Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 3.11. Thame Valley: This character area forms the link between the Park and Gardens of Eythrope and Hartwell and is moderately sensitive to change. The historic landscape is mainly composed of locally rare, irregular pre -18th century enclosures and older meadows running adjacent to the river Thame. These fields are under arable and have suffered some degree of boundary loss and would be benefit from restoration. There are also a few areas of modern enclosures created as the result of agricultural intensification. Although there are no settlements in this area, the impact of urbanisation in this area will have a negative influence on the setting of the designed landscapes of Eythrope and Hartwell. There are no scheduled ancient monuments in this area, although indications of the archaeological potential have been seen during fieldwork at Coldharbour Farm and in Stone itself where prehistoric, Roman and Saxon remains have been found. Further field evaluation would be required to assess the archaeological potential. The character area has only a limited potential to absorb new development due to the significance of the early field system and the wider impact development could have on the setting of the two historic parks. Figs. 19 & 20:HLC Landscape and photograph of enclosures in the Thame Valley landscape 23 Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 3.12. Winchendon Hills: This character area has a high degree of sensitivity. The historic landscape of this character area comprises irregular fields and meadows dating before the 18th century and the southern part of the Historic Park and Garden of Eythrope Park. Eythrope is one of five distinctive late Victorian landscapes created by the Rothschild family in Buckinghamshire and has been awarded Grade II status by English Heritage. The present park and garden was created for Alice de Rothschild as the grounds for her house, the Pavilion, which was built in 1883, although this superceded an earlier 18th century house and garden. Most of the 18th century parkland is now under arable. In terms of built heritage, the parkland contains a number of garden monuments and buildings with listed status, these include an 18th century grotto, estate lodges and a bridge over a designed weir and watercourse. The site of Eythrope medieval settlement, which survives as well preserved earthworks with associated ridge and furrow and possible mill, is probably worthy of scheduling. This is a very sensitive historic landscape which should be protected from major development, and the impact of nearby development on its setting considered. Figs. 21 & 22: HLC map of the Winchenden Hills character area and picture of Eythrope House 24 Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 4. Settlements ‘Village Envelopes’ The character of any historic town, village or hamlet is normally perceived in terms of its immediate built environment and the associated curtilage of its buildings. By contrast, little attention has been paid to the immediate environs of settlements that also contribute to the distinctiveness and identity of places. Most of the areas surrounding our rural settlements are generally composed of small fields and closes that are often long established, dating to an earlier period and form a part of a settlement’s evolution and history. These locations also provide an aesthetic setting, with many enclosures having species-rich hedgerows, providing a habitat for a variety of wildlife. By preserving these areas as ‘village envelopes’ they would provide suitable small-scale local areas for green infrastructure and also act as buffer to preserve the sense of place and individuality of rural settlements from urban agglomeration. 4.1. Bierton: This is a linear settlement set along the present A418. It contains 17 listed buildings and has been designated a conservation, the extent of which does not extend much beyond property boundaries, (Figure 3). In addition to these designations, the character of the village could be further defined by the presence of long rectilinear enclosures that abut the properties to the north and the south side of the village, (tawny coloured areas in Fig. 4). These closes were originally formed from the strips of open field farming but have subsequently provided convenient land allotment as crofts for the adjacent properties. These enclosures make a contribution to the surrounding environment of Bierton. It is recommended that these fossilised closes, where possible, be preserved and included in any subsequent revision of the village’s conservation area. Fig. 23: Bierton: Current Conservation Area (Red ) Fig.24: Possible ‘Village Envelope’ for Bierton (Blue) Figs. 25& 26: Enclosed strip fields north of Bierton village, location indicated by a circle in figure 24. 25 Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 4.2. Stoke Mandeville: Although Stoke Mandeville does not have conservation area status, the village does have a distinct historic core at its western end. This area contains 18 listed buildings and coincides with a distinctive number of old enclosures to the north-western end of the village that should be considered for preservation, (depicted by the purple coloured areas). Provision should also be made to extend the village envelope to the south of the study area to incorporate the fields that enclose the deserted medieval village. Fig. 27: Stoke Mandeville Village Envelope, proposed are demarcated by the blue line Figs. 28 & 29: Small enclosures to the west of Stoke Mandeville highlighted by the circle in Figure 27. 26 Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 5. Green and Cultural Infrastructure 5.1. Introduction The final MKSM panel report (MKSM 2004), acknowledged the importance of accommodating ‘Green Infrastructure’ or ‘GI’ as an integral part of any proposed development plans, (English Nature et al 2004). The concept of Green infrastructure is to establish a network of green spaces at the heart of any development. The historic environment can make a significant contribution to the provision of green and cultural infrastructure both at a strategic and local scale. Key locations and opportunities can be identified both within the study area and beyond. This section identifies some key issues to be considered by the Aylesbury Vale Delivery Vehicle in the period to 2021. Most are only identified in outline at this stage with further study required to arrive at detailed proposals and costings. An exception to this is the Quarrendon Scheduled Ancient Monument where consultant studies are now available. 5.2. Strategic green/cultural infrastructure beyond the study area • Aylesbury Historic Core: The historic core of Aylesbury around St.Mary’s Church, Kingsbury and Market Square needs sensitive conservation management. Proposals to “enhance” this area should be fully informed by appraisal of its historic character and ill- considered piecemeal change should be resisted. The contribution of the County Museum to providing a sense of place and information about local heritage should be promoted. • Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The historic landscape of the Chilterns is of national importance. There are a number of important publicly accessible heritage sites in the Chilterns within easy reach of Aylesbury, notably Boddington and Whiteleaf Hills, which already attract many visitors from Aylesbury. The HLF-funded Whiteleaf Project demonstrates the potential of the historic environment to contribute to their management, including encouraging public participation. The historic environment should be considered in managing future recreation provision at sensitive Chiltern sites. • Bernwood Ancient Hunting Forest: To the northwest of Aylesbury is a largely rural area with a rich historic environment that is currently being promoted by the County Council. Further measures to preserve the local distinctiveness and promote public access and awareness would be desirable. • Waddesdon Park: Already a major tourist attraction in the care of the National Trust, this designed landscape will need ongoing conservation management. 5.3. Strategic infrastructure within the study area • Broughton Moat and Barn: This scheduled medieval moat and listed aisled barn sit alongside one-another, although in different ownership, adjacent to the Aston Clinton MDA. The aisled barn is on the national “Buildings at Risk” Register. Ideally the two sites, and 27 Aylesbury Environs Study: Natural and Historic Environment Assessment April 2005 their immediate settings, would be brought together as “green infrastructure” in public use, perhaps linking to a green corridor along the nearby canal. • Quarrendon: This large scheduled ancient monument lies between the Berryfields and Weedon Hill MDAs. The monument and its setting will experience increased visitor pressure from the MDAs and have great potential for providing a large area of interesting and easily accessible public open space in easy walking distance of the new populations. A study commissioned by Aylesbury Vale District Council estimates the cost of providing sustainable access to approximately £676,700 over a 10 year period1 (Alison Farmer Associates 2004) • Grand Union Canal (Aylesbury Arm): The waterway already provides a distinctive and intimate landscape feature and has potential for wider access.