CA 14: Saltram Park and Hardwick Wood Representative photographs Summary of character and location within Plymouth All of this Character Area is defined as Character Type 7B: Designed Parkland/Wooded Amenity Grasslands. This Character Area is found immediately to the south of Plympton, lying immediately adjacent to CA 28 Plym Estuary/Laira to the west and CA 15 South Plympton Farmed Fringes to the south and east. The historic estate is a highly valued and popular area for recreation, with numerous footpaths providing access including the West Devon Way, which has views over the Laira. The area is also valued for its historical importance and the woodland and grassland habitats are important for wildlife. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 81 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Landscape character description Key landscape characteristics Topography, geology and drainage Low lying, gently undulating land sloping down towards the Plym Estuary from a maximum height of 114m AOD at Hardwick Wood. Upper Devonian mudstone and siltstone bedrock geology overlain by alluvium deposits from the estuary. Minor springs and tributaries are associated with the woodlands. Woodland cover Significant broadleaved estate woodland cover, particularly Saltram Wood along the estuary and Hardwick Wood overlooking the estate. Wood pasture with frequent specimen trees is found throughout the grounds of the estate. Land use and field patterns Most of the land cover is designed estate parkland managed by the National Trust, along with areas of broadleaved woodland comprised of sweet chestnut, oak, lime and beech. The fields within the estate are fairly small and regular in shape and are bounded by fences. Semi-natural habitats The parkland and broadleaved woodlands are designated a County Wildlife Site with habitats including saltmarsh, grassland and veteran trees. Lesser and Greater horseshoe bats are present in this area. Archaeology and cultural heritage Saltram House is a Grade I listed mansion originating from Georgian times and home of the Earls of Morley. The house is now managed by the National Trust as a tourist attraction. The surrounding estate grounds are a Grade II* listed Registered Park and Garden, owned by the National Trust and managed as a Countryside Park. Settlement, road pattern and rights of way Settlement consists of Saltram House and its associated outbuildings. The A38 dual carriageway crosses this area to the east of Saltram House. Roads are otherwise limited to private roads providing access to the estate. The landscape is crossed by various rights of way and informal paths, including National Cycle Route 2 and The Ride (part of the South West Coast Path), running through Saltram Woods alongside the Plym. Views and perceptual qualities Generally a tranquil landscape with a strong historic sense of place, despite its close proximity to urban development. Traffic noise from the A38 can detract from this. The landscape forms a key part of the city’s landscape and seascape setting – viewed by road and rail passengers as part of the ‘eastern gateway’ into the city. It is also overlooked by Efford, Underwood and Crabtree. The dynamic nature of the Plym Estuary (CA 28) can influence the perceptual qualities of the landscape. The prominent ridgeline of Hardwick Wood and its nearby telecoms masts are visible throughout the wider landscape and form a key part of the setting to the historic core of Plympton. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 82 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Landscape evaluation Valued landscape attributes/sensitive features Designated features and attributes Biodiversity/geodiversity CWS, Ancient Woodland Three County Wildlife Sites cover 148.2ha (79.6% of the Character Area). Ancient Woodland covers 31.5ha (16.9%). Cultural heritage Listed Buildings, There are 14 Listed Buildings in the CA. Registered Park and Saltram House Registered Park and Garden Garden covers 171.4ha (92.1%). Recreation National Trust, Long National Trust Land covers 145.2ha distance footpath, Cycle (78% of the CA). route. The South West Coast Path runs along the shore of the Plym. National Cycle Route 27 also crosses this CA. Summary of valued landscape attributes/sensitive features The historic estate landscape character, much of which is listed as a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden around the Grade I Saltram House. Strongly rural landscape on the doorstep of the city – a means of escape for many, providing valued recreational opportunities. The role of the area as part of the landscape and seascape setting to the eastern ‘gateway’ into and out of the city. Valued range of habitats within the Saltram Estate and Hardwick Wood County Wildlife Site, collectively covering most of the Character Area. The setting the landscape provides to the settlements of Efford, Crabtree and Underwood. The strong visual prominence of the Hardwick Woods ridgeline – forming a key rural backdrop to Underwood, Plympton and as part of the wider setting of Saltram. Guidance for managing change Guidance and opportunities to consider within this Character Area are as follows: Any future development should protect the setting and integrity of the Grade I listed Saltram House and surrounding Grade II* parkland. Ensure development does not detract from the landscape’s role as part of the wider landscape/seascape setting to eastern Plymouth, the Laira (CA 28) and main transport corridors. Use existing woodland to help screen development and integrate it into its landscape setting. Ensure development does not result in the damage or fragmentation of valued semi-natural habitats, including saltmarsh, broadleaved woodlands and specimen trees. Pursue opportunities to extend habitats as part of a Green Infrastructure network, utilising native, climate-resilient species wherever possible. Avoid locating any future development on the most prominent ridgeline locations, particularly in the north east of the Character Area (particularly Hardwick Wood and Amados Hill). Pursue further opportunities for access and enjoyment of the landscape, including links to and from the estate from surrounding communities. Support the Vision and Aims of the Saltram Countryside Park Masterplan (2011). Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 83 May 2016 Seascape Assessment Landscape sensitivity assessment Criteria evaluation Criteria Sensitivity description LANDSCAPE Topography Low lying, gently undulating land sloping down towards the Plym Estuary from a maximum height of 114m AOD at Hardwick Wood. The elevated ridgeline upon which Hardwick Wood is located is prominent from across Plympton and further afield. Scale (landform and component landscape Large scale landform, although there a frequent features) features which give the landscape a human scale, particularly specimen trees and the estate buildings and fences. Landscape pattern and complexity (including A valued estate landscape, with frequent historic sense of time-depth) landscape features. The majority of this Character Area is contained within the Saltram Grade II* Registered Park and Garden. Perceptual qualities Forms a natural and historic edge to the River Plym (CA 28), which contrasts markedly with the urban development on the other side of the river. VISUAL Skyline character and visual prominence Hardwick Wood is elevated and forms a prominent wooded ridgeline and setting above Plympton St Maurice, with the telecommunications masts visible on the skyline from much of the surrounding area and further afield. Although low-lying, the western edge of the landscape slopes gently towards the Plym, and also features in views from across the Laira (CA 28 and CA 12). Visual sensitivities and intervisibility Hardwick Wood is visible across Plympton and from Boringdon Park to the north. It forms a backdrop and key part of the setting to the historic core and Conservation Area of Plympton St Maurice. The parkland adjacent to the River Plym forms a key part of its seascape setting. Plymouth and Plymouth Urban Fringe Landscape and 84 May 2016 Seascape Assessment .