Consolidated Evidence Base for Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Sustainable Environment Policies

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

CONSOLIDATED EVIDENCE BASE FOR CONGLETON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT POLICIES

Compiled by Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group for submission to Examiner in February 2019

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

CONTENTS

CONSOLIDATED EVIDENCE BASE FOR CONGLETON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT POLICIES 3 Background 3

EXCERPT FROM CHESHIRE EAST BOROUGH-WIDE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY - Land Use Consultants (2018) 3 Method Guidance 3 Landscape Character Assessment Framework 4 Landscape Character Areas Identified in LUC Assessment and Strategy Relevant to the CNPA 6

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS IDENTIFIED IN CHRIS BLANDFORD 20 Relationship between Congleton’s Urban Form and Its Landscape Setting 27 The Planning and Management of the Landscape 28

CHESHIRE EAST GREEN SPACE STRATEGY & UPDATE 33 Background 33 landscape - its upland fringes, Cheshire Plain, lowland heath, parkland estates, 34 Policy and Guidance Document Review 34

Conclusions Drawn by the Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group from the Landscape and Green Space Evidence Base 46

Protecting and Enhancing Congleton’s Natural Environment March 2017 – prepared for Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group by Cheshire Wildlife Trust 48 Introduction 48 Map 1: Landscape Character Typology 51 1 Birds of Conservation Concern 2017 65 2. Watercourses 65 3. Heaths and Mosslands 66 4. Species-rich grasslands 66 5. Medium distinctiveness habitat 67 6 Wildlife corridor network 68 7 Protection of the wildlife corridor and other high and medium distinctiveness habitat 69 Conclusion 70 Recommendations for improving and protecting habitat in order to create a coherent ecological network 71

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

CONSOLIDATED EVIDENCE BASE FOR CONGLETON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT POLICIES

Background

This document forms part of the submitted responses of the Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group to the first round questions posed by the Examiner conducting an examination into the Regulation 15 draft CNP.

The document comprises a series of relevant excerpts culled from a diverse range of very large technical reports which were used by the Group to inform the preparation of the neighbourhood plan’s policies and proposals. In many cases the reports referred to were wider in geographical scope. The excerpts selected therefore do not include work that relates, for example, to other parts of Cheshire East or any other area outside Congleton. In this way it is hoped that the work of sifting through the relevant evidence base will be rendered much more manageable that it would otherwise have been.

The excerpts are arranged broadly in the order of the Sustainable Environment policies presented in the draft CNP.

This compendium of relevant excerpts includes a series of hyperlinks to the source documents to facilitate easy reference e.g. to look up relevant maps, plans etc.

Brief commentary is included to guide the reader to the relevance of the evidence concerned.

EXCERPT FROM CHESHIRE EAST BOROUGH-WIDE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY - Land Use Consultants (2018)

Appendix 2 Method Guidance

A2.1 This Landscape Character Assessment follows the method promoted by Natural England through ‘An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment’, which embeds the principles of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) within it. A2.2 The 2014 guidance lists the five key principles for landscape character assessment: 1. Landscape is everywhere and all landscape has character; 2. Landscape occurs at all scales and the process of Landscape Character Assessment can be undertaken at any scale;

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

3. The process of Landscape Character Assessment should involve an understanding of how the landscape is perceived and experienced by people; 4. A Landscape Character Assessment can provide a landscape evidence base to inform a range of decisions and applications; 5. A Landscape Character Assessment can provide an integrating spatial framework- a multitude of variables come together to give us our distinctive landscapes.

Landscape Character Assessment Framework

A2.3 Landscape Character Assessment can be undertaken at a variety of scales and levels of detail, with the land within Cheshire East included within a hierarchy of landscape characterisation documents from the national down to the local level. A2.4 Landscape does not stop at administrative boundaries but continues seamlessly into surrounding administrative areas. Therefore, an aim of this assessment was to join up with the Landscape Character Assessments of adjacent authorities and sit within the existing national assessment (the National Character Areas published by Natural England). A2.5 At the national level, England is divided into a total of 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). Each is defined by a unique combination of landscape character, biodiversity, geodiversity. There are descriptive profiles available for each NCA (published in 2014), setting out information on landscape character, changes happening in the landscape and an assessment of ecosystem services delivered. A2.6 Cheshire East contains 6 NCAs, as shown in Figure A.2.2 and listed below: 1. NCA 53 South West Peak 2. NCA 54 Manchester Pennine Fringe 3. NCA 55 Manchester Conurbation 4. NCA 60 Mersey Valley 5. NCA 61 Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain 6. NCA 62 Cheshire Sandstone Ridge

National level National Character Areas (NCAs) e.g. NCA 62 Cheshire Sandstone Ridge Borough level Landscape Character Types (LCTs) e.g. LCT1 Sandstone Ridge

A2.7 The borough is dominated by one NCA, the expansive low-lying flat and gently undulating Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain (NCA 61). To the west of this expansive area is the distinctive Cheshire Sandstone Ridge (NCA62) which runs north-south and rising to the east are the upland slopes and moorland plateau of the South West Peak (NCA 53). The drained marsh, mudflat and saltmarsh of the Mersey Valley (NCA 60) and the outer edges of the Manchester Conurbation (NCA 55) and Pennine Fringe (NCA 54) lie along the northern fringes of the borough. The landscape character hierarchy is illustrated in Figure A.2.1 below.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Figure A.2.1: Landscape Character Hierarchy (see page 17)

A2.8 The classifications for neighbouring authorities are illustrated on Figure A.2.3 Neighbouring Character Areas. A2.9 This assessment can also provide a framework in which more detailed assessments sit, such as local landscape character assessment produced to inform Neighbourhood Plans.

Stage 4: Evaluation and Strategy A2.21 An evaluative section was produced for each Landscape Character Type to identify what is important and why about the landscape, to help inform a forward- looking landscape strategy for the Borough. A2.22 The landscape evaluation contains the following information: • Valued landscape features - the features and characteristics that are particularly valued for their contribution to character and for the ecosystem services they provide (see Text Box A1 (below) for a list of ecosystem services). This section drew on the values set out in the statements of significance and spirit of place from the ‘A Landscape Scale Approach for a Project Area within Cheshire East’). • Landscape condition – summarising the condition (quality) of the landscape; • Forces for change – identifying factors that are resulting in landscape change, building on the ‘issues and change’ section of ‘A Landscape Scale Approach for a Project Area within Cheshire East’ and the ‘issues’ section of the 2009 Cheshire LCA. • Overall vision and forward looking landscape strategy – setting out a vision for each LCT and whether the overall strategy is to protect, manage or change (or a combination of these). • Guidance for landscape management and built development.

Text Box A1:

Ecosystem services Our health and wellbeing depends upon the services provided by ecosystems and their components: water, soil, nutrients and organisms. Therefore, ecosystem services are the processes by which the environment produces resources utlilised by humans such as clean air, water, food and materials. Ecosystem services can be defined in various ways. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment provided the most comprehensive assessment of the state of the global environment to date; it classified ecosystem services as follows:

• Supporting services: The services that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services including soil formation, photosynthesis, primary production, nutrient cycling and water cycling.

• Provisioning services: The products obtained from ecosystems, including food, fibre, fuel, genetic resources, biochemicals, natural medicines, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources and fresh water.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Regulating services: The benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes, including air quality regulation, climate regulation, water regulation, erosion regulation, water purification, disease regulation, pest regulation, pollination, natural hazard regulation.

• Cultural services: The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences.

Landscape Character Areas Identified in LUC Assessment and Strategy Relevant to the CNPA

10d - Upper Dane Character Area 7e - Lower Wooded Farmland – Brereton Heath 11c - Higher Wooded Farmland – Buglawton 11d – Higher Wooded Farmland – Little Moreton 9c - Mosslands – Congleton Moss (aka ‘the Moss Rooms’) 12d – Upland Footslopes – Mow Cop Ridge

(PAGE 238 – Appendices to LUC Landscape Character Assessment and Strategy CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGYCA 10d: Upper Dane Character Area. River meanders within a steep-sided, wooded valley. This character area extends from Holmes Chapel to Congleton as the River Dane meanders tortuously along a steep sided valley with a wide and generally flat floor. Much of the steeper ground is wooded, whilst the valley floor is devoted to pasture. Field boundaries are generally defined by post and wire fences and much of the valley floor appears as a wide, open expanse of grassland. The course of the river is marked by an intermittent line of vegetation, typified by willows leaning over the watercourse. The high, steep valley side slopes and the frequency of woodland ensure there is little inter-visibility between this area and adjoining character areas.

Within the body of the character area there is a single crossing point in the form of a small road bridge. Consequently much of the river is inaccessible to all but the most determined walker.

The brick-built railway viaduct at the western end of the valley is a very impressive structure which emphasises the broad width of the valley floor at this location. At this point the southern slope is steep and wooded whilst the northern slopes are gentler and under pasture. Between the two slopes the valley floor is filled with a flat, agricultural landscape with medium sized fields. There are many post and wire fences, free-standing mature oak trees and the occasional farm building.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

At Radnor Bridge a minor road follows a curving line across the broad valley floor. Linear woodlands follow the contours on both sides of the valley, with a number of individual properties visible amongst the trees. The riverside vegetation is very dense in parts and in places merges into the wooded slopes. Where the slope is shallower the pastureland extends up from the valley floor to the surrounding higher ground. This open landform allows some partial outward views and the Cloud is visible to the east.

A large proportion of the course of the River Dane is wooded of which a significant part is ancient woodland – principally on the steeper slopes and following the tributary valleys e.g. near Somerford and Swettenham. There is scrub and mature woodland as well as some unimproved neutral pastures. From Holmes Chapel through Congleton to the Peak Park boundary the river valley is designated as an SBI, by far the longest SBI in Cheshire. It has high ornithological interest and is important for insects and mammals. Settlement includes the dispersed settlement of Swettenham and a low density, dispersed pattern of halls and farms. Along the length of the Dane are a number of works such as sewage works and reservoirs. To the west of Congleton are the Congleton business park and a large superstore. The character area terminates in the east at the Congleton Business Park on the western edge of Congleton. This development occupies the entire valley floor and the very large buildings and hard standings abruptly terminate the rural character of the valley. Both sides of the valley are steep and wooded and the high ground dominates the river below. A number of substantial properties constructed on the valley shoulders are visible amongst the trees at the highest level.

The earthworks of a medieval moat and house platform survive at Crossley. There have been a number of watermills in operation along the length of the Dane at various points in time – today mill buildings survive at Swettenham Mill (listed Grade II) and Cranage Mill. Forge Mill near Congleton was used for silk production and a number of flour mills were located at the eastern end of the character area near Bosley.

A section of the Dane Valley east of Holmes Chapel is a large geomorphological SSSI designated for its meanders and terraces.

Strategy: The valleys are naturalistic, tranquil landscapes where wetland habitats and watercourses are managed for the benefit of biodiversity and flood alleviation. The characteristic woodland habitats are conserved and within the farmed landscape hedgerows are restored where there have been losses in the past. Recreation is managed so that it is sustainable, compatible with the conservation objectives and visitor pressure does not degrade landscape character. The overall landscape strategy for the river valley type is to conserve the valued natural and cultural heritage features, enhance areas which are not in good condition and promote sustainable recreation activity.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

The following points provide guidance for landscape management and built development within the LCT: • Avoid locating development (buildings and other structures) in visually prominent locations, particularly on the valley slopes. • Appropriately manage the valued ancient and semi-natural woodland habitats, including prevention measures for tree pests and diseases to avoid the need for felling. Seek to replace non-native species with native species. • Retain valued historic field patterns and replace hedgerows where there have been past losses to reinforce field patterns and provide valued linkages between habitats. • Manage and enhance valued semi-natural habitats, particularly the rivers and the lowland meadows, fens and riparian vegetation along the river valleys through appropriate management/farming practices. Management of agricultural land should aim to reduce nutrient run off to these habitats. • Create linkages between habitats where feasible, particularly wetlands, woodlands and semi-natural grasslands, retaining areas of importance for species diversity and balancing this with the need for recreation and enjoyment of the landscape. • Create linkages between existing woodland by enlarging existing woodland or creating new woodlands, particularly on steep slopes. • Maintain and promote the Dane Valley Way and provide further linkages to the rights of way network where appropriate. • Protect valued heritage features within the landscape, including the canals associated with the area’s industrial past. Promote interpretation of these features where it can be sustainably managed alongside conservation. • Utilise trees and woodland to screen the visual and audial effects of intrusive infrastructure where appropriate. • Retain the tranquillity experienced throughout much of the landscape. • Retain the sense of enclosure experienced in the valleys as a result of the landform and tree cover, while also maintaining the distinctive funnelled views.

(PAGES 212-213 - APPENDICES TO LUC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY) Lower Wooded Farmland LCA 10e: Brereton Heath Character Area. Including Brereton & Astley Mere Country Park

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

This gently undulating and almost flat character area (70-120m AOD) is located south of the River Dane. It extends from Holmes Chapel down to Sandbach and across to Congleton.

The landscape is predominantly of a medium scale but with wide variations in enclosure. Although primarily an agricultural landscape, woodlands provide an important visual characteristic throughout the character area, often out of proportion to their actual size. The woodland type varies greatly, ranging from conifer plantations to dense birchwoods on former mosses or heathland. This has an obvious effect upon landscape character and provides visual diversity throughout.

Sand extraction has led to the creation of a number of water bodies and some, such as that at Arclid form important features in the landscape. Others are well screened by vegetation and cannot be seen from public highways.

Views across the landscape are variable. To the east the high ground of the Pennine Hills form an important feature and Mow Cop and the Cloud within the Upland Footslopes landscape type are clearly visible across a large part of the character area. To the west the much flatter landscape of the East Lowland Plain type provides no obvious landmarks.

In the vicinity of Brookhouse Green is a concentration of small (up to 4ha), irregular shaped medieval fields. This is also an area with a number of small, narrow minor roads. Elsewhere the field type is mainly post-medieval in date and more regular in form (up to 8ha). Across the area there are a number of large (over 8ha), regular, modern fields. Boundaries are a mix of patchy hawthorn hedges with standard trees and fences. Typical building materials include red brick and white render.

A small area of heath is located at Brereton Heath Country Park, which is a popular visitor attraction. This is a reclaimed sand quarry part of which is now a lake. There is an expanse of broadleaved woodland, and to the east, in the vicinity of the village of Somerford there is a mix of broad leaves and conifers. Much of this site is designated an SBI. Other large broadleaved woodland blocks include Blackberry Covert and Brookhouse Moss.

There are a number of small villages and hamlets in this character area e.g. Brereton Heath, Brereton Green, Brookhouse Green and Arclid. Elsewhere settlement is generally dispersed. Brereton Hall is a 16th century building in origin with subsequent alterations. It is listed grade II. The site of a former mill lies to the west of the Hall, the mill pond of which survives albeit heavily silted. There are large working sand pits at Arclid to the north of Sandbach and due west of Congleton. At Dumber Bank there is a waste disposal site. The M6 passes through the western edge of the area and includes the Sandbach Services. Three main roads in the area are the A50, A54 and A534. Small peat patches are located at Brookhouse Moss and at Bagmere, both of which are biological SSSIs. Bagmere is the bed of a former mere, which has now almost completely in-filled with peat apart from one small area of open water. The range of habitats includes rich fen, the vegetation of which is dominated by lesser pond- sedge. Notable species include purple small reed and greater pond sedge; marshy

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies grassland with species such as meadowsweet and wild angelica; and carr woodland dominated by grey willow and downy birch. The site supports the only colony of small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly in Cheshire.

Brookhouse Moss is an outstanding example of a moss at an advanced stage of development. Several areas of open bog vegetation are present in which bog mosses, cross leaved heath and cotton grass are dominant. Nationally rare species such as bog rosemary, sundew and crowberry are also present. The scarce alder buckthorn occurs in the fen woodland along with birch, alder and goat willow. The Carr woodland grades into drier oak with rowan and purple moor–grass.

A large swamp and marsh lie to the south of Brookhouse Moss and Bagmere where breeding birds include reed bunting and whitethroat; both are designated as SBIs. There is one glacial mere located at Taxmere north of Sandbach. This is an SBI and the southern and western edges have unimproved semi-natural grassland. At the north and east lie wet grassland. The lake is surrounded by lush marginal vegetation and wet woodland - mostly alder and hazel with pond sedges. There are numerous ponds located across the area.

In Brereton Plantation is a large lake formed by sand working and now managed for recreational purposes. Drains and dried out ponds add to the diversity as do patches of acid unimproved and semi-unimproved grassland. The site supports birch woodland with occasional oak and pine is regenerating well.

Historic features within this area are varied. At Somerford Bridge there is a potential Neolithic (4000-2000BC) long barrow, although it has been suggested that this was the site of a mass cattle grave following an outbreak of murraine. Yet the discovery of two inurned cremations indicates that there has been activity in the area since at least the Bronze Age. At Bent Farm there are the earthwork remains of a possible temporary Roman camp. Strategy: As for Upper Dane Character Area above.

Higher Wooded Farmland (PAGE 248 – LUC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY) LCA 11c: Buglawton Character Area. Including Crossley, Dane-in-Shaw woods & canal This is a small character area to the east of Congleton, overlooked from the east by The Cloud, which is situated in the adjoining Upland Footslopes landscape type. This adjacent highground dominates the character area. It has gentle to moderate undulation across the area (c 90-150m AOD) with the greatest slopes in the vicinity of watercourses.

Field size is small to medium and there is mainly a semi-regular pattern (some irregular and regular). This is typically medieval enclosure with post-medieval

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies reorganisation and improvement. There was some enclosure by Act of Parliament in the vicinity of Buglawton School.

Settlement is limited and mainly consists of dispersed farms and a small number of houses in the vicinity of Key Green.

There is a high level of woodland cover associated with lines of drainage and in many locations this creates a strong sense of enclosure and a small-scale verdant landscape with remnants of ancient woodland on steeper ground. The Dane Valley in particular appears as a solid line of woodland which curtails views in a northerly direction. Where views to the east are available these extend to the high ground of the Peak Footslopes and the telecommunication mast at Croker Hill is visible. The A54 runs through the area, with remaining roads being of a minor nature. Where the railway crosses the Macclesfield Canal and the River Dane the structures form points of interest in the landscape and the impressive Dane viaduct is a local landmark. A number of designated footpaths follow both the canal and the Dane Valley, e.g. The Dane Valley Way.

Steep sided, wooded watercourses include Timbers Brook and Dane-in-Shaw Brook. Timbersbrook and Bath Vale Woods are both SBIs that contain areas of unimproved grassland in addition to ancient woodland. Here there is a rich ground flora and a varied fauna and the valley sides support species rich neutral unimproved pasture. Dane-in-Shaw Pasture is designated a SSSI, for its species rich neutral and acidic pastures with ponds, stream, marsh, mature hedge and scrub alder. Mute swans breed on the millpond and water avens, fleabane, meadow saxifrage and common centaury occur. The nearby Dane-in-Shaw Brook Meadows are an SBI with further patches of unimproved grassland.

A number of mills were once located in this area associated with cotton and silk spinning. Of these the Dane-in-Shaw Mill, built in 1784, was Congleton’s first cotton mill. Strategy: A well-managed rural landscape between the Peaks and the Plain valued for its rural character and qualities which are offered in close proximity to urban areas. It is characterised by a high density of woodland, historic field patterns, and interspersed with semi-natural habitats including lowland grassland and small mosses, meres and ponds. Provision for recreation in the landscape is good and aligns with ecological and heritage conservation. The rural farmland has a low density settlement pattern with a distinct vernacular. The overall management strategy for this landscape should be to conserve the rural character and quality of this densely wooded farmland, conserve the valued semi-natural habitats and restore the traditional field pattern with hedgerow boundaries and hedgerow trees where these have been lost.

The following points provide guidance for landscape management and built development within the LCT:

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Protect and manage the natural river and stream courses and small ponds for the benefit of flood alleviation and biodiversity. • Protect the overall wooded character that characterises the area through appropriate management of blocks and coverts of broadleaved and riparian woodland (including ancient woodland), mature hedgerow trees and veteran trees. • Extend and create woodland areas and hedgerows trees where appropriate within the landscape, and maintain a diverse age and species structure for the benefit of biodiversity. • Protect the rural pastoral character of the wooded farmland through continued livestock grazing and avoiding a spread of suburban influences. • Conserve the varied field pattern, particularly those of historic origin. Conserve and manage the existing hedgerow network which provides valued linkages between ancient woodland habitats and restore hedgerows where they have been lost or degraded. • Protect and manage valued semi-natural habitats, notably the undesignated ponds, mosses, meres which punctuate the landscape and the lowland grasslands along the river valleys through appropriate management. Extend or link small isolated wetland habitats where feasible. Management of agricultural land should aim to reduce nutrient run off to these habitats. • Protect and appropriately manage the cultural heritage of the area including the canals and mills associated with the area’s industrial past. • Conserve the historic character of estate landscapes and plan for the management and reinstatement of parkland features such as veteran trees. • Retain the rural character of the farmed landscape with its dispersed settlement pattern of farms and small villages. • Protect the unifying historic vernacular of red brick and timber framed buildings. New development or conversion of farm buildings should retain a rural character by utilising traditional building styles where possible. • Retain the rural character of the narrow, winding roads and avoid the over- engineering of roads which could create an urbanising influence within the strongly rural landscape. • Maintain and promote the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk, The Dane Valley Way and other walking routes and provide further linkages to the rights of way network where appropriate. • Plan for the effects of large scale development such as major new transport routes and the expansion of existing settlements by exploring requirements for landscape mitigation to minimise or offset the impact impacts felt within the LCT.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Ensure new development helps to meet green infrastructure objectives reinforcing positive connections between town and country and between this area and the uplands. • Maintain the openness of characteristics view from this LCT across to the Peak District uplands. • Protect the relative tranquillity of the area which provides a respite from nearby urban areas.

(Page 250 – LUC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY) LCA 11d: Little Moreton Character Area. Including Hassell Green, Rode Hall & Little Moreton Hall This small to medium scale character area is located east of Sandbach and to the north of Alsager. It is very gently undulating in the west (c. 50m AOD), becoming steeper as it approaches the Upland Footslopes (up to 140m AOD). This dominant high ground terminates all views eastward and some views feature the distinctive elevated landmark of Mow Cop.

In parts of the character area there has been an intensification of agriculture with an emphasis upon arable farming. Such areas can have a different appearance as the removal of hedgerows leads to a more open landscape with an increase in scale. In such areas the remaining hedgerows tend to be closely trimmed and hedgerow trees are sparse, leading to extensive and uninterrupted views across the landscape.

There are a number of historic estates in this area of which Little Moreton Hall is probably the best known, picturesque timber framed manor house in England. An increase in tree cover, often in the form of solid blocks of woodland, is mainly associated with these numerous halls. Such locations also exhibit areas of parkland with its own very localised but distinct character. The large water body of Rode Pool is clearly visible from a public highway within a parkland setting.

Landscape character can be strongly influenced by the close proximity of nearby urban areas, with Sandbach to the west, Alsager to the south and Congleton to the east. A more urban character is particularly evident within the western arm of the character area where there is strong concentration of major highways, including the M6.

Beyond the modern development that has been focussed at Rode Heath, settlement is mainly low density and consists of dispersed farms and hamlets. The field pattern is predominantly medieval enclosure with some post-medieval and modern reorganisation. It is therefore mainly semi-regular and irregular in form and enclosures are small – medium in size (up to 8ha). Major routes such as the M6 pass through the area, as do the A34 and A50. The remaining routes are minor. There are two golf courses and the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk runs along the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Strategy: As for Buglawton Character Area above.

Mosslands (Page 227 – LUC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY) LCA 9c: Congleton Moss Character Area. Small dried out moss & historic moss rooms. This is a very small character area on the southern edge of Congleton. Congleton Moss is a small area of moss surviving at just over 1km in width. This is a tiny remnant of a once huge mossland that extended well over 1000ha in area. It is now thoroughly dried out and experiencing rapid succession to birch scrub. Dominant species are purple moor grass and heather with cross-leaved heath in some ditches. The moss comprises a series of enclosed radiating moss-rooms which form a fan shaped field pattern. This character area is not breached by any public highway and remains largely hidden from view. Water-filled ditches and areas of wet ground betray the mossland origins of this very flat, small to medium scale pastoral farmland with regular field boundaries and little woodland cover. There is a wide variation in the condition of the hedgerows. In some areas the hedgerow pattern is largely intact, with numerous hedgerow trees providing an element of enclosure and filtering views. Elsewhere the very flat topography, lack of tree cover and gappy hedges with post and wire fences, has led to an enlargement of scale allied with extensive views out of the area. These views extend to the ridge of high ground forming the county boundary in the east.

The distinctive shape of the Cloud forms part of this elevated skyline.

To the south are large fields that were formerly unenclosed and a number of boundaries are drainage channels. A cricket ground and school field encroaches upon the mossland. Strategy: The Mossland is a small but highly distinctive landscape within Cheshire East which contributes to the richness and diversity of the area and holds high natural and cultural values. It provides a distinct atmospheric landscape which is seemingly remote and tranquil despite its close proximity to urban areas. The strategy for this Landscape Character Type should be to protect and manage the extant areas of peat and mossland in order to maximise the biodiversity and spirit of place and maintain its open character and the distinctive ‘moss rooms’. The diversity and extent of areas of wetland habitat should be protected and managed.

The following points provide guidance for landscape management and built development within the LCT:

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Ensure commercial peat extraction does not detract from the naturalistic and cultural qualities of the area. Seek positive restoration schemes for peat extraction sites to mossland habitats. Seek opportunities for recreational use of restored sites where this is compatible with nature conservation objectives. • Protect, manage and enhance the valued semi-natural habitats, particularly the relic mosses and associated wetland habitats mosaic of standing water, lowland raised bog (a nationally rare and threatened habitat), fen, lowland heath and wet woodland through appropriate management. • Balance the need for continued positive conservation and management of the valuable habitats for flora and fauna, re-creating lost habitats, with the provision of recreation and enjoyment of the landscape. • Manage the surrounding agricultural land in a way which (by reducing abstraction and nutrient run off) conserves the character and quality of the mosses. • Protect the distinctive open character of the diverse wetlands by managing the woodlands, including selective thinning and clearance of invasive scrub species. • Protect and appropriately manage the remnant areas mosses for cultural heritage purposes. Promote interpretation of the cultural heritage of the area where this would not be at odds with conservation. • Conserve and strengthen the distinctive field pattern of the ancient ‘moss room’, by managing the hedgerows to ensure their long term survival, replanting areas of lost hedgerow and encouraging traditional land uses of these areas. • Manage change arising from future development by exploring requirements for landscape mitigation to minimise the impacts felts within the LCT and plan for the improved integration of existing urban edges. Ensure any future development helps to preserve and improve the role of the LCT as Green Infrastructure, reinforcing positive connections between this area and neighbouring urban areas. • Protect the distinct and atmospheric character of the area and the sense of mystery and tranquillity it provides, protecting areas of woodland that provide a screening function to adjacent development.

Upland Footslopes (Pages 260-261 – LUC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT & STRATEGY) LCA 12d: Mow Cop Character Area. Including Roe Park woods, Cheshire Close & the Cloud. This character area extends along the county boundary from The Cloud where it reaches a maximum elevation of 343m AOD, south as far as Mere Lake. Both the Cloud and Mow Cop are very prominent hill and ridge features dominating the lower lying character areas of Lower Farms & Woods and Higher Farms & Woods immediately to the west.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

This upland landscape is characterised by strongly undulating slopes and steep- sided valleys and exhibits a range of scales. There are a number of intimate small- scale wooded valley bottoms and elsewhere there are medium-scale landscapes with a strong element of enclosure provided by woodland and high hedgerows. By contrast large scale landscapes are found on the elevated open slopes, with weak field boundaries and very extensive panoramic views.

Views from the Mow Cop area extend over the Cheshire Plain as far as the Sandstone Ridge and the Welsh Hills beyond. Vantage points on the Cloud enjoy views in all directions over lower ground in both Cheshire and Staffordshire. In the north east these views extend to the rising ground of the Upland Footslopes landscape type and the even higher ground of the Upland Fringe landscape type, crowned by the Croker Hill telecommunication mast.

There are a number of rock outcrops along the length of the gritstone ridge e.g. at Rainow Hill, Congleton Edge and at Mowcop. In some areas the ridge is quite densely wooded. Large woodland blocks of oak occur on the slopes below Mow Cop, with birch, holly and rowan appearing on the high ground.

Settlement includes the small villages of Mow Cop and Timbersbrook and hamlets along the ridge. Generally the area has a strong rural character with narrow winding lanes linking dispersed settlements. Stone structures are typical, with dry-stone field boundaries at the higher levels. However in certain localities the close proximity of the Congleton urban area, and to a lesser extent Mount Pleasant, has had a strong influence upon landscape character.

Fields are small-medium (up to 8ha) and comprise a mix of medieval fields and post- medieval enclosure. The latter is the result of enclosure of the former open moor. Unimproved pasture is enclosed in dry stone walls and hawthorn hedges. On the higher slopes in the south, field boundaries have been replaced with post and wire fences, but neglected stone walls combined with poor grazing to convey an atmosphere of a deteriorating landscape.

Limeworks and coal pits are features of the area’s industrial past, e.g. air shafts and disused pits located in the vicinity of Limekiln Wood. There is also a covered reservoir. A section of the Macclesfield Branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal passes through the character area. The South Cheshire Way and the Staffordshire Gritstone Trail intersect at Mow Cop.

Roe Park includes an area of broad leaved ancient woodland designated as a SSSI for its large size, acidic heathy ground flora and woodland community types rare in the county. Gorse scrub, acid grassland and heath are located along the ridge. There are five areas of dry heath around the summit of Mow Cop and two areas of heathland mosaic further down the ridge towards Dales Green that are included in an SBI. All are on thin soil associated with the gritstone ridge that runs from here to Congleton Edge. Congleton Edge is a gritstone outcrop that has been modified by numerous small quarries – now disused. Vegetation is typical of upland heath with developing birch and sessile oak woodland. Species include cowwheat, bilberry, heather and crowberry.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

The Cloud is an open access area that is in the guardianship of the National Trust, the summit being covered with the largest area of heathland in Cheshire. There is also a plantation of scots pine. Boundaries and earthworks on The Cloud have been identified as potentially belonging to field systems, their date is undetermined but this is likely to have been a place of activity since prehistory. There has been extensive gritstone quarrying in the area. The Old Man of Mow is a pillar of stone that was left as a remnant of a former quarry, today it provides a striking land mark as does the Mow Cop Folly. This is an early example of a castle folly built in 1754 by Randle Wilbraham to be viewed and visited from Rode Hall.

A disused flooded quarry is located at Limekiln Farm – its steep sides and nearby spoil heaps are densely wooded. Sycamore, ash and mature hawthorn dominate the canopy. Ground flora includes cowslips, bluebells and celandines. Patches of semi- improved and unimproved grassland survive on the slopes such as at Cheshire’s Close where there is acidic, semi-improved upland grass dominated by wet rushy fields.

An outstanding example of a Neolithic monument in the northwest is the Bridestones chambered tomb, located close to the county boundary. This monument was once 100 metres long, but much of it was destroyed when stones were removed for road building, leaving the chamber inside. Strategy: A well-managed pastoral landscape with a network of mature hedgerows and dry stone walls marking historic field patterns and large areas of ancient woodland interspersed with small villages with a strong local vernacular. The rural farmland has valued semi-natural heathland and grassland habitats. Provision for recreation in the landscape is good and aligns with ecological and heritage conservation. The overall management strategy for this landscape should be to conserve the distinctive wooded slopes and panoramic views from open ridges, and to restore the traditional field pattern with hedgerow boundaries and hedgerow trees where these have been lost. The following points provide guidance for landscape management and built development within the LCT: • Protect the distinctive upland ridges with their skyline features and avoid siting development (both buildings and other structures including masts and wind turbines) on the dramatic slopes or in visually prominent locations. Any new development should utilise the screening effects of the sloping topography and the landscape’s woodlands to reduce its visual impact. • Ensure mineral extraction does not detract from the naturalistic and tranquil qualities of the area. Seek positive restoration schemes for mineral extraction sites to heathland and or grassland habitats and woodland. Seek opportunities for recreational use of restored sites where this is compatible with nature conservation objectives.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Protect and manage the watercourses for the benefit of flood alleviation, biodiversity and recreation purposes. • Protect the overall wooded character of the area through appropriate management of the dense deciduous woodland, including ancient woodland and the existing hedgerow network that provides valued linkages between the woodland habitats. • Extend and create new hedgerows and woodland areas where appropriate within the landscape, and maintain a diverse age and species structure for the benefit of biodiversity. • Protect the traditional pastoral character of the Upland Footslopes through continued livestock grazing and avoiding a spread of suburban influences. • Conserve the small-scale, irregular field pattern of the landscape, particularly those of historic origin and restore the network of hedgerows and stone walls forming field boundaries where they have been lost or degraded. • Manage and enhance valued semi-natural habitats, including the heathland and neutral and acid grassland which has seen significant losses across the Borough through appropriate farming practices. Manage scrub to protect the heathland/species rich grassland communities. • Create, extend and link the upland habitats where feasible, retaining areas of importance for species diversity and balancing this with the need for recreation and enjoyment of the landscape. • Protect and appropriately manage the cultural heritage of the area, including prehistoric monuments and follies on the hill summits and features associated with the remains of its industrial past such as mills, canals and mines to preserve a sense of history. Promote interpretation of these features where this would not be at odds with conservation of these assets. • Retain the rural character of the landscape away from the main settlements with its dispersed settlement pattern of farms and small villages. • Respect the setting, form and local vernacular of the existing historic settlement, including those designated as Conservation Areas. • Protect the unifying local vernacular of local stone and slate and avoid the introduction of intrusive features. New development or conversion of farm buildings should retain a rural character by utilising traditional materials and building styles wherever possible. • Promote sustainable transport routes to destinations for recreational purposes. • Retain the rural character of the narrow, winding roads and avoid the over- engineering of roads which could create an urbanising influence within the strongly rural landscape.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

• Maintain and promote the Gritstone Trail and South Cheshire Way and provide further linkages to the rights of way network where appropriate. Manage visitor numbers to avoid footpath erosion or harm to the heritage features in the landscape such as the follies at White Nancy and Mow Cop. • Ensure any future development helps to meet Green Infrastructure objectives, reinforcing positive connections between neighbouring town and uplands. • Maintain the openness of views across the Cheshire Plain and to uplands in the Peak District National Park. Avoid siting development (both buildings and other structures) in visually prominent locations. • Protect the relative tranquillity and remoteness of the area which provides a respite from neighbouring urban areas including dark skies.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS IDENTIFIED IN CHRIS BLANDFORD

(CBA) LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT OF CONGLETON BOROUGH RELEVANT TO CNPA (numbering refers to section numbers in CBA report). NB The areas are presented in a broadly similar order to the LUC character areas to facilitate ready comparison of the two assessments. 4.7 Dane Valley – Similar to LUC Upper Dane character area in definition, with the exception that the assessed area extends into Congleton as far as the Congleton Business Park. 4.8 North Congleton Plain – the farmland north of the Dane Valley and west of the Cloud Fringe 4.5 Cheshire Plain – the lower wooded farmland south of the Dane Valley and west of the Macclesfield Canal 4.9 Cloud Fringe – Similar to the LUC’s character area definition for Higher Wooded Farmland north of Buglawton and Key Green. 4.10 Mow Cop Fringe – Similar to the LUC’s character area definition for Higher Wooded Farmland south of Buglawton and Key Green. 4.11 Staffordshire Ridge – Similar to the LUC’s character area definition for Upland Footslopes.

4.7 Dane Valley See pages 27-28 of the CBA Assessment Report. The assessment identifies the whole valley as being of ‘very good landscape quality’, while noting some urban visual influences on the fringes of Congleton. Key characteristics include the flat/undulating river valley, with steep wooded slopes and meadows in the valley bottom. The meandering watercourse is lined with mature vegetation. Short to middle distance views are controlled by mature vegetation along the valley. Land cover types include pasture meadows which predominate along the valley bottom, with grazing on land near Congleton. Mature deciduous woodland (primarily oak-ash on the steeper slopes) provide woodland corridors, with ribbons of woodland/scrub located along tributaries, whilst clumps of willow and alder punctuate the lower river banks. Main issues and forces for change noted in the report include:  Reductions in agricultural intensity resulting in under grazing or poor management  Visitor pressure  Development along the urban fringe such as Congleton Business Park. The aim of the guidelines recommended for future management is to ensure that the character of the area is conserved, restored or enhanced. The guidelines include:

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 ‘Protect the important nature conservation of the Dane Valley. The valley corridor is of high biodiversity, sustaining important wildlife habitats and a valuable landscape feature. The valley’s aesthetic and ecological value should be respected in any management or maintenance works.  The enclosed, introspective nature of the valley is a feature of the character area. Avoid new insensitive developments which encroach upon the existing character of the Dane Valley.  Enhance this recreational resource by promoting improved access for walkers, cyclists and equestrians. A strategy for recreation should be established, and wold be required to address safety issues.  Manage blocks of woodland. It is important to replant and manage mature woodland to ensure the continuation of these characteristic features.’ 4.8 North Congleton Plain See pages 29-31 of the Assessment Report. The assessment identifies the landscape quality of this character area as being of ‘good quality. This is a pleasant agricultural landscape’. The report notes the area’s land cover as a mix of mixed agricultural land, a substantial proportion of mature vegetation associated with the valley corridor and parkland estates and some small pockets of heathland evident throughout the area. Forces for change noted in the report include pressures at the urban fringes of Congleton including residential and commercial developments. Management guidelines relevant to the CNPA area include retention of open views, including those towards Jodrell Bank, continuing maintenance of hedges, hedgerow trees and field trees as positive conservation features, and protection of important nature conservation areas including woodland, heathland and grassland habitats. 4.5 Cheshire Plain Congleton and the Macclesfield Canal form the eastern edges of this character area, with the southern rim of the Dane Valley defining the northern boundary. The assessment report identifies this character area’s key characteristics as including level, low lying rural landscape (although not truly flat), agricultural (predominantly pastoral) use, maintained hawthorn hedges and hedgerow trees providing containment, with a significant number of over-mature trees, small blocks of woodland, a dense network of roads, predominantly hedge lined country lanes and scattered field ponds (often vegetated and species rich). Landcover types within this extensive character area relevant to the CNPA include level farmland and urban fringe recreational land. This type of land cover is reported as including well defined medium to larger pastoral fields contained by hedgerows with trees and scattered field ponds. Recreational development occurs at Congleton’s southern urban fringe including two golf courses. An area of mineral sand extraction is a feature of the landscape at Bent Farm on the boundary between Congleton and Astbury. The Cheshire Plain character area is assessed as being ‘overall of good quality’. ‘This is a pleasant rural landscape having a reasonable distribution of semi-natural landscape features. Factors which contribute to the quality of this landscape are reported to include:

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 ‘Managed agricultural land, generally with well- defined hedgerow field boundaries;  Occasional mixture of land uses such as golf courses and pasture;  Quarry activity present but generally well integrated into the landscape;  Features of local distinction include parkland estates and heathland; and  Presence of detractors such as exposed settlement edges’. Forces for change identified in the assessment of this character area include:  ‘Pressures for residential and commercial development in the urban fringe fo Congleton;  Recreational influences at Congleton urban fringe and increasing visitor pressure along country lanes.  Some development pressure for mineral extraction (outside CNPA)  Some degradation of hedgerows’. The report’s proposals for future management include:  ‘Retain open views towards Staffordshire Peak ridgeline and Pennines. Notable views towards the ridgeline are a feature of the area. Careful consideration should be given to the location of new developments to ensure that these views are maintained.  Continue to maintain hedges, hedgerow trees and field trees as positive conservation features within the landscape. Manage hedgerows to maintain the existing age and species diversity, ensuring hedgerows continue too be a feature of the landscape.  Respect the conservation character of Newbold Astbury. Avoid development that would be detrimental to the settlement’s character. (NB This village lies a few hundred metres from the southern urban fringe of Congleton and specifically to the Howey Brook/ Lamberts Lane/Astbury Mere/ Loachbrook area).  Protect nature conservation areas. Woodland, grassland, heathland and wetland habitats are of importance for nature conservation and are valuable landscape features. Both their aesthetic and ecological value should be respected in any management or maintenance work.  Restoration of mineral workings present opportunities for recreational or nature conservation use.  Maintain/improve urban fringe of settlements.’ 4.9 Cloud Fringe The key characteristics identified for the Cloud Fringe landscape character area in the CBA report are:  ‘Broadly level landform, rising to the east with local undulations associated with tributaries of the River Dane;  Extensive woodland and scrub vegetation along brooks and tributaries of the River Dane. Narrow valley landform and greater woodland cover along the River Dane.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 Field boundaries are primarily maintained hawthorn hedges with hedgerow trees.  Settlement pattern is dispersed; older buildings generally sandstone, millstone grit or Cheshire brick.  Road network consists of minor country lanes  The Cheshire Ring Canal Walk is an attraction, running along the Macclesfield Canal.  Rural landscape predominantly used for cattle grazing.  Views are generally short to middle distance although to the east longer distance views are dominated by The Cloud.’ Landcover types identified vary according to the location, the upland slopes being small to medium sized pastureland arranged in irregular fields well defined by hedgerows with trees, reflecting the influence of the Staffordshire Peaks. In the lower lying pasture farmland field sizes tend to be larger with fewer hedgerow trees, albeit that the field pattern is more irregular where influenced by tributaries and more varied landform. The Dane-in-Shaw and Timbers Brook and their tributaries have belts of mature woodland along their courses. On the steeper slopes are areas of grazed pasture, rough grassland and scrub. The River Dane Valley (east of Congleton) comprises river meanders, fingers of deciduous woodland, pasture fields and grassland. Recreational development is noted in Congleton’s urban fringe, where localised undulating landform has been utilised for golf course facilities. In relation to landscape quality the CBA assessment notes that: ‘The Cloud Peak Fringe is good quality. This is an attractive and pleasant agricultural landscape.’ ‘The landscape is unspoilt by intrusive urban development’. Factors noted as contributing to landscape quality in this area include:  ‘Managed agricultural farmland with a mixture of field boundaries and hedgerows;  Some sense of place associated with The Cloud;  Occasional mixture of land uses such as golf courses and pasture; and  Substantial mature vegetation.’ In this area a number of statutory designations are noted in the assessment report, including the Dane-in-Shaw Pasture SSSI in Congleton’s urban fringe. This SSSI includes narrow belts of woodland along the relevant River Dane tributaries (the Dane-in-Shaw brook and Timbers Brook) perpendicular to the Macclesfield Canal. Scheduled Ancient Monuments are noted at Crossley bridge and Colleymill Bridge Congleton. The Macclesfield Canal corridor is a designated Conservation Area. In term of non-statutory designations Buglawton Hall affords a Park and Garden of Historic Interest. Sites of Biological Importance noted include belts of ancient woodland and grassland along the Timbers brook and Dane-in-Shaw tributaries and at the Dane-In-Shaw Meadows. Forces for change affecting this area identified in the report include recreational influences at Congleton’s urban fringe and increased visitor pressure along country lanes, the canal and footpaths, together with some degradation of hedgerows.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Guidelines identified for future management of this area include:  ‘Retain open views towards Staffordshire Ridge and Pennines. Notable views towards the ridgeline are a feature of this area. Careful consideration should be given to the location of new development to ensure that these views are maintained.  Continue to maintain hedges, hedgerow trees and field trees as positive conservation features within the landscape.  Protect important conservation areas. Woodland and grassland habitats along the River Dane tributaries at Congleton urban fringe are of importance for nature conservation and are valuable landscape features. Both their aesthetic and ecological value should be respected in any management or maintenance work.’ 4.10 Mow Cop Fringe Key characteristics noted in relation to the Mow Cop fringe are:  Transitional landscape between the Staffordshire Ridge and the Cheshire Plain  Relatively open featureless landscape rising towards the Mow Cop and Staffordshire Ridge  Rural landscape predominantly used for grazing dairy cattle or hay/sileage production  Medium scale field pattern is generally irregular and defined by a mixture of well maintained, intermittent or overgrown hedgerows  Fewer hedgerow trees are found compared to the wider Cheshire Plain  Settlement pattern is dispersed with few sizeable settlements. Older buildings are primarily constructed with Cheshire brick. There are also several examples of sandstone buildings as well as some modern contemporary forms.  The Stafford to Macclesfield rail line and the Macclesfield Canal cut across nearly all the country lanes in the area and bridge crossings are a particular feature. Landcover Types reported for this area include pasture farmland arranged in an irregular field pattern, Congleton fringe farming in linear pasture enclosures converging on peatland at Congleton Moss (a distinct field pattern emphasised in places by remnant hedgerow trees), urban fringe recreational uses including Astbury Golf Course, and the Macclesfield Canal Corridor, which is noted as ‘an important cultural and recreation corridor. This corridor contains areas of parkland, listed buildings and many interesting features such as sandstone bridge crossings’. The Mow Cop Fringe is noted as being of ‘ordinary landscape quality. This is a pleasant agricultural landscape dominated by the Staffordshire Ridge. Factors which are reported as contributing to the quality of this landscape character area include:  Managed farmland with a mixture of well maintained, intermittent and overgrown hedgerows replaced in many areas with post and wire;

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 Some sense of place associated with Mow Cop;  Occasional mixture of land uses such as golf courses and pasture; and  Substantial mature vegetation. Statutory designations in the area include the Macclesfield Canal conservation area. At the time of the report’s preparation the whole area was covered by non-statutory landscape designations including Area of Special County Value (ASCV) and Area of Special Local Environmental Value (ASLEV) designations. Designated Sites of Biological Importance included narrow belts of ancient woodland along tributaries at Odd Rode (Grade B) and narrow belts of ancient woodland and grassland along tributaries and areas of peatland at Congleton Moss (Grade C). Forces for change noted in this area include recreational pressures arund the Congleton urban fringe and increasing visitor pressure along country lanes, the canal and recreational footpaths, together with some degradation of hedgerows as a by- product of some agricultural changes. Guidelines for future management of the area include:  ‘Retain open views towards Staffordshire Ridge. Careful attention should be given to the location of new developments to ensure that these views are maintained.  Continue to maintain hedges, hedgerow trees and field trees as positive conservation features within the landscape. Restore and manage hedgerows to maintain existing age and species diversity, ensuring that hedgerows remain a feature of the landscape. It is important to replant and manage mature trees to ensure the continuation of these characteristic areas.  Protect conservation areas. Woodland and grassland habitats along tributaries are of importance for nature conservation and are valuable landscape features. Both their aesthetic and ecological value should be respected in any management or maintenance work.  Continue to manage existing blocks of woodland by replacing ageing trees. Manage woodlands to maintain the exiting age and species diversity, ensuring that this feature continues to be a prominent characteristic of estate land.  Respect the conservation value of the Macclesfield Canal. The canal is a distinguishing feature of the landscape. Continue to maintain and manage this resource avoiding new development along its course.  Conserve small pockets of heath at Congleton Moss. Area of distinctive local character adds diversity to the landscape. Retain and maintain character.’ 4.11 Staffordshire Ridge Key characteristic noted for this area include:  Rising land from lower pasture farmland in an easterly direction to a prominent gritstone ridge with exposed rock outcrops.  Distinct vegetation patterns including birch woodland which gives way to heaths and heather associated with rock outcropping.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 Thick, overgrown hedgerows on lower slopes. Individual hedgerow trees less apparent. Hedgerows give way upslope to gritstone walls.  Woodland cover is higher on upper slopes, compared to the wider Cheshire Plain.  Prominent summits located along the ridgeline are The Cloud and Mow Cop.  Settlement is dispersed, comprising isolated houses and farmsteads. Buildings are simple and robust. Older buildings are grey Millstone Grit or red sandstone. Modern buildings are constructed using Cheshire brick and clay tiles.  Transport network consists of minor winding roads, with localised containment by woodland and hedges.  Expansive views westwards from the ridge are impressive and spectacular over and across the Cheshire Plain. Views eastwards from lowr slopes have the ridge as a backdrop. Landcover types reported in this area include:  Lower farmed slopes, with small and irregular pastures. Thick hedge boundaries give way to stone walls. Land quality is poor with areas fo rougher grassland and greater incidence of gorse towards the ridge.  Upper woodland slopes, with substantial woodland cover on steeper ground below the two summits. Narrower bands of woodland are along tributaries and around disused quarries.  Along the ridgeline are areas of heath and associated sandy soils, grassland and heather. Additionally rock outcrops exist along the ridgeline, most notably below the two summit points. The CBA Landscape Assessment report confirms that the Staffordshire Ridge landscape is of ‘high quality. This is an aesthetically attractive landscape which includes distinguishing features. Factors which contribute to this high landscape quality include:  ‘Scarcity with the Borough (i.e. former Borough of Congleton);  Distinctive landform and geology;  Presence of historic features;  Attractive, consistent vegetation types; and  Features which create a distinctive landscape with an identifiable ‘sense of place’. Statutory designations in the part of this area that falls within the CNPA include the Bridestones Scheduled Ancient Monument which occupies land on the ridgeline south of The Cloud. The whole area was included within the Area of Special County Value for Landscape (ASCV) designation. Designated Sites of Biological Importance include The Cloud (including woodland and heath. A narrow belt east of Congleton includes ancient woodland (Grade A). A narrow belt of ancient woodland along tributaries north of The Cloud was designated as a Grade B SBI. Grade C SBIs include areas of grassland, peatland and heath

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

long the ridge between Congleton and mow Cop and an area of grassland at The Cloud. Forces for change noted in the report include:  Visitor pressures along the Staffordshire Way contributes to erosion, exposing soils (NB similar pressure apply to the Gritstone Trail, which connects with the Staffordshire Way at Timbersbrook Village car park and picnic site, although these were not noted in the CBA report, which makes no reference to the Gritstone Trail).  Minor urban pressures from Timbersbrook.  Neglect of farmland, neglect and removal of hedges, removal of walls and replacement by fencing. Guidelines for future management include:  ‘Retain expansive views over the Cheshire Plain, which are distinguishing features of the character area. Careful consideration should be give tot eh location of new developments to ensure that these views are maintained.  Protect the ridgeline. The ridgeline is under pressure from people straying from the footpath network. Ensure that footpaths are well signposted to encourage proper use.  Continue to preserve and repair stone walls, to match existing, thereby ensuring that they continue to be a prominent feature of the character area.  Planting should reflect existing species in the area retaining diversity between the lower slopes, upper slopes and ridgeline. Oak, ash and hawthorn species should be promoted for planting within farmed slopes whilst oak, birch, hawthorn, heather and gorse are appropriate for the upper slopes. The coniferous planting below The Cloud should be respected.  Continue to maintain hedgerows and hedgerow trees as positive conservation features within the landscape. Manage hedgerows to maintain the existing age and species diversity, ensuring hedgerows are retained as a feature of the landscape.  Replant and manage blocks of woodland to ensure the continuation of these characteristic features.  Preserve archaeological features within the area.’

Relationship between Congleton’s Urban Form and Its Landscape Setting Section 5, the section of the CBA Landscape Assessment report that deals with the inter-relationship between the Borough’s Principal Settlements and the landscape ((p42), includes a description of Congleton’s historical and architectural evolution as a settlement. Paragraph 5.12 is relevant to the assessment of the urban fringe landscapes around the town of Congleton: ‘5.12 Expansion of Congleton into the surrounding landscape has largely been constrained due to a combination of the physical landscape (Peak Fringe, canal, Dane Valley, Dane-in-Shaw and Timbers Brook) and development planning restrictions (Green Belt, ASCV and ASLEVs). These factors have resulted in

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Congleton’s indented settlement boundary. The ‘green wedges’ extend natural features into Congleton from the countryside and have become an important part of the character of the town. As well as functioning as green buffers and providing visual relief, these areas are of recreational value. Notable urban fringe influences include recreational development of a golf course and paddocks used for horse grazing.’

The Planning and Management of the Landscape Section 6 of the CBA report addresses the planning and management of the landscape, including the areas of landscape around Congleton. Paragraph 6.6 explains that: ‘Local landscape designations apply to areas where normal planning policies cannot provide the necessary protection. The local plan should state what it is that requires extra protection and why. In considering the function and justification of existing countryside designations, the authority should ensure that they are soundly based on the quality of the countryside, or contribute to ‘strategic gaps’ or ‘green wedges’ adjacent to urban areas.’ Paragraph 6.16 of the report explains the ASLEV designation applied in the former Congleton Local Plan: ‘6.16 ASLEV are a local designation that do not relate to the county structure plan and are not of strategic county importance. The designation seeks to control the types of development that would normally be permitted in order to protect the character of these areas. The ASLEV do not correspond as closely with character area boundaries because they are concerned with the functional and amenity value of the land and not just its landscape quality.’ The Adopted Congleton Local Plan guidance and policy regarding ASLEV quoted in paragraph 6.17 of the report make it clear that: ‘ASLEV are of special importance in the Borough because of a combination of qualities and features of landscape, archaeological and nature conservation interest, their local amenity value and/or their importance in separating built up areas.’ Two ASLEV boundary issues are reviewed in Section 6 of the CBA report. At paragraph 6.25 the assessment states: ‘6.25 Bath Vale and Timbersbrook ASLEV Located at the eastern urban fringe of Congleton and defined to the east by the Macclesfield Canal is a ‘green wedge’ of land. The area has substantial topographical variation and vegetation along Timbersbrook and its tributaries.’ (NB this is the tributary referred to in the CNPA text as Timbers Brook). ‘The land is farmed with some rough grazing and is also used for informal recreation. This ASLEV falls within the Cloud Fringe character area. Although is more closely associated with the urban edge of Congleton. The present ASLEV boundary maintains a strategic gap between urban areas at Congleton’s fringe. However the ASLEV does not extend to Congleton’s settlement boundary and therefore

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

excludes a small area of land located between Buglawton and the Macclesfield Canal. Also of importance is the need to protect the landscape to the east, which provides the setting to the ridgeline and ASCV. Recommendation: We would recommend that the ASLEV be extended to cover land between the ASCV boundary, Congleton’s settlement boundary and the Macclesfield Canal.’ At paragraph 6.26 the report considers the planning policy position in relation to the Howey Hill and Lamberts Lane ASLEV, as follows: ‘6.26 Howey Hill and Lamberts Lane ASLEV This area of land, which is largely urban fringe farmland, extends from Congleton’s southern settlement boundary, between Astbury Mere and the Macclesfield Canal, to Lamberts Lane, which coincides with the current Greenbelt boundary. The land is of some local value for recreational and visual amenity. Congleton’s indented urban edge is a characteristic of the town and should be protected. Retention of this ‘green wedge’ is necessary to prevent urban spread towards the Greenbelt (land south of Lamberts Lane). The land falls within the Cheshire Plain character area, although is influenced by the surrounding urban fringe development of Congleton. Recommendation: We would recommend that this ASLEV be retained, emphasising its function as a strategic gap, necessary to maintain Congleton’s characteristic settlement boundary.’ In relation to the Mow Cop and Congleton Edge ASLEV the report includes an assessment and recommendation at paragraph 6.23, as follows: ‘6.23 Located between Mow Cop and Congleton Edge is a transitional landscape, which extends from the Staffordshire Ridge westwards towards the Cheshire Plain character area. The quality of this rural area is good, with a strong sense of place associated with ridgeline. This landscape is important in setting the context for views to and from the Staffordshire Ridge ASCV. The current ASLEV boundary extends from the ASCV boundary, as shown in the adopted local plan, westwards to the A34, northwards to Lamberts Lane (see Howey Hill and Lamberts Lane ASLEV) and southwards to Scholar Green. Recommendation: We would recommend that the Mow Cop Fringe character area boundary be used to define the ASLEV’s western boundary. Overall this would result in a considerable reduction of the ASLEV, with the recommended boundary following the line of the canal, rather than the A34. Additionally the ASSLEV boundary would extend northwards to Congleton’s settlement boundary to encompass a small area of land. This would provide protection to the important landscape (Mow Cop Fringe area) and limit urban spread from Congleton or Scholar Green.’

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT OF CONGLETON BOROUGH

P2 Figure 1 – Topography

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT OF CONGLETON BOROUGH

P6 Figure 3 – Landscape Character Areas

LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT OF CONGLETON BOROUGH

P41 Figure 4 – Settlements

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT OF CONGLETON BOROUGH

P47 Figure 5 – Landscape Designations

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

CHESHIRE EAST GREEN SPACE STRATEGY & UPDATE

Background In 2012 Cheshire East published a Green Space Strategy for the Borough which formed part of the evidence base for the CELPS. In 2018 Cheshire East Council published an update to the Green Space Strategy. Paragraph 2.11 confirms that the Green Space Strategy focuses upon three strands:  Meeting needs - both now and in the future  Quality and future management  Accessibility

The key aspirations set out in the concluding section (Section 13) in the statement of strategic aims and the related action plan arise from the various green space elements of Cheshire East Council and their partners. There are a variety of partners involved in the provision and management of green infrastructure ranging from government bodies such as Natural England, landowners such as the National Trust who have considerable areas of land in the north of the Borough down to individual communities who may be managing a local parish field or community garden.

The baseline information/background evidence (Section 3) and the five main topic areas (Section 4) produce thematic maps for Cheshire East (Appendix 2) based around the themes/outcomes and related challenges and opportunities. The following relate to the CNPA:

River and canal corridors, valleys, cloughs and floodplains Main rivers: River Dane; Main canals: Macclesfield Canal; Challenges: Flooding, water quality; Opportunities: Tourism, recreation, nature conservation.

Cheshire East's 11 main towns and 13 Local Service Centres Main towns: Congleton.

Access to green space and the countryside Access: Public Rights of Way Network, strategic routes for example the Middlewood Way, heritage parks, accessible open space, country parks, open access land, Peak Park fringe; Challenges: access for all, filling in gaps in the network; Opportunities: Tourism, recreation, health benefits, green travel.

Nature Conservation Designated sites: Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Ramsar sites, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), National Nature Reserves, RIGs, Sites of Biological Importance (SBIs)/Local Wildlife Sites; Network of habitats: Meres and mosses, ancient woodland, lowland heath, upland fringes, watercourses, wild flower meadows, woodland, hedgerows and hedgerow trees, ponds and associated copses, parkland and veteran trees;

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Challenges: damage and loss resulting from development and neglect; water quality; pollution;

Opportunities: Filling gaps in the network, recreation, health benefits; and all the above are set within:

Cheshire East's unique landscape Landscape: Towns and villages, peaks and plains, sandstone ridges, valleys and watercourses, meres and mosses, parkland estates; Challenges: built development, changes in land management, decline of historic landscape structure (hedges, trees, ponds), mineral extraction; Opportunities: Sustainable growth, sustainable farming, tourism, recreation.

The Strategy’s Green Space Vision is based upon these themes, outcomes, related challenges and opportunities:

'To deliver a good quality, and accessible network of green spaces for people to enjoy which provides for healthy recreation and biodiversity and which continues to provide a range of social, economic and health benefits - above all a Borough that is a beautiful and interesting place to live, work and visit, both now and for future generations.

The focus will be on linking the various assets of Cheshire East's unique landscape - its upland fringes, Cheshire Plain, lowland heath, parkland estates, rivers, canals and watercourses, valleys and cloughs, meres and mosses and its distinctive towns and villages.'

8 Policy and Guidance Document Review

The Strategy document refers to the recently published Government policy document ‘A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment 2018'.

3.4 The Government in its 25 year environmental plan sets out various goals which include clean air, clean and plentiful water, thriving plants and wildlife and enhanced beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment. The document contains 6 policy areas which include:  Using and managing land sustainably  Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes  Connecting people with the environment to improve health and well-being.’

The Green Space Strategy Update refers to a very wide range of evidence relating to the different roles of green space in contributing to quality of life and public health. Amongst other elements the evidence base underpinning the strategy draws on the latest research evidence relating to links between the natural environment and human health, including work supported by the European Commission and the World Health Organisation.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

One of the aims in the "Connecting people with environment " chapter in the Government’s ‘A Green Future’ plan is the provision of more and better quality green infrastructure (GI) in new developments, upgrading of existing GI and retrofitting of new GI in areas where provision is poor.

The have been a range of new Government initiatives in pursuit of this aim. The Government's Natural Environment White Paper - Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature (June 2011) is a bold and ambitious statement outlining the Government’s vision for the natural environment over the next 50 years, backed up with practical action to deliver that ambition. One of the main ambitions of the Paper is to strengthen the connections between people and nature. Everyone should have fair access to a good-quality natural environment, to connect with nature and enjoy its benefits. The three key actions within the White Paper are the establishment of Local Nature Partnerships, Nature Improvement Areas and Biodiversity Offsetting.

Public Health England published Local action on health inequalities: Improving access to green spaces prepared by UCL Institute of Health Equity. The evidence outlined in this review indicates that access to and use of green spaces are associated with a range of positive health outcomes that can help reduce inequalities in health. These include improvements in mental health, length of life, circulatory health, lower BMI scores and greater physical activity levels. Access to good quality, safe and local green spaces can contribute to local and national measures to reduce health inequalities and promote healthy and active lifestyles.

Local authorities are well placed to protect, maintain and improve green spaces while understanding the needs within local areas. Public health teams in local areas have a clear role in prioritising, designing and commissioning interventions to improve access to green spaces and in working with local authorities to influence delivery. Interventions that improve access to green spaces are likely to help local areas reduce health inequalities and help level up the social gradient in health

The Landscape Institute Position Statement ‘Public health and landscape: creating healthy places’ introduces five principles for healthy places:

1. Healthy places improve air, water and soil quality, incorporating measures that help us adapt to, and where possible mitigate, climate change 2. Healthy places help overcome health inequalities and can promote healthy lifestyles 3. Healthy places make people feel comfortable and at ease, increasing social interaction and reducing anti-social behaviour, isolation and stress 4. Healthy places optimise opportunities for working, learning and development 5. Healthy places are restorative, uplifting and healing for both physical and mental health conditions.

The ten ‘Active Design’ principles published by Sport England and supported by Public Health England comprise an innovative set of design guidelines to support active lifestyles and good health through suitable design and layout.

The 10 active design principles are:  Activity for all

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 Walkable communities  Connected walking and cycling routes  Co-location of community facilities  Network of multi-functional open space  High quality streets and spaces  Appropriate infrastructure  Active buildings  Management, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation  Activity promotion & local champions.

‘Fields in Trust: Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play; Beyond the Six Acre Standard October 2015’

The guidance looks at provision, accessibility and quality. The document contains recommended benchmark guidelines for formal outdoor space, equipped/designated play space and informal outdoor space looking at quantity standards, walking distances and quality guidelines. For example the quality guidelines for informal outdoor space suggest the following:  Parks to be of Green Flag standard  Appropriately landscaped  Positive management  Provision of footpaths  Designed so as to be free of the fear of harm or crime.

Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy 2010-2030 Adopted July 2017

The Local Plan Strategy is the centrepiece of the new Cheshire East Local Plan. It sets out the overall vision and planning strategy for development in the borough and contains planning policies to ensure that new development addresses the economic, environmental and social needs of the area. It also identifies strategic sites and strategic locations that will accommodate most of the new development needed. Part of the Vision states: ‘People will lead healthy and active lifestyles benefiting from improved access to sporting facilities, high quality open spaces, play areas, allotments and the open countryside. A green infrastructure network will have been created, increasing the provision of accessible green spaces, supporting flora, fauna and improving general wellbeing.’ Strategic Priority 3 ‘Protecting and enhancing environmental quality’ states (criterion 6): ‘Providing new and maintaining existing high quality and accessible green infrastructure to create networks of greenspace for people, flora and fauna and allow species adaptation and migration.’

The Local Plan Strategy contains a number of strategic policies that relate to green spaces: SD1 Sustainable Development in Cheshire East – criterion 4 relates to infrastructure SD2 Sustainable Development Principles – in particular criteria 1.ii.e; 2.i; and 3.i all refer to green infrastructure IN1 Infrastructure – this includes the provision of green infrastructure IN2 Developer Contributions – this includes green infrastructure

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

SC1 Leisure and Recreation SC2 Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities SC3 Health and Well-being SE1 Design (see Design Guidance entry) SE3 Biodiversity and Geodiversity SE4 The Landscape SE5 Trees, Hedgerows and woodland SE6 Green Infrastructure (GI) – the policy describes the green infrastructure network and the main GI assets and addresses safeguarding GI assets, partnership working and GI development requirements; the requirements for the provision of Green Space/Infrastructure for Housing are set out in Table 13.1 - Criterion 4.iii deals with the provision of open space and criterion 4.iv references Policy SC2 (Indoor and outdoor sports requirements).

Increasing emphasis has been placed by the Government on the importance of infrastructure planning; national planning policy formally requires Local Authorities to demonstrate sufficient infrastructure exists, or will be provided, to support their strategies for new development as set out in their Local Plans. A baseline report has been prepared in collaboration with a wide range of agencies involved in the provision, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, which identifies the extent of existing infrastructure in Cheshire East, and any known capacity constraints with the existing infrastructure.

Baseline Report

Pages 34 - 52 of the Baseline Report provides an overview of Green Infrastructure under these headings: Providers - The provision of green infrastructure/green space will require a partnership of Local Authorities, statutory and non-statutory agencies, organisations and local interest groups to take forward any green infrastructure strategies or plans. Overview - of existing assets. Plans and Strategies Existing infrastructure - Green Infrastructure Framework Document, Cheshire East Open Space Assessment 2012, Flood Risk Assessments, Cheshire East Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2011 -2026 Standards - Natural England's Accessible Natural Green Space Standard (ANGST), Fields In Trust Future infrastructure Capacity Issues - Green Infrastructure Framework Document, Cheshire East Open Space Assessment 2012 Sources of Funding Local Plan Considerations Conclusion.

Cheshire East Open Space Assessment 2012 and monitoring and updates 2017 - This Open Space Assessment combined existing data sources from previous surveys and carried out a new comprehensive survey of all the sites within the main 24 settlements listed in the Council's Determining the Settlement Hierarchy study. All the sites are contained within a database with corresponding digital mapping. The audit has looked at the following typologies/types of open space: Parks and Gardens, Natural and semi-natural urban green spaces, Green Corridors, Outdoor

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Sports facilities, amenity green space, provision for children and teenagers, allotments and community gardens, churchyards and cemeteries, country parks and accessible countryside on the urban fringes and civic spaces.

Town and Parish Councils were also contacted for information concerning sites in their areas and any open space aspirations; Cheshire East Schools were contacted regarding information on facilities and their use by outside clubs. The Cheshire East Council Green Spaces Team, Sports Development, Countryside and Public Rights of Way teams also provided information for the audit. Summary Reports were prepared for each settlement looking at each typology in turn in relation to quantity, quality, accessibility and biodiversity.

The main issues were discussed, shortages identified and recommendations made. These recommendations are included in the 2013 Green Strategy document.

During 2017 the underlying database and digital mapping has been reviewed; the database has been updated to reflect the findings of the Playing Pitch Strategy; rural parish data plus other monitoring updates have been added plus any sites omitted from the original surveys. This Green Space Strategy (2018) contains updated recommendations for the 24 settlements.

Playing Pitch and Indoor Built Facilities Strategies 2017

Cheshire East Council has engaged with Sport England and a range of sports National Governing Bodies about outdoor and indoor sports facilities and what will be required to meet future needs. This has involved collecting information about existing facilities across the borough in terms of the specific sports facilities they offer, their usage and their condition.

There are two elements to each strategy – an assessment report and a series of action plans. The assessment reports set out up-to-date supply and demand information. They also consider the demands arising from the planned level of growth proposed in the Council’s Local Plan Strategy to 2030. The sports’ National Governing Bodies have been closely involved in completing this work to ensure that this information is as comprehensive and up to date as possible. Cheshire East sports clubs and schools have also had a full opportunity to input into this work. The involvement of all of these organisations has been very important and is greatly appreciated. This engagement will continue in the implementation, monitoring and review of the Strategies. The action plans respond to the issues arising from the assessment reports. The strategies will help to inform Planning and investment decisions by the Council and for a wide range of bodies seeking to provide high quality sports facilities across Cheshire East.

 Playing pitch strategy assessment report (PDF, 2.5MB)  Indoor built facilities assessment (PDF, 4MB)  Results of consultation (PDF, 534KB)  Playing pitch strategy (PDF, 2.2MB)  Indoor built facilities strategy (PDF, 841KB)

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Updated Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report June 2017

An updated version of the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report 2012 was published by CE in 2017. This updated Scoping Report was produced to make sure that the social, environmental and economic issues identified are up to date, and will be considered when assessing policy documents.

The updated Scoping Report was the subject of public consultation between 27 February and 10th April 2017. Comments were received and, following analysis, necessary changes were incorporated into the appraisal. The Sustainability Appraisal process requires the collection of baseline information focusing on the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the Borough. The baseline data collected for Cheshire East has been classified into nine categories, reflecting key areas for consideration identified in the Strategic Environmental Assessment guidance. These are:  Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna  Population and Human Health  Water and Soil  Air  Climatic Factors  Transport  Cultural Heritage and Landscape  Social Inclusiveness  Economic Development

The Sustainability Appraisal process requires the review of relevant policies, plans and programmes. The list of policies, plans and programmes that have been identified as part of this review are identified in Appendix B: Related Plans and Policies of the Scoping Report. Many of these are of relevance to the Green Space Strategy such as national guidance on biodiversity, the water environment, the countryside, cycling, climate change, open space, sport and recreation, flood risk, access to green space, green infrastructure and so on. The sub-regional plans and strategies listed cover green infrastructure, landscape character, community surveys and so on. Relevant local strategies include:  Ambition for All - The Cheshire East Sustainable Community Strategy  Cheshire East Corporate Plan  Cheshire East Local Transport Plan  Cheshire East Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The baseline data collected can be found at Appendix C: Baseline Information. The baseline data was used to develop a portrait of Cheshire East, summarising current and potential future social, environmental and economic conditions within the Borough.

Various key issues were also identified as part of the Sustainability Appraisal process including the following: 'Green Infrastructure and open spaces are a valuable resource. Although Cheshire East is considered a green area, significant shortages to the quantity and quality of open spaces exist, particularly within urban areas'.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

'There is a need to provide the infrastructure, services and facilities to sustain the existing and future communities of the Borough'. 'There is a need to conserve and enhance the biodiversity and geodiversity of the Borough. In particular those sites and species that are internationally, nationally or locally designated'. 'Residents of Cheshire East have a high reliance on private transport. This reliance must change by reducing the need to travel and promoting sustainable forms of transport, especially walking, cycling and public transport'. 'The ability to easily access jobs, public transport, services and facilities needs to be increased throughout Cheshire East. This will contribute to the creation of sustainable and more self-contained communities and reduce the need to travel by private vehicle'.

There are also other issues raised relating to climate change, air and water quality that all link to green space. Following on from this there are also a series of objectives, some of which relate to green infrastructure/green space.

The Green Space Strategy and Update also reference the following relevant documents:  Cheshire East Local Plan - Place Shaping Consultation  Local Transport Plan Final Strategy 2011-2026  Cheshire East Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2011-2026  Cheshire Landscape Character Assessment  Cheshire Historic Landscape Characterisation Assessment  Cheshire Region Biodiversity and Geodiversity Partnerships  Cheshire East Borough Design Guide - supplementary planning document May 2017  Ecological Network Map 2018  The Cheshire East Landscape Character Assessment and Strategy (2018)  Cheshire East Local Landscape Designations Report (2018)

In terms of the various assets discussed in the CE Green Space Strategy the following is a list of the various elements mapped to produce the baseline maps for the strategy (see Appendix 1 to the strategy):  Rivers/canals/lakes/meres/ponds  Meres and mosses (including the Nature Improvement Area)  Ramsar sites  Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Sites of Biological Importance  Ancient and semi-natural woodland  Woodland  Open Space  Country Parks  Public Rights of Way  Open Access Land.

The CE Green Space Strategy deals with five closely related topic areas:  The Open Space section deals with parks and gardens, areas for sport and recreation, children's play, amenity open space, allotments, churchyards and cemeteries, both public and private, and considers other types of open space

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

such as natural and semi-natural areas, country parks and green corridors within and adjacent settlements.  Countryside areas and sites  Public Rights of Way,  Landscape, and  Nature Conservation. The strategy recognises that there may be overlaps between some of these topic areas.

Cheshire East's Sustainable Community Strategy 'Ambition for All' (CESCS) states the following in relation to achieving its vision up to 2025: 'We will have a wide range of accessible and excellent leisure, sporting and cultural facilities and activities for all people to enjoy'. 'We will continue to have an outstanding range of historic buildings, leisure facilities, nature conservation habitats, country parks, accessible countryside and green spaces for people to enjoy'. The CESCS also has these aims regarding open space/green space under 'encouraging environmentally sustainable living':  ‘Develop a green infrastructure plan to identify our green assets and how we will safeguard, manage and enhance them, including nature conservation assets, wildlife habitats and corridors, country parks, urban parks and open spaces.  Help to increase food security by encouraging the use of allotments and other community food schemes.  Protect our green spaces and develop these as carbon sinks where practical and suitable.’

The CELPS July 2017 contains a Vision Statement which includes the following regarding open space: ‘People will lead healthy and active lifestyles benefiting from improved access to sporting facilities, high quality open spaces, play areas, allotments and the open countryside. A green infrastructure network will have been created, increasing the provision of accessible green spaces, supporting flora, fauna and improving general wellbeing.’

The CE Green Space Strategy Update sets out the following vision for Open Spaces. Cheshire East Council would like to achieve: 'A network of clean, green, sustainable, attractive, well maintained, safe areas for all ages, for formal and informal recreational activities, more formal outdoor sports or for sitting and relaxing, which are easily accessible and are well designed to avoid conflict and build community cohesion, whilst enhancing our day to day environment'.

The Strategy recognises that: ‘The key challenges to address’.. [in delivering this Local Plan’s vision] ..’are:  To provide an open space network that supports people throughout their lives;  To meet the particular needs of an ageing population;  To ensure quality and variety in outdoor open spaces;  To deal with the open space shortages and refurbish and improve facilities and areas;

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

 Conserve, enhance and promote open spaces that have a particular cultural and heritage significance such as town parks;  Improve visual amenity - in that open spaces green a community's environment for communities to live, work and play in  Improve biodiversity within our green open spaces;  A need for local facilities to be accessible to provide open space opportunities close at hand;  Meet the needs of any newly created neighbourhood communities as a result of the sustainable expansion of our towns and villages - to provide the best opportunities for access to green space;  Recognise the need for consistent, responsive and quality maintenance - 'A well maintained space is a well-used open space';  Improve communication and liaison between the various providers and users of open space and support local communities in their open space projects;  Recognise the importance of open spaces as tools for improving habitats and nature conservation and therefore take advantage of opportunities for increasing the biodiversity of open spaces.’

CE’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan assesses the network of rights of way and reaches these conclusions:

'There is an extensive network of Public Rights of Way across Cheshire East, which forms the major means of access to the countryside. Provision for walkers across the Borough is generally good, although this does not necessarily mean that routes are where they are most wanted. Provision for horse riders and cyclists remains poor when compared to that for walkers, both for short and long routes. The degree of accessibility to the countryside for those with mobility and visual impairments is largely unknown other than at country park sites, of which there are none in the south of the Borough. Access from individual towns to their surrounding countryside is generally lacking.'

'It is clear from this analysis that Public Rights of Way and wider access to the countryside are widely valued by the people of Cheshire East and visitors to the Borough. It is also clear that there are areas of work towards which improvements can be focused to best meet the current and future demands for that access, be it for a leisure, health or transport need, these being: filling in gaps in the network; improving access opportunities for horse riders and cyclists; improving access opportunities for disabled people; provision of information on where people can go; provision of signs and surfacing improvements appropriate to the locality; partnerships with local businesses and the tourism sector; education of users in responsible use of the countryside; and maintenance of the network.'

The importance of investing in green infrastructure is highlighted in the CE Rights of Way Improvement Plan with the following proposed initiatives: 'Initiatives - Public Rights of Way and green infrastructure (Policy H3): Sustainable access to green spaces: aim to improve access for all members of society, including disabled people, to and within green infrastructure, including the Public Rights of Way network, town parks, public open space, the Peak District National Park and country parks. Link key services: seek to improve the routes and green infrastructure that link key

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies services (for example schools, community centres and tourism destinations) by routes and green infrastructure such as canal towpaths. Investments will include improving surfacing and signage, where appropriate, and creating links where gaps exist in the network. Leisure routes for cyclists, horse riders and walkers: endeavour to create and enhance leisure routes for cyclists, horse riders and walkers on the Public Rights of Way network and highway network. Litter, environmental health, safety and security: encourage users to reduce litter and will improve environmental health, safety and other security concerns through education and clean-up campaigns. Country parks, town parks and public open space: ensure adequate maintenance and improvement of land within the Council's ownership that is used for formal and informal public access and recreation, at a local level and sites which are tourism destinations.'

The Green Space Strategy’s vision for CE’s role in relation to landscape is: 'To protect, improve and enhance Cheshire East's unique landscape through contributing to the planning, designing and managing of development and green space with regard to the balance of green space and built form'.

The Strategy’s stated vision for CE’s nature conservation role is: 'To deliver an enhanced core of designated sites maintained in favourable condition, interlinked by a series of wildlife corridors and stepping stone sites. This network of high quality habitats being delivered to enhance and safeguard nature in the face of climate change for both its intrinsic value and also to improve access to and contact with nature to promote wellbeing and to deliver economic benefits including ecosystem services.'

Paragraph 5.14 of the Strategy states that:

‘5.14 The countryside is a priceless resource and the various countryside recreation sites are the main areas where people can experience nature. To improve the countryside network and to keep a level of conservation value a number of areas can be focused on:  Meres and Mosses - nature conservation, recreation;  Parklands - important areas for tree cover and recreation;  River Valleys - flood storage capacity, flood meadows, corridors through the landscape;  Cheshire Plain - maintain the hedgerows we have and field corner copses, replace hedgerow trees and retain ponds and so strengthen the fabric of the landscape; and  Urban Fringes - create an attractive well wooded edge to our towns and villages and provide access to the countryside.  Peak Park Fringe - important area for nature conservation, flood storage capacity and recreation, such as the medium-distance promoted walking route, the Gritstone Trail.’

Paragraph 5.16 states: ‘5.16 Our villages are a very important part of the fabric of the countryside. Cheshire East has approximately 100 rural parishes. Many of the parishes are actively

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies pursuing green infrastructure measures through Neighbourhood Plans and involvement in the Local Area Partnerships (see Section 9).’

Section 6 of the Strategy sets out the Green Space and Green Infrastructure requirements for Key Service Centres including Congleton. The text recognises the extensive work on green infrastructure and green space being undertaken in developing the Neighbourhood Plan. CE staff and partners have raised other matters of concern and have made a number of detailed recommendations:  Congleton has a high proportion of natural and semi-natural open space but some of this space is subject to considerable visitor pressure such as Dane- in-Shaw Pasture (part of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest) and Astbury Mere. The following points are detailed recommendations:  Investigate whether accessibility to Congleton Park can be improved.  Consider how to support facilities at Astbury Mere.  Consider how to deal with conflicting pressures at Dane-In Shaw Pasture - SSSI in part; grazing cattle for management - some conflict with dog walkers; unsurfaced paths.  Improve access to green corridors to residents in western Congleton.  Regarding green corridors improve links to the town centre and through riverside green spaces along the River Dane and the canal towpath  The Biddulph Valley Way, just outside of the town centre to the border with North Staffordshire, offers a multi-user route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and this route has the potential to be expanded to further increase walking and cycling options. This could be through the maintenance of the route, and improved surfacing and access points (Local Transport Plan refresh consultation document)  Need to link development in the north to the town centre and other green links – encourage walking and cycling - need for links to town centre and surrounding countryside (see map in Neighbourhood Plan)  Consider how to improve accessibility to outdoor sport provision for residents in south-east Congleton - need for green links to facilities.  Consider how to deliver the proposal for additional pitches at Back Lane - saved policy DP5 (C1) of the Congleton Local Plan - or at an alternative site - this is now part of Strategic Site LPS 26 which includes proposals for the enhancement of Back lane Playing Fields and the creation of a new country park.  Consider how to deliver Congleton Rugby Club's requirements in terms of improved pitches, club house and associated facilities.  Consider how to improve the quality of general amenity open spaces.  Address the need for additional facilities for children and teenagers.  Address the need for additional allotment facilities.  Investigate how to improve drainage in the southern part of the cemetery.  Investigate sustainable funding sources to improve facilities at Astbury Mere.

The Neighbourhood Plan does not seek to address the full range of recommendations made in the CE Green Space Strategy, because

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

a) a number of them relate to land management issues that are not matters appropriate to tackle through the medium of a statutory development plan, and b) some relate to locations within the Key Service Centre and close to but outside the CNPA (such as the Back Lane country park and sports hub proposal).

The CELPS proposes new green infrastructure as part of the five Congleton Strategic Sites and the North Congleton Masterplan. The proposed Green Infrastructure includes proposals for a network of open spaces for nature conservation and recreation including access to and enhancement to the River Dane corridor, the protection and enhancement of the Village Green at Back Lane and protected open space at Westlow Mere.

The Playing Pitch Strategy provides evidence in terms of outdoor sports provision. Congleton is part of the Congleton Analysis Area. Shortfalls exist in football, cricket, rugby union and 3G provision. Football - overplay at Back Lane and Congleton High School; training demand for two 3G pitches. Rugby - overplay at Back Lane and Congleton Park plus they are poor quality pitches. Cricket - overplay at Congleton Cricket Club. Since production of the Assessment Report, the 3G pitch at Congleton High School has undergone testing and is awaiting World Rugby approval. If approval is granted, the pitch can be used for full contact rugby union activity. Key Service Centre Sports sites include: Back Lane (located just outside the CNPA), Congleton High School and Eaton Bank Academy.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Conclusions Drawn by the Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group from the Landscape and Green Space Evidence Base

The CNP Group’s main findings arising from a review of the available evidence base are that:

1. The local community places a high value on access to a range of open green space, parks, gardens and sports pitches within and adjoining the town.

2. High value is also placed by the community upon access to the countryside, for informal recreation, including popular areas in the urban fringe and the rural eastern part of the CNPA which has a dense and attractive network of public footpaths, bridleways and country lanes, access to the Cheshire Ring Walk along the Macclesfield Canal, publicly accessible land and scenic viewpoints at The Cloud and other parts of the Staffordshire Ridge.

3. The town has some well-used and attractive managed open spaces which are the focus of considerable public attention and demand such as the Town Park, Astbury Mere Country Park and a significant number of smaller green areas and play spaces.

4. There is an identified shortage of formal sports pitch provision for a number of popular sports.

5. The immediate setting of the town provides some important areas of landscape value, including not only areas of strategic importance in terms of landscape value such as the Dane Valley and the Peak Park Fringe but multi- functional areas of local environmental value such as those listed in Policy SE2, some of which form green wedges and green corridors which extend into, around and through the urban area.

6. Many parts of the landscape setting around and within the town provide features and areas identified in an assessment report prepared by professional ecologists at Cheshire Wildlife Trust as important to biodiversity and of wildlife habitat value, including a range of sites with a mix of national and local nature conservation designations. The report identifies wildlife corridors and site of high and medium value as wildlife habitat and recommends that these are protected, enhanced and extended to form a stronger ecological network, following the principles of the county-wide Cheshire EcoNet initiative, which has been developing over a period of nearly two decades.

7. The recreational pressures upon green spaces and the landscape setting of Congleton noted in both the LUC Landscape Assessment and the earlier CBA Landscape Assessment appear to be growing. This likely growth in pressures is not only due to Congleton’s dramatic planned population expansion but to the growing number of visitors travelling to attractive parts of the area for recreational purposes as car ownership and other forms of personal mobility grow.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

8. The planned housing and employment growth in the town and the wider sub- region indicates that these recreational and visitor pressures are likely to grow substantially and at a rapid rate during the balance of the plan period to 2030.

9. The implications of the anticipated growth in recreational demand will clearly generate requirements over and above those necessary to meet the existing shortfall in facilities identified in the evidence base.

10. Apart from the challenge of catering for the growth in demand, maintaining and enhancing the quality of green space and its accessibility to a wide range of groups (including people with a disability) is a key issue for provision.

11. There are excellent opportunities: a) To safeguard, retain and enhance the existing green infrastructure provision b) To make new provision and to create inter-connected multi-functional green infrastructure networks.

12. Many of these opportunities depend upon securing effective planning policies and proposals through the medium of the neighbourhood plan. It is clear that the CELPS and SADPD are Borough-wide plans that are not sufficiently detailed to deal with the issues concerned in a comprehensive fashion to underpin and enable delivery of such green infrastructure provision.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Protecting and Enhancing Congleton’s Natural Environment March 2017 – prepared for Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group by Cheshire Wildlife Trust

The text for this report set out below is supported by numerous maps and diagrams – the reader is advised to refer to the main report for those figures if required.

In 2017 Cheshire Wildlife Trust prepared a report entitled: ‘Protecting and Enhancing Congleton’s Environment’, commissioned by Congleton Town Council acting on behalf of the Congleton Neighbourhood Plan Group.

Introduction

Neighbourhood Planning has provided an important opportunity for communities to shape their local environment for future generations. Identifying and evaluating opportunities and constraints will mean that communities are in an informed position and therefore better able to protect their valuable natural assets.

In 2011 the government published their Biodiversity 2020 ‘strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem services’ which built on the recommendations of the earlier Natural Environment white paper. The mission of the Biodiversity 2020 strategy is to ‘halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.’

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in 2012 drew on these principles and protecting and enhancing biodiversity and creating ecological networks are central to this framework. Indeed ‘biodiversity’ is mentioned 15 times in the NPPF with protection and improvement of the natural environment as core objectives of the planning system. Planning policies specifically designed to address the overall loss of biodiversity are known as ‘no net loss policies’. Most Local Plans now have ‘no net loss’ policies or similarly worded policies in place.

According to Biodiversity 2020 there are numerous ways to work towards achieving these aims, with landowners, conservation charities and individuals playing a part. However, the planning system has a central role in achieving the aims of Biodiversity 2020, particularly strategic planning, but also development control. At a local level Neighbourhood Planning has the potential to be a key factor in determining whether the aims of Biodiversity 2020 are realised, by identifying local priorities for nature conservation and ensuring these are taken into consideration in the planning process.

Objectives of the study The first stage to protecting and enhancing the natural environment is to identify the natural assets that exist within the neighbourhood. This report aims to identify the core, high ecological value sites for nature conservation in Congleton, as well as sites deemed to be of medium ecological value. The high value sites are

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies recommended for protection through the neighbourhood planning process and the medium value sites could be considered as biodiversity opportunity areas subject to further evaluation. Medium and high value sites should also act as an alert in the planning system triggering full evaluation should they be proposed for future development.

The report also aims to identify key local and regional ecological networks within the neighbourhood planning area and recommends that these are protected through the neighbourhood plan. It also identifies key characteristics associated with the landscape character of the Congleton area so these can be referenced in planning policies.

Background – ecological networks In 2010 Professor Sir John Lawton submitted a report to DEFRA entitled ‘Making Space for Nature: A review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network’. The report identified that we need a step change in our approach to wildlife conservation from trying to hang on to what we have, to one of large-scale habitat restoration and recreation, underpinned by the re-establishment of ecological processes and ecosystem services, for the benefits of both people and wildlife. The report also identified that this vision will only be realised if we work at local scales in partnership with local people. he natural environment is fundamental to our well-being, health and economy, and provides us with a range of ecosystem services such as food, water, materials, flood defences and carbon sequestration – and biodiversity underpins most, if not all, of them. The pressures on our land and water are likely to continue to increase and we need to learn how to manage these resources in ways which deliver multiple benefits, for example, achieving profitable and productive farming while also adopting practices which enhance carbon storage, improve flood water management and support wildlife.

England’s wildlife habitats have become increasingly fragmented and isolated, leading to declines in the provision of some ecosystem services, and losses to species populations. Ecological networks have become widely recognised as an effective way to conserve wildlife in environments that have become fragmented by human activities.

Ecological networks generally have five components (see Figure 1) which reflect both existing and potential ecological importance and function. Core areas These are areas of high nature conservation value which form the heart of the network. They contain habitats that are rare or important because of the wildlife they support or the ecosystem services they provide. They generally have the highest concentrations of species or support rare species. They include protected wildlife sites and other semi-natural areas of high ecological quality.

Corridors and stepping stones These are spaces that improve the functional connectivity between core areas, enabling species to move between them to feed, disperse, migrate or reproduce. Connectivity need not just come from linear, continuous habitats; a number of small

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies sites may act as ‘stepping stones’ across which certain species can move between core areas.

Restoration areas These are areas where measures are planned to restore or create new high value areas (which will ultimately become ‘core areas’) so that ecological functions and species populations can be restored. They are often situated so as to complement, connect or enhance existing core areas.

Buffer zones These are areas that closely surround core areas, restoration areas, ‘stepping stones’ and ecological corridors, and protect them from adverse impacts from the wider environment.

Sustainable use areas These are areas within the wider landscape focussed on the sustainable use of natural resources and appropriate economic activities, together with the maintenance of ecosystem services. Set up appropriately, they help to ‘soften the matrix’ outside the network and make it more permeable and less hostile to wildlife, including self-sustaining populations of species that are dependent upon, or at least tolerant of, certain forms of agriculture. There is overlap in the functions of buffer zones and sustainable use areas, but the latter are less clearly demarcated than buffers, with a greater variety of land uses.

Figure 1. The components of ecological networks (Making Space for Nature report)

The principles of creating coherent ecological networks have since been embedded within many planning and policy documents. The Natural Environment White Paper ‘The Natural Choice’, which was published in 2011, reiterated a Government commitment to move from net biodiversity loss to net gain, by recognising the importance of supporting healthy, well-functioning ecosystems and establishing more coherent ecological networks.

The National Planning and Policy Framework published in 2012 also includes the establishment and conservation of a coherent ecological network as a core principle including:

environment by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures. in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure. components of the local ecological networks, including the hierarchy of sites of importance for biodiversity, wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them and areas identified by local partnerships for habitat restoration or creation; and

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations.

Landscape Character Assessment for the Cheshire region On a national level Congleton lies within National Character Area 61 – Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain; a pastoral area of rolling plain which is particularly important for dairy farming. More locally the Cheshire Landscape Character Assessment of 2008 identifies recognisable patterns in the landscape and classifies the Cheshire Landscape into 20 broad Landscape Character Types (LCTs). Different aspects such as geology, landform, soils, vegetation and land use have been used to identify character areas. The assessment is intended to be used as a basis for planning and the creation of future landscape strategies as well as raising public awareness of landscape character and creating a sense of place.

Map 1: Landscape Character Typology The Landscape Character Assessment (Map 1) identifies five recognisable landscape character types (LCTs) within the Congleton Neighbourhood planning area; namely Mossland, Upland Footslopes, Lower Farms and Woods, Higher Farms and Woods and River Valley, These character types are further refined and subdivided into Landscape Character Areas (LCAs).

Type 10 - Lower Farms and Woods Key characteristics • Low lying gently rolling topography • Hedgerow boundaries and standard trees in a mix of medieval, reorganised fields (irregular, semi-regular, and regular up to 8ha). Many larger open fields where traditional hedging has either been removed or replaced with fencing. • Horsiculture – fenced horse paddocks • High density of woodland – blocks and coverts and riparian • Medium settlement density – mix of dispersed farms and nucleated hamlets/villages • Mosses and some meres resulting from glacial deposits • Large number of water bodies

LFW2 – Brereton Heath Character Area - including Brereton and Astbury Mere Country Park This is a gently undulating, almost flat area south of the river Dane that lies in the triangle between Sandbach, Congleton and Holmes Chapel. It is a predominantly rural area of small dispersed villages and hamlets. Across much of this region there are expansive views towards Mow Cop and the Cloud. The agriculturally improved fields are typically large, having had their

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies hedgerows removed. Woodlands, although scattered, are visible in the landscape. Some of these are conifer plantations whilst others have developed naturally as a result of the drying out of former mosslands. Sand quarrying is frequent in this area with active quarries west of Congleton and at Arclid and a former quarry at Brereton Heath. The sandy soils once supported significant areas of heathland, and mosslands were once scattered throughout the area in wet peaty hollows.

Type 16 - Higher Farms and Woods Key characteristics • Gentle rolling and moderate undulating topography • A mix of medieval and post medieval reorganised fields (irregular, semi-regular and regular up to 8 ha) • Hedgerow boundaries and hedgerow trees • High density of woodland (blocks, coverts and riparian) • Predominantly low density dispersed settlement • Ponds • Small mossland areas

HFW1 Gawsworth Character Area – including Rode Heath, Marton and North Rode This area lies north of the river Dane between Congleton and Macclesfield. Away from these conurbations the area is typically very rural with isolated farms and hamlets and quiet county lanes. Across much of the area there are wide reaching views towards the hills in the east. There is little in the way of development, apart from a small number of sand quarries and two main A roads that run north-south. The fields are a mixture of sizes with the larger ones having been agriculturally improved. The field systems date from the post medieval period, although many have been enlarged through more recent hedgerow removal. The exception to this trend is on the slopes of the watercourses where some smaller fields still exist. The steeper slopes are mainly wooded and a small number of these woodlands are thought to be ancient. Compared to other areas of lowland Cheshire this character area has a relatively high proportion of woodland, largely located in isolated blocks and surrounded by agriculturally improved grassland or arable fields.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

HFW4 Buglawton Character Area - including Crossley, Dane in Shaw Woods and canal This character area stretches eastwards from Buglawton towards Key Green. To the north the area is bounded by the river Dane and to the south it stretches to Dane in Shaw. The area has a lush verdant feel with small or medium sized fields and a high level of woodland cover along the numerous streams. Many of the steep sided valleys support ancient woodland and there are also species rich grasslands making this area particularly wildlife rich. This area is notable historically as the streams and valleys were used to site the first cotton and silk mills in the Congleton area. Also notable is the Dane viaduct, a prominent local landmark.

Type 13 – River Valley Key characteristics • Steep sided river valleys • Meandering river courses • High levels of woodland along the river and tributary valleys of which a significant proportion is ancient woodland. • Tributaries in wooded cloughs • Grassy banks including acid grassland. • Bridges and viaducts • Isolated halls and farms

R5 – Upper Dane Character Area Where the river Dane flows north-west out of Congleton the landscape falls into the much larger Upper Dane Character Area which stretches between Congleton and Holmes Chapel. The upper Dane is characterised by the meanders of the river and the old, steep, wooded river terraces. Some of this woodland is ancient in origin, including the ash, sycamore and wych elm woodland at Forge Wood. The wide valley floor is mainly pastureland with some smaller areas of arable crops. Many of the fields have been increased in size, although traditional field patterns can still be seen on some of the farmed shallower river terraces. The area is very rural with a small number of farms and halls with the one small settlement at Swettenham village.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Type 18 - Upland Footslopes Key Characteristics • Upland inclines and undulations, steep slopes c100-370m AOD • Wooded steep sided stream and river valleys – large proportion which is ancient woodland • Small surviving patches of heathland • Dense network of streams and tributaries • Dispersed settlement – farms and houses • Stone built houses, structures and boundary walls • Gritstone exposures in quarries • Medieval field patterns with hedgerow boundaries surviving on lower slopes • Areas of semi-improved and unimproved neutral and acid grassland • Extensive views dependent upon the location • High rainfall – reservoirs, open and covered • Follies and distinctive landmarks

UFS1 Mow Cop Character Area – including Roe Park Woods, Cheshire Close and the Cloud

This gritstone ridge runs from Kidsgrove northwards to the Cloud and marks the boundary between Cheshire and Staffordshire. It is an upland landscape of steep slopes incised with equally steep, often wooded valleys. Fields are medium to large, often dating to the post medieval period when tracts of moorland were enclosed. This is a rural area with narrow twisting lanes and a few scattered hamlets. In the north of this character area stone walls mark the field boundaries on the upper slopes. Scattered rocky gritstone outcrops can be found on the ridge at Mow Cop, Rainow Hill and Congleton Edge. Hawthorn boundary hedges are found more frequently on the lower slopes. The shallow soils and steep slopes make this area difficult to cultivate, consequently there are extensive areas of semi-improved grassland with smaller areas of heathers, bilberry and gorse. There are also a few sizable blocks of woodland, the largest lying below Mow Cop.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Type 12 Mosslands Key Characteristics • An accumulation of peat in water logged depressions and hollows associated with glacial deposition • Oligo-fibrous soils with a high suitability for horticulture when drained • A distinctive field pattern typical of the enclosure of mosslands – long linear moss rooms • Areas of broadleaved woodland with alder, oak and birch • Heathland with birch and scrub regeneration • Peripheral settlement that has encroached upon the extent of the moss • Place names that are indicative of peat e.g. Moss Lane • Leisure facilities e.g. cricket grounds, playing fields • Landfill sites

M4 Congleton Moss Once widespread in the Cheshire countryside this landscape character type is now rarest in the East Cheshire region with only remnants of the five largest mosses remaining. Other much smaller mosslands have also largely disappeared as they have dried out over the centuries. Cheshire’s mosslands date back to the end of the last ice age when blocks of ice were stranded in the landscape as the ice sheet retreated. Eventually these blocks melted to form meres and ponds in the kettle holes. Over many centuries the process of succession allowed for peat formation as rotting vegetation accumulated and filled the pools. Congleton Moss was once the largest peatland in the region stretching out over 1000 ha to the south of where the town is located. Today it exists as a relict dried out mossland that has been drained, cultivated and areas have also been incorporated into sports fields. A small remaining parcel of semi-natural habitat is now overgrown with young birch and oak scrub and the heathers and mosses have largely disappeared as the peat continues to dry out. The hawthorn hedges on the wider relict moss delineate the old moss rooms, a series of long narrow fields arranged in a fan shape. The moss rooms date from the medieval period when locals had ‘rights of turbary’ allowing them to cut peat, meaning that the moss was divided into long narrow strips for different families to cut. Later, following the enclosure act, hedgerows were planted to delineate these areas. This unusual and historical pattern of landuse is still clearly evident in the landscape today and gives the Congleton Moss area its special characteristics.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Natural Area Natural Areas as defined by English Nature (now Natural England) in 1996 are a series of biogeographical units reflecting ecological integrity land form, landuse and cultural influences. Their boundaries usually correspond to those of the Landscape Character Areas although they normally encompass multiple LCAs as they are generally larger. Most of Cheshire, the northern half of Shropshire and part of northwest Staffordshire sit within the Meres and Mosses Natural Area. This is an expansive area of gently rolling agricultural plain which, at the end of the last ice age, was largely underwater. Although the vast area of water eventually drained away it left behind a wetland landscape of meres, mosses, meandering rivers and ponds. This landscape is recognised as being of international importance for its wetland wildlife.

ECOnet – Integrated vision of the Cheshire County Ecological Network Between 1999 and 2003 the then Cheshire County Council were a partner within the Life ECOnet Project. This was a project supported by the Life-Environment Programme of the European Commission to demonstrate in Cheshire and in Emilia- Romagna and Abruzzo (Italy) how ecological networks can help achieve more sustainable land use planning and management, as well as overcome the problems of habitat loss, fragmentation and species isolation. The ECOnet study is an integrated vision of a Cheshire County Ecological Network of ecological cohesion. The vision acts as a framework for nature conservation in the region by identifying areas of strategic importance for wildlife. It is intended as a guideline for making decisions in local and strategic planning in relation to biodiversity. The 2003 study identified numerous core areas of key importance for wildlife. It also identified development areas which were assessed as having the greatest potential to contribute to the viability of the core areas through habitat restoration and creation schemes. The aim of any future work related to the county ecological network should be to expand the core areas and to provide better habitat connectivity (wildlife corridors). The guidance provided by the ECOnet project has been incorporated into the conclusions of this report created for the Congleton Neighbourhood Plan.

Map 2: Ecological Network Mapping (ECOnet) Due to the high number of sites designated for nature conservation the majority of the Congleton area was identified by ECOnet as fundamental components of the county wide ecological network (shaded purple). To the east of Congleton is an area identified a ‘heathland development area’ as it contains one of the largest surviving areas of lowland heath at Bosley Cloud, as well

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies as smaller areas running southwards along the gritstone edge. ECOnet development areas are identified as those that would benefit most from restoration of the identified habitat type. A ‘woodland development area- high ambition’ is located to the north of the Congleton NP area broadly following the river Dane. The extension of existing woodlands in this area (to incorporate land of current low habitat distinctiveness) would be highly desirable, particularly as a method of buffering important and fragile habitats.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Methodology

Creating a habitat distinctiveness map Habitat type bands (Defra March 2012)

In line with current Distinctiveness Broad habitat type Colour on map Defra methodologies covered to determine ‘no net loss’ in biodiversity, habitat data from the sources listed below was attributed to one of three categories listed in the table: Habitat type band High ecological value High Priority habitat as Red defined in section 41 of the NERC Act, Designated nature conservation sites (statutory and non- statutory) Medium ecological Medium Semi-natural habitats Orange value and habitats with potential to be restored to Priority quality. Includes field ponds. Low ecological value Low E.g. Intensive n/a agricultural but may still form an important part of the ecological network in an area.

1. Five published data sets were used to produce the habitat distinctiveness maps: – coded as high distinctiveness

(principal importance) and semi-natural habitats coded as medium distinctiveness (data in Appendix 1) ural land classification, Natural England - grade 4 medium distinctiveness, grade 5 high distinctiveness (adjusted where other data is available).

Nature Reserves), Natural England, CWT/CE Local Authority – coded as high distinctiveness. – Natural England 2015 – coded as high distinctiveness.

Partnership scheme, 2016. Functional Ecological Units, river valley peat and

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies destroyed (historical) peat coded as medium distinctiveness. (Supporting information in Appendix 2.)

2. Aerial photography (Microsoft Bing TM Imagery) was used to validate the results by eye.

3. The Congleton Neighbourhood Plan area Land Character Assessment and ECOnet categories were mapped and the results were used to inform the conclusions.

4. Habitat data from recent planning applications in Congleton was researched and incorporated where appropriate.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Cheshire Wildlife Trust 'Protecting and Enhancing Congleton’s Natural Environment' page 13 on.

Map 3: Priority habitat – Natural England 2014

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Map 4: Land Cover Map 2007 (LCM2007) is a parcel-based classification of satellite image data showing land cover for the entire United Kingdom derived from a computer classification of satellite scenes obtained mainly from the Landsat sensor

Map 5: Agricultural Land Grading – Natural England 2013

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Map 6: Designated Nature Conservation Sites (including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserves)

Map 7: Ancient woodland – Natural England 2015

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Map 8: Meres and Mosses and other peat soils, Meres and Mosses Landscape Partnership Scheme 2016

Map 9 Habitat Distinctiveness

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Map 10: Indicative Wildlife Corridor Network

Results and discussion High distinctiveness habitat 1. Woodland

The Congleton area is particularly rich in wildlife; particularly notable are the numerous clough woodlands that cover the steep valley slopes along the tributaries which feed into the Dane. Although most woodlands in Cheshire are fragmented and impoverished, the woodland to the east and north-east of Congleton is an exception. Many of these woodlands are ancient (i.e. thought to be at least 400 years old) and are listed on the ancient woodland inventory (Natural England 2015). Some of the smaller clough woodlands do not meet the size threshold for appearing on the register but are similar in character to the others and are also likely to be ancient.

Typically these clough woodlands support ash, oak, sycamore and birch, with alder in the wetter areas and wych elm along the river Dane corridor. The ground flora is remarkably diverse compared to many other local woodlands with species such as wild garlic, pale sedge, water avens, pond water crowfoot, wood anemone, yellow archangel and extensive tracts of native bluebells There are numerous rarities which are normally only found in ancient woodland including sanicle, giant bellflower, woodruff, toothwort and wood melick.

These ancient woodlands are considered irreplaceable habitats due to time taken for them to acquire their diverse flora and fauna. The presence of high quality woodland

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies means that this area is especially important for notable red listed1 species of birds including pied flycatcher and spotted flycatcher (which bred in local woodlands in 2014). Red listed willow tit, which has been lost from most of Cheshire in the past 30 years, is present in the higher quality wet woodland. Other notable bird species that frequent the woodlands and associated adjacent habitats include lesser spotted woodpecker, cuckoo and Eurasian woodcock.

1 Birds of Conservation Concern 2017

The designated clough woodlands include Madams Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest and several Local Wildlife Sites including large tracts along the river Dane, Woodside Clough, Peckerpool Clough, Edge Hill Valley, Cheshire Brook Wood, Rainow Woods, Timbersbrook, Town Wood, Warburton’s Wood, Bath Vale Woods, Forge Wood, Havannah Wood and woodland near Folly Cottage on the side of the Cloud.

Woodlands at Bromley Farm, Astbury Mere, Congleton Edge, Congleton Moss and Biddulph Valley Way are also Local Wildlife Sites but with different characteristics to the group of clough woodlands. Congleton Edge and Congleton Moss are relatively young birch/oak woodlands which have developed on areas of pre-existing heathland and mossland. At Congleton Edge this is as a result of the cessation of grazing and at Congleton Moss it is because the underlying peat has dried out as adjacent land has been drained.

The damp woodlands have a rich flora but unfortunately they also provide perfect conditions for the spread of the invasive non-native Himalayan balsam. This species is probably the biggest threat to the integrity of these important woodlands as its vigorous growth means that native flora is outcompeted. This can have a devastating impact on the native woodland flora and a knock on effect on groups of species such as birds, invertebrates and mammals. Himalayan balsam can also cause severe soil erosion issues when native flora that binds the soil disappears. This is particularly damaging to the river banks causing soil to wash into the watercourses affecting the water quality.

2. Watercourses

The Dane is a major river that marks the northern boundary of the Congleton NP area. Not only is it important for the woodland and wetlands along its banks, but the river and its tributaries support notable bird populations including kingfisher, grey wagtail (red listed) and dipper. In Cheshire dippers are confined to the fast flowing upper reaches of rivers and streams in the far east of the county. The river Dane is particularly important for dippers and Congleton is the lowest point on the Dane where this species is known to breed. The river and its tributaries are also thought to provide important habitat for otters and globally endangered native white-clawed crayfish populations.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

3. Heaths and Mosslands

Lowland heaths and mosslands are recognised as internationally important habitats as they are rapidly disappearing across much of Europe. Once widespread in lowland Cheshire it is thought that there are as little as 57 ha of lowland heath and 316 ha of wet mossland in this wider region. Consequently lowland heath and mossland are now the rarest inland broad habitat types in Cheshire.

As these habitats dry out or disappear under trees agricultural fields or developments, so too do the specialised flora and fauna they support, such as common lizard, adder and green hairstreak butterfly (still present on Congleton Edge). The remaining areas of lowland heath in Cheshire are small, highly fragmented and consequently unviable3 in the longer term. One of the largest areas of lowland heath in the county is located on Bosley Cloud (14 ha). The Cloud is a steep gritstone hill covered in a mosaic of heath and acid grassland with areas of scrub and bracken. Managed by the National Trust, it supports a wide range of specialist fauna and flora including the nationally scare hybrid between bilberry and cowberry (Vaccinium intermedia). It also has a high ornithological interest. The heathland extends in patches southwards from the Cloud and along Congleton Edge; however most of the patches are no longer grazed or managed and are succeeding to woodland, threatening the long term survival of the heathland specialist species in this area.

Congleton Moss was once one of the largest peatlands in the region and would have supported an abundance of wildlife. Characteristic moss-rooms bounded by hawthorn hedges delineate the narrow strips of land where the peat was once cut. A remaining fragment of the moss has been designated a Local Wildlife Site, although the peatland flora and fauna have now largely disappeared as the habitat has dried out and trees have encroached.

4. Species-rich grasslands

The Congleton area also supports significant tracts of species-rich grassland, the fastest disappearing habitat in the UK. A number of these areas are species-rich hay meadows, including the remarkable Coronation meadow at Dane-in-Shaw Local Wildlife Site used by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust as a donor meadow to help restore wildflower grassland in the local area.

Coronation meadows have been identified as the most outstanding examples of our remaining meadows and are used as donor sites to restore other local wildflower meadows. The scheme was the idea of HRH the Prince of Wales as a way to celebrate his mother’s 60th anniversary on the throne. It is a partnership project between Plantlife, the Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. In 2016 seed from Dane in Shaw Coronation Meadow was used by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust to restore a meadow at Swettenham near Congleton.

There are also areas of species-rich pasture including Dane-in-Shaw SSSI, Dane-in- Shaw Brook meadows and Hoofridge Farm. Most of this habitat is located on steep slopes and is slightly acidic in nature with species such as harebell, betony and

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies tormentil. Some of the slopes support marshy grassland with characteristic wetland species such as greater birdsfoot trefoil and marsh bedstraw.

The presence of species-rich grassland in the Congleton area means that there are also good populations of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Good pollinator sites with species-rich grassland include Astbury Country Park, Dane-in Shaw and most notably at Timbersbrook meadow where the rare small heath butterfly can be found.

5. Medium distinctiveness habitat

Areas of medium distinctiveness habitat are shown on map 9 (displayed as orange) and provide important wildlife habitats in their own right as well as acting as ecological stepping stones and corridors. Because the methodologies used to produce the maps are desk based rather than field survey based, there is a possibility that some of the medium distinctiveness areas have been undervalued and an ecological survey may indicate they should be mapped as ‘high distinctiveness’ priority habitat (which would be displayed as red in map 8). Conversely there may be areas which have been overvalued, particularly if recent management has led to the deterioration of the habitat; in which case these areas should be removed from the habitat distinctiveness map.

The majority of the ‘medium distinctiveness’ habitats identified in map 9 are thought to be semi-natural grassland with extensive areas on the slopes of Congleton Edge, Timbersbrook and Bosley Cloud. Semi-natural grasslands are invaluable for wildlife as they can support large populations of invertebrates and mammals such as brown hare which are present in the Congleton area. Many local red listed farmland birds such as skylark feed on insects that live in semi-natural grasslands.

Reptiles such as slow worms have been recorded on areas of semi-natural grassland along the Loach Brook. These rare reptiles have been found on just four sites in the county meaning their long term survival in Cheshire is threatened. Congleton is therefore a considered to be a key area for this species.

The Congleton area has a fairly low density of field ponds compared to other areas of lowland Cheshire, however where these exist they help contribute to the permeability of the landscape for wildlife. Ponds have been highlighted as habitat of medium distinctiveness in map 9 and should always be retained where possible when land is developed. Where ponds are stocked with high numbers of fish the wildlife value is decreased. This is because introduced fish (such as bottom 20 feeding non-native carp) can deplete the pond of invertebrate larvae and amphibian eggs/larvae as well as water plants. Despite this, even low value ponds can help increase landscape permeability for species such as birds and terrestrial invertebrates.

Landscape permeability is also underpinned by the hedgerow network which can provide excellent habitat for declining farmland bird populations such as tree sparrow and yellowhammer which are both present in the area. Invertebrates and small mammals also inhabit hedgerows, particularly those with adjacent wide field margins

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies as well as inhabiting areas of semi-improved grassland. The small mammal population supports birds such as kestrel and barn owl which therefore do best in areas where the traditional farmland landscape is intact. Congleton has a good population of UK priority bat species including brown long eared bats, noctules, and soprano pipistrelles which use the hedgerow network as well as the watercourses as foraging routes. The Key Green area has a particularly good hedgerow network and so do the slopes of Congleton Edge and Bosley Cloud where field enlargement has not been so prevalent compared to lower lying areas.

6 Wildlife corridor network

Wildlife corridors are a key component of local ecological networks as they provide connectivity between core areas of high wildlife value/distinctiveness enabling species to move between them to feed, disperse, migrate or reproduce. In conjunction with the results of the ECOnet analysis (2003), this study has identified a wildlife corridor network (shown in map 10) with ecological connectivity within and beyond the Congleton Neighbourhood Planning area. The connecting wildlife corridors identified for neighbouring Hulme Walfield and Somerford Booths are also identified on map 10.

The corridor has three main focal points: the first is the river Dane corridor, second are the woodlands and species rich grasslands in the vicinity of Bath Vale/Dane-in- Shaw/Timbersbrook and third is the upland ridge from Congleton Edge northwards to Bosley Cloud. Crucially these areas need to be ecologically linked if they are to retain their wildlife value in the long term. Providing habitat that is favourable for the movement of species between these three areas will help ensure that the wildlife is more resilient to environmental change.

Currently there are several weak spots in the corridor network including Congleton town centre where the river Dane runs through culverted sections with little riparian habitat. Several areas of wildlife habitat within the town help mitigate this, especially Town Wood Local Wildlife Site. Ensuring this important ancient woodland is in positive management5 is especially important for wildlife in the Congleton area.

A further weak spot is located on the river Dane at the weir at Mill House Havannah. The weir poses a barrier to aquatic invertebrates and fish, although the adjacent woodland provides connectivity for other species. Narrow sections of the corridor on the upland ridge are not so vulnerable due to extensive areas of semi-natural habitat in the locality combined with a low threat of habitat loss.

A fourth more vulnerable corridor is located on the southern boundary following the courses of the Loach Brook, Howty Brook and the stream that flows away from the Congleton Moss area. Potential development pressures, habitat fragmentation and intensive agriculture with high inputs of agrochemicals means that wildlife in the area is more vulnerable than that in the intact landscape to the east of the town.

Current weak spots in this southern corridor include: the connection along hedgerows between Edge Hill Valley Farm and Congleton Moss; the point where the stream flowing away from the moss is culverted under the A34 and through a field of

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies arable crops; a section of corridor to the south of Astbury Country Park where the Lamberts Lane stream has little riparian vegetation. To help wildlife survive in this part of town it is important to improve ecological connectivity by providing wide wildlife friendly buffers along watercourses and along edges of any future housing developments. 7 Protection of the wildlife corridor and other high and medium distinctiveness habitat

Map 10 incorporates an indicative boundary for the wildlife corridor network; however this is likely to require refinement following detailed survey work. The corridor should be wide enough to protect the valuable habitats identified in Map 9 and for this reason we have incorporated a 15 metre buffer zone around any high distinctiveness habitat. The buffer is necessary to help protect vulnerable habitat from factors such as light pollution and ground water pollution, predation by domestic pets, and invasive garden species.

A 15m buffer zone is also appropriate for any land lying outside the corridor network that, following an ecological appraisal, is subsequently found to be high distinctiveness Priority habitat (this may currently be mapped as medium distinctiveness due to lack of information). Any potential development proposals adjacent to a high distinctiveness habitat or a wildlife corridor should demonstrate substantial mitigation and avoidance measures to lessen impacts on wildlife. For example low spillage (bat/otter sensitive) lighting should be recommended for use on the outside of buildings or in car-parks and along pathways and watercourses. Surface drainage water from developed areas should always be directed away from sensitive areas due to the risk of pollution unless the source of the water is clean, such as rainwater collected from roofs. Sustainable Drainage Schemes (SuDS) are useful in providing additional wildlife habitat and preventing flooding, but they may still hold polluted water so should not drain directly into existing wildlife habitat unless the filtration system is extensive.

Not all sections of the wildlife corridor provide high quality habitat and measures to improve the ability of the corridor to support the movement of species is desirable (refer to Recommendations section). Enhancement of the corridor may be facilitated by opportunities arising through the planning process (e.g. S106 agreements, biodiversity offsetting/compensation) or through the aspirations of the local community.

In addition to the ‘wildlife corridor network’ this study has identified further areas of high or medium ‘habitat distinctiveness’ (Map 9) which, although sit outside the wildlife corridor network, nevertheless may provide important wildlife habitats acting as ecological stepping stones. These areas comprise semi-natural/species-rich grassland, ponds and semi-natural woodlands.

The extensive network of field boundary hedgerows provides habitat connectivity between high distinctiveness areas, which would otherwise be separated by extensive areas of land predominantly of low habitat distinctiveness with restricted potential for wildlife to disperse. Although not identified as a key component of Congleton ecological network, collectively, these hedgerows provide linear connectivity through the neighbourhood and beyond. In addition to their intrinsic

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies ecological value a good hedgerow network also adds to the landscape character value, particularly in the vicinity of Congleton Moss, Key Green, Ivy Bank Farm and Toft Green Farm.

Old meadows supporting species-rich neutral or marshy grassland are the fastest disappearing habitats in the UK. These grasslands are particularly important for pollinating insects and insectivorous birds and mammals. It is extremely important that the highlighted ‘medium distinctiveness’ areas should be thoroughly evaluated in the development control process. If they are found to support species-rich grassland they should be re-classified as ‘high distinctiveness’ (Priority/principal importance) habitat and there is a presumption that they should not be built on (as stipulated in the Local Plan and the NPPF). In order to achieve no ‘net loss’ in biodiversity, compensation may be required should these areas be lost to development when avoidance and mitigation strategies have been applied in line with the guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Conclusion

This study has highlighted that the important wildlife habitat in Congleton is mainly associated with the woodlands and semi-natural grasslands/heathlands of River Dane and its tributaries and the steep gritstone edge in the far east. By attributing habitat distinctiveness values to all land parcels in the Neighbourhood Plan area the study has provided important evidence that should be taken into consideration when planning decisions are made. However we strongly recommend that further (phase 1) habitat survey work is undertaken at the appropriate time of year, in particular to verify that ‘medium value’ habitats have not been over or under-valued.

Most notably the analysis has identified a ‘wildlife corridor network’ which provides ecological connectivity between woodland, heathland, grassland and riparian habitat within and beyond the Neighbourhood Planning area. The wildlife corridor network supports a wide range of species including numerous birds, plants, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates that are in decline both locally and nationally. Some of the most notable are the globally endangered white-clawed crayfish; the slow worm (Congleton is a key site for this priority species of reptile); rare or scarce red listed birds such as willow tit, grey wagtail, cuckoo, lesser spotted woodpecker, pied and spotted flycatcher; the small heath butterfly and rare/scarce plants such as Vaccinium intermedia, toothwort and sanicle.

We recommend that the corridor network shown in map 10 is identified in the Neighbourhood Plan and protected from development so that the guidance relating to ecological networks set out in the NPPF (paragraphs 114 and 117) may be implemented at a local level. The wildlife corridor network includes a buffer zone of up to 15 metres in places to protect the notable habitats shown in map 9. If new areas of high distinctiveness habitat are subsequently identified these should also be protected by a 15 metre non-developable buffer zone.

Any future development of sites which lie adjacent to high distinctiveness habitat or a wildlife corridor should be able to demonstrate substantial mitigation and avoidance measures to lessen any potential impacts on wildlife. An example of this is that bat

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies sensitive lighting could be recommended for use on the outside of buildings or in carparks/pathways, and otter sensitive lighting in areas adjacent the River Dane and its tributaries. Surface drainage water from developed areas should always be directed away from sensitive areas due to the risk of pollution.

To summarise, future development of Congleton should respect the natural environment. The most intact landscapes, in terms of biodiversity, landform and historical/cultural associations should be valued highly when planning decisions are made. Protection and enhancement of Congleton’s natural assets is of crucial importance for nature conservation and ecosystem services but it is also important for the enjoyment of future generations.

Recommendations for improving and protecting habitat in order to create a coherent ecological network

Following adoption of the neighbourhood plan, CWT advises that the following recommendations should be actioned:

1. Improve the quality of the ‘wildlife corridor network’ and assess against Local Wildlife Site selection criteria The areas highlighted as ‘wildlife corridor network’ in Map 10 incorporate 22 designated Local Wildlife Sites, however it is highly likely that other land would meet also the criteria for Local Wildlife Site selection. These areas should be designated if the selection criteria are met, as LWS designation is likely to provide a greater level of protection within the planning system.

The wildlife corridor network should be in ‘favourable condition’ (the definition of ‘favourable condition’ for Local Wildlife Sites is provided in Appendix 3) to provide breeding, foraging and commuting habitat for the native species that live there and native species which may subsequently colonise. Ideally these areas should be surveyed by a qualified ecologist to identify management priorities.

Management work may include: prevented from further colonisation the woodlands and wetlands. The Cheshire Wildlife Trust is aware that extensive areas of non-native Himalayan balsam have previously been recorded in many of the woodlands and along the banks of the river Dane. This species is highly invasive out-competing native flora and causing soil erosion due to the lack of binding vegetation in winter (particularly on river banks). Himalayan balsam is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild. CWT can provide further advice on the control of this and other non-native species. -native/garden species in woodland. Garden species such as non- native daffodils, Spanish/hybrid bluebells, monbretia, cotoneaster and variegated yellow archangel and can all be highly invasive and damage the ecological balance of woodlands. The latter three are all listed on schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

native species such as wych elm, hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and holly (plant 60- 90cm high ‘whips’ which have a good rate of survival and use tree guards to protect from rabbits and stock fence where necessary). New sections of hedgerow should ideally incorporate a tree every 30m (on average) which are demarked so as not to be inadvertently flailed. -natural grassland should be cut or grazed each year to maintain its wildlife value. scrub cover (professional advice should be sought first). nd should be managed in the long term (professional advice should be sought). -natural habitat to provide riparian habitat and help prevent pollution runoff. Pollution prevention is especially important where the watercourse supports globally endangered white-clawed crayfish.

2. Protect, enhance and connect areas of high/medium value which lie outside the wildlife corridor Opportunities should be explored to restore or create more wildlife friendly habitat especially where connectivity with other areas of valuable habitat can be achieved or where valuable sites can be buffered. Larger areas of better connected habitat support larger and healthier species populations and help prevent local extinctions.

Ways to enhance connections or to buffer sites could include the restoration of hedgerows, creation of low maintenance field margins and sowing locally sourced (local genetic stock) wildflower meadows (Cheshire Wildlife Trust can provide advice and seeds for locally sourced wildflower meadow creation). Woodland expansion is desirable to buffer existing woodlands; however tree planting should only occur on species-poor (low value) habitats and away from the edges of watercourses including ditches and ponds. Professional advice should always be sought when creating new habitat.

3. Protect existing hedgerow network

Hedgerows which meet certain criteria are protected by The Hedgerow Regulations, 1997. Under the regulations it is against the law to remove or destroy ‘Important’ hedgerows without permission from the Local Planning Authority. Removal of a hedgerow in contravention of The Hedgerow Regulations is a criminal offence. The criteria used to assess hedgerows relate to its value from an archaeological, historical, landscape or wildlife perspective. The regulations exclude hedgerows that have been in existence for less than 30 years, garden hedges and some hedgerows which are less than 20 metres in length. The aim of the regulations is to protect ‘Important’ hedgerows in the countryside by controlling their removal through a system of notification.

Any proposals that involve the removal of hedgerows or sections of hedgerows or their associated features (e.g. ditches, banks, standard trees) should be supported by an assessment to ascertain their status in relation to The Hedgerow Regulations.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Should the Local Planning Authority grant permission for removal, compensatory hedgerows should be provided.

Guidance issued by DEFRA relating to biodiversity offsetting requires ‘multipliers’ to be applied according to the condition of any native hedgerow to be lost: ‘Poor’ condition hedgerows should be compensated for using a multiplier of x1 (i.e. like-for like length), ‘Moderate’ condition hedgerows should be compensated for using a multiplier of x2, and ‘Good’ condition hedgerows should be compensated for using a multiplier of x3 (e.g. loss of 10m of hedgerow in ‘Good’ condition would require 30m to be planted in compensation).

Hedgerow condition assessment criteria are provided in the Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environment Plan Manual (2010), however, in brief, three condition assessments are made: average height before flailing is at least 2m; average width before flailing is at least 1.5m; less than 10% gaps, excluding gate holes and gaps beneath tree canopy. Native hedgerows meeting all three criteria are in ‘Good’ condition, those meeting any two criteria are in ‘Moderate’ condition, and those meeting no criteria are in ‘Poor’ condition. Any new sections of hedgerow should be created following the guidance provided above (point 1).

4. Phase 1 habitat mapping

It is strongly recommended that Congleton Neighbourhood Planning area is phase 1 habitat mapped. This will provide a high level of habitat detail and could be used to verify the results of the habitat distinctiveness mapping (map 9). Phase 1 mapping may identify further areas of medium or high distinctiveness (Priority) habitat not identified by this assessment. Areas identified as having medium value habitat in this report should be targeted for survey as a priority. Phase 1 mapping should also be used to determine the exact position of the wildlife corridor network.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Appendix 1

Habitats, LCM2007 classes10 and Broad Habitat subclasses for LCM2007 can be seen on page 26 of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust document Protecting and Enhancing Congleton’s Natural Environment

Appendix 2

Meres & Mosses LPS / NIA: Methodology for Mapping Extant Meres & Mosses

The mapping of ‘Functional Ecological Units’ is primarily based on topography, with use being made of lidar data. Lidar is a remote sensing technique whereby an airborne survey using lasers generates detailed topographic data (known as a Digital Terrain Model (DTM)). With approximately 70% coverage of the Meres & Mosses landscape.

Mapping of the Functional Ecological Units (FEUs) started with the identification of extant sites:- 1) All designated sites, SSSIs and County (Local) Wildlife Sites, that are either a mere or a moss were included. 2) Beyond the designated sites, use was made of a detailed peat soils map for the area. From this dataset a distinction was made between likely moss peats and extensive areas of likely fen peat associated with some of the river valleys. The moss peat sites were then reviewed using aerial photography and divided into two categories: destroyed and de-graded. The former are sites under arable, intensive grassland or other land use, where any relict habitat, and potentially even the peat itself, have been lost – these were excluded. The de-graded sites are those supporting some form of relict habitat (e.g. extensive grassland, rush pasture or woodland) offering potential for restoration – these were taken forward as FEUs. 3) Finally the 1:10,000 scale OS base map was scanned for names alluding to meres and mosses. All waterbodies specifically called “Mere” were included in the mapping, but sites with names suggestive of meres (e.g. Black Lake) were ignored. A few sites were identified called “Moss” – however, because these were not shown on the peat soils map, these were excluded.

For each potential FEU the lidar data was manipulated to show land within a nominal 3 metres elevation of the lowest point on the site. The FEU was then defined as the obvious basin around the lowest point – i.e. the land where it should be possible to restore hydrological function and therefore a wetland habitat mosaic (generally a nominal 1.0 - 1.5 metres above the lowest point on the site). Where no lidar data was available, the likely boundary of the FEU was estimated from the peat soils data and aerial photography.

Consolidated Evidence Base for the CNP SE Policies

Appendix 3

In order for a Local Wildlife Site to be recorded as in positive management all four of the following should be met:

1. The conservation features for which the site has been selected are clearly documented.

2. There is documented evidence of a management plan/management scheme/advisory document which is sufficiently targeted to maintain or enhance the above features.

3. The management requirements set out in the document are being met sufficiently in order to maintain the above features. This should be assessed at 5 year intervals (minimum) and recorded ‘not known’ if the interval is greater than 5 years.

4. The Local Sites Partnership has verified the above evidence.