3F: WEY VALLEY

River Wey © Andrew Smith Geograph

Near Northbrook © Andrew Smith – Near Bentley – land rises to Alice View from valley floor up to the Geograph. Holt in the background. Wooded Clay Plateau in adjoining LCA, near Lower © Peter Trimming Geograph.

Chawton. Converted oast house at The A31trunk road is well screened – hop growing was prevalent in this from the rest of the valley by planting area and the Greensand to the east. and landform.

Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This landscape character area embraces the Wey Valley from Alton eastwards towards Bentley. Its boundaries are defined by the tops of the valley sides where they extend into the surrounding chalk downs/Greensands to the north and Greensands to the south.

1.2 Component County Landscape Types Downland Mosaic Large Scale, Greensand Terrace, Downland Mosaic Large Scale, Lowland Mosaic Medium Scale

1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: District Northern Wey Valley Worldham

This character area has similar boundaries to the Northern Wey Valley although the edges of the area are defined further up the valley side slopes reflecting the valley landscape unit.

1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 130: Hampshire Downs and NCA 120: Wealden Greensand NA 78: Hampshire Downs and NA 70: Wealden Greensand

1.5 Townscape Assessment Areas Alton

2.0 Key Characteristics • Broad valley with smooth undulating valley sides through which the River Wey flows. • Distinct flat valley floor with permanent pasture, wet woodland, water meadows and open water. • Large to medium scaled arable fields cloak the open valley sides. • Woodland in the upper valley slopes form wooded skylines in places. • Valley is and has historically been an important routeway and transport corridor containing the A31 and main rail line. • St Swithun’s Way long distance route, part of the Pilgrim’s way which connected Winchester with the North Downs. • Many historic features associated with the river Wey e.g. mills, weirs, watercress beds.

Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

• Nucleated settlement pattern of a string of villages on the gravel terrace on the north side of the valley floor less development on the slightly steeper southern valley side.

3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 This character area comprises a clearly defined broad valley of the River Wey which cuts through Chalk, Upper Greensand and Gault Mudstone geology in succession from west to east. Within the valley floor the geology is masked by River Terrace Deposits and alluvium which cover the wide flat flood plain and give rise to loamy soils. Predominately medium agricultural land quality, with some higher land quality on lower lying, south facing valley slopes. The valley has a distinct profile with strong chalk bluffs and incised coombes to the north and a more varied profile to the south.

3.2 The floodplain is dominated by permanent grassland for cattle grazing and some areas of pony paddock defined by well managed hedgerows and ditches. Some of grassland is neutral and there are fragmented areas of mire or fen. Woodland is also a feature of the valley floor often lining the watercourse and willow trees are characteristic. The pattern of landuse and vegetation on the valley floor gives rise to a medium scaled landscape pattern and a sense of enclosure. This contrasts with the valley sides which are generally open with little to no woodland (except on upper slopes where it forms a wooded skyline) and land use is arable. Field sizes are generally large scale defined by well trimmed hedgerows. Local crops include hops especially at Froyle, where the hop poles, wires and former oast houses create a distinctive local feature.

3.3 The area falls within the Environment Agency Wey Addlestone Bourne catchment area. The River Way and its tributaries (Lavent and Canker Streams) which rise in the chalk in the west of this character area close to Alton form part of this character area. Areas of open water comprise a number of ponds within the valley floor e.g. Kings Ponds near Alton.

4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 Although this landscape defines the valley of the River Wey, the river itself often appears insignificant in contrast to other linear features such as the A31 and main rail line which follow the valley bottom parallel to the watercourse. Views from the valley floor are affected by the extent of vegetation but where there are views they extend to the valleys sides which provide a backdrop and strong landscape context. From the valleys sides there are more open views across the valley floor and up and down the valley but in all cases the sense of place of this landscape is determined by the valley form.

4.2 This is an accessible landscape with numerous footpaths linking the historic settlements, although many are fragmented by the A31 and railway. St Swithun's Way passes through the valley on the northern valley sides. This long distance footpath follows the Pilgrim’s Way linking Winchester to the North Downs. Another long distance route, The Hangers Way begins at Alton railway station. The steam railway the Watercress Line is popular with tourists and runs within the valley between Alton and Alresford.

Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

4.3 This landscape is relatively tranquil and its broad character enables it to accommodate development and pylons to some degree. However the A31 impacts greatly on the tranquillity through the heart of this landscape. In the valley bottom the vegetation on the valley floor slightly reduces this impact and although the semi- natural habitats and vegetation along the valley floor enhance tranquillity and perceived naturalness, the A31, railway and settlements are the more dominant features in views from the valley sides.

Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This is an arable landscape with some improved grassland, small patches of woodland and some wet grassland habitats.

5.2 The north of the area is an open, arable landscape. There are patches of broadleaved woodland, some of which are ancient and semi-natural woodlands along with small patches of mixed plantation woodlands. There are occasional patches of unimproved grassland which are calcareous towards the periphery of the area and neutral closer to the river channel where isolated patches of wetland habitats, including marshy grasslands and ponds can also be found. The south of the area has a different character, with significant areas of residential development instead of the open arable landscape characteristic of further north. Within this developed area there are still patches of wetland habitats and woodland associated with the river. There is also an increase in the amount of amenity grasslands/ sports pitches which provides habitat variation in the developed area.

5.3 The Northern Wey Valley BOA exists in this area, along the river channel. There are frequent gravel beds and riffles and a good diversity of streams/ streamside flora and fauna, particularly fresh water molluscs.

5.4 There are over 20 SINCs in this landscape character area, with most designated for their ancient woodland resource.

6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 There is little Mesolithic evidence currently recorded in this character area but it would be reasonable to assume that north of Alton the area was exploited in the Mesolithic.

6.1.2 The only Neolithic feature recorded is a post hole containing Neolithic pottery which was found close to Alton and may suggest a settlement. It is interesting to note that whilst most Long Barrows are found in the open chalk down land, there are two overlooking the Wey valley close to Alton. These suggest that the Wey valley is intensively exploited, whilst land to the north and south may not have been settled, but may have been exploited less intensively and more extensively, such as by herding.

6.1.3 Evidence of Bronze Age settlement lies in and over looking the Wey valley. There are a series of burial mounds that overlook the valley from the north on the high ground (although they lie outside this character area). It would seem likely that the valley was settled and in the Iron Age a hill fort over looking the valley (but outside the character area) implies the continuing importance of the valley, probably both as a settled area and as a route.

6.1.4 At Alton in the Wey valley there is a meeting of Roman roads with settlement and activity focusing in the valley at this point. This reinforces the continued importance of the valley as settled and as a route.

Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 This landscape character area can be divided into two broad areas which have experienced different and yet linked historical development; namely the valley floor and the valley sides.

6.2.2 On the valley sides there is a mixture of enclosure pattern. Firstly the enclosures on the greensand terrace (southern valley sides and the north valley sides east of Upper Froyle) include wavy edged field boundaries reflecting enclosures mainly in the 17th century from common, waste and common field origins which formed the fringes of Alice Holt. Secondly, on the chalk valley sides (mainly to the north of the river) the enclosure pattern is one of later 18th and19th parliamentary enclosure. The late parliamentary pattern north of and west of Lower Froyle appear to have been created from open downland which is apparent on the 1st edition OS map and closer to the settlement of Holybourne ladder-esque field elements may reflect the association of this medieval village with the open downland above. Elsewhere the pattern is medium to small scale and likely to reflect earlier open fields which would have been prevalent in the area and the subsequent exploitation of this area for hop growing in the 19th century. This pattern of enclosure has been altered more recently by the amalgamation of fields in the 20th century in order to improve productivity using modern farming techniques and is particularly evident north of Lower Froyle.

6.2.3 On the valley floor the historical evolution and exploitation of natural resources was quite different. Along the valley floor water meadows were developed though the manipulation of the river course and creation of a complex system of ditches. The watermeadows were deliberately flooded (floated) through use of a complex controlled system known as catch meadows. The watermeadows and the carriers and drains which distribute the water create a distinctive historic character which is evident in places today.

6.2.4 The good communications network along the valley (including the railway in the 19th century) lead to the growth of industry which relied heavily on the water from the River Wey – e.g. tanning, paper mill, and breweries. It also offered quick transport of watercress by rail to towns and cities.

6.2.5 There is an absence of major historic parkland reflecting the agricultural emphasis of the landscape. There are a few small parks e.g. Lord Mayor Treloar College which was formally a Tudor House on the edge of the river meadows and House whose parkland landscape extends into character area 7C.

6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 The Wey valley has historically been an important communications corridor and the presence of the A31 and railway continue this tradition. These communication routes run along the valley while a network of rural lanes criss-cross the valley connecting the nucleated villages. These rural lanes are narrow and often open, flanked by sometimes gappy hedgerow providing opportunities for cross valley views.

6.3.2 The valley contains a string of nucleated settlements which date back mainly to the medieval period, with the exception of Holybourne which is thought to have

Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

established in association with the once Roman military posting station. Most of the settlements are likely to have established in association with the rural economy of the area or through involvement in trade. Alton, for example became a major market town in the 13th and 14th centuries located at the junction of roads leading from Basingstoke, Reading and Odiham to the south-east coastal ports. Alton’s trade was built on cloth, tanning and brewing. Upper and Lower Froyle as well as Chawton established initially as a loose cluster of dwellings associated with a manor engaged in the rural economy of the area. These nucleated settlements are located on slightly elevated land on gravel terraces above the flood plain with the exception of Alton which has spread onto the valley floor. Conservation areas exist at Bentley, Lower Froyle, , Upper Froyle, Hollybourne, Anstey, Alton, The Butts and Chawton reflecting the high concentration of listed buildings, vernacular architecture and intact medieval street patterns.

6.3.3 Many of settlements within the valley e.g. Bentley, Lower Froyle, Upper Froyle Islington and Chawton retain their historic character and have altered little over recent years. Alton is the exception although despite the early prosperity of the town its growth was constrained in the 19th century due to the hopfields which were critical to the brewing industry on which the town had built its economic prosperity. In 1860 the railway arrived and although it prevented the expansion of the town to the south it lead to substantial growth to the west where typical Victorian terraced housing can be found. Alton has continued to grow particularly within the last fifty years to the extent that it has merged with the historic and once separate settlements of Anstey and Holybourne.

6.3.4 Outside of the main settlements and particularly on the northern slopes there is a scatter of farmsteads of largely 18th and 19th century date set within, and contemporary with, regular parliamentary field enclosures. The built environment within this character area also contains a wealth of structures associated with the past utilisation of the River Wey. These include weirs, mills and millponds on the valley floor e.g. Turk’s Mill, Isington Mill and Froyle Mill as well a bridges e.g. Haw Bridge and Anstey Bridge. There are also a number of buildings which reflect the traditional hop growing and malting/brewing industry, though nearly all are now in residential use. There is a rare circular brick constructed former hop kiln near Hillside Farm, to the east of the area, where many of these brewing related buildings are located. The buildings are normally square or rectangular on plan, originally with steep sided roofs, most of which have been altered.

6.3.5 Traditional building materials in this character area include flint, red brick and clay tiles including clay tile hanging. There are also examples of the use of malmstone which would have been available from the greensand landscapes to the south and which is used in conjunction with red/orange brick for the corners of buildings and around door and window openings. Malmstone is particularly evident in the villages of Upper and Lower Froyle, and in roadside boundary walls near the Lord Mayor Treloar College. Timber framed building construction would have been the dominant form of building in this area although many have been infilled with brick. Thatch is also common as a roofing material reflecting the close proximity to the river.

Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

6.3.6 The villages of Bentley and Upper Froyle have churches which provide a focus and are key features in views from the valley floor. The house of Jane Austen is located in Chawton village and is now a museum which is a significant draw for tourists.

Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

EVALUATION 7.0 Forces for Change 1. New housing development mainly small scale and the cumulative impact of infill sites to settlement morphology and conversion of historic buildings. 2. Climate change in particular increase in frequency of storms changes to rainfall and drought patterns. 3. Recreation pressures and increase visitor draw because of National Park. 4. Potential development of masts and other vertical structures particularly on the edges and outside of this area. 5. Changes in agricultural practices relating to agricultural intensification and or land management grant schemes.

KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 Historic water meadows comprising areas of pasture, unimproved grassland, wet grassland and overlapping lines of willow/alder valued for their biodiversity interest. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 2.3.5 Threats: Past/present lack of traditional hay meadows management and improvement to grassland. Diffuse source pollution in particular from sediment, nitrogen, urban related pollutants and soil run-off from valley side fields. Trend towards proliferation of pony paddocks particularly adjacent to settlements. Trend towards lack of management of riverside and water meadow trees.

Opportunities: Target agri-environment schemes in order to; extend and reinstate areas of water meadow where they have been lost through drainage or improvements; plant rare black poplar as part of national re-colonisation programme; conserve veteran trees within the floodplain and strategic planting of new trees to continue this pattern into the future. Encourage local level assessments which seek to articulate the complex values associated with water meadows and may assist in prioritising conservation activity and facilitate appropriate stewardship funding and support. Target agri-environment schemes to address diffuse pollution issues. Maintain water levels and river valley floor habitat with sensitive abstraction and supply particularly through monitoring and management of surface water run-off quality in particular Nutrient, Manure and Crop protection Management Plans. Potential to assist and influence the Northern Wey BOA and encourage the conservation of natural river course, gravel beds and streamside flora and fauna.

7.2 Concentration and variety of historic buildings and structures which reflect the past exploitation of this landscape i.e. breweries, mills, ponds, watercress beds and bridges. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3.5 Threats: Past and future cost of historic building maintenance and need for new appropriate uses. Potential for changes within the setting of historic buildings divorcing them from their landscape and historic context. Development/change in land use in or around valley floor which adversely affects the industrial archaeology, remnant water meadows and stream realignments. Loss of historic integrity of built features through insensitive conversions.

Hampshire County 10 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley

Opportunities: Raise awareness of the historic association between fieldscapes and settlement in local level assessment work exploring the possibility extending conservation area boundaries. Improved recreational use of the valley floor through improved rights of way/bridleways with interpretation on nature conservation and heritage interest in accordance with the South Downs Hampshire and Hampshire Downs CAP. When designing built additions or conversions promote reference to historic building guidance documents (HCC, EH and local).

7.3 Individual identity of historic nucleated settlements and the rural character of sunken lanes which connect them FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3 Threats: Potential for additional growth of villages altering their historic form and intact character and expansion onto floodplain areas or upper valley slopes. Trend towards ad hoc development outside of villages along lanes and transport corridors which undermines the dispersed pattern of these nucleated settlements Development which is visually intrusive when viewed from the valley sides. Trend towards loss of vernacular features through lack of management or new development which does not reflect local building styles and materials. Potential for the upgrading of lanes to accommodate increased traffic resulting in loss of rural character and alternation to historic river crossing points.

Opportunities: Local level assessments and village design statements could give the opportunity to emphasise the special qualities of settlements and help guide style and material choice and sensitive views to church landmarks. Use existing planning policies to conserve and protect built and settlement character in accordance with the East Hampshire District Core Strategy. Emphasise the historical importance of retaining the intactness and form of rural lanes through transport and rights of way planning.

7.4 Open views across the Wey valley from the northern valley slopes with clear uninterrupted ridges and skylines and importance of the chalk bluffs backdrop. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.4.5 Threats: Potential of the vulnerability of open uninterrupted skylines to tall vertical structures which break the flow of the landscape and undermine the scale of the valley. Sensitivity of high visibility of changes on the valleys sides and potential for inappropriate or visually intrusive development and woodland felling.

Opportunities: Target agri-environment and other grant schemes in order to; encourage traditional woodland management (thinning, coppicing, replanting) to ensure typical wooded backdrop to valley sides and overlapping pattern of vegetation is retained; encourage new planting with species indigenous to the area, and of local provenance; encourage strategic woodland planting on valley sides to mitigate the impact of pylons to the south without significant alternation to the character of the valley. Take into account and identify the main exposed ridges and downland in new development proposals (particularly development of vertical structures) and the main visual receptor sites - local opinions could be sought for particularly valued views.

Hampshire County 11 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Wey Valley