Landscape Character Appraisal to inform the Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan November 2020 LEPUS CONSULTING LANDSCAPE, ECOLOGY, PLANNING & URBAN SUSTAINABILITY Landscape Character Appraisal to inform the Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan November 2020 LC-629 Document Control Box Client Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group Report Title Lambourn Landscape Character Appraisal Filename LC-629_Lambourn_LCA_23_031120ND.docx Date November 2020 Author ND Reviewed LB Approved ND Front cover photo: Horse paddocks off Greenways,, Lambourn by Neil Davidson Lambourn NDP Landscape Character Assessment November 2020 LC-629_Lambourn_LCA_23_031120ND.docx Contents 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Appointment and scope of work ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Purpose of this report .............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Aim of the Neighbourhood Development Plan ............................................................................................. 1 1.4 Geographic context of Lambourn ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Landscape classifications ............................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Landscape Character Assessment hierarchy ................................................................................................ 3 2.2 National Character Areas ................................................................................................................................. 3 2.3 West Berkshire landscape context .............................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Lambourn Open Downland LoCA ................................................................................................................ 4 2.5 Wooded Downland LoCA ................................................................................................................................ 4 2.6 Lambourn Upper Valley Floor LoCA ........................................................................................................... 4 2.7 North Wessex Downs AONB LCA ................................................................................................................ 5 3 Landscape planning policy context .......................................................................................... 6 3.1 National Planning Policy Framework ................................................................................................................ 6 3.2 Planning Practice Guidance ............................................................................................................................ 6 3.3 West Berkshire Planning Policy ..................................................................................................................... 7 3.4 North Wessex Downs AONB .......................................................................................................................... 9 3.5 25 Year Environment Plan .............................................................................................................................. 10 4 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 12 4.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2 Define purpose and scope of the project ................................................................................................. 12 4.3 Desk study ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 4.4 Field study ............................................................................................................................................................ 12 4.5 Classification and description of landscape character areas ............................................................ 13 4.6 Landscape Appraisal ........................................................................................................................................ 13 4.7 Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 4.8 Limitations ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 5 Landscape evolution .................................................................................................................... 17 5.1 Geology and landform ........................................................................................................................................... 17 5.2 Topography .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.3 Soil ........................................................................................................................................................................... 17 5.4 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................................................. 19 5.5 Biodiversity, flora and fauna .......................................................................................................................... 19 5.6 The River Lambourn ......................................................................................................................................... 19 5.7 Priority Habitats ................................................................................................................................................. 20 5.8 Sites of Special Scientific Interest .............................................................................................................. 20 5.9 Ancient Woodland ............................................................................................................................................ 20 5.10 Local Wildlife Sites ............................................................................................................................................ 21 5.11 Cultural heritage ................................................................................................................................................. 21 5.12 Literary landscapes .......................................................................................................................................... 23 5.13 PRoWs and National Trails ............................................................................................................................ 23 5.14 Membury Airfield ............................................................................................................................................... 23 5.15 Horse Racing ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.16 Green Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................................... 24 6 Landscape Character Areas ...................................................................................................... 28 6.1 Identification of Landscape Character Areas .............................................................................................. 28 6.2 Landscape Character Areas .......................................................................................................................... 29 6.3 Scale ....................................................................................................................................................................... 29 7 Open Chalk Downland (LCA 1) .................................................................................................. 31 7.1 Location and boundaries ...................................................................................................................................... 31 7.2 LCA1 characteristics, distinctiveness and features ............................................................................... 31 7.3 Recommendations to plan, manage and protect distinctiveness of LC1 .................................... 33 8 Wooded Downland (LCA 2) ...................................................................................................... 35 8.1 Location and boundaries ..................................................................................................................................... 35 8.2 LCA2 characteristics, distinctiveness and features ............................................................................. 35 © Lepus Consulting for Lambourn Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group i Lambourn NDP Landscape Character Assessment November 2020 LC-629_Lambourn_LCA_23_031120ND.docx