Clatterbrook and Dibbin Valley Woodland on high ground Lighting columns at junction 4 M53 Key Characteristics Narrow, shallow river valley Watercourses tend to be mostly wooded although in the north have less vegetation and are less distinct Frequent wooded golf courses which are well integrated with surrounding farmland by mature vegetation Prominent woodland on ridgelines such as Storeton Woods Frequent copses, scattered trees and avenues of trees along roads such as Levers Causeway Farmland tends to be used for grazing although arable uses are present in places Pockets of parkland and halls with walled woodland boundaries and frequent entrance gates Urban elements such as the M53 and particularly lighting columns at junctions have a localised urbanising effect Long distance westerly views from high ground across to Welsh Hills although much of west Wirral is obscured from view by intervening landform Small pockets of ancient and post-medieval fieldscapes Occasional houses and village of Storeton visible on ridgelines nestled within woodland Frequent large farms on higher ground Roads bordered by hedge banks with high hedgerows which increases the sense of enclosure on country lanes Horse paddocks and sub-division of fields has a marked effect on the character of the northern part of the area Landscape Character This character area extends south from Levers Fields are generally of an irregular shape and are of small to Causeway along the fringes of Bebington, Spital, medium scale reflecting ancient and post-medieval field Poulton and Bromborough following river valleys. The pattern. Arable land by contrast is larger and more western boundary generally follows the M53 although representative of 20th century fieldscapes. The scale it extends to the west around Clatterbridge Hospital as increases in the north where many hedgerows have been it follows Clatter Brook. There are few urbanising removed and replaced by post and tape and post and rail features and built development is generally well fencing. Although the field pattern remains relatively small, screened which contributes to a fairly rural character. the lack of hedgerow or hedgerow tree boundaries The main urban influences are strongly represented increases the perceived scale and the landscape feels more around junction 4 of the M53 around Clatterbridge open in character. hospital and the fringes of Storeton. There are a number of golf courses within the character This area is a narrow shallow valley following a number area including Bromborough Golf Course and of small watercourses with the land either side rising Brackenwood Golf Course. These are mature and well- steeply to a high point of 68m AOD at Storeton Wood established and integrate well with the surrounding and a lower slope at 48m AOD at Storeton. The valley farmland due to their substantial wooded boundaries and becomes wider and shallower further south with use of a high proportion of native planting. Pockets of Clatter Brook and Dibbinsdale Brook creating a series parkland are concentrated within the southern part of the of much smaller and shallower valleys intersecting character area at Poulton Hall and Raby Hall and this estate farmland. character is echoed in the built form of Sitch Cottages and former gate entrance on Brimstage Road. These properties Land cover is predominantly farming with a high are characterised by sandstone walls and formal entrances proportion of grazing and horse paddocks although, surrounding predominantly oak and beech woodlands. around Poulton Lancelyn arable is common. Clatterbrook and Dibbin Valley At Dibbinsdale/Brotherton Park, an area of informal open space and ancient woodland, the watercourse flows through a narrow wooded cutting and includes small pockets of wooded farmland which can be subject to seasonal flooding. Narrow wooded routes are also common throughout the character area. Watercourses are frequent and have a strong influence on the character of the area. A man-made lake, Raby Mere, created in ancient times from damming the River Dibbin, is a local feature within low-lying woodland adjacent to Clatter Brook. It is the largest area of open water on Wirral. It is part of a former water-mill although little evidence of this exists. The Mill house is adjacent to the road set within well wooded boundaries. Within the northern part of the character area watercourses are generally more open in character with grassed rather than wooded banks. Mature woodland along watercourses Woodland and tree cover Woodland is mostly concentrated along Clatter Brook almost all mature or senescent. A high proportion are and Dibbinsdale Brook and formal woodlands around present within hedgerows in the southern part of the halls and country houses. The most prominent character area. In the northern part where many woodland is at Storeton Hill. This woodland covers hedgerows have been lost to allow sub-division and the site of a former quarry which was worked as replacement by horse fencing, former hedgerow trees early as 3AD and was finally filled in the early 20th remain within fields as small copses and groups of trees century. The woodland has established naturally and with any understorey planting now lost to grazing often contains birch, oak, sycamore and beech with an by horses. understorey of gorse, holly and elder. Roads are often small and enclosed in character. Many Linear woodlands and small frequent copses and are lined by mature hedgerows and more formal tree woodland on high ground contribute to the woodland planting. Through the farmland areas, particularly on cover in the area. Lines of poplar are visible and Poulton Hall Road, hedgerows are on high banks contrast in form with the softer shapes of other creating narrow enclosed routes with views channelled broadleaf planting. Woodland is a prominent feature along the roads. Views out are only possible at gate along ridgelines, often the skyline is totally wooded entrances into fields. Other routes close to with individual houses set slightly below the woodland. watercourses are characterised by steep sided wooded The area contains numerous hedgerow trees which are valleys and narrow twisty lanes. Built form There is relatively little built form within the character Mature woodland around halls area. Raby Mere is a small isolated pocket of housing comprising both detached and semi-detached properties. It is set on sloping ground and is surrounded by woodland which reduces its prominence. Only a small section of the area is visible from Blakeley Road and Raby Hall Road although the character rapidly changes on Raby Hall Road adjacent to the properties where timber garden boundaries and the roofs of houses are visible. Urban fringes of Brookhurst, Eastham Rake, Bromborough Rake and Higher Bebington are screened by mature vegetation along Dibbinsdale Brook and around the fringes of Brackenwood Golf Course which helps to retain a rural character within the landscape despite its proximity to the urban edge. At Poulton Gated entrances and walls housing and gardens slightly diminish the rural character slightly providing a reminder of the close proximity of urban fringes. Clatterbrook and Dibbin Valley Farmsteads are a mix of sizes and scales and include The western fringe of Little Storeton is also clearly both older and more modern buildings. Farmsteads visible comprising a single row of large detached such as Lancelyn Farm and the Vineyard Farm are properties with mature vegetation between the constructed from local red sandstone with small farm properties. The buildings generally have brown roofs buildings arranged around small courtyards. Storeton and white render although in places red brick and roofs Hall Farm is the largest farmstead within the character are present. Mature trees and an overhead line form the area with both large modern barns constructed from horizon with the houses being set slightly below. The red brick and sheet metal and some smaller sandstone remainder of the properties are along Little Storeton and brick buildings. It is on locally high ground on the Lane and consist of modern houses with small western side of the valley, which in combination with sandstone farmhouses interspersed, this ribbon low boundary vegetation increases its prominence development only extends along this road and a short within the landscape. section of Lever Causeway. Storeton Village is centred around Red Hill Road and Keepers Lane. The majority of buildings are farmhouses and associated out-buildings or converted farmhouses. Most of the houses are constructed of red or buff sandstone with a few red brick and render buildings interspersed between. Most buldings are between two and three storeys in height. The roofline is fairly uniform although barns are smaller in height and provide variation. Other built development within the character area consists of large detached properties including Raby Hall and Poulton Hall. The halls tend to be surrounded Detached properties and mature trees by walled woodlands and therefore are not apparent in within edge of Little Storeton general views. Other detached properties tend to be more noticeable with distinctive red roofs and white rendering set within large gardens often with little boundary vegetation. Views Nature and extent of views Welsh hills visible from high ground Views throughout much of the character area are contained within river valleys with woodland and Storeton Village visible on high ground containing views. On the lower lying ground views are enclosed