Landscape Character Area CRANBURY WOODLANDS Map 14

Landscape Character Assessment 123 City Council 4.14. Cranbury Woodlands Landscape Character Area

South of , looking towards Ampfield Wood

Key Characteristics woodlands, including oak, sweet chestnut and G Undulating ridge running in a north-west to beech, together with rare areas of small-leaf lime south-east direction to the north of Hiltingbury, coppice at Ampfield Wood and oak coppice at coinciding with a geology of clay and sand. Park Wood.

G th G Numerous streams, ponds and springs, including Historic 18 Century park of Cranbury lies within the Bourne stream at Otterbourne. the area, together with part of the medieval Merdon Castle deer park. G A mosaic of woodland, pasture, parkland and arable fields, giving short, enclosed views. G Relatively few public footpaths, tracks or lanes. The M3 motorway bisects the area to the east, G Fields are small to medium, generally irregular in and the -London railway line runs shape but with straight boundaries, resulting from just beyond the eastern end of the area. the assarting of woodlands from medieval times Consequently, although visually remote, it is not th and the 19 Century enclosure of commons. tranquil. G Extensive areas of irregular, assarted, woodland G The area is sparsely settled, being dominated by often comprising semi-natural ancient woodland woodland and parkland. Otterbourne forms the and replanted ancient woodland. only settlement, having a relatively linear form G The varied geology and soils of the area has that has developed along the chalk-clay spring resulted in a variety of tree species present in the line, particularly expanding in the 20th Century.

Landscape Types within the Area sands and clays, from Reading Beds (mottled clay and Mixed Farmland & Woodland Pasture on Clay sand), through London Clay to Lower Bagshot sands, (Enclosed) as well as gravels associated with the River Itchen. The relationship of the clay with the adjacent chalk has Historic Parkland resulted in a series of springs along this boundary, together with a network of small streams, ditches and Settlement Types within the Area ponds. The varied geology has also resulted in a Chalk-clay spring-line mosaic of woodland, meadows and a variety of plant species. Location and Boundaries The Cranbury Woodlands Landscape Character Area The area has probably been settled since the Iron Age, lies to the north of Hiltingbury and Chandlers Ford, with developing on the site of an Iron forming a boundary with Borough Council. Age fort. There is also evidence of Roman settlement, It stretches from the , east of near Matthew’s Copse, and Roman roads, including Otterbourne, to Ampfield Wood in the west. The the Otterborne– route and the northern boundary of the Character Area is formed by Winchester–Bitterne route. Almost all this area was the more open downland and parkland of the Hursley probably part of the -Ashley, which was Scarpland Landscape Character Area. subject to Forest Law in medieval times, being managed primarily for game, but minor rights (such as Formative Influences grazing) being granted by favour of the Lord. The area has retained its wooded character although The geology of this area forms a sharp contrast to the settlements have developed (e.g. Otterbourne), one of Upper Chalk that forms the downland to the north. It which is now deserted. The majority of change in the consists of a series of parallel bands of underlying

Landscape Character Assessment 124 Winchester City Council landscape has occurred since the 18th Century, with together with slate roofing. the development of Cranbury Park, and the The high proportion of trees gives the area a visually subsequent enclosure of heathland at Ampfield remote feel, with Otterbourne forming the only Wood. settlement. Due to its proximity to Eastleigh and Landscape & Settlement Description Winchester, however, the area is heavily influenced by aural intrusion from the M3 motorway and This character area forms an undulating ridge Southampton-London railway line, both of which between the suburban area of Hiltingbury to the bisect the area to its northern end. The proximity of south and the chalk downlands surrounding Hursley Southampton Airport to the south also reduces the to the north. The landscape is characterised by perceived remoteness of the area. a high proportion of woodland, much of it semi- natural ancient woodland (Windmill Copse, Key Issues Woodend Copse, Great Moorlands Copse, Freemantles Copse, Otterbourne Park Wood) and G Fragmentation of woodlands and associated replanted ancient woodland (Ampfield Wood). Other habitats areas of woodland were converted to plantations G in the early 20th Century. Areas of agricultural land Opportunity for the restoration of conifer and parkland are interspersed with woodland, plantations to semi-natural conditions on ancient forming a sheltered, enclosed rural mosaic with woodland sites occasional longer views. G Suburbanisation Cranbury Park dates from the late 18th Century and G Visual and aural intrusion of M3 motorway and covers a large proportion of the area, surrounded by a Southampton-London railway line heavily wooded boundary. The varied soil type in this G Visual intrusion of overhead cables area has resulted in a mixture of woodland species, including sweet chestnut, birch, oak, and beech. G Improvement of grass through fertiliser and Historically the forest formed part of a vast tract of herbicide use heathland and woodland which included the New Forest. Otterbourne Common is the only unenclosed Landscape Strategies remnant of this, although commoners rights have lapsed even there. Conserve and restore the structure and condition of the woodlands through appropriate management Fields in the area tend to be relatively small meadows, such as thinning, coppicing, replanting, ride and often being assarts from the Forest. To the north, an edge management and the removal alien species. area of relatively regular fields is associated with Replanting should use locally indigenous species. formal enclosure in the 19th Century. Hedgerows here G are predominantly hawthorn with standard oak trees. Encourage extensive management in large These trees tend to be of a similar age and many woodland blocks, to mimic current conditions in are in decline. It is therefore important that additional the New Forest and recognise the historic links replacements are provided. Elsewhere fields are between it and the Forest of Bere-Ashley associated with earlier informal enclosure, having less G Protect and conserve hedgerows through regular boundaries with a wider variety of species appropriate management. Replant hedgerows including hazel, hawthorn, hornbeam, dog rose, goat where they have been lost, or have gaps, to willow, ash and field maple. In some areas gorse and retain the existing landscape pattern. Plant bracken are also present. additional hedgerow trees where existing trees The predominance of clay in this area has resulted in have been lost or are over-mature. the presence of ponds, streams and springs in contrast G Conserve and enhance the unenclosed, heathy to the chalk uplands to the north. It is likely that the character of Otterbourne Common by the removal village of Otterbourne developed in response to the of recent woodland / scrub. proximity of these water sources as well as the G Conserve the generally enclosed, varied views adjacent River Itchen. Despite evolving along a Roman throughout the area road and having a core of 18th and 19th Century dwellings, the village is dominated by 20th Century G Improve agricultural practices to minimise development. It has evolved in a nucleated, linear chemical run-off, which could lead to the pollution form between the M3 and the railway, roughly of the and River Itchen and to a parallel to the Itchen. The village, however, is visually reduction in biodiversity. and physically separated from the river. An adjacent medieval settlement, close to the site of the 13th Built Form Strategies Century St Matthew’s church, has since been G Conserve the linear nucleated form of deserted. Otterbourne. Given the high proportion of recent dwellings, G Conserve the scattered pattern of rural farm and construction materials are generally modern, although parkland settlement. local brick and flint are used on some older dwellings

Landscape Character Assessment 125 Winchester City Council G Respect the small-scale nature of existing dwellings. G Integrate new dwellings into the well-treed rural setting through the careful siting and the use of locally indigenous tree and hedge planting. G Conserve and promote the use of local building materials such as red brick, painted brick, vitrified brick, flint and slate. G Conserve and promote the use of traditional rural garden and parkland boundaries including palisade fencing, brick walls and hedgerows.

Key Designations

G Ampfield Countryside Heritage Area G Conservation Areas None G Scheduled Ancient Monuments Park pale to the north, west and south west of Hursley Park (Mon. No. 34132) G SSSIs Ratlake Meadows G SINCs Ampfield Wood (part); Petty Priest Copse; Deer Park Copse (not on HCC list); Upper Ratlake Farm (northern meadow); Bailey’s Paddock / Roundridge Mead; Bunstead Farm Copse; Gully Field, Ladwell; Barn Copse; Blacklands Row (not on HCC list); Long Meadow, Ladwell; Strowden’s Copse Belt; Wells Row; Great Moorlands Copse Complex (part) in Cranbury Park; Oakwood Copse; Sparrowgrove Copse; Long Mead; Otterbourne Common; Otterbourne Hill Common; Otterbourne Wood; Little Headlands Copse (not on HCC list); Kents Copse; Snows Copse Meadow G Parks listed in the Register of Parks and Gardens Cranbury Park (site 1533. English Heritage Grade II* Listed Park) Otterbourne House (site 1561) G Countryside Heritage Areas Ampfield

Landscape Character Assessment 126 Winchester City Council Landscape Character Area SOUTH WINCHESTER DOWNS Map 15

Landscape Character Assessment 127 Winchester City Council 4.15. South Winchester Downs Landscape Character Area

From , looking north

Key Characteristics G Remnant downland with areas of calcareous G Large area of tranquil, undulating chalk downs, grassland on scarps stretching from Winchester to the Meon Valley, G Historic parkland and houses, including Preshaw forming the southern boundary of the eastern end House, Belmore house and Longwood Park. of the . G Long history of settlement including Stone Age, G Well-drained area of upper chalk with occasional Bronze Age and Iron Age sites and deserted areas of Clay with Flints and thin calcareous medieval village of Lomer. topsoil. The landscape consequently has G numerous hills, dry valleys, scarps and combes Well-connected network of footpaths, tracks, giving some long panoramic views towards the drove roads and winding narrow lanes, together and Fawley oil refinery for example, with straight sections of Roman Road. Footpaths as well as views of a more enclosed intimate include Wayfarer’s Walk, Monarch’s Way, Pilgrims nature. Way, and Kings Way. G G Remote, rural landscape of predominantly arable Accessible countryside for leisure pursuits farmland with some mixed farming. The fields are including footpaths, bridleways, gallops (e.g. often medium in size and were generally enclosed Stephens Castle Down), motor cycle scrambles by informal means in the 17th Century, although (e.g. Morestead), shooting (e.g. Longwood) and later rationalisation has resulted in larger, more golf (e.g. Down) regular fields. Hedgerows are generally strong, G Numerous scattered farms, hamlets and villages often with mature trees. generally retaining a remote, rural, historic G Significant areas of woodland, from small copses, character. game spinneys and chalk dells, to larger woods, a G Settlements are small and loosely structured, number of which comprise ancient semi-natural either located on hill tops, (, Upham, and replanted woodland. Some also show Ashton, and Upper ) or in sheltered evidence of assarting. Beech and ash are valleys (Morestead, Dean and Dundridge). These characteristic tree species of the area, together are generally well integrated with the landscape, with some oak and yew. Wooded scarps screened by its topography and mature trees, as is (‘hangers’) are also characteristic of the area. Bishop’s Waltham to the south of the area. These wooded areas provide an important Traditional building features and methods, ecological corridor across much of the northern including timber frames, flint, thatch, red brick, part of the area. painted brick, vitrified brick, weatherboard (barns), clay tiles, thatch and slate

Landscape Types within the Area: Location and Boundaries Open Arable Open Arable (Exposed) The South Winchester Downs Landscape Character Area covers a large area of chalk downland, stretching Chalk & Clay (Farmland) Chalk & Clay (Woodland) from Twyford in the west to Swanmore in the east. Scarps Historic parkland Much of the northern half of the area lies within the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Settlement Types within the Area: Its southern boundary is formed by the abrupt change Chalk Downland: Dry Valley in geology to the lower lying clays to the south of the Chalk Downland: Hill Top district. To the north-west, the boundary with the

Landscape Character Assessment 128 Winchester City Council adjacent landscape character area is defined by a of straight Roman Road. number of plantation woodlands and the landscape is Compared with the more open downs to the north of far more exposed and rolling. To the north-east, areas Winchester, this is an area with a relatively large of clay overlying the chalk have formed a more amount of rural settlement, although it is small in wooded area. To the east, the visual envelope of the scale and generally unobtrusive. Some small historic Meon Valley forms a topographically distinct area. villages such as Upham and Owslebury are located on Formative Influences higher ground, but are well integrated with their setting due to the high proportion of mature trees and The geology of this area consists almost entirely of hedgerows in the area. Other hamlets, such as Dean Upper Chalk, with occasional areas of clay with Flints and Dundridge have evolved along linear dry valleys to the south. The permeable nature of this geology and are again visually unobtrusive. Lomer, a deserted has resulted in a rolling well-drained topography, medieval village also lies within the area. As well as associated with dry valleys, combes and escarpments containing historic settlements and farms, the area and no surface water streams. also has a number of historic parks, including The formation of the present landscape was probably Belmore, Preshaw, Marwell Hall and The Holt, initiated as long ago as the Bronze Age, when much generally benefiting from their close association with of the original forest cover was probably cleared for adjacent woodland and farmland. arable, agriculture and grazing. However, the Buildings within the area are small in scale, with a high downland is still characterised by a high proportion of proportion constructed using traditional construction woodland, much of it ancient, and often associated methods and materials. Red brick, flint, clay tiles, and with the areas of more clayey soil. thatch are all characteristic materials, together with During medieval times the area would have contained weatherboard for barns. much open sheep pasture. Subsequently, the assarting of woodlands and the informal enclosure of fields Key Issues th in the 17 Century followed by the loss of field G Soil erosion and chemical pollution of aquifer th boundaries in the 20 Century has resulted in the field and Meon and Hamble Rivers from intensive patterns seen today. agriculture techniques Landscape & Settlement Description G Erosion of thin topsoil and flash flooding as chalk This is an area with a strong rural character. The becomes saturated combination of numerous areas of woodland and G Removal of hedgerows in the late 20th Century arable fields; small settlements and farms and an and their ongoing neglect undulating landscape has combined to provide an G Management of ancient semi-natural woodland area of much variety and interest. The frequent hills, ridges and escarpments provide the opportunity for G Decline of sheep farming resulting in loss of numerous views, often panoramic and extending as traditional chalk grassland management far as the Isle of Wight. However the predominance G Management of unimproved/semi-improved of woodland and strong hedgerows, combined with a calcareous grassland landscape of dry valleys and combes also provide G many enclosed, sheltered aspects. A high proportion Protection of archaeological remains, especially of the woods comprise semi-natural ancient ancient field systems, barrows and Lomer woodland, including Dur Wood, Kings Copse, Littleton medieval village Copse, Downleaze Copse and Bottom Copse. G Development of prominent large agricultural buildings The majority of the farmland is given over to arable production. Field size varies from smaller paddocks G Opportunities for the restoration of arable to surrounding the villages, to larger areas of enclosed chalk downland and the management of downland. The long history of settlement and ‘conservation headlands’ agriculture in the area is expressed in the irregularity G Opportunities for the restoration of coniferised of its field shapes, resulting from informal enclosure, ancient woodland to a more semi-natural prior to accurate surveying. Fields are often bounded condition. by woodland or tall, thick hedgerows although G in places these have been lost or have been Horsiculture and intrusive uses such as scrapyards poorly managed during the 20th Century. The area G Conversion of farm buildings to housing also contains areas of pasture, a high proportion of G Impact of traffic on commuter routes such as the which supports mixed farming or horse grazing. There Morestead Road, Beeches Hill and Whaddon Lane. is an area of orchards to the east of Stanmore. The long history of the area is also indicated by the high G Damage to soil and vegetation by over intensive proportion of footpaths, tracks and lanes crossing the use of footpaths and tracks by horses, area and linking the numerous farms and settlements. motorcycles and 4-wheel drive vehicles These are generally narrow and winding in character G Pressure to provide large-scale leisure facilities although the Morestead Road stands out as a stretch such as golf courses

Landscape Character Assessment 129 Winchester City Council Landscape Strategies Key Designations

G Conserve and restore the structure and condition G East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural of woodlands through appropriate management Beauty such as thinning, coppicing and replanting, ride and edge management, and the removal of G Conservation Areas invasive alien species. Replant using locally Preshaw indigenous species. Upham G Manage and replant medieval hedgerows to ensure they create a continuous ecological G Scheduled Ancient Monuments network and connect isolated habitats, particularly Twyford Roman villa (Mon. No. 173 HA) towards the south of the area. Replanting should use locally indigenous species and be generally Park pale at Marwell, SE of Cowleaze Copse kept below ridgelines. Remove post and wire/rail (Mon. No 20070) fencing and, if necessary, replace with hedging. Long barrow 250m SW of Warren Farm, G Manage and replant parkland trees as appropriate Owslebury (Mon. No. 12114) to ensure their conservation. Restore arable Long barrow 700m SW of Longwood House, parkland to pasture. Owslebury (Mon. No. 12099) G Restore and enhance the biodiversity of arable Two bowl barrows N of Hoe Farm, Bishop’s farmland, by encouraging the retention of Waltham (Mon. No 12142) conservation headlands, wildlife strips and grass strips around fields, and the increased use of Corhampton British village on Corhampton spring sown arable crops and retention of winter Down (Mon. No. 134 HA) fallow fields. Four round barrows in ‘Hump Field’ S of Stakes G Conserve the open parts of the area to sustain Lane, Corhampton (Mon. No. 238 HA) farmland birds and protect long views. Enclosure in Preshaw Wood (Mon. No. 548 HA) G Encourage environmentally and economically Lomer deserted medieval settlement sustainable agricultural practices, to minimise (Mon. No. 541HA) chemical and soil run-off. G SSSIs G Restore areas of arable farmland to chalk downland. (See also Scarp) G G Conserve public access to rural leisure facilities whilst SINC’s also conserving the rural character of their setting. Blackhouse Row; Cockscomb Hill Reservoir; G Encourage any groundworks to contribute to the Priests Wood (part); Gabriel’s Copse; Cockscomb reduction of surface water run-off and conserve Hill Copse; Park Copse; Otter Copse; Boyes Copse; safe flood plains in valleys. Horsham Copse / West Copse; Great & Little Coney Park Woods; Sladfords and Ley Bushes G Conserve the tranquillity and visual and aural Copses; Austin’s Copse; Rowhay Wood; Bulldean remoteness of the area and seek to restore it where Copse & The Rookery; Bridleway Row; Hillbarn the Morestead Road and B3035 have impinged on Copse; Beech Grove; Bushy Copse; Shortlands this. Copse; Shortlands Row; Park Plantation; Downwards Copse; Downwards Plantation; Long Built Form Strategies Wood; Collygrove Copse; Dur Wood; High G Conserve and respect the visually remote character Wood; Well Copse; Chamberlaynes Row; Linches of the area, given that settlement is small-scale and Row; Hazards Copse; Keepers Row; Keepers scattered and often well screened by trees. Copse; Little Preshaw Wood (Sargeants Copse); Franklin Wood; Preshaw Wood; High Wood (not G Conserve and promote the use of local building materials such as brick, flint, weatherboard, thatch on HCC list); Sailors Wood; Crookhorn Copse; and slate. Downleaze Copse; Lomer Rows; Devil’s Punch Bowl; Hazel Holt; Shepherd’s Down; Beechen G Integrate new development with the surrounding Copse / Phrympth Copse; Little Horsecroft Wood; rural landscape though appropriate siting and the Mayhill Copse; Peak / West/ Blackman Copses; use of locally indigenous planting. Roundbushes Copse; Lodge Copse; G Conserve and promote the use of traditional Hattock; Owslebury Down Row; Riversdown garden and parkland boundaries such as brick and Wood (part); Wyn Row; Love Lane Wood; flint walls, palisade fencing, railings and non- Stephen’s Castle Down; Runnydown / Sheelds coniferous hedging Copses; G Conserve the well-screened setting of Bishop’s Waltham with its lack of urban fringe activities

Landscape Character Assessment 130 Winchester City Council G Parks listed in the Hampshire Register of Historic Parks & Gardens Marwell Hall (site1563) Deer Park Belmore House & Park (site1587) Pre 1810 Park Longwood House (site1562) Post 1810 Park Preshaw House (site1526) Post 1810 Park Swanmore Park House (site1577) Post 1810 House Hill Place, Swanmore (site 1574) Pre 1810 Park

Landscape Character Assessment 131 Winchester City Council Landscape Character Area UPPER MEON VALLEY Map 16

Landscape Character Assessment 132 Winchester City Council 4.16. Upper Meon Valley Landscape Character Area

Looking north-west from Lane

Key Characteristics G The rivers rise in chalk with clear spring water G Relatively wide river valley landscape cutting supporting rich aquatic flora and fauna. Rich and through the chalk uplands and including the diverse habitats along floodplains including fen; distinctive wide vale formed out of the soft chalk carr; swamp; reedbed, ephemeral headwaters and between Old Winchester Hill and Beacon Hill. unimproved neutral grassland/fen

G G South Downs ridge line (on an east/west axis), of Open feel to the north, with long panoramic views which Beacon Hill and Old Winchester Hill form a gained from high points such as Beacon Hill and part. This is bisected by the , which Old Winchester Hill. From within the valley floor flows southwards. the landscape has a more enclosed feel, with views contained by landform and trees. G Clear alkaline spring water in meandering narrow channels, which are often braided, together with G Numerous footpaths including the South Downs occasional lakes, ponds, mill chases, springs, Way, Monarch’s Way, and the Wayfarers Walk, beds and ephemeral headwaters. which take advantage of routes along the river, through the river valley villages and meadows G Distinction in land use relating to topography; along the valley floor. A bridleway/cycle route with arable farmland on the valley sides and chalk follows the disused line. downlands and grazed paddocks, water meadows and pastures within the valley flood plain. G Routes within the character area are concentrated along the river valley, the A32 and the now G Woodland is largely confined to scarps, steeper disused railway line. Other routes mainly cross the built-up valley sides and in association with river valley where villages have often developed. parkland landscapes. G Routes within the exposed arable areas are largely G Predominantly small, regular fields subject to both straight, often following ridgelines informal and formal enclosure, especially over more clayey soils. The higher, more exposed areas G Settlements are concentrated along the river valley form larger fields with regular boundaries which at crossing points. They are generally loosely linear were subject to parliamentary enclosure, and in form, of Saxon origin and typically characterised th th irregular boundaries of informal enclosure, on the by 17 and 18 Century dwellings. Exton is an dip slopes. exception, being a nucleated village.

G G Many historic parks on the valley floor and sides, Historic features include the Iron Age hill fort on including Park, Corhampton House, Old Winchester hill, numerous tumuli (Bronze Age Midlington Place in and Hall Place in barrows) and the remains of St. John’s House and . These are generally enclosed by the medieval site of the original village of mature tree belts. Warnford in Warnford Park.

G G Many important ecological habitats, including Traditional building features & methods, including calcareous grassland (SSSI’s) on scarps at Old brick and flint and clay plain tile and occasional Winchester Hill, Beacon Hill and Peake Wood; use of longstraw and wheat-reed thatch. ancient semi-natural woodland, such as Halfway Wood and the aquatic habitat of the River Meon itself (designated as a SINC).

Landscape Character Assessment 133 Winchester City Council Landscape Types within the Area Old Winchester Hill is the only National Nature Reserve River Valley Floor River Valley Side in the district, and contains all stages of an ecological sere on chalk, from open grassland through to native Open Arable Open Arable (Exposed) woodland, including extensive juniper, yew and Chalk and Clay Chalk and Clay whitebeam. Similarly, the scarps associated with (Farmland) (Woodland) Beacon Hill provide important areas of calcareous grassland. Scarps Historic Park The concentration of settlements and historic parks Settlement Types within the Area within close proximity to the river is distinctive, as is Chalk River Valley the absence of settlements on the surrounding downland. The disused railway line that follows the Location and Boundaries valley floor creates a strong tree lined feature in the th The Upper Meon Valley character area is situated to landscape. Typical buildings largely date from the 18 th the eastern side of the district, and encompasses part and 19 Century, though some buildings in West th of the upper reaches of the River Meon, which flow Meon and date back to the 17 Century. through the chalk downlands before reaching the clay Droxford, however is dominated by Georgian lowlands to the south. The source of the river Meon is buildings. Building materials within the character area close to , which lies within the adjacent East typically include red brick, flint and clay plain tiles and Hampshire District. occasionally long straw and combed wheat reed thatch, found in West Meon for example. Most of the character area also lies within the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Key Issues Northern boundary abuts the Woodlands G Character Area and includes the valley sides and visual Impact of agricultural chemicals on chalk river ‘envelope’ of the valley landscape. The eastern (including watercress farms) boundary follows the District boundary with East G Management of calcareous grasslands and scrub Hampshire and includes a tributary of the Meon. To encroachment on scarps the south, the boundary between the upper and lower G Fragmentation and management of hedgerows Meon Valley coincides with the boundary of the chalk during the late 20th Century downlands and the clay landscape of the . The western boundary includes the valley sides G Erosion and other impacts on chalk grasslands to the top of the river valley’s visual envelope. and archaeological sites from increasing visitor pressure Formative Influences G Impact on biodiversity of intensive farming The upper reaches of the Upper Meon Valley comprise practices an expansive landscape, seemingly very wide in comparison to the small scale of the River Meon itself. G Impact of suburbanisation on settlement This is partly due to areas of lower softer chalk which lie character between Beacon Hill and Old Winchester Hill which, G Opportunities for restoration of arable to chalk through erosion, has resulted in a wide basin of downland undulating land gently sloping towards the river, contained by the escarpments of harder Middle Chalk. G Under-management of historic parkland trees The presence of the river has resulted in a long history G Protection of open views of occupation in the area. The river valley floor is G Development of large agricultural buildings on typified by small-scale grazed paddocks and pastures open valley sides and by the presence of settlements, which originated largely in the Saxon period at favourable river crossing G Flood prevention for the River Meon points, close to the water source. The field pattern of the surrounding valley sides has been influenced by Landscape Strategies the informal and formal enclosure of grassed common G Conserve and enhance the unimproved areas of downland to form arable land and create a variety of pasture and water meadows within the valley floor. field sizes with regular or wavy boundaries. G Conserve and maintain areas of calcareous Landscape & Settlement Description grassland. The Upper Meon Valley Character Area is characterised G Conserve and restore the structure and condition by undulating chalk downland and bisected by the of ancient semi–natural woodlands at Halfway valley of the River Meon. The landscape within the Wood, Peake Wood and Old Winchester Hill character area is orientated towards the river, with a (species rich Ash–Hazel woodland) as well as other variety of both steep and gently sloping arable fields scattered woodlands, through appropriate dropping to the river floodplain. The area is noticeably management such as thinning, coppicing, less treed compared to the adjacent clay-influenced replanting, ride and edge management. This character areas. would also be an area suitable for the

Landscape Character Assessment 134 Winchester City Council reintroduction of native black poplar, Populus nigra Key Designations G Control scrub encroachment on scarp to minimise G East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural loss of calcareous grassland. Beauty G Seek opportunities to restore arable to chalk G Conservation Areas downland, especially adjoining existing species-rich grassland. West Meon G Conserve and restore the hedgerow network to Exton connect key habitats where appropriate. Corhampton & G Conserve important archaeological sites such as Droxford Old Winchester Hill fort. Soberton Pumping Station G Restore the water meadow structures and encourage appropriate management of the G Scheduled Ancient Monuments meadows. Long barrow in the grounds of Long Barrow G Conserve and manage the rural character of the House, Droxford (Mon. No.12091) land, footpaths, tracks and visitor attractions. Long barrow 640m SE of Stock’s Farm G Encourage the retention and traditional (Mon. No. 2090) management of watercress beds, to ensure that Round barrow cemetery and hollow ways on they remain a characteristic feature of this area. Beacon Hill (Mon. No. 32545) G Encourage environmentally and economically King John’s House (or St John’s House) in sustainable agricultural practices, to minimise Warnford Park (Mon. No. 27HA) fertiliser and soil run-off for example, which could lead to the pollution of the River Meon Boundary earthwork and barrow at Sheepbridge (Mon. No. 565 HA) G Restore and enhance the biodiversity of arable farmland, by encouraging the retention of Bowl barrow 825m N of Old Winchester Hill conservation headlands, wildlife strips and grass (Mon. No. 31158) strips around fields, and the increased use of Old Winchester Hill camp and adjacent round spring sown arable crops and retention of winter barrows (Mon. No. 31159) fallow fields. G SSSI’s G Conserve the rich bio-diversity associated with the clear spring water and the river banks. Peake Wood; Old Winchester Hill; Beacon Hill G National Nature Reserve Built Form Strategies G Conserve the form and pattern of the river valley Old Winchester Hill settlements. G SINC’s G Conserve the open, undeveloped character of the Disused Railway Line – Meon Valley; Chappetts valley sides, avoiding the construction of large Copse; Rolls Copse; Plover Hill Meadows; Alpha agricultural buildings here for example House Meadow; Deans Row; Halfway Wood; G Promote the use of local building materials, such River Meon (in Warnford and Corhampton Parks); as red brick, flint and clay plain tiles in keeping The Mountain; Shogden Hill; Soberton Down; with the character of existing settlements. Mayhill Down; The White Way, Exton. G G Respect the compact and small-scale nature of Parks listed in Hampshire Register of Historic Park existing dwellings. and Gardens G Conserve rural garden boundaries such as brick Warnford Park (site No.1590. English Heritage and flint walls, and native hedgerows and promote Grade 11 Listed Park) – Pre 1810 Park their use in new developments. Corhampton House G Respect the sparse pattern of development beyond (site No. 1511) – Post 1810 Park the river valley floor. Midlington Place, Droxford (site No. 1522) – Pre 1810 Park Hall Place, West Meon (site No. 1340) – Pre 1810 Park

Landscape Character Assessment 135 Winchester City Council