4.04.0 ANAN ASSESSMENTASSESSMENT OFOF THETHE AREAAREA ANDAND ITSITS RESOURCESRESOURCES 22 4.0 AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AREA AND ITS RESOURCES 4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 This section of the Management Plan considers the current condition of special qualities in Llñn’s AONB. It also includes an assessment of the economy which includes agriculture, fishing, other rural enterprises and tourism. A comprehensive assessment of resources is an essential part of the Management Plan. This will measure any changes in the unique attributes of the area and the success of the Management Plan. 4.1.2 Ideally, a Management Plan should include an assessment of all the qualities or resources according to “their nature, character, quality, extent and condition” (AONB Management Plans CCW, 2001). However, the ability to undertake detailed analysis is often hampered by lack of resources and information about many of these qualities. The main problem in obtaining detailed information about the extent and condition of resources within the Llñn AONB were as follows: ● lack of information – in terms of measuring the resource and/or its condition, ● lack of specific information for the AONB, ● no up to date information, ● resources that are difficult to measure e.g. scenery, culture. 4.1.3 The most up to date information that was available was used for the assessment and any gaps in information are noted. The identification of gaps in information is an important part of the Management Plan and may be adopted as a future aim or action in the Plan’s Action Programme. 4.1.4 This Management Plan seeks to identify, define and assess the special qualities of the area as effectively as possible under the circumstances. When the time comes to review the Plan, it is envisaged that the AONB Unit will be in a much better position as there will have been an increase in resources, a regular supply of information and research and the present Plan will form the basis for any updates. 4.1.5 This part of the report considers the various qualities of the AONB in turn. There is a description and analysis of the quality and details about the size/extent, status, quality and condition of the resource. If information is available, the report also describes changes that have taken place over time. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES 4.2 Geology and geomorphology 4.2.1 The geological and geomorphologic foundations of the Llñn Peninsula are complex and diverse. There are exceptionally old rocks from the pre-Cambrian period, intrusive volcanic rocks and a vast area of Ordovician rocks. 23 4.2.2 Glacial activity had a very noticeable impact on the area’s landscape, creating boulder clay deposits, lakes, river terraces and water channels. The glaciation carried rocks from the Clyde (Alisa Craig) and the Lake District areas to Llñn, which can be seen in the glacial drifts throughout the area. 4.2.3 The varied geology of Llñn is the foundation for the unique character of the visual landscape. The peninsula is an expansive plateau with numerous igneous hills and mountains rising to the surface – these are dominant features of the Llñn landscape. The largest and highest of these is yr Eifl in the north east of the area, while Garn Boduan, Garn Fadrun and Mynydd Rhiw area also distinctive. There are several smaller intrusions throughout the area, such as Gyrn Ddu and Mynydd Tir y Cwmwd. 4.2.4 The geology of the area is responsible for the striking coast – which varies from rugged cliffs and rocks to sandy beaches and sand dunes on the southern part of the coast. Extensive areas of the northern coast are characterised by steep cliffs and rugged rocks with some areas of sedimentary material. The sedimentary material has eroded over time, forming several peninsulas and bays. Although there are cliffs and rocks on the southern coast, there are many more extensive sandy beaches such as Hell’s Mouth and Castellmarch beach. Due to the nature of these beaches, a system of sand dunes has developed to the north of Abersoch. The islands and stacks also contribute to the variety. The names of the various forms also contribute to the character of the area – they are all Welsh names, often with historic or descriptive connotations. 4.2.5 Due to the nature and character of the Llñn coast, a substantial area was designated as Heritage Coast in 1974. The Heritage Coast follows the boundary of the AONB along the coast from Aberdesach to Penrhyn Du on the southern coast. It does not include the part of the southern coast between Penrhyn Du and Carreg y Defaid (which is in the AONB), but a section of the coast between Nefyn and Morfa Nefyn is included. Bardsey and St Tudwal’s Islands are also included. Whilst Heritage Coast is not a statutory designation, it does place responsibility on local authorities to limit coastal developments, including coastal defence plans. 4.2.6 The most important geological/geomorphologic sites have been designated as either Sites of Special Scientific Interest – which are sites of national interest and importance, or Regionally Important Geological Sites (“RIGS”). Designated sites include caves, quarries and landscape forms. Status and condition ● There are 12 Sites of Special Scientific Interest based on geology or a combination of geology and other features within the AONB, totalling a surface area of 1588.12 ha. The condition of some of these sites had been assessed by CCW at the time of preparing this Plan. ● There are 3 Regionally Important Geological Sites within the AONB and the condition of all three has been assessed; their condition is specified as “Excellent” by the Gwynedd and Anglesey RIGS Group: Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) Location Area Trwyn y Tal 11.00 hectares Mynydd Carreg 5.29 hectares Porthdinllaen 5.67 hectares ● I Heritage Coast – 55 miles (88.3 kilometres) ● Coast of 20 “Trwyn” (small peninsula), 17 “Ogof” (cave), 36 “Porth” (cove). ● The surface area of the Llñn Peninsula Cliffs candidate Special Area of Conservation (“cSAC”) is 877.48 ha. ● LANDMAP – please see next page for LANDMAP table which indicates the sites which have been identified as categories of “outstanding” (of international or national importance) and “high” (regional/county importance) in terms of Geology and Geomorphology: 24 Geology and Geomorphology AREA TYPE STATUS OUTSTANDING HIGH Penrhyn Bodeilas GE ✓ Yr Eifl (Rivals) GE ✓ Bae Gwydir GM ✓ Braich y Pwll GCR GE ✓ Wig Bach GCR GE ✓ Pen Benar GE ✓ Llanbedrog GE ✓ Nanhoron GE ✓ Porth Ceiriad GE ✓ Llech y Ddôl GCR GE ✓ Carreg y Tir GE ✓ Benallt GE ✓ Mynydd Penarfynydd GE ✓ Bodarwell GE ✓ Porthor GM ✓ Aberdaron GM ✓ River Soch GM ✓ Cors Geirch GM ✓ Source: Gwynedd Landscape Strategy, 1999 GE: Geology GM: Geomorphology Change over time 4.2.7 Parts of the coast have suffered natural erosion and coastal land has constantly been lost with the passage of time. Significant coastal conservation defences have been developed in Nefyn, Morfa Nefyn and Aberdaron. Shoreline Management Plans (Cardigan Bay and the Northern Coast) have been prepared in order to programme future erosion management work. 4.3 The Landscape and Coast 4.3.1 Llñn was the second Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to be designated in 1957. The area was judged as meriting recognition and special conservation on the basis of the beautiful landscape formed by a wide variety of features combined to create its special character. The appearance of Llñn’s unique landscape has been created by a combination of geology, vegetation and human influence over centuries. It is difficult to assess and measure the landscape and scenery because scenery is a visual picture of features and buildings in combination. 4.3.2 The landscape is divided into a patchwork of field boundaries, roads, rivers and streams. The main rivers within the AONB include the Desach, Geirch, Pen y graig, Eiddon, Saint, Cyll y Felin, Daron, Soch and Horon. Traditional field boundaries of walls, ”cloddiau” and hedgerows are also a prominent feature of the landscape and are not only an important visual and historic resource but also valuable wildlife habitats. 4.3.3 The coast contributes greatly to the natural beauty and character of the From Mynydd Carreg Llñn area. It displays diverse and interesting natural features including high cliffs, caves, stacks and islands, points and sandy beaches with diverse and interesting names. Due to the islet nature of the Llñn Peninsula, the coast is an integral part of the landscape. The coast and the sea can be seen from almost every location and expressions such as “the sea’s influence” and “nowhere far from the sea” are in common use within the area. Bardsey is also an essential part of the character and appearance of Llñn. 25 4.3.4 The vegetation which colours the landscape makes a strong visual impression as it creates an assorted and colourful visual picture which varies according to the time of year. Some of Llñn’s characteristic elements include the green pastures of countryside, the heather and gorse of the heathlands and the rough pasture of the uplands. The vegetation here constitute complex ecosystems and are valuable habitats to a variety of wildlife. 4.3.5 The marks of human habitation on the landscape contribute to its character. The most rural parts are characterised by small houses and cottages and individual farms – resembling parts of south-west Ireland. Due to the lack of other developments, a strong sense of unspoilt natural landscape belongs to Llñn which is greatly appreciated by locals and visitors. Small villages, squeezed into the landscape, are also typical of the area. Due to their compact nature and the traditional building materials, they usually merge naturally into the landscape.