Landscape Character Assessment of Cannock Chase District
A report produced by Ashmead Price and Steven Warnock on behalf of Cannock Chase Council March 2009
1 Landscape Character Assessment of Cannock Chase District
Contents
1. Introduction ...... 4 Aim of Study Background information Approach and methodology The Study Area (Figure 1)
2. Landscape Character Assessment ...... 9 Introduction and Key Plans (Figures 2 &3)
Sandstone Hills and Heaths ...... 12 Description and Key Characteristics Photographs and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement Sensitivity SH01, SH05, SH18 Land Cover Parcels table
Wooded Estatelands ...... 19 Description and Key Characteristics Photographs and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement Sensitivity WE07 Land Cover Parcels table
Settled Farmlands ...... 24 Description and Key Characteristics Photographs and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement Sensitivity SF15, SF16, SF17, SF28, SF29 Land Cover Parcels table
Coalfield Farmlands ...... 31 Description and Key Characteristics Photographs and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement Sensitivity CF19, CF24, CF26 Land Cover Parcels table
Planned Coalfield Farmlands ...... 38 Description and Key Characteristics Photograph and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement
2 Sensitivity CP21, CP22 Land Cover Parcels table
River Meadowlands ...... 48 Description and Key Characteristics Photographs and LDU/ LCP plan Strength of Character Summary of Condition and Landscape Condition table Vision Statement Sensitivity RM13, RM14 Land Cover Parcels table
Urban Areas ...... 52 Introduction UR02, UR08, UR10, UR27 Land Cover Parcels table
Ashmead Price 16 Bond End Yoxall Burton on Trent Staffordshire DE13 8NH Tel 01543 473222 www.ashmeadprice.co.uk
3 1. Introduction
Aim of study
Cannock Chase Council is in the process of developing its Local Development Framework. The principal document, the Core Strategy underwent three Issues and Options consultations during 2006, 2007 and 2008 and a Preferred Options consultation is planned for April 2009.
The Council require a District Level Landscape Character Assessment, in order to gain a clearer picture of the landscape outside the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This work will contribute to the production of the Council’s Core Strategy, which will ultimately set out the strategic approach for where future new development in the District should be directed. This study and supporting analysis will assist the Council in identifying areas for landscape conservation, improvement, or regeneration and in setting a baseline for future monitoring.
Background information
Staffordshire County Council has produced a Landscape Character Assessment which has been used as supporting documentation for the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Structure Plan 1996. The County Council has also produced a document of more specific relevance to Cannock Chase District, largely based on the County Level assessment of the Cannock Chase and Cank Wood Joint Landscape Character Area (Countryside Character Volume 5: West Midlands – The Countryside Agency). More detailed Landscape Character Areas have also been identified in the Cannock Chase AONB Management Plan, which is currently being reviewed.
Cannock Chase Council wish to develop the County Level Assessment by: i. Updating information on the landscape character types within Cannock Chase District. ii. Obtaining a more detailed breakdown of the Landscape Character types at a District Level. iii. Integrating with the District Level Historic Landscape Characterisation as part of the Assessment. iv. Identifying landscape sensitivities to development in terms of conservation, enhancement and regeneration.
Approach and methodology
The process of landscape characterisation involves a combination of desk study and field survey to systematically divide the countryside into discrete and relatively homogenous units of land, within which the constituent physical, biological and historical elements occur in repeating patterns and share certain aesthetic characteristics. These units of land, termed Land description units (LDUs), are the building blocks of the landscape and they form the framework on which all subsequent evaluation and decision making is based. This study started with the existing county (1:50,000) LDU dataset and refined this to a greater level of detail. LDU boundaries were adjusted to follow map based features, such as roads and field boundaries. The codes defining each LDU were also checked and where necessary, amended. This resulted in the definition of a new landscape type in the coalfield area.
4 LCP Mapping
Land description units can be sub-divided into smaller Land Cover Parcels (LCPs), based on differences in land cover and historic pattern. The land cover analysis identified features within each LDU, such as areas of parkland, larger woodlands, patches of disturbed land, smaller urban areas and other non-agricultural land. The county based historic (HLC) analysis was used to help identify parish boundaries and areas of farmland with different sizes/patterns of fields.
A Level 2 LDU map had already been produced for Staffordshire and the study refined the Level 2 LDUs and subdivided them into smaller Level 3 (1:25,000) Land Cover Parcels (LCPs). Land Cover Parcels are sub-units of LDUs, and are derived with reference to HLC, farm census information, 1:25,000 OS base maps and parish boundaries, to ensure that broad patterns of ownership, field pattern and landscape development are defined. These units provide a better scale of unit at which to most appropriately assess capacity and condition. The LCP’s covered the District, excluding the AONB and the built up areas, and extended into adjacent authority areas where an overlap occurred.
Field Survey
Field assessment followed the mapping to gather additional information on each of the LCPs. Field survey built on the map analysis by providing essential information about the visual dimension of the landscape that could not be gained from the desk study. The primary function of the field survey was to identify the key characteristics that contribute to local distinctiveness; and to gather information about the condition of the landscape, in particular the impact of recent change.
The condition, of a landscape, which should be clearly distinguished from its character, is a measure of how far removed that landscape is from an ‘optimal’ state, where all the key characteristics are present and functioning. Condition, therefore, has a functional as well as a visual dimension. The latter reflects the degree to which the existing landscape pattern appears visually fragmented, due to the loss of existing features, or the imposition of new features which appear ‘out of place’. The functional dimension embraces a range of issues related to the ecological health of the countryside and the extent to which present day land use respects the inherent ecological/cultural character of the land.
A key task of the field survey was to produce an informed assessment of the forces for change within each of the LCPs defined by the desk study. A standard field sheet was used to identify: key landscape characteristics (natural and cultural); condition and evidence for change. At a detailed level there are numerous other factors that come into play including visual and perceptual matters and the relationship of the landscape to settlement. A key task of the field survey was to produce an informed assessment of the forces for change within each of the LCPs defined by the desk study. These were all considered as criteria on a standard proforma. The LCP’s will help define the basis for site assessment in the future, so that if a site is split by more than one LCP, a proforma would be filled out for each sub- division. If a site lies fully within an LCP, one proforma would be completed for that site.
The field survey was undertaken in February 2009, using the LDU and LCP desk study map, with each area referenced and numbered. The field survey was carried out by driving and walking along public roads, bridleways and footpaths. The field sheets were filled in at the time and photographs taken to record ‘typical’ conditions. Categories of condition were derived from the field notes descriptions of each LDU, and a qualitative value was assigned as Good, Medium or Poor. Issues were assessed under the headings of field boundaries and trees; land use or land cover, ecological integrity and the impact of built development. Data was recorded in a table form from the field note sheets.
5 Sensitivity analysis
Sensitivity mapping was also undertaken as part of the desk study, using the cultural and physical attributes within the GIS database to map differences in the inherent cultural, ecological and visual sensitivity of the landscape. The evaluation of sensitivity was at LDU, not LCP level and therefore the grain of mapping reflected this. Our analysis of sensitivity is based upon the assumption that a landscape with a clearly defined and strongly unified character will be more sensitive to change by virtue of the fact that such landscapes are less able to accommodate ‘alien’ features that do not conform to the existing pattern. Thus, any analysis of sensitivity needs to look separately at the inherent character of the landscape, both ecological and cultural, and the visual experiential aspect.
Ecological Sensitivity - most landscapes in the lowlands have been settled and improved for agricultural production and, as a result, any surviving semi-natural habitat is almost invariably associated with the cultural pattern (woodlands, field boundaries and other manmade features). The oldest - and by implication most sensitive - landscapes are those that still survive in a semi-natural state (i.e. heathland, moorland, etc.). Where such patches still survive they will increase overall sensitivity. The analysis is based on a set of critical assumptions: • agriculturally marginal land (poor soil and steep slopes) is more likely to be of ecological interest than fertile agricultural land • pastoral land is more likely to support ecological interest as a result of less intensive use than arable • ancient wooded landscapes are more ecologically sensitive than those with more recent plantation woodlands
Cultural sensitivity - the inherent cultural sensitivity of a landscape is closely related to the nature and pattern of key elements that define the character of a particular landscape. Landscapes with ‘time depth’ (i.e. those that display a long and continuous history of evolution), together with those that are characterised by a clear and consistent pattern of key elements, tend to be more sensitive to change than landscapes of more recent origin, or those that have fewer distinguishing features. The measure of landscape continuity is derived by examining the scale and age of the landscape, the assumption being that small scale agricultural landscapes tend to be more sensitive to change than their larger scale counterparts.
Visual sensitivity - at a broad scale, visual landscape sensitivity relates to the openness of a landscape –a sloping, treeless landscape may be more sensitive to the visual impact of new development compared to a flat, more wooded landscape. The extent and pattern of woodland cover and characteristic landform (valley, rolling, steeply sloping, upstanding etc) are both attributes contained with the LDU database and these have been used to map visual sensitivity as part of the desk-study context.
Reporting
Written descriptions of each LDU, including a summary of key characteristics, intrinsic LDU sensitivities and an assessment of condition, illustrated with colour photographs as appropriate, are contained in the final report. A key element of this component of the project is to compare the contemporary landscape with the original Staffordshire Landscape Assessment.
6 Six landscape character types were defined following an analysis of Landscape Description Units. These types were refined from the County Council’s Planning for Landscape change document and are described as follows: Sandstone Hills and Heaths Wooded Estatelands Settled farmlands Coalfield Farmlands Planned Coalfield Farmlands River Meadowlands The report is organised by landscape character type, so that the District can relate the work to existing documentation such as the Supplementary Planning Guidance (Planning for Landscape Change) and the AONB Management Plan.
Each landscape type is briefly described, followed by an analysis of Strength of Character, Summary of Condition and Sensitivity for each landscape description unit. A Vision is set out for each LDU to Conserve, Restore or Enhance the landscape. The detailed descriptions of the Land Cover Parcels are presented in table form as a reference at the end of each Landscape Character Type.
The Study Area (Figure 1)
The following description of the Study Area is abridged from the Core Strategy Development Plan Document Issues and Options report. The continuous urban area of Cannock, Hednesford and Heath Hayes has a total population of 63,000 and the area contains, or is adjoined by, large areas of open space including Hednesford Hills, Mill Green, Hazelslade and Fair Lady Coppice. Rugeley and Brereton have a population of over 23,000 and they contain most of the historic built heritage in the District, having six conservation areas including the Trent and Mersey Canal. Norton Canes has a population of over 6,000 and there is good pedestrian and cycle access to Chasewater Country Park to the east.
The rural areas include Cannock Chase AONB which separates the urban area of Cannock, Hednesford and Heath Hayes from Rugeley and Brereton. The fringes of the AONB have a number of influences on the landscape relating to the area’s mining history, agriculture and horse grazing. The AONB is also within the green belt, with the exception of the two villages of Slitting Mill and Cannock Wood and the suburb of Etching Hill.
The Green Belt also extends east of Heath Hayes and north of Norton Canes, excluding Prospect Village. This area has been largely restored from former opencast mines, and it contains heathland, grassland and a designated SSSI.
The area east of Cannock, south of Heath Hayes and west of Norton Canes has been largely restored from opencast mining in the 1970’s and 1980’s and is all in the green belt. It contains several Sites of Biological Interest including Fair Lady Coppice Country Park. The Green Belt separates Cannock, Heath Hayes and Norton Canes.
The countryside south of the M6 Toll contains the hamlet of Little Wyrley and a few isolated dwellings and farms. All the land is in the Green Belt and is part of a larger area of green belt extending into South Staffordshire District to the west and Walsall MBC to the south and east. It contains the Cannock extension canal SAC.
7 Figure 1 Study Area
8 2. Landscape Character Assessment
Introduction to the assessment
Each Landscape Character Type (Figure 2) is described in turn with key characteristics written as bullet points below the description. Typical photographs are included to support the descriptions and a map showing the distribution of the component Land Description Units in the study area is included for reference below the photographs.
Strength of Character is described for the landscape type followed by a summary of the Condition of each Land Description Unit. This summary is based upon an analysis of the data for each Land Cover Parcel (Figure 3) surveyed within the LDU, which is set out in table form to show the assessment for Condition of each parcel.
A vision statement for each LDU, based on an evaluation of Condition against Strength of Character, is then set out and a narrative included to offer guidelines for future management of the characteristic landscapes within Cannock Chase District.
An analysis of Sensitivity is provided, from the desk study data, for each Land Description Unit.
Finally, a summary of each Land Cover Parcel is provided in table form, with headings to describe the ecological integrity, cultural integrity, impact of built development, condition, and key issues notes from site observations.
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Figure 2 Landscape Types Key Plan
10 Figure 3 Land Cover Parcels
11 SANDSTONE HILLS AND HEATHS
Overall character The underlying geology of the area is Triassic sandstones, weathered to form typically convex slopes and small incised valleys running off the domed summit of the Chase. The areas that have been surveyed, which occur around the periphery of the AONB, have historically been derived from the heathland and still retain a strong heathy character. The farmed areas vary from regular, small to medium sized hedged enclosures at Coppice Lane Rugeley, to larger, more open arable fields defined by straight hawthorn hedges at Huntington.
Views towards extensive mature coniferous forestry plantations and belts of secondary birch and oak woodlands characterise the area. A diverse, often unexpectedly rich mix of heathy vegetation also survives in a number of places, for example at Shoal Hill, Chetwynd Coppice and Hednesford Hills. These areas are well used and locally valued by the urban population of the District.
Evidence of historic coal mining activity is abundant with rows of terraced housing backing onto remnant heathland in a number of areas. There are many informal and designated accessible footpaths, bridleways and former mineral line routes leading from housing areas towards the open hills and heaths. This network of green spaces and informal routes is typical of the locally distinctive landscape.
Key Characteristics
• Convex slopes with small incised valleys • Commons and unenclosed land with patches of heathy vegetation • Oak and secondary birch woodland and scrub over heathland • Conifer plantations and shelter belts • Straight roads and a regular pattern of medium to large sized fields • Horse pastures with wire fences and associated timber stables • Former coal mining tips • Urban development with abrupt edges facing countryside • Sand and gravel mineral workings
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13 Strength of Character
Natural: strong Cultural: moderate Overall: strong The undulating topography and remnant heathy character both contribute to a strong natural dimension in the Sandstone hills & heaths landscape. The cultural pattern is more variable and includes remnants of an ancient, unsettled wildland within a more recent heavily forested landscape.
Summary of Condition Overall: good
The landscape comprises a collection of fragments, with little overall unity. Evidence of historic coal mining activity is abundant and this has modified the shape of the land at Huntington and adjacent to Cannock Chase Enterprise Centre. Diverse, heathy vegetation occurs in a number of places, for example at Shoal Hill, Chetwynd Coppice and Hednesford Hills. These areas are locally valued and well used by the urban population of the District.
SH01: A diverse mix of former heathland areas used for arable cultivation and horse grazing, unenclosed commons, recreation land, forestry plantations and former mineral extraction sites on the periphery of Cannock Chase AONB. Overall this is a landscape in good condition, where recent development of horse grazing has had a mainly insignificant localised visual impact. Areas affected by mineral workings have experienced the most significant change in condition. A mainly moderate to strong functional integrity despite a decline in the habitat network due to a lack of traditional boundary maintenance and the impact of built development adjacent to many parcels.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION SH01a Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good SH01b Widespread High High Strong Declining Moderate Poor SH01c Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SH01d Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH01e Insignificant Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate SH01f Localised Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH01g Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH01h Widespread High High Declining Declining Moderate Good SH01i Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good SH01j Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Moderate Good SH01k Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH01l Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SH01m Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH05a Insignificant Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SH05b Widespread High High Declining Intact Moderate Poor SH18a Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good
SH05: A former deer park associated with Beaudesert Old Park. The two parcels include a former colliery spoil tip and an area of horse grazing land. At Hazelslade there is a localised moderate visual impact of horse grazing. Field boundaries are in decline and dense secondary woodland is developing in the valley. At Brereton, the colliery spoil tip has
14 had a widespread high visual impact but it is now enclosed by woodland and therefore not readily viewed outside the area. The condition of Hazelslade is good, whilst Brereton Tip is poor. The LDU boundary is along the edge of the historic deer park of Beaudesert.
SH18: Gentleshaw Common is an area of managed heathland in Lichfield District, immediately east of Cannock Wood. It is a landscape in good condition with a strong habitat network and surviving cultural pattern.
Vision Statement Overall strategy: conserve
SH01: Conserve the former heathland character of the landscape, and in particular monitor the impact of horse grazing on the pastoral land. Encourage positive management of remaining field boundaries, trees and woodlands, and promote regeneration of birch and oak woodland on land affected by mineral workings. Take opportunities for improving linkages and access to the AONB from urban areas without creating undue pressures on the protected landscape.
Future vulnerabilities include pressures to develop fringe agricultural land for housing as at Huntington. In these sites, the visual impact of developing on open convex slopes should be fully assessed and any development should be closely integrated with the topography in order to keep housing to the lower, less prominent slopes. Opportunities should also be sought to create new areas of heathland on open spaces adjacent to housing to strengthen the heathland character, rather than create a close mown urban park.
SH05: Conserve the historic Beaudesert Old Park character where possible, by encouraging a diverse heathy vegetation with links to more intact areas of the park. Resist inappropriate development within this area. Encourage good management of horse pastures, in particular field boundary treatments. At Brereton tip, restore the former industrial landscape feature by encouraging secondary woodland regeneration. Monitor change and avoid inappropriate development.
SH18: Conserve this locally valued heathland feature in consultation with the public and volunteer bodies. Carry out management plan actions.
Sensitivity
The Sandstone Hills & Heaths has a high inherent sensitivity relating to the strong heathland character that defines the natural dimension of the landscape. The cultural dimension is low due to the variability and short time depth of the forest landscape. Despite the undulating landform, visual sensitivity is also low due to the prominence and containment of the woodlands.
15 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SH01A Vegetated heathy Common No field pattern. Localised impact of Good Locally valued wooded Shoal Hill common Mixed age dense housing and common with public tree cover adjacent roads access. Recreation pressures managed SH01B Developing Former quarry No field pattern. Industrial sites to Poor Restoration proposals Former woodland and Secondary NW boundary and future management Quarry heathy vegetation woodland patches unknown. Close to Huntington edges SH01C Linear field Golf course/ Remnant boundary Housing and School Good Informal recreation Oldfallow boundaries and amenity grassland hedge banks, with visible to pressures; locally valued hedgerow oaks hedgerow and boundaries open space intact groups trees SH01D Redundant field Arable (not Large, sub regular Prominent new Good Under pressure for Huntington boundaries valuable cultivated) with redundant housing on lower development but visually linear features. hedgerows and slopes; busy roads prominent. Upper slopes Mature shelterbelts scattered hedgerow define the edges. should remain open. trees. Plantation/ shelterbelt conifer woodland belts SH01E None evident Arable and Grazing No field pattern Established modern Moderate Common Farm is a Pye Green except around housing to south feature. Shelterbelt and Common Farm and east. ridge separates the land small regular from Huntington. Visually paddocks enclosed by development SH01F Heathy verges and Horse grazing and Small regular wire Visual impact of Good Mixed management Broadhurst margins survive woodland fenced paddocks Telecom Tower practices on horse Green and plantations paddocks SH01G Heathy margins and Horse grazing and Enlarged, regular, Brindley valley/ Pye Good Visually enclosed but West wet margins. gallops wire fenced Green housing valued and with potential Cannock enclosures. Some adjacent to sw and for heathland Farm stream side trees eastern edges enhancement
16 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SH01H Developing Amenity grassland No field pattern. Former colliery Good Potential for further Cannock woodland and and woodland belts Secondary buildings and heathland development Enterprise grassland habitats woodland and modern industrial and important recreation Park planted trees units are prominent corridor for Chase SH01I Vegetated heathy Common; heathland Mainly wire field Modern housing Good Locally valued heathland Hednesford common with secondary boundaries in small encroaching around with extensive public Hills woodland paddocks around edges adjacent access managed as developing in parts part of perimeter former mineral line countryside. High impact and paddocks of new housing in adjacent horse paddocks SH01J Birch and oak and Woodland No field pattern. Industrial estate is Good Edges of the woodland Chetwynd former heathland Plantation woodland close to boundary. are vulnerable to Coppice development pressure SH01K Lines of hedgerow Grazing Regular medium Edges of Rugeley Good Locally valued and visible Coppice trees, heathy sized hedged fields visible on skyline. countryside with well Lane verges and margins with thorn hedges School and used footpath network; and wire fences Cemetery are important buffer to features Rugeley. SH01L Patches of heathy Grazing/ gallops No field pattern. Views to edges of Good Visually prominent and Stilecop vegetation Rugeley from high open heathy grassland Field ground. with wooded margins. SH01M Wet grassland, Grazing Wire fencing small Modern and Good A valued green corridor Rawnsley secondary scrub on enclosures sub traditional terraced providing a buffer to new Road steep banks and dividing open land housing visible development. Potential streamside trees for recreational route along former mineral line SH05A Stream corridor Pasture and Wire fences. High localised Good Strong wooded context of Hazelslade woodland and wet wetland Streamside trees impact of housing horse grazed paddocks. pasture. Wetland around edges. Busy An important open area roads. adjacent to Beaudesert old park
17 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SH05B Secondary scrub Revegetated No field pattern No built Poor A hidden feature Brereton Tip developing in colliery tip development continuing to be used as places. Some evident a tip and for extracting planted trees materials. Monitor change. SH18A Vegetated heathy Heathland common No field pattern. Localised impact of Good Locally valued and Gentleshaw common Scrub patches housing on managed countryside Common southern tip with well used footpath network
18 WOODED ESTATELANDS
Overall character
The Wooded estatelands support mixed arable and pastoral farming, often contained in a heavily wooded landscape framework. This is a landscape of large estates including parts of Wolseley and Hagley Park. The farmland is enclosed by a regular pattern of medium to large sized fields defined by hedgerows.
Views towards woodland edges are typical of this landscape, and the undulating land falls away towards the Trent Valley in a series of valleys containing small streams and pools. The woodland framework creates a strong sense of enclosure and helps to screen the impact of encroaching urban development in many places. Hedgerow tree cover in the pastoral areas consists largely of mature oaks, and these combined with overgrown hedges and woodland belts further filter views of surrounding development.
Access through the wooded estatelands is typically limited to a few well used public footpaths. The recent development of the Chase Heritage Trail along the Rising Brook has enhanced the accessibility significantly.
Key characteristics
• Medium to large scale open arable cultivated landscapes • Strong wooded enclosure around edges • Long views following valley landforms • Trend towards arable intensification • Well defined urban edges adjacent to the countryside • Limited public access except where Chase Heritage Trail has been developed
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20 Strength of Character
Natural: moderate Cultural: moderate Overall: moderate In the wooded estatelands both the natural and cultural dimensions of the landscape contribute to an overall moderate strength of character. The former reflects a relatively prominent landform with patches of semi-natural vegetation, whilst the cultural dimension has a coherent historic character.
Summary of Condition Overall: moderate Arable intensification has been a recent trend, resulting in an enlargement of the medium scale field pattern. Where hedgerows remain they tend to be gappy, or redundant and in places they have been replaced by wire fences. There are increasing urban pressures from residential development and at Etchinghill, there is a hard edge to the urban development along Bower Lane, with little or no buffer between the housing and the countryside.
WE07; A connected series of mainly arable cultivated areas improved from the former heathland in the north east of the study area adjacent to Rugeley. Part of the land is in Green Belt, and part is outside of the District. Overall the condition is moderate with the exception of the parcel closest to the urban centre of Rugeley. The trend towards arable intensification has lead to a decline in field pattern and there is a localised moderate impact of the urban edge in places. The landscapes have a weak to moderate functional integrity with a weak or declining habitat network due to intensification. The landscapes are sensitive to change as any new development would be highly visible from adjacent land.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION WE07a Insignificant Low Low Weak Intact Weak Moderate WE07b Localised Moderate Moderate Weak Declining Weak Poor WE07c Localised Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good WE07d Localised Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate WE07e Localised Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good
Vision Statement Overall strategy: conserve and enhance
WE07: Conserve and enhance the wooded estateland character of the landscape. Encourage planting of woodland belts at the edges of the farmland in order to create a buffer to the harsh urban edges. Encourage the maintenance and conservation of field boundaries where they survive. Avoid inappropriate development of housing in highly visible arable landscapes. Conserve the open valley landscape character, with views towards the wooded edges of the AONB.
Future vulnerabilities include pressure to expand the urban area of Rugeley into the Green Belt. The Rising Brook Valley is an important green wedge connecting Rugeley to Cannock Chase via the Chase Heritage Trail.
Sensitivity
The Wooded Estatelands has a moderate to high inherent sensitivity relating to the unity and historic time depth of the cultural pattern. Despite the undulating landform, visual sensitivity is low due to the prominence and containment of the tree cover.
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use/ Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity landcover development Condition WE07A Heathy margins, Arable Enlarged regular New housing Moderate Long views to wooded railway pattern; few internal adjacent to Upper edges are a feature of Flaxley embankments and hedgerows. Thinly Birches farm and at this open, large scale Green/ verges. Rising scattered hedgerow Burnt Hill is visually estate landscape. The Rising Brook stream trees prominent from the presence of housing Brook course wet valley. Pumping visible from the valley is grassland and station and Fair Oak visually intrusive. Chase streamside trees school are visible Heritage Trail provides a linear recreational route through the valley from Rugeley. WE07B Heathy margins, Arable Enlarged regular Flat valley floor Poor Valuable green corridor streamside trees, pattern; few internal already has linkage to Cannock Hagley Park lines of trees hedgerows. Lines of significant urban Chase. Horne Pool is a hedgerow trees influences including feature. Chase Heritage around perimeter playing fields Trail linear recreational route. WE07C Heathy margins, Mixed arable and Regular medium Localised moderate Good A landscape in decline patches of rough pasture pattern of mixed visual impact of Fair with neglected features Hagley Farm grassland, species hedgerows Oak School and and urban influences. hedgerows and with hedgerow trees housing to Sports fields are a feature scattered parkland in decline perimeters. in the landscape. trees and hedgerow trees. WE07D Narrow heathy Arable Enlarged regular Localised high Moderate A locally valued, open verges. Woodland fields with impact of the urban arable landscape with Etching Hill clumps and coverts redundant edges of Etchinghill. well used footpath routes. hedgerows and wire Water Treatment Long views over the Trent fences. Thinly works is a feature Valley. Hard, well defined scattered isolated urban edge. Views to hedgerow trees woodland edges.
22 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use/ Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity landcover development Condition WE07E Wet pasture and Pasture Medium to large Localised moderate Good An important valley A51 Rugeley scrub regular fields with impact of Wolseley bottom farmed landscape gappy hedges and development and viewed from the A51 and wire fences in Rugeley by pass. Rugeley by pass. Urban places Brindley Pumping edge should be protected. station is a feature
23 SETTLED FARMLANDS
Overall character
This landscape lies around the edge of the Cannock plateau, where boulder clay overlies the Triassic mudstones. The soils support pastoral farming enclosed by a semi-regular pattern of hedged fields with scattered woods and remnant heathy vegetation on verges. The settlement pattern is typically dispersed, but with clusters of more modern development in places, for example at Cannock Wood.
The gently rolling landform has pronounced slopes and undulations in places, allowing medium and long distance views to the urban edges of Burntwood. The heavily wooded edge of the Chase forms a backdrop to the landscape and adds to its sense of enclosure.
The intimate settled landscape around Brereton, Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw has a strong rural character, despite its proximity to the adjacent urban areas. The pattern typically comprises clusters of farmsteads and roadside cottages, often with associated horse paddocks, adjacent to a network of narrow winding lanes. Where hedgerows remain intact, the landscape remains small scale and well treed giving a wooded feel. The scale of the farmed landscape has been ideal for conversion to horse pasture, and this has become the dominant land use close to the urban edge.
The proximity of the urban edge influences the general character of the landscape and whereas some areas retain a peaceful rural character of clustered farmsteads and roadside cottages, other parts are disturbed by busy roads and industrial influences which when associated with a decline in the maintenance of the landscape result in a disjointed neglected character. Hedgerows have generally deteriorated to become gappy or overgrown or have been replaced on internal boundaries with wire fencing.
Key characteristics
• Pastoral farmed landscape with a small to medium scale semi-regular pattern of hedged fields. • Heathy vegetation along roadside verges • Gently rolling and folded landform giving an enclosed character in places • A well treed landscape • Clusters of farmsteads and roadside cottages, narrow winding lanes, and modern suburban development. • Horse pastures close to the urban edges
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25 Strength of Character
Natural: weak Cultural: moderate Overall: moderate Although the landform is relatively prominent, the natural dimension of the Settled farmlands is rather weak as there is only relic habitat survival. The historic character is coherent, however and contributes strongly to an overall moderate strength of character for this landscape.
Summary of Condition Overall: good
The proximity of the urban edge influences the general character of this landscape and although some areas retain a peaceful rural character of clustered farmsteads and roadside cottages, other parts are disturbed by busy roads and industrial influences. Where this is associated with a decline in the maintenance of the landscape, in particular where hedgerows have deteriorated to become gappy or overgrown, or have been replaced by wire fencing, this often results in a disjointed neglected character.
SF15: A mainly pastoral landscape on the edge of Brereton and extending into Lichfield District at Hawkesyard Priory. Overall this landscape is in good condition with a very low visual impact of change, except at Batesway where new and enlarged dwellings have had a high visual impact in the landscape. Although the habitat network is in decline due to lack of hedgerow maintenance, the cultural pattern is largely intact, giving a moderate functional integrity in the landscape.
SF16: Upper Longdon village and Dumps Covert in Lichfield District. A landscape in good condition despite a decline in hedgerows and some intensification of pastures for pigs and horse grazing. The cultural pattern survives intact and the functional integrity is strong overall.
SF17: A pastoral landscape adjacent to the settlement of Cannock Wood. Overall this is a landscape in good condition, although the habitat network and cultural pattern is in decline due to localised urban development and horsiculture. This area is sensitive to change.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION SF15a Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SF15b Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SF15c Widespread High High Declining Declining Moderate Poor SF15d Widespread Low Low Weak Intact Weak Moderate SF16a Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SF16b Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good SF17a Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SF17b Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SF28a Localised Moderate Low Weak Declining Moderate Good SF28b Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SF29a Localised Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good SF29b Localised Moderate Low Declining Intact Moderate Good SF29c Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good
SF28: A mixed arable and pastoral farmed landscape immediately west of the District boundary at Hatherton and Four Crosses. A landscape in good condition despite declining
26 habitat networks and cultural patterns. The visual impact of change is generally low and the functional integrity is moderate.
SF29: A mainly pastoral valley bottom landscape west of the District boundary in South Staffordshire, close to the A5 corridor. A landscape in good overall condition and with low localised visual impact of horse grazing and arable intensification.
Vision Statement Overall strategy: conserve and strengthen
SF15: Conserve and strengthen the existing landscape character and monitor carefully the impact of new and extended dwellings in the rural setting. Pressures for change include further intensification of grazing for horses, and this has a suburbanising impact on the countryside. The former tramway is a valued recreational asset and should be protected for the urban population of Brereton. The landscape is sensitive to development pressures and the Green Belt should be conserved intact.
SF16: Conserve and strengthen the existing landscape and monitor the impact of new and extended dwellings on the rural setting in Upper Longdon.
SF17: Conserve and strengthen the existing landscape character and monitor carefully the impact of new and extended dwellings in the rural setting. Forces for change include further housing development in and adjacent to Cannock Wood and over development of rural dwellings and former farm buildings in the countryside. The suburbanising pressures for sub-divided horse pastures, stabling and ménages should be closely monitored. This landscape has limited capacity for all but small scale changes and development.
SF28: Conserve and strengthen the existing landscape and monitor closely the visual impact of future landscape change on the eastern slopes facing the District.
SF29: Conserve and strengthen the existing landscape and monitor the impact of horse grazing in the pastoral land adjacent to the A5 corridor.
Sensitivity
The Settled farmlands is a pastoral landscape with an historic time depth giving it a moderate inherent sensitivity relating to both the natural and cultural character of the landscape. Visual sensitivity is relatively high due to the more undulating nature of the landform and general lack of woodlands.
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SF15A Patches of Pasture Medium sized Localised low Good Strong rural character Springs permanent pasture irregular field impact of the edge with a well defined edge Farm on steep slopes. pattern with mixed of Brereton. to Brereton. Former Brereton Railway corridor species hedgerows. mineral line is used as a trees and hedgerow Scattered trees linear recreation route. trees following line of former mineral line. SF15B Bracken in Pasture Medium sized Minimal visual Good Strong rural character Breretonhill pastures, clumps of irregular field impact of and away from urban secondary pattern of mixed development influences. woodland , species hedgerows hedgerow trees with hedgerow trees SF15C Secondary Pasture No field pattern Recent Poor Enlargement and Batesway woodland on steep evident development of gentrification of cottages slopes. Bracken wayside rural has modified this present. dwellings, enlarged landscape. from cottages SF15D Hedgerows and Pasture and Golf Medium sized Localised low Moderate A well managed former Hawkesyard hedgerow trees course irregular field impact of golf historic parkland Priory pattern of mixed clubhouse landscape overlooking species hedgerows the Trent valley
SF16A Green lane Pasture Enlarged modified No development Good Strong rural character. Upper hedgerows and field pattern with evident Pig pastures and arks are Longdon verges; steep few internal hedges. visually prominent patches of Mixed species permanent pasture hedgerows in places and scattered hedgerow trees
28 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SF16B Bracken on verges Woodland No field pattern. None evident Good A mature conifer Dumps Plantation plantation Covert SF17A Roadside hedges Pasture; horse Small to medium Localised moderate Good Horse paddocks Hayfield Hill and scattered trees. grazing regular fields with impact of modern increasingly enclosed by Bracken on verges mixed species suburban wire fences. Timber hedgerows and wire development along shelters and feed stores fences Hayfield Hill visible from adjacent Gentleshaw Common. SF17B Roadside hedges Pasture; horse Small to medium Localised moderate Good New development is Cannock and scattered trees. grazing sized irregular fields impact of suburban visually intrusive in this Wood Bracken on verges with mixed species development. settled landscape. Little hedgerows and wire Modern barn capacity for new fences conversions at development Cannock Wood SF28A Green lanes and Arable and pasture Enlarged irregular Travellers sites and Good Locally distinctive domed Hatherton/ hedgerows, good medium scale field horse riding schools landform gives this area Four corridors pattern with mixed has localised a strong rural character Crosses species hedges moderate impact with views out to the west. Green lanes are a feature. Surprisingly low impact of the urban and District boundary edge to the east. SF28B Heathy vegetation Horse grazing Small, regular field Localised moderate Good Increasing subdivision of Hatherton/ on verges pattern with mixed impact of housing pastures using wire Shoal Hill species hedges. edges. Road verges fencing for horses. A Wooded edge of damaged by local scruffy appearance with adjacent common. traffic using narrow poor quality shelters and Wire fences in lanes feed stores. Urban edge horse paddocks is in sharp contrast to surrounding land
29 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition SF29A Wet ditches Mixed pastoral Medium sized Localised moderate Good Valley bottom pasture Wood Lane/ irregular field ribbon urban land intensified for arable Wedges pattern with thorn development along in places. Former canal is Mills hedges. Wood Lane a feature of the adjacent landscape SF29B Wet woodland and Derelict canal No field pattern. No impact of Good A neglected former canal Wood lane grassland along Dense mixed age development. corridor former canal corridor willow scrub Evidence of tipped land SF29C Intact hedgerows Pasture Small regular field A5 corridor mixed Good A well managed Catsbridge and some pattern with mixed development landscape of hedged Lane hedgerow trees species hedges localised moderate fields in the valley bottom. impact The A5 is a significant influence
30 COALFIELD FARMLANDS
Overall character
The shales, sandstones and clays of the coal measures give rise to base poor stagnogley soils which would have originally supported acid grassland and wet heath. Many areas have been subject to opencast coal mining, deep mining and clay winning. Where the agricultural landscape remains, it includes old estates and farm buildings from the pre-industrial era.
The main area in the District which falls into the Coalfield Farmlands type is bounded by the A5 to the north, Great Wyrley to the west, the Cannock Extension Canal to the east and Bloxwich to the south. This is a landscape of mixed arable and pasture farming, made up of an irregular pattern of medium sized hedged fields with hedgerow oaks. The area contains the historic and well wooded Little Wyrley Estate and a number of brick built 19th century estate cottages. A network of narrow winding lanes serves the farms and add to the surprisingly remote rural character so close to the urban edges. The Wash Brook valley runs south to north through the landscape and areas to the west of the brook generally appear as rather featureless larger scale urban fringe landscapes.
The flat topography is a feature of the area, and it emphasises the wooded enclosure of the estate woodlands and more recent secondary birch and willow scrub woodland that has developed on disturbed ground.
The heathy character of the underlying vegetation often appears in road verges and in neglected pastures, and on the adjacent Pelsall Common to the south. The only variations in topography are spoil tips and more recent landfill sites on former historic mine workings for example at Grove Colliery and Little Wyrley No 3 tip. The spoil heaps have typically revegetated with secondary woodland, disguising their landforms and adding to the well treed character of the landscape. Areas of open water, subsidence flashes, and wet grassland are typical of the area, and the flat lanes are often flooded at times of high rainfall.
Arable intensification has been a recent trend, and where this has occurred, the scale of the landscape has enlarged, creating a more open, less enclosed landscape with views to the urban edges. Other pressures to change include the development of the M6 toll which has severed the network of narrow lanes to the north of the A5. The lanes are often used as commuter rat runs and some routes, for example Lime Lane, are busy roads throughout the day.
Key characteristics • Wet heathy vegetation • Gently rolling with little obvious topography • Network of woodlands and secondary woodlands • Evidence of historic mines and mineral workings • Network of narrow winding lanes • Historic farmsteads and brick built estate cottages • Strong rural character
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32 Strength of Character Natural: weak Cultural: moderate Overall: moderate The landform in the Coalfield Farmlands is gently rolling and not particularly prominent. There are, however, patches of semi natural vegetation associated with the tip sites and the areas of subsidence which contribute to a weak strength of character for the natural dimension of the landscape. The cultural dimension has an historic time depth which is coherent throughout the landscape type. Overall therefore, this landscape has a moderate strength of character related to the cultural dimension of the landscape.
Summary of Condition Overall: good Overall, the landscape is in decline, but it still contains a wealth of diverse habitats, a long industrial and farming history and a strong rural character, worthy of conserving and restoring.
CF19 - a relatively small fragment of coalfield farmlands at Cannock Wood, modified by the presence of an Industrial Estate and former colliery tip. This is a landscape in moderate to good condition, but with widespread visual impact resulting from the Industrial Estate and re- vegetating tip. The habitat network and cultural pattern are in decline, leading to a moderate functional integrity. Cannock wood Farm, however, is a surprisingly intact fragment of the inherent landscape character.
CF24 - a degraded historic Coalfield Farmlands landscape in the Green Belt and centred on the Little Wyrley Estate south of the A5. This is a variable landscape in moderate overall condition, typically with a declining habitat network and cultural pattern due to neglect and lack of positive management. The functional integrity is therefore weak to moderate due to the impact of arable intensification, which has changed the traditional pastoral character of the landscape.
CF26 - a modified fragment of Coalfield Farmlands with overwhelming urban influences. Although modified, with a widespread low visual impact of the urban edge that occurs all around this unit, the landscape is in a relatively good overall condition with a strong developing habitat network.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION CF19a Localised Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF19b Widespread Moderate Moderate Declining Declining Moderate Moderate CF24a Widespread Moderate Moderate Declining Intact Moderate Moderate CF24b Widespread High High Declining Declining Weak Poor CF24c Localised High Moderate Weak Declining Moderate Moderate CF24d Widespread Moderate Moderate Declining Declining Moderate Moderate CF24e Localised Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good CF24f Localised Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good CF24g Localised Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good CF24h Widespread Moderate Moderate Weak Declining Weak Poor CF24i Localised Moderate Low Strong Declining Moderate Good CF26a Widespread Low Low Strong Declining Moderate Good
33 Vision Statement Overall: conserve and strengthen
CF19 - Conserve and strengthen the character of the landscape and encourage positive management of remaining field boundaries, trees and woodlands. Seek opportunities for landscape enhancement by encouraging the development of secondary woodland on land disturbed by mineral workings. This will help to screen the visual impact of modern industrial development and should provide a strong buffer to surrounding urban development.
CF24 - Conserve and enhance the character and overall structure of the landscape by encouraging more positive management of characteristic features. This should include maintenance of roadside hedgerows and the heathy vegetation that occurs along roadside verges. Where arable intensification has enlarged fields and created more open views, promote tree and woodland planting to enhance the structure of the landscape. Reverse the cycle of neglect by clearing rubbish and debris and discourage commuter rat runs to create quiet lanes with a priority for cyclists and local access.
CF26 - Conserve and enhance the character of the modified landscape at Walkmill Lane and continue to manage the land for informal recreation, access and biodiversity.
Sensitivity This area has a moderate inherent sensitivity relating to the historic time depth of the cultural pattern. Visual sensitivity is low due to the prominence of the tree cover and gently rolling nature of the topography.
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development condition CF19A Hedges, stream Pasture Varied field pattern; Localised high Good A locally distinctive Nuns Well corridors, Nuns small and medium impact of skyline landscape including Well, Court Hayes size irregular fields. development. public access. Sensitive Wood woodland Gappy mixed Visual impact of to change species hedgerows. horse grazing along Prominent mixed road corridors age hedgerow trees and around stream corridors CF19B Secondary Pasture , Partial survival of Localised low Moderate A disturbed landscape woodland on recolonised colliery small to medium impact of industrial showing evidence of a colliery tip, patches spoil tip, industrial size regular pattern estate, hidden from much older coalfield of permanent estate of mixed species view. farmlands character pasture. hedges around Cannockwood Farm CF24A Wet grassland, Mixed pastoral Medium to large Insignificant impact Moderate A degraded, pastoral Gains Brook marsh, hedgerows, scale irregular field of urban landscape with traditional stream lines and pattern. Mixed development. A5 red brick farms. And a ditches species hedgerows corridor is evident. strong rural character and hedgerow Mine workings, despite extensive historic trees. Secondary spoil heaps and industrial scars. Very woodland patches canal wharf. sensitive to development. CF24B Fragments of lanes, Mixed arable and Pattern of enlarged Widespread Poor A landscape where the Norton verges and pasture fields bounded by moderate impact of pattern has degraded due Canes hedgerows. mixed species urban edge of to intensification of arable South redundant Norton Canes. M6 production and removal hedgerows and toll road on of hedges. Could absorb scattered hedgerow southern edge development if relic trees features are retained and new landscape framework of woodland
35 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development condition belts is implemented. CF24C Hedged trackway. Arable and small Varied pattern of Localised low Moderate A landscape in decline on Great Recent planting pastures small regular fields impact of urban the edge of Great Wyrley. Wyrley and enlarged fields. edge. M6 toll close Opportunity to enhance Thinly scattered to northern edge the landscape via Forest trees. of Mercia
CF24D Recent planting Pasture on former Regular planned Localised moderate Moderate A recently restored Gorsey opencast land field pattern defined impact of urban landscape with attempts Lane west by wire fences and edge to west at creating a landscape new hedgerows framework.
CF24E Hedgerows and Mixed arable and Irregular medium Insignificant impact Good An old landscape with Jacobs Hall hedgerow trees pasture sized field pattern of recent traditional red brick bounded by mixed development. farmhouses and a settled species hedges and Pylons visible character hedgerow trees
CF24F Hedgerows, Mixed arable and Varied pattern of Insignificant impact Good Estate character with red Little Wyrley hedgerow trees, pasture irregular fields and of recent brick cottages, a network coverts, ditches and some enlargement development. of winding lanes. Gradual verges for cultivation. Small Pylons visible shift from pasture to tree coverts. arable is having an impact on this rural landscape
36 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development condition CF24G Hedgerows, Mixed arable and Varied pattern of Pylons visible. Tall Good Urban influences have a Fishley hedgerow trees, pasture medium to large flats at Bloxwich moderate influence on Lane coverts, ditches and irregular fields visible with this degraded landscape. verges bounded by mixed moderate impact. Pockets of restored land species hedgerows Golf driving range. are visible. An important and hedgerow trees buffer to the urban area of Bloxwich
CF24H Isolated hedgerow Arable A fragmented Tower blocks at Poor A degraded landscape Wyrley trees, secondary pattern of enlarged Bloxwich visible in recently intensified for Grove birch. Road verges. fields bounded by distance with arable production. thorn hedges in localised moderate poor condition. impact Scattered hedgerow oak trees and immature birch CF24I Heathy vegetation Common and open No field pattern. Localised moderate Good A common managed as a Pelsall and scrub. Wetland space amenity Patches of impact of tower nature reserve but in a Wood vegetation adjacent grassland secondary blocks to south. declining condition. Common to canal and open woodland and Amenity grassland could water gorse scrub be converted to heathland CF26A Wet woodland, Open space, No field pattern. Localised moderate Good A managed area of semi Walkmill open water, rough wetland, open Secondary impact of the urban natural habitat recovering Lane grassland water, woodland woodland edge of Cannock. from mining disturbance. M6 toll The area is wedged between the M6 toll and the urban area of Cheslyn Hay
37 PLANNED COALFIELD FARMLANDS
Overall character
This landscape, although related to the Coalfield Farmlands type, is one in which recent extensive landscape changes have resulted in the creation of a new locally distinctive character. The area north of the A5 and M6 Toll Road, as far as Prospect village and Wimblebury, has undergone a complete transformation due to recent opencast coal mining activities. The original landscape has been largely destroyed and a new planned landscape superimposed. There are however important areas of heathland habitat remaining and in some places these have been re-created as a reminder of the original ecological character of the area prior to mineral working.
Where older mining activity has taken place and has had time to re-vegetate, secondary birch and willow woodland and scrub are the typical land cover. In other places, the land has been restored to intensive agriculture with a planned field pattern defined by hawthorn hedges or wire fences.
In the areas where more recent large scale opencast extraction has taken place, such as Kingswood, the landform has been smoothed off and occasional original features, such as hedgerows, lines of trees, or the wooded spoil tips at Cuckoo Bank, have been retained. The lack of dwellings and settlement creates a rather vacant landscape with few people evident. In many cases the road network has been re-aligned to create more direct, wider roads, which contrast with the narrow winding lanes of the original Coalfield Farmlands.
The presence of pylons, large distribution warehouses, landfill sites and the open exposed landform emphasises the large scale industrial character of the landscape, in contrast to the area to the south of the A5.
The land around Chasewater is more typically characterised by the presence of deep mine workings with re-shaped colliery spoil tips. The underlying landscape has a planned character defined by the regular pattern of hedged fields, which reflect the fact that these were enclosed from heathland at a later date than the Coalfield Farmlands. The presence of commons at Brownhills and the highly disturbed Wyrley Common further reinforces this heathy character. There are small fragments, or remnants of the traditional farming pattern in this area at Common Side, where a brick built cottages and smallholdings survive close to the encroaching urban edges.
Key Characteristics • Restored opencast landscapes with immature landscape features • Smooth topography and simple landforms • Patches of secondary woodland on older restored sites • A vacant landscape lacking in settlement • Wet heathland character in less disturbed areas • Well defined urban edges in sharp contrast to Green Belt land • Large scale urban elements including pylons major roads and distribution warehouses.
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39 Strength of Character
Natural: weak Cultural: weak Overall: weak The rolling plateau landform in the Planned Coalfield Farmlands is not particularly prominent and although there are occasional patches of relic heathland and other semi-natural vegetation, these only contribute to a weak strength of character for the natural dimension of the landscape. The cultural dimension of this recent landscape is also weak, giving an overall weak strength of character.
Summary of Condition Overall: moderate
CP21; A landscape in overall moderate to good condition with two parcels in poor condition and eight parcels in good condition. The visual impact of recent change following restoration is generally low, and the functional integrity of the landscape is typically weak as this is a planned immature landscape. The historic cultural pattern has largely been lost.
CP22: This landscape is in good condition, and the visual impact of change is low, or very low in the former heathland areas. The habitat network is either strong, where areas of heathland have survived, or declining due to arable intensification. Significant areas of land are managed for amenity purposes around Chasewater.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION CF21a Insignificant Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate CF21b Insignificant Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate CF21c Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good CF21d Widespread Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate CF21e Widespread Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good CF21f Widespread Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF21g Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF21h Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good CF21i Widespread Low Low Strong Declining Moderate Good CF21j Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF21k Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF21l Widespread Low Low Weak Declining Weak Moderate CF21m Widespread High High Weak Relic Weak Poor CF21n Widespread Moderate Moderate Weak Relic Weak Poor CF21o Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF22a Insignificant Low Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF22b Widespread Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good CF22c Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good CF22d Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good CF22e Insignificant Low Low Strong Declining Strong Good CF22f Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Strong Good CF22g Insignificant Low Low Strong Intact Moderate Good CF22h Insignificant Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF22i Localised Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF22j Localised Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good CF22k Localised Moderate Low Declining Declining Moderate Good
40 Vision Statement Overall strategy: strengthen and enhance
CP21: Strengthen and enhance the Planned Coalfields landscape and in particular seek opportunities for further heathland creation linked to the Biological Enhancement Area. A precedent has been set for heathland creation on land adjacent to Cuckoo Bank and where practical this could be extended northwards to link with Hednesford Hills and Cannock Chase, and southwards to link with Chasewater, Brownhills Common and beyond. Plantation style shelter belt woodlands are also a feature of this otherwise open landscape, and woodland planting could be used to provide a buffer to future housing development on the edges of Heath Hayes. In addition to woodland and heathland creation, opportunities for improved recreational access for example at Fair Lady Coppice and off Wimblebury Road would take the pressure off more protected landscapes on Cannock Chase.
Future applications for sustainable energy production from wind turbines could be the catalyst for some of the more ambitious landscape enhancement initiatives described above.
CP22: Conserve and strengthen the underlying heathy character of the landscape and seek opportunities for appropriate restoration of land required for mineral extraction adjacent to Wyrley Common. Conserve fragments of the former pastoral landscape at Common side. Any expansion of the industrial land south of the A5 should be accompanied by appropriate woodland planting to contain the development and to strengthen the heathy character of the area. A matrix of mixed woodlands, wet grassland, secondary woodland and heathland would unify this area and would contribute to the Biological Enhancement Area initiative. In addition to landscape enhancement, opportunities for improved short to medium distance recreational links should be explored to connect the urban communities of Norton Canes, Burntwood, Brownhills and Pelsall. Beacon Way could be a starting point for these linkages, as well as the established recreational hub at Chasewater South Shore. Local recreational opportunites would take the pressure off the more protected landscapes of Cannock Chase, and could also link to the Chase.
Sensitivity
The Planned Coalfield Farmlands is a recent landscape and thus has a low inherent sensitivity, although the remnant patches of heathland that still survive are more sensitive to change. Visual sensitivity is moderate due to the generally open nature of this rolling landscape.
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition CP21A Patches of heathy Grazing; intensive Planned pattern of Hard urban edge to Moderate An intensively farmed Ironstone vegetation on steep large fields bounded southern boundary planned landscape with Road slopes and verges by gappy thorn localised moderate evidence of restoration hedges. impact. Pylons from opencast operations. visible. Realigned Opportunity to soften the roads following urban edge with opencast operations appropriate tree planting . CP21B Patches of heathy Pasture Planned pattern of Insignificant impact Moderate An planned landscape Old Lodge vegetation on steep large fields bounded of urban with evidence of Hill slopes and verges by gappy thorn development restoration from opencast hedges. operations.
CP21C Secondary Pasture Fragmented pattern Low impact of the Good A modified coalfield Prospect woodland. Patches of fields following urban edge of landscape with the self village of gorse and scrub opencast Prospect Village contained settlement of regeneration. Older operations. Prospect Village at its permanent pasture Plantation woodland centre. The old mineral belts. line is a feature in the landscape
CP21D Recent planting Arable Planned pattern of Localised moderate Moderate A highly modified restored Opencast regular large fields, impact of opencast landscape with area narrow shelterbelts Wimblebury in long an open aspect and long and fences views views over Wimblebury. Any development would be highly visible, however the landscape is vacant due to lack of settlement. Heathland restoration would be appropriate in the medium term.
42 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition CP21E Secondary birch Birch woodland No field pattern. No impact of built Good Established vegetation on Cuckoo woodland over colliery tip Secondary development. the former tip is in Bank woodland Pylons visible contrast to the open recently restored adjacent landscape. Heathland regeneration would be appropriate CP21F Heathland and open Restored heathland No field pattern No impact of built Good Heathland restoration Opencast water. Secondary and plantation development. could be extended to area woodland woodland Pylons visible other areas CP21G Plantation Mixed arable land, Regular large scale Localised low Good Woodland belts screen Wimblebury woodlands and pasture and fields bounded by impact of the edge of Heath Hayes Road secondary woodland. Amenity thorn hedges. development west from the wider restored woodland land and allotments Plantation of Wimblebury landscape. Amenity land woodlands Road. Pylons is a feature of the area including allotments. Opportunity for well sited development with links to a well planned open space and access network CP21H Heathy vegetation Rough pasture and A regular pattern of Localised low Good A neglected landscape No Man’s character in rough secondary large fields bounded impact of the built with a degraded Bank grassland woodland by thorn hedges. edge to Norton appearance exacerbated Secondary birch Canes. View of by the presence of woodland pylons pylons. A valuable buffer to the edge of Norton Canes CP21I Developing Rough land and No field pattern. Localised low Good A disturbed former woodland on former secondary Birch secondary impact of built industrial landscape, Coppice mining sites woodland woodland development. partly restored and Colliery Pylons allowed to regenerate with secondary birch
43 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition woodland. A valuable buffer to development between Norton Canes and Heath Hayes CP21J Hedgerows and Pasture Regular pattern of Localised moderate Good A poorly managed run trees. Wet pasture small fields impact of down landscape but with Newlands bounded by mixed development along a well treed appearance. Lane species hedges. the skyline to the Development could be Scattered trees north accommodated providing that a new landscape framework is formed. Access to the old Newlands lane is valued. CP21K Hedgerows and Pasture and some Regular pattern of Localised moderate Good A poorly managed run trees. Wet pasture arable fields small fields impact of down landscape but with Newlands adjacent to the bounded by mixed development along a well treed appearance. Brook brook species hedges. the skyline to the Access to the old Scattered trees north. Pylons visible Newlands lane is valued. CP21L Plantation Arable Regular pattern of Localised moderate Moderate Arable intensification has woodland. medium to large impact of removed hedges and Newlands Newlands lane fields bounded by development along results in an open lane north corridor thorn hedges the skyline to the featureless landscape north. Pylons visible compared with the adjacent areas. Development could be accommodated providing that a new landscape framework is created with access to Newlands Lane
44 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition CP21M None evident Landfill tip and No field pattern Widespread high Poor A prominent site close to Poplars site associated land impact of the the edge of Cannock and development of the Hawkes Green. landfill site Restoration proposals and new mineral prospects require careful monitoring CP21N Recent planting and Grazing and Planned Large distribution Poor A large scale restored Kingswood open water development land arrangement of sheds have high opencast landscape Lakeside balancing ponds large enclosures, widespread impact. containing modern new roads and M6 toll road distribution sheds and shelterbelts development infrastructure. This is a vacant landscape with no settlement CP21O Hedgerows and Pasture Regular small to Localised moderate Good An area of intact Long Lane trees medium sized fields impact of landscape with mature bounded by mixed development on the trees and mixed species species hedges eastern edge of the hedgerows. The green typically on low area lane of Long Lane is a banks. Scattered valuable landscape trees in hedgerows feature. Development would not be appropriate in this area. CP22A Trees along stream Pasture (horse Mainly wire fences. Localised moderate Good An urban fringe Southacres corridor grazing) Scattered mixed impact of degraded landscape. Farm age trees along development. Views Could accommodate stream corridor of pylons, horse development providing paddock shacks that the stream corridor is and sheds protected and a new landscape framework is established
45 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition CP22B Heathy vegetation, Country park open No field pattern. Localised low Good A locally valued country Chasewater secondary space and Secondary and impact of park landscape with Country woodland, heathland planted woodland, development. diverse recreation Park waterside mainly birch and Burntwood by pass facilities. Habitat vegetation willow and recreation/ management and sports facilities have heathland creation should a localised be a priority moderate impact CP22C Open water and Reservoir Open water M6 toll and Good A locally valued Chasewater margins Burntwood by pass recreation resource close localised moderate to large urban population impact CP22D Secondary birch Amenity land and No field pattern . South shore Good A highly modified Chasewater woodland remnants of grazing Wire fences development and landscape severed by the south & land innovation centre. M6 Toll road. west Pylons and M6 toll Opportunities for structures innovative development relating to recreation area CP22E Permanent pasture, Pasture and A fragmented Localised moderate Good A relic of traditional small Common wet flashes, industrial estate pattern of small to impact of industrial holding land with grazing side overgrown hedges medium sized estate, A5 corridor, animals and brick built regular fields M6 toll, power lines cottage. Elsewhere, a bounded by thorn modified landscape with hedges. Scattered extensive urban oak and overgrown influences and pressure thorn trees for additional new development. CP22F Hedgerows, Arable Large regular field Localised Good Monitor impact of East of secondary pattern bounded by insignificant impact expansion to industrial Yorks woodland, heathy thorn hedges of industrial estate area and mitigate with Bridge verges off A5 woodland planting.
46 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition CP22G Secondary Former colliery tip No field pattern. No impact of built Good A regenerated colliery Wyrley woodland Secondary birch development spoil tip with no public Common and oak woodland evident access. Provides a valuable buffer to the adjacent proposed mineral prospect. Positive management and access would be beneficial CP22H Hedgerows and Mixed arable Large regular field Localised moderate Good A landscape in transition Engine Lane woodland pattern bounded by impact of industrial from pasture to arable. An thorn hedges. Field development at open landscape with long corner spinneys. Clayhanger views out. Engine lane is a feature in the landscape with evidence of informal recreation CP22I Secondary birch Mixed pastoral Large regular field No impact of built Good A planned landscape of Lime Lane woodlands, pattern bounded by development former heathland. Some hedgerow trees. thorn hedges. Some arable intensification. Heathy vegetation secondary birch on verges woodland and oak hedgerow trees CP22J Hedgerows and Mixed arable Large regular field Localised moderate Good A mainly arable The Slough woodland pattern bounded by impact of industrial landscape with urban thorn hedges. Field development at influences adjacent to the corner spinneys. Clayhanger canal. CP22K Hedgerows Arable Large regular field Localised moderate Good An arable landscape in pattern bounded by impact of urban sharp contrast to the High Bridge thorn hedges edge and busy road urban edge to the south. to south Protect from development as a buffer. Woodland planting would reinforce the urban boundary.
47 RIVER MEADOWLANDS
Overall character
In the Trent Valley, alluvial soils with occasional patches of peat overlie the Triassic mudstones. This flat alluvial meadowland is a distinctive landscape, in sharp contrast to the rising ground of Cannock Chase to the south. Land use is predominantly pastoral, and the lack of human settlement on the flood plain is a characteristic feature. Other features are the lines of riverside willows, the hawthorn hedges following the edges of the floodplain, wire fences and the regular pattern of medium to large sized fields.
The District boundary follows the River Trent adjacent to Rugeley and much of the land in the District is strongly influenced by the adjoining urban edge. There is little agricultural land remaining and the Power Station, large scale distribution warehouses and business park, have all modified the character of this landscape.
The Trent valley is a busy transport corridor containing railways, roads and the canal. The presence of the Trent and Mersey canal increases the need to conserve the distinctive landscape character as it is seen by many visitors to the area. The west coast main line railway, and the busy A51 and A513 are often in view, despite this the farmland has a quiet, even remote character adjacent to the riverside.
Key characteristics • Flat alluvial meadowlands adjacent to the Trent • Riverside willows • Absence of settlement • Adjacent large scale industrial and employment land uses • Transport corridor of road, rail, canal • Tranquil character despite proximity of urban influences
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49 Strength of Character
Natural: weak Cultural: moderate Overall: moderate Relic patches of wetland vegetation contribute only to a weak strength of character for the natural dimension of the River meadowlands. The historic time depth of the cultural pattern, however, contributes to an overall moderate strength of character for the landscape as a whole.
Summary of Condition Overall: good
RM13: Generally intact river meadowlands landscape on the edges of Rugeley. A landscape in good condition. The habitat network and cultural pattern is declining due to pressures from the urban edge of Rugeley and the impact of the recently constructed by pass.
RM14: A fragmented riverside landscape in the shadow of Rugeley Power Station where the Power Station and other operational land has a moderate visual impact. The functional integrity of the relic grazing land is weak, and the overall condition is poor.
Landscape Condition Table
LDU Extent of Magnitude Visual Habitat Cultural Functional OVERALL Ref change of change impact network pattern integrity CONDITION RM13a Insignificant Low Low Declining Intact Moderate Good RM14a Localised Moderate Moderate Declining Relic Weak Poor
Vision Statement Overall: conserve and strengthen
RM13: Conserve and strengthen the river meadowlands landscape character by protecting the flood plain from further development, and encouraging traditional grazing management of the land. Promote the restoration of traditional water meadow features on land adjacent to the Rugeley by pass.
RM14: Restore and enhance the river meadowlands character by removal of inappropriate development from on and adjacent to the flood plain. Encourage the continuity of habitat networks following the river course and conserve valuable habitats where they occur. Promote links to landscape scale habitat enhancement projects such as ‘On Trent’.
Sensitivity
The River Meadowlands have a relatively high inherent sensitivity related in particular to the natural sensitivity of the riverine environment. The historic time depth of the cultural pattern is also of moderate sensitivity. Visual sensitivity is low due to the prominence of tree cover and the flat, low-lying nature of the topography.
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition RM13A Improved pasture. Pasture Medium/large Urban edge at Trent Good The by pass is a new Rugeley By- Canalside regular fields, Farm is locally high feature in the river Pass hedgerow and thinly modified by by-pass impact. Industrial meadowlands landscape scattered riverside route. Some wire estate is visible and there have been trees fences. from by pass significant recent changes. Remainder of pasture should remain intact. RM14A Fringing willows and Pasture Relic field pattern, Pylons, power Poor A disturbed river Rugeley screen plantations modified by station, railway meadowlands landscape Power industrial viaducts, crushing dominated by industrial Station development plant storage area land uses has high visual impact
51 URBAN AREAS
As part of the study, four land cover parcels were defined within the urban areas as sufficiently un-developed to merit inclusion on the field survey. The parcels are too small to be analysed in terms of their landscape character and we have therefore included a description of them in table format below.
The four parcels are as follows:
UR02 Pye Green Valley
UR08 Etching Hill common
UR10 Chetwynd Coppice fringe
UR27 Mill Green Cannock
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LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition UR02 Willow scrub Rough grassland/ No field boundaries Widespread, high Moderate Locally valued green patches around open space remain visual impact of wedge with potential links Pye Green edges perimeter to AONB and heathland. Valley development and Monitor development Cannock new school pressures closely and retain linear continuity of green infrastructure. Consider cross valley links in open space. Opportunity for naturalistic management UR08 Former heathland. Common No field boundaries Localised low Good Locally valued common Well treed with oak, impact of suburban with a network of informal Etching Hill pine, birch estate development paths and tracks. common secondary at edges Interpretation board woodland illustrates the historical significance. Important remnant heathland to conserve. Consider some tree removal to encourage heathland. UR10 Former heathland; Woodland No field boundaries Localised low Good A transition area between plantation woodland impact of modern Chetwynds Coppice Chetwynd industrial estate woodland and the Coppice Industrial Estate. fringe Vulnerable to fly tipping and unauthorised access in places. Steep topography protects the woodland edges.
53 LDU Ref. Ecological Land use Field pattern Impact of built Overall Notes integrity development Condition UR27 Secondary Rough grassland, Relic pattern of Localised high Moderate A valued open space Mill Green woodland patches, wetland, open overgrown thorn impact of built centred around Mill Green Cannock wetland and stream space hedges development Park, and associated relic corridor around edges grazing land. Much of the site has been allocated for mixed use development and is therefore subject to change. Protect the remnant field boundaries, wetland features, secondary woodland where possible, and create green infrastructure links through new development.
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