National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment 1 2 3 White Paper , Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention , we are North revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas East that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision- Yorkshire making framework for the natural environment. & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their West decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape East scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader Midlands partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help West Midlands to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. East of England Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key London drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are South East suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance South West on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future. NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm) 2 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Summary The Tees Lowlands National Character Area (NCA) forms a broad, open Dynamic processes of sediment movement influence the coastline in this plain dominated by the meandering lower reaches of the River Tees and its NCA, and the protection of intertidal habitats through managed realignment tributaries, with wide views to distant hills. The large conurbation around will be a key challenge. Protection and expansion of wetland areas can help the Lower Tees and Teesmouth contrasts with the rural area to the south and to reduce flood risk in urban areas, and this should be a priority along with west, which is largely agricultural in character. The mosaic of intertidal and the restoration of wildlife-friendly habitats and low intensity land uses in wetland habitats within the Tees Estuary are internationally designated as rural areas. Other future challenges include adapting agricultural practices to Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area and Ramsar site, due mitigate the impacts of climate change, and linking green corridors in urban to their importance for waterfowl. These areas are in close proximity to heavy areas to form a strategic green infrastructure network. industry, which has developed due to the estuary’s strategic location close to; mineral reserves, a network of main roads, railways and Teesport. Industrial installations form a dramatic skyline when viewed from the surrounding hills. Early successional grasslands and scrub have also emerged on previously developed land; these brownfield sites have significant biodiversity value. Agricultural land is intensively farmed, with large fields and sparse woodland, and a settlement pattern influenced both by the river and by past agricultural practices. Areas of parkland and more extensive woodland are found to the north-west. Recent changes include the development of infrastructure associated with the energy industry, in particular onshore and offshore wind farms. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce. 3 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Statements of Environmental Opportunity SEO 1: Protect and enhance the unique landscape of the Tees Estuary with its mosaic of internationally important intertidal, wetland and brownfield habitats. SEO 2: Incorporate semi-natural habitats within the farmed environment, and use innovative farming techniques in order to improve the value of food provision alongside biodiversity, flood water storage capacity, and the ability of the landscape to adapt to the impacts of climate change. SEO 3: Ensure that there is a well-connected network of high-quality green infrastructure throughout the Tees Lowlands which will enable people to understand and enjoy the natural environment, as well as providing a range of other benefits including biodiversity enhancement, food provision and flood risk mitigation. The Tees Lowlands are doiminated by high quality, mainly arable farmland with scattered trees and hedgerows. 4 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Description Physical and functional links to other National Character Areas The Tees Lowlands National Character Area (NCA) forms a broad, low-lying plain framed to wide views to the south-east towards the North Yorkshire Moors and Cleveland Hills NCA, which rises dramatically in a steep escarpment. To the west, the land rises gradually into the Pennine Dales Fringe NCA. The Tees Lowlands NCA merges with the more undulating Durham Coalfield Pennine Fringe and the Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau NCAs to the north, and with the Vale of Mowbray NCA to the south. The low-lying mouth of the River Tees gives way to a dynamic coastline of unstable cliffs to the north-west and south-east. The River Tees has its origin in the high fells of the North Pennines to the west, while its major tributary, the River Leven, rises in the Cleveland Hills to the south. Management of both of these upland areas therefore has the potential to have an impact on fluvial processes in the Tees Lowlands. The surrounding uplands are also breeding areas for wading birds which occur on the Tees Estuary in large numbers Wide views are afforded from the steep escarpment of the Cleveland Hills over the broad, low-lying plain to the industrial development beyond. during the winter. There are a number of major transport corridors through the NCA. The East Coast Main Line railway, the A1(M) motorway and A19 trunk road provide links through the Vale of Mowbray NCA to the south, and northwards to the Tyne and Wear conurbations and beyond. 5 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Key characteristics ■ A broad, low-lying and open plain of predominantly arable agricultural ■ Brownfield sites where semi-natural vegetation has started to regenerate land, with low woodland cover and large fields, defined by wide views to on previously developed land. distant hills. ■ Green corridors such as minor valleys and former railway lines provide ■ A large area of urban and industrial development around the Tees Estuary, links between urban areas and the surrounding countryside. much of which is on reclaimed land, contrasts with the quieter rural areas to the south and west. ■ Major industrial installations around Teesmouth form a dramatic skyline, but are juxtaposed with expansive mudflats, sand dunes and salt marshes which are nationally and internationally designated for their assemblage of waterfowl. ■ Slow-moving rivers Tees and Leven meander through the landscape with steep, well-wooded banks. ■ A distinctive area of low-lying farmland with remnants of former wetland habitat in the flood plain of the River Skerne to the north-west. ■ Permo-Triassic red mudstones and sandstones are masked by glacial drift and alluvial material but can be seen outcropping at the coast in places. ■ Principal transport corridors, power lines and energy infrastructure are conspicuous elements in the landscape. Industrial development fringing the tidal reaches of the River Tees contrasts with the surrounding rural landscape. 6 National Character 23. Tees Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Tees Lowlands today The Tees Lowlands NCA forms a broad, low-lying plain around the lower reaches The conurbation centred on Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Billingham of the River Tees, which meets the North Sea at Teesmouth on a north-east facing forms a large area of urban and industrial development fringing the tidal coastline. It is defined to the south-east by a steep escarpment to the plateau of reaches of the River Tees. Around the mouth of the estuary there is a large the Cleveland Hills, with more gradually rising land to the west. The underlying amount of heavy industry, including chemical and oil refining works, a nuclear geology of the area consists principally of red mudstones and sandstones, but this power plant and container terminals, which extends eastwards towards Redcar is overlain by a thick layer