2B: NORTH LOWLAND MOSAIC

Farmstead near Goose Hill – small scale pasture dominated fields, backed by woodland – Farmsteads typically in close proximity to streams. Horticulture and pylons often prevalent.

Towards park pale of Wolverton – Small meadow and permanent pasture Land typically rises from the Lowland larger scale wood and field assarts. fields, boundaries often with drainage Mosaic Small Scale to the more ditches – Church Green wooded and gravelly soils of the Lowland Medium Scale - Ecchinswell

Farmstead converted to office and Wolverton house – in wooded market town on the edge industrial units setting of the chalk.

Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . 1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area is located in the north of the County and comprises an area of lowland well wooded landscape which is bounded to the west by a transition into a smaller scale farmland landscape and to the east by a transition into a more ordered landscape influenced by estate management. The southern boundary is defined by the distinct change in geology and relief of the chalklands and upper greensand. To the north the area is defined by the higher occurrence of acidic soils and heath as well as the and the Hampshire County Boundary.

1.2 Component County Landscape Types Lowland Mosaic Small Scale, Lowland Mosaic Medium Scale, Urban areas: Kingsclere

1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: and Dean District Ecchinswell Woolverton North Sherborne (in part)

These character areas have similar origins being part of the Forest of . This common evolution along with small north-south running valleys, clay soils and pattern of farmsteads helps to unify them such that they can be grouped into this single character area.

1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 129: Thames Basin Heaths NA 66: London Basin

2.0 Key Characteristics • Gently undulating landform dissected by small chalk fed streams, in small valleys running south to north. • Medium and small scaled mixed farmland and woodland mosaic. • Blocks of broadleaved and mixed woodland often sinuous in shape which contain views and create wooded horizons. • Woodland coppice and old hedge banks are reoccurring features. • Juxtaposition of habitats, including woodland, pasture, remnant heathland, grassland and wetlands creates biological richness. • Pockets of predominantly arable farmland comprising medium scale regular fields defined by a strong structure of hedgerows and shaw woodlands. • Smaller scale fields of pasture along stream valleys.

Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . • Dispersed settlement pattern – villages to the south are more substantial whilst those to the north comprise a loose collection of buildings associated with exploitation of woodland. • High concentration of timber framed buildings and use of mellow red brick, clay roof tiles and decorative use of blue brick in Flemish bond patterns. • Narrow rural lanes defined by high hedgerows. • Ancient woodland (often associated with historic deer parks) contributes to rich biodiversity.

3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 This landscape is gently undulating and has a subdued yet simple and generous character. The area slopes gently and almost imperceptibly northwards towards the river Enborne and is dissected throughout by numerous small streams. Geologically this area is underlain with heavy London Clay and permeable sands and gravel. This gives rise to course loamy and some sandy soils over gravels and in places heavier soil which may be slowly permeable where clay is more dominant. Agricultural land quality is predominantly medium, with areas of lower quality within the river valleys.

3.2 The topographical variation in this landscape is often masked by the high concentration of blocks of assart woodland which characteristically have sinuous boundaries. These sinuous lines coupled with the smooth landform gives rise to a rounded and organic landscape pattern. In places this pattern is interrupted by areas of open arable land use (often appearing intensive) where fields are medium in size and defined by a regular pattern of hedgerows. Pastoral landuse is generally limited and most commonly found along the small stream valleys and includes remnant areas of unimproved/semi-improved grassland. Here the fields comprise a smaller scale enclosure pattern. Many of the hedgerows across this landscape are well trimmed with few hedgerow trees and there is evidence of some field boundary loss. Although some of the woodlands have been replanted with conifers the majority are ancient in origin and hazel coppice woods and old woodbanks are repetitive and defining features of the area. In places there are clear parkland influences such as areas of arable with in field trees e.g. Wolverton.

3.3 The majority of this area falls within the Environment Agency Kennet River Enborne catchment area, although the southeast corner forms part of the Loddon catchment area. All the streams flow in a north-south direction feeding into the River Enborne excepting the tributaries to Bow Brook in the southeast which flow east-west into the Loddon. Waterbodies include lakes associated with parkland landscapes e.g. Ewhurst Park, The Vyne, Wolverton Park and former clay pits associated with brickworks at Kingsclere.

4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 This is an inward looking landscape. Views are contained by the undulating topography and frequently treed horizons. This, combined with the simple visual patterns in this landscape and few landmarks mean that the landscape may be disorientating. However in the southern part of the character area the rising land associated with the chalk to the south becomes a visually significant element in views and assists in orientation, contributing strongly to sense of place. The pattern of land uses and extensive blocks of woodland across this landscape creates a generally ordered and balanced composition.

Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic .

4.2 Much of this landscape is accessible by public rights of way and bridleways linking stream valleys and woodlands across areas of arable landuse and parkland. There are no long distance paths in this area and no areas of open access. Smithleys and Sleepers Copses in the north of the area do offer accessible woodland. Sandford Springs Golf Club adjacent to Kingsclere and within the former parkland of Wolverston Deer Park is a popular destination.

4.3 This is a quiet, rural landscape which has medium to high tranquillity as a result of its rural character, extensive blocks of woodland and dispersed pattern of rural farmsteads. Tranquillity declines at the edges of the character area adjacent to areas of urban development at Kingsclere and , or where there are overt man made features such as the pylons which run across the southeastern part of this character area.

5.0 Biodiversity Character 5.1 This landscape comprises a mix of arable and agriculturally improved grasslands and is well wooded.

5.2 Woodland is significant in the area, existing as small to large, often interlinked, patches. Much of the woodland is ancient and semi-natural, although this is less so in the very north of the area. Woodland is mainly broadleaved, although there are some patches of parkland, mixed plantation and coniferous woodland and some small patches of active coppice with standards in the east. There are patches of unimproved grasslands within the agricultural landscape including unimproved and semi-improved neutral grasslands and occasional small patches of marshy grassland. There are occasional ponds in the south of the area and some urban development.

5.3 This landscape character area is partially covered, in the west, by the to Headley BOA which contains a complex series of ancient commons which would once have been covered by heathland and acid grassland with a scatter of small woods. The BOA contains an exceptionally high concentration of ancient woodland and unimproved grassland.

5.4 There are over 140 SINCs within this landscape character area. The majority are wooded sites that support ancient woodland or remnants of ancient woodland; many support notable species too. One of the largest is Sandford Wood East at 71 hectares and is designated for its ancient and semi-natural woodlands, significant elements of woodland surviving in other woodland and because it represents important community types restricted in distribution to the County and because they support notable species.

6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 This area has relatively low levels of archaeological evidence available. There are no Mesolithic sites within the area and only a handful of Mesolithic finds (although a recent cable project found Mesolithic and Neolithic flint periodically along its length, suggesting it is to be found in small quantities). There is considerable evidence of Mesolithic activity in the Kennet Valley to the north and so it would seem likely that there was some level of exploitation in this area, but it was clearly not a favoured

Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . area and of limited relevance. The same can be suggested for the Neolithic period, when this area seems to have been exploited in only a very limited way.

6.1.2 Likewise in the Bronze Age this is one of only a few areas in Hampshire with a very low incidence of evidence of Bronze Age activity, although the Kennet Valley to the north is unusually rich in evidence of Bronze Age settlement. There is only one ring ditch (a ploughed down site of a burial mound) in the area, although there are burial mounds to the north along the high ground that acts as the watershed to the Kennet Valley, and to the south in the chalk downland where a greater range of evidence is available. It seems likely that this area was only lightly exploited in the Bronze Age, but the evidence to support this is usually slight. This pattern of limited evidence continues into the Iron Age, with no occupation sites and no evidence of Celtic field systems emerging, although close by the emergence of Calleva () can be seen.

6.1.3 In the Roman period the rise of Silchester can be seen to the east but within 2A there is only one Roman occupation site. This is a Roman villa, which is close to the southern downland edge, and seems to relate to a distribution of Roman villas along the northern edge of the downland.

6.1.4 The archaeological evidence is very suggestive of a landscape that is exploited at a low level throughout prehistory, and one which would emerge in the medieval period as woodland and heath. This ties in with the area’s status as Pamber Forest. The presence of the Alien Priory at Pamber is the sort of gift of land in the medieval period that suggests that it was waste or of low value. There are two deer parks which also tie in with the area’s Forest character.

6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 This landscape character area formed part of the Royal Forest of Pamber and was important for hunting and the production of timber throughout the medieval period. It is likely that the first clearance of areas of the forest for agriculture began in the 14th century. This suggests that the assarts here are of mid medieval origin and later encroachment for agriculture has lead to woodland becoming increasingly fragmented. Nevertheless, exploitation during this period was probably less intensive than in the Loddon and Lyde valley landscape immediately to the east as reflected in the comparatively fewer moated sites and medieval manors. The marginal nature of this character area is also reflected in the concentration of deer parks found here including Beaurepaire and Cufaude (The Vyne) as well as Wolverton, , Ecchinswell and Fobury. A number of these parks were refashioned as landscape parks in the 18th century such as Wolverton, The Vyne and Beaurepaire while elsewhere entirely new parklands developed and took advantage of changes in topography e.g. Elmhurst which made use of the varied scenery associated with the chalk landscape to the south. As a result parklands often occur at the margins of this character area where changes in topography and landscape could be utilised to best effect.

6.2.2 Overall the area as a whole is relatively homogenous with a scattering of assart woodlands throughout and irregular enclosures of varying sizes, suggesting that the process of clearance came about in a piecemeal fashion over a considerable time. Whilst the extent to which woodland blocks remain in the landscape varies there is

Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . a notable concentration of woodland in the central part of this character area. Here some of the woodland has been replanted with conifers and this variation is likely to reflect the influence of the Kingsclere estate and Wolverton Deer Park.

6.2.3 On the northern part of this landscape character on the valley sides of the River Enborne there is a different historic pattern. Here there is considerably less woodland and the field boundaries are regular and straight sided. These enclosures reflect more formal parliamentary enclosure dating to the 18th and 19th centuries and suggest a different pattern of land tenure (perhaps areas of former common) and exploitation of resources adjacent to the River Enborne.

6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 The road network in this landscape comprises a pattern of historic (pre 1810) rural lanes which are orientated mainly in a north-south direction and connect the dispersed pattern of farmsteads with small hamlets and villages. These lanes are frequently flanked by grass verges as well as hedges and may pass adjacent to woodlands but rarely through them.

6.3.2 Settlement in this landscape comprises a number of types including nucleated and more substantial villages at the foot of the chalk (spring line villages e.g. Ecchinswell, Kingsclere and ) and a dispersed pattern of smaller historic (pre 1810) villages e.g. , and . The historic cores of Ecchinswell, Kingsclere and Sherborne St John are covered by Conservation Area status for their high concentration of listed buildings, range of vernacular architecture and integrity. These settlement also have a strong association with the watercourses on which they are located – in the case of Kingsclere this led to the development of mill buildings and a tannery, and in Ecchinswell, the development of water cress beds. The mill buildings remain a feature of these settlements especially at Kingsclere and contribute greatly to local character.

6.3.3 At Monk Sherborne the conservation area covers the historic core of the village which was located on the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle and priory. In Monk Sherborne, Sherborne St John, Ramsdell, Kingsclere and Ecchinswell recent housing development has altered the settlement form and character.

6.3.4 There is a dispersed and high density pattern of farmsteads across this character area. Many of the farm buildings are timber framed clad with black (coal tar coated) weather board timber with hipped roofs and low eaves and low brick walls are a distinctive characteristic. This character area has one of the highest concentration of surviving timber framed buildings and pre 1700 buildings which incorporate brick in Hampshire. The establishment of post 1800 brickworks has produced the characteristic red / orange local bricks seen in many of the vernacular buildings in this landscape. Flemish bond with blue / grey decorative headers are fairly typical of pre 1850 buildings and are characteristic of buildings in both Ecchinswell and Kingsclere. The character area has a remarkably high concentration of clay tiled roof and tile hung buildings, the latter particularly associated with timber frame buildings. It also has a higher than average density of buildings with thatch roofs.

Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . EVALUATION

7.0 Forces for Change 1. Changes in agriculture and land management, particularly associated with agricultural intensification. 2. Changes in woodland management practices. 3. New development, resulting in suburbanisation and loss of character, and the potential introduction of large-scale structures. 4. Climate change, potentially affecting farming patterns, groundwater and stream levels, and tree loss due to increased storms, drought and disease. 5. Mineral working, as the area contains safeguarded areas for sand and gravel extraction. 6. Pressure for access and recreation, particularly given the proximity of large settlements.

KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 An enclosed and generally tranquil landscape comprising a medium-small scale mosaic of farmland and woodland defined by a strong hedgerow structure. In the south, views of rising land associated with the chalk contribute to the sense of place. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3.4.5. Threats: Continued local loss of tranquillity and visual quality near urban areas, main roads and pylon lines. Past (and potential future) loss of biodiversity due to intensification of agricultural methods. Climate change affecting farming practices which in turn alters the pattern of the landscape. Potential prominent vertical features on the chalk skyline which would be intrusive in views. Potential future mineral extraction affecting the tranquillity of the landscape, its structure and scenic quality.

Opportunities: Target agri-environment schemes to improve the biodiversity of agricultural land, for example through the provision of uncultivated buffer strips along field margins. Manage hedgerows and encourage hedgerow trees, particularly in areas of historic field patterns. Identify areas of elevated land which are particularly visually sensitive, and use planning policy and conditions to protect them from intrusive development. Use minerals planning policy and conditions to ensure that any future mineral extraction has a minimal impact on the tranquillity and visual quality of the landscape.

Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . 7.2 Historically part of the Royal Forest of Pamber, the area retains a strongly wooded character and rich biodiversity, with sinuous ancient woodland blocks, hedgebanks, plantations, coppice, parklands and remnant grassland and heathlands all reoccurring features in the landscape. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 2.4.5.6. Threats: Potential loss of trees due to increased drought, storms and disease as a result of climate change. Past (and potential future) under-management of ancient semi-natural woodlands, including hazel coppice. Lack of species and structural diversity in areas of coniferous plantation. Potential loss of habitats and biodiversity as a result of future mineral extraction. Lack of public access into the countryside from nearby towns.

Opportunities: Target agri-environment and other grant schemes to maintain and enhance woodland habitats utilising traditional management techniques such as coppicing (in line with BOA objectives); restore and retain traditional and distinctive hedgebanks, and manage and link smaller areas of remnant heathland and unimproved grassland, Diversify coniferous plantations to include native broadleaf species. Potential to carry out conservation management plans as appropriate for parkland landscapes within this landscape character area, Encourage public access into the countryside through CAP actions, specifically improved access to the northern parkland of the Vyne estate.

7.3 Small chalk-fed streams dissect the landscape, with small-scale fields of biodiversity-rich grassland in the valley bottoms, and associated historic buildings including spring-line settlements, mills, a tannery and watercress beds. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3. Threats Changes in agricultural practices, and increased water abstraction may result in loss of biodiversity-rich grasslands. Climate change potentially affecting ground water levels and springs. Potential neglect of historic buildings and structures which have gone out of use.

Opportunities: Target agri-environment schemes to retain ponds and unimproved/ semi-improved grassland habitats through appropriate water management and grazing regimes, in line with BOA objectives. Restore historic buildings and structures to working use if appropriate, and also protect their landscape settings.

Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic . 7.4 Settlement comprises a dispersed but dense pattern of farmsteads, villages and hamlets (with many buildings constructed of locally sourced timber and mellow brick) connected by a network of narrow rural lanes and paths. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 3. Threats: Recent housing altering traditional settlement pattern and character. Potential lack of management of road verges and hedgerows along rural lanes. Potential suburbanisation of rural lanes around settlements through increased lighting, kerbing and signage, plus urban-style property boundaries.

Opportunities: Use local assessments such as Village Design Statements and Parish Plans to identify and retain distinctive features of built form in the area, and ensure that new development is well integrated into the surrounding landscape. Use Rural Roads Initiative to retain the rural character of lanes, whilst still meeting Highways standards. In particular maintain grass verges, hedgerows and hedgebanks alongside roads, enabling them to act as corridors for wildlife. Promote CAP actions to maintain and enhance the public rights of way network.

Hampshire County 10 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment North Hampshire Lowland Mosaic .