is also notable for broad species-rich roadside verges. Where the limestone outcrop areas of limestone grassland are present and in places there are extensive species-rich springs and flushes with alpine bartsia and black bog-rush. Stands of upland ash woodland are present along gills and river valleys. The many small rivers that dissect this landscape support both otter and white-clawed crayfish (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment A landscape of nucleated villages with a variety of early and late enclosed fields all bounded by drystone walls containing features such as hog holes and bee boles. The villages often have traditional village greens and traditional limestone built farm buildings within them. Isolated field barns also feature. The landscape has a variety of well preserved earthwork remains including ridge and furrow and lynchets. The boundaries of former late medieval deer parks are preserved within the modern field pattern. Archaeological remains include prehistoric stone circles and cairns, early medieval settlement remains and the remains of abandoned quarries and limekilns (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016: Technical Paper 5 93

Type 12: Higher Limestone

Sub-Type 12B: Rolling Fringe

Key Characteristics

• Large-scale undulating topography at altitudes ranging from 150m-370m AOD.

• Large fields of improved pasture bounded by stone walls (only in Eden), fences, hedges and conifer plantations.

• Open landscape with wide views.

Landscape Character Tree cover is generally sparse or In Eden District this type is transitional completely lacking, apart from some fairly between the true limestone landscape and extensive coniferous plantations and the the glacial and valley types. It mainly occasional clump. The main impression comprises large scale, rolling or gained is of a simple, open landscape. A undulating topography at altitudes of 180- few features of historical interest can be 300m AOD. found. In Allerdale the type has similar topography but forms the fringe of the Although a limestone landscape there are northern Lake District fells. fewer distinctive features here than in limestone farmland (sub-type 12a). Land The altitudes are generally between cover consists of large fields of improved 150-300m AOD but with one high point pasture bounded by stone walls, fences or rising to 370m. This sub-type comprises occasional hedges. mainly open grazing land with large, often rectangular fields divided by fences or hedges in poor condition, but no walls.

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Other parts have extensive areas of rough 200m AOD). The northern part of this has pasture and isolated coniferous some natural limestone features, which plantations with moorland and moss at the are absent elsewhere. This is a fairly higher elevations. simple landscape, with clear views to the Lakeland Fells. Generally an open landscape simple with wide views. Although this is a limestone Features of note are fairly uncommon but area, limestone features are mostly include wooded knolls, small valleys and absent. limestone outcrops (e.g. Eaglesfield Crags). The area includes the village of Views on the eastern side are dominated Ullock. by television transmission masts. Included in the sub-type is an area further to the south at a slightly lower elevation (100-

Ecology A landscape of improved grassland with only occasional hedgerows. Areas of semi-natural vegetation are scarce, but include occasional areas of limestone grassland and small upland ash woods. A few species-rich roadside verges are also present. The main feature of ecological interest in this landscape is a disused quarry which hosts a large great crested newt population of international importance (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment In Eden district the landscape features nucleated villages surrounded by early enclosed field systems featuring fossilised strips. There are a variety of well preserved earthwork remains including ridge and furrow and lynchets. In Allerdale it is still a village landscape but with fewer fossilised strips in the surrounding field pattern. Here late enclosed outfields are a feature of the field system. Archaeological remains include Viking Age artefacts in Allerdale and in all areas widespread evidence of quarrying and lime burning (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 12: Higher Limestone

Sub-Type 12C: Limestone Foothills

Key Characteristics

• Large forestry plantations with unimproved land, ancient woodland and parkland.

• Rolling undulating topography with occasional plateaus. Pavements, crags and other rock outcrops are rare.

• Southern aspects of this sub-type contain land largely dominated by small pasture fields with the presence of both disused and active quarries.

Landscape Character In the main northern block stone walls This area lies between Greystoke and the bounding the large allotments or smaller Lake District National Park boundary at an fields and the blocks of forest or other elevation of 220-360m AOD. The area is woodlands are the main features. dominated by large forestry plantations Pavements, crags and other rock outcrops around Greystoke and Johnby, but are rare. contains a variety of other land cover including unimproved land, ancient On the southern side, in contrast, the land woodland and parkland. The area has is dominated by small pasture fields and is rolling undulating topography, which is pock-marked by old and active quarries. occasionally steep and sometimes appears plateau-like. In the west and north where there are clear views of the Lake District fells and The natural boundary of the type on the interesting areas of relict woodland and west side is the valley of Mungrisedale scrub. within the National Park.

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Ecology One of the most notable features of this landscape are the broad roadside verges which support species-rich stands of tall herbs, neutral grassland, limestone grassland and rush pasture. Small areas of limestone grassland are also found around small outcrops of limestone and species-rich springs and flushes are also occasionally present. Small areas of upland ash woodland are sometimes present, but one of the main woodland features is the wood pasture and veteran trees of Greystoke Park (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment The settlement pattern features nucleated villages with limestone built traditional buildings. The field systems feature drystone walls and fossilised strips. Evidence of deer parks as at Greystoke Castle, are preserved within existing boundaries. Earthwork remains relating to medieval habitation and farming are associated with the villages but many have been removed in recent years (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 12: Higher Limestone

Sub-Type 12D: Moorland and Commons

Key Characteristics

• Open grazing common at 250-400m AOD with limestone pavement and scars, except in western areas of granite.

• Land cover is dominated by grassland, coniferous plantations and heather moorland.

• Wide views of the Lake District and Howgilll Fells, although the M6 motorway and mineral extraction sites are detractors.

Landscape Character The area is an important limestone habitat Most of this landscape type is open and a number of the scars, pavements grazing common at 250-350m AOD with and grasslands have been designated some higher areas up to 400m AOD. Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the Land cover is dominated by grassland or pavements are protected by Limestone remnant heather moorland with some Pavement Orders. Most of this landscape coniferous woodland. Occasional tree type is developed on limestone though the clumps and stone walls are the main western fringe is underlain by Shap features with limestone pavements and Granite. There are wide views of the Lake scars dominant in many areas particularly District Fells to the west and Howgilll Fells on Orton and Ashy Scars. to the south. Shorter views include craggy hillsides. The stone walls which form the boundary of the commons are of historic interest.

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Parts of the area are affected by industrial Some of this landscape type also includes and urban influences. Major local fringe areas of the commons with fewer detractors include the M6 motorway, features and a generally simpler mineral extraction and a highway depot. appearance.

Ecology A landscape where internationally important limestone pavements, upland heathland and acid grassland moorland predominate. Associated with these are species-rich springs and flushes, species-rich purple moor-grass and limestone grassland. The pavements, limestone grasslands and flushes support a range of rare and uncommon species, including Geyer’s whorl snail, bird’s-foot sedge, bird’s-eye primrose and slender green feather-moss (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment Little settlement and much unenclosed common land, what enclosure exists is late. These areas are especially important for prehistoric remains which include boundary walls, settlements and cairns. In addition they contain features peculiar to upland farming such as bields and widespread evidence of quarrying and lime burning (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 13: Fells and Scarp

An open extensive landscape between 500- 900m AOD comprising of moorland, plateaus, fells and scarps. This Landscape Type incorporates areas of the north Pennines, 13b Carlisle Howgills, Shap fells and Middleton fells. The ecological value of these areas is high with 13a 13b few signs of human influence. Woodland vegetation is minimal creating very open 13a environments, which in places is heavily Workington Penrith 13b grazed. The contours of the land are smooth 13a and domed, and although steep sided, are Whitehaven LAKE DISTRICT 13b sometimes interrupted by stone walls or NATIONAL PARK 13c 13c fences. 13c

YORKSHIRE Kendal DALES NATIONAL PARK 13c

Barrow- In- Furness

Landscape Sub-Types

13a Scarps 13b Moorland, High Plateau 13c Fells

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Type 13: Fells and Scarps

Sub-Type 13A: Scarps

Key Characteristics

• Horizontal outcrops of limestone and volcanic rock form distinct features.

• Main land cover is unimproved grassland, although in northern areas small field patterns are enclosed by stone walls and slopes are filled with bracken and scrub.

• Land is heavily grazed with ghylls and gulleys breaking up the scar and moorland.

Landscape Character scarp, running from Melmerby Scars to This sub-type comprises the main western Helbeck near brough, with distinctive scarp slopes of the northern Pennines. conical shaped outliers around Dufton and Horizontal outcrops of limestone and Knock. volcanic rock form distinctive features when viewed from the M6 motorway, A66 North of Cumrew the scarp is sharply trunk road and the Eden Valley. From incised and less distinctive and is closer viewpoints they display interesting considered to form part of the foothills forms and colours. Similar features on a (sub-type Ila). Most of the slopes are smaller scale are found in Mallerstang. formed of unimproved grassland but the north the scarp is sometimes associated The Pennine scarp forms two separate with patterns of small fields enclosed by areas: to the north, the slopes at Cumrew stone walls. and Newbiggin; to the south of Hartside there is a mainly continuous southern

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Outside the enclosures slopes are Sill cliffs (e.g. High Cup Nick). At the sometimes heath-like with scrub and southern extremity on some of the more bracken. Most of the land is heavily inaccessible slopes there are remnants of grazed. Gully or ghyll features frequently ancient woodland. The slopes above break the scar and run down from the Warcop are part of an army training area. moorland top. Rocky features are common including limestone pavements and scars and Whin

Ecology The western scarp slopes of the Pennines are covered by large areas of limestone grassland, acid grassland and bracken, together with fields of improved pasture on the lower slopes. Along the scarp edge there are exposures of both limestone and volcanic rock and these, together with the associated areas of limestone grassland support rare species such as alpine saxifrage and Teesdale violet. Species-rich springs and flushes are locally frequent on these steep slopes, as are areas of rush pasture. Woodland is generally scarce, but near Brough there are large areas of upland ash woodland present (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment There is little modern settlement but there are some abandoned post-medieval farmsteads. The field system features intacks and parliamentary enclosure. There is evidence of coal and lead mining with surviving bell pits indicative of early coal mining on Stainmore. Archaeological interest also includes relict prehistoric field systems and settlements (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 13: Fells and Scarps Sub-Type 13B: Moorland, High Plateau

Key Characteristics

• Fells, summits and moorland from 500m-893m, generally plateau with deep valleys and ghylls.

• Valley slopes have varied land cover, elsewhere vegetation is blanket bog with minimal tree cover.

• In the south of this sub-type unimproved acidic grassland dominates, whilst in the north dry dwarf heath shrub is the major vegetation.

Landscape Character feature, otherwise the majority of the area An extensive area of upland moorlands is used for extensive sheep grazing with incorporating high fells and summits, some ponies and hill cattle. The area is generally over 500m rising to 893m at largely devoid of tree cover due no doubt Cross Fell. Much of the moorland is to the high exposure and grazing plateau-like with numerous deep valleys pressure and has a strong feeling of and ghylls, but distinct summits in the remoteness. west central section (the highest in the Pennine chain) dominate the scarp. The The southern part of the zone contains majority of the vegetation is blanket bog. extensive areas of common land including Ousby, Dutton and Murton fells, On the valley slopes there are variations Stainmore, Winton and Kaber fells. Large in land cover. South of Croglin Water parts of these commons are included unimproved acidic grassland dominates. within Sites of Special Scientific Interest. North of this point dry dwarf shrub heath takes over. Where heather survives, Further north, Geltsdale and Glendue managed grouse moors are a rare SSSI is noted for its upland bird

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communities and moorland vegetation. A Great Dunn Fell is the only alien feature major civil aircraft radar installation at visible from a wide area.

Ecology These high Pennine moorlands are of international importance for their blanket bogs and the breeding populations of moorland birds they support, including species such as golden plover, dunlin and hen harrier. These moors also support areas of upland heathland and acid grassland, together with limestone grasslands, species-rich springs and flushes with rare species such as marsh saxifrage, spring gentian and alpine forget-me-not. Several of the summits support montane heath communities and a range of rock and scree vegetation is present. On former lead mines, the spoil often supports a unique lead tolerant flora including alpine pennywort and spring sandwort. Along the moorland edge there are large areas of rough pasture, including expanses of rush pasture. These moorland edges provide important habitat for black grouse (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

Historic Environment There are no settlements or field systems and little of archaeological interest. Nineteenth century grouse pits occasionally feature in some areas (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Type 13: Fells and Scarps

Sub-Type 13C: Fells

Key Characteristics

• Smaller fells forming extensions to Lake District Fells around 700m AOD with steep sided rounded hills and deep incised valleys and ghylls.

• Carboniferous Limestone Pennine extensions, with rocky cliffs and screes on steep slopes.

• Grazed open moorland, rough grass, bracken, wooded ghylls and remnant broadleaved woodlands enclose semi- improved pasture.

Landscape Character In Pennine extensions like Wild Boar Fell Geologically, these fells are extensions of and High Barbon Fell, carboniferous either the Lake District Fells or the limestone capped by millstone grit Pennines. They rise to around 700m AOD. produces more angular, stepped outlines. The former comprises of the Howgillls, Rocky cliffs and scree occur on steep Shap Fells and Middleton Fells. They are scarp slopes with softer dip slopes. developed on Silurian grey sandstones and siltstones (Coniston Grit). The rocks Heavily grazed open moorland of rough have eroded to form steep sided rounded grass, bracken and rushes is the hills with deeply incised valleys and gills. predominant land cover with little or no There are occasional rocky crags, tree cover. Remnant patches of heather waterfalls and dramatic steep slopes with survive on some fells. A few lower slopes scree and boulders, particularly on the and fells carry coniferous plantations. northern and eastern flanks. The outer fells or ‘knotts’ are knobbly in outline with Lower slopes tend to be enclosed by rocky outcrops. stone walls as large fields or allotments of

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semi-improved pasture. Tree cover is and limestone are used widely in walls more extensive here. It is found in wooded and buildings. gills, in clumps around scattered farms, along boundaries and in remnant Generally the fells have not been affected broadleaved woodlands on the fellside. by development apart from transmission Fellsides along the Lune valley are stations, pylons and overhead lines and distinguished by parkland trees and noise intrusion from the M6 motorway. woods. There is the occasional dereliction of farms and some dilapidated stone walls. Features include fell ponies, vernacular The higher slopes and summits afford farm buildings and associated trees, scrub extensive and panoramic views. gorse and thorn. Local grey sandstone

Geology and Geomorphology Caves and other karst features of the Carboniferous limestone and various natural and engineered rock exposures provide important scientific interest and visual appeal.

Ecology Much of this moorland is covered by acid grassland, particularly the Howgilll Fells, however parts of Birkbeck Fells and Middleton Fell are covered by extensive areas of upland heathland and blanket bog. Rush pasture is frequent along the unenclosed valley bottoms. On lower ground there are species-rich hay meadows along some of the remote valleys. Limestone is present under some parts of this landscape and in places, notably The Clouds, it outcrops forming areas of limestone pavement with associated areas of limestone grassland. Species-rich springs and flushes are present locally. Upland oak woodland is present along some gills and valley sides on lower ground (See Appendix 3: Ecology).

The Shap Fells (partly within the Lake District National Park) are extensively designated for ecological interest. This includes heather dominated blanket bog on deep peat with widespread flush communities, areas of raised mire, a range of acidic grasslands and small broadleaved woodlands. There are diverse upland breeding bird populations and a sizeable herd of red deer. The Middleton Fells have extensive heather cover, which supports herds of red deer. The wildlife of the fells includes buzzards, kestrels, foxes and hares.

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Historic Environment The settlement pattern consists of occasional isolated farmsteads often on ancient sites. In the valleys some of the farms are located on medieval vaccary sites. Only the lower slopes are enclosed by often large, though not always regular, fields bounded by drystone walls with hog holes. The landscape retains many historic features including droveways, pennings and bields. Archaeological earthworks and other remains are generally well preserved and shielings are particularly common in areas like the Howgillls (See Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Characterisation).

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Section 4: Indicators for Monitoring Positive – Leading to the area more Change in the Landscape closely matching the ideal landscape character. Indicators are measurable landscape features that are monitored and assessed. Or Negative – Leading to either a They provide statistical information on reduction in the integrity of the character physical landscape and environmental or even; a change in character, to be changes over time. replaced by something either more or less desirable. To predict the consequence of development proposals, landscape Indicators also need to be considered in indicators can become a central part of relation to how likely the indicator may be this process and be considerations used affected by development pressures or as a tool to assess potential changes to natural processes. This may result in the landscape character. increase or decrease in the actual indicator leading to an impact upon Landscape indicators need to be both landscape character. measurable and to have a fixed baseline against which a change can be identified. The following table outlines indicators that are measurable and show pressures for Changes to an indicator can be; change on the landscape.

Long-term Indicators (Outside the life of the Structure Plan)

Indicator Measure (Unit) Pressure for Change Energy Related Development Number of individual Demand for alternative power developments sources leading to the construction of alien built forms within the landscape sub-types. Man-made Coastal Defences Length in metres of new Demand due to increased coastal defence systems. threat of stormy weather and the effects of global warming. Sea Level Millimetres of change Increased effects of global warming.

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Short-term Indicators (Within the life of the Structure Plan)

Indicator Measure (Unit) Pressure for Change Communication Number of Communications Demand upon Communication Development Masts Industry to provide accessible networks. Footpath Erosion Width in metres of existing Increase of countryside users and new footpaths and accessibility to countryside. Land Management Area in hectares/square Mitigation of farming (agriculture, grazing, metres techniques i.e. overgrazing. woodland) Implementation of modern farming techniques. Infrastructure Development Length in Miles of roads /rail To mitigate increase in road infrastructure /pylons traffic/area access needs. Built Development Number of houses /industrial Residential and industrial buildings demands.

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Appendix 1: Landscapes of County Importance (LOCI)

The assessment of County Landscapes was carried out as part of the review of the Joint Structure Plan in 1991/2. The methodology adopted was based on guidelines published by the Countryside Commission in 1987. These recommended an approach that combines ‘objective’ information based on the intrinsic qualities of a particular landscape and ‘subjective’ information reflecting the sensory response of a viewer to that landscape.

The purpose of the assessment was to identify the rural areas of Cumbria that had distinctive landscape character and which, although not recognised as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Park or Heritage Coast, are highly valued from a County perspective. To serve this purpose a set of criteria for County Landscapes was drawn up based on those recommended by the Commission but fine-tuned to the particular characteristics of Cumbria.

As a strategic designation County Landscapes are expected to be broad tracts of distinctive landscape. A method of assessment was thus devised at a level of detail appropriate to this scale that was based on initial desk study and follow up field survey. The survey concentrated on those areas already designated in the Structure Plans as Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). Standard field forms were used to ensure that information was collected systematically and consistently. One form was completed for each of a set number of ‘Viewpoints’. This included a checklist to record elements present in the landscape, a short description of the view and overall impressions. Typical views were also photographed. Information gathered from the surveys was synthesised to enable landscape types and their boundaries to be drawn up. Through this process the main elements of a particular landscape such as land-form and land cover were distinguished and their character described. In this way it is possible to identify what makes one landscape different from another.

The final process involves an evaluation of each landscape by weighing the information against the criteria for County Landscapes. If the majority of viewpoints within a given landscape type satisfied the ‘strong sensory response’ criterion plus three or more of the other six criteria, it was thought worthy of County Landscape status.

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The methodology used to identify the LOCI can be summarised as follows: (Diagram)

1. Define Purpose Establish criteria Define scale of exercise

2. Desk Study

3. Field Survey Description Checklist Map Photograph

4. Analysis

5. Evaluation

6. Decision

The LOCI boundaries have recently been revised in relation to the landscape sub types, through consultation with local planning authorities and assessment as well as recent public inquiry developments. The results of these LOCI boundaries changes are all presented as the LOCI areas in Plan 2.

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Appendix 2: Historic Landscape Charactisation

Historic Environment The historic environment sections are based on information from the following sources: - The Cumbria Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) - The Cumbria Historic Landscape Characterisation Programme (CHLC) - Countryside Agency’s Countryside Character Maps - DEFRA targeting statements with reference with the historic landscape

The historic environment consists of both above ground and below ground archaeological remains as well all the historic man-made elements, which provide the character of today’s countryside. These include standing buildings, routes and rights of way, field boundaries and areas of ancient woodland.

Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) The SMR contains information on all known archaeological remains and areas of archaeological interest within the county of Cumbria. The record is available for planning purposes as well as to the public for interest or research.

The Cumbria Historic Landscape Characterisation Programme

The Cumbria Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) is part of a nationwide programme designed to provide information for understanding and managing the historic environment. The project is funded by English Heritage and hosted and managed by Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority. HLC differs from many traditional archaeological projects, concentrating on the historic dimension of present landscape patterns, such as enclosure, woodland, settlement and industry rather than the individual sites and monuments that are more commonly thought of as representing ‘the historic environment’.

The CHLC is constructed through a planned programme of date gathering. It assesses all areas of the landscape with equal weight, using historic and modern sources that cover the county as consistently as is possible. The landscape is examined in terms of the particular ‘attributes’ that characterise it. Attributes are single, indivisible observations or interpretations, describing one aspect of an areas character. So in characterising a given area, attributes will be recorded against variables such as, enclosure shape and size,

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vegetation cover, boundary type, settlement type and so on. As early Ordnance Survey mapping is available for the entire county, then changes in attributes that occur between the historic and present mapping are also recorded. At the same stage a separate interpretation of the historic dimension is recorded, for example this might be the open field from which fields were enclosed, ancient woodland now replanted with conifers or former moorland that has been replaced by improved fields.

The attributes will be used to create a series of landscape types that will form the basis of the HLC. These will be extremely general groups that reflect the more basic ways that the landscape can be viewed. The entry-level HLC will comprise types such as; unenclosed (or unimproved) land, enclosed land, woodland, industrial land, military, settlement, recreational and so on. The HLC types can be subdivided into further types based on either descriptive or interpretative attributes, or a combination of both. For example woodland can be subdivided to show whether it is broadleaved, coniferous or mixed, whether it is likely to be surviving or replanted ancient woodland, or whether it has been recently established. Similarly, enclosed land can be subdivided into sub-groups such as anciently or recently enclosed land, land enclosed from open field, moorland, deer parks and so on.

Other types that indicate landscape change will also be created. These show those parts of the landscape that are characterised by severe boundary loss, the creation of new enclosure patterns and where land use patterns are changing. It will also be possible to create a series of broad interpretative types based upon the overall patterning of settlement and enclosure in the county. These will be able to show areas that are historically village landscapes; landscapes of dispersed settlement and areas of medieval and post medieval colonisation.

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Appendix 3: Ecology

The ecology sections also refer to the following designations: • Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) • Special Protection Area (SPA) • Candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC) • Ancient Woodland • County Wildlife Sites (CWS) • Limestone pavements • Special Roadside Verges

Additionally, the Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) habitats within each landscape sub type are listed in the following table. CBAP species are not listed in a similar way, although some species have been included within the text where they significantly enhance the ecological descriptions.

No Landscape Type Landscape Sub-Type Cumbria BAP Habitats Present

1 Estuary and Marsh 1A Intertidal Flats Intertidal mudflats & sandflats Honeycomb worm reefs 1B Coastal Marsh Saltmarsh

2 Coastal Margins 2A Dunes & Beaches Sand dune 2B Coastal Mosses Lowland raised bog Rush pasture/purple moor-grass 2C Coastal Plain Lowland raised bog Rivers & streams 2D Coastal Urban Fringe Saline lagoons

3 Coastal Limestone 3A Open farmland & Limestone pavement Pavements Limestone grassland Upland ash woodland Scrub communities 3B Wooded Hills & Upland ash woodland Pavements Limestone pavement Limestone grassland Species-rich hedgerows 3C Disturbed Areas Limestone grassland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Reed bed Wet woodland

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Scrub communities

4 Coastal sandstone Sea cliff & slope Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Rivers & streams Reed bed Swamp & fen Upland oak woodland

5 Lowland 5A Ridge & Valley Species-rich hedgerows Upland oak woodland Rivers & streams Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Hay meadows Lowland raised bog 5B Low Farmland Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Rivers & streams Lowland raised bog Rush pasture/purple moor-grass 5C Rolling Lowland Species-rich hedgerows Basin mire Rivers & streams 5D Urban Fringe - 5E Drained Mosses Lowland raised bog Rush pasture/purple moor-grass

6 Intermediate Land Species-rich hedgerows Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Basin mire

7 Drumlins 7A Low Drumlins Species-rich hedgerows Rivers & streams 7B Drumlin Field Species-rich hedgerows Rivers & streams Rush pasture/purple moor-grass 7C Sandy Knolls & Ridges Species-rich hedgerows Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland

8 Main Valleys 8A Gorges Upland oak woodland Rivers & streams 8B Broad valleys Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland

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Wet woodland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Lowland raised bog Species-rich hedgerows 8C Valley Corridors Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Scrub communities Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Coastal & flood plain grazing marsh 8D Dales Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Hay meadows

9 Intermediate Moorland and Plateau 9A Open Moorlands Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Rivers & streams Upland heathland Blanket bog Springs & flushes 9B Rolling Farmland & Heath Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Upland heathland Lowland raised bog 9C Forests Blanket bog Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Lowland raised bog Hay meadows Wet woodland Springs & flushes 9D Ridges Upland heathland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Upland oak woodland

10 Sandstone Ridge Lowland heathland Basin mire Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Swamp & fen

11 Upland Fringes 11A Foothills Upland heathland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Species-rich hedgerows Rivers & streams Upland oak woodland Upland ash woodland Limestone grassland Springs & flushes

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11B Low Fells Upland heathland Wet woodland Upland oak woodland Scrub communities Rush pasture/purple moor-grass

12 Higher Limestone 12A Limestone Farmland Hay meadows Limestone grassland Springs & flushes Upland ash woodland Rivers & streams 12B Rolling Fringe Limestone grassland Upland ash woodland 12C Limestone Foothills Limestone grassland Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Springs & flushes Upland ash woodland Wood pasture & veteran trees 12D Moorland & Commons Limestone pavements Limestone grassland Upland heathland Springs & flushes Rush pasture/purple moor-grass

13 Fells and Scarps 13A Scarps Limestone grassland Springs & flushes Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Upland ash woodland Rocky habitats in lowlands & uplands 13B Moorland, High Plateau Blanket bog Upland heathland Limestone grassland Springs & flushes Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Rocky habitats in lowlands & uplands Mountain habitats (including heaths, grasslands, wetlands and rock features) 13C Fells Upland heathland Blanket bog Rush pasture/purple moor-grass Hay meadows Limestone pavement Limestone grassland Springs & flushes Upland oak woodland

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Appendix 4: References

Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, Wildlife in Cumbria – The Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan, Cumbria Biodiversity Partnership, 2001

Cumbria County Council, A Cultural Strategy for Cumbria: Action Plan, 2003-2006

Cumbria County Council, Assessment of County Landscapes Technical Paper No 4.1992

Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Landscape Classification, 1995

Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Landscape Strategy, July 1998

Cumbria Rural Action Zone Steering Group, Cumbria RAZ Strategy: The First Steps, October 2001

Cumbria Rural Action Zone Steering Group, Cumbria RAZ Strategy: The Next Steps, June 2001

DETR, The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, HMSO, 2000

DETR, PPG 7: The Countryside, HMSO, Feb1997

DETR, Rural White Paper: Our Countryside: The Future, A Fair Deal for Rural England, November 2000

English Nature, Sites of Special Scientific Interest site descriptions

Halliday GA, Flora of Cumbria, Lancaster, 1997

Joint Council for Nature Conservation, Candidate Special Areas of Conservation reasons for site selection.

Lancashire County Council, A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire, 2000

Northwest Development Agency, Land Reclamation, To Further Economic Development and Regeneration England’s North West, 2003

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Rackham O, The History of the Countryside Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London, 1986

Regional Biodiversity Steering Group for North West England, Wild about the North West – A Biodiversity Audit of North West England, 1999

Renewable Energy Development in Cumbria – Identifying the Potential, Technical Report, Axis, Jan 2003

Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Councils, Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent Structure Plan 1996- 2011, Jun 2000

Stott, M, Callion, J, Kinley, I, Raven, C and Roberts, J. (eds.), The Breeding Birds of Cumbria – A tetrad atlas 1997 – 2001, 2002

The Countryside Agency & Scottish Natural Heritage, Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland, 2002

The Countryside Agency & Scottish Natural Heritage, Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland TOPIC PAPER 1: Recent Practice and the Evolution of Landscape Character Assessment, 2003

The Countryside Agency, Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland TOPIC PAPER 2: Links to Other Sustainability Tools, 2003

The Countryside Agency, Planning Tomorrow’s Countryside, Sept 2000

The Countryside Agency, Quality of Life in Tomorrow’s Countryside, 2003

Cumbria County Council, Wind Energy Development in Cumbria: Statement of Supplementary Planning Guidance, July 1997

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Appendix 5: Glossary of Landscape Terms

AOD – Above Ordnance Datum

Afforestation - the conversion of bare or cultivated land into forest

Alluvium – matter transported in suspension by rivers or floods

Binsteads - Where mined lead ore is stacked/stored

Biomass cultivation - plant material waste cultivated to be used as fuel

Bastles - fortified farm buildings in the countryside

Bosky – Having an abundance of shrubs or trees, or of relating to woods

Calcareous – chalky; limey (as in soil type)

Coniferous – cone bearing

Deciduous – liable to shed at certain periods; shedding all leaves

Dendritic – a form resembling a shrub or tree

Designations – a showing or pointing out of an area of particular importance

Desire Lines - routes created over time through popular and regular use

Drumlin - An elongated hill or ridge of glacial drift

Elevated – raised

Fluvioglacial - Material moved by glaciers and subsequently sorted and deposited by streams flowing from the melting ice

Genus loci - The distinctive atmosphere or pervading spirit of a place

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Glacial activity – earth and rocks which have been transported by moving ice, land ice, or iceberg Grain - The pattern of the land form

Holistic – consideration of the complete subject

Intacks - enclosures of upland that extend out from the valley

Intrusion – encroachment

Intensification - To make intense or more intense

Isostatic - Equilibrium in the earth's crust such that the forces tending to elevate landmasses balance the forces tending to depress landmasses

Lynchets - Lynchets are created either unintentionally by ploughing or intentionally in the hilly landscape to create terraces suitable for farming.

Mitigation – to lessen the severity

Native – belonging naturally

Nucleated / Nucleations - brought together as a nucleus

Socio-economic - involving social as well as economic factors

Stratigraphy - The study of rock strata, especially the distribution, deposition, and age of sedimentary rocks

Ring garths - walled boundaries to the intacks

Topography – lie of the land

Transitional Landscape Character – Landscape character that changes from one type to another

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Undulating – a wave like motion or form

Urbanisation – town-like

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Published by:

Strategic Planning Team Community, Economy & Environment Cumbria County Council Citadel Chambers Carlisle CA3 8SG

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