DOCSLIB.ORG

Landscape Character Assessment for Gateshead Council

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Landscape Character Assessment for Gateshead Council Landscape Character Assessment for Gateshead Council P-05/04 Reports & P-05/04 Specifications www.wyg.com thinking beyond construction Landscape Character Assessment for Gateshead Council Wallington House Tel: 0191 232 4383 Old Brewery Court Fax: 0191 261 0986 Starbeck Avenue Project No: E009808 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE2 1RH Original Version Issue No.: Draft 1 Issue 1 Final Date: 24/11/2006 02/02/2007 17/09/07 Prepared by: M Ashton M Ashton Checked by: P Welstead P Welstead Approved by: P Davies P Davies R:\Administration\Newcastle Admin Documents\Report (Full Doc).doc P-05/04 Reports & P-05/04 Specifications www.wyg.com thinking beyond construction Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council INDEX 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 SCOPE OF WORKS 3.0 METHODOLOGY 4.0 REGIONAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS 5.0 LANDSCAPE TYPES WITHIN GATESHEAD 6.0 GATESHEAD BOROUGH LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS 7.0 LOCAL LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS 8.0 LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY & CAPACITY 9.0 PLANNING POLICY 10.0 REFERENCES APPENDIX 1 – STUDY AREA (E009808 – 001) APPENDIX 2 – CHARACTER OF ENGLAND CHARACTER AREAS (E009808 – 002) APPENDIX 3 – GATESHEAD BOROUGH CHARACTER AREAS (E009808 – 003) APPENDIX 4 – LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS (E009808 – 004) APPENDIX 5 – LANDSCAPE SENSITIVITY (E009808 – 005) APPENDIX 6 – LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT SITE SURVEY SHEETS E009808 Final Issue Page 1 Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 This document contains the Landscape Character Assessment for the rural area of the Borough of Gateshead (See Appendix 2). This document has been produced in accordance with ‘Landscape Character Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland’, the nationally recognised guidance produced by The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. 2.0 SCOPE OF WORKS 2.1 The following text has been extracted from the ‘Contract for the Provision of a Landscape Character Study’, produced by Gateshead Council, and sets out the requirements of the study. 2.2 4 SPECIFICATION 4.1 The consultants should carry out a survey to divide the rural part of Gateshead (including the whole of the Green Belt) into Landscape Character Areas. Whilst the Countryside Agency/Scottish Natural Heritage good practice guide referred to in the above paragraph states that the most appropriate scale to map Character Areas at is 1:50,000 or 1:25,000, the UDP must show the areas on its Proposals Map which will be at a much larger scale. The areas should therefore be clearly defined on a large-scale Ordnance Survey base map, although it may often or usually be inappropriate to follow boundaries or features which are precisely defined on the map or on the ground. The approach taken in showing the results of the previous work on the Council’s current UDP Proposals map will help to illustrate a possible approach. 4.2 Detailed text should be provided, describing, for each area, its character and the essential characteristics which it is important to protect or enhance. This should consider the full range of factors contributing to landscape quality, which are enumerated by the good practice guide (see para. 3.11 above), and should indicate something of the historical E009808 Final Issue Page 2 Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council evolution of the landscape in each area to its present form. Where appropriate the text for each area should also identify undesirable or incompatible features which should ideally be eradicated. It should also indicate forms of development, types of material or structure, and changes of use of land which, subject to the detail of particular proposals and any other material planning considerations, are likely to be in character or out of character in terms of their impact on visual value, biodiversity, landscapes of historic interest, openness and the public enjoyment of the countryside. A distinction should be made between those character areas which can accommodate a broad range of change without damage to essential character, those which might be sensitive to certain specific types of change, and those where careful conservation is necessary to maintain character; and those where particular types of change are likely to be appropriate or inappropriate. 4.3 The Council may wish to adopt the study, or parts of it, to form an item of Supplementary Planning Guidance, or pending the adoption of the revised UDP an Interim Planning Guidance note, to inform developers and other interested parties directly of the detailed rationale for the policies and text in the UDP. The study, including methodology, descriptive and analytical text and mapping, should be written and presented in an accessible format with this in mind. 4.4 The methodology used should be clearly explained and the detailed results of the survey work incorporated in the study. 4.5 This work should be at a much more detailed level of resolution, and be more specific to Gateshead, mapped at the level of individual fields or parcels of land unless there are clear reasons to do otherwise, than the Countryside Character Areas defined by the Countryside Agency, or those of the Landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development, and the areas should have precise boundaries. However, it is recognised that views from one area into another may be important and overlaps or zones of transition may need to be identified. E009808 Final Issue Page 3 Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council 4.6 The consultants should consider whether it is desirable to link their detailed proposed Character Areas with these more broad-brush, higher- level areas identified by the Countryside Agency and the landscape Appraisal for Onshore Wind Development. 4.7 The consultants should recommend suitable policies, which should be criteria-based, and brief explanatory supporting text, for potential inclusion in the replacement Unitary Development Plan (see para. 3.2 above). These must be clearly based on the work done to identify Character Areas and both their content and their relationship to the survey work done must be robustly defensible. These policies should support and enable, rather than frustrate, sustainable and non-damaging development in the countryside, including agricultural diversification; whilst ensuring that wholly inappropriate development is strongly resisted. 4.8 As indicated above, this work can either supplement or replace the existing UDP designations of land in the countryside as of either “highest”, “high” or “other” landscape value. The consultants should consider whether the existing policies should be retained alongside the results of the Character Area work, whether if so they should be amended in any way to fit better with it, and whether, if these designations are retained, their geographical coverage should be altered in any way. For example, there may have been major changes to the landscape in particular locations as a result of quarrying, the restoration of quarries or landfill sites, or woodland planting. However, if the existing designations are to be retained in any form, and in line with PPS7, a very strong case would need to be made as to why criteria-based policies are insufficient to protect the countryside. 4.9 The Study should provide a basis for devising policies and practices for the management of areas of land in the countryside managed by the Council; and should help to provide an informed basis for the further development of the Great North Forest. It may be appropriate for it to make suggestions for the improvement of degraded landscapes. E009808 Final Issue Page 4 Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council 4.10 The consultants should define recommended priorities and an Action Plan. 4.11 The Landscape Character Study should establish the framework for the formulation of policies in the emerging replacement Unitary Development Plan and subsequent Local Development Framework over the next 10-15 years. 4.12 The study results should be accessible, understandable and useable to all relevant Council officers, the public and interest groups. Mapping done at any stage should be accessible to officers across the Council using various, appropriate GIS packages. 4.13 The Council reserves the right to identify additional tasks that it considers to be required should the need arise in the future. 3.0 METHODOLOGY 3.1 This methodology is based on nationally recommended guidance produced by The Countryside Agency, Landscape Character Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland 2002. In addition to this, Landscape Character Assessment Topic Papers 1-6 have also been used to incorporate current guidelines and best practice. 3.2 Desk Study A desk based analysis of the Countryside Agency Countryside Character Initiative was carried out to identify the relevant landscape character types identified at a regional scale. Following this, a desk based analysis of mapping information relating to the natural elements of the landform to identify common areas within the borough was completed. Natural elements to be analysed include; Geology Landform/Topography Rivers & drainage systems Soils Land cover/Vegetation E009808 Final Issue Page 5 Landscape Character Assessment Gateshead Council Land use patterns e.g. field enclosure Settlement patterns Historic development of the landscape Analysis of the above information has informed the division of the borough into ‘parcels’ of land of similar characteristics. These land parcels have then been used as the basis for the field survey exercise. 3.3 Field Survey 3.3.1 Following on from the desk study, a detailed site survey exercise was conducted to visually assess the character of the Borough. Aspects to be assessed during the survey included; Topography Geology Watercourses Landscape elements Land cover Distinctive features of the landscape ‘Condition’ of the landscape Visual assessment of the landscape Perception of the landscape Settlement pattern Architectural description Detractors 3.3.2 As part of the field work exercise, photographic records were made at each assessment location recording the significant landscape and visual elements that contribute to the overall landscape character of the area.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • NEW Bulletin 119.Indd
    Notes on the grass snake Natrix natrix in the Derwent Valley, County Durham Terry coult 4 Officials Terrace, Malton, Lanchester, County Durham, DH7 0TH, UK. [email protected] ABSTRACT - Records of grass snakes Natrix natrix in the counties of Northumberland and Durham, northeast England, are assessed in the context of national and regional records. The history of the grass snake on the Gibside Estate in County Durham is documented, along with observations of behaviour and discussion of the provenance of the snakes. The Gibside population of grass snakes is put into context and its future prospects discussed. HIS paper’s primary aim is to document the of Special Scientific Interest, partially due to the Thistory of the grass snakes of the Gibside Estate presence of five native amphibian and four native in the lower Derwent Valley, northeast England. reptile species. Secondary aims are to put the Derwent Valley grass snakes into their regional context and to examine RECORDS AND LITERATURE REVIEW whether the snakes are typical of the helvetica Records of the grass snake in northeast England are subspecies native to England. This paper is based held by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) primarily upon survey work and observations and the Environmental Records Information carried out between 1985 and 1998, supplemented Centre (ERIC) in Tyne and Wear Museums. The by a review of archived biological records and data holdings include duplicates, inaccuracies further information from other naturalists. and incomplete records including those with no For much of its length the river Derwent provenance and in many cases records that cannot forms the county boundary between Durham and now be verified.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Corridors Network Review BURTON REID
    Wildlife Corridors Network Review Final Report (Consultation Draft) Client Gateshead Council South Tyneside Council Sunderland City Council | December 2020 | BR0465/LDP/A | BURTON REID ASSOCIATES Wildlife Corridors Network Review December 2020 Gateshead Council | South Tyneside Council | Sunderland City Council BR0465/LDP/A Report Burton Reid Associates, Suite 8 Buckfastleigh Business Centre, 33 Chapel St, produced by Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0AB Document ref: BR0465/LDP/A Client: Gateshead Council South Tyneside Council Sunderland City Council Project: Wildlife Corridors Network Review Report Burton Reid Associates, Suite 8 Buckfastleigh Business Centre, 33 Chapel St, produced by Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0AB Author(s) Chrissy Mason MSc EcIA MCIEEM; Laura Snell BSc (Hons) MCIEEM Verified by Jenni Reid BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM Issue date 11 December 2020 Revision 20 November 2020 Partial Draft 27 November 2020 Final Rev B 07 December 2020 Final Rev C 11 December 2020 Final Report A BURTON REID ASSOCIATES 2 Wildlife Corridors Network Review December 2020 Gateshead Council | South Tyneside Council | Sunderland City Council BR0465/LDP/A ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Burton Reid Associates are grateful for the input and support throughout the project of Claire Dewson (Sunderland City Coun- cil), Clare Rawcliffe (South Tyneside Council), Peter Shield (Gateshead Council), Gary Baker (Sunderland City Council) Deborah Lamb (South Tyneside Council) Grant Rainey (Gateshead Council) Chris Carr (Gateshead Council) and Mike Oxford. The authors are also grateful for the permission of the case studies partners including: Stephanie Evans (Chichester District Council) Nicky Court (Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre) Maria Clarke (Dorset Local Nature Partnership) Maurice Maynard (Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service) Natalie Rutter (Newcastle City Council) Jackie Hunter (North Tyneside Council) and Dan Wrench (Shropshire Council).
    [Show full text]
  • GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS GIBSIDE PLEASURE GROUNDS the NATIONAL TRUST Paul Ring Associate Professor
    Northumbria University Architecture Portfolios GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS GIBSIDE PLEASURE GROUNDS THE NATIONAL TRUST Paul Ring Associate Professor www.northumbriaarchitecture.com/research GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS INTERVENTIONS GIBSIDE Northumbria University Architecture Portfolios / page 2 Front cover Fig. 01 _ Re-Imagining Gibside Hall | exterior view of an experiential intervention proposition for the ruin GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS INTERVENTIONS GIBSIDE Northumbria University Architecture Portfolios 1. Project Details Principal Researcher Paul Ring Research Collaborator Andrea Couture Title Gibside Interventions Output type Design Proposition / page Venue Gibside Hall, Gateshead | The Truman, London 3 Curator Paul Ring | Andrea Couture | The National Trust Function Heritage Buildings and Historic Environments Location Gateshead, North East England Client The National Trust Practical completion 2014 - 2020 Funding source Natural England | The National Trust | Northumbria University Budget £55,000 - £7.6m Area Gibside Hall and the wider Estate Collaborators The National Trust Co-exhibitors Andrea Couture Support/acknowledgements Mick Wilkes; General Manager Gibside Estate URL www.northumbriaarchitecture.com/research Fig. _ Gibside 02 Hall | north elevation photometricCourtesy of the National Trust survey Northumbria University Architecture Portfolios GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS / page 4 GIBSIDE INTERVENTIONS INTERVENTIONS GIBSIDE Northumbria University Architecture Portfolios 2. Summary Set within the historic Georgian Pleasure Grounds explored through
    [Show full text]
  • Jesmond Vale Lane and Close to Jesmond Dene
    Parks, gardens, forests and woodlands There are plenty of green spaces in and around Newcastle upon Tyne, where you can take a walk, ride a bike, use the play and exercise facilities and enjoy the fresh air. You never have to travel far to be closer to nature and there are some great places to visit. Alnwick Garden The Alnwick Garden, in the market town of Alnwick, has the Grand Cascade as its centrepiece, the largest water feature of its kind in the UK. There is also the Rose Garden, the Ornamental Garden, the Serpent Garden with its numerous water sculptures, the Bamboo Labyrinth, the Poison Garden, the Woodland Walk, and the world's largest wooden tree house. The garden is accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchairs are available to hire. Elderberries runs at Alnwick Gardens. It aims to provide exciting opportunities for people aged over 50 and including reflexology, as well as events for people with dementia and a tea dance. To find out more about the Elderberries project contact Alnwick Garden. Armstrong Park Armstrong Park and Heaton Park are situated side by side, separated by Jesmond Vale Lane and close to Jesmond Dene. Facilities include a bowling green, tennis and basketball courts, a terraced pavilion, a football area and a children's play area. There is also a picnic area and seating around the parks. Heaton Park has a Friends of the Park Group. Big Waters Country Park Big Waters Country Park is made up of a network of paths, mature woodland and a large pond. It is abundant with a range of birds and wildlife, making it popular with nature enthusiasts for bird watching and insect spotting.
    [Show full text]
  • County Durham LTP3 HRA Screening 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Appropriate Assessment Process 3 1.2 Natura 2000 Sites 3
    Contents County Durham LTP3 HRA Screening 1 Introduction 3 1.1 Appropriate Assessment Process 3 1.2 Natura 2000 Sites 3 2 Identification and Description of Natura 2000 Sites 5 3 Description of the Plan 15 3.1 LTP3 Strategy and Delivery Plan 20 4 Methodology: Broad Impact Types and Pathways 21 5 Screening Analysis of Draft LTP3 25 5.1 Goals and Objectives 25 5.2 Draft policies and related interventions in the three year programme 25 6 Assessment of Likely Significance 57 6.1 Assessment of Likely Significance 57 6.2 Other plans and projects 75 7 LTP3 Consultation: Amendments and Implications for HRA 77 Appendices 1 Component SSSIs of Natura 2000 Sites within 15km of County Durham 95 2 Summary of Favourable Conditions to be Maintained, Condition, Vulnerabilities and Threats of Natura 2000 Sites 108 3 Initial Issues Identification of Longer-term Programme 124 County Durham LTP3 HRA Screening Contents County Durham LTP3 HRA Screening Introduction 1 1 Introduction 1.0.1 Durham County Council is in the process of preparing its Local Transport Plan 3. In accordance with the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora, County Durham is required to undertake Screening for Appropriate Assessment of the draft Local Transport Plan. 1.1 Appropriate Assessment Process 1.1.1 Under the Habitat Regulations, Appropriate Assessment is an assessment of the potential effects of a proposed project or plan on one or more sites of international nature conservation importance.
    [Show full text]
  • Red Kite Trail the Detailed Guide
    Red Kite Trail the Detailed Guide A circular walking route through the scenic lower Derwent Valley in Gateshead and County Durham with opportunities to see magnificent red kites and a host of other wildlife 0 Introducing the Red Kite Trail The Red Kite Trail meanders through the beautiful Derwent valley in Gateshead and County Durham. This is ideal red kite country with a mixture of mature woodlands, wetlands and open countryside. The Trail, at just over 18 km (11 miles), is a circular route that can be walked in two stages over two days, or as a longer walk in one day. It provides many opportunities to see red kites and a variety of other wildlife as well as passing areas of important historical and heritage interest. The route is marked in both directions by Red Kite Trail waymarkers with arrows indicating the recommended Trail direction. Kites can be seen anywhere along the route however, key ‘Red Kite View Points’ are identified where superb views of the valley can provide the ideal vantage point for watching kites. Opportunities to view some well-known features of Tyneside, the Tyne Bridge, the Millennium Pedestrian & Cyclist Bridge and SAGE Gateshead, are available on clear days from the Trail’s higher reaches. Red Kites and their Return to North East England The red kite is one of the most beautiful birds of prey. They eat mainly carrion but will also take some live prey, such as worms and beetles, as well as occasional small mammals and birds. They are easy to spot in flight as they are large with a wingspan of a little under two metres, have a distinctive forked tail and fly in a buoyant, elegant manner with few wing flaps and much twisting of their tail.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptile Atlas of North-East England 2016
    Reptile Atlas of North-East England. 2016 Produced by J L Durkin MSc. MIEEM [email protected] www.durhamnature.co.uk Introduction to the atlas, credits, conventions. This is the fourth edition of the Atlas in this format, replacing the earlier editions of 2008. 2010 and 2013. The species covered are the four native reptile species found in this region of England; Grass Snake, Adder, Slowworm and Common or Viviparous Lizard. Sand Lizard has been introduced several times in the past, to the Northumberland and Teesmouth dunes, but appears not to survive. Sea Turtles netted offshore are covered. “Escapes” of more exotic species are regularly recorded, mainly Red-eared Terrapins. Escaped or released snakes include Dice Snakes, Tessellated Snakes, King Snakes, Indian Pythons and out-of-place Adders. The exotics are sometimes reported as native species, usually as Grass Snakes. The area covered is North-East England, the modern counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Tees Valley, plus the part of North Yorkshire adjacent to Tees Valley. The data is sparser in north Northumberland, Teesdale south of the Tees and in Yorkshire. The records. All available records, about 2700, have been considered and compiled, from “Recorder”, from “The Record Pool”, from the Durham BAP 2005 survey and from many individuals’ records. Keith Cunningham has processed much of the data that is held on Recorder. The North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Wildwatch Project has contributed many records from previously less recorded areas. A large number of people have recorded the North-east’s reptiles, the most prolific recorder being Gordon Simpson.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Butterfly Summary Report
    NORTH EAST ENGLAND BRANCH BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION BUTTERFLY SUMMARY 2016 North East England Compiled by Ian J Waller, Michael Perkins & Roger Norman Butterfly Conservation CONTENTS Page number Contents Page ................................................................... Inside front cover Recorders’ Review ........................................................................................ 3 Weather Summary ........................................................................................ 5 Species Accounts: 2016 ............................................................................... 7 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages ...................................................................... 7 Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris .......................................................... 8 Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola ............................................................ 10 Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus ............................................................ 11 Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines ......................................................... 12 Large White Pieris brassicae .................................................................... 13 Small White Pieris rapae .......................................................................... 14 Green-veined White Pieris napi ................................................................ 15 Clouded Yellow Colias croceus ................................................................ 17 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni .................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council Green Infrastructure Study - Evidence Base
    Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council Green Infrastructure Study - Evidence Base Final Report January 2011 Copyright and Non-Disclosure Notice The contents and layout of this report are subject to copyright owned by Entec (© Entec UK Limited 2011) save to the extent that copyright has been legally assigned by us to another party or is used by Entec under licence. To the extent that we own the copyright in this report, it may not be copied or used without our prior written agreement for any purpose other than the purpose indicated in this report. The methodology (if any) contained in this report is provided to you in confidence and must not be disclosed or copied to third parties without the prior written agreement of Entec. Disclosure of that information may constitute an actionable breach of confidence or may otherwise prejudice our commercial interests. Any third party who obtains access to this report by any means will, in any event, be subject to the Third Party Disclaimer set out below. Third-Party Disclaimer Any disclosure of this report to a third-party is subject to this disclaimer. The report was prepared by Entec at the instruction of, and for use by, our client named on the front of the report. It does not in any way constitute advice to any third-party who is able to access it by any means. Entec excludes to the fullest extent lawfully permitted all liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever arising from reliance on the contents of this report. We do not however exclude our liability (if any) for personal injury or death resulting from our negligence, for fraud or any other matter in relation to which we cannot legally exclude liability.
    [Show full text]
  • Gibside View, Winlaton, Blaydon-On-Tyne, Tyne and Wear £129,950
    Gibside View, Winlaton, Blaydon-On-Tyne, Tyne And Wear £129,950 Gibside View, Winlaton, Property Description Our View Offered with no upper chain this family sized three This family sized accommodation is ideally located close Blaydon-On-Tyne, Tyne bedroom semi detached property is situated on a generous to local schools and the village centre. sized plot on the popular Parkhead Estate in Winlaton. And Wear The internal accommodation briefly comprises entrance hallway, lounge, dining room, kitchen, utility room Location and cloakroom/WC. To the first floor there are three Winlaton is a village situated within Blaydon-On-Tyne. bedrooms and the family bathroom/WC. There is an £129,950 The village has access to a range of local shops, opticians, additional loft area accessible by a pull down ladder. dentist, doctors as well as three local primary schools and Externally there are gardens to the rear and a paved drive St. Thomas More Catholic Academy. An abundance of to the front elevation. Viewing is highly recommended to countryside walks are available as well as having good appreciate the size of accommodation on offer. A copy of transport links to the nearby Blaydon Town Centre, the EPC will be available on request. EPC Grade E. Gateshead Metro Centre and the A1 North and South. EPC Grade E For full EPC please contact the branch IMPORTANT NOTE TO PURCHASERS: We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact.
    [Show full text]
  • Durham Rare Plant Register 2013 Covering VC66 and the Teesdale Part of VC65
    Durham Rare Plant Register 2013 Covering VC66 and the Teesdale part of VC65 JOHN L. DURKIN MSc. MCIEEM BSBI Recorder for County Durham 25 May Avenue. Winlaton Mill, Blaydon, NE21 6SF [email protected] www.durhamnature.co.uk Contents Introduction to the rare plants register Notes on plant distribution and protection The individual species accounts in alphabetical order Site Index First published 2010. This is the 2013, third edition. Improvements in this edition include- An additional 10% records, most of these more recent and more precise. New colour coded maps produced from DMAP. This edition is “regionally aligned”, that is, several species which are county rare in Northumberland, but were narrowly rejected for the Durham first edition, are now included. Cover picture—Spring Gentian at Widdybank Fell. Introduction Many counties are in the process of compiling a County Rare Plant Register, to assist in the study and conservation of their rare species. The process is made easier if the county has a published Flora and a strong Biological Records Centre, and Durham is fortunate to have Gordon Graham's Flora and the Durham Wildlife Trust’s “Recorder" system. We have also had a Biodiversity project, based at Rainton Meadows, which until 2013 carried out conservation projects to protect the rare species. It is hoped that the “RPR” will act as a stimulus for local botanists to make special efforts to improve the database by recording these species. The register will be used to increase our understanding of the status and distribution of the rare species, and to aid and promote their conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Access Guide
    2019 Access Guide Key to accessibility symbols s70 Designated parking s133 Drop-off point s77 Transfer available s140 Accessible toilet s67 Catering accessible s105 Shop accessible s81 Induction loop s22 Photograph album s141 Virtual tour s129 Seats/seating available s68 Braille (guide or menu) s138 Large print (guide or menu) Podcast s63 Steps/uneven terrain s66 Ramped access or slopes s64 Level access/terrain, paths s110 Lifts s129 Stair climber s212 Stairlift s233 Narrow corridors s59 Wheelchairs available s8 Powered mobility vehicle s108 Accessible route/map available 2 Access Guide Contents Key to accessibility symbols 2 Welcome to your Access Guide 4 Changing Places and Space to Change 8 Lifts 10 Powered Mobility Vehicles 14 Mountain Trikes 20 Sound 22 Places 28 Index 221 Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication in January 2019, but changes may occur to site information during the period covered by this guide. © National Trust 2019 Registered charity no. 205846 Consultant Heather Smith Editor Lucy Peel Design and production Roger Shapland and Dave Buchanan Printer Park Lane Press Cover photograph National Trust Images/Paul Harris: Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire A downloadable file of this guide can be found at nationaltrust.org.uk/access-guide nationaltrust.org.uk 3 Welcome to your Access Guide We love welcoming visitors and to make visiting as easy and enjoyable as possible for all, we are constantly looking at ways of improving access – developing creative solutions which are sensitive to their surroundings. For example, there are over 150 powered mobility vehicles at more than 75 of our places which visitors are welcome to borrow for free.
    [Show full text]