Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment What direction? Final Document 30.08.2011 Privett South Team John Kindler, Phil Chung, Fiona and Ian Hughes Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment There have been three Local Authority LCAs covering southern Privett. The main points • A still and tranquil landscape with a strong sense of remoteness. Within this, the A32 is a relevant to Privett are included here and cover the two landscape character areas as busy corridor of movement and noise cutting across the plateau differentiated in these reports. East Hampshire LCA prepared for EHDC & HCC July 2006 Downland Mosaic (South Facing slope leading down to the A272) South Downs LCA December 2005 • Large scale rolling landform characteristic of the chalk dip slope, dissected by dry Draft Hampshire LCA prepared by the County Council March 2010 valleys, with localised secondary escarpments marking the division between different formations of chalk. Froxfield Clay Plateau • Varying extents of surface clay capping resulting in varying soils, woodland cover, and Elevated gently undulating domed plateau defined by the shallow continuous clay • sense of enclosure. capping which overlies the chalk bedrock. • A sporting landscape with woodland managed for country sports resulting in the • Clay capping gives rise to poorer heavier soils which have not in the main been as retention of small woodlands, spinneys, copses and wooded strips creating local intensively farmed and improved as those of the chalk landscapes. diversity in the land cover pattern. • Fields are predominantly pasture for grazing with limited arable cropping. The field • A predominantly farmed area in arable cropping with large field bordered by fences or pattern includes some of late medieval origin and some relating to planned enclosure low hedgerows, increasing the sense of scale. On the lower dip slope heavier clay soils during the 18th-19th centuries. create a more enclosed landscape with greater woodland cover and areas of pasture. • Survival of original pre 1800 woodland and presence of oak as a key species in • A sporting landscape with woodland managed for country sports resulting in the hedgerows and woodland. To the east of the A32 the land is higher with more limited retention of small woodlands, spinneys, copses and wooded strips creating local woodland cover. diversity in the land cover pattern. • Presence of oak as a key species in hedgerows and woodland and coppiced hedgerows are characteristic with a high proportion of holly. • Limited settlement comprising dispersed farmsteads and occasional small nucleated villages/hamlets with church spires forming distinctive landscape features. • This area is characterised by the absence of open access land with a limited rights of way network linking farms and villages. • Historic parkland landscapes at Rotherfield Park and Basing Park (both are English Heritage registered) provide evidence of the history of hunting in this area. The area is characterised by a number of small local historic parks (e.g. Pelham Place and Coles). • Field ponds provide locally important habitats. • Narrow, little used rural lanes cross the area, often bordered by wide verges and ditches. • Intact hedgerow network with hedgerow trees which create a strong landscape pattern as well as seclusion and enclosure. Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment North Landscape Character The southern boundary of Privett is the A272. The land rises from the A272 nearly 100 metres to Filmore Hill, Privett Church and further east at Bordean. The south facing slope comprises chalk geology overlain with clay and flints which connects to the Bramdean Downs in the west. From the top of this slope the chalk is covered to various depths with the Froxfield Clay Plateau. There is no surface water as a result of the chalk geology and free draining soils. The land use is mainly arable with small areas of pasture for grazing horses and occasional sheep, all adjacent to houses. There are also a small number or woodland strips and copses spread throughout the area. Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment South Downs National Park At the end of March 2010, Privett was included within South Downs National Park, Britain’s newest National Park. The village is located on raised ground to the north of the A272 Winchester to Petersfield Road, with far reaching views to the south across the Meon Valley. The twin purposes of the South Downs National Park are: • To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area • To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public The South Downs National Park is over 1,600 km.sq. and stretches 100 miles from the edge of Winchester to Beachy Head. The Park's geology combines the green sands and clays of the Weald with the chalk of the Downlands. This geology provides the foundation for large tracts of internationally important ancient woodlands, open heathland and the famous rolling downlands that lead to the iconic, sheer cliffs at Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. The landscape supports a great variety of trees, plants, birds and other wildlife. In Privett this includes old beech and oak trees, golden plovers, red kites,rare orchids, the brown hare and the locally rare woodland plant Green Hellebore. Conservation Area Already an area of outstanding natural beauty AONB, most of Privett was designated a Conservation Area in November 2000. Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment Views Views in Privett along the top of the south facing slope down to the A272 are spectacular, 5 miles to Butser Hill in the south east, over Bereleigh Estate to the south, past Beacon Hill to the south west and onto Cheesefoot Head 8 miles to the west. On a good day the Isle of Wight and the Fawley flame can be seen. Of particular note are the views south from Church Farm and Church Barns. Church Farm, has greatly reduced its acreage in Privett over the years but has specifically retained the fields over which these views can be seen from the farm house. “Privett? That’s the Church with the tall spire” is the usual response to most residents of East Hampshire when View towards Privett from The West Meon Hut Privett is mentioned, and is often the only thing they know at the junction of the A32 and the A272 about the village. Not surprising when it can be seen two miles away on the main roads approaching from the south and the east, and many other locations, in all directions. At a more local level the spire is seen across the fields from many of the local houses where the view is a major feature of the garden with low hedging and open vistas being maintained from Farnfield and Hemplands View towards Privett Church from the South Lane amongst others. As well as the spectacular views south and those to and from the church there are many areas within Privett where the undulating land and combination of woodland, hedges, individual trees and arable fields make up views much favoured by the residents and visitors alike. The seasonal changes bring an ever refreshed image. View south to The Meon Valley Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment Farming Farming has made a significant impact on the landscape. What is seen today has been heavily influenced by the changes made by farmers in order to adapt to the prevailing economic and political climate. For example, in recent years trees and hedgerows have been removed and later replaced. Gates have been widened to allow access for larger agricultural machinery. Modern combine harvesters have been a great farming innovation removing the dust and hard work associated with harvesting in the past. Unlike most of the Froxfield Clay Plateau with heavy soils, a large portion of this area has been intensively farmed and there are significant areas of arable cropping. Some pasture is present, the majority being grazed by horses. The south facing slopes, to the south of the clay plateau leading down to the A272 are in the Downland Mosaic and are also intensively cropped as is more common for that land type. In the last two of decades, farms that had significant dairy and beef herds, have given these up and turned to arable crops. The tenants of the Nicholson Estate were able to purchase their farms in 1945 when the estate was subdivided and sold. This appears not to have to a changed land use and farming practices. Farnfield Farm and field to the north Wildlife In recent years the wildlife environment has become more diverse because farms have been encouraged to promote wildlife habitat. Typical for a rural farmland area with woodland throughout there is a wide diversity of wildlife including, raptors (buzzards, kites and owls), woodpeckers, bats, foxes, rabbits and deer. Hares are often seen especially on the south facing downland in the fields by the A272. Many gardens have bird feeders and attract a wide number of species. The old disused railway embankment towards the A272 is being managed for the conservation of various species especially butterflies because of the high content of chalk close to the surface which is the natural habitat for many of the species. Buzzard Field above the Privett Tunnel between Hemplands Lane and Church Lane Privett Local Landscape Character Assessment Ponds Piper’s pond is next to the old Blacksmith’s Forge in Filmore Hill where the Blacksmith lived until about 30 years ago. He and the pond are well remembered by several of the local residents who used to visit him with their horses which were used on the farm and also for pleasure. The pond is well maintained and attracts a wide variety of insects and other wildlife such as bats and birds including woodpeckers, moorhens and a pair of wild mallard ducks who have taken to nesting there in recent years.