Weddle Landscape Design

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Tel (0114) 250 1181 Fax (0114) 250 1188 E-mail [email protected] Web site http://www.weddles.co.uk

MIDDLEWeddle Landscape FARM, WHESTON Design Landscape and Visual Appraisal LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SEPTEMBER 2020 Rev A

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

Mews Studio, Charnwood House

8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU

1.1.1.1 Tel (0114) 250 1181 Fax (0114) 250 1188 E-mail [email protected]

Web site http://www.weddles.co.uk

wood House

8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU

1.1.1.2 Tel (0114) 250 1181 Fax (0114) 250 1188

E-mail [email protected]

Web site http://www.weddles.co.uk

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 1 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 4

1.1 Landscape and Visual Appraisal ...... 5

2 SITE CONTEXT AND BASELINE ...... 6

2.1 Landscape Setting ...... 6

2.2 Designations ...... 8

3 LEGISLATION AND POLICY ...... 12

3.1 European and National Legislation and Planning Policy ...... 12

3.2 Local Planning Policy ...... 13

4 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ...... 16

4.1 National Landscape Character ...... 16

4.2 County / Local Landscape Character ...... 17

5 SITE APPRAISAL...... 19

6 BASELINE LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL CONDITION ...... 22

6.1 Landscape Receptors ...... 22

6.2 Visual Appraisal ...... 22

7 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ...... 26

8 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS ...... 27

8.1 Effects on Landscape Features ...... 27

8.2 Effects on Landscape Character ...... 28

8.3 Visual Effects ...... 29

8.4 Response to Policy ...... 30

9 LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS ...... 31

10 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 32

10.1 Development and Mitigation Measures ...... 32

11 CONCLUSION ...... 33

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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: LVA Methodology

Appendix 2: Zone of Theoretical Visibility and Principal Viewpoints

Appendix 3: Published Landscape Character Extracts

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 3 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 1 INTRODUCTION

Studio Gedye Ltd has asked Weddle Landscape Design to prepare a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) for a site at Middle Farm, Wheston, Buxton, to support planning application for proposed change of use of a farm to business units, cafe and caravan accommodation with some stables and a holiday let.

The objectives of the LVA are to assess the landscape character of the site and its surroundings and to consider the landscape and visual qualities of the site, its function in the landscape and its contribution to the wider landscape. The work undertaken includes an assessment of the existing landscape features, together with a visual appraisal of the site and its context.

The LVA is used to inform the continued design development of the proposed development and to explain the likely landscape and visual effects that may arise as a result of the proposed development. Therefore, providing sufficient information for decision makers to determine the landscape and visual impact of the development.

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1.1 Landscape and Visual Appraisal

This document provides the landscape and visual baseline and identifies any potential issues arising from the proposed development. This report is split into the following sub-sections: • Site Context and Baseline • Legislation and Policy • Landscape Character • Site Appraisal • Impact Assessment of the development proposals • Baseline Landscape and Visual Condition • Development Proposals • Landscape and Visual Effects • Limitations and Assumptions • Conclusion

The LVA is carried out in accordance with Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (“GLVIA3”), published by Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, which states that “Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is a tool used to identify and assess the significance of and the effects of change resulting from development on both the landscape as an environmental resource in its own right and on people’s views and visual amenity”. An LVA is a more concise version of an LVIA, proportional to the level of potential impact.

This report has been produced by Neil Northrop BA DipLD MCIHort CMLI of Weddle Landscape, A Chartered Landscape Architect with over 13 years’ experience of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 5 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 2 SITE CONTEXT AND BASELINE

The site is situated within the Peak District National Park, off Wheston Bank (Road) in the village of Wheston. The site is 2km north-west of Tideswell and approximately 8km north-east of Bakewell at OS Grid Reference SK 133 762.

SITE

Figure 1 - Site Location – OS Maps

2.1 Landscape Setting

Topography

The site lies near the centre of Wheston at 347 AOD, with moderately steep slopes falling to the south-west towards Peter Dale, a short dry crag-sided valley. This runs south-west and continues as Monk’s Dale, a larger steep sided dry gorge, before joining Millers Dale, which runs east to west. To the north-east of the site the landform rises above the site to 381 AOD.

Figure 2 – Terrain Data

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 6 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Hydrology

The nearest significant local hydrological feature is the River Wye, approximately 3km to the south. Monk’s Dale to the south west of the site is dry during the summer months, but has a winterbourne stream that runs to the River Wye at Millers Dale. The River Wye runs west to east and eventually feeds into the River Derwent at Rowsley.

Vegetation

The main vegetation patterns in the surrounding landscape is pasture fields with intermittent individual trees or tree belts along their boundaries. Peter Dale and Monk’s Dale and have woodland slopes, as does the River Wye to the south. To the north of the site there is minimal tree coverage.

Settlement and Land Use

Local settlements are predominantly dispersed individual farmsteads to the north, south and west. Tideswell is the largest residential village to the south-east of Wheston. The predominant building material is stone with slate roofs.

Local agricultural land is divided into long rectangular fields and used for pasture, with limestone walls as boundaries.

Approximately 3.5km to the south-west of the site is Tunstead Quarry and 4.5km to the west is Dove Holes Quarry. Both are large open-air working quarries, covering approximately 238ha and 133ha respectively.

The majority of roads in the surrounding area are small, narrow county lanes. Wheston Bank is the main road that connects Wheston to Tideswell. To the north is the A623, running north- west to south-east. To the south at Miller’s Dale is the B6049, which connects to the A6, leading to Bakewell in the south-west.

Figure 3 - Site Location – Aerial photograph and site boundary

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 7 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 2.2 Designations

This section describes landscape designations which are of relevance to this landscape and visual appraisal.

The site is located within the Peak District National Park.

There are two areas of the Debyshire Dales National Nature Reserve to the south and north- west. These areas cover Monk’s Dale and Hay Dale respectively.

Monk’s Dale Site of Special Scientific Interest covers Dam Dale, Hay Dale, Peter Dale and Monk’s Dale that run north to south approximately 1km from site at its nearest point. Tideslow Rake SSSI lies 2km to the north-east, and Lee Farm Meadow SSSI 2.3km to the north. There are several further SSSIs that follow the River Wye Valley as it runs west to east, all over 3km from the site.

The Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation also runs along the River Wye to the south of the site.

Figure 4 - Statutory Designations (Magic Map)

Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments

The site its within Wheston Conservation Area. Tidswell and Wormhill, 2km to the south-east and south-west respectively, are the also Conservation Areas. There is no intervisibility with either Conservation Area.

The site does not contain any Listed Buildings or Scheduled Monuments.

There are seven listed buildings and one scheduled monument within Wheston. The closest is grade II listed Upper Farmhouse and attached outbuildings, immediately opposite Middle

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 8 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Farm. Wheston Cross Scheduled monument is approximately 200m north-west on Wheston Bank (road).

Within Hargatewall, Wormhill and Tideswell there are further listed buildings. There is no intervisibility with the site due to vegetation and landform.

Designated Habitats

The site does not contain any Priority Habitats within its boundary. There are several Priority Habitats (PHI) within the wider landscape.

To the south and west in and around the Derbyshire Dales are areas of PHI Lowland Calcareous Grassland and Lowland Meadows, as well as Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and Deciduous Woodland. Approximately 2km to the north and north-west are areas of Good Quality semi-improved grassland (Non-Priority).

Figure 5 - Habitat Designations (Magic Map)

Public Rights of Way

There are no Public Rights of Way (PRoW) crossing the site. Running the length of the eastern boundary of the site is a public footpath (Wheston FP 3) that links Wheston Bank and Monksdale Lane. Monksdale Lane (Wheston BOAT 7), a byway, runs along the southern and western site boundaries and forms part of the Pennine Bridleway. There is a network of footpaths in the surrounding area, with the Limestone Way running to the west of the site through Peter Dale and Hay Dale along Wheston FP 4, approximately 1km at its closest.

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Figure 6 – Public Rights of Way

Summary

The site is situated within the Peak District National Park in the village of Wheston, 2km north- west of Tideswell at OS Grid Reference SK 133 762. The site lies on the south facing side of the Wheston at 350 AOD, with moderately steep slopes falling to the south-west. Peter Dale, Monk’s Dale and Millers Dale are steep sided dry gorges running north to south, approximately 1km from the site at the nearest point, and form significant local topographical features.

The main vegetation patterns in the surrounding landscape is pasture fields, divided into long rectangular fields and used for grazing, with limestone walls as boundaries. Local settlements are predominantly dispersed individual farmsteads. The nearest significant local hydrological feature is the River Wye, approximately 3km to the south. Tunstead Quarry and Dove Holes Quarry are both large open-air working quarries, to the south-west and west. The majority of roads in the surrounding area are small, narrow county lanes. Wheston Bank is the main road that connects Wheston to Tideswell.

There are two areas of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve to the south and north- west. These areas cover Monk’s Dale and Hay Dale respectively.

There are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest within 3km of the site, with the closest being Monk’s Dale SSSI that covers Dam Dale, Hay Dale, Peter Dales and Monk’s Dale to the west and south-west of the site. The Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation also runs along the River Wye.

The site its within Wheston Conservation Area. There are seven listed buildings and one scheduled monument within Wheston. The closest is grade II listed Upper Farmhouse and attached outbuildings, immediately opposite Middle Farm. Wheston Cross Scheduled monument is approximately 200m north-west on Wheston Bank (road). Within Hargatewall, Wormhill and Tideswell there are further listed buildings.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 10 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 The site does not contain any Priority Habitats within its boundary. There are several Priority Habitats (PHI) within the wider landscape including Lowland Calcareous Grassland and Lowland Meadows, as well as Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and Deciduous Woodland.

There are no Public Rights of Way (PRoW) crossing the site. Running the length of the eastern boundary of the site it a public footpath (Wheston FP 3). Monksdale Lane (Wheston BOAT 7), a byway, runs along the southern and western site boundaries and forms part of the Pennine Bridleway. There is a network of footpaths in the surrounding area, including the long- distance route The Limestone Way.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 11 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 3 LEGISLATION AND POLICY

This section describes landscape policies which are of relevance to this Landscape Visual Appraisal.

There are planning policies in place at all levels which require effects on landscape and landscape quality to be considered as part of planning applications for new development. There is an emphasis in these policies on retaining existing landscape features and undertaking enhancements where appropriate.

3.1 European and National Legislation and Planning Policy

National Planning Policy is set out in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This is supported by National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG).

In respect to plan-making, Paragraph 20 of the NPPF states that: “Strategic policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and make sufficient provision for…conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure, and planning measures to address climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

Further relevant detail is provided in section 15 of the NPPF. Paragraph 170 states that: “Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:

• protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan);

• recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services – including the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and of trees and woodland;

• minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures;

• preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should, wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans;

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is the land designated under European Commission Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora. There are a total 658 designated SACs, SCIs or cSACs in the United Kingdom.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 12 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended (primarily by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) provides protection to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) for their special interest due to their fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features.

3.2 Local Planning Policy

The site is within the planning administration of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA). For planning purposes, the valued characteristics of the Peak Park include: • Natural beauty, natural heritage, landscape character and diversity of landscapes; • Sense of wildness and remoteness; • Easy accessibility for visitors from surrounding urban areas; • Special value attached to the national park by surrounding urban communities; • The flow of landscape character across and beyond the National Park boundary, providing a continuity of landscape and valued setting for the National Park.

Local planning policy comprises of the LDF Core Strategy 2011 and the Development Management Policies 2019 DPD which includes a Policies Map. The site falls outside of PDNPA’s ‘Natural Zone’.

Figure 7 – Extracts from PDNPA’s Policies Map, Wheston Inset

Core Strategy Policy L1: Landscape Character and valued characteristics, states: “Development must conserve and enhance valued landscape character, as identified in the Landscape Strategy and Action Plan, and other valued characteristics. Other than in exceptional circumstances, proposals for development in the Natural Zone will not be permitted.”

Within the Development Management Policies document the following polices are considered to be relevant to the proposed development:

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 13 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Policy DMC1 Conservation and enhancement of nationally significant landscapes, states:

“A. In countryside beyond the edge of settlements listed in Core Strategy policy DS1, any development proposal with a wide scale landscape impact must provide a landscape assessment with reference to the Landscape Strategy and Action Plan. The assessment must be proportionate to the proposed development and clearly demonstrate how valued landscape character, including natural beauty, biodiversity, cultural heritage features and other valued characteristics will be conserved and, where possible, enhanced taking into account:

(i) the respective overall strategy for the following Landscape Strategy and Action Plan character areas: • White Peak; • Dark Peak; • Dark Peak Western Fringe; • Dark Peak Yorkshire Fringe; • Derbyshire Peak Fringe; • Derwent Valley; • Eastern Moors; • South West Peak; and

(ii) any cumulative impact of existing or proposed development including outside the National Park boundary; and

(iii) the effect of the proposal on the landscape and, if necessary, the scope to modify it to ensure a positive contribution to landscape character.

B. Where a development has potential to have significant adverse impact on the purposes for which the area has been designated (e.g. by reason of its nature, scale and setting) the Authority will consider the proposal in accordance with major development tests set out in national policy.

C. Where a building or structure is no longer needed or being used for the purposes for which it was approved and its continued presence or use is considered by the Authority, on the evidence available to it, to be harmful to the valued character of the landscape, its removal will be required by use of planning condition or obligation where appropriate and in accordance with the tests in national policy and legislation.”

Policy DMC3 Siting, design, layout and landscaping, states:

“A. Where development is acceptable in principle, it will be permitted provided that its detailed treatment is of a high standard that respects, protects and where possible enhances the natural beauty, quality and visual amenity of the landscape, including the wildlife and cultural heritage that contribute to the distinctive sense of place.

B. Particular attention will be paid to: (i) siting, scale, form, mass, levels, height and orientation in relation to existing buildings, settlement form and character, including impact on open spaces, landscape features and the wider landscape setting which contribute to the valued character and appearance of the area; and (ii) the degree to which buildings and their design, details, materials and finishes reflect or complement the style and traditions of the locality as well as other valued characteristics of the area such as the character of the historic landscape and varied biodiversity assets; and (iii) the use and maintenance of landscaping to enhance new development, and the degree to which this makes use of local features, colours, and boundary treatments and

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 14 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 an appropriate mix of species suited to both the landscape and biodiversity interests of the locality; and (iv) access, utility services, vehicle parking, siting of services, refuse bins and cycle storage; and (v) flood risk, water conservation and sustainable drainage; and (vi) the detailed design of existing buildings, where ancillary buildings, extensions or alterations are proposed; and (vii) amenity, privacy and security of the development and other properties that the development affects; and (viii) the accessibility or the impact on accessibility of the development; and (ix) visual context provided by the Landscape Strategy and Action Plan, strategic, local and other specific views including skylines; and (x) the principles embedded in the design related Supplementary Planning Documents and related technical guides”

B. Development will not be permitted if applicants fail to provide adequate or accurate detailed information to show the effect of their proposals on the character, appearance and significance of the component parts of the Conservation Area and its setting. Where an outline application is submitted the Authority reserves the right to request additional information before determining the application.

C. Proposals for or involving demolition of existing buildings, walls or other structures which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance or historic interest of the Conservation Area will not be permitted unless there is clear and convincing evidence that: (i) the condition of the building (provided that this is not a result of deliberate neglect) and the cost of repairing and maintaining it in relation to its significance and to the value derived from its continued use, is such that repair is not practical; or (ii) the demolition is to remove an unsightly or otherwise inappropriate modern addition to the building where its removal would better reveal buildings, walls or structures that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance or historic interest of the Conservation Area.

D. Where development is acceptable, a record of the current site, building or structure and its context will be required, prior to or during development or demolition.

E. Plans for re-use of an area where demolition is proposed must be agreed and a contract for redevelopment signed before the demolition is carried out.

F. Felling, lopping or topping of trees in a Conservation Area will not be permitted without prior agreement. This may require their replacement, and provision for their future maintenance.”

Summary

National Planning Policy is set out in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). At a local level, the site is within the planning administration of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA). Local planning policy comprises of the LDF Core Strategy 2011 and the Development Management Policies 2019 DPD which includes a Policies Map. The site falls outside of PDNPA’s ‘Natural Zone’.

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4.1 National Landscape Character

At the National Level, the site is located within National Character Area (NCA) 52: White Peak as defined by Natural England, as shown below.

Figure 8 – East Midlands NCA Map and White Peak National Character Area 52 Map

The NCA covers the area of land between Dark Peak to the north and east and South West Peak to the west. Key characteristics of relevance to the site and its local context identified on page 6 include: • Elevated, gently undulating limestone plateau with occasional knolls and crags, dissected by steeply cut dales and gorges with rock outcrops, screes and caves. • Clear rivers, streams and springs in some dales; others are dry or run water only in winter. • Steep dale sides with a mosaic of flower-rich limestone grassland, ash woodland and wildlife-rich scrub. • Improved grassland for dairy and livestock farming dominates the plateau, punctuated by occasional dew ponds, narrow shelterbelts of broadleaved trees and small patches of rough grassland, meadow and heath. • Grassland enclosed by limestone walls, with small narrow strip fields often of medieval origin around villages, and larger rectangular fields away from the villages. • Nucleated villages and small towns connected by crest and valley roads. • A mix of limestone and gritstone used as building materials and stone and Welsh slate for roofs. Widespread features of special archaeological and historical interest including Neolithic and bronze-age ritual monuments.

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4.2.1 Peak District Landscape Character Assessment

At the Local level, the application site is located within The Peak District National Park. The National Park has its own administration. The National Park Authority has produced a Landscape Character Assessment, Landscape Strategy and Action Plan. The site is within the White Peak Character Area and is defined as Limestone Village Farmlands character type.

Figure 9 - Landscape Character Types

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Figure 10 - Landscape Character, Polices Map Sheet 10

The Limestone Village Farmlands LCT is described as: “A small-scale settled agricultural landscape characterised by limestone villages, set within a repeating pattern of narrow strip fields bounded by drystone walls”

Key Characteristics of the LCT are: • A gently undulating plateau • Pastoral farmland enclosed by drystone walls made from limestone • A repeating pattern of narrow strip fields originating from medieval open fields • Scattered boundary trees and tree groups around buildings • Discrete limestone villages and clusters of stone dwellings • Relict mine shafts and associated lead mining remains • Localised field dewponds

Summary

At a national level, the NCA 52: White Peak is described as a raised, undulating limestone plateau deeply incised with steep-sided limestone valleys. It has a strong sense of place arising from the effect of the underlying geology on landform and its influence on natural and manmade landscape features such as caves, crags, drystone walls and traditional buildings. The dales are of significant wildlife value, particularly because of their flower-rich limestone grassland and ash woodland, and many contain clean, clear rivers.

At the Local level, the application site is located within The Peak District National Park. The National Park has its own administration. The National Park Authority has produced a Landscape Character Assessment, Landscape Strategy and Action Plan. The site lies within the White Peak Landscape Character Area (LCA)

The site is within the ‘Limestone Village Farmlands’ Landscape Character Type (LCT), as defined the ‘Peak District National Park Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 2009 - 2019’.

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The site is a collection of farm buildings and barns on a plot of approximately 1.38 hectares, with its boundary defined by drystone walls and building facades. The site contains several small pasture fields.

Figure 11 - Aerial photograph of site with boundary

Topography

The site falls a total of 9m from 352m AOD from the southern corner of the site at Monksdale Lane to 343m AOD at the northern corner of the site. The topography of the site in general falls from the south-western boundary with Monksdale Lane to the north-eastern boundary with Wheston Bank.

Hydrology

There are no water features on site.

Vegetation

The site only has one mature tree located at the northern corner of the site, along with several saplings. The species include Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior and Betula pendula.

Settlement and Land Use and Field Pattern.

The site currently is a working farm with a farmhouse and 9 barns, some of which are connected. The farmhouse is gritstone with slate roof, while the barns are breeze block with metal and timber cladding and sheet roofing

There are six pasture fields along the south-west and south-east boundaries. These are defined by dry stone walls.

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There is no public access to the site.

The site is accessed directly off Wheston Bank at the north-east boundary. A secondary entrance for farm vehicles is located on the western boundary, accessing Monksdale Lane.

Inter-visibility

The site lies within a dip just below the main ridge line of Wheston. When stood at the centre of the site no views out are possible. When stood at the highest point near the southern boundary the steeply sloping character of the surrounding area means that only glimpsed long-range cross-valley view’s towards the south and south-west are available. These glimpsed views exhibit the open fields and small woodland blocks with the surrounding landscape. No settlements are visible. There are scattered mature trees off site, averaging 15m, that add screening towards the south.

Inter-visibility to the north and east is also stunted due to the intervening rising landform of the fields north of the site. Scattered Trees and mature woodland blocks also restricts visibility to the north, east and west. To the north only a short-range glimpsed view of a pasture field is available. The western boundary has an elevated open view of the neighbouring farm and barns, and glimpsed long range views of pasture fields as the landform rises.

Overall the site has very limited, glimpsed, long range visibility due to the surrounding landform and trees, and some immediate short range views from adjacent neighbouring farms.

The Site

The site lies within the Peak District National Park and within the Wheston Conservation Area. However, the quality of the site is considered to be poor, with the majority of the buildings on site being of breeze block and metal sheeting construction being at odds with the local vernacular. There are a number of detractors such as old machinery, silage storage and farmyard clutter, and whilst these are expected to be seen on a working farm they result in a poor and unkept appearance.

The site is relatively tranquil with no historical buildings, assets or unusual features. The main farmhouse is the only building of merit with the remainder of buildings having a negative effect on the value of the site from a historic and cultural perspective.

Overall the site is considered to be of low value.

In respect to susceptibility only the main farmhouse is moderately susceptible to change, and overall the site has some scope to accommodate the type of change proposed by the development without undue effects upon its overall integrity, particularly where incongruous buildings, silage storage and farmyard clutter can be removed. Overall, the site is considered to have a medium susceptibility.

Landscape sensitivity of the site is derived from a combination of value and susceptibility and is considered to be low for the site overall.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 20 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Summary

The site is approximately 1.38 hectares and is accessed from Wheston Bank. It contains a farmhouse and several barns. The site only has one mature tree located at the northern corner of the site, along with several and several young trees. From the site, cross-valley views mainly to the south-west provide glimpsed views to the pastural landscape. Views to the north, east and west are for the most part curtailed by intervening landform and vegetation.

The character of the site is negatively influenced by a number of detracting elements including old machinery, silage storage and farmyard clutter. Analysis of the site as a landscape receptor concludes that it is of low sensitivity

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6.1 Landscape Receptors

The following table summarises the different landscape features and character receptors that may be affected by the proposals. The sensitivity of landscape receptors has been determined by reference to the baseline assessment of the existing landscape resource.

Details of the landscape feature and its sensitivity is summarised below:

Landscape Receptor Value Susceptibility Sensitivity

Features Buildings Low Medium Low Dry-stone Walls Medium Medium Medium

Trees Medium Low Medium

Hardstanding / Pasture Low Low Low

Topography Medium Low Low

PROW High High High

Character

National: NCA 52 Medium Low Medium Local – Peak District: Limestone Village Farmlands Medium Medium Medium LCT National Nature Reserve / Special Area of Conservation / High Low High SSSI’s The Site Low Medium Low

Wheston Conservation Area Medium Medium Medium Figure 12 - Table Summary of Landscape Receptors

6.2 Visual Appraisal

A visual appraisal of the site was undertaken in September 2020 to determine the relationship of the site with its surrounds, the visibility of the site within the wider landscape and the suitability of the site for development.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 22 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 6.2.1 Zone of Theoretical Visibility

The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV or viewshed) describes the area from which the proposed development is potentially visible. The desktop study involved creating a 3D terrain model using bare-earth Terrain 5 data, which was used to determine where intervisibility would occur between the proposed building and a 1.7m high observer in the wider landscape. As bare-earth data is used, the ZTV does not take account of built form or vegetation present within the landscape. Drawing MFW 01 ZTV in Appendix 1 illustrates the Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV or viewshed) of the site

The ZTV demonstrates that inter-visibility to the north and east is short-ranged due to the constraining factor of the steep undulating landform and vegetation. To the north-west there are also limited areas of long-range inter-visibility. There are no views south or south-west

Assessment of visual influence is focused on locations from which the site is most likely to be viewed, i.e. roads, footpaths and residential areas. Within the ZTV potential receptors of visual effects of the development have been identified. Receptors include the public, residents, visitors and any other potential viewers of the development. Principal Viewpoints are then selected as representative views from receptor locations.

Beyond the 3km area chosen, the visual impacts of the development are not considered likely to be significant. This is due in part to scale and height of the built components of development, the effect of reduced contrast between different landscape textures and colours at increasing distance and the increasing importance of atmospheric conditions in determining the availability of long-distance views. At these distances, the development is likely to be screened by local features, such as landform, buildings and vegetation.

Figure 13 – Extract od Drawing MFW 01 Zone of Theoretical Visibility

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 23 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 6.2.2 Visual Baseline of Principal Viewpoints

In order to represent the nature of identified views, a number of Principal Viewpoints (Nos. 1 – 7 inclusive) were selected. The photographic locations are illustrated on drawing MFW 01. Principal Viewpoints are summarised below.

Near Distance Views (0-200m)

Principal Viewpoint 1 illustrates the immediate views into the site from the junction of ‘Wheston BOAT 7’ and ‘Wheston FP 3’ that run along the southern and eastern boundary respectively. Only a very small section of the barns rooftops are visible above the drystone walls. This viewpoint is considered to be representative of the views from other locations along these public rights of way. Views from Wheston bank only occur immediately opposite the site entrance at 90 degrees from the direction of travel, whether approaching the site from the south-east or north-west.

Views into the site quickly become curtailed due to topography falling to the south, rising to the north and the surrounding buildings, trees and woodland blocks.

Middle Distance Views (201m-1.5km)

To the north, Principal Viewpoint 2 illustrates the view from the slightly elevated position on an unnamed road that forms part of the Pennine Bridleway. This position offers very limited glimpsed views of the south-west corner of the site. The intervening vegetation and landform screens any views of the farm buildings. Closer views from the north are not possible due to falling landform and increasing amount of intervening vegetation

Principal Viewpoint 4 is representative of the cross-valley views from mid-range as seen from open and elevated PRoW, roads and scattered properties to the south-west of the site. The site is screened by the intervening topography, with no part of any building elevation or roof visible. Several mature trees also lie between the site and receptors at mid-range cross valley viewpoints. Very little built form within Wheston can be seen, and at this distance it does not form a significant part of the view.

Mid-range views to the east, south and west are completely screened by the topography and mature trees and woodland vegetation surrounding Wheston.

Long Distance Views (1.5km and above)

Principal Viewpoint 3 illustrates the intervening landform and surrounding vegetation screens the site entirely from view from the west. This is typical of views seen at 90 degrees to the direction of travel by road users. There are no public rights of way on elevated ground to the west of the site at this distance.

Principal Viewpoints 5, 6 and 7 illustrate that long range views to the south from sensitive receptors such as public rights of way, SSSI’s and National Nature Reserves are not possible. The intervening landform coupled with the vegetation surrounding the site and in proximity to the receptorss screen any potential views.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 24 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Summary

The Zone of Theoretical Visibility and Principal Viewpoints 1 to 7 demonstrate that due to the site being below the topographical ridge of Wheston, the established vegetation surrounding the site, and the wider undulating landform and wider trees/ woodlands, views are limited to glimpsed near distance views. Mid and Long-distance cross-valley views from potential sensitive receptors to the south and west are not possible.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 25 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 7 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

An explanation of the scheme’s design and its evolution is set out within the Design and Access Statement that accompanies the application.

The proposed development would replace the existing central cluster of barns with Caravan and Motorhome pitches surrounded by a 1.8m timber fence. A single barn to the south of the site will be removed, with the footprint and surrounding area restored to a field. The existing silage hardstanding to the south of the site will be converted into a manège . The rest of the existing buildings will be retained, with those along Wheston Bank being converted into café and business units

The development proposal includes: • New corrugated steel roofing • Existing blockwork walls to be refreshed with paint or render. • Vertical Timber boarding • PV panels to the café and business units. • Tree planting

Figure 14 - Proposed Site Plan

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 26 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 8 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL EFFECTS

This section summarises the likely effects of the proposed development on the identified landscape features, published landscape character types, visual receptors and relevant policies.

The assessment is undertaken for the following operational stages of the development: • Year 1 (this refers to year 1 of the completed scheme) during winter. • Year 15 (this refers to year 15 of the completed scheme) during summer.

8.1 Effects on Landscape Features

The effects on landscape features is set out in Figure 15 and summarised below:

Year 1 Year 15 Landscape Sensitivity Significance Significance Receptor Magnitude Magnitude / Effect / Effect

Negligible Negligible Buildings Low Small Small Beneficial Beneficial

Dry-stone Walls Medium None Neutral None Neutral

Negligible Minor Trees Medium Small Small Beneficial Beneficial

Hardstanding / Minor Minor Low Small Small Pasture Beneficial Beneficial

Topography Low None Neutral None Neutral

PROW High Very Small Neutral Very Small Neutral Figure 15 - Summary of Landscape Receptors • Buildings: The existing barns of low quality at the centre of the site would be removed and replaced with Caravan and Motorhome pitches. The remaining buildings will be retained, with some being refurbished and converted to business units and a café. Overall this would result in a negligible beneficial effect at year 1 and year 15, due to a very slight improvement to the existing landscape resource. • Dry stone walls: The field pattern and dry-stone walls would be unaffected, resulting in a neutral effect at year 1 and year 15. • Trees: All trees and vegetation element would be retained. Additional planting during construction would result in a negligible beneficial effect at year 1, improving to minor beneficial at year 15. • Hardstanding / Pasture: The existing pasture will be retained and areas of current hard standing will be returned to fields, resulting in a minor beneficial effect at year 1 and year 15. • Topography: The development would not make any topographic changes, resulting in a neutral effect at year 1 and year 15. • PRoW: The development would have a neutral effect on local PRoWs.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 27 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Regarding landscape feature effects, the proposed development would have a long-term neutral to minor beneficial effect on the key landscape features including buildings, trees, dry stone walls, hardstanding/pasture, topography and the PROW.

8.2 Effects on Landscape Character

The landscape character effects are set out in figure 16 and summarised below:

Landscape Year 1 Year 15 Character Sensitivity Significance Significance Magnitude Magnitude Receptor / Effect / Effect National: NCA 52 Medium None Neutral None Neutral White Peak Local: Peak District: Medium None Neutral None Neutral Limestone Village Farmlands LCT National Nature Reserve / Special Area of High None Neutral None Neutral Conservation / SSSI’s

Negligible The Site Low Small Small Negligible Benefical Beneficial Wheston Conservation Medium None Neutral None Neutral Area Figure 16 - Summary of Landscape Character Receptors • At a National scale (NCA 52: White Peak): The proposal would not impact the wider site topography, surrounding Dales, field patterns defined by boundary stone walls or the nucleated villages. The scale and extent of the proposed development in relation to that of the character area is considered to be very small. The scheme would have a neutral effect on NCA 52 at year 1 and year 15. • At a county/local scale (Peak District: Limestone Village Farmlands LCT): the proposal would positively address the stated key characteristics of the LCT including the undulating landform, pastoral farmland, scattered boundary trees and tree groups and discrete limestone villages and building clusters. The proposed development and building refurbishments would be congruous to the surrounding context and LCT. The proposed native tree planting and the restoration of fields enclosed by stone walls from existing hardstanding would contribute to the characteristic of the LCT. The proposal would perceived from very localised parts of the LCT and it is considered to have a neutral effect at year 1 and 15. • The SAC, NNR’s and SSSI’s, will not be impacted by the proposed development, resulting in a neutral effect at year 1 and year 15 • The Site: The site is considered to have low sensitivity. The proposed development would remove many of the detracting features of the site. The building alterations, change of land use and implementation of the landscape framework would result in negligible beneficial effect at year 1 and year 15. • The Wheston Conservation Area would not be affected by the proposals. The buildings visible from Wheston Bank will be retained and refurbished in keeping with the local character, resulting in a neutral effect at year 1 and 15.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 28 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Regarding landscape character effects, the proposed development would have a neutral effect on the key characteristics of both national NCA 52: White Peak or local ‘Limestone Village Farmlands LCT’ due to the design of the proposal and perceived scale of the changes. At the site level, the proposal would have a negligible beneficial effect in the long term through the removal of incongruous features and implementation of landscaping.

8.3 Visual Effects

The visual effects are set out in figure 17 and summarised below:

Year 1 Year 15 Visual Receptor Sensitivity Significance Significance Magnitude Magnitude / Effect / Effect

PV1 Negligible High Very Small Neutral Small Beneficial

PV2 Negligible Negligible High Very Small Very Small Beneficial Beneficial

PV3 Low None Neutral None Neutral

PV4 Medium None Neutral None Neutral

PV5 High None Neutral None Neutral

PV6 High None Neutral None Neutral

PV7 High None Neutral None Neutral Figure 17 - Summary of Landscape Character Receptors

• Short-range views from the south are limited to the immediate south-east corner the site from PRoWs, as shown in Principal Viewpoint 1, and the neighbouring farm to the west. The proposed development would result in a neutral impact at year 1. There will be the removal of the central barns and the introduction of caravan and motorhome pitches, however these will be screened with new tree planting along the site boundaries and across the centre of the site. By year 15, with vegetation in leaf the site will be screened resulting in a negligible beneficial impact at year 15. • Northern sightlines are limited to short-range glimpsed views from Wheston Bank (road), immediately opposite the site, and limited glimpsed views of the south-west corner of the site as seen in Principal Viewpoint 2. From here the proposals will not be visible as the existing buildings are being retained, and the proposed caravan/motorhome pitches at the centre of the site will be screened by the surrounding buildings. Proposed tree planting along the western boundary will screen the limited glimpsed views of the south west corner of the site. This will result in negligible beneficial change at year 1 and 15. • From the mid to long-range views to the south, south-west and west, shown in Principal Viewpoints 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, the proposals would not be visible, resulting in a neutral effect in the long term.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 29 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Regarding visual effects, due to the surrounding topography, buildings and mature trees, views of the proposed development would be experienced at short range from roads to the north, public rights of way to the immediate south and immediately adjacent farm buildings. The change in view would be barely perceptible, and once the proposed tree planting matures there will even be a slight improvement due to the additional screening. Further mid to long- range views are not possible due to undulating topography and intervening vegetation. From most viewpoints the visual effect is considered to be neutral.

8.4 Response to Policy

The Proposed Development has been considered against the relevant landscape and visual policies outlined in section 3

National Planning Policy Framework

Development would result in neutral effects on landscape character and would result in neutral to minor beneficial visual effects by the removal of detracting degraded and derelict elements.

Furthermore, the Landscape framework would provide landscape and biodiversity enhancements in accordance with the NPPF, and the green infrastructure enhancements as set out within Planning Practice Guidance.

Local Planning Policy

At a local level, the proposed development would accord with PDNPA landscape polices, including polices to conserve and enhance valued landscape characteristics. The proposed development conforms with the published local landscape character guidelines.

Summary

The proposed development would respond positively to landscape related policy at National and Local levels. The proposal would not adversely impact any significant landscape features, historical features, landscape or ecologically designated sites, valued landscape, conservation areas, amenity, landscape character, visual character in accordance with National and Local landscape related policy.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 30 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 9 LIMITATIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS

The principal assumptions and limitations for this assessment are:

Assessment of sensitivity of receptors and the magnitude of change due to the development are inherently subjective and based on professional judgement.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 31 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 10 RECOMMENDATIONS

10.1 Development and Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures, including tree planting on the eastern, southern and western boundaries of the site would serve to further soften the site from views. Any landscape development measures should take into consideration the site vegetation, aspect, topography, ecology, historic field patterns, agricultural use and hydrology. Mitigation measures should also be implemented to ensure any proposed redevelopment is based on sound principles of sustainable environmental development.

Specific mitigation measures could include: • Improvement to the existing boundary vegetation, which could include creation of native woodland belts along the eastern, southern and western boundaries. This would be in keeping with published LCA, improve site and wider Green Infrastructure, ecology networks, and serve to screen the existing site further from Principal Viewpoints.

In addition, the following mitigation measures should be implemented to ensure any proposed redevelopment is based on sound principals of sustainable environmental development • The landscape layout and detailed design of any development should be in accordance with the current, adopted planning policy and with all relevant British Standards, Codes of Practice, and good practice guidelines. • Appropriate measures in accordance to BS 5837:2012 should be taken to protect the existing trees and hedgerows from damage during construction. • In compliance with Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, no construction work which will disturb nesting birds should take place during the breeding season (March – August). • The majority of new tree planting, particularly to the boundaries and at the interface between the rural and built environment, should be native, reflecting the locally occurring species and including a good percentage of long-lived trees. New species can be introduced, appropriate to the location and conditions to increase the diversity of species and habitat value. • The internal site landscaping should consist of appropriate species which provide form, colour and scale to break up the building lines and create a pleasant environment. • Ideally, all plant material should be sourced from local provenance and be of British origin. • The use of eco-friendly building materials and practices should be considered. • Peat free composts should be used for all new landscape works. • Bat and bird boxes should be introduced – built into the design/fabric of buildings. • The impacts of lighting the development on the immediate area and the wider landscape should be reduced by a sensitive lighting scheme.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 32 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 11 CONCLUSION

Site Context

There are two areas of the Derbyshire Dales National Nature Reserve to the south and north- west. These areas cover Monk’s Dale and Hay Dale respectively.

The site does not contain any Priority Habitats within its boundary. There are several Priority Habitats (PHI) within the wider landscape including Lowland Calcareous Grassland and Lowland Meadows, as well as Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland and Deciduous Woodland.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 33 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 The Site

Sensitivity

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The Proposed Development

An explanation of the scheme’s design and its evolution is set out within the Design and Access Statement that accompanies the application.

Landscape and Visual Effects

Regarding landscape feature effects, the proposed development would have a long-term neutral to minor beneficial effect on the key landscape features including buildings, trees, dry stone walls, hardstanding/pasture, topography and the PROW.

Regarding landscape character effects, the proposed development would have a neutral effect on the key characteristics of both national NCA 52: White Peak or local ‘Limestone Village Farmlands LCT’ due to the design of the proposal and perceived scale of the changes. At the site level, the proposal would have a negligible beneficial effect in the long term through the removal of incongruous features and implementation of landscaping.

Regarding visual effects, due to the surrounding topography, buildings and mature trees, views of the proposed development would be experienced at short range from roads to the north, public rights of way to the immediate south and immediately adjacent farm buildings. The change in view would be barely perceptible, and once the proposed tree planting matures there will even be a slight improvement due to the additional screening. Further mid to long- range views are not possible due to undulating topography and intervening vegetation. From most viewpoints the visual effect is considered to be neutral.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 34 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Response to landscape related planning policy

Recommendations

Summary

Overall, the proposed development is considered to be successfully assimilated into the local landscape and would result in mostly neutral to minor beneficial effects. The majority of visual receptors would experience no change in the view.

Protection and enhancement of the most significant landscape features, which provide visual containment and are characteristic of both National and local character, result in a long-term neutral to minor beneficial effect on landscape features, a neutral to negligible beneficial effect on landscape character areas, a positive response to landscape related policy at National and Local levels, and a neutral to negligible beneficial visual effect.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 35 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 APPENDIX 1: LVA METHODOLOGY

1.0 Introduction

Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal methodology is based on ‘Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Third Edition, 2013), published by the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Impacts examined as part of the assessment process fall into the following two categories: • Landscape impacts. This part of the assessment deals with impacts on the landscape resource. The landscape resource is examined in terms of features, character, quality, value and resulting sensitivity to change. Impacts are then analysed in relation to these factors.

• Visual impacts. This part of the assessment deals with impacts on views of the landscape and examines public perception of landscape change. Potential visual receptors with views of the proposed development are identified and their sensitivity examined. Impacts are then analysed in relation to the nature and sensitivity of these views.

The existing landscape and visual circumstances at the development site are examined, to establish baseline conditions. Impacts of the proposed development can then be examined against this baseline. After potential impacts are identified, these are addressed through alterations to the development proposals to avoid, reduce or mitigate against and adverse impacts can then be addressed.

This methodology is adapted to the specific nature and landscape context of different development projects, with different elements of the various areas of analysis being more or less important.

2.0 Baseline Studies

The purpose of baseline studies is to identify the existing landscape features, characteristics, potential visual receptors and the way in which the landscape is experienced. The following are typically undertaken as part of the baseline studies: • Identification of the extents of the study area. The extent of this is based on professional judgement and may vary depending on the type of development proposed • A desktop study of patterns and scale of landform, land use and built development, relevant current planning policy (including landscape designations) and landscape character publications. This provides guidance on the general landscape character of the surrounding area • Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) • Identification of potential representative viewpoints within the study area. The viewpoints chosen are not intended to be exhaustive but rather to build up a picture of the areas from which the proposed development is potentially visible. • Site visits to public viewpoints to determine the likely visibility of the development.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 36 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 3.0 Assessment of Landscape Effects

The GLVIA 3 in Paragraph 5.1 states that: “An assessment of landscape effects deals with the effects of change and development on landscape as a resource.”

In order to assess the landscape effects, the sensitivity of the landscape receptor and the magnitude of effect experienced as a result of the Proposed Development is assessed.

Sensitivity of Landscape Receptors

The sensitivity of a landscape receptor is a combination of the value of the landscape receptor and the susceptibility of the landscape receptor to the type of change proposed, using professional judgement.

Landscape Value

The GLVIA 3 Glossary defines landscape value as: "The relevant value that is attached to different landscapes by society. A landscape may be valued by different stakeholders for a variety of reasons"

Landscapes, including their character and features, may be designated at a range of levels (international, national, county and local level), examples of which are set out in Table 1.

Table 1: Landscape Value - Designations Level Description High Features or areas likely to be of international or national importance, designated at national or international level Medium Features or areas likely to be of county or borough importance, designated at county or borough level Low Features likely to be of importance to the local community but have little or no wider recognition of their value, and are not designated Very Low Features or areas with little or no evidence of being valued by the community, and are not designated.

The assessment of value is based on a combination of the importance of landscape-related planning designations and the following attributes: • Landscape quality (condition): the measure of the physical state of the landscape. It may include the extent to which typical landscape character is represented in individual areas, the intactness of the landscape and the condition of individual elements. • Scenic quality: the extent that the landscape receptor appeals to the visual senses; • Perceptual aspects: the extent that the landscape receptor is recognised for its perceptual qualities (e.g. remoteness or tranquillity); • Rarity: the presence of unusual elements or features; • Representativeness: the presence of particularly characteristic features; • Recreation: the extent that recreational activities contribute to the landscape receptor; and

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 37 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 • Association: the extent that cultural or historical associations contribute to the landscape receptor.

The overall value for each landscape receptor is categorised as High, Medium, Low or Very Low.

Landscape Susceptibility

The GLVIA 3 Glossary defines landscape susceptibility as: "The ability of a defined landscape…receptor to accommodate the specific proposed development without undue negative consequences"

The following criteria is taken into consideration in the assessment of landscape susceptibility, although not all criteria are equally applicable or important within a given landscape / type of development proposed: • Landform; • Pattern/Complexity; • Composition; • Landcover; and • Relationship of a given landscape area to any existing settlements or developments.

Landscape susceptibility of the character of the landscape / of the features is categorised as High, Medium or Low, as set out in Table 2. Landscape susceptibility can also be considered in the context of the capacity of landscape / landscape features to accommodate change. A landscape / landscape feature of low susceptibility would have a high capacity to accommodate change, and a landscape / landscape feature of high susceptibility would have a low capacity to accommodate change.

Table 2: Landscape Susceptibility Susceptibility Criteria High The receptor is likely to have little scope to accommodate the type of change proposed without undue effects upon its overall integrity. Medium The receptor is likely to have some scope to accommodate the type of change proposed without undue effects upon its overall integrity. Low The receptor is likely to be able to accommodate the type of change proposed with little or no effect upon its overall integrity.

Based on the combination of value and susceptibility, an assessment of landscape sensitivity is reached, defined as High, Medium and Low.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 38 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Table 3: Landscape Sensitivity (Value + Susceptibility) Sensitivity Criteria High A landscape receptor of potentially international or national importance. The landscape features and character are the basis for designation and are likely to be largely intact and in a good condition with little scope to accommodate the type of change proposed without undue effects upon its overall integrity. Medium A landscape receptor that is potentially valued at a county level. The landscape may be in reasonably good condition with some scope to accommodate the type of change proposed without undue effects upon its overall integrity. Low A landscape receptor that may or may not be valued at a local level and may comprise a number of detracting elements. The landscape may be in a poor condition and can accommodate the type of change proposed with little or no effect upon its overall integrity.

Landscape Magnitude of Effect

The landscape magnitude of effect is informed by judgements about the size and extent of the change brought about by the Proposed Development both in terms of the existing landscape character and landscape elements / features and the addition of new landscape elements / features, and its duration and reversibility.

Table 4: Landscape Magnitude of Effect Magnitude Criteria Large Total alteration to the existing landscape receptor; may affect an extensive area. Medium Partial alteration to the existing landscape receptor; may affect a wide area. Small Slight alteration to the existing landscape receptor; may affect a restricted area. Very Small Very slight alteration to the existing landscape receptor; may affect a limited area. None No change to the existing landscape receptor.

4.0 Assessment of Visual Effects

The GLVIA 3 Paragraph 6.1 states that: “An assessment of visual effects deals with the effects of change and development on the views available to people and their visual amenity.”

In order to assess the visual effects, the sensitivity of the visual receptor and the magnitude of effect experienced as a result of the Proposed Development is assessed.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 39 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Viewpoint Selection

In order to assess the effects on visual receptors, a selection of publicly accessible viewpoints is made, which could include representative viewpoints (e.g. representing views of users of a particular footpath) and specific viewpoints (e.g. a key view from a specific visitor attraction).

Views are categorised as either near distance, medium distance or long distance with the relevant distance’s dependant on the size and nature of the development, based on professional judgement.

The type of view is typically described firstly as transient (i.e. in passing) or fixed (i.e. from a static location) and then in relation to being filtered (i.e. through intervening vegetation), oblique (i.e. not within the direct field of view), or open (i.e. uninterrupted).

Photographs of representative viewpoints are taken at eye level with a focal length of 35mm (equivalent to 50mm on a conventional 35mm camera), to create the view which is generally accepted as being closest to that seen by the human eye, in accordance with the Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/11 'Photography and photomontage in landscape and visual impact assessment'. The photographs used are intended only to give an indication of the view discussed and are not a substitute for visiting the site in person.

Panoramic views consisting of photographs taken by the criteria outlined above are merged together using computer software. No other photographic manipulation is undertaken.

Due to the infinite number of possible viewpoints to choose from, those chosen are done so on the basis of their location in relation to the site and landform. These are further reduced to concentrate on those receptors that are identified as being of ‘high’ or ‘very high’ sensitivity. Beyond the area chosen, the visual impacts of the development are not considered likely to be significant. At these distances, the development is likely to be screened by local features, such as landform, buildings and vegetation or become a recessive element within the landscape.

A brief description of the existing land use of the area is provided and includes reference to existing settlements, transport routes and vegetation cover, as well as local landscape designations, elements of cultural and heritage value and local landmarks or tourist destinations. These factors combine to provide an understanding of landscape value and sensitivity, and an indication of particular key views and viewpoints that are available to visual receptors and therefore are to be included in the visual assessment.

Sensitivity of Visual Receptors

The sensitivity of a visual receptor is a consideration of the value of the view and the susceptibility of the visual receptor to the type of change proposed, using professional judgement, as set out in Table 5 and 6 respectively.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 40 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020

Table 5: Visual Value Level Value High View from a location that is likely to be of national importance, either designated or with national cultural associations, where the view obtained forms an important part of the experience. Medium View from a location that is likely to be of local importance, either designated or with local cultural associations, where the view obtained forms part of the experience. Low View from a location that is not designated, with minimal or no cultural associations.

Table 6: Visual Susceptibility Level Susceptibility High People at their place of residence; People engaged in outdoor recreation, including users of Public Rights of Way (PRoW), whose attention is likely to be focused on the landscape; and People travelling along recognised scenic routes or where their appreciation of the view contributes to the amenity experience of their journey. Medium People engaged in outdoor sport and recreation, where their appreciation of their surroundings is incidental to their enjoyment; and People travelling on secondary roads or country lanes, rail or other transport routes. Low People travelling on major roads; People at their place of work.

Based on the combination of value and susceptibility, an assessment of visual sensitivity is reached, defined as High, Medium and Low.

Table 7: Visual Sensitivity (Value + Susceptibility) Sensitivity Criteria High Typically a view from a location that is likely to be of national importance, where the view obtained forms an important part of the experience. The receptor may be a person in their place of residence / engaged in outdoor recreation using local public rights of ways. Medium Typically a view from a location that is likely to be of local importance. The receptor may be engaged in outdoor sport or travelling secondary roads or country lanes. Low Typically a view from a location that has no cultural associations or designations. The receptor may be travelling a major road or at their place of work.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 41 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Visual Magnitude of Effect

In the evaluation of the effects on views and the visual amenity of the identified receptors, the magnitude of visual effect is typically described with reference to: • The scale of change in the view with respect to the loss or addition of features in the view and changes in its composition; • The duration and nature of the effect, whether temporary or permanent, intermittent or continuous; • The angle of view in relation to the main activity of the receptor; • The distance of the viewer from the Proposed Development; and • The extent of the area over which the changes would be visible.

The magnitude of visual effect classifications are set out in Table 8.

Table 8: Visual Magnitude of Effect Magnitude Criteria Large The proposals will cause a pronounced or complete change or contrast to the existing view, resulting in the loss or addition of features that will substantially alter the composition of the view. Medium The proposals will cause a noticeable change or contrast in the view, resulting from the loss or addition of features in the view and will noticeably alter the composition of the view. Small The proposals will cause an unobtrusive change or contrast in the view, which would not materially alter the composition of the view. Very Small The proposals will cause a barely perceptible change or contrast in the view, which would not materially alter the composition of the view. None No change discernible in the view.

A.5 Significance of Effects

In order to draw conclusions about the significance of landscape or visual effects, the combination of the sensitivity of the receptors and the magnitude of effects are considered for the Proposed Development at Year 1 and Year 15.

Significance is a combination of the magnitude and the sensitivity of the receptor. Impacts of greater magnitude are likely to be more significant. Significance will also depend on the sensitivity of the landscape to change, assessed in the baseline analysis.

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 42 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 Table 9: Landscape Effects Criteria Effect Landscape Major Alterations that result in a considerable / total and distinct improvement of the Beneficial existing landscape resource. Valued characteristic features would be restored or reintroduced as part of the Proposed Development. Moderate Alterations that result in a partial improvement of the existing landscape Beneficial resource. Valued characteristic features would be largely restored or reintroduced. Minor Alterations that result in a slight improvement of the existing landscape Beneficial resource. Characteristic features would be partially restored. Negligible Alterations that result in a very slight improvement to the existing landscape Beneficial resource, not uncharacteristic within the receiving landscape. Neutral No alteration to any of the components that contribute to the existing landscape resource. Negligible Alterations that result in a very slight deterioration to the existing landscape Adverse resource, not uncharacteristic within the receiving landscape. Minor Alterations that result in a slight deterioration of the existing landscape Adverse resource. Characteristic features would be partially lost. Moderate Alterations that result in a partial deterioration of the existing landscape Adverse resource. Valued characteristic features would be largely lost. Major Alterations that result in a considerable / total and distinct deterioration of the Adverse existing landscape resource. Valued characteristic features would be wholly lost.

Table 10: Visual Effects Criteria Effect Visual Major Alterations that typically result in a pronounced improvement in the existing Beneficial view. Moderate Alterations that typically result in a noticeable improvement in the existing view. Beneficial Minor Alterations that typically result in a limited improvement in the existing view. Beneficial Negligible Alterations that typically result in a barely perceptible improvement in the Beneficial existing view. Neutral No change to the existing view. Negligible Alterations that typically result in a barely perceptible deterioration in the Adverse existing view. Minor Alterations that typically result in a limited deterioration in the existing view. Adverse Moderate Alterations that typically result in a noticeable deterioration in the existing view. Adverse Major Alterations that typically result in a pronounced deterioration in the existing view. Adverse

______WEDDLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Page 43 of 43 Middle Farm, Weston Landscape and Visual Appraisal – Rev A, September 2020 APPENDIX 2: ZONE OF THEORETICAL VISIBILITY AND PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINTS

APPENDIX 3: PUBLISHED LANDSCAPE CHARACTER EXTRACTS

ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3 Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 1: view NORTH FROM jUNCTION OF BYway and footpath

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 8M 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 350M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK133761 Job name Goes here 1 Photograph taken: 17TH September 2020 Title principal viewpoint 1 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 02 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3 Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 2: view south EAST from unnamed road

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 2 ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 835M 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 358M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: sk130772 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 2 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 03 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3

Approximate extent of the site

pRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 3: view east from stich road

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 2.16kM 3 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 355M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK112759 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 3 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 04 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3

Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 4: view north from junction of foopath and road near Hargate hall

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 1.52kM 4 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 340M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK122752 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 4 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 05 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3

Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 5: view north from Pennine bridleway at wormhill

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 1.68kM 5 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 335M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK128746 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 5 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 06 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3

Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 6: view north from long lane above miller’s DAle

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 3.38kM 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 275M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK133728 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 6 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds 6 scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 07 - ACTUAL SIZE EXTRACT: RECOMMENDED VIEWING DISTANCE 300mm @ a3

Approximate extent of the site

PRINCIPAL VIEWPOINT 7: view north-WEST from FOOTPATH ON PRIESTCLIFFE LEES

Weddle Landscape Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Mews Studio, Charnwood House, Tel (0114) 250 1181 DISTANCE FROM SITE: 3.64KM 8 Kenwood Bank, Sheffield S7 1NU Fax (0114) 250 1188 www.weddles.co.uk [email protected] ELEVATION: 331M AOD Job middle farm, wheston OS Grid Reference: SK147729 Job name Goes here Photograph taken: 17TH september 2020 Title principal viewpoint 7 Weather Conditions: sunny with high clouds 7 scale@A3 drawn date job number number revision Camera: Nikon D3200, 35mm Focal Length 1:20,000 PM SEP 20 1139 MFW 08 - APPENDIX 3: PUBLISHED LANDSCAPE CHARACTER EXTRACTS

National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

www.naturalengland.org.uk

1 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Introduction National Character Areas map

As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment 1 2 3 White Paper , Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention , we are North revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas East that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision- Yorkshire making framework for the natural environment. & The North Humber NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their West decision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape East scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader Midlands partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help West Midlands to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. East of England Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key London drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are South East suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance South West on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.

NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm)

2 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

the Peak District National Park and the large number of European and national Summary nature conservation, geological and heritage designations (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, World Heritage Sites and Scheduled Monuments). The White Peak National Character Area is a raised, undulating limestone plateau deeply incised with steep-sided limestone valleys. It has a strong sense Future challenges for the area relate particularly to development, industry, of place arising from the effect of the underlying geology on landform and its tourism and the spread of tree diseases. There will be continued pressure to influence on natural and manmade landscape features such as caves, crags, meet the need for affordable local housing without compromising landscape drystone walls and traditional buildings. The dales are of significant wildlife and historic character or changing the nucleated settlement pattern. It is likely value, particularly because of their flower-rich limestone grassland and ash that the economic pressures on farming will continue to drive intensification woodland, and many contain clean, clear rivers which support species such as and increase in farm size. The challenge will be to facilitate a thriving farming white-clawed crayfish, bullhead, lamprey and dipper. industry while enhancing its efficiency and environmental impact. The environmental pressures from active mining and quarrying industries may The plateau is rich in archaeology, from Neolithic burial mounds and stone change according to commodity prices and site ownership but opportunities circles, such as Minninglow and Arbor Low, to the remains of early lead are presented through the restoration of decommissioned sites. Increased workings. There are distinctive historical landscapes with well-preserved ridge numbers of visitors are likely to put additional pressure on the infrastructure and furrow and networks of field boundaries that fossilise medieval field of the White Peak, with associated traffic issues and threats to tranquillity. The systems around villages such as Chelmorton. impact of tree diseases could be severe, particularly as the dale woodlands are so heavily dominated by ash. There is a pressing need for careful and The settlement pattern is primarily of small nucleated villages and isolated comprehensive monitoring and for farmsteads, along with the market towns of Buxton and Bakewell and the decisive and innovative action should spa town of Matlock Bath. The majority of settlements are on the plateau, certain tree diseases, particularly ash die- with a few small settlements centred on the 18th-century textile water mill back, spread to the White Peak. buildings in the dales and the major towns in the valleys around the edge of the plateau. The area is particularly popular for recreation, with a good rights- of-way network and multi-user trails, such as the Monsal Trail and the Pennine Bridleway, and many opportunities for rock climbing, caving and fishing. It is easily accessible for a large population from surrounding urban areas and also receives visitors from all over the world.

In terms of ecosystem services, the area is particularly important for the provision of cultural services: sense of place/inspiration, sense of history, recreation, biodiversity and geodiversity. This is recognised by its inclusion in Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce.

3 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Statements of Environmental Opportunity

 SEO 1: Protect and enhance the area’s clear limestone rivers, streams and springs, limestone aquifer and dramatic karst geology, to provide a source of clean water, support strong populations of fish and other wildlife, enhance recreational and educational opportunities and contribute to the White Peak’s strong sense of place and history.

 SEO 2: Safeguard the unique character and tranquillity of the limestone dales, and enhance their limestone grasslands, woodlands and scrub of European importance, to protect sense of place, water quality, biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

 SEO 3: Maintain and enhance the limestone plateau’s pastoral landscape with its distinctive pattern of drystone walls, dew ponds, archaeology and habitats such as hay meadows and limestone heaths, to allow a viable and sustainable farming industry that produces high-quality food and supports thriving rural communities.

 SEO 4: Maintain and enhance opportunities for enjoyment and understanding of the White Peak’s distinctive limestone features and historical, cultural and natural heritage by providing recreational opportunities for a wide range of users and ensuring that new development makes a positive contribution to biodiversity, sense of place, sense of history, tranquillity and quality of life for local people and visitors.

The plateau of the White Peak is an open landscape of productive improved grassland, often used for dairy farming, divided by regular networks of limestone drystone walls.

4 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Description

Physical and functional links to other National Character Areas

The White Peak National Character Area (NCA) is surrounded to the west by the higher gritstone uplands and moorlands of the South West ¬Peak NCA and to the north and east by the Dark Peak NCA. With them it forms the Peak District National Park, resulting in strong administrative, strategic and recreational links between the three NCAs. From the plateau and hill tops in the White Peak there are far-reaching views to the surrounding gritstone moorlands.

The White Peak’s major rivers rise on the gritstone of Axe Edge, to the south- west of Buxton in the South West Peak NCA. They flow south-east into the Dark Peak NCA, the Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent NCA and the Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands NCA, to join the River Trent and ultimately flow into the North Sea.

Major transport routes include the A515 linking Buxton to Ashbourne; the A6 linking Buxton to Bakewell, Matlock and to Derby beyond; and the A623 linking Chapel-en-le-Frith and Baslow. Rail links connect Buxton to Manchester and Matlock to Derby. The Pennine Bridleway starts in the south-east corner of the White Peak and runs north into the Dark Peak NCA and the rest of the Pennine chain further north.

The clear-limestone rivers support a rich array of wildlife, including many invertebrate species such as mayflies, hoverflies and dragonflies which in turn are food for the woodland birds that thrive in the undisturbed dale-side ash woodland.

5 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Key characteristics

■ Elevated, gently undulating limestone plateau with occasional knolls and ■ Many visible reminders of early industry, including historic limestone and crags, dissected by steeply cut dales and gorges with rock outcrops, screes lead workings, lime kilns and dramatic water mills from the 18th-century and caves. textile industry.

■ Clear rivers, streams and springs in some dales; others are dry or run water only in winter.

■ Steep dale sides with a mosaic of flower-rich limestone grassland, ash woodland and wildlife-rich scrub.

■ Improved grassland for dairy and livestock farming dominates the plateau, punctuated by occasional dew ponds, narrow shelterbelts of broadleaved trees and small patches of rough grassland, meadow and heath.

■ Grassland enclosed by limestone walls, with small narrow strip fields often of medieval origin around villages, and larger rectangular fields away from the villages.

■ Nucleated villages and small towns connected by crest and valley roads.

■ A mix of limestone and gritstone used as building materials and stone and Welsh slate for roofs. Widespread features of special archaeological and historical interest including Neolithic and bronze-age ritual monuments. The White Peak is incised by numerous steep-sided valleys, such as Lathkill Dale, the wildlife value of which is recognised by national and European designations.

6 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The White Peak today

The White Peak NCA is a raised limestone plateau incised by deep dales and punctuated by occasional prominent steep hills, knolls and cliff faces. The majority of the plateau is above 300 m, rising to its highest level around Bradwell Moor and Eldon Hill to the north. The major rivers, the Manifold, Dove and Wye, run in a south-easterly direction from the edge of the gritstone moorlands on the north-west boundary to ultimately join the River Trent and run out to the North Sea. The valleys are varied in their shape and character; some are narrow gorge-like valleys such as Wolfscote Dale and Dovedale, while others are wider and more open, such as the lower reaches of the Wye Valley. Some valleys carry rivers all year round, such as Dovedale and Miller’s Dale, whereas others are dry or seasonal in nature, such as Upper Lathkill, Manifold and Hamps. The spectacular beauty of this landscape, and its importance to nearby populations for recreation, was recognised by its inclusion in the UK’s first National Park.

The largest areas of broadleaved woodland are confined to the steep-sided valleys and dale sides, where important stands of ash woodland remain. Isolated patches of woodland are scattered across the plateau in small plantations and shelterbelts, particularly around farmsteads. While clear-running rivers, streams and springs are a strong feature of the area, there are few other waterbodies, with the exception of dew ponds scattered across the free-draining plateau. Land cover is primarily grassland: improved pasture for grazing livestock and silage fields for dairy and beef cattle, with little arable land. This creates a distinctive patchwork of vivid green fields, unusual at this elevation, divided by grey limestone walls into geometric fields in open country and smaller strip fields of medieval origin nearer villages.

Caves, such as Thor's Cave, are a distinctive feature of the area formed by water erosion of the soluble limestone geology.

7 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The limestone dales are of outstanding wildlife value for their flower-rich The White Peak NCA is a settled but distinctly rural area. Settlements are a limestone grasslands, ancient ash woodlands, scrub, limestone rivers, wetlands, mixture of market towns, such as Buxton and Bakewell, the spa town of Matlock caves and rocky outcrops. They support species such as white-clawed crayfish, Bath, small nucleated or linear villages and isolated farmsteads; there are no large water vole, lamprey, Jacob’s ladder, peregrine, raven and dipper. Caves provide urban centres. Buildings tend to be made of local limestone but often with roosting sites for a large number of bats and dale-side woodlands support some features made out of gritstone, such as door and window surrounds important populations of woodland birds. The majority of the dales, 2,337ha, are and quoins. Larger, grander buildings are often made entirely of gritstone, included in the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and particularly in the larger towns. A number of major roads follow the south- are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of both natural and geological easterly grain of the landscape and are linked by a network of direct minor roads. importance. On the plateau, fragments of limestone heathland, traditional Quarrying and mineral extraction remain important industries in the White species-rich hay meadows, neutral grassland and calaminarian grassland (lead- Peak, with large limestone quarries still in production along with the UK’s only loving plants on old mining sites) remain and are all important for wildlife. The processor and main source of fluorspar. The water resources of the area support plateau has far fewer features of wildlife value, but does have scattered dew a major bottled water enterprise at Buxton and existing and planned thermal ponds which, although poorly vegetated, provide an important refuge for water spas at Matlock and Buxton. crowfoot and great crested newt. The White Peak is an immensely popular area for outdoor recreation, and The area has a rich archaeological resource, particularly Neolithic remains receives large numbers of visitors. The landscape can be easily accessed by such as Arbor Low henge and stone circle, and bronze-age/Saxon burial large populations in the nearby cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, places, such as Wigber Low. There are some areas of exceptionally well- Derby and Stoke-on-Trent. It offers excellent opportunities for traffic-free preserved historic landscapes, such as the narrow strip field systems around walking, cycling and horse riding, particularly along old railway lines, in the deep Chelmorton and areas of ridge and furrow, such as those near Ilam. The historic limestone valleys and along the Pennine Bridleway. The concentration of value of the rocks and minerals of the area is evident in the large number of exposed rockfaces, vast cave networks and abandoned mines makes it an disused historic lead mines, quarries and lime kilns. Large mill buildings and important destination for climbers and cavers, and the clear-running rivers associated workers’ housing are prominent reminders of the importance of the support healthy populations of fish that attract many fly fishers. area for early water-powered textile manufacturing. The protection afforded to the landscape by its National Park status has seen the majority of villages maintain a traditional appearance and retain a large proportion of historic buildings. The tradition of well-dressing is still practised widely. This takes place in spring and summer and involves creating intricate decorations, often depicting biblical scenes, by pressing flower petals and other colourful materials on to a board covered with clay.

8 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The landscape through time The White Peak retains a fantastically rich record of early human activity. Neolithic sites in the area are of great national importance, such as Arbor Low henge and stone circle and Minninglow burial mound. The Bronze Age would have seen The White Peak NCA landscape has been dramatically shaped by the interaction an acceleration in woodland clearance and left behind highly visible burial of climate, water and human activity with the underlying limestone over millennia. mounds. Evidence remains of Romano-British farming including stock pounds The Carboniferous Limestones of the area were formed between 360 and 326 to the north and numerous farmsteads and settlements further south. The Romans million years ago, when the area lay just south of the equator and was covered established a settlement at Buxton, called Aquae Arnemetiae or ‘the waters of the by a shallow tropical sea. The warm nutrient-rich seas allowed coral reefs to goddess of the sacred grove’, and key route ways extending south and south- grow, encircling clear tropical lagoons, where the remains of sea creatures eastwards along the watershed with Dovedale and the Wye Valley. By 600 AD accumulated and over time turned into limestone. Three distinct types of the Anglo-Saxon ‘Pecsaetan’ people dominated the area; they not only gave their limestone formed: the pale grey, thickly bedded, ‘shelf’ limestone which forms the name to the Peak District, but renamed most places, erasing many Celtic names. plateau and is the commonest type; the darker grey ‘basin’ limestone which occurs in thin strongly folded beds in the south-west of the area; and the rare ‘reef’ limestone which is rich in fossils and resists weathering due to its hard fine-grained nature to form distinctive conical hills (reef knolls) such as Thorpe Cloud and Wetton Hill. Volcanic eruptions during the Carboniferous Period intruded sills of darker coloured rocks (basalt) and volcanic clay interbedded with the limestone. The limestone also contains deposits of mineral ores including lead and copper and the Castleton area is also famed for the mineral Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar). The fractures, cracks and joints in the limestone have been enlarged over millennia by water erosion to form a network of cave systems4.

Visible reminders of recent ice ages in the White Peak are subtle in comparison with those in the upland areas further north. Although the area was covered by deep layers of ice, the lack of steep slopes meant that the ice stayed in place until it melted, rather than flowing through and scouring the landscape. The majority of valleys, with the exception of the Wye Valley, have been cut by running water rather than worn away by flowing glaciers. The dry tundra winds of the last ice age left the biggest mark on the landscape, sculpting dramatic tors and depositing a thick layer of fertile loess soils on the plateau which enable it to support unusually rich pastures for its elevation5. 4 Rocks and minerals of the Peak District National Park, Peak District National Park Authority Harder limestones have eroded more slowly over time to form distinctive knolls rising up (URL: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/79229/factsheet6-minerals.pdf) above the plateau. 5 Ice Ages in the Peak District, Peakscan (accessed November; URL: www.peakscan.freeuk.com/index.htm)

9 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The current nucleated and linear settlement pattern generally developed through The rich mineral and geological resources of the White Peak have been exploited the 10th to 13th centuries. Enclosure of the open field systems started in the 14th for millennia, with increased intensity from the mid-17th century onwards, using century and was completed in the mid-18th century under Parliamentary Enclosure gunpowder, horse power and, later, steam power. Lead mining left many distinctive Acts, creating the larger rectangular fields away from the villages. The small narrow landscape features including rakes, waste heaps, pits, engine sites and smelt medieval field systems, with their distinctive S-shaped curves, were created by houses. Later, deeper mines needed enhanced drainage, which resulted in a early enclosure around villages, such as at Chelmorton. There is a high survival rate lowering of the water table that persists to this day and contributes to the drying of intact ridge and furrow, especially to the south and west of Bakewell. out of valley rivers in summer. Other mining activities focused on copper, semi- precious Blue John, limestone for construction, smelting and lime production. Industrial enterprises expanded to include water-powered textile mills in the 18th century, with large mills built at Cressbrook, Litton and Bakewell. These encouraged the influx of many people to work in the mills and live in the associated housing. A small part of the White Peak NCA falls within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

The Victorians were the first to embrace the White Peak as a tourism destination; railways opened it up to mass tourism and spas were developed at Buxton and Matlock Bath. The popularity of the area with tourists continues to this day, but the large numbers of people now arriving by car puts intense pressure on roads and infrastructure. Agricultural land-use change in the 19th century resulted in the natural regeneration of many of the dale-side ash woodlands.

In the early 20th century, fluorspar, once disposed of as a waste material by lead miners, became an important component of steel manufacturing in nearby Sheffield, and the Peak District became the principal source of fluorspar in the UK. During the second half of the 20th century, the rural landscape saw a dramatic conversion of traditional hay meadows to improved pasture and silage fields, and widespread conversion of traditional farm buildings for other uses as they became too small for modern farm machinery. Since the 1990s, agri- environment schemes have contributed to the restoration and maintenance of many traditional farm boundaries, buildings and habitats, with a particular focus on drystone walls, stone field barns, dew ponds and flower-rich grasslands. The minerals of the area have been economically important for many centuries, as evidenced by numerous historic lead mining sites such as the Lees and Dove Rakes.

10 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Ecosystem services Regulating services (water purification, air quality maintenance and climate regulation) The White Peak NCA provides a wide range of benefits to society. Each is ■ Regulating water quality: The limestone helps to maintain water quality by filtering groundwater; however, it also makes the area’s water vulnerable to derived from the attributes and processes (both natural and cultural features) pollution by creating close links between surface water and groundwater. Water within the area. These benefits are known collectively as ‘ecosystem services’. quality is generally good in the area, with some exceptions due particularly to The predominant services are summarised below. Further information on nutrient pollution and sedimentation. Measures to limit diffuse pollution from ecosystem services provided in the White Peak NCA is contained in the agriculture (efficient and appropriate use of nutrients and chemicals, restricting ‘Analysis’ section of this document. livestock access to watercourses and avoiding soil erosion) and to reduce nutrient outputs from water treatment works could be beneficial. Provisioning services (food, fibre and water supply) ■ Food provision: The primary food products of the area are meat (beef and ■ Regulating water flow: Some of the White Peak’s rivers suffer very low summer lamb) and dairy products. The NCA’s elevation makes the area unsuitable flows, partly due to an artificial lowering of the water table by the historic for large-scale arable production. The agricultural land on the plateau is drainage of mines. Innovative approaches may be needed to reverse the productive, equivalent to areas of much lower elevation. There is good lowering of the water table and to help farmers, residents and businesses use potential for increasing the efficiency of food production and there are less water and capture and (re)use more rain and grey water. Flooding is more good opportunities for local marketing and sale of food products. of a problem downstream than within the NCA itself and opportunities may exist to ameliorate this by creating/restoring small natural water storage areas ■ Water availability: The limestone aquifer and the major rivers provide and wetlands in river valleys where the topography and geology will allow. water for use in agriculture and industry and for drinking water. The more remote properties are supplied by spring water and some areas Cultural services (inspiration, education and wellbeing) of the plateau are lacking in water sources due to the permeable nature ■ Sense of place/inspiration: The area has an exceptionally strong sense of of the limestone. Dew ponds were created in large numbers historically place because of its limestone geology and karst features (such as gorges, to provide livestock with drinking water, and some of these are still in rock outcrops, caves); far-reaching views; dramatic and tranquil steep- use today. Some of the rivers suffer extreme low flows, or complete sided valleys; clear springs, streams and rivers; well-preserved historic drying out, in summer. In some cases this is natural, with flow captured landscapes (e.g. drystone wall networks, ridge and furrow, traditional villages); by underground watercourses, but in some cases it is exacerbated by rich archaeology (e.g. Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circles and burial historic deep drainage for mining which artificially lowered the water table. mounds, historic mining sites); and cultural traditions (e.g. well-dressing). It Measures to increase the efficiency of water use and the use of grey water/ is important to preserve all these elements as well as the area’s traditional rainwater and to reverse the unnatural lowering of the water table would all and undeveloped character. It is also important to promote and explain help to improve water availability. the landscape to visitors and to incorporate high-quality design into new buildings and infrastructure that improves environmental sustainability and quality of life for local people.

11 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

■ Sense of history: Prehistoric ritual and early industry are still visible in this on the plateau, particularly in the traditional hay meadows, limestone heath, landscape with stone circles and burial mounds in prominent locations; an calaminarian grasslands, neutral pasture and dew ponds, which support great impressive concentration of historic lead mining sites and features associated crested newts. Measures to protect these habitats, improve water quality and with limestone extraction and processing (e.g. quarrying, lime kilns, railways); ensure wildlife-friendly farming practices could all play an important role in and the early years of mechanised textile production embodied in the grand maintaining the outstanding biodiversity of this area. mill buildings along the rivers. The historic landscapes of narrow sinuous fields alongside villages preserve the layout of medieval field systems. ■ Geodiversity: The area is of outstanding geological interest for its karst Historic features, landscapes and cultural traditions should be preserved and features and has a large number of mixed interest and geological SSSI. interpreted for locals and visitors. Geological features include caves, gorges, outcrops and tors. The limestone is veined by a rich array of minerals, many of which are economically valuable ■ Tranquillity: Overall 76 per cent of this NCA is classed as ‘undisturbed’. The and have been exploited for millennia. The geodiversity of the area presents steep-sided dales are havens of tranquillity, particularly where they have no a rich educational, recreational and scientific resource that should be roads and are wilder in character. Areas of the plateau can also be tranquil, but conserved and sympathetically managed. are more vulnerable to traffic noise. The intensity of visitor numbers during peak times of year can reduce the sense of tranquillity in even the wildest dales and needs to be carefully managed to minimise negative impacts. All opportunities to encourage people to visit without their cars should be explored.

■ Recreation: Some 7 per cent of the NCA is classed as publicly accessible – it has 2km per sq km of public rights of way and can be easily reached by a large number of people in the surrounding conurbations. It has very good multi-user trails, including the Pennine Bridleway, many of which are along disused railways and separate from the traffic. It is a very popular place for outdoor recreation, including fishing, walking, cycling, visits to show caves, rock climbing and caving. Outdoor recreation is actively encouraged and supported by the National Park Authority.

■ Biodiversity: The limestone dales are of exceptional biodiversity value, recognised by the designation of many of them as a European SAC. Their primary assets are their rivers (above and below ground), wetlands, flower-rich calcareous grassland, scrub and woodland, as well as their rocky outcrops and The White Peak is an immensely popular site for recreation, with key sites like Dove Dale caves. Scarce and valuable habitats and species also persist in small pockets attracting vast numbers of local and international tourists.

12 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Statements of Environmental Opportunity

SEO 1: Protect and enhance the area’s clear limestone rivers, streams and springs, limestone aquifer and dramatic karst geology, to provide a source of clean water, support strong populations of fish and other wildlife, enhance recreational and educational opportunities and contribute to the White Peak’s strong sense of place and history.

For example, by: ■ Providing advice, information and financial support to help farmers to reduce ■ Encouraging retrofitting of water-saving features to existing housing and diffuse and point source water pollution through good land, soil and water industry. management, including efficient use of fertilisers, agricultural chemicals and water, avoiding compaction and soil erosion and updating farm infrastructure. ■ Planning new development, housing and industry to include sustainable drainage systems that minimise run-off and maximise water storage capacity. ■ Working with water treatment works to reduce the levels of nutrients discharged to the rivers, particularly the River Dove. ■ Protecting geological features and maintaining their visibility by removing/managing vegetation. ■ Encouraging and supporting the removal of artificial barriers to fish migration, where this is compatible with historic and landscape objectives. ■ Ensuring that access routes and new developments do not intrude on geological features. ■ Exploring opportunities for the creation of small-scale natural storage of floodwater in flood plains, ponds and wetlands. ■ Continuing to develop and enhance interpretation material, using new media to increase public understanding and appreciation of the White ■ Exploring innovative solutions for limiting loss of river water into Peak’s geodiversity, especially its karst features. underground soughs associated with disused mines, using measures that minimise disruption to cave access and monitoring. ■ Continuing to work with cavers to assess the condition of cave Sites of Special Scientific Interest and to monitor pollution incidents; and to work ■ Encouraging sympathetic management, restoration and creation of riparian with fishing interests to monitor river conditions. habitats, particularly grassland, woodland and wetland. ■ Working with owners and operators of quarries to limit the landscape and ■ Providing advice and support to businesses and residents on how to environmental impacts of active quarries and ensure high-quality restoration minimise water usage, maximise capture and reuse of grey water and of disused sites to provide opportunities for recreation, education and rainwater and reduce abstractions from watercourses. creation of habitats and refuges for priority species such as crayfish.

13 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

SEO 2: Safeguard the unique character and tranquillity of the limestone dales, and enhance their limestone grasslands, woodlands and scrub of European importance, to protect sense of place, water quality, biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

For example, by: ■ Protecting the tranquil and undeveloped character of the steep limestone ■ Creating and maintaining woodland edge habitats and buffer zones on dales and gorges. dale brows to protect and link dale-side woodlands.

■ Protecting, sympathetically managing and enhancing species-rich ■ Encouraging the best use of future agri-environment schemes to limestone grassland, working with farmers to identify solutions to make conserve, enhance and buffer the best wildlife habitats in the area, taking grazing/management of neglected limestone grassland financially viable. a landscape-scale view to ensure that individual agreements deliver environmental benefits for the wider area as well as individual holdings. ■ Managing scrub to enhance its wildlife value and prevent damage to and loss of valuable habitats and archaeological and historical features. ■ Carrying out thorough and regular monitoring to allow early identification of tree diseases, particularly ash die-back, and taking co-ordinated action ■ Buffering dale-side grasslands by the creation of hay meadows and to limit their spread. unimproved pasture on dale brows. ■ Exploring ways of limiting the impact of ash die-back on the landscape and ■ Protecting, conserving and sympathetically managing the dale-side biodiversity interest, such as researching resistance among local ash trees. ash woodlands through conservation management (fencing, control of non-native species, and creation of deadwood) and non-intervention management.

14 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

SEO 3: Maintain and enhance the limestone plateau’s farmed pastoral landscape with its distinctive pattern of drystone walls, dew ponds, archaeology and habitats such as hay meadows and limestone heaths, to allow a viable and sustainable farming industry that produces high-quality food and supports thriving rural communities.

For example, by: of silage fields/meadows with nesting waders, and the sympathetic ■ Protecting, enhancing and restoring species-rich hay meadows and restoration and conversion of traditional farm buildings to allow their creating new meadows, using local seeds and by securing traditional/ continued use by barn owls, swallows and bats. sympathetic hay meadow management and grazing regimes. ■ Encouraging and supporting the development of local products and ■ Conserving, restoring and, where appropriate, creating limestone heath. marketing based on the distinctive landscape and environmental standards.

■ Conserving calaminarian grassland and its rare lead-loving plants on old ■ Exploring opportunities for small-scale extraction of woody biomass lead workings. from existing plantations.

■ Encouraging the retention and creation of small areas of rough habitats ■ Protecting, maintaining and restoring networks of drystone walls and (rough grassland, scrub, heath and woodland) on dale brows and the field barns using traditional materials, styles and techniques. plateau to buffer, connect or link dale-side grasslands and woodlands and to provide valuable wildlife habitat on the plateau. ■ Conserving and maintaining dew ponds, particularly where they contain great crested newts. ■ Retaining, managing and replenishing trees and woodland features on the plateau, particularly boundary trees and shelterbelts around ■ Supporting training and apprenticeships in drystone walling and farmsteads, settlements and historic lead rakes. traditional crafts.

■ Providing information, advice, training and support to farmers on how ■ Providing information and training for owner/occupiers, builders and to improve efficiency and the environmental impact of food production tradesmen on the sympathetic maintenance and restoration of old through good land, soil and water management including measures such buildings using traditional techniques and appropriate materials. as the efficient use of fuel, chemicals, medicines and water; improving soil quality; and the capture and re-use of rain and grey water. ■ Ensuring conservation and sympathetic management of above and below ground archaeology and historic landscapes on the plateau, ■ Encouraging and supporting wildlife-friendly farming practices that allow particularly Neolithic and bronze-age burial structures, medieval scarce species to co-exist with commercial farming, such as late cutting fieldscapes and industrial sites.

15 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

SEO 4: Maintain and enhance opportunities for enjoyment and understanding of the White Peak’s distinctive limestone features and historical, cultural and natural heritage by providing recreational opportunities for a wide range of users and ensuring that new development makes a positive contribution to biodiversity, sense of place, sense of history, tranquillity and quality of life for local people and visitors.

For example, by: ■ Ensuring the protection, sympathetic management, restoration and ■ Seeking opportunities to makes it easy and appealing for people to visit interpretation of historic structures associated with the use of the area’s without their cars, for example by creating good bike/multi-user routes to watercourses to power early industry, such as water leats and mill surrounding settlements and providing good, well-co-ordinated public buildings, particularly where associated with the Derwent Valley Mills transport links and other facilities. World Heritage Site, compatible with the restoration of natural river function. ■ Continuing to develop interpretation and education facilities using new media and delivered by a wide range of people and organisations. ■ Protecting the nucleated pattern and historic character of villages, ensuring that high-quality, innovative and sustainable design is ■ Managing visitors to popular locations to minimise traffic, disturbance, encouraged. erosion and other negative environmental impacts. ■ Encouraging the use of traditional techniques, styles and materials for the ■ Enhancing recreational opportunities by improving existing access routes maintenance, repair and restoration of historic buildings. (for example signage, surfacing, links), providing new facilities for a wide range of users (for example cyclists, horse riders, walkers, cavers, climbers, ■ Ensuring that new housing, infrastructure and other developments are people with limited mobility, anglers) and producing route maps. sympathetically sited and designed to minimise visual impact.

■ Promoting the health benefits of outdoor recreation to residents and ■ Supporting the continuation and promotion of the traditional local visitors alike and by incorporating accessible green spaces into new custom of well-dressing. developments, providing local residents with opportunities to enjoy the many health benefits afforded by contact with the natural environment.

■ Ensuring sympathetic management and high-quality interpretation of below and above ground archaeology, particularly sites associated with Neolithic, bronze-age, Anglo-Saxon, medieval and industrial heritage.

16 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Supporting document 1: Key facts and data Area of White Peak National Character Area (NCA): 52,860 ha

1. Landscape and nature conservation designations Area % of Tier Designation Name (ha) NCA Around 78 per cent of this NCA (41,059 ha) falls within the Peak District National Park. National National Nature Dovedale NNR; 1,069 2 Reserve (NNR) Derbyshire Dales NNR Site of Special A total of 53 sites 5,014 9 A management plan for the protected landscape can be found at: Scientific Interest (SSSI) wholly or partly within ■ http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ the NCA Source: Natural England (2011) Source: Natural England (2011)

1.1 Designated nature conservation sites Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal areas/views below this line will not be included.

Area % of There are 138 local sites in the White Peak NCA covering 1,100 ha which is 2 Tier Designation Name (ha) NCA per cent of the NCA. Source: Natural England (2011) International Ramsar n/a 0 0

European Special Protection Peak District Moors 8 <1 ■ Details of individual Sites of Special Scientific Interest can be searched at: Area (SPA) (South Pennine Moors http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/search.cfm Phase 1) SPA ■ Details of Local Nature Reserves (LNR) can be searched at: Special Area of Peak District Dales SAC; 2,346 4 http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_search.asp Conservation (SAC) Bees Nest and Green ■ Maps showing locations of Statutory sites can be found at: Clay Pits SAC; Gang http://magic.Defra.gov.uk/website/magic/ – select ‘Rural Designations Mine SAC Statutory’

17 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

1.1.1 Condition of designated sites 2.3 Bedrock geology The Carboniferous Limestone of the White Peak can be subdivided into three Percentage of NCA distinct types, each indicative of a different depositional environment and SSSI condition category Area (ha) SSSI resource producing different landscapes today. The most common over much of the plateau area is the so called ‘shelf’ limestone which is pale grey and thickly bedded Unfavourable declining 101 2 in gently dipping beds. The next most common, in the south-west of the area is Favourable 3,377 68 the ‘basin’ limestone which is darker grey in colour and occurs in thinner, strongly folded beds. The least common is the ‘reef’ limestone found within the wider basin Unfavourable no change 122 3 limestone area, which is rich in fossils. Volcanic rocks, which erupted just over Unfavourable recovering 1,349 27 300 million years ago, commonly occur interbedded with the limestone in the White Peak. The limestone also contains deposits of mineral ores including lead Source: Natural England (March 2011) and copper, which have been mined since Roman times. The Castleton area is also famed for the mineral Blue John that lines the walls of cavities in the limestone. ■ Details of SSSI condition can be searched at: Source: Natural England 2010, White Peak Countryside Character Area Description http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/reportIndex.cfm 2.4 Superficial deposits 2. Landform, geology and soils During the final phase of glacial history cold icy winds swept across the limestone plateau depositing a liberal supply of fine silt or loess which makes a 2.1 Elevation significant contribution to the present soils of the area. The lowest elevation in this NCA is 91 m; the highest point is 475 m. The mean Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area Description elevation across the NCA is 295 m. Source: Natural England 2010 2.5 Designated geological sites

2.2 Landform and process Tier Designation Number South-west of Castleton, the massive beds of off-white, grey or even dark blue- National Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 18 grey limestone give rise to a higher inner plateau seldom below 330 m and rising in places to top the 460 metre contour. The highest parts are close to the National Mixed Interest SSSI 10 area’s northern rim around Bradwell Moor and Eldon Hill. Seasonal meltwaters Local Local Geological Sites 97 and meltwater following glaciation during the last ice age would have assisted Source: Natural England (2011) in carving out the limestone caverns of the White Peak and deep steep-sided gorges such as Winnats Pass near Castleton. ■ Details of individual Sites of Special Scientific Interest can be searched at: Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area Description http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/search.cfm

18 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

2.6 Soils and Agricultural Land Classification 3. Key water bodies and catchments Within the NCA the soil types vary depending on factors including topography and position. Intensive dairy farming on improved grassland tends to be the dominant 3.1 Major rivers/canals land cover throughout the White Peak on the limestone plateau due to the deep The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA. productive soils that were deposited during the final phase of glacial history. This has resulted in rich loam soils even at heights above 350 m. In certain areas ■ River Wye 27 k m superficial deposits have resulted in a layer of stoneless loam in excess of 1.2 m ■ River Dove 21 km thick. Where limestone outcrops occur the surrounding soil is thin and generally of ■ River Manifold 14 km poor quality and the top of the dale slopes tend to have more acidic soils. However, ■ River Derwent 1 km away from the steeper dale sides, the valley bottoms are now occupied with highly Source: Natural England (2010) productive grass leys helped by nutrients being washed down the steep slopes or deposited by flooding rivers, creating a rich productive soil. Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area Description, Please note: Other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. These are not listed where the White Peak Natural Area Profile length within the NCA is short.

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as The gently rolling plateau of the limestone is deeply dissected by the rivers a proportion of total land area): Manifold, Dove, Larkhill and Wye and their associated network of dry tributary valleys. Both the Dove and Manifold rivers manage to cross the porous limestone tract only because their courses are superimposed. In a series of tight loops, the Grade Area (ha) % of NCA River Dove has made an impressive gorge-like incision into the limestone plateau. Grade 1 0 0 The Manifold Valley has a different character to the Dove, being more open and on Grade 2 0 0 a larger scale. The river disappears completely underground for a whole section of its course. Occasionally, during winter months, there is a continuous flow, but a dry Grade 3 7,514 14 spell can cause the water table to drop and the river to disappear. Its main tributary, Grade 4 35,086 66 the Hamps, is also dry for much of the year. At the eastern edge of the White Peak, the River Derwent produces an impressive feature at Matlock Gorge. Grade 5 9,798 19 Non-agricultural 46 19 3.2 Water quality The total area of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone is 52,787 ha which is 99 per cent of the NCA. Urban 415 1 Source: Natural England (2010) Source: Natural England (2010)

■ Maps showing locations of Statutory sites can be found at: http://magic.Defra. gov.uk/website/magic/ – select ‘Landscape’ (shows ALC and 27 types of soils).

19 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

3.3 Water Framework Directive Area and proportion of different woodland types in the NCA (over 2 ha) Maps are available from the Environment Agency showing current and projected future status of water bodies at: Woodland type Area (ha) % of NCA

http://maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?ep=maptopic Broadleaved 2,809 5 s&lang=_e Coniferous 136 <1 Mixed 71 <1 4. Trees and woodlands Other 80 <1 4.1 Total woodland cover Source: Forestry Commission (2011) The NCA contains 3,096 ha of woodland (6 per cent of the total area), of which 953 ha is ancient woodland. Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland within Source: Natural England (2010), Forestry Commission (2011) the NCA.

4.2 Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape Type Area (ha) % of NCA Woodland is now restricted to small isolated copses on high ground and Ancient semi-natural woodland 782 2 larger areas of ancient woodland and scrub along the steep sides of the dales. Copses tend to be broadleaved plantations, typically sycamore which Planted Ancient Woodland (PAWS) 171 <1 is a species commonly found along lead rakes and colonising spoil tips. Source: Natural England (2004) Deciduous semi-natural woodland is also concentrated along the steep sides of the numerous dales. Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area Description

4.3 Woodland types A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed in the following table.

20 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

5. Boundary features and patterns 6.3 Farm ownership 2009: Total farm area = 43,805 ha; owned land = 25,741 ha 5.1 Boundary features 2000: Total farm area = 41,983 ha; owned land = 27,261 ha The predominant boundary type on the plateau and higher ground is drystone Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010) walling made of local stone (either limestone or gritstone). Later walls are often made of quarried stone, with earlier walls of rougher ‘rubble’ stone. Hedgerows 6.4 Land use are common on lower ground, mostly of hawthorn and blackthorn. Almost the entire commercial agricultural area (96 per cent) (not including common Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area description; land) is grass and uncropped land. Countryside Quality Counts (2003) Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010)

5.2 Field patterns 6.5 Livestock numbers Around villages fields tend to be small and narrow, often with boundaries In 2009 there were 65,974 dairy and beef cattle (68,531 in 2000), 151,298 sheep of medieval origin. Fields further away from villages tend to be large and (171,238 in 2000) and 9,854 pigs (5,978 in 2000). rectangular, delineated by a regular network of drystone walls. There are Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010) some particularly good examples of the strip field system, dating from the Parliamentary Enclosures Acts, in the Chelmorton area. Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area description; 6.6 Farm labour Countryside Quality Counts (2003) In 2009 there were 1,531 agricultural workers of which 1,151 (75 per cent) are principal farmers, 146 (10 per cent) part time workers, 120 (8 per cent) full time 6. Agriculture worker, 104 casual/gang workers and 10 (1 per cent) salaried managers. Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010) The following data has been taken from the Agricultural Census linked to this NCA. Please note: (i) Some of the Census data is estimated by Defra so will not be accurate for every holding (ii) Data refers to Commercial Holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the 6.1 Farm type NCA belonging to holdings whose centre point is within the NCA listed. In 2009 the majority of the areas farm holdings were livestock farms, with 418 classified as ‘grazing livestock’, 159 as ‘dairy’ and 150 as ‘other’. Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010)

6.2 Farm size Just over half of the area’s agricultural land (23,187 ha) in 2009 was in farms greater than 100 ha, and only 5 per cent (2,218 ha) in farms smaller than 20 ha (these figures do not include the access that many farms have to common grazing on the moors). Source: Agricultural Census, Defra (2010)

21 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

7. Key habitats and species The woodland cover of the White Peak can be described in three broad groups: dale-side ash woods, wet alder woods and upland plateau oak woodland. All 7.1 Habitat distribution/coverage three types are key biodiversity habitats, although the ash woods are the only The White Peak is famous for its extremely rich limestone grassland; dry type which is extensive in the White Peak. These are internationally important calcicolous grassland of this type is listed as a key biodiversity habitat. The examples of the type of ravine forests found on the continent and some have best examples in the White Peak are internationally important and have been been designated a Special Area of Conservation. designated as Special Areas of Conservation. Often overlooked and with a poor standing in the eyes of both land managers Important areas of shorter neutral grassland, managed by grazing, also occur on and conservationists, the extensive areas of scrub found particularly on the dale the dale slopes and can have a wide variety of species. sides of the White Peak are an important wildlife habitat. There are three distinct types, the first is thought to be derived from ancient woodland and is home to Areas of acidic grassland occur on poor leached soils on the upper edges of some some important and restricted plants, and is found on the slopes of the dales. of the dales and steeper land on the plateau. The second is restricted to leached soils and is dominated by western gorse and the third is a more general type often rich in bird and insect life. Source: White Peak Natural Area Profile The limestone heaths of the White Peak owe their origin to the extensive woodland clearance which occurred on the plateau in Neolithic times, this 7.2 Priority habitats internationally important habitat is close to disappearing due to agricultural The Government’s new strategy for biodiversity in England, Biodiversity 2020, practices. replaces the previous Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) led approach. Priority habitats and species are identified in Biodiversity 2020, but references to BAP Calaminarian grasslands, grasslands that have developed a highly specialised priority habitats and species, and previous national targets have been removed. plant cover composed of species that can cope with high toxicity can be found Biodiversity Action Plans remain a useful source of guidance and information. in the White Peak. These are recognised as a key biodiversity habitat and some of More information about Biodiversity 2020 can be found at; the best examples have been designated a Special Area of Conservation. These tend to be found on the small heaps of worked spoil associated with lead mining http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/ in the area. protectandmanage/englandsbiodiversitystrategy2011.aspx Many of the dale sides are cloaked by limestone scree which is home for a surprising number of species, many of them nationally rare.

22 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The NCA contains the following areas of mapped priority habitats (as mapped by 8. Settlement and development patterns National Inventories). Footnotes denote local/expert interpretation. This will be used to inform future national inventory updates. 8.1 Settlement pattern Buxton is the largest town in the White Peak with much interest related to its Priority habitat Area (ha) % of NCA development as a spa town. Bakewell, at the heart of the Peak District, is a small Lowland calcareous grassland 2,843 5 market town of about 4,000 people and the largest settlement within the Peak District National Park. The present strongly nucleated pattern of settlement Upland calcareous grassland 2,360 4 developed by the 13th century and many villages retain this evidence in their Broadleaved mixed and yew woodland (broad 2,064 4 linear or branched forms for 12-13th century origins as planned settlements. It habitat) is not unusual for isolated farmsteads to have originated as medieval granges. Lowland dry acid grassland 2,010 4 Although some settlements, for example, Bradwell and Winster, expanded considerably due to the lead industry, there are generally fewer nucleated Lowland meadows 1,716 3 villages and more dispersed settlement on the higher areas of the plateau on Upland heathland 137 <1 the high White Peak. Some planned village settlements, such as Monyash, originated as markets. Matlock Gorge and Matlock Bath grew in the 18th and Purple moor grass and rush pasture 55 <1 19th centuries, first as spas and then as small inland resorts. Fens 33 <1 Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts (2003) Blanket bog 17 <1 8.2 Main settlements Lowland heathland 12 <1 The main settlements are; Buxton, Bakewell, Wirksworth, Youlgreave, and Tideswell. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh 9 <1 census data) is: 46,601. Source: Natural England (2011) Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts (2003)

Maps showing locations of priority habitats are available at 8.3 Local vernacular and building materials Local building traditions use both limestone and ‘gritstone’ singly or in ■ http://magic.Defra.gov.uk/website/magic/ select ‘Habitat Inventories’ combination, the latter particularly for lintels and architectural detailing. Sandstone flags were largely replaced by later Welsh slate roofs. Some 16th 7.3 Key species and assemblages of species century or earlier timber frame buildings remains, the latter often surviving as ■ Maps showing locations of priority habitats are available at: cruck-framed buildings with later stone infill. http://magic.Defra.gov.uk/website/magic/ Source: White Peak Countryside Character Area description; Countryside Quality Counts (2003) ■ Maps showing locations of S41 species are available at: http://data.nbn.org.uk/

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9. Key historic sites and features 9.2 Designated historic assets This NCA has the following historic designations: 9.1 Origin of historic features Mesolithic and Neolithic activity is widely reflected by the discovery of stone ■ 1 World Heritage Site and buffer zone covering 230 ha tools and flint scatters. There are Neolithic chambered cairns and barrows ■ 5 Registered Parks and Gardens covering 101 ha throughout the area, examples include Green Low and Minninglow, and ■ 0 Registered Battlefields associated trackways, along with hilltop henges; including Arbor Low. ■ 292 Scheduled Monuments ■ 1,428 Listed Buildings There is extensive evidence for Romano-British farmsteads and fields, including Source: Natural England (2010) stock pounds around the northern fringes with gritstone dales. More information is available at the following address: Roman roads extend south and south-eastward. ■ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/heritage-at-risk/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/process/ Seventh century Anglican barrows attest to high levels of population in the national-heritage-list-for-england/ middle Saxon period. Late Saxon royal manors formed the core of extensive areas of medieval royal forests. 10. Recreation and access Lead mining is a distinctive feature of the area, having taken place at least from Roman times. Richer exposed veins were generally worked down to water table 10.1 Public access level by the mid 17th century such as Magpie Mine, Sheldon. Mining for lead and ■ 7 per cent of the NCA 2,632 ha is classified as being publically accessible. the semi-precious stone, Blue John, was developed during the mid 18th century ■ 1,080 km of public rights of way at a density of 2 km per km2. in the north-west corner of the white peak. ■ 1 National Trail (Pennine Bridleway National Trail) of which 51 km runs through the White Peak. Other industrial activities included quarrying of decorative limestones, such as Source: Natural England (2010) Ashford Black Marble from the 13th century, and limestone for building in the Buxton area, Stoney Middleton, Dove Hols, Eldon Hill and Castleton.

There are also extensive remains of commercial lime production from the mid 17th to 19th centuries, for example, Grin Low. Source: Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Quality Counts Countryside Character Area description

24 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

The table below shows the breakdown of land which is publically accessible in 11. Experiential qualities perpetuity:

Access designation Area (ha) % of NCA 11.1 Tranquillity Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) the highest scores for tranquillity National Trust (Accessible all year) 517 1 are found on the plateaux, away from centres of population and road Common Land 81 <1 corridors. The lowest scores for tranquillity are generally found along the Country Parks 176 <1 main route corridors including the A6, A623 and A515 and around the main CROW Access Land (Section 4 and 16) 2,686 5 population centres of Buxton and Bakewell. However, it is clear that when compared to adjoining NCAs the tranquillity score remains high away from CROW Section 15 80 <1 these few areas. Village Greens 13 <1 Doorstep Greens 0 0 A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA is detailed in the table below: Forestry Commission Walkers Welcome Grants 304 1 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) 13 <1 Category of tranquillity Score Millennium Greens 0 0 Highest value within NCA 42 Accessible National Nature Reserves (NNRs) 1,070 2 Lowest value within NCA -62 Agri-environment Scheme Access 28 <1 Mean value within NCA -2 Woods for People 746 1 Source: CPRE (2006)

Sources: Natural England (2011) ■ More information is available at the following address: http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/countryside/tranquil-places/in- Please note: Common Land refers to land included in the 1965 commons register; depth/item/1688-how-we-mapped-tranquillity CROW = Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; OC and RCL = Open Country and Registered Common Land.

25 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

11.2 Intrusion The 2007 Intrusion Map (CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources of visual and auditory intrusion. This shows that the bulk of the NCA remains relatively undisturbed, though Buxton, Bakewell and the main transport routes suffer from significant levels of intrusion, when compared to the surrounding areas, as do the pockets of settlements dotted throughout the NCA.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the following table.

1960s 1990s 2007 % change Category of intrusion (%) (%) (%) (1960s-2007) Disturbed 21 27 23 2 Undisturbed 79 73 76 -3 Urban 0 0 1 1 Sources: CPRE (2007) Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are only a small increase in areas of disturbed land by 2 per cent, matched by similar levels in a decrease in undisturbed land by 3 per cent.

■ More information is available at the following address: http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/countryside/tranquil-places

The limestone grasslands support many rare plants and are one of the features for which the Derbyshire Dales Special Area of Conservation was designated.

26 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

12. Data sources

■ British Geological Survey (2006) ■ Detailed River Network, Environment Agency (2008) ■ Natural Area Profiles, Natural England (published by English Nature 1993-1998 ) ■ Source protection zones, Environment Agency (2005) ■ Countryside Character Descriptions, Natural England (regional volumes ■ Registered Common Land GIS data, Natural England (2004) published by Countryside Commission/Countryside Agency 1998/1999) ■ Open Country GIS data, Natural England (2004) ■ Joint Character Area GIS boundaries, Natural England (data created 2001) ■ Public Rights of Way Density, Defra (2011) ■ National Parks and AONBs GIS boundaries, Natural England (2006) ■ National Trails, Natural England (2006) ■ Heritage Coast Boundaries, Natural England (2006) ■ National Tranquillity Mapping data, CPRE (2007) ■ Agricultural Census June Survey, Defra (2000,2009) ■ Intrusion map data, CPRE (2007) ■ National Forest Inventory, Forestry Commission (2011) ■ Registered Battlefields, English Heritage (2005) ■ Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profiles, English Heritage (2004)* ■ Record of Scheduled Monuments, English Heritage (2006) ■ Ancient Woodland Inventory, Natural England (2003) ■ Registered Parks and Gardens, English Heritage (2006) ■ Priority Habitats GIS data, Natural England (March 2011) ■ World Heritage Sites, English Heritage (2006) ■ Special Areas of Conservation data, Natural England (data accessed in March 2011) ■ Incorporates Historic Landscape Characterisation and work for preliminary ■ Special Protection Areas data, Natural England (data accessed in March 2011) Historic Farmstead Character Statements (English Heritage/Countryside ■ Ramsar sites data, Natural England (data accessed in March 2011) Agency 2006) ■ Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Natural England (data accessed in March 2011)

Please note all figures contained within the report have been rounded to the nearest unit. For this reason proportion figures will not (in all) cases add up to 100%. The convention <1 has been used to denote values less than a whole unit.

27 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Supporting document 2: Landscape change

Recent changes ■ The increase in size of dairy herds has led to an increase in size of new agricultural buildings, an intensification of grassland management (more silage fields, fewer hay meadows) and increased cultivation of land for fodder crops. Trees and woodlands The area of new tree planting in recent years has been small. Between 1999 and ■ Settlement and development 2003 only an area equivalent to 1 per cent of the 1999 total stock was approved ■ There have been low rates of development outside urban areas and the for new planting under a Woodland Grant Scheme agreement (28 ha). However urban fringe in recent years. However, there are local concentrations of during the same period, the proportion of woodland sites covered by a development, especially between Buxton and Bakewell in the north, and Woodland Grant Scheme agreement raised from 7 per cent in 1999 to 15 per south of the A523/A52 in the south. cent in 2003. Semi-natural habitat Boundary features ■ Uptake of Countryside Stewardship options for habitat management was ■ Between 1999 and 2003 Countryside Stewardship agreements for linear consistently above national average. Agreements in 2003 included 1,029 ha of features included fencing (24 km), hedge management (4 km), hedge options for calcareous grasslands and upland limestone grassland. In addition planting and restoration (7 km), restored boundary protection (6 km) and more than 13 per cent of the national uptake of Countryside Stewardship stone wall restoration (112 km). options for upland hay meadows (~953 ha) were in the White Peak.

■ Environmental Stewardship agreements within the NCA between 2005 and ■ Environmental Stewardship agreements within the NCA between 2005 and November 2013 included options for 59.8 km of hedgerow management, 2013 included options for restoration of 1,551 ha species-rich grassland on 138 2.7 km of restoration and 0.8 km of planting. They also included options for farms. 15 of these agreements included a supplementary payment for use of 1,478 km of stone wall maintenance, and 18.5 km of restoration. native seed. Options for management of species-rich grassland covered 1,257 ha on 112 farms. Agriculture ■ Results from Defra’s 2010 June census suggest that the dairy industry has ■ There has been active management, restoration and creation of a small undergone a significant reduction in number of holdings in recent years, number of ponds under both schemes. decreasing from 242 holdings in 2000 to 159 holdings in 2009. The small dairy farms that have gone out of business are now either used for beef or sheep production or amalgamated into larger dairy holdings.

28 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

■ There is an increasing problem with scrub encroachment of dale-side ■ Although active quarries can have a range of negative impacts on the limestone grasslands as they become uneconomic to graze with livestock. This environment and amenity of surrounding areas, they currently provide a undermines the wildlife potential and distinctive flora of the grasslands and is source of local building stone, aggregates and chemical and industrial end also a threat to below-ground archaeology, particularly terraces and lynchets. use products. They also provide employment for local communities.

■ Atlantic salmon have started to return to the River Dove from the North Sea ■ The number of active limestone quarries has reduced in recent years, to spawn, following successful releases of parr in the river since 1998. with some closing at the end of their permitted lives and some being ‘mothballed’ due to the current economic climate. Historic features ■ There has been a decline in the condition and number of traditional ■ Some disused quarry sites have been restored to provide new wildlife structures associated with farmland due to lack of maintenance, particularly habitat and recreation opportunities, such as Horseshoe Quarry which is traditional farm buildings and dew ponds. Some traditional buildings and now a popular climbing site. dew ponds have been restored, in some cases with funding from agri- environment schemes.

Rivers ■ There has been an increase in nutrient pollution and sedimentation of rivers, thought to be associated with increasing intensity of livestock production such as re-seeding of silage fields/cultivation of fodder crops, higher rates of nutrient application to fields and larger herds of cattle indoors over winter.

■ The impact of water treatment works on water quality is thought to have improved with upgrades of several plants in recent years.

Minerals ■ Two of the largest limestone quarries within the Peak District National Park are located within the White Peak: Tunstead Old Moor and Ballidon. Limestone from the White Peak supplies markets mainly in the Midlands, north-west and east England, and Yorkshire6.

Buildings are a mixture of limestone and gritstone, often with a mixture of the two stones in 6 Quarrying and mineral extraction in the Peak District National Park, Peak District the same buildings, as here at Youlgreave. National Park Authority (2010)

29 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Drivers of change and riparian species (kingfisher, yellow wagtail, dipper, otter, water vole). Drinking resources for a wide range of animals may be reduced and there Climate change may be negative impacts on fishing interests. Sympathetic management As for the rest of the UK, climate change for the White Peak is predicted to and restoration of dew ponds will increase potential for species movement result in hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters and more extreme as ponds become drier and strategic tree planting could help to cool weather events. Evidence from the UK Climate Change Impacts programme watercourses. suggests that by 2050, summer temperatures are likely to be 1.4°C higher and rainfall 18 per cent lower, and in winter temperatures 2.2°C higher and rainfall ■ Drier agricultural soils leading to poorer hay yields and changes in cutting 22 per cent greater. times of meadows with negative implications for food production, farm income, meadow flora, ground nesting birds and nectar-feeding insects. Hotter drier summers could have particularly serious implications for the There may be a decline in plant species-richness, breeding success of people and wildlife of the White Peak as it is an area that is already vulnerable wading birds and species that require mud/soft ground to build nests, such to drought due to the free-draining nature of soils and underlying geology. as swallows. Conversely hotter drier summers could increase opportunities for making hay. Lower rainfall and higher temperatures in summer could result in: ■ Increased periods of drought leaving insufficient water to sustain livestock in ■ Increased drought stress for semi-natural habitats, particularly calcareous areas already susceptible to drought (such as the limestone plateau), resulting grasslands on thin soils, aquatic and marginal flora associated with rivers/ in a reduction in viable grazing land, removal of grazing from some valuable ponds and limestone dale woodlands. Algal blooms in ponds and rivers habitats such as calcareous grassland. It could also result in increased may become more frequent. There may be a decline of species at the stress and welfare issues for livestock, increased demand for water storage southern end of their range, such as globeflower, mountain pansy and structures such as farm reservoirs or tanks and increased demand for water Jacob’s ladder. Negative effects on habitats could be ameliorated by abstraction from watercourses and the groundwater aquifer. buffering important sites with complementary habitats and improving connectivity between habitats. ■ Reduced humidity of clough woodland, resulting in lower numbers and diversity of invertebrates, meaning less food for woodland birds such as ■ Freshwater habitats experiencing drier conditions, becoming more pied and spotted fly catcher and lesser spotted woodpecker. fragmented and seasonal, with some ponds disappearing altogether (especially dew ponds). Lower water levels and increased water ■ Springs supplying water to properties, businesses and visitor facilities in temperature could cause increased problems with eutrophication and remote locations becoming unreliable or drying up completely creating High Biological Oxygen Demand. There may be a reduction in extent and a need for emergency measures such as water bowsers. Adaptation/ quality of habitat and prey species for aquatic (lamprey, bullhead, trout, mitigation could include measures to improve water use efficiency and white-clawed crayfish), amphibious (great crested newts, frogs, toads) rainwater harvesting.

30 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Higher summer temperatures could result in: Other key drivers

■ Increased heat stress for livestock, with impacts on livestock welfare and ■ Visitor numbers and traffic are likely to continue to increase as surrounding farm viability, and an increased demand for new buildings and trees to urban populations and tourism increase, bringing more pressure on provide shelter/shade. the area’s infrastructure, greater problems with road safety, increased disturbance, loss of tranquillity and pollution. ■ Greater recreational/visitor demand for access to areas with shade or close to water, with increased pressure on White Peak dales, caves/caverns, ■ Increased demand for renewable energy has potential to impact on the woodland and riverside routes. Increased visitor numbers to these areas landscape, particularly large-scale wind farms around the edge of the could bring increased congestion/traffic pollution, conflict between National Park, and photovoltaic panels and small wind turbines within different user groups and disturbance for local residents and landowners. the Park. The National Park Authority assessment of landscape sensitivity Conversely drier hotter summers could provide opportunities for an to wind turbines classifies all parts of the NCA as of ‘high sensitivity’ to increased range and number of outdoor events. medium turbines (15–65 m to blade tip) and large turbines (over 65 m to blade tip). In addition Limestone Village Farmlands/Limestone Slopes and Warmer, wetter winters and an increase in extreme rainfall events could lead to: Limestone Dales are classified as of ‘moderate-high sensitivity’ to small wind turbines (up to 15 m to blade tip)8. ■ An increase in winter floods, flash floods and severe storms, causing damage to roads, bridges and other access structures. ■ There is continuing pressure for the conversion of traditional farm buildings into dwellings. Conversions that are sympathetically done with ■ An increase in run-off and malfunction of drainage systems leading appropriate materials and design can help preserve important features in to rights of way becoming unusable, outdoor events more frequently the landscape, but the conversion from agricultural to domestic use has disrupted and more frequent access restrictions. The design of new and potential impacts not just on the historic buildings themselves but their replacement bridges may need to allow for greater fluctuations in water surroundings, with the introduction of access tracks, gardens and other levels. A systematic review of existing bridges and associated work plans domestic features. may be needed7. ■ The need for more affordable housing has been an ongoing issue for some time and is likely to continue, with pressure to infill sites in existing 7 Adapting to Climate Change in the Peak District National Park, Peak District National settlements and a resultant need to ensure high-quality, appropriate design Park Authority (2011) (URL: http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_ that does not detract from the character of the villages nor impact on file/0016/137320/PDNPA-AdaptingtoClimateChangeReport-Sep2011.pdf) 8 Supplementary Planning Document: Climate Change and Sustainable Building: Annex important open green spaces. 1 – Landscape Sensitivity Assessment and Guidance for Wind Turbine Applications, Peak District National Park Authority (2011) (URL: http://resources.peakdistrict.gov. uk/ctte/authority/reports/2013/130315Item7App1.pdf)

31 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

■ The financial climate for farming may mean there is a decline in livestock ■ Sustained demand for aggregates, building materials and minerals, both numbers, and holding numbers resulting from farm amalgamation and locally and nationally, may result in pressure to re-open old quarries and intensification. Increased size and fragmentation of holdings could also establish new sites. Increasing the depth of quarries would necessitate increase levels of farm traffic on the roads. It could also result in changes in careful management of water resources and protection of the surrounding farming practices and farm types. water table.

■ Tree diseases are likely to be an increasingly serious threat to the landscape ■ Changes in commodity prices and ownership of key mineral sites and and biodiversity of the White Peak, particularly if ash die-back disease quarries could result in pressure to enlarge these sites, and/or extend their spreads to the area as the majority of the semi-natural daleside woodland is licences to other minerals and means of extraction, all with potential to ash dominated. impact negatively on the local environment and landscape.

■ Restoration of quarries at the end of their natural life presents good opportunities to create new habitats and refuges for rare species such as white-clawed crayfish and new recreational and educational opportunities.

■ Many underground drainage soughs associated with historic mines are becoming unstable and are at risk of collapse. This could cause a rising of the water table in some areas, with benefits for wildlife, habitats and the summer flow of rivers and springs, but significant changes in character of some dales which are currently seasonally or permanently dry.

■ Increasing populations in surrounding urban areas, and further afield, is likely to result in increased demand for access and recreational facilities, and possibly increased demand for second homes.

■ Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and changes to rural development schemes, particularly agri-environment, could have an impact on the landscape as funding will be lower and more tightly targeted on priority sites.

The White Peak is one of the top fly-fishing destinations in England thanks to its relatively clean rivers with rich insect life that helps support good populations of fish, particularly trout.

32 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Supporting document 3: Analysis supporting Statements of Environmental Opportunity

The following analysis section focuses on a selection of the key provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem goods and services for this NCA. These are underpinned by supporting services such as photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, soil formation and evapo-transpiration. Supporting services perform an essential role in ensuring the availability of all ecosystem services.

Biodiversity and geodiversity are crucial in supporting the full range of ecosystem services provided by this landscape. Wildlife and geologically- rich landscapes are also of cultural value and are included in this section of the analysis. This analysis shows the projected impact of Statements of Environmental Opportunity on the value of nominated ecosystem services within this landscape.

White Peak.

33 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Ecosystem Service

Statement of Environmental Opportunity Food provision Timber provision availabilityWater diversityGenetic Biomass provision regulationClimate Regulating water quality Regulating water flow Regulating soil quality Regulating soil erosion Pollination regulationPest Regulating coastal erosion Sense of place/inspiration Sense of history Tranquility Recreation Biodiversity Geodiversity

SEO 1: Protect and enhance the area’s clear limestone rivers, streams and springs, limestone aquifer n/a and dramatic karst geology, to provide a source of clean water, support strong populations of fish * ** ** ** ** ** *** ** * * * * ** ** *** *** *** *** and other wildlife, enhance recreational and educational opportunities and contribute to the White Peak’s strong sense of place and history.

SEO 2: Safeguard the unique character and tranquillity of the limestone dales, and enhance n/a their limestone grasslands, woodlands and scrub of European importance, to protect sense of ** * * ** ** * ** * ** ** ** ** *** * *** ** *** *** place, water quality, biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

Note: Arrows shown in the table above indicate anticipated impact on service delivery: = Increase = Slight Increase = No change = Slight Decrease = Decrease. Asterisks denote confidence in projection (*low **medium***high) ° symbol denotes where insufficient information on the likely impact is available.

Dark plum = National Importance; Mid plum = Regional Importance; Light plum = Local Importance

34 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Ecosystem Service

SEO 3: Maintain and enhance the limestone plateau’s pastoral landscape with its distinctive pattern n/a of drystone walls, dew ponds, archaeology and habitats such as hay meadows and limestone ** * ** * * * ** * ** ** * * ** ** * * ** * heaths, to allow a viable and sustainable farming industry that produces high-quality food and supports thriving rural communities.

SEO 4: Maintain and enhance opportunities for enjoyment and understanding of the White

Peak’s distinctive limestone features and historical, cultural and natural heritage by providing n/a recreational opportunities for a wide range of users and ensuring that new development makes * * ** * * ** ** ** * ** * * ** ** ** ** * * a positive contribution to biodiversity, sense of place, sense of history, tranquillity and quality of life for local people and visitors.

Dark plum = National Importance; Mid plum = Regional Importance; Light plum = Local Importance

35 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Landscape attributes

Landscape attribute Justification for selection

Elevated, gently undulating,  Elevation ranges from 91 m to 475 m, the mean elevation is 295 m and the majority of the plateau sits above 330 m with its highest limestone plateau with occasional area at around 460 m near Bradwell Moor and Eldon Hill in the north. knolls and crags, dissected by  The plateau presents a very open landscape, with views often framed by rising hills of Dark Peak and South West Peak to the steeply cut dales and gorges with north, east and west of the NCA boundary. rock outcrops, screes and caves.  Limestone dales and gorges cut into the plateau mainly running north-west to south-east.  Dramatic rock outcrops, tors, reef knolls and pinnacles form prominent features in the landscape offering far-reaching views. They are often individually named with mythical associations – such as Ilam Rock, High Tor, Rainster Rocks, Harboro Rocks, Thor’s Cave, Heights of Abraham, Thorpe Cloud and Wetton Hill.  The cave network is very significant in terms of geological interest, with most of the network designated as Geological or Mixed Interest SSSI.  The extensive limestone caves and numerous karst features provide valuable and popular recreational destinations, with show caves such as Speedwell Cavern, Treak Cliff and Peak Cavern for visitors/tourists, a much larger network accessible to experienced cavers and many sites for rock climbing.

Clear rivers, streams and springs in  The NCA has 63 km of major rivers including the Wye, Manifold, Dove and Derwent, and many smaller streams and tributaries. some dales; others are dry or only  Seasonally dry valleys include Lathkill Dale (whose name is derived from the Middle English term for ‘summer dry’9). run water in winter.  Springs are very important in the area: historically for water supply (still important for some remote properties and farms); culturally, as evidenced by the well-dressing festivals which are still celebrated by a large number of communities with the creation of elaborate murals from natural materials pressed in to clay-covered boards; and, ecologically as recognised by the inclusion of alkaline fen and tufa-forming springs in the Derbyshire Dales SAC.

9 A Survey and Analysis of the Place-Names of Staffordshire, PhD thesis, University of Nottingham, David Horowitz LLB (2003)

36 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Landscape attribute Justification for selection

Dale sides with a mosaic of flower-  Some dale sides are very heavily wooded with semi-natural ash woodlands, such as those along the Wye and Manifold and in rich limestone grassland, ash Miller’s Dale. They support important populations of woodland birds. woodland and wildlife-rich scrub.  Ash is the dominant tree in the dale-side woodlands, with its liking for alkaline soil conditions and its particular facility for rooting in scree.  Scrub in the dales is of particular wildlife value. There are three main types: hazel ‘retrogressive’ scrub (developed on formerly wooded areas, with an open canopy and diverse mix of woodland and grassland ground flora), western gorse scrub (on more acidic ground) and hawthorn scrub (that develops on ungrazed grassland).  The exceptional wildlife value of the limestone dales is recognised by their inclusion in the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation which includes the majority of the dales and covers 2,323 ha within the White Peak. The site is designated primarily for its calcareous grassland, scrub, woodland and white-clawed crayfish. The habitat mosaics of the dales are well connected and mostly uninterrupted by developed or agriculturally improved land, with wooded and open habitats grading into one another and draining down through semi-natural flood plains to the rivers in the valley bottoms.

Improved grassland for dairy and  In 2009 over three-quarters of the area’s holdings were livestock farms (129 dairy, 464 livestock). Most of the remaining holdings livestock farming dominates the classified as ‘other’, are likely to be mixed/livestock due to the general scarcity of arable farming in the area. plateau, punctuated by occasional  The fertile stone-less loess soils that were deposited on the plateau at the end of the last ice age are up to 1.2 m thick in some dew ponds, narrow shelterbelts places and support agriculturally productive pastures and meadows/silage fields. of broadleaved trees and small patches of rough grassland,  96 per cent of agricultural land is classed as grass or uncropped land and there are over 5,000 ha of upland and lowland meadow and heath. limestone grassland, 2,000 ha lowland dry acid grassland and 1,700 ha hay meadows.  The limestone heath on the plateau originates from extensive Neolithic woodland clearance.  The free-draining nature of the limestone plateau, lacking in natural water bodies, necessitated the creation of large numbers of dew ponds in past centuries to capture and supply drinking water for livestock. Some of these are still in active use, but many have fallen into disrepair, with cracked linings allowing water to drain out.  On the open windswept plateau long narrow shelterbelts were planted to provide shelter for farmsteads and livestock and to provide a source of firewood from otherwise unproductive lead-polluted ground. Many remain as distinctive features in the landscape.

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Landscape attribute Justification for selection

Grassland enclosed by grey  Sinuous, narrow fields show the remains of medieval field systems around villages, with well-preserved networks in areas such as limestone drystone walls, with Chelmorton and Wardlow. small narrow strip fields, often of  Further away from the village the field boundary patterns are larger and typical of the planned, regular enclosures created under the medieval origin, around villages, Parliamentary Enclosures Acts. and larger rectangular fields away from the villages.

Nucleated villages and small towns  The historic character of many of the settlements has been very well-preserved and the nucleated pattern of the villages has been connected by crest and valley roads. retained.  The spa town of Matlock Bath and the market towns of Bakewell and Buxton are the largest settlements in the NCA.  Major routes include the A515 linking Buxton to Ashbourne and the A6 linking Buxton to Bakewell.  The network of small roads carrying large volumes of commuter and tourist traffic are prone to high numbers of accidents and road-signs to improve safety have proliferated as a result, with an impact on the traditional undeveloped character of the landscape in some areas.

A mix of limestone and gritstone  Some settlements are dominated by limestone (such as Monyash) and some are comprised of buildings constructed with a mix of used as building materials. limestone and gritstone (such as Buxton).  Gritstone is an easier stone to work and to obtain a fine finish on than the harder Carboniferous Limestone, so gritstone was often used for larger, grander buildings or as material for the front faces of limestone buildings.  Where gritstone and limestone are used on the same building the gritstone is usually used for features such as door and window surrounds and quoins.

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Landscape attribute Justification for selection

Widespread features of special  Many of the Neolithic and bronze-age ritual monuments are in eye-catching positions on hill-tops and ridge lines. archaeological and historical  Arbor Low henge and stone circle is a Neolithic site considered to be a site of immense national importance and the most interest including Neolithic and important prehistoric site in the east Midlands. It consists of an earthen bank and ditch, a circle of 50 limestone slabs, all now bronze-age ritual monuments. fallen, and a central stone ‘cove’.  Other important Neolithic sites include Minninglow and Green Low burial chambers.  A number of prominent locations are host to multi-phase sites, such as Wigber Low which has bronze-age and Anglo-Saxon burials overlaying a possible Neolithic settlement, and was later also used for lead smelting.  There are some very well-preserved historic landscapes scattered with reminders of early human occupation and activity such as hilltop camps, burial mounds and Roman roads.

Many visible reminders of early  Features associated with lead mining pepper the landscape of the limestone plateau, including lead rakes, waste heaps, pits, engine industry including historic sites and smelt houses. limestone and lead workings, lime  Many lead mining sites support a rare and valuable plant community called calaminarian grassland (for example Gang Mine SAC), kilns and dramatic water mills from made up of low-growing lead-tolerant plants, such as spring sandwort and Alpine pennycress. There used to be large numbers of 18th-century textile industry. small limestone quarries used for very local supply of limestone to make lime for agricultural purposes (burning off vegetation, raising the pH and fertility of poor, acidic ground), building purposes (for lime mortars and plaster) and for building stone (for buildings and drystone walls).  The landscape is scattered with numerous historic lime kilns and extensive remains of commercial lime production from the mid- 17th to the19th century, such as at Grin Low.  18th century water mills and associated textile factory buildings form dramatic landmarks in many of the dales with larger rivers, such as Miller’s Dale, Cromford, Litton and Cressbrook.  Approximately 12 ha of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site falls within the NCA, and 218 ha of its buffer zone. The World Heritage Site status is in recognition that the area was the birthplace of the factory system which harnessed water power for textile production.

39 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Landscape opportunities  Secure sympathetic traditional management of hay meadows management, including appropriate grazing regimes and cutting dates.  Maintain the visibility, accessibility and integrity of important geological exposures and features by managing vegetation, directing public access  Conserve, manage and replenish trees and woodland features on the and providing interpretation and educational opportunities. plateau, particularly long narrow shelterbelts, lead rake woodlands and boundary trees.  Work with quarrying companies to limit the landscape and environmental impacts of large-scale active limestone quarries and ensure high-quality  Protect the tranquil and undeveloped character of the steep limestone dales restoration of disused quarry sites for agriculture, habitat creation and and gorges. recreational use.  Ensure new housing, infrastructure and other development is sympathetically  Protect the area’s limestone rivers, their clean and clear water and natural sited and designed to minimise visual impact and that it is appropriate in courses by working with farmers, water companies, residents, developers scale for this sensitive landscape with strong historic character. and industry to encourage good practice in land, soil, water and waste management and introduction of sustainable drainage systems.  Protect and manage above and below ground archaeology, particularly Neolithic and bronze-age burial structures and ridge and furrow.  Conserve, sympathetically manage and enhance species-rich limestone grassland, securing appropriate grazing/management regimes that protect  Conserve, maintain and restore traditional farmsteads and field barns using it from scrub encroachment and soil erosion. traditional building materials/techniques and local styles.

 Conserve, manage and extend the dale-side ash woodlands through:  Protect and maintain historic structures related to use of the area’s protecting existing sites, active and non-intervention management; creation watercourses to power early industry, such as water leats and mill buildings, of woodland edge habitats and buffer zones; and, planting new woodland particularly where associated with the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage to connect existing isolated patches of woodland, where this is appropriate Site and where compatible with restoration of natural river function. in terms of landscape, biodiversity, historic and recreational interests.  Protect, manage and maintain traditional historic structures associated with  Protect and maintain views by managing, thinning and replanting farming on the limestone plateau, particularly the distinctive patterns of woodlands and shelterbelts. drystone walls (medieval and later enclosure), dew ponds and lime-kilns using traditional materials and techniques.  Conserve, manage, enhance and extend the diverse plateau grasslands, including traditional hay meadows and neutral and calaminarian  Protect the nucleated pattern and historic character of villages, encourage grasslands. restoration using traditional materials, techniques and local styles and allowing for high-quality, innovative and sustainable design.

40 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Ecosystem service analysis

The following section shows the analysis used to determine key ecosystem service opportunities within the area. These opportunities have been combined with the analysis of landscape opportunities to create Statements of Environmental Opportunity.

Please note that the following analysis is based upon available data and current understanding of ecosystem services. It does not represent a comprehensive local assessment. Quality and quantity of data for each service is variable locally and many of the services listed are not yet fully researched or understood. Therefore the analysis and opportunities may change upon publication of further evidence and better understanding of the inter-relationship between services at a local level.

Assets/ Principal attributes: services offered main by opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Food Soils The main agricultural Regional The White Peak is an important area for Provide information, advice Food provision provision products from the area are livestock grazing. It contributes to the local and training to farmers on Surface and dairy products and meat economy, employment and helps to maintain how to improve efficiency Climate regulation groundwater (beef, lamb and pork). There landscape and habitats. of food production by using have been recent increases good practice and innovative Biodiversity Livestock in the average size of dairy The deep, rich loam soils, over 1 m thick in approaches to: minimise use of farms. places, were deposited by strong winds at the fuel, artificial fertiliser, herbicides Sense of place/ Semi-natural inspiration end of the last ice age. They provide unusually and veterinary medicines; habitats Although some of the productive agricultural land for 300 m+ increase water efficiency and land on the plateau has Sense of history altitude. rainwater harvesting; and, productive soils and a long history of cultivation the improve soil condition, organic majority of soils, 85 per The grassland is currently managed quite matter and fertility. cent, are Grade 4 or 5. There intensively, so while there are many is now very little arable opportunities to improve the efficiency Support local branding and production and few mixed with which food is produced, there is less marketing of produce on farms. opportunity to increase the amount of food the basis of the distinctive produced in the area. landscape of the farms and surrounding countryside and Continued on next page... environmental performance.

41 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal attributes: services offered main by opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Food ... continued from previous page provision cont. Elevation and slopes limit the amount of land suitable for arable production.

The high number of visitors to the area provides a good potential market for food produced in the area. The National Park Authority was one of the UK pioneers in attempts to market local food products on the basis of the area’s special qualities and high environmental value. The Peak District Environmental Quality Mark is the most recent incarnation of this approach.

Climate change could have a particularly serious impact on food production on the limestone plateau if it does result in hotter, drier summers, due to its high vulnerability to drought and scarce water sources for livestock drinking water. Springs and dew ponds are still used to water livestock and these could be under threat from drier hotter summers in future, rendering some areas unsuitable for production of livestock without new sources of water (such as reservoirs, rainwater harvesting or bowsers).

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Assets/ Principal attributes: services offered main by opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Timber Soils Woodland covers 4 per cent of the Local Existing broadleaved woodlands Explore opportunities for Timber provision provision NCA, 41 per cent of which is ancient are small-scale or difficult to access, small-scale use of hardwood Woodland semi-natural woodland. meaning that timber extraction is timber from existing Climate regulation often not economically viable. There is woodland for restoration of Surface and The majority (91 per cent) of limited history of active management traditional buildings and use Sense of place/ groundwater woodland in the area is broadleaved for timber production, so few trees of small-diameter timber for inspiration woodland, predominantly ash. are suitable for timber production. furniture and craft, where There is also very little recent history Biodiversity this is consistent with nature of coppice management for small- Much of it is located in the steep-sided conservation objectives and diameter timber production. dales and cloughs and protected by could help to restore diverse age both UK and EU nature conservation There is little potential to increase structure of woodland. designations (SAC and SSSI). timber production through management of existing woodland Encourage management to Very little of the area’s woodland in the dales due to the high enhance timber-production is actively managed. Most is environmental value and sensitivity potential and ecological unsuitable for timber production to disturbance of existing woodland condition of plantation due to: its importance for nature and the difficulty of accessing sites. woodlands. conservation and recreation; the The dales present few opportunities poor quality, size and volume for woodland creation due to the of timber; and the difficulty of environmental value of existing accessing sites due to steep slopes, grassland, wetland and scrub. unstable surfaces, lack of vehicle tracks and direct access to public The small area of woodland that occurs on the plateau is mostly in the highways. In addition to this, timber form of scattered small plantations traffic on already busy narrow roads and shelterbelts and has not been could be problematic. managed to produce good timber trees. The open and iconic character Continued on next page... of the plateau landscape means that it has very low capacity to accommodate new large areas of woodland without a fundamental change in character.

43 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal attributes: services offered main by opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Timber ... continued from previous page provision cont. There is very little local capacity for There may be potential to explore timber processing. Although there very small-scale use of hardwood are sawmills in the neighbouring timber from existing woodland for NCAs, those in the White Peak restoration of traditional buildings, started to close in the 1980s as furniture making and craft. However management of woodland for demand for timber for the coal- production and harvesting of sizeable mining industry declined. The timber is, in the case of the daleside sawmill at Rowsley in the adjacent woodland, in many ways not easily Dark Peak NCA uses low quality reconciled with management for timber from the White Peak and nature conservation. processes it for the firewood and pulp market10.

10 Timber and Non-Timber Markets – The markets for timber and non-timber products arising from the conservation management of ravine woodlands in the Peak District, Ravine WoodLIFE (2007)

44 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Main Service to service State beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Water Precipitation Average annual rainfall over the Regional Summer low flows are a feature of some of the Encourage efficient water Water availability availability area varies between 850–1,600 rivers, with some drying out completely. This is a use, rain and grey water Geology mm/year (1961–90). River flows natural process on some rivers, such as on stretches capture and retro-fitting Food provision are mostly groundwater-fed, of the Manifold and Hamps, but on others, such of water-saving features Soils originating from the large as the Lathkill, it is exacerbated by historic mining to houses, farms, industry Regulating water upland catchment to the north- drainage. As summers are predicted to become and other businesses. flow Watercourses 11 west. hotter and drier summer drying out of rivers could Explore innovative Regulating water Springs be exaggerated, with negative consequences for Water is available for abstraction solutions for limiting quality (especially at aquatic and riparian species. from the Manifold and Dove loss of river water into Buxton and rivers during periods of high Biodiversity Some areas on the limestone plateau have few underground soughs Matlock) flows, and restricted volumes associated with disused are also available from the Wye natural water resources, although some remote Sense of place/ Dew ponds and Derwent rivers at periods properties and businesses are supplied by spring mines, thereby helping inspiration of medium to high flows. Water water. Hotter drier summers resulting from to maintain summer flow Semi-natural is also available for abstraction climate change could cause drying out of dew levels. Sense of history habitats from the Alstonefield ponds and springs, threatening water supplies management unit of the for people, livestock and wildlife and rendering Encourage good farming Recreation limestone aquifer, but not other some drier areas of the plateau unsuitable for practice to enhance units within the NCA. 12, 13 livestock grazing. 14 soil structure, avoid compaction and maintain vegetative cover. Continued on next page...

11 Baseline groundwater chemistry of aquifers in England and Wales: the Carboniferous Limestone aquifer of the Derbyshire Dome, C Abesser and P L Smedley, British Geological Survey (2008) (URL: http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/5671/1/DerbyshireCarbLimestoneOR08028.pdf) 12 Derbyshire Derwent Abstraction Licensing Strategy, Environment Agency (2013) (URL: http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn. com/LIT_2458_0ad516.pdf) 13 Dove Abstraction Licensing Strategy, Environment Agency (2013) (URL:http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/LIT_5655_f44f7f.pdf) 14 Adapting to Climate Change in the Peak District National Park, Peak District National Park Authority (2011) (URL: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/137320/ PDNPA-AdaptingtoClimateChangeReport-Sep2011.pdf)

45 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Water ... continued from previous page availability cont. Numerous remote households, farms and While climate change may see summer water other businesses are supplied by springs. resources reduced, pressure to maintain or There are no reservoirs and some of the increase food production and continued rivers are seasonally dry or suffer low flows development pressure may increase and so cannot support abstraction. The demand for abstraction. In order to preserve limestone plateau has few surface water scarce water resources on the plateau, and sources. reduce pressure on rivers with low summer flows, efforts should be made to increase Water abstracted from rivers in the NCA is used principally for general efficiency of water use by households, agriculture, spray irrigation, industrial farms and other businesses and to increase use, power generation and public water capture and use of rain and grey water. supply. There are only a small number of licensed abstractions from the limestone The availability of groundwater and spring aquifer, primarily for quarrying. There is water is critical to commercial interests in a significant commercial bottled water the historic spa towns and for the bottled enterprise in Buxton and thermal springs at water industry. Buxton and Matlock. Although aquifer recharge is good, due to the porous nature of the underlying limestone and numerous fissures running through it, good management of agricultural land and soils can help to maintain and enhance infiltration of water. Enhancing soil structure, avoiding compaction and maintaining vegetative cover are some of the measures that could aid infiltration.

46 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Genetic Native breeds In Nov 2013 there were 12 Local Traditional native breed livestock can thrive on Encourage conservation Genetic diversity diversity Environmental Stewardship agriculturally marginal land so are particularly grazing by traditional agreements that included the well-suited to graze some of the calcareous native breeds on Food production supplement for grazing with native grasslands on steeper slopes and sites with marginal grasslands breeds at risk. Breeds include difficult access. Using traditional native breeds with high species Biodiversity Derbyshire Gritstone sheep, Belted can help to prevent scrub encroachment on diversity, particularly Galloway cattle, Beef Shorthorn these marginal sites and helps to preserve the where they are at risk of Sense of place/ cattle and Hereford cattle. inspiration genetic resource. abandonment and/or scrub encroachment. Numerous farmers produce Sense of history Traditional/rare breeds can be difficult to and market food products from Encourage development traditional breed livestock within integrate into the predominant local farm type, this NCA. commercial dairy, in practical and financial and marketing of terms. Helping farmers find ways of gaining products from added value from such stock would help to traditional native make them a viable venture. Developing and breeds, particularly the marketing niche products from traditional Derbyshire Gritstone breeds is one such approach. sheep and where products can be linked The Derbyshire Gritstone Sheep, which is kept on to environmental a number of farms within the NCA, originates from standards. the Goyt Valley in the neighbouring South West Peak NCA. Its wool is known to be one of the best hosiery wools procurable in Great Britain’. 15

15 The Derbyshire Gritstone Sheepbreeders Society. See: www.derbyshiregritstone.org.uk/

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Biomass Soils Woodland cover is primarily Local There is limited potential to increase biomass Explore opportunities for Biomass energy energy in the form of small production in the NCA as the landscape and the small-scale extraction of woody Woodland and broadleaved plantations semi-natural habitats of both the dales and the biomass from existing plantations Sense of place/ scrub and shelterbelts on the plateau are very sensitive to, and have very low where this will enhance their inspiration plateau and semi-natural capacity for short rotation coppice, miscanthus conservation interest. woodland in the steep-sided or new woodland planting. There may be limited Biodiversity valleys. Most of the dale- opportunities for new woodland planting on Encourage introduction of side woodland is protected shallow slopes and in sheltered valleys, provided conservation management by nature conservation the effects of scale and pattern are carefully to neglected broadleaved designations and on steep considered. woodlands where this will inaccessible ground. help to restore a more varied The potential yield for short rotation coppice (SRC) age structure, encourage The area has one large-scale in the NCA varies, for example, the area around natural regeneration, enhance woodfuel supplier and four Bakewell in the east of the NCA has medium conservation interest and not biomass boilers generating potential yield, around Winkhill in the west of the disturb sensitive habitats/ 820 kWh. NCA the potential is good and in the north of the species or cause soil erosion. NCA around Buxton it is poor. For information on the potential landscape impacts of biomass plantings within the NCA, refer to the tables on the Natural England website. 16

Some existing neglected woodlands, mainly the small plantations on the plateau, might be able to provide small amounts of woody biomass through re-introduction of active management and replanting, but this should only be encouraged where it will not undermine nature conservation or landscape interests. Woodchip generated from small-diameter wood and scrub may be more viable, but would still be constrained by issues of poor access, difficult working conditions and nature conservation requirements.

Continued on next page...

16 See: www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/ecs/sitings/areas/default.aspx

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Biomass ... continued from previous page energy cont. The potential for coppice management of dale-side woodlands to ‘deliver economically viable coppice crops is low or unfeasible’. Only two sites were under coppice management in 2007, Monsal Dale and All Soles Wood near Ilam, and in both cases the work was to facilitate reintroduction of dormice, paid for by environmental schemes and the coppice was cut to waste. Many of the dale-side ash woodlands have no history of coppice management.

There are potentially conflicting requirements for commercial coppicing for and nature conservation, and there may be better ways of managing woodland to benefit species that favour coppice management (such as thinning and creation of small clearings).17

17 Coppice Management, Ravine WoodLIFE (2007)

49 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Climate Soils The mineral soils that cover Local Maintaining heathland cover, semi- Encourage and support farmers Climate regulation regulation the majority of the NCA natural grassland, woodland and and landowners to retain Semi-natural (92 per cent) typically have wetlands is important in order to and sympathetically manage Water availability habitats (heathland, a relatively low carbon prevent release of stored carbon heathland, unimproved grassland, grassland, scrub, content (between 0-10 per and improve capacity to sequester/ woodland and wetlands, to Regulating water wetlands) cent). The peaty surface soils store carbon and increase maintain vegetative cover, improve quality (covering approximately resilience to climate change ecological condition and avoid soil Woodland 7 per cent of the NCA) impacts. The role of woodland in erosion and compaction. Regulating water flow will have a higher carbon carbon sequestration and storage content and are likely to is limited due to low cover. Provide advice, information and Regulating soil be associated with areas support to farmers on increasing quality of heathland, purple moor Carbon sequestration and storage organic matter in soils and other grass and wetlands. could be increased in the area measures to increase carbon Regulating soil erosion by increasing organic matter in storage and improve drought The small areas of broadleaved agricultural soils (where this will Recreation woodland and unimproved not lead to a reduction in species- tolerance of farmland. grassland will also act as richness on flower-rich grasslands), Biodiversity carbon stores. increasing woodland cover Explore opportunities to regulate where appropriate and restoring the impacts of a changing climate heathland and wetlands where by planting trees where they will feasible. provide shade for people, livestock and watercourses, where this does The effects of climate change not have a negative impact on could be ameliorated by planting landscape character. additional trees to provide shade for wildlife, livestock and people and to regulate the temperature of watercourses.

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Regulating Watercourses The rivers Wye and Dove are of Regional Groundwater and surface water Provide advice, information Regulating water water ‘good’ ecological status, whereas are closely linked due to the and support to farmers on quality quality Geology (limestone the River Manifold, between many fissures and underground good farming practice to aquifer) Hopedale and Ilam, is of ‘poor’ passages in the limestone. This avoid water pollution, such Regulating soil quality ecological status (poor for diatoms makes groundwater particularly as: efficient, appropriate Soils and moderate for fish). vulnerable to pollution by anything and timely use of fertilisers, Regulating soil erosion applied to or spilt on the land. For chemicals and manures; Semi-natural The chemical quality of the River good soil management; Regulating water flow example nitrate concentrations in habitats Dove is ‘good’. The chemical quality and, appropriate grazing groundwater more than doubled of the River Wye within the NCA regimes. Climate regulation has only been assessed between between 1967/68 and 2005 and Buxton and Miller’s Dale, where it in the Castleton area presence of Encourage capital Biodiversity is good, and the River Manifold has faecal bacteria in cave water has investment in farm not been assessed. 18 been a problem in the past. infrastructure to help Sense of place/ avoid diffuse and point inspiration The western and central parts It is important for farmers to match source pollution including of the NCA are within the Peak nutrient applications closely to the measures such as improving Recreation District Dales Priority Catchment needs of the grassland and crops, animal housing, drainage under the Catchment Sensitive and to avoid pollution incidents, and slurry storage; Farming Initiative, which covers the particularly spillages of agricultural upgrading farm tracks and catchments of the Dove, Manifold chemicals, diesel and oil. Water river crossings; providing and Hamps rivers, the top of the quality could also benefit from surfaced livestock drinking/ River Lathkill and the River Wye at upgrades to farm infrastructure and feeding points; and Millers Dale and Tideswell Brook. measures to keep livestock away riverside fencing. Excessive levels of nutrients have from watercourses, such as fencing been identified in the River Dove Encourage sympathetic and dedicated watering points, and and its tributaries due to nutrient management, restoration loss from yard runoff, farm tracks, efforts to ensure manure/slurry and creation of riparian river crossings, riparian access for application at appropriate times/in habitats, particularly stock and applications of slurry appropriate conditions. grassland, woodland and and manure on farmland. wetland, to stabilise banks and reduce erosion and Continued on next page... diffuse pollution.

18 What’s in your back yard? Interactive maps, Environment Agency (2009)

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Regulating ... continued from previous page water quality Pollution incidents from sheep Measures promoted by the Explore innovative cont. dipping and from shared sheep Catchment Sensitive Farming solutions for limiting grazing have also been identified.19 initiative to limit diffuse pollution loss of river water into from agriculture include underground soughs The groundwater quality of the watercourse fencing, alternative associated with disused Carboniferous Limestone Aquifer mines, thereby helping drinking points for livestock, is ‘good’. to maintain summer flow rainwater storage tanks, upgrading levels. The area does not overlap with any of tracks and watercourse crossings. Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. Work with industry and Pollutants can become particularly water treatment works concentrated in rivers under periods to reduce the levels of of low flow in summer. Measures to nutrients discharged, to the maintain higher water levels, and rivers, particularly the Dove, limit abstraction, will also help to in order to improve water avoid this increased concentration. quality.

The Humber River Basin Management plan suggests there is a need to address discharges from water treatment works into the Dove, particularly to improve the condition of the SAC20. Work has been done in recent years to improve and relocate water treatment plants.

19 Capital Grant Scheme – Funding Priority Statement 2013/14, Natural England (2013) (URL: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/csf/cgs/) 20 River Basin Management Plan Humber River Basin District, Environment Agency (2009)

52 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Regulating Geology Some of the watercourses are Regional Infiltration of rainwater is generally good Encourage farmers to adopt Regulating water water flow fast flowing and show a flashy because of the highly permeable nature of good land, water, and soil flow Soils response to rainfall, such as the the underlying geology. However, it could management practices. Derwent which runs through be maintained and enhanced through Water availability Watercourses steep-sided valleys and drains good management of agricultural land Encourage uptake of and upland catchments with to maintain vegetation cover and soil environmental grants and Climate regulation Semi-natural impermeable geology. Others structure. schemes on farms for management such as creation Regulating water habitats in wider valleys that drain the Planned flood risk management on of buffer strips and riparian quality permeable limestone, such as the River Wye aims to enhance the habitat and improvement of Precipitation the Wye and Dove, flow more natural function of the river and reduce farm infrastructure, to enhance Regulating soil gently and respond more slowly dependence on raised flood defences infiltration rates and minimise quality 21 to rainfall. through measures such as restoring natural run-off. storage of floodwater on undeveloped Regulating soil The settlements of Buxton, flood plains and investigating opportunities Explore opportunities for erosion Bakewell, Tideswell and Ashford for storage or reduced conveyance creation and/or restoration in the Water are at risk of upstream of urban areas. However of small-scale natural storage Sense of place/ flooding from the River Wye.22 opportunities will be limited by the narrow of floodwater in flood plains, inspiration There is localised flooding from nature of the valleys and the permeable attenuation ponds and wetlands Dale Brook at Eyam and Stoney nature of the underlying geology. to enhance biodiversity and Biodiversity Middleton.21 sense of place while protecting The approach to managing flood risk in downstream settlements from There is a risk of fluvial flooding Ashbourne includes improvements to flooding. in Ashbourne (outside the NCA to existing balancing areas and creating the south in the Needwood and further storage areas upstream of the town, Plan new development, South Derbyshire Claylands NCA) potentially along the River Dove or the River housing and industry to ensure inclusion of sustainable drainage from the River Dove.22 Manifold. systems that minimise run-off and maximise water storage Continued on next page... capacity.

21 Peak Sub Region: Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Level1, Executive Summary, Halcrow Group Ltd (2008) (URL: www.highpeak.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/pages/ SFRA_Exec_Summary_Level1.PDF) 22 River Trent Catchment Flood Management Plan, Environment Agency (2010) (URL: http://cdn.environment-agency.gov.uk/gemi1109brdz-e-e.pdf)

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Regulating ... continued from previous page water flow cont. A number of areas of extended flood plain act Previous attempts to limit loss Explore innovative as natural storage: along the River Derwent, of river water into underground solutions for limiting Henmore Brook (at Ashbourne) and the River soughs have proved problematic loss of river water into Dove (at Mayfield).23 and ineffective in the long-term, underground soughs with water finding routes around associated with disused Some of the rivers, such as the River Lathkill, cement and clay blockages and mines, using measures suffer from limited or lack of flow in summer, forcing off plugs and pipes24. New that minimise disruption exacerbated by abstraction and loss of measures are being planned for to cave access and water into soughs and other disused mining Lathkill. Care should be taken to find monitoring. infrastructure. ways of carrying work out that do not compromise access to the cave The River Derwent is linked to the Upper network. Derwent and Ogston Reservoirs, which release compensation flows to the River Derwent.

23 Peak Sub Region: Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Level1, Executive Summary, Halcrow Group Ltd (2008) (URL: www.highpeak.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/pages/ SFRA_Exec_Summary_Level1.PDF) 24 Personal comment, Derbyshire Caving Association

54 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Regulating Geology There are 7 main soilscape types in the Local The freely draining slightly acid Provide information, advice Regulating soil soil quality NCA: but base-rich soils cover 71 per and training for farmers on quality Soils cent of the NCA. Within this soil, how to protect and enhance  Freely draining slightly acid but calcareous layers (horizons) near the organic matter content and Food provision Semi-natural the surface help to provide some structure of their soils. base-rich soils (71 per cent of NCA). habitats natural resilience and enhanced Climate regulation  Shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or workability. Promote best practice in soil limestone (8 per cent). management such as: optimal Regulating water  Slowly permeable seasonally wet Some of the area’s soils are at timing, location and intensity flow acid loamy and clayey soils (8 per risk from topsoil compaction of machinery use; appropriate cent). and poaching, erosion and the grazing regimes that avoid Regulating water poaching and compaction; and,  Very acid loamy upland soils with a development of iron pans from quality poor farming practices. Optimal creation of features such as wet peaty surface (5 per cent). timing of machinery operations and settlement ponds. Regulating soil  Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils appropriate grazing regimes, both erosion with impeded drainage (3 per cent). avoiding waterlogged conditions as Encourage uptake of  Slowly permeable seasonally wet far as possible, will all be important environmental grants that can Biodiversity slightly acid but base-rich loamy in avoiding these problems. enhance farm infrastructure and clayey soils (2 per cent). Measures such as settlement ponds (for example, concrete yards, surfaced livestock feeding and  Slowly permeable wet very acid and silt traps can play an important role in intercepting run-off and watering points) in ways that upland soils with a peaty surface (2 catching sediment before it reaches help to avoid poaching and per cent). watercourses. compaction.

Good management of weak topsoils Use environmental payments will help to maintain a good soil to encourage sympathetic structure and levels of organic management, restoration matter, thereby increasing resilience and creation of semi-natural to climate change. Minimum tillage, habitats, particularly grassland, direct drilling and an increase in wetland and heathland. organic matter levels can benefit some of these soils and improve structure.

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Regulating Semi-natural The majority of the soils found Local All soils need to be carefully managed Promote best practice in soil, Regulating soil soil erosion vegetation within this NCA (89 per cent) are to reduce erosion risk through careful land and water management erosion prone to erosion. timing of cultivations, appropriate grazing such as optimal timing and Soils/geology regimes (intensity, timing and location) routes for machinery use, Food provision The western and central parts and maintenance of vegetation cover, maintaining vegetation cover on steep slopes and using grazing Climate regulation Footpaths and of the NCA are within the especially on steeper slopes. regimes that avoid poaching, Peak District Dales Priority tracks over-grazing and access to Regulating water Catchment under the Catchment The freely draining slightly acid but base- watercourses. flow Sensitive Farming initiative. rich soils and the acid loamy and clayey Within this catchment soil soils with impeded drainage (74 per cent of Encourage uptake of grants to Regulating water erosion and subsequent NCA) are susceptible to capping and slaking, upgrade farm infrastructure in quality sedimentation of surface waters which increases the risk of soil erosion. ways that avoid poaching and has been identified due to soil erosion, such as surfacing of Biodiversity livestock accessing banks and Peaty surface soils (7 per cent of NCA) are tracks/ gateways/river crossings watercourses and river crossings. at risk of erosion from a combination of and installation of hard- Geodiversity surfaced livestock watering and rapid runoff, easily damaged peat layers feeding points. Recreation and steep slopes. They are particularly at risk of erosion and gullying where Manage recreational pressure surface vegetation is damaged or lost. on access routes to minimise Beneficial management for peaty soils soil erosion. include retaining water in situ (for example, through blocking drainage), ensuring good Encourage uptake of vegetative cover and avoiding over grazing/ environmental scheme trampling or damage by machinery. options which support good management and restoration of semi-natural habitats (grassland, The shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or heathland, woodland and scrub) limestone (8 per cent of NCA) are shallow, to maintain/restore permanent sometimes unstable and prone to loss through vegetation cover, reduce surface erosion. Thin soils on chalk and limestone water run-off and reduce soil are particularly at risk on sloping cultivated erosion. ground or where bare soil is exposed along over-used footpaths and tracks.

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Pollination Semi-natural Agricultural land cover in the NCA Local Pollinator species supported by this NCA Encourage protection, Pollination habitats is primarily grassland, with few may provide a pollination service for food management and enhancement commercial food crops that require crops in nearby areas of surrounding NCAs. of flower-rich limestone Food provision Pollinators insect pollination. Pollination is grassland, hay meadows therefore primarily important for and heathland, to provide Sense of place/ biodiversity and gardens. nectar sources for pollinators, inspiration particularly through The large areas of calcareous environmental payments. Biodiversity grassland (over 5,000 ha) and lowland meadows (over 1,700 Encourage less intensive farm ha), complemented by areas of management practices with heathland, fen, scrub and other more sustainable grazing/cutting grassland, provide a rich nectar regimes that allow plants to flower. source for pollinating insects.

Pest The potential for regulation of Local There may be an important role for certain Encourage retention and Pest regulation regulation Semi-natural arable pests is very limited, in species which prey on grassland pests creation of small areas of rough habitats view of the lack of arable crops. such as leather jackets, slugs and frit flies. habitats (rough grassland, scrub, Biodiversity However there is potential for These pests can do significant damage to heath and woodland) to support Invertebrates regulation of grassland pests. grasslands, particularly newly sown leys, populations of birds, mammals, which are common on dairy farms. Bird, amphibians and insects which Birds The scrub in the dales and mammal and amphibian species are likely prey on grassland pests. rougher habitats on the plateau to have the biggest impact on leather (such as rough grassland, heath, jackets and slugs, whereas parasitoids and scrub and woodland) may play parasites may have a bigger impact on frit an important role in supporting flies. bird, mammal, amphibian and invertebrate species that could prey on the pests of surrounding grassland.

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A sense Geology (particularly The Peak District was the UK’s first National International The conservation, sympathetic Ensure conservation, Sense of place/ of place/ karst features) Park. management and enhancement sympathetic management inspiration inspiration of geological features, and enhancement of the Clear rivers and streams This is a very distinctive landscape with an archaeology, historic buildings key components of sense Sense of history exceptionally strong sense of place created and settlements, semi-natural of place (karst features, Topography by: habitats, rivers and traditional historic buildings, walls, Tranquillity (particularly seasonally farmed landscapes and unique archaeology, habitats, dry river valleys and  The steep-sided limestone valleys and cultural heritage are all critical to grasslands, scrub and Recreation hills offering far- gorges (for example, Dovedale) with maintaining the strong sense of woodlands, clean reaching views) clear rivers and streams, and daleside place in the area. rivers and traditional Biodiversity woodlands; farming) through Soils The maintenance and creation of advice, information and Geodiversity  Prominent limestone cliffs and caves far-reaching and iconic views is environmental schemes (for example, Thor’s Cave). Semi-natural habitats also crucial. and grants. (particularly grassland,  The high limestone plateau with its woodland and productive pastures and flower-rich The distribution of woodland is Support and encourage limestone heaths) meadows, dew ponds and strong very distinctive. All the semi- implementation of Peak networks of field walls. natural woodland occurs in the District National Park Archaeology (including  Traditional villages (for example, dales, in a mosaic with highly Management Plan. bronze-age burial sites Monyash) and Victorian Spa towns valuable species-rich grassland and ridge and furrow) (such as Buxton and Matlock Bath) and and scrub. Woodland on the Explore opportunities grand mill buildings; plateau is limited to small to use woodland Historic structures  Archaeology, particularly bronze-age planted geometric shapes; long management and (such as houses, mills, burial sites, ridge and furrow and and narrow shelterbelts around thinning to open up bridges, field barns) disused historic mines and quarries. farmsteads, along historic lead far-reaching views, as at rakes and defining access routes. Monsal Head. Cultural traditions (such Many artists, past and present, have been Therefore, this landscape has as well-dressing) inspired by the landscapes of the White very low capacity for additional Support and encourage Peak, such as those now represented tree/woodland planting, local businesses to use Disused quarries and under the umbrella group of Peak District without a substantial change in the strong sense of mines Artisans. character. place to promote their products. Continued on next page...

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A sense ... continued from previous page of place/ inspiration Farmers, land owners, the National Support activity by a wide cont. Park Authority, National Nature range of organisations Reserves, National Trust, English and landowners to: Heritage and the World Heritage Site interpret and promote among many other sites, landowners the sense of place and organisations, all play an and origins of the important role in communicating, landscape; enhance explaining and promoting the sense visitor understanding of place and its origins. and enjoyment; and, encourage activity to The strong sense of place can sustain and enhance the be used by local food, craft, art local landscape. and tourism based businesses to attract customers and market local Plan and manage products, such as by the Peak District development to use Environmental Quality Mark. traditional building styles, local materials and high-quality, sympathetic modern design.

59 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

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Sense of Geology The area has one World International Above and below ground field Protect and manage sensitive historical Sense of history history Heritage Site (part of Derwent archaeology is a particularly and archaeological sites through Archaeology Valley Mills WHS), five strong feature of the area adoption of good land management Sense of place/ Registered Parks and Gardens, and needs to be sensitively practices and encourage uptake of inspiration Historic built structures 292 Scheduled Monuments managed to avoid damage from agri-environment options for historic and 1,428 Listed Buildings. agricultural activity or neglect structures and archaeological sites. Tranquillity Field boundary and scrub encroachment. networks The area has a particularly Conserve and maintain traditional Recreation strong sense of history, with a Drystone walls and drystone wall boundaries and field Cultural traditions high concentration of Neolithic traditional farm buildings barns, and their historic network Biodiversity (for example well- and bronze-age earthworks (for are particularly at risk of pattern, by supporting farmers to dressing) example, Arbor Low), neglect and deterioration. maintain, repair and restore them Geodiversity numerous iconic structures Both are expensive and time and by supporting training and from the industrial revolution consuming to maintain and apprenticeships in drystone walling (such as Litton Mill) and good repair, and in the case of and other traditional crafts. preservation of traditional traditional farm buildings, no buildings, settlement pattern longer have an agricultural use. Provide information and training and field boundary networks Changes in farm practice and for property owners and builders/ (for example Chelmorton). amalgamation of farm holdings tradesmen on the sympathetic can result in loss of walls, filling maintenance of old buildings and Remains from early mineral in of dew ponds, conversion of use of traditional techniques and extraction are also a prominent traditional buildings and loss/ appropriate materials. reminder of the area’s past, deterioration of other historic particularly in the form of lead features. Plan for new development that is rakes. sympathetic to traditional landscapes, Cultural traditions include well- historic buildings and features, and The numerous dew ponds dressing, which is thought to historic settlement pattern. scattered across the plateau are have ancient origins. It involves a reminder of times when the ‘blessing’ of wells in the Provide improved access to and people and farming were summer months by the creation interpretation of historical and more dependent on natural, of brightly coloured scenes, archaeological sites to increase rather than piped, water often relating to the Bible, using public awareness, understanding and supplies. flower petals pressed onto large enjoyment. clay-covered boards. Continued on next page...

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Sense of ... continued from previous page history cont. Encourage conservation, restoration and interpretation of industrial /mining archaeology and artefacts.

Support the continuation and promotion of traditional local customs such as well-dressing.

Tranquillity Topography (particularly Tranquillity is a significant National Despite a slight reduction in Seek, encourage and promote Tranquillity deep dales, gorges and feature of this NCA, with 76 tranquillity (3 per cent 1960s- opportunities to help visitors use caves, isolated tors/hills) per cent classified as 2007), the NCA is extremely alternative means of transport Sense of place/ ‘undisturbed’, a figure that has important in providing a rural/ (other than private cars), such as: inspiration Semi-natural habitats remained relatively static over tranquil escape to nearby urban creating good new bike/multi- (particularly woodland, the past fifty years following populations. Its central location user routes linking to surrounding Sense of history flower-rich grassland only a very small decline from 79 and ease of accessibility means settlements; providing good, well- and rives) per cent in the 1960s. Only 1 per that high levels of visitors can co-ordinated public transport Recreation cent classed as urban. be a threat to tranquillity. Access links; shared transport and park and recreation therefore needs and ride schemes, and other Biodiversity The main source of disturbance careful consideration, planning facilities and services. is associated with the urban and management to maintain settlements of Buxton and and protect levels of tranquillity. Seek, encourage and promote Bakewell and the urban fringes opportunities to manage visitor of Matlock and Wirksworth. In The hidden deep dales, without flows and numbers to maintain addition, the main road roads, offer the greatest the tranquillity of heritage sites, corridors (A623, A6 and parts of tranquillity. However this can be monuments and landscapes, the A515) all contribute to undermined by pressure from to ensure their aesthetic decreased levels of tranquillity large numbers of visitors at busy appreciation and connection in the north of the NCA. times of the year to the more with landscape and the past is popular dales such as Dovedale. maintained. Continued on next page...

61 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Tranquillity ... continued from previous page cont. The deep dales that dissect Areas of the plateau can be affected by Protect the ‘undisturbed’ the plateau are some of the traffic noise due to the intensity of traffic nature of farmed limestone most tranquil locations in the at certain times of day and year. However plateau and deep valleys area, particularly where they traffic management measures can result from inappropriate/ do not have roads running in a proliferation of signs, which have a insensitive development. through them. Examples include negative visual impact on an otherwise Wolfscote Dale, Deep Dale and traditional farmed landscape. Plan to limit traffic/light Cressbrook Dale. pollution particularly All opportunities should be explored that associated with new In 2005, 55 per cent of visitors to help visitors use alternative means development in villages to National Park did so for its of transport other than private cars, and urban fringes of larger tranquillity. 25 through provision of multi-user towns (Buxton, Matlock routes, better co-ordinated public and Bakewell) to minimise transport and infrastructure. Means of loss of tranquillity. transport should be encouraged that avoid negative impacts on tranquillity, landscape, biodiversity and soil/water/ air quality.

The Peak District National Park Authority secured a large grant from government in 2013 to help improve cycling routes and infrastructure, including links to surrounding conurbations.

25 Peak District National Park Visitor Survey 2005, Peak District National Park Authority (2005)

62 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Recreation Distinctive Over three quarters of the area falls National The White Peak, along with the rest Seek, encourage and Recreation limestone within the Peak District National of the Peak District, is immensely promote opportunities to geology (tors, Park and has many opportunities for important in terms of recreation for help visitors use alternative Regulating soil dales, gorges, public access to local green space the Midlands, Yorkshire and north- means of transport (other erosion caves and cliffs) through rights of way and open access west England. Its central location is than private cars), such as: land. It also has good tourist and easily accessed by adjacent urban creating good new bike/ Sense of place/ Public rights-of- recreational facilities and a wealth of populations mainly by road (car and multi-user routes linking to inspiration way network natural features that can be accessed bus), less so by rail. The Peak District surrounding settlements; for diverse activities including hill National Park Authority has a statutory providing good, well-co- Sense of history Open access land walking, rock climbing, caving and fly purpose to ‘promote opportunities for ordinated public transport fishing. the understanding and enjoyment of the links; shared transport and Tranquillity Rivers and special qualities by the public’. park and ride schemes, and streams The NCA offers a network of rights of other facilities and services. Biodiversity way totalling 1,080 km at a density of The 2005 Peak District National Park Historical and just over 2 km per km2, including 51 visitor survey asked respondents about Manage visitor access Geodiversity archaeological km of the Pennine Bridleway, as well their reasons for visiting, features to popular locations features and as 2,632 ha or 5 per cent of the NCA important to their enjoyment of the area to minimise traffic, landscapes which is publicly accessible. and activities undertaken. Top reasons disturbance, footpath for visiting the White Peak included erosion and other negative The Derbyshire Dales National Nature scenery (85 per cent), tranquillity (50 per environmental impacts. Reserve offers a popular venue for cent) and easiness to get to (35 per cent). recreation and opportunities for Features considered ‘very important’ Seek opportunities the public to learn more about the to enjoyment of the National Park as a to enhance access by environment, including school visits whole included scenery (80 per cent), ensuring paths are well and volunteering. good walking (62 per cent), clean air/no maintained and sign pollution (57 per cent) and peace and posted, linking routes to The area has some of the best fly quiet (50 per cent). Activities undertaken improve connectivity, fishing in the England.26 in the White Peak included sightseeing providing new routes/ (36 per cent), 2–10 mile walk (55 per facilities for a wide range Continued on next page... cent), <2 mile walk (32 per cent) and of users and providing self- picnic (25 per cent). guided route maps.

26 Dove Abstraction Licensing Strategy, Environment Agency (2013) (URL: http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/LIT_5655_f44f7f.pdf)

63 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Recreation ... continued from previous page cont. Former railway lines which run The high level of visitor numbers Enhance interpretation and down the spine of the NCA are is both a benefit and a threat to education facilities using new now managed as multi-user trails, the area. It has catalysed creation media and innovative techniques. presenting level access along the of outstanding access routes, Encourage delivery by a wide range Monsal, Tissington and High Peak particularly multi-user routes of people and organisations in order Trails, particularly popular with those on disused railways, stimulated to enhance the resident and visitor with more limited mobility. a thriving tourism industry and experience and understanding of the provided essential additional landscape. The White Peak area has over 1,300 ha income for many farming families. of limestone cave system designated Creation of new recreational facilities as SSSI. Parts of the cave system attract The intensity and peaks of visitor linked to restoration of disused large numbers of visitors, to show numbers (summer weekends and industrial sites for example, disused caves such as the famous Blue John school holidays) puts the transport quarries for bikers/climbers. and Treak Cliff Caverns. Other sections infrastructure and popular ‘honeypot’ are also used by recreational cavers sites, under significant pressure and Promote the health benefits and educational groups. can undermine the tranquillity of of recreation to residents and popular areas. Potential benefits visitors alike and by incorporating The area suffers from high visitor could be gained by encouraging accessible green spaces into new pressure, particularly in ‘honeypot’ people to visit at quieter times of year developments, provide local locations such as Hartington, to provide continuity for tourism residents with opportunities to Dovedale and outside the National businesses and take pressure off sites benefit from the many health Park at Matlock Bath and Buxton. at peak times. benefits afforded by contact with the natural environment. One disused quarry, Horseshoe Quarry, has been opened up to climbers as it has a large vertical exposed face, resulting from early quarrying practices, and is now a very popular site.

64 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Biodiversity Limestone geology Over 20 per cent of the NCA is International The primary threats to biodiversity of the Conserve, enhance and Biodiversity covered by priority habitats, White Peak include: scrub encroachment sympathetically manage Soils with nearly 10 per cent of the of limestone grassland; agricultural semi-natural habitats, Food provision NCA protected by national improvement of hay meadows; water particularly hay meadows, Topography (tors, and/or European nature pollution from agriculture and water limestone pastures, Water availability plateau, gorges, conservation designations (SSSI, treatment works; low flows and drying out of calaminarian grassland dale sides, cliffs) NNR, SAC or SPA). rivers in summer; removal or neglect of dew and limestone heath. Climate regulation ponds; and, conversion of traditional farm Caves 68.2 per cent of the White Regulating water buildings that do not allow for barn owls, Encourage uptake Peak’s SSSI are in favourable quality and best use of agri- Watercourses condition, and 27.3 per cent are bats and swallows. environment schemes unfavourable recovering. Regulating water flow Semi-natural Tree diseases are one of the most serious to conserve, enhance habitats Much of the wildlife value and potential threats to the biodiversity of the and extend habitats, to Regulating soil quality (especially biodiversity is concentrated in White Peak. Ash die-back could devastate achieve a co-ordinated limestone and the steep-sided limestone dales the dale-side woodlands and scrub which are approach at a landscape- Regulating soil erosion calaminarian and gorges, which have been dominated by ash. Careful thought needs to scale, thereby allowing grasslands, protected from development be given to management that will help limit species to move more Sense of place/ limestone heath, and agricultural improvement the spread of ash die-back and to research to freely and ecosystems to inspiration native woodland by their relative inaccessibility. identify genetics of any resistant local trees. become more resilient to and scrub) They contain clear rivers and climate change. Tranquillity streams, species-rich flushes, Opportunities to increase connectivity of Wild plant and semi-natural ash woodlands, habitats are limited in this landscape. The Encourage and support Recreation animal species scrub and flower-rich limestone dales are very tightly defined and consist of wildlife-friendly farming grasslands. Many priority Geodiversity a mosaic of valuable grassland, scrub and practices that allow species are associated with woodland habitats. Increasing the area and scarce species to co- these habitats such as white- exist with commercial clawed crayfish, bullhead, connectivity of one could undermine that farming, such as late lamprey, trout, dipper, water of another priority habitat. On the plateau cutting of meadows vole, Jacob’s ladder, small leaved existing habitats are highly fragmented and lime and white hair streak dispersed and there are strong financial and silage fields, careful butterfly. reasons for farmers to maintain productivity management of dew of agriculturally improved land. ponds containing great Continued on next page...

65 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Biodiversity ... continued from previous page The best opportunities for habitat crested newts, and cont. creation/restoration are therefore to sympathetic restoration The rivers support abundant plant consider, and if appropriate enhance, and conversion of life (including water crowfoot and the balance between habitats in the traditional farm buildings watercress), and have an important dales and to target habitat creation at to allow continued use by impact on the wider ecology of the the dale brows/plateau edge where they barn owls, swallows and dales as they support swarms of can buffer, extend and connect priority bats. hoverflies, mayflies and dragonflies, habitats in the dales. which in turn support important Work with farmers to populations of birds to the dale-side identify solutions to make woodland and scrub. The rivers The ecological condition of some rivers grazing/management flowing below ground through is heavily affected by artificial structures the cave network also support a such as weirs. These limit fish migration of neglected limestone wealth of wildlife including fish, eels, to upstream spawning grounds, and grassland financially viable, leeches and shrimps. can also cause silt accumulations which to protect their wildlife smother fish spawning gravels and interest and limit scrub The adjacent limestone cliffs and release nutrients into the water. Removal encroachment. crags are also important for birds of weirs and similar structures could such as ravens and peregrines. Cave allow a ‘flushing out of the system’ as Use information, advice, systems are important for bats. well as easier passage of fish, but many training, environmental of these structures are historically schemes and grants The limestone plateau is significant significant and the slow-flowing to secure sympathetic for its historic dew ponds (with rivers with frequent pools, resulting management of soil, land great crested newts), traditional hay from frequent weirs, have become a and water to minimise meadows and its mosaic of open distinctive component of the landscape water pollution from grassland habitats for ground nesting agriculture and abstraction birds. in some dales. from rivers. Calaminarian grassland is an Partnerships with fishing interests can Work with water important and rare habitat that has provide useful data for monitoring developed in association with the the ecological condition of rivers, for companies to minimise remains of lead mines, and supports example, the Riverfly Initiative. water pollution from rare plants such as spring sandwort. treatment plants. Continued on next page...

66 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Biodiversity ... continued from previous page Explore innovative solutions for limiting loss of cont. river water into underground soughs associated The biodiversity value of some with disused mines, thereby helping to maintain of the area’s native woodlands is summer flow levels and retain wildlife value of undermined by lack of positive rivers. management, particularly absence of fencing to exclude grazing Carry out thorough and regular monitoring livestock resulting in loss of ground to allow early identification of tree diseases, flora, lack of regeneration, uniform particularly ash die-back, and plan/develop an age structure and lack of species action plan to limit their spread. diversity. Some woodlands also suffer from lack of deadwood, Explore ways of mitigating the impact of ash die- proliferation of non-native species ack on landscape and biodiversity interest of ash (sycamore) and lack of open woodlands and boundary trees, such as researching clearings. The management needed resistance among local ash trees, and seeking to address these issues in the opportunities to introduce other tree species, White Peak woodlands is often not particularly locally scarce native species, such as oak conducive to harvesting sizeable and lime. timber, extracting other timber or working woodland to establish/ Encourage and support removal of artificial harvest other products, with the barriers to fish migration, where this is exception of sycamore removal compatible with landscape and historic interests. which could be used for wood-fuel production. Support activity by a wide range of organisations and landowners to: interpret and promote the wildlife and habitats of the area; enhance visitor and resident understanding and enjoyment; and, encourage activity to protect and enhance the local wildlife.

Work with fishing interests to monitor condition of rivers through the use of indicator species of fish and invertebrates.

67 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Geodiversity Geology This area has many outstanding National The geology and minerals of the area are still Protect distinctive Geodiversity karst features (including caves, economically important. Limestone is still geological features Topography (tors, sinkholes, outcrops, cliffs, actively quarried as are fluorspar and Blue and maintain their Sense of place/ plateau, gorges, gorges and tufa), recognised by John. These provide jobs and income for the visibility by removing inspiration dale sides, cliffs) a particularly high concentration area, but can also have negative impacts vegetation and of 18 geological and 10 mixed on the local environment, landscape and ensuring that existing Sense of history Caves interest SSSI and 97 Local tranquillity. The limestone of the area has long and new access Biodiversity Geological Sites. been important for construction of buildings, routes and nearby Precipitation structures and walls, meaning that the development are Regulating water The predominant geology is Watercourses geology is highly visible in the landscape. sympathetic. quality Carboniferous Limestone, Soils with veins of minerals such as Active and disused quarries are an important Continue to develop Tranquillity fluorspar, galena, chalcopyrite, resource for their large exposures of rock, and enhance Disused and active barite and Blue John. There are illustrating geological processes. Some interpretation Recreation quarries also three types of igneous rock: disused sites are now protected as SSSI and material, using new dolerites, basalts and tuffs.27 many are now important for educational and media to increase the recreational use. understanding and Many of the features and sites are appreciation of the within the National Park and some A partnership has been set up between area’s geodiversity are easily accessible and well Natural England and Peak District Cavers to among visitors and used by schools, universities and involve cavers in monitoring the condition of locals. specialist groups for recreation cave SSSI. 28 and education. Plan restoration of The condition of cave SSSI is good and has disused quarries to been stable in recent years. Threats to the provide opportunities geological interest of caves in the area include for education and pollution (causing changes in chemistry and recreation. disrupting stalagmite formation).

Continued on next page...

27 Rocks and minerals of the Peak District National Park, Peak District National Park Authority (URL: www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/79229/factsheet6-minerals.pdf) 28 See: www.peakcavemonitoring.org.uk/

68 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Assets/ Principal services attributes: offered by main opportunities contributors Service to service State Main beneficiary Analysis Opportunities

Geodiversity ... continued from previous page cont. There is also a recent practice on Continue to work with cavers to farmland of applying large quantities assess the condition of cave SSSI of paper pulp as a soil conditioner, and to monitor pollution incidents some of which has been getting in caves to identify pollutants and washed into cave systems. However their sources and take action to it is not thought to cause physical or reduce them. chemical damage to the cave systems.

There are easily accessible and visible examples of geological processes in action in the White Peak, in terms of formation of tufa (calcareous deposits on bryophytes next to springs) and stalagmite/stalactite formation in caves. These are really valuable educational resources, but are usually on very sensitive sites so access needs careful management to avoid damage.

69 National Character 52. White Peak Area profile: Supporting documents

Photo credits Front cover: Far reaching views towards the gritstone moors looking west towards Tideswell. © Natural England/Jonathan Dix

Pages 4, 6, 7, 10: © Natural England/Rosy Eaton Pages 5, 32: © Natural England/Jonathan Dix Pages 9, 26: © Natural England/Lucy Heath Page 12: © Natural England/McCoy Wynne & Associates Page 29: © Natural England/Janet Belfield Page 33: © Natural England/Mike Williams

Natural England is here to secure a healthy natural environment for people to enjoy, where wildlife is protected and England’s traditional landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.

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70 1: Introduction & Overview Peak District National Park Authority

Landscape Character Areas

62 A Marsden

Meltham Butterley Res. Dark Peak Diggle Dark Peak Western Fringe Delph Holmfirth Barnsley A635 Digley Res. Dark Peak Yorkshire Fringe Greenfield SADDLEWORTH Holme Oldham MOOR South West Peak Holme Moss Dove Stone Res. Winscar Res. White Peak 24 Dunford Bridge Penistone

A60 Derwent Valley 28 Langsett A6 Crowden Langsett Res Eastern Moors Torside Res. Woodhead Res. Stalybridge Stocksbridge A628 Derbyshire Peak Fringe Bottoms Res.

Hadfield BLEAKLOW Adjoining Regional Character Broomhead Res. Areas (no detailed assessment) Hyde Glossop Howden Res. Snake Pass South Pennines Charlesworth Bradfield Derwent Res. Manchester Pennine Fringe

A624 Strines Res. Cheshire & Staffordshire Plain rt A 5 7 Fairholmes Little Hayfield KINDER SCOUT Marple Kinder Res. Ladybower Res. Hayfield rove S New Mills Edale tana SHEFFIELD

ge Edge A

Disley Losehill Hall Hope 6

0 Bamford 1

Poynton Mam Tor 3 Chinley Castleton A6187 Lyme Park R. Whaley Bridge De Hathersage Bradwell rwe Kettleshulme Chapel en le Frith Sparrowpit nt Peak Forest

Pott Shrigley A623 Grindleford Dronfield A5004Combs Dove Gt. Hucklow Bollington Fernilee Res. Holes 625 Eyam A Foolow Rainow Goyt Valley Tideswell Stoney Froggatt Edge Lamaload Curbar Res. Errwood Litton Middleton Res. A537 Mo Calver nsal A621 Buxton Dal Macclesfield Macclesfield Cat & Fiddle e Hassop B6001 Forest Grin Low Lt. Longstone A6 Gt. Longstone Baslow A619 Pilsley Chesterfield 70 Ashford in R 2 Taddington . the Water A619 Derwent A5 20 Chelmorton A60R Chatsworth Wildboarclough .Wye Edensor Three Shires Flagg A54 Head Sheldon Bakewell

ane Haddon Beeley A515 B5055 . D Flash Hollinsclough R Over Rowsley Monyash A6 Arbor Haddon ill Dale Wincle Low Lathk Stanton The Roaches Longnor in Peak R . Dove Nine Darley Dale Middleton Youlgreave Ladies Birchover Robin Hood’s 3 Stride A5 Wensley Hartington Elton Matlock Hulme End Winster Rudyard Lake Tittesworth Res. A5012 Biggin Bonsall Matlock Bath Warslow Cromford Butterton Alstonefield Leek Middleton Parwich Crich Onecote Wetton A515 A Road Dove Dale Grindon R B Road . M Wirksworth R a Minor Road . Hamps Tissington n i f old Railway & Station Carsington Water Ripley Ilam Thorpe Railway Tunnel Waterhouses Fenny Bentley Settlement

0 Kilometres 5 Ashbourne Belper

18 Landscape Strategy and Action Plan Peak District National Park Authority 1: Introduction & Overview

Landscape Character Types

62 A Marsden

Meltham Butterley Res. Open moors

Diggle Moorland hills & ridges Delph Holmfirth Moorland slopes & cloughs Barnsley A635 Digley Res. Enclosed gritstone upland Greenfield SADDLEWORTH Holme Densely enclosed gritstone upland Oldham MOOR Holme Moss Dove Stone Res. Winscar Res. Slopes & valleys with woodland

24 Reservoir valleys with woodland

Dunford Bridge Penistone A60 Langsett Limestone hills & slopes A628 Crowden Langsett Res Limestone dales Torside Res. Woodhead Res. Stalybridge Stocksbridge Limestone plateau pastures A628 Bottoms Res. Limestone village farmlands Hadfield BLEAKLOW Gritstone village farmlands Broomhead Res. Hyde Glossop Estatelands Howden Res. Snake Pass Village farmlands on shale ridges Charlesworth Bradfield Upland pastures Derwent Res.

A624 Strines Res. Upper valley pastures rt A57 Fairholmes Little Hayfield KINDER SCOUT Valley pastures with industry Marple Kinder Res. Ladybower Res. Valley farmlands with villages Hayfield Riverside meadows rove New Mills Edale Stana SHEFFIELD

ge E Urban

A dg Disley Losehill Hall Hope 6 e

0 Bamford 1

Poynton Mam Tor 3 Chinley Castleton A6187 Lyme Park R. Whaley Bridge De Hathersage Bradwell rwe Kettleshulme Chapel en le Frith Sparrowpit nt Peak Forest

Pott Shrigley A623 Grindleford Dronfield A5004Combs Dove Gt. Hucklow Bollington Fernilee e Res. Holes 625 Eyam A Foolow Rainow Goyt Valley Tideswell Stoney Froggatt Edg Lamaload Curbar Res. Errwood Litton Middleton Res. A537 Mo Calver nsal 1 A621 Buxton Dal 00 Macclesfield Macclesfield Cat & Fiddle e Hassop B6 Forest Grin Low Lt. Longstone A6 Gt. Longstone Baslow A619 Pilsley Chesterfield 70 Ashford in R 2 Taddington . the Water 0 A619 Derwent A5 2 Chelmorton A60R Chatsworth Wildboarclough .Wye Edensor Three Shires Flagg A54 Head Sheldon Bakewell Haddon Beeley A515 B5055 . DaneFlash Hollinsclough R Over Rowsley Monyash A6 Arbor Haddon ill Dale Wincle Low Lathkh Stanton The Roaches Longnor in Peak R . Dove Nine Darley Dale Middleton Youlgreave Ladies Birchover Robin Hood’s 3 Stride A5 Wensley Hartington Elton Matlock Hulme End Winster Rudyard Lake Tittesworth Res. A5012 Biggin Bonsall Matlock Bath Warslow Cromford Butterton Alstonefield Leek Middleton Parwich Crich Onecote Wetton A515 A Road DoveD Dale Grindon R B Road . Dalee M Wirksworth R

. Hamps Tissington n Minor Road i f old Railway & Station Ilam Carsington Water Ripley Thorpe Railway Tunnel Waterhouses Fenny Bentley Settlement

0 Kilometres 5 Ashbourne Belper

Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 19 2: White Peak Peak District National Park Authority

White Peak

Looking towards Foolow © Peak District National Park Authority Introduction The White Peak is an area of settled uplands lying on both sides of the boundary between Derbyshire and Staffordshire at the southern end of the Pennine Hills. The term derives from the limestone geology which provides the distinctive grey and white stone used extensively for building and walling materials. The region comprises an elevated limestone plateau dissected by deeply cut dales and gorges, which contrast strongly with the adjoining landscapes of the Dark Peak, South West Peak and Derbyshire Peak Fringe.

2 Landscape Strategy and Action Plan Peak District National Park Authority 2: White Peak

numbers. Where soils are shallow, especially on crests and steep Physical influences slopes, occasional flower-rich pastures and calcareous grasslands The physical structure of the White Peak is strongly influenced by survive. Limited areas of arable land occur in places, but can be weathering and erosion of the underlying Carboniferous limestone. important for brown hares and birds such as lapwing, yellowhammer This can be subdivided into three distinct types of rock, each and, rarely, yellow wagtail. Small shelter belt plantations provide producing a different shape to the land surface. The most common habitat for commoner woodland birds and other animals, and the type over much of the central plateau, the so-called ‘shelf’ limestone, network of dewponds is particularly important for great crested is pale grey in colour and thickly bedded in gently dipping layers, giving newts. Road verges can support important relics of formerly more a gently rolling topography. In the south-west of the region is the widespread vegetation, ranging from characteristic swathes of ‘basin’ limestone, which is darker grey in colour and occurs in thinner, meadow cranesbill to relic patches of heather. A small number of silica more strongly folded beds. The least common is the ‘reef’ limestone, sand pits support several important species such as clubmosses. which is rich in fossils and largely devoid of bedding. The last, which is a hard, fine-grained rock, resists weathering and produces conical On higher ground , the soils are often poorer and leached, giving rise hills, known as ‘reef knolls’, around the plateau edge, for example at to acid grassland and heath. These habitats were once widespread Thorpe Cloud and Wetton Hill. across much of the limestone plateau. Above 350 metres the cooler climate favours the development of peaty topsoils and ironpans with Two belts of dolomitized limestone occur in the south-east of the impeded drainage. Such factors limit the agricultural potential of the region. The most distinctive landscape features associated with these land in these areas and in places, a few small relics of the original limestones are the prominent dolomite tors, notably Rainster Rocks limestone heath survive. More commonly, patches of hilltop rough and Harboro Rocks. Volcanic rocks, locally termed ‘toadstones’, also grazing land occur, often supporting acid grassland with species such commonly occur interbedded within the limestone in the White Peak as mountain pansy and bilberry in the sward. and were traditionally important because they were associated with spring lines. On the steeper slopes of the dales and around the edge of the limestone plateau, shallow soils with dark, humose surface layers The movement of mineralizing fluids through faults during deep burial predominate. As these slopes are often too steep for pasture of the sediments, probably at the end of the Carboniferous period, improvement they commonly support strikingly species-rich has left large mineral deposits of lead, copper and zinc ores, as well calcareous grassland with early purple orchids, cowslips, wood as fluorspar, calcite and barytes, which often run in veins through the anemones, rockrose, wild thyme and an abundance of other lime- limestone bedrock. These deposits have been worked extensively in loving plants, with a correspondingly rich insect life. On deeper soils the White Peak, leaving many disused mines, linear rakes and spoil in the dales neutral species-rich grassland is widespread, and on heaps throughout the landscape. ungrazed or lightly grazed north-facing slopes a particular type rich in tall herbs such as valerian and ferns has developed very locally. This The gently rolling plateau of the limestone is deeply dissected by the provides the British stronghold for the elegant jacob’s ladder. Towards rivers Manifold, Hamps, Dove, Lathkill, Wye and Derwent, along the top of the slopes, where loess has washed down from the plateau with their associated network of tributary valleys which are often above, more acid grassland often occurs. Limestone cliffs and scree dry for some or all of the year. Some dales, such as Dovedale and are a common feature throughout the dales. They provide nesting Monsal Dale have impressive gorge-like incisions created by glacial sites for birds such as raven, and are important for their plantlife, meltwaters, which cut into the limestone plateau in a series of tight mosses, liverworts and lichens, and specialised invertebrates. loops. Some of the main gorges have rivers and streams flowing through them, but the Manifold, Hamps and the upper Lathkill gorges Semi-natural ash woodland, much of it ancient, clothes extensive are seasonal, with the water passing through the underground cave areas of steep slopes on many dalesides. Wych elm and hazel are systems in summer. Locally at the edge of the White Peak a number typical associates, and the ground flora is very varied with ramsons of sinkholes drain water directly into the cave system. often dominating the heavier soils on lower slopes, and dog’s mercury and woodland grasses dominating shallower soils and stony ground on the higher slopes. These woodlands support a large number of Ecological influences rare and scarce plants and invertebrates, and typical birds include marsh tit, redstart and a variety of warblers. Areas of scrub are For the most part the soils in the White Peak are derived from also widespread in many dales: both species-rich hazel scrub which loess, a fine silty sediment that was deposited during the final phase can be particularly important for plants such as globeflower and for of the last glacial period by cold icy winds sweeping across the butterflies such as dark green fritillary, and more invasive hawthorn limestone plateau. This helps to explain how, despite the moderately scrub. Many dales are dry, but others carry winterbourne streams high altitude, agriculturally productive pastures on rich loamy soils or more substantial rivers such as the Wye and Dove famed for predominate over extensive areas. Although the majority of this their trout fishing. Beds of water-crowfoot are typical of permanent land has been agriculturally improved to varying extents, a limited sections, whilst reed canary-grass is common along the edges. Large number of flower-rich hay meadows survive in places and typically beds of butterbur are particularly characteristic along ungrazed support species such as oxeye daisy, knapweed, yellow rattle and riverbanks. In a few places springs emerge on the lower dalesides, lady’s bedstraw. Skylarks are widespread, and curlew breed in small giving rise to basic flushes rich in sedges and other plants, and with an important invertebrate fauna.

Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 3 2: White Peak Peak District National Park Authority

Lead mining has had an important influence across much of the White Field patterns within the White Peak, although not as diverse as those Peak. Remnant spoil heaps frequently occur as linear features across in neighbouring regions, are very distinctive due to the widespread the landscape, and support a mosaic of important grassland types occurrence of drystone walls, constructed from the local limestone. including specialised metal-tolerant plant communities characterised Small narrow fields, indicating the piecemeal enclosure of earlier open by species such as spring sandwort (‘leadwort’). Both lead mine shafts field strips, are a characteristic feature around villages. There are and natural caves can be important for various bat species. also sub-rectangular fields, often quite large with somewhat sinuous boundaries, particularly around granges.

Elsewhere, the enclosure is mostly later, either private or late 18th to early 19th century Parliamentary Enclosure of former wastes and commons, distinguished by a more regular pattern of medium to large sized fields, with ruler-straight boundaries, dissected by straight roads. Regular field boundaries have generally been built using quarried stone and tend to be neater in appearance than the more random rubble walls of earlier periods. Isolated stone field barns, often of 18th and 19th century date and incorporated within the pattern of stone walls, form a distinctive landscape feature in many places and are concentrated in some areas, for example around Bonsall, Winster and Bakewell.

Two minor but important types of agricultural feature which add signiﬁcantly to local character are dewponds and ﬁeld kilns. With the enclosure of most of the commons in the 18th and early 19th century, farmers lost easy access to streams and natural meres for their

Green Well in Alstonfield © Peak District National Park Authority stock, thus many small circular lined ponds were constructed within the fields. When the commons were first improved large quantities of lime produced by individual farmers was spread on the newly allocated land to burn back the rank vegetation before reseeding. Human influences Afterwards, lime often continued to be added in smaller quantities to counteract the natural acidity of soils on the plateau. The kilns The White Peak has been a focus for settlement since prehistoric were small and either circular or oval in plan and several hundred still times and numerous surviving monuments indicate the extent of survive next to their associated field quarries. former settlement and land use. These include Neolithic ritual monuments such as chambered tombs, long barrows and henges, as Naturally occurring minerals in the limestone, in particular lead ore, for example Arbor Low and Minninglow. Most of the monuments have been exploited in the White Peak since at least the Roman of this period are confined to the limestone plateau, reflecting a period and at times, particularly between 1650 and 1850, brought significant historic landscape component for this part of the National significant wealth to the area. Although lead mining is now a defunct Park. Bronze Age round barrows are also commonly found in the industry, the remaining evidence of past workings is often marked White Peak, often forming obvious hilltop landmarks. Earthworks by distinctive linear features, known as lead rakes, which are typically relating to Romano-British farmsteads also survive on the limestone associated with waste heaps, pits and shafts, sometimes with much plateau. rarer features such as derelict engine houses. Quarrying has also been a feature from the 17th century onwards, often for lime Today, although not a densely settled region, the White Peak has a production, but latterly also for roadstone and cement, and very definite nucleated pattern of small rural villages with medieval continues today on a huge scale in certain parts of the White Peak. origins, typically situated at the centre of their former open fields. These industrial features are very important aspects of the White Beyond the open fields, isolated farmsteads occur. While some of Peak landscape character. these farms have origins as medieval monastic granges, most reflect the post-medieval enclosure of the once extensive commons that formerly covered much of the limestone plateau. The widespread use of place names ending in moor, heath and common, and extensive historical documentation for rights of turbary (the stripping of soils to use as fuel), indicate the former extent of semi-natural vegetation and peaty soils in this landscape.

4 Landscape Strategy and Action Plan Peak District National Park Authority 2: White Peak

Sense of place The character of the White Peak is strongly inﬂuenced by the underlying geology, which has had a dominant and unifying effect on the character of the landscape. This unity is emphasised by the recurrent visual themes of the high open plateau, stone walls, pastoral farmland and villages built of local stone. It is reinforced by the visually prominent dales that dissect the plateau and the sparsely populated nature of the higher hills and slopes.

The White Peak can be subdivided into four different landscape types, each of which is characterised by a particular aspect of the wider White Peak character. These landscape types, which have been deﬁned by their broadly repeating patterns of natural elements and cultural factors, are:

Limestone Village Farmlands Limestone Plateau Pastures Limestone Hills & Slopes

SStStotoctotockckkpportpoortrtrt A57A5A 57 Limestone Dales LittleLLititttttle HHaHayfieldaayyfieldyfieyyffiefieldld 7 FairholmesFairFaFaiirholmholmese MarMMarplearparrpplele

HHayfieldHayayayffiefiieldld

HHazelaazaeazezezel GGroveGrroovoeovevvee NNeweeww MMillsMiills EdaleEdEdalEdldaldal e SHEFFIELDSHHEEFFFFIELD A

Disley Hope 6

0 BamfordBamford

1 3 Poynton 3106A Chinley Castleton A6187A6187 Whaley Bridge Hathersage BradwellBradwell KettleshulmeKettleshulme CChapelhapel eenn le FrFrithith SparrowpitSparrowpit PeakPeak ForestForest PottPott Shrigleyley A623 GrindlefordGrindleford Dronfield A5004A Combs DoveDove Gt. HucklowHucklow 5 5 Bollington 0 2 0 Holes 6256 4 Eyam A FFoolowoolow RainowRainow TideswTideswellell StoneStoneyy Curbar Litton Middleton A537A537 CalvCalverer 1 A621A62 BuxtonBuxton 01 Macclesfield Hassop B6001B60 Lt. Longstone A6 Gt. Longstone BasloBasloww A619A619 9 PilslePilsleyy Chesterfield TTaddinaddington AshforAshfordd in the W Waterater 0 A619A61A A5270 02 ChelmorChelmortonton A6020A6 WildboarWildboarclouclough Edensor 4 Flagg A54A5 Sheldon BaBakewellkewell BeeleBeeleyy Flash HolHollinscloulinsclough A515 B5055 OverOver RowsleRowsleyy MonMonyashyash Haddon A6A6 Wincle Stanton Longnor in PPeakeak Darley Dale Middleton YoulYoulgreavereave Congleton BirchoverBirchover

3 A53A5 WWensleyensley HarHartintington Elton Matlock Hulme End Winster A2501 Biggin Bonsall Matlock Bath WarslowWarslow Cromford Biddulph ButtertonButterton Alstonefield Middleton Leek National Park Parwich BoundaryCrich A515 Onecote WettonWetton A Road Grindon WirksWirksworthworth B Road Tissington Minor Road Ilam Railway & Station Riple Thorpe Railway Tunnel Waterhouses FennyFenny BentleyBentley Settlement HanleyHanley

0 KilometresBelper 5 STOSTOKEKE ON TRENTTRENT Ashbourne

Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 5 2: White Peak Peak District National Park Authority

Limestone Village Farmlands A small-scale settled agricultural landscape characterised by limestone villages, set within a repeating pattern of narrow strip ﬁelds bounded by drystone walls.

The Limestone Village Farmlands has a Key characteristics scattered distribution, occurring throughout s A gently undulating plateau the White Peak as a series of small, but discrete units, typically located in lower, s Pastoral farmland enclosed by drystone walls made from limestone more advantaged parts of the limestone plateau. This landscape largely exists on the s A repeating pattern of narrow strip fields originating from land above either side of the Wye valley medieval open fields as well as along the eastern fringe of the plateau. Several other more isolated areas s Scattered boundary trees and tree groups around buildings occur in the northern and south-western parts of the White Peak. s Discrete limestone villages and clusters of stone dwellings s Relict mine shafts and associated lead mining remains s Localised field dewponds

6 Landscape Strategy and Action Plan Peak District National Park Authority 2: White Peak

Geology and landform This settled agricultural landscape is closely associated with deeper patches of wind blown drift that have been deposited across the limestone plateau. For the most part the plateau has a gently rolling landform and the villages here not only take advantage of the best agricultural land, but each is also sited where there was a secure supply of water, often at spring lines or the edge of the plateau where there were running streams. In places, notably at Winster, Youlgreave, Little Longstone and Bradwell, this landscape is associated with more sloping or undulating ground that lies along the edge of the plateau.

Soils and vegetation Drystone walls near Litton © Peak District National Park Authority The wind blown drift with which this landscape is associated, gives rise to patches of relatively deep and fertile soils and together with the secure access to drinking water, explains why people settled and started farming the surrounding land in the first place. There are also Settlement and buildings patches of poorer, thin soils with some rock outcrops. As a result of The present settlement pattern is long established within this the long history of continual farming in close proximity to the village landscape, with origins before the Norman Conquest, and tends there is little surviving semi-natural vegetation within this settled to be strongly nucleated, with most farmsteads and dwellings pastoral landscape. concentrated into a central village within each parish, reflecting historic townships. Today’s buildings, with the exception of some medieval churches, date mostly from the 17th century onwards. Tree cover These buildings are typically constructed from the local Carboniferous limestone, often with random rubble constructed walls and stone Tree cover is largely restricted to small groups of trees and a tile, or Welsh slate roofs. This creates a very distinctive and unified scattering of trees along boundaries around village margins, often settlement character. The use of gritstone is also common, but tends creating quite intimate rural scenes. Elsewhere the landscape is often to be restricted to features such as lintels and window surrounds. more open, but even here more distant views are typically framed by surrounding hills, or rising ground. Transport and access Land use In this landscape there is often a network of narrow lanes defined by stone walls. The lanes were originally created to give access to the Although it has a largely pastoral character today, dominated by former open fields and commons and other villages beyond, while the stock rearing and dairying, historically this landscape had once a more walls were added later when the open fields were enclosed. Today mixed farming character. Dewponds which provided a source of these lanes are linked by a network of tracks and field footpaths, water are a relatively common historical feature. generally enabling good access throughout this landscape. A significant amount of lead mining has taken place, particularly in the areas in the northern and eastern parts of the plateau, and in places historic features are still extensive.

Enclosure The farmed landscape is characterised by a sub-regular pattern of small to medium sized fields enclosed by drystone walls built out of the local pale coloured limestone. Large areas of narrow fields exist in many places, reflecting piecemeal enclosure of strips in the former open fields from late medieval times onwards. Field pattern tends to be a fairly prominent element in this landscape, creating a strong sense of scale and visual unity.

Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 7 2: White Peak Peak District National Park Authority

Limestone Plateau Pastures An upland pastoral landscape with a regular pattern of straight roads and small to medium sized rectangular ﬁelds bounded by limestone walls. Tree cover is mostly limited to occasional tree groups, or small shelter belts, allowing wide views to the surrounding higher ground.

The Limestone Plateau Pastures is a planned Key characteristics agricultural landscape, derived from the s A rolling upland plateau enclosure of former commons around and beyond the older settled core of the village s Pastoral farmland enclosed by limestone walls farmlands. The largest area of this landscape occurs in the central part of the limestone s A regular pattern of small to medium sized rectangular fields plateau from Flagg to Bonsall Moor. Another large area occurs to the north from Fairfield s Localised field dewponds and farm limekilns to Calver, and there are several smaller areas, such as Calton Moor to the south. s Discrete tree groups and belts of trees s Isolated stone farmsteads and field barns s Medieval granges surrounded by older fields s Relict lead mining and quarrying remains s Prehistoric monuments, often on hilltops s Open views to surrounding higher ground

8 Landscape Strategy and Action Plan Peak District National Park Authority 2: White Peak

Geology and landform Settlement and buildings Like the Limestone Village Farmlands, this landscape is mostly This is a landscape of isolated stone farmsteads and scattered stone associated with the more gently rolling central and eastern parts field barns, mostly dating from the period of Parliamentary Enclosure of the limestone plateau. Much of this area is overlain by wind in the late 18th and earliery 19th centuries. There are also medieval blown drift. granges, although today’s buildings are mostly later rebuilds from the 17th century onwards. Soils and vegetation There is also a scattering of prehistoric monuments including the henges at Arbor Low and the Bull Ring, Neolithic chambered tombs The shallow free-draining soils which characterise the main part of and round barrows on hilltops, the limestone plateau were reserved as common land and utilised as rough grazing until relatively recent times. However, much of this land was enclosed in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was ploughed and reseeded to improve the pasture. Today, only small relics of Transport and access unimproved grassland survive, in areas where the ground is unsuitable This is a planned landscape, with a pattern of straight roads defined for cultivation, such as along lead rakes and on the more exposed by stone walls, reflecting the late enclosure of the land from common crests close to rock outcrops, where the soils are particularly thin. and waste. Some roads were created as turnpike routes. Occasional tracks and field footpaths are also present in places. Tree cover For the most part the Limestone Plateau Pastures have a fairly open character where tree cover is largely restricted to discrete groups of trees, often around farmsteads. In places, larger coverts and occasional belts of sycamore, beech or ash trees, often planted on abandoned lead rakes, provide a stronger sense of enclosure. These linear or rectangular shelter belts are a distinctive feature of the White Peak landscape.

Land use In relation to the surrounding upland landscapes in the Peak District, this is an intensively farmed agricultural landscape where stock rearing and dairying are the primary land uses. Two types of historical feature that are relatively common are dewponds and ﬁeld kilns.

Large amounts of lead mining have also taken place in the past, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the plateau, and historic features are still extensive in places. The landscapes around Dove Holes and Peak Forest are exceptional for the large number of early industrial limekilns and shallow quarries, dating from the 17th to the early 19th centuries.

Enclosure Enclosure is characterised by small to medium sized fields defined by stone walls. The straight boundaries and regular enclosure pattern are strong and very distinct features of this landscape, reflecting the relatively late enclosure from common and waste. Many of the enclosures were the result of later 18th and earlier 19th century Parliamentary Enclosure Awards, others were enclosed by private agreement. There are also other areas, such as between Meadow Place Grange and One Ash Grange, where there is significantly earlier sub-rectangular and irregular enclosure associated with medieval monastic granges.

Landscape Strategy and Action Plan 9