National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents www.naturalengland.org.uk 1 National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Introduction National Character Areas map As part of Natural England’s responsibilities as set out in the Natural Environment White Paper1, Biodiversity 20202 and the European Landscape Convention3, we are revising profiles for England’s 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform theirdecision-making about the places that they live in and care for. The informationthey contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape scale, inform the delivery of Nature Improvement Areas and encourage broader partnership working through Local Nature Partnerships. The profiles will also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change. 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 drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area’s characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future. 1 The Natural Choice: Securing the Value of Nature, Defra NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and (2011; URL: www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf) 2 knowledge. We will aim to refresh and update them periodically as new Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, Defra information becomes available to us. (2011; URL: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020-111111.pdf) 3 European Landscape Convention, Council of Europe We would like to hear how useful the NCA profiles are to you. You can contact the (2000; URL: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/en/Treaties/Html/176.htm) NCA team by emailing [email protected] 2 National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Summary The Mease/Sence Lowlands are a gently rolling agricultural landscape Future challenges for this NCA include working to mitigate the pressures of any centred around the rivers Mease, Sence and Anker. The area extends across: future developments and managing the area with the aim of making it resilient Derbyshire in the north, Warwickshire in the south, Leicestershire in the to issues such as climate change, tree diseases and non-native invasive plants. east and Staffordshire in the west. With its towns lying on the fringes of the National Character Area (NCA), only a very small percentage of it is urban. These lowlands retain a rural, remote character, with small villages, red brick farmsteads and occasional historic parkland and country houses. The National Forest extends into the area north of the River Mease. The NCA contains one Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – the River Mease, which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – and has 139 ha of nationally designated SSSI, including the Ashby Canal SSSI. Important habitats include neutral grasslands, wet meadows, parkland, wet woodlands, rivers and streams, all of which support characteristic and rare species of international importance, including the white-clawed crayfish, the spined loach and the bullhead fish. The historic character of this area is important, in particular its ancient woodlands, veteran trees, landscaped parklands and areas of archaeological interest, including ridge and furrow. With 30 per cent Grade 2 agricultural land, this is a rich and productive agricultural area. Most of the land is in agricultural use, primarily for wheat. There is much potential for an increase in appropriate woodland planting as part of the National Forest initiative, which is increasing recreation opportunities, woodland cover and biomass potential for the future. Click map to enlarge; click again to reduce. 3 National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Statements of Environmental Opportunities: SEO 1: Protect and appropriately manage this important network of natural and manmade rivers, streams, ponds, canals and other wetland habitats for its internationally important populations of white-clawed crayfish, spined loach and bullhead fish and their contribution to sense of place, water quality and climate regulation. SEO 2: Manage and conserve the woodland habitat of the landscape and plan to expand appropriately scaled woodland cover, particularly in The National Forest, to increase people’s access and enjoyment and to secure opportunities to enhance biomass and biodiversity and manage the impact of climate change. SEO 3: Protect and appropriately manage the historic character, settlement pattern and features of this landscape, in particular its ancient woodlands, veteran trees, landscaped parklands and areas of archaeological interest, including ridge and furrow. SEO 4: Protect the overall strong rural, open and tranquil character of this well- ordered lowland agricultural landscape; increase the opportunity to encourage Algal growth from sewage enrichment. River Mease SAC. sustainable food production; and enhance access to and enjoyment of the wider countryside for both residents and visitors. 4 National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Description Physical and functional links to other National Character Areas The south-western half of the Mease/Sence Lowlands National Character Area (NCA) lies within the west Midlands; the remainder falls within the east Midlands. The northern tip of the NCA lies within The National Forest, the boundary of which also extends into the adjacent NCAs of the Trent Valley Washlands and the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield. Geologically, outcrops of Triassic Sandstone extend across the area southwards and westwards from the edge of the Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield NCA. The River Mease and its tributaries flow from the adjoining Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield NCA through this NCA to join the River Anker, River Tame and River Trent immediately to the west in the adjacent Trent Valley Washlands and Arden NCAs. The area’s swift-flowing streams drain from high ground in Charnwood into the western reach of the River Sence. The Sence flows eastwards into the adjoining Leicestershire Vales NCA and drains westwards into the neighbouring Trent Basin, then into the Humber Estuary and into the North Sea. The disused canal once served the coalfield but more recently has experienced some Due to the undulating landform, distant views into adjacent NCAs are limited. restoration. Where the flatter areas of the lowlands open out to the west there are views into the adjoining Trent Valley Washlands. The M42, M69 and A5 are key strategic routes that link the area east–west to adjacent NCAs. The A444 passes through the NCA from north to south. The Coventry Canal and Ashby Canal also create links to the east and west. 5 National Character 72: Mease/Sence Lowlands Area profile: Supporting documents Key characteristics ■ This is a gently rolling landscape with rounded clay ridges and shallow ■ The Ashby Canal and Coventry Canal are landscape features that are valleys, with a more undulating landform in the north-west. This is a well- important for nature conservation and recreation. They act as reminders ordered agricultural landscape of open views, with a relatively tranquil of our cultural heritage. character. ■ Landscaped parklands and fine country house estates, spired churches ■ Triassic Mercia Mudstones underlie this area and give rise to productive and historic farmsteads, areas of remnant ridge and furrow and deserted clay soils; outcrops of sandstone extend across the area southwards and settlements contribute to the time depth and sense of history of the westwards from the edge of the adjacent coalfield. area. ■ Woodland cover is generally limited to scattered hedgerow trees, coverts ■ with wide verges and straight enclosure roads. Red brick buildings and and spinneys, and occasional groups of trees along rivers and streams. spired churches are often prominent landscape features. Isolated large Larger-scale planting associated with The National Forest in the north of 19th-century red brick farmsteads are also notable. the NCA has significantly increased woodland cover and strengthened the ■ Larger modern urban development is present on the fringes of the NCA wooded character of the landscape. in Nuneaton, Hinckley and Burton-upon-Trent. Straight motorways and ■ The majority of the farmland has a strongly rectilinear pattern of low main roads cut through the area north–south and east–west. hedgerows and scattered hedgerow trees. On steeper ground and heavier clays, hedgerows are more substantial and hedgerow trees more frequent. ■ Extensive, open areas of arable cultivation predominate. On steeper ground and heavier clays the land is less intensively farmed, and arable and pasture are mixed. Beef and dairy farming are also common. ■ The main river courses of the Mease and Sence are generally