CASE OFFICER'S REPORT

Application Reference: 18/09741/FUL Date of Inspection: 09/04/2019 Date site notice posted: 01/04/2019 Publicity expiry date: 25/04/2019

POLICIES

Wiltshire Core Strategy: Core Policy 1 - Settlement Strategy Core Policy 2 - Delivery Strategy Core Policy 3 - Infrastructure Requirements Core Policy 33 - Spatial Strategy: Wilton Community Area Core Policy 48 – Supporting Rural Life Core Policy 50 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity Core Policy 51 - Landscape Core Policy 52 - Green infrastructure Core Policy 57 - Ensuring high quality design and place shaping Core Policy 58 - Ensuring the Conservation of the Historic Environment Core Policy 60 - Sustainable Transport Core Policy 61 - Transport and new development Core Policy 62 - Development impacts on the transport network Core Policy 64 - Demand Management

Adopted Salisbury District Local Plan saved policies listed in Appendix D, of the Core Strategy: R5 – Protection of Outdoor facilities

Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026

Government Guidance: National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Planning Practice Guidance

SPD: & AONB Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) 2003 Dinton Conservation Area Appraisal Councils Adopted Supplementary Planning Document 'Creating Places'.

Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

ISSUES

• Principle • Impact to trees and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, Setting of Listed Buildings and the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • Impact on the residential amenities of local residents • Highway considerations – access and parking • Archaeology

REPRESENTATIONS

Tree officer: I object to the loss of the Maple (which is a Norway not Canandian). I feel the development should be designed to accommodate the retention of this tree. The applicant suggests it can be replaced but simply planting a new tree will not achieve this. A new tree will also require 30 plus years of growth to reach a similar size, and provide comparable amenity value.

I am disappointed the applicant has not provided an Arb Impact Assessment as I requested during the pre-application stage. As a consequence the trees have not been surveyed with the constraints laid out in accordance with BS5837:2012, which is the industry standard for any development around trees.

Excavation and changes in level cause root damage to trees and BS5837 helps to determine how large a rooting area each tree requires. Encroachment within this area may be possible, using no dig construction methods with special surfacing, but this requires expert guidance, which the applicant has not sought. Under the circumstances, I think the development is likely to be detrimental to the other trees within the vicinity of the parking area so this is further grounds for objection.

WC Highways: It is considered that the proposed development will not detrimentally affect highway safety and I therefore recommend that no highway objection be raised to it.

Archaeology: No objections Thank you for the new information relating to this application. It does, indeed, appear that there have been groundworks in the past. Whilst the works may not have truncated any remains present, I am content that this particular proposal would not have an archaeological impact.

Conservation: As per the preapp, the site lies in the CA and in close proximity to several listed buildings. The plans of the parking area are poorly detailed and so it is hard to assess the impact – there should be a green verge to the east and west sides of the parking area and the trees retained – if you could get a clearer block plan that would be very helpful. The surfacing material colour is fine.

Sport England: It is understood that the proposal prejudices the use, or leads to the loss of use, of land being used as a playing field or has been used as a playing field in the last five years, as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (Statutory Instrument 2015 No. 595). The consultation with Sport England is therefore a statutory requirement.

Sport England has considered the application in light of the National Planning Policy Framework (in particular Para. 97), and against its own playing fields policy, which states: 'Sport England will oppose the granting of planning permission for any development which would lead to the loss of, or would prejudice the use of: all or any part of a playing field, or land which has been used as a playing field and remains undeveloped, or land allocated for use as a playing field unless, in the judgement of Sport England, the development as a whole meets with one or more of five specific exceptions.'

Sport England's Playing Fields Policy and Guidance document can be viewed via the below link: www.sportengland.org/playingfieldspolicy

Having assessed the application, Sport England is satisfied that the proposed development meets exception 2 of our playing fields policy, in that: 'The proposed development is for ancillary facilities supporting the principal use of the site as a playing field, and does not affect the quantity or quality of playing pitches or otherwise adversely affect their use.'

This being the case, Sport England does not wish to raise an objection to this application.

The absence of an objection to this application, in the context of the Town and Country Planning Act, cannot be taken as formal support or consent from Sport England or any National Governing Body of Sport to any related funding application, or as may be required by virtue of any pre- existing funding agreement.

Parish Council: Support subject to conditions Concern at gravel / stones may end up on the highway If tree is removed two similar / native species should be planted to replace the felled tree.

1 third party representation of support summarised as follows: • Limited visual impact from proposed surface and better visually in the conservation area than tarmac surface (permitted in other locations) • Safety benefits of removing parked cars along St Mary’s Road outweigh any deemed detriment to conservation area • Benefit from additional parking protect verges from damage by vehicles

ASSESSMENT

Principle:

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2019) confirms that planning law requires that applications for planning permission be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise (Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990); that the NPPF is a material consideration in planning decisions and planning policies and decisions must also reflect relevant international obligations and statutory requirements.

The proposals are therefore to be considered in the context of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which sets out Central Government’s planning policies, and the adopted Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS) which also includes some saved policies of the Salisbury District Local Plan (SDLP).

At the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development and the Adopted Wiltshire Core Strategy seeks to build resilient communities and support rural communities but this must not be at the expense of sustainable development principles. The NPPF defines three dimensions to sustainable development at paragraph 8, namely economic, social and environmental strands. The environmental aspect of the definition of sustainable development also includes protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment.

Impact to trees, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, Setting of Listed Buildings and the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty:

The application documentation explains that the purpose of the proposed resurfacing (replacing the sub surface ground protection with grass above with geotex material and then stone sub base/base/gravel above) is to improve highway safety and to improve the environment of the historic setting by providing year round parking on the site and to alleviate congestion caused by parking on St Marys Road and damage to roadside verges during match days and other events when the recreation ground is in use. It is explained that currently parking is only available on the site during the summer months and even then, it is often closed during heavy periods of rain.

Core Policy 52 supports the retention and enhancement of Wiltshire’s green infrastructure network and Core Policy 48 supports the provision of community facilities including recreational facilities but one of the key objectives is to also protect the countryside and maintain its local distinctiveness and proposals to improve infrastructure will be supported where the development will not be to the detriment of the local environment.

The site is within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Dinton conservation area (a designated heritage asset) and nearby St Mary’s Church is listed.

The NPPF outlines government policy, including its policy in respect of the historic environment (Section 16). Paragraph 193 of the NPPF states ‘When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation’

Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on the LPA that ‘special attention’ shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of conservation areas and Section 66 places a duty on the LPA to ‘have special regard’ to the desirability of preserving listed buildings and their settings.

In paying ‘special attention’ and ‘special regard’ an assessment must be made as to whether the proposals cause ‘substantial harm’, ‘less than substantial harm’ or no harm to the asset.

In defining the level of harm the PPG provides the following advice -

‘What matters in assessing whether a proposal might cause harm is the impact on the significance of the heritage asset. As the National Planning Policy Framework makes clear, significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting.

Proposed development affecting a heritage asset may have no impact on its significance or may enhance its significance and therefore cause no harm to the heritage asset. Where potential harm to designated heritage assets is identified, it needs to be categorised as either less than substantial harm or substantial harm (which includes total loss) in order to identify which policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (paragraphs 194-196) apply.

Within each category of harm (which category applies should be explicitly identified), the extent of the harm may vary and should be clearly articulated.

Whether a proposal causes substantial harm will be a judgment for the decision-maker, having regard to the circumstances of the case and the policy in the National Planning Policy Framework. In general terms, substantial harm is a high test, so it may not arise in many cases. For example, in determining whether works to a listed building constitute substantial harm, an important consideration would be whether the adverse impact seriously affects a key element of its special architectural or historic interest. It is the degree of harm to the asset’s significance rather than the scale of the development that is to be assessed. The harm may arise from works to the asset or from development within its setting.

While the impact of total destruction is obvious, partial destruction is likely to have a considerable impact but, depending on the circumstances, it may still be less than substantial harm or conceivably not harmful at all, for example, when removing later additions to historic buildings where those additions are inappropriate and harm the buildings’ significance. Similarly, works that are moderate or minor in scale are likely to cause less than substantial harm or no harm at all. However, even minor works have the potential to cause substantial harm, depending on the nature of their impact on the asset and its setting.

The National Planning Policy Framework confirms that when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be). It also makes clear that any harm to a designated heritage asset requires clear and convincing justification and sets out certain assets in respect of which harm should be exceptional/wholly exceptional (see National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 194).

Paragraph: 018 Reference ID: 18a-018-20190723

Revision date: 23 07 2019

Where harm is identified as less than substantial; paragraph 196 then requires an assessment of the public benefits:

196. Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use.

‘Public benefit’ is defined in the PPG as follows ….

The National Planning Policy Framework requires any harm to designated heritage assets to be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal.

Public benefits may follow from many developments and could be anything that delivers economic, social or environmental objectives as described in the National Planning Policy Framework (paragraph 8). Public benefits should flow from the proposed development. They should be of a nature or scale to be of benefit to the public at large and not just be a private benefit. However, benefits do not always have to be visible or accessible to the public in order to be genuine public benefits, for example, works to a listed private dwelling which secure its future as a designated heritage asset could be a public benefit. Examples of heritage benefits may include: • sustaining or enhancing the significance of a heritage asset and the contribution of its setting • reducing or removing risks to a heritage asset • securing the optimum viable use of a heritage asset in support of its long term conservation Paragraph: 020 Reference ID: 18a-020-20190723 Revision date: 23 07 2019

Core Strategy Policy CP58 ‘Ensuring the conservation of the historic environment’ requires that ‘designated heritage assets and their settings will be conserved, and where appropriate enhanced, in a manner appropriate to their significance.’

A material consideration is that planning permission was refused (and subsequently dismissed at appeal) for an application which included a proposed car park in this location under planning application reference S/2006/1558:

The Inspector’s report is attached at Appendix 1. The Inspector considered that the provision of a hard surfacing for 25 vehicles would be an insensitive visual intrusion out of keeping with the traditional rural character of this part of the village, and which would detract from the setting of the buildings lining the approach to the church. The Inspector specifically referred to the visual harm from the hard surface itself.

Subject to conditioning materials; it is not considered that the resurfacing proposals in themselves would cause harm to the character and appearance or setting of the designated heritage assets; however, the proposals involve removal of a mature Norway Maple and there are other trees in the car park area. The planning statement acknowledges that ‘there are a number of important trees surrounding the area that have been planted by The Trust in its various forms over several years. These trees have improved the amenity greatly and now provide a pleasing backdrop to the area.’

Core Policy 57 of the WCS requires a high standard of design in all new developments through, in particular, 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 retaining and enhancing existing important landscaping and natural features.

The Council’s Design Guide ‘Creating Places’ states (page 32) ‘In the more rural areas the quality and character of the spaces between the buildings (i.e. the hedges, banks, trees, gardens, gates, walls and fences) are as important as the buildings themselves…

Core Policy 50 states: Development proposals must demonstrate how they protect features of nature conservation and geological value as part of the design rationale. There is an expectation that such features shall be retained, buffered, and managed favourably in order to maintain their ecological value, connectivity and functionality in the long-term. Where it has been demonstrated that such features cannot be retained, removal or damage shall only be acceptable in circumstances where the anticipated ecological impacts have been mitigated as far as possible and appropriate compensatory measures can be secured to ensure no net loss of the local biodiversity resource, and secure the integrity of local ecological networks and provision of ecosystem services. All development proposals shall incorporate appropriate measures to avoid and reduce disturbance of sensitive wildlife species and habitats throughout the lifetime of the development.

Core Policy 51 seeks to protect, conserve and enhance Wiltshire’s distinctive landscape character and 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. 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. In particular, proposals will need to demonstrate that……aspects of landscape character have been conserved and where possible enhanced through sensitive design, landscape mitigation and enhancement measures, including: i. The locally distinctive pattern and species composition of natural features such as trees, hedgerows, woodland, field boundaries, watercourses and waterbodies. ix. Special qualities of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and the New Forest National Park, where great weight will be afforded to conserving and enhancing landscapes and scenic beauty.

The NPPF states the planning system should protect and enhance valued landscapes and paragraph 172 explains that great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in AONBs, which alongside National Parks and the Broads have the highest status protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty.

The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB has been established under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act to conserve and enhance the outstanding natural beauty of this area which straddles three County, one Unitary and five District councils. It is clear from the Act, subsequent government sponsored reports, and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 that natural beauty includes wildlife, scientific, and cultural heritage. It is also recognised that in relation to their landscape characteristics and quality, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are equally important aspects of the nation’s heritage assets and environmental capital. The AONB Management Plan is a statutory document that is approved by the Secretary of State and is adopted by the constituent councils. It sets out the Local Authorities’ Objectives and Policies for this nationally important area and explains that whilst the protection of the area’s natural beauty is its primary purpose, amongst its other community priorities is the conservation of the historic, archaeological and cultural features within the area.

Development proposed in AONB should demonstrate particular regard to the character and appearance of the landscape setting. The AONB is characterised by a diversity of landscapes and these variations and differences are represented by 8 landscape types in the AONB Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) 2003. The application site is in the Vale of Wardour landscape character area of the Rolling Clay Vales landscape character type and the relevant section is attached at appendix 2.

The LCA identifies ‘shelterbelts also occur within this character area – aligning rural roads or defining field boundaries. Scattered trees, act as focal points and are regularly in view – spreading oaks for example are a common sight as are alder along the floodplain, following the course of and aligning the .’

The LCA describes the landscape condition as moderate but identifies that this may decline in the future with threats to the pastoral landscape from loss of hedgerows (and hedgerow trees) (and replacement with post and wire fencing), hard road engineering and also pressures for new residential development within villages threatening the distinctiveness of settlement patterns.

The overall management objective for the Vale of Wardour is to conserve the pastoral character of the vale and the diversity of habitats. The key features that unify the landscape must be conserved such as the consistent use of building materials and the presence of scattered trees.

NPPF para 175 states that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity by applying the following principles: • if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused; • development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees) should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons58 and a suitable compensation strategy exists

Footnote 58 says the exceptions include nationally significant infrastructure projects, orders under the Transport and Works Act and hybrid bills, where the public benefit would clearly outweigh the loss or deterioration of habitat.

The tree to be removed (and those in the area of the car park) are identified as an important tree in the Conservation Area Appraisal and the Appraisal specifically mentions the glimpsed views to the north between buildings up to the tree ridgeline and open to the south across the recreation ground (figure 3):

As advised at pre-application stage; the Council’s tree officer has also objected to the loss of the Norway Maple tree on the grounds of loss of amenity value which planting a new tree would not compensate for including the consideration that a new tree would require 30+ years of growth to reach a similar size and provide comparable amenity value.

The application has also not been accompanied by an Arboricultural Impact Assessement (as recommended at pre-application stage) and as a consequence the other trees (also identified as important trees in the conservation area appraisal) have not been surveyed with the industry standard constraints laid out in accordance with BS5837:2012 as excavation and changes in level cause root damage to trees. BS5837:2012 determines how large a rooting area each tree required and whilst encroachment into this area may be possible, this requires expert guidance which has not been sought by the applicant, but under the circumstances the council’s tree officer considers that the development is also likely to be detrimental to the other trees within the vicinity of the parking area.

Saved Policy R5 seeks to protect existing outdoor sporting facilities and Sport England have raised no objections to the proposal as 'The proposed development is for ancillary facilities supporting the principal use of the site as a playing field, and does not affect the quantity or quality of playing pitches or otherwise adversely affect their use.'

However, it is not considered that the cited benefits of the proposals outweigh the impact to the character and appearance and visual amenity of the area through loss of the Maple tree and insufficient information to demonstrate that the other trees will not be adversely affected. It is also considered that an alternative scheme reducing the area of proposed resurfacing could enable the retention of the trees.

The impact on the living conditions of nearby properties:

The NPPF (para 127 ) states that planning decisions should ensure that developments ‘f) create places that are safe, inclusive and accessible and which promote health and well-being, with a high standard of amenity for existing and future users46; and where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience.‘

Core Policy 57 requires new development to have ‘regard to the compatibility of adjoining buildings and uses, the impact on the amenities of existing occupants, and ensuring that appropriate levels of amenity are achievable within the development itself, including the consideration of privacy, overshadowing, vibration and pollution’.

The planning statement explains that the proposal will reduce congestion/parking on nearby roads by being available all–year round. The proposals are not considered to have an impact on neighbouring amenity as whilst there are nearby dwellings, it is an existing car park area on a long established area of recreational open space where any noise and disturbance associated with the use of the recreational open space is established.

Highways considerations:

The highways officer has advised that the proposed development will not detrimentally affect highway safety and no objections are raised from the highways authority.

A third party has also written in supporting the proposal including on the grounds that the safety benefits of removing parked cars along St Mary’s Road outweigh any deemed detriment to conservation area.

Archaeology:

Paragraph 189 of the NPPF includes the following: ‘Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation’.

Following the submission of photographs of some trial holes on the western and eastern sides of the car park; the Council’s archaeologist has advised that as it appears that there have been groundworks in the past and whilst works may not have truncated any remains present, it is considered that the particular proposal would not have an archaeological impact.

RECOMMENDATION: REFUSE

Appendix 1 Inspector’s report

Appendix 2 Extract from AONB Landscape Character Assessment

CRANBORNE CHASE AND WEST WILTSHIRE DOWNS AONB

INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT

Final Report

Prepared for The Countryside Agency by Land Use Consultants

June 2003

43 Chalton Street London NW1 1JD Tel: 020 7383 5784 Fax: 020 7383 4798 [email protected]

TYPE 8: ROLLING CLAY VALES

Description Millions of years ago complex geomorphological processes created a series of east-west faults where the Chalk beds were vertically sheared from one another. These east-west anti-clinal axes allowed further erosion to cut through the Chalk and into the older Jurassic rocks that underlie it (Upper Greensand, Portland Stone and Kimmeridge Clay). The result of this process gave rise to wide open vales exhibiting a number of different geological exposures. These vales provide a contrast to the adjacent upland chalk downland and are characterised by a pastoral valley of small scale fields divided by lush hedgerows and scattered with woods and copses - both mixed and deciduous. The layout of fields, farms and villages illustrate the pattern of medieval settlement, clearance and farming, and the post-medieval process of agricultural improvement and estate development.

Within the AONB there is only one Rolling Clay Vale, known as the Vale of Wardour.

Key Characteristics x Vale occupying a geological anti-clinal between the chalk. x Varied underlying geology with many different geological exposures. x Pastoral landscape of small scale fields divided by lush hedgerows and scattered with woods and copses. x Layout of fields, farms and villages illustrate the pattern of medieval settlement, clearance and farming. x Rivers and their tributaries meander through the vale. x A sense of enclosure is provided by the surrounding upland landscapes. x A mixed agricultural landscape of lush improved pastures and arable production with water meadows on the valley floor. x Wooded character with broad leaf and mixed woodland (some of ancient origin) scattered across the vale. x Villages dispersed over the floor of the vale.

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8A VALE OF WARDOUR

Picturesque, pastoral scene at Teffont Manor. Alder and willow align and mark the course of the River Nadder.

The Tithe Barn north east of Tisbury is one of many his- Black and white wooden signposts are characteristic - toric elements displaying evidence of past settlement and some are in a poor state of repair. land use.

Tree cover contributes to a strong wooded character Parts of the Vale have a distinctly arable character. across the Vale.

8A THE VALE OF WARDOUR

Key Characteristics x Varied landform character - a deep and narrow valley to the east widening to form a wide and open vale in the west. x The River Nadder and its tributary The Sem wind their way across the floodplain. x A varied underlying geology with Clay, Gault, Portland and Purbeck Stone predominating. x Soils varying from loamy to calcareous reflecting changes in underlying geology. x A mixed agricultural landscape comprising improved pastures and arable cropping. x Strong wooded character with broad leaf and mixed woodland (some of ancient origin) scattered across the vale. x A sense of enclosure provided by the surrounding landscape of the Fovant Greensand Hills (7A). x A settled landscape containing Tisbury – the only town within the AONB. x Nationally important geological (fossil beds) and biological (bat roosting) SSSIs. x Visible historic components displaying evidence for past settlement and agriculture.

Location and Boundaries The character area defined as The Vale of Wardour (8A) occupies a central location within the AONB. The boundaries marking the northern and southern extents of this landscape are almost entirely defined by the character area Donhead to Fovant Greensand Hills (7A). However, to the east, beyond the settlement of , the Vale narrows to push through the West Wiltshire Open Chalk Downland (2A). At this point the character of the surrounding downland extends into and defines the valley sides.

Summary of Visual Character The Vale of Wardour is a rolling clay valley defined by mix of pastures and arable crops – distinctly different from the chalk landscapes which dominate elsewhere in the AONB. Contained between the greensand hills to the north and south, it is a settled landscape of farms, hamlets and villages that sit within the folds of the valley bottom. The River Nadder and its tributary, the Sem, flow west to east seemingly contradicting the shape of the vale which appears to mature (and widen) in the opposite direction. The changing landform from deep valley to wide open vale provides a variety of viewing experiences but the repetition of key features across the landscape provides a unified character.

June 2003 193 Final Report PHYSICAL INFLUENCES

Geology and Soils To the west of the vale, the geology is defined by Kimmeridge Clay of the Jurassic era with drifts of clay with flints and older Head deposits. The central area of the vale is geologically defined by Portland Stone from the Jurassic era and to the east the Purbeck Stone formation predominates. Drift geology of the Quaternary era (Alluvium, River Terrace and Head deposits) occur within and adjacent to the floodplain. Blue Clay (Gault) of the Upper Cretaceous era defines the northern and southern boundaries of this landscape – marking the transition to the sand and sandstone defining the adjacent Donhead to Fovant Greensand Hills (7A). There are three main soil types within this character area – each reflecting the nature of the underlying geology. To the west and south, associated with the presence of Kimmeridge Clay and Gault geology, Typical Stagnogley soils are most common. Associated with the Portland Stone formation surrounding Tisbury, Brown Rendzinas (Lithomorphic soils) occur - calcareous soils that overly chalk. Following the line of the River Nadder and occurring on the floodplain are Pelo-alluvial gley soils – clayey, stone free occurring on flat land where there is a risk of flooding.

Landform and Hydrology The Vale of Wardour has a varied landform, gradually changing along its length from a narrow, deep valley in the east to a broad and shallow valley in the west. The landform contradicts the flow of the River Nadder and the tributary , which flow eastwards with a narrowing valley form. The Nadder and Sem follow a relatively winding course – the Sem flowing west to east and the Nadder flowing south to north before the rivers meet to the northwest of Wardour Castle. At this point the rivers become one – The Nadder – which then flows eastwards before meeting with the at Wilton.

Land Cover The Vale of Wardour is dominated by a mix of arable and pasture. Interspersing the fields are a number of woods and copses – both mixed and deciduous. Some of the woodlands are classified as ancient - to the north of Upper and Lower Chicksgrove and to the south of Fonthill Ridge for example. Areas of woodland vary both in terms of size and shape with larger woodland swathes occurring at the base of the Greensand Hills such as south of Fonthill Abbey Wood and at Compton and Fovant Woods. Here, the woods appears to roll off the surrounding hillsides and into the Vale – forming a strong connection between the two landscapes. Woodland occurring to the west of the character area, on the Kimmeridge Clay geology, is generally broad leaf, smaller, more fragmented and of a loose and sinuous nature in comparison with the more regular, geometric form of woodland occurring to the east of Tisbury e.g. Pit Wood. Woodlands associated with large country houses and historic parkland are also a feature, for example Pythouse, southeast of Newtown, and Phillips House close to Dinton. Shelterbelts also occur within this character area – aligning rural roads or defining field boundaries. Scattered trees, act as focal points and are regularly in view – spreading oaks

June 2003 194 Final Report

for example are a common sight as are alder along the floodplain, following the course of and aligning the River Nadder.

Biodiversity Although the Vale of Wardour is dominated by arable agriculture and pastoral land uses, the area has retained a reasonable woodland cover, including several sites which are considered to be of ancient origin. The area has many sites which are of high scientific interest for geological rather than biological reasons, mainly for their rich fossil beds. These important geological sites include, Dinton Quarry (SSSI), Dinton Railway Cutting (SSSI), Lady Down Quarry (SSSI), Teffont Evias Quarry / Lane Cutting (SSSI) and Upper Chicksgrove Quarry (SSSI). Of the biologically important sites is a 12km stretch of the River Nadder, which falls under the River Avon System (SAC). This section of River is primarily calcareous in character but shows influences of the greensand through which it flows for some of its length. It is of significant ecological and nature conservation interest and supports a wide range of aquatic flora and fauna, including floating Ranunculus vegetation, and diverse assemblages of invertebrates, fish and birds. A further distinguishing feature of this character area is the presence of caves, (created during past quarrying activity), and man-made follies, which support important numbers of roosting bats. Chilmark Quarries (SAC) for example, is home to the largest UK wintering roost of the rare Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteini) as well as significant numbers of other bat species. A further nationally important bat roosting site is located at Fonthill Grottoes (SSSI). The table below highlights the features of key ecological interest for each statutory site.

Site name Designation Site area Summary of importance (ha) Chilmark SAC 9.7 x System of undisturbed caves supporting large Quarries wintering bat roosts SSSI 9.7 x Largest UK wintering roost of the rare Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteini) Dinton Quarry SSSI 0.3 x Geologically important site Dinton Railway SSSI 0.26 x Geologically important site Cutting Gutch Common SSSI 35.1 x Mosaic of wet – dry acid woodland, meadows, (29% of this SSSI bracken stands and acidic wet flushes falls within LCA 8A) Fonthill Grottoes SSSI 0.69 x Three eighteenth century follies supporting large wintering bat roosts x Wintering roost of the rare Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteini) and barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) Lady Down SSSI 0.23 x Geologically important site Quarry

June 2003 195 Final Report River Avon SAC 498.2 x River system noted for its exceptional aquatic System (3.6% of plants, diverse fish fauna and range of aquatic SSSI 507.8 this SSSI falls invertebrates within LCA 8A) x Supports stands of floating Ranunculus, a vegetation type of European important as listed under the Habitats Directive (Annex 1) x Population of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), bullhead (Cotto gobius) and Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) all listed under the Habitats Directive (Annex II), and the latter a UK BAP priority species x Populations of the freshwater pea mussel (Pisidium tenuilineatum) a nationally rare mollusc and UK BAP priority species, and Valvata macrostoma a nationally vulnerable mollusc Teffont Evias SSSI 3.6 x Geologically important site Quarry / Lane Cutting (45% of this SSSI falls within LCA 8A) Upper SSSI 5.6 x Geologically important site Chicksgrove Quarry HUMAN INFLUENCES

Evidence of Past Social Structure A small number of monuments, including a reported stone circle/henge at Tisbury (reputedly dismantled in the 18th century to form part of the grotto at Old Wardour), a Bronze Age round barrow and field system east of Fonthill, and an enclosure at Baverstock, point to the range of social and economic activities during the prehistoric period. The contrast between the essentially rural character of the closely spaced farmstead and hamlets, and the artificial parkland landscapes of the large estates reflects the inequalities of post-medieval and 19th century society.

Field Patterns, Boundaries and Predominant Date of Inclosure To the east of Catherine Ford Bridge the valley floor is dominated by the channels of the former water meadows. To the west, around Semley, the pattern of small irregular fields and narrow lanes interspersed with irregular remnants of woodland represent early clearance and the later systematic inclosure in the post-medieval period. During this period parcels of land changed hands to form large estates such as Wardour, Fonthill, Chicksgrove and Pythouse, around which the larger more regular fields may reflect agricultural improvement on the estate farmlands.

Land Use and Recreation This is an agricultural landscape defined by both crop production and grazing with significant areas of improved pasture. The floodplain is largely under pasture. However, in places,

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arable farming has extended from the valley sides and onto the valley floor (with drainage incorporated to reduce flooding and water logging of crops). This encroachment of arable production has weakened the distinction between the lush pastures of the valley floor and the traditional arable character of the valley sides or downland. A number of hedgerows (and hedgerow trees) have survived modern agricultural practices, however, many have been lost and subsequently replaced by post and wire fencing. Those that do remain are showing signs of poor management and are in a varied state of condition. Aside from agricultural land use, the Vale has previously been the focus for mineral extraction and this continues today with stone quarrying occurring west of Chicksgrove for example. With the exception of the A350 marking the western boundary of the character area and the A30 marking the northern boundary to the east, there are no major roads within this character area. A number of secondary roads do run both east-west and north-south across the landscape. The B3089, branching from the A30 at Barford St Martin and continuing through Dinton and on to Tisbury, is distinct due to its relationship with the River Nadder closely following the course of the River south of Teffont Elias until Tisbury where it branches away at the confluence with the Sem. A number of Public Rights of Way cross the vale including the Wessex Ridgeway that enters the vale south of Knoyle Ridge and runs southeast to meet Old Wardour Castle. A large number of the footpaths are associated with the course of the Nadder and its tributaries. There are a number of Public Rights of Way in and around Tisbury. Surrounding the settlement of Semley, to the far west of the vale, are a number of areas of Registered Common Land. These provide local recreational access for residents. Visitor attractions include National Trust land and properties - Phillips House and Dinton Park are two such examples.

Historic Development of Settlement and Relationship with the Landscape While there is some evidence of prehistoric settlement in the Nadder Valley, the present settlement pattern originates in the Saxon period, Tissebiri (Tisbury), being first mentioned in AD 759. There is a string of smaller villages, with long-established farmsteads at their nucleus, along the course of the river and more dispersed hamlets and farmsteads particularly where the valley widens to the west. Village earthworks, for instance at Ugford and North Burcombe, west of Wilton, and at the site of Wyck, southwest of Tisbury, indicate the variable extent to which some villages thrived or contracted during the medieval period.

Settlement and Built Character This is quite a settled area, including Tisbury, the only town within the AONB, and a number of hamlets and villages such as Semley, Newtown and Upper and Lower Chicksgrove. Settlements are largely of a nucleated form. A dense network of lanes links the many farms which are found within the valley. Settlements are generally located on the sheltered valleys sides of the tributary rivers close to the water, for example Teffont and Fovant, with many centred around a pond or village green such as Semley. Traditional stone cottages are common, with clay roof tiles

June 2003 197 Final Report characterising the varied pitches and rooflines. Stone walls mark the approach and form attractive entrances to many settlements. The largest settlement – Tisbury - is a mix of old and new development displaying a range of materials but with red brick and stone predominating. Some modern small scale housing estate developments on the edge of the town are less sympathetic to the traditional built form and character.

Historic Environment The vale landscape contrasts markedly with the chalk downland to the north, displaying little evidence now of any prehistoric settlement. The layout of fields, farms and villages illustrate the pattern of medieval settlement, clearance and farming, and the post-medieval process of agricultural improvement and estate development. The key visible historic components are the small irregular fields, particularly in the west, suggesting early assart of woodland and inclosure, the water meadows in the lower reaches of the vale; the Medieval settlement pattern and deserted medieval villages, as at South Ugford and Wyck; and the large country houses with extensive estates, including some landscaped parkland.

EVALUATION

Strength of Character This is a landscape of strong character. The rolling landform and transition from a deep and narrow valley to a wide open vale, combined with the mixed agricultural land use creates a landscape with a variety of viewing experiences. Although varied, the landscape is unified by the repeated occurrence of key features across the vale - the settlement pattern, the presence of woodland, scattered spreading oaks, and the consistent use of stone as a building material together create a combination of elements evoking a strong sense of place.

Current Condition This ancient vale has retained a substantial area of pasture, unlike the adjacent chalk downlands and chalk valleys. It exhibits a diversity of land cover and land uses and a reasonable woodland cover, including several sites which are considered to be of ancient origin. Ecological condition is therefore good. A number of hedgerows have been lost – some have been replaced by post and wire fencing . Boundaries are therefore varied and discontinuous – reducing the sense of intactness across the vale. There are also a number of overmature and stagheaded trees. The natural landform has been influenced by humans through previous and present day quarrying activities but many of the redundant quarries are now important scientific sites of biological and geological interest. Settlement and built character is in good condition. Overall, landscape condition may be described as moderate.

Change x In the past many hedgerows have been lost either through field enlargement or through lack of management. Erection of post and wire fencing has created a discontinuous character to boundaries.

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x Many scattered trees are becoming overmature and stagheaded. x Previous quarrying activities has disturbed the landform, but created areas of biological and geological interest. x There is evidence that traditional farm buildings are being converted into flats and apartments in the vale. x There has been a change of character along rural lanes due to road engineering – particularly concrete kerbing. x Traditional black and white wooden signposts at cross roads and junctions are falling into decline. x Pressures for new residential development are threatening the distinctiveness of settlement patterns.

Possible Future Trends The impact of Foot and Mouth and BSE is likely to result in increasing professionalisation of livestock farming resulting in the decline of small livestock businesses. This is likely to affect this pastoral landscape. There is likely to be an increasing dominance of large specialist commercial farm units and further decline in smaller more mixed holdings resulting in loss of hedgerows and amalgamation of fields into larger units. This is likely to be accompanied by a decline in traditional forms of environmental management, such as hedgerows and ditches, due to a decline in farm labour and lack of money for such activities. There is likely to be a further decline in tree population as trees reach maturity and loss of the distinctive black and white signposts that are falling into disrepair. There is also likely to be further pressure for new built development within the attractive villages as well as redevelopment of agricultural buildings to residential, amenity or industrial use. This landscape could see a great change in the future and the trends stated here imply that landscape condition may decline in the future.

Broad Management Objective The overall management objective for the Vale of Wardour should conserve the pastoral character of the vale and the diversity of habitats. The key features that unify the landscape must be conserved such as the consistent use of building materials and the presence of scattered trees. Restoration of many key features, such as the hedgerows and characteristic rural signage is also required to enhance the sense of intactness and continuity across the landscape. x Replant hedgerow sections where gappy and discontinuous and apply consistent cutting and management regimes. x Plant a new generation of standard trees to replace overmature/dying stock. x Traditional black and white signs should be replaced, in the same style, where weathered and falling into decline.

June 2003 199 Final Report x Conserve the ancient pattern of small irregular fields and narrow lanes interspersed with irregular remnants of woodland that is unusual in the AONB. x Employ appropriate restoration schemes for quarries when excavation ceases. x Monitor road engineering to safeguard the rural character of the lanes. x Consider developing guidance for built development to ensure both future construction and changes to existing buildings are designed to integrate with the existing character and structure of settlements.

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