Aspire Defence Capital Works
Army Basing Programme 2020 Landscape & Visual Appraisal Tidworth
August 2015
Document No: 22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 Document Status Rev. Date Purpose of Issue Prep. Chkd. Appr. A 09.07.15 Issued for Planning RJC TFT DAG B 26.08.15 Issued to Planning Authority RJC TFT DAG CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Methodology
3.0 Planning Policy
4.0 Elements of the Landscape
5.0 Landscape Character
6.0 Visual Amenity
7.0 Mitigation
8.0 Conclusion
APPENDICES
Appendix A – National Character Area
Appendix B – Kennet District Landscape Assessment
Appendix C – Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment
Appendix D – Hampshire Integrated Landscape Assessment
FIGURES (contained in Annex)
Figure 1 Landscape Constraints Figure 2 Landscape Context Figure 3 Topography Figure 4 Receptor Viewpoint Locations Figure 5 Receptor Viewpoint Photography Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Wiltshire’s landscape has been intensively used by the military for well over a century. Salisbury Plain is one of the largest training areas in the UK. 1.1.2 This report describes the landscape and visual effects of the Army Basing Programme (ABP) 2020 at MoD Tidworth on the camp and its surroundings. Specifically it appraises the likely effects on:
· the individual landscape elements and features of the camp and surrounding area; · the landscape character of the camp and surrounding area; · the specific aesthetic or perceptual aspects of the landscape; and · visual amenity. It has been prepared in support of the hybrid planning application for the masterplan proposals for delivery of the ABP assets at Tidworth to be submitted to Wiltshire Council.
1.1.3 The effects of the masterplan development proposals on the settings of the built heritage features found within the camp and surrounds is considered in the Built Heritage Assessment, which is also submitted in support of the hybrid application.
1.1.4 The application site comprises land within the camp boundary. The photograph below (taken in 2011- looking from the south-west) illustrates its general setting.
1.1.5 Land for Tidworth Garrison was first acquired at the end of the 19th Century, with construction of the permanent camp commencing in 1902 and being largely completed by some 10 years later, although further building took place until the 1920’s. Thus, along with nearby Bulford, Larkhill and Perham Down, the camp has been in military use for well over a century. There was little change during the inter- war period, but adapting to the increasing mechanisation and equipment requirements of the modern army saw a progressive programme of new development during the second half of the twentieth century. In recent years, there has been much redevelopment and modernisation under the Project Allenby
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Connaught Public Private Partnership (PPP) to cater for evolving military operational requirements.
1.1.6 The masterplan covers an area of approximately 165 hectares. The camp adjoins the built-up area of Tidworth. It is accessed from the Bulford Road, which runs near to southern boundary and connects with the A338 Salisbury Road which runs close to the camp’s eastern boundary. The A303 runs just over 4km to the south. In contrast with its wider rural surroundings, the camp is largely enclosed and compact and characterised by the existing built development of significant extent. It comprises a mix of living, office, technical and training accommodation, together with other ancillary buildings, hardstanding, parking and sports facilities. Street tree planting and woodland blocks, both within the camp itself and adjacent to sections of the camp’s boundary, provide a strong green infrastructure and screening.
1.1.7 The camp lies within the predominantly rural setting of the sensitive landscape of Salisbury Plain. Much of the area approximately 0.5km west of the camp is designated as a Special Landscape Area (SLA). Notwithstanding, the area in and around Salisbury Plain hosts a number of military camps, including: Warminster; Perham Down; Larkhill; Upavon and Bulford; as well as Tidworth. The Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) lies over 20km to the south- west and the North Wessex Downs AONB lies to the north, approximately 3.5km to the north-west.
1.1.8 The quality of the built environment within the camp is variable. Although much (in particular the technical areas) is utilitarian, there are areas of higher townscape quality, such as early nineteenth century mess buildings adjoining the tree lined southern boundary. 1.2 Study Area
1.2.1 The extent of the Study Area used for this appraisal is based on the landform, land cover, land use and built form in the vicinity of the camp.
1.2.2 It is important to note that the boundary of the Study Area does not define the area beyond which there will be no effects. Rather it contains the area within which there is potential for likely significant landscape and visual effects to occur.
1.3 Scope of Study
1.3.1 A Preliminary Landscape Assessment (PLA) - Capita November 2013 – of options for the Army Basing Programme (ABP) within the camp was undertaken in order to assist selection of options and the development of the masterplan for the ABP proposals, and to identify potential landscape and visual mitigation requirements.
1.3.2 The PLA has been reviewed by suitably qualified and experienced Landscape Architects and fully re-worked and augmented for the preparation of this Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) in respect of the hybrid application proposals: those submitted both in outline and detail. Further site visits for the purposes of field observation in preparing this LVA have been undertaken. The scope of the study and locations of the representative viewpoints – see Figure 4 - have been agreed for the purposes of preparing this LVA with Wiltshire Council. It is considered that the work that has been carried out enables a reasoned and robust analysis of the likely landscape and visual effects arising from the masterplan developments contained within the hybrid application. It should be noted that each of the Priority Works applications for the camp that have recently been lodged with the planning authority were themselves accompanied by a landscape and visual appraisal.
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1.4 Assumptions
1.4.1 This report makes the following assumptions:
· The appraisal is based on the illustrative masterplan and parameters submitted with the hybrid application. · All existing vegetation located outside the potential development areas would be unaffected by the masterplan proposals; and · The application of good site construction practice. In particular, nearby retained trees are afforded protection in accordance with the recommendations provided in British Standard 5837:2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction – Recommendations.
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2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 The earlier PLA work (see paragraph 1.3.1 above) entailed in the preparation of this appraisal comprised two specific elements. The first element involved a desk based study of:
· relevant landscape planning policies in the development plan; · published documents relating to landscape character; and · the analysis of local mapping to identify potentially significant receptor viewpoints, taking into account topography, built development and significant vegetation features such as woodland.
2.1.2 The second element entailed field work and included the walking of roads, public rights of way and permissive paths to establish a detailed understanding of the character of the landscape within the Study Area and to determine the extent to which the Army 2020 basing proposals would be capable of being seen (in whole or in part). A photographic record was taken at this time to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. The photographic record taken was taken to inform the description of visibility from the receptor viewpoints. The field work was carried out in late September 2013, with a second round of site photography taken in the ensuing winter.
2.1.3 As indicated in the Section 1 above, whilst the PLA work has been drawn on for the preparation of this study, it has been re-worked and augmented to address the specific development proposals in this application and the assessment tailored accordingly.
2.1.4 The methodology employed for this LVA is proportionate to the location, type and scale of the proposed development and appropriate to the nature of its effects. It draws upon a range of approaches and techniques, but is primarily based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Third Edition, 2013 (GLVIA3) and carried out in accordance with the best practice guidance contained therein.
2.2 Baseline Conditions
2.2.1 The baseline landscape and visual conditions of the camp and surrounding area are described including:
· a factual description of the landscape conditions within the Study Area (including topography, geography, population, distribution, land use patterns, patterns of communication, history, etc.); · the identification of any anticipated changes within the landscape (excluding the proposed development) as a result of development allocations, consented developments, etc. Where Priority Works planning applications have been submitted, the proposed developments are considered to be part of the baseline condition; · a description of landscape character areas from both on site observation and from published documentation; and · a description of the visual amenity of the Study Area and general visibility of the camp.
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2.2.2 The description of the baseline is informed by a number of site visits to understand the baseline landscape and visual conditions of the camp and surrounding area.
2.3 Appraisal of Effects
2.3.1 Landscape effects arising from development are considered by evaluating changes to landscape receptors in the Study Area. These receptors comprise landscape elements and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) and the effects will consist of:
· physical changes to the landscape attributable to some aspect of the development proposals (for instance the loss of vegetation or buildings); · effects on the aesthetic or perceptual qualities of a character area attributable to a direct effect occurring elsewhere within or outside of the character area; and · effects on the character of LCAs.
2.3.2 The effects on visual receptors (i.e. people) are assessed by considering the change experienced from key receptor viewpoints within the Study Area. The effects are assessed from representative viewpoints (i.e. viewpoints selected to illustrate a larger number of viewpoints that cannot all be included individually) and specific viewpoints (i.e. viewpoints selected as they are particularly important viewpoints within the landscape, e.g. local visitor attractions, viewpoints in areas of particularly noteworthy visual and/or recreational amenity).
2.3.3 The selection of receptor viewpoints is based on the following considerations:
· value / importance of view - for instance certain views may include statutory landscape, visual or historic designations; · potential number and sensitivity of viewers; and · accessibility to the public.
2.3.4 All of the receptors are assessed from publicly accessible locations. This is not to discount landscape or visual effects from private land (for example occupiers of residential properties with views of the camp) and commentary on these effects is provided where appropriate.
2.3.5 The landscape and visual effects of the proposed development on the identified landscape and visual receptors are assessed through consideration of sensitivity and magnitude.
2.3.6 The sensitivity of a landscape receptor or view stems from its ability to “accommodate” the masterplan proposals in terms of the pre-existing landscape and the nature of the receptor or view. There are a number of attributes of the landscape or view that combine together to determine its sensitivity to the type of development proposed. These may include:
· landscape/visual designations that may apply; · importance of the landscape or view to users; · the presence of intrinsic aesthetic characteristics such as scenic quality or sense of place; · physical state and condition of the landscape; · the extent to which the landscape or view displays a distinctive character;
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· historic or cultural associations; · accessibility; and · existing detractors.
2.3.7 The magnitude of effect is essentially the change that is likely to occur and is informed by:
· the size or scale of the effect arising from the proposals; · the geographical extent of the area that will be affected; and · the duration of the effect and its reversibility.
2.3.8 The significance of an effect is evaluated through the consideration of sensitivity and magnitude of effect with classification broadly undertaken based on the criterion set out in Table T1 below, but with effects ultimately determined through professional judgement; as the relationship between sensitivity and magnitude of effect is not necessarily linear and therefore different weightings between the criteria may be applied.
Table 1 – Significance Matrix
Sensitivity/Value Magnitude of effects of Receptor High Medium Low Negligible High Substantial Substantial Moderate Not Significant Medium Substantial Moderate Minor Not Significant Low Moderate Minor Minor Not Significant
2.3.9 In addition to classifying its significance, each effect is considered in terms of whether it is adverse, neutral or beneficial:
· Adverse effects occur where the proposed development (or some aspect of it) will introduce elements that are discordant with a landscape receptor or view or which detract from the existing condition. · Neutral effects occur where the proposed development (or some aspect of it) will neither contribute to nor detract from the landscape receptor or view, but will be comfortably assimilated into the existing landscape or visual context. · Beneficial effects occur where the proposed development (or some aspect of it) will complement or contribute to the landscape receptor or view, strengthening it or adding positive qualities and characteristics that were previously poorly expressed or not previously present.
2.4 Photography
2.4.1 The photographs taken from the agreed receptor viewpoints comply with the Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/11 and (unless otherwise stated) are taken using a fixed focal length camera (Digital SLR, 50mm equivalent). The individual images are joined to produce a composite panoramic image in cylindrical projection. The correct viewing distance for these images to replicate the view that will be obtained on Site is stated alongside each photograph.
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3. PLANNING POLICY
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Planning policies relevant to the Site and the Development are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (adopted March 2012), the statutory Development Plan and the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy. Polices relevant to landscape and visual matters are set out below.
3.2 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
3.2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how they are expected to be applied by local planning authorities.
3.2.2 At paragraph 17, the NPPF sets out a list of core land-use planning principles to underpin decision taking, emphasising the need to: always seek to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity; to take account of the different roles and character of different areas, recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside; to contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment; and to conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance.
3.2.3 Themes of particular relevance are:
· Achieving high quality and inclusive design for all development (paragraph 57). · Ensuring that developments: - Will function well and add to the overall quality of the area; - Establish a strong sense of place; - Respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings and materials; and - Are visually attractive as a result of good architecture and appropriate landscaping (paragraph 58). · Encouraging the effective use of land by re-using land that has been previously developed (brownfield land), provided that it is not of high environmental value (paragraph 111). · Attaching great weight to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in landscapes of national importance such as National Parks, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty (paragraph 115). · Aiming to conserve and enhance biodiversity, and adequately mitigating / compensating for any significant harm resulting from development, where that harm cannot be avoided (paragraph 118). · Applying great weight to the conservation of designated heritage assets (paragraph 132) and weighing any harm against the public benefits of the proposal (paragraph 134).
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3.3 Wiltshire Core Strategy
3.3.1 In 2009 the districts of Kennet, North Wiltshire, Salisbury and West Wiltshire, together with Wiltshire Council were merged into a single unitary authority (Wiltshire Council). A new county-wide Core Strategy was adopted in January 2015, replacing the south Wiltshire Core Strategy as well as a number of policies from the former District Councils Local plans. The Wiltshire Core Strategy Development Plan Document provides a positive and flexible overarching planning policy framework for Wiltshire for the period up to 2026.
3.3.2 Core Policy 37 is a specific policy on Military Establishments in Wiltshire. It states, amongst other things, that redevelopment, conversion or change of use of redundant Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites and buildings will be supported provided they are well related to an existing settlement in terms of location and scale. The policy also explains that development on MoD sites should consider the effects on the character of sites and their environs: ‘’Development at operational… sites should enhance the overall character of the site…mitigate any adverse impacts on local infrastructure, and not erode the character of the surrounding area. All proposals must ensure that the cultural and historical significance of the military facilities located on the site are understood and inform the scope of future development of that site.’’
3.3.3 Core Policy 51 considers landscape matters. The main thrust of the policy is that development should protect, conserve and where possible enhance landscape character in Wiltshire. The policy refers to several Landscape Character Assessments which cover Wiltshire and states that these will be used for the purposes of implementing the policy until they are replaced. It explains that development proposals should be informed by and sympathetic to the distinctive character areas identified in the relevant Landscape Character Assessment(s) and any other relevant assessments and studies. Development must not have a harmful impact upon landscape character, while any negative impacts must be mitigated as far as possible through sensitive design and landscape measures. The policy makes reference to landscapes of national importance, such as AONBs and World Heritage Sites, going on to explain that development outside an AONB that is sufficiently prominent (in terms of its siting or scale) to have an impact on the area’s natural beauty, must demonstrate that it would not adversely affect its setting. . 3.3.5 The camp lies approximately 20km to the north-east of Cranborne Chase AONB and 3.5km south-east of the North Wessex Downs AONB. The Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site lies some 7km to the south. The regional level Special Landscape Area (SLA) designated landscape lies nearby - 250m closest - to the west of the camp.
3.3.6 In response to the request for a screening opinion submitted to the planning authority in respect of the environmental assessment of effects of the masterplan proposals, Wiltshire Council confirmed that an Environmental Statement was not required under the EIA Regulations, but noted that the site lies outside, but close to, the North Wessex Downs AONB and the need to consider the effect upon the landscape generally, taking account of distant views from the AONB.
3.3.7 Core Policy 57 explains that new development should incorporate a high standard of design and create a strong sense of place, drawing on the local context and being complementary to the locality. It contains several design criteria/principles for achieving this including:
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“enhancing local distinctiveness by responding to the value of the natural and historic environment, relating positively to its landscape setting and the existing pattern of development and responding to local topography by ensuring that important views into, within and out of the site are retained and enhanced ’’ and “the retention and enhancement of existing important landscaping and natural features, (for example trees, hedges, banks and watercourses), in order to take opportunities to enhance biodiversity, create wildlife and recreational corridors, effectively integrate the development into its setting and to justify and mitigate against any losses that may occur through the development.”
3.3.8 Core Policy 58 of the Strategy deals with the conservation of the historic environment stating, amongst other things, that: ‘’Development should protect, conserve and where possible enhance the historic environment….’’
3.3.9 The policy goes on to stipulate that new development must take into account various designations and criteria including:
· the special character or appearance of conservation areas and their settings; · historic parks and gardens and their setting; and · important landscapes and townscapes. No conservation areas, historic parks and gardens or important landscapes and townscapes are affected by the masterplan proposals. Heritage aspects are dealt as part of the Built Heritage Assessment.
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4. ELEMENTS OF THE LANDSCAPE
4.1 Topography
4.1.1 Figure 3 illustrates the topography of the camp and surrounding area. The topography within the Study Area is typical of the rolling landform found across much of the Salisbury Plain. The valley of the River Bourne lies directly to the east of the camp, its valley floor being below 110m AOD. The eastern valley sides rise steeply to a pronounced north-south ridgeline: Windmillhill Down at 187m AOD; Pickpit Hill at 173m AOD and Furze Hill at 184m AOD, forming its local highpoints. A ridge to the west (to over 165m AOD at Dunch Hill) runs into a wider area of high ground to the north of the camp at Sidbury Hill (223m AOD), which forms a key landscape feature. Clarendon Hill, which immediately adjoins the camp’s northern boundary, forms a secondary high spot, at 180m AOD (approx.). A subtle spur extends from the western ridge toward the east, rising to some 5-10m above the level of the camp’s southern boundary and enclosing about half of its length.
4.1.2 The camp wraps around the lower flanks of Clarendon Hill, much of it lying below the 120m contour, although the technical area to the north rises further up the hillside, up to a level some 140m AOD.
4.1.3 The masterplan development has been designed to minimise the quantum of earthworks movement required, consistent with existing ground conditions and the operational relationship between existing and new facilities. Generally, only small, localised adjustments to marry in new and proposed levels would be required. The platform for the proposed extension to the technical area at the western end (3 buildings and associated hardstand and access road contained as detail components of the hybrid application), however, require larger changes. The new platforms would step up from the platform level of the closest existing buildings (by between 4-6m), but would still be at similar levels to existing buildings in the vicinity and, indeed, lower (by some 4-5m) than others further to the east in the technical zone. Nevertheless, the pair of buildings located to the south of the existing would remain in cut (by up to 5m max.), which would be further augmented by mounding beyond the lip of the cutting. The westernmost building is set higher, albeit still in slight cut along its western boundary, but on fill at its south–west corner. Illustrative site section drawings are included as part of the hybrid application (refer to drawing nos. 22-ALIGEN-43-SE-A1-001 and 002). Overall, the relationship of the camp to the surrounding topography would be maintained.
4.2 Public Rights of Way
4.2.1 The surrounding area is well served by public rights of way (as shown on Figure 1). No public rights of way are located within the fenceline, however, Footpath 29 runs alongside part of the western fencline, where it adjoins Footpath 30.
4.2.2 The following potential visual receptors are anticipated to gain long distance views of some portion of the camp: Users of Footpath 15 on Gason Hill; Users of Footpath 5 on Furze Hill; Users of Footpath 13 adjacent to Sidbury Hill; Users of Footpath 11 on Windmill Hill; Users of Footpath 7 on the lower flanks of Furze Hill; Users of Footpath 8 on the lower flanks of Furze Hill; Users of Footpath 13 on Beacon Hill; and Users of A3026 Ludgershall Road.
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4.2.3 For the majority of public rights of way in the area, the existing landform and woodland blocks would afford screening over much of their lengths. Albeit some long distance views of the camp are available (see above), new masterplan development would largely be integrated within the camp’s existing built-fabric and largely pass unnoticed. Even where more apparent (such as in overlooking views from Clarendon Hill or Furze Hill), the camp already features as a dominant element in the view and changes would be incremental. In general, the amenity of footpaths would not be significantly affected by the masterplan proposals. Footway 29, however, would be locally diverted in response to the proposed extension of the technical area and realignment of the fenceline at the camp’s western end. 4.3 Watercourses
4.3.1 The River Bourne is located immediately to the east of the camp. There are no notable water features within the camp. The masterplan proposals are not anticipated to affect any watercourses within the Study Area. 4.4 Land Use
4.4.1 The camp lies immediately to the south and west of the built up area of Tidworth, within a wider rural setting. Existing land use outside the built environment of Tidworth is varied. Formal designed parkland, associated with Tedworth House lies immediately to the south. The level ground to the north and south supports arable and pastoral fields bounded by hedgerows. This farmland landscape contrasts with the valley sides, which are dominated by open rough downland with scattered mixed woodland plantations. The east valley sides are more varied with amenity landscapes, enclosed downland, open arable land, woodland and farmland.
4.4.2 Ludgershall lies some 3km to the north-east, whilst Perham Down camp is situated just over 1.5km to the east. The village of Shipton Bellinger is situated 2.2km (approx.) to the south, with the A303 beyond. The Thruxton Motorsports Centre is located some 5km away to the south-east.
4.4.3 The quality of the built environment within the camp is variable and can be utilitarian, which reflects the evolution of the military requirements it serves. The design quality of the Project Allenby-Connaught (PAC) works is notably stronger, whilst in other areas there is a weaker coherent design theme for external spaces. Nevertheless, there are areas of higher townscape quality, notably that which is afforded by the sequence of historic mess buildings that front onto Bulford Road and The Mall, with their attendant mature roadside trees.
4.4.4 The masterplan proposals comprise some alteration to the land cover within the camp’s existing built footprint, but includes also the construction of a technical building (at its western end and included as detail within the hybrid application) that extends the camp’s footprint into an area of woodland plantation, whilst a new parking area is also proposed within a tree-lined green-space immediately outside of the camp’s main entrance from the Bulford Road. The overall changes reflect the camp’s existing broad land use zoning and remain entirely in keeping with the character of its long established military use. No change to the pattern of land use within the wider landscape is predicted.
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4.5 Vegetation
4.5.1 The open landscape of Salisbury Plain surrounding the camp is dominated by extensive areas of unenclosed rough grassland and open arable fields, criss- crossed by army tracks. The large-scale landscape pattern is delineated by low hedgerows, which are often gappy, and regular shaped mixed copses and shelter belts. Substantial blocks of mature mixed woodland and plantations in the vicinity of the camp – see Figure 2 - form an effective screen from much of the surrounding area. Notable in this respect are those located on the high ground of Sidbury Hill and Clarendon Hill to the north, those surmounting the ridgeline to the east (Furze Hill and Ashdown Copse) and adjacent to the west and south-west boundary, and the parkland woods lying directly west of Tedworth House. Established trees within in the camp also contribute to the wider landscape structure and screening: the trees lining the Bulford Road and The Mall in particular.
4.5.2 The camp supports a range of contrasting vegetation reflecting different periods of development. The earliest military development dates back to the early decades of 1900’s and is typified by mature trees, which collectively contribute to the camp’s identity and landscape structure, especially where forming roadside rows. The technical zone to the north is less well furnished with trees, albeit some established areas of scrub and woodland are integrated within it. Recent tree and shrub planting associated with PAC development lend an enhanced local amenity to these areas, and will progressively reinforce the green infrastructure of the camp as they mature further. Most of the grassland is intensively managed amenity grass, although, to the west, there are some areas of rough grassland, which contain both ruderal and more attractive wildflower species.
4.5.3 Implementation of the masterplan proposals will require the removal of some freestanding mature and recently planted trees and some modest areas of plantation woodland from within the camp. Further, the proposed extension of the technical area to the west (included as detail in the hybrid application) will encompass an area of existing plantation woodland within the realigned fence. Much – but not all - will be removed as a consequence. None of the trees to be cleared is subject of a Tree Preservation Order. Overall, however, there would not be significant adverse effect on the camp’s internal green infrastructure, nor would there be significant change to its wider landscape setting. New planting proposed within the masterplan layout will offset (in part) the losses, augmenting the retained components in the landscape setting to accommodate the proposed masterplan development within it and affording local amenity to the new buildings.
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5. LANDSCAPE CHARACTER
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Various Landscape Character Areas have been defined at National and Regional level. The relevant Landscape Character Areas within the Study Area are shown on Figure 2. Further to the methodology described in Chapter 2, and in particular the relevant planning policies referred to in Chapter 3, a summary and appraisal of the potential landscape effects of the masterplan proposals on the various Landscape Character Areas are provided below.
5.2 National Character Areas
5.2.1 National Character Areas (NCAs) divide England into 159 distinct natural areas defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and cultural and economic activity. Currently being revised (as part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper, Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention), NCAs have their foundations in the Joint Character Areas undertaken by the Countryside Agency (now Natural England) and provide a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services.
5.2.2 The camp and the western part of the Study Area is located in National Character Area (NCA) 132 - Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs, which is an extensive open chalk plateau with a near continuous dramatic scarp to the north and a pattern of attractive valleys to the east and south. NCA132 includes parts of the two AONBs described in 3.3.5, with Salisbury Plain separating the North Wessex Downs AONB (to the north) from the Cranborne Chase AONB (to the south). The NCA132 profile is contained in Appendix A of this report. It describes the Plain as: ‘‘……. a sparsely settled, predominately agricultural area with a strong sense of remoteness and openess. The dominant element in the landscape – apart from the expansive sky- is the gently rolling chalk downland , forming part of the sweep of Cretaceous chalk running from the Dorset coast and across the Chilterns to the Wash….’’ It notes its designation as both a Special Protection Area of Conservation (SAC) as a chalk grassland habitat and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), whilst also recognising amongst its key characterisitics that military tracks, airfields and infrastructure are a major landuse, with ‘’… pockets of modern military dominated development in the east ….’’
5.2.3 The majority of the masterplan proposals- included both in detail and outline in the hybrid application - are integrated within the existing built form and confined within the existing boundary of the camp, which is an established feature of the landscape. They would maintain the functionality of its uses and its existing character. The detail proposals for the technical area, however, will extend the footprint into an adjacent area of plantation woodland, removing some of it. Notwithstanding, the overall quantum and scale of change that would arise from implementation of the masterplan proposals would be too insubstantial to register at the scale of the national character area. The changes would not affect the physical landscape resource or perceived characteristics of NCA 132 and accordingly, their landscape effect is appraised to be insignificant.
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5.3 Regional Landscape Character Areas
Kennet District Landscape Assessment
5.3.1 In 1998 Atlantic Consultants were commissioned to undertake the ‘Kennet District Landscape Assessment’ (KDLA) on behalf of Kennet District Council (now Wiltshire Council). This assessment provides a description of the landscape character across Kennet District (east Wiltshire).
5.3.2 The KDLA identifies two Landscape Character Areas (LCA) within the Study Area: · LCA 5 – Salisbury Plain (KDLCA_5), which is located immediately to the north and northwest of Tidworth; and · LCA 6 – Chute Forest (KDLCA_6), which includes the camp and landscape areas northeast of Tidworth. The relevant extracts from the KDLA for KDLCA_5 & KDLCA_6 are contained in Appendix B of this report.
5.3.3 The KDLA notes that the Salisbury Plain (LCA 5) consists of a major block of open chalk upland landscape, which is divided by the valley of the River Avon. The pattern of land cover reflects the military use of the Plain, the impact of which is more prominent in the eastern area.
5.3.4 The camp lies entirely outside KDLCA_5 and is largely separated from the body of it by the high ground of Sidbury Hill. Where perceptible from locations within this character area, the masterplan proposals would not alter the camp’s overall character and appearance in the wider landscape. Neither the physical landscape resource nor the perceptual aspects of KDLCA_5 would be noticeably altered by them.
5.3.5 The Chute Forest (LCA 6) is also an area of chalk upland that is distinguished from the more open landscape of the Salisbury Plain by the areas of woodland and network of hedges and trees; its more dissected topography and less conspicuous military activity. The landscape is described as: ‘A block of chalk upland landscape which forms the eastern end of Salisbury Plain and is defined to the west by the Bourne Valley, to the north by a steep north-facing scarp and to the east and south by the District boundary……………extensive areas of woodland and a dense network of hedgerows and trees……. distinguish this area from the more open landscape of the Plain. ……………. Military activity is much less conspicuous in this area and is largely confined to the south-western corner around the settlements of Ludgershall and Tidworth.’ Nonetheless, the assessment notes that: …… the character of the southern part of the area is influenced by the garrison towns of North Tidworth and Ludgershall which are expansive, and which have only a narrow gap between them. North Tidworth is surrounded by a varied mixture of parkland, amenity land, woodland and woodland/farmland mosaic ……………’’ and also that the landscape components combine with: ‘’………….areas of intense military activity around the towns create a fragmented landscape character some areas of which are quite degraded.’’ Intrusion of military activity and associated built development on the landscape is identified as one of the key threats.
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5.3.6 The masterplan proposals are all located within KDLCA_6 and would be similar in character and appearance to that existing within the camp and its immediate surroundings. The camp’s existing adverse landscape effect would not noticeably intensify. The changes arising from the proposals are appraised to be too insubstantial to register at the landscape scale. Neither the physical landscape resource, nor the perceived characteristics of KDLCA_6 would be significantly affected by them.
Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment 5.3.7 The ‘Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment’, 2008 (SDLCA) on behalf of Salisbury District Council (now South Wiltshire Council) provides a baseline inventory of the landscape character across Salisbury District.
5.3.8 The SDLCA identifies that the Boscombe Down Chalk Downland (LCA D4) Landscape Character Area (LCA) is located immediately to the west and southwest of the camp. The relevant extracts from the SDLCA for SDLCA_D4 are contained in Appendix C of this report. It describes a ‘’…. large scale, sweeping landscape……’’ with ‘’…a denuded character….’’ and ‘’….long distance, panoramic views…’’ In summarising the visual character of LCA D4, the SDLCA notes the overall ‘’patchwork of arable farmland and calcareous grassland ’’, dominated in parts by the presence of Bulford and Amesbury military camps. It identifies the overall landscape sensitivity of the LCA to be medium to high and overall visual sensitivity to be high. LCA D4 is designated in part as Salisbury Plain Special Landscape Area (SLA), a saved policy from the former Salisbury District Council, which designated the majority of the District not included in AONBs as landscape worthy of being preserved, albeit not of such high quality as that within the AONB.
5.3.9 The masterplan proposals would be located entirely outside of the SDLCA_D4 and the SLA. There would be little or no intervisibility beyond the intervening wooded ridgeline that lies to the west of the camp which separates it from the main body of the character area. The proposals are not anticipated to alter either the physical landscape resource or the perceptual aspects of SDLCA_D4, nor affect the SLA.
Hampshire Integrated Character Assessment
5.3.10 The ‘Hampshire County Integrated Character Assessment’ (HCICA) was prepared by Hampshire County Council (in collaboration with external consultants) and was first published in 2010 (Final issue 2012). It provides a description of the landscape character across Hampshire.
5.3.11 The HCICA identifies that ‘LCA 8D – Andover Open Downs’ (HCLCA_8D) - is located immediately to the east and southeast of the Study Area. The relevant extracts from the HCICA for HCLCA_8D are contained in Appendix D of this report. The character assessment for Andover open Downs LCA notes that the plateau downland is an ‘’….open, arable landscape………with little woodland…’’ that has ‘’…..wide views, big skies and a visually simple composition’’
5.3.12 The masterplan proposals would be located entirely outside HCLCA_8D. Where perceptible from locations within this character area, they would be similar in nature to their immediate camp setting and would not alter the camp’s overall character and appearance, or noticeably intensify its existing adverse effect in the wider landscape. Neither the physical landscape resource nor the perceptual aspects of HCLCA_8D would be significantly altered.
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Overview of Effects on Landscape Character
5.3.13 As detailed in the LCA’s, the existing military presence at Tidworth camp (and other camps in its vicinity) already influences the character and quality of its surrounding landscape setting. Many of the proposals that are contained in the masterplan which is submitted in the hybrid application are entirely contained within the footprint of the camp’s existing fenceline. They would be of similar function and appearance to of its current layout and, in the context of the camp, relatively small scale additions - extensions, individual or small groups of buildings - rather than more intrusive reconfiguration of established zones. These changes would therefore be integrated within its overall existing built fabric and lit footprint of the camp. There would be little or no noticeable adverse effect on general appearance and no substantive change in character, all the more so since the combination of topography and retained mature vegetation would screen the proposals in views from much of the camp’s wider landscape setting. Although nearby, the boundary of SLA to the west follows the strong intervening ridgeline which, combined with the retained peripheral woodland, would control inter-visibilty and protect the designated landscape from adverse effects. Together with distance to the designated area boundaries, the AONB and WHS areas would similarly remain unaffected.
5.3.14 The proposed extension to the Aliwal technical area at the western end of the camp (included in detail in the hybrid submission), does require an extension of the built (and lit) footprint: part within the camp onto an area of open grassland, but also part beyond the existing fenceline, which would be realigned. The three new buildings would follow and be contiguous with the overall sweep of the technical zone across the northern part of the camp, as it wraps around and below Clarendon Hill, so they would not be disruptive to the existing strong pattern of elements within the landscape. Proposed earthworks for the pair of southerly buildings would lower existing levels, setting them in cutting (of up to 5m) along their southern boundary. Mounding and woodland planting contained in the masterplan proposals will further modulate the effects. With the rising landform to the west, the third would step up from the adjacent existing buildings, but remain in slight cut on the western edge, along which a native hedgerow with trees is proposed. Existing plantation woodland would be retained outside the new fenceline to the west and within the fenceline to the south of the new building, so providing an immediate setting for it.
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5.3.15 In addition to the new buildings and associated hardstands, the detail component of the hybrid application includes new car parking areas. Several of the proposed additional parking areas would be extensions to existing ones, mostly onto existing open areas within the body of the camp, subsumed into its built-fabric, and involving little tree loss. New landscape proposals for the extensions follow the typology of the adjacent retained areas. New parking incorporating a coach drop-off is proposed at the camp entrance, on a green space that is currently lined with mature trees. Although the layout is designed to retain those along the Bulford Road, due to their poor arboricultural condition, the trees are due to be felled under a Forestry Commission Felling Licence. Replacement row planting is proposed. The proposed parking, however, will require removal of specimens along the entrance road (Kirkee Road) and a multi-stem group to the rear of the space. Further to the new row planting on the Bulford Road frontage, the proposed landscape scheme for the car- park includes an enclosing hedge, shrubs to the northern boundary and addressing the entrance road also. The tree felling under the Licence will bring local change to the landscape, but of itself, the development of new parking facility would not challenge the general sequence of local landscape spaces and character and appearance of the streetscene in this location. Two new parking areas are proposed within the camp: one to north of the Grand Trunk Road (and west of Agra Road) and a second toward the northern end of The Mall (and to the east of ALHGEN). The former would require removal of mostly lower quality, lapsed pollarded trees, although a single good, mature specimen of Lime would be removed from the Grand Trunk Road frontage to form the access from it. New hedging around the parking area is proposed. The second area also has hedging to one boundary and shrub planting. Both will be subsumed within the general fabric of the camp’s built-up area and barely decipherable from viewpoints external to the camp.
5.3.16 Three new sports pitches also form part of the detail proposals contained in the hybrid application. One - a lit full sized synthetic rugby pitch at the western end of the camp - is located on a currently lit grass pitch. The new surrounding fencing would be the additional visual element. This would be seen by users of Footpath 26 that runs alongside the nearby camp fenceline, and a short adjacent section of Footpath 30. Woodland beyond would curtail the availability of further views from the south and west, but elevated views from Clarendon Hill to the north will remain from which the change in surface would also be visible. The effect is not considered a significant change in the context of the close range, panoramic view across the camp’s built-up area. A smaller ‘five-a-side’ pitch (also synthetic and fenced) would be located to the east, beyond the site of the priority works mess and accommodation buildings and east of existing tennis courts. A second (relocated) five-a-side pitch, forming part of the detail DECGEN transit accommodation block proposals, would also be synthetic. Some parking would be removed to accommodate it, and new shrub planting would integrate it with the retained adjacent parking. The change would not be perceptible from outside of the camp.
. .
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6. VISUAL AMENITY
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 In general, although the camp has a presence in the landscape, the undulating topography in combination with the presence of mature woodland combine to restrict views into the camp from much of the surrounding area. Some short, medium and longer distance views remain available from the higher ground. Glimpsed views are possible from Windmillhill Down, approximately one and a half kilometres to the north, whilst the wooded hills to the west and east generally restrict views from beyond the ridgelines to less than one kilometre from the boundary of the camp. Nevertheless, some impressive, elevated views are possible from higher ground along the eastern and western ridgeline, but only where there are no intervening woodlands. On the western perimeter, the Long Hill mixed plantation provides visual screening from the golf course. There are few visual receptors to the south and vegetation and topography generally obscure views to the camp.
6.1.2 The camp can be seen from a number of locations within the Bourne Valley. Views are available from the A338, which runs along the valley. Glimpsed, elevated views of the camp are also possible from residential areas in the north-west and north east of Tidworth.
6.2 Receptor Viewpoints
6.2.1 A series of receptor viewpoints were identified at key locations across the Study Area and have been agreed with Wiltshire Council. The locations of the receptor viewpoints are shown on Figure 4. Baseline photography from these receptor viewpoints is illustrated within Figure 5. A description of the view from each receptor viewpoint and an appraisal of the potential visual effect of the masterplan proposals on each receptor viewpoint is provided below.
6.2.2 Where a Priority Works planning application has been made and no other new development forming part of the masterplan proposals would be visible from the receptor viewpoint, the impacts from the viewpoint are described within the particulars previously submitted and the viewpoint is not considered further in this assessment.
Receptor Viewpoint 01: Gason Hill Road
6.2.3 This viewpoint is located on high ground (Gason Hill) which overlooks the camp on its northern boundary. It is within a residential area that is set on the flanks of the hill, on Gason Hill Road at a distance of some 650m to the north of the camp and at an elevation of some 135m AOD. The photograph is located on the footpath and is orientated in a south southwest direction. As from much of the housing area, surrounding residential buildings in the foreground frame the view and obscure much of the arc of view beyond. A number of technical buildings (including a mast), which are located toward the east of the camp, are decipherable in the distance between the residential buildings.
6.2.4 The western half of the camp is obscured in the arc of view by the flanks of Clarendon Hill, as indeed would the masterplan proposals there. Proposed development in the eastern part would also be unseen, being located in visually dead ground or screened by existing development and vegetation within the camp. There would be no change in the view.
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Receptor Viewpoint 02: Ludgershall Road
6.2.5 The photograph is located by the A3026 Ludgershall Road - at a tank crossing – as it traverses the pronounced ridgeline to the east of the camp. The viewpoint lies on Footpath No.5, approximately 1.5km from the camp and at an elevation of between 155-160m AOD. The view looks across the valley in an east southeast direction, toward Clarendon Hill. The foreground of open, informal grassland is framed by woodland vegetation. Further woodland, located downslope, stretches across the view, screening most of the camp - which is situated in the valley below - although some technical buildings are discernible in the distance to the centre of view, set within the framework of the valley and vegetation within and surrounding the camp. With leaf loss during the winter months, more development becomes visible.
6.2.6 The combination of topography and intervening vegetation, when clothed with foliage, would screen masterplan proposals contained in the hybrid application (in both detail and outline) from this viewpoint. Neither during the winter months, when more of the camp becomes visible, would any change be apparent in the view. There would be no effect.
Receptor Viewpoint 03: Richmond Crescent
6.2.7 This viewpoint is located in a slightly elevated position on the lower slopes of the valley side at approximately 135m AOD. The photograph is from the residential street of Richmond Crescent (by its intersection with Kennet Road) approximately 700m from the camp. The photograph is taken in proximity to a community picnic area and is orientated in a westerly direction. Residential buildings can be seen in the foreground and middle distance. Technical buildings in the camp are visible between the houses and intermittent trees in the foreground some 1.3km away in the background centre and centre left of view. They are set within the framework of the wooded horizon of the ridgeline beyond. The viewpoint is representative of views from residential properties aligning Richmond Crescent and Kennett Road.
6.2.8 The built development proposed by the masterplan and contained in both detail and outline in the hybrid application would be both embedded within the existing built form and almost entirely screened from this viewpoint by the intervening vegetation and landform. Even during the winter months, when more of the camp’s built infrastructure is visible, leaf fall would not reveal the changes.
Receptor Viewpoint 04: Kennet Road
6.2.9 This viewpoint is located in a slightly elevated position (135m AOD approx.) at the southern end of Kennett Road (a distributor road serving the housing area) and some 700m from the camp. The photograph is orientated in a westerly direction towards the camp. Residential buildings are strung out across the view in the foreground. The built form of the camp is visible between the rooftops in the centre and centre right of the view and at the base of the rising ground and wooded horizon in the distance. The viewpoint is representative of views from residential properties aligning Kennett Road.
6.2.10 The foreground rooftops that restrict the field of view of the camp would also obscure most of the new development proposed in the hybrid application, the exception being the extended technical area at the camp’s western boundary. However, the combination of topography and intervening vegetation on the flanks of Clarendon Hill would screen masterplan proposals for this area. There would be no apparent change to the view.
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Receptor Viewpoint 05: North Furze Hill 6.2.11 Viewpoint 05 is located in an elevated position of over 180m AOD (approx.) on Furze Hill - a high point on the prominent ridge which lies to the east of the camp. It is taken from a distance of approximately 1km from the camp. The photograph is located on Footpath No. 5 and is orientated in a westerly direction. From this viewpoint, the camp is set within the countryside - an area of grassland in the foreground enabling an open panorama which includes Sidbury Hill, Clarendon Hill and across Salisbury Plain. A strong framework of mature vegetation and topography contains the built form which is clearly visible, softened by the tree cover within it, in the base of the valley to the centre right of view.
6.2.12 The built development and parking areas proposed by the masterplan and contained in both detail and outline in the hybrid application would be additional to, but integrated within, the camp’s existing built form and tree cover. For the most part, the changes would merge with their existing immediate surroundings and likely pass unnoticed, save for the proposed synthetic pitch and attendant fencing and the proposed extension to the Aliwal technical area. Both would be located at the furthermost (western) end of the camp at a distance of some 2.4km from the viewpoint. The change in land cover from the existing open grassed area would be more readily apparent, but nevertheless constitute an incremental addition that would not constitute a significant change in the character or quality of the view. During the hours of darkness, the proposed extension to the Aliwal technical area would also provide an incremental addition to the currently lit footprint of the Tidworth camp.
Receptor Viewpoint 06: A338 Salisbury Road
6.2.13 This viewpoint is located adjacent to the A338, approximately 900m from the camp. It is at the base of the eastern flank of the valley at an elevation of 115m AOD. The photograph is located on the grass road verge and is orientated in a north northwest direction, looking across the valley bottom. The parkland landscape in the foreground to the left and centre of the view surrounds the Grade II listed Tedworth House (itself evident in the left centre middle distance). The camp is all but entirely screened by the established vegetation and the intervening Tedworth House in the view, but becomes just decipherable (albeit only as an incidental component of the view) during winter months.
6.2.14 The existing screening components in the view would remain unchanged and would continue to be effective for the built development proposed by the masterplan and contained in the hybrid application (detail and outline). Little or no change in the view would result.
Receptor Viewpoint 07: Clarendon Hill
6.2.15 This viewpoint is located in an elevated position at approximately 170m AOD, toward the summit of the overlooking Clarendon Hill, and approximately 300m from the camp. The photograph is on an undesignated track, close to the reservoir, adjacent to the Special Landscape Area and is orientated in a south southwest direction. The entire western half of the camp is conspicuous and dominating in the view (and extends beyond the view to the left) at the base of the steep slope. Nevertheless, the camp is enclosed on its far side and in the middle distance by the wooded slopes of Dunch Hill and planting surrounding Tidworth Garrison Golf Club. A mess and single living accommodation contained in a priority works application would also be visible from this viewpoint, occupying part of the existing sports field seen beyond the technical buildings in the mid-ground.
6.2.16 The extension to the technical area and new synthetic pitch and its fencing, both included as detail components of the hybrid application, would form noticeable additions to the existing built fabric of the camp, occupying areas that are currently
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green space – grassland and woodland - in the middle-ground of the view at a distance of some 700m. Two new technical buildings contained as outline in the application would be located on existing hardstand areas (seen at the base of the slope to the left of the view), but would require partial clearance of an adjacent tree group. During the hours of darkness, the extension to the technical area would also extend the currently lit footprint of the camp. The remaining development proposed in the masterplan would be similar in appearance to the built elements already visible within much of the view and subsumed within it as incidental additions. Whilst readily apparent, the pitch and technical area extension would not alter the general pattern of landscape components in the view, neither would it add significantly to the overall dominance of the camp within it. The effect is considered one of minor adverse significance
Receptor Viewpoint 08: Humber Lane
6.2.17 This viewpoint is located approximately 100m from the camp at an elevation of between 125-130m AOD. The photograph is located on the grass verge of Humber Lane, adjacent to the northwest boundary of the grounds of Tedworth House, and is orientated in a north northwest direction. The nearby Bulford Road is visible in the foreground on the right hand side of the view, beyond which a continuous line of mature trees extends across the arc of view, all-but entirely screening the camp that lies behind, save for a glimpse of a small part of a mess building. In the winter months, leaf fall reveals the camp’s built-form: living and welfare facilities, with technical buildings behind are seen filtered by the tracery of the tree stems and canopies against the backdrop of Clarendon Hill.
6.2.18 The established trees fringing the southern boundary would continue to afford screening following construction of the proposed masterplan development (both that included in detail and outline in the hybrid application), which would remain equally obscured from view as is the existing during the summer months. With leaf fall, the new buildings are unlikely to be readily apparent as additional features within the filtered view of the camp’s existing built fabric.
Receptor Viewpoint 09: Furze Hill
6.2.19 This viewpoint is located in an elevated position on Furze Hill at approximately 170m AOD and some 1km from the camp. The photograph is located on Footpath No. 5 and is orientated in a westerly direction. From the overlooking viewpoint, much of the camp is visible across the centre of the view at the base of the slope set within a framework of mature vegetation. An area of grassland in the foreground enables open views towards Dunch Hill and Sidbury Hill, with the tank training area in the distance. Additionally, it is likely that the roofs and upper parts of the priority works mess and accommodation buildings would also just be discernible, seen in the distance above and behind the existing buildings at the far end of the camp in the centre left of the view.
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6.2.20 The built development and parking areas proposed by the masterplan and contained in both detail and outline in the hybrid application would be additional to the camp’s existing built form visible in the panoramic view. For the most part, however, the changes would be of similar in scale and appearance to and integrated within their existing immediate surroundings and tree cover and likely pass unnoticed. The proposed synthetic pitch and attendant fencing and the proposed extension to the Aliwal technical area would be more readily apparent as changes in land cover from the existing open grassed area. Both would be located at the furthermost (western) end of the camp at a distance of some 2.4km from the viewpoint. The Aliwal extension would blend with the existing technical zone thus constitute an incremental addition that would not increase the dominance of the camp in the view. During the hours of darkness, the proposed extension to the Aliwal technical area would also provide an incremental addition to the currently lit footprint of the Tidworth camp. Overall there would not be a significant change in the character or quality of the view.
6.3 Summary
6.3.1 The visual effects from the viewpoints described above are summarised in the following table.
Table 2 Summary of Landscape of effects on Viewpoints
Receptor Distance Comment Initial Mitigation Viewpoint Impact Viewpoint 01: 650m Masterplan No change - Gason Hill developments screened Road by landform, existing trees and/or intervening buildings. Viewpoint 02: 1.5km The proposed changes No change - Ludgershall would be screened by Road topography and vegetation. Viewpoint 03: 0.7km Masterplan buildings will No change - Richmond be embedded within Crescent existing built form and almost entirely screened vegetation by landform. Viewpoint 04: 0.7km Masterplan development No change Kennet Road will be screened by foreground buildings and landform. Viewpoint 05: 1km Most changes subsumed Not - North Furze Hill within camp’s existing significant development, although new pitch and technical buildings will be visible, this at distance of some 2.4km at further end of camp. Viewpoint 06: 0.9km Masterplan proposals No change - A338 Salisbury screened by vegetation. Road
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Viewpoint 07: 300m Extension to technical Minor New woodland Clarendon Hill area and new pitch will planting will be noticeable additions in soften views. middle-ground, but not significantly adding to dominance of camp in view.
Viewpoint 08: 100m Masterplan proposals No change - Humber Lane buildings will be fully screened by vegetation in summer, and unlikely to be decipherable within camps existing built form in the filtered winter view. Viewpoint 09: 1km New development visible Not Proposed Furze Hill but will likely pass as significant woodland unnoticed additions planting will within the existing overall soften the built form. The proposed effect. extension to the technical area and new synthetic pitch will be more readily apparent as changes, but viewed at a distanced of some 2.4km and hence incremental to the camp’s existing dominance in the panoramic view.
6.3.2 Generally, the combination of topography and existing vegetation within the immediate surroundings of the camp contain views toward it such that the nature and quantum of the changes to the built form contained in the masterplan proposals would result in little or no change to the visual influence it exerts on its surroundings. Some close and medium range views across the camp are available from elevated locations about it, however, in which some changes would be more apparent – but nevertheless of only minor significance in the context of the views that are obtained.
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7. MITIGATION
7.1 Introduction
7.1.1 This section identifies the mitigation measures which have been accommodated in the masterplan proposals to enable it to be more comfortably assimilated into its surroundings and to reduce adverse effects on landscape character and visual amenity. 7.2 Mitigation
7.2.1 Whilst seeking to limit woodland and tree clearance from within the camp boundary when developing the masterplan proposals, it did not prove practicable to accommodate service requirements without some loss. Neither did it prove possible to re-provide that loss in full within the camp, although some 0.6ha of new forestry- style planting is included within the masterplan footprint. Notwithstanding, existing screening would not be unduly compromised by the proposals in the hybrid application.
7.2.2 The majority of masterplan proposals are accommodated within the existing camp boundary. Here, proposed level changes are modest, contained within the confines of the camp and reflect the general site levels. As the masterplan layout has sought to further reinforce the existing zoning of uses across the camp, there would inevitably be some intensification of development within the camp. Nevertheless, new buildings would be of improved appearance and of similar scale to the existing built form visible in their immediate context, so complementing them in the view. The resultant cohesion not only benefits both efficient operation and those that live and work in the camp, but also promotes visual harmony. Amenity planting of hedges, shrubs and ground cover, complemented by selected ornamental tree planting, is proposed to provide a local landscaped setting for new buildings, contributing toward the overall design quality of the masterplan development and integrating them with the established landscape typology of the site. Further information on the landscape treatment of the masterplan development proposals is contained in Section 5 of the Design and Access Statement that is submitted with the hybrid application.
7.2.3 A range of options for the proposed enlarged footprint of the technical area at Aliwal were investigated to identify a layout which would provide the optimum balance between operational requirements, earthworks efficiency and landscape effects. A key feature in the landscape setting of the camp is the good quality, mature beech woodland belt that wraps around much of the western, and part of the southern boundaries. A track at the northern end of the belt separates it from a mixed plantation block of smaller (by some 5+m) trees of variable quality and density, including open glades. Landscape objectives for masterplan development for the extended technical area included avoiding loss from the mature beech woodland; minimising loss from adjacent plantation planting; and setting the platform levels for the new buildings at the lowest practicable level in the landscape.
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7.2.4 Much of the proposed development footprint could be accommodated on an area of rough grassland located to the south of the existing technical buildings, but all options also required a varying degree of clearance from perimeter woodlands. The submitted detail proposals would require realignment of the fenceline, but would result in only a minor incursion into the eastern boundary of the beech woodland, but more extensive clearance from the plantation planting. Overall, however, a robust structure of perimeter woodland is retained. Two of the new buildings would be cut into an existing area of made-ground within the camp, by up to some 5m, with arisings used to create a mound and bund to reinforce visual containment and acoustic mitigation for the living and sports zone landscapes to the south. The mound would be part planted with native woodland, the remainder (together with the new cut-slope) being intended for creation of calcareous grassland habitat. A young woodland belt to the east would also be removed by new earthworks, but replaced with proposed native scrub planting on the new slope, eventually providing separation of the nearby existing offices from the new technical buildings. The third building and associated hardstand would continue the general line and overall level of the broad sweep of technical buildings that characterise the Tidworth camp in elevated views from the surrounding landscape and would be slightly dug-in on its western boundary.
7.2.5 In summary, mitigation measures to minimise and offset the identified adverse landscape and visual effects are listed below:
· retention of the camp’s landscape structure and typology; · new buildings are of similar scale to and integrated within the fabric of existing use zones; · platform levels of new technical buildings at Aliwal will be at a similar level in the landscape as others in the vicinity and lower than the highest platform levels in the current technical zone; · reinstatement planting of native woodland and shrub mixes as new structural landscape components incorporated within the masterplan proposals to offset, in part, that which would be cleared across the camp for the purposes of development; · provision of amenity tree planting in association with new office, welfare and living facilities, to provide local setting and softening in the wider view; and · retained trees to be protected by fencing and works within the root protection area to be carried out in accordance with an arboricultural method statement.
7.3 Residual Impact
7.3.1 The combination of landform and (retained) mature tree within the camp, woodland around its perimeter and in the surrounding landscape also, would control available views of most of the masterplan proposals contained in the hybrid application, which would remain unseen from most (6 of 9) of the identified representative receptor viewpoint locations. There would be adverse impact affecting the remaining 3 viewpoint locations, but this would be minor or not significant. New woodland planting is incorporated into the masterplan proposals at the western end of the camp, to reinforce integration and offset woodland loss to proposed development. As this matures, this would progressively soften the new buildings in the view. Proposed new amenity planting would reflect the landscape typology of the camp and, as it establishes, would further help to soften and assimilate the proposed development into its surroundings.
7.3.2 The Cranborne Chase AONB is too distant to be affected by the masterplan proposals, whilst the intervening high ground will fully shield the closer North Wessex Downs AONB from their influence. The quality and character of the AONB’s
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would not be impacted. Neither would the physical landscape resource or perceived characteristics of the surrounding landscape character areas, or the SLA, be materially denuded. Overall, existing screening would not be unduly compromised by the proposals in the hybrid application. The camp would retain its landscape structure. Thus, the camp’s current general relationship to the landscape would be maintained following development.
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8 CONCLUSION
8.1 Army 2020 Basing Programme
8.1.1 The implementation of the ABP will bring about physical changes to the detail appearance of Tidworth Camp, continuing the history of change recorded at the camp during its use by the military. The changes would include: earthworks; the demolition of existing built-form; tree and woodland removal; and construction of new buildings, hardstands, roads, footpaths and car-parks and planting of trees and shrubs. There would be associated effects of the proposals on landscape character and visual amenity.
8.2 Planning Policy
8.2.1 The masterplan proposals would not significantly conflict with any planning policies relevant to landscape and visual matters.
8.3 Elements of the Landscape
Topography
8.3.1 The masterplan proposals would require the formation of new platforms for the proposed new buildings and hardstandings, but these are designed to fit into the existing levels with minimum change. Generally level changes would be small and limited in area, although larger scale earthworks would be locally required for the new technical buildings and associated hardstandings, including in section of the extended footprint that would be enclosed within the realigned fence. All earthworks, however, would be insignificant in terms of the camp’s overall topographical context.
Public Rights of Way 8.3.2 The masterplan proposals would require the local diversion of the public right of way that currently runs alongside the camp’s western boundary (Footpath 29). Views from it and the adjoining section of Footpath 30 would be obtained of the fencing surrounding the new synthetic pitch and initially, until new woodland planting matures, the new technical buildings as well. Where masterplan proposals are perceptible in views from other rights of way and permissive routes within the surrounds to the camp are obtained (particularly from elevated locations on surrounding high ground) they would be in the context of views that are already noticeably affected by the camp’s presence. No significant change to the amenity of routes is predicted.
Watercourses 8.3.3 The masterplan proposals would not affect any watercourses.
Land Use 8.3.4 The masterplan proposals are in keeping with its established military use and generally reinforce a coherent land use zoning within it. The resulting improved cohesion is beneficial to operation, to those that live and work in the camp and also to wider visual harmony. Apart from the extension of the technical area into the immediate surrounds at the western end of the camp, the masterplan proposals would not directly alter the land use within its wider surrounds.
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Vegetation 8.3.5 The masterplan proposals, including those previously submitted as priority works, would require the removal of some trees and approximately 2.1ha of woodland – predominantly mixed plantation. The principal loss would be from the vegetation in the perimeter woodland of the camp’s immediate setting on the western boundary. Here, however, albeit the existing woodland block would be reduced, a substantial portion would remain overall, including an area within the realigned fence. Proposed new structure planting (totalling some 0.6ha) would partly offset the loss.
8.3.6 The landscape masterplan also includes for re-provision of some calcareous grassland habitat on the new earthworks associated with the extension of the technical area toward the camp’s western boundary. 8.4 Landscape Character
8.4.1 The existing military presence at Tidworth camp already influences the character and quality of its surrounding landscape setting. Much of the development proposed in the masterplan would, in the context of the overall camp, consist of relatively small scale additions and extensions of individual or small groups of buildings, rather than a more intrusive reconfiguration of established use zones. Where not remaining screened by topography and vegetation, the majority of changes arising from implementation of the masterplan proposals would be subsumed within camp’s existing development and landscape structure, resulting in little or no change to the camp’s existing relationship with its landscape setting.
8.4.2 The proposed extension the technical area, however, would result in more apparent change, increasing the camp’s built footprint into an adjacent area of plantation woodland beyond the existing fenceline. Notwithstanding, the general pattern of landscape elements and character of the view would not be challenged and the change would be no more than minor.
8.4.3 The nature and scale of masterplan proposals is not of the order that would be disruptive to the physical landscape resource or perceived characteristics of the landscape character areas at a National or Regional scale. The masterplan proposals would not be perceptible from either the AONB due to distance, landform and intervening vegetation and there would be no impacts. The local dominance of the camp would not noticeably increase and the existing characteristics of the SLA would not be affected. 8.5 Visual Amenity
8.5.1 Any adverse effects of the masterplan proposals would be generally well contained within its wider landscape setting, with little or no change to views. Where proposals would be visible in elevated views, the resulting changes would not significantly increase the dominance of the camp’s existing presence in the view. New woodland planting proposed in association with those elements would ultimately soften views of the more apparent elements of the proposed masterplan development. 8.6 Mitigation
8.6.1 The masterplan proposals adopt layout and design precepts that are intended to contribute to the quality of design and to reduce landscape and visual impacts, both initially and progressively over time to accommodate the masterplan proposals within their landscape setting.
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APPENDIX A
National Character Area Profile
22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 RevB - 29 - of 33 August 2015 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Introduction National Character Areas map
As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment 1 2 3 White Paper , Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention , we are North revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas East that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision- Yorkshire making framework for the natural environment. & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their West decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape East scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader Midlands partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help West Midlands to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. East of England Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key London drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are South East suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance South West on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.
NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm)
2 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
There is little settlement, with villages generally located along springlines, some Summary small towns, and pockets of modern military-dominated development in the east. Only Salisbury, with its historic core, stands as an urban area of any size. Salisbury Plain is a sparsely settled, predominantly agricultural area with a strong Military activity and infrastructure, so rarely evident elsewhere in England, are sense of remoteness and openness. The dominant element in the landscape – very prominent here. apart from the expansive sky – is the gently rolling chalk downland, forming part of the sweep of Cretaceous Chalk running from the Dorset coast and across the The National Character Area (NCA) contributes substantially to the national Chilterns to north of the Wash. production of arable cereals, notably wheat and barley. The remaining open grassland, which adds so much to the sense of place around the many and The Plain is designated as both a Special Protection Area and Special Area of internationally important prehistoric sites, is vulnerable to demands for further Conservation (SAC) under European legislation, notably for the populations of changes in arable use. There is a strong local vernacular architecture combined stone curlew and hen harrier, and for the chalk grassland habitat, one of the with a rare sense of space and emptiness. Large numbers of visitors to the area largest remaining areas of calcareous grassland in north-western Europe. Much may challenge this sense of history and tranquillity. of the natural environment is also protected through its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its populations of rare bumblebee species, and Most of the NCA lies within the county of Wiltshire. The NCA contains significant many rare birds, plants and invertebrates. historical and cultural assets, including a wealth of buried and above-ground archaeological remains of international importance, and many historic houses The fields here, many dating from the final era of enclosure in the period of and estates, such as Wilton House. There is a strong sense of historical continuity the Napoleonic Wars, are seemingly endless. With hedgerows rare, they often underpinned by the prehistoric landscape lack clearly visible boundaries. Steep escarpments with unimproved calcareous features identified in the Stonehenge and grassland cover are found along the northern and western edges, providing Avebury World Heritage Site at Stonehenge a sharp transition to the Vale of Pewsey, underlain by the Upper Greensand. in the southern part of the Plain, along with There is a more gradual transition to the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs and many other prehistoric monuments. Hampshire Downs to the north and east, and the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase to the south and west. The sheltered chalk river valleys, such as the Bourne and Wylye, incise the Chalk and are often wooded with older, smaller fields, and form part of the (Hampshire) River Avon system, which is designated as an SAC for its aquatic biological diversity. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce.
3 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Statements of Environmental Opportunity
SEO 1: Protect, manage and enhance the landscape of large areas of calcareous chalk grassland, and develop network connectivity, supporting internationally important and designated semi-natural habitats and species assemblages – from birds to bumblebees – and thus support biodiversity.
SEO 2: Protect, manage and enhance the (Hampshire) River Avon system, working in partnership notably with the regional farming community to improve the habitat for flora and fauna and improving biodiversity, developing the scope for climate regulation and for regulation of water flow and water quality.
SEO 3: Protect, conserve and sustainably manage the NCA’s rich historic and archaeological resource, notably the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site and its surrounding landscape, and its natural and cultural heritage, for its value in sense of place and history and tranquillity, for open air recreation, and for the benefits it brings to the local and regional economy.
SEO 4: Protect and enhance the NCA’s agriculture interest, working with the local farming community to prepare for the impact of and adapt to both evolving funding mechanisms and climate change, to secure future food provision, while working in harmony with the nationally recognised and distinctive character of the landscape, its natural beauty and scenic quality and, so far as possible, extending the scope for access to nature and other recreation, for public benefit, understanding and enjoyment.
Oak Apple Day festivities in Great Wishford.
4 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Description
Physical and functional links to other National The Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site shows that the link north to Avebury, on the Marlborough Downs, is very longstanding and the likely result of Character Areas related cultures. This now generates infrastructure and recreational links through The Chalk of the National Character Area (NCA) is part of a wider sweep, extending the tourist and heritage industry, with many related connections between the from the Dorset coast up across to north of the Wash into Yorkshire. numerous sites of interest.
The views from and to the escarpment over the Vale of Pewsey and the Avon Vales NCA form the principal connection to the areas to the north. Views from this NCA to the north are extensive and long distance.
The rivers of the Avon system rise locally, within the NCA itself or to the north in the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs, and flow south towards the New Forest. They may once have served as transport routes. To the south of Salisbury, after the rivers have joined, there are flood risks, which may affect settlements in the adjacent Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase NCA.
The area is a catchment for rivers affecting the Hampshire Downs to the east. A substantial pipeline network to move freshwater between the NCA and the Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase, to the south, was under development in the early part of the 21st century by Wessex Water. This is likely to prove vital for secure water supplies thereafter for this NCA, in addition to assisting with the water flow along the River Avon system, designated under European legislation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Transport links are by major roads running broadly east–west – thus to the South Hampshire Lowlands, the New Forest and Avon Vales, and onwards to London or Bristol. There are few rail links. Medieval farming landscape near Mere.
5 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Key characteristics
■ Salisbury Plain, an extensive and open rolling chalk plateau and one of the ■ A sparsely settled landscape, with few settlements of any size, and largest remaining areas of calcareous grassland in north-west Europe. notable for nucleated villages at the foot of the scarp along the springline. Large-scale farmsteads are a prominent feature. ■ Many small, sheltered river valleys, such as the Wylye, with narrow flood plains and meandering river courses. ■ Abundant use made in older buildings of local stone such as flint, Chilmark stone and clunch, together with timber frame and chalk cob. ■ Woodland generally confined to valley slopes, with scattered copses and shelterbelts (usually of beech or conifer) found on the high downs, and ■ Large parks and estates found in the valleys, with related groups of estate occasional ancient oak woods on the ridgetops. housing in common style.
■ Large arable fields predominate, with generally very few hedgerows or ■ Salisbury, an ecclesiastical centre since the early medieval period and obvious boundary features; there are often wide grass buffer strips. now a tourist and local administration centre, with a well-preserved historic core, and a cathedral whose spire has long been a feature in the ■ Rare flora and fauna of national significance, associated with a chalk surrounding landscape. landscape, from stone curlew, hobby and corn bunting to dropwort, early gentian and slender bedstraw. ■ Military tracks, airfields and structures reflecting a major land use. Visually prominent modern military housing and supporting development are ■ Outstanding prehistoric ritual landscape, with many Scheduled Ancient found in the eastern side of the NCA. Monuments and earthworks prominent in the open landscape, notably Stonehenge.
■ Distinctive chalk-cut figures – generally large horses – post-dating the medieval period.
6 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs today Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs is designated as an AONB for its rich chalk down, whaleback ridges, wooded valleys and deeply rural, agricultural character and its rich archaeological resource. It is separated from The overall character is of an extensive open chalk plateau, with a near- its fellow AONB by Salisbury Plain and shares its sense of remoteness and continuous dramatic scarp to the north, and a pattern of attractive valleys to generally dark skies. the east and south. Around one third of the NCA is designated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB): Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire The North Wessex Downs AONB (one of the largest in area in England) is Downs AONB to the south and North Wessex Downs AONB to the north-east. designated for its wide open downland and the scarp slopes, rich in flora and wildlife, its ancient woodlands, and its river valleys with rare spring-fed and fast-flowing chalk streams.
Salisbury Plain is the largest expanse of the rare habitat of unimproved chalk grassland in north-west Europe. It is designated as an SAC and is rich in chalk plants and invertebrates. It is also rich in bird species, notably the stone curlew, and is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA), again under European legislation, as is the nearby area of Porton Down. The latter is generally known for its military and scientific role, but has distinctive and valuable heathland flora.
A major theme in this NCA is the continuity of use and division of the landscape, with features ranging from the Bronze Age through to the Roman and early Saxon periods all being used as boundaries for medieval estates and parishes, suggesting that many of the land units seen today reflect much earlier territorial divisions. Most of the area had been cleared of its woodland for farming and grazing by the end of the Neolithic period, resulting in the thin chalk-based soils which have helped to shape much of the area’s agricultural development and heritage. Large farmsteads are a feature across the area, often with nearby workers’ housing. Large arable fields with few hedgerows or settlements Open farm landscape near Winter's Penning.
7 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
predominate across the area, resulting from the piecemeal enclosure of open and its cathedral were immortalised by the artist Constable and remain little fields around villages and also open downland from the medieval period. These changed, with functioning watermeadows between Salisbury and Harnham changes worked within an earlier framework of droveways and routeways. and beyond to Bodenham. Fields on the plateau generally date from the late 18th century, are more regular in their form and have been most affected in the post-1950 period by The low ridges of abandoned floated flood meadows which have developed declining hedgerow management and their removal. The downs to the south from the 16th and 17th centuries are characteristic; although many meadows and west are broad hills with long views, separated by shallow dry valleys. The have been lost, some continue to be grazed, notably by cattle. The valleys and main land use is arable farming, with much of the eastern area down to pasture watercourses are often lined with areas of carr woodland with willow and alder. – not least for the benefit of locally rich archaeology and for the setting of the Locally abundant is an ancient plant, marsh marigold; also found is the rare prehistoric monuments, from the early Robin Hood’s Ball to Durrington Walls, the brown galingale. The river valleys to the south and west are sheltered and Cursus and Stonehenge itself. There is abundant evidence of settlements and include long- established settlements, revealed not least by the smaller field surrounding fields across the open plateau and also across the area, which is enclosures from up to the 16th century. thought to have been largely cleared of trees in the Neolithic period. The settlements moved down into the river valleys after Roman times. Clay and gravel deposits, and exposures of older Jurassic rocks, some notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, illustrate the action of water over time There are scattered copses and shelterbelts – many planted in the 18th and through the chalk landscape. Steep sided and with narrow flood plains, the 19th centuries – on the high downs, with earlier and more substantial areas valleys are visually contained and often appear remote. of woodland confined mainly to valleys and steep slopes. There are some extensive ridge top ancient oak woodlands, some with newer planting, such Nucleated settlements prevail, often with groups of former estate cottages as at Grovely Wood. Occasional new planting of small broadleaved woods in uniform style. Older cottages are of cob and timber frame with thatch roofs, around the chalk plain may take place where military training needs call for with brick and tile common from the early 19th century onwards. There is some woods as cover, and where it is appropriate on a site-specific basis. use of local stone, for example the distinctive Chilmark stone or knapped flint with clunch. This adds to local distinctiveness. The plateau is drained by the River Avon and its tributaries, designated as an SAC for its biodiversity in fish (notably two lamprey species) and aquatic plants, There are few major communication routes across the NCA; where possible, such as the water crowfoot. These rivers drain along their natural course into people travelled along the valley floors but went across the Downs when the Avon just north of Salisbury, and expand across a flood plain just to the necessary, heading north and south. south of the city. The views over the flood plain to the historic core of the city
8 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
This is a rural area with over 70 per cent agricultural use. This is largely arable, with some livestock use (generally pigs or sheep), in particular around Stonehenge, where there has been a drive for reversion to pasture. The popularity of Wiltshire ham, and its suitability in rotation with arable farming, also encourages the continuation of pig farming. Land is also managed (at least in part) in the interests of game shooting, which brings benefit to the local economy and affects the management measures that are applied. The main modern influence on the Plain’s landscape is military activity, which in places bars civilian use, generally influences the agricultural patterns, and is widely apparent owing to buildings and other infrastructure.
This NCA includes Stonehenge, part of a World Heritage Site, whose ancient monuments “together with their settings and associated sites... form landscapes without parallel” and are testimony to "a wealthy and highly organised prehistoric society able to impose its concepts on the environment”. Stonehenge4 retains spiritual associations for some. Over one million visitors from all over the world come to Stonehenge each year. Tourism and agriculture remain the main economic drivers within the NCA and likely forces for change, as they have been for well over a century.
Cattle grazing on Harnham water meadows to the south of Salisbury. 4 http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/373
9 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
The landscape through time of evidence for farmsteads and other settlements with their associated field systems, the development of large estates marked by linear boundaries which The western area of the NCA, the Downs, dates from the Upper Jurassic, around often formed the framework for present parishes, and causewayed enclosures, 150 million years ago, when Britain was covered by shallow shelf seas, and sees cursus monuments and hill forts (such as Scratchbury in the Wylye Valley), and some exposures of that period. Later in the Jurassic Period there was, over finally Neolithic long barrows, bronze-age barrows and other ritual and funerary time, a substantial fall in sea level. This resulted in a variety of depositional monuments. Pre-eminent among these is Stonehenge with its associated environments – marine and estuarine – leading to limestone, siltstones and clays. monuments, its significance recognised since 1986, with that of Avebury to the These deposits are seen in the areas along and to the south of the River Wylye. The north, by inscription by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. This includes the Cursus notable resulting local stone is Chilmark Limestone, the building stone used for monument dating from around 3600 BC and the circles of sarsens and trilithons Salisbury Cathedral. erected within the circular earthwork enclosure of around 3000 BC, linked by its Avenue to the Avon. Archaeological work around 2000 revealed new Salisbury Plain, as the core and northern and western part of the NCA, was formed information about its development, its association with the 12-hectare henge at during the Cretaceous Period, after 145 million years ago, when sea levels had Durrington Walls and its linked settlement, and its role in the development of risen again and shallow marine conditions prevailed. The Lewes, Seaford and Neolithic and bronze-age Britain. Newhaven Chalks of this period form the majority of the Plain itself, and are very pure limestone of some 98 per cent calcium carbonate. There are few natural Roman settlement consists of small towns such as the roadside town that exposures of these chalks. developed outside the iron-age hill fort at Old Sarum, a few villa sites and villages. Of particular importance are a number of examples of deserted Roman villages The plateau slopes slightly up to the north and west, with the northern scarp on higher downland which survive, in part, as earthworks. These settlements slopes particularly striking. Subsequent erosion by rivers has left the area with a appear to have been deserted by the 4th or early 5th centuries. It is probable that pattern of river valleys with later alluvial deposits, all the rivers rising in the NCA most rural settlement in the Roman period (of which there are few visible traces other than the Avon itself. There are also many winterbournes, such as the Till, above ground) followed the existing pattern, with linear villages lying in the which flow over the Chalk only after prolonged rainfall. To the east, beyond the valleys alongside chalk streams. Within these valley-based settlements there is River Bourne, lie much more recent Tertiary deposits (including a number of sarsen evidence for both medieval planning in the form of regular property plots and trains) and superficial drift geology of alluvium, clay, silt, sand and gravel. the desertion and shrinkage of settlements in the 14th and 15th centuries. The present pattern of discrete villages separated by farmland is often the result of the The area was largely cleared for agriculture and grazing at the outset of the loss of some villages or shrinkage of existing villages from the 14th and 15th Neolithic period (around 4200–3700 BC) followed by the development of a centuries. distinctive regional culture up until around 2500 BC and then continuing into the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman occupation. The result is an astonishing diversity
10 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Salisbury, dominated by its cathedral spire, is the main urban area in this NCA. and flora, as well as the visible archaeology of settlement and land use from the Salisbury is a medieval new town created by the Bishop of Salisbury, moving it from prehistoric period which has been destroyed elsewhere by intensive arable the hill-top location at Old Sarum, slightly to the north. Downton, a little to the cultivation. The remains of practice trenches from both World Wars and other south, is also a planned new town laid out opposite an earlier Saxon estate features developed by the Army across the Plain are also of significance. Around centre. In the Saxon period Wilton was the most important town, being the the Plain are military camps which have developed into small towns, including administrative capital of the area and having a royal residence. A rich legacy of Tidworth, Larkhill and Bulford. Outstanding and probably unique in an churches with 12th–13th century fabric (such as Fisherton Delamere) testifies to the international context are the pre-1914 military aviation sites and structures at prosperity of this area in this period, and the wealth gained from its arable land and Larkhill, Netheravon and Upavon. Old Sarum retains the most complete group of wool. Clarendon is a largely overlooked Saxon royal palace, to the south-west of hangars and other buildings relating to a grass flying field of the First World War Salisbury, rebuilt by Henry III in the 12th century and enjoyed until the 17th century. period.
Travellers wrote about Stonehenge – while addressing the Dissolution of Over the latter part of the 20th century, there was much intensification of the Monasteries on behalf of Henry VIII, –, and the 17th century sees it agriculture – which remains the major industry in the NCA – but the early 21st documented by antiquarian John Aubrey. This inspired interest, which was century brought more reversion to pasture and less arable, particularly in the encouraged in the late 18th century by the romantic vision of its ‘wilderness’ and area of the World Heritage Site. This development results in large part from a saw a growing exploration of the area. The NCA’s several important country care for the historic environment and a willingness to support this financially – houses with their associated parklands, for example Wilton House, Boyton and which may not prove to be of long duration. A positive development has been Wilbury, developed after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In parallel, large the restoration of the landscape setting to Stonehenge following the closure of farms were developing from the 15th and 16th centuries, often based on leased the A344. estates of major ecclesiastical landowners and through the engrossing of the holdings of smaller farmers. This resulted in the creation of some of the The farmed landscape and semi-natural habitats were, in the early 21st largest farms in the country and the rise of the ‘capitalist farmer’ who had century, developing in a manner consistent with the overall (rural) character for considerable resources. Wilton and other estates had a major impact on the the NCA, with little urban development outside military areas. Housing and rebuilding of farmsteads and the reshaping of the farmed landscape from the late other development was well managed, not least with the growing interest in 18th century. and use of green infrastructure to make landscape serve many purposes such as for recreation, drainage and biodiversity. The designation of the SAC for Wiltshire’s landscape has been intensively used for military training and Salisbury Plain and the River Avon has helped to advance the conservation of infrastructure from the late 19th century. Salisbury Plain is the largest training the NCA’s landscape. area in the United Kingdom, at some 38,000 ha, and is now one of the best- preserved archaeological landscapes in western Europe. The military use of the Plain has helped to conserve chalk grassland habitats for a rich diversity of fauna
11 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
Ecosystem services nitrates. It is believed likely that work with the agricultural community through the catchment sensitive farming schemes will satisfactorily address these The Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs NCA provides a wide range concerns and be a useful tool elsewhere. The NCA is largely a nitrate vulnerable of benefits to society. Each is derived from the attributes and processes zone and already has many applicable regulations affecting land managers. (both natural and cultural features) within the area. These benefits are known collectively as ‘ecosystem services’. The predominant services are Cultural services (inspiration, education and wellbeing) summarised below. Further information on ecosystem services provided in ■ Sense of place/inspiration: The Chalk dominates the NCA’s history and this NCA is contained in the ‘Analysis’ section of this document. topography; Stonehenge and the surrounding open pasture land supply a strong sense of place to the NCA. The strength of the NCA’s character here can Provisioning services (food, fibre and water supply) be seen from the enduring power of the visitor attractions such as Stonehenge ■ Food provision: Substantial arable crops, of national importance – mostly and its associated monuments; the range of chalk-cut figures, to demonstrate wheat and (often for distillers and maltsters) barley, with additional man’s interaction with the chalk hills; and Salisbury itself, with the cathedral oilseeds (rape and linseed) and (largely for animal feed) maize; pig meat, and its close. one of largest sources in England, largely outdoor reared; limited mixed farming; and livestock. The current mosaic of agricultural production is ■ Sense of history: The area has captured the imagination of antiquarians and important in preserving the NCA’s landscape character. writers from the 16th century, and it has a strong sense of being one of the most anciently settled landscapes in the world. Much of this rich evidence ■ Water availability: Local rivers and aquifers are currently broadly has been conserved by military use of the Plain, its airfields and training sufficient for the supply of water within the NCA and beyond5 and the areas also being highly evocative of militarisation before and during the First underlying rocks are such that water flow is good. World War. To this can be added rich evidence of how pre-Roman land use has shaped present boundaries, and in its farmsteads, traditional buildings Regulating services (water purification, air quality maintenance and and farmed landscape the development of a distinctive rural economy climate regulation) based on corn and sheep. Old Sarum, north of Salisbury, is both a medieval ■ Regulating water quality: There is a major problem here in that the greensand site and a former rotten borough. Wilton House is a stately home (and now soils found in parts of the river valleys are in places degraded and have a visitor attraction and thus an economic force) which has been inhabited 6 unsuitably high nutrient levels, and are occasionally higher than is desirable in by the same family since its construction in the 17th century ; Salisbury is
5 For details, see the Environment Agency website and search for aquifers 6 www.wiltonhouse.com
12 National Character 132. Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs Area profile: Supporting documents
a medieval town, now city, that is still in operation and serving as a centre today, showing continuity in human presence in this NCA and that activity in the city has endured and evolved over time.
■ Tranquillity: The NCA enjoys quiet countryside and a sense of isolation and escape, partly owing to the open spaces themselves, and there are many areas which seem to pre-date the modern world. This is appreciated by both residents and visitors. The area remains tranquil, with dark night skies away from the major transport links of the A36 and A3037, and this is largely unaffected by the many military uses.
■ Recreation: The NCA is richly endowed, with an extensive network of rights of way (including byways open to all traffic) and scope for game shooting, fishing, birdwatching (including of the great bustard, now restored to the NCA8 ), and many visitor attractions in relation to both heritage and nature. The NCA has resources for education on English history and culture, and on the natural world.
■ Biodiversity: Around a fifth of the NCA is recognised as being important for its diversity of wild species. There are large areas of semi-natural habitat and a wealth of flora and fauna. A number of key sites are supported by international and national designations.
7 www.cpre.org.uk/resources/countryside/dark-skies Shrill carder bee feeding on red clover. 8 www.greatbustard.org
13 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan
APPENDIX B
Kennet District Landscape Assessment
22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 30 - of 33 June 2015 5. Salisbury Plain
1. Avebury Plain 2. Marlborough Downs
11. Spye Parklands 7. Kennet Valley 4. Horton Down 3. Savernake Plateau
10.Bristol Avon Clay Vale 9. Vale of Pewsey
6. Chute Forest 5. Salisbury Plain (East) 5. Salisbury Plain (West)
8. Salisbury Avon Valley
Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain 5: Salisbury Plain Landscape Character
Overview such as Water Down Bottom, on the Westdown Artillery Range, and in the valley followed by the A major block of chalk upland landscape which A360 south of West Lavington. Lower Chalk runs across the south of the District and forms outcrops in places on the scarp and on the edge part of the northern edge of the vast rolling chalk of the Avon Valley, and as a more significant area landscape of Salisbury Plain. The area is defined at Great Cheverell Hill. An important difference to the north by a steep chalk escarpment which from the Marlborough Downs and Savernake forms the southern edge of the Vale of Pewsey, Plateau is that Clay with Flints only outcrops in a to the east by the valley of the River Bourne and few small areas, notably at Chirton Maggot, to the west and south by the District boundary. Upavon Down and on the prominent Sidbury For the purposes of the landscape assessment the Hill near North Tidworth where an outcrop of valley of the River Avon forms a separate Reading Beds also occurs on the hilltop. character area, and therefore Salisbury Plain comprises two parts, one either side of the river Landform is typical of the upland chalk with an valley. The Plain is dominated by extensive areas open, rolling topography which slopes gently of unimproved grassland and open arable fields toward the south. The surface of the plain is punctuated only by occasional blocks of dissected by dry valleys some of which are large woodland and scrub, with an open, exposed and features linking into true river valleys such as the at times very remote character. The activity of Avon, and the Till south of Tilshead. the military is a dominant influence on the area, both in maintaining its untamed and inaccessible character and in the visual and audible presence of military training.
Farmed downland looking south west from Pewsey Hill towards Upavon
The pronounced scarp along the northern boundary extends from Stoke Hill at 222 metres Rough grassland and isolated group of trees, Westdown AOD on the District boundary in the west, to Artillery Ranges, Salisbury Plain Inham Down near Collingbourne Kingston in the
east, and incised by the Avon at Upavon.
Geology and Landform
Landcover The geology of the area is dominated by the
Upper Chalk which forms the main upland areas In the western block of the area landcover is of the Plain giving way to Middle Chalk along the largely open rough unimproved grassland across scarp above the Vale of Pewsey and above the core of the area, with peripheral zones of Collingbourne Kingston. Middle Chalk also predominantly unenclosed arable downland. outcrops in the larger dry valleys of the Plain
Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain 53
This pattern reflects the military use of the Plain. In general, these settlements occupied the spurs Cultivation extends to many of the scarp slopes, of hills, with the main nucleus on the south- while on the steepest slopes open pasture and facing slopes. Although the focus for Romano- woodland predominate. The eastern block has British settlement remains the area between the more evenly varied cover, reflecting the fact that Rivers Avon and Bourne, the pattern appears to its northern half is less constrained by live firing spread further to the west, occupying the higher needs, and therefore is subject to more ground towards the escarpment overlooking cultivation. Landcover is divided fairly evenly Market Lavington, Urchfont etc. between open rough grassland and open arable downland, with a block of more wooded land to Most of the Romano-British settlements were the north of Everleigh. abandoned by the end of the 5th century, and the Saxon period witnessed a withdrawal from the downlands into the river valleys and the Vale Historic Landscape of Pewsey. This pattern continued into the medieval period when the village of Everleigh Character was probably established as well as the Collingbourne villages along the River Bourne, Neolithic long barrows located within the Kennet and in particular Collingbourne Ducis. District part of Salisbury Plain, include examples on Netheravon Down, Charlton Down, and on There is virtually no post-medieval settlement on Weather Hill as part of the Snail Down complex the plain itself with the exception of a few farms of prehistoric earthworks. The proliferation of and field barns established in the late 18th and Bronze Age remains on Salisbury Plain early 19th century. Most of these were demonstrates the intensity with which the subsequently abandoned by the end of the 19th downlands were occupied and farmed century when the War Department/Ministry of throughout this period. At least 500 round Defence purchased most of Salisbury Plain for barrows are recorded on Salisbury Plain, with training purposes. Many of the figures cut into significant groups clustered between the Rivers the chalk escarpments throughout the Wessex Avon and Bourne at Snail Down, Everleigh region are post-medieval in date, including the Down, Pewsey Down and Milton Hill. white horse on the escarpment overlooking Associated field systems are not as prolific as the Pewsey. The essentially prehistoric open round barrows, but dated examples are located landscape of Salisbury Plain is preserved largely at Wilsford Down and East Chisenbury. The as a result of the late 19th and 20th century latter is also the site for a massive 10 acre MoD occupation of the area. Without this midden complex, located on a spur overlooking restrictive influence on arable farming in East Chisenbury village. It is possible that many particular, Salisbury Plain would undoubtedly of the Iron Age field systems noted below have changed in the same manner as the originated during the Bronze Age period. Marlborough Downs. The military occupation Wessex Linear Ditches, distinctive earthworks has also resulted in many of the distinctive that extend over many kilometres and appear to copses and plantations now found on the plain, represent territorial boundaries, are recorded on which were originally planted as tree cover for Salisbury Plain, e.g. the group focused on army manoeuvres. The open treeless landscape Sidbury Hill and Dunch Hill in the eastern part of is predominantly the result of Bronze Age the Plain. preference for the chalk downlands, resulting in the widespread deforestation of the area. Such The Iron Age period saw the establishment of hill clearance must have been virtually absolute, as forts, including Sidbury Hill, Broadbury Banks there is no evidence for significant woodland and Casterley Camp. Extensive field systems are regeneration following the withdrawal of also recorded, particularly in the region between settlement from the Plain following the Romano- the Rivers Avon and Bourne, but also British period. A secondary contribution to the concentrated on Thorham and Charlton Downs present landscape from deforestation is the to the west. Romano-British settlement volumes of colluvium present in coombe bases, continued the pattern established during the later raising their base by at a metre or more in some Bronze Age and Iron Age periods, with at least areas. 11 known settlements located on Salisbury Plain.
54 Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain
Settlement and Buildings Individual components of this area may be broken down, and key characteristics are Everleigh is the only settlement in the area - a illustrated in Figures 12.1 and 12.2, and are small compact village set high on the Plain. The summarised below. Manor, a Georgian brick building, stands in landscaped grounds on a hill to the north. The Open Chalk upland; original village and church were rebuilt on a new • rough, predominantly unimproved coarse site in 1810-11 but The Crown Inn predates this, grassland, typical of the military ranges on and was the former Dower House to the Manor. Salisbury Plain; Apart from Everleigh, there are a few outlying • prairie-like arable land; farms above the Avon valley, and, further into • characteristic chalky soils; the Plain, groups of field barns. • strong topography of downland dissected by dry valleys; Upavon Airfield and Trenchard Lines situated on • hedgerows generally absent and few other the Downs above the village of the same name is boundary features; a locally prominent feature with large hangars • in some places fence lines may have become next to the road, and a complex of security defined by tall weed and scrub growth to the fences with extensive tarmac areas. It is a well extent that they can appear as very weak, established base, which is surprisingly gappy hedges; inconspicuous in longer distance views due to • some punctuation by groups of trees notably the surrounding topography. The grass airfield at beech, in ridgeline and scarp top locations. Netheravon is less locally prominent, having few • areas of rough scrub and scattered woodland boundary features and only a small number of blocks, mostly planted for military or amenity more modest buildings, including a Listed purposes; hangar. • open grazed downland sheepwalks, with scattered scrub and woodland blocks; • open and expansive with very high Landscape and Visual intervisibility.
Character Enclosed Chalk upland; • definite boundary structure formed by The area has a strong and distinctive character of hedgerows and/or small groups of trees; openness and comparative lack of human • individual fields may be extensive, but have a intervention. This is particularly true in the clear perimeter hedgerow; western part of the area where the restricted • may be arable or pasture; access and lack of cultivation has created an • hedgerows eroded and gappy, and may be expansive wild landscape of particular attraction. replaced with fences; Views are often very long distance, and • few hedgerow trees. southward extend across the Plain to well beyond the District boundary. To the north Wooded Chalk upland there are outstanding views across and along the • mosaic of woodland and farmland; Vale of Pewsey. The homogenous character of • scattered, isolated woodland blocks within the Plain is eroded in some places by sporadic open downland. geometric blocks of woodland planted for military purposes, notably on Netheravon Down Steep Chalk scarps and valley sides and West Lavington Down. In the eastern block • the impact of military vehicles is more steep sided bournes and smaller scarps; • prominent, with chalky tracks and significant extensive structures extending complete for a areas of denuded land around Sidbury Hill. number of miles, or smaller features which Further to the north, around Everleigh, intensive fade out and reform; arable downland stretches over many miles • permanent pasture on the steepest slopes, contributing to the character of extreme sometimes associated with strip lynchets; openness and high intervisibility. • scattered scrub. • woodland, scrub, pasture mix which may occur as a strong feature identifying scarps
Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain 55
and steepest slopes in the landscape at some distance.
Airfields • characteristic fencing, large buildings and other features.
Amenity Landscapes
• golf courses with their distinctive features of greens, roughs, fairways, bunkers etch;
Formal parkland and designed landscapes • characteristic features such as parkland trees set in pasture, avenues, rides, copses and blocks of woodland, lakes, formal gardens, estate boundaries (walls or railings), ornamental features, estate buildings etc.
Key Landmarks and Landscape Features
• the northern scarp above the Vale of Pewsey; • Sidbury Hill; • military structures and tree planting;
• the expanse of the Plain itself.
56 Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain
5: Salisbury Plain Landscape Guidelines
Landscape Quality and Key The principal threats and issues important to landscape quality in this area are: Issues • management of extensive chalk grassland The north eastern part of this character area lies habitats and open downland landscape of the within the North Wessex Downs Area of Plain; Outstanding Natural Beauty, confirming its • the intrusion of military activity and outstanding quality and national significance, and associated built development and planting on the whole of the remainder lies within the the landscape; Special Landscape Area indicating its quality and • agricultural intensification, particularly the local importance. enclosure and conversion of chalk grassland
and permanent pasture to arable, and the loss The character area also includes a number of or poor maintenance of field boundaries other features of conservation value which within enclosed chalk landscapes; contribute to its overall significance, including: • the conservation of archaeological features.
• The Salisbury Plain Site of Special Scientific
Interest which covers the largest expanse of chalk grassland in Europe and which affects Guidelines for Salisbury Plain much of the area; and Great Cheverell Hill Landscapes SSSI, also chalk grassland. The Plain is also a Candidate Special Area of Conservation, Enhancement priorities and a Special Protection Area. Elsewhere there are a large number of non-statutory • encourage reversion of arable land to sites of nature conservation interest, most of grassland, particularly along the northern which are chalk grassland; but which also scarp; include semi-natural ancient woodland; • retain open character of chalk uplands and • a large number of Scheduled Ancient long views, and discourage tree or hedgerow Monuments which include many tumuli, planting in areas of traditionally unenclosed field systems and hill forts. chalk downland • encourage removal of scrub where this The landscape of much of the Salisbury Plain threatens areas of chalk grassland and area is a product of the unique management manage other areas of dense scrub to prevent regime which has arisen from military use. The succession to woodland key aspect of this is the absence of cultivation or • encourage removal of any inappropriate other agricultural management over large parts of planted belts of trees and woodlands (e.g. the area, which has resulted in the basic non-native species, isolated features not landscape remaining little changed over many related to farmsteads etc.) but retain isolated years. Elsewhere, intensive arable farming groups of trees where these form distinctive remains a key influence on the landscape, landscape features and do not threaten accompanied by expansive areas of pig farm east ecological interest; of Everleigh. The main exception to these • discourage intrusion of further signage, influences is the isolated block of woodland structures, tracks or fencing in areas of open mosaic and parkland at Everleigh. Different chalk upland landscape and site essential strategies for management and enhancement are features as discreetly as possible to minimise shown in Figures 12.3 and 12.4. visual intrusion
Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain 57
• avoid disturbance to sensitive grasslands of any kind, but particularly large-scale or tall through the use of vehicles and allow areas of structures such as communications masts, bare ground to recolonise naturally would be very prominent; • protect above ground archaeological features • areas of parkland or estate landscape are of from damage by vehicles, trampling or high landscape value and very sensitive to military activity, preferably by discreet development; pallisading rather than planting; • mosaics of woodland and farmland are more • avoid tree planting where it may have an visually contained and in landscape and adverse physical and visual impact on both visual terms small-scale essential upstanding earthworks and below ground development which must be located in the archaeological remains. The treeless nature countryside potentially could be of Salisbury Plain is largely the result of accommodated in such areas, where it did prehistoric woodland clearance, and as such not adversely affect their intrinsically rural, should be considered an ancient landscape; unspoilt and attractive character; • military occupation of the Plain has restricted • modified landscapes of golf courses and arable cultivation to a minimum, preserving recreation grounds are potentially more many extant monuments. Any increase in the tolerant of change but built development use of ploughs on the Plain should be would alter their essentially 'green' character. resisted; • the use of specific tank routes/tracks should be encouraged in order to minimise damage to archaeological, ecological and landscape resources; • encourage repair, replanting and extension of hedgerow network and development of hedgerow trees in areas where a remnant structure remains and is historically/ecologically appropriate, using native species typical of the locality • strengthen landscape structure and the quality of boundaries around airfields and military bases to reduce the impact of intrusive structures, fencing and land uses • encourage use of locally appropriate planting character and native species within golf course landscapes, e.g. avoiding the use of conifers on chalk etc., and encourage less intensive management of fairways and roughs to encourage a more diverse grassland sward
Development sensitivities
• a large expanse of Salisbury Plain has a wild, remote and inaccessible character which would be significantly compromised by built development; • the area as a whole has an essentially rural, agricultural character within which only small scale, sensitively designed development, associated with existing built form, could be successfully accommodated without adverse landscape impacts; • the open arable landscapes within this area are very visually exposed and development
58 Character Area 5: Salisbury Plain
6. Chute Forest
1. Avebury Plain 2. Marlborough Downs
11. Spye Parklands 7. Kennet Valley 4. Horton Down 3. Savernake Plateau
10.Bristol Avon Clay Vale 9. Vale of Pewsey
6. Chute Forest 5. Salisbury Plain (East) 5. Salisbury Plain (West)
8. Salisbury Avon Valley
Character Area 6: Cute Forest 6: Chute Forest Landscape Character
Overview Landcover
A block of chalk upland landscape which forms Landcover varies considerably across the area. the eastern end of Salisbury Plain and is defined Open and enclosed arable downland occurs on to the west by the Bourne Valley, to the north by the high chalk near the scarp, while in the central a steep north-facing scarp and to the east and part there are large areas of woodland and south by the District boundary. Deposits of Clay- woodland/farmland mosaic associated with the with-Flints capping the chalk support extensive caps of Clay with Flints. areas of woodland and a dense network of hedgerows and trees. These distinguish this area from the more open landscape of the Plain to the Historic Landscape west and are more typical of the wooded Hampshire Downs which extend beyond the Character District to the east. Apart from the Bourne Valley, the smoothly rolling downland is also During the Neolithic period woodland clearance dissected by a number of minor dry valleys and and settlement had extended sufficiently to bournes. Military activity is much less demonstrate a preference for the more easily conspicuous in this area and is largely confined worked downland soils, and specifically avoiding to the south-western corner around the the heavier Clay-with-Flint derived soils. By the settlements of Ludgershall and Tidworth. Iron Age period virtually the only occupation within this zone was at Fosbury hill fort, with possible associated field systems to the west, these field systems possibly continuing into the Geology and Landform Romano-British period. The Romano-British period also saw the construction of Ermine Street The geology of the area is almost exclusively the from the south-east to Cunetio (Mildenhall), Upper Chalk, the Middle and Lower Chalks passing through the area. This road enters the outcropping only in narrow bands along the district at Hampshire Gate, and detours around scarp above the Vale of Pewsey. Sporadic Fosbury Hill in a broad curve to the south-west outcroppings of Clay with Flints occur across the via Chute Causeway. central part of the area, at Buttermere in the north east and at South Tidworth. The base of Although there is very little evidence of Saxon the Bourne Valley is overlain by alluvium and activity within the area, apart from settlements at river gravels, and these deposits also occur in Grange Farm, Chute Standen and Little Down, some of the deeper bournes. Topographically, by the medieval period the area was the landform is similar to both the rest of comparatively densely occupied, particularly Salisbury Plain to the west and the Savernake with the establishment of Ludgershall Castle and Plateau to the north west, with a rolling form village. Conholt Park was also established during dissected by dry valleys, and the steep sided this period. By the 14th century, the area valley of the Bourne on the western edge. The (collectively referred to as the Forest of Chute) northern scarp extends from Ham Hill in the covered c. 98 square miles, broadly comparable east, which reaches 287 metres AOD, to with Savernake Forest to the north. The heavy Collingbourne Kingston in the west. Other high clay soils present throughout this area have land occurs at Wexcombe Down, and at Fosbury restricted the impact of arable farming, and Hill. preserved large areas of woodland, survivors of the Royal Forest. The field system, as it survives today, is largely a result of post-medieval enclosure, although those elements closest to the
Character Area 6: Chute Forest 61
Roman road that passes across the area may castle. Tidworth is recognised as a component of represent an early Roman landscape. the archaeological landscape for its relict military features of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Settlement and Buildings Landscape and Visual Within the wooded areas small villages and Character hamlets occur in folds in the chalk topography and on more open south-facing slopes. The character of the southern part of the area is influenced by the garrison towns of North Tidworth and Ludgershall which are expansive, and which have only a narrow gap between them. North Tidworth is surrounded by a varied mixture of parkland, amenity land, woodland and woodland/farmland mosaic, while Ludgershall is set within a predominantly arable landscape. These factors combine with areas of intense military activity around the towns to create a fragmented landscape character some areas of which are quite degraded. Elsewhere the area can be divided between the broad belt The 'assarted' character of Lower Chute and Grove of arable land which follows the line of the scarp, Woods with fields cut out of the woodland and the eastern block where woodland and woodland mosaic predominate. The cultivated Isolated farms and mansions (e.g. Conholt area is characterised by sweeping open arable House) also may be found in the countryside. landscapes above the scarp, sloping down to the Characteristic building materials include brick Bourne valley in the west. The wooded areas by and flint banding in traditional buildings, a style contrast have a much more intimate character taken up and repeated locally by the Victorians. with a low degree of intervisibility. They The larger settlements are found along the combine with areas of parkland and estate to Bourne Valley, and include Collingbourne Ducis, create a very attractive landscape. The valley Collingbourne Kingston and Ludgershall. floor of the Bourne is weakly defined and often insignificant within the wider chalkland setting. The Collingbournes have some attractive building groups in local brick, flint, cob, tile and straw Individual components of the area may be thatch together with some timber framing. Like broken down, and key characteristics are the Chutes, they are situated in small valleys illustrated in Figure 13.1, and summarised within the chalk and tend to follow a linear below. pattern as a result. Open Chalk upland; The garrison town of Tidworth dominates the • characteristic chalky soils; southern part of the area and possesses extensive • strong topography of dry valleys and ridges; modern built up areas as well as development • hedgerows generally absent and few other from the 19th century. The nearby expanded boundary features; village of Ludgershall also has areas of modern • in some places fence lines may have become residential and military stores-related defined by tall weed and scrub growth to the development. These areas combine residential extent that they can appear as very weak, development of estates and apartment blocks gappy hedges; with barracks and parade grounds in close • some punctuation by groups of trees notably proximity, and have largely masked the original beech, in ridgeline and scarp top locations. settlements on which they were centred. • often forming the most featureless expanses Ludgershall retains some core identity with a of chalk upland; Conservation Area including the 11th century
62 Character Area 6: Chute Forest
• open and expansive with very high Formal parkland and designed landscapes intervisibility. • areas of formal C18 and C19 designed parkland with a distinctively pastoral and Enclosed Chalk upland; mature character; • definite boundary structure formed by • characteristic features such as parkland trees hedgerows and/or small groups of trees; set in pasture, avenues, rides, copses and • individual fields may be extensive, but have a blocks of woodland, lakes, formal gardens, clear perimeter hedgerow; estate boundaries (walls or railings), • may be arable or pasture; ornamental features, estate buildings etc. • hedgerows often eroded and gappy, and may be replaced with fences; Estate farmland • few hedgerow trees. • traces of a former parkland character or which displays typical estate characteristics; Wooded Chalk upland • fields enclosed by blocks of woodland and • mosaic of woodland and farmland; belts of trees;; • scattered, isolated woodland blocks within • regular single-species hedgerow trees, open downland; avenues; • woodland extensive and largely continuous, • estate fencing (railings and post and rail); open fields are occasional and insignificant in • game coverts. relation to the tree cover; • woodland interspersed with blocks of pasture and arable land. Key Landmarks and Landscape Features Steep Chalk scarps and valley sides
• steep sided bournes and smaller scarps; • the northern scarp above the Vale of Pewsey; • extensive structures extending complete for a • Chute Causeway and Hippenscombe; number of miles;
• smaller features which fade out and reform;
• permanent pasture on the steepest slopes,
sometimes associated with strip lynchets;
• scattered scrub.
• steep slopes dominated by arable farmland;
• woodland, scrub, pasture mix may occur as strong features which can identify scarps and steepest slopes in the landscape at some distance.
Valley floor pasture. • Occupying the river floodplain; underlain by alluvium and generally under permanent pasture; • characterised by willows and alders in hedges and along watercourses; • attractive, pastoral character; • generally strong hedgerow structure, and in particular a richness in mature riparian trees such as willows and alder.
Amenity Landscapes • intensively managed for amenity purposes; • golf courses with their distinctive features of greens, roughs, fairways, bunkers etc.; • sports fields and other areas under amenity use.
Character Area 6: Chute Forest 63
6: Chute Forest Landscape Guidelines
Landscape Quality and Key Issues
Most of this character area lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, confirming its outstanding quality and national significance. A small area to the north of North Tidworth lies within the wider Special Landscape Area indicating its quality and local importance. The area around North Tidworth Chute Forest near Lower Chute and Ludgershall lies outside the designated areas. Elsewhere, intensive agriculture and military uses/development have resulted in fragmented or The character area also includes a number of weaker landscapes where strategies for other features of conservation value which management and enhancement may be contribute to its overall significance, including: appropriate. Different strategies for management and enhancement are shown in Figure 13.2 • Conservation Areas at Collingbourne Ducis, Collingbourne Kingston, Brunton, Lower The principal threats and issues important to Chute, Chute Cadley, Upper Chute, landscape quality in this character area are: Ludgershall (around the castle) and Oxenwood; • agricultural intensification, particularly the • Sites of Special Scientific Interest at Ham conversion of chalk grassland and permanent Hill and Botley Down, for chalk grassland pasture to arable, and the loss or poor interest. Elsewhere there are a large number maintenance of field boundaries within of non-statutory sites of nature conservation formerly enclosed chalk landscapes; interest which are chalk grassland and • management and enhancement of the semi-natural ancient woodland; extensive remnant woodlands of the former • a large number of Scheduled Ancient Chute Forest and the characteristic patchwork Monuments which include many tumuli, of farmland and woodland; field systems and hill forts • the intrusion of military activity and • Historic Park and Garden at Biddesden associated built development on the House. landscape; • management and enhancement of parkland The landscape of the central portion of this area and estate landscapes; is particularly attractive and important, and is • the conservation of archaeological features; dominated by remnants of the Chute Forest. • drainage and cultivation of floodplain pasture within the River Bourne corridor.
64 Character Area 6: Chute Forest
Guidelines for Chute Forest • establish strong landscape structure to accommodate existing or new development Landscapes on the fringes of urban areas and settlements;
Enhancement priorities Development sensitivities
• encourage management of existing • the whole area has an essentially rural, woodlands to maximise landscape and agricultural character within which only small- wildlife value, including the reintroduction of scale, sensitively-designed development, traditional coppice management and associated with existing built form, could be diversification of uniform plantations to successfully accommodated without adverse favour native broadleaved species landscape impacts; • plant large blocks and belts of native • the remnant areas of unimproved grassland broadleaved woodland on arable or on the steep scarps are visually prominent cultivated land, to link with existing and of particular landscape and ecological woodlands and to restore or reinforce a value, and therefore highly sensitive to mosaic of woodland and farmland; change; • conserve and manage woodland as • the open arable landscapes within this area representative of an historic landscape in their are very visually exposed and development of own right; any kind, but particularly large-scale or tall
• maintain existing roadside hedgerows and structures such as communications masts, trees, including avenues, and replace where would be very prominent; these have been removed or weakened • areas of enclosed farmland with an intact through neglect hedgerow structure are more visually
• retain and manage areas of valley floor contained. These areas are potentially more permanent pasture, wet grassland and able to accommodate that essential meadows along the Bourne Valley, and development which must be located in the discourage further ploughing and field countryside, but only where it would not enlargement compromise their rural, unspoilt character.
• encourage traditional practices of willow • dense blocks of woodland are comparatively pollarding and ditch management along the robust and potentially more able to Bourne Valley; accommodate development but only where • in more open floodplain areas, introduce new their wooded character is maintained and tree planting along watercourses and in lines where they are of planted origin and of low and groups within the valley floor, using nature conservation value; typical riparian species, e.g. willow and alder; • areas of parkland or estate landscape have • maintain and where necessary restore particularly distinctive and attractive qualities parkland landscapes, including distinctive and are sensitive to development. elements such as parkland trees, avenues, woods, copses, boundary walls and structures • plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved woodland within estate farmland to reinforce and maintain an enclosed, mature wooded character • strengthen landscape structure and the quality of boundaries around airfields and military areas to reduce the impact of intrusive structures, fencing and land uses; • relict railway cuttings and embankments of the Andover to Crofton branch line are historic landscape components of significance in relation to the development of the Kennet District, and their value should be considered in any proposals likely to affect their survival;
Character Area 6: Chute Forest 65
Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan
APPENDIX C
Salisbury District Landscape Character Assessment
22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 31 - of 33 June 2015 90
D4: BOSCOMBE DOWN CHALK DOWNLAND
Location and Boundaries
Boscombe Down Chalk Downland Landscape Character Area is situated within the north-east of Salisbury District, spreading northwards from the city of Salisbury towards Amesbury and Bulford Camp. To the east and west this area is bordered by the Upper Avon and Bourne Chalk River Valleys. This Landscape Character Area falls within the Salisbury Plain, which continues to the north-east of the District boundary.43
Key Characteristics
The landscape is covered by a patchwork of arable farmland and calcareous grassland; Character dominated by military use to the north-east of Bulford, where the landscape is criss- crossed by military tracks and mixed woodland copses, which are a feature; In places, field boundaries are delineated by hedgerows which tend to be low and gappy; Relatively large-scale landscape pattern which is interspersed by the nucleated settlement of Amesbury and regular layout of Bulford Camp, introducing human elements to the landscape; Network of predominantly rural lanes criss-cross the landscape, in addition to the major A303 road corridor, which introduces a source of noise and visual intrusion; Open views in places into the valley corridors of the Upper Avon and Bourne; Sense of tranquillity quite strong throughout much of the area, but disturbed in place by noise and visual intrusion associated with the A303 road corridor, the settlement edges of Salisbury and Amesbury, and military activities; Relatively geometric landscape as a result of the numerous straight tracks and roads associated with military training areas; Gently rolling and fairly elevated landscape.
Summary of Visual Character
This patchwork of arable farmland and calcareous grassland is dominated in a parts by the presence of Amesbury and Bulford Camp settlements, which impart a human character over the surrounding predominantly rural landscape. Sense of place is strong in certain locations, as a result of views into the adjacent narrow river corridors of the Upper Avon and Bourne Chalk River Valleys. Sense of openness is limited in places by relatively large copses and blocks of mixed woodland. In other locations, panoramic open views across surrounding areas of Chalk Downland contribute to the character of this landscape. This relatively large-scale geometric landscape is delineated by a series of hedgerows which are denuded and gappy in places. Settlement pattern is quite dominant within this landscape, particularly resulting from the influence of the geometric layout and utilitarian built form of Bulford Camp. Sense of tranquillity is strong within pockets of this landscape, but disturbed in other places by traffic on the A303 main road corridor, and activity associated with Amesbury and Bulford Camp. Bulford Camp and Boscombe Down are dominant within several views across the landscape. To the north of the area, sense of tranquillity is stronger and a predominantly rural character is apparent in combination with a scattered and small-scale settlement pattern.
Human Influences
Historic Environment
Figheldean Down, Bulford Camp and Ogford Camp Prehistoric Landscapes dominate the historic elements of the landscape character area. Extant remains from all prehistoric periods are evident in the landscape in the form of barrows, boundary banks and ditches, hillforts;
43 Refer to Landscape Character Assessment for the Army Training Estate – Salisbury Plain (Entec, May 2003)
11106001R LCA_EC_02-08 91
Location and boundaries of D4 Boscombe Down Chalk Downland landscape character area
Gently rolling landscape, encompassing a patchwork of arable fields and grassland
11106001R LCA_EC_02-08 92
Droveways and trackways are well represented in the Salisbury Plain Training Area, where they provide communications between individual settlements and link occupation areas with their fields. The trackways are frequently cut down below the level of the surrounding fields, while the related form of the holloway was often used to mark the boundary between neighbouring estates; The presence of medieval enclosures within the Plain and their relationship with extensive field systems and settlement complexes are of critical importance to understanding the character and development of downland agriculture; Old Sarum Airfield Conservation Area is a rare, almost complete, surviving example of a World War I airfield and training depot station. It retains open spaces, tree lined roads and buildings of each phase of the airfield’s development, which evoke a past era of military landscape design. Of particular architectural interest are the three surviving Grade II* listed Hangars, the Grade II listed workshops to the south of (ARS) Hangar 3, the station headquarters, the Motor Transport Sheds and Yard, and the Machine Gun Range, all dated to the World War I period; the Air Ministry Boundary Markers and the Station Headquarters, from the RAF Expansion period; and the World War II Pillboxes.
Field Patterns and Boundaries
The landscape was largely cleared of woods as a result of prehistoric and Romano-British farming, although areas of woodland and modern plantation remain; During most of the medieval and post-medieval periods the downs were used largely as unenclosed grazing land, an essential component of the predominant sheep-and-corn agriculture, although there may have been some small-scale and temporary encroachment of cultivation onto marginal land. From the late 18th cent there was some inclosure and burnbaking, a method of turf removal in preparation for short-lived or intermittent cultivation, evident in a number of bake field and place-mantes, and by c.1810 the downland was probably fully enclosed. The present pattern of large straight-sided and predominantly arable fields is the product of 20th century agricultural intensification.
Historic Development of Settlement
Settlement within the Character Area is generally concentrated on the valleys, however the towns of Amesbury and Bulford Camp; Amesbury was the centre for a widespread royal estate during the Saxon period, and the abbey was founded in AD979. It is probable that the town itself grew up around these establishments but little is known of the way in which the surrounding landscape was utilised; Vernacular buildings are generally of flint, with brick, chalk or limestone dressings, with roofs of tile.
Biodiversity
Parts of this area are of high ecological value offering a range of habitats including nationally rare chalk grassland, a habitat that has seen an 80% decline over the last 50 years. The long established military land use has contributed to the presence of these ecologically important areas.
Salisbury Plain is designated as a SSSI, SAC and SPA. The purchase of land for military use at the beginning of the 20th century has protected the area from intensive farming methods, allowing over 100 years of chalk grassland re-colonisation. Today the diverse range of calcareous soil types support a wide range of grassland communities including 13 species of nationally rare plants. The Plain is an important habitat for invertebrates, with 67 rare and scarce species recorded. It is also an internationally important site for birds, offering important breeding and wintering grounds for a number of species, including six listed in the Red Data Book.
11106001R LCA_EC_02-08 93
EVALUATION
Current Condition
Although this landscape is actively farmed, the intensive farming methods mean that some landscape features have declined. Hedgerows are often fragmented, gappy or over-managed, with post and wire fencing often acting as infill where hedgerow sections have been lost. The overall condition of this landscape is considered to be moderate.
Inherent Landscape Sensitivities
Landscape Character Sensitivity
This Landscape Character Area is considered to have a relatively strong character, on account of the large-scale, generally smooth rolling landform and exposed character. Landscape sensitivities include the hedgerow network and strong sense of tranquillity throughout (except in proximity to the A303 road corridor and edges of Salisbury and Amesbury). Overall landscape character sensitivity is considered to be moderate to high.
Visual Sensitivity
This large-scale, sweeping landscape has an exposed and denuded character. Long distance, panoramic views across the landscape are key visual character, with small landscape elements such as isolated farmsteads or gappy hedgerows forming focal points on the horizon. Intervisibility with surrounding areas of chalk downland is strong and generally seemless. As a result of these factors, and the rolling landform of ridges and slopes, overall visual sensitivity is considered to be high.
Key Landscape Changes
Conversion from sheep grazing on unimproved grassland to intensive arable production is one of the most dramatic changes to have occurred within the landscape over the past three centuries; There is pressure for development and facilities along the A303 transport corridor (such as the new services at Countess East); the loss of features such as hedgerows, combined with varied approaches to field boundary management, affects the visual integrity of the landscape; The loss of features such as hedgerows, combined with varied approaches to field boundary management, affects the visual integrity of the landscape; Pressure for residential development is changing the character of small nucleated villages and towns within the area; Potential future impact of tall structures, such as communication masts, transmitters and wind turbines, that will be particularly intrusive on open skylines and impact on the sense of remoteness (particularly within the north of the area); Changes in military activities, potentially leading to alterations to the management of the calcareous grassland and woodland blocks; Potential new development associated with Amesbury, Bulford Camp and Boscombe Down Management Strategy and objectives.
Management Strategy and Objectives
The overall management strategy for Boscombe Down should be to conserve the patchwork of arable farmland and calcareous grassland, and intact hedgerows, including clumps of woodland. Where possible, field boundaries should be restored using locally appropriate species.
11106001R LCA_EC_02-08 94
Specific objectives are to:
Conserve the network of remaining hedgerows and restore where possible, using locally appropriate species; Conserve open views into the Upper Avon and Bourne valleys; Seek active management and scrub removal whenever possible; Conserve the relatively strong sense of tranquillity and predominantly rural character throughout; Discourage unsympathetic ribbon development and associated planting (such as Leylandii hedges); Seek to screen visually harsh urban edges; Ensure that any potential new development responds to existing settlement scale and respects local vernacular building materials.
11106001R LCA_EC_02-08 Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan
APPENDIX D
Hampshire Integrated Landscape Assessment
22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 32 - of 33 June 2015
8D: ANDOVER OPEN DOWNS
View from Danebury ring eastwards across Open Downs– regular straight sided and large scale field pattern of extensive formal enclosures.
Expansive arable near Thruxton –Frequent visual reminders of an Near Penton Mewsey – over more typical of the Open Downs. ancient ritual landscape. wooded Downland Mosaic Large Scale – glimpses of Andover © Andrew Smith - Geogrpah
Occasionally more wooded characterPenton Mewsey © Colin Bates – Enham Alamein purpose built homes on some steeper slopes and whereGeograph, located at the head of the for war heroes after WW1 © Chris clays are thicker. R Anton, Test tributary. Talbot - Geograph
Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area lies along the western edge of Hampshire County and forms a bowl of higher downland which surroundings the town of Andover. To the southwest this character abuts the edges of the Salisbury Plain while to the northwest it abuts the Chute Forest both of which extend into Wiltshire. The eastern edge of this character area is bordered by the Test Valley while the southern and northern boundaries are defined by marked scarps.
1.2 Component County Landscape Types: Open Downs, Downland Mosaic Small Scale, Downland Mosaic Large Scale.
1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: Test District North Andover Plateau Andover Chalk Downland Thruxton and Danebury Chalk Downland Harewood Forest Wooded Quarley Hill Downs Downs Cholderton Downs Amport Wooded Downs
There is a good correlation between the boundary of this character area and those listed above. The southern boundary is almost identical to the Thruxton and Danebury Chalk Downland area and the northern boundary follows the northern edge of the Tangley and Doles Wood character area. This character area does not include the main river valleys. Beyond the boarder into Wiltshire this landscape character area correlates with Area 3B Salisbury Plain East. Although not pulled out as a separate character area it should be noted that in the far western corner the river valley of River Bourne correlates with that of the Bourne Chalk River Valley (5C) identified in the Wiltshire Assessment.
1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 130: Hampshire Downs JCA 132: Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs NA 78: Hampshire Downs and NA 80: South Wessex Downs
1.5 Townscape Assessment Areas: Andover
2.0 Key Characteristics • Plateau downland with gentle undulating ridges and dry chalk valleys. • Occasional prominent hills within the downland create visual features.
Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
• Open, expansive landscape with long distant views across downland and the river valleys which dissect the plateau. • Biodiversity value from Harewood Forest, and dispersed areas of chalk grassland, including internationally-designated sites. • Predominately arable land use with limited pasture in the west and south on the fringes of Salisbury Plain and Boscombe Down East. • There is little woodland cover creating a simple composition of landscape elements except where there are notable deposits of clay with flints - here woodland cover becomes dominant e.g. Harewood Forest. • A landscape with significant time depth and important archaeology particularly from prehistoric and Roman periods, especially associated with the areas of open dowland and higher areas -, including burial mounds and hill forts such as Danebury. • Very regular formal enclosure pattern dates predominately from the 19th century. Defined in places by a weak hedgerow structure or no boundaries at all and particularly in the open downland tends to overwrite earlier field boundary patterns. • Occasional parkland landscapes provide visual diversity. • Urban edges of Andover extend into this character area. • Dispersed pattern of nucleated villages and farmsteads. • Tranquil and remote away from Andover and particularly in the south were there is little settlement.
3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 The Upper Chalk geology surrounding the town of Andover forms a gently undulating plateau of downland with characteristic rounded simple landforms and a ‘fan’ of dry river valleys which slope towards the tributaries of the Test. Landform shows greater variety and complexity where there are deposits of clay with flints or where the chalk forms prominent hills which protrude above the plateau and form landmark features e.g. Quarley Hill, Thruxton Hill and Chattis Hill. The area generally slopes in a south-easterly direction, the highest areas occurring along the northern and western boundary i.e. around 172m AOD at Tower Hill. Soils are generally calcareous and free draining with heavy clays occurring where there are deposits of clay with flint. Within the ‘fan’ of dry river valleys that extend north and west of Andover there are valley gravel deposits. The agricultural land quality of this area is predominately medium with small patches of higher quality land north of Charlton, Redenham Park and near Quarley Hill.
3.2 Open arable farmland is the principal land use with some concentrated areas of woodland to the east at Harewood Forest and more fragmented areas of woodland south and west of Abbots Ann. Otherwise the open, large scale, arable fields form a simple landscape pattern defined by a weak structure of hedgerows or no hedgerows at all. Interspersed with the arable pattern of land use are two airfields at Thruxton and Middle Wallop. In the Harewood Forest area hedgerows comprise shelterbelts or spinneys contributing to the general sense of enclosure found there and contrasting with the openness of the wider area. Some patches of pasture can be found around the southern edges of the area on the fringes of Salisbury Plain i.e. Boscombe Down East.
Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
3.3 This landscape character falls into three separate Environment Agency river catchments: the Upper Test in the north, the Lower Test in the south and the River Bourne Hants in the far west. River valleys (with the exception of the River Bourne) are dry due to the free draining nature of the chalk plateau.
3.4 The prominent hills which rise above the open arable plain have attracted attention and use over the centuries. Their physical, visual dominance and high value culturally make them notable features of this landscape character area.
4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 As a result of its elevation, topography and predominately open arable cultivation, this landscape offers wide views, big skies and a visually simple composition. The small hills which protrude from the downland plateau form notable landmarks and assist with orientation and sense of place. Its simplicity and openness can make this landscape feel bleak and uncompromising in certain weather conditions.
4.2 The Test Way long distance path passes through the north-eastern part of this character area. Areas of open access occur on patches of downland e.g. Danebury Down and Kimpton Down. There is also an area of restricted access as a result of MOD training on the edge of Boscombe Down East.
4.3 The emptiness of much of this landscape gives it a strong sense of remoteness and isolation. The CPRE tranquillity assessment indicates that the southern half of this character area is of medium to high tranquillity, and this reduces towards Andover. Elements which detract from tranquillity include pylons and major trunk roads which converge on Andover. Views towards urban development or the spread of urban development along radial roads has also caused an urbanising influence on downland. Night blight from Andover can be experienced over a wide area.
5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This is an agricultural landscape, comprising mainly arable land with some patches of unimproved and semi-improved calcareous grasslands, which tend to be small and often isolated. Large patches of improved grassland are located on steeper slopes, such as Brougthon Down and Porton Down. It includes internationally designated habitats: Porton Down SPA (also designated as a SAC and a SSSI) is situated on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border in the Test Valley and Salisbury districts. It consists of an extensive area of chalk grassland with scrub and woodland, and is one of the largest uninterrupted tracts of semi-natural chalk grassland in the UK. It is important for downland breeding birds and supports important numbers of Stone Curlew.
5.2 Woodland is scattered in small copses and strips throughout this character area and represents a variety of types including broadleaved woodland, mixed, coniferous and broadleaved plantations, active coppice with standards and parkland. Ancient and semi-natural woodland exists throughout but is more prevalent in the east than the west. There is a large area of ancient and semi-natural woodland in the southeast, associated with Harewood Forest and consisting of broadleaved woodland, mixed woodland, active coppice with standards and some broadleaved plantation. On the northern boundary of the character area there is a significant area of mixed and broadleaved plantation which is ancient and semi-natural woodland, associated with Ridges Copse.
Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
5.3 This landscape character area has several BOAs within it. Broughton Down BOA crosses the boundary in the south west of the area and includes important examples of almost the complete range of chalk habitats, with the exception of Juniper scrub. Porton Down BOA in the west of the area extends into Wiltshire and comprises an extensive area of grassland, scrub and woodland and constitutes one of the largest, uninterrupted tracts of semi-natural chalk grassland in Britain. Tidworth BOA contains several small unimproved chalk grassland and scrub SINCs, woodland tends to be species rich with oak, ash and field maple canopy and hazel understorey. Salisbury Plain BOA supports the largest known expanse of unimproved chalk downland in northwest Europe, representing 41% of Britain’s remaining area of this rich wildlife habitat. Harewood Forest BOA contrasts with the other BOAs in this area and supports 670 hectares of mainly ancient and semi-natural woodland with extensive areas of oak coppice which are now derelict.
5.4 There are over 95 SINCs in this landscape character area. Ancient and semi-natural woodland is the most common purpose for designating SINCs.
6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 Mesolithic evidence for this area is very limited, with a very slight bias towards the west of Andover. However, Neolithic evidence is strongly associated with open downland. There are two clusters of Neolithic long barrows on the high ground between the Test and the Wallop, and between the Wallop and the (Wiltshire) Bourne. There are also a number of Neolithic sites around the Andover area, with a long barrow to the northwest of Andover. This concentration of Neolithic sites, finds and burials is suggestive that the bowl of open downland (including 8D and 8E) is a core zone of early agricultural landscapes and has been emerging as a farmed landscape since earliest times.
6.1.2 Bronze Age evidence suggests a continuing close correlation between the open downland and Bronze Age sites. The Bronze Age burial mounds tend to flank the Test valley, cluster where the Neolithic long barrows cluster, and sit around the rim of the lower lying open downland bowl. The Bronze Age settlement evidence tends to sit within the lower lying open downland bowl. There are also a number of Bronze Age linear boundaries, which indicate a highly organised landscape by this period. It is also notable that these Bronze Age sites skirt the north of Andover joining the two areas of open downland that are currently separated by the built up town, suggesting continuity across this zone. This evidence suggests that the open downland continued to emerge as a settled and farmed landscape though the Bronze Age, although It is interesting to note that the large scale mosaic downland area along side the Test appears to have had a different and later evolution.. This pattern remains true of the Iron Age. Iron Age settlement and field systems remained dominant in the open downland (including the pattern extending across the back of Andover between the two areas of open downland separated by the town), although generally they avoided the large scale downland mosaic areas. There are Hillforts, central places of status, embedded in this landscape, demonstrating the continuation of a farmed and settled landscape. The study of Danebury and its environs have provided an important insight into the evolution of this landscape through the Iron Age and Roman period.
Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
6.1.3 There is a lower density of Roman sites in the open downland, and the evidence tends to be dense along the northern part of the character area, north and west of Andover. This may imply that whilst the existing settlement and farming continued to evolve in the lower lying bowl of open downland, there was more room for Roman expansion in the less densely settled northern areas. This is particularly notable when looking at the distribution of Villa sites. The Roman settlement evidence is also encroaching onto the margins of the large mosaic downland, again indicative of expansion of the core area into previously underused areas. Of more immediate note is the clear effect of the Roman roads across the landscape, with the lines manifestly fossilised and traceable in today’s landscape, showing the importance of this inheritance in the subsequent evolution of the landscape.
6.1.4 The continuation of this occupied landscape into the Saxon period is suggested by evidence of Saxon burials across this open downland zone. However, by the medieval period, evidence of settlement from churches and settlement recorded in Domesday seems to shift into the valley. The downland zone is partly occupied by evidence of arable fields in ladder systems, and of open downland, often emerging in the modern landscape as late enclosure of parliamentary type.
6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 The majority of this landscape comprises a mixture of enclosures from different periods, but which collectively give rise to a large scale open and regular field pattern. Enclosures range from late large scale enclosures and formal parliamentary enclosures of the 18th and 19th centuries through to 20th century reorganisation and field enlargement which has produced a characteristic openness and regularity within the landscape. Of particular note are the ladder fields that occur in the west of the character area and extend south and west onto the Salisbury Plain. These would have connected the valley settlements with the surrounding downland. Remnant areas of downland are also a feature of this landscape reflecting an earlier landscape of common grazing which would have been more widespread in Medieval times. Today these remnant downland areas occur mostly at the fringes of the area where land rises onto the Salisbury Plain or on steeper slopes.
6.2.3 In contrast to much of this character area there are two areas which are more wooded, although still large scale - Harewood Forest and west of Abbotts Ann, The whole area was formerly part of the medieval forest of Chute (which extended into Wiltshire) the name of which infers woodland. It is likely the area was more wooded than today but it is difficult to estimate its medieval extent. Disafforestion took place in 1639, and it likely the patches of assart date from around this date. Harewood Forest is a remnant area of pre 1810 woodland which is likely to reflect an intact area of medieval forest which has subsequently undergone several replanting episodes. Today it forms the largest tract of woodland in Hampshire outside of the New Forest. Within the wooded area there is evidence of past assarting particularly along the north eastern edge while some areas of assated fields have been replaced with parliamentary field systems. The landscape around Abbotts Ann also contains sinuous assarted woodland and associated wavey field boundaries of varying sizes reflecting a similar evolution. Here however woodland clearance has been more widespread and the remaining woodland cover forms a more fragmented pattern.
Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
6.2.4 Parkland landscapes include Amport Park, where parkland trees contribute to landscape character although much of the parkland itself is under arable cultivation. Redrice (now Fareleigh School) has a fine arboretum while Cholderton Lodge was a model farm and is associated with Charles Stephens who founded Stephens Inks. Other parkland includes Penton Mewsey Lodge, Hatherden House Kimpton House, Soddington Manor and Enham Place.
6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 Many roads cross this landscape radiating out from Andover (e.g. the A303 and A343). The A30 runs through the southern fringes of this area. In places such as east of Andover the criss-crossing of the road network physically and visually fragments the landscape. Beyond the major trunk roads a network of minor rural lanes connects nucleated settlements and the river valleys.
6.3.2 The town of Andover is at the centre of this character area. Although most of the town lies in character area 3B (The Test Valley), its growth in the 20th century has led to the expansion of built form out of the Anton Valley and onto the surrounding higher downland within this character area. In addition to this general growth, urban development has also occurred along the linear routes which radiate out from the town and relatively recent settlements have formed at Picket Piece and Andover Down. The development of the Walworth Industrial Estate on the eastern side of the town has almost merged with these modern settlement clusters.
6.3.3 This landscape contains a number of nucleated settlements, some of which are located at the heads of the tributary valleys and streams of the Test e.g. Kimpton and Penton Mewsey. Many of these settlements are covered by Conservation Area status and retain their historic character, containing good examples of timber framing, cob and straw thatch which is particularly distinctive in this area. Of particular note is the lack of settlement in the southern half of this character area where a sense of remoteness and isolation is most readily perceived. Vernacular buildings reflect the natural building materials available in this landscape including chalk and flint as well as the use of wheat straw.
6.3.4 Across this landscape there is a low density of large to medium farmsteads often associated with the main roads. Farmhouses are typically set back from the farmyard and associated buildings, with barns occurring on three sides. The barn buildings may include threshing barns and granaries on straddle stones. Post WW2 arable intensification and mechanisation has lead to modern large double sheet metal barns and round ground silos which have in some places replaced traditional buildings.
Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
EVALUATION
7.0 Forces for Change 1. Changes in agricultural practices and land management, particularly relating to agricultural intensification. 2. Urban/ suburban influences, , including MDAs for housing and employment around Andover. 3. Demand for recreation and access, particularly due to its proximity to centres of population. 4. Potential development of masts and other tall structures. 5. Climate change, particularly related to potential groundwater changes and changes to farming patterns. 6. Minerals and Waste schemes (2 safeguarded landfill sites in the vicinity of Andover).
KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 A simple landscape composition is achieved by large rectangular fields of arable agriculture, although areas of woodland, grassland and parkland provide visual diversity, especially towards the fringes of the area and around settlements. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3.4.5.6 Threats: Poor maintenance of farmland reduces visual quality of the agricultural landscape. Lost or poorly-managed hedgerows resulting in a weak landscape structure. Replacement of traditional farm buildings with more modern, practical and larger structures which are prominent in the landscape. Loss of pastoral parkland to arable cultivation reducing the diversity of the landscape pattern. Changes of use of estate buildings (e.g. as schools) leading to a loss of character and quality of surrounding parkland. Increased use of land for horse-related activities, potentially resulting in rank grassland and poor/ unsympathetic boundary treatments. Potential negative landscape impacts resulting from planting of energy/ biomass crops.
Opportunities: Seek improved management and maintenance of farmsteads and farms in the urban fringe to retain the visual quality of the landscape. Retain historic field boundaries where they occur. Use AONB management guidelines (if applicable) and local-level assessments (e.g. Parish Plans) to inform construction of new agricultural buildings, to ensure that they are sensitively designed and sited, and well integrated into the landscape. Resist conversion of pastoral parkland to arable use. Replant parkland trees where necessary to retain their presence in the future landscape. Prepare conservation management plans for parkland to ensure that their character and quality is not unduly compromised by changes in use of the estate buildings, and that designed views are not degraded by the introduction of new, visually prominent features. Energy crops should be carefully sited in keeping with the local landscape pattern and create a positive contribution to the landscape.
Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
7.2 A landscape with important areas of biodiversity, particularly Harewood Forest and discrete areas of chalk grassland including parts of the internationally-designated Porton Down and Salisbury Plain. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3.4.5.6 Threats: Due to intensive farming practices, there may be a loss of biodiversity. Potential lack of woodland management. Loss and fragmentation of remnant unimproved grassland, reducing its biodiversity value. Loss of woodland and parkland trees as a result of over-maturity (possibly exacerbated by drought and disease resulting from climate change).
Opportunities: Target agri-environment and woodland grant schemes to maximise the biodiversity of arable farmland and woodland, strengthen the landscape pattern and continue/ restart traditional woodland management practises such as coppicing, thinning, replanting and edge management in accordance with BOA guidelines. Seek opportunities for new woodland planting to link existing wooded areas, and to integrate modern development into the landscape. Retain and manage Porton Down SPA and other remnant patches of unimproved grassland, linking them where possible in accordance with BOA guidelines and AONB management plan policies. Consider the possibility of increasing recreational access to woodland areas in line with CAP actions, without compromising landscape or biodiversity quality.
7.3 A rich archaeological landscape, containing extensive prehistoric and Roman features, including burial mounds, and Danebury Hillfort. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3.4.6 Threats: Loss of buried and upstanding archaeological features through ploughing, scrub encroachment, development and other means. Visitor pressure leading to soil erosion and damage to archaeology at popular sites such as Danebury hillfort. Loss of settings of archaeological features, particularly when they occur on skylines or in the context of locally prominent hills.
Opportunities: Protection of archaeology from ploughing, scrub encroachment or woodland management through agreements with landowners/ farmers. Management of visitors to popular sites to enable understanding of the sites but minimising damage to soil or archaeological features, in line with CAP actions. Identifying key settings to archaeological sites and using planning policy to minimise damage to them from development.
Hampshire County 10 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
7.4 Rural settlement comprises a dispersed pattern of intact historic villages and farmsteads, containing attractive vernacular buildings. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3. Threats: Potential loss of the integrity, historic character and settings of nucleated villages due to incremental suburbanisation and insensitive development. Amalgamation of settlements in built-up areas (for example the Pentons and Andover). High visual impact of Andover, particularly where dense residential development abuts open fields. Urban fringe land uses around Andover (golf courses, sewage works etc) altering the landscape pattern. Ribbon development into downland along roads around Andover, leading to a degraded feel to the landscape, and a wide transition zone from urban to rural character. “Night blight” from Andover and MOD bases. Shortage of easy access routes for urban populations into the countryside. .
Opportunities: Village Design Statements provide an opportunity to identify the historic character of nucleated villages, and encourage new development proposals to be sympathetic to the existing village character in terms of sitting, design and materials. Use of planning conditions to help integrate new development into the landscape through (for example) sensitive planting of hedgerows and woodlands to minimise the visual impacts of development and roads on the landscape. Maintain the close relationship between settlement pattern, historic field boundaries and surrounding parkland in order to protect and enhance the settings of settlements. Maintain the alignment of historic road patterns, using the Rural Roads Initiative. Improve management of the landscape around settlements through targeting of agri- environment schemes. Seek opportunities to restore local landscape features and create a stronger landscape structure within the settlement of Andover. Improve recreation opportunities and public access into the countryside from Andover, in line with CAP actions.
7.5 A generally remote, tranquil, open, expansive and simple landscape with big skies, clear skylines, occasional prominent hills, and long views which make development particularly intrusive. The northern part of the area is designated AONB. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 2..5.5.6.7 Threats: Existing localised impacts on views and tranquillity from intrusive features within the landscape such as pylons, transport routes and airfields. Potential future impacts of visually-dominant wind turbines on skylines and long views.
Opportunities: Seek opportunities to enhance roadside planting, and minimise visual and noise intrusion. Careful consideration to be given to the environmental and landscape impacts of alternative uses for MOD land/ infrastructure. Protect significant open vistas from visual intrusion, and protect and enhance views to local landscape features, including prominent hill tops in accordance with AONB policies. Only site tall and/or large structures where they can be successfully integrated into the landscape.
Hampshire County 11 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Andover Open Downs
Aspire Defence Capital Works – Landscape & Visual Appraisal – Tidworth Masterplan
FIGURES
Contained in Annex
22-XXXGEN-43-RT-L1-001 - 33 - of 33 June 2015