81 (a) Regular field pattern, hedgerows and mature trees south of Dunge (b) A tributary of Semington Brook helps (c) Looking down into the Bulkington, Steeple drain the fields; Pantry Bridge, north west of Ashton and Keevil clay lowlands from Seend Bulkington 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 82 Historic Environment x Christ Church, Bulkington originating in 1860, is one of a few listed buildings in the village.47 x Scattered settlement of one village and several farmsteads, with a variety of materials of brick, timber-frame, stone and thatch. Biodiversity Farmland dominates the landscape in this character area. The hedgerow field boundaries with mature deciduous trees serve as wildlife corridors and provide nesting opportunities for birds. Summerham brook corridor, together with several scattered ponds also contribute to the nature conservation importance of the area. Few woodland copses and shelterbelts are present in the area. The railway embankment in the south of the area provides excellent habitat for wildlife. In addition the whole area is a valuable habitat for bats. South east of Steeple Ashton (near Keeper’s Cottage) is an area designated as a geological SSSI due to the presence of Corillain Limestone. Evaluation Current Condition Overall, landscape within the area appears to be in relatively good condition. Hedgerows at field boundaries are generally intact, which contributes to a coherent landscape pattern. There are generally few elements (other than the railway corridor), which detract from the coherent rural character of the area. Inherent Landscape Sensitivities x Intact hedgerows at field boundaries x Strong recognisable sense of place as a result of open views to chalk downland edge x Generally strong sense of tranquillity throughout the area x Sparse and isolated settlement pattern x Network of minor rural roads, which contribute to an overall rural character x General lack of vertical elements. Key Landscape Changes x Maturing hedgerow trees which will eventually die and without replacement, lead to loss of existing intact landscape pattern x Pressure for expansion at edges of Bulkington village x Potential visual intrusion from new modern farm buildings x Pressure on minor rural roads and potential greater visual intrusion from additional signage and lighting. Management Strategy and Objectives The overall strategy for the area is to conserve the intact hedgerow network and strong landscape and isolated settlement pattern. Specific management objectives are to: x Conserve and manage the mature hedgerow network and replace where lost or over maturing with native species appropriate to the local area x Minimise incremental improvements to minor road corridors (such as signage and lighting) which may impact on the predominantly rural character of the area 47 Pevsner N & Cherry B, 1975. The Buildings of England Wiltshire. Yale University Press: London. Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 83 x Conserve and enhance the landscape setting of Bulkington x Seek ways to mitigate the visual impact of the main A361 road corridor x Introduce arable field margins as an important nature conservation feature x Conserve open views to the wooded chalk downland edge. 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 84 E7 : WEST ASHTON ROLLING CLAY LOWLAND Location and Boundaries West Ashton Rolling Clay Lowland is situated to the east of Trowbridge and encompasses the small linear village of West Ashton. A network of rural roads serves the area, which are accessed from the main A350 (Yarnbrook Road) to the west. The Biss brook watercourse abuts the northern boundary of the area and Rolling Clay Lowland landscapes surround the south, west and eastern edges. To the north, the area overlooks Open Clay Vales. Key Characteristics x Strongly rolling topography x Mixture of field sizes, which are predominantly arable x Field boundaries demarcated by mature hedgerow field boundaries, often with mature single deciduous trees x Clanger and Picket mixed woodlands provide a sense of enclosure and contribute to an intimate landscape pattern x Interconnecting network of public footpaths. x Series of minor rural roads x Scattered, and often isolated, settlement pattern x Relatively strong sense of tranquillity throughout the landscape. Summary of Visual Character Topography within the area is strongly rolling and is cut by a tributary of the River Biss to the north and edged by Bitham Brook to the south west. Stourton Water fishing lake (fed by a number of small streams) provides a visible water feature within the surrounding landscape. Fields vary in size but are predominantly arable and delineated with mature hedgerow field boundaries. Clanger/Picket mixed woodlands provides a strong sense of enclosure to the south west of West Ashton, resulting in an intricate landscape, which is also intimate in places. Other small copses and linear belts/ plantations of mixed woodland are scattered throughout the area, especially surrounding Rood Ashton Park. The area is accessed via the main A350 (Yarnbrook Road) to the west, however a number of smaller interconnecting minor rural roads and lanes are a more recognisable key characteristic of the area as a whole. A number of public footpaths also cross the area, including the White Horse Trail. West Aston (with the spire of St. John’s church as a visible landmark from adjacent landscape character areas) provides the main small linear settlement within the character area, and contains a variety of buildings. The remains of Rood Ashton Hall on a hilltop site and its associated parkland landscape, also contribute to settlement pattern, alongside a number of isolated farmsteads. Throughout the character area, there is a relatively strong sense of tranquillity and enclosure, leading to an overall sense of familiarity and recognisable sense of place. Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 85 (a) Rolling landscape and tree copses close to Rood Ashton Hall (b) Looking westwards over the rolling landscape towards Flowers Wood 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 86 Historic Environment x Rood Ashton House, built in the early 19th century, was once a large building in extensive grounds; only parts of it now survive x St John the Evangelist, built in 1846, stands in the grounds of Rood Ashton48 x Picket Wood, Flowers Wood and Kettle Lane Wood are ancient and semi-natural woodlands.49 Biodiversity This intensively farmed landscape is peppered with several woodland blocks and shelterbelts. They, together with the coherent network of hedgerows delineating the arable fields, provide nesting opportunities for birds and have an important corridor function. In addition several small stream courses cut through the area. The whole area is also a valuable habitat for bats. The ancient Picket and Clanger Woods form together a SSSI and greatly contribute to the biodiversity value of the area. Other smaller pockets of woodland – Woodside Wood, Flowers Wood and Kettle Lane Wood – are designated as County Wildlife Sites. Evaluation Current Condition Overall, landscape within the area appears to be in generally good condition. Hedgerows at field boundaries are generally intact, which contributes to a coherent landscape pattern. There are generally few detracting elements, other than telegraph poles. Inherent Landscape Sensitivities x Intact hedgerows at field boundaries x The contribution of Clanger Wood, Picket Wood and other smaller copses/ belts of woodland to a coherent landscape pattern x Strong sense of enclosure as a result of patches of woodland and strongly rolling topography x Generally strong sense of tranquillity throughout the area x Sparse and isolated settlement pattern x Network of minor rural roads, which contribute to an overall rural character. Key Landscape Changes x Maturing hedgerow trees which will eventually die and without replacement, lead to loss of existing intact landscape pattern x Pressure for expansion at edges of West Ashton village x Potential visual intrusion from new modern farm buildings x Pressure on minor rural roads and potential greater visual intrusion from additional signage and lighting x Potential deterioration in condition of woodlands and woodland edges x Noise and visual intrusion associated with A350 (Yarnbrook Road) corridor. Management Strategy and Objectives The overall strategy for the area is to conserve the intact hedgerow network and intimate landscape pattern and also to conserve areas of woodland and the generally undeveloped, rural character of the area. Specific management objectives are to: 48 Pevsner N & Cherry B, 1975. The Buildings of England Wiltshire. Yale University Press: London. 49 http://www.magic.gov.uk/website/magic/ Section 4.0 – The Landscape Character of West Wiltshire 11102101R_LCA_EC_03-07 87 x Conserve and manage the mature hedgerow network and replace where lost or over maturing with native species appropriate to the local area x Minimise incremental improvements to minor road corridors (such as signage and lighting) which may impact on the predominantly rural character of the area x Conserve and enhance the landscape setting of West Ashton x Seek ways to mitigate the visual impact of the main A350 road corridor x Introduce arable field margins as an important nature conservation feature x Where appropriate, consider the reintroduction of traditional