Landscape Character Baseline

BANKS RENEWABLES (BARNSDALE SOLAR PARK) LIMITED Barnsdale Solar Park Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

APPENDIX 4.2 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER BASELINE

NT14987/0007/LVIA/APPENDIX 4.2 Page 1 October 2020

National Character 30. Southern Magnesian Limestone Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

www.naturalengland.org.uk

1 National Character 30. Southern Magnesian Limestone Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Introduction National Character Areas map

As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment 1 2 3 White Paper , Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention , we are North revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas East that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision- Yorkshire making framework for the natural environment. & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their West decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape East scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader Midlands partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help West Midlands to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. East of England Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key London drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are South East suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance South West on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.

NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm)

2 National Character 30. Southern Magnesian Limestone Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Summary

The Southern Magnesian Limestone National Character Area (NCA) is mainly The NCA comprises of open, rolling arable farmland enclosed by hedgerows, defined by the underlying Permian Zechstein Group, formerly known as the with plantation woodlands, historic estate properties and parkland. The Magnesian Limestone. It creates a very long and thin NCA that stretches from localised networks of grasslands and semi-natural habitats have become Thornborough in the north down through north Derbyshire to the outskirts fragmented, and many species face challenges moving through the NCA. In of Nottingham further south. The limestone creates a ridge, or narrow belt of places, rivers and dry valleys dissect the plateau from west to east, creating elevated land, running north–south through the NCA, forming a prominent wetland habitats. Impacts on this agricultural landscape include limestone, landscape feature. The geology has influenced many aspects of the landscape, coal and some sand and gravel extraction, associated infrastructure and tips; from use of its limestone resource as a local building material to the specialised many of which have now been restored. The pace of settlement and industrial limestone grasslands associated with limestone areas. development expansion has been greater in the north than in the south, but the landscape still retains its essential rural character. The presence of the ridge, and the drift deposits covering much of it, has produced light, fertile soils that have attracted settlement for more than Sustainable food production is important in this largely rural area, to maintain 13,000 years. The important archaeological evidence and mammal fossils the quality of the fertile soils and reduce erosion. The farmed landscape also found at Creswell Crags and the impressive barrows and henge monuments at contributes to the tranquillity of this NCA, and is valued as a contrast to the more Thornborough Henges (three intact henges) are nationally important geological urban, industrialised areas to the west and where major road infrastructure

and archaeological features that provide a historic link to the story of human crosses the NCA. Parkland trees and North 24 York National Character Area 30 Vale of Moors 21 Mowbray 25 Southern Magnesian plantations associated with country estates Yorkshire Limestone settlement and society within the area and beyond. Opportunities to maintain Dales Nidderdale Howardian Hills Note: In most instances, the NCA boundary is not Yorkshire precisely mapped and should be considered as a Dales zone of transition between NCAs. the landscape setting of these important sites and increase access to and give a well-wooded feel in some areas of the 34 22 28 27 Pennine Vale of York Yorkshire 33 Dales Wolds 40 Forest of Fringe Holderness engagement with them need to continue to be secured. NCA. There are more wooded areas within the Bowland 35 Lancs 36 Valleys NCA now than were recorded at the time of Southern 41 Pennines 37 Humber Yorkshire Estuary Southern 39 Domesday Book. Pennine 38 Humberhead 42 Fringe Notts, Levels 54 Derbyshire & Yorkshire 43 Coalﬁeld 44 51 45 Dark Lincolnshire 55 Peak Wolds Peak District 48 61 Trent & Shropshire, 49 Belvoir Vales Cheshire & 53 Sherwood South 52 NCA 30 boundary Staffordshire White Plain West Other NCA boundary Peak Peak Area outside NCA 30 National Park Area of Outstanding 64 50 Natural Beauty Potteries & Derbyshire 0 10km Churnet Peak Valley Mapping © copyright Lovell Johns Limited. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce. Fringe Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010. 68 Natural England OS licence number 100022021

3 National Character 30. Southern Magnesian Limestone Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Managing and maintaining these key landscape characteristics will be Statements of Environmental Opportunity important in retaining the ‘essence’ of the Southern Magnesian Limestone NCA. There is a need to promote sustainable agriculture and appropriate hedgerow and woodland management and planting. Appropriate habitat enhancement  SEO 1: Protect the underlying geology and range of historic landscape features, and links are fundamental to this, along with guiding suitable development and including the extensive Palaeolithic, Neolithic and bronze-age monuments, appropriate mitigation of the impacts of changes to the landscape. as part of the wider landscape and the evidence and time-depth of the area’s historic evolution. Increase opportunities to improve access to, understanding of and enjoyment of historic features within the landscape, as well as their links to biodiversity and underpinning geodiversity.

 SEO 2: Protect and manage existing semi-natural habitats, including grasslands, wetlands and woodlands; and increase the area of semi- natural habitats, restore and create new areas, and create networks and links between habitats, to make their ecology more resilient and to afford increased movement of species.

 SEO 3: Protect the overall rural landscape and maintain its highly tranquil quality, managing the arable landscape to ensure the continued production of quality crops while also enhancing landscape features such as field boundaries and improving biodiversity, soil quality, reduction of soil erosion, water quality and flood risk management.

 SEO 4: Promote the successful incorporation of any future major land use changes, directing them where they can enhance the existing landscape and seeking optimum design to obtain the greatest net benefits, such as to minimise visual impact on the wider landscape, incorporating green infrastructure and creating new access to enhance recreational opportunity for people to experience wildlife.

The three henges at Thornborough are of national importance and form part of a complex Neolithic and bronze-age ceremonial landscape.

4 National Character 38. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

www.naturalengland.org.uk

1 National Character 38. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Introduction National Character Areas map

2 National Character 38. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Summary

The Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield is an area that has The NCA is an important area nationally for history, especially in relation to seen great change over the past few centuries. The impact of widespread indus- industrialisation and the story of its impact on the landscape. Opportunities trialisation and development on the landscape and settlement pattern within should be taken to restore and maintain historical features in the landscape and the National Character Area (NCA) is clear, influencing the visual and ecological to explore how they can be interpreted and used to educate and engage people landscape. The geological deposits of coal and iron, along with the water supply, with the landscape. brought mass industrialisation to the area to exploit these resources. A generally low-lying area, with hills and escarpments above wide valleys, the landscape Rivers and waterways are an important feature in the landscape, often linking embraces major industrial towns and cities as well as villages and countryside. rural and urban areas and increasingly providing green corridors and tranquil set- Over half of the NCA (64 per cent) is currently designated as greenbelt land; this tings for both people and wildlife. The source of the water is outside the NCA, as maintains some distinction between settlements and represents areas that are is the case for a number of ecosystem services, and the large population means often under pressure for development and changes in land use. Very little of the that the area is a key user of ecosystem services (such as water) that are provided NCA is designated for geology or nature conservation, but instead the landscape by surrounding NCAs. A key challenge will be to improve links between this NCA is dotted with many pockets and patches of habitat where species find refuge. and others in order to get a better understanding of the delivery of ecosystem This is often on land that was once worked for minerals or occupied by major services and how they can be improved.

33 21 Nidderdale 22 Pennine National Character Area 38 industry, and as these enterprises have declined the land they once dominated Forest of Dales Bowland Fringe Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire & Yorkshire Coalﬁeld has opened up with opportunities to create a new landscape which will continue 35 36 South Pennines Note: In most instances, the NCA boundary is not precisely mapped and should be considered as a zone of transition between NCAs.

to provide a strong sense of place for local populations. 37 44 Yorkshire Southern Southern Magneisan Limestone Pennine 54 Fringe 45 Manchester Pennine 39 Fringe Humberhead The large populations of the towns and cities within the NCA mean that there will 30 Levels 55 51 Manchester Dark Conurbation Peak be opportunities to better engage people with the natural and historical environ- Peak District 61 ment, creating new access and recreational openings that deliver a better quality Shrops, Cheshire 49 48 & Staffs 53 Sherwood Trent & Plain South 52 Belvoir of life while also helping people and wildlife to adapt to a changing climate. West White Vales Peak Peak

NCA 38 boundary 64 Other NCA boundary Potteries & 50 Area outside NCA 38 Churnet Valley Derbyshire National Park Peak Fringe Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 68 0 10km Needwood & Mapping © copyright Lovell Johns Limited. 61 South Derbyshire Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010. Claylands 69 Natural England OS licence number 100022021

Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce.

3 National Character 38. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield Area profile: Supporting documents

Key facts Landscape Analysis Introduction & Summary Description Opportunities and data change

Statements of Environmental Opportunity

 SEO 1: Restore and enhance existing areas and create new landscapes through the inclusion of woodland and networks of green infrastructure to raise the overall quality of design and location of new developments. Regeneration and restoration of industrial sites should seek to create green infrastructure that links fragments of the natural environment, leading to a functioning network for wildlife and access and recreational amenities for people.

 SEO 2: Protect and manage the archaeological and historical environment to safeguard a strong sense of cultural identity and heritage, particularly mining heritage, and use the area’s distinctive sense of place to inspire interpretation and new development. Engage local communities with their past by enhancing the early, industrial and mining landscapes through restoration of key features of sites and improving access and interpretation.

 SEO 3: Conserve, enhance and expand areas and corridors of semi-natural habitat such as grasslands and woodlands to create a functioning ecological network that links the fragmented patches of habitats through urban and sustainably farmed environments, thus assisting species and habitat adaptation to climate change, reducing soil erosion and diffuse pollution. Rother Valley Country Park restored from opencast coal mining and a popular visitor destination for local residents in Rotherham, Sheffield and north-east Derbyshire.  SEO 4: Manage, enhance and extend wetland habitats associated with the rivers Aire, Calder, Dearne, Don, Rother and Erewash and their tributaries to increase the landscape’s ability to naturally and sustainably manage flooding, improve water quality, and increase the resilience of these habitats, the riverine landscape and associated species to climate change.

4 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

ARABLE FRINGE FARMLAND

Landscape character The arable fringe farmland landscape type occurs around the southern and eastern fringes of Leeds and is found in six landscape units: East Leeds Fringe (LCM3); Kippax and Swillington Fringe (LCM4); Rothwell Fringe (LCM5); East Ardsley Fringe (LCM6); East Morley Fringe (LCM7) and the South Morley Fringe (LCM8). Some of the land is degraded, under- used agricultural land, with activities It is a landscape of actively farmed land, such as horse grazing apparent. In containing a mixture of landscape addition, there has been a gradual influences, all dominated by human deterioration of farmland features such activity such as housing, industrial areas, as hedgerows which has emphasised the quarries, tips, amenity land, recreation fragmented and generally neglected grounds, neglected as disturbed land. nature of this landscape. Future change The farmland tends to consist of mainly could occur with new highway small scale arable fields, with developments, new residential and horticultural crops such as broccoli, commercial development and mineral rhubarb and potatoes common extraction activities such as opencast throughout. coal mining.

Some of the farmland, particularly in the Management strategy and guidelines south of Leeds, is under intense public The overall management strategy for the pressure, with urban fringe uses such as pastoral fringe farmland landscape type caravan storage, scrap yards and horse should be a combination of restoration of the grazing in pockets of degraded pasture, predominantly arable farmland features where in evidence. Often the structure of the these are in decline, combined with landscape has, or is starting to break enhancement through new woodland planting, down, with fields being amalgamated where the existing character has been lost and with many hedgerows becoming low completely. The arable fringe farmland offers cut or gappy. Some of the non-arable the greatest opportunities for new large scale areas are well used by the local woodland planting, particularly in the community for both authorised and landscape units to the south and south east of unauthorised recreational uses, providing Leeds. Management guidelines which are a valuable amenity resource. applicable for all the landscape units within the arable fringe farmland landscape type are Forces for change described below. Detailed management The arable fringe farmland landscape strategies and guidelines for the individual type is under pressure from the landscape units are described in a separate encroachment of urban activities such as document, using the references listed above. the development of new roads, industrial commercial and residential areas, and mineral extraction activities.

Page 1 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

• Seek to control the adverse effects of • Conserve and enhance the value and horse grazing in inappropriate locations. continuity of streamlines and enhance In recent years, there has been an their value as landscape, wildlife and increasing demand for the use of land for recreational corridors. horse grazing, particularly around the Although not particularly numerous, fringes of urban areas. In places this has pastoral and wooded streamlines form had a significant impact on the important linear landscapes and wildlife landscape with the proliferation of resources or corridors, particularly as temporary structures and ancillary they tend to be surrounded by intensively buildings with impoverishment of pasture farmed land and urban fringe land uses. due to overgrazing. Where possible, Where these areas occur, they should be these adverse effects of horse grazing conserved as a priority, but opportunities should be controlled, as they can should be sought for creating new introduce a 'suburbanising' influence into habitats on areas of farmland along rural landscapes. stream corridors. Natural regeneration of woodland should be encouraged and • Enhance tree cover through large scale where appropriate, new planting should planting as part of a wider woodland be undertaken to extend and enhance planting scheme for the urban fringe area the corridors. This could then form the There is scope for significant woodland basis of larger scale planting, perhaps in planting in the arable fringe landscape association with a scheme for the wider type, particularly in the East Morley area, extending out from the valleys on Fringe and Rothwell Fringe landscape to the surrounding higher ground. units. In these areas, fragmentation has However, care should be taken to occurred to such an extent that much of maintain a diversity of waterside habitats the landscape structure has been lost. in addition to the woodland. This has produced an open large scale Consideration should also be given to landscape which has the capacity to encouraging recreational access along accept quite large areas of planting. The the valleys, where this is not already siting and design of new woods will need available. to be carefully planned and could be undertaken in connection with a wider • Conserve and enhance tree cover along scheme for the urban fringe area. New field boundaries, through regeneration planting should be targeted along linear and replanting of boundary trees. features such as streams and becks, A priority for this landscape could be to railway lines, roads and motorways and enhance the areas of fringe farmland form part of a screening programme for through new planting, while maintaining particularly intrusive industrial and a diversity of land uses and maintaining commercial developments. However, areas of intact viable farmland. In the there will also be significant opportunities more intact areas of farmland, tree cover for planting outside these areas, as part along hedgerows, particularly along the of a wider planting programme for the lower slopes and within the valleys is a area. characteristic feature. To maintain and enhance this, natural regeneration of boundary trees should be encouraged wherever possible or replanting should be carried out using locally occurring species such as oak and sycamore. Lines of trees along hedgerows can then act help to join and reinforce new areas of planting.

Page 2 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

• Where opportunities exist, consider • Conserve and restore primary hedge restoring areas of former parkland. lines and manage them more positively Although landscaped parks are not a as landscape features. particular feature within this landscape In general, this landscape is type, there are some isolated remnant characterised by a large-scale, regular areas. As well as their historical field pattern, which in the most part has importance, parklands provide diversity become very fragmented and is in and interest in the landscape. True decline. Where tree cover is weak, which parkland in permanent grassland with is true for most of the fringe farmland, large scattered trees is in decline. this pattern becomes more significant Wherever possible, consideration should and it is important to try and avoid further be given to reinstating areas of former fragmentation of the landscape through park and new planting to replace old hedgerow removal. In particular, primary trees. hedgelines alongside roads and farm boundaries should be conserved and managed more positively. This would allow hedges to grow thicker and taller and where they have been removed, consideration should be given to replacement planting. This type of management would be particularly appropriate in areas which are adjacent to or outside any areas identified for large scale new tree planting as part of the Forest of Leeds Strategy.

Page 3 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

DEGRADED RIVER VALLEY

Landscape character The degraded river valley landscape type can be found in only one landscape unit the Lower Aire Valley (LCM20). It is characterised by an open, broad river valley, with gently sloping sides, leading down into a degraded landscape, dominated by human activity. The valley is development pressures, such as road covered by a chaotic mix of spoil heaps building proposals, particularly along the and lagoons linked to past and present edge of the main built-up area of Leeds mining activities, major excavations, and and around former mining settlements. industrial buildings. Management strategy and guidelines Although most of the area is degraded, The overall management strategy for the intact isolated pockets of arable farmland degraded river valley should bc a still occur alongside areas of parkland. combination of enhancement through the The degraded river valley is a continually creation of a new landscape character, changing landscape, with new areas of combined with restoration and restored land and wetland areas forming conservation of the more intact areas of increasingly attractive features as they parkland and arable farmland. develop. The valley forms a major Enhancement could take the form of new communication corridor, with lines of woodland planting and the creation of a pylons, roads and canals clearly evident. diverse range of habitats, particularly in areas which are degraded and despoiled Forces for change as a result of past extraction and industrial The degraded river valley landscape type activities. has undergone a tremendous amount of change due mainly to past and present Management guidelines which are mineral extraction, landfill and industrial applicable for the degraded river valley activities, which have left a legacy of landscape type are described below. derelict and degraded land. Where Detailed management strategies and activities have ceased, some of the guidelines for the individual landscape unit restored sites are beginning to mature, are described in a separate document, forming important wildlife habitats and using the reference listed above left. landscape features and further influencing landscape change.

There are pockets of more intact parkland and arable farmland landscapes which have undergone less change in recent years although there appears to have been a decline in the condition of traditional parkland and characteristic farmland features. These areas are under pressure from urban fringe and

Page 1 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

river landscape. Any existing wetlands • Restoration proposals for mineral workings should be conserved and in addition, should be based on an assessment of opportunities should be sought for creating landscape character in order to assess new wetlands in areas where extraction whether reinstating the original landscape or activities have been completed. creating a new landscape is most appropriate. • Enhance tree cover through small to medium Restoration of mineral workings in the scale woodland planting. Lower Aire Valley can result in a number There is scope within most of the of different end points, such as a return to degraded river valley landscape type for arable land or the creation of new habitats woodland planting. This is particularly the such as open water, scrub and woodland. case, where mineral extraction activities This can result in the creation of a new have ceased leaving degraded and type of landscape. As such, restoration despoiled land with good opportunities for schemes should take account of how the enhancement. The siting and design of site relates 10 the surrounding wider new woods will need to be carefully landscape in order to assess the most planned, and undertaken as part of a appropriate way in which to either wider programme for the whole area. care reinstate the original landscape or create a should be taken 10 try and frame views new landscape. Restoration of individual from within, and from the outside, rather sites should be designed as an integral than to totally block them off. New planting part of a wider scheme for the whole could be targeted, where possible, on valley. slightly rising ground, but particular care should be taken to shape the edges of the • Retain and enhance river channel diversity new woods. Where possible the natural and marginal vegetation. regeneration of woodland should be The river and canal channels are major encouraged as this is can lend a more features within this landscape type. Where natural feel to the landscape. Where the ecological value has declined, there is planting is carried out, deciduous planting much scope for improvement through would be preferable, although mixed sensitive management. The retention of a woodlands would be acceptable as long diverse range of features such as as edges and sky lines are sensitively meanders, shallow, cliffs and backwaters handled. is very important. River margins are important and tree, scrub and plant growth • Enhance the continuity a/the river and on river banks should be retained and canal channels through encouragement of protected and consideration given to natural regeneration of bankside trees. suitable design, where new channel Scattered waterside trees and scrub are diversion schemes are proposed. All these important features contributing to the features have an intrinsic value and are riverside environment. To maintain this integral to the visual and aesthetic quality effect, natural regeneration of trees should of the riverside environment. be encouraged, but care should be taken to maintain a variety of habitats alongside the • Identify opportunities for recreating river margin, and to avoid ecologically riverside wetland habitats important sites such as unimproved In recent years within the degraded river grasslands and wetlands. Larger scale valley, new wetland habitats have woodland planting along the valley floor emerged as extraction activities have close to the watercourses should be ceased. These habitats have become avoided. particularly important for wildlife and help to give an element of naturalness 10 the

Page 2 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

• Enhance tree cover through regeneration • Seek to control field amalgamation and and replanting of field boundary trees . hedgerow loss, restoring hedges where Hedgerow trees and hedges alongside these have been lost or are in poor roads and lanes are not a particularly condition. significant feature at present within the Field pattern is an important visual element degraded river valley landscape. However, along the arable farmland parts of the where they do occur, on the slightly higher degraded river valley, particularly when ground within the intact arable farmland, viewed from adjacent high ground. The they have the effect of reinforcing the fields are bounded by mixed and thorn impression of enclosure. To maintain and hedgerows which arc in many places enhance this, natural regeneration of becoming thin and gappy, or have been lost hedgerow and roadside trees should be completely, only to be replaced by wire encouraged wherever possible, although fencing, which results in a more open, replanting could be undertaken if neglected landscape. Replacement necessary, using locally occurring native tree hedgerow planting or restoration through species. more appropriate management should be encouraged in these areas, although they • Conserve and restore, areas of existing should not be allowed to grow tall as this parkland. would have the effect of over enclosing the Although parks are not a common feature river valley. within this landscape, the parkland that does remain for example at Swillington, provides diversity and interest in the landscape of the river valley. With the river valley having undergone so much change in the past, this emphasises the need to conserve and manage areas which have remained relatively intact. Wherever possible it is important to retain the peaceful pastoral character of traditional parkland and to encourage new planting to replace old trees. Planting should respect the original design intentions of individual parks, or where there are several layers of design, it may be necessary to identify a particular stage of development which reflects the most important historical context. Where opportunities arise through incentives such as the Countryside Stewardship scheme to help manage existing areas, these should be investigated.

Page 3 of 3 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

WOODED FARMLAND

Landscape character The wooded farmland landscape type occurs mainly within the Eastern Limestone Belt and can be found in four landscape units: Methley Park (LCM17); West Bramham (ELB5); Aberford (ELB6); and Ledsham to Lotherton (ELB7). It forms gently rolling or undulating areas of large scale arable farmland characterised by large blocks of mixed woodland. Many of these woodland blocks are sharp edged Management strategy and guidelines and regular in shape, forming part of old The overall management strategy for the and existing estate holdings. wooded farmland landscape type should be one of conservation of the characteristic In contrast, strips of semi-natural woodland features. In some areas, this should be form attractive, softer features along valley combined with a careful balance of becks. Both these types of woodland help restoration, where parkland and farmland create a well wooded horizon when the features are in decline. Enhancement area is viewed from within. Pockets of through new planting may be appropriate, pasture occur around some of the but this should reinforce the existing settlements and around large houses, but pattern of tree cover rather than creating a the open arable fields predominate. new character.

These tend to be bordered by low gappy Management guidelines which are hedgerows, with only occasional hedgerow applicable for all the landscape units within trees breaking up the simple pattern. Small the wooded farmland landscape type are rural villages and isolated, generally large described below. Detailed management farm buildings, lie scattered within these strategies and guidelines for the individual areas. landscape units are described in separate documents, using the references above. Forces for change The main influence on the evolution of the • Conserve and enhance the pastoral and wooded farmland areas has been the wooded continuity of the narrow valleys development and management of much of and enhance their value as landscape, the land as part of large parkland and wildlife and recreation corridors. estate holdings. This has tended to result The isolated pastoral and wooded valleys in the simple but characteristic pattern of lying along small becks or streams form large areas of mixed plantations and key linear features and important intervening areas of arable farmland. This landscape and wildlife corridors in an pattern has otherwise cultivated area. To maintain this remained largely intact, although changing value, areas of pasture should be retained agricultural practices have resulted in a and consideration given to returning gradual decline in the condition of bankside arable fields to grassland. In hedgerows, which tend to be low cut and addition, natural regeneration of bankside gappy, and a consequential fragmentation trees should be encouraged and of the field pattern. Future change could consideration given to encouraging occur with proposed new commercial or recreational access along the valleys. highway development in the area.

Page 1 of 2 Leeds Landscape Assessment – Landscape Types

• Conserve and restore existing parkland • New planting along woodland edges and where opportunities arise, consider should favour native trees. restoring areas of former parkland. The gently rolling nature of this landscape Landscaped parks and their surrounding is such that woodland edges are the most estates are the distinctive feature of this prominent features. As a result a major pan of landscape, providing much of the many large woods cannot be seen. These woodland cover so characteristic of this area. woods are suited to commercial forestry As well as their historical importance, these operations, although if lines of conifers parklands provide diversity and interest in appear along woodland edges they can the landscape. True parkland throughout present an unnatural appearance. This the Leeds district is in decline, with some effect could be soften by the inclusion of areas being taken into intensive agricultural well shaped and scaled, irregularly spaced production, which emphasises the need to groups of broadleaves to vary species conserve and manage these existing height and diversity. areas. Wherever possible it is important to retain the peaceful character of traditional • Conserve and restore all primary parkland and to encourage new planting to hedgerows and manage them were replace old trees. Planting should respect positively as landscape features . the original design intentions of individual The landscape of the wooded farmlands is parks, which may involve historical characterised in the main by a large scale research and drawing up a restoration regular field pattern infused with large plan. Where opportunities arise through blocks of woodland. Field pattern is not a incentives such as the Countryside dominant visual influence where woodland Stewardship scheme to help manage cover is strong. However. where tree cover is existing areas, these should be weaker, the field pattern becomes more investigated. significant and here it is important to avoid any further fragmentation of the landscape. • Conserve the wooded character of mature In particular, it is important to conserve roadside trees. primary hedgelines, along roadsides, Roadside trees are important features bridleways, footpaths and farm and parish along some roads, helping to increase the boundaries. In addition, they should be well wooded nature of this landscape type managed more positively as landscape Many of these trees are mature and form features, planting up individual gaps where remnants of tree avenues which were planted appropriate. as part of the designed parkland and estates which are common throughout. • Conserve the wooded linear earthworks. These mature trees need to be retained until One of the characteristic features of the other trees have grown to replace them. To wooded farmland are the linear earth maintain and enhance this tree cover, new works, which are prominent due to their planting should be carried out, using scrub and woodland cover. As well as their species planted in the original avenue historic importance, these earthbanks designs. provide important linear tree cover, which has the visual effect of linking together • Conserve existing tree cover and enhance separate areas of woodland. These where tree cover is weaker, through earthbanks should be conserved and their medium scale planting. wooded cover managed to conserve and Due to the well wooded nature of this enhance their value. landscape, there are probably limited opportunities for significant amounts of new planting. However, where the tree cover is weaker, there may be opportunities for medium scale planting to enhance and complement the overall wooded effect. Woods up to field size may be appropriate, but care should be taken not to block off views through the landscape. Small woodland may appear out of scale in this landscape type

Page 2 of 2 Key eltaractcristics

• gently undula1ing fringefarmiand

• large openarable fields onhigh growui

• smaller fields of horse pasture

• slrip woodimuf ab:mg becks

• small woodedcopses

• low gappy hedgerows

• landfilland quarrying activities

• views over the Lmver Aire Valley

Landscape character the wwn clusters finely, the church wwer presiding high above /he roofs /Edmund Bogg An area of gently undulating arable fringe 1904)" farmland extending from the parkland or Temple Newsam in the west, to Kippax in the cast and Forces for change encompassing, in addition, the settlements or Swillington and Great Preston. The area can The Kippax and Swillington Fringe has a close largelybe defined by itsassociation with theLower association, both physically and historically with Aire Valley as the land drops steadily down the Lower Aire Valley and the associated mineral towards ii, with views of the power station and extraction activities. As such, opencast coal spoil tips common throughout. On the higher mining, quarrying and landfillactivities are in ground, the fields tend to be large, regular and evidence and have influenced landscapechange open, with low cut gappy hedgerows. Smaller and the development of the settlements over the pockets of mainly degraded horse pasture occur years. Some or the farmland within the area is around the fringesof settlements and along the degraded, under-used agricultural land, with narrow valleyswhich lead down towards the Aire. activities such as horse grazingalso apparent, Within these narrow valleys, stripsof semi-natural particularly around the fringesof Swillington and woodland line the becks,creating a more enclosed Kippax. In addition, there has been a gradual fieldpattern and providing a pleasant contrast with deterioration of farmlandfeatures such as field the more open structureless arable land elsewhere. boundaries, particularly on the more open arable Woodlandoccurs in isolated copses and around areas. settlements, such Kippax, where the trees sit prominently on top of the high ground at Management strategy and guidelines Townclose Hills. Throughout, urban fringe land uses are evident, this 'fringefeel' emphasised by The overall management strategy for the Kippax activities such as land fillingand quarrying and and Swillington Fringe should be a combination of the views which can be gainedover the degraded restoration of the characteristic features within Lower Aire Valley to the south. the landscape wherethese are falling intodecline, combined with enhancement through new "From Swillington to Great Preston, we obtain fine woodland planting, in areas where the character views ofOulton, Rothwell and Wood/esford. On has been lost completely. the crest ofthe hill beyond, the spire ofGarforth church forms an interesting landmark" (Edmund All guidelines relating 10 the arable fringe Bogg 1904) farmlandlandscape type are applicable for the Kippax and Swillington Fringe landscape unit (see "A deep valley runs between Great Pres/on and Kippaxand on the hillside and cres1 of the ridge,

79 Part 2). Additional site specific guidelines are • instigate a programme of tree planting and detailedbelow: encourage natural regeneration, designed to screen any intrusive landfill sites or quarries. • seek to control spread of horse grazing and New planting should be carried out as part of further degradation ofpasture around the any wider planting programme for the area fringes of Swilling ton and Kippax; and should be designed so as to maintain views over the Lower Aire Valley.

All guidelines relating to the wooded farmland • instlgate a programme of small scale planting landscape type areapplicable for the Methley Park to help screen visually intrusive buildings landscape unit (see Part 2). Additional site such as the sports centre at Ou/ton and specificguidelines are detailed below: sections of highways such as the M62 nwtorway; • enhance the wooded cover of the area through encouragement of natural regeneration and • conserve and enhance tree lines or avenues medium scale planting, particularly between along roads suchas Park Lane and the road Park lane and the railway line; leading up to Clumpclijfe;

• instigate a pro gramme of small scale planting· • conserve and enhance the pattern of hedgerow to help softenthe western urban edge of trees through the encouragement.of natural Methley Junction. This shouldbe designed as regeneration or the replanting of locally part of a wider planting programme for the occurring native trees where appropriate. area;

95 Key characteristics

• broad river valley

• degraded, despoiled and restored land

• extraction works and industrial buildings

• remnanl parkland areas

• major riVer and canal and wetlands

• pockets of inlact arable land

• featurelessregular restored arable fields

• power station cooling towers

Landscape character still remain large intrusivespoil heaps, extraction works and industrial buildings such as sewage Degraded river valley of the Lower Aire, works, close to the waters edge. However, the stretching fromthe prominent cooling towers of waterways provide a valuable resource and an Skelton Grange power station east along the valley important corridor for wildlifeand recreation. to Castleford. The broad valley, bounded by gently rising ground on either side, has been despoiled by Swillington and Leventhorpe years of human activities, resulting in a landscape of man-made features such as spoil heaps, lagoons Swillington and Leventhorpeform the last industrial buildings and plant. Major transport remaining remnant of the large estates which once routes such as theAire and Calder Navigation, and existed in this area. Characterised by small scale the Leeds-Castlefordrailw ay line traverse the pasture and wooded hedgerows, the area provides valley with the river itself meandering slowly, its an intact and attractivecore to the Lower Aire original course divertedas the valley undergoes Valley. Strips of woodland such as that continual change. Although the majority of the surrounding Cockpit Round, an oxbow lake, and valley is degraded or despoiled, there still remain treeavenues forexample at Swillington Bridge pockets of attractiveintact parkland landscapes, and leading up to Swillington House, form the such as at Swillington, and areasof farmland. Due main wooded cover, with isolated parkland trees to the contrast in character of these areas within dotted throughout. !he wider valley landscape, they aredescribed as threeseparate sub-units of the Lower Aire: Arable farmland wetlands and waterways; Swillington and Leventhorpe; and the Aire arable farmland. Areas of farmland on either side of the valley, some undisturbed and intact and others having Wetlandsand waterways been restored to agriculture following restoration of mineral workings. Where the field pattern has Extensive complex of wetlands and waterside land, remained intact,for example to the north of lying adjacenno the River Aire and !heAire and Allerton Bywater and along Methley Lane, field Calder Navigation. The irregularly shaped boundaries can formpositive features,although wetlands are lagoons and flashes, linked to past they are generally neglected and in needof mining and extraction activities, many of which, restoration. Elsewhere, the round featureless including Ledston and FairburnIngs have become mounds of restored workings provide bleak and important areasfor wildlife, particularly birds. exposed farmland,bounded by large regular fence Trees and scrub have begun to colonise around the. lines. Trees occur in isolated small coverts or edges, helping to give some form of unity to an plantations, for example north of Allerton otherwise fragmented area. Although many areas Bywater, along isolated fieldboundaries and as are in the process of undergoing restoration, there

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Key characteristics I:

• genlly rolling woodedfarmland G:

• parklandestates fJ:!:: • large regular arable fields ct: • mixed pfanlations ft: • beech ave�ues C • semi natural woodlandalong becks f!l:: • isolatedstrips of pasture along becks -= • views over the Lower Aire Valley �

Landscape character "Ledsham is a charming village, nestling in a I: secluded dell. Here, no sound of manufactureor Areaof gently rolling, large scale wooded rough traffic disturbsthe pastoral sweetness. II: Undulating slopes rise about it and pretty nooks of farmland crossed by the valleys of the Mill Dike Ct which runs towards thelower lying Vale of York wood fringe its borders" (EdmundBogg 1904) in the east and the Ledsham Beck which drops to the River Aire in the south. The open regular Forces forchange e fieldsof arable farmland are dominated by the treed horizons of the parkland estates of Lotherton The main influenceon the evolution of the e and Ledston Halls. Here theestates, with their Ledsham to Lotherton area has been the parkland trees, and designed landscape features development and management of the land as part e such astree avenues and deer parks add variety to of the large parkland and estate holdings of anotherwise simple and rather featurelessarable Ledston House and Lotherton Hall that form the G landscape. Varietyis also provided by the isolated bulk of the land area. This has resulted in the stripsof pastoral farmland along becks such as simple but characteristic patternof large areas of e Ledsharn Beck. The sharp edges of the mixed mixed plantations and the intervening areasof woodland such as Quarryfieldand Beacon arable farmland. This pattern has remained • Plantations, which characterise the area around largely intact, although changing agricultural Ledston, contrastwith the softer edges of semi practices have resulted in a gradual decline in the • natural woodland and remnant beech avenues parkland featuresand in the condition of leading up to Ledston Hall. Together, they create hedgerows, which tend to be low cut and gappy p. a landscape with wooded horizons, although if one and a consequential fragmentationof the field looks outwards, viewsof the disturbed and pattern. Future change within this area could ti! complex Aire Valley stretch out to the south. If occur with theprop osed road developments and one looks in to the area from the Aire Valley, the improvements associated with the Al and A63. G elevated grounds of LedstonHall are potentially inviting. Farm buildings occur throughout, with Management strategy and guidelines ti! white walls and red tiledroofs contrasting with the � newer and larger modem buildings which have The overall management strategy forthis area been added on to the traditional core. Ledsharn, should one of conservation of the features which the largestsettlement in the area, is a charming make up the wooded farmland characterof the C village, with a peaceful and picturesque 'old world' landscape, combined with a careful balance of � look. restoration, where parkland and farmland features are in decline. Enhancement through new planting may be appropriate, but this should i:i C 107 =� reinforcethe existing pattern of tree cover rather . • conserve and enhance strip woodland around than creating a new character. the edge of Ledston Hall;

All guidelines relating to the wooded farmland • conServe and enhance through new planting, landscape type are applicable for theLe dsham to the avenue of beech trees which once formed Lotherton landscape unit (see Part 2). Additional the link between Ledston Hall and the Lodge. site specific guidelines are detailed below:

• retain the isolated strips ofpastoral farmland along becks such as Ledsham Beck;

108