3. Upper Ouse Valley

Upper Ouse Valley 3

Chelwood Common

Danehill

Sheffield Forest

Bluebell Railway A26 Maresfield A275 Park Maresfield Sheffield Park Fletching Buxted Buxted River Ouse Park Piltdown Chailey North Common A272 A26

Newick Shortbridge Uckfield Stream

Framfield River UckRiver

33 Upper Ouse Valley Landscape Character Area HighHigh WealdWeald AONB 0 0.75 1.51.5 3 4.5 6 Upper Ouse Valley Landscape Character Area Kilometers © ESCC 2016

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley Chailey and Piltdown Commons provide 3 small, fragmented patches of heathland undulating gently sloping villages on higher terrain with broad river basin ground often valleys, but more dominated pronounced relief by churches ragged skyline near N. edge incised roadways

parkland and heathland

numerous large ponds

parks and gardens small, winding alder-lined abundant some significant rivers and streams tree cover designed landscapes

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 • The extensive area of woodland including Sheffield Forest, Contents Pollardsland and Maskett woods. A. Landscape Description • Many of the woods are ancient semi-natural woodland with B. Landscape Evaluation extensive areas replanted with chestnut coppice mixed with C. Vision and Strategy conifers. D. Guidelines for Managing Change • Characteristic tree species are of coppiced chestnut on the sandy soils with oak in the south east on the Wadhurst clays. A Landscape Description • Birch predominates in younger woodland and on the heaths, Key Landscape characteristics with some pine. • Countryside of low ridges and wider valleys covered by an • Other characteristic species are beech, wild cherry and yew with intricate pattern of streams and woods. alder and willow in the river and stream valleys. • The catchment of the upper reaches of the River Ouse which • Many scattered farm ponds and large hammer ponds as relics of includes Shortbridge Stream and the River Uck. the iron industry which thrived in this area. • Winding, alder-lined rivers and streams. • A sense of tranquillity and relative remoteness away from the main settlements and roads. • Gently undulating terrain with broad valleys, but more pronounced relief near the northern edge where the low weald • A close network of winding, sunken lanes with scattered landscape rises to that of the high weald. settlements and individual dwellings often strung out along them. • A heavily wooded landscape which provides areas of relative remoteness especially in the valleys and larger woods. • Traditional building materials for the area are red brick, often laid as Flemish bond with blued brick ends, red tiled roofs and • Significant designed landscaped parkland at Sheffield and tile hung upper stories are typical. Buxted Parks. • Oak timber framed and sandstone houses reflect the abundance • Small village settlements with distinctive churches. of locally sourced timber and quarried stone. • Rock outcrops and incised roadways. • Flint was used in building in the south of the area which is closer • Historic farmhouses and large farmsteads. to the downs where it was sourced. • Chailey North and Piltdown Common provide small, fragmented • Several main roads cross the area, the A275 across the west of but significant patches of heathland. the area, the A272 across the middle and the A26 across the east • Abundant tree cover, with 17.5% woodland and a strong structure as the Uckfield bypass. of woods, trees, hedges and shaws.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 • The Uckfield to London railway runs across the eastern corner. The village of Piltdown was the centre of one of the most renowned • The historic Bluebell Railway has its very popular visitor centre paleoanthropological hoaxes of all time. A skull was discovered at Sheffield Park Station and runs west to continue to East in 1912 in a local gravel pit which appeared to be the missing link between humans and apes but turned out to be a fake. Although Grinstead. never proven this was probably instigated by Charles Dawson who Cultural Interests was later exposed as a serial archaeological hoaxer. In the 16th century there were many iron furnaces in the area The prime meridian crosses the western part of the area through and William Levett of Buxted was a prime mover in the Wealden Danehill. iron industry as well as being a vicar. The Levett family supplied armaments to Henry VIII. Notable residents of the area include Vivien Leigh who lived near Framfield at Tickerage Mill, the actor Jimmy Edwards lived in Sheffield Park Gardens was a 16 century deer park where the Fletching and Bee Gee Maurice Gibb also lived in Fletching. 3rd Duke of Norfolk entertained Henry VIII. When the house was remodelled to a Gothic style by James Wyatt in the late 1700s the grounds were remodelled by Capability Brown and later by Repton. Later owners developed the garden’s horticultural collection of trees and shrubs and it is especially notable for rhododendron and camellia collections and autumn colour. In 1884 the cricket pitch hosted the first ever England versus Australia cricket match. During WW2 the estate was the headquarters for a Canadian armoured division. Maresfield Park and house were owned by Alexander Munster of Hanover until 1914 when the estate was confiscated and sold off in 1924. The park was used as a military camp and soldiers’ married quarters were developed at Queens Drive and south of Parklands. Buxted Park was purchased in the early 1830s by the then Prime Minister, The Earl of Liverpool. He increased the size of the parkland by relocating the entire village apart from the church. Most of Buxted village has been built on its current site since this time.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Table 1 Key positive Landscape Attributes

• Countryside of low ridges and wider valleys covered by an • A sense of tranquillity and relative remoteness away from intricate pattern of streams and woods. the main settlements and roads. • The River Ouse catchment of winding, alder-lined rivers and • Traditional building materials for the area are red brick, streams. often laid as Flemish bond, red tiled roofs and tile hung upper stories are typical. • Gently undulating terrain with broad valleys. • Oak timber framed and sandstone houses reflect the • A heavily wooded landscape which provides areas of abundance of locally sourced timber and quarried stone. relative remoteness. • The historic Bluebell Railway has its very popular visitor • Significant designed landscaped parkland at Sheffield and centre at Sheffield Park Station and runs west to continue Buxted Parks. to East Grinstead. • Small village settlements with distinctive churches. • Rock outcrops and incised roadways. • Historic farmhouses and large farmsteads. • Chailey North and Piltdown Common are significant patches of heathland. • Coppiced chestnut woods with oak. • Other characteristic species are beech, wild cherry and yew with alder and willow in the river and stream valleys. • Many scattered farm ponds and large hammer ponds as relics of the iron industry which thrived in this area.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 B Landscape Evaluation Forces for Change impacting on positive attributes

Table 2 Current Condition Past / Current forces for change • A 400Kv power line traverses the area, passing close to This is a largely unspoilt and tranquil rural landscape with Chailey Common. few intrusive features. The landscape is in generally good condition and well managed as farmland with a strong historic • Several areas of large scale intensive arable farming with structure. Agricultural change and diversification has led to loss of hedge structure, especially between Newick and some gentrification of the rural landscape and farm steads. Fletching. Creeping suburbansation and urban fringe pressures are • Coniferisation of larger woods. evident around the towns and larger villages detracting from local distinctiveness. As with most of the Wealden landscape • Loss of riverside trees due to river flood management. the historic field patterns of small fields and significant • The Trees on the River Uck (TrUck) project a new and hedgerows remain intact. Many woodlands have been affected by lack of management, rhododendron invasion and innovative project that hopes to decrease the impacts of coniferisation. flooding in Uckfield town, by restoring natural river features such as floodplain woodlands. • Numerous large modern farm groups, including battery units. • Urban fringe pressures around Newick and Uckfield. • Some open built-up edges to the countryside around Uckfield. • Creeping suburbanisation and cumulative changes in the rural landscape, roads and villages which are not in sympathy with local distinctiveness or vernacular architecture. • Urban fringe pressures, particularly around Uckfield. • Development pressures in the villages.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 • Agricultural diversification to hobby farms and horsiculture. Future Forces for Change • Changes in the types and frequency of grazing animals • The need to provide local housing in the villages, especially in the countryside impacts on character as they are the larger service centres. a characteristic feature. Lack of grazing can give an • The associated infrastructure required for new unmanaged appearance to the landscape and reduce the development such as waste water treatment works. biodiversity value. • Demands for traffic calming and road improvements which • The wider land management initiatives associated with the could introduce increasing urban clutter to rural roads, High Weald AONB. villages and lanes. • Farm Environment Plans many farms are under Higher Level • Continued agricultural change due to changing markets, Stewardship Agreements including Piltdown Golf course, economic pressures and response to climate change. Sutton Hall Farms to the west of Uckfield and some farms are farmed organically. • The spread of small agricultural holdings, hobby farming, paddocks, farm shops and allotments for local food • Intrusive modern farm buildings. production. • Loss of traditional coppicing in woodlands and increase in • Pressure for locating renewable energy facilities for solar, game shooting. wind and bio energy. • Woodland Grant schemes are scattered across the area, • Pests and diseases of trees which could impact notably at Views Wood, Furnace Bank, Lake, Kiln and significantly on the mature tree stock. E.g. phytophora Beechen Woods to the west of Uckfield, woods around of alder and Ash dieback. Framfield and Sheffield Forest, reversing the trend of poor woodland management. • Failure to control invasive species of plants and animals in water courses, such as New Zealand Pigmy Weed (Crassula • Increasing traffic on the A roads which cross the area and helmsii), Parrots Feather (Myryophyllum aquaticum), Mink the main roads along the ridges and rat running on rural and European Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). All lanes. of these impact on the native flora and fauna which are characteristic of the area. • Water quality in the Ouse and Uck catchments.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Table 3 Potential Impacts of Climate Change

• Potential changes in woodland / tree species composition and accelerated growth of species such as birch, • Changes in ground flora which produce distinctive seasonal displays and other native vegetation. • Increased prevalence of pests and diseases due to warmer weather e.g. Phytophera of Alder. • Changes in precipitation and temperatures will change the types of crops that farmers grow. • Potential impact on the viability of grazing sheep, dairy and beef. • Increased temperatures and a decline in precipitation levels may dry out wetland habitats and ponds and alter stream flows. • Changes in water levels in ditches, ponds and streams.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 C Vision and Strategy 5. Consider the potential to plan for recreational access in this character area identifying areas where public access can Table 4 Vision be encouraged whilst protecting other areas where wildlife conservation is the priority. A tranquil and predominately rural landscape of rolling typical 6. Integrate proposed and existing development into the wealden countryside. Remote, secluded valleys with winding landscape through planting of tree features and woodland to natural river channels. A landscape with a scattered settlement define the town and village boundaries with the countryside pattern of historic farmsteads and a strong pattern of woods, and in particular soften the edges of Uckfield with tree fieldscapes, trees and hedges. The character of existing planting. settlements retained and urban development controlled with good design and spatial planning. 7. Ensure that the design and layout of new developments respect the character and form of the landscape and existing settlements. As noted in the current Landscape Character Guidance – 8. Control the spread of suburbanisation by minimising clutter A Landscape Strategy identifies “what change if any is desirable for of signage and other urban features in lanes and villages. any landscape character area as a whole?” 9. Conserve the setting of historic buildings and landscape features and notably the registered parkland and gardens of Landscape change and adaptation to meet the strategy requires: Sheffield Park. 1. Planning for the enhancement of the following Biodiversity 10. Protect and enhance historic designed landscapes and Opportunity Areas (BOA); The River Uck and its headwaters features of archaeological significance. BOA, this lies to the north east of Uckfield and The Western Ouse Streams and Ashdown Forest BOA which covers most of 11. Consider appropriate species for new plantings to maintain the character area to the west of Uckfield. landscape character and biodiversity having regard to adaptation to climate change influences. 2. Protection and management of existing wetland habitats and plan for restoration of ditches, riverside vegetation and tree 12. Restore and strengthen tree and woodland structure, cover to restore habitat linkages and continuity. encouraging woodland grant and farm conservation schemes and positive woodland management. 3. Protection and enhancement of the remote qualities of the river valleys. 13. Encourage screening of farm groups as a component of these schemes. 4. Plan for the creation of multifunctional green infrastructure to maximise the opportunities for biodiversity and recreation 14. In the long term, seek undergrounding of 400Kv line, offered by the rural lanes, rights of way network and extensive particularly near Chailey Common. woodland.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 D Guidelines for Managing Change Development considerations for housing and other development Proposals within the High Weald AONB need to have regard for the current High Weald Management Plan: http://www.highweald.org/downloads/publications/high-weald- aonb-management-plan-documents/1141-high-weald-management- plan-3rd-edition-2014-2019.html.

The main pressures for development in this character area will be to accommodate housing for the populations in the rural settlements of Maresfield, Newick, Danehill and Framfield. There will inevitably be a demand for local housing in the smaller villages. Pressures for expansion of Uckfield may impact on the parts of the character area which border the town. Tourism is an important source of income to this area and there is likely to be increasing demand for accommodation in hotels, bed and breakfast, caravan and camp sites. The modern trend for luxury and exotic camping (glamping) is already appearing in the guise of teepees, tree houses and the like. There will be demand for new facilities and to improve or expand existing, some of these putting pressure on ancient woodland. Any new development should respect the key positive attributes in the landscape outlined in Table 1 above. Proposed development should consider opportunities for proactively meeting the Landscape Change Strategy aims for this Landscape Character Area as set out in 1-14 above.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Table 5

Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Countryside and Farmland Countryside and Farmland Provisioning services Farm environment plans relating to much of the Encourage establishment of more farm conservation Water availability farm land including organic farming. schemes to conserve the landscape structure of Food production hedges, shaws, ponds and streams. Pressure for farm diversification and development of hobby farms, solar arrays, wind farms, waste Conserve hedges, trees and ghyll woods. Maintain Regulating services recycling operations etc. the mixed farmed character of the area. (water purification, air quality maintenance and Expansion of camping and caravan sites as well Protect and manage historic field patterns and climate regulation) as other holiday related development such as conserve boundary features. Water quality and protected aquifers. ‘Glamping’. Use tree and woodland planting to screen intrusive Regulating water flow and preventing flooding Land falling out of positive management and farm buildings and caravan sites. dereliction of farm buildings. Soil conservation and erosion control Plan for and manage changes which may occur in Loss of hedgerows and other traditional field the landscape due to changes in farm management Habitat and species resilience to climate change boundaries. brought about by economic influences and climate Carbon sequestration. Areas of peat in the river change. Loss of traditional orchards, pasture and species valleys, hedges, trees, reed beds and grassland rich meadows. Address existing flooding issues of farmland regulate air quality by absorbing and retaining CO2. and properties through flood management and Localised flooding of farmland in the river valleys Cultural Services by identifying areas which can provide flood and floodplains. Sense of Place and local distinctiveness. alleviation. Enhance the biodiversity value of wet Low water levels and poor water quality in some meadows, drainage and stream channels. Source of Inspiration rivers and streams. Conserve and enhance byways and rural lanes. Sense of History Deterioration of by ways and lanes due to erosion Tranquillity of un-surfaced routes by horses, bikes and 4 wheel drives. Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Trees and Woodland Trees and Woodland Provisioning Ancient woodland and tree belts are not in positive Actively manage trees and woodland through Fuel (woodfuel for local communities from management. coppicing, pollarding of willows and replanting to woodland management) create a diverse age structure. Ghyll woodlands are not in positive management Regulating and are difficult to manage due to the steep and Plant new small woods, wet woodland and tree Carbon sequestration, woodland absorbs and inaccessible nature of these woods. belts to strengthen the landscape character and holds CO . where this is appropriate habitat creation. 2 Traditional management has stopped as it is not Habitat and species resilience to climate change commercially viable e.g. pollarding of stream side Consider the need to adapt to changes enforced by willows. climate change, such as specific tree diseases and Cultural possible adaptation in species selection. Tree diseases. Tranquillity Plant trees and woodland to contain existing and Ancient parkland trees dying off and not being Sense of Place and local distinctiveness new built development. replaced. Cultural heritage (traditional woodland Encourage planting of trees along streams and Extensive areas of woodland are already in management) ditches where appropriate for the habitat. woodland grant schemes. Biodiversity Pressure for glamping sites in woodland. Invasive species competing with native flora and fauna e.g. Spanish Bluebell, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Other Key Habitats Other Key Habitats Provisioning Deterioration and loss of habitats: Encourage management of river and stream Nature’s larder of free berries and herbs. channels, especially conservation of riverside trees Water Conservation of insect pollinators for pollination and vegetation. of crops. Loss of river and streamside vegetation. Conservation and re-creation of wet meadow/ Deterioration of water quality in streams, ditches pasture habitats. Regulating and ponds Habitat and species resilience to climate change Agri-environment schemes to maximise biodiversity Invasive species of plants and animals which and encourage the retention of grazing. compete with native flora and fauna. Cultural Opportunities to maximise reed bed creation. Wet Meadows Appreciation of nature Encourage measures to improve water quality. Financial and viable farming constraints affecting Educational value the continued management of wet meadows Continue schemes to encourage farmers to Biodiversity reducing the biodiversity value. minimise the use of chemicals and fertilizers. Agricultural improvement to Grassland and meadows reducing species richness. Loss of wetland meadows to arable farming.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Recreation, Green Infrastructure (GI) and ANGS Recreation, Green Infrastructure and ANGS Provisioning Pressure on bridleways and byways as multi use, Where appropriate develop Green Infrastructure Protected farmland. including cycling and 4 wheel drives increasing Strategies based on a county wide GI mapping. erosion. Regulating Plan for and manage recreational pressure on the Habitat and species resilience to climate change Lack of funding to manage and enhance GI for countryside which could be affected by the increase improved access. in population in Uckfield as well as the seasonal Water quality and protected aquifers. holiday makers. Need for better recreational linkages and improved Regulating water flow and preventing flooding sustainable transport corridors. Maximise opportunities for access away from Carbon sequestration sensitive habitats. Extensive footpath and bridleway network Consider opportunities to create new green Cultural Need for improved access to natural green space corridors and improve existing as safe ideally Recreation for all users both close to homes and in the wider motorised traffic free recreational routes. countryside. Heritage assets and cultural heritage Maximise opportunities for and manage water Gentrification Inspirational based recreational activities. Loss of tranquillity due to more cars and access. Tranquility Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest The character of the villages Protect and Enhance the character of the villages Provisioning Encourage the production of Neighbourhood Plans Gentrification Local amenities and facilities. which incorporate village design guides. Urbanisation Plan for new development in the villages to ensure Regulating Development pressures it is designed to a high standard to reflect local Use of sustainable materials character and sense of place. Gradual loss and deterioration of heritage features. Habitat and species resilience to climate change Establish defined development edges to villages Fast traffic on rural lanes with new tree planting. Water quality and protected aquifers. Visitor pressure and cars detracting from local Prepare village design guides and tree conservation Regulating water flow and preventing flooding character and distinctiveness of the area in general. plans. Cultural Consider traffic management on rural lanes. Sense of Place and local distinctiveness Heritage assets Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Current issues offering opportunities for Landscape Management Guidelines Benefits delivered by Ecosystem Services protection and enhancement for each area of interest Flood management and SUDS schemes? Flood management and SUDS schemes? Provisioning Plan for flood management by conserving and Flash floods and run off. Water conservation enhancing the flood plains and managing water Flooding of properties in low lying areas by river levels in ditches and drains. Regulating and ground water. Encourage the design of sensitive flood defence Flood control schemes which conserve and enhance the landscape and habitats including river channel Protection of aquifers restoration schemes Cultural Conserve and enhance existing man made and natural drainage features. Heritage assets Maximise opportunities for the creation of SUDs Sense of Place and local distinctiveness schemes which contribute to local amenity and Tranquillity habitat creation. Amenity and recreation Biodiversity

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High Upper Ouse Valley 3 Glossary (also refer to the full version in the County Landscape Assessment).

ANGS: Accessible Natural Green Space Natural England – Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt)

Assart: Field created from the clearance of woodland

Clunch Barn: constructed of a building material composed of hardened clay or chalk marl.

Ecosystem Services: The services provided by nature which support living systems and can be evaluated.

Enclosure: The separation of land from the common by fence or private use.

GI or Green Infrastructure: Multifunctional green areas which provide areas for recreation, wildlife, water supply catchment, flood relief, food or timber production.

Glamping: New types of camp sites with permanent tent features in yurts, teepees, vintage caravans, timber pods etc. Woodlands are popular locations for these.

Local Nature Reserve: Local Nature Reserve (or LNR) is a statutory designation made under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and amended by Schedule 11 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, by principal local authorities.

Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance for biodiversity designated under the Ramsar Convention.

SNCI or Local Site: a Site of Nature Conservation Importance.

SSSI: A national designation for Site of Special Scientific Interest, these may be of biodiversity or geological significance or both.

The East Sussex County Landscape Assessment The Weald High