Landscape Character Assessment of the Tay Landscape Partnership Area Prepared by LUC in association with STAR Group for the Tay Landscape Partnership October 2012 Project Title: Landscape Character Assessment of the Tay Landscape Partnership Area Client: Tay Landscape Partnership Version Date Version Details Prepared by Checked by Approved by Principal 1 14/9/12 First draft PDM/SO/MJ NJ NJ 2 4/10/12 Final draft PDM NJ NJ 3 22/10/12 Final report PDM NJ NJ H:\1 Projects\54\5472 LIVE Tay Landscape Partnership\B Project Working\LCA\Tay LCA v3 20121022.docx Landscape Character Assessment of the Tay Landscape Partnership Area Prepared by LUC in association with STAR Group for the Tay Landscape Partnership October 2012 The Tay Landscape Partnership is a joint initiative between Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust, The Gannochy Trust and Perth & Kinross Council. The Tay Landscape Partnership is generously supported by: Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust Heritage Lottery Fund The Gannochy Trust Perth & Kinross Council Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Trust Perth Civic Trust Thomson Charitable Trust Planning & EIA LUC EDINBURGH Offices also in: Land Use Consultants Ltd Registered in England Design 28 Stafford Street London Registered number: 2549296 Landscape Planning Edinburgh Bristol Registered Office: Landscape Management EH3 7BD Glasgow 43 Chalton Street Ecology Tel: 0131 202 1616 London NW1 1JD LUC uses 100% recycled paper Mapping & Visualisation [email protected] FS 566056 EMS 566057 Contents 1 Introduction 1 Background 1 Role of the landscape character assessment 1 Study area 2 Structure of the document 2 2 Methodology 5 Principles of landscape character assessment 5 Desk research 5 Preliminary landscape classification 7 Community and stakeholder workshops 7 Field survey 8 3 Human History of the Landscape 13 Introduction 13 Changing climates 14 Barriers and connections 19 Landscapes of power 20 A generous land: farming, fishing and the Firth 24 Designing and adapting nature 26 4 Landscape Classification 29 Existing landscape character assessments 29 Landscape hierarchy 30 5 The Changing Landscape 35 Introduction 35 Forces for change 35 Management guidelines 46 6 The Tay Landscape 53 Overview of the area 53 Character type descriptions 55 Type 1 Igneous Escarpment 56 Type 2 Dipslope Farmland 60 Type 3: Lowland Ridge 63 Type 4: Carse 67 Type 5: Firth Terraces 71 Type 6: Firth 74 Type 7: River Corridors 78 Type 8 Broad Strath 82 Type 9: Lowland Farmland 85 Type 10: Settlement 89 Type 11 Igneous Hills 94 7 Potential Actions 100 Introduction 100 Overarching projects 100 Specific projects 101 Appendix 1 104 Consultation invitees 104 Appendix 2 106 Analysis of forces for change 106 Tables Table 2.1 Consultation events 7 Table 4.1 Existing landscape types 29 Table 4.2 Landscape classification 30 Table 5.1 Forces for change: key themes 35 Table 5.2 Management principles and partners 47 Figures Figure 1.1 Study Area Figure 3.1 Quaternary geological timeline Figure 3.2 Approximate historical sea levels Figure 3.3 Ploughed-down raised beaches Figure 4.1 Regional Landscape Character Types Figure 4.2 Landscape Character Types and Areas Figure 6.1 Topography: Elevation Figure 6.2 Topography: Slope Figure 6.3 Land Use Figure 6.4 Woodland Cover Figure 6.5 Historic Environment Figure 6.6 Natural Heritage Designations Figure 6.7 Key Viewpoints 1 Introduction 1 Introduction Background 1.1 This document reports on a study of the landscape of the area around Perth and the inner Firth of Tay. The study considered the character of the landscape and how it has been influenced by geological, hydrological and cultural history, and has been shaped by these to form the unique area that it is today. An innovative approach was used, involving a review of the character of the area, both from published assessment information and fieldwork. Extensive consultation with community groups gathered local knowledge and aspirations. The study drew on Historic Land- use Assessment data to better understand cultural influences on the physical landscape. 1.2 The Tay Landscape Partnership (TLP) is a joint project managed by Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust and Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust. It brings together a variety of partners with an active interest in the local landscape, and aims: “To celebrate and enhance for future generations the cradle of medieval Royal Scotland: a tryst of landscapes, where the rivers Tay and Earn converge to give the place its unique character” 1.3 The landscape partnership scheme is currently in its development year (March 2012 – February 2013). Following a successful second round funding application, Phase 1 delivery of the project will take place from 2013 to 2016. Role of the landscape character assessment 1.4 Landscape character assessment (LCA) is an established approach to describing and classifying the landscape, in order to gain an understanding of what gives a locality its ‘sense of place’. As a planning tool, it can help ensure that development and change does not adversely affect this sense of place. 1.5 As part of the preparation of the TLP second round Heritage Lottery Fund application, a LCA is required. The LCA will inform the Landscape Conservation Action Plan, a cornerstone of the second round funding application. 1.6 The brief for the study recommended the updating of existing LCA reports for the area, with additional detail relevant to the specific area. The project brief requires that: “The LCA will describe the elements and patterns of environmental, cultural and historic features that make the area different and distinctive. It will assess the condition of the landscape and the opportunities for restoring and strengthening these elements, and identify actions that will address the threats to its character.” Objectives 1.7 The objectives of the study are set out in the project brief: “To produce a Historic Landscape Characterisation for the area, providing an historic dimension to the landscape To produce a detailed description and analysis of the varying landscape types paying attention to combinations of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, landuse, field patterns, and human settlement To describe the archaeological, historic and cultural elements of the landscape and how these interweave with the land To identify key aesthetic and perceptual features Tay Landscape Partnership Landscape Character Assessment 1 23 October 2012 To provide prioritised opportunities for restoring and strengthening the key elements of the landscape To identify risks and threats to the landscape and produce a list of actions to address these To assess the landscape impact of the Development Plan prepared by the Carse of Gowrie Initiative To assess the sensitivity of the Partnership landscapes to change” Study area 1.8 The provisional area of the TLP is centred on the River Tay from Scone to Newburgh. It includes the Carse of Gowrie, Kinnoull and Moncreiffe Hills, and Forteviot in Strathearn. This area covers 200 km2, the maximum extent for Landscape Partnership schemes, although the extent and coverage of this area may be amended prior to finalisation of the second round funding application. 1.9 In order to capture the wider setting of this area, a buffer of 2 km was applied to the provisional boundary. This extends the area covered by the LCA to around 380 km2. The provisional boundary and study area are shown in Figure 1.1. Structure of the document The remainder of the LCA report it structured as follows: Section 2 describes the methodology used to develop the LCA; Section 3 presents the historical development of the study area; Section 4 sets out the classification of the landscape; Section 5 identifies pressures for change in the area and principles for managing these; Section 6 describes the landscape of the area, and sets out the landscape types and areas identified in terms of their characteristics, forces for change and management guidelines; and Section 7 presents potential actions which could be developed into projects to deliver benefits for the landscape. Abbreviations used in the report CC community council ELC European Landscape Convention HLA Historic Land-use Assessment LCA landscape character assessment LCT landscape character type PKC Perth and Kinross Council PKHT Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust SAC Special Area of Conservation SNH Scottish Natural Heritage SPA Special Protection Area SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest TLP Tay Landscape Partnership Tay Landscape Partnership Landscape Character Assessment 2 23 October 2012 2 Methodology Tay Landscape Partnership Landscape Character Assessment 3 23 October 2012 2 Methodology Principles of landscape character assessment 2.1 Landscape character is the distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements that makes one area of landscape different from another. Variations in geology, soils, landform, land use, vegetation, field boundaries, settlement patterns and building styles all help give rise to different landscapes, each with its own distinctive character and ‘sense of place’. These differences are the product of both natural and human influences. 2.2 Landscape character assessment involves mapping, classifying and describing these variations in landscape character. The resulting classification of the landscape can be used as a basis for making judgements about the character and condition of the landscape, and to identify how landscape character can be maintained. Policy and guidance 2.3 The European Landscape Convention (ELC) is a Europe-wide initiative to encourage the protection, management and planning of landscapes. It came into force in the UK in March 2007, and applies to all landscapes, regardless of condition or quality. The ELC gives the following definition: “‘Landscape’ means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”1 2.4 Landscape character assessment (LCA) is a recognised approach to identifying character and distinctiveness through the examination of these interactions.