9. Vale of

1. Plain 2. Marlborough Downs

11. Spye Parklands 7. Kennet Valley 4. Horton Down 3. Savernake Plateau

10.Bristol Avon Clay Vale 9.

6. Chute Forest 5. Plain (East) 5. (West)

8. Salisbury Avon Valley

Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey

9: Vale of Pewsey Landscape Character

Overview with a greater degree of enclosure and structure occurs to the west of , and in the area of The Vale of Pewsey forms a broad, low-lying the Lavingtons, and generally in that part of the landscape unit separating the two main chalk Vale east of Pewsey. upland blocks of the Marlborough Downs and Salisbury Plain to the north and south. It is dominated by intensive agriculture. and characterised by a mixed pattern of farmland, woodland and hedgerows. The Vale has for hundreds of years been the economic heart of the area, and encompasses the great majority of the settlements in the District. These have developed in the rich and sheltered agricultural land present. The Vale east of Pewsey

Geology and Landform Historic Landscape

The Vale is fringed to the north and south by a Character shelf of Lower Chalk, which forms the rolling foothills of the main escarpment, and the chalk There are few recorded Neolithic, Bronze Age or grades gently down into the low-lying, flat floor Iron Age remains within the Vale of Pewsey. of the Vale. The base of the Vale is formed by Sustained settlement within the Vale appears to Upper Greensand, overlain in places by alluvial begin in the Romano-British period, although it is deposits most notably in the areas forming the possible that earlier evidence has been masked catchment of the River Avon. It gives way to the and/or obliterated by subsequent activity. Gault clay south and west of Devizes, and the Evidence for field systems and settlements persist junction between these rocks creates the at Bohune and, to a lesser extent at escarpment to the west of the town. The base of Potterne as well as on the northern edge of the the Vale is level between Devizes and Pewsey, Vale at Oare. In addition, settlement evidence is but east of Pewsey it climbs gently before also recorded at the foot of Salisbury Plain beginning to fall away again to the District escarpment near Ham. Further evidence for boundary. Romano-British activity within The Vale of Pewsey is provided by the roman road from Andover to Mildenhall, which crosses the Vale from Tidcombe to Wilton. Landcover

The Saxon period saw a proliferation in The flanks of the Vale formed by the chalk settlement and farming in the Vale of Pewsey, typically are intensively farmed for arable crops with most of the central vale villages such as and demonstrate an open rolling chalkland , Wilsford, , and Pewsey itself landscape, in a lowland setting. This is established. These villages are predominantly particularly the case in the western half of the situated along the various streams and rivers that Vale, and in a block to the south of East Grafton. converge at to form the River Avon. As The predominantly arable cover found on the such, Saxon farmers not only utilised the free- edges of the Vale change to a more mixed draining Greensand derived soils, but could also farmland toward the centre, but retain an open exploited both the alluvial soils along the pattern, and a weak or absent hedgerow watercourses, and the watercourses themselves structure dominates much of the area. Farmland

Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey 83

(for food, transport water etc.). Beyond this transport network required to feed the Industrial central zone, settlement activity is also Revolution. Very little of the earlier open-field concentrated in the area of and Ham system survives today, although the general to the east, with Potterne to the west developing pattern of the parishes within the Vale closely as an important ecclesiastical site. reflects the pre-Enclosure tithings that probably originate in the Saxon period. The intensity of occupation within The Vale of Pewsey continued into the medieval period, with settlements extending along the entire length of Settlement and Buildings the Vale, establishing virtually all the present day villages and towns (i.e. Devizes, Erlestoke, Easton The Vale is the most densely populated part of Royal). Many of these villages are located along the District and possesses a rich variety of the southern fringes of the Vale, nestling at the settlements with over 30 villages distributed over foot of Salisbury Plain escarpment. This period the whole area from east to west. Particularly also saw the introduction of other distinctive characteristic are the spring line settlements in features into the landscape, including deer parks the west of the area, situated along the junction ( at Devizes, East Grafton etc.) and moated sites of the Lower Chalk and Upper Greensand. (at Potterne Park Farm, etc.). The These include the Lavingtons, , the intensity with which the Greensand vale was Cheverells and Easterton. Other prominent occupied and farmed can be contrasted with the settlements include the Cannings which lie south virtual abandonment of the adjoining chalk and below the A4361 on the east side of downland to north and south. Devizes. Elsewhere a number of small hamlets occur which developed along the canal in the By the end of the medieval period the modern 18th century, such as Honeystreet. Soft red day settlement pattern was established, and there brick and flint predominate as building materials, were few developments during the post- often used in decorative styles, but other medieval period that significantly affected this materials include limestone, sarsen, cob and pattern. Late 18th and early 19th century timber frame, with roofs of straw thatch or clay surveys of the Vale concluded that the distinctive tile. The use of local Malme stone at Woodbury long narrow parishes were becoming a hindrance and Manningford and Lower Greensand at to improving the management of the land. Potterne and Market Lavington, together with the Hence the benefits of enclosure were less brick and tile works at Market Lavington has marked than elsewhere. By the mid 19th influenced building styles in the western part of century the majority of the parishes had been the Vale. Erlestoke and Wilscot are notable as enclosed, removing almost all remnants of the examples of planned estate villages. open-field system. A slump in corn prices during the late 19th century led to the abandonment of the water-meadows, although some were subsequently reused for watercress beds. Landscape and Visual Character Other post-medieval developments of note include the construction of the Kennet and Avon The flanks of the Vale retain the wide open canal (1809/10) and the subsequent rail network character found on many of the upland chalk (1862). Both exploit the Vale of Pewsey as an areas, where intensive arable farming dominates. east to west aligned communication corridor. Some small settlements were established after these developments, particularly the canalside villages of Honeystreet and Pewsey Wharf.

The landscape of the Vale of Pewsey, as it survives today, is a product of the 18th and 19th century Enclosure Acts, which had removed virtually any trace of earlier field systems. Within this enclosed landscape are the remains of the

84 Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey

Intensive arable farmland in the Vale; Woodborough complete, and include individual and groups Hill lies in the distance of mature hedgerow trees, and weak These create long views east and west along the structure where they are poor quality, gappy Vale, while views north-south, except from more and in decline, and where there are generally elevated positions, are interrupted by hedgerow few hedgerow trees; trees and small blocks of woodland. The core • moderate to low intervisibility. areas of the Vale are generally better vegetated with more enclosed fields, although many areas Wooded Chalk and Greensand lowland remain with very large fields and a weak or • Woodland and farmland mosaic - an even declining hedgerow structure. Landscape quality mix between woodland and farmland, is enhanced in a number of locations by including a patchwork of fields and woods as attractive parkland and areas of estate farmland. well as a more dispersed pattern of woodland Areas of pasture on the Vale floor, particularly blocks in open farmland. those associated with the catchment of the Avon, are very attractive where they pass through Greensand scarps and valleys; enclosed farmland, but become less well defined • Steeper slopes and minor valleys which mark within open arable areas. the edge of the Upper Greensand; • land falls into the clay vale to the west of Individual components of the area may be Devizes; broken down, and key characteristics are • smaller in scale and less steep than the scarps illustrated in Figures 16.1 and 16.2, and are of the chalk uplands but are nevertheless summarised below. prominent features when viewed from below;

• may have pasture, or small groups of trees on Chalk and Greensand lowland landscapes them which lend form and character. • Foothills and lower-lying landscapes, underlain by Lower Chalk and Upper Vale floor farmland. Greensand; • Typical of the base of the Vale of Pewsey, • below the main chalk scarps of the generally flat and level; Marlborough Downs and Salisbury Plain; • may be associated with areas of riparian • flat to gently or even strongly undulating character including both watercourses and topography; areas of very flat drained land.

• weak structure - mix of permanent and Open Chalk and Greensand lowland; reseeded pasture with weak hedgerow • open lowlands with no significant hedgerow structure, either as a result of hedgerow structure and few trees; removal over a period of time, or poorly • commonly found at the interface with the maintained hedges; Chalk Uplands; • intact structure - mix of permanent and • predominantly intensively farmed; reseeded pasture with a good hedgerow • may include both arable and pasture; structure, and the presence of mature trees • generally chalky soils; both within hedges and as riparian features, • high degree of intervisibility. notably willow and alder; • sweeping vistas of intensively farmed lowland, • pastoral, intimate character with low • pasture is nearly all reseeded. intervisibility;

Enclosed Chalk and Greensand lowland Amenity landscapes • definite hedgerow structure; • golf courses with their distinctive features of • ranges in scale from very large expansive greens, roughs, fairways, bunkers etc.; fields to smaller more intimate field patterns; • sports fields and other areas under amenity • hedgerow trees along boundaries with roads use, usually intensively managed. and between fields; • areas of more intact structure may often be found near to settlements or woodland. • hedgerows vary between intact structure where they are generally well maintained and

Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey 85

Formal parkland and designed landscapes • Areas of formal C18 and C19 designed parkland with a distinctively pastoral and mature character; • characteristic features such as parkland trees

set in pasture, avenues, rides, copses and

blocks of woodland, lakes, formal gardens,

estate boundaries (walls or railings),

ornamental features, estate buildings etc.

Estate farmland • Traces of a former parkland character or which displays typical estate characteristics; • fields enclosed by blocks of woodland and belts of trees;; • regular single-species hedgerow trees, avenues; • estate fencing (railings and post and rail); • game coverts.

Key Landmarks and Landscape Features

• The ;

• pylons and power lines along the Vale, and particularly prominent near Pewsey; • high points on the chalk scarp to the north, e.g. ; • the railway.

The Kennet and Avon Canal near Woodborough

86 Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey

9: Vale of Pewsey Landscape Guidelines

Landscape Quality and Key and the widespread loss of hedgerows and trees through removal, neglect or Dutch Elm Issues disease; • the localised intrusion of roads and overhead Most of this character area lies within the North power lines and the influence of built Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural development on the fringes of Devizes and Beauty, confirming its outstanding quality and other settlements within the Vale; national significance. Devizes and the area • management and enhancement of immediately around it lie outside the designated woodlands, parkland and estate landscapes area. within the Vale.

The character area also includes a large number of other features of conservation value which contribute to its overall significance, including: Guidelines for Vale of Pewsey Landscapes • Conservation Areas at 30 villages throughout the Vale; Enhancement priorities • Historic parks at Oare Manor, and Conock Manor; • retain and manage areas of permanent • Sites of Special Scientific Interest on the pasture, wet grassland and meadows and River Avon from Patney to Upavon (also discourage further ploughing and field designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) enlargement within the vale floor and candidate Special Area of Conservation • encourage traditional practices of willow (cSAC)), and at Jones' Mill, Pewsey, for their pollarding and ditch management chalk river and wetland interest.. • in more open vale floor areas, introduce new Elsewhere there are a large number of non- tree planting along watercourses and in lines statutory sites of nature conservation interest and groups, using typical riparian species such which include semi-natural ancient as willow and alder woodland, wetlands and chalk grassland; • encourage repair, replanting and widespread • a number of Scheduled Ancient extension of hedgerow network and Monuments, including tumuli and churches. development of mature hedgerow trees, using native species typical of the locality The Vale of Pewsey is generally attractive • maintain existing roadside hedgerows and countryside with a strong agrarian character trees, including avenues, and replace where based on its good soils and sheltered position. these have been removed or weakened Some parts of the area, however, do give the through neglect or Dutch Elm Disease impression of being a little 'tired' partly as a result • encourage management of existing woodland of modern agricultural management regimes. cover to maximise landscape and wildlife Other factors such as electricity transmission lines value, including the reintroduction of which pass along the Vale also detract from its traditional coppice management and appearance. Different strategies for management diversification of uniform plantations to and enhancement are shown in Figures 16.3 and favour native broadleaved species 16.4. • confine new planting of woodland blocks and belts to areas where they are most The principal threats and issues important to appropriate (e.g. lower-lying floodplain areas landscape quality in this character area are: and along the Greensand scarps and valleys on the westernmost fringes of the Vale) using • agricultural intensification, particularly native species typical of the locality drainage and cultivation of vale floor pasture,

Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey 87

• encourage less intensive farming practices on sensitive and built development would be more open arable land/improved grasslands highly prominent and exposed; on the fringes of the Vale, and encourage the • areas of parkland or estate landscape have introduction of 'natural' vegetation cover in particularly distinctive and attractive qualities field headlands and margins and are sensitive to development; • restore and maintain traditional features of • the Greensand scarps, which are very visually the Kennet and Avon canal landscape, e.g. prominent from the clay vale to the west, are bridges, locks and other structures, and also of high landscape quality and sensitive to retain tranquil, unspoilt and 'natural' qualities development; of the canal corridor; • mosaics of woodland and farmland are more • improve landscape structure and land visually contained. In landscape and visual management on the fringes of settlements terms they may be able to accommodate and along main roads, to mitigate adverse change which would not adversely affect their impacts on the landscape attractive, rural and unspoilt character. • maintain and where necessary restore • strong landscape 'edges' and structure need to parkland landscapes, including distinctive be maintained or established around the elements such as parkland trees, avenues, fringes of the main settlements to enhance woods, copses, boundary walls and structures their settings, to minimise impacts on • establish strong landscape structure to absorb surrounding countryside and to prevent the existing or new development on the fringes of coalescence of linear settlements, e.g. at the urban areas and settlements far western end of the Vale. • encourage better boundary maintenance (e.g. repair of fences and planting of hedgerows and trees) and management of land in horse- grazed pastures and other 'fringe' land uses, e.g. allotments • encourage new planting and, where appropriate, less intensive management of playing fields and recreation grounds to provide diversity and improve landscape and ecological value

Development sensitivities

• the whole area has an essentially rural, agricultural character within which only small- scale, sensitively-designed development, associated with existing built form, could be successfully accommodated without adverse impacts; • remnant pastures and meadows along the vale floor represent a scarce landscape and ecological resource, making them particularly unsuitable for development; • areas of enclosed farmland with an intact hedgerow structure are more visually contained. These areas are potentially more able to accommodate that essential development which must be located in the countryside, but only where it would not compromise their rural, unspoilt character; • the open arable landscapes along the Vale fringes and which appear as higher ground or ridges within the Vale are particularly visually

88 Character Area 9: Vale of Pewsey