Prepared fur West Oxfordshire District Council

Adantic: Consultan& Hems Court Longbrook Street Exeter Devon EX4 6AP

May 1398 PART ONE PART THREE

The Study Key Settlements 80 Background 1 Introduction 81 Structure of the document 1 Bampton Burford 84 86 Approach and Rationale Carterton Charlbury 88 Chipping Norton 91 Landscape character assessment 2 Ducklington 94 Guidelines for landscape ~ Eynskam 95 enhancement 3 Milton-under-Wychwood 97 Guidelines for built development 5 Witney 99 Woodstock 103 A Landscape Overview

Introduction 8 Physical influences 8 Appendices Human influences 9 Variations in landscape and 1 Checklist of key characteristics visual character 11 2 Matrix of tree and shrub species Variations in landscape 3 Glossary of terms quality and condition 15

PART Two Bibl i ogcap hy

Character Areas Figures . 1 Northern Valleys and Ridges 17 2 Ironstone Valleys and Ridges 22 1 Geology 3 Enstone Uplands 27 2 Topography 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys 32 3 Natisnal/Regional Landscape Context 5 Upper Evenlode Valley 37 4 Character Areas 6 Lower Evenlode Valley 42 5 Landscape Types 7 Wychwood Uplands 47 6 Enhancement Strategy 8 Upper Windrush Valley 52 9 Shilton Downs 57 10 Bampton Vale 62 1 I Eynsham Vale 67 12 Lower Windrush Valley and Eastern Thames Fringes 72 13 Western Thames Fringes 77

. ,-- STUDY CONTEXT Background Whilst the assessment is primarily intended to assist the District Council, it is also considered to Over recent years, there has been growing be of relevance to a wide range of organisations recognition of the role of landscape assessment and individuals whose activities may have an as a basis for countryside planning and effect upon the landscape of West Oxfordshire. management. In particular, the use of landscape These will include landowners, farmers, private assessment as a tool for describing the character developers, community organisations and other of our landscapes is increasingly recognised as an local interest groups. important first step in conserving and enhancing them, and for planning for sustainable The brief outlined the following main development in rural areas. requirements of the study:

The impetus for preparing landscape assessments 0 to identify and describe the attributes of the at a district level has come from two main landscape (both natural and man-made) that directions: contribute to local distinctiveness; to provide a breakdown of the district into the Countryside Commission actively areas of distinctive landscape character; encourages local planning authorities to to examine the relationship between the undertake district-wide assessments to landscape and patterns of settlement and provide an ,informed background for policy buildings; and development control decisions and for to identify simple enhancement strategies countryside management. It has published and priorities for each landscape type; detailed guidance on landscape assessment 0 and to identify variations in landscape and has recently produced a ‘New Map of sensitivity across the District and its ability to England’ which provides a broad context for accommodate change. defining landscape character at a local level. It also promotes the concept of local distinctiveness through its ‘Design in the Structure of the document Countryside’ initiative. This document is divided into three main parts: Government advice contained within the revised PPG7 (February 1997) takes forward Part One provides the overall background these approaches and encourages planning and context to the study, including an authorities to undertake comprehensive explanation of the approach and landscape assessments as part of the local methodology employed and a brief overview plan review process. The extent and of the District landscape, its formative effectiveness of local landscape designations is influences and overall character; to be given particular consideration in such reviews. Part Two deals with the individual Character Areas, describing in detail their landscape and In response to this background, West Oxfordshire settlement character together with District commissioned Atlantic Consultants to appropriate guidelines for landscape prepare a district-wide landscape assessment Its enhancement and built development; main objective is to increase understanding of the landscape resources of tL e dAistrict, to assist Part Three provides more detailed with policy formulation and development control assessment of the fringes of a number of key and to assist with the targeting of resources for settlements (mainly local service centres) enhancement and management. wiiin the district.

- -. landscape character assess ment of pressures on the landscape and key management or enhancement needs, were Over recent years, there has been a general trend also noted during the field survey. away from quantitative systems of landscape evaluation towards an approach based upon Analysis - this stage involved combining the understanding the intrinsic character of a results of the desk and field studies to locality and its distinctive features, allowing produce a breakdown of the district into areas land use planning and management to respond of distinctive character. to the local ‘landscape vernacular‘. This approach is explained within the landscape The assessment examines landscape character at assessment guidance published by the two levels. Firstly, it looks at the way in which Countryside Commission (CCP4231, which forms particular landform and landcover elements the basis for this study. combine to produce distinctive landscape types. These are generic descriptions and the types can The approach recognises that the character of the repeat across the district without necessarily landscape is not simply a scenic or visual being related to geographical location. phenomenon but is the product of its physiography, history and land management It Landscape types are particularly useful as a tool recognises that factors such as ecology, history for understanding the detailed pattern of and culture, have a bearing upon the way landscape variation that occurs across the district landscape is experienced and valued and that as a whole and to assist in day to day these factors should also to be taken into account development control decisions. However, in within the assessment process. Overall, the planning policy and management terms, it is as approach relies upon a mix of objective important to understand the landscape character recording and subjective judgement, used in a and qualities of particular places or areas, so that systematic and iterative way. appropriate policies and action can be applied at a local level. Therefore, it is common practice to The assessment process has involved the define landscape character areas. These are following main stages of work: units of landscape which may embrace a number of different landscape types but which in some Desk study - this stage involved the collation way have a coherent and recognisable ‘sense of of a wide range of existing information on the place’ or local identity. physical and human influences that have shaped the landscape of the district. The It is important to stress that the boundaries process involved ‘overlay mapping‘ of key between landscape types or between character factors (eg. geology, topography, drainage, areas are rarely distind Instead, the boundaries woodland cover, and sites of tend to be best approximations of a gradual but ecologicaVhistorical importance etc.) as well discernible change in character. It is also as detailed examination of other important to stress that landscape character rarely documentary, map-based or photographic stops at the district boundary and will usually evidence. Other landscape assessments (eg. extend beyond into neighbouring districts. the New Map of England and Cotswolds AONB assessment) were also consulted to The basis for the division of West Oxfordshire provide context and consistency. District into distinctive landscape types and character areas, is explained in the ‘landscape Field survey - this part of the study involved overview’ section. travelling extensively throughout the district, recording detailed variations in landscape character and key features onto 1:25,000 base maps. Other factors, such as evidence Guidelines for landscape enhancement 0 Strengthen - this strategy applies to those landscapes which have a positive rural Approach to evaluation character, attractive qualities and where character, landscape structure and sense of place are still comparatively strong, but which The second part of the study involves identifying are not ‘special’ or distinctive to quite the variations in landscape quality and condition same degree as those in the above category. across the district, primarily to allow appropriate These landscapes are also important to guidelines for landscape conservation, conserve but would benefit from some management and enhancement to be defined. enhancement through appropriate land management, to strengthen weakened The aim is, therefore, not to identify the ‘best’ or landscape structure and quality and to ’worst’ quality landscapes within the district but reinforce local distinctiveness. to examine the intrinsic quality and condition of individual landscape types so that intervention The degree to which landscape structure and can be targeted to the most needy areas. This character require strengthening differs across approach has therefore been applied across the the District. A distinction is therefore drawn whole of the district landscape irrespective of the in this category between ‘a’ landscapes, where presence of existing landscape designations. only modest strengthening is required, and ‘b landscapes, where more significant Using the experience and judgement of the study strengthening is required to restore landscape team, each landscape type was assessed in terms structure and features that have been of the following attributes (based upon Countryside Commission guidelines): weakened by intensive farming practice.

Reconstruct this strategy applies in those Scenic quality - the degree to which the - landscape is attracthe with pleasing patterns areas where the character and quality of the and combinations of landscape features; landscape has been substantially modified by Sense of place - the extent to which the poor land management, non-agricultural land landscape has a distinctive character and a uses, or intrusive features, eg. airfields, built ‘sense of place’; development, mineral extraction, roads, Unspoilt character - the degree to which power lines etc. They require more landscape structure is ‘intact‘ and the significant intervention to mitigate the landscape is affected by intrusive or detracting influence of detraa’ng land uses or features, influences; to raise landscape quality and to reconstruct Landscape as a resource - whether the landscape character and identity. landscape type represents a scarce or especially fragile landscape resource; It is important to stress that these strategies do Conservation interests - whether there are not equate with any nationally established system other notable conservation interests that or yardstick but are adapted from Countryside contribute to landscape quality and value. Commission guidance to suit the particular circumstances of West Oxfordshire District They The landscape types were then assigned one of should therefore be regarded as indicative of the following enhancement strategies: differences in quality and condition which occur within the context of the district and Conserve - this strategy applies where the comparisons should not be made with similar landscape is of particularly high scenic quality, strategies applied elsewhere. is unspoilt, retains a strong, intact landscape structure and sense of place, and often The variations in landscape quality and the contains areas or features of ecological or application of enhancement strategies across the cultural heritage significance. In these district are explained in the ‘landscape overview’ landscapes, conservation is an overwhelming section. priority in order to maintain landscape character and quality. Enhancement principles

The guidelines for landscape enhancement are intended to provide advice on the most appropriate type of management or enhancement needed to maintain or raise landscape quality within each character area. As a general rule, they are aimed at reinforcing or strengthening existing characteristics in the landscape rather than promoting widespread landscape change. Specific guidelines on enhancement priorities are set out for each character area but a number of more general principles are outlined opposite. In addition, a table showing characteristic native species that typically occur within the different landscape types is contained within Appendix 2.

Mechanisms

Clearly, most of these objectives involve changes in land management which can only be achieved through voluntah co-operation. However, there are a number of potential ways in which the guidelines can be taken forward, including:

0 through various initiatives, grants and incentive schemes operated by local authorities and other statutory agencies; through the work of countryside management services run by local authorities or other agencies; through the work of voluntary bodies and community groups involved in local environmental or landscape projects; through the activities of farmers and other private landowners; through development briefing and the use of landscape conditions, legal agreements and planning gain.

It is important to stress that the achievement of landscape enhancement through -development proposals would only be appropriate where the development itself was in compliance with strategic and local planning policies. Guidelines for built development

The third part of the study focuses on the inherent characteristics and qualities of the landscape that will determine its sensitivity to change and, in particular, its ability to accommodate new development.

Policy context

Current Government advice contained within PPG7 (revised February 1997) places a firm emphasis on protection of the countryside for its own sake, even in areas of no special designation, and advises that development in the countryside should maintain and enhance the environment This advice is reflected in policies contained within the Oxfordshire County Structure Plan and the West Oxfordshire Local Plan (adopted in November 1997).

The Local Plan currently contains a number of policies which specifically seek to protect the character and ‘quality of the landscape from potentially adverse impacts of development (as listed opposite). A particular emphasis is placed upon the protection of designated areas (ie. the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Area of High Landscape Value, which covers much of the remainder of the district, and Parks and Gardens of Special Interest). However, Policy CO1 of the plan recognises the importance of protecting all landscape, even non-designated areas, for its own sake, while a number of other policies (eg. BE3, C03, C010, H12, R13, TM1) refer to the need to protect the landscape setting of settlements or otherwise safeguard the landscape from adverse impacts of development

The Local Plan indicates a general presumption against housing development in open countryside but other types of development may be permitted by the plan. Where this is the case, the aim is to ensure that it can be integrated sensitively without adverse impact on the landscape. This landscape assessment aims to provide as much information as possible to enable the local authority and others to make such judgements. Although it will clearly be too coarse a tool to deal with many site-specific issues, the principles and considerations outlined within the assessment can equally be applied at a - more local level. Sensitiviv to development

The ability of the landscape to accommodate development is a complex issue which is not simply related to the intrinsic quality of the landscape but will depend upon a combination of different factors. Of key importance will be the nature and scale of the development itself, along with:

0 the potential impacts of this development on distinctive landscape and settlement character; the potential impacts on intrinsic landscape quality and valued features and the overall sensitivity of the landscape to change; 0 the visual sensitivity of the landscape, ie. the degree to which it benefits from screening or filtering of views.

A number of general principles for development in the countryside, which will apply across the district, are shown in the table opposite. However, to make the assessment as helpful as possible, we have provided further guidance on the sensitivities of landscapes of differing character and surrounding a number of key settlements, as explained below.

Guidelines for landscape types

Much of the information required to assess the appropriateness of new development in different landscape types should be implicit within the landscape character descriptions and quality evaluations for the individual character areas. In addition, however, some key conclusions on the ability of different landscape types to accommodate development are also summarised for each character area.

For further guidance, a matrix is included in Appendix 1 which identifies some of the key characteristics that need to be taken into account in assessing the impact of development proposals on individual landscape types. These are grouped under the headin8 s of 'landscaP e character', 'settlement character' and 'landscape quality and sensitivity'. *--- The matrix identifies a range of typical The ten settlements are listed below, with the characteristics (eg. scale, pattern, boundary types, Character Areas to which they are most closely building materials, visual sensitivity and scenic related given in brackets: quality) for individual landscape types and, in conjunction with the character area descriptions, Bampton (10) may be used as a checklist to guide the 6urford (8,9) acceptability of development proposals within Carterton (9) different parts of the district landscape. Charlbury (6) Chipping Norton (1, 3) While this additional background information Ducklington (1 2) should help in assessing the appropriateness of Eynsham (1 1,12) development proposals, it is clearly still too Milton-under-Wychwood (5) generalised to provide all of the answers. The Witney (8,9, 7, 11) main purpose of the matrix is, therefore, to help Woodstock (4) introduce a discipline in the assessment of potential impacts of any development proposal The landscape setting of each settlement is and to enable a degree of transparency to be divided into a number of sectors for which we applied to development control decisions. have summarised the key factors which may influence development decisions, namely: Importantly, it is also intended to help encourage those proposing development in the countryside landscape characteristics; to view landscape in a more holistic way and to visual characteristics; consider not only the potential visual impacts of key landscape sensitivities and a development. but also its impact upon the considerations. intrinsic character and quality of the receiving landscape. We do not seek to recommend areas for development. We simply aim to provide additional detail to assist all those involved in Guidelines for key settlements making decisions in respect of appropriate development in the landscape. The larger settlements of the District have, in the past, inevitably been under pressure for Further explanation of these studies and the additional development. These pressures are findings of the assessment are presented in Part likely to continue, particularly on the fringes of Three. these settlements. Difficult decisions regarding the opportunities for and direction of potential future growth will have to be made. While the landscape assessment provides a broad context, a more detailed study of the fringes of ten key settlements has been undertaken in order to provide a finer-grained analysis of key landscape sensitivities and considerations. They comprise the main service centres, with the addition of Ducklington, because of its proximity to Witney, and the inclusion of Milton-under-Wychwood, as a secondary local centre within the AONB. Introduction exposed mainly across the north of the district, where these soft rocks are heavily folded and cut through by rivers and streams to form an area of West Oxfordshire is a predominantly rural, extremely complex topography supporting a rich agricultural district which covers a land area of pattern of mixed farmland, thick hedgerows, around 71 square kilometres. It embraces large 5 trees and woods. areas of unspoilt countryside within its boundaries and a diverse pattern of landscapes, The Lias is overlain by the harder Oolitic including rolling limestone uplands, pastoral river limestones of the upper Jurassic. The Inferior valleys, historic parkland, remnants of ancient Oolite occurs in thin localised outcrops mainly forests, low-lying farmland and riverside along the upper edges of the river valleys. meadows, with a scattering of rural villages and However, like the Marlstone, it contains rocks some larger settlements. with a high iron content, known as ’ironstones’ which give rise to the red soils and warm orange- This patterning is the product of the interaction coloured building stone characteristic of the between the physical structure of the landscape north-east corner of the district. and the nature of the vegetation and land uses that cover it. To understand what makes places It is the thick limestone bed of the Great Oolite distinctive, it is helpful to summarise the main which dominates much of the district and gives physical and human influences which have the Cotswolds its distinctive character. This pale, shaped the districts landscape over time. hard rock is much prized as a building stone and it forms the high, smoothly rolling plateaux which Physical i nf Iuences reach an elevation of around 220 metres AOD near Chipping Norton and dip gently towards the The geology of West Oxfordshire (see Figure 1) is south-east Soils tend to be thin, well-drained dominated by rocks of the Jurassic period, laid and calcareous and typically support medium- down in warm seas 150 million years ago, and grade arable farmland or, less commonly, forming part of the ‘stone belt’ that stretches right grassland. Localised deposits of Oxford Clay and across England from Dorset to the Humber. It glacial till around Leafield and Ramsden in the comprises a sequence of clays and limestones Wychwood area create heavier, more acid soils that dip, and get progressively younger, towards typically under pasture or woodland. The the south-east of the district, creating two limestone plateau is dissected by the main river distinctive broad belts of terrain: the Cotswold valleys of the Windrush and Evenlode, with their Hills and the Upper Thames Clay Vale. alluvial deposits predominantly under pasture.

The Cotswold Hills sweep across the centre and A band of coarse, crumbly Cornbrash limestone north of the district and are formed by the rocks marks the transition between the Great Oolite of the middle and lower Jurassic. The lowest and the clay vale to the south, forming a series of strata in the sequence are the Lower, Middle and low bluffs and hills, including the island of Upper Lias, which are mostly composed of soft landform within the Windrush valley upon which clays, siltstones and shales. However, they also the town of Witney was sited. The low-lying include a band of Marlstone, a shelly ferruginous floodplain landscape of the Upper Tharnes Clay limestone, between the Middle and Upper beds. Vale itself occupies extensive deposits of Oxford The most extensive exposures of the Lower Lias Clay and alluvium supporting heavy clay soils and occur within the upper Evenlode Valley, where it larger-scale mixed farmland with a comparatively forms a broad, shallow basin characterised by strong structure of hedgerows and trees. low-lying and gentle topography (see Figure 21, However, large drifts of river gravels produce with heavy clay soils supporting mixed farmland pockets of well-drained, slightly elevated land and a strong structure of hedgerows and which support more intensive arable farming and - \ hedgerow trees. The Middle and Upper Lias are have a distinctively open character. Human influences accompanied by magnificent country houses and villas, such as those at North Leigh and Ditchley. The basic physical structure of the landscape has From the early fifth century, the Saxon period also had a strong influence on patterns of human brought the invasion of groups of Germanic occupation and activity within West Oxfordshire. immigrants who laid the foundations of the Evidence of prehistoric settlement indicates that English countryside. They were credited with early settlers had a distinct preference for sites on further taming of woodland, heath and marsh to higher ground less prone to flooding, with more clear ground for livestock, and with building new easily worked soils and access to springs or other villages and farming settlements. These were supplies of water. Favoured sites are found on mostly concentrated on lighter soils within the the well-drained, light soils of the Cotswold river valleys and on the gravel terraces of the limestone and ironstone uplands and the Thames, close to well-watered river meadows - Thames-side gravels. By contrast, the heavy, wet examples include Eynsham, which incorporates soils and woodland cover of the clay lowlands the Old English word for meadow - ‘ham’; were less attractive. The outcrops of dry Chimney, or ‘Ceomma’s island’, which was permeable rocks also supported a network of located on a low ledge of gravel safe from the important prehistoric routeways, such as the Thames floodwaters; and Witney, or ‘Witta’s Jurassic Way which follows the oolites right island‘, which stood on a dry cornbrash outlier across England. surrounded by alluvial levels. The Saxons were also responsible for establishing extensive hunting The succession of prehistoric cultures was preserves or parks, the management of which responsible for radical changes in the landscape. was later codified by the Normans in forest law. They progressively cut clearings in the dense Woodstock Park was the earliest hunting ground forests to create extensive open pastures or of the Saxon Kings and formed part of the croplands, firstly on the lighter soils of the extensive belt of wood, coppice, underwood and limestone hills and river gravels but later spinney which stretched through the Oxfordshire extending to the heavier soils of the clay vale, countryside between the royal forests of using iron tools for axes and ploughshares. These Wychwood and Shotover in the Oxford Heights. early landscapes have since been obscured by later land use patterns but tangible evidence of By the early middle ages, the Domesday survey early settlement is found in the scattering of of 1086 revealed an even pattern of settlements tombs, long barrows, standing stones and ring across the district, apart from Wychwood which ditches across the Cotswolds. remained comparatively empty. However, this was a time of expansion and gathering change in The Romans brought further changes to West the landscape. New villages, such as Leafield, Oxfordshire, creating an integrated pattern of Finstock, Ramsden and Hailey, and fields were new settlements, planned roads and farmed carved out from Wychwood through the process estates. The process of pre-Roman woodland of ‘assarting’, although extensive woodland cover clearances and the development of sophisticated remained. Drainage and reclamation of the farming techniques was accelerated by the flood-plain flats along the Upper Thames also Romans, bringing further areas of free-draining created new marshland villages such as limestone uplands into highly productive Northmoor and Standlake. The steady advance agricultural use for growing barley, wheat and of sheep-farming on the limestone led to a wool which could be marketed at great towns thriving woollen industry, with early fulling mills like Cirencester. The scale of romanisation was established near Enstone and Witney and the most impressive on each side of Akeman Street - grand houses of wealthy wool merchants still a major east to west Roman Road - where it visible in the town buildings of many settlements, crosses the valleys of the Windrush, Evenlode such as Burford, Witney and Chipping Norton. and Glyme and in the neighbourhood of Grim’s Ditch. This process created a largely open, Climatic, economic and social changes led to the farmed landscape, even in the Wychwood area desertion or shrinkage of many medieval villages, which was reinvaded by forest in later centuries. especially between the Thames and Windrush This highly commercial agriculture was rivers. The great rebuilding that followed in the -. Tudor and Jacobean period was accompanied by the development of grand mansions and \, - manor houses. Examples within the Cotswolds to keep out the immigration of new people by include Great Tew, Swerford, Heythrop, building only enough houses for their existing Chadlington, Sarsden, Bruern, Chastleton, workforce. This placed the burden of housing Cornbury, Shipton-under-Wychwood and provision upon the 'open villages' which Asthall, with equivalents in the clay vale at expanded at a considerable rate in a sprawling Kelmscott and Cote. The formal gardens and and haphazard fashion, unlike the compact, well- parks which surrounded these houses had a shaped order of the closed settlements. These considerable impact on the landscape but not so distinctions are still evident today, for example dramatic as the picturesque, designed landscapes between the orderliness of Sandford St Martin of the eighteenth century, with which West and the formless, mixed character of nearby Oxfordshire is particularly well-blessed. The Middle Barton. most notable examples include Lancelot 'Capability' Brown's work at Blenheim Palace; Changes to the landscape and settlements of William Kent's masterpiece at Rousham and at West Oxfordshire during the twentieth century Ditchley Park; and Humphrey Repton's work at have resulted mainly from the pressures of Sarsden and Great Tew. modern farming and the growth in demand for new housing and more efficient communications. Open farmland had been steadily enclosed by The increasing mechanisation of post war hedges, banks, stone walls and sometimes agriculture has obliterated many miles of ditches during the sixteenth and seventeenth hedgerows and woodlands and transformed centuries. However, these earlier and more many of the former enclosure landscapes back to irregular enclosures were largely overwhelmed by the bare, open vistas of the ancient common the major parliamentary enclosures of the fields. Recent agri-environment initiatives (eg. eighteenth and nineteenth centuries which Countryside Stewardship) seek to reverse these transformed the landscape of much of West trends and, in effect, to replace some of the lost Oxfordshire into an almost 'blueprinted' pattern structure and biological diversity of the former of square or rectangular fields surrounded by enclosure landscapes. For example, within the straight thorn hedges or, in the Cotswolds, by Upper Thames Tributaries Environmentally stone walls. New farms and model estates were Sensitive Area, the emphasis is on returning a a feature of the landscape and miles of new wider range of wetland habitats to the river wide, straight roads were also introduced to valleys while in the arable uplands, incentives are replace narrow winding lanes or to create new available for hedgerow planting, conversion of routes, eg. between Bampton and Oxford. arable land to grasslands (possibly restoring the former character of the broad Cotswold The Victorian period brought a number of 'sheepwalks') and the creation of more diverse specific changes to the landscape of West field margins. However, farming practice is still Oxfordshire. Firstly, the act for the primarily driven by market forces and financial 'disafforestation' of Wychwood Forest was signed subsidies and whilst the current systems of in 1857 and resulted in wholesale clearance of incentives remain in place, the effects of the agri- much of the remaining woodland cover and environment policies on the landscape will be replacement with an entirely new landscape of slow to materialise. new farms, roads and villages. The transformation from royal forest to harvested Demographic changes and improvements in road crops took only sixteen months and gave birth to and rail communications continue to place new settlements to house farm labourers, such as significant pressures on the district to Fordwells and Mount Skippett. Elsewhere, other accommodate new housing, although much of new villages were created to accommodate this pressure has been successfully resisted, smallholders, notably the Chartist settlement of particularly in the smaller rural seidements. A Charterville and Carterton. The Victorian period less obvious effect of the prosperity of this area, also saw the expansion of many settlements in however, is the gradual 'suburbanisation' and West Oxfordshire to accommodate a growing 'gentrification' of many of the districts villages and population. A feature of this was the distinction a gradual erosion of local distinctiveness. The between 'closed' and 'open' villages, brought same effects are evident across the district and - about by changes in the Poor Law which meant are manifested in more 'urban' types of fencing, that parishes with few landowners actively sought surfacing, buildings, lighting and highway treatments, which cumulatively detract from the Variations in landscape and traditional, rural character of the village or hamlet. Other changes in the landscape include visual character extensive mineral extraction, which has transformed. parts of the Upper Thames/Lower Having explained the underlying physical and Windrush Valley. human influences that have shaped the overall landscape of West Oxfordshire, the process of In planning for future change within West sorting the landscape into units of distinctive Oxfordshire, the main challenge is to provide a character helps further to unravel the factors that suitable balance between the contrasting claims contribute to local landscape character. for housing and business expansion on the one hand and maintenance of the generally unspoilt The process of characterisation has been rural qualities of the landscape on the other. informed by other landscape assessments which apply to West Oxfordshire. In particular, the study aims to be broadly consistent with the Countryside Commission's 'Countryside Character Map of England', which provides a nationalhegional context for defining character areas, and other landscape assessments specifically prepared for the Cotswolds AONB and the Upper Thames Tributaries ESA.

Landscape character areas

The Countryside Character Map identifies two regional character areas within the boundaries of West Oxfordshire (see Figure 3):

the Cotswolds; the Upper Thames Clay Vale;

These conform to the main topographical and . geological regions and provide the broad context for defining a total of thirteen local character areas within the district These are tracts of landscape which may be quite diverse in character but have some unifying or consistent elements which are related to their physical form or geographical location (see Figure 4). Detailed descriptions of the Character Areas are given in Part Two but their main distinguishing characteristics are summarised as follows:

1 Northern Valleys and Ridges - a topographically diverse area of complex geology to the north of Chipping Norton, where folding and faulting have created a distinctive landscape of valleys and ridges, a particularly rich pattern of landscape elements and a generally strong landscape structure; 2 Ironstone Valleys and Ridges - an area with 10 Barnpton Vale - an area of distinctively low- similar landform and landscape pattern to lying but gently rolling landscape lying the above but which is distinguished from it between the edge of the limestone to the by the presence of characteristic iron-rich north and the very flat, expansive floodplain red soils and warm orange building stone; landscape which borders the River Thames to the south; 3 Enstone Uplands - a high limestone plateau dissected by the River Glyme but otherwise 11 Eynsharn Vale - a low-lying area characterised by rolling landform with a characterised by large-scale, rolling farmland distinctive elevated and open character; and including the formal parkland and well- managed wooded farmland of Eynsham Park 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys - an area of and other large estates; rolling limestone landscape which is heavily dissected by the valleys of the Glyme, Dorn 12 lower Windrush Valley and Eastern and Chewell and distinguished by a Tharnes Fringes - an area of distinctively flat, particular concentration of formal parks, low-lying landscape occupying the designed landscapes and estate farmland; 'floodplain' of the River Windrush and the margins of the River Thames, heavily 5 Upper Evenlode Valley - a distinctive area of modified by mineral extraction but retaining rolling Lower Lias clayland which forms a areas of floodplain pasture; broad, shallow basin around the upper reaches of the River Evenlode, characterised 13 Western Thames Fringes - an area by heavy clay soils and a strong landscape occupying the very flat, low-lying landscape structure of thick hedgerows and frequent of the River Thames floodplain, hedgerow trees, in marked contrast with the comparatively free from mineral extraction limestone areas to the south and east; but dominated by arable farmland.

6 Lower Evenlode Valley - an area with a distinctive valley landform which, although Landscape Types varying in width between Shipton-u- Wychwood and Bladon, creates a sense of Although the character areas have a definable enclosure and a particularly strong pastoral physical context and coherent identity, they are and riparian character; inevitably quite diverse in themselves. Even subtle differences in landform, land-use, 7 Wychwood Uplands - an area of smoothly landscape structure, the degree of visual rolling limestone bounded by the valleys of enclosure and the influence of built development the Evenlode and Windrush. It has similar or specific land uses, can create variations in characteristics to the Enstone Uplands but is landscape character and local distinctiveness. distinguished by the presence of the extensive woodlands of Cornbury Park, Landscape iypes are classified into the following remnants of the former Wychwood Forest, groups, reflecting broad distinctions in landscape which contribute to a more enclosed character: character at its eastern end;

0 Valley Landscapes; 8 Upper Windrush Valley - the Windrush 0 Limestone Wold landscapes Valley dissects the limestone plateau and 0 Clay Wold landscapes

forms a distinctive landform unit with its own 0 Clay vale landscapes;

particular, intimate and pastoral character; 0 Parkland and Estate landscapes;

0 Sub-rural landscapes 9 Shilton Downs - an area of limestone landscape which forms the divide between A number of sub-types reflect degrees of the low-lying clay vale to the south and the character variation within the main types, as Windrush Valley and limestone uplands to shown in the following table. the north; Valley landscapes

These landscapes comprise the various valleys which dissect and contrast with the rolling Cotswold plateau and dip-slope. They occur at varying scales but all have a distinctive valley form creating intimate, enclosed areas of farmland. The smaller V-shaped valleys are treated as a single landscape unit, while larger valleys with a U-shaped profile are divided into valley-floor and sides. A separate type describes particularly complex and intricate landform of valleys and ridges where it cannot easily be divided into its component parts.

The following valley types have been identified:

Minor valleys - small-scale, enclosed and intimate tributaries of main valley systems, typically with a distinctive V-shaped profile;

Valley floor farmland - the distinctive flat floor of larger valleys, typically occupied by floodplain pasture and with pastoral, riparian character;

Valley-side farmland - distinctive, sloping valley-side landform typical of larger valleys, divided between a predominantly open and a semi-enclosed character;

Valleys and ridges - complex systems of heavily folded and 'corrugated' minor valleys divided by narrow ridges, spurs and low hills. Areas with an open and semi-enclosed character are distinguished;

Limestone Wold landscapes

These are the landscapes which occur to the north of the Upper Thames Vale on higher, more pronounced landform underlain by the Oolitic Limestones, Lias Clays and shales of the Cotswold region. They are characterised by a distinctive smoothly rolling landform and a predominantly large-scale rectilinear field pattern bounded by dry-stone walls and hedges. The main difkrences lie between the structure of hedgerows, trees and woodland and the scale and pattern of enclosure. The following limestone wolds types have been low-lying relief. Fields are typically bounded by identified: hedges and ditches rather than the walls of the stone country. Differences between types relate Open limestone wolds farmland - these are mainly to very subtle differences in landform, the the wide open, arable landscapes of the dominant land use and the degree of enclosure limestone summits and slopes (formerly provided by hedges and trees. extensive grassland sheepwalks) with a pattern

of large-scale, regular enclosures, thin, well- 0 Floodplain pasture - low-lying, very flat drained soils and a very sparse network of pasture found immediately alongside rivers hedgerows and trees; and watercourses, with a distinctive pattern of tree-lined ditches and a tranquil, pastoral 0 Semi-enclosed limestone wolds farmland - character; farmed landscapes of the limestone uplands with a more intact structure of hedgerows, 0 Flat vale farmland - low-lying, very flat, trees and woods which interrupt the bare drained and cultivated farmland within the open vistas of the plateau. Two main sub- floodplain, with low horizons and dominance types are identified: predominantly htge- of sky. Distinctions are drawn between scale, arable farmland with straight those which are very open and expansive, boundaries typical of later enclosures; and and semi-enclosed landscapes with a more mixed land use and smaller-sale stronger structure of hedges and trees which pattern of irregular fields with strong filter views. hedgerow trees and woodland, typical of fields cut out from former woodland cover. Rolling vale farmland - low-lying cultivated farmland, similar to above, but distinguished Clay wold landscapes by its slight elevation above the floodplain floor and a discernible but subtly rolling These are landscapes underlain by Lower Lias landform. Distinctions are drawn between Clays, glacial deposits and alluvium in the lower areas which are very open and expansive, lying parts of the Cotswolds. Their softly rolling and semi-enclosed landscapes with a landform and thicker hedgerows gives them a stronger structure of hedges and trees which distinctively ‘lowland’ feel in comparison to the filter views. dry limestone uplands. Distinctions have been drawn between differences in field pattern and Floodplain wetlands - parts of the floodplain hedgerow structure as above: which are characterised by open water and wetland habitats, typically created from the Open clay wolds farmland - typically open, extraction of sand and gravels. arable landscapes with a pattern of large- scale, regular enclosures and sparse network Parkland landscapes of hedgerows and trees; These are highly distinctive landscapes associated 0 Semi-enclosed clay wolds farmland - with large country houses and estates where a farmland with a stronger structure of formal or designed character has been imposed hedgerows and trees, either with a large-scale upon the underlying landscape. They include: regular field pattern, mostly under arable, or smaller-scale irregular fields with a more Parkland - comprising the grand designed mixed pattern of land use. landscapes of the C18 and other, smaller areas of formal parkland with typical Clay Vale Farmland characteristics of parkland trees, avenues, woods, lakes and other formal landscape The landscapes of the Upper Thames Clay Vale features; are characterised by a patchwork of arable fields and pastures, hedgerows, trees and woodland Estate farmland - the wider farmed blocks typical of much of lowland England. It is landscape of large country estates, typically underlain by Oxford Clay, alluvium and river with a mature, well-managed and well- gravels and is distinguished by its subdued and wooded character (with copses and coverts for game), and often with distinctive estate Variations in landscape quality boundaries and avenues of mature trees. and condition Sub-rural Landscapes West Oxfordshire remains a predominantly rural These are landscapes which lie within a rural district with some outstanding areas of landscape context but which have developed semi-urban and a high proportion of very attractive, unspoilt characteristics because of their land uses or countryside. The high quality of its landscape is proximity to urban influences. Their underlying confirmed by the designation of a large part of character is ovetwhelmed by specific land uses or the district within the Cotswolds Area of management regimes to produce distinctive Outstanding Natural Beauty (a national landscape types and include: designation) and by the inclusion of most of the remainder within the Area of High Landscape Rural fringe land - somewhat scruffy land Value (a local designation). (typically small, fields on the edges of settlements) which are not strictly in Given that most of the districts landscape is agricultural use, eg. pony paddocks, small- intrinsically of high quality there are, nonetheless, holdings, allotments, waste ground, disused some subtle variations in condition within it, airfields etc. even within the designated areas. These primarily result from a weakening of landscape Sports landscapes - such as golf courses and structure through intensive farming practices, playing fields, which have an intensively such as the removal of traditional dry-stone walls managed character, often unrelated to their and the creation of bare, arable 'prairies'. While landscape context; these landscapes can still be impressive, they lack the ecological or visual diversity which Airfields and MOD land - including active characterises some of the more richly-patterned airfields and defence sites with a highly landscapes. Lack of management, and some distinctive character of flat open landscape, specific land uses like quarrying, can also affect large-scale sheds, security fencing etc.; landscape and ecological condition and be destructive to 'natural' landscape elements.

0 Minerals and landfill sites - where the landscape is in the process of being Different enhancement strategies are required to physically altered through active quarrying, deal with these conditions, as defined on page 3. tipping or restoration. Their distribution across the district is illustrated in Figure 6 and summarised below. However, it Figure 5 illustrates the distribution of these must be stressed that the differences are subtle landscape types across the district as a whole and and even those landscapes within the further details of their distinguishing features are 'reconstruct category are not seriously degraded given within the individual character area by wider standards. descriptions. It is important to emphasise, however, that the 'grain' of characterisation within a district-wide assessment is too coarse to Conserve map the more localised variations in character that will inevitably occur, especially around the Landscapes which fall into the conserve category fringes of settlements. It is also important to note are those which have a particularly strong, that, because of the difficulties in drawing unspoilt character, a diverse and intact landscape accurate settlement boundaries, some landscape structure, high aesthetic appeal and a range of types may include areas of built form which do valued habitats and archaeological resources. not register within the landscape type These primarily comprise: description. the outstanding landscapes of the eighteenth century parks and other scenically attractive areas of parkland and estate landscape, the unspoilt, pastoral and tranquil floodplain and valley landscapes of the River Thames, Windrush, Evenlode and Glyme and their 0 the low-lying and windswept open arable minor tributaries; farmland of the Clay Vale, typically the scenically diverse, richly-patterned and associated with deposits of terrace gravels. textured landscapes of the northern and ironstone valleys and ridges; Reconstruct some of the other particularly attractive well- wooded and enclosed landscapes with Only a few pockets of landscape fall within the remnant ancient woodland on the limestone reconstruct category. These represent landscapes and in the vale, such as around Lew and which have undergone major change in above Swinbrook. character, such as gravel pits and limestone quarries and other fringe land uses that, in visual Strengthen terms, do not fit comfortably within the rural landscape. They include: Landscapes within the 'strengthen' category represent rural, attractive landscapes but which active and disused airfields at Brize Norton, are not quite so special or distinctive as those Enstone and near Bradwell Grove which listed above. They would benefit from some intrude upon the rural scene or have a enhancement to strengthen weakened landscape derelict and somewhat degraded character; structure and reinforce local distinctiveness. 0 pockets of land on the fringes of the main settlements which are affected by unsightly Those within the Strengthen 'a' category are those land uses and built form; which require only modest enhancement and 0 mineral extraction sites on the limestone primarily comprise: wolds and, particularly, within the clay vale, where the natural landscape has been those parts of the limestone and clay wolds disrupted or destroyed and plant, machinery, which have retained a strong structure of vehicles, road improvements etc. detract hedgerows and trees and a mixed pattern of from local landscape quality. fields and land uses (eg. the more 'ancient', assarted landscape to the south of Wychwood Forest);

0 those parts of the clay vale which have retained a strong structure of hedgerows and trees and where variations in landform and land use create some visual diversity (eg. to the south of Eynsham Park); areas of cultivated farmland within the flat river corridors which lack the pastoral qualities of the floodplain farmland but which have retained a good structure of hedgerows and trees.

Those landscapes within the Strengthen 'b category tend to be those which have a particularly denuded character. While their open character may be impressive, allowing extensive views, for example, across the Cotswold plateau, their ecological value is diminished and they lack the variety and 'health' of some of the more richly-patterned landscapes. They include:

0 the intensively farmed and highly mechanised arable 'prairie' landscapes of the open limestone wold on the Cotswold plateau; .. ...

THE CHARACTER AREAS , Ironstone Valleys and Ridg

4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

7 Wychwood Uplands

9 Shilton Downs

u -1 -1 OVERVIEW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER A topographically diverse area of complex geology to the north of Chipping Norton, where The distinctive character of this area is defined by folding and faulting have created a distinctive, its visual and physical diversity. The complex ‘corrugated‘ landscape of valleys and ridges. network of valleys and ridges and the intricate Landform has influenced land use, with a typical patchwork of fields, hedges and woodland pattern of smaller-scale fields on steeper slopes combine to create great visual diversity and a rich and valley bottoms and larger-scale fields, mostly pattern of landscape that is difficult to break under arable, on gentler, upper slopes. The area down into individual components. However, a is characterised by a generally strong landscape number of local landscape types have been structure of thick hedgerows, hedgerow trees and identified, the key characteristics of which are scattered belts of woodland. summarised below.

GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Valley landscapes To the north of Chipping Norton, the limestone plateau is broken up by a series of complex faults Valley tioor farmland

which have exposed the underlying clays and 0 distinctive flat valley floor; siltstones of the Upper and Middle Lias series. 0 predominantly permanent pasture but with These softer rocks have been eroded by pockets of cultivated land; numerous streams and rivers to form a complex 0 riparian character, with strong pattern of network of valleys separated by two main ditches often lined by willow; limestone ridges, running SW to NE, with many 0 prone to winter flooding; minor spurs and pockets of higher ground in 0 landscape structure provided by lines and between. This complex topography creates great groups of mature trees, with willow and alder variety in the landscape and a sense of intimacy conspicuous;

and enclosure within the valley bottoms. In the 0 intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral far north-western corner of the district, the land character; falls sharply into the broad low-lying clay wold moderate to low intervisibility, with some landscape of the Vale of Moreton. open views into the valley from above and some filtered longer views along the valley LAN DCOVE R floor.

Underlying geology and relief both influence Open valleys and ridges patterns of vegetation and land use. The free- distinctively complex and ‘wrinkled’ draining soils and level ground of the limestone topography of interconnected, steep-sided ridges favour intensive arable cultivation with valleys, spurs and ridges; sparse hedgerow and tree cover. In contrast, the underlain by heavily folded and faulted mixed steeper slopes and heavier clay soils of the valleys geology at junction of Oolitic Limestone and are less easily worked and have a more mixed Lias Clays; and intimate pattern of pasture and arable 0 large-scale patchwork of fields, mainly under farmland. They also support a denser network of arable cultivation, typically occupying more thick hedgerows and trees, with a higher gentle valley sides and elevated ground; frequency of woodland, some of which is of regular field boundaries with weak structure ancient origin. of hedgerows and trees; open, exposed character; high intervisibility. , Semi-enclosed valleys and ridges” 0 some visual containment provided by large distinctively com plex and ‘wrinkled ’ blocks and belts of woodland creating a topography of interconnected, steep-sided semi-enclosed character; valleys, spurs and ridges; 0 thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse underlain by heavily folded and faulted mixed natural vegetation cover and a somewhat geology at junction of Oolitic Limestone, impoverished ‘upland’ character; Ironstone and Lias Clays; 0 ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in mixed pattern of land use with pasture hedgerows dominating steeper slopes; 0 distinctive elevated and expansive character diverse field pattern, ranging from medium to in higher areas, with dominant sky; large-sized fields with straight boundaries on 0 moderate intervisibility. more gentle slopes, to smaller-scale fields with irregular field boundaries on steeper slopes, valley bottoms and around settlements; Clay wolds landscapes strong landscape structure of hedges, trees and woodland blocks; Semi-enclosed chy wolds (smaller-scale) an intimate and enclosed patchwork 0 softly rolling farmland underlain by Lower landscape formed by complex landform, Lias Clays and glacial deposits; mixed land use and strong landscape 0 mixed land use and field pattern, with a structure; patchwork of large arable fields and more moderate to low intervisibility. frequent pasture and smaller-scale fields with irregular, sinuous boundaries;

0 semi-enclosed character with views Limestone wolds landscapes contained by strong hedgerow structure with frequent mature hedgerow trees and blocks Open limestone wolds or belts of woodland; 0 large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland 0 oak dominant in hedgerows and woods; occupying the limestone plateau and diverse and pastoral character;

dipslope; 0 moderate intervisibility. 0 typically large or very large fields, with rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor Parkland landscapes condition) and weak hedgerows, with frequent gaps and very few trees; Parkland 0 productive farmland predominantly under formal, designed landscape and grounds intensive arable cultivation; surrounding large country houses; thin, well-drained calcareous and sparse soils distinctive formal landscape features, natural vegetation cover and a somewhat including avenues, free-stand ing mature impoverished ‘upland’ character; trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of very open and exposed character; woodland, exotic tree species, formal distinctive elevated and expansive character structures and boundary features; in higher areas, with dominant sky and planting and landscape character generally sweeping views across surrounding areas; unrelated to surrounding areas; high intervisibility. distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral character; Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (large-swle) mature woodland and tree cover with large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland typically enclosed character; occupying.. * the limestone plateau and low intervisibilitv. dipslope; I land use dominated by intensive arable cultivation with only occasional pasture; generally large-scale fields with rectilinear boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, typical of later enclosures; SETTLEMENT PATTERN town, forms an impressive reminder of this history. The market town of Chipping Norton is the principal settlement within this area, with a population of approaching 5,000 making it the KEY LANDMARKS AND third largest town in the district. Otherwise, LANDSCAPE FEATURES however, this area is sparsely settled with only a

couple of villages of any size (eg. Great Rollright 0 the distinctive chimney and buildings of Bliss and Salford), the remainder comprising small Mill set within an attractive valley to the west villages, hamlets and scattered farms. of Chipping Norton;

0 forts, stone circles and other important Settlement pattern is closely related to landform archaeological sites located along the with settlements principally nestling along the limestone ridge between Chastleton Hill and sheltered valley sides or deep in the valley Great Rollright; bottoms, avoiding the exposed ridge tops. attractive stone buildings within Conservation Chipping Norton is an exception to this rule, Areas and in open countryside, including however, occupying a prominent hill-top position manor houses, churches and farm buildings. where the Oolitic limestone plateau falls away north-westwards into the valley landscape of the Lias clays. Lying astride the 185m contour, it is one of the highest settlements of its size in southern England.

SETTLEME'NT CHARACTER

The most dominant landscape influences is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building material in almost all of the area's settlements. The only exception is at Chastleton where traces of the warm orange ironstone become evident in some of the buildings, moving off the limestone ridge into the Lias Clays of the Vale of Moreton. Here, the typical stone slates of buildings in the limestone settlements are also sometimes replaced by thatch.

Landform has had a bearing upon settlement form, particularly at Chipping Norton where the town has developed a distinctively linear form along the ridgeline, focused on a fine, elongated market-place. Some of the other minor settlements have a typically 'strung-out' form along a minor road, such as Chastleton and Over Norton.

Other notable physical influences include the presence of many riven and streams within the area which encoura6 ed the develoP ment of a thriving wool and weaving industry at Chipping Norton, accounting for the prosperity of the town and its many fine stone buildings. The balustraded Victorian tweed-mill of Bliss Mill, located within a minor valley to the west of the

*\ LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE ISSUES WOLDS LANDSCAPES

Most of this character area lies within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, confirming its outstanding quality and rebuild and maintain drystone walls; national significance. The remainder of the area retain and replant hedgerows and introduce lies within the locally designated Area of High more hedgerow trees, using native species Landscape Value. typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple etc.); The character area also includes a number of plant large blocks and belts of native other features of conservation value which broadleaved woodland, to link with existing -. contribute to its overall significance, including: woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland and farmland; Parks and Gardens of Special Historic introduce a strong landscape edge to Interest at Chastleton and Cornwell; Chipping Norton to soften the impact of Conservation Areas at Chastleton, Cornwell, existinglnew development; Over Norton and Chipping Norton; where possible, retain areas of existing a few scattered remnants of Ancient Semi- permanent pasture, encourage conversion of natural Woodland; arable land to pasture and discourage further a number of Scheduled Ancient field enlargement; Monuments along the main limestone encourage less intensive farming practices, the ridges. introduction of ‘natural’ vegetation cover in field headlands and margins, improve Overall, the Northern Valleys and Ridges and appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside’ have a very attractive and unspoilt, rural land; character with few detracting influences. Most repair and maintain traditional stone buildings localised variations in quality and condition are in the landscape. related to the effects of agricultural land management practice. Different strategies for management and enhancement are shown in Development sensitivities Figure 6. open -limestone wold landscapes on elevated ridgelines are very visually exposed and The principal factors that potentially threaten particularly sensitive to development; landscape quality in this area are: elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds landscapes are also visually sensitive and any agricultural intensification, particularly the development would need to be closely and conversion of grassland to arable, the removal sensitively integrated with existing buildings or of natural vegetation cover and the poor within a strong landscape structure; maintenance and loss of field boundaries; these elevated landscapes are particularly the influence of built development around the sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such fringes of Chipping Norton; as communications masts, and large buildings. ‘suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and roads. - GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY retain mature boundary trees and roadside LANDSCAPES avenues and replant as necessary; manage and extend existing areas of broadleaved woodland to maximise their Enhancement priorities wildlife and landscape value; plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved retain and manage areas of valley pasture and woodland within estate farmland to reinforce meadows and introduce new planting along enclosed, wooded character; watercourses and in lines and groups within retain areas of permanent pasture and resist valley floor, using typical riparian species such conversion to arable. as willow and alder; within more denuded valley and ridge Development sensitivities landscapes, encourage less intensive farming practices and plant new hedgerows, trees and blocks of native broadleaved woodland to 0 historic parkland landscapes are of restore typical patchwork landscape; exceptional landscape value and extremely maintain and strengthen this patchwork sensitive to development; estate farmland is also generally of high scenic within semi-enclosed valleys and ridges landscape, particularly around the fringes of quality and sensitive to development, settlements (eg. Chipping Norton); although its mature structure of woodland rebuild and maintain drystone walls; makes it more visually robust. in all landscapes, retain and replant hedgerows and introduce more hedgerow trees; GUIDELINES FOR CLAY WOLDS repair and maintain traditional stone buildings LANDSCAPES in the landscape. Enhancement priorities Development sensitivitie’s

0 retain and replant hedgerows and hedgerow unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor trees, with oak as the dominant species; valleys are of particularly high quality and where possible, encourage conversion of sensitive to development; arable land to pasture; open valley-sides and ridges are visually 0 plant large blocks and belts of native sensitive and development would be highly broadleaved woodland, to link with existing prominent and exposed; woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible of woodland and farmland. but may offer limited opportunities to absorb small-scale development within a strong Development sensitivities structure of trees and woodland or with other

bui Idi ngs; 0 open clay wold landscapes are very visually all valley landscape types would be exposed and particularly sensitive to particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall development; or large-scale structures. large-scale, semi-enclosed clay wold landscapes are also visually sensitive and any GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND development would need to be closely AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES integrated with existing buildings or within a strong landscape structure. Enhancement priorities KEY SETTLEMENTS maintain, and where necessary, restore historic parkland landscapes at Chastleton and See Part 3 for key settlement study for: Cornwell, including distinctive elements such as parkland trees, avenues, woods, copses, Chipping Norton boundary wak and structures; 3 Enstone Uplands

6 lower Evenlode Valley 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

7 Wychwood Uplands (see page 47)

9 Shilton Downs OVERVIEW woodland, avenues and mature trees are associated with the various parks and estates that This area shares the topographic complexity and are a feature of the area. patchwork landscape pattern of the Northern Valleys and Ridges area but is distinguished from LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL it by the presence of iron rich clay soils and the CHARACTER use of Ironstone as a building material, lending a distinctive red colour to soils and warm orange to Like the Northern Valleys and Ridges, the buildings. Parklands and estate villages (eg. at character of this area is defined by its overall Great Tew, Sandford St Martin and Steeple diversity, with the complex landform and the Barton) are also characteristic of this area and intricate patchwork of fields, hedges and contribute to its well-treed character. woodland combining to create a rich pattern of

I, landscape. The ironstone geology and well-treed GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM character are particularly distinctive and unifying elements in the landscape. Within the area, a The southern boundary of this area roughly number of different local landscape types have follows the line of the Sandford Fault, which been identified, the key characteristics of which marks the transition between the Great Oolitic are summarised below. Limestone to *e south and the iron-bearing rocks and clays of the Inferior Oolite and Lias. This geological boundary can be detected in the Valley landscapes different building materials to the north and south of the line, with the warm orange-coloured Minor valleys ironstone of Great Tew, for example, contrasting small-&le tributary valleys which dissect with the pale yellow coloured limestone of plateaux and valley-sides and connect with buildings further south. major valleys; pronounced v-shaped profile with steep Folding, faulting and erosion of the softer Lias sides and absence of flat valley floor; beds has produced a distinctively complex watercourse often inconspicuous or absent pattern of valleys and ridges, dominated by the (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on steep-sided east-west valleys which contain limestone); tributaries of the River Chewell. This complex shallower profile at upper end with few trees topography creates great variety in the landscape or hedges and a more open character; and a sense of intimacy and enclosure within the steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, valley bottoms, such as at Swerford. with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees and occasionally woods; LAN DCOVER enclosed, intimate character created by valley form and vegetation cover; Underlying geology and relief both influence moderate to low intervisibility. patterns of vegetation and land use. The free- draining soils and level ground of the limestone Valley floor farmland and ironstone ridges favour intensive arable distinctive flat valley floor; cultivation with sparse hedgerow and tree cover. predominantly permanent pasture but with In conba!t, the steeper slopes and heavier clay pockets of cultivated land; soils of the valleys are less easily worked and 0 riparian character, with strong pattern of have a more mixed and intimate pattern of ditches often lined by willow; pasture and arable farmland. They also support a 0 prone to winter flooding; denser network of thick hedgerows and trees, 0 landscape structure provided by lines and with a higher frequency of woodland, some of groups of mature trees, with willow and alder 7 which is of ancient origin. Large blocks of conspicuous; 0 intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral productive farmland predominantly under character; intensive arable cultivation; 0 moderate to low intervisibility, with some 0 thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse open views into the valley from above and natural vegetation cover and a somewhat some filtered longer views along the valley impoverished ’upland’ character; floor. very open and exposed character; 0 distinctive elevated and expansive character Open valleys and ridges in higher areas, with dominant sky and

0 distinctively complex and ‘wrinkled’ sweeping views across surrounding areas; topography of interconnected, steep-sided 0 high intervisibility. valleys, spurs and ridges; 0 underlain by heavily folded and faulted mixed Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (large-scale) geology at junction of Oolitic limestone, 0 large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland Ironstone and Lias Clays; occupying the limestone plateau and 0 large-scale patchwork of fields, mainly under dipslope; arable cultivation, typically occupying more 0 land use dominated by intensive arable gentle valley sides and elevated ground; cultivation with only occasional pasture; 0 regular field boundaries with weak structure 0 generally large-scale fields with rectilinear of hedgerows and trees; boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and open, exposed character; low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees,

0 high intervisibility. typical of later enclosures; 0 some visual containment provided by large Semi-enclosed valleys and ridges blocks and belts of woodland creating a 0 distinctively. complex and ‘wrinkled‘ semi-enclosed character; topography of interconnected, steep-sided 0 thin,. well-drained calcareous soils and sparse valleys, spurs and ridges; natural vegetation cover and a somewhat underlain by heavily folded and faulted mixed impoverished ‘upland‘ character; geology at junction of Oolitic Limestone, ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in ironstone and Lias Clays; hedgerows 0 mixed pattern of land use with pasture distinctive elevated and expansive character dominating steeper slopes; in higher areas, with dominant sky; 0 diverse field pattern, ranging from medium to 0 moderate intervisibility. large-sized fields with straight boundaries on more gentle slopes, to smaller-scale fields with Parkland Iand scapes irregular field boundaries on steeper slopes, valley bottoms and around settlements; Parkhnd strong landscape structure of hedges, trees formal, designed landscape and grounds and woodland blocks; surrounding large country houses; an intimate and enclosed patchwork distinctive formal landscape features, landscape formed by complex landform, including avenues, free-standing mature mixed land use and strong landscape trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of structure; woodland, exotic tree species, formal moderate to low intervisibility. structures and boundary features; planting and landscape character generally Limestone wolds landscapes unrelated to surrounding areas; distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral Open limestone wolds character; large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland 0 mature woodland and tree cover with I occupying the limestone plateau and typically enclosed character; di pslope; low intervisibility. typically large or very large fields, with rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor condition) and weak hedgerows, with frequent gaps and very few trees; Es&te farmland SETTLEMENT PATTERN 0 well-managed farmland associated with large country estates, often lying beyond formal Settlement pattern within this area is also sparse, parkland boundaries; with only one larger settlement at the Bartons 0 distinctively well-treed character, with (comprising Middle Barton and the adjoining extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and Westcott Barton) and a few smaller villages and copses (often managed for game), lines of hamlets, notably the Tews, Swerford, Over mature trees (predominantly oak) within Worton and Sandford St Martin. hedgerows, along estate boundaries and roads, estate fencing (railings and post and These are typically tucked away along the sides rail) and other estate features or buildings; or bottoms of the numerous valleys that 0 large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded characterise the area, with only a few isolated by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; farms occupying the higher, more exposed 0 land use predominantly arable but with some ground. areas of permanent pasture; 0 enclosed, secluded and private character; 0 moderate to low intervisibility. S ETTLEM ENT CHARACTE R

The most distinctive feature of the settlements in this area is the consistent use of the warm orange-coloured ironstone as the predominant building material, plus the more frequent use of thatch for roofing. This creates a strong sense of harmony and unity that is best exemplified at the estate village of Great Tew, with its highly attractive and unspoilt rows of stone estate cottages and houses.

Great Tew, together with Swerford and Sandford St Martin, are examples of ‘closed’ villages, strictly controlled by one landowner. Their unity, compactness and ordered buildings along a single street contrast with the ‘open‘ village of Middle Barton, a sprawling, unplanned settlement which follows the valley-side east of the old settlement of Westcott Barton, with a mixture of building styles and materials.

KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES

0 attractive ironstone buildings, particularly those within the estate villages (eg. Great Tew, Swerford and Sandford St Martin). LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE ISSUES WOLD LANDSCAPES

This character area is not covered by any Enhancement priorities statutory landscape designations. However, it lies within an Area of High Landscape Value 0 rebuild and maintain drystone walls; and includes a number of features of 0 retain and replant hedgerows and introduce conservation significance which contribute to its more hedgerow trees, using native species overall value, including: typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple etc.); 0 Parks and Gardens of Special Historic 0 plant large blocks and belts of native Interest at Swerford Manor and Sandford St broadleaved woodland, to link with existing Martin; woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland 0 Conservation Areas at Swerford, Great Tew, and farmland;

Ledwell, Sandford St Martin and the Bartons; 0 where possible, retain areas of existing 0 three Sites of Special Scientific Interest and permanent pasture, encourage conversion of a few scattered remnants of Ancient Semi- arable land to pasture and discourage further natural Woodland; field enlargement; 0 a small number of Scheduled Ancient encourage less intensive farming practices, the Monuments along the main limestone introduction of ’natural’ vegetation cover in ridges. field headlands and margins, improve appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside’ Overall, the Ironstone Valleys and Ridges and land; have a very attractive and unspoilt, rural repair and maintain traditional stone buildings character with few detracting influences. Most in the landscape. localised variations in quality and condition are related to the effects of agricultural land Development sensitivities management practice. Different strategies for management and enhancement are shown in open limestone wold landscapes on elevated Figure 6. ridgelines are very visually exposed and particularly sensitive to development; The principal factors that potentially threaten 0 elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds landscape quality in this area are: landscapes are also visually sensitive and any development would need to be closely and 0 agricultural intensification, particularly the sensitively integrated with existing buildings or conversion of grassland to arable, the removal within a strong landscape structure; of natural vegetation cover and the poor these elevated landscapes are particularly maintenance and loss of field boundaries; sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such expansion and ‘suburbanisation‘ of rural as communications masts, and large buildings. settlements and roads; poor maintenance of some traditional stone buildings and historic parkland landscapes. GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND LANDSCAPES AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities Enhancement priorities

retain and manage areas of valley pasture and maintain, and where necessary, restore meadows and introduce new planting along parkland landscapes at Swerford, Great Tew, watercourses and in lines and groups within Sandford St Martin and Barton Abbey, valley floor, using typical riparian species such including distinctive elements such as as willow and alder; parkland trees, avenues, woods, copses, within more denuded valley and ridge boundary walls and structures; landscapes, encourage less intensive farming retain mature boundary trees and roadside practices and plant new hedgerows, trees and avenues and replant as necessary; blocks of native broadleaved woodland to manage and extend existing areas of restore typical patchwork landscape; broadleaved woodland to maximise their maintain and strengthen this patchwork wildlife and landscape value; within semi-enclosed valleys and ridges plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved landscape; woodland within estate farmland to reinforce rebuild and maintain drystone walls; enclosed, wooded character; in all valley landscapes, retain and replant retain areas of permanent pasture and resist hedgerows and introduce more hedgerow conversion to arable. trees; repair and maintain traditional stone buildings Development sensitivities in the landscape. parkland landscapes and their component Development sensitivities features are of high landscape value and very sensitive to development; unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor estate farmland is also generally of high scenic valleys are of particularly high quality and quality and sensitive to development, sensitive to development; although its mature structure of woodland open valley-sides and ridges are visually makes it more visually robust sensitive and development would be highly prominent and exposed; enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible but may offer limited opportunities to absorb small-scale development within a strong structure of trees and woodland or with other buiIdi ngs; all valley landscape types would be particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall or large-scale structures. Ironstone Valleys and Ridg

4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

7 Wychwood Uplands (see page 47)

9 Shilton Downs

13 Western Thames Fringes

u LZZl OVE RVI E w LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER This area occupies a high limestone plateau, dissected by the River Glyme but otherwise The overall character of this area is dominated by characterised by rolling landform with a its limestone geology, forming the typically large- distinctively elevated and open character. scale, open and elevated landscape of the Intensive arable farming predominates, with limestone wolds. However, there is a sharp large-scale fields bounded by dry-stone walls and contrast between this and the heavily wooded hedges. Thin, dry calcareous soils over limestone and enclosed parkland and estate character result in a generally sparse vegetation cover (apart around Heythrop House which dominates the from woodland associated with Heythrop House northern part of the plateau and the minor river and Park) and characteristic species (eg. ash, valleys. Within these broad differences, a hazel and field maple). number of different local landscape types have been identified, the key characteristics of which are summarised below. GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM

This area occupies the most elevated part of the Valley landscapes Oolitic Limestane plateau within the district, rising from the edge of the Evenlode Valley to Minor valley over 220m AOD along its north-western edge small-scale tributary valleys which dissect around Chipping Norton. Across most of the plateaux and valley-sides and connect with area, the limestone forms a smooth, elevated and major valleys; gently rolling plateau but its centre is sharply pronounced v-shaped profile with steep dissected by the steep-sided, narrow valleys of sides and absence of flat valley floor; the River Glyme and its tributaries. The most watercourse often inconspicuous or absent southerly of these follows the Glyme Valley Fault (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on line which marks a subtle change in geology limestone); between the Great Oolitic Limestone to the shallower profile at upper end with few trees south and the older Chipping Norton Limestone or hedges and a more open character; to the north. steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees LANDCOVER and occasionally woods; enclosed, intimate character created by The free-draining soils of the limestone plateau valley form and vegetation cover; are typically characterised by large-scale arable moderate to low intervisibility. farming, with large fields enclosed by stone walls or low, clipped hedges, and sparse natural Limestone wolds landscapes vegetation cover. However, the northern part of the plateau is transformed by the parkland and Open limestone wolds estate landscape of Heythrop House, with large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland extensive planted woodland and belts of trees occupying the limestone plateau and creating an enclosed, intimate character both dipslope; wlthln and between the rlver valleys. typically large or very large fields, with rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor condition) and weak hedgerows, with frequent gaps and very few trees;

0 productive farmland predominantly under intensive arable cultivation; _I thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse Estate farmland natural vegetation cover and a somewhat well-managed farmland associated with large impoverished ‘upland’ character; country estates, often lying beyond formal very open and exposed character; parkland boundaries; distinctive elevated and expansive character distinctively well-treed character, with in higher areas, with dominant sky and extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and sweeping views across surrounding areas; copses (often managed for game), lines of high intervisibility. mature trees (predominantly oak) within hedgerows, along estate boundaries and Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (latge-sale)- roads, estate fencing (railings and post and large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland rail) and other estate features or buildings; occupying the limestone plateau and large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded dipslope; by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; land use dominated by intensive arable land use predominantly arable but with some cultivation with only occasional pasture; areas of permanent pasture; generally large-scale fields with rectilinear enclosed, secluded and private character; boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and moderate to low intervisibility low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, typical of later enclosures; Su b-rural landscapes some visual containment provided by large blocks and belts of woodland creating a Sprt landscapes semi-enclosed character; manicured or intensively managed land thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse under amenity use (eg. golf courses or natural vegetation cover and a somewhat playing fields); impoverished ‘upland’ character; landform, planting character and features ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in (eg. lakes, bunkers) often unrelated to hedgerows landscape context; distinctive elevated and expansive character suburban influences of clubhouses, gates and in higher areas, with dominant sky; car parking; moderate intervisibility. open, expansive character, particularly where planting has not yet matured; Parkland landscapes moderate to high intervisibility.

Parkhnd Aifields and MOD land formal, designed landscape and grounds active or disused airfield sites that typically surrounding large country houses; occupy flat, exposed and prominent distinctive formal landscape features, locations; includi ng avenues, f ree-standi ng mature open, expansive and bleak character with trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of very weak landscape structure; woodland, exotic tree species, formal visually prominent buildings and features (eg. structures and boundary features; large hangars, sheds, high security fencing, planting and landscape character generally aircraft etc.) unrelated to surrounding areas; air of dereliction and neglect on disused sites; distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral high intervisibility. character; mature woodland and tree cover with typically enclosed character; low intervisibility. SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES This area is sparsely settled, particularly on the exposed high limestone plateau around Enstone

which provides an inhospitable environment for 0 buildings and formal features associated with settlement and supports only a scattering of Heythrop House and Park;

individual farmsteads. Their even distribution 0 detracting features of prominent sheds and suggests that many were the product of the buildings at Enstone airfield. parliamentary enclosures, when the open grasslands and wastes of the limestone plateaux were parcelled up into individual farming units centred around a new farmhouse.

Most farms and settlements are located in the shelter of the river valleys which dissect the plateau, either nestling along the side, such as _- Enstone itself, or deep in the valley bottoms close to a ready supply of water. Enstone, the largest settlement in the area, was also an important staging post along the medieval highway and later turnpike road between London and Worcester, now the A44.

Heythrop House is a notable exception to this overall pattern, with the house and park occupying a long finger of landform between two tributary valleys of the River Glyme, presumably for dramatic effect Its prominent location is, however, sheltered by the extensive planted woodlands

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

Like most Cotswold settlements, the most dominant landscape influence is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building and walling material, with roofs constructed of Stonesfield slates.

Landform has had a bearing upon settlement form, with buildings typically clustered in the valley bottom, often on either side of a ford or bridge (eg. Lidstone), or strung our along a single road (eg. at Heythrop). Enstone itself has a more straggly form which reflects its ‘unplanned’ growth over the centuries along the highway. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE ISSUES WOLDS LANDSCAPES

Part of this character area lies within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, confirming its outstanding quality and rebuild and maintain drystone walls; national significance. The remainder of the area 0 retain and replant hedgerows and introduce lies within the locally designated Area of High more hedgerow trees, using native species Landscape Value. typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple etc.); The character area also includes a number of plant large blocks and belts of native other features of conservation value which broadleaved woodland, to link with existing contribute to its overall significance, including: woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland and farmland; 0 the Park and Garden of Special Historic where possible, retain areas of existing Interest at Heythrop House ; permanent pasture, encourage conversion of 0 one Site of Special Scientific Interest and arable land to pasture and discourage further several Scheduled Ancient Monuments field enlargement; dispersed across the plateau. 0 encourage less intensive farming practices, the introduction of ‘natural’ vegetation cover in Overall, the Enstone Uplands have an attractive field headlands and margins, improve and unspoilt, rural character but with occasional appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside‘ detracting influences, such as Enstone Airfield. land; Most localised variations in quality and condition repair and maintain traditional stone buildings are related to the effects of agricultural land in the landscape. management practice. Different strategies for management and enhancement are shown in Development sensitivities Figure 6.

0 elevated, open limestone wold landscapes are The principal factors that potentially threaten very visually exposed and particularly landscape quality in this area are: sensitive to development;

0 elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds 0 agricultural intensification, particularly the landscapes are also visually sensitive and any conversion grassland to arable, the removal of development would need to be closely and of natural vegetation cover and the poor sensitively integrated with existing buildings or maintenance and loss of field boundaries; within a strong landscape structure; 0 visual intrusion of large prominent buildings these elevated landscapes are particularly or structures within visually exposed, elevated sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such landscapes, eg. at Enstone Airfield; as communications masts, and large buildings. 0 small-scale quarrying activity; 0 ‘suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and roads. GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities Enhancement priorities

0 maintain, and where necessary, restore 0 improve the quality of the boundaries around historic parkland landscape at Heythrop, Enstone Airfield by new planting and including distinctive elements such as improved management, to reduce impact of parkland trees, avenues, lakes, rides, woods, intrusive structures, fencing and land uses; copses, boundary walls and structures; 0 plant blocks and belts of trees at strategic 0 retain mature boundary trees and roadside locations around the airfield site, eg. along avenues and replant as necessary; roadsides, to reduce the visual prominence of 0 manage and extend existing areas of buildings;

broadleaved woodland to maximise their 0 encourage appropriate restoration and wildlife and landscape value; afteruse of quarry workings, in keeping with 0 plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved rural landscape context. woodland within estate farmland to reinforce enclosed, wooded character; Development sensitivities retain areas of permanent pasture and resist conversion to arable. 'brown-field' site of Enstone Airfield potentially more tolerant of development but Development sensitivities prominent plateau location and rural context are limiting factors; historic parkland landscapes are of any development of these sites should be set exceptional landscape value and extremely within a strong landscape infrastructure to sensitive to development; minimise landscape and visual impacts; estate farmland is also generally of high scenic the introduction of urbanising influences, eg. quality and sensitive to development, styles of buildings, highway treatments and although its mature structure of woodland lighting would be potentially damaging to the makes it more visually robust. rural character of the surrounding landscape.

GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY KEY SETTLEMENTS LANDSCAPES See Part 3 for key settlement study for: Enhancement priorities Chipping Norton retain and manage areas of valley pasture and meadows and, where possible, convert arable fields to grassland; 0 introduce new woodland planting along the valley-sides.

Development sensitivities

the intimate landscape of the minor valleys has a rural, pastoral and generally unspoilt character and is very sensitive to built development; the upper, more open valley-sides are particularly visually sensitive and development -. would be highly prominent and exposed. 3 Enstone Uplands

Upper Evenlode Valle 6 Lower Evenlode Valley

7 Wychwood Uplands

9 Shilton Downs

13 Western Tharnes Fringes OVE RVI E w LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER This is an area of rolling limestone landscape which is heavily dissected by the valleys of the The parkland and estate landscapes are the Glyme, Dorn and Cherwell and distinguished by dominant feature of this area, creating a large- a particular concentration of formal parks, scale mosaic of woodland and farmland within designed landscapes and estate farmland which are set the mansions and formal elements (Blenheim, Ditchley, Glympton, Kiddington, of the designed parkland landscape. However, a Rousham, etc). The parks have extensive areas number of different local landscape types have of woodland and the landscape generally has a been identified within the area, the key well-managed character typical of large estates. characteristics of which are summarised below.

GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Valley landscapes This area forms the lower, easternmost part of the Oolitic Limestone plateau. In common with the Minor valley Enstone Uplands which adjoin it to the west, it small-s&le tributary valleys which dissect forms a smooth, elevated and gently rolling plateaux and valley-sides and connect with landscape which is sharply dissected by a major valleys; number of steep-sided river valleys. These pronounced v-shaped profile with steep include the deep, narrow and winding valley of sides and absence of flat valley floor; the River Glyme and its minor tributaries, the watercourse often inconspicuous or absent Dorn Valley which follows a major fault line, and (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on parts of the much larger Cherwell Valley along its limestone); eastern edge. shallower profile at upper end with few trees or hedges and a more open character; To the west of the Clyme Valley, geology is steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, dominated by the Great Oolitic Limestone. with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees However, to the east around Tackley it is capped and occasionally woods; by Cornbrash Limestone and Oxford Clay, while enclosed, intimate character created by the underlying Lias Clays are exposed within the valley form and vegetation cover; Cherwell Valley. moderate to low intervisibility.

LANDCOVER Valley ffoorfarmland distinctive flat valley floor; Geology is reflected in vegetation character, with predominantly permanent pasture but with intensive arable farming on the limestone and by pockets of cultivated land; the presence of woodland and remnant heath on 0 riparian character, with strong pattern of the heavier, less workable soils of the Oxford ditches often lined by willow; Clay. Across much of this area, however, the 0 prone to winter flooding; natural patterns of vegetation have been masked landscape structure provided by lines and by the designed landscapes of formal parks and groups of mature trees, with willow and alder estates, including the magnificent picturesque conspicuous; landscapes of Blenheim Palace and Rousham as 0 intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral well as Ditchley Park and lesser known, smaller character; parks at Kiddington, Clympton and Tackley. moderate to low intervisibility, with some Surrounding these parks, the wider estate open views into the valley from above and landscape is dominated by extensive woodland some filtered longer views along the valley . and tree planting, which give the area its heavily floor. wooded character. Semi-enclosed valleyside farmland Parkland landscapes distinctive sloping, and typically convex, valley-side landform; Parkland e mixed pattern of land use and strong e formal, designed landscape and grounds structure of hedgerows, trees and woodland; surrounding large country houses;

e more enclosed character with low 0 distinctive formal landscape features, intervisibility along the valley sides but including avenues, free-stand ing mature prominent in views from within and across trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of the valley. woodland, exotic tree species, formal structures and boundary features; Limestone wolds landscapes planting and landscape character generally unrelated to surrounding areas; Open limestone wolds distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral e large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland character; occupying the limestone plateau and e mature woodland and tree cover with dipslope; typically enclosed character; e /- typically large or very large fields, with low intervisibility. rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor Eshte farmland condition) and weak hedgerows, with well-managed farmland associated with large frequent gaps and very few trees; country estates, often lying beyond formal 0 productive farmland predominantly under parkland boundaries; intensive arable cultivation; distinctively well-treed character, with e thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and natural vegetation cover and a somewhat copses (often managed for game), lines of impoverished ‘upland‘ character; mature trees (predominantly oak) within e very open and exposed character; hedgerows, along estate boundaries and e distinctive elevated and expansive character roads, estate fencing (railings and post and in higher areas, with dominant sky and rail) and other estate features or buildings; sweeping views across surrounding areas; large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded e high intervisibility. by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; land use predominantly arable but with some Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (IarRe-scalel areas of permanent pasture; large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland enclosed, secluded and private character; occupying the limestone plateau and moderate to low intervisibility dipslope; land use dominated by intensive arable cultivation with only occasional pasture; generally large-scale fields with rectilinear boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, typical of later enclosures; some visual containment provided by large blocks and belts of woodland creating a semi-enclosed character; thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse natural vegetation cover and a somewhat imP overished ‘u Pland’ character; ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in hedgerows; distinctive elevated and expansive character in higher areas, with dominant sky; moderate intervisibility. .- SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES The pattern of settlement in this area has not only been influenced by physical landscape factors 0 mansions and formal parkland features of the but also by the historic development of the major eighteenth century designed landscapes of parklands and estates which dominate the area. Blenheim Palace, Rousham and Ditchley Park; Although prehistoric and Roman settlers 0 attractive stone buildings within Conservation occupied and farmed large parts of the limestone Areas and in open countryside, including uplands, it is the river valleys which were most manor houses, churches and farm buildings. favoured by Saxon and later settlers for their shelter and ready source of water. Most of the surviving settlements are, therefore, located within the main valley systems of the River Glyrne, Dorn and Cherwell, typically clustered in the valley bottoms (eg. Glympton) although some have since grown up the valley sides (eg. Wootton).

The principal settlement of the area is Woodstock, which owes its existence to a hunting lodge for the use of Saxon Kings within the surrounding Wychwood Forest. The old town occupies the sides of the Glyme Valley but New Woodstock was built on the higher ground to the south as a medieval new town to serve the Royal Palace. Other hamlets and farms were established above the river valleys as part of large country estates, such as at Ditchley and Clympton.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the most dominant landscape influence is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building and walling material, with roofs typically constructed of stone slates from the nearby Stonesfield quarries.

Settlement form is influenced by landform, with buildings typically clustered in the valley bottom, often on either side of a ford or bridge as at Glyrnpton, or lining a single road up the valley- side as at Wootton. The 'closed' villages of the major estates (eg. Glympton and Tackley) tend to have a particularly unified and ordered form and character. The form of the latter, however, has been influenced by its proximity to the railway line and development next to the station during this century. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND ISSUES AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES

This character area is outside the Cotswolds Enhancement priorities AONB but it lies within an Area of High Landscape Value and includes some of the most maintain, and where necessary, restore outstanding designed landscapes in the country historic parkland landscapes and features, and a number of other features of conservation including distinctive elements such as significance which contribute to its overall value, parkland trees, avenues, lakes, rides, woods, including: copses, boundary walls and structures; retain mature boundary and roadside trees 0 Parks and Gardens of Special Historic and replant as necessary; _-- Interest at Blenheim Palace, Ditchley Park, manage and extend existing areas of Rousham and Kiddington; woodland to maximise their wildlife and 0 Conservation Areas at Woodstock, Wootton landscape value; and Tackley; plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved 0 three Sites of Special Scientific Interest, a woodland within estate farmland to reinforce Local Nature Reserve and extensive typically enclosed, well-wooded character; remnants , of ancient semi-natural retain areas of permanent pasture and resist woodland; further conversion to arable. 0 a significant concentration of Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the Ditchley area. Development sensitivities

The Eastern Parks and Valleys contains large areas 0 historic parkland landscapes are of of high quality, unspoilt and valued landscape exceptional landscape value and extremely with a rural and attractive character. There are a sensitive to development; few detracting influences around settlements and 0 estate farmland is also generally of high scenic main roads but the localised variations in quality quality and sensitive to development, and condition are mainly related to the effects of although its mature structure of woodland agricultural land management practice. Different makes it more visually robust strategies for management and enhancement are shown in Figure 6.

UIDELINES IMESTONE The principal factors that potentially threaten G FOR L landscape quality in this area are: WOLDS LANDSCAPES

agricultural intensification, particularly the Enhancement priorities conversion of grassland to arable, the removal of natural vegetation cover and the poor rebuild and maintain drystone walls; maintenance and loss of field boundaries; retain and replant hedgerows and introduce 0 loss of semi-natural broad-leaved woodland more hedgerow trees, using native species or conversion to commercial coniferous typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple woodland; etc.); visual intruiion of prominent structures such plant large blocks and belts of native as communication masts and large farm broadleaved woodland, to link with existing buildings; woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland

0 ‘suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and and farmland; road corridors. where possible, retain areas of existing permanent pasture, encourage conversion of arable land to pasture and discourage further 0 enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible field enlargement; but may offer limited opportunities to absorb encourage less intensive farming practices, the small-scale development within a strong introduction of ‘natural’ vegetation cover in structure of trees and woodland or with other field headlands and margins, improve buiId i ngs; appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside‘ 0 all valley landscape types would be land; particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall repair and maintain traditional stone buildings or large-scale structures. in the landscape.

Development sensitivities KEY SETTLEMENTS

0 elevated, open limestone wold landscapes are See Part 3 for key settlement study for: very visually exposed and particularly sensitive to development; Woodstock 0 the large-scale semi-enclosed limestone wolds

/- landscapes are also visually sensitive and any development would need to be closely and sensitively integrated with existing buildings or contained within a strong landscape structure; 0 open landscapes are particularly sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such as communications masts, and large buildings.

GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities

retain and manage areas of floodplain pasture and meadows and encourage conversion of arable fields to grassland; reintroduce traditional practices of willow pollarding and ditch management; introduce new planting along watercourses and in lines and groups within valley floor, using typical riparian species such as willow and alder; where possible, introduce new woodland planting along the valley-sides and within minor valleys to reinforce their enclosed, intimate character.

Development sensitivities

unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor valleys are of particularly high quality and sensitive to development; open valley-sides are visually sensitive and development would be highly prominent and exposed; KEY SETTLEMENTS I N T ROD U CT I ON Hard urban edge - where development forms a stark and visually prominent 'edge' to the The following pages present the findings of a settlement. This type of edge is often more detailed analysis of the character and characteristic of more recent, higher density sensitivities of the landscape surrounding a development which is regimented and lacking in number of key settlements. These comprise the variety and form, bounded by fences rather than District's main local service centres, with the hedgerows with a poor landscape structure addition of Ducklington (because of its proximity within the built area. The edges require to Witney) and Milton-under-Wychwood, as a 'softening' and 'breaking up' (eg. through planting) secondary local centre within the AONB. The to help integrate development within the ten key settlements are: landscape.

Bampton Strong landscape edges - where landscape Burford features, typically landform (valleys or ridges) and Carterton belts of vegetation (hedgerows, trees, woods etc.) Char1bury form a strong boundary and help to define the Chipping Norton physical or 'natural' setting of the settlement. Ducklington Where the landscape edge to a settlement is Eynsham weak (eg. with few trees and fences replacing hedgerows) the creation of a strong, defensible Milton-under-Wychwood landscape edge is beneficial, creating a distinct Witney - but 'soft boundary between 'town' and country. Woodstock

Strongedweaker landscape structure - the For each Settlement, the landscape around its condition and 'intactness' of the structural immediate fringes is divided into sectors which components of the landscape (eg hedgerows, are described in turn under the following trees, woods, field patterns, walls etc.) affect headings: landscape quality and visual sensitivity. Where these elements are strong, the landscape is often landscape characteristics - a summary of more attractive and in 'good health' and views the main features which characterise the may be restricted. Where they are weak or landscape surrounding the settlement; absent, the landscape may lack the diversity and visual characteristics - a summary of the quality of other areas but is likely to be visually degree to which the landscape is open or sensitive and exposed to views. A combination enclosed by landform or vegetation and of these factors will influence its overall sensitivity exposed to views; to change. key landscape sensitivities and considerations - a summary of the key Open views - particularly open views across the factors that affect landscape quality and may surrounding landscape, both inwards and influence its ability to accommodate change. outwards from the settlement The arrows indicate particularly prominent and visually The accompanying maps identify a number of sensitive areas or important views to be key features, briefly explained below. maintained. Landmark - visually prominent and distinctive Key areas - the division of the surrounding landscape features, such as church spires, which landscape into TQQR whish may haye AP~ifipbhnt to the character the settlement OC characteristics in common. The outwards It is particularly important to maintain views of boundary of these sectors is arbitrary and simply these features. marks the general distance away from the settlement over which the analysis was undertaken. (CHARACTER AREA: 10)

A: BAMPTON NORTH B: BAMPTON EAST

Landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics

mixture of open, rolling vale farmland and mostly, open, rolling vale farmland and a semi enclosed flat vale farmland following small area of open flat vale farmland in the Shill Brook; north east adjoining a similarly large area of east of the A4095, gently rolling farmland, semi enclosed flat vale farmland south of the weak landscape structure; 64449; large scale, predominantly arable in rectilinear predominantly.largerectilinear arable fields; pattern; open in character; urbanhural boundary quite distinct; weak landscape structure, few trees, gappy west of A4095, smaller scale, mostly arable, hedgerows and fences; stronger landscape structure; very clearly defined edge between rural and soft rural edge merges with urban edge; urban;

Visual characteristics Visual characteristics

0 rolling topography and intervening vegetation generally high intervisibility north of the masks urban edge east of A4095; 84449, open views and prominent skylines 0 urban edge also partially softened by viewed from the urban edge; vegetation; views out from urban edge very open but

0 important views of town on approach generally u nspoiIt; including church spire; harsh urban edge along the eastern boundary attractive rural edge to the town east of of Bampton, prominent buildings, road A4095. lighting etc; urban edge slightly scruffy appearance in Key sensitivities and considerations places; church spire an important landmark.

0 need to maintain quality of rural edge north of the town; Key sensitivities and considerations 0 important to consider silhouette of town viewed from the north; very sensitive to need to soften appearance of the eastern change; edge of Bampton; need to strengthen landscape structure west need to strengthen landscape structure of A4095. particularly in the open vale landscapes; need to resist any further urbanisation of road corridor outside the urban area; special attention should be given to strengthening landscape edges.

,-, ‘d c: BAMPTON SOUTH D: BAMPTON WEST AND SHILL BROOK Landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics mixture of open, flat vale farmland west of

Buckland Road and semi-enclosed flat vale 0 ribbon of semi-enclosed floodplain pasture farmland to the east; following Shill Brook. Further west semi- triangular area of land at Calais Farm is mostly enclosed flat farmland and more open flat small scale pasture; farmland beyond; low-lying, good hedgerow structure, mostly 0 western edge of Bampton dominated by the attractive but scruffy in places, few urban attractive composition of floodplain, mature influences; willow and the church; soft rural edge merges with urban edge rural edge penetrates into the heart of the large open area south has a fringe of well town, very soft and pastoral; vegetated small scale pasture north of Shill semi-enclosed, strong landscape structure; Brook but is predominantly large scale open further west more open, large arable fields arable fields; and a weaker landscape structure; fewer trees weak landscape structure, few trees, gappy and hedgerows. hedgerows; detracting presence of ‘urban’ uses, recreation ground, car parking, sewage works, radio station.

Visual character istics

high intervisibility across open area prominent intrusive urban elements such as recreation floodlighting, radio masts, sewage works ; poor approach into Bampton on Buckland Road due to ribbon development and other Wew of the western edge of Bampton urban influences; 0 urban edge north of Shill Brook softened by Visual characteristics vegetation; important views of town on approach including church spire. 0 generally low intervisibility due to mature vegetation and small scale landscape; Key sensitivities and considerations high intervisibility further west; 0 attractive approach into the town from the west; need to resist further urbanisation of 0 important high quality views of the church countryside south of Bampton; and pastoral edge of the town from the west, need to strengthen structure of open extremely sensitive to change; landscapes; equally attractive views out from the urban need to integrate existing uses within a edge along Shill Brook. stronger landscape structure; 8 need to improve approach to Bampton along Buckland Road. Key sensitivities and considerations

0 need to resist any change to the rural character along the western fringe of the town;

0 need to maintain strong landscape character particularly in the floodplain;

0 need to maintain the quality of the approach from the west;

0 important to avoid any change which might interfere with important views. (CHARACTER AREAS: 8,9)

A: NORTH OF BURFORD Key sensitivities and considerations

Landscape characteristics 0 classic view of Burford - very sensitive to change;

0 need to maintain strong landscape structure; 0 semi-enclosed valley floor farmland; 0 approach on both A424 and A361 already 0 highly distinctive and attractive flat valley urban in character in places - need to resist floor, predominantly pasture; increased urbanisation such as kerbs, signage, 0 low lying, riparian character; lighting etc., particularly through Fulbrook; 0 mature willows, strong landscape structure; 0 need to maintain strategic gap between 0 distinct boundary between edge of town and Fulbrook and Burford. valley floor. --, Visual characteristics B: EAST OF BURFORD

0 moderate intervisibility, distant views limited by topography and intervening vegetation; Landscape characteristics 0 good views along the valley floor;

0 classic pastoral view from approach on A424- 0 semi-enclosed valley side farmland; composition of valley floor, Cotswold stone 0 north-facing valley side, steep in places

bridge, buildings and church nestling in the 0 medium scale rectilinear fields, predominantly valley; arable; 0 mature vegetation - soft urban edge; 0 good hedgerow structure but open character 0 A361 corridor through Fulbrook - too urban in parts; in character; 0 distinct boundary between urban area and 0 important elevated views over Burford and open land. the valley from Fulbrook and Westhall Hill; 0 traffic on A40 visible on the skyline. Visual characteristics

0 moderate to high intervisibility, distant views along and across the valley;

0 valleyside/urban edge very visible from Fulbrook; 0 classic distant view of the church spire approaching Burford on the A40;

0 urban edge harsh in places, particularly viewed from A40 entering Burford and on Witney Street; 0 urban silhouette from valley floor harsh in places; 0 high quality views out over the valley from L4ew of Budord from Fulbrook the urban edge; Traffic on A40 visible on the skyline. Key sensitivities and considerations e need to strengthen landscape structure on the urban edge. urban edge needs softening; any changes to the urban edge would be D: WEST OF BURFORD highly visible from a number of key vantage points; Land scape characteristics e need to strengthen landscape structure on valley sides, particularly close to the A40. e open limestone wolds farmland and semi- enclosed valley side farmland; OF c: SOUTH BURFORD e either side of the A40 - elevated open farmland, weak landscape structure; Landscape characteristics e predominantly arable, large scale; e break in slope - smaller scale fields, good open limestone wolds farmland and amenity hedgerows, still open in character; landscape; e area around the Priory well-wooded and south of the A40 - elevated open farmland, enclosed; weak landscape structure; e low key recreation ground and playing fields rural character affected by presence of garden act as a buffer on urban edge; centre/ nursery, golf course, large houses on e boundary between urban area and open land the 64020 and Burford School; partly complicated by the uses described rural character similarly affected by busy A40; above; boundary between urban area and open land e mature vegetation helps soften edges; complicated by the uses described above; e Priory Wood a key landscape feature on the mature vegetation helps soften edges. western edge of the town; e rural fringe attractive and unspoilt Visual characteristics Visual characteristics high intervisibility on open farmland - very limited visibility within edge uses described high intervisibility on open farmland above; immediately west of the town; A40 follows ridgeline which is highly visible important views of Burford from the A40 over a wide area; western approach and long distance views classic views of Burford from the A40 eastern across the valley; approach and long distance views across the urban edge quite soft; valley; distant views of western edge from the north A40 character very urbanised between limited by Priory Wood. Burford Garden Centre and Burford School. A361 approach affected by suburban Key sensitivities and considerations character of golf course. need to strengthen landscape structure Key sensitivities and considerations particularly on open farmland - repair walls etc; need to resist any further urbanisation of the need to maintain and enhance landscape A40 corridor - any changes would be highly structure at the urban edge; visible - opportunity to make improvements low key recreation areas important as a to Witney Street - avenue trees?; buffer. e need to strengthen landscape structure particularly on open farmland - repair walls etc; need to soften landscape edge at Garden Centre - screen car parking etc and soften west of Burford School; rpj_ edge (CHARACTER AREA; 9) ~

A NORTH OF CARTERTON B: EAST OF CARTERTON landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics

open limestone wolds farmland and rural open limestone wolds farmland, rural fringe fringe landscapes; farmland and airfield; mostly large-scale, gently rolling farmland mostly large-scale, gently rolling farmland mostly arable; mostly arable; large rectilinear fields, weak landscape large rectilinear fields, weak landscape structure; structure; plateau location; plateau location; land forms an important buffer between small area of rural fringe including Carterton and Shilton; ' horsicultu re'; part of area allocated for development; large part of the area allocated for small area of rural fringe including development.. 'horsicu Iture'; urban rural edge quite distinct except along small area of recreational land; the Carterton Road corridor where urban urbanlrural edge untidy and 'straggly'. edge is more 'straggly'; perimeter buildings, structure and boundary Visual characteristics treatment of Brize Norton Airfield adversely affect the landscape gap separating Carterton and Brize Norton village. high intervisibility over most of the area to the north, views limited within fringe area, hidden pockets of land; Visual characteristics ridgeline east of Shilton carrying the 84020 - very sensitive to landscape change; high intetvisibility, extensive, uninterrupted urban edge softened by vegetation but scruffy views across open land; appearance; views out over countryside to the north intrusive features such as floodlighting. largely unspoilt by urban influences; views east in and out of Carterton dominated Key sensitivities and considerations by intrusive presence of airfield; prominent urban edge to Carterton, highly need to strengthen landscape edge; visible on the skyline; need to improve overall landscape quality and dreary urban character of approach road from the east, numerous intrusive urban elements. ensure that new development on allocated land strengthens the landscape edge and maintains buffer between Carterton and S hi Iton. Key sensitivities and considerations D: WEST OF CARTERTON

need to substantially raise environmental Landscape characteristics quality throughout the whole area and ensure that new development strengthens landscape enclosed, minor valley and open limestone edges; wolds farmland, need to soften existing harsh urban edges and attractive, steep, well-vegetated minor valley to improve the landscape quality of the main immediately to the west of Carterton, approach into Carterton from the east; provides a very strong landscape edge; need to strengthen landscape structure of open, elevated, large scale rectilinear fields farmland, more hedgerows/stone walls and beyond the valley to the west; more hedgerow trees; strong landscape edge reinforced by need to maintain strategic gap between topography; Carterton and Brize Norton village. rural character largely unaffected by urban influences. C BLACK BOURTON (LAND

T- SOUTH OF BRIZE NORTON Visual character ist ics AIRFIELD) generally high intervisibility except in the river Landscape characteristics valley where views in and out are limited by topography and intervening vegetation; semi-enclosed flat vale farmland; urban edge strongly silhouetted in views from mostly flat arable land with strong landscape the west and very sensitive to change; structure of willow-lined ditches, hedgerows; mature vegetation generally softens urban and occasional woodland blocks; edge;

0 attractive smaller scale character around Black good unspoilt views out from urban edge; Bourton; good landscape approach from the west along occasional intrusive elements such as B4020. mushroom farm, sewage works and the airfield. Key sensitivities and considerations

Visual characteristics minor valley an important landscape resource and sensitive to change; low to moderate intervisibility over most of western edge of Carterton sensitive to change the area to the south, views filtered by - particularly sensitive skyline; intervening vegetation; need to maintain landscape strength along scruffy appearance to edge of airfield; western fringe and particularly within the intrusive features such as security fencing and minor valley. large buildi rigs and structu res.

Key sensitivities and considerations

need to maintain strong landscape structure to assist in containment of intrusive elements; need to maintain attractive landscape character around Black Bourton; need to improve landscape edge to the airfield. (CHARACTER AREA: 6)

A: NORTH AND WEST OF B: NORTH AND EAST OF CHAR L B U RY CHAR LB u RY

Landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics

0 enclosed, minor valley, semi-enclosed valley- open limestone wolds farmland and semi- side farmland, and semi-enclosed limestone enclosed limestone wolds farmland; wolds farmland; 0 mixture of medium to large scale open, 0 all the landscapes described are small to elevated farmland with a weak landscape medium scale with a strong landscape structure in places and medium scale -. structure; farmland with thick hedgerows and hedgerow 0 attractive mosaic of small-scale, irregular- trees; shaped fields with thick hedgerows; 0 predominantly arable; 0 important contribution to the setting of the 0 largely unspoilt, but some rural fringe town; activities including quarrying, honiculture; 0 small scale valley intimate character - acts as a good landscape structure generally, slightly strong landscape edge to the urban area; weaker in open areas. 0 steep valley s'ides up to 10%; 0 largely unspoilt by urban influences. Visual charade ristics

Visual characteristics 0 open areas, high intervisibility, elevated views over Charlbury to Wychwood Forest;

0 low to moderate intervisibility, with thick 0 moderate intervisibility within the valley hedgerows and hedgerow trees limiting views; (Clarke's Bottom), high intervisibility on more 0 urban edge of Charlbury prominent above the open farmland higher up the valley sides; valley - view partially softened by backdrop of 0 open land quite prominent; vegetation; very few intrusive buildings or structures, attractive views out from the urban edge quarry well-hidden, other rural fringe uses across the valley. visible but not especially prominent

Key sensitivities and considerations Key sensitivities and considerations

0 northern edge to Charlbury prominent and need to strengthen landscape structure in sensitive to change; open areas; attractive small scale valley particularly elevated areas very prominent any changes sensitive. are likely to be highly visible;

0 need to maintain distant views across the valley. c: EAST OF CHARLBURY D: WEST OF CHARLBURY

Landscape characteristics landscape characteristics

minor valley and semi-enclosed, large-scale semi-enclosed valley floor farmland semi- limestone wolds farmland; enclosed valley-side farmland; attractive, medium scale farmland with strong Evenlode Valley forms a strong landscape landscape structure, mixture of pasture and edge to Charlbury; arable; attractive valley side and valley floor with thick hedgerows and small woodland blocks; strong landscape structure; rising ground behind Charlbury dissected by mixture of small scale pasture, arable and steep sided minor valley ; parkland with mature trees; boundary between urban edge and very few detracting influences - sewage works countryside blurred by topography, individual largely hidden - industrial units hidden by the properties set in woodland and new housing; station; important to the setting of Charlbury and a mostly gardens forming the boundary of the strong landscape edge; urban area. southern boundary more distinct; very few urban influences on surrounding Vi sua1 character istics land.

medium intervisibility - views limited by Visual characteristics intervening vegetation and topography; important views across and along the valley low to moderate intervisibility with thick in both directions; hedgerows and hedgerow trees limiting views; properties at Dyers Hill quite prominent; urban edge very soft - except where new important local landmarks such as the church; housing has been built ; silhouette of town very important when mature landscape forms an important viewed from the valley floor and from backdrop to town; elevated ground on the other side of the views out from urban edge limited by valley; vegetation and topography; urban edge very soft - except in a small area good views across the Evenlode Valley from around Wesley Barrel1 and new houses; Charlbury where vegetation permits and from elevated western approach from B4437 - more open land on the southern boundary; views very important. attractive green approach into Charlbury on the B4437.

Key sensitivities and considerations

need to maintain strong landscape structure on eastern and southern boundary; small scale valley important local landscape feature - vulnerable to change; any changes on higher ground likely to be prominent and likely to affect sensitive skyline; need to maintain green approach from 84437. .- Key sensitivities and considerations

valley floor and valley sides important landscape types and sensitive to change; need to maintain strong landscape structure and attractbe pastoral character on valley sides; need to maintain mature landscape structure within urban fabric; Dyers Hill area very sensitive to change; need to soften urban edge around Wesley Barrel1 and new housing; need to maintain quality of the approach on 64437 from the west (CHARACTER AREAS: 1,3)

A: WEST OF CHIPPING NORTON Key sensitivities and considerations

Landscape characteristics skyline very sensitive to change; 0 landscape pattern of valley very distinctive

0 semi-enclosed valleys and ridges ; and vulnerable to change; 0 valley side landscape integral to the quality of 0 steep valley sides, 10%-6% north and south facing; the views, any changes are likely to be highly visible. 0 important contribution to the setting of the town; 0 small scale pasture, strong landscape structure B: NORTH WEST OF CHIPPING and strong landscape edge; NORTON 0 attractive mosaic of small-scale irregular- shaped fields with thick hedgerows; Landscape characteristics 0 mix of uses in valley bottom set within a mature landscape structure; 0 semi-enclosed valleys and ridges; 0 back gardens, small fields and vegetation 0 steep valley sides, 10%-6% north and south within the urban envelope blur the edge facing; between the'urban area and open land. 0 important contribution to the setting of the town and a strong landscape edge; Visual characteristics 0 mixture of well wooded small scale pasture in the valley and larger scale more o&n arable 0 moderate to high intervisibility within the farmland higher up on the northern slopes; valley, good views in all directions; 0 parkland characteristics next to A44; 0 attractive silhouette of the town seen from the 0 strong landscape structure, slightly weaker in north; open areas; 0 Bliss Mill a major landmark and 'eyecatcher'; 0 recreational uses in valley bottom; 0 soft urban edge; well-vegetated urban edge. 0 very few intrusive buildings or structures.

Sketch illustrating view fmm the north west ,-\ Visual characteristics Visual characteristics

avenue trees on both sides of A44 important 0 low intervisibility, views down into the valley feature on the approach into town from the floor; north west; 0 valley sides form skyline from valley floor; moderate intervisibility within the valley, high 0 views largely unspoilt by urban influences; intervisibility on more open farmland higher 0 built form on valley sides mostly screened by up the valley sides; mature vegetation except for new housing. good elevated views; attractive silhouette of the town seen from the Key sensitivities and considerations north west;

soft urban edge; 0 valley sides and valley floor are an important very few intrusive buildings or structures. natural component of the valley landscape;

0 unspoilt landscapes particularly vulnerable to Key sensitivities and considerations change;

0 special attention should be given to woodland very important component of the maintaining strong landscape edges. setting of the town; skyline very sensitive to change; D: NORTH EAST OF CHIPPING landscape pattern of valley very distinctive NORTON and vulnerable to change;

0 valley side landscape integral to the quality of Landscape characteristics the views, any changes are likely to be highly visible. 0 semi-enclosed limestone wolds farmland; largely flat, medium scale farmland with a NORTH OF CHIPPING NORTON c: strong structure of woodland blocks, shelterbelts and hedgerows;

Landscape characteristics 0 predominandy arable smaller scale fields nearer to the town; 0 semi-enclosed limestone wolds farmland and helps form an attractive approach into the parkland landscapes town on London Road, important to the 0 steep sided valley with formal parkland on the setting of Chipping Norton; northern slope and medium scale arable fields urban edge in the process of change ie new on the southern slope; development on the old hospital site and 0 very strong landscape structure with mature employment site north of Rockhill Farm; woodland blocks and avenues; 0 important to the setting of Chipping Norton Visual characteristics and Over Norton; 0 largely flat, medium scale farmland with a 0 low to moderate intervisibility; strong structure of woodland blocks, 0 degree of enclosure provided by good shelterbelts and hedgerows; woodland blocks and shelterbelts; 0 valley-sides with stronger hedgerow structure, 0 changes to the urban edge only visible locally; more trees and a mixture of pasture and 0 avenue landscape very important to the arable farmland; quality of the approach and the setting of the 0 south-facing sloping valley sides up to 8%. town and visible from the north. e enclosed valley floor, predominantly pasture, low-lying, riparian character, wet and prone to flooding; 0 willow-lined ditches and groups of mature trees; 0 soft urban edge.

7 Key sensitivities and considerations need to improve urban silhouette - opportunity to consider more positive parcel of land important to the setting of the landmarks; town; need to improve the quality of the approach landscape very sensitive to change, into the town on the B4026. particularly along the ridgeline occupied by the A44; F: SOUTH OF CHIPPING NORTON low intervisibility particularly in the smaller scale landscapes means that visible change is Landscape characteristics limited; need to maintain strong landscape structure; open limestone wolds farmland; need to maintain the quality of the approach large-scale, rolling farmland mostly in arable into the town. cultivation; open, elevated hilltop character; E: EAST OF CHIPPING NORTON weak hedgerow structure, few trees, fences replace hedgerows; boundary between urban edge and open land --~ Landscape characteristics very distinct; open limestone wolds farmland; sports grounds, associated buildings and large-scale, rolling farmland mostly in arable floodlighting on the urban edge and in open cultivation; countryside. open, elevated hilltop character; weak hedgefow structure, few trees, fences Visual characteristics replace hedgerows; rural edge slightly scruffy; pockets of derelict high intervisibility across open land; farmland, allotments etc, harsh urban edge of Chipping Norton forms intrusive buildings and structures on the the skyline to the north; urban edge. views out from the urban edge largely unspoilt, sports ground at Greystones is Visual characteristics partially screened by mature trees; rural character is adversely affected by generally high intervisibility due to open floodlighting at night; character and topography although degree of enclosure provided by good intervening higher ground shields urban woodland blocks and shelterbelts; edge; changes to the urban edge only visible locally; boundary of the urban area straggly and avenue landscape very important to the indistinct due to peripheral uses such as quality of the approach and the setting of the playing fields allotments etc; town; softened by mature vegetation in places; the higher ground occupied by the B4450 is prominent and intrusive buildings and visible from the north and sensitive to change. structures such as water tower and industrial sheds; Key sensitivities and considerations views out from the urban edge largely unspoiIt. encourage more effective planting around existing sports grounds; Key sensitivities and considerations need to strengthen landscape structure in open areas; need to strengthen landscape structure of need to strengthen landscape structure at the rural fringe and form a more distinct urban edge; boundary; urban edge very visible and sensitive to urban edge prominent in places and sensitive change; need to improve the quality of the approach ~ -, to change; into the town on the A361. (CHARACTER AREA: 12)

A: WEST OF DUCKLINGTON B: EAST OF DUCKLINGTON

landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics

a open, rolling vale farmland, semi-enclosed, semi-enclosed floodplain pasture; rolling vale farmland; attractive low-lying riparian character, small a A415 acts as a strong barrier dividing urban scale pasture; area from open countryside; thick hedgerows and mature willow; a land west of A415 mostly medium to large ditches and area of open water; scale farmland ; prominent hotel and surrounding car parking

,- a predominantly arable; and service areas; a mostly weak landscape structure - thicker largely unspoilt, but some rural fringe hedgerows to the north and the south; activities including nearby gravel workings, a farmland west of A41 5 mostly free from urban horsiculture, and the presence of an influences - except motor homes; electricity substation; a urban influences prominent west of boundary between urban edge of roundabout -, garage, sewage works etc. Ducklington and farmland quite soft; rural character of Church End important.. Visual characteristics Visual characteristics high intervisibility across open land; vegetation on road corridor filters views of medium to low intervisibility - views across urban edge; flat, low-lying land filtered by intervening earth mounding between the urban edge and vegetation; the road appears incongruous; urban edge of Ducklington softened by views out from urban edge limited by mature vegetation; vegetation and affected by presence of A41 5; some filtered views of A40; A40 on embankment acts as a strong visual some views of power lines and electricity barrier; substation; prominent urban influences at roundabout.. views out from the urban edge limited by intervening vegetation. Key sensitivities and considerations Key sensitivities and considerations need to further soften road corridor and urban edge; need to maintain strength of landscape need to strengthen landscape structure in structure on valley floor; open areas; need to maintain soft urban edge - vegetation need to resist any change which extends on the edge of the village particularly urban influences further west of the A415 - important; particularly between the roundabout and the need to strengthen landscape structure A40. between Ducklington and A40; need to soften urban edge around the hotel/ roundabout (CHARACTER AREAS: 1 1, 12)

A: EAST OF EYNSHAM

Landscape characteristics

0 mixture of semi enclosed flat vale farmland north of Cassington Road and semi-enclosed floodplain pasture to the south;

0 very flat low lying good enclosure in places;

0 medium scale mixture of arable and smaller scale pasture with thick hedgerows and

\ hedgerow trees; planting urbanhural edge weak in places, some incursion by urban influences, particularly the link road, but also playing fields and B: SOUTH OF EYNSHAM 'horsiculture'; Landscape characteristics Visual ch arader ist i cs 0 mostly semi-enclosed floodplain pasture with moderate intervisibility, views limited by an ribbon of rural fringe land immediately intervening vegetation; south of urban edge; rural outlook from the link road largely small scale pasture with thick hedgerows and unspoilt except for electricity pylons; mature wi Ilows; industrial buildings fairly well screened; evidence of some hedgerow removal north of views out from urban edge affected by traffic the link road; on the link road; major urban influence of Oasis Park and urban edge very well screened by planting industrial estate adversely affecting landscape north of Cassington Road, quality in south west area lighting very visible, particularly at urbanhural edge quite soft except the area roundabout; around Oasis Park and industrial area. important views of Wytham Hill. Visual characteristics Key sensitivities and considerations moderate to low intervisibility;

0 need to resist further urbanisation of rural attractive mixture of older buildings and fringe; mature trees on urban edge; 0 need to improve landscape structure attractive backdrop to southerly views out particularly around playing fields and other from the urban edge; urban elements; major intrusive features industrial buildings, 0 need to further reduce visual impact of the car parking etc slightly scruffy; link road. poor approach from 84449. Key sensitivities and considerations D: NORTH OF EYNSHAM

need to resist any further encroachment of Landscape characteristics urban influences onto rural fringe , particularly north of the link road; open rolling vale farmland need to strengthen landscape structure and to mostly medium scale fields, predominantly absorb intrusive elements; arable; need to make landscape improvements in key 0 landscape structure weak in places - some areas particularly around the industrial estate; hedgerows gappy in places; urban edge quite sensitive to change. 0 some mineral working further north; 0 A40 - a strong physical boundary separating area from Eynsham; C:WEST OF EYNSHAM 0 relatively few urban influences.

Landscape characteristics Visual characteristics

. intervisibility generally moderate to high - 0 semi-enclosed, rolling vale farmland; some views limited by intervening 0 type generally has strong structure of topography; hedgerows, trees and occasional belts of views south towards Eynsham screened by woodland, mostly large fields under arable vegetation between A40 and the urban edge; but some smaller-scale pattern and pasture; 0 traffic on A40 more prominent than the built 0 slightly weaker structure locally, some form. hedgerows neglected and gappy in places; 0 urbanhral edge slightly 'straggly', a weak Key sensitivities and considerations landscape edge in places, rural fringe mostly unspoilt but scruffy in places. need to strengthen landscape structure; Vis uai character istics 0 need to increase screening of traffic on A40.

0 moderate to high intervisibility, views limited by intervening topography and vegetation; rural outlook from urban edge largely unspoilt; urban edge quite soft; except new housing which is very visible and intrusive. Key sensitivities and considerations

need to avoid further intrusion on the urban edge; need to strengthen landscape structure in places particularly on the boundary of the urban area.

7 (CHARACTER AREA: 5)

A: NORTH OF MILTON-UNDER- B: SOUTH OF MILTON-UNDER- WYCHWOOD WYCH WOOD

Landscape characteristics Landscape characteristics

semi-enclosed clay wolds farmland; semi-enclosed clay wolds farmland; mixture of medium to large scale farmland mixture of small scale pasture and medium with a good hedgerow structure; scale arable; predominantly arable, open in places ; good hedgerow structure, mature hedgerow few urban influences - except sewage works; trees and small woodland blocks; strong wooded edge to the north; boundary behveen urban area and boundary between urban area quite ‘straggly’ countryside complicated by the dispersed and complicated by the dispersed nature of nature of the settlement; the settlement; strong landscape edge between Shipton Court no visible break between Shipton and Milton; and edge of Milton; landscape edge a bit weak in this area largely unspoilt.. good mature trees and hedgerow trees scattered around the fringe of the settlement; Visual characteristics cricket fieldhecreation ground important central feature in Milton. medium to low intervisibility - views filtered by intervening vegetation; Visual characteristics views in and out of the urban edge limited by intervening vegetation; moderate to high intervisibility across open urban edge a bit harsh in places; land - around Heath Farm for example; more distant views further west beyond good distant views in most directions; woodland blocks towards Shipton Down; views into and out of the urban edge filtered distant elevated views of southern edge of by mature vegetation. Milton from Shipton Down and Swinbrook Road; Key sensitivities and considerations ridgeline at Shipton Down - important skyline. need to strengthen landscape structure to bind together the urban edge; Key sensitivities and considerations need to resist any further changes which will make settlement more dispersed in character. need to strengthen landscape structure to bind together the urban edge; need to soften urban edge in key places; open land on rising ground to the south particularly sensitive to change. c: WEST OF MILTON-UNDER- WYCHWOOD

Landscape characteristics

semi-enclosed clay wolds farmland; mostly medium to large scale farmland with a good hedgerow structure; rolling topography; predominantly arable, open in places ; few urban influences ; boundary between urban area and countryside complicated by the dispersed nature of the settlement - slightly ‘straggly’; ribbon development extends this boundary on Bruern Road. visu al charade r is t ics

0 moderate to high intervisibility across open land ;

0 urban edge harsh in places;

0 good distant‘views in most directions;

0 ridgeline at Shipton Down -important skyline.

Key sensitivities and considerations

0 need to soften the urban edge to form a more cohesive boundary 0 need to strengthen landscape edge;

0 need to resist any further changes which will make settlement more dispersed in character. (CHARACTER AREAS: 8,9,7,1 1 )

A: NORTH WEST OF WITNEY B: WINDRUSH VALLEY NORTH

Landscape c harader istics Landscape characteristics

0 open valley-side farmland and open limestone semi-enclosed valley-side farmland, semi- wolds farmland; enclosed valley floor farmland;

0 typically weak landscape structure, large valley-sides with stronger hedgerow structure, fields, few trees, open and exposed; more trees and a mixture of pasture and

0 north facing sloping valley sides up to 6%. arable farmland;

0 distinct urban edge. south-facing sloping valley sides up to 8%. _- enclosed valley floor, predomi nantly pasture, Visual ch aracter is t i cs low-lying, riparian character, wet and prone to flooding; willow-lined ditches and groups of mature 0 high intervisibility, elevated views and prominent skylines viewed from the north; trees; soft urban edge. 0 hard urban edge on B4047, prominent buildings, lighting and structures;

0 important views across the Windrush Valley. Visual characteristics 0 low intervisibility within the valley, but more Key sensitivities and considerations distant views down onto the valley floor; valley sides form skyline from valley floor; views largely unspoilt by urban influences; 0 valley sides are an important natural built form on valley sides screened by mature component of the valley landscape; vegetation; 0 open landscapes with weak structures on the mill buildings important local landmark. edge of settlements are very visually exposed and vulnerable to change; special attention should be given to strengthening landscape edges. Key sensitivities and considerations D: EAST OF WITNEY

valley sides and valley floor are an important Landscape characteristics natural component of the valley landscape;

4 unspoilt landscapes particularly vulnerable to 0

change; 0 semi enclosed limestone wolds farmland and special attention should be given to open rolling farmland; maintaining strong landscape edges. 4 mixture of strong hedgerows, hedgerow trees; 0 gently rolling topography; 0 area north of Madley Brook mostly flat; C:N ORTH OF WITNEY 0 area south of Madley Brook more rolling; 0 medium scale rectilinear fields, mostly arable Landscape characteristics with some horticultural uses; 0 gently undulating topography. semi enclosed limestone wolds farmland; 0 Cogges Wood an important local feature; attractive mixture of strong hedgerows, 0 large part of the area allocated for future --I hedgerow trees and limestone walls; development. medium scale rectilinear fields, mixture of pasture and arable; Visual characteristics gently undulating topography; well-defined urban edge, fairly strong 0 moderate intervisibility, largely unspoilt views landscape edge. out from the urban edge; 0 hard urban edge in places;

Visual characteristics 0 approach on A4095 affected by urban influences. moderate intervisibility, views from public 0 ridgeline on New Yatt Road quite prominent. roads filtered by intervening hedgerows; 4 urban area partially silhouetted on the skyline Key sensitivities and considerations and sensitive to change:

urban edge largely softened by vegetation. 0 need to resist any further 'urbanisation' on New Yatt Road and A4095; Key sensitivities and considerations need to strengthen landscape structure along the urban edge; high quality landscape edge - vulnerable to need to strengthen landscape edge change; particularly between land allocated for important rural approach into Witney from development and Cogges Wood. the north, vulnerable to change; special attention should be given to maintaining strong landscape edges; resist urbanisation between Hailey and Witney. E: SOUTH EAST OF WlTNEY Visual characteristics

Landscape characteristics 0 low intervisibility, largely unspoilt views out from the urban edge; open rolling farmland; urban edge well screened; rounded hill, predominantly pasture; intrusive electricity pylons and filtered views important buffer zone between the urban of A40; edge and the A40; important views along the valley floor.

0 partly denuded, open in character, locally weak structure; Key sensitivities and considerations landform defines the boundary between urban and rural. floodplain farmland is a valuable landscape resource and is vulnerable to change; Visual characteristics need to safeguard floodplain character particularly in relation to the proposed Cogges high intervisibility, prominent landform; Link road; , need to maintain strong landscape edge; 0 urban edge harsh in places, a characteristic reinforced by the perimeter road; need to maintain views along valley floor. Cogges Hill an important landmark feature on the south east approach into Witney. G:SOUTH WEST OF WITNEY Key sensitivities and considerations Landscape characteristics

0 landform extremely sensitive to change;

0 landform important landmark on approach semi-enclosed limestone wolds farmland; into W itne y; rolling valley form - Colwell Brook need for landscape improvement to including mixture of small scale pasture and arable; strengthening of hedgerows and softening of strong hedgerow structure and presence of urban edge. hedgerow trees; important buffer zone between urban edge and A40; F: COGGES/WINDRUSHVALLEY distinct urbadrural edge. SOUTH visual charade ris t ics Landscape characteristics moderate intervisibility, views limited by semi-enclosed floodplain pasture; intervening landform and vegetation; permanent pasture with flat, low-lying, 'wet' soft urban edge ; riparian character; views south from urban edge largely unspoilt, prone to flooding; willow-lined ditches and A40 mostly in cutting. groups of mature trees provide soft boundary between urbanhural edge - strong landscape Key sensitivities and considerations edge; area largely unspoilt apart from intrusive need to maintain buffer zone; electricity pylons and views of A40; valley form distinctive local feature; key recreational resource and green 'wedge' need to maintain southern aspect from urban into the heart of the town. edge; need to maintain strong landscape edge. H: WEST WITNEY

Landscape characteristics

open limestone wolds farmland; large-scale, gently rolling farmland mostly arable; large rectilinear fields, weak landscape structure; plateau location; large part of the area allocated for future development.

Visual char ader istics

e high intervisibility, extensive, uninterrupted

/- views across open land; e prominent urban edge to Witney and prominent edge to employment land; e characteristic further reinforced by urban character of Western Link Road 0 distant views to the south west from urban edge.

Key sensitivities and cons ide rations

e need to improve landscape quality throughout the area; e need to strengthen landscape edge and provide an advanced landscape structure for future development.

r-- \ (CHARACTER AREA: 4)

A: NORTH OF WOODSTOCK 6:E AST OF WOODSTOCK

Landscape characteristics Landscape charade rist i cs

0 semi-enclosed valley-side farmland and open open limestone wolds farmland; limestone wolds farmland; east of Old Woodstock large scale open 0 Clyme Valley attractive, small scale, semi- farmland, weak landscape structure, enclosed, well vegetated; predominantly arable, few trees , weak 0 Valley divides Woodstock from Old hedgerow structure; Woodstock; ribbon development, including new houses 0 north of Old Woodstock much larger scale on Banbury Road, blur the boundary between -~, open farmland, weak landscape structure, urban area and open countryside; predominantly arable, few trees , weak former railway line now a strong landscape hedgerow structure; feature; 0 distinct boundary between urban area and despite ribbon development rural edge is surrounding farmland; largely unspoilt; 0 few urban influences on surrounding farm on the urban edge helps reinforce rural farmland. - character.

Visual characteristics Visual characteristics

0 very limited intervisibility across the Clyme 0 high intervisibility views across open farmland Valley, views filtered by mature willows; from Banbury Road;

0 vegetation forms a strong landscape buffer to 0 urban edge softened by mature vegetation ;

northern edge of Woodstock; soft edge 0 views largely unspoilt by urban influences;

between urban edge and valley sides; 0 ribbon development benefits from a backdrop 0 urban edge around Old Woodstock much of vegetation along the line of the former harder, visible across open farmland to the raiIway;

north and east; 0 wall along Banbury Road a good local feature. 0 views out from urban edge relatively unspoilt 0 edge of Blenheim Estate a strong visible edge Key sensitivities and considerations on approach from the north, glimpsed views into the grounds. 0 any changes to the urban edge in this area are likely to be highly visible; Key sensitivities and considerations resist any further urban growth along Banbury Road;

0 Glyme Valley important local feature close to 0 strengthen landscape structure on open the town centre and sensitive to change; farmland; 0 Important to maintain landscape settjng of the 0 maintain and enhance the soft urban edges. Blenheim Estate; 0 Any changes to the urban edge of Old Woodstock are likely to be highly visible; 0 Urban edge between open farmland and Old Woodstock would benefit from softening; 0 special attention should be given to 'greening' approach to Old Woodstock on A44.

\ c: SOUTH OF WOODSTOCK Key sensitivities and considerations

Landscape characteristics any changes to the urban edge are likely to be highly visible in places, particularly from the open limestone wolds farmland; A44; very flat, medium to large scale farmland; need to strengthen landscape edge to the open but with a good hedgerow structure; urban area; existing woodland blocks and shelterbelts play 0 predominantly large rectilinear arable fields plus playing field attached to the school; an important role both as local landscape distinct boundary between urban edge and features and as filters to views; need to preserve landscape character of A44 farmland, less distinct around the school; approach into Woodstock and resist any 0 farmland largely unspoilt by urban influences; further urbanisation of road corridor; 0 area surrounding the school more urbanised 0 need to maintain strong hedgerow structure including road character, fences, playing fields lighting etc. on open farmland.

Visual characteristics D: WEST OF WOODSTOCK

0 moderate intervisibility, views limited in a very flat landscape; Landscape characteristics

0 distant views intercepted by intervening shelterbelts and small woodland blocks; formal parkland and designed landscapes thin vegetation on urban edge makes building Blenheim Estate is a Grade 1 historic park; silhouette prominent in places - inappropriate 0 at about 1000 ha, it occupies the entire area roofline reinforces this effect; west of Woodstock; 0 character of A44 approach to Woodstock 0 its landscape and visual characteristics are quite urban - lighting, signage etc; well documented and its current designation wooded character of the Blenheim Estate provides more than adequate protection to provides a strong landscape edge; western edge of the town. 0 views out from edge largely unspoilt although lighting on the A44 and other bits of urban clutter are visible south of Woodstock.

Silhouette of urban edge of Woodstock viewed from A44 �������

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r Evenlode Valle 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

7 Wychwood Uplands

9 Shilton Downs OVE RVI EW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTE R A distinctive area of rolling clayland which forms a broad, shallow basin around the upper reaches This is typically a low-lying farmed landscape, of the River Evenlode. The area is characterised with a patchwork of large fields under arable and by heavy clay soils and a strong landscape smaller-scale floodplain pastures along the river structure of thick hedgerows and frequent valley, bounded by strong hedgerows and hedgerow trees, in marked contrast with the occasional blocks and belts of woodland. limestone areas to the south and east. Despite However, a number of different local landscape this, the large-scale field pattern, gentle types have been identified within the area, the topography and limited areas of woodland (apart key characteristics of which are summarised from those at Bruern Abbey) give the area a below. genera II y open, expansive charader .

GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Valley landscapes

Between Kingham and Shipton-under- Valley floor farmland Wychwood, the River Evenlode flows through a distinctive flat valley floor; broad shallow basin of soft Lower Lias clay predominantly permanent pasture but with overlain by drifts of boulder clay and alluvium pockets of cultivated land; and pockets of sands and gravels. This riparian character, with strong pattern of underlying geology gives rise to subdued relief, ditches often lined by willow; with gently rolling landform and an indistinct prone to winter flooding; valley form. landscape structure provided by lines and groups of mature trees, with willow and alder LAN DCOVER conspicuous; intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral The heavy clay and alluvial soils of the river character; corridor tend to be under pasture while the moderate to low intervisibility, with some lighter, free-draining soils on the terrace gravels open views into the valley from above and have been extensively cultivated and are some filtered longer views along the valley predominantly under arable crops. Field floor. boundaries are predominantly hedges with few stone walls, with oak as the main tree species, in Open valley-side contrast with the surrounding limestone areas. distinctive sloping, and typically convex, Natural woodland cover is limited but extensive valley-side landform; blocks of woodland are associated with the 0 predominantly large-scale fields under arable parkland and estate landscapes at Bruern and cultivation but with occasional pasture; Sarsden. weak landscape structure and few hedgeshees; open, visually exposed landscape, prominent in views from within and across valley; 0 high intervisibility along valley sides. Semi-enclosed valley-side farmland ( Parkland Ian dscap es

0 distinctive sloping, and typically convex, valley-side landform; Parkland e mixed pattern of land use and strong formal, designed landscape and grounds structure of hedgerows, trees and woodland; surrounding large country houses;

0 more enclosed character with low 0 distinctive formal landscape features, intervisibility along the valley sides but including avenues, free-standing mature prominent in views from within and across trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of the valley. woodland, exotic tree species, formal structures and boundary features; Clay wolds landscapes planting and landscape character generally unrelated to surrounding areas; Open clay wolds distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral 0 large-scale, softly rolling farmland underlain character; by Lower Lias Clays and glacial deposits; mature woodland and tree cover with 0 typically large fields, with rectilinear pattern typically enclosed character; of gappy or tightly clipped hedgerows, with low intervisibility. few trees; 0 productive farmland predominantly under Eshte farmland intensive arable cultivation; well-managed farmland associated with large 0 heavy, gleyed soils; country estates, often lying beyond formal 0 open character with high intervisibility. parkland boundaries; distinctively well-treed character, with Semi-enclosed day wolds (large-scale) extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and 0 large-scale, softly rolling farmland underlain copses (often managed for game), lines of by Lower Lias Clays and glacial deposits; mature trees (predominantly oak) within 0 productive farmland predominantly under hedgerows, along estate boundaries and intensive arable cultivation; roads, estate fencing (railings and post and 0 generally large-scale fields with rectilinear rail) and other estate features or buildings; boundaries formed by some walls but mainly large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded by hawthorn hedges, typical of later by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; enclosures; land use predominantly arable but with some 0 some visual containment provided by blocks areas of permanent pasture; and belts of woodland; enclosed, secluded and private character; 0 oak dominant in hedgerows and woods; moderate to low intervisibility 0 moderate intervisibility. Sub-rural landscapes Semi-enclosed clay wolds (smaller-sale) softly rolling -farmland underlain by Lower Sport landsapes Lias Clays and glacial deposits; manicured or intensively managed land mixed land use and field pattern, with a under amenity use (eg. golf courses or patchwork of large arable fields and more playing fields); frequent pasture and smaller-scale fields with landform, planting character and features irregular, sinuous boundaries; (eg. lakes, bunkers) often unrelated to semi-enclosed character with views landscape context; contained by strong hedgerow structure with suburban influences of clubhouses, gates and frequent mature hedgerow trees and blocks car parking; or belts of woodland; open, eapansive character, particularly oak dominant in hedgerows and woods; where planting has not yet matured; diverse and pastoral character; moderate to high intervisibility. moderate intervisibility. SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES There are four large villages within this area - the paired settlements of Shipton and Milton-under- 0 buildings and formal parkland elements Wychwood, Kingham and Churchill - and a associated with Bruern Abbey and Sarsden dispersed pattern of smaller hamlets and House; farmsteads. the tower of Churchill church; attractive stone buildings within villages and With the exception of Churchill, the larger in open countryside, including manor houses, villages form part of a string of settlements which churches and farm buildings. run along the Evenlode Valley, occupying drier sites just off the valley floor or on pockets of terrace gravels overlying the clay. Churchill occupies a hill-top location on a finger of land which divides two tributary valleys of the Evenlode. Shipton-under-Wychwood has been an important settlement since Saxon times, but the present size of these settlements is largely a function of their proximity to stations along the London to Worcester railway line, resulting in growth as commuter villages.

Most of the smaller hamlets are located on the gentle flanks of ‘the Evenlode Valley (eg. Idbuty, Foscot, Fifield and Lyneham) or are associated with medieval manor houses and estates, notably at Sarsden and Bruern.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the most dominant landscape influence is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building and walling material, with roofs typically constructed of Stonesfield slates.

The form and pattern of settlements is less constrained by landform than in the steeper valleys and typically developed as a cluster of buildings around a central space, developing outwards along roadsides in different directions. The ‘closed‘ estate villages have a particularly unified and ordered character compared with the more straggling larger settlements where the traditional form has been confused by more recent infill or peripheral development. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area $lies wholly within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty, while the Evenlode Valley forms part of 0 retain and manage areas of floodplain pasture the Upper Thames Tributaries Environmentally and meadows;

Sensitive Area. These designations confirm that 0 reintroduce traditional practices of willow the Upper Evenlode Valley landscape is of pollarding and ditch management; outstanding quality and of national significance. 0 introduce new planting along watercourses and in lines and groups within valley floor, The character area also includes a number of using typical riparian species such as willow other features of conservation value which and alder; contribute to its overall significance, including: where possible, introduce new woodland planting along the valley-sides and convert Conservation Areas at Kingham, ldbury and arable fields to grassland. Shipton-under-Wychwood; 0 a Park and Garden of Special Interest at Development sensitivities Shipton Court; one Site of Special Scientific Interest and unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor several remnants of ancient semi-natural valleys are of particularly high quality and woodland along the valley sides to the south. sensitive to development; open valley-sides are visually sensitive and Overall, the Upper Evenlode Valley has a highly development would be highly prominent and attractive and unspoilt, rural character but with exposed; some localised variations in quality and condition enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible which require different strategies for but may offer limited opportunities to absorb management and enhancement (see Figure 6). small-scale development within a strong structure of trees and woodland or with other The principal factors that potentially threaten buildings; landscape quality in this area are: all valley landscape types would be particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall agricultural intensification, particularly or large-scale structures. drainage and conversion of pasture to arable, the removal of natural vegetation cover and the poor maintenance and loss of field UIDELINES CLAY WOLDS boundaries; G FOR ‘suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and LANDSCAPES roads. Enhancement priorities

retain and replant hedgerows and hedgerow uees, with oak as the dominant species; where possible, encourage conversion of arable land to pasture; plant large blocks and belts of native broadleaved woodland, to link with existing woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern of woodland and farmland. Development sensitivities GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL LANDSCAPES 0 open clay wold landscapes are very visually exposed and particularly sensitive to Enhancement priorities development;

0 large-scale, semi-enclosed clay wold 0 encourage establishment of more appropriate landscapes are also visually sensitive and any native species and planting character within development would need to be closely golf course landscape at Lyneham; integrated with existing buildings or within a encourage less intensive management of strong landscape structure; fairways and roughs, to encourage a more 0 smaller-scale, clay wold landscapes on the diverse grassland sward; immediate fringes of the larger settlements are 0 maintain strong boundary planting to reduce potentially more tolerant of development, if it suburbanising influence on surrounding rural conforms to existing field pattern, is landscape and enhance entrance and parking sensitively designed and does not significantly areas to reflect their rural setting. alter settlement form. Development sensitivities

GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND 0 the artificial golf course landscape is quite AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES tolerant of change but built development would alter its essentially ‘green’ character. En hancement priorities

0 maintain, and where necessary, restore KEY SETTLEMENTS parkland landscape and features at Bruern Abbey and Shipton Court; See Part 3 for key settlement study for: 0 retain mature hedges, boundary trees and roadside avenues and replant as necessary; Milton-under-Wychwood 0 manage and extend existing areas of broadleaved woodland to maximise their wildlife and landscape value; 0 plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved woodland within estate farmland to reinforce enclosed, wooded character; 0 retain areas of permanent pasture and resist conversion to arable.

Development sensitivities

parkland landscapes and their component features are of high landscape value and very sensitive to development; 0 estate farmland is also generally of high scenic quality and sensitive to development, although its mature structure of woodland makes it more visually robust. . _,

r Evenlode Valle ,' 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

9 Shilton Downs OVERVIEW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER Unlike its upper section (Area 51, the Lower Evenlode Valley forms a distinct landform unit The landform of the Lower Evenlode Valley which, although it varies in width between defines its overall character, providing visual Shipton-under-Wychwood and Bladon, creates a enclosure, shelter and a coherent valley character sense of enclosure and a particular sense of which contrasts markedly with the open, rolling place. The valley floor has a distinctively limestone hills above. Within the valley, pastoral, intimate and riparian character with a however, a number of different local landscape close visual relationship with its enclosing valley types have been identified, the key characteristics sides, along which lie a string of valley-side of which are summarised below. settlements. - GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Valley landscapes

The overall valley form is characterised by gently Minor vallev sloping convex sides and a wide, flat floodplain small-scale tributary valleys which dissect through which the river has developed a complex plateaux and valley-sides and connect with pattern of meaoders. On its northern side, the major valleys; smooth landform of the valley side is interrupted pronounced v-shaped profile with steep by a number of minor, tributary valleys and sides and absence of flat valley floor; streams which flow off the 'Enstone Uplands' watercourse often inconspicuous or absent (Area 3) above. To the south, the valley has a (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on gentler and more continuous profile, rising limestone); gradually up to the limestone plateau beyond. shallower profile at upper end with few trees The river has cut through the limestone to expose or hedges and a more open character; narrow bands of Inferior Oolite and clays of the steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, Upper and Middle Lias along the upper valley with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees sides, with the lower slopes and valley floor and occasionally woods; dominated by the clays of the Lower Lias and enclosed, intimate character created by alluvium, with occasional pockets of terrace valley form and vegetation cover; gravels. moderate to low intervisibility.

LANDCOVER Valley ffoor farmland distinctive flat valley floor; The more free-draining soils on the gentler predominantly permanent pasture but with valleys sides have been cultivated and are under pockets of cultivated land; arable, but some pasture and occasional riparian character, with strong pattern of woodland occurs along the steeper slopes and ditches often lined by willow; minor valleys. The heavier clay soils and low- prone to winter flooding; lying land of the valley floor is typically under landscape structure provided by lines and permanent pasture but pockets of arable groups of mature trees, with willow and alder farmland tend to mirror the presence of more conspicuous; free-draining terrace gravels. 0 intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral character; moderate to low intervisibility, with some open views into the valley from above and some filtered longer views along the valley floor. Open valley-side hrrnhnd some visual containment provided by large

0 distinctive sloping, and typically convex, blocks and belts of woodland creating a valley-side landform; semi-enclosed character; 0 predominantly large-scale fields under arable thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse cultivation but with occasional pasture; natural vegetation cover and a somewhat

0 weak landscape structure and few impoverished ’upland’ character; hedgesltrees; ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in

0 open, visually exposed landscape, prominent hedgerows in views from within and across valley; distinctive elevated and expansive character

0 high intervisibility along valley sides. in higher areas, with dominant sky; moderate intervisibility. Semi-enclosed valley-side farmland

0 distinctive sloping, and typically convex, valley-side landform; Parkland landscapes

0 mixed pattern of land use and strong structure of hedgerows, trees and woodland; Parkland 0 more enclosed character with low formal, designed landscape and grounds intervisibility along the valley sides but surrounding large country houses; prominent in views from within and across distinctive formal landscape features, the valley. including avenues, free-standing mature trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of woodland, exotic tree species, formal Limestone wolds landscapes structures and boundary features; planting and landscape character generally Open kmestone wolds unrelated to surrounding areas; large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral occupying the limestone plateau and character; di pslope; mature woodland and tree cover with typically large or very large fields, with typically enclosed character; rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical low intervisibility. of later enclosures and often in poor condition) and weak hedgerows, with frequent gaps and very few trees; Sub-rural landscapes productive farmland predominantly under intensive arable cultivation; Quarries and landtill sites thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse areas where quarrying has significantly altered natural vegetation cover and a somewhat local landscape character; impoverished ‘upland’ character; artificial landform created by excavations and very open and exposed character; screen bunds; distinctive elevated and expansive character disturbed land typically dominated by bare in higher areas, with dominant sky and ground, scrub, rough grassland, weeds and sweeping views across surrounding areas; belts of screen planting; high intervisibility. urban character introduced with incongruous styles of fencing and highway treatments, site Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (large-sale) buildings, machinery etc.; large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland low intervisibility where mounding and occupying the limestone plateau and planting have taken effect. dipslope; I land uce dominated by intensive arable cultivation with only occasional pasture; generally large-scale fields with rectilinear boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, typical of later enclosures; \ SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES The Evenlode Valley contains a string of settlements located along, or perched above, its Key landmarks and important landscape features valley sides, including the main settlements of within this area include: Charlbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Chadlington, Finstock, Stonesfield, Combe and attractive stone buildings within Conservation Long Hanborough. These are interspersed with a Areas and in open countryside, including number of smaller villages and hamlets, such as manor houses, churches and farm buildings; Spelsbury and Fawler, and a dispersed pattern of 0 local landmark of Charlbury parish church; large farms, together making this a comparatively 0 'hanging' woodlands along valley sides. well-populated area.

Landscape factors strongly influenced their siting on dry sites along the valley-sides or on pockets of terrace gravel within the valley floor. Such valley sites were favoured in Saxon times because of their proximity to a water supply and to the light, easily-worked soils of the surrounding limestone hills. Other natural factors influenced their subsequent development, for example quarrying of Stonesfield slate which provided the best, lightest and porous flat stones used widely for roofing in Oxfordshire. The flat valley floor was also utilised for the London to Worcester railway line and was a major factor in the pre-war expansion of settlements within the valley.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the most dominant landscape influence is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building and walling material, with roofs typically constructed of stone slates from the local Stonesfield quarries.

Many of the settlements originally developed a linear form in response to the lie of the land along the valley-sides (eg. Ascott-under- Wychwood, Fawler). Others evolved in a more nucleated form around a central street or space (eg. Charlbury) while some migrated up the valley sides to more level ground which allowed the development of a more compact form, often around a church (eg. Combe). In many cases, the earlier form of setdements has been confused by more recent infill or peripheral development. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area lies wholly within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty, and forms part of the Upper Thames 0 retain and manage areas of floodplain pasture Tributaries Environmentally Sensitive Area. and meadows; These designations confirm that the Upper reintroduce traditional practices of willow Evenlode Valley landscape is of outstanding pollarding and ditch management; quality and of national significance. 0 introduce new planting along watercourses and in lines and groups within valley floor, ,, The character area also includes a number of using typical riparian species such as willow other features of conservation value which and alder;

contribute to its overall significance, including: 0 where possible, introduce new woodland planting along the valley-sides and convert 0 Conservation Areas at Charlbury, Dean, arable fields to grassland; Spelsbury, Taston, Fawler, Stonesfield and 0 maintain strong landscape structure around Combe; fringes of main valley-side settlements, eg. 0 a significant number of sites of Special Charlbury, to minimise impacts of built Scientific Interest and several remnants of development on river valley landscape. ancient semi-natural woodland along the valley sides; Development sensitivities 0 a number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments dotted along the valley floor 0 unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor and sides. valleys are of particularly high quality and sensitive to development; Overall, the Lower Evenlode Valley has a highly 0 open valley-sides are visually sensitive and attractive and unspoilt, rural character but with development would be highly prominent and some localised variations in quality and condition exposed; which require different strategies for 0 enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible management and enhancement (see Figure 6). but may offer limited opportunities to absorb small-scale development within a strong The principal factors that potentially threaten structure of trees and woodland or with other landscape quality in this area are: buiIdi ngs;

0 all valley landscape types would be agricultural intensification, particularly particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall drainage and conversion of pasture to arable, or large-scale structures. the removal of natural vegetation cover and the poor maintenance and loss of field boundaries; poor maintenance or loss of traditional stone buildings and drystone walls; ex Pansion and ‘suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and roads. small-scale quarrying activity. GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND WOLDS LANDSCAPES AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities Enhancement priorities

rebuild and maintain drystone walls; maintain small-scale parkland landscapes and retain and replant hedgerows and introduce features at Charlbury and Pudlicote; more hedgerow trees, using native species typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple Development sensitivities etc.); plant large blocks and belts of native parkland landscapes and their component broadleaved woodland, to link with existing features are of high landscape value and very woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland sensitive to development. and farmland; where possible, retain areas of existing permanent pasture, encourage conversion of GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL arable land to pasture and discourage further LANDSCAPES field enlargement; encourage less intensive farming practices, the introduction of ‘natural’ vegetation cover in Enhancement priorities field headlands and margins; repair and maintain traditional stone buildings encourage appropriate restoration and in the landscape. afteruse of quarry workings at Dean and Charlbury, in keeping with rural landscape DeveI o pm en t sensitivities context and which maximise wildlife opportunities. open limestone wold landscapes are very visually exposed and particularly sensitive to development; Development sensitivities elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds landscapes are also visually sensitive and any 0 these ‘brown-field’ sites are potentially more development would need to be closely and tolerant of change but their rural context are sensitively integrated with existing buiId i ngs or limiting factors for development; within a strong landscape structure; 0 the introduction of urbanising influences, eg. development within heavily wooded areas urban styles of buildings, highway treatments may be less visually sensitive but may be and lighting would be potentially damaging to damaging to important wildlife and landscape the rural character of the surrounding resources; landscape. smaller-scale, limestone wold landscapes on the immediate fringes of the larger settlements are potentially more tolerant of development, KEY SETTLEMENTS if it conforms to existing field pattern, is sensitively designed and does not significantly See Part 3 for key settlement study for: alter settlement form. Charlbury ,. 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

9 Shilton Downs

-_ OVERVIEW structure, sparse vegetation cover and only occasional blocks of planted woodland. An area of smoothly rolling limestone uplands bounded by the valleys of the Evenlode and LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL Windrush. Although lower in elevation, it CHARACTER supports the typical large-scale arable farmland of the Enstone Uplands but is distinguished by the The overall character of this area is dominated by presence of the extensive woodlands of Cornbury its limestone geology, forming the typically large- Park, remnants of the former Wychwood Forest scale, open and elevated landscape of the which covered much of this area until as recently limestone wolds. However, there is a sharp as the nineteenth century. contrast between this and the heavily wooded and enclosed parkland and estate character

-\ GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM around Cornbury Park which dominates the north-eastern part of the plateau and the more In this part of the Cotswold dipslope, the Oolitic mixed pattern of landscape which occurs Limestone forms a smooth, gently rolling plateau immediately to the south of this. which rises to a height of around 200m AOD above the valleys of the Evenlode and Windrush Within the area, however, a number of different to north and south. Like much of the limestone local landscape types have been identified, the wolds, it has an elevated and expansive character key characteristics of which are summarised with long, sweeping views from the highest below. ground.

The limestone geology is consistent across the Valley landscapes area, except in two main areas at Leafield and Ramsden, where localised cappings of Oxford Minor valley Clay and glacial drift mask the underlying small-skle tributary valleys which dissect limestone. These have a localised influence on plateaux and valley-sides and connect with vegetation character and may well have given rise major valleys; to islands of poorer soil within the former pronounced v-shaped profile with steep Wychwood Forest which were among the first to sides and absence of flat valley floor; be cleared for settlement. watercourse often inconspicuous or absent (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on LANDCOVER limestone); shallower profile at upper end with few trees Patterns of landcover fall into three main areas. or hedges and a more open character; The north-eastern part of the area is dominated steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, by the remnants of Wychwood Forest, which with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees form part of the Cornbury Park estate. The area and occasionally woods; immediately to the south has a mixed land use enclosed, intimate character created by and field pattern, with concentrations of irregular valley form and vegetation cover; boundaries, pockets of woodland and mature moderate to low intervisibility. hedgerow trees that may have evolved from the earlier process of 'assadng', where f!elds were carved out of the forest. To the west, the landscape is dominated by large fields bounded by straight walls and hedges, typical of later enclosures. These are now under intensive -. arable cultivation, with a weak hedgerow Limestone wolds landscapes 0 ash, oak, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in hedgerows; Open limestone wolds 0 semi-enclosed character with views large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland contained by hedgerow structure and occupying the limestone plateau and frequent blocks or belts of woodland; di pslope; 0 diverse and pastoral character; typically large or very large fields, with 0 moderate intervisibility. rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor Parkland landscapes condition) and weak hedgerows, with frequent gaps and very few trees; Parkland

productive farmland predominantly under 0 formal, designed landscape and grounds intensive arable cultivation; surrounding large country houses;

thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse 0 distinctive formal landscape features, natural vegetation cover and a somewhat including avenues, free-standing mature impoverished ’upland’ character; trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of very open and exposed character; woodland, exotic tree species, formal distinctive elevated and expansive character structures and boundary features; in higher areas, with dominant sky and 0 planting and landscape character generally sweeping views across surrounding areas; unrelated to surrounding areas;

high intervisibility. 0 distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral character; Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (laige-scale)- 0 mature woodland and tree cover with

large-scale, I smoothly rolling farmland typically enclosed character;

occupying the limestone plateau and 0 low intervisibility. dipslope; land use dominated by intensive arable Estate farmland cultivation with only occasional pasture; 0 well-managed farmland associated with large generally large-scale fields with rectilinear country estates, often lying beyond formal boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and parkland boundaries; low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, distinctively well-treed character, with typical of later enclosures; extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and some visual containment provided by large copses (often managed for game), lines of blocks and belts of woodland creating a mature trees (predominantly oak) within semi-enclosed character; hedgerows, along estate boundaries and thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse roads, estate fencing (railings and post and natural vegetation cover and a somewhat rail) and other estate features or buildings; impoverished ‘upland’ character; large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; hedgerows 0 land use predominantly arable but with some distinctive elevated and expansive character areas of permanent pasture; in higher areas, with dominant sky; enclosed, secluded and private character;

moderate intervisibility. 0 moderate to low intervisibility

Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (smaller-sale)

gently rolling farmland occupying the elevated limestone plateau and dipslope; 8 mixed land use and field pattern, with a patchwork of large arable fields and more frequent pasture and smaller-scale fields with irregular, sinuous boundaries; strong structure of dry-stone walls and hedgerows with frequent mature hedgerow -\ trees, particularly of oak and ash; SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LAND5CAPE FEATURES The pattern of settlement in the Wychwood Uplands is highly distinctive and has been the village and church spire of Leafield, which strongly influenced by landscape and land use sits prominently on an island of landform factors. To the west of Leafield, the high, above the limestone plateau; limestone plateau is very sparsely settled, with the mass of ‘Nychwood Forest which forms a most buildings clustered in the minor valleys and prominent and distinctive landmark on the only a handful of farms standing out prominently skyline; on the exposed plateau. Their even distribution intrusive mast at radio station located and regular field pattern suggests that some may prominently in open, elevated position on have originated as part of the disafforestation and high ground of limestone plateau. clearance of Wychood Forest in Victorian times, replaced by a landscape of new farms, generous fields and new roads. in contrast, settlement pattern to the south and east of Leafield shows a more organic process of evolution as medieval Settlements like Leafield, Ramsden, Crawley and Hailey progressively carved out of the forest. The later Victorian woodland clearances altered their character and introduced new settlements into the landscape, such as Fordwelb and Mount Skippett, with their rows of farm labourers cottages.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the most dominant landscape influence is the consistent use of local Oolitic limestone as a building and walling material, with roofs typically constructed of stone slates from the local Stonesfield quarries.

The form of the settlements is typically straggling and unplanned, reminiscent of the Victorian ‘open villages‘, with most having evolved slowly out of the forest accompanied by an irregular pattern of fields and winding roads. Some settlements, such as Leafield and Delly End, have a more nucleated form with buildings loosely clustered around a central green but most villages are linear with buildings stretching out along the roadside or valley. In some cases (eg. North Leigh), the earlier form of settlements has been confused by more recent infill or peripheral development. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE ISSUES WOLDS LANDSCAPES

Most of the character area lies within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, confirming that much of the Wychwood rebuild and maintain drystone walls; Uplands landscape is of outstanding quality and retain and replant hedgerows and introduce of national significance. Apart from the area more hedgerow trees, using native species between Hailey and New Yatt, the remaining typical of the limestone (eg. ash, oak, field area falls within the Area of High Landscape maple etc.); Value designation. plant large blocks and belts of native . broadleaved woodland, to link with existing The character area also includes a number of woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland other features of conservation value which and farmland; contribute to its overall significance, including: where possible, retain areas of existing permanent pasture, encourage conversion of Conservation Areas at Finstock, Ramsden, arable land to pasture and discourage further Leafield and Hailey; field enlargement; Park and Garden of Special Historic encourage less intensive farming practices, the Interest, National Nature Reserve and SSSl introduction of ‘natural‘ vegetation cover in designations of Cornbury ParWychwood field headlands and margins, improve Forest and a number of other remnants of appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside’ ancient semi-natural woodland scattered land; across the plateau; repair and maintain traditional stone buildings several Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the landscape. dispersed across the plateau. Development sensitivities Overall, the Wychwood Uplands have an attractive and unspoilt, rural character. There are elevated, open limestone wold landscapes are few detracting influences and localised variations very visually exposed and particularly in quality and condition are’ mainly related to the sensitive to development; effects of agricultural land management practice. elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds Different strategies for management and landscapes are also visually sensitive and any enhancement are shown in Figure 6. development would need to be closely and sensitively integrated with existing buildings or The principal factors that potentially threaten within a strong landscape structure; landscape quality in this area are: development within heavily wooded areas may be less visually sensitive but may be agricultural intensification, particularly the damaging to important wildlife and landscape conversion of grassland to arable, the removal resources; of natural vegetation cover and the poor these elevated landscapes are particularly maintenance and loss of field boundaries; sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such conversion of native broad-leaved woodland as communications masts, and large buildings. to coniferous plantations; visual intrusion of prominent structures such as communication masts and large farm buildings; ’suburbanisation’ of rural settlements and -7 roads. -4 GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities

0 maintain, and where necessary, restore historic parkland landscape at Cornbury Park, including distinctive elements such as parkland trees, avenues, lakes, rides, woods, copses, boundary walls and structures;

0 retain mature boundary and roadside trees and replant as necessary;

0 manage and extend existing areas of broadleaved woodland to maximise their wildlife and landscape value;

0 plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved woodland within estate farmland to reinforce enclosed, wooded character.

Development sensitivities

0 historic parkland landscapes are of exceptional landscape value and extremely sensitive to development; estate farmland is also generally of high scenic quality and sensitive to development, although its mature structure of woodland makes it more visually robust

KEY s ETTLEM ENTS

See Part 3 for key settlement study for:

Witney 9 Shilton Downs

/-- OVERVI E W the steepest slopes, particularly within some of the tributary valleys, but arable cultivation The River Windrush flows through a deep valley predominates on the gentler slopes. which dissects the limestone of the Cotswold dip slope and forms a highly distinctive landform LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL feature, with a distinctively intimate and pastoral CHARACTER character. The valley is punctuated at its western end by Burford and at its eastern end by Witney, The landform of the Windrush Valley defines its which occupies an island of Cornbrash limestone overall character, providing visual enclosure, within the valley floor and forms the junction shelter and a coherent valley character which with the more open Vale to the south. contrasts markedly with the open, rolling limestone hills above. Within the valley, however, a number of different local landscape GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM types have been identified, the key characteristics of which are summarised below. The overall valley form is characterised by uneven convex sides, their slopes steepening towards the bottom, and a broad, flat floodplain Valley landscapes through which the river has developed a complex pattern of meanders. On its northern side, the Minor valley smooth landform of the valley sides is broken by 0 small-scale tributary valleys which dissect a series of minor, tributary valleys and streams plateaux and valley-sides and connect with which flow off the Wychwood Uplands' (Area 7) major valleys;

to the north. To the south, the valley has a 0 pronounced v-shaped profile with steep steeper and more continuous profile, interrupted sides and absence of flat valley floor; only by a distinctive 'island' of landform at hthall 0 watercourse often inconspicuous or absent (around which the river once formed a broad (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on loop), before widening out at Witney. limestone); 0 shallower profile at upper end with few trees The geology of the Windrush Valley is or hedges and a more open character; comparatively simple. It is only at the western 0 steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, end near Burford and around Swinbrook that with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees narrow bands of Inferior Oolite and Lias Clays are and occasionally woods; exposed beneath the Great Oolite of the enclosed, intimate character created by limestone plateau. However, at its eastern end valley form and vegetation cover; the Great Oolite gives way to the Cornbrash moderate low intervisibility. Limestone which forms the valley sides and the distinctive landform 'island' upon which the town Valley floor farmland of Witney originated. The valley floor is lined 0 distinctive flat valley floor; with alluvium with occasional pockets of terrace predominantly permanent pasture but with gravels along the valley sides. pockets of cultivated land; riparian character, with strong pattern of LANDCOVER ditches often lined by willow; PrbHe to wiliter flooding; The pattern of land cover within the valley is landscape structure provided by lines and highly distinctive. The flat valley floor is prone to groups of mature trees, with willow and alder flooding and has remained predominantly under conspicuous; permanent pasture, whereas the drier slopes of 0 intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral the valley sides have a more mixed landcover. character; Permanent grassland and woodland are typical of 0 moderate to low intervisibility, with some 0 generally large-scale fields with rectilinear open views into the valley from above and boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and some filtered longer views along the valley low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, floor. typical of later enclosures; some visual containment provided by large Open valley-side farmland blocks and belts of woodland creating a

0 distinctive sloping, and typically convex, semi-enclosed character; valley-side landform; 0 thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse 0 predominantly large-scale fields under arable natural vegetation cover and a somewhat cultivation but with occasional pasture; impoverished 'upland' character;

0 weak landscape structure and few 0 ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in hedgedtrees; hedgerows 0 open, visually exposed landscape, prominent 0 distinctive elevated and expansive character in views from within and across valley; in higher areas, with dominant sky; 0 high intervisibility along valley sides. 0 moderate intervisibility.

Semi-enclosed valley-side farmland Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (smaller-scale) distinctive sloping, and typically convex, valley-side landform; e large-scale, gently rolling farmland occupying mixed pattern of land use and strong the elevated limestone plateau and dipslope; structure of hedgerows, trees and woodland; 0 mixed land use and field pattern, with a

0 more enclosed character with low patchwork of large arable fields and more intervisibility along the valley sides but frequent pasture and smaller-scale fields with prominent in views from within and across irregular, sinuous boundaries;

the valley. 0 strong structure of dry-stone walls and hedgerows with frequent mature hedgerow trees; Limestone wolds landscapes ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in hedgerows; Open limestone wolds semi-enclosed character with views 0 large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland contained by hedgerow structure and occupying the limestone plateau and frequent blocks or belts of woodland; dipslope; diverse and pastoral character; typically large or very large fields, with moderate intervisibility. rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical of later enclosures and often in poor condition) and weak hedgerows, with Parkland landscapes frequent gaps and very few trees; productive farmland predominantly under hate farmland intensive arable cultivation; well-managed farmland associated with large thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse country estates, often lying beyond formal natural vegetation cover and a somewhat parkland boundaries; impoverished 'upland' character; 0 distinctively well-treed character, with very open and exposed character; extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and distinctive elevated and expansive character copses (often managed for game), lines of in higher areas, with dominant sky and mature trees (predominantly oak) within sweeping views across surrounding areas; hedgerows, along estate boundaries and high intervisibility. roads, estate fencing (railings and post and rail) and other estate features or buildings; Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (latge-scale) 0 large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; occupying the limestone plateau and 0 land use predominantly arable but with some d ipslope; areas of permanent pasture; .- land use dominated by intensive arable 0 enclosed, secluded and private character; ,\ cultivation with only occasional pasture; 0 moderate to low intervisibility. \- Sub-rural landscapes SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

Rural hinge land As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the most 0 non-agricultural land with semi-domestic dominant landscape influence within the character within a rural context, eg. horse Settlements is the consistent use of local Oolitic paddocks, allotments, small-holdings etc.; limestone as a building and walling material, with 0 small-scale field pattern usually around the roofs typically constructed of stone slates from fringes of settlements; the local Stonesfield quarries. 0 somewhat unkempt appearance, rank or weed-infested grassland, poorly managed To some extent, the form and size of many

hedges and ’ boundary fencing, typical settlements has been constrained by physical assortment of ramshackle sheds, horse factors, such as the narrow valley floor, its steep jumps, fly-tipping etc.; sides and the threat of flooding. Other 0 other intrusive influences, such as overhead settlements have grown out of their traditional power lines and built form on the edge of valley setting. For example, the Victorian settlements; settlement of Charterville was located

<- . 0 moderate intewisibility. incongruously on the high limestone land above Minster Lovell, while the modern expansion of Sport landscapes Witney has similarly taken the town beyond its 0 manicured or intensively managed land ‘natural’ valley setting onto the higher, more under amenity use (eg. golf courses or exposed ground of the wolds. playing fields); 0 landform, planting character and features (eg. lakes,. bunkers) often unrelated to KEY LANDMARKS AND landscape context; LANDSCAPE FEATURES 0 open, expansive character, particularly where planting has not yet matured; 0 the spire of Burford Parish Church; 0 moderate to high intervisibility. 0 the stone buildings of the villages, mills and farms located within the valley; the Abbey ruins at Minster Lovell; SETTLEMENT PATTERN 0 church and visible earthworks associated with the deserted medieval village at The Windrush Valley contains a string of Widford. settlements, including the towns of Burford and Witney, positioned at either end, and a number of smaller villages, including Taynton, Swinbrook, .- Minster Lovell and Crawley.

Many of these date from Saxon times when the sheltered valleys, with their well-watered meadows, were particularly favoured areas for settlement. Geology and relief played a significant part in their siting - for example, Witney is located on an island of Cornbrash limestone above the surrounding alluvial floodplain of the Windrush, while Asthall was also sited on an island of landform raised above the valley floor, The river also brought a source of prosperity with the development of mills for the woollen and textile industry, for which Witney remains famous. Other natural resources were exploited at Taynton with the quarrying of particularly fine Great Oolite limestone, used \ widely both locally and further afield. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY ISSUES LANDSCAPES

Most of the character area lies within the Enhancement priorities Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty, while the Windrush Valley and its 0 retain and manage areas of floodplain pasture tributary, the valley of the Seven Springs, form and meadows;

part of the Upper Thames Tributaries 0 reintroduce traditional practices of willow Environmentally Sensitive Area. The lower part pollarding and ditch management;

of the valley also lies within the Area of High 0 introduce new planting along watercourses Landscape Value designation. These and in lines and groups within valley floor, designations confirm that much of the Upper using typical riparian species such as willow ,.~ Windrush Valley landscape is of outstanding and alder; quality and of national significance. where possible, introduce new woodland planting along the valley-sides and convert The character area also includes a number of arable fields to grassland; other features of conservation value which strengthen landscape structure by new contribute to its overall significance, including: planting on western edge of Witney to reduce impact of development 0 Conservation Areas at Taynton, Burford, Swinbrook, Athall, Minster Lovell and within Developmen t sen sit ivi t ies Witney; 0 several remnants of ancient semi-natural unspoilt valley floor farmland and the minor woodland along the valley sides to the north; valleys are of particularly high quality and 0 a number of Scheduled Ancient sensitive to development; Monuments along the valley floor and sides. open valley-sides are visually sensitive and development would be highly prominent and Overall, the Upper Windrush Valley has a highly exposed; attractive and remarkably unspoilt, rural 0 enclosed valley-sides are also highly visible character but with some localised variations in but may offer limited opportunities to absorb quality and condition which require different small-scale development within a strong strategies for management and enhancement (see .. structure of trees and woodland or with other Figure 6). buildings; all valley landscape types would be The principal factors that potentially threaten particularly sensitive to the introduction of tall landscape quality in this area are: or large-scale structures.

0 agricultural intensification, particularly drainage and cultivation of floodplain pasture, removal of ‘wet fences’; 0 poor maintenance or loss of traditional stone buildings and drystone walls; 0 the expansion of settlements into open countryside; 0 ‘suburbanisation‘ of rural settlements and roads; the visual intrusion of unsightly development and poor management of fringe areas (eg. West of Witney). /-,, GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE continuous ribbon development, should be avoided. WOLD LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities KEY SETTLEMENTS

0 rebuild and maintain drystone walls; See Part 3 for key settlement studies for: 0 retain and replant hedgerows and hedgerow trees, using native species typical of the Burford limestone (eg. ash, field maple etc.); Witney 0 where possible, encourage conversion of arable land to pasture;

0 plant large blocks and belts of native broadleaved woodland, to link with existing woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland and farmland.

Development sensitivities

0 elevated, open limestone wold landscapes are very visually exposed and particularly sensitive to development;

0 elevated, semi-enclosed limestone wolds landscapes are also visually sensitive and any development would need to be closely integrated with existing buildings or within a strong landscape structure; 0 tall structures, such as communications masts, and large buildings would be particularly prominent in these elevated landscapes.

GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities

0 repair broken-down fencing and encourage development and maintenance of strong hedgerows and trees to reduce impact of unsightly land uses; encourage more consistent use of boundary treatments along built frontages and allotmentdsmall-holdings.

Development sensitivities

potentiallY more tolerant of develoP ment but prominent plateau location, and suburbanising influence on adjacent landscape, limits opportunities;

0 development of small fields and over- development of individual plots, leading to ,7 �����������������������

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��������������� nstone Valleys and Ridge

3 Enstone Uplands

er Evenlode Val1 er Evenlode Valle 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

7 Wychwood Uplands

13 Western Thames Fringes OVERVIEW Brize Norton, some of which are of ancient origin. An area of limestone landscape which forms the divide between the low-lying clay vale to the LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL south and the Windrush Valley and limestone CHARACTER uplands to the north. A line of settlements lie along its southern boundary, occupying the The overall character of this area is dominated by spring line between the limestone and clay (eg. its limestone geology, forming the typically large- Filkins, Kencott, Broadwell, Alvescot and scale, open landscape of the limestone wolds. Carterton). The area has a typically large-scale However, there are contrasts between this and field pattern bounded by dry-stone walls with the the heavily wooded and enclosed estate sparse and characteristic vegetation cover typical character around the Cotswold Wildlife Park and of the other limestone areas, apart from extensive a number of other local landscape types have woodlands around the Cotswold Wildlife Park been identified, the key characteristics of which and estate farmland to the west. are summarised below.

GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Valley landscapes This area is the southern part of the same Oolitic limestone landmass that forms the Wychwood Minor valleys Uplands but is divided from it by the incised 0 small-scale tributary valleys which dissect valley of the River Windrush. The gently rolling plateaux and valley-sides and connect with landform is part of the Cotswold dipslope and major valleys; rises gently from the clay vale to reach a height of 0 pronounced v-shaped profile with steep around 150m AOD on its western boundary and sides and absence of flat valley floor; around 130m AOD along the top of the watercourse often inconspicuous or absent Windrush Valley to the north. It is dissected only (eg. dry or winterbourne valleys on by the narrow, steep-sided valley of the Shill limestone); Brook which flows between Westwell and 0 shallower profile at upper end with few trees Carterton and into the vale at Black Bourton. or hedges and a more open character; 0 steeper valley profile at lower end of valley, The Great Oolite limestone dominates most of with sides typically occupied by scrub, trees the area but along its southern edge, a capping of and occasionally woods; Cornbrash limestone forms a distinctive band of enclosed, intimate character created by rolling landform forming the transition between valley form and vegetation cover; the limestone wolds and the clay vale. moderate to low intervisibility.

LANDCOVER Limestone wolds landscapes

The free-draining soils of the limestone are Open limestone wolds typically characterised by large-scale arable large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland farming, with large fields enclosed by stone walls occupying the limestone plateau and or low, clipped hedges, and sparse natural di pslope; vegetation cover. However, the central part of a typically large or very large fields, with the area is occupied by the wooded estate rectilinear pattern of dry-stone walls (typical landscape around the Cotswold Wildlife Park, of later enclosures and often in poor with extensive planted woodland and belts of condition) and weak hedgerows, with trees creating an enclosed and intimate character frequent gaps and very few trees; to the landscape. There are a few other pockets 0 productive farmland predominantly under of woodland within the area, eg. to the east of intensive arable cultivation; thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse Parkland landscapes natural vegetation cover and a somewhat impoverished ‘upland’ character; Parkland very open and exposed character; formal, designed landscape and grounds 0 distinctive elevated and expansive character surrounding large country houses; in higher areas, with dominant sky and distinctive formal landscape features, sweeping views across surrounding areas; including avenues, free-standing mature high intervisibility. trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of woodland, exotic tree species, formal Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (la Ee-sale) structures and boundary features; I large-scale, smoothly rolling farmland planting and landscape character generally occupying the limestone plateau and unrelated to surrounding areas; dipslope; distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral land use dominated by intensive arable character; cultivation with only occasional pasture; mature woodland and tree cover with generally large-scale fields with rectilinear typically enclosed character; boundaries formed by dry-stone walls and low intervisibility. low hawthorn hedges with occasional trees, typical of later enclosures; Estate farmland some visual containment provided by large well-managed farmland associated with large blocks and belts of woodland creating a counw estates, often lying beyond formal semi-enclosed character; parkland boundaries;

thin, well-drained calcareous soils and sparse 0 distinctively well-treed character, with natural vegetation cover and a somewhat extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and impoverished ’upland’ character; copses (often managed for game), lines of ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in mature trees (predominantly oak) within hedgerows hedgerows, along estate boundaries and distinctive elevated and expansive character roads, estate fencing (railings and post and in higher areas, with dominant sky; rail) and other estate features or buildings; moderate intervisibility. large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; Semi-enclosed limestone wolds (3maller-sale) land use predominantly arable but with some large-scale, gently rolling farmland occupying areas of permanent pasture; the elevated limestone plateau and dipslope; 0 enclosed, secluded and private character; mixed land use and field pattern, with a moderate to low intervisibility patchwork of large arable fields and more frequent pasture and smaller-scale fields with irregular, sinuous boundaries; Sub-rural landscapes strong structure of dry-stone walls and hedgerows with frequent mature hedgerow Rural tiinge land trees; waste ground on disused airfield with ash, hazel, field maple etc. conspicuous in somewhat unkempt appearance and air of hedgerows; dereliction and neglect; semi-enclosed character with views rank or weed-infested grassland, poorly contained by hedgerow structure and managed hedges and boundary fencing, with frequent blocks or belts of woodland; areas of fly-tipping and rubble; diverse and pastoral character; moderate intervisibility. moderate intervisibiliY . Sport landscapes S ETTLEM ENT CHARACTER

0 manicured or intensively managed land under amenity use (eg. golf courses or The influence of the underlying Oolitic limestone playing fields); is still evident as the predominant building 0 landform, planting character and features material in the older settlements of this area, with (eg. lakes, bunkers) often unrelated to roofs typically constructed of Stonesfield slates. landscape context; The presence of drystone walls is common 0 suburban influences of clubhouses, gates and throughout the area and is a remarkably accurate car parking; indicator of the underlying geology. While stone 0 open, expansive character, particularly is common within settlements further south in where planting has not yet matured; the clay vale (eg. Bampton), the change from 0 moderate to high intervisibility. hedges to stone walls within the wider farmed landscape follows the geological boundary almost Aifields and MODland exactly. 0 active airfield and MOD sites that typically occupy flat, exposed and prominent The smaller settlements in the northern area have ,-- locations; a fairly compact form, some reminiscent of the 0 open, expansive and bleak character with Victorian ‘closed’ villages and others originally very weak landscape structure; contained by a tight valley site (eg. Shilton). in 0 visually prominent buildings and features (eg. contrast, the larger villages on the Cornbrash large hangars, sheds, high security fencing, have a more elongated form, mainly with a aircraft etc.) north-south orientation, with buildings strung out 0 high intervisibility. along roads. Carterton has expanded rapidly in most directions although it has been somewhat constrained to the west by the valley of the Shill SETTLEMENT PATTERN Brook.

Much of this rolling limestone country is sparsely settled, with the small villages of Westwell, KEY LANDMARKS AND Holwell, Signet and Shilton forming the only LANDSCAPE FEATURES settlements lying to the north and west of Carterton. All of these avoid the highest, most 0 intrusive buildings, fences and structures exposed areas, taking advantage of the shelter associated with Brize Norton airfield; provided by minor valleys (eg. the Brook) Shill 0 intrusive pylons and overhead power lines and hillsides. which encroach into the area along its western edge.

The largest settlement in the area - Carterton - is a comparatively recent settlement, founded in 1901 to provide housing for a colony of smallholders. Although it did not prosper for this purpose, it grew enormously after 1920 in response to housing needs for RAF Brize Norton. Like the village of Brize Norton to the east, Carterton occupies part of the band of Cornbrash Limestone which forms the transition between the Oolitic limestone and the clay vale. They form part of a string of settlements which traditionally took advantage of the springs that emerge at the junction of the limestone and clay and the lighter, more easily worked soils of the Cornbrash (see Character Area 10). LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND GUIDELINES FOR LIMESTONE CONDITION WOLDS LANDSCAPES

En han cement p r io r i t i es This character area is not covered by any statutory landscape designations. However, it 0 rebuild and maintain drystone walls;

lies within an Area of High Landscape Value 0 retain and replant hedgerows and introduce and includes a number of features of more hedgerow trees, using native species conservation significance which contribute to its typical of the limestone (eg. ash, field maple overall value, including: etc.);

0 plant large blocks and belts of native 0 Conservation Area at Shilton; broadleaved woodland, to link with existing 0 two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and woodlands and restore a mosaic of woodland several remnants of ancient semi-natural and farmland;

woodland across the limestone uplands. 0 where possible, retain areas of existing permanent pasture (such as around Field Overall, the Shilton Downs have an attractive Farm), encourage conversion of arable land to and largely unspoilt, rural character but with pasture and discourage further field occasional dewacting influences, most notably enlargement; the influence of urban development and the 0 encourage less intensive farming practices, the airbase at Carterton and the ‘scruffy‘, derelict introduction of ’natural’ vegetation cover in character of the disused airfield south of the field headlands and margins, improve Cotswold Wildlife Park. Most localised variations appearance and wildlife value of ‘set-aside’ in quality and condition are related to the effem land;

of agricultural land management practice. 0 repair and maintain traditional stone buildings Different strategies for management and in the landscape;

enhancement are shown in Figure 6. 0 strengthen landscape structure around Carterton by new planting to soften the The principal factors that potentially threaten impact of existing and proposed landscape quality in this area are: development.

agricultural intensification, particularly the Development sensitivities conversion of grassland to arable, the removal of natural vegetation cover and the poor 0 open limestone wold landscapes are very maintenance and loss of field boundaries; visually exposed and sensitive to 0 noise and visual intrusion of Brize Norton development; airfield; 0 a particularly strong landscape structure 0 the expansion of settlements and new housing would need to be established to absorb into open countryside (eg. Carterton and at development in more open landscapes; Bradwell Grove); 0 semi-enclosed limestone wolds landscapes ‘suburbanisation‘ of rural settlements and are also visually sensitive and any roads; development would need to be closely and 0 negative quality of derelict airfield site. sensitively integrated with existing buildings or within a strong landscape structure;

0 elevated, open landscapes are particularly sensitive to tall or prominent structures, such as communications masts, and large buildings. GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities Enhancement priorities

retain mature trees and other formal parkland improve the quality of the boundaries around features within the Cotswold Wildlife Park; Brize Norton airbase by new planting and retain mature hedges, boundary trees and improved management, to reduce impact of roadside avenues and replant as necessary; intrusive structures, fencing and land uses; manage and extend existing areas of remove fly-tipping and unsightly fences etc. broadleaved woodland to maximise their from the disused airfield near Bradwell Grove wildlife and landscape value; and encourage restoration of a more positive plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved and appropriate landscape character; woodland within estate farmland to reinforce strengthen landscape structure in fringe enclosed, wooded character; landscapes around Carterton by new planting retain areas of permanent pasture and resist to soften the impact of existing and proposed conversion to arable. development; encourage use of more appropriate species Development sensitivities and planting character within golf course; encourage less intensive management of

0 parkland landscapes and their component fairways and roughs, to encourage a more features are of high landscape value and very diverse grassland sward; sensitive to development; maintain strong boundary planting to contain estate farmland is also generally of high scenic suburbanising influence on surrounding rural quality and sensitive to development, landscape. although its mature structure of woodland makes it more visually robust. Development sensitivities

GUIDELINES FOR VALLEY 'brown-field' site of disused airfield LANDSCAPES potentially more tolerant of development but prominent plateau location and rural context Enhancement priorities are limiting factors; the introduction of urban influences, eg. styles of buildings, highway treatments and lighting e retain and manage areas of pasture and to the airfield site would be potentially meadows within the minor valleys; damaging to the rural character of the encourage sensitive management of surrounding landscape. watercourses, planting of riparian vegetation the highly artificial golf course landscape is and traditional pollarding of willows; quite tolerant of change but built 0 introduce new woodland planting along the development would alter its essentially 'green' va ley-sides I character; sites with an open character on settlement Development sensitivities fringes are less able to absorb development than those with a strong pattern of hedgerows the intimate landscape of the minor valleys and trees, within which development could has a rural, pastoral and generally unspoilt be more successfully integrated. character and is very sensitive to built development; KEY SETTLEMENTS the upper, more open valley-sides are particularly visually sensitive and development See Part 3 for key settlement studies for: would be highly prominent and exposed; the landscape buffer provided by Shill Brook Burford, Carterton and Witney along the western edge of Carterton should -, be maintained and strengthened. 9 Shilton Downs

u -1 -1 OVERVIEW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER This area of distinctively low-lying but gently rolling clay vale landscape lies between the edge The overall character of this area is defined by its of the limestone to the north and the very flat, low-lying and gentle relief and the patchwork of expansive floodplain landscape which borders large, regularly shaped fields and comparatively the River Thames to the south. The underlying strong structure of hedgerows and trees. Within clay geology is reflected in the soils and character the area, however, a number of subtle variations of the vegetation (eg. oak is the dominant tree in local landscape character have been identified, species). Landscape pattern is characterised by as summarised below. large fields with a reasonably strong structure of hedgerows and trees, although pockets of more open, intensive arable cultivation occupy higher, Clay vale landscapes drier and more productive land overlying localised areas of river gravels. Floodplain pasture typicall; located immediately adjacent to GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM rivers and minor watercourses on land prone to flooding, particularly in winter; distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m This is an area of low-lying, subdued relief which A0D); forms part of the lowland landscape of the Upper predominantly under permanent pasture with Thames Clay Vale. There is some variation in only occasional cultivated land; ground levels between about 70 and 90 m AOD riparian character, with strong pattern of but these changes are very subtle and are barely ditches often lined by willow; perceptible across much of the area. landscape structure provided by lines and groups of mature trees, with willow and alder The underlying geology is dominated by Oxford conspicuous; Clay but overlying this are localised deposits of intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral alluvium and terrace gravels which have an character; influence on landuse and vegetation. remote and tranquil with limited intrusion by people or buildings; LANDCOVER moderate to low intervisibility.

The heavy alluvial soils occur along minor Open flat vale Farmland streamcourses and typically support permanent drained and cultivated land (arable or pasture or grassland, with willow-lined ditches reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; and a pastoral, riparian character. Farmland on distinctively flat and low-lying; the Oxford Clay supports a mixture of grassland network of ditches; and arable within large fields bounded by strong weak landscape structure with few trees, low hedges and blocks of woodland, with oak as the or gappy hedges open ditches and fences; dominant species. Areas of more open, intensive open, denuded character with high arable cultivation are confined to the higher, intervisibility; drier and more productive land overlying 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with localised areas af river gravels. dominant sky, Semi-enclosed fat vale 0 distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral

0 drained and cultivated land (arable or character; reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; mature woodland and tree cover with

0 distinctively flat and low-lying typically enclosed character;

0 network of ditches; 0 low intervisibility.

0 strong landscape structure of willow-lined ditches, hedgerows and occasional woodland Esrate farmland blocks; well-managed farmland associated with large

0 semi-enclosed character with moderate to country estates, often lying beyond formal low intervisibility. parkland boundaries; distinctively well-treed character, with Open rolhng vale farmland extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally copses (often managed for game), lines of above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised mature trees (predominantly oak) within landform; hedgerows, along estate boundaries and well-drained, productive land underlain by roads, estate fencing (railings and post and river terrace gravels ; rail) and other estate features or buildings; large-scale, cultivated fields (arable large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded predominant) with regular field boundaries; by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; weak structure of tightly clipped hedges and land use predominantly arable but with some few hedgerow trees (dry-stone walls absent); areas of permanent pasture; open, denuded character; enclosed, secluded and private character; high intervisibility; moderate to low intervisibility 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with dominant sky. SETTLEMENT PATTERN Semi-enclosed rolling vale farmland 0 low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally The pattern of settlement within this area is above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised intimately related to geology. A line of villages landform; occur along the northern edge of the area, 0 well-drained, productive land underlain by including Filkins, Broughton Poggs, Kencot, river terrace gravels ; Broadwell, Black Bourton and Alvescot. Early 0 mostly large-scale fields under arable with settlement of these areas was intimately related regular field boundaries but some smaller- to the outcrop of Cornbrash limestone which scale pattern and pasture (especially around forms the transition between the Oolitic settlements); limestone to the north and the clay vale, taking 0 stronger structure of hedgerows, trees and advantage of the springs that emerge at the occasional belts or blocks of woodland; junction of the limestone and clay and the 0 semi-enclosed character; lighter, more easily worked soils of the 0 moderate intervisibility. Cornbrash.

Elsewhere, extensive deposits of river gravels Parkland landscapes overlie the Oxford Clay and alluvium to create terraces of raised land with well-drained soils that Parkland were favoured by early settlers. There has been 0 formal, designed landscape and grounds persistent settlement of these Thames -side surrounding large country houses; gravels since prehistoric times but most of today's 0 distinctive formal landscape features, settlements date from the Saxon period and including avenues, free-standi ng mature include Bampton (one of the earliest Saxon trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of settlements in this part of England), Clanfield, woodland, exotic tree species, formal Langford and Aston. Other small hamlets and structures and boundary features; farms also tend to occupy islands of raised 0 planting and landscape character generally ground, such as at Lew, with a very sparse --. unrelated to surrounding areas; scattering of buildings within the large areas of low-lying farmland in between.

SETTLE M ENT CHARACTER

Where settlements evolved as isolated ‘islands’ surrounded by low-lying floodplain marshes, their form tends to be nucleated, focused upon a central space. This is particularly true of Bampton which, until 1750, had no surfaced road access and was essentially an inward- looking, self-sufficient community. Other settlements have developed in a more linear fashion and in some cases have coalesced to form linked pairs of villages, such as Filkins and Broughton Poggs and Kencot and Broadwell. \ Oolitic limestone is the predominant building and roofing material in the villages, reflecting their relative proximity to the Cotswold hills to the north. Occasional brick buildings mostly date from the nineteenth century. While stone is common withirr the villages, it is rare within the open farmland, where hedges or ditches are the predominant field boundaries.

KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES

spire of Bampton church; other attractive stone buildings within conservation villages and in open countryside; intrusive buildings, fences and structures associated with Brize Norton airfield, visible over some distance, especially from slightly elevated areas (eg. Lew);intrusive pylons and overhead power lines which encroach into the area along its western edge. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR CLAY VALE ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area is not covered by any Enhancement priorities statutory landscape designations. However, parts of the area lie within an Area of High Landscape retain and manage areas of floodplain Value and it includes a number of features of pasture, meadows and riparian vegetation; conservation significance which contribute to its promote traditional practices of willow overall value, including: pollarding and ditch management;

0 introduce new planting along watercourses 0 Conservation Areas at Langford, Bampton, and in lines and groups within valley floor, -_~. Filkins, Broughton Poggs, Kencot and using typical riparian species such as willow Alvescot; and alder; 0 a good number of Scheduled Ancient 0 within open clay vale landscapes, restore a Monuments associated with early settlement stronger structure of hedgerows, hedgerow on the terrace gravels; trees and belts of woodland,

0 some large remnants of Ancient Semi- 0 in semi-enclosed clay vale farmland, retain natural Wo,odland to the east of the area. and extend existing hedgerow network and allow mature hedgerow trees to develop;

Overall, the Western Vale Fringes have an 0 where possible, encourage conversion of attractive and unspoilt, rural character but with arable land to pasture;

some localised variations in quality and condition 0 plant large blocks and belts of native which require different strategies for broadleaved woodland, to link with existing management and enhancement (see Figure 6). woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern of woodland and farmland. The principal factors that potentially threaten landscape quality in this area are: Development sensitivities

0 agricultural intensification, particularly 0 unspoilt floodplain farmland is of particularly drainage and conversion of pasture to arable, high quality and sensitive to development; the removal of natural vegetation cover and 0 open clay vale landscapes are visually the poor maintenance and loss of field sensitive and development would be highly boundaries; prominent and exposed; 0 'suburbanisation' of rural settlements and 0 semi-enclosed clay vale landscapes may offer roads; limited opportunities to absoib small-scale noise and visual intrusion from Brize Norton development within a strong structure of trees airbase and visual intrusion of pylons and and woodland or with other buildings. overhead power lines. GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities

0 maintain, and where necessary, restore parkland landscape and features at Cokethorpe; 0 retain mature hedges, boundary trees and roadside avenues and replant as necessary; 0 manage and extend existing areas of broadleaved woodland to maximise their wildlife and landscape value; 0 plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved woodland within estate farmland to reinforce enclosed, wooded character;

~ -\\ 0 retain areas of permanent pasture and resist conversion to arable.

Development sensitivities

0 parkland landscapes and their component features are ,of high landscape value and very sensitive to development; 0 estate farmland is also generally of high scenic quality and sensitive to development, although its mature structure of woodland makes it more visually robust.

KEY SETTLEMENTS

See Part 3 for key settlement study for:

Bampton 9 Shilton Downs

a OVE RVIEW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER This area has similarities with Area 10 and forms a low-lying area characterised by large-scale, Like the Western Vale Fringes, the typical subtly rolling farmland, with a strong landscape character of this area is defined by its low-lying structure. However, it is particularly and gentle relief and the patchwork of large, distinguished by extensive areas of woodland and regularly shaped fields and comparatively strong a well-treed character dominated by the formal structure of hedgerows and trees. However, the parkland and well-managed farmland of Eynsham heavily wooded estate landscape of Eynsham Park and other large estates. Park is a dominant feature and a number of more subtle variations in local landscape character GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM have also been identified, as summarised below.

This is an area of low-lying, subdued relief which forms part of the lowland landscape of the Upper Clay vale landscapes Thames Clay Vale and its tributaries (including the lower part of the Evenlode valley). There is Floodplain pasture some variation in ground levels between about typically located immediately adjacent to 70 and 90 m AOD but these changes are very rivers and minor watercourses on land prone subtle and are barely perceptible across much of to flooding, particularly in winter; the area. The underlying geology is dominated distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m by Oxford Clay but overlying this are localised A0D); deposits of alluvium, terrace gravels and glacial predominantly under permanent pasture with drift which have an influence on landuse and only occasional cultivated land; vegetation . riparian character, with strong pattern of ditches often lined by willow; LAN DCOVE R landscape structure provided by lines and groups of mature trees, with willow and alder The heavy alluvial soils occur along conspicuous; streamcourses and river valleys and typically intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral support permanent pasture or grassland, with character; willow-lined ditches and a pastoral, riparian remote and tranquil with limited intrusion by character. Farmland on the Oxford Clay supports people or buildings; a mixture of grassland and arable within large moderate to low intervisibility. fields bounded by strong hedges and blocks of oak woodland. Open fat vale farmland drained and cultivated land (arable or Woodland cover, including the ancient woodland reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; of Cogges Wood, is a feature of the parkland and distinctively flat and low-lying; estate landscape surrounding Eynsham Hall and network of ditches; occupies areas underlain by boulder clay. Areas weak landscape structure with few trees, low of more open, intensive arable cultivation are or gappy hedges open ditches and fences; confined to the higher, drier and more open, denuded character with high productive land overlying localised areas of river intervisibility; gravels. 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with dominant sky. 1 Semi-enclosed ffat vale farmland Parkland landscapes

0 drained and cultivated land (arable or reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; Parkland

0 distinctively flat and low-lying; 0 formal, designed landscape and grounds

0 network of ditches; surrounding large country houses;

0 stronger landscape structure of willow-lined 0 distinctive formal landscape features, ditches, hedgerows and occasional woodland including avenues, free-standi ng mature blocks; trees in pasture, clumps and blocks of

0 semi-enclosed character with moderate to woodland, exotic tree species, formal low intewisibility. structures and boundary features; 0 planting and landscape character generally Open rolling vale farmland unrelated to surrounding areas; 0 low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally 0 distinctively rural, picturesque and pastoral above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised character; landform; mature woodland and tree cover with 0 well-drained, productive land underlain by typically enclosed character; river terrace gravels ; low intewisibility. , -.. 0 large-scale, cultivated fields (arable predominant) with regular field boundaries; Estate farmland 0 weak structure of tightly clipped hedges and 0 well-managed farmland associated with large few hedgerow trees (dry-stone walls absent); country estates, often lying beyond formal 0 open, denuded character; parkland boundaries;

0 high intewisibility; 0 distinctively well-treed character, with 0 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with extensive mature woodland blocks, belts and dominant sky. copses (often managed for game), lines of mature trees (predominantly oak) within Semi-enclosed rolling vale farmland hedgerows, along estate boundaries and 0 low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally roads, estate fencing (railings and post and above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised rail) and other estate features or buildings; landform; 0 large-scale pattern of fields, typically bounded 0 well-drained, productive land underlain by by belts of woodland or lines of mature trees; river terrace gravels ; 0 land use predominantly arable but with some mostly large-scale fields under arable with areas of permanent pasture; regular field boundaries but some smaller- 0 enclosed, secluded and private character;

scale pattern and pasture (especially around 0 moderate to low intervisibility settleme nts) ; stronger structure of hedgerows, trees and occasional belts or blocks of woodland; semi-enclosed character; moderate intervisibility.

Floodplain wetlands 0 areas of open water occupying former gravel pits within floodplain; 0 associated wet grassland and marswfen vegetation communities with a semi-natural character; 0 distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m AOD); 0 structure and visual enclosure provided by developing scrub and tree cover; 0 moderate to low intervisibility.

_-. SETTLEMENT PATTERN

Like most parts of the Upper Thames Clay Vale, the pattern of settlement within this area is intimately related to geology, with most settlements located on the raised terraces of river gravels which overlie the clay and alluvial flats. Their origins are mixed, however, as there has been persistent setdement of these Thames-side gravels since prehistoric times. For example, sites near Eynsham and Cassington show an overlap of cultures from Bronze and Iron Age, through Roman to Saxon settlement.

All took advantage of the proximity to well- watered meadows and the lighter, productive soils of the gravel terraces. Place names suggest ,- definite Saxon origins for some settlements, such as Eynsham which incorporates the Old English word for meadow - ’ham’. Eynsham’s siting was also related to a strategic crossing point of the Thames. Other settlements, like Freeland, owe their origins to the re-development of the agrarian landscape and the building of country mansions, notably Eynsham Hall, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

Settlements in this area are predominantly linear in form with buildings strung out along a road (eg. Cassington and Freeland). Eynsham has a squarer form, with its original core having been extended as part of a planned medieval settlement, although this form has been partially obscured by modern development.

Oolitic limestone is the predominant building material in these settlements, reflectjng their relative proximity to the Cotswold hills to the north. Roofing material is more mixed, however, and includes Stonesfield slate, thatch, tiles and Welsh slate. While stone is common within the villages, it is rare within the open farmland, where hedges or ditches are the predominant field boundaries.

KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES

intrusive buildings and urban features around fringes of Eynsham.

\ LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR CLAY VALE ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area is not covered by any Enhancement priorities statutory landscape designations and only a small part lies within the Area of High Landscape retain and manage areas of floodplain Value. However, it includes a number of pasture, meadows and riparian vegetation; features of conservation significance which promote traditional practices of willow contribute to its overall value, including: pollarding and ditch management; 0 introduce new planting along watercourses 0 Conservation Areas at Church Hanborough, and in lines and groups within valley floor, Bladon, Cassington and Eynsham; using typical riparian species such as willow 0 a Park and Garden of Special Interest at and alder; Eynsham Hall; 0 within open clay vale landscapes, restore a 0 a number of Scheduled Ancient stronger structure of hedgerows, hedgerow Monuments on the terrace gravels near trees and belts of woodland, Eynsham; 0 in semi-enclosed clay vale farmland, retain 0 some large remnants of Ancient Semi- and extend existing hedgerow network and natural Wedland scattered across the area. allow mature hedgerow trees to develop; where possible, encourage conversion of Overall, the Eynsham Vale has an attractive and arable land to pasture; largely unspoilt, rural character but with some 0 plant large blocks and belts of native localised variations in quality and condition broadleaved woodland, to link with existing which demand different strategies for woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern management and enhancement (see Figure XI. of woodland and farmland; 0 strengthen landscape structure around the The principal factors that potentially threaten main settlements (eg. Eynsham) to soften the landscape quality in this area are: urbanising effects of existing or proposed peripheral development; 0 agricultural intensification, particularly maintain rural character of secondary road drainage and conversion of pasture to arable, network and, where possible, avoid the removal of natural vegetation cover and urbanising influences of street lighting, kerbs the poor maintenance and loss of field and footpaths, signage etc. boundaries; 0 intrusion from built development, heavy Development sensitivities traffic on main roads (particularly the A401 and overhead power lines; 0 unspoilt floodplain farmland is of particularly expansion of rural settlements and high quality and sensitive to development; 'suburbanisation' of the wider countryside. 0 flat, open clay vale landscapes are visually sensitive and development would be highly prominent and exposed unless integrated within strong new landscape frameworks; 0 semi-enclosed clay vale landscapes may offer limited vppvrhinities tv absorb small-scale development within a strong structure of trees and woodland or with other buildings; 0 smaller-scale, clay vale landscapes on the 0 retain areas of permanent pasture and resist immediate fringes of the larger settlements are conversion to arable. potentially more tolerant of development, if it conforms to existing field pattern, is Development sensitivities sensitively designed and does not significantly

alter settlement form. 0 parkland landscapes and their component features are of high landscape value and very sensitive to development; GUIDELINES FOR PARKLAND e estate farmland is also generally of high scenic AND ESTATE LANDSCAPES quality and sensitive to development, although its mature structure of woodland Enhancement priorities makes it more visually robust.

maintain, and where necessary, restore parkland landscape and features at Eynsham KEY SETTLEMENTS Park; retain mature hedges, boundary trees and See Part 3 for key settlement study for: roadside avenues and replant as necessary;

0 manage and extend existing areas of Eynsham broadleaved woodland to maximise their Witney wildlife and landscape value; plant new blocks and belts of broadleaved woodland w/thin estate farmland to reinforce enclosed, wooded character; Ironstone Valleys and Ridge

4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

9 Shilton Downs

3 Western Thames Fringes

u OVERVIEW LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER An area of distinctively flat, low-lying landscape which occupies the 'floodplain' of the River The overall character of this area is defined by its Windrush and the margins of the River Thames low-lying, extremely flat and wetland character to the east and west of their confluence. The but within this, a number of specific variations in area overlies extensive river gravel deposits and local landscape character have been identified, as its character has been heavily modified by summarised below. mineral extraction. Large areas of the floodplain are now occupied by gravel pits in various stages of active quarrying, restoration or recolonisation Clay vale landscapes and extensive areas of open water are a distinguishing feature of this area. Where these Floodplain pasture have recolonised, and in the extensive areas of typicall; located immediately adjacent to pasture to the east, the landscape has a typically rivers and minor watercourses on land prone pastoral, tranquil and remote character. to flooding, particularly in winter; distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM A0D); predominantly under permanent pasture with This is an area of low-lying, subdued relief which only occasional cultivated land; forms part of the lowland landscape of the Upper riparian character, with strong pattern of Thames Clay Vale. It is extremely flat and low- ditches often lined by willow; lying (mostly below 70 metres AOD) and forms landscape structure provided by lines and the immediate floodplain of the River Thames groups of mature trees, with willow and alder and its major tributary, the River Windrush. The conspicuous; underlying geology is dominated by alluvium and intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral terrace gravels which have an influence on character; landuse and vegetation. remote and tranquil with limited intrusion by people or buildings; LANDCOVER moderate to low intervisibility.

Large expanses of alluvium occur immediately Floodplain wet'ands alongside the Thames and typically support areas of open water occupying former gravel permanent pasture or meadow grassland, with a pits within floodplain; characteristic pastoral, riparian character. The associated wet grassland and marsh/fen lighter soils of the gravel terraces have been vegetation communities with a semi-natural intensively cultivated and now support large-scale character; open, arable farmland with a weak hedgerow distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m structure and flat, expansive character. The AOD); deposits of gravel have been extensively structure and visual enclosure provided by quarried, replacing former farmland and marshes developing scrub and tree cover; with a series of large lakes and wetlands. Active moderate to low intervisibility. mineral extraction is ongoing but a number of former gravel pits have been restored or naturally colonised to form mosaics of wetland habitats of wildlife value, including open water, marsh, and scrub wood land. Open ffat vale farmland drained and cultivated land (arable or reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; distinctively flat and low-lying; network of ditches; 0 weak landscape structure with few trees, low or gappy hedges open ditches and fences;

0 open, denuded character with high intervisi bility;

0 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with dominant sky.

Semi-enclosed ffat vale farmland 0 drained and cultivated land (arable or reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; distinctively flat and low-lying;

0 network of ditches; ,~~ - stronger landscape structure of willow-lined ditches, hedgerows and occasional woodland blocks;

0 semi-enclosed character with moderate to low intervisibility.

Semi-enclosed rolhng vale farmland low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised landform; well-drained, productive land underlain by river terrace gravels ; mostly large-scale fields under arable with regular field boundaries but some smaller- scale pattern and pasture (especially around settlements); stronger structure of hedgerows, bees and occasional belts or blocks of woodland; semi-enclosed character; moderate intervisibility.

Sub-rural landscapes

Quarries and landtill sites areas where quarrying or landfill activity has significantly altered local landscape character; artificial landform created by excavations, tipped material and the construction of screen bunds; disturbed land typically dominated by bare ground, scrub, rough grassland, weeds and belts of screen planting; urban character introduced with incongruous styles of fencing and highway treatments, site buildings, machinery etc.;

0 low intervisibility where mounding and > planting have taken effect. SETTLEMENT PATTERN KEY LANDMARKS AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES Like other parts of the Upper Thames Clay Vale, the flat alluvial floodplains of the Thames and attractive stone buildings within Conservation Windrush are overlain by extensive terraces of Areas and in open countryside. river gravels which have been favoured for localised intrusion of mineral workings in settlement since prehistoric times. A particularly valley floor. close pattern of settlements existed along the Thames bemeen Cassington and Standlake but much of this earlier evidence, such as the Neolithic henge monument of the Devil's Quoits near Stanton Harcourt, has been lost to gravel extraction or under changing patterns of land use. All of these early settlers took advantage of the drier, lighter soils of the gravel areas and the proximity to the well-watered meadows along the main rivers. / ._ The present-day settlements have mixed origins. Stanton Harcourt is one of the earliest and largest of the remaining settlements while new marshland villages, like Northmoor and Standlake ('stony stream'), were established during a period of medieval expansion, forming a reclamation frontier at the leading edge of the lowest gravel terrace. Other settlements, like Ducklington and Hardwick, are located further up the Windrush valley but also occupy sites underlain by gravels. The alluvial flats within the floodplain of both rivers are more or less empty of settlement and have a remote, inaccessible character.

SETTLEMENT CHARACTER

Settlements in this area are typically linear in form with buildings strung out along a road. Oolitic limestone is still the predominant building material but there are a few examples of medieval timber cruck buildings (eg. in Standlake) and the use of brick, and roofing materials are a mixture of Stonesfield slate, thatch, tiles and Welsh slate. While stone is common within the villages, it is rare within the open farmland, where hedges or ditches are the predominant field boundaries. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR CLAY VALE ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area is not covered by any Enhancement priorities statutory landscape designations but most of the area lies within the Area of High Landscape 0 wherever possible, retain and manage areas Value and the Upper Thames Tributaries of floodplain pasture, water meadows and Environmentally Sensitive Area and it includes a riparian vegetation; number of features of conservation significance promote traditional practices of willow which contribute to its overall value, including: pollarding and ditch management; 0 introduce new planting along watercourses 0 Conservation Areas at Stanton Harcourt, and in lines within floodplain farmland, using Northmoor, Hardwick and Ducklington; typical riparian species such as willow and 0 a number of Scheduled Ancient alder; Monuments; 0 within open clay vale landscapes, restore a 0 four Sites of Special Scientific Interest stronger structure of hedgerows, hedgerow within the floodplain. trees and belts of woodland, 0 in semi-enclosed clay vale farmland, retain Overall, the Lower Windrush Valley and Eastern and extend existing hedgerow network and Thames Fringes has an attractive and largely allow mature hedgerow trees to develop;

unspoilt, rural character but with some localised 0 where possible, encourage conversion of variations in quality and condition which require arable land to pasture;

different strategies for management and 0 plant large blocks and belts of native enhancement (see Figure 6). broadleaved woodland, to link with existing woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern The principal factors that potentially threaten of woodland and farmland; landscape quality in this area are: 0 strengthen landscape structure around the main settlements (eg. Eynsham) to soften the 0 agricultural intensification, particularly urbanising effects of existing or proposed drainage and conversion of pasture to arable, peripheral development; the removal of natural vegetation cover and maintain rural character of secondary road the poor maintenance and loss of field network and, where possible, avoid boundaries; urbanising influences of street lighting, kerbs 0 extensive sand and gravel extraction within and footpaths, signage etc. the floodplain; 0 intrusion from built development, traffic on Development sensitivities main roads and overhead power lines; 0 expansion of rural settlements and 0 unspoilt floodplain farmland is of particularly ‘suburbanisation’ of the wider countryside. high quality and sensitive to development; 0 flat, open clay vale landscapes are visually sensitive and development would be highly prominent and exposed unless integrated within strong new landscape frameworks; semi-enclosed clay vale landscapes may offer li mited opportunities to absorb smal I-scale development within a strong structure of trees and woodland or with other buildings; smaller-scale, clay wold landscapes on the KEY SETTLEMENTS immediate fringes of the larger settlements are potentially more tolerant of development, if it See Part 3 for key settlement study for: conforms to existing field pattern, is sensitively designed and does not significantly Eynsharn alter settlement form; Ducklington floodplain wetlands created from gravel extraction with a quiet, remote character and developing wildlife value are particularly sensitive to development and activity.

GUIDELINES FOR SUB-RURAL LANDSCAPES

Enhancement priorities

0 encourage appropriate restoration and after- uses for gravel pits to maximise their wildlife and landscape value and restore rural character to access roads and boundaries on cessation of working;

Development sensitivities

0 these 'brown-field' sites are potentially more tolerant of change but their rural context are limiting factors for development; the introduction of urbanising influences, eg. urban styles of buildings, highway treatments and lighting would be potentially damaging to the rural character of the surrounding landscape. 4 Eastern Parks and Valleys

9 Shilton Downs OVE RVIE W LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CHARACTER Like the Lower Windrush Valley, this area is characterised by the very flat, low-lying landscape The overall character of this area is defined by its of the River Thames floodplain but it remains low-lying and extremely flat relief and its comparatively free from mineral extraction. remoteness. It typically comprises a patchwork However, it has been more affected by land of large, regularly shaped fields and an expansive drainage and intensive farming practices and character. However, a number of variations in much of the former floodplain pasture is now local landscape character have been identified, as dominated by arable farmland. Areas underlain summarised below. by river gravels are particularly intensively farmed and have a very open, expansive character. -? Clay vale landscapes

GEOLOGY AND LANDFORM Floodplain pasture typically located immediately adjacent to This is an area of low-lying, subdued relief which rivers and minor watercourses on land prone forms part of the lowland landscape of the Upper to flooding, particularly in winter; Thames Clay Vale. It is extremely flat and low- distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m lying (mostly below 70 metres AOD) and forms AOD); the immediate floodplain of the River Thames. predominantly under permanent pasture with The underlying geology is dominated by alluvium only occasional cultivated land; and terrace gravels which have an influence on riparian character, with strong pattern of landuse and vegetation. ditches often lined by willow; landscape structure provided by lines and LANDCOVER groups of mature trees, with willow and alder conspicuous; Large expanses of alluvium occur immediately intimate, semi-enclosed and pastoral alongside the Thames and typically support character; permanent pasture or meadow grassland, with a remote and tranquil with limited intrusion by characteristic pastoral, riparian character. Further people or buildings; away from the Thames, an extensive system of moderate to low intervisibility. drainage has enabled large areas of pasture to be converted to large-scale arable farmland with a Floodplain wet'ands reasonably strong structure of hedges and arias of open water occupying former gravel woodland blocks. However, the lighter soils of pits within floodplain; the gravel terraces have been most intensively associated wet grassland and manhlfen cultivated and now support large-scale open, vegetation communities with a semi-natural arable farmland with a weak hedgerow structure character; and flat, expansive character. distinctively flat, low-lying land (below 70m A0D); structure and visual enclosure provided by developing scrub and tree cover; MedSVAk! tl3 low ;nletvd&y. Open fat vale farmland SETTLEMENT PATTERN drained and cultivated land (arable or reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; Settlement within this western part of the Thames distinctively flat and low-lying; floodplain is very sparse. In particular, the land network of ditches; running immediately alongside the Thames weak landscape structure with few trees, low between Newbridge and Radcot (sometimes or gappy hedges open ditches and fences; described as the 'Bampton polderland') is almost remote and tranquil with limited intrusion by entirely underlain by alluvium and supports little people or buildings more than a handful of isolated farms. This adds open, denuded character with high to the feeling of remoteness across this area. intewisibility; 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with Elsewhere, the pattern of settlement generally dominant sky. follows the gravel outcrops (eg. at Cote, Little Clanfield and Crafton), their locations set back Semi-enclosed ffat vale farmland from the Thames to avoid the areas historically drained and cultivated land (arable or most prone to flooding. Settlements such as reseeded grassland) within the floodplain; - Kelmscott, Little Faringdon and the tiny hamlet of distinctively flat and low-lying; Chimney (from the Old English 'Ceomma's network of ditches; island') appear to be sited on alluvium. stronger landscape structure of willow-lined However, on closer inspection, they all occupy ditches, hedgerows and occasional woodland pockets of subtly raised landform which would blocks; have afforded some protection from flooding. semi-enclosed character with moderate to Major river engineering work in the late low intervisibility. nineteenth century effectively removed the threat of flooding from these riverine settlements and Open rollng vale farmland facilitated the conversion of much of the former low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally marsh into productive agricultural land. above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised landform; well-drained, productive land underlain by SETTLEMENT CHARACTER river terrace gravels ; large-scale, cultivated fields (arable Oolitic limestone is still the predominant building predominant) with regular field boundaries; material in these few settlements with a mix of weak structure of tightly clipped hedges and roofing materials including Stonesfield slate, few hedgerow trees (dry-stone walls absent); thatch, tiles and Welsh slate. While stone is open, denuded character; common within the villages, it is rare within the high intervisibility; open farmland, where hedges or ditches are the 'two-dimensional', expansive landscape with predominant field boundaries. dominant sky.

Semi-enclosed rolling vale farmland KEY LANDMARKS AND e low-lying land off floodplain floor (generally above 70m AOD) with a discernible raised LANDSCAPE FEATURES landform; e well-drained, productive land underlain by e attractive vernacular buildings within villages river terrace gravels ; and in open countryside; e mostly large-scale fields under arable with e intrusive pylons and overhead power lines regular field boundaries but some smaller- which encroach into the area along its Qcale pattern and pasture (cspkei3lly araut~d western edge. settlements); e stronger structure of hedgerows, trees and occasional belts or blocks of woodland; e semi-enclosed character; e ,-\ moderate intervisibility. LANDSCAPE QUALITY AND KEY GUIDELINES FOR CLAY VALE ISSUES LANDSCAPES

This character area is not covered by any Enhancement priorities statutory landscape designations but most of the

area lies within the Area of High Landscape 0 wherever possible, retain and manage areas Value and the Upper Thames Tributaries of floodplain pasture, water meadows and Environmentally Sensitive Area and it includes a riparian vegetation;

number of features of conservation significance 0 promote traditional practices of willow which contribute to its overall value, including: pollarding and ditch management; introduce new planting along watercourses 0 Conservation Areas at Radcot and and in lines within floodplain farmland, using

/- Kelmscott; typical riparian species such as willow and 0 a good number of Scheduled Ancient alder; Monuments along the terrace gravels; 0 within open clay vale landscapes, restore a 0 one Site of Special Scientific Interest within stronger structure of hedge rows, hedgerow the floodplain. trees and belts of woodland, 0 in semi-enclosed clay vale farmland, retain Overall, the Western Thames Fringes has an and extend existing hedgerow network and attractive. and largely unspoilt, rural ‘backwater’ allow mature hedgerow trees to develop;

character but with some localised variations in 0 where possible, encourage conversion of quality and condition which require different arable land to pasture; strategies for management and enhancement (see plant large blocks and belts of native Figure 6). broadleaved woodland, to link with existing woodlands and restore a more mixed pattern The principal factors that potentially threaten of woodland and farmland;

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��������������� APPENDIX 1 CHECKLIST OF KEY CHARACTE RI ST I cs

APPENDIX 2 MATRIX OF TREE AND SHRUB SPECIES

APPENDIX 3 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Key e Typical characteristic Occasional characteristic

See Glossary for explanation of terms

.ANDSCAPE CHARACTER Scale large medium small Diversity cornpiex moderate e cimh e qqq$ Structure strong medium weak Endosure open $+# semi-endosed e endosed/lntimate elel t IllI Boundaries straight teem e sinuous t t e 01 I I ea stone walls eat reeet t a hedges eeeeaeeee hedgerow trees : open divhevrences &te boundaries iElTLEMENT CHARACTER Location plateau ridgehilltop hillside valley side valleyhale floor Size individual buildings e e ham& small village large village 'me town Pattern dispersed amoentrated Materials limestone ironstone % brick stone slates slate tilath .ANDSCAPE QUALITY AND SENSITIVITY Scenic quality high medium low Sense of place strong medium weak intrusive influence uncommon OCCdSiOMI f,,t f,,t d " Other heritage values ummon (Hi& Park 01 Gdar. SSSl OCCaSiOMl Consc~tionkea, SAM e)freqwnt Visual sensitivity high medium low Sensitivity to change high 7 moderate low Management strategy consewe enhance 'a' enhance 'b' reconstruct ISHRUBS

us fruticosus

11111111111111111111 Balance and proportion Floodplain The relative quantities and relationship of The very flat land adjacent to a river or different elements within the landscape which watercourse, generally underlain by alluvium and can affect its aesthetic qualities. which would be naturally prone to flooding without specific flood alleviation measures (NB Boundaries this definition is broader than that used by the Characteristic field and property boundaries Environment Agency to define the Statutory found in open countryside, eg. hedges, dry-stone Flood Plain). walls, fences, ditches etc. Heritage values -- Character Features of archaeological, cultural or ecological A distinct pattern or combination of significance. characteristics that occurs consistently in a particular landscape. Enhancement strategy The most appropriate type of landscape Characteristic improvement or management (Conservation, An element or group of elements that are typical repair, restoration or reconstruction) based on of a particular landscape intrinsic landscape quality and condition and enhancement needs. Dipslope The gently sloping backslope of an escarpment intrusive influences landform Features (eg. buildings, structures, electricity pylons) and non-agricultural land uses which are Diversity out of keeping with the typical, unspoilt or The number of landscape components and the distinctive character of the landscape. way in which they inter-relate, creating complexity or uniformity in the landscape. Landcover Combinations of land use and vegetation that Enclosure cover the land surface. The density and arrangement of structural elements in the landscape (eg. landform, trees, Landform hedges, woods, walls) so that they enclose space Combinations of slope and elevation that and create visual and physical containment produce the shape and form of the land surface.

Escarpment Landscape assessment A distinctive whaleback-shaped hill or landform An umbrella term used to encompass all the unit (typically of chalk) which comprises a steep many different ways of looking at, describing and face and gently sloping dipslope. analysing landscape.

Evaluation Landscape character area The process of weighing up and attaching a non- A geographic area with a consistent character or monetary, subjective value to landscape by coherent identity. reference to specified criteria. Landscape structure Structural components of the landscape, eg hedgerows, trees, woods, walls etc. Landscape type Sensitivity to change A generic term for a landscape with a consistent A subjective overall assessment of landscape character, resulting from different combinations sensitivity and vulnerability to change, based on a of landform and landcover. combination of factors including landscape quality and visual sensitivity. Landscape vernacular The combination of elements or components Settlement form which are locally distinctive to a particular area of Typical morphology or shape of a settlement, eg. landscape. nucleated around a village green or linear along roads. Linear settlements Settlements where buildings are typically Settlement location arranged in a linear form (eg. along a road, The characteristic siting of settlements in an area, ridgeline or valley bottom. usually influenced by physical factors.

Local distinctiveness Settlement pattern The special character of a place or area which The typical pattern of settlement, eg. scattered gives it a particular and recognisable identity. evenly across the countryside or concentrated within one area or along a particular line (eg. Nucleated settlements valley side). Settlements where buildings are typically arranged in a nucleated or clustered form around Suburbanisation a central feature (eg. around a village green, A process whereby the intrusion of more urban common, church, road junction etc.). land uses or features gradually erodes the rural character of landscape and settlements to Riparian produce a 'suburban' character. A character which is specifically associated with rivers. Undulating Landform which is characterised by gentle Rolling topography of shallow hills and valleys. Landform which is characterised by pronounced topography of soft hills. Visual sensitivity The degree to which the landscape is open and Scale enclosed by landform or vegetation and therefore The typical size, scale or grain of elements and exposed to views. patterns within the landscape, which have a close bearing on such factors as balance, proportion and enclosure.

Scenic quality A subjective judgement of the aesthetic appeal of different landscape types, influenced by such factors as balance, proportion, diversity, harmony, unspoilt character, cultural preferences etc.

Sense of place (or 'Genius Loci') The essential character and spirit of a landscape or area (Genius Loci mean8 literally 'spirit of the place'). The following list of publications and documents have been specifically referred to within the text of this report or have formed particularly important reference sources for the study:

ADAS (1 995) Upper Thames Tributaries ESA - Landscape Assessment, ADAS

ADAS (1997) Upper Thames Tributaries ESA - Environment Guidelines, ADAS

Bond, J and Over, L (1988) Oxfordshire and Bedshire, Ordnance Survey Historical Guides, George Philip & Son, London

Countryside Commission (1992) The Cotswold fandsap, CCP 294, Countryside Commission

Countryside Commission (1993) Landscape assessment guidance, CCP423, Countryside Commission, Cheltenham

Emery, F (1974) The Oxfordshire Landscape, The Making of the English Landscape Series, Hodder and Stoughton, London

Hawker, G (1997) An Ecologial Audit of West Odordshire, unpublished draft report to West Oxfordshire District Council.’

Hoskins, W G (1977) The Making of the English Landscape, Book Club Associates, London.

Oxfordshire County Council (1992) Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2001 (Adopted, Oxfordshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council (November 1996) Oxfordshire Structure Plan 201 1 (Deposit Dm@, Oxfordshire County Council

PPG7 (Revised February 1997) The Countyside - Environmental Quahy and Economic and Social DevelopmenC Dept. of the Environment

Rackham, 0 (1 986) The Histoiy of the Couniiyside, Dent

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West Oxfordshire District Council, West Odordshire Local Plan (Adopted November 1997) �������

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