7D: AND DOWNS

Beech lined track near Cheriton – leading up to former open downland.

There are several designed landscapesThe character area is predominantly Land rises up to the clay plateau east particularly overlooking the Itchenlarge scale in character –Lower of – (St Swithun’s Way) valley – eg Bordean

Views from this character area intoRopley developed at the head of the Some settlements are located on thee and head waters –River Alre on Tertiary gravels higher ground or ridge tops such as near Cheriton -

Hampshire County 1 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

Hampshire County 2 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

1.0 Location and Boundaries 1.1 This character area is located centrally within the County. It is bounded to the west by the upper reaches of the Itchen Valley at and to the west by the settled and wooded plateau of LCA 6A. To the north the land drops away into the Candover Valley while to the south the land drops into the Meon Valley.

1.2 Component County Landscape Types Downland Mosaic Large Scale, Downland Mosaic Small Scale, Open Downs.

1.3 Composition of Borough/District LCAs: East Hampshire District District Ropley Downland Mosaic Bighton Woodlands Bramdean Woodlands

The boundaries of this character area closely follow those defined in local character assessments. Although the three character areas above have differences which allow them to be distinguished at local level, at County level they are all landscapes forming the transitional downland between the elevated plateau to the east, and river valleys to the north, south and west.

1.4 Associations with NCAs and Natural Areas: NCA 130: Hampshire Downs and JCA 125: South Downs NA 78: Hampshire Downs and NA 74: South Downs

2.0 Key Characteristics • Upland area of chalk downland comprising upper chalk geology overlain with clay with flints. • Undulating topography comprising series of ridges and dry valleys. • Heavy although free draining soils with significant areas of woodland. • Mixed Land uses including arable, pasture, parkland and woodland, with resultant biodiversity of habitats and species. • Fields are defined by hedgerows to create a mixed scale pattern. • Significant areas of ancient woodland (some assarted) particularly on higher areas with some replanted. • Well settled landscape with notable parkland areas often associating with small nucleated settlements, and more linear dispersed settlement along rural lanes in the Ropley area. • Southern part of the area is within the South Downs National Park, and has high natural beauty.

Hampshire County 3 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

3.0 Physical Characteristics and Land Use 3.1 The geology of this area consists of Upper Chalk with occasional areas of Clay with Flints, giving rise to shallow well drained calcareous soils and patches of heavier clayey soil. The permeable character of the chalk means the area is generally well drained, and the occurrence of dry valleys is characteristic. Topographically this landscape forms an intermediate area of elevated land between the higher plateau landscape to the east and lower lying valley landscapes to the north, south and west. Its eastern edge is marked by a mini scarp which represents the edge of the clay capping at its junction with the underlying chalk of this landscape. West from the scarp this landscape comprises a series of ridges which extend east west between dry valleys, with the highest land occurring along the eastern fringe, rising to 207m AOD at Park Hill. Agricultural land quality is predominantly medium quality, with small patches of higher quality in the southeast of the area.

3.2 This landscape comprises a mosaic of different Land uses. Although mainly arable, there are also remnants of calcareous grassland and patches of pasture and horse paddocks, as well as woodland copses which are often found on hilltops where there are clay deposits. Beech, oak and hazel are the most common tree species found in woodland, with areas of hazel coppicing being characteristic. In the north around Abbotstone Down there are plantation woodlands. Fields comprise small to medium scale early enclosures often bounded by beech and elm hedgerows and hedgerow trees, giving rise to a strong hedgerow pattern. There are also areas of large more open fields, particularly in the north. In places the field pattern has distinctive, wavy boundaries reflecting fields carved from woodland and these areas of smaller scale fields are often associated with a scattering of ancient woods e.g. Ropley Wood, Lyeland Wood and Bowers Grove Wood.

3.3 The area drains mainly into the Itchen and its tributaries which finger into this area and also the Meon Valley. There is no surface water as a result of the chalk geology and free draining soils, although there are areas where dew ponds are features.

4.0 Experiential/Perceptual Characteristics 4.1 Although relatively elevated and open, in places offering some opportunities for long distance views, much of this landscape has a more intimate character as a result of the varied scale of field enclosures combined with wooded lanes and woodland copses and the undulating topography. This is strongly evident when approaching the character area from the east along wooded lanes. Tree cover, hedgerows and rural lanes provide continuity and unity.

4.2 There are numerous footpaths and bridleways which often run along ancient droveroads as well as green lanes and designated long distance routes including the Wayfarer’s Walk and St Swithun’s Way (the former line of the Pilgrim’s Way linking Winchester with Canterbury). There is also an area of open access on remnant downland at Abbotstone Down and an area of accessible woodland at Cheriton Wood.

4.3 This character area has moderate tranquillity with higher tranquillity found to the north and south away from the more settled areas and road corridors.

5.0 Biodiversity Character

Hampshire County 4 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

5.1 This agricultural landscape comprises arable land with large, interlinked patches of improved grassland. This landscape has a strong wooded element and often associated with woodlands are small patches of habitats including unimproved and semi-improved calcareous grassland, bracken, neglected rough grassland and tall herbs. Although most patches are small they provide habitat variation and diversity, as do gardens and amenity grasslands/ sports pitches which exist within the area. Woodland comprises many types with broadleaved woodland dominating. Other woodland types include parkland, mixed, broadleaved and coniferous plantations, mixed woodlands and active coppice with standards. Woodland exists as patches and as thin strips around fields, and forestry scrub is often associated with these woodland habitat mosaics. There are small patches of ancient and semi-natural woodland throughout the area, and some patches of replanted ancient woodlands.

5.2 This landscape character area is not covered by a BOA. There are over 70 SINCs in the area, most are designated for their ancient woodland resource.

6.0 Historic Character 6.1 Archaeology 6.1.1 This area is downland, with a mix of open down, and small and large mosaic down. However as a character area it interacts with the upper reaches of both the Itchen and the Meon rivers. The influence of these on the evolution of landscape and settlement patterns will be apparent in this area. In addition it is flanked to the east by a large upland block of clay plateau which seems not to have been exploited until the last few hundred years and which therefore may also have an influence.

6.1.2 There is very little Mesolithic evidence within this area, and it seems likely that the river valleys were the focus of the exploitation. Distribution of Mesolithic finds suggests that the Meon valley was exploited from the south (i.e outside this LCA) rather than the north. This pattern appears to continue into the Neolithic period.

6.1.3 A long barrow is associated with the head of the Itchen, and lies at the head of the valley rather than on the high ground above the valley. Else where in the open downland the long barrows are prominently located on the high ground above valleys. There is a slightly richer record of Neolithic artefacts at the southern tip of 7D on the flank of the Meon valley, possibly suggesting some activity in that valley spilling into this hinterland. In addition there are Neolithic finds on the northern edge of the Itchen valley.

6.1.4 The only recorded Bronze Age settlement in the area is in the Meon valley. There are also Bronze Age burial mounds in the area. One group clusters around the head of the Itchen in the Bishop Sutton area. The other is a distinctly linear trend between Cheriton towards Froxfield, and looks down from adjacent high ground on the A272. Is it possible that this is an ancient route from the head of the Itchen valley south, curving east? This line is later intercepted by the Froxfield dykes, and is taken up by a Herepath at its east end, and possibly a Moot, where the route heads down the hangars to the lower ground. This might support the use of this landscape by extensive mobile exploitation, and may be a glimpse of an ancient routeway through the pre agricultural landscape.

Hampshire County 5 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

6.1.5 There is evidence for Iron Age settlements and field systems along the western edge of the large mosaic downland, where it abuts the small mosaic downland. The large mosaic downland may have been exploited by the Iron Age, with the extent of exploitation under-represented in the record. There is also a cluster of evidence for Iron Age activity close to the north flank of the Itchen, around Abbotstone Down, with a hillfort, field systems and settlement. This may well reflect activity springing from the proximity of the valley. This pattern continues in the Roman period, with settlement and field systems along that margin and to the north of the Itchen valley. However in the north block of 7D a Roman villa was established beyond the previous zones of settlement. This may be indicative of a new area of land becoming farmed as a result of developing technology, or as a de novo estate, perhaps for a new land owner or state controlled.

6.2 Historic Landscape 6.2.1 The pattern of historic landscape in this character area is complex and varied, reflecting a range of influences affecting different parts of the landscape. Broadly three areas of historic pattern can be defined, namely: the early enclosure of open fields around medieval settlements during the late medieval and post-medieval periods (e.g. around Ropley); larger scale 18th and 19th enclosure of former downland (used in the medieval period for open sheep pasture) resulting in large scale field patterns and in places remnant areas of downland; and fields of varying scale with wavy boundaries associated with ancient woodland (e.g. Sheep Wood, Godsfield Copse), which represent medieval assart enclosures.

6.2.2 The first of these patterns is evident adjacent to settlements where the field pattern is generally small scale and defined by mature hedgerows and hedgerow trees. Land use in these areas is often varied including areas of pasture and paddocks.

6.2.3 The second of these historic landscape patterns can most readily be found in the north and central parts of this character area. During the medieval period the area consisted of extensive tracts of calcareous grassland, managed as open sheep pasture. In the 18th and 19th century these areas became enclosed and woodland was removed resulting in medium scaled fields defined by straight hedgerows. The remnant areas of downland/common associated with Abbotstone Down and Bramdean Common provide a window into the past downland landscape. In the 20th century land became used more intensively, resulting in a loss of field boundaries and increased field size.

6.2.4 In the eastern and southern parts of this character area the enclosure pattern is one of mixed scale fields with wavy boundaries which are likely to reflect relatively early enclosure dating to the 17th and 18th centuries through a process of informal or formal agreement. The remnant areas of ancient woodland associated with this wavy field pattern would suggest that areas of woodland were assarted or cleared at this stage. Associated with this historic pattern is the development of pre 1810 parkland landscapes such as Woodcote Park and Brockwood Park (which has an arboretum) in the south of the character area. Deer Park lies in the centre of the area and sections of the park pale survive as does the name ‘Old Park Wood’. Part of East Meon Deer Park also lies within this area.

Hampshire County 6 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

6.2.5 More recent developments of the landscape have occurred over these historic patterns. These include: linear development (e.g. around Ropley); development of significant parkland landscapes in the C.19th (often in association with existing nucleated settlement e.g. Armsworth Park, Bighton House, Hinton Ampner House); and the C.20threplanting of ancient woodland with conifer plantations y (e.g. Joan Acre Wood and Abbotstone Down).

6.3 Built Environment 6.3.1 An extensive network of routes within the area connects settlements with the scattered farmsteads. Most routes are ancient and rural, being narrow and indirect Nevertheless this landscape is crossed by a number of major roads namely A272, A32, and A31 which contrast in their directness and business.

6.3.2 This landscape has a long history of settlement which comprises both dry valley and ridge top historic nucleated villages (e.g. Bighton and Kilmeston/ respectively). In the Ropley area more recent development has significantly altered this pattern to one which is linear and more dispersed, stretching out along rural lanes. Generally the historic villages comprise a loose cluster of historic buildings with no central core and in many cases the villages are influenced and associated with adjacent parkland landscapes. The historic part of Ropley comprises two Conservation Areas.

6.3.3 Originally Ropley comprised a number of hamlets which grew up around the 12th century church. Subsequent development along the interconnecting lanes has resulted in a larger village characterised by a dispersed informal pattern of development along the roadsides. Residential development is set within large garden plots contained by trees, and despite the higher density of settlement in this area the wooded nature of the lanes and hedgerows mean that often it is not evident. Between the roads and residential plots are areas of pasture and paddocks and this areas is also associated with other post 1810 parklands including Ropley Lodge, Ropley Manor and Ropley House.

6.3.4 Building materials and methods are traditional, including timber frames, red and vitreous bricks, colour-washed brick and render, tile hanging and weatherboarding. Roofing materials include long straw thatch and clay tiles. In the centre of villages, railings, and brick & flint boundary walls are common.

6.3.5 Throughout this area there is a dispersed pattern of isolated farmsteads of 18th and 19th origin surrounded by earlier enclosures. Some of the isolated farmsteads may represent shrunken medieval hamlets.

6.3.6 The ancient woodlands with their displays of bluebells in spring and areas of coppiced hazel along with scenic areas of parkland landscape are highly valued local features. Ancient woodland and areas of hazel coppice combined with the parkland landscapes, settlement pattern and areas of former common give this landscape a strongly historic character and time depth.

Hampshire County 7 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

EVALUATION

7.0 Forces for Change 1. Changes in land management and agricultural practices, particularly intensification of farming, 2. Incremental changes to the character of settlements and roads reducing local distinctiveness. 3. Climate change, particularly affects on farming patterns, and increased storms, drought and disease potentially resulting in tree loss. 4. Larger-scale development associated with the possible expansion of New Alresford (immediately outside the character area), and potential construction of wind turbines and other highly-visible vertical features. 5. Demand for access and recreation, particularly given the partial location of this area within the South Downs National Park.

KEY QUALITIES AND EFFECTS OF FORCES 7.1 A strong, historic and often intimate rural character, with thousands of years of history visible through landscape features including prehistoric earthworks, different phases of enclosure reflected in field and woodland patterns, lanes and trackways, significant areas of ancient woodland (including bluebell woods), hilltop copses and historic parkland (often associated with historic nucleated villages). FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.2.3.4 Threats: Field amalgamation and hedgerow loss leading to denudation of the landscape pattern. Past (and potential future) decline in hedgerow and woodland management. Conversion of much ancient semi-natural woodland to plantation during the C.20th, altering the appearance of woodland. Declining conditions of parkland trees, particularly at Brockwood Park (possibly exacerbated by drought and disease caused by climate change) potentially resulting in the loss of these features from the landscape. Loss of the historic character of settlements, farms and lanes. Potential damage to buried archaeological sites through ploughing and other means. Insensitive development may result in damage to the settings of archaeological sites.

Opportunities: Retain historic field boundary patterns. Use of woodland grant schemes to promote traditional woodland management, including regeneration of wood pasture at Kilmeston, coppicing, thinning, replanting, ridge, edge management, removal of alien species and enhance species diversity in plantations. Potential use of plantation timber as sustainable woodfuel, contributing to the amelioration of climate change. Enhance the landscape of historic parkland through continued replacement tree planting and woodland management. Retain dew ponds and other historic features within the landscape. Conserve the character of archaeological sites, particularly those within woodland and ploughed fields, including Cheriton Battlefield. Use planning policies and conditions to ensure that new development has minimal impact on archaeological sites or their settings, particularly where they are skyline earthworks.

Hampshire County 8 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

7.2 Mixed land use on undulating topography creates a biodiversity-rich landscape mosaic of arable, pasture, parkland and woodland divided by beech and elm hedgerows, with smaller pockets of grassland and bracken. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 1.3 Threats: Potential pollution of the river Itchen arising from agriculture and development in its catchment area, affecting water supplies, fishing conditions and nationally-important chalk river wildlife. Reduction in breeding rates of farmland birds, due to increase in winter crops harvested in early summer, and reduced feeding opportunities for farmland species as a result of increased intensive arable farming. Use of inappropriate non-native species for game cover reducing biodiversity and adding incongruous elements into the landscape. Loss of calcareous grassland and common land during the C.20th affecting the pattern of the landscape, due to conversion to arable land use, and reduced grazing pressure leading to scrub encroachment.

Opportunities: Retain wide, open views across the landscape where they occur. Encourage environmentally and economically sustainable farming practices (e.g. minimisation of soil and fertilizer runoff) which could lead to pollution of the river Itchen and the chalk aquifer. Target agri-environment schemes to retain pasture, maximise the biodiversity of agricultural land, conserve, manage and link remnant unimproved grassland areas, and retain and enhance a strong hedgerow pattern, including hedgerow trees, to link existing areas of woodland and outlying hedgerows. Protect Bramdean common from enclosure and manage it extensively, as a whole entity, whilst still allowing the possibility of restoring grazing. Retain the diversity of habitats present in the landscape, including gardens. Promote the South Downs Management Plan to retain the visual quality of the landscape.

7.3 A good network of public rights of way (often using ancient drove roads and tracks), and an intricate network of narrow, wooded rural lanes, often with hedgebanks, which connects the villages and scattered farms, and contrasts with the modern main roads FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 2.5 Threats: Continued impacts of main roads on the tranquillity of the area. Lack of sustainable access into the countryside from settlements/ railway stations. Potential loss of rural character of lanes due to insensitive signage, traffic calming and other urbanising features. Use of narrow lanes as “rat runs” by motorists, with resultant safety issues.

Opportunities: Promote CAP actions to retain and enhance the right of way network, in particular the development of links between stations and the countryside, and avoidance of conflicts of interest between motorised and non-motorised users of lanes and tracks. Potential use of the Rural Roads Initiative to conserve the historic rural nature of roads, lanes and tracks throughout the area whilst enabling them to meet Highways standards. In particular, retain their wooded quality and hedgebanks, and explore measures to slow traffic without loss of rural character.

Hampshire County 9 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs

7.4 A well-settled landscape, containing nucleated villages (often associated with parkland) in valley bottoms and ridge tops, and some linear villages constructed of distinctive local building materials. FORCES FOR CONSEQUENCES CHANGE: 2.4 Threats: Past (and potential future) loss of traditional settlement pattern and settings due to modern development. Loss of historic character of settlements and farms as a result of incremental change and modernisation. Development of large agricultural buildings which do not fit with the traditional pattern or scale of buildings. Potential visual impact, and loss of traditional settlement character, as a result of proposed housing development around New Alresford.

Opportunities: Use planning policies and conditions to conserve the loosely nucleated form and strong rural historic character of villages, conserve the scattered pattern of rural farm settlements and respect the small-scale nature of existing dwellings. Integrate any new development into the well-treed rural setting through the appropriate use of native tree and hedge planting. Promote reference to historic building guidance documents (HCC, EH and local) with regard to use of traditional building materials. Village Design Statements could give the opportunity to emphasise the parkland setting of many villages, and the survival of traditional rural garden boundaries, including palisade fencing, brick and flint walls, railings and hedgerows. Potential to carry out conservation management plans as appropriate for parkland landscapes within this landscape character area, Use planning policy and conditions to ensure that new agricultural buildings are sensitively designed and sited. Use planning policies and conditions to ensure that any development around New Alresford is well sited and designed, in order to minimise its visual impact on the surrounding area, and to enhance the setting of the town. .

Hampshire County 10 Status: FINAL May 2012 Integrated Character Assessment Brighton and Bramdean Downs