Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and Seascape
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CA 10: Plymbridge Wooded Valley Representative photographs Summary of character and location within Plymouth This Character Area falls within Character Type 3H: Secluded Valleys. This LCA is located to the east of Plymouth and forms a natural edge to the city, providing a boundary to the areas of Glenholt, Estover and Leigham. The valley runs in an approximate north- south direction, adjoining CA 12 Forder Wooded Valley and Efford Marsh in the south. CA 13 Boringdon Park Farmland is located to the west. It extends into South Hams to cover the main valley of the Plym as it flows around the edge of the city. The valley provides a secluded and naturalistic corridor connecting Plymouth to Dartmoor; highly important for recreation, with the Plym Valley Way and National Cycle Route 27 running along its length. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 65 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Landscape character description Key characteristics Topography, geology and drainage Steeply incised valley of the River Plym and its tributaries, with height of the land ranging between 15 and 90 metres AOD. Underlying upper Devonian bedrock. The geological value of the area is recognised in the RIGS designations at Bickleigh Vale Quarry and Mainstone Quarry which are designated for slate and granite exposures. Woodland cover Most of the Character Area is broadleaved riparian woodland along the valley sides, with occasional blocks of mixed plantation. Much of the woodland is ancient, including Leigham Wood, Woodford Wood and Hatsfield/Holt Woods. Land use and field patterns Large parts of the valley are owned by the National Trust, managed nature conservation, heritage and recreational purposes – particularly walking and mountain biking. Numerous disused quarries are scattered along the valley sides. Occasional fields, associated with large properties. There is no significant farming use due to the dense woodland cover. Semi-natural habitats Plym Valley Woods is designated as a County Wildlife Site, supporting semi-natural woodland, grassland and riparian habitats, with species including sessile oak, goldenrod and wild cherry. Peregrine falcons are found in the area. Archaeology and cultural heritage Cann Quarry Canal was opened in 1829 to transport slate from Cann Quarry to the River Plym at Marsh Mills. It was closed ten years later but remains visible in the landscape. There has been a bridge at Plymbridge since 1238. The present bridge originates from the 18th century and is Grade II* Listed. The Plym Valley Heritage Railway runs through this Character Area, providing opportunities for visitors to enjoy the scenic woodland views and appreciate the valley’s industrial heritage. Settlement, road pattern and rights of way A minor network of sunken rural routes plunge steeply into the valley. Forest tracks also cross through the woodland. Large parts of inaccessible to vehicles. The Character Area contains a disused canal which is now part of the West Devon Way. The Plym Valley Cycle Way and Plymbridge Ride cycle routes run through this area, as does part of National Cycle Route 27. Views and perceptual qualities Views are generally enclosed by the topography and high level of woodland cover. Sense of peace and tranquillity despite close proximity to urban areas. Birdsong and the sounds of the river flowing contrast with the hum of distant traffic. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 66 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Landscape evaluation Valued landscape attributes/sensitive features Designated features and attributes Biodiversity/geodiversity RIGS, CWS, Ancient There are two RIGS, which cover 3.8ha Woodland (1.4% of the CA). Four County Wildlife Sites cover 123ha (44.3% of the CA). Ancient Woodland covers 150.2ha (54% of the CA) Cultural heritage Listed Buildings, Scheduled There are two Listed Buildings in the CA. Monument There is one Scheduled Monument partially within the CA which covers 2.3ha (0.8% of the CA). Recreation National Trust, Open National Trust Land covers 78.2ha Access Land, Long (28.1% of the CA). distance footpath, Cycle Open Access Land covers 24ha (8.6% of route the CA). The West Devon Way runs the length of the CA. National Cycle Route 27 is also found along much of the West Devon Way. Summary of valued landscape attributes/sensitive features The following provides a summary of the key landscape sensitivities to development within this Character Area: The peaceful and tranquil qualities of the Character Area, particularly valued as an accessible greenspace to many Plymouth residents. Valued semi-natural habitats including those designed as part of the Plym Valley Woods County Wildlife Site, as well as large tracts of ancient woodland. Valued geological sites at Bickleigh Vale Quarry and Mainstone Quarry which are designated as RIGS. Important archaeological features which tell the story of the valley’s industrial heritage. The role of the Character Area as a wooded backdrop to the north east of the city of Plymouth, and rural transition into South Hams. Guidance for managing change Guidance and opportunities to consider within this Character Area are as follows: Protect valued areas of ancient and broadleaved woodland, riparian habitats and regionally important geological sites. Protect the setting of archaeological sites and features related to the landscape’s industrial heritage. Avoid siting any new development in the most elevated locations above the valley, where it will affect the locally distinctive wooded skyline. Use the landform, dense woodland cover and features such as former quarries to screen any new development or land uses (as seen currently at the old quarry site at Wood Park). Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 67 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Pursue opportunities to extend semi-natural woodland, grassland and riparian habitats, including as part of a Green Infrastructure network, utilising native, climate-resilient species wherever possible. Consider further opportunities for strengthening opportunities for access and enjoyment, including links to existing long distance paths and cycle routes. Strengthen the landscape’s distinctive wooded ridgelines, including new planting and re-stocking with locally prevalent species such as oak and wild cherry. Landscape sensitivity assessment Criteria evaluation Criteria Sensitivity description LANDSCAPE Topography Steeply sloping valley carved by the River Plym, running from the fringes of Dartmoor to the Plym Estuary (CA 28). Scale (landform and component landscape Woodland cover and industrial heritage features features) provide a human scale to the landscape. Dense tree cover and the steep valley slides provide an intimate, enclosed landscape scale. Landscape pattern and complexity (including Variety of colours and textures associated with the sense of time-depth) woodlands, which varies throughout the year. A sense of time depth is provided by industrial heritage features seen at the Heritage Railway, the Cann Canal and the disused quarry sites. Perceptual qualities Relative sense of tranquillity and naturalness close to the city of Plymouth, with the sounds of flowing water and birds over the noise of distant traffic. VISUAL Skyline character and visual prominence On the whole, the Character has low visual prominence due its low lying topography. However, the upper valley slopes create distinctive wooded skylines from nearby urban areas, including Glenholt and Estover. Visual sensitivities and intervisibility The Character Area forms a wooded backdrop to the north eastern edges of Plymouth, including Estover, Mainstone, Woolwell and Glenholt. Plymbridge Woods has a strong visual connection with the surrounding elevated woodlands within South Hams (e.g. Cann Woods) and is also part of a natural ‘corridor’ to Dartmoor. It therefore provides a strong naturalistic edge to the city. Views out are limited by dense tree cover and low lying topography. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 68 May 2016 Seascape Assessment .