National Character 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents 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 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents Summary The Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent National Character Area The area has many recreational facilities, including the newest of its reservoirs, (NCA) is a picturesque transitional area between the natural beauty of the Carsington Water, as well as the former towpath of the Cromford Canal and Peak District National Park to the west and the largely urban, formerly mined the famous Crich Tramway Village. The major transport corridors of the A6 and Derbyshire Coal Measures to the east. Often referred to as the Gateway to the intercity railways run through the NCA, providing access but also intrusion Peaks, this area is underlain mostly by the Carboniferous geology of the eastern from emissions, light and noise. Coal Measures and by Millstone Grit (sandstones) in the west – through which the rivers at the heart of this NCA have cut their valleys. Although the area was not included in the National Park, it was seriously considered during the original boundary selection in 1950 and remains a landscape of extremely high quality. The rivers in the area are of major importance for many reasons; they drain large volumes of rainwater from the Peak District, and the River Derwent has been significant to the area’s economic and industrial heritage, having powered the early mills of the Industrial Revolution. The Derwent Valley Mills were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, celebrating the area’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution. The area is rich in semi-natural habitats, intimate and dramatic landscapes, views and vistas. The transition between uplands and lowlands provides pathways for species to migrate in response to a changing climate. Ogston Reservoir, originally created to compensate for low water levels in the rivers, is of major importance for avifauna – and for passage migrants in particular. Cromford Canal, originally built as a transport route for the mills, is also now of importance for its aquatic flora. Small areas of the neighbouring Peak District’s Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas extend into this NCA. Biological and geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as well as local sites for nature conservation and geology, are also found within this NCA. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce. 3 National Character 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents Statements of Environmental Opportunity SEO 1: Protect and manage the adaptive capacity of this transitional National Character Area, and its geodiversity and biodiversity value. Manage and increase the broadleaved native woodland resource for multiple benefits including biodiversity, atmospheric carbon regulation, soil erosion, controlling water run-off and contributing to coherent habitat networks, while protecting intrinsic landscape character. SEO 2: Protect, manage and plan for change to the area’s distinctive historic environment, including as a framework for sustainable development – also for the contribution that the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site makes to the local economy, for sustainable energy production and for climate change mitigation. SEO 3: Manage the National Character Area’s recreational assets for multi-functional and accessible opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, sustainably serving local and sub-regional demand, and thus helping to manage wider visitor pressures on sensitive areas of the Peak District National Park. SEO 4: Protect and enhance the rivers Derwent, Amber and Ecclesbourne (and their flood plains) – as well as the National Character Area’s reservoirs and more minor watercourses – for their role in providing a water supply and regulating water flow, and for their biodiversity, landscape and recreational value. The River Derwent links this NCA to those both upstream and downstream. 4 National Character 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents This NCA is seen as a Gateway to the Peaks, and is an important area for Description recreation – particularly for the urban population of Derby. Visitor pressure is high throughout. The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site lies largely within this NCA, extending into the Needwood and South Derbyshire Physical and functional links to other National Claylands NCA. Of international heritage significance, the area is a focus for Character Areas recreation and attracts many visitors from further afield. This National Character Area (NCA) marks the transition between the natural Major transport routes run through the NCA: the A6 follows the course of beauty of the Peak District National Park to the west, and the settled former the River Derwent to Matlock, and the East Midlands mainline runs from north Derbyshire coalfield area to the east. It shares the Carboniferous Coal London St Pancras to Sheffield. Local trains from Nottingham to Matlock, via Measures with the broader, easterly Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Derby, also follow the A6 corridor. Coalfield NCA, and the Millstone Grit with the Dark Peak NCA to the north-west. To the south, the Carboniferous Limestone underlying the White Peak NCA (and Small areas of the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection giving rise to its name) extends as far as the Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Areas (SPAs) of the neighbouring Peak District extend into this NCA. Cromford Derwent NCA. Triassic sandstones, a minor feature of this NCA, extend in from Canal runs west to east through the area, and forms part of the World Heritage the Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands NCA, which lies to the south. Site designation; also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the canal contributes to the area’s many recreational assets, as do the reservoirs at The River Derwent and its tributary, the River Amber, flow southwards through Ogston and Carsington. The latter, in particular, also supplies water outside of the NCA. The Derwent, which carries high volumes of rainwater from the Peak the area. District, drains to the River Trent through the Trent Valley Washlands NCA, the Trent and Belvoir Vales NCA, and the Humberhead Levels NCA – and then The Derwent Valley Heritage Way links this NCA to the Dark Peak NCA, further finally out to sea, via the Humber. The principal aquifers are the Derwent – a north, and to the Trent Valley Washlands NCA, in the south. There are also plans Secondary Combined Aquifer that underlies the majority of this NCA and to link the north of this NCA to a network of cycle routes planned for the wider much of the Dark Peak – and the Don and Rother Millstone Grit and Coal Peak District. Measures aquifer, which underlies much of the north of this NCA. Distinct area There are views to and from the Dark Peak and White Peak throughout the NCA, and from Alport Height there are very distant views south-west across the ■ North Westerly Moorland Fringe West Midlands, to Cannock Chase and The Wrekin. At Matlock and Matlock Bath there are particularly fine views across this NCA, from the Heights of Abraham and Heights of Jacob. There are reciprocal views to these (and their spectacular cliffs) from the Peak Fringe. 5 National Character 50. Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Area profile: Supporting documents Key characteristics ■ Transitional zone between the Peak District National Park (in which a small part of the NCA lies at its northern end) and the heavily settled Derbyshire Coal Measures, lying at an elevation of between 100 m and 300 m.