Landscape and Townscape Appraisal

Landscape and Townscape Appraisal St Cuthbert’s Garden Village Prepared by LUC in association with Nick Haynes May 2017 Project Title: Landscape and Townscape Appraisal of the Carlisle South Area Client: Carlisle City Council Version Date Version Details Prepared by Checked by Approved by 1 13 March 2017 Draft SMO/AB/NH PDM SCO 2 10 April 2017 Final draft SMO/PDM PDM SCO 3 2 May 2017 Final SMO/PDM PDM SCO Landscape and Townscape Appraisal of the Carlisle South Area.docx Last saved: 02/05/2017 15:51 Landscape and Townscape Appraisal St Cuthbert’s Garden Village Prepared by LUC in association with Nick Haynes May 2017 Planning & EIA LUC EDINBURGH Land Use Consultants Ltd Design Registered in England 28 Stafford Street Registered number: 2549296 Landscape Planning Edinburgh Registered Office: Landscape Management EH3 7BD 43 Chalton Street Ecology T +44 (0)131 202 1616 London NW1 1JD FS 566056 EMS 566057 LUC uses 100% recycled paper Mapping & Visualisation edinburgh@landuse.co.uk Offices also in London Bristol Glasgow Contents 1 Introduction 2 St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village 2 2 Methodology 5 Baseline review 5 Appraisal and evaluation 5 Application 6 3 Overview of the area 9 Historical development 9 Landscape character 11 4 Character area 1 13 5 Character area 2 22 6 Character area 3 28 7 Character area 4 39 8 Character area 5 48 9 Character area 6 54 10 References 63 Select Bibliography 63 Appendix 1 Field survey sheets 1 Introduction To assess the relationship between these settlements and Objectives of the study their surrounding landscape context; 1.1 This study was commissioned by Carlisle City Council, to provide a Identify focal points within the area around which separate strategic appraisal of the landscape and townscape character of character areas could evolve; the Carlisle South area. The objectives of the study were defined in the Council‟s brief as follows: Identify any landmarks within the area and beyond, that are of strategic importance; and Landscape Recommend broad design principles for creating a sense of To produce a summary of the historical landscape place, whilst reinforcing locally distinctive patterns of development within Carlisle South; development. To identify existing landscape features and their 1.2 The approach taken has been to integrate the landscape and connectivity within the area; townscape elements of these objectives to provide a holistic To assess the sensitivity of the landscape to absorb overview of the landscape and townscape values attached to the change, including reference to landscape value at strategic Carlisle South area. The study provides evidence and guidance and local level; that will inform the development of a masterplan for Carlisle South. It draws on a range of published information, but To identify key views into and out of the area; examines this at a more local scale to develop a detailed picture of To evaluate the visual importance of the Rivers Caldew and the variations in landscape and townscape across the area, as well Petteril; and as the interactions between them. To identify opportunities to integrate open space and green infrastructure into the master planning process – taking into account, where applicable, the 10 garden city principles set St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village out by the Town and Country Planning Association. 1.3 Now known as St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village, the area referred to Townscape as Carlisle South was first identified in the Carlisle District Local To produce a summary of the historic development of the Plan 2015-2030 (CDLP). The area shown on the Key Diagram is built environment within the area; described in Policy SP3 as a “broad location for growth for a major mixed use development, focusing on housing”. The Policy sets out To assess the form, character, building styles and that development of the area will be guided by a masterplan that common vernacular of the villages of Carleton, Brisco, will be approved as a Development Plan Document. The Durdar, Blackwell, and Cummersdale, as well as other built features in the landscape; Landscape and Townscape Appraisal: St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village 2 May 2017 exploration of a link road connecting the A689 to the M6 will be an Study area integral part of the masterplan. 1.7 The indicative boundary of the Carlisle South area, as defined in 1.4 Policy SP3 is aligned with paragraph 52 of the National Planning the expression of interest, is shown in Figure 1.1. To ensure that Policy Framework (NPPF), which states that the supply of new the study took due account of cross boundary views and features, homes may be secured through planning for new settlements that the study has examined a slightly wider area, of up to 1km around follow „Garden City‟ principles. this boundary. 1.5 The Council subsequently submitted an expression of interest to 1.8 Proposals are in development for a new link road between the the Homes and Communities Agency for a garden village of up to A689 Carlisle western by-pass and the M6 at Junction 42. These 10,000 homes, to be developed based on the Garden City proposals are at an early stage and are not therefore considered in principles defined by the Town and Country Planning Association. detail within this study, which is focused on describing and This was accepted by the HCA as one of 14 garden villages evaluating the existing situation within Carlisle South. The announced in January 2017. findings of this study will be available to inform further development of the link road route. 1.6 The present commission is one of the first pieces of work commissioned in relation to the development of Carlisle South. It aims to provide evidence of the existing and historic character in the area, and will inform the masterplanning process. Landscape and Townscape Appraisal: St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village 3 May 2017 Figure 1.1 Indicative study area boundary Landscape and Townscape Appraisal: St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village 4 May 2017 2 Methodology 2.1 The approach was based around integrating the landscape and Information on sites designated for historic, landscape or townscape elements of the study into a holistic evaluation that natural heritage value. included the following key steps: 2.4 Baseline information gathered from these sources was verified in Describe the historic development and current landscape and the field during detailed site visits carried out in February 2017. townscape features of the Carlisle South area; As well as verifying research, the field work was essential to gather more detailed information on the local area, including: Evaluate the key natural and built features of the area, such as villages, farms, rivers; Village form, building styles and vernacular features; Identify interrelationships, both physical and visual, between Views and visual relationships, including focal points within these features; and and without the study area; and Provide advice as to how these features and connections can Relationships and connections, both visual and physical, within best be reflected in development proposals for Carlisle South. and beyond the study area. Baseline review Appraisal and evaluation 2.2 Through a combination of desk study and field work, the first Identification of character areas stage of the work aimed to assemble a complete picture of the 2.5 The assets, features and characteristics identified were analysed character and features of the area, including its past development, further to determine their importance to the area and their and any sites designated for their historic, landscape or natural contribution to distinctive character either locally or more widely. heritage value. 2.6 Units of discrete character were identified within the study area, 2.3 Key sources of information included: and these have been used to assemble and evaluate information Relevant landscape character assessments, including the on each location. These are defined as recognisable units, Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit; reflecting both landscape character and historic character. Historic Landscape Characterisation for Cumbria; 2.7 Identification of character units has the benefit of allowing the material to be presented in a spatially organised manner, though it Historic Environment Records for the area; is important to retain an understanding of connections and Ordnance Survey mapping, including historic mapping, and connectivity between these parcels. For each landscape unit, a aerial photography; and description and analysis of the historic landscape is provided, including: Landscape and Townscape Appraisal: St Cuthbert‟s Garden Village 5 May 2017 how the area has developed through time; 2.12 Table 2.1 overleaf sets out the landscape and visual criteria used for the assessment of landscape sensitivity. For each character the heritage assets present; area, an overall evaluation of sensitivity is presented, with detailed the surrounding area and landscape; and information against each of the criteria (see Appendix 1). the wider heritage context of the area. Historic environment values, significance and sensitivity 2.8 This section goes on to describe the current landscape of the area 2.13 A desk-based assessment of the historic environment of each in terms of its physical, natural, cultural and perceptual influences. character area was undertaken, identifying: These include consideration of topography, geology, drainage, land cover, land use, woodlands and trees, and built form. Known heritage assets; 2.9 Visual and physical connections have been analysed to determine Historic landscape character; links across the Carlisle South area, and between the area and the Likely archaeological potential; surrounding landscape. These include existing habitat networks and corridors, such as river valleys, and any linear assets. Heritage values associated with places and assets; Existing patterns of access have been analysed, including roads as Role of character areas in the setting of heritage assets; well as recreational walking and cycle routes.

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