1B: NORTH EAST PLANTATIONS AND HEATH

Castle Bottom nature reserve (Hantsweb) – the mixture of open heath, valley mire and scrub woodland are internationally designated and hark back to a former open landscape which covered most of the character area in the 19th century.

Fleet Pond acidic pond, mire and Heathy commons internationally Conifer plantation over heath - alder carr. important wildlife sites and for Hawley local access e.g. Common

Common edge settlements typify the Cross Green typical Sand and Gravel extraction – early settlement plan form – the common historic form of medieval origin restoration phase nr Warren extends well into the village of settlement on terrace above the Heath Hartney Witney.- Blackwater valley floor

Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area lies in the northeast corner of the County bounded to the north and east by the Blackwater River Valley and to the west by the White Water Valley. It is fringed to the south by more elevated land of the Hart Downs. The extent of this character area is determined primarily by the presence of sandy soils on locally elevated, gravely geology.

1.2 Component County Landscape Types Heath and Forest Enclosed, Lowland Mosaic Heath Associated, River Valley Floor

1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: Rushmoor District (contd.) Blackwater Valley (including various subdivisions) Tweseldown Urban (including military towns) Redlands Heathland and Forest Hart Valley Farnborough Aerodrome Whitewater Valley Southwood Amenity Open Space Tylney Pasture and Woodland /West Green Hart District Wellington Blackwater Valley Firgrove Firgrove Urban

The boundaries of this character area correlate well with local assessments with the exception of the area around Wellington. This area has been included because it comprises woodland and plantation on heath, a type common elsewhere in this character area.

1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 129: Thames Basin Heaths NA 66: London Basin

2.0 Key Characteristics • Gently undulating landscape of plateau areas dissected by river valleys. • Predominantly well drained sandy soils over clays and sands giving rise to acidic conditions and some areas of local waterlogging.

Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

• Distinctive ‘heathy’ character throughout reflected in acidic loving vegetation and giving rise to a colourful landscape through the seasons. • Contains internationally important habitats including dry and wet heaths, bogs, scrub and woodland • Land use comprises a mosaic of woodland, including conifer plantations, blocks of remnant open heathland and medium scaled pasture fields. • Varied public access network of commons and open land on the heath and rights of way in the river valleys. • Strong connections to military training from the 18th century and aviation. • Concentration of large parkland landscapes and extensive areas of mineral extraction. • Broad shallow valley of the Blackwater and narrower valleys of the and Whitewater with flat and low-lying riverside meadows. • Large urban areas of Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet and numerous transport corridors (M3, A30, and Basingstoke Canal) and high density of dispersed settlement of common edge origin, and smallholdings. • Enclosed often intimate character with limited outward views and a sense of remoteness and seclusion despite proximity to populated areas.

3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 The plateau south of Beacon Hill rises to a maximum of 188 AOD but generally between 170-185AOD. It is noticeably higher than the Loddon and Whitewater valleys to the west and continues to rise into Surrey to the east beyond the Blackwater. In places there are marked scarps and incised valleys e.g. around Beacon Hill and Caesar’s Camp. The area forms the southern part of the London Basin and the edge of the Weald, comprising Bagshot Sands, Bracklesham Beds and Barton Sands. The result is a mixture of clays, sand and pebble formations which give rise to generally nutrient poor, free draining acid soils with pockets of waterlogged ground, supporting heathland and forest vegetation. More productive farmland occurs where brown earth soils are found, such as around , and where silts occur in the river valleys. Where classified, agricultural land quality is generally of medium quality but lower quality in river floodplains.

3.2 The area has a high concentration of commercial forestry on former heathland in the north with a gradual transition to more mixed heathland and farmland landscape to the south e.g. around Yateley and Hawley Commons. In the plateau areas where very acidic soils predominate, the typical vegetation includes birch, pine, gorse, heather, bracken and broom. There has been a recent trend of heathland restoration from conifer plantation. The larger areas of heathland are represented in the landscape types mapping. In the mixed farmland mosaic landscapes to the south, west and northwest, medium scaled pasture and arable fields are defined by thick hedgerows with hedgerow trees, often with banks and ditches, or by small ancient semi-natural woods. In places the rural character is affected by suburbanising influences such as golf courses, horse grazing, roads and pylons, as well as visual intrusion from adjacent urban areas. Large urban areas, mainly developed in the last 50 years, are a key component of this character area.

3.3 The principal rivers in the area are the Blackwater and the Hart, fed by a network of streams. Those that feed the Hart rise in the chalk to the south and flow

Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

northwards into the London Basin. The Basingstoke Canal passes through the south-eastern part of the character area between Fleet and Aldershot. Where former gravel extraction has taken place large water bodies have been created particularly along the valley floor of the Blackwater.

4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 The varied colours and textures of acidic vegetation are a defining characteristic and add to this area’s scenic value. Weather conditions can strongly influence the perceptual qualities of the landscape, particularly in the open heath and plantation areas where experiences can range from exhilarating and colourful to sombre and bleak. Views are constrained by the many woodlands and thick hedgerows and although the Chalklands to the south may be visible from areas of higher ground, generally the landscape as a whole is intimately enclosed and is valued for remoteness and seclusion, despite close proximity to urban areas.

4.2 The heathland/common landscapes are popular for recreation. There is permissive access over much of the military owned land. The lack of roads and lanes across the heathland, common and plantation landscapes contrasts strongly with adjacent areas of mixed farming. Within the river valleys there is a good network of Public Rights of Way. Lakes which have been created following gravel extraction along the Blackwater valley are popular for water sports and fishing. The Southwood Amenity Open Space is a major open recreational resource for the adjacent high density population.

4.3 Areas of extensive common/heathland and conifer plantation are quiet and secluded and have a sense of remoteness. Although this declines within the more settled mixed farmland, adjacent to major urban areas and where suburban and military activity and roads are present, they contribute greatly to a perception of remoteness, isolation and tranquillity.

5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This landscape character area contains a range of habitats which are internationally important for biodiversity, and part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). This is a composite site across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. It consists of dry and wet heaths, bogs, scrub and woodland, and supports breeding lowland bird populations of Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler.

5.2 There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest which fall largely within the SPA designation, and are similarly important for their heathland habitats and species. These include Hazeley Heath, a large tract of heathland with acid grassland, bracken, wet, dry and humid heath and extensive stands of gorse; Bramshill SSSI, a mosaic of coniferous plantation, shallow acidic ponds, mires within relict wet heath and small unimproved grassland areas and habitat for bird species such as Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler; Fleet Pond SSSI and Local Nature Reserve, a shallow lake with rich and aquatic flora and rare fauna, and is rare in the south of , edged by extensive reedbeds, alder carr and acid, oak dominated, woodlands. Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley Commons SSSI, comprises heathland habitats with coniferous plantations which represent one of the largest remnants of lowland heath in the Thames Basin, supporting species such as heather, bell heather and dwarf gorse; Bourley and Long Valley SSSI, a diverse

Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

mosaic or heathland, woodland, mire, scrub and grassland habitats; Foxlease and Ancell’s Meadow SSSI, which supports a wide range of habitats, including species rich, damp acid grassland, wet heath and mire plant communities; and finally Eelmoor Marsh SSSI, a formerly extensive heathland where patches of deep peat support purple moor grass and heather dominated vegetation.

5.3 Beyond the designations the east of the area has a significant amount of urban and residential development, punctuated by woodland, amenity grassland and sports pitches. In the west of the area, the habitat is significantly different, consisting of a mosaic of arable and improved agricultural grasslands, with broadleaved woodland, heath associated habitats such as wet and dry heaths and unimproved acid grasslands, forestry scrub and patches of marshy grassland. This habitat mosaic is separated from the urban area by a large area of predominantly woodland. Different types of woodland exist here, including a large area of coniferous plantation, mixed woodlands and mixed plantations. There are some patches of broadleaved woodland and this is largely associated with patches of heathland associated habitats in both the north and the south of the area. Ancient and semi natural woodland is limited in this landscape character area, there are small patches in the west, associated with the agricultural landscape and significant patches in the south.

5.4 The Thames Basin Heaths BOA overlies much of this character area. This BOA covers land which was originally a royal hunting forest and comprises a diverse mosaic of heathland, woodland, mire, scrub and grassland habitats supporting a diversity of flora and fauna including nationally scarce plants, nationally rare insects and bird species including Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler.

5.5 There are over 150 SINCs in this landscape character area covering a range of different habitat types. Farnborough Airfield is by far the largest, covering 136 hectares, designated for its agriculturally unimproved and semi-improved grasslands (the latter retaining significant elements of unimproved grassland), areas of heathland and wooded areas with significant remnants of heathland vegetation that could enable recovery, fens, flushes, seepages, springs, inundation grassland etc that support a flora and fauna characteristic of unimproved and waterlogged conditions. Elvetham Heath is a SINC also designated as a Local Nature Reserve, an area of forestry plantation supporting remnant heath and being managed to recreate wet and humid heath habitats.

6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 The evolution of the heathland and plantation landscape, either for pasture or forestry, is a relatively late event. This reflects the poor sandy soils and gravel geology. In common with other heathland areas there is a distribution of Mesolithic sites and finds (eg at Yateley Common) suggesting preferential exploitation of this area. However, the absence of evidence of settlement, such as Long Barrows, suggests that continued exploitation in subsequent periods is likely to have been by populations whose settlements were located elsewhere. There is some evidence to suggest prehistoric settlement in the Blackwater valley, possibly of Bronze Age

Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

date. The lack of abandoned field systems suggests that the area has always been an area of low intensive exploitation.

6.1.2 The principal archaeological features are Bronze Age burial mounds on high ground overlooking the Blackwater valley, which imply an active interest/rights of exploitation, and the hillfort (Caesar’s Camp) to the south, which implies continued interest and control of this landscape in the Iron Age. These sites suggest that the absence of settlement in the area does not necessarily indicate that it was not exploited.

6.1.3 More recent military archaeology reflects both the availability of the heathland plain in the 18th century for military manoeuvres, and for military establishments such as Minley and airfield. The WW2 GHQ defence line ran along the western edge of the character area and is visible today as pill boxes and earthworks.

6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 Development of heathland character began with prehistoric clearance of woodland for grazing or cultivation. Much of this area formed part of the Medieval forest of Eversley and Bagshot which extended from the edge of the London Basin southwards across the chalk downs. The Forest of Eversley in the west of the character area was disafforested in the late 13th century, with piecemeal clearance of woodland for agriculture creating a small/medium scale irregular field pattern with wavy boundaries which survives today. Woodland survives as scattered remnant assarts. Some of the area, especially adjoining the valley floor, has been reorganised by a regular field pattern typical of formal enclosure. Deer parks are a feature of this part of the character area and retain characteristics of the former Forest.

6.2.3 The open heath and common of the elevated areas of the Forest of Eversley and Bagshot survived well into the 18th century as one of the largest areas of lowland heath in England. Over the last 150 years the extent of heathland has greatly reduced due to a reduction in grazing and the introduction of commercial forestry in the 19th century. More recently, large areas have been lost to residential, commercial and military development.

6.2.4 Of particular note in the valley landscapes are the ‘wavy’ field boundaries found on the Blackwater valley slopes between Eversley and , which reflect the enclosure of strip fields and furlongs creating a rare fossilisation of medieval land tenure. There is evidence of the harnessing of the river water resource with flood meadows and mills.

6.2.5 The development of this landscape was also strongly influenced by growth in the 18th century and movement of people out of London as a result of improved transport infrastructure - the Basingstoke Canal was opened in 1792 followed by the railway in 1840. The area was valued for its scenic qualities, and park estates were established including modest country houses and estate villages. The pattern of historic houses and parkland is dispersed but generally occurs on the fringes of the open heathland and within the river valleys. The area has a high concentration of parks, gardens and designed landscapes, many originating from earlier deer

Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

parks, and include some of the largest and most significant parks in the County. They include Bramshill Park, Elvetham Hall, Warbrook House, Place and Minley Manor, all on the English Heritage register. A repeated feature of these parks is the use of extensive avenue planting which is particularly evident in the radiating avenues of Bramshill. Later planting of Wellingtonia avenues here and at Minley and Stratfield Saye, which falls partly in the character area, is a unique feature. The use of water in parkland design is another common feature which relates to the significant number of parks and gardens in the Blackwater and Hart valleys. The area is also significant for military associated parks and monuments including the tall Corinthian style Wellington monument at Stratfield Saye. Many of these parklands are now owned and developed by institutions - Bramshill is a police training centre and Heckfield is hotel and a conference centre.

6.2.6 Two of the most significant historical influences on this landscape are its military use, and urban development. Aldershot and its associated commons were purchased by the Crown in 1854 and following this the military town of Aldershot was constructed with its formal layout and uniformity of building style. Other developments include Farnborough Airfield and subsequently the Defence Research Agency. In the period between 1960 and 1980 large areas of urban development took place in the western parts of the area.

6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 The settlement pattern of the mid 19th century was of small, high density and dispersed villages, mainly in the west and north of the area. The vast areas of ‘common / waste’ of the elevated gravel plateau in the centre and east were very sparsely populated. Today, the settlement pattern in this landscape comprises extensive urban areas of Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet contrasting strongly with adjoining lightly settled areas.

6.3.2 Settlement form is predominantly common, edge dating mainly to the 18th and 19th century, often with modern development subsuming the historic core. In the west of the area villages are significantly intact, with little modern development. These settlements are sometimes associated with a green.

6.3.3 Proximity to clay sources provided the materials for a high proportion of early pre 1750 and pre 1850 brick dwellings. In the 1860s the Basingstoke Canal was used to transport locally made bricks to the new Aldershot Garrison. Clay tile roofs are also common along with decorative tiles to roofs and first floor elevations reflecting building fashion and mass production technique in Victorian and Edwardian times.

Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

EVALUATION

7.0 Forces for Change 1. Urban growth associated with major conurbations and establishment of suburban landscapes. 2. Continued mineral extraction and coniferous forestry operations. 3. Changes in agricultural practices relating to agricultural intensification and or land management grant schemes. 4. Release of MOD land freeing up land for development. 5. Climate change resulting in loss of important heathland habitat. 6. Demand for access and recreation from increasing population in the area.

KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 Large extent of internationally important lowland heath which is part of the Thames Basin SPA. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: All Threats: Future urban growth and associated infrastructure routes may lead to physical fragmentation of heathland. Trend towards growing population with increased demands for improved access place additional pressure on adjacent heaths. New mineral extraction is unlikely to extend into heath areas, but existing permissions may continue to result in loss e.g. Eversley Common and Hollybush Lane, Aldershot. Climate change may result in changes to habitat composition on heaths over time. Wind farm development may affect sense of remoteness found in heath areas.

Opportunities: Restoration to heathland following mineral extraction and coniferous tree felling in accordance with mineral plans and restoration schemes. Target agri-environment schemes to ensure investment in heathland management to maintain in favourable condition. Support the Thames Basis Heaths BOA to connect fragmented parcels of heathland, woodland, mire, scrub and grassland habitats and assist with adaptation to climate change. Sale of MoD land may provide opportunities for improved access, deflecting pressure away from most sensitive areas.

7.2 Strong local identity derived from military influences eg Military town of Aldershot, airfields, training areas and archaeology such as GHQ defence line. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3.4 Threats: Possible future redevelopment of MoD land for housing may result in significant changes. Continued lack of statutory protection of the GHQ defence line makes this vulnerable to damage and loss through demolition or neglect.

Opportunities: Support the Forest of Eversley Countryside Access Plan and seek opportunities to develop recreational routes connecting military heritage and improving interpretation. Encourage local studies to improve understanding and awareness of the value and significance of the GHQ defence line.

Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

7.3 Notable areas and number of designed parkland landscapes which are concentrated in this area which make a particular contribution to visual character and sense of place. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3.5 Threats: Past and future reuse of parkland landscapes and mansions by private institutions or recreational/service industry can result in small incremental changes that may impact on the character and quality of designed landscapes. Potential conversion of parkland and associated pastoral landscapes to arable. Possible impact of climate change on veteran trees making them at risk from drought.

Opportunities: Carry our conservation management plans as appropriate for parkland landscapes, ensuring the significance of elements is understood. Target agri-environment schemes to manage and retain hedgerows, historic field patterns, veteran trees and other historic landscape features.

7.4 Areas of readily discernible forest origin landscape on the gravel plateau, contrasting with pastoral early enclosures of the adjacent river valleys, with well preserved high density pattern of small settlements (often common edge origin) especially in the western half of the character area. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3.5 Threats: Possible future urban extensions, road infrastructure and wind farm development may blur the distinction between plateau and farmland areas impacting on field, woodland and traditional settlement pattern. Future mineral extraction on enclosed farmland may result in loss of landscape pattern. Whilst growth is anticipated to be within or as extensions to existing urban areas, the possibility of infill and extension development in smaller settlements remains and may alter the relationship of a settlement with its historic landscape setting. Trend towards the creation of nurseries, stables, horse paddocks and golf courses and sub- urbanising ad hoc developments impact on the quality/condition of the landscape and loss of distinction between settled areas and wider farmland. Potential for falling livestock numbers which may affect pasture landscapes. Potential for climate change may impact on hedgerow and woodland composition, with veteran trees at risk from drought.

Opportunities: Support forestry management strategies which seek to fell/replant coniferous plantations with mixed and broadleaf woodland and/or reinstate heathland where appropriate. Target entry level stewardship to help maintain the existing pattern of the landscape. Encourage local level assessment including whole settlement appraisal, village design statements and conservation area reviews to articulate local distinctiveness and highlight vernacular styles and materials.

Hampshire County 10 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath

7.5 Varied local open space and trail access network, including river valleys, rights of way, and Basingstoke canal, forming important green corridors through settlement to heathy commons and parks giving access to very rural landscapes close to urban areas. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.4.5 Threats: Proposed mineral extraction operations are likely to continue within river valleys e.g. Hollybush Lane, Aldershot and large areas are marked as mineral safeguarding areas including deposits along the Blackwater, Whitewater and Hart river corridors. Potential for greater frequency of flooding in the river floodplains - greatest effects felt in the more developed areas of the Blackwater valley. Sale of MoD land may provide opportunities for improved access, deflecting pressure away from most sensitive areas.

Opportunities: Support the Forest of Eversley CAP which seeks to ensure new opportunities to create access and recreation close to areas of population. Support mineral restoration schemes and forest management plans which make provision for recreational use. Support opportunities to develop suitable alternative greenspace (SANGs) away from sensitive habitats such as heathlands. Target agri-environmental schemes in order to restore former watermeadows within river valley corridors particularly around Eversley and which may contribute to biodiversity.

Hampshire County 11 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North East Hampshire Plantations and Heath