adopted March 2007 Landscape Character Area 4 Ceiriog Valley 4 This is one of a series of Local Planning Guidance Notes based on Scenic, tranquil and steep-sided valley enclosed by spurs of the Berwyn Wrexham LANDMAP (adopted mountains, with hillside farms, wooded and farmed slopes, and small November 2004), setting out villages along the River Ceiriog. recommendations for each Landscape Character area. Landscape context The Ceiriog Valley character area is part of a wider area known generally as the Ceiriog Valley, including the surrounding moorland, forest and upland spurs of the Berwyn Mountain and foothills, all of which are culturally and visually linked. The valley is close to the border of Wales and to the lowlands, linked by minor roads, but the Berwyn ridge forms a barrier to the west. Map of Ceiriog Valley Landscape Character Area map not to scale Ceiriog Valley summary O Scenic rural valley enclosed by upland ridges O Sense of tranquillity and remoteness from urban areas O Mosaic of pasture, woods and traditional small farms O Small irregular fields with hedgerows and hedgerow trees O Villages along valley bottom, Character Area boundaries should be considered transitional rather than precise. with widespread use of stone for © Crown copyright. All rights reserved Licence No.100023429. 2006 buildings O Old quarries linked by tramway Key characteristics Berwyn Mountain range, with the fast flowing River Ceiriog cutting across the O Area of value for informal Visual character: underlying geology of the Berwyn Dome recreation and low-key tourism O Upland pastoral valley with small scale O Quarries and spoil tips are evident O Important area of Welsh culture mosaic of fields with hedgerows (some around Glyn Ceiriog sparse or overgrown) and woods O Soils vary but are usually well drained loams, though some areas are O Steep open slopes give an upland feel affected by seasonal waterlogging even at lower elevations O Constantly changing views due to zig Ecological character: zag shape of valley O River Ceiriog is a nationally important O Scattered stone-built farms reached wildlife corridor and aquatic habitat by steep winding lanes O Farmland is mainly improved O High quality of the landscape, the grassland of low biodiversity interest result of the sense of peace and but the high density of hedges and tranquillity as well as the scenery hedgerow trees is valuable for wildlife O Valley is rich in woodland habitats - Geological character: broadleaved, conifer or mixed. Semi O The valley extends deep into the natural broadleaved woodland is Wrexham Landscape Character Area Guidance Landscape Character Area 4 usually associated with steep slopes Overall management strategy: and deeper tributary valleys Conservation O Fragments of other habitats including acid grassland, dry lowland heath, Management Guidance lowland pasture, rush pasture, and acid flush wetland are found Aims Guidelines Retain existing O Avoid visually intrusive development which is not in keeping Historical character: distinctive rural with the area, particularly development on skyline character O Ensure new buildings and conversions of older buildings O Older evolved/irregular small field are sympathetic to local character, using local materials patterns of the lower valley survive, where possible (consider small scale working of local quarries) giving way to more recently enclosed larger regular fields on upper or Preserve geological O Protect and maintain rock exposures and geomorphological steeper slopes features` features, and assess new exposures O Border area - Offa's dyke crosses O Maintain the integrity of fluvial landforms, and discourage valley to the east development within the floodplain O Prehistoric hillforts at Tyn y cestyll near Preserve wildife O Protect biodiversity priority species - refer to Wrexham's Glyn Ceiriog, and Cerrig Gwynion hillfort near Llanarmon DC Biodiversity Action Plan O History of wool-processing - 18th century Extend and enhance O Protect and enhance lowland heath and grassland fulling mill at Pandy, and quarrying, with habitats and habitats, connect habitat fragments where possible Glyn Valley tramway serving local quarries ecological networks O Restore hay meadow management, restore and manage hedgerows, maintain small field systems Cultural character: O Retain, manage and extend broadleaved woodlands. Replace coniferous trees with native species O Sheep farming is the dominant land use, with some pheasant rearing, but Protect aquatic O Preserve trees along river bank and prevent excessive there is increasing diversification to habitats hard bankside management such as canalisation or include rural crafts, woodland management, low key tourism and retaining walls recreational facilities and activities O Refer to river habitat biodiversity action plan and otter including fishing and walking species biodiversity action plan O Extend and enhance grazed flood plain O The Ceiriog Valley is recognised as a distinct cultural area within Wales. Preserve archaeology O Preserve field boundaries and systems Welsh is widely spoken O Carry out field evaluations of old quarries, field systems, villages, mills and other historic features O Protect the setting of Offa's Dyke O Evaluate archaeology in advance of development in villages Landscape sensitivity The Ceiriog Valley is sensitive to any Encourage local O Promote awareness of the heritage and Welsh culture changes which might affect its rural economy within the area. Ensure bilingual interpretation throughout character and tranquillity, and it is the valley vulnerable to pressures from nearby O Support sustainable local agriculture, tourism, cultural centres of population. It is also sensitive initiatives and businesses to changes which might take place on O Promote sustainable land management through the surrounding uplands agri-environment schemes For further information contact: Planning Environment Planning Department Wrexham County Borough Council Lambpit Street, Wrexham. LL11 1AR Tel:01978 292019 www.wrexham.gov.uk/planning All our information is available in accessible formats Wrexham Landscape Character Area Guidance © Wrexham County Borough Council 2007 Back.