Executive Summary llarge urban areas development of the surrounding landscape. lscattered un-developed rural settlements Type Two - Vale Meadowlands “The landscape is a key element of individual and perched on the edge of the floodplain social well-being and that its protection, larable fields and river meadows A flat, low lying riparian landscape characterised by management and planning entail rights and a pattern of small and medium sized alluvial responsibilities for everyone" (European Landscape lthe broad expanse of the River Trent meadows, grazing animals and remnant wetland Convention, 2000) lextensive gravel pits vegetation. The areas tend to be narrow and flanking the meandering river. Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) provides a la skyline dominated by the cooling towers of basis for assessing the particular features and power stations Type Three - Industrial/Restored Vale elements within landscapes which makes one landscape type and area different from another. With a rich and diverse heritage: A diverse range of highly modified landscapes This LCA considers the characteristics of Trent lone of the most extensive network of crop marks created by mineral extraction and power Vale, one of the most dynamic and complex in the region production. environments within in East Midlands. The LCA considers the human and natural la pattern of Roman settlements Type Four - Vale Farmlands activities that have worked together to lcivil war sites produce a landscape that provides a A flat low-lying agricultural landscape characterised fascinating insight into the lan association with the Pilgrim Fathers by a traditional pattern of hedged fields and development of the region. lpairings of villages on either side of the river nucleated village settlements. Trent once connected by a string of ferries The Trent Vale Landscape is one of This LCA provides an assessment of these landscape the most dynamic and complex la range of priority habitats and a network of types, people's perceptions and the potential for the environments within the East SSSI's and SINC's future of Trent Vale. The conclusion is that Trent Vale Midlands, where both human and lcountryside and villages which retain the is a distinctive landscape, rich in natural, built and natural activities have traditional and rural character that has been lost cultural heritage and has a great potential, but it is interacted not just to create in so much of the region an area where the local people feel a disconnection successions of landscapes, but from their landscape and where the true identity of to change the actual form of Its It is all of these factors that combine to make up the Trent Vale faces the risk of being lost. the land. Its landscape and "feel or character" of the Trent Vale landscape and features provide a landscape highlights the essence of Trent Vale and what makes The production of this Landscape Character fascinating story of it an area of distinctive historical, natural and Assessment has funded through a Project Planning development, which is and features industrial character. Grant from The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Trent often now overlooked. The Vale Landscape Partnership. Trent Vale is formed from Research has shown that in a national context Trent provide a the broad valley of the Vale is often described as a single character type, The Trent Vale Landscape Partnership (TVLP) is a River Trent, starting from however this is misleading and it is clear that Trent group of public and voluntary sector organisations fascinating a point close by Newark Vale offers four distinct character types: whose aim is to develop a long-term strategy for the where the floodplain first development of Trent Vale. The Partnership includes broadens, continuing up story of Type One - Vale Market Towns Nottinghamshire County Council, Lincolnshire to the wide shallow County Council, West Lindsey District Council, floodplain beyond development Historic market towns which have been focal points Newark & Sherwood District Council, Bassetlaw Gainsborough. for the vale for centuries and continue to expand as District Council, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, residential and service centres. They are largely Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, The Trent Vale offers a mix of urban areas whose presence has significantly altered Environment Agency, British Waterways, English landscapes: the river corridor locally and influenced the Heritage and the OnTrent Initiative. 1. Introduction

This study is designed to form the foundation of the development strategy for the Trent Vale Landscape “Landscape means an area, as Partnership and it is anticipated that it will be perceived by people, whose character is referred to by all those who are responsible for, or Trent Vale interested in, the development of Trent Vale. This the result of the action and interaction document was produced by the members of the Trent offers a of natural and/or human factors. The Vale Management Group, with input and direction landscape from various individuals and organisations that live landscape is a key element of and operate within the area, as such it is hoped that rich in individual and social well-being and it provides and accessible and accurate history representation of the Trent Vale landscape that its protection, management and character. planning entail rights and Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) provides a responsibilities for everyone” basis for assessing the particular features and elements within landscapes which makes one landscape type and area different from another. (European Landscape Convention, Within this document TVLP consider various factors lTopography - influenced by the underlying 2000) to help us explore the development and impact of geology, climate and soil type, and in Trent Vale Trent Vale, including: by human activity e.g. managing the river by deepening and building flood banks to contain the course of the river and the practice of warping (process of deliberately flooding land in order to deposit layers of 'warp').

lLand cover - types of agriculture, woodland, waterways, wetlands and urban cover "The Trent Vale is an

lLand use - settlements (farms, villages and example of a distinctive towns), industry, transportation routes and landscape whose character leisure has been, and continues to lAttitudes and perceptions - people's feelings and be, shaped by both opinions on the natural and built features of the landscape in which they live and work natural and human factors” It is all of these factors that combine to make up the "feel or character" of the Trent Vale landscape. In undertaking this piece of work TVLP aims to highlight Ruth Needham, the essence of Trent Vale and what makes it and area of distinctive historical, natural and industrial OnTrent Initiative character. Project Manager 2. Methodology 3. Defining the Trent Vale Landscape Area Desk based study was conducted utilising available datasets to map different elements of, and The Trent Vale Area influences on, the landscape. In addition, all current and recent landscape studies, assessments A vale is defined as a wide river valley and can often and guidance for the region were reviewed. be used to describe a valley with a particularly wide Following an interrogation and understanding of flood plain or flat valley bottom. The "Trent Vale" this desk-based research, field study and covers an area of the Trent Valley from Newark to consultation was carried out to augment and test just north of Gainsborough. This is an area where the the data. valley broadens and the slopes rising from its edge decrease in height and steepness to become almost A key aspect of this LCA is an assessment of the indiscernible from the adjacent lowland areas, at views and attitudes of the people who live the northern most point of Trent Vale the valley and work within the landscape and various opens into a broad plain which stretches northwards methods were utilised to ensure that this to the Humber estuary. input was obtained and appropriately influenced the LCA and the classification The Trent Vale Landscape Partnership area (see and description of character types and Appendix 1) was developed using various relief areas. mapping techniques and through consultations which established views on the characteristics of Trent Vale. The boundary was based on a 20m contour line; this provides an area which contains the current and ancient settlements which follow the course of the river, together with the areas that would have constituted the old floodplain of the river. This area also contains the key features which The people associate with the Trent Vale region. The total area is 296 sqkm. A Landscape Defined by Human Influence landscape The area includes two major historic settlements, Newark to the South and Gainsborough to the North, Trent Vale is an area which has had significant impact is a key with a number of other settlements ranging from from a combination of agriculture, mineral small hamlets to larger commuter villages. The extraction, industrial growth and decline, power element of population within the area is approximately 68,000 production and flood management. Within the (see Appendix 2 Population Density by Parish). Countryside Agency's "Character Area 48 - Trent and individual Belvoir Vales", Trent Vale is described as: Trent Vale area includes land within the boundaries of: "The open, undeveloped and rural character is and social strongly influenced by power stations, pylons and lNottinghamshire and Lincolnshire County sand and gravel extraction on the Trent floodplain. well-being Councils The pattern of enclosure of the fields, bounded almost invariably with hawthorn hedging, plays an lWest Lindsey, Bassetlaw and Newark and important part in creating the character of the Vale. Sherwood District Councils Arable crops predominate and hedges, which are often gappy, are generally kept tightly or excessively l55 Parish Councils trimmed. There are few hedgerow trees. The Trent passes through attractive stretches of lAppendix 4 - A permanent pasture and flood meadow but, in its 4. The Historic Trent Vale detailed description lower reaches and in particular downstream of of the history of Cromwell, where it becomes tidal, it is confined by The Forming of Trent Vale development of the flood banks and thus rarely seen. There are two Trent Vale. From the major settlements, Newark to the South and It has been the twin processes of erosion and early influence of A Gainsborough to the North, in between settlements deposition operating over millions of years that have man, through are scattered, compact villages linked by a network evolved a unique topographic form which has, in Roman and Anglo- diversity of small, quiet country lanes. turn, influenced the pattern and distribution of soils, Saxon settlement land cover and human activity, which has provided to the early The landscapes are dominated by views of the the "modern" characteristics that are today industrial Trent of habitats massive cooling towers of power stations and associated with Trent Vale. Vale and early associated networks of pylons. Also glimpses of the management of the and processing plants, hoppers and conveyor belts of the Soil and Geology River Trent extensive areas of sand and gravel extraction distinctive introduce further industrial elements to the Trent The underlying bedrock of the Trent Vale is primarily lAppendix 5 - A brief Vale". Mercian mudstone. In the floodplain the mudstone is History of the Trent landscape overlain by mixed glacial and river deposits. On the Vale market towns of It is this combination of natural, industrial and floodplain terraces these deposits tend to be sands Newark and features historic value which gives the Trent Vale its and gravels, overlain by deep permeable sandy sub Gainsborough uniqueness and provides, within a relatively small soils. The soils that have developed on the terraces area, a diversity of habitats and distinctive tend to be free draining sandy loams. Elsewhere Scheduled Monuments and landscape features. there are deposits of silty-clayey alluvium over Important Heritage Assets which clay loam soils have developed. Peat deposits, some extensive, are known throughout the Trent The complexity of the history of Vale development of Trent Vale can be illustrated through the exceptional The edges of the Vale are defined by the rising slopes richness and diversity of historic of Mercian mudstone, over which soils tend to be features and sites. There are currently heavy. Hillwash deposits from the mudstones have 47 sites designated as Scheduled accumulated in places along the edge of the Ancient Monuments (Appendix 5 - Map of floodplain, providing heavier and generally water Scheduled Ancient Monuments), whilst retentive clayey soils. most of these represent buried remains there are several structures still visible. Landscape History There is also a valuable built heritage throughout the Vale including sites such as The Trent Vale boasts a rich and complex history from Gainsborough Medieval Hall, Torksey Castle and mans early influence on the landscape, through Newark Castle, together with many historic Roman occupation and settlement by the Anglo- churches and chapels, farm and village buildings Saxons to the industrialisation of the Vale. In order to and numerous industrial and commercial buildings provide a detailed understanding and assessment of within the market towns. the history of Trent Vale the following information is included within the appendices: During the consultation conducted for the production of this LCA many people stated that the lAppendix 3 - "A river runs through it" - a brief undeveloped nature of a number of the villages description of the Trent Vale landscape following represents a key heritage asset of the Vale, the river from Newark to West Stockwith enabling people to enter into a "forgotten time". When considering the heritage value of an area the Trent is now a highly productive river with thousands lmajor banks - these prevent flooding from floods "sense of place" that particular sites can provide are of fishermen regularly making good catches. A range similar to those in 1947 or 1954 and to those with equally as valuable as individual buildings. of over 30 different species of fish can be found about a 1% (1 in 100) chance of happening each within the river. year;

5. The Natural Vale Taming the Trent lminor banks - these are expected to be overtopped by floodwater about once in every River Trent The historical need for flood protection from three years. For example, at Beckingham agriculture, transportation, power production, Marshes the minor banks are expected to be The River Trent's source is in the Staffordshire mineral extraction and local villages has resulted in overtopped every five years. Moorlands and as it travels its 275 kilometre very little of the Trent Vale flooding in recent course to its end at the Humber Estuary this memory, mainly due to the presence of long lengths The importance of the 'minor banks' is that these becomes one of the countries most important of earth flood embankment. create the flood storage areas. These areas store rivers, and one of a few that flows south to water in times of flood and reduce the peak flood north. The tidal stretch of the Trent The current layout of the channels and defences of level, major flood storage areas are at Beckingham continues upstream through Trent Vale as the Trent through the Trent Vale has its origins in and Lea Marshes. Where properties are located far as Cromwell weir and lock. changes introduced in the 1600s. A series of adjacent to the river and space is limited the flood engineering works over the following centuries has defences are formed by flood walls. These are The name "Trent" has a number of created the flood defence and land drainage system typically constructed out of concrete and steel sheet possible suggested origins, one is that of flood banks, flood walls, pumping stations and piles. There are also pumping stations and outfalls. it comes from a Celtic word possibly flood storage areas that exists today. The last These allow water to flow by gravity or be pumped meaning "strongly flooding", more extensive works were during the 1960s and 1970s. In into the River Trent without allowing water to flow specifically, the name may be a the twentieth century, the most significant floods from the River Trent the other way when river levels contraction of two Celtic words, are those of 1932, 1947, 1954, 1977 and 2000. In 1932 rise. tros ("over") and hynt ("way"). and 1947, there were breaches of flood banks at Richard Stone in his book The Cottam and Morton. The 1947 Morton Breach allowed River Trent suggests that river flood water to reach the outskirts of Scunthorpe. No was known to the Romans as significant failures of flood banks occurred during Trisantona - translated as the floods of 1954, 1977 and 2000. However, trespasser which is a significant disruption was caused by flooding of reference to its frequent properties, roads and land not protected by flood flooding. It also possible banks. The that it derives from the Anglo-British the-re- Following the 1947 and 1954 floods, the Trent River River Trent hemm-heth or "the river Board (which now forms part of the Environment bend landing place" Agency) carried out a major study into the flood is now a defences on the tidal reach of the River Trent. This Like many major rivers, was published in 1960 and after this, construction highly the Trent has provided a was carried out over the next twenty years to number of functions - improve the defences. There are a small number of properties which are not administrative currently protected by the defences. These are all productive boundary, trade route, The flood embankments dominate the landscape south of Gainsborough. The defended floodplain is defensive barrier, along the river for its entire length through the Trent generally agricultural land, and small villages. river provider of resources and Vale. The flood banks are constructed out of earth Gainsborough is the largest urban area within the a natural corridor. One and covered in grass. On the tidal reach of the River floodplain. aspect that can often be Trent they have been constructed to two different overlooked is that the standards. These are: There is a general perception in the UK that the Wildlife Habitats severity and frequency of flooding is increasing. This is difficult to determine objectively with relatively Currently within Trent Vale the areas with significant short periods of hydrometric records; it is difficult to regional and national wildlife value are dispersed determine whether such changes are due to a natural across the region on fragments of land that survived The most meteorological cycle or for other reasons. Various the wide scale rush for agricultural improvement. theories, including changes in land use, have Currently (utilising data provided by NGBRC and nevertheless been advanced to support this Lincolnshire County Council) there are 1,534 important perception. The intensification of agricultural land hectares of SSSi and SINCs in Trent Vale - Appendix 6 use during the twentieth century has resulted in provides details of their location. The majority of wetland larger fields, more efficient drainage systems, these sites are small and separated from one another Old oxbows still exist at increased stock density and larger and heavier with the exception of some of the meadows within Spalford, Fledborough sites machinery causing deeper compaction of soils. the Holmes complex and several former mineral and Bole Ings and these sites. The smaller nature conservation sites are offer good habitat sites. within These factors, along with changes in cropping generally pockets of woodland (very rare within practice and crop rotation, are thought to have Trent Vale), land inside river meanders, corners of The arm of the Trent the vale resulted in water being moved through agricultural marginal farmland or along linear features such as flowing to the west of land faster and the rate of run-off being higher. This, boundaries, railway lines or the river. Newark through Averham combined with loss of woodlands and rough and Kelham is an exception vegetation (which theoretically absorb and retain to this. Not being used as a water) to farmland or urban development, may navigation it contains several mean that volumes of water in rivers are higher and shallower areas that have water levels rise faster. These changes are only been allowed to develop more significant to the fluvial (non-tidal) component of naturally, providing important flooding as they have no effect on the tidal habitat for fish. component. Former mineral sites that have not Historically this change from traditional flood plain been backfilled provide the most meadows to the use of flood plain land for important wetland sites within the agriculture all year round, led to both the attempts vale. The main ones we see today are at to lower water tables at all times of the year and Mons Pool, Besthorpe, Winthorpe and prevent the natural flood plain from flooding by Girton. All of these have a range of construction of flood defences. wetland and marginal habitats with a variety of plant and animal interest. In 2005 the Environment Agency issued a Tidal Trent Flood Risk Management Strategy, which describes a The potential for these sites can be seen by range of options for long term use and management what has been achieved by Nottinghamshire of the flood embankments along the Trent. It is likely The River and Wetlands Wildlife Trust at Besthorpe Nature Reserve, that at some point in the future, as the current which lies in the Trent floodplain to the north of embankments degrade, changes will need to take The river itself has been hugely modified over the Collingham on the east bank of the river at a place in how the risk of flooding is managed. This centuries for flood management and navigational former Lafarge extraction site. The site presents opportunities for landscape change within purposes. The vast majority of the natural floodplain comprises two areas with a total area of around 68 Trent Vale in the long term, which could be combined is now separated from the river by the large flood hectares (which should increase by about 100 with changes in agricultural land use to provide areas embankments along its length and in most areas the acres over the next 20 years). The section of the of traditional flood plain meadows. A number of river forms a deep wide channel with little in-stream reserve to the south comprises an area of old potential sites have already been identified as habitat. The bank side of the Trent is where the best gravel workings and two SSSI wildflower meadows. offering "ineffective flood storage" and that "have no habitats can be found, often containing a range of The meadows have been designated SSSI since May significant effect on flood risk". marginal and tall herb communities. 1988. They consist of 9.23 hectares of unimproved alluvial grassland with a distinctive plant This includes the creation of fish refuges which have pasture with two nationally scare wetland plant community which is now nationally rare. Species special entry channels built under the banks of the species. Snipe, curlew and water vole have been within the meadows include Yorkshire fog, great river and when it is in flood the fish stocks, including recorded on the site. Lea Marsh is surrounded by burnet, Lady's bedstraw, common knapweed, that year's fry, can shelter in the still waters. Fishery farmland. meadow vetchling and pepper saxifrage. An old projects have recently been completed by the borrow pit fringed by willows contains an Environment Agency at Winthorpe Lake, and The traditionally managed area of grazed pasture interesting aquatic flora including spiked water farmland at Sutton on Trent, just north of Newark. supports a floodplain meadow community which has milfoil and common water crowfoot. been greatly reduced in extent across much of Small water courses particular the Fleet, plus England. At Lea Marsh this plant community is To the South of the meadows lies Mons Pool, drainage dykes and ditches and numerous small characterised by an impressive abundance of herbs which contains a colony of nesting cormorants ponds dotted throughout the Vale also provide including great burnet, autumn hawkbit, common and a heronry of county importance. Two hides valuable habitats for priority species. sorrel, ragged robin, great willowherb, bird's-foot are available for watching the birds which trefoil, meadow buttercup, lesser stichwort, ribwort frequent the pool and apart from the herons plantain, meadowsweet, common knapweed, and cormorants these include many species meadow vetchling, yellow rattle, pepper saxifrage of wildfowl including a wide variety of and common meadow-rue. Of particular note is the ducks in winter including tufted duck, presence of a large population of narrow-leaved pochard and goosander. The river water-dropwort, a nationally scarce plant of very provides a habitat which itself is restricted distribution in the East Midlands, and the developing, with currently over 30 nationally scarce mousetail. Lea Marsh is the only species of fish in the river. known locality for both these plants in Lincolnshire.

The improvements in water There are several hay meadows in the Holmes area quality have given significant between Sutton on Trent and High Marnham improvements but with the retaining areas of species rich grassland. These physical nature of the river 'common' fields have been grazed using traditional modified through the methods and provide an extremely valuable habitat construction of weirs, in the Vale and demonstrate this rare grazing system. embankments and These habitats would have once been widespread dredging, additional Grasslands throughout the area. The picture shows an area at These solutions are required. Sutton on Trent locally known as "Little Trent" which These areas of lowland wet grassland, species rich is considered by the locals to be the old routme of habitats grassland and lowland heath are inhabitated by, the Trent, and provides an image of what amongst other species, redshank, curlew, lapwing, traditionally a large part of the Vale would have would have nationally declining water voles, otters and a variety looked like. of dragonflies and damselflies. These areas also contain extensive and diverse archaeological There are Nature Reserves, owned by Notts Wildlife once been resources. With suitable man and habitat Trust, at Spalford Warren, North Muskham and management scarse bitten, bearded tit and marsh Brierley's Meadow Girton Meadows and by the RSPB widespread harrier. at Langford Lowfields. There are also important sites at Cottam and West Burton power stations, both throughout Lea Marsh on the eastern bank south of offering a diverse range of habitats and provide Gainsborough, another area with a SSSI designation opportunities for visits by groups to explore the the area within Trent Vale, it is of national importance. Lea wildlife effectively "preserved" by the presence of Marsh, located adjacent to the river south of the power stations. The RSPB is also currently in the Gainsborough, is an unusually large area (27 early stages of creating its Beckingham Marshes hectares) of unimproved floodplain meadow and wet reserve. Beckingham Marshes lies along the west bank of the River Trent at Gainsborough and covers lChange from hay to silage management leads to the river. It usually 488 hectares. The area was originally rich wet loss of ground nesting birds, especially early appears during high grassland, which was drained in the 1960's and since nesting waders and wildflowers spring tides, but its size then has been mainly arable. This changed the can be affected by l appearance of the area and characteristic wetland Flood barriers constructed between main winter floods and the The Trent species such as wading birds and wetland plants were channel and flood meadows resulting rise in water lost. level. The size of a bore lIncreased drainage has led to loss of wet/dry or Aegir can also be Aegir is a grassland mosaic. The area is owned by the Environment Agency, is now affected by opposing naturally used for flood storage and is let by the Agency to five lManagement of watr levels to maintain wet winds or by high tenant farmers, as well as three hectares to an oil grassland often conflicts with other land uses freshwater levels and gas company, which pumps a number of wells on which reduce its height occurring the site. The RSPB with other partners and lLong-term sustainability issues for grasslands and delay its time of supporters is transforming the area into a nationally l arrival, whereas a tidal important wildlife area that can be enjoyed by all. Proximity of features to urban fringe and following wind can Through the use of water control structures, ditch associated problems increase its height and wave widening and reprofiling, sluices and pumps, water advance the time it will be moved around the site and levels managed. arrives. Whilst the Aegir is The outcome will be a low landscape, high water not as well known as the levels and grazed grassland all combining to produce Severn Bore it is still a the conditions that would once have been traditional visually impressive natural on Beckingham Marshes and providing a rare habitat phenomenon and crowds for breeding wading birds. come to see the highest waves. Within the Trent Valley & Rises Natural Area report the main issues identified for grasslands within the The Aegir is also associated with a Trent Vale area are: famous legend, Lincolnshire l County Council provides visitors Existing sites are small, fragmented and with details of "Canute and the Tides": isolated Trent Aegir lAgricultural improvements leading to loss of "One of England's best known legends is wildlife associated with Gainsborough. Sitting The Trent Aegir is a naturally occurring tidal wave (or beside the River Trent, famous for its 6ft bore); a phenomenon that occurs in the lower wall of water accompanying the spring reaches of a select number of rivers throughout the tides, King Canute ordered the tide not to world with large tidal ranges. It is caused by a wet him. The river of course did not heed his particular combination of tides and its funnel- words. A sodden Canute yelled "Let all the shaped estuary. world know that the power of Monarchs is in vain, no one deserves the name of King but He The Trent Aegir is named after the god of the whose Will the Heavens, Earth and Sea do obey". seashore or ocean in Norse mythology - and like the Scandinavian sailors in the myths, river people would Climate Change fear the coming of the Aegir as it is very unpredictable and would sometimes surface to Predictions for changes in climate over the next 50 destroy ships. An alternative suggestion for the name years are still being reviewed and revised by Aegir is that it comes from the French Eau Guerre - climatologists and meteorologists. At present it is Water War, from the way the tidal wave travels up expected that extreme weather events (i.e. heavy downpours, increasing temperatures, strong changes in rainfall patterns. Sea level rise could be in winds) will be more frequent, and that winters will the range 22-83cm on the East Coast by the middle of 6. Living and Working in Trent become wetter. Current estimates are that winter the century. Vale days with rainfall of around 25mm will become 4-5 times more likely by 2050 . Recently, This could have some important impacts such as Settlements in Trent Vale Nottinghamshire's Agenda 21 Forum (a partnership reduced water resources, possible problems with of voluntary, private and public sector water quality due to declining summer flows, There are two major urban areas, Newark town to organisations) considered the local impacts of increased risk of flooding both from sea level rise and the south and Gainsborough town to the north, and climate change. Their findings included the heavier storm rainfall and changes in biodiversity as 48 other settlements of various sizes from small likelihood of seeing significant changes to the there will be general migration northwards of hamlets to large commuter villages. environment, property and the economy, mainly species. from increased temperatures, lower summer Newark is an attractive riverside market town which rainfall and increased winter rainfall and Agricultural practices will be affected as summer has a wealth of history, interesting buildings and related effects . droughts and soil moisture deficits could lead to museums. There is a bustling cobbled market square increased demand for irrigation. Increased soil and an attractive riverside walk which takes many of This will affect farming, forestry and erosion and the appearance of new pests are other the great features of the town including the 12th gardens as much as the natural wildlife. potential problems. There will be opportunities to century castle. Gainsborough is Britains most inland There were also conclusions that there introduce new crops, including those for energy port which flourished in the middle ages and in the will be variable health impacts, production. civil war as a frontier town and prospered as an disruption to transport and business by industrial town. Today this red brick market town has the increased frequency of extreme Increased erosion from high sea levels and storms retained some of its 18th century buildings but its heat or floods and that in response will cause damage to property and agricultural land key feature is Gainsborough Medieval Hall, situated to this people's lifestyle patterns with loss of some habitats for wildlife. Whilst it is near the town centre, which was originally built in will change. difficult to make any specific predictions there is the 15th century (Appendix 5 gives a brief overview becoming a consensus that we are experiencing and of the development of these two towns). The East Midlands Regional there will continue to be climatic change and that Assembly, in its "Actions 4 the number of "extreme events" is likely to increase. Following the decline of both towns industrial Environment" report states: sectors, their role has developed as commuter towns People, agriculture and industry will respond to to the major nearby cities of Nottingham and Lincoln The climate of the region these changes and it is the impact of these responses (Newark also attracts commuters to London due to changed during the 20th on the natural, built and cultural heritage of the its location on a mainline). People, century. Evidence has been Trent Vale that will have to be calculated, together presented that the climate with what risks and/or opportunities this might agriculture in the East Midlands rose present. by 0.5C. This change will continue in the 21st Trent Vale's history already demonstrates how the and industry century, due at least in responses to changing conditions can impact on the part, from the green- natural and built landscape, and provides an will all house gas emissions from opportunity to learn so that plans for the human activities. conservation and enhancement of the heritage of respond the region can be sustainable in the future. Predictions show that to these there is the possibility of a further increase in the changes region's temperature of up to 3C by the end of the century and further Crossing the Trent social development of the villages and helped define Whilst the development the area as Trent Vale. Rather than in current times of both these towns as Trent Vale’s The major crossing points of the Trent are at: where the river is seen as a physical and industrial centres had a administrative barrier which divides the region, for major impact on the long and lNewark - there are now a number of foot, road many communities it was the key feature which development of the and rail crossings within Newark, including the connected the region. Children would use the ferries Trent Vale area and complex Fiddlers Elbow Bridge which was constructed in to travel to school, people to travel to work and buy certainly helped shape 1915 as a bridge for barge horses to cross, and is goods from other villages. the modern landscape industrial one of the earliest reinforced concrete that is seen today, now structures of its type in the country. The river helped to connect a community and give an industry in these towns heritage identity for the people living in the Trent Vale. has considerably less lDunham - in 1830 local farmers constructed a However, the steady decline of the river as a influence on the continues to bridge to improve links between Lincolnshire transportation route, changes in where and how landscape. and the manufacturing areas of Nottinghamshire people worked and development of alternative avoiding a round trip through Gainsborough. The transport solutions, resulted in the slow return to the The majority of major to shape the toll bridge continues to operate today. river as a barrier. With industry in Newark and industries have been in Gainsborough also declining a whole regional decline since the 1970's landscape lGainsborough - the stone bridge with three community that was once focussed and connected with very little left within arches was built in 1791, its low clearance height with the river lost this relationship and the common the towns. However, Trent today meant that ships coming upstream would stop at bond (not only industry and jobs disappeared but Vale as a major provider Gainsborough to unload their cargo. also the traditional festivals and fairs that also linked continues through its oil, communities), and as a result the regional identity power, minerals and food faded. The communities became the margins of production which are explored Nottinghamshire or Lincolnshire, rather than the below. heart of Trent Vale. Mineral Extraction An Industrial Vale The production of aggregate Trent Vale's long and complex industrial heritage minerals, which include sand and continues to shape the landscape today. gravel, is now the largest extractive industry in Great Britain with over 200 Today's Trent Vale continues to be formed through its million tonnes being extracted every role, which it has had for many generations, as a year. provider to the Midlands and beyond. Whether as a Up until the middle 20th century small ferries transportation route, or the production of food, operated across the Trent at many locations between gravel, power and oil, Trent Vale has constantly Newark and West Stockwith - linking small developed to facilitate this function. Industrial settlements on either side of the river. Historical development has had one of the most visual impacts crossing points (ferries, bridges and fording points) on the landscape. In almost every modern reference are documented as being at Farndon, Newark. North to the area, and any discussion with a local or visitor, Muskham, Sutton on Trent. Cromwell, Marnham, there will be mention of farmland, meadows and Laneham, Dunham, Torksey, Littleborough, unspoilt villages interspersed with comments of Gainsborough and West Stockwith. cooling towers, pylons, gravel pits and lakes. The industrial development within both Newark and These crossings were vital to maintaining and Gainsborough is explored in Appendix 4. supporting the character of the Trent Vale, they not only provided a link for local trade but also aided the deposits a premium above those found elsewhere level and lack of suitable fill means that for most which may contain gravels made up of weaker sand and gravel workings a water after-use is the sandstone pebbles. only feasible option. Perpetual pumping may be technically possible, but to date has rarely proved The richest and most extensive deposits occur in the viable. Well designed water areas can be very Trent Valley, where yields can exceed 100,000 tonnes beneficial by creating valuable new habitats that can per hectare, although 60-80,000 tonnes is more promote biodiversity. Sports and other amenity typical. The ratio of sand to gravel also varies, from facilities can also be developed. near equal proportions in Trent Vale upstream of Girton to a third gravel or less elsewhere. In general Historically, many sand and gravel quarries were high gravel yields are normally more economically restored back to original level by infilling with PFA. attractive, thus Trent Vale sites are valuable. However, the availability of PFA has decreased dramatically in recent years and therefore The impact on the Landscape restoration to water is often the only available option. Tighter pollution controls means that other After stripping soils and overburden, the exposed materials, such as commercial, domestic and mineral can easily be excavated by dragline or industrial waste, cannot be used for infilling sand hydraulic excavators, which either load direct onto and gravel quarries. Inert waste is suitable, but dumptrucks or feed conveyors for transporting the targets to re-use or recycle construction wastes to raw mineral to the processing plant. At the plant a provide secondary aggregate also means that less of series of screening and washing operations grade and this waste is available. sort the mineral into the required sizes of sand and gravel. Waste 'fines' (i.e. fine sand, silt, clay) which on average make up between 5-10% of the deposit If Sand and gravel, which accounts are pumped into silt ponds. Silt ponds are normally for about 90 million tonnes allowed to dry out to permit reclamation, although properly (40%) of national aggregate once full they can be re-excavated to provide extra production, is used primarily capacity. planned, in the production of concrete, building and The high water table level at most sand and gravel future asphalting sand. quarries means that active workings have to be Nottinghamshire is the pumped, to enable dry extraction. Wet extraction is restoration largest producer of sand possible, but is less efficient, can increase pollution and gravel in the East risk and rarely practised. Once pumping ceases Midlands and one of the following extraction, the void soon floods to form a with a high largest in Great Britain. lagoon. Whilst most sand and gravel is transported by Sand and gravel is worked road, Trent Vale quarries can barge large quantities If properly planned, future restoration with a high proportion from alluvial resources in of mineral to receiving wharves in Yorkshire and proportion of wetland can have a positive impact. the Trent and Idle Valleys. Humberside. In terms of land take, sand and gravel Today careful consideration is given to ensure that of wetland extraction is voracious and is the largest surface future restoration provides an improved landscape The gravel component is mineral working in the County. The gives concerns for wildlife and people. This has not always been the can have a normally a quartzitic, high over visual impact, noise and traffic plus the river case and some areas have already seen substantial strength material capable valley is also very rich in archaeological remain. changes with villages being encircled by water to of meeting most varying degrees. In these areas cumulative impact is positive specifications for In Nottinghamshire about 50 hectares a year are becoming a major issue and further development is concrete. This factor can worked for sand and gravel, a significant proportion unlikely to be acceptable. impact give Nottinghamshire's of which is restored to wetland. The high water table Through close working between companies, local the 'Cheese House', once home to a one armed f o r c o n s e r v a t i o n , communities and organisations like the Wildlife reed cutter (one of the largest reed beds in the l e a r n i n g a n d Trusts and RSPB, restoration plans are developed region still exits). employment and create which provide a positive mix of agricultural land, protected natural Trent Vale’s wetland areas and lakes. lCottam Cottam is a 2,000 MW coal-fired power habitats. station. Within the 620 acre site EDF Energy, in position Oil Production partnership with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, has developed the former ash lagoons into as a The East Midlands oil province comprises about 65% a Nature Reserve. These are now a haven for of the UK's onshore oil production, due to a series of over 180 bird species and other wildlife, so that powerhouse major Carboniferous (term for producing or Cottam is now the 5th most important wildfowl containing carbon or coal) rift basins, within which site in Nottinghamshire of the UK sequences containing important source and reservoir rocks were deposited during Namurian and lHigh Marnham - opened in 1959 as a 1,000 MW is set for Westphalian (late Carboniferous) times (circa 300 coal-fired powers station. It closed in 2003. The million years ago). Due to being subjected to only future of the site is still unclear but there is the minor faulting in later times, the hydrocarbon possibility that a new power station will be several accumulations have not been greatly disturbed. developed on the site. There is a fourth site on Early exploration led to the oil discovery at Kelham in the southern edge of the Trent Vale boundary at decades the 1920s, after which exploration continued into Staythorpe. This site has been disused for a the 1930s as the need to ensure oil supplies during number of years but there are potential plans to the Second World War grew. In June 1939 BP build a new power station on the site. If this site discovered the Eakring oilfield, confirming the East and High Marnham are redeveloped as new Midlands as a major oil province. power stations this will have the potential for Trent Vale to provide in excess of 10% of the UK's StarEnergy's Gainsborough / Beckingham oil field in total power capacity. the East Midlands has been producing since 1959. There are some 29 producing wells. The landscape These sites were originally chosen because of their impact is less visible with oil production as the wells p r o x i m i t y t o t h e m a j o r c o a l f i e l d s o f Trent Vale's position as a powerhouse are often well hidden amongst trees and pipelines Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire and of the UK is set for several decades, are laid underground. availability of a plentiful supply of water from the and with the exploration for sustainable river. energy sources continuing it may have a Power Production future long beyond this. As discussed The impact that the power stations, and associated previously willow is being grown and There are three power station sites within Trent transmission lines, have on the landscape is utilised within the region for production of Vale: inescapable. The dichotomy of Trent Vale is domestic heat but also for power production, demonstrated once again by the presence of the there is also consideration being given to the lWest Burton Power Station - West Burton is a power stations; it is rare within Trent Vale for there potential for wind and water power (from the 2,000MW coal-fired power station that was to be a view which doesn't contain a cooling tower or tidal Trent) in the future. In 2001, commissioned in 1967. It stands on a 410 acre pylon which impacts on its "tranquillity value", Nottinghamshire's Agenda 21 Forum stated that site which includes the West Burton Discovery according to the Campaign for the Protection of "Those technologies likely to be highlighted Centre, operated by Groundwork Trust. The Rural England (see www.cpre.org.uk), and the include the solar, waste and water resources Centre enables groups to explore some of the historic and on-going impact on the local and global which are most prevalent in the county, together wide variety of historical, natural, scales of emissions and pollutants have been well with the potential for energy crops in appropriate environmental and geographical features on the documented. Whilst at the same time these sites areas". All of these sustainable energy sources site including the remains of an Anglo Saxon have provided opportunities to preserve some key would have significant impacts on the landscape village, the crash site of a Stirling Bomber and heritage features, continue to provide investment of Trent Vale. Willow Growing and Manufacture Initially it was thought that the colouration was due In recent years this pattern has changed with to the "natural" way in which the workers at Marshall's increasing arable land at the expense of grasslands, " …. The valley of the Trent and its tributaries is the kept the willow watered. As demand accelerated biodiversity and historical features. Similarly most important district in England for both osier additional supplies of the natural additive were pressure around villages has reduced the number of growing and basket making, not only for quality of required and local households got involved in a traditional orchards, with those that remain at risk of output, but also quality of rods." Agricultural lucrative trade. However, it was later discovered that abandonment. Research Institute, 1926 the colouration is provided by a natural dye in the willow skin which enabled wider adoption of the Pockets of important grassland still survive, for Today there is little remaining of this industry process. example on the Holmes (commons) but, by-and- that once employed thousands and covered large, farms are dominated by autumn sown winter more than a thousand acres (1880's), even by wheat and a break crop - normally oilseed rape. This the mid 1940's the decline can be seen with uniformity of cropping has all but eliminated the records showing a little over 150 acres in breeding lapwing and other once-common species. Nottinghamshire. Intensive arable production has also encouraged a reduction in water table levels, leading to further In 1891 there were 820 basket makers biological loss, and damage to irreplaceable registered in Nottinghamshire and underground archaeological remains. Lincolnshire ("A Basketful" Rodney Cousins 2007), in addition to this will The Trent valley has always been used quite densely be the farm workers and seasonal by ancient cultures and a wealth of settlement labourers needed to grow and patterns and remains lie close to the soil surface, harvest the willow. By 1964 the surviving most intactly in grassland. The landscape last basket making factories in corridor is also adversely affected by large scale the region had closed and there drainage as the character is lost and riparian habitats The were only a handful of become scarce, further impacting on biodiversity and individuals continuing to culture. utilise their traditional skills. Willow is starting to have renaissance in the 21st historic century. It is being grown within Trent Vale once again "The biggest risk to the landscape character and Newark and Nottingham in significant amounts as a biomass resource. The remaining areas of high environmental and historical land use were central in the trend for the use of willow in the garden and for value is changes taking place in agriculture, manufacturing of willow people to live in a more sustainable way is leading to especially the demise of traditional mixed farming and making a vast variety of viable business options once again in the growing and and pastoral systems. Grassland no longer provides baskets, chairs, prams manufacture of willow. sufficient return when compared to arable settlement and Marshall's of Sutton production, and this will continue to cause further on Trent were pioneers Agriculture losses of historical and environmental features. To a in a process called degree this can be addressed by various methods of in this "buffing". Buffed willow The historical land use and settlement in this area has incentive available to farmers but unfortunately the i s n o w w h a t t h e been strongly influenced by the river Trent and this complexities of the present Higher Level Scheme, area has majority of willow pattern is still evident today. Farming plays an misconceptions, or uninformed views mean that the products are made of. irreplaceable role with farmsteads usually located on easier options of simplification and arable been strongly higher ground, often in association with villages. production are commonly embraced to the The process keeps the Around these settlements, small fields and orchards detriment of the area's character and environment." influenced willows 'live' by keeping were the norm, but further away larger fields were them regularly watered present in an attractive mosaic of grassland and Lincolnshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group by the and the stored willows arable. produce a golden brown river rod when stripped. There are other pressures on the environment from where cultivation is introduced on former grassland. lFragmentation - as development and uninformed new residents; who In recognizing this, the government, through agri- grasslands become frequently have little or no knowledge of the environment schemes such as the Higher Level isolated their historical and cultural value of the area. This often Scheme (HLS), has provided incentives to economic viability leads to environmental damage through no reason landowners to maintain and protect the landscape. becomes even more Important other than lack of appropriate knowledge. Examples fragile due to the include ploughing of ancient or species rich However, both the HLS and other influences have needs to tend stock to the grassland; bark-stripping of parkland, orchard and limitations or other restricting factors in general, at a distance. hedgerow trees by horses; and replacement of and Trent Vale in particular: Abandonment and character enclosure hedgerows with exotic species. conversion is the lLack of confidence - consultation has shown that common solution and Further negative impacts include inappropriate farming has lost confidence in DEFRA due to the but with advice and excavations of ponds on archaeological sites, ongoing problems with the Single Farm Payment other assistance unsightly mounding of spoil from this work and and lack of funds available for Agri-environment such as the use of history damage or loss of biodiversity by introducing invasive Schemes. They are especially worried about local volunteers aquatic plants that spread and replace native committing land to environmental management from the community, of the vegetation. This leads to decline and often local where the site may become subject to restricted it is often possible to extinction of species like the protected great practices but in the future have its support continue with the area crested newt that cannot tolerate a radically retracted or abated traditional form of modified environment, not only of the pond but management with changes to associated features such as grassland and lDecline in Livestock systems - livestock great benefits to the scrub where it spends much of the year. enterprises associated with traditional pastoral environment. systems such as grazing and hay meadows are no longer economic and neither is small scale dairy lFunding - a restriction to production. This brings with it an ever- HLS uptake is its current increasing risk of grassland loss; in turn this inability to fund those impacts on the environment as a whole. Poor infrastructure improvements returns have also reduced reinvestment in farm that make stock management infrastructure that supports livestock - resulting and handing in the modern day in poor or broken fencing, handling systems, achievable. Examples include old livestock housing and machinery. This is made traditional yards where sensitive worse by planning opportunities to convert changes need to be made to meet traditional cowsheds and barns around the home health and safety or stock welfare yard requirements, or improvements to hedges/fencing/gates to prevent cattle lBiomass production - the recent growth of straying onto busy roads or into villages energy crops is an important diversification but where open gardens are the norm. Other its potential impact on the landscape and examples important to the character and biodiversity has yet to be evaluated. There is a history of the area are traditional buildings Major changes to agricultural support in the last risk that valuable sites, such as grassland, could and other structures which fall out of the decade or two have combined with ever diminishing be lost reach of HLS. This is because they are returns to significantly alter the face of farming and frequently on farms not able to enter HLS or the financial viability of many traditional holdings. lLand tenure - many farmers are tenants who also are part of a site no longer a working farm but This economic pressure has driven farmers to change need the support of their landowner to enter nevertheless an intrinsic element of the how they operate, many choosing to simplify their into agri-environment schemes. There is a need landscape. enterprises. This leads to reduced biodiversity and to engage landowners as well as the working risk to, or loss of, historical remains, especially tenant to maximise scheme uptake. Communications and Transport in the 21st The waterways network offers a substantial heritage Road Links Century asset for the country. Nationally rivers and canals attract millions of visitors, spending over £1.5billion The Trent Vale region represents a major east-west Waterways Network annually, these days more people use the waterways link - connecting Lincolnshire with the North of than ever before, including walkers, naturalists, England. The Dunham on Trent toll bridge has almost With Trent Vale the River Trent provides the major anglers, cyclists, joggers and pub-goers using the 3 million crossing per year, which when added with waterway, with links to the Fossdyke Canal at towpaths, watching the boats or just enjoying the the flow that crosses at Newark and Gainsborough it Torksey and to the Chesterfield Canal at West waterside environment. The figures collected for is apparent that many millions pass through the Stockwith. footfall traffic and numbers of boats through the region each year. There are also important North- locks within the region are shown in the table below, South connections via the A1. Whilst the majority of the waterways network and illustrate the popularity of the river and within the region is used for leisure craft, the riverside. Within the region itself driving north to south on the Trent still has operating freight companies. East side is relatively straightforward as the These are primarily involved in the removal A156/A1133 runs fairly true to the river from Newark of gravel from the region. The river freight Boat Numbers (2005) Footfall (2005) to Gainsborough, and is a major landscape feature. will continue for the foreseeable future as Most of the more recently developed settlements are it is a requirement of the operating Newark Town Lock located on or near to this road, bypassing many licences fro the mineral companies that 4,843 307,877 original village centres which tend to be located a percentage of material is moved via Cromwell Lock closer to the river. Narrow country lanes often link the river. 3,575 n/a the older parts of the villages to the riverside, Torksey Lock particularly where there are historic ferry sites. 2,946 60,112 However, on the West side travel is slightly more West Stockwith Lock challenging, moving in a more random pattern 1,241 22,005 between the villages, following minor roads and, to gain access to the smaller villages, narrow country lanes with hedgerows on both sides. The figure for boat numbers reduce from Newark as the river is tidal from Cromwell and presents some Rail, Bus and Cycle Routes The challenges to the leisure boater and thus reduce the popularity of this stretch of the river. However, with Newark has two railway stations - Newark Castle waterways pressures increasing elsewhere on the network the which offers connections to nearby Lincoln and opportunities for the river and Chesterfield Canal, Nottingham, plus Newark Northgate which offers network which can only be accessed via the Trent at West fast connections south to London and north to Hull, Stockwith, are increasing. Leeds and York. There is no direct link between Newark and Gainsborough, travellers need to offers a In 2000, DEFRA stated that "The Government wants journey via Lincoln. to promote the inland waterways, encouraging a substantial modern, integrated and sustainable approach to Gainsborough also has two railway stations - their use. We want to protect and conserve an Gainsborough Central and Gainsborough Lea Road. In heritage important part of our national heritage. At the same the Office of Railway Regulation report 2004/05 it time, we want to maximise the opportunities the stated that only 21 fare paying people boarded trains asset waterways offer for leisure and recreation; as a at Gainsborough Central making it the least busy catalyst for urban and rural regeneration; for station in the UK , although this might have for the education; and for freight transport. We want to something to do with the fact that it only opens on encourage innovative uses such as water transfer and Saturdays. country telecommunications." There are parts of Newark and Gainsborough which focus on more the sense are on national cycle routes but there is no 7. Modern Perceptions of Trent of community, the designated connection between the two towns. Vale people and the People Locally there are a number of advertised "rural rides" landscape routes which offer cyclist some interesting circular The majority of previous work conducted within the generally routes. Appendix 7 illustrates some of the maps that region has had little focus on gathering the views of Within the smaller are produced by the local authorities. the people who live and work within the Trent Vale settlements, the rate the landscape. responses are a Travelling locally by bus in Trent Vale is typical of combination of the river as the many rural areas; a limited number of services per When undertaking the consultation on the above with a clear focus day from local villages to the local town and, with development of the Landscape Partnership Scheme on heritage being what key feature the exception of town routes, there are little and the production of the LCA it soon became the local community services which operate on a Sunday. Travelling apparent that the region suffers from dual hold as memories, as of the between Newark and Gainsborough on the east side personality. well as specific buildings of the river requires travelling via Lincoln and on the and features with the landscape west side via Retford. Trent Vale Dichotomy villages, farms and landscapes. There is little connectivity between public The result of the work undertaken during the transportation services in the Trent Vale area and no consultation stage (see Appendix 8) demonstrates The response to surveys information which provides information about rights that whether discussing the river, the wider carried out by TVLP of way, cycle paths, public transport and local landscape or heritage features, opposing views are demonstrated a very amenities. always presented positive recognition of the importance of the natural The river is considered by some as: vale and the countryside: l "A powerful natural resource" 73% rated walking within "A natural corridor" Trent Vale as of very high/high importance to them and 88% By others as: rated countryside/village lanes and tracks as an important "Dangerous, muddy and boring" landscape feature "Impossible to find - you can't see it because of the l flood banks" 90% of people stated that the River Trent is an important landscape feature The landscape as: and 88% that riverside access is important l "A peaceful place, where there are still many places 93% rated the wildlife of Trent Vale as a key that have not changed for generations" landscape feature "A place decimated by industry, you can't turn without seeing a cooling tower or pylon, or falling Disconnection with the Landscape over a gravel pit". Even when discussing what people consider to be the heritage value of Trent Vale there Although the results above demonstrated that is a clear division of views, albeit based on where people generally rate the river as the key feature people live, with those from Newark and surrounding of the landscape, with riverside and country walks areas listing heritage in terms of specific buildings of high priority for leisure activities. Although, as and places, whilst those from Gainsborough tend to one child who lives in Gainsborough was heard to comment that they didn't realise there was a river Whilst Newark has gone a long way to re-identify in Gainsborough, the connection with the river is itself and recreate its position within a local and 8. Trent Vale Landscape not consistent or even strong across the whole regional context, Gainsborough is still trying to Character Areas community. achieve this. Although the recent regeneration projects and the major initiative "Gainsborough In a broad landscape assessment, the Trent Vale is Regained" are making significant progress. usually considered to be one landscape character area, and this is reflected in: The poor economic and social conditions in some areas have contributed to this disconnection, with lthe regional LCA's conducted by West Lindsey some of the symptoms seen through comments made District Council and Nottinghamshire County during consultation work, with antisocial behaviour, Council graffiti, petty vandalism and littering high on the lists of what people dislike about where they live. In lCountryside Agency's "Joint Character Area 48” addition, comments like "lack of respect" are consistently made. These issues and this lEnglish Nature's "Natural Area 33” disconnection with the landscape doesn't just lie within the urban communities, there are similar lEnvironment Agency's "River Trent Landscape problems within the rural villages within Trent Vale. Assessment"

Although some of the villages are relatively affluent, These broad landscape assessments reflect the this can mask the general feeling of isolation and loss principal contrasts in scale, geology, relief, land of identity. Increasingly there are fewer people living cover and settlement over a large area, but in the villages who earn their living from the local represent an oversimplified view of Trent Vale. This landscape, there are far fewer local shops and the landscape assessment provides a more detailed view lack of local community facilities, together with the which considers the land use, key visual Within certain sections of the influence of the major cities of Lincoln and characteristics (diversity and form of patterns of community the disconnection Nottingham mean that increasingly people travel fields and settlements), the balance of the different from the river mirrors a away from their local environment for their leisure landscape elements within each area and the wider disconnection with activities, even getting in cars and driving 20 miles to attitudes and perceptions of the people who live, the landscape. access a country park because of a lack of awareness work and visit the area. One of the datasets that The of what is available locally. These issues have also demonstrates that there are differences in land type Both Gainsborough and contributed to the loss of activities that would and character in Trent Vale is Natural England's disconnection Newark were built on normally bring communities together - fairs, fetes Landscape Typology, the map in appendix 8 industry and trade, the and carnivals, community theatre, local markets illustrates the different character areas. from the reasons for the etc. settlements developing Following a detailed review of the available data and river mirrors where they have are due Whilst none of these issues are unique to Trent Vale published reports, and detailed consultation with to the landscape and the the loss of identity and place within a regional the public and many organisations active within the a wider river which supported context and lack of awareness of the heritage value Trent Vale, the Partnership has identified four the industries of the within the local population all contribute to what is landscape character types: disconnection towns. For recent becoming a significant problem for the area. generations as the Type One - Vale Market Towns with the industries have declined and changed, the sense lHistoric market towns which have been focal landscape of place within the points for the vale for centuries and continue to landscape has also expand as residential and service centres. They declined. are largely urban areas whose presence has significantly altered the river corridor locally and still held. Newark still retains a large weekly livestock This definition covers the influenced the development of the surrounding market which attracts farmers from throughout "urban" areas of Trent Vale Historic landscape. Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. There are also and as such combines the some key historical periods which provide a basis for traditional concept of a market towns Type Two - Vale Meadowlands local identity and tourism related projects, for built-up area, with the example the Civil War for Newark and Pilgrim Fathers functional area and that have lA flat, low lying riparian landscape characterised for Gainsborough. population density by a pattern of small and medium sized alluvial approaches. meadows, grazing animals and remnant wetland been the vegetation. The areas tend to be narrow and This effectively means an flanking the meandering river. area which is built-up with focal points a service core with a Type Three - Industrial/Restored Vale sufficient number and for the variety of shops and lA diverse range of highly modified landscapes services, including a Vale for created by mineral extraction and power market, to make it production. recognisably urban in centuries character. Type Four - Vale Farmlands It has administrative, lA flat low-lying agricultural landscape commercial, educational, characterised by a traditional pattern of hedged entertainment and other social fields and nucleated village settlements. and civic functions and evidence of being historically well Not all of these landscape types represent one Within both areas the key developments in recent established. A local network of discreet area of the Trent Vale region, some are years have focussed on the regeneration of the post- roads and other means of transport dispersed. The map in Appendix 9 shows the industrial landscape for leisure and retail uses, and are focused on the area, and it draws dispersion of the Character Areas throughout the both towns have benefited from heavy investment in people for services and employment Trent Vale region. the riverside areas. Newark and Gainsborough are from surrounding areas. earmarked for significant increases in population Type One - Vale Market Towns over the next few years as their good communications Within Trent Vale the Historic Market Town links and proximity to Lincoln and Nottingham definition of an urban area also embraces Historic market towns that have been focal points for provides opportunities for more affordable nearby free-standing settlements outside the the vale for centuries and continue to expand as accommodation for commuters from these cities and urban area, together with tracts of surrounding residential and service centres. They are largely beyond. countryside, where the population in these urban areas whose presence has significantly altered surrounding areas depends on the urban centre the river corridor locally and influenced the for services and employment. development of the surrounding landscape. Around Newark, villages such as Farndon and The map shows the main concentrations of Historic Winthorpe are developing as suburbs of the main Market Towns landscape areas are centered on town. The characteristics of their development and Newark and Gainsborough. There are some key population are more in-keeping with the town with heritage features that are highly visible, such as which they are associated. Newark Castle and Gainsborough Hall, and therefore provide a focus for heritage related activities. Both Around Gainsborough the landscape area also towns offer an attractive mix of architecture encompasses the villages of Marton and Lea. Nearby centered on squares where traditional markets are Beckingham village, although separated from Gainsborough by the river and Beckingham marshes, but with the help of the community the Masterplan will undisturbed pastoral character with the meandering exhibits all the key characteristics for it to be restore its lost character, reclaim is identity, and river channel (albeit primarily hidden behind flood included within the Historic Market Towns landscape repair the heart of the town" (more detailed analysis of embankment), permanent pastures, flood meadows, area. people's perceptions is in Appendix 7). willow holts and grazing animals.

People's Perceptions Type Two - Vale Meadowlands This gives the landscape a strong sense of place and a feeling of naturalness. Remnant patches of marginal These areas have suffered since the 1970's due to A flat, low lying riparian landscape characterised by a wetland vegetation fringe the river channels in some the general decline in industry. The local pattern of small and medium sized alluvial meadows, areas, enhancing the riparian character of the vale. population's have become disconnected from the grazing animals and remnant wetland vegetation. The Historic willow holts are located at a number of points surrounding landscape and thus place a lower areas tend to be narrow and flanking the meandering along the river; these increase diversity in the value on its heritage assets. Issues of anti-social river. landscape and add to the strong sense of place. behaviour, lack of facilities for all age groups and lack of green spaces tend to feature most The meadowlands are often defined by long hedges in negative responses from local people. which now mark the boundary with the arable landscapes. Much of the area runs in a strip parallel to The loss of industrial identity and the the river protected by floodbanks; this is particularly growth of the towns in response to so downstream from Cromwell where the river external influences provide real concern becomes tidal. The raised floodbanks confine views to amongst the population that the the river channel and exclude the surrounding individual characteristics of the towns landscape and disrupt visual continuity. The pasture could be lost, resulting in them itself is featureless except for patches of fringing merely acting as satellites of their riparian scrub. A typical area of intact river larger neighbours. However, this is meadowland can be found near Sutton on Trent. These also balanced by the view that "Holme" grasslands are located on both sides of the increasing development will river and have a spacious, open and treeless character. lead to the provision of new facilities. The impact on these areas from the conversion to intensive arable of the Vale Farmlands and loss of The Newark has maintained its tranquillity through the neighbouring Rural Industrial position as an attractive landscapes increases a sense of disunity within the character market town, although landscape. there are still areas of high and unity deprivation amongst the Most of the settlements are found on the outlying suburban landscape. areas of these landscapes because of the historic risk of the Gainsborough has felt the of flooding, and they remain largely undeveloped. impact of the industrial There are also a number of small campsites which river decline more than Newark provide facilities for anglers and visitors to these and its loss of identity is areas. highlighted in the vision of The character and unity of the river corridor, which corridor t h e " G a i n s b o r o u g h would once have been in the main part Vale People's Perceptions Regained" Masterplan for Meadowlands, has broken down in recent decades, Gainsborough which is largely as a result of flood protection and drainage These are considered to be the "hard to find" areas of currently being prepared works promoting the arable conversion of large areas Trent Vale. "In the last century of alluvial meadowland. However areas of intact Gainsborough lost its way, meadowland have survived, they possess a peaceful, lPeople consider them to have high heritage value lAccessibility is an issue - they tend to be off the equipment and screening moderating their impact. lAreas restored to main access routes to the river and hidden from agriculture - primarily From the view by the flood embankments and surrounding Mineral extraction fundamentally changes the nature in the past as part of developments.When people are presented with of the landscape in which it operates, whereas power pulverised fuel ash 1040’s there images of the Vale Meadowlands landscape and production, with the exception of the footprint of the filling schemes. Some the Vale Farmlands the majority of people buildings and cooling towers, is "overlaid" on the restored areas have has been a consider the Meadowlands to be the traditional landscape. There are two key industrial areas within been poorly habitat but associate more of Trent Vale with the Trent Vale: integrated with Farmlands. surrounding continuous lnorth of Newark around Collingham, Besthorpe landscapes, with lFor those interested in nature and wildlife they and Girton and High Marnham little attempt at process of provide the true traditional Trent Vale habitats. natural habitat or Because the areas are small and dispersed it is lsouth west of Gainsborough around West Burton, h e d g e r o w extraction difficult for people to appreciate them fully, the Sturton and Cottam restoration and tree restoration of large scale areas like the planting. and Beckingham Marshes project being developed by Restoration of these Industrialised landscapes has the RSPB, or linking together existing sites like the been to a range of different after-uses including areas restoration Langford and Besthorpe reserves, together with of open water, mature wetland habitats, formalised improvements in access and information, will recreation and agriculture. From the 1940s onwards provide the opportunity for more people to there has been a continuous process of extraction and access, understand and appreciate this landscape restoration within the area and this will continue for at (more detailed analysis of people's perceptions is least the next 20+ years. This process has resulted in in Appendix 7) the development of a wide range of landscapes, at different stages of maturity, with the changing policies Type Three - Industrial/Restored Vale and priorities for restoration over the years contributing to the number and variety of landscapes A diverse range of highly modified landscapes created found. The restored landscape within the by minerals extraction and power production. Industrialised Vale includes:

These are areas which have been, or are planned to be, lFlooded workings that are unrestored, partially fundamentally affected through the process of sand restored or newly restored and gravel extraction or the location of power stations. No common landscape structure or sense of lMature and semi-mature wetland areas around old harmony can be distinguished within these disturbed flooded workings. Vegetation has often and often degraded landscapes. regenerated naturally. A range of habitats has developed including damp woodland and trees, Landscape Impact scrub, reedbeds, marshland and other grassland communities. The result has been a softening and The impact of these areas ripples outwards from the "naturalisation" of the formerly artificial actual sites through the domination of the views and appearance. the physical infrastructure and support required by the industries, fundamentality affecting the "tranquillity" lAreas that have been restored to recreational uses of the countryside. The power station facilities and including lakes for sailing, rowing and angling their infrastructure demonstrate their impact for many miles. However, the degree to which mineral lAreas restored to managed nature reserves extraction affects the quality of the landscape varies providing a range of high priority habitats from area to area with location, visibility of plant and People's Perceptions Type Four - Vale Farmlands More open views across the landscape are experienced in many areas, due to a break down in the field pattern, Power Stations are obviously criticised for the impact A flat low-lying agricultural landscape characterised by with field edges defined by ditches and roads, and they have on the landscape, during the consultation a traditional pattern of hedged fields and nucleated remnant hedgerows often dominated by growing crops. on this document a surprisingly high percentage of village settlements. people placed a positive heritage value on them. Where the field pattern is still well defined the They are a symbol of the Trent's previous power and Large areas of the former River Meadowlands have now occurrence of hedgerow trees enhances the enclosed place within the heart of the country. There is been converted to arable land. This encroaches to the nature of the landscape and gives structure and form. recognition that their impact on the "attractiveness" river channel edges in some areas disrupting the unity Willow pollards are a special feature found within of the countryside of Trent Vale to visitors is of the river corridor. Away from the river the landscape increasingly few parts of the area, mature horse significant. Although equally that they add a is defined by medium to large scale regular and semi- chestnut trees are found in many parts of the different dimension to what otherwise is, on a irregular field patterns. Field rationalisation has led to landscape, especially in roadside hedges close to large scale, considered by some people as a the loss of hedgerows in many areas, producing more settlements. Hedgerows are mainly strong, trimmed, "featureless" landscape. open landscapes with a very weak riparian character. and hawthorn, becoming low and gappy on the margins The main area of Vale Farmlands is on the western side of the more degraded areas. Although hedgerows are With regard to the mineral extraction sites, of the river where the river terrace extends for a longer dominated by hawthorn, mixed species hedges are these areas divide opinions, whilst some distance. found locally throughout. value them for their creation of new land areas; others consider that they provide a There are some very small areas of deciduous woodland Settlements are mainly nucleated villages and "false" landscape. The restored sites are and willow holts remaining but ash, oak and willow farmsteads located on the dry sites just above the level some of the most popular areas for hedgerow trees are the most important components of of the flood plain, with traditional red brick and pantile people to visit, although this may be the overall tree cover. These enhance the sense of roofed buildings. However, modern housing styles have due to their accessibility when enclosure and allow some filtered views. introduced a suburban character to certain of the compared to other areas. larger villages. Like other areas of Trent Vale there are a Whatever the opinion the There has been a strong tradition of cropping on the number of small campsites providing for visitors to the consensus is that they will high quality terrace soils. This tradition has continued, area. Following the change in agricultural practices the provide the region with, over with the terraces now dominated by intensive arable conversion of old farm buildings to residential dwellings the next 20 years, a large area production, typically within a regular pattern of or small commercial developments is now widespread. of wetland habitats with medium to large fields. This pattern is now highly This brings a new dimension to the economic and social A symbol regional and national variable due to field rationalisation. Where hedgerows structure of the countryside. importance (more detailed are intact and well managed, summer views are rarely of the Trent’s a n a l y s i s o f p e o p l e ' s of any distance, the level landform and hedgerows Narrow hedged lanes link many of the settlements. perceptions is in Appendix helping to restrict longer distance views. These run across the terraces to the river in a number of previous 7). places, often to historic crossing places. The river itself is typically not a dominant feature with the floodbanks power and and hedgerows shielding it from view. a place People's Perceptions This area represents what the majority of people within the consider to be the traditional countryside of Trent Vale - the country lanes, small villages and arable fields. For heart of those who visit the rural areas of Trent Vale it is the enjoyment of the sense of an undeveloped landscape the country that offers real value. Away from main roads the peacefulness of the landscape filters through and people comment how quickly they adjust to the presence of the cooling towers of the power stations (or lIn a major joint programme of work, the RSPB and cloud making machines as described by local children). the Environment Agency have teamed up to create They, for the most part, have a silent dominance. a huge area of wet grassland - potentially up to 450 hectares - at Beckingham Marshes. This low The Vale Farmlands is the rural landscape of Trent Vale landscape with high water levels and grazed that most people interact with and whilst not offering grasslands will produce the condition that would Trent Vale the variety of habitats and wildlife that the once have been traditional on Beckingham meadowlands provide, it still presents opportunities for Marshes. This will become one of the RSPB's largest presents the people to connect with an "older age". Village walks and reserves wandering along riverside paths, negotiating clapper power to gates and resting at riverside pubs is one of the most lAn increased focus and investment in conservation popular pastimes for people of Trent Vale (more and habitat creation to provide links between develop detailed analysis of people's perceptions is in Appendix existing sites, particularly through working with 6). the Wildlife Trusts and local farmers to increase the area of traditional grazing land, and with the Environment Agency exploring the potential to create new wet grassland areas.

9. Trent Vale - The Potential lContinued work on improving the variety of habitats within the river and the fish passes at Within the European Landscape Convention it states weirs, to help increase spawning and provide the that the concern for sustainable development makes juvenile fish with a better chance of survival. landscape an essential consideration in striking a balance between preserving the natural and cultural When considered together these developments povide heritage as a reflection of identity and diversity, and Trent Vale with the opportunity to become a major using it as an economic resource capable of generating "natural corridor" within the midlands. This natural employment in the context of the boom in sustainable corridor, together with the variety of built and cultural tourism. The preamble to the convention mentions the heritage of the region, and the probable significant desire of Council of Europe member states to "achieve increase in size of the two major settlements, provides lPersuading farmers of the sustainable development based on a balanced and the potential package for development of local, opportunities that improved harmonious relationship between social needs, regional and national tourism. Within the East Midlands environmental stewardship can offer economic activity and the environment". Green Infrastructure Scoping Study 2005 it states that Greenspace that is likely to be reasonably attractive lDeveloping new approaches to flood What Trent Vale presents is the potential to develop should provide all or some of the following: unspoilt management strategies over the next 20 years a sustainable landscape which countryside, interesting towns and villages, wildlife offers significant regional and national wildlife value and natural habitats, archaeological heritage sites and However, key is that the public should be and helps provide a community with an identity and outdoor recreation opportunities. Trent Vale has the encouraged to take an active part in landscape sense of place, locally developed leisure opportunities, potential to provide all of the above and has the management and planning, to enable it to feel it protected and promoted heritage assets and increased potential to deliver it with a sustainable approach. has responsibility for what happens to the economic activity. landscape. If this barrier can not be overcome, and Barriers the people become reconnected with Trent Vale Landscape change can be achieved through a variety of once again, sustainable development of the area ways, those already taking place in Trent Vale include: There are numerous barriers to realising this potential, will be impossible. including: lThe continuation of restoration of mineral There are also some very basic barriers as identified l extraction sites will significantly increase (by The need for agencies to work together particularly by responses to the TVLP survey: several hundred hectares) the wetland areas across administrative barriers l75% stated that better public transport would Bibliography improve access, 43% suggested improved signs 10. Summary and 68% better information Within Trent Vale the combination of the natural, l74% asked for more parking places, 75% historical and industrial characteristics provide a lJCA 48 - Trent and Belvoir Vales suggested more mooring opportunities would unique heritage area. It is an area which clearly shows, lRiver Trent Landscape Assessment (Environment improve access and 48% stated that cycling through centuries of evidence, how the fortunes of the Agency) routes were important in improving access landscape and the people who live and work upon it are lWest Lindsey Landscape Character Assessment intrinsically linked. However, it also demonstrates how (West Lindsey District Council) The opportunities and potential barriers facing fine the balance is within this relationship and the fact lNottinghamshire Landscape Guidelines Trent Vale are discussed in detail in the Trent that a region can lose its identity and how communities (Nottinghamshire County Council, 1997) Vale Landscape Strategy and the Audience can become disconnected from the landscape and their lOnTrent Baseline Study 2004 (OnTrent Initiative) Development and Access Planproduced by heritage. lTrent Valley and Rises - Natural Area 33 (Steve the Trent Vale Landscape Partnership. Clifton and Andrew Windrum, English Nature East Trent Vale continues to be a powerhouse for the country Midlands Team , 1997) and it is the juxtaposition of the industrial and natural lTrent Valley Landscapes (David Knight and Andy J within the landscape that provides people with divided Howard, 2004) opinions on the landscape value of the area. However, lPortrait of The River Trent (Peter Lord, 1968) it is exactly this combination of natural and industrial lThree Nottinghamshire Parishes (Brian Robinson, roles that has provided the landscape with its heritage. 1999) lEngland's Landscape - The East Midlands (David It is already known that Trent Vale is an area where Stocker, English Heritage 2006) there will be significant areas of landscape change over lTidal Trent Strategy, 2005: Agricultural Benefit the next 20 years, due to: Assessment (Joe Morris, Cranfield University, 2005) lEast Midlands Green Infrastructure Scoping Study lcontinued restoration of mineral extraction sites (EMDA 2005) lThe Archaeology of the East Midlands: An lgrowth and development of the market towns Archaeological Resource Assessment and Research Agenda (2006 University of Leicester Archaeological lBeckingham marshes development by RSPB Services) lCornelius Brown: A History of Newark-on-Trent, (2 Trent Vale lchanging climate and how agriculture, industry and volumes) published by S. Whiles (Newark) in 1904 people respond and republished by Nottinghamshire County Council continues in 1995 lchanges in response to the review of flood risk lPeter Stephens: Newark, The Magic of Malt to be a management published jointly by Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark Civic Trust in 1993 powerhouse These developments will present Trent Vale with lClimate Change in Nottinghamshire - Impacts and considerable challenges but also many opportunities. Options for Mitigation and Adaption - Dr Brian for the Trent Vale still retains within its landscape and people Waters October 2004 Nottinghamshire Agenda 21 the key features that gave it its character, although Forum some of the aspects that once linked the communities lA flourishing region' - Regional Economic Strategy country have disappeared. The key challenge is to find ways to for the East Midlands 2006 - 2020 - EMDA conserve and enhance those features which remain and lGainsborough Regained Gainsborough Masterplan, utilise these to engage the local communities and to Executive Summary of the Scoping Document shape the landscape character and identity of Trent September 2006 Vale for the future. Please use this page to make your notes