Landscape Character Derbyshire

TheLandscape Character

ofDerbyshire Dales

The Landscape Character of Derbyshire Dales

PREFACE

Introduction

Derbyshire Dales has a varied and diverse landscape, from the open moors of the Dark Peak to the flat floodplainsof the Trent valley. This document identifies and describes the key features and characteristics of the landscape of Derbyshire Dales outside the Peak District National Park. This has been achieved by undertaking a landscapecharacter assessment of the district, a process of dividing the landscape into units of land with common characteristics. There are many characteristics that define the landscape. These can essentially be divided into the physical and natural processes; such as geology, landform and soils and human processes affecting settlement,enclosure patterns and land cover.

This document is a reproduction of those parts of the assessment undertaken by Derbyshire County Council whichrelate directly to Derbyshire Dales District Council. The original document -”The Landscape Character ofDerbyshire” was published in 2004.

The Purpose of the Landscape Assessment

The assessment is meant to guide and promote a number of primary planning aims:

Aim 1: Landscape Character and DiversityTo maintain and enhance the overall quality and diversity of landscape character across the district, the

distinctive sense of place and individual identity of each particular area.

Aim 2: Managing ChangeTo support and complement planning policies by helping to ensure that new development respects and where

practicable contributes towards enhancing the local character and sense of place of the landscape.

Aim 3: Biological DiversityTo support and complement the aims of the Biodiversity Action Plans for Derbyshire Dales, enriching biological

diversity throughout the wider countryside and encouraging the sustainable management of the district’s Landscapes.

The Approach

The assessment recognises the important role that development plays, not only as a component of landscapecharacter but also in contributing to the conservation, enhancement and restoration of character and localdistinctiveness. Providing guidance for the design and location of new development in the countryside is, therefore,an important aspect of any landscape character assessment.

It is important to recognise what this document does not do. It does not label areas as attractive or unattractive, highor low quality. All areas have features that contribute to or detract from the overall qualities of an area and thisassessment is an objective exercise to identify these features and understand their development.

Urban areas have been excluded. The study does, however, identify the overall contribution they make to settlement patterns and how they influence the landscape immediately surrounding them.

Within Derbyshire Dales a total of 19 Landscape Character Types (LCTs) have been identified within 5 National Landscape Character Areas (LCAs). These are fully described within the document along with planting and landscape management guidelines for each LCT.

The information supports the District Council’s Supplementary Planning Document concerning Landscape Characterand Design and will provide the basis for landscape advice and decision making in a wide range of situations including: the formulation of planning policy, development control and countryside management. Additionally the work will inform and assist in the development of countryside strategies and management guidelines.



CONTENTS

Landscape Character Area Landscape Type

DARK PEAK................................................................................................................................................

Open Moors................................................................. Enclosed Moors........................................................... Settled Valley Pastures................................................ Riverside Meadows......................................................

WHITE PEAK...............................................................................................................................................

Plateau Pastures.......................................................... Limestone Slopes......................................................... Limestone Dales...........................................................

DERBYSHIRE PEAK FRINGE

AND LOWER DERWENT............................................................................................................................

Enclosed Moors and Heaths........................................ Wooded Slopes and Valleys......................................... Wooded Farmlands...................................................... Settled Farmlands........................................................ Riverside Meadows......................................................

NEEDWOOD AND SOUTH

DERBYSHIRE CLAYLANDS.......................................................................................................................

Settled Plateau Farmlands........................................... Settled Farmlands........................................................ Sandstone Slopes and Heaths..................................... Riverside Meadows......................................................

TRENT VALLEY WASHLANDS..................................................................................................................

Lowland Village Farmlands.......................................... Riverside Meadows......................................................

Page No

1 3 7 11 17

21 25 31 35

39 43 47 51 55 61

67 69 73 79 89

93 95 101



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Dark Peak Character Area 51

DARK PEAKCHARACTER AREA 51

Location of Dark Peak

Landscape Character Types

• Open Moors

• Enclosed Moorland

An upland landscape of high moors and settled valleys

IntroductionThe Dark Peak extends over alarge area of north westDerbyshire although much of itlies within the administrativeboundaries of the Peak DistrictNational Park. In Derbyshire theDark Peak extends from Glossopand New Mills in the north andwest to the urban fringes ofSheffield in the east and as farsouth as Matlock. For thepurposes of the DerbyshireLandscape CharacterAssessment the Dark Peakcharacter area also includes thesmall area of the South WestPeak and Manchester PennineFringe character areas that liewithin Derbyshire.

The expansive moorland of thePeak District is one of the mostextensive semi-natural wildernessareas in England. Much of themoorland is traditionally managedfor grouse shooting and sheepgrazing. Hedgerows and drystone walls enclose the moresheltered valleys around theseupland plateaux to providepasture for dairy farming withsome beef cattle.

The visual and environmentalvalue of this landscape lies in the

contrast between the wildmoorland and the small-scaledomesticated farmland within thein-bye land around the margins.These differences form the basisfor the sub-division of the DarkPeak into Landscape CharacterTypes.

Buildings constructed from thelocal ‘gritstone’ and dry stonewalls in the same materialreinforce the character andprovide a visual link to theunderlying geology.

Physical InfluencesThe Dark Peak is a dramaticupland landscape that owes

much of its character to theunderlying geology of MillstoneGrit sandstone. This hard‘gritstone’ interspersed with softershales has given rise to thisdistinctive landscape of ‘highmoors’ dissected by broad valleysand narrow rocky ‘cloughs’.Gritstone outcrops creating rockytors punctuate these extensiveareas of upland plateaux definingthe Open Moors. Moorland topsprovide long uninterrupted viewswith vertical cliff faces referred toas ‘edges’ regularly defining theMoorland Fringe. Collectivelythese rocky outcrops add to thewild and exposed nature of thislandscape.

Open Moors

Moorland Fringe

Enclosed Moorland

Settled Valley Pastures

Riverside Meadows

River alluviium

Grit & sandstone

Clay shale

MillstoneGritSeries

}

“Should you tire of the valleys and desire to breathe a larger air, themoors are never far distant - moors gloriously open and grand....Theseare the real moors of heather and bracken which flame with brown andyellow and purple in the autumn.”

p8 JB Firth ‘Highways and Byways in Derbyshire’

• Settled Valley Pastures• Riverside Meadows


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Other Considerations

• Peak District National Park• Special Landscape Areas• Peak District BAP

Railwaybridges atChapel-en-le-Frith

Roadsextendingup thevalleysides arefew buttend to

occur as winding country lanessometimes sunken, with steepnarrow road verges. Remnantmoorland in many road verges isa reminder of the character of thewider landscape. Even where theland either side has beenagriculturally improved, these canprovide valuable floristicremnants.

The Open Moors have beenmanaged for grouse shooting andsheep grazing since the early19th century. Periodic burningand regular grazing has ensuredthe retention of the characteristicland cover that is seen today.

the open expanse of the moors.Where the stone is fissile it hasbeen used for roofing.

Roads and tracks are infrequentthroughout. They are generallydirect and follow straight lines asthey cross the Open Moors andEnclosed Moorland. Some wereformer Roman roads or historicpackhorse routes. Roads, railwaylines and even canals are morea feature of Settled ValleyFarmlands and RiversideMeadows, taking advantage ofthe easier gradients and servingthe local populations andindustrial sites.

The industrial revolution saw thedevelopment of large textile millsin the Riverside Meadows and theassociated expansion ofsettlements like New Mills.

Dry stone walls, constructed ofthe local gritstone are a distinctivefeature of the Dark Peak andespecially the EnclosedMoorlands. Although walls extendinto the valley bottoms the lowerslopes tend to be enclosed byhedgerows which together withthe small fields create a moreenclosed character in contrast to

mesolithic period when huntergatherers were attracted to eventhe highest moors, as indicatedby finds of stone tools. The extentof settlement in the Bronze Age isdramatically illustrated by thesurviving landscape on the EastMoors. Here, because of the lackof agricultural improvement,remains of field systems,settlements and ritual monumentssurvive from the secondmillennium BC.

Much of the agriculturallandscape seen today hasdeveloped over the lastmillennium. The Domesday Bookdescribes the area as sparselysettled and economicallybackward. Much of the area wasincluded in the Royal Forest ofthe Peak, and remained so untilthe 17th century. Although theOpen Moors remain unsettled andfree of man-made features, thelower lying margins of theMoorland Fringe and EnclosedMoorlands are characterised byscattered farmsteads built in thelocal gritstone. Villages areconfined to the valley bottom andlower slopes of the Settled ValleyPastures and often containindustrial terraces that oncehoused workers from the localtextile industry.

The plateau tops, rising to 636mat Kinder Scout, are heavilydissected by drainage channels.Where run-off has been sufficientto create rivers like the Goyt andDerwent these have erodedthrough the gritstone to formbroad, often steep sided, uplandvalleys that have provided thefocus for settlement and farminghighlighted in Settled ValleyPastures. Sometimes scree andexposed rock located within thesevalleys provide a link to the wildmoorland character above thevalley sides.

Natural InfluencesSemi-natural vegetation is a keycharacteristic with extensiveareas of heather and grassmoorland defining the OpenMoors and making a significantcontribution to Moorland Fringeand Enclosed Moorland.

The lower lying in-bye landassociated with Settled ValleyPastures retains traditional haymeadows and unimprovedpasture, and steep slopes andsheltered cloughs retain areas ofsemi-natural broadleaf woodland.Where boundaries are notmaintained woodlands aregradually being lost as stockgraze on young trees and preventnatural regeneration. In recentyears grassland management hasbeen intensified on the lowervalley slopes and reducedtowards the moorland, making thedistinction between moorland andenclosed farmland less distinct,thus creating a gradual transitionfrom one to the other.

All of these land-uses providevaluable habitats for wildlife.Heather moorland is a particularlyrare national habitat providing anesting site and food source for anumber of rare birds. Broadleafwoodland remains a keycharacteristic of Settled ValleyPastures where along with fieldboundaries, meadows andpastures it constitutes a mosaic ofwildlife habitats.

Human InfluencesEvidence of human activity on theDark Peak dates from the

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LANDSCAPE TYPE: OPEN MOORS

An upland landscape of rolling highland plateaux of heather moorlandwith a distinct sense of remoteness and ‘wildness’.

Key CharacteristicsGently to moderately rolling highland plateauRaw peat soils and blanket bog over gritstoneUnenclosed heather moorland extensively grazed by sheepDistinct absence of treesMany important archaeological (prehistoric) featuresOpen and exposed landscape with expansive views

Geology and LandformThese moorland plateaux and hillsummits are strongly influencedby the underlying geology of theMillstone Grit Series. Thebedrock, of Namurian age, is hardand difficult to erode, creatingbroad tracts of upstandinghighland, rising to over 600metres at Kinder Scout. Themajority of this landscape extendsnorthwards as a broad, expansiveplateau, but around the edgeswhere river valleys have erodedthrough the gritstone there areoutliers of moorland plateauxoccurring as occasional summits.

The upstanding nature of thislandscape creates a strong senseof elevation and space, withpanoramic views oversurrounding countryside

Soils and Land UseThe soils are raw peat and

blanket bog which infill thehollows of the underlying geologyto create a smooth undulatingland surface. The peat developsas a consequence of the cold,wet climate that inhibits microbialactivity which decomposesorganic matter. With time theorganic matter accumulates tocreate deep peat soils usuallybetween 2-4m thick butsometimes as deep as 6m.

This landscape has lowagricultural value being usedpredominantly for sheep grazingor grouse in an extensive farmingsystem.

EcologyMuch of this landscape is coveredby heather moorland comprisingCalluna, cross-leaved heath andbilberry. In the wettest areasheather is replaced by cotton-grass and Sphagnum moss.

Where the moorland is grazedsome acid communities mayestablish. Over-grazing can be aproblem often characterised bythe presence of Nardus strictagrass. This is an important habitatfor ground nesting birds.

Tree CoverThis is a treeless landscapeowing to the elevation, thewetness of the underlying soilsand the generally harsh climatethat makes tree growth difficult.This lack of trees creates an openand exposed landscape withexpansive views.

EnclosureIt is essentially an unenclosedlandscape although on the moreisolated moorland summits theremay be very occasional dry stonewalls dividing the landscape intovery broad enclosures.

TransportA key feature of these landscapesis their remoteness andinaccessibility. There is the veryoccasional main route crossingthese moorland plateaux but forthe most part access can only begained on foot.


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SummaryThese hill summits and moorland plateaux are formed by hard

upstanding Millstone Grit to form the most elevated landscapes in the

county. Overlain by deep peat and blanket bog this landscape has little

agricultural value being used for extensive sheep grazing or grouse

rearing.

It is a landscape characterised by extensive semi-natural vegetation in

the form of heather moorland. The climate, soils and grazing ensure

that no trees are able to grow, so the landscape retains an open

aspect with expansive long distance views.

With little agricultural value this is also an unsettled landscape,

although there is evidence of early man’s existence through the

presence of standing stones and prehistoric earthworks.

Built EnvironmentIt is an unsettled landscape owingto the hostile climate and lowagricultural value of the land.However, there may be evidenceof pre-historic man in thepresence of standing stones andancient earthworks.

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Planting and Management Guidelines

Open, rolling treeless landscape of heather moorland.

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Open / unwooded

Primary tree character: Treeless

Woodland vision: Open / unwooded

Tree vision: Treeless

LANDSCAPE TYPE: OPEN MOORS


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LANDSCAPE TYPE: ENCLOSED MOORLAND

Key Characteristics

An open, upland-farming landscape on broad rolling hill summits withpatches of remnant moorland. Dry stone walls enclose regular fields and

straight roads join occasional isolated farmsteads.

Moderate to steeply sloping gritstone hillsPeaty, podsolized soils over gritstoneGritstone outcrops on hill summits and steeper slopesRough grazing and areas of damp pasture with patches of rushesPatches of heather, gorse and bilberry especially where fields arereverting back to moorlandMedium to large regular fields bounded by dry stone wallsUnwooded landscape other than occasional amenity trees aroundfarmsteadsSparsely scattered gritstone farmsteads some with stone slate roofsOpen landscape with expansive views

Geology and LandformThe underlying Millstone Gritstrongly influences this uplandlandscape creating a series ofgritstone hills. The gritstone ishard and difficult to erode, whichcreates these gently rolling hillsummits or small uplandplateaux. Exposed rock outcropsare frequent on the steepestslopes forming in places smallgritstone edges. Some lower lyingsummits are overlain with driftfrom Palaeozoic sandstones andshales adding further to thesubdued nature of the rollingplateaux.

Soils and Land UseThe variable nature of thegeology and landform gives riseto a diverse range of soil types,all characterised by their acidic,podsolic nature. At higherelevations the soils are shallowand have a peaty surface horizon.On steeper slopes the soils arewell-drained and loamy, whilstover drift and on gentler summits,they are slowly permeable,seasonally waterlogged and fine.All soils remain acidic where theyare not limed.

The resultant land use is lowquality pasture for stock rearing

on wet moorland. Where pasturehas been improved or on freedraining soils then some dairyingoccurs although in many areasduring the winter there is a highrisk of poaching.

EcologyA landscape with widespreadpatches of semi-naturalvegetation either as heathermoorland, with areas of Calluna,cross-leaved heath and bilberry,or acid grassland where Nardusand Molinia grasses aredominant. Where pasture hasbeen improved through liming andfertiliser applications, then habitatvalue is low or confined to fieldmargins and road verges. Thereare also patches of gorse andbracken on steeper, free drainingslopes.

Where drainage is impeded andsoils are slowly permeable thenpatches of rush pasture withJuncus are locally frequent. Athigher elevations and associatedwith steeper slopes bare rock iscommon, providing anothervaluable habitat. This is animportant landscape for groundnesting birds.


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SummaryAn open, upland farming landscape on broad rolling hill summits, formed by upstanding sandstone of the

Millstone Grit Series. All the soils are free draining, coarse loams but where they are thinnest or under remnant

semi-natural vegetation they become impoverished, acidic and humic.

The present land-use is pastoral although until the award of parliamentary enclosure these areas would have

been essentially semi-natural. Heather and bilberry would have been prevalent, although the moorland

character is evidenced today with sporadic occurrences of gorse and bracken. Where marginal fields have

been abandoned these have quickly reverted back to moor and heath with birch scrub.

Individual sandstone farmsteads are scattered and would have followed the parliamentary enclosure of these

areas. This late enclosure is characterised by regular and geometric shaped fields bounded by dry-stone walls.

The moorland summits are inherently unwooded and trees are scarce other than those planted around farms

for shelter and the occasional patch of colonising birch scrub. This creates an open landscape with expansive

views.

The majority of roads are straight with fairly wide uniform width verges and would have been established at the

time of parliamentary enclosures. The road verges now function as remnant habitats for many of the semi-

natural heath land species.

Built EnvironmentThe settlement pattern isdispersed with farmsteadssparsely scattered through thelandscape. These are traditionallyconstructed from the localgritstone with stone slate andStaffordshire blue clay tile roofs.

are straight, and together with theregular shaped fields, reflect therelatively late enclosure of thislandscape from moorland. Placenames like Matley Moor andMatlock Moor reflect the formerland cover of these areas.

TransportThe roads are straight and direct,having uniform width verges,again reflecting the late enclosureof this landscape. They connectthe sparsely scattered farmsteadsestablished at the time ofenclosure.

Tree CoverThe wet soils, exposure and oftenuncontrolled sheep grazingassociated with these upland hillsand plateaux seriously restricttree growth so this is essentially atreeless landscape. However,there is the occasional smallplantation block or tree group inassociation with occasionalisolated farmsteads.

EnclosureDry stone walls constructed fromthe local gritstone enclose largeregular fields. Many of these walls

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An open, unwooded landscape on broad, rolling hill summits punctuated by occasionalsmall tree groups around farmsteads.



Primary tree character: Localised amenity tree groups


Tree vision: Localised amenity tree groups

● Conserve and enhance the tree groups that occur within and around rural settlements and isolated

farmsteads.

NoteAt Matlock Moor there has been large-scale afforestation of the landscape by the Forestry Commission tocreate extensive commercial woodland. Today local people value this landscape as a recreational resourcefor walking, cycling and nature conservation. A defining characteristic of Enclosed Moorland is its open andunwooded character. It would be unrealistic and undesirable to remove these large plantation woodlands.However, their visual and biodiversity value could be enhanced by allowing oak, birch and moorland speciesto develop around the edges as a link and in keeping with their moorland context.


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Woodland Species Mix

# Amenity Trees - appropriate tree species for planting as amenity trees associated with settlement should include locally occurring largewoodland species, eg Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

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LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED VALLEY PASTURES

Key Characteristics

A settled, pastoral farming landscape on gently sloping lower valley sides,dissected by stream valleys. Dense watercourse trees, scattered boundary trees

and tree groups around settlement contribute to a strongly wooded character.

Moderate to steep lower valley slopes dissected by stream valleysPoorly draining soils over Carboniferous shale and sandstonePastoral farming with extensive improved pastureLocalised bracken in some road verges and rushes associated withdamp hollowsWooded character associated with tree belts along streams andcloughs, scattered hedgerow trees and tree groups aroundsettlement and farmsteadsSmall irregular fields enclosed by mixed species hedgerows andoccasional dry stone wallsNetwork of winding lanes with irregular verges, sometimes sunkenon steeper slopesSettled landscape of small nucleated settlements and scatteredstone farmsteads with stone slate roofsStone terraces on lower slopes associated with historic millsEnclosed landscape with views filtered by trees

Geology and LandformA landscape strongly influencedby the underlying geology anddefined by the steep to gentlysloping lower valley sides ofbroad upland valleys. Whererivers have eroded through theMillstone Grit they have exposedthe underlying shale to createthese undulating lower valleyslopes. Further variation iscreated by small stream valleys,which dissect the main valley asthey drain the surrounding highmoors.

Soils and Land UseThe variable nature of theunderlying geology ensures thereis similar variation in the soils. Onthe lower less steep slopes, overshale, the soils are slowlypermeable, seasonallywaterlogged and loamy, over clay.On the steeper slopes overgritstone there are coarser loamsover rock, or finer loams overslowly permeable subsoil.

The traditional land use on thesesoils is stock rearing and dairying

with much of the land down topermanent pasture. Grass yieldpotential is good although there isthe risk of poaching on theheavier lower lying soils duringwet periods. Some of the steeper,upper slopes over gritstone areless intensively grazed and acoarser more acidic grasslandpredominates.

EcologyMuch of this landscape isintensively farmed as permanentpasture and improved grasslandand leys have little floristicinterest. However, there are somevery occasional species rich haymeadows. Where drainage isimpeded or the soils are slowlypermeable, patches of wetgrassland with Juncus arefrequent. On the upper slopesover gritstone there may belocalised patches of acidgrassland dominated by Nardusand wavy hair grass. Where thesoils are thinner and free drainingparticularly associated with steepslopes and road verges, heathyplants like bracken, heather andbilberry are locally common.


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Many settlements like Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge and NewMills, have spread out along lowervalley slopes and owe their originto the harnessing of water powerand their expansion to theindustrial age. Terraces ofweavers’ cottages, some withsloping roof lines, and laterVictorian terraces are acharacteristic feature of the valleysides.

Built EnvironmentA well settled landscapecontaining towns, villages, smallgroups of cottages, and scatteredfarmsteads. Most traditionalbuildings are constructed of thelocal gritstone with Welsh slateand some surviving stone slateroofs.

Much of the built environment hasa distinctive architecture relatingto the building tradition of theManchester area and to itsindustrial heritage, particularly thetextile industry.

At higher elevations trees are lessapparent due in part to theexposure and poorer soils, givingway to a more open moorlandlandscape. Tree species tend tobe broad-leaved and pre-dominantly oak and ash.Sycamore is often associatedwith transport routes, and alderalong the watercourses.

EnclosureA landscape of small, irregularfields enclosed predominantly byhedgerows, although there areoccasional and locally frequentwalls especially on higher ground.Hedgerows tend to be a mix ofspecies, including holly, hawthorn,hazel and blackthorn. Theirspecies composition suggeststhat the fields may have beencleared directly from woodland,and that the woodland trees andshrubs were retained to form thehedgerows.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes, with irregular widthverges. Sunken lanes are afeature on sloping ground, thoughthey avoid the very steepestslopes. There are also greenlanes, some that run just toisolated farmsteads, together withfootpaths linking settlements.

Much of this landscape has beenutilised as transport corridors withmajor roads and railways takingadvantage of the gentler lowervalley slopes. This is particularlynotable where the A6 trunk roadand railway runs between WhaleyBridge and Disley.

A network of stream valleysdissecting the main valley sidesassist in connecting thesepatches of habitat in the farmedlandscape, which is reinforced bythe hedgerow boundaries. Theseriver corridors have dense treebelts and the occasional patch ofalder carr. Many of the streamcourses have associated pondsand mill ponds that function asimportant habitats for amphibians.Those that have silted up havenow reverted to alder carr.

Several springs and soughsprovide wet marshy conditionsand lateral water flows, whichsupport isolated patches ofspecies rich marsh.

Tree CoverTrees are well representedthroughout to give the overalleffect of a strongly woodedlandscape. Dense tree belts,sometimes wide enough to formwoodland bands, occur alongnarrow, tributary stream valleysdissecting the main valley sides.These combine visually with thescattered trees in the hedgerowsto filter the views. Small groups ofamenity trees are also foundassociated with settlement andparticularly with dispersedfarmsteads. Small remnants ofancient woodland persist andthese contribute further to thewooded character.

Bluebell woods

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SummaryThis is an upland landscape associated with the lower slopes of broad upland valleys formed by rivers eroding

through the Millstone Grit to expose the shale beneath. Tributary valleys that dissect the main valley sides to

create an undulating landform provide further interest.

This is a well settled landscape taking advantage of the natural shelter offered by the lower valley sides, the

better agricultural soils and the good communications. There are discrete settlements like Whaley Bridge and

Chapel-en-le-Frith, small groups of cottages and industrial terraces, and scattered farmsteads. There is a

dense network of lanes connecting the villages with the dispersed farmsteads, with main roads and railway

lines hugging the lower slopes immediately off the floodplain.

Trees are well represented throughout giving the overall impression of a well-wooded landscape. Many of the

tributary valleys feeding the main valleys form wooded cloughs, some of ancient origin, and these woodland

belts are supplemented by scattered hedgerow trees, amenity tree groups associated with settlement and

secondary woodland along roads and railway lines. Many of the woodlands have an irregular outline reflecting

the irregular field patterns and winding lanes.

This is a pastoral landscape and many of the fields are down to permanent improved pasture. However with

altitude the grazing becomes less intensive and the pasture tends to be unimproved and therefore of greater

importance ecologically.


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A well wooded pastoral landscape of small organic woodlands, occasionally of ancientorigin, with densely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.


Primary woodland character: Densely scattered small woodlands

Primary tree character: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees.

Woodland vision: Widespread small-medium woodlands

Tree vision: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees.

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 15 ha small-medium

Woodland pattern: Organic

● Small-medium scale woodland planting

● Where opportunities arise the removal of coniferous plantation woodland should be encouraged.

● Conserve and restore all ancient woodland sites and restock with locally occurring native species.

● Promote linked extensions to ancient woodland by natural regeneration and planting.

● Ensure the use of indigenous tree and shrub species, including a proportion of large, long lived species.

● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees - through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.

● Encourage the management of scrub and secondary woodland to link with existing habitats and woodland.

● Enhance the visual and ecological continuity of river corridors by management, natural regeneration and

planting of riparian trees.

● Ensure the conservation and management of mature/veteran trees within hedgerows.

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Hedgerow Species MixSuitable hedgerow trees

Primary 70-75%Fraxinus excelsior AshQuercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleTilia cordata Small Leaved LimeTilia platyphyllos Large Leaved Lime

Occasional 0-5%*Malus sylvestris Crab ApplePrunus padus Bird cherrySorbus aucuparia RowanUlmus glabra Wych elm

* only to be used if occurring locally withinthe landscape character type

Suitable hedgerow plants

Primary 70-75%Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Secondary 25-30%Corylus avellana HazelIlex aquifolium HollyPrunus spinosa Blackthorn

Primary Tree Species 50%Betula pendula Silver BirchBetula pubescens Downy BirchQuercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorFraxinus excelsior AshIlex aquifolium HollyMinorMalus sylvestris Crab ApplePrunus padus Bird CherrySorbus aucuparia Rowan

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorLonicerapericlymenum Honeysuckle

Open space 0-20%

Woodland Species MixNeutral/Base Rich Soils Waterlogged Conditions

on all soil typesPrimary Tree Species 50%

+ Alnus glutinosa AlderBetula pubescens Downy BirchSalix caprea Goat WillowSalix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pendula Silver BirchIlex aquifolium HollyMinorQuercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate OakTilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCrataegus monogyna HawthornSalix aurita Eared WillowSalix cinerea Grey WillowMinorPrunus spinosa BlackthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%

+ Watercourse Trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as watercourse trees.


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorIlex aquifolium HollySorbus aucuparia RowanPopulus tremula Aspen

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Open space 0-20%

More Acidic Soils


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LANDSCAPE TYPE: RIVERSIDE MEADOWS

Key Characteristics

Gentle valley floors contain upland rivers, lined with dense trees.Hedgerows enclose small, sub-regular fields in a pastoral landscape,

interrupted by the occasional historic mill.

Gentle valley floors, with narrow flood plains containingmeandering riversSeasonally waterlogged soils over alluviumLow intensity permanent pastureLocalized patches of rushes in damp hollowsDense trees along watercourses, comprising of alder and willowScattered boundary treesSmall, sub-regular fields enclosed by hedgerows and dry stone wallsLanes along edges or crossing flood plains with gritstone bridgesover the riversIndustrial heritage associated with gritstone mills powered by waterStrong sense of enclosure from adjacent slopes

Geology and LandformThe flat base of the valley is uponalluvium, formed when the riverfloods, slows down and depositsthe sediments it carries. At theedge of the valley base, there aregentle slopes. They are underlainby Carboniferous shales andunconsolidated materialdeposited by weathering anddownslope movement of materialfrom the valley sides.

The underlying sediment on theflood plain consists of alluvialmud lying over gravels. Thegravel acts as an aquifer, carrying

water from the adjoining land intothe river and so is permanentlywaterlogged (Bridges 1966). Theflood plain is generally flat inprofile, with a gentle gradientdownstream. There are hollows inthe flood plain reflecting the pastcourse of the river. Along the rivermargins, there are oftennoticeable banks called levees.These form due to the depositionof sediment as flood waters waneand return to the river channel.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are clayey loams, whichare seasonally waterlogged.

Some areas are permanentlywaterlogged and some wethollows retain flood water longafter the majority of the floodshave subsided. The traditionalland use is permanent grasslanddue to the heavy waterloggednature of the soils and harshclimate.

EcologyThe wet meadows, found inhollows in the flood plain, remainpartly flooded for much of theyear. They support a marshyvegetation with rushes and areimportant remnants of adiminishing habitat type. Ripariantrees add to the ecological valueparticularly where there arepatches of willow carr.

Further habitat diversity isprovided by bands of scrub andsecondary woodland that arecolonising abandoned pasture.

Tree CoverThere are lines of scattered alderand willow along the banks of theriver including the occasionalpatch of willow carr.


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SummaryFast flowing meandering rivers dissect Carboniferous sandstones and shales to form gentle valley floors with

narrow flood plains. The soils are heavy clay loams prone to prolonged seasonal waterlogging.

These soils have traditionally supported meadowlands grazed by cattle. Fields tend to be medium sized

enclosed by a mix of dry-stone walls and thorn hedgerows. Boundaries tend to be straight although the edge of

the flood plain is often sinuous.

Within the flood plain there are occasional mature hedgerow trees, predominantly oak and ash, with scattered

trees, usually alder, along the river banks. The river corridor has a strong sense of enclosure created by the

steep valley sides and extensive secondary woodland.

Due to the risk of flooding this landscape would have been unsettled, with farmsteads being located on the

valley sides. The valleys were transformed during the industrial revolution when industrialists built large mills to

harness the power of the water. Some mills with associated weirs and pools remain today, converted to new

uses.

Lanes are scarce and tend to cut across the flood plain but there are major roads and railway lines located at

the edges, often on embankments.

Trees line river banks

Corn mill at Rowsley

Built EnvironmentHistorically there would havebeen little built development onthe flood plain. Farmsteads wouldhave occupied the higher groundto the edge of the valley, wherethe risk of flooding was less.However, scattered throughoutthis landscape are water-poweredgritstone mills and a few latersteam-powered mills, oftenconstructed of red brick withprominent chimneys.

woodland and scrub associatedwith abandoned and neglectedpasture. Tree cover, together withthe valley landform, creates asmall scale enclosed landscape.

EnclosureThe valleys are fringed on eitherside of the main rivers by a bandof one or two fields, with fairlystraight boundaries. The fields areenclosed by thorn hedgerows anddry stone walls.

TransportThe gentle valley bottomscontrast with the steep slopes ofadjacent landscape types andform the obvious route fortransport corridors. Lanes are notnumerous but, where they occurthey tend to run along the edge ofthe flood plain, raised up onembankments to reduce the riskof flooding. Occasionally roadscross the rivers over gritstonebridges.

There are also occasional maturetrees along field boundaries.These are principally oak and ash.

The tree cover is greatlyintensified by the secondary

19




An open floodplain with dense watercourse trees.


Primary woodland character: Unwooded

Primary tree character: Dense watercourse trees

Woodland vision: Occasional small wet woodlands

Tree vision: Dense watercourse trees

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 5 ha small

Woodland pattern: Organic/ linear


● Ensure a balance is maintained between new woodland planting and areas of nature conservation value.




20




Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field Maple



Occasional 0-15%Corylus avellana Hazel

Woodland Species MixWaterlogged Conditions


+ Alnus glutinosa AlderBetula pubescens Downy Birch

+ Salix caprea Goat Willow+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow


Shrubs 10-30%MajorCrataegus monogyna HawthornSalix aurita Eared WillowSalix cinerea Grey willowMinorPrunus spinosa BlackthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%


21

White Peak Character Area 52

WHITE PEAKCHARACTER AREA 52

Location of White Peak


• Plateau Pastures

A gently rolling upland, limestone plateau punctuated by steep sided dales,scattered villages and isolated farmsteads within a pastoral setting

IntroductionThe White Peak character area islocated in the west of the county,most is within the Peak DistrictNational Park. It stretches fromCastleton in the north, toWirksworth in the south. Anupland landscape, comprising alimestone plateau and deeplimestone dales, it includes thespa towns of Matlock Bath in theeast and Buxton in the west. Itstrongly contrasts with theadjacent gritstone landscape ofthe Dark Peak to the north andwest, whilst the transition to thePeak Fringe in the south is moregradual.

Physical InfluencesThe White Peak is stronglyinfluenced by the weathering anderosion of the underlyingcarboniferous limestone, formed350 million years ago by thedeposition of calcium carbonaterich skeletal remains upon theseabed. Hydrothermal veinsassociated with volcanic activityleft vast mineral deposits ofgalena (lead ore), fluorspar,calcite, copper and baryteswhich run through the bedrock.

The majority of the limestoneplateau has deposits of silty,wind-blown drift (brown stonelesssilts) over the limestone bedrock.These mask the influence of thelimestone at the soil surfacegiving rise to neutral or acidicsoils. These soils are well-drained, dark brown silt-loamsfarmed as pasture and roughgrazing. The soils of the upper

plateau tend to have deeperdeposits. Here the drift hasformed a matrix with the course,resistant silica residues ofweathered limestone (Ratchel).The soils formed over Ratchel arenaturally coarse, thin peaty soils.These soils support roughgrassland or a mosaic ofheathland shrubs.

“ ...it was veined with a network of old stone walls, dividing the fields,and broken here and there with ruins of old lead-mines and works. Asparse stone farm bristled with six naked sharp trees. In the distancewas a patch of smoky grey stone, a hamlet......stone fences under thesky, looking for the curves downward that indicated a drop to one ofthe underneath, hidden dales.”

DH Lawrence ‘The Virgin and the Gypsy’

CarboniferousLimestone

Limestone Moorland

Plateau Pastures

Limestone Dales

Limestone Slopes

• Limestone Slopes• Limestone Dales


22

freshwater snails and newts, aswell as being important landscapefeatures.

Human InfluencesThe White Peak has been a focusof settlement since earlyprehistoric times and numeroussurviving monuments indicate theextent of settlement and use ofthe landscape. These includeNeolithic henge monuments likethe Bull Ring at Dove Holes.Bronze Age round barrowssurvive in numbers on the crestsof hills and late prehistoric andRomano-British settlements andfield systems like RainsterRocks, Brassington also survive,as do rare examples of burialmounds of Anglo-Saxon date.

Field patterns within the WhitePeak are not as diverse as thosein surrounding character areas,largely as a result of a relativelysimple topography. Thecharacteristic dry stone walls,constructed from local limestone,dominate the landscape. Isolatedstone barns were oftenincorporated within the stonewalls, forming a distinctive featureof the area, although many havebecome derelict.

wooded; it is an open landscapewith expansive views. Smallplantations, shelter belts andlocalised tree groups aroundsettlements, made up of usuallysycamore or beech, are adistinctive feature.

Following early forest clearanceand the leaching of lime, thenaturally alkaline soils becameacidic and supported heathlandspecies, which became dominantby the sixteenth century. Theremaining heathland isfragmented, mainly occurring onuncultivated land, like roadverges and railwayembankments.

Wetland habitats are generallyconfined to the Limestone Dales.The rivers of the dales are of highwater quality and are thereforevaluable to wildlife. Thepermeable nature of limestoneand the upland topographymeans the plateau has nosignificant wetland habitat. Dewponds or ‘meres’, are anexception. They were constructedon the plateau as watering holesfor cattle by lining a hole with clayand sand. These ponds arevaluable for some aquatic speciesand amphibians such as

Glacial meltwaters and largestreams dissecting the softbedrock were responsible for thecreation of the Limestone Dales.The erosion of the limestoneoccurred above and below groundwith water finding its way intofaults and fissures, creating cavesand caverns. Over time thesewould collapse to form steepsided slopes of exposed stone.Some dales still have rivers andstreams meandering throughthem, but others are seasonal ordry at the surface, the waterpassing through a series ofunderground cave systems.Today the dry dales maintain acharacter similar to that of the wetdales.

Natural InfluencesThe White Peak is significant inBritain, as the junction betweensouthern and northern species ofplants and animals. Variations inlandform, soil and a diversehistory of agriculturalimprovements have produced abroad range of wildlife habitatsand associated species, many ofwhich are of national andinternational importance.

The main habitats on the plateautoday are grasslands associatedwith dairy farming and roughgrazing. Unimproved, speciesrich, hay meadow and pasture areof greater value for wildlife buthave declined dramatically due toagricultural intensification. Themajority of grassland is improvedfor grazing and silage or haylageproduction. Occasional flower richmeadows and calcareousgrasslands can be found in thePlateau Pastures but are morecommonly restricted to theLimestone Dales and roadsideverges.

Ancient semi-natural woodland isa feature of the Limestone Dalesbut does not generally occurelsewhere within the area.Defined by irregular outlines anda mixture of broad-leaved treespecies, predominantly ash, theyare associated with the steepestvalley sides. Overall tree cover isa strong feature of the dales. ThePlateau Pastures are not densely

23



• Peak District National Parkand Peak District BAP

• Special Landscape Areas

Within villages lanes arecharacteristically narrow andwinding, often with variable widthverges reflecting the undulatingnature of the surroundinglandscape. Between thesettlements there is a network ofstraighter, more direct roads.Modern transport links, such asthe A6, and railway lines utilisethe valleys of the LimestoneDales, as components of routesthrough the county.

A very good example of the waythis landscape has been overlainby successive periods and typesof man’s activity may be seenaround Rainster Rocks, northwest of Brassington. Here theearthwork remains of a Romano-British settlement lie adjacent toextensive medieval ridge andfurrow, which in turn are overlainby the remains of lead mining andthe field walls of 19th centuryenclosures.

occurring minerals, running inveins through the limestone, havealso been exploited. Lead ore hasbeen mined from Roman times tothe early 20th century and attimes brought significant wealth tothe area. Although lead mining isno longer a major industry theevidence of past workings are stillpresent, and are especiallyassociated with the PlateauPastures.

The White Peak is not a denselysettled landscape. There arenucleated villages within PlateauPastures and Limestone Slopes,many originating in Saxon andmedieval times, usuallyconnected by straight enclosureroads. The traditional buildingmaterial is random rubble locallimestone with roofs of stoneslates brought from the DarkPeak area.

These limestone villages are akey characteristic of the area.Outside the villages, isolatedfarmsteads occur, againconstructed of the local limestonewith stone tile or slate roofs. TheLimestone Dales remainedlargely unsettled due to theirtopographical inaccessibility.

The strip fields around villages,are a distinctive feature of thePlateau Pastures and LimestoneSlopes. They indicate thepiecemeal enclosure of an earlieropen field system. Later private orparliamentary field enclosure offormer wastes and commons iswell represented throughout thearea particularly within PlateauPastures and LimestoneMoorland. In these areas the fieldpatterns are typically regular inshape, of medium to large sizedissected by straight roads. Thefield walls have been built usingquarried stone and are neater inappearance than the randomrubble walls of earlier periods.

The Limestone Dales are largelyunenclosed due to theinaccessible nature of the steeperslopes. Stone walls areoccasionally found cutting acrossthe valleys, but many of these arenow falling into disrepair.

The limestone has been exploitedon a small scale for hundreds ofyears but large scale quarryinghas occurred in more recenttimes. Modern quarries have hada major visual impact on thelandscape, leaving large voidsthat can be seen for miles acrossthe open plateau. Other naturally


24

25


LANDSCAPE TYPE: PLATEAU PASTURES

A gently rolling, upland limestone plateau characterised by nucleated limestonevillages, dry stone walls, a pastoral land-use and open and expansive views

Key CharacteristicsA gently rolling upland plateauFine, silty brown soils (over silty, loess, Aeolian drift) overCarboniferous LimestoneStock rearing on improved pastureLimestone outcrops on hill summits and steeper slopesSmall shelter blocks of plantation woodland and tree groups aroundvillages and farmsteadsMedium to large regular fields enclosed by dry stone walls withnarrow strip fields around settlementsStraight roads with uniform vergesSmall pits and hummocks in areas of historic lead miningNucleated limestone villages and isolated limestone farmsteads withslate roofsSmall isolated field barnsOpen landscape with expansive views

Geology and LandformThe underlying CarboniferousLimestone strongly influences thisupland landscape creating abroad upland plateau. Thelimestone bedrock is hard andslowly eroded, giving rise to amoderately rolling landform ofnumerous minor hill summits withexposed rock. Large areas oflimestone were subsequentlyoverlain with a variable thicknessof Aeolian drift adding to thesubdued nature of this rollingplateau and masking theinfluence of the limestone on soiland vegetation.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are well drained, finesilty brown earths over a freedraining bedrock and Aeoliandrift. These are characteristicallyshallow to moderately deep,being shallowest on the steeperslopes and hillcrests. Deepersoils tend to be associated withdeeper accumulations of drift. Anycalcareous influence from theunderlying geology iscounteracted by the highelevation of this plateau, wherehigh annual rainfall is common,leaching occurs and soils arenaturally acid.

Pasture, and particularly dairying,is the dominant land use in thislandscape. Most of the fieldshave been ploughed andreseeded to improve the pasture.Some unimproved grassland isstill found where the ground isunsuitable for cultivation such as,on the more exposed crests andsteeper slopes where soils arethin and often grazed by sheep.

EcologyPrior to enclosure theselandscapes would have beencovered with semi-natural neutralgrassland, with calcareousgrassland and some scrub on thesteeper, thinner soils. However,since enclosure much of theecological value has diminishedwith remnant habitats nowconfined to the more marginalhillcrests and slopes whereexposed rock is prevalent. Veryoccasional patches ofunimproved pasture may still beencountered in less intensivelyfarmed areas and on the vergesof green lanes and trackways.There is little floristic interest inthe improved grassland thatexists today.


26

Leadwort

Narrow, fossilised strip fields around villages

road name emphasising theformer unenclosed waste andcommon. One notable road in thislandscape is the A515, which runsfor a large part on the line of aformer Roman road.

Built EnvironmentA landscape containing nucleatedvillages like Monyash,Chelmorton and Taddington. Thelimestone village is a keycharacteristic. Cottages andfarmsteads are constructed fromthe local CarboniferousLimestone, often random rubble,with stone and Welsh slate roofs.

Between villages there aresparsely scattered farmsteads,established at the time ofparliamentary enclosure. Againthese are traditionally constructedfrom the local limestone, oftenrandom rubble, with slate roofs.Outside the village centre, thereare many, small, isolated stonebarns located along theboundaries of fields and integratedinto the dry stone walls.

The limestone plateau has a strongassociation with the former leadmining industry and there is stillevidence of this in areas wherefields have small pits andhummocks, creating, in parts, arelict industrial landscape.Quarrying in general is a prominentfeature. Once small in scale, someareas are now dominated by largemodern quarries with theirassociated plant.

EnclosureDry stone walls constructed fromthe local limestone enclosemedium to large regular fields.The dry stone walls are distinctivebeing constructed of randomsized limestone rubble. Many ofthe walls are straight, andtogether with the regular shapedfields, reflect the relatively lateenclosure of this landscape fromwaste and common.

Contrasting with the broaderplateau there are narrow stripfields around the villages thatcreate a very prominent anddistinctive field pattern. The stripfields are indicative of enclosurefrom open fields, and much of thisenclosure may have beenpiecemeal taking place over along period of time.

TransportRoads within villages can be quitedense and winding with variablewidth verges often centred on avillage green. However theseroads extend from the villagecentre and quickly give way to themore direct roads of thelandscape beyond. A densenetwork of green lanes and trackssupplements this road network.

The roads beyond the village arestraight and direct, having uniformwidth verges again reflecting thelater enclosure of this landscape.The roads connect the sparselyscattered farmsteads establishedat the time of enclosure. MoorLane is a commonly recurring

Tree CoverThis exposed upland plateau isinherently sparsely wooded.Following the initial clearance ofwoodland, extensive grazing bylivestock would have preventedregeneration. At the time ofenclosure, there would havebeen few timber trees. Duringthe enclosure of this landscapesmall plantation blocks andshelterbelts were planted, andsmall tree groups associatedwith isolated farmsteads are alsoa characteristic feature. Many ofthe plantations are non-nativecomprising mainly of sycamoreand beech.

Tree cover is more apparentaround the villages where thereare scattered boundary treesadjacent to some walls and smallamenity groups within thesettlement and around individualdwellings. The dominant speciesis ash although sycamore isprevalent often replacing ashtrees.

Adjacent to some fieldboundaries isolated hawthornshave established. Some areasare more wooded than others butthe overall effect is that of anopen landscape with expansiveviews.

Where vein minerals andparticularly lead, outcrop at ornear the surface these have beenexploited by small scalequarrying. Some of the resultantspoil and disturbed landassociated with such workingshave created local historiclandscape features in the area.These often support very rarevegetation swards with specialistspecies like leadwort.

27



SummaryThe Plateau Pastures is a simple yet distinctive pastoral landscape strongly influenced by the underlying

geology. The Carboniferous Limestone has given rise to an elevated and for the most part gently rolling upland

plateau. This elevation, allied to the general lack of tree cover, allows for long distance and panoramic views.

The soils are inherently thin over the limestone and regularly leached by the high rainfall. As a result the

predominant land-use is stock rearing associated with dairying and many of the fields are down to improved

permanent pasture.

The cultural patterns of this landscape are strong and very distinctive. The whole of the plateau is divided into

regular shaped fields enclosed by dry stone walls. There are discrete limestone villages scattered across the

plateau. Very distinctive small and narrow strip fields again enclosed by walls, suggesting the extent of former

open fields, surround the villages.

Tree cover is also a distinctive feature although it is rarely visually prominent. It occurs primarily as small

plantation blocks and shelter belts sparsely scattered throughout the landscape with localised trees and tree

groups associated with villages and isolated farmsteads.

The unifying influence of the limestone as a locally distinctive building material, together with strong pastoral

traditions and lack of modern development, ensures that the landscape retains its rural character.


28


Open, pastoral landscape on a rolling upland plateau punctuated by sparsely scattered,but visually prominent, small plantations with tree groups around farmsteads and settlement.


Primary woodland character: Thinly scattered small plantations


Woodland vision: Thinly scattered small plantations



farmsteads.

● Conserve and enhance the plantations.

Note

Plantation woodlands primarily planted for shelter, comprised mainly of sycamore and sometimes beech,are visually striking features of this landscape character type. Their dense crowns and lack of understoreyvegetation often creates silhouetted skyline features contrasting in the wider landscape with the naturalisticupland ash woods of the limestone dales.

As a key landscape characteristic and within the context of the visual appearance of this landscape thereis a strong argument to conserve and enhance this distinctive woodland character.

The woodland species mix has been developed to take account of this fact.


29




Base Rich Soils

# Amenity Trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as amenity trees associated with settlement, or other locally occurring largewoodland species.

Primary Tree Species 85%# Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore

Secondary Tree Species 5-15%# Fagus sylvatica Beech# Fraxinus excelsior Ash

Ulmus glabra Elm

Shrubs 0-10%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornLigustrum vulgare Wild PrivetMinorCornus sanguinea DogwoodIlex aquifolium HollyPrunus spinosa BlackthornViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open Space 0-20%


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31


LANDSCAPE TYPE: LIMESTONE SLOPES

Key Characteristics

A landscape of small, nucleated limestone villages and dispersed farmsteadsnestling within moderate to steeply sloping limestone slopes. Distinctive dry stonewalls enclose former open fields and semi-regular fields with a pastoral land use.

Steep slopesFine, silty brown soils over silty, aeolian drift over CarboniferousLimestoneLocalised bare rock outcrops on steeper slopesStock rearing on permanent pastureSmall semi-regular and strip fields enclosed by dry stone wallsSmall, isolated field barnsVillages with limestone and slate roofed farmsteads and cottagesSmall pits and hummocks in areas of historic lead mining

Geology and LandformThe underlying geology stronglyinfluences this upland landscapecreating a moderate to steeplysloping fringe to the limestoneplateau. The CarboniferousLimestone is hard and slowlyeroded giving rise to anundulating landform with manyminor hill summits and extensiveamounts of exposed rock.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are fine loamy brownearths over a free drainingbedrock and Aeolian drift. Theseare characteristically shallow tomoderately deep, beingshallowest on the steeper slopesand hillcrests. Deeper soils tend

to be associated with the deeperaccumulations of drift.

Pasture, and particularly dairying,is the dominant land use withmuch of the land being farmed ina low intensity system. Thesteepness of the slopes, allied tothe thin soils and rocky outcrops,seriously restrict opportunities forproviding improved pasture.

EcologyEcological value lies in theextensive area of unimprovedgrassland typically dominated bycommon bent and sheep’sfescue. Where pasture has beenabandoned, or on the steepestmore sheltered slopes, scrub is

beginning to colonise. Thissometimes occurs with localisedpatches of gorse and bracken.Other features of interest includeexposed rock and scree with theirassociated flora and fauna. Thereare also habitats of particularinterest in areas of former leadmining.

Tree CoverTree cover is apparent throughoutthis landscape with scatteredboundary trees, small woodlandblocks and extensive patches ofscrub colonising abandonedpasture. Most of the woodland isassociated with the steeper lesscultivable slopes where soils arethinnest and stony.

The overall effect is that the treesprovide filtered views through thelandscape, although there arelong distance views to the slopesbeyond as a result of the slopingtopography.

EnclosureDry stone walls constructed fromthe local limestone enclose smallto medium, semi-regular fields.The walls are distinctive being


32

SummaryThis is a landscape strongly influenced by the underlying Carboniferous Limestone geology creating a

moderate to steeply sloping fringe to the limestone plateau. The hard and resistant rock is slowly eroded giving

rise to an undulating landform with minor hill summits and extensive amounts of exposed rock.

The soils are characteristically variable relating to landform, being thinnest on the steepest slopes and

hillcrests. The thin soils allied to the steepness of some slopes and the extent of exposed rock ensures that

unimproved pasture and rough grazing supports low intensity grazing by livestock.

The landscape is well settled with villages and scattered farmsteads traditionally built in the local limestone with

stone slate roofs. Beyond the village and scattered throughout there are small stone field barns often integrated

into the dry stone walled boundaries.

Unlike other areas of the limestone plateau tree cover tends to be more apparent occurring as scattered trees

or tree groups around settlements but also as small woodland blocks and extensive patches of scrub

colonisation. The trees filter views through the landscape but there are open long distance views to slopes

beyond.

Limestone villages nestled intothe landscape

Other features in this landscapeare the small pits and hummocksfound in many fields, associatedwith the historic lead miningindustry. Most of the remains datefrom the 17th to 19th centuriesalthough some are earlier.Quarrying in general is aprominent feature. Once small inscale, some areas are nowdominated by large modernquarries with their associatedplant.Outside the settlements, there are

isolated stone barns locatedalong the boundaries of fields andintegrated into the dry stonewalls, many of which are nowderelict.

constructed of random sizelimestone rubble. With theabandonment of some pasturemany of them have beenneglected and are in a poorcondition.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes with irregular widthverges. Most of the lanes connectthe small villages and farmsteads,winding themselves through thelandscape and avoiding thesteepest slopes. There are also anumber of green lanes, like theLimestone Way, and footpathsthat run between the settlements.

Built EnvironmentThis is a settled landscape ofnucleated limestone villages andscattered farmsteads andcottages. These are traditionallyconstructed from the locallimestone, often random rubble,with stone or Welsh slate roofs.

33




Moderate to steeply sloping pastoral landscape with scattered small plantations,occasional semi-natural woodland and small tree groups around farmsteads and settlement.


Primary woodland character: Thinly scattered small plantations and semi natural woodland.


Woodland vision: Densely scattered small-medium plantations

Tree vision: Localised amenity tree groups.


Woodland pattern: Regular/ organic

● Small scale woodland planting





farmsteads.

● Ensure new woodland does not conflict with features (e.g. ridge and furrow) that help to define landscape

character.


34


Woodland Species MixCalcareous soils

Primary Tree Species 50%Acer campestre Field Maple

# Fraxinus excelsior Ash

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorMalus sylvestris Crab AppleSorbus aucuparia RowanUlmus glabra Wych ElmMinorPrunus padus Bird CherryTaxus baccata Yew

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorCornus sanguinea DogwoodIlex aquifolium HollyPrunus spinosa BlackthornViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%

# Amenity Trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as amenity trees associated with settlement, or other locally occurring largewoodland species.

35


LANDSCAPE TYPE: LIMESTONE DALES

Key Characteristics

Narrow, deeply incised river valleys with steep slopes and extensiveamounts of exposed rock. There are blocks of ancient woodland,

areas of scrub and rough grassland grazed by sheep.

Very steeply sloping valley sidesVery shallow loamy soils over Carboniferous LimestoneFrequent bare rock outcrops and scree slopesAreas of scrub dominated by hawthornBlocks of ancient woodlandRough grazing by sheep in enclosures bounded by dry stone walls

Geology and LandformNarrow, steep sided valleys havebeen cut into the CarboniferousLimestone by the headwaters ofminor streams and rivers flowingaway from the limestone plateau.The principle rivers forming thesedales are the Wye, the Lathkilland the Dove. The result is aseries of distinctive limestonedales. In contrast to wet dalesmany of the smaller dales are dryowing to the fact that waterpercolates through the bedrock.

The dale sides have frequentoutcrops of the grey-whitelimestone sometimes formingprecipitous rock buttresses withscree slopes.

The valley floor is characterisedby a narrow, flat floodplain. Therivers are fast flowing with a rockyriver bed giving a strong sense ofmovement.

The steep valley sides with rockoutcrops in association with thenarrow river corridor create astrong feeling of containment.

Soils and Land UseVery shallow, loamy upland soilslie over the limestone. These soilsare thinnest on the steeper rockyslopes and deeper in the valleyfloor. Dark humose surfacehorizons predominate; most soilsare non-calcareous butcalcareous soils also occur.

Narrow strips of alluvial soils arefound along the Dove and theWye associated with the narrowflood plain.

As the slopes are often too steepfor improved pasture orafforestation, the land is usedmainly for rough grazing bysheep. This semi-naturalgrassland is of good grazingvalue.

EcologyThe ecology of these dales is anintimate mix of semi-naturalhabitats, ranging from deciduouswoodland dominated by ash,scrub woodland with hawthornand large tracts of unimprovedgrassland. The low grazingpressure on these slopesdistinguishes them from otherlimestone landscapes andmaintains the floristic diversity ofthe grasslands. The grasses arecharacterised by fescues, andmany small herbs like commonrockrose, wall-pepper and wildthyme can be found on the rockiersoils and outcrops.


36

SummaryThe headwaters of minor streams have carved through the Carboniferous Limestone geology to form narrow,

deeply incised and steeply sloping valleys. The valley sides are characterised by steep, rocky cliffs and scree

slopes, making them inaccessible for most uses other than rough grazing by sheep.

Thin soils and light grazing have ensured that many of the original habitats such as ancient woodland and

species rich calcareous grassland have remained in excellent condition and support species of national

importance.

Many dales have been utilised as transport corridors, where roads and railways run parallel to the narrow

watercourse. Some former railway lines have been converted to long distance footpaths and bridleways.

The steep valley sides and rocky cliffs coupled with the narrow valley sides impart a strong sense of enclosure

and visual containment. Where the dales remain free of infrastructure they retain a tranquil and secluded

character, although paradoxically this tranquil character attracts heavy recreational use.

Cowslips and orchids

Wood anemone in ancient woodland The A6 through Wye Dale

Now the railway lines are mainlydisused many have becomeattractive recreational routes.Where dales have beenunaffected by transport links theyremain relatively unspoilt,accessed only by footpaths andbridleways, often steep in places.

Built EnvironmentHuman habitation is not a featureof these limestone dales owing totheir topographical inaccessibility.Some man-made activities doimpact in the form of modernquarries, lead mining remains andwater management systems.Occasional mills built in the localstone to harness water powersurvive, generally converted toother uses.

Although many dales remainuninhabited there has beenextensive urbanisation of theMatlock dale through MatlockBath and its feeder valleys atBonsall Brook and Via Gellia.Matlock Bath is a late Georgianand Victorian creation, developedas a popular spa and inlandresort. Many of the Regency andVictorian villas and terraces arebuilt in brick finished with stuccorather than the local stone.

Where broad-leaved woodlandprevails it tends to be dominatedby ash with hazel althoughsycamore is now common. Thereare also some scattered treesalong the riverbanks dominatedby willow and hawthorn.

Overall the woodland covercoupled with the steep valleysides can create a strong senseof enclosure and visualcontainment.

EnclosureThis is essentially an unenclosedlandscape although occasionaldry stone walls divide the valley.Many of these walls are nowneglected and in a poor condition.

TransportSome of these dales have beenutilised as transport corridors withmajor roads and railways runningin the valley bottom or on thevalley sides. This is particularlynotable in the Wye Valley wherethe main A6 trunk road and arailway line run up the valley.

The river channel is an importantecological corridor and oftenretains its natural bank profileswith some occasional marginalaquatic vegetation and ripariantrees.

Tree CoverTree cover is a key feature ofthese dales although its extent isvariable. Some valley sides likethose in the Wye valley areextensively wooded with broadtracts of ancient semi-naturalwoodland. In other valleyswoodland cover is more sporadicand is associated with scrubwoodland dominated byhawthorn.

37




Narrow, deeply incised river valleys with widespread semi-natural woodland,much of ancient origin and scattered watercourse trees.


Primary woodland character: Widespread large semi-natural broadleaved woodlands.

Primary tree character: Scattered watercourse trees

Woodland vision: Widespread large woodlands

Tree vision: Scattered watercourse trees

● Conserve and restore all ancient woodland sites by natural regeneration or use of locally occurring native

species.






38


Primary Tree Species 50%Acer campestre Field MapleFraxinus excelsior Ash

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorMalus sylvestris Crab AppleSorbus aucuparia RowanUlmus glabra Wych ElmMinorPrunus padus Bird CherryTaxus baccata Yew

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrateagus monogyna HawthornMinorCornus sanguinea DogwoodIlex aquifolium HollyPrunus spinosa BlackthornViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%

Woodland Species MixCalcareous Soils Waterlogged Conditions

on all soil typesPrimary Tree Species 50%Alnus glutinosa AlderFraxinus excelsior Ash

+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchMinor

+ Salix capraea Goat Willow+ Salix cineraea Grey Willow

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCrataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Open space 0-20%


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Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent Character Area 50

DERBYSHIRE PEAK FRINGE AND LOWER DERWENTCHARACTER AREA 50

An undulating well-wooded, pastoral landscape on rising groundbetween the Derbyshire Coalfield and the Peak District

Location of Peak Fringe andLower Derwent Area


• Enclosed Moors and Heaths• Wooded Slopes

and Valleys• Wooded Farmlands

“Little flowery fields of every shape and size, square fields,triangles, fish-shaped fields with odd corners, rhomboids,bounded by green hedgerows and black walls, linked arms andran up hill and down dale, round the folded hills out of sight intocountless valleys beyond where the sun set.”

p16 Alison Uttley ‘The Country Child’

IntroductionThe Derbyshire Peak Fringe andLower Derwent is a CharacterArea exclusive to Derbyshire,being a transitional landscapebetween the Derbyshire Coalfieldin the east, the Needwood andSouth Derbyshire Claylands tothe south and the Peak District(comprising the Dark and WhitePeaks) to the north west. For thepurposes of the DerbyshireLandscape CharacterAssessment this area alsoincludes the southern limits of theYorkshire Southern PennineFringe within the county.

The landscape has a typicalelevational range of 100m to300m although the landform,comprising bands of sandstoneand mudstone, is distinctlyundulating as it rises from east towest forming the foothills to thePeak District.

Central to the character of thearea are the river valleys, theEcclesbourne, the Amber andmost notably the Derwent. TheDerwent valley extends through

the heart of the area fromCromford to Derby taking in thesettlements of Belper andDuffield. With steep, woodedvalley sides in the north, thefloodplain broadens towardsDuffield with the Derwentmeandering through it. Towardsthe north of the area smaller fastflowing brooks were dammed toharness water power and theDerwent valley itself became acradle of the industrial revolution

with the development of the newfactory system, facilitated by theconstruction of large waterpowered textile mills.

This early industrialisation washowever largely arrested bycompetition from Lancashire andYorkshire and land use hasremained predominantly pastoralwith mixed stock rearing andrough grazing. Where topographyallows there is some mixed

• Settled Farmlands• Riverside Meadows


40

the hillsides. There are urbaninfluences associated with theexpansion of Chesterfield into theeastern fringes of the WoodedFarmlands. Wirksworth, Duffieldand Belper have also expandedin size. Most notable is Belper,with large modern residentialareas now extending into theopen Gritstone Heaths andCommons.

The predominant building materialthroughout is gritstone with stoneor Welsh slate roofs. Where thePeak Fringe abuts the WhitePeak the traditional buildingscombined limestone and gritstonewith stone slate or clay tiled roofs.In the southern parts, towardsDerby and Ashbourne, red brick ismore evident as a buildingmaterial particularly in theconstruction of large water-powered textile mills.

and furrow of their former openfields survive. Towns likeChesterfield and Wirksworth alsohave early origins, the former as aRoman settlement and the latterprobably from the 8th century AD.

The present day settlementpattern is variable. Nucleatedvillages, such as Brassington andBradbourne, are features of theSettled Farmlands, whilst theWooded Slopes and Valleys havea more dispersed settlementpattern with scattered farmsteadsand small hamlets nestled into

Although stone walls are afeature of the Enclosed Moorsand Heaths, many fields, at lowerelevations, are defined by mixedspecies hedgerows withhedgerow oaks which act asecological corridors, connectingother habitats.

Human InfluencesEvidence of prehistoric settlementin this area is particularly commonto the west on the fringes of theWhite Peak. Elsewhere theRomans developed an extensivepottery industry aroundHazelwood and the presence ofmedieval moated sites in theEcclesbourne Valley may suggestrelatively late colonisation ofwoodland. Villages likeBradbourne and Brassington alsohad an early origin and fineexamples of the medieval ridge

grassland associated withlimestone outcrops, and acidgrassland and heath associatedwith steep slopes over sandstone.

Ancient semi-natural broadleafwoodland is a prominentcharacteristic of the WoodedSlopes and Valleys. WoodedFarmlands occur most notablyalong the steep valley sides of theDerwent. These woodlands aremade up typically of oak, birchand hazel with many ancientwoodland indicator species suchas bluebell amongst the groundlayer.

farming with occasional arablefields. Woodland is wellrepresented throughout withextensive ancient semi-naturalwoodland occupying steep valleysides and smaller woodlandselsewhere. Species richhedgerows with hedgerow treesare prevalent in the east althoughin the most elevated areastowards the Peak District thesegive way to gritstone walls.

From north to south the areaincludes a number of small townssuch as Wirksworth and Belper,although the settlement pattern ispredominantly dispersed withmany scattered and isolatedfarmsteads. In the north theexpansion of Chesterfield isslowly introducing urban fringeactivities such as ‘horsiculture’into an otherwise agriculturallandscape. A similar pattern isdeveloping in the southern fringe,near Derby.

Physical InfluencesThe underlying geology is thecause of transitional changes inthe landscape. Bands ofsandstone, mudstone and coalmeasures in the east give way toa predominance of sandstone andgritstone as the land risestowards the Peak District.Occasional outcrops ofCarboniferous limestone alsooccur within the Wooded Slopesand Valleys at Ashover and Crichand add some local diversity. Inthe south, near Belper, a MillstoneGrit scarp called the Chevin andanother at Alport Heights areconsidered to be the last outliersof the Pennine chain, which, inthe case of Alport Heights, affordslong distance, panoramic viewsover lower lying landscapes to thesouth and west.

Natural InfluencesThe predominant land-use ispasture for stock rearing althoughthe quality of the grasslands isvariable. Within the EnclosedMoors and Heaths soils tend tobe poor quality and the land-use,without agricultural improvement,is rough grazing. Much grasslandtends to be neutral in characterbut there is localised calcareous

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• Special Landscape Areas• Lowland Derbyshire BAP• Peak District BAP• Derwent Valley Mills

World Heritage Site

Belper Mill

Workers cottages at Cromford

associated buildings and thelandscape of the Derwent Valleynow form the basis of theDerwent Valley Mills WorldHeritage Site.

*A more detailed description of the culturallandscape of the Derwent Valley MillsWorld Heritage Site may be found in TheWorld Heritage Site Management Plan.

At Cromford and Belper the millmasters also built houses, shops,schools, churches, chapels andfarms to sustain the localworkforce and their families.This ‘cultural landscape’ is nowrecognised as a World HeritageSite. Collectively the mills, other

Because of the topography andrelief of this landscape manysettlements, which lie within it,often in valley bottoms, may beobserved from an elevatedviewpoint, thereby emphasisingtheir significance within thelandscape.

Long before the industrialrevolution, life was sustained byindustrial as well as agriculturalactivity and evidence ofabandoned mines and quarriesmakes a significant contribution tothe area’s character.

Industries have included smallscale coal mining within theWooded Farmlands, lead and ironmining, glass making, andlimestone and gritstone quarryingwithin the Wooded Slopes andValleys and Enclosed Moorland.Modern day quarry activity isparticularly evident aroundWirksworth, Crich and Ashover.

The area’s strongest culturalassociation is with the industrialrevolution, when earlyindustrialists like RichardArkwright and Jedediah Strutt inthe late 18th century, built largecotton mills powered by waterwithin the Riverside Meadows.


42

43


LANDSCAPE TYPE: ENCLOSED MOORS AND HEATHS

Geology and LandformThese hill summits are underlainby rocks of Namurian age of theMillstone Grit Series. The bedrockof the summits around CromfordMoor is hard sandstone. The highground at Crich Stand is upon aninlier of grey DinantianLimestone. The limestone hasbeen folded upwards and theoverlying sandstone has beeneroded, leaving deposits of headbeside the limestone.

Where erosion has cut throughthe sandstone the bedrock issofter, grey, marine mudstone andthere are localised deposits ofhead. The lower groundassociated with the shale formsgentle valleys on the summits.

These valleys become deeperand steeper as they fall off ontothe adjacent slopes.

Soils and Land UseSoils have a coarse loamy textureand are free draining due to theunderlying permeable sandstone.The thinnest best drained soilscan become very acid, particularlyunder semi natural vegetation.Over the mudstone, the drainageis poorer and the soils can beseasonally waterlogged.

Pasture is the dominant land usein this landscape. Most of thefields have been ploughed andreseeded, and are grazed bycattle and sheep. The soils tendto become quite acid and require

frequent liming to prevent thedevelopment of an organicsurface mat and subsequentreversion to moorland (Bridges1966).

EcologyPrior to enclosure, theselandscapes would have beencovered in heathy acid grassland.There would have beenwidespread gorse, bracken,heather and bilberry. Patches ofthese species persist in remnants.Particularly significant is the patchof gorse, bracken and broom atAlport Heights. Bracken andgorse are found along roadsideverges. There is little floristicinterest in the improved grasslandthat exists today. A small area ofthis landscape type at Crichoccurs over an outlier ofcarboniferous limestone and as aresult has calcareous grasslandassociations.

Tree CoverThe moorland summits areinherently very sparsely wooded.The traditional land managementby stock rearing has preventedthe regeneration of trees. Thereare occasional trees in field

An open, farming landscape on broad rolling hill summits with patches ofremnant moorland. Dry-stone walls enclose regular fields and

straight roads join occasional sandstone farmsteads.

Rolling highland summitsThin soils over hard sandstone bedrockPastoral farming, sheep and dairy cattleWidespread bracken, localised gorse and patches of remnantmoorland habitatSparsely scattered trees beside farmsteads and along some fieldboundariesRegular pattern of fields, bounded by dry-stone wallsRegular lanes with uniform width vergesSparsely scattered sandstone farmsteads with stone slate roofs

Key Characteristics


44

SummaryThese hill summits and moorland fringes are formed by upstanding

sandstone of the Millstone Grit Series with a small outcrop of Dinantian

Limestone at Crich. All the soils are free draining, coarse loams but

where they are thinnest or under remnant semi-natural vegetation they

become impoverished and acidic.

The present land-use is pastoral although before enclosure these areas

would have been essentially semi-natural. Heather and bilberry would

have been prevalent in the more northern areas with gorse, broom and

bracken dominating at Alport Heights. Where marginal fields have been

abandoned these have quickly reverted back to moor and heath with

birch scrub.

Individual sandstone farmsteads are scattered and would have followed

the parliamentary enclosure of these areas. Late enclosure is supported

by the regular and geometric shaped fields bounded by dry-stone walls.

These moorland summits are inherently unwooded and trees are

scarce, other than occasional boundary trees and those planted around

farms for shelter. This creates an open landscape with expansive views.

The majority of roads are straight with fairly wide, uniform-width verges

and would have been established or re-aligned at the time of

parliamentary enclosures. The upland area around Alport Heights has

winding lanes with irregular verges and is possibly an area of earlier

enclosure. The road verges now function as remnant habitats for many

of the semi-natural heath land species.

type. These farmsteads arescattered through the landscape.Occasional large farms are foundon the late enclosed summits.The smaller farms tend to bemore densely packed aroundShottle and Crich. Small fieldbarns, removed from the mainfarmstead are a prominent featureof this landscape type. A modernquarry at Crich impacts upon thelandscape. There is also evidenceof earlier lead mining in the area.

Near Shottle and Crich, the roadscurve around ownershipboundaries. These curving laneshave irregular width verges andare enclosed by a mixture ofhedgerows and dry-stone walls,again suggestive ofa period of earlier enclosure.

Built EnvironmentGrey to brown sandstonefarmsteads with Staffordshire bluetile or stone slate roofs are thedominant vernacular building

Near Shottle and in the Cricharea, there is a more irregularfield pattern, bounded by amixture of dry-stone walls andmixed species hedgerowscontaining holly, suggestingearlier enclosure.

TransportStraight roads, with fairly wide,uniform width verges connectthe isolated farmsteads on thelate enclosed summits.

boundaries and trees plantedaround farmsteads, providingshelter in an otherwise exposedlandscape. There are veryoccasional small plantations andareas of scrubby woodland,including birch, rowan and sallow,that have developed on localisedslopes over thin, free drainingacidic soils but the overallperception is that of an open,unwooded landscape.

EnclosureDry-stone walls, made of irregularblocks of local grey to brownsandstone enclose medium sizedfields. The boundaries on thehigher ground tend to be straightwhich suggests late enclosure ofthe open common.

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Planting and Management Guidlelines

An open, unwooded landscape on broad, rolling hill summits punctuatedby occasional small plantations and tree groups around farmsteads.






farmsteads.



46



# Amenity Trees - appropriate tree species for planting as amenity trees associated with settlement should include locally occurring largewoodland species, eg Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

47


LANDSCAPE TYPE: WOODED SLOPES AND VALLEYS

Key Characteristics

This is a landscape of small pastoral fields on undulating, rising ground.Woodlands on steeper slopes, hedgerow and streamline trees

contribute to a strongly wooded character.

Geology and LandformThe underlying bedrock issandstone and mudstone of thelower coal measures and theMillstone Grit. The upstanding,higher ground is underlain withsandstone, while the valleys arecut into the softer mudstone.There are localised seams ofcoal, which have been exploitedby mining. For much of the area,the beds dip towards the Eastfrom the high moors.

Soils and Land UseSoils are variable, reflecting therange of underlying geology andsteepness of slope. Over thesandstone bands and on steeperslopes there are coarse loamy,well-drained soils. Seasonallywaterlogged gley soils are foundover the mudstone bands or onthe lower lying slopes. All of thesoils are agriculturally poor andconsequently the dominant landuse is permanent grassland for

pasture or hay. There areoccasional arable fields onthe better drained soils oversandstone.

EcologyThe network of watercourses,often linked with woodland bands,provide the key wildlife habitat inthis landscape character type.This network links isolatedpatches of habitat in the farmedlandscape, reinforced by thehedgerows. On the thin, well-drained soils over sandstonethere are patches of heathy acidgrassland with bracken, gorseand occasionally heather.Bracken is widespread along fieldboundaries and on road verges.

Tree CoverPatches of semi natural woodland,many of ancient origin, arewidespread. They are particularlyassociated with the agriculturallypoor soils on steep slopes and theheavy soils at the base of valleys.The woodlands, especially ancientwoodlands, tend to be small tomedium in size, with an irregularoutline. On acid soils the woodlandis generally upland oakwood

Upland, undulating ground rising up to moorlandSlopes are moderate to steep, and steepen along stream valleysPoorly draining soils over bands of mudstone and harder sandstonePermanent pasture for sheep and dairy cattleWidespread bracken and localised gorse, found particularly on thethinner soils of steeper slopesDensely scattered small to medium ancient woodlands and somesecondary woodland, mostly on steeper slopes and along streamsDensely scattered hedgerow treesIrregular field pattern bounded by mixed species hedgerowsDry-stone walls are also widespread, usually defining a more regularfield patternNetwork of winding lanes, often sunken on steeper slopes, with rockybanksDispersed sandstone farmsteads with stone slate roofs with localisedclusters


48

Irregular field pattern suggesting directclearance from woodland.

SummaryIt is the intimate mix of the lower coal measures and Millstone grit,

which has given rise to this undulating, rising landscape. As a result

the soils are highly variable from thin impoverished soils over the

upstanding sandstone, to heavy gleyed soils in the damp hollows and

small valleys. Between these extremes there will be localised variation

related to geology and relief.

All the soils are agriculturally poor so this is a landscape traditionally

associated with woodland. Indeed much of the early settlement and

clearance would have been by woodland assarting. This is reflected in

the widespread dispersal of individual farmsteads and the large

number of small, irregular fields with mixed species hedgerows.

The resulting landscape is a mix of pastoral farming with small,

irregular woodlands, many of ancient origin, on the steeper

uncultivable slopes. These woodlands along with hedgerow trees give

the landscape a distinctly wooded character. Hedgerow trees are

predominantly oak with some ash which, along with the mixed species

hedgerows, may be indicative of a previously more extensive ancient

wooded landscape.

Country lanes are sinuous, often sunken, winding their way through

the landscape avoiding steeper slopes. The road network is dense,

again reflecting the moderate to high density dispersal of farmsteads.

Built EnvironmentThe majority of historic buildingsare constructed of localsandstone, traditionally roofedwith stone slates. Farmsteadsare dispersed throughout thelandscape, though there areoccasionally clusters offarmsteads and cottages.

This suggests that the fields werecleared directly from woodland,and that the woodland trees andshrubs were used to form thehedgerows. Place names likeDronfield Woodhouse suggestmedieval clearance of woodland.

Dry-stone walls define a moreregular pattern of fields,suggesting later enclosure ofopen ground or common land.On the higher ground, the areasenclosed by walls were openmoorland prior to enclosure.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes, with irregular widthverges. Sunken lanes are afeature on sloping ground, thoughthey avoid the very steepestslopes. There are also greenlanes, some that run just toisolated farmsteads together withfootpaths linking settlements.

Small areas of wet woodlandoccur on the waterlogged soils offlushed slopes and low-lyingground. Such wet woodlandssupport ash, birch and hazelmixed with alder. Hedgerow treeshave a strong influence in someparts of the landscape, thoughthey tend to be rarer on areas offormer open field or common.Oak and ash are the mainboundary trees, though holly isalso noticeable. Ancient woodlandand hedgerow oak and holly maybe indicative of a more extensiveancient wooded landscape. Treesare often found aroundfarmsteads, where they providesome shelter and soften theimpact of buildings. Wherestreams are bounded by gentleslopes, there is usually acontinuous line of streamlinetrees, particularly alder.

EnclosureThis is a landscape of smallfields, enclosed by hedgerowsand dry-stone walls. Hedgerowscontain a mix of species,including holly, hawthorn, hazel,field maple and ash. Thehedgerows often define a veryirregular field pattern.

containing sessile and pedunculateoak, together with downy and silverbirch, holly, rowan and hazel.

49



A rising, undulating landscape with many semi-natural woodlands, some of ancient origin,along steep slopes and valley sides with densely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.

Primary woodland character: Densely scattered small-medium woodlands.










● Re-establish and enhance physical links between existing isolated woodland and hedgerows.

● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.




● Where opportunities arise the removal of coniferous plantation woodland should be encouraged.




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Occasional 0-5%*Malus sylvestris Crab ApplePrunus avium GeanPrunus padus Bird CherrySorbus aucuparia Rowan




Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleCorylus avellana HazelIlex aquifolium Holly

Occasional 0-5%Lonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleViburnum opulus Guelder Rose


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorFraxinus excelsior AshIlex aquifolium HollyMinorMalus sylvestris Crab ApplePopulus tremula AspenPrunus avium GeanSorbus aucuparia Rowan

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorLonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%



Neutral/Slightly Acid Soils More Acidic Soils Waterlogged Conditionson all soil types


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorIlex aquifolium HollySorbus aucuparia RowanPopulus tremula Aspen


Open space 0-20%

Primary Tree Species 50%+ Alnus glutinosa Alder

Betula pubescens Downy BirchSalix caprea Goat WillowSalix fragilis Crack Willow



Open space 0-20%

+ Watercourse trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as watercourse trees.

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LANDSCAPE TYPE: WOODED FARMLANDS

Key Characteristics

Geology and LandformThe underlying bedrock isdominated by mudstone of theLower Coal Measures. Within themudstone, there are bands ofsandstone, forming the higherground, and seams of coal whichhave been exploited by mining.There is a subdued undulatinglandform, with few steep slopes.

Soils and Land UseSeasonally waterlogged, gleysoils are found over the mudstonebands. Over the localisedsandstone bands there are freedraining, thinner soils. The heavysoils over the mudstone aredifficult to work and would

This is a mixed farming landscape on undulating ground. Woodlands,hedgerow and streamline trees contribute to a strongly wooded character.

Undulating, intermediate landform, with gentle slopesPoorly draining soils over mudstone with localised sandstoneand coal seamsLocalised bracken on thinner soils over sandstoneScattered ancient woodlandsScattered hedgerow trees locally dense in placesDense tree cover along streamsAreas of irregular fields bounded by mixed species hedgerowsSmall to medium fields, enclosed by hedgerowsCurving lanes with irregular vergesScattered sandstone farmsteads and occasional hamlets

traditionally have supportedpermanent grassland for grazingand hay. Arable crops would havebeen largely confined to thelighter soils on the sandstone.

EcologyA network of watercourses, oftenlinked with woodland bands,provides the key wildlife habitat inthis type. This network, reinforcedby hedgerows, links isolatedpatches of habitat in the farmedlandscape. On the thin, well-drained soils over sandstone,there are patches of heathy acidgrassland with bracken, gorseand occasionally heather.

Bracken is widespread along fieldboundaries and on road verges.

Tree CoverPatches of semi naturalwoodland, some of ancient origin,are widespread, ranging in sizefrom small remnants to largeblocks such as Hardwick Woodnear Wingerworth. Historic mapevidence suggests that woodlandwas even more widespread in thenineteenth century. The irregular

Streamside flora in woodland.


52

SummaryIn this transitional landscape, where the Lower Coal Measures give way to the Millstone Grit Series, the

landform is gently rolling, relating to the contrasting bands of mudstone and sandstone. The mudstone

dominates and is overlain by seasonally waterlogged soils, with thinner free draining soils over sandstone. The

result is a landscape of permanent pasture and woodland on the heavy soils, with occasional arable fields on

the lighter soils. In more recent times there has been an expansion in arable farming.

Woodland and hedgerow trees are prevalent creating a well-wooded landscape. Woodlands of varying size

have irregular shaped boundaries, as do many fields, suggesting these fields originated from woodland

clearance. Mixed species hedgerows, with oak trees, also reflect a previously more extensive ancient wooded

landscape.

The dispersed nature of individual farmsteads further suggest clearance by woodland assarting. Some small

nucleations do occur and are associated with small areas of former open fields. The country lanes are winding,

relating to the undulating topography and form a dense network connecting the isolated farmsteads.

Irregular field patterns suggest directclearance from woodland.

Built EnvironmentThe majority of historic buildingsare constructed of localsandstone, roofed with Welsh orstone slates. Farmsteads andgroups of cottages are dispersedthroughout the landscape. Thepresence of coal in the area andthe expansion of Chesterfieldhave contributed to widespreaddevelopment of red brick housing.Of special interest is thedevelopment at Wingerworth, onthe site of a former country housepark, reflecting its formerboundaries.

supplement the main roadnetwork and footpaths connectfarmsteads.

This suggests that the fields werecleared directly from woodland,and that the woodland trees andshrubs were used to form thehedgerows. Thorn hedgerowsdefine more regular field patterns,indicating a later enclosure ofopen field, or extensive woodlandclearance. Hazel is often foundalong with the hawthorn, whichreflects the local abundance ofwoodland saplings to supplementthorn hedgerows.

TransportThere is a network of curvinglanes, with irregular width verges.Green lanes and farm tracks

EnclosureThis is a landscape of small andmedium fields, enclosed byhedgerows. Many hedgerowscontain a mix of species,including holly, hawthorn, hazel,field maple and ash. Thehedgerows often define anirregular field pattern.

outline of the remaining woodsindicates the gradual clearance ofancient woodland for agriculturalland. On acid soils the woodlandis generally upland oakwoodcontaining sessile andpedunculate oak, together withdowny and silver birch, holly,rowan and hazel. Somewoodlands are dominated bybirch, indicating regenerationfollowing past felling. Small areasof wet woodland occur onwaterlogged soils of flushedslopes and low-lying ground in thevalley bottoms. Such wetwoodlands have ash, birch andhazel mixed with alder. Amenitytrees are found aroundfarmsteads and other settlement.Near continuous bands of trees,principally alder and willow, followthe numerous water-courses.Mature oak and ash trees arefound along many hedgerows.The ancient woodland andhedgerow trees are furtherevidence of a more extensiveancient wooded landscape.These elements combine to forma well-wooded landscape.

53



A well wooded landscape of small, organic woodlands, some ofancient origin, with densely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.

Primary woodland character: Densely scattered small-medium woodlands.











● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.







54







Neutral/Slightly Acid Soils




Open space 0-20%

More Acidic Soils


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorIlex aquifolium HollyPopulus tremula AspenSorbus aucuparia Rowan


Open space 0-20%

Waterlogged Conditionson all soil types

Primary Tree Species 50%+ Alnus glutinosa Alder

Betula pubescens Downy Birch+ Salix caprea Goat Willow+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow



Open space 0-20%

Suitable hedgerow plantsPrimary 70-75%Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleCorylus avellana HazelIlex aquifolium Holly



55


LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED FARMLANDS

Key Characteristics

Geology and LandformThis is a landscape with a mixedgeology, reflecting the transitionfrom the upland limestone in thenorth to the softer Mesozoic rocksfurther south. As a result there areoutcrops of Carboniferouslimestone and limestone shalesaround Hognaston Winn. Bycontrast, the geology just north ofAshbourne is a mix of Permo-Triassic sandstones andmudstones. Significant areas ofglacial till, capping the underlyinghard geology, further diversify thesurface geology.

A gently undulating to rolling pastoral landscape over mixed sandstone, mudstone,limestone and drift geologies, characterised by densely scattered hedgerow treesand lines of trees along watercourses. Limestone villages and sparsely scattered

farmsteads give the impression of a well settled landscape.

Gently undulating to rolling upland landscapeSeasonally waterlogged soils over mixed Carboniferous andPermo-Triassic geology and glacial tillDairy farming on permanent pasture and grass leysScattered hedgerow trees, predominantly ash, that provide filteredviewsDense lines of trees along watercoursesSmall to medium sized semi-regular and strip fields enclosed byhedgerows and occasional dry stone wallsWidespread ridge and furrowDense network of winding lanes with irregular width vergesDiscrete villages with buildings of limestone and Staffordshire bluetiles or Welsh slate roofs and scattered outlying farmsteads allcreating the sense of a well-settled landscape

For the most part the resultantlandform is gently undulating torolling, with distinct elevatedplateaux where the glacial till andlimestone prevail.

Soils and Land UseThe range of soils reflects thediversity of the underlyinggeology but for the most part thesoils are fine loams and silts overclayey, slowly permeablesubsoils. As a result many areseasonally waterlogged, makingthem difficult to cultivate andprone to poaching by livestock.

Over the limestone the soils areshallow, free draining loamsbecoming more calcareous wherethe soils are thinnest or slopesare locally steep. Wheresandstone predominates soils areoften free draining brown earths.

The generally heavy nature ofthese soils ensures that pasturepredominates with dairying andstock rearing on improvedpermanent pasture and grassleys.

EcologyMuch of this landscape isintensively farmed as improvedpermanent pasture with grassleys. As a result much of thisagricultural landscape is of littleecological value. However, thereare isolated patches ofunimproved grassland and haymeadow associated with steeperslopes, which provide localfloristic interest. Where limestoneoutcrops, around HognastonWinn, there is localisedcalcareous grassland.

Terrestrial corridors are importantwith many well-managed


56

Medieval strip fields associated with thenearby village of Brassington

Medieval ridge and furrow

The predominant buildingmaterials are carboniferouslimestone with Staffordshire bluetiles or Welsh slate for roofing.Towards Ashbourne red brickbecomes more evident andpredominates as the mainbuilding material.

Tissington has its own particularcharacter being an estate villageset within parkland and accessedvia a formal gateway.

Most of the villages have grownlittle although modern infilldevelopment has modified theiroriginal loose knit character. Withthe intensification of farmingpractices there is an increasingdemand for large modern barns,which are often poorly designedand sited.

There are localised effects of leadmining around Carsington andBrassington.

The greatest visual impact on thislandscape type has resulted fromthe creation of the large reservoirat Carsington, with its associatedvisitor buildings. There is also aquarry with a processing plant atBallidon that has a localisedimpact on this landscape.

farmsteads. Villages tend to besmall like Bradbourne, Carsingtonand Hognaston. Between thevillages there are scatteredfarmsteads. Where this landscapeabuts the limestone, small fieldbarns become a feature of thelandscape. Because of thetopography and relief manybuildings within it are observedfrom an elevated viewpoint,emphasising their significance inthe landscape.

The majority of fields areenclosed by hedgerows, whichtend to be predominantlyhawthorn, although along lanesand historic boundaries hedgesare more mixed, with species likeholly and hazel. Dry stone walls,constructed in limestone, aredominant in some areas, as forexample at Hognaston Winn.Where walls occur then thelandscape appears more openand the field pattern is moreevident.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes throughout thislandscape often with irregularwidth verges. The exception tothis is on the limestone atHognaston Winn where there isvery little access. There are manyfootpaths and green lanesconnecting the small settlementsand scattered farmsteads.

Built EnvironmentThis is a well settled but sparselypopulated landscape, comprisedof villages originating in themedieval period and scattered

These still have evidence ofmedieval ridge and furrow. Theyare some of the best examples inthe county.

hedgerows. Hedgerow trees,predominantly ash but also oakand sycamore, add to theecological interest. Thesecorridors are supplemented by anetwork of watercourses fringedby dense lines of riparian trees.Woodland tends not to be ahabitat type in this landscapealthough there are some localisedbroad-leaved estate woodlandsassociated with the parkland atTissington. There are also anumber of mature parkland treesthat add to its ecological value.

Tree CoverThe gently rolling landform andease with which this landscapecan be farmed ensures thatwoodland is not generally inevidence. Exceptions to this ruleare the small broad-leaved estatewoodlands associated with theparkland landscape around andincluding the settlement atTissington. There are alsolocalised parkland trees includingmature lime and horse chestnut.

Despite the lack of woodland, treecover is well representedthroughout due to the denselyscattered hedgerow andwatercourse trees. Collectivelythese trees, mainly ash butsometimes oak and sycamore,filter views through the landscape.Over the limestone, where drystone walls enclose fields, treecover is sparser and views moreopen and distant.

EnclosureThis is a landscape ofpredominantly small to mediumsized semi-regular fields enclosedby hedgerows, although the fieldsize and pattern varies locally,reflecting the diverse history ofenclosure. This cultural patternremains essentially intact,although there has been somefield amalgamation in areas ofmore intensive farming.

Several examples of strip fieldsenclosed from former open fieldssurvive, most notably aroundBrassington and Bradbourne.

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SummaryThis is a landscape of fairly diverse geological composition with Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and drift materials giving

rise to a gently undulating to rolling upland landscape. Although there is some local variation in soil, relating to

the variations in both geology and landform, they tend to be free draining fine loams over clay subsoils that are

prone to short-lived seasonal waterlogging.

Primarily this is a cultural landscape shaped by its settlement pattern and land-use. A key feature is its settled

character. The area demonstrates human activity from the prehistoric period with evidence of settlement since

the Roman period. Many of the villages are certainly early medieval in origin. Although not densely populated

there is a general scattering of small villages and farmsteads throughout, constructed in the local vernacular

style of local limestone with Welsh slate or Staffordshire blue clay tile roofs.

The settled nature of this landscape type has ensured that the landscape has been well utilised for agriculture

and the predominant land-use is pastoral associated with dairying. Much of the permanent pasture is now

improved. This pastoral landscape is defined by small semi-regular and strip fields enclosed by hedges and

occasional dry stone walls. These narrow strip fields have been enclosed from former medieval open field

systems and today historic ridge and furrow is a widespread and visually prominent feature of this landscape

type.

Trees are well represented, associated with scattered hedgerow trees and dense lines of watercourse trees.

Woodlands are not a characteristic feature although they occur locally as small estate woodlands around

Tissington. Trees help to define the small to medium scale by filtering views through the landscape. Over

limestone or where the glacial till creates upstanding plateaux, trees are more sparsely scattered and there is a

distinct sense of elevation with views over lower lying land.

There are localised impacts of quarrying at Ballidon and lead mining remains are a significant feature around

Brassington and Carsington.



58


A gently undulating pastoral landscape of very few woodlandsbut densely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.


Primary tree character: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees

Woodland vision: Occasional small woodlands

Tree vision: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees


Woodland pattern: Organic or regular


● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees-through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.

● Enhance the visual and ecological continuity of river corridors by management, natural regeneration

and planting of riparian trees.


● Ensure new woodland does not conflict with features (e.g. ridge and furrow) that help to define

landscape character.


59


Suitable hedgerow treesPrimary 70-75%Fraxinus excelsior Ash

Secondary 25-30%Quercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak


* only to be used if occurring locally within the landscapecharacter type

Suitable hedgerow plantsPrimary 70-75%Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Secondary 25-30%Corylus avellana HazelIlex aquifolium Holly


Hedgerow Species Mix

Waterlogged Conditionson all soil types

Primary Tree Species 50%+ Alnus glutinosa Alder+ Betula pubescens Downy Birch

Salix caprea Goat Willow+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow



Open space 0-20%

Neutral/ Slightly Acid Soils




Open space 0-20%





60

61



Key Characteristics

Broad, flat flood plains, hold meandering rivers, with scattered trees along the river bank.Scattered boundary trees and transport routes punctuate the pastoral landscape.

Flat, broad flood plains containing meandering riversSeasonally waterlogged soils over alluviumLow intensity permanent pastureLocalised patches of rushes in damp hollowsScattered, locally dense trees along watercourses, widespreadalder and localised willowScattered trees along field boundariesRegular shaped fields, bounded by hawthorn hedgesLanes along edges or crossing flood plains with gritstone bridgesover the riversActive and disused railway lines with secondary woodland alongembankmentsHistoric textile mills

formed by the deposition ofsediment by floodwaters as theywane.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are clayey loams thatare seasonally waterlogged.Some areas are morepermanently waterlogged andsome wet hollows retainfloodwater long after the majorityof the floods have subsided.Some fields around Allestree andDuffield contain ridge and furrow,providing evidence of arablecultivation in the medieval period.

However, the heavy soils and riskof flooding make the flood plaindifficult to work for arablecropping. Subsequent changes inthe organisation of agricultureshifted cropping to the betterdrained soils away from the floodplain, leaving permanentgrassland as the dominant landuse.

EcologyThe River Derwent is a fairly wideand deep river along this section,with relatively clean water. TheRiver Ecclesbourne is narrowerand has largely unpolluted water,making it very valuable as afreshwater habitat. The wetmeadows, found in hollows in theflood plain, remain partly floodedfor much of the year. Theysupport marsh vegetation withrushes and are importantremnants of a diminishing habitattype.

Further habitat diversity isprovided by bands of scrub andsecondary woodland that fringethe transport corridors. Thestretch of surviving Cromford

Geology and LandformThis landscape lies on the floodplains of the Derwent andEcclesbourne Rivers. These floodplains are fairly broad and containmeandering rivers. Theunderlying sediment consists ofalluvial mud lying over gravelsdeposited by the rivers in times offlood. The gravel acts as anaquifer, carrying water from theadjoining land into the river andso is permanently waterlogged(Bridges 1966). In places thereare natural raised banks to therivers, called levees. These are


62

Leawood Pump House

East Mill, Belper

grinding corn, with its associatedweir and mill pool. Farmsteadsoccupied the higher ground to theedge of the valleys, where the riskof flooding was less. There areoccasional farmsteads on theslightly higher, better drainedareas within the flood plain. Millsand farmsteads werepredominantly built of localgritstone with Welsh oroccasionally Cumbrian slateroofs.

Richard Arkwright and JedediahStrutt transformed the role ofthese river valleys following thebuilding in 1771 of the world’s firstsuccessful water-powered cottonspinning mill in Cromford.

When their business partnershipfolded, Arkwright stayed inCromford while Strutt developednew mills at Belper and Milford. Inaddition to the mills, houses,shops, inns, schools, churches,chapels and farms were built tosustain the mill workers. These,together with the historictransportation infrastructure andwatercourses, constitute theDerwent Valley Mills WorldHeritage Site. At Milford the millworkers cottages follow thecontours snaking along the valleysides above the mills. There areseveral distinctive farmsteadsbuilt by the Strutts in the area.

Built EnvironmentHistorically there was little built onthe flood plain, excepting theoccasional gritstone water mill for

plain, raised upon embankmentsto reduce the risk of flooding.Occasionally roads cross the riverupon gritstone bridges. The mainDerby to Matlock road, follows theroute of former turnpike roads. Itruns along the Derwent Valley formost of its course and is boundedby gritstone walls.

There is a dense network of directpublic footpaths crossing theflood plains, connecting thescattered farmsteads along theedges of the valleys. The railwayswere built in the mid 19th centuryand followed the flat flood plains,on causeways, through gritstonetunnels and over stone and ironbridges. The railway line in theEcclesbourne valley is nowdisused.

The Cromford Canal, whichoriginally ran from Cromford toLangley Mill, opened in 1794. Itformed an important transportroute for the early industry thatdeveloped in the Derwent Valley,although it fell into disuse with theadvent of the railways and nowstops abruptly, at Ambergate.

There are also scattered maturetrees, principally oak and ash,along field boundaries.Ornamental parkland trees suchas specimen oak, ash and horsechestnut extend into thislandscape around Duffield. Thereare pollarded willows in theEcclesbourne valley.

The tree cover is greatlyintensified by the secondarywoodland that occurs beside roadand rail links and along theCromford Canal. This woodland isoften dominated by sycamore,which limits its interest as ahabitat. Increased woodland hereoccurs as a consequence of thedevelopment of the DerwentValley as a transport corridor andis not part of its inherentcharacter.

EnclosureThorn hedgerows enclosemedium sized fields. Many of theboundaries are straight, althoughsome are more curving, indicatingearlier enclosure. There areoccasional dry-stone walls in theDerwent Valley. A sinuous hedgeor wall often defines the edge ofthe flood plain.

TransportLanes in this landscape tend torun along the edge of the flood

Canal, from Cromford toAmbergate, is a valuablefreshwater habitat. It is notseverely silted and supports aprofusion of aquatic and marginalvegetation as well as a richaquatic fauna.

Tree CoverThere are lines of scattered treesalong the banks of the rivers,mainly alder but with anoccasional willow.

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SummaryThe lower reaches of the Derwent and Ecclesbourne rivers flow through broad flood plains. The meandering

rivers have deposited alluvial materials during times of flood, the resultant soils being heavy, clay loams prone

to prolonged seasonal waterlogging.

These soils have traditionally supported meadowlands grazed by cattle. However there is evidence of ridge and

furrow suggesting that in medieval times some crops may have been grown on a small scale. Fields tend to be

medium sized and enclosed by thorn hedgerows. These boundaries are often straight but some are curved,

possibly reflecting some of these earlier medieval strips.

The flood plain is open although there are mature hedgerow trees, predominantly oak and ash, with scattered

groups, usually alder, along the riverbanks.

Due to the risk of flooding this landscape would have been unsettled although some modern housing estates

now extend into the flood plain. Lanes are scarce and tend to cut across the flood plains. Major roads and

railway lines, constructed on embankments, are located at its edges.



64




Primary tree character: Thinly scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees.


Tree vision: Thinly scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees.

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 5ha small

Woodland pattern: Organic/ linear






65


Suitable Hedgerow PlantsPrimary 85-100%Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn

Occasional 0-15%Corylus avellana Hazel

Hedgerow Species MixSuitable Hedgerow Trees




Waterlogged Conditions on all soil typesPrimary Tree Species 50%

+ Alnus glutinosa AlderBetula pubescens Downy BirchSalix caprea Goat WillowSalix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree species 20%MajorBetula pendula Silver BirchIlex aquifolium HollyMinorQuercus petraea Sessile OakQuercus robur Pedunculate OakTilia cordata Small Leaved Lime


Open space 0-20%





66

67

Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands Character Area 68

NEEDWOOD AND SOUTH DERBYSHIRE CLAYLANDSCHARACTER AREA 68

Location of Needwood andSouth Derbyshire Claylands


• Settled Plateau Farmlands• Settled Farmlands• Sandstone Slopes and Heaths

A settled, pastoral landscape on gently rolling lowlands.

• Estate Farmlands• Riverside Meadows

IntroductionLocated in the south west of thecounty, the Needwood and SouthDerbyshire Claylands comprisetwo distinct areas separated bythe River Dove, which also formsthe administrative boundarybetween Derbyshire andStaffordshire. The distinctivewooded landscape of Needwoodlies exclusively withinStaffordshire.

The remainder of this CharacterArea within Derbyshire, is rollinglowland over glacial till andMercia Mudstones that wereamenable to early settlement andfarming. In contrast to theNeedwood area there is lesswoodland and more settlementwith small villages and scatteredfarmsteads and cottages. Ridgeand furrow and the earthworks ofdeserted villages suggest thearea was once more denselysettled.

Land-use is typically dairy farmingwith some arable, set within aframework of hedgerows and

“...and where at every turn he came upon some fine old country-seatnestled in the valley or crowning the slopes, some homestead with itslong length of barn and its cluster of golden ricks, some grey steeplelooking out from a pretty confusion of trees.....And directly below themthe eye rested on a more advanced line of hanging woods, divided bybright patches of pasture or furrowed crops...”

p16 George Eliot ‘Adam Bede’

Natural InfluencesThe predominant land-use ispasture, mainly for dairy farming,with some arable cropping wheretopography allows, particularly inSettled Plateau Pastures. WithinDerbyshire, unlike the Needwoodarea, woodland is not a prominentcharacteristic, although there is astrong sense of enclosurepertaining to the patchwork offields enclosed by hedgerowswith hedgerow trees. Althoughmuch of the pasture has nowbeen improved there are stillremnants of unimproved pastureand meadows. Some olderhedgerows are species rich.

Where the underlying geology isdefined by sandstone inSandstone Slopes and Heaths,locally occurring heathland withgorse and heather is still to befound, though mostly confined tothe steepest slopes or roadverges.

Historic parks, like Kedleston,make a locally significantcontribution to the ecologicalvalue of Estate Farmlandsthrough the presence of veteranparkland trees and the presenceof plantation woodland.

hedgerow trees. Woodlands arefew but locally occurring parkland,such as that at Kedleston Hallmakes a significant contribution tothe overall character of the area.

Small red brick villages andestate farms are distinctivefeatures, and although somesettlements west of Derby haveexpanded through post-wardevelopment, the landscaperetains a deeply rural character.

Physical InfluencesWithin Derbyshire this characterarea is defined by an underlyinggeology of Mercia Mudstones,with Sherwood sandstone to thenorth overlain in the north andwest by a thin covering of glacialdrift. Differential erosion bynumerous narrow streams,draining from the Peak Fringe,has created a gently undulating torolling landform with the glacialdrift defining the more upstandingSettled Plateau Farmlands.

The wide valley and RiversideMeadows of the River Dove,which also separates the areafrom Needwood, define thewestern and southern limits ofthis area within the county.


68


• Special Landscape Areas• The Lowland Derbyshire

BAP

Somersal Herbert Hall

Winding country lane

Winding country lanes boundedby plump mixed specieshedgerows help define the ruralcharacter of the area and providea sense of enclosure particularlywhere the lanes have becomesunken within the minor valleysides. On areas of formercommon and heathlandassociated with Settled PlateauFarmlands and Sandstone Slopesand Heaths roads are oftenstraight and direct with uniformwidth verges.

Elizabethan buildings mostnotably Somersal Hall.

the rural character and sense ofantiquity of this landscape. Incontrast within the formerheathland associated with SettledPlateau Farmlands andSandstone Slopes and Heathsroads are often straight and directwith uniform verges.

Later, country house parks weredeveloped at Osmaston, Sudburyand most notably at Kedleston.Kedleston Hall, set within theEstate Farmlands landscape,remains today as one of the finestexamples of a Georgian setpiece,the hall and park both beingdesigned by Robert Adam.

The predominant buildingmaterial within the villages is redbrick and, with the exception ofvillages like Brailsford, they haveremained relatively small andloose knit in character. Moreimportant buildings, like churchesand the manor house may beconstructed in the localsandstone. Some very occasionalexamples survive of half timbered

Human InfluencesEvidence of early activity isgenerally rare. However, Iron Ageand Roman settlement hasrecently come to light suggestingthe area was more extensivelysettled in the pre-medieval periodthan previously believed.

The agricultural quality of the landwould always have attractedsettlers and the present pattern ofsettlement was established in theAnglo-Saxon period, as indicatedby the place name evidence andthe number of villages alreadypresent by the time of DomesdayBook.

Following the Norman Conquestextensive tracts of land were setaside for royal hunting forests.Duffield Frith is a good exampleextending over a large area andencompassing a number of deerparks including those at Manselland Ravensdale Park nearMuggington. Park pale (bank andditch enclosure boundary),earthern bank gateways, deercourses and other historiclandscape features survive to givethese former park landscapes adistinctive character. They alsoincorporate remaining fragmentsof heathland, particularly withinSandstone Slopes and Heaths atthe northern extremity of the area.

In the Settled Farmland thedensity of settlement in the middleages was greater than it is today,as indicated by the survivingearthworks of deserted andshrunken villages such as HungryBentley and Muggington and thesurviving ridge and furrow of theformer open fields. Settlementalso spread onto commons andheaths in the late and postMedieval period most notably atHulland Ward with its typicalwayside cottages and straightroads.

Enclosure of the landscape beganearly and areas were alreadyenclosed by the early 17thcentury. The winding and oftensunken country lanes bounded byplump mixed species hedgerowsare in part a product of the longhistory of enclosure and add to

69


LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED PLATEAU FARMLANDSA medium scale predominantly pastoral landscape found on gently rolling

upland plateaux over glacial till. There is a distinct sense of elevation characterisedby extensive views over lower ground filtered by scattered boundary trees and

small woodlands. Hedgerows enclose small and medium sized fields.

Key CharacteristicsA gently rolling upland plateau extending onto ridge topsSlowly permeable, seasonally waterlogged soils over glacial tillPastoral farming with some croppingMarl pits forming small pondsDensely scattered boundary trees and occasional small woodlandblocksSmall to medium fields surrounded by hedgerowsParkland estatesAreas of former common land with clusters of red brick/clay tilecottagesScattered red brick and blue clay tile roofed farmsteads and estatefarms

Geology and LandformThis plateau landscape is stronglyinfluenced by the underlyinggeology with reddish till (glacialdrift) overlaying Palaeozoic andMesozoic sandstone and shalesfor the most part. This occurs as aseries of “fingers” or narrowridges extending southwards fromthe higher plateau between thegentle valleys of the SpinneyfordBrook, Wyaston Brook andCubley Brook.

Soils and Land UseThe soils found consistentlythroughout this landscape areslowly permeable, seasonally

waterlogged fine loam overclayey soils. The gentle reliefassociated with this landscapetype ensures that there is littlerun-off, so the slowly permeablesoils are waterlogged for longperiods in the winter and are theninaccessible to stock andmachinery.

This is moderately good mixedfarmland although dairying andimproved grassland and leysdominate. Autumn sown crops ofwheat, barley and oil-seed rapeare found throughout this type butprincipally in the Bradley andShirley / Brailsford areas in theeast.

EcologyMuch of this landscape type isintensively farmed as permanentpasture or for cereals. Theimproved grassland andcultivated fields have littleecological interest. Wheredrainage is impeded patches ofwet grassland with rushes occur.Small fragments of degradedrush communities are found indamp patches and hollows.

Terrestrial corridors in the form ofhedgerows and small blocks ofbroad-leaved woodland persistbut these are declining due toagricultural intensification andfield amalgamation, mostnoticeably in the ShirleyCommon/ Brailsford areas.

Where the underlying sandstoneis closer to the surface there aresignificant patches of bracken inhedgerows and along roadverges. The network of lanesaround Bradley is particularly richin bracken.

The many marl pits supportvaluable base-rich wetlandcommunities. Older pastures,


70

SummaryA landscape shaped by its underlying geology of glacial drift oversandstone and shale, creating a landform of narrow, upland plateaux.Long distance views are limited by trees that are found scatteredthroughout most hedgerows. However, with incisions of lower lyingland there is a distinct sense of elevation.

Soils over glacial till are heavy and seasonally waterlogged, lendingthemselves to good quality pastures for dairy farming but the gentlyrolling landform ensures that the land-use is more mixed, with autumnsown crops like barley and wheat.

The settlement pattern is a key feature. Although not denselypopulated there is a general scattering of farmsteads with theoccasional small village, like Bradley, Yeaveley and Wyaston with theirorigins in the medieval period or earlier. The traditional buildings aretypically built in brick with Staffordshire blue clay tile roofs.

Irregular field patterns

purposes. The cultural pattern ofthis area has been obliterated asa consequence of the removal ofall field boundaries, smallwoodlands, the diversion of lanesand the levelling of ground on alarge scale.

Built EnvironmentThis is a landscape of widelyscattered farmsteads and smallsettlements. The villages, whichare found on this landscape type,such as Bradley, Shirley,Yeaveley, Alkmonton, Wyaston,were originally very smallnucleated settlements surroundedby open fields, mainly originatingin the medieval period.

Elsewhere dispersed common-side cottages can be found,typically with long, narrowgardens running parallel to thelanes and formed from theenclosure of wide verges.

Almost without exceptiontraditional buildings are builtof mellow red brick withStaffordshire blue clay tile roofs.

All the settlements have grownsignificantly in recent years withmuch unsympathetic suburbanstyle housing, some in the form ofribbon development. Osmaston bycontrast is an attractive unspoiltestate village, with severalthatched and rustic properties inthe self consciously picturesquestyle of the early Victorian period.

The cultural pattern is generallyintact here but is declining in theareas of regular shaped fields asa result of modern farmingpractice.

Fields are enclosed byhedgerows which can be speciesrich in areas of earliest enclosure,with holly, hazel and field maple,to predominantly hawthorn inareas of late Parliamentaryenclosure.

TransportThe strong ridgelinescharacterising this landscapehave been utilised for transportand there is a fairly densenetwork of country lanes. Formerturnpike roads like the A52 andA517 took advantage of thishigher ground. Many of the roadsfollow the ridgelines, tending tobe straight and direct, especiallywhere they cross formercommons. Where roads crossformer wasteland, names likeMoor Lane, near Osmaston,reflect past character. In areas ofearly enclosure, where lanes aremore curved, road verges are ofirregular width, as opposed to thewider more uniform width vergeson former common. Manyfootpaths link settlements anddispersed farmsteads.

Two large military airfields wereestablished in the 1940’s, each tothe south of Ashbourne. Both arenow used for alternative

particularly if poorly drained, candevelop a distinctive base-richassociation. At Hulland Moss, aSSSI, there is an importantexample of lowland bog andheath with areas of dry oak andwet alder woodland.

Tree CoverBoundary trees are scatteredthroughout, giving filtered views,often over extensive areas.Occasional small blocks of broad-leaved woodland and sheltergroups are found.The predominant tree species areoak and ash but there is alsosome sycamore. Remnantparkland blocks can be identifiedin some areas, most notably atOsmaston Park, with its doubleavenue of mature elm trees.

EnclosureThis is a landscape of generallymedium sized semi-regular fieldsalthough the size and pattern hassignificant local variation as aresult of the diverse history ofenclosure. This varies fromnarrow, curving strip fields to theregular, almost geometric shapesresulting from the late enclosure ofcommon lands as seen at ShirleyCommon. Former commons occurfrequently in this type and thenames are still retained, such asSnelston Common, RostonCommon, and Shirley Common.

Several pockets of very smallirregular shaped fields stillsurvive. A good example is theintricate field pattern at Hole inthe Wall near Yeldersley but thereis also evidence of earlyenclosure of open fields atBradley, Offcote and Underwood.

71



A gently undulating pastoral landscape of very little woodland but densely scattered hedgerow trees.


Primary tree character: Densely scattered hedgerow trees.


Tree vision: Densely scattered hedgerow trees.


Woodland pattern: Regular plantations


● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees - through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.



character.

LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED PLATEAU FARMLANDS


72


Primary 70-75%Fraxinus excelsior AshQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak


Occasional 0-5%*Sorbus aucuparia RowanMalus sylvestris Crab ApplePrunus avium GeanPrunus padus Bird Cherry




Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleCorylus avellana HazelIlex aquifolium HollyPrunus spinosa Blackthorn

Occasional 0-5%Cornus sanguinea DogwoodLonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose


LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED PLATEAU FARMLANDS

Neutral/more acidic soils

Primary Tree Species 50%Acer campestre Field MapleFraxinus excelsior AshQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pendula Silver BirchMalus sylvestris Crab AppleMinorPopulus tremula AspenPrunus avium GeanPrunus padus Bird CherrySalix cinerea Grey WillowSorbus aucuparia RowanTaxus baccata Yew

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorCornus sanguinea DogwoodLonicera periclymenum HoneysucklePrunus spinosa BlackthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open Space 0-20%

73


LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED FARMLANDSThis is a broadly undulating to gently rolling, lowland, and dairy farming landscapeover Permo-Triassic sandstones and mudstones. Tree cover is defined by scattered

hedgerow trees, lines of trees along watercourses and the occasional small woodlandor copse. There are clusters of red brick farmsteads and cottages along a dense

network of country lanes creating a well settled landscape.

Key CharacteristicsGently undulating to rolling lowland dissected by minor streamvalleys with localised steep slopesSeasonally waterlogged soils over Permo-Triassic mudstone,siltstone and sandstoneDairy farming on permanent pasture with localised arable croppingSmall woodland blocks and copses associated with steeper slopesScattered oak and ash trees along hedgerowsDense lines of trees along streamsSmall to medium size semi-regular and strip fields enclosed byhedgerowsExtensive ridge and furrowNetwork of winding lanes often sunken on steeper slopesSmall clusters of red brick and blue clay tile farms and cottages

Geology and LandformThe underlying geology of Permo-Triassic mudstone, siltstone andsandstone and occasionalCarboniferous sandstone createsa broadly undulating to gentlyrolling lowland landscape. Wheresandstone defines the easternflank of the Dove Valley theground rises steeply to form adistinct escarpment beforegradually falling away to the east,forming a series of incisedvalleys. The landform becomesever more gentle and subduedtowards the Trent Valley in thesouth.

The land-use is predominantlydairying and stock rearing onimproved permanent pasture andleys. There is some arablefarming where the localtopography and soil conditionsdictate, particularly aroundShirley, Brailsford and SomersalHerbert. Indeed this is amongstsome of the finest agriculturalland found in the county beingofficially classified Grade 2.

EcologyMuch of this landscape isintensively farmed either asimproved permanent pasture orarable cropping. As a result muchis of little ecological value.However there are isolatedpatches of unimproved grasslandand hay meadow, associated withsmall family farms and steeperslopes, which provide localfloristic interest.

Terrestrial corridors are importantwith many well-managed, mixedspecies hedgerows. Hedgerowtrees, predominantly oak and ash,add ecological interest.

Soils and Land UseAs with much of the lowlandMidlands, the soils areconsistently reddish, fine loamy orsilty over clay, with slowlypermeable subsoils. The slowpermeability of the subsoilsmakes them susceptible to shortperiods of waterlogging makingthem difficult to cultivate andprone to poaching by livestock.Where the slopes are locallysteep over sandstone the soilsare coarse loams and silts, andfree draining.


74

Fossilised strip fields associated with thenearby village of Hollington

Well managed mixed species hedgerow

available between settlements.On the steeper slopes aroundNorbury and Snelston lanes arevery narrow and often sunken.

Adjacent to the Dove Valley manyroutes run parallel to the rivercorridor, taking advantage of thenatural gradients, whilst in thesouth lanes travel due north fromthe Trent Valley. The line of theformer Ashbourne to Uttoxeterrailway can clearly be seenfollowing the edge of thefloodplain to the River Dove andmarking the western limits of thislandscape type.

A former Roman road connectingDerby (Derventio) to Rocester isfollowed by the modern LongLane, though this deviates fromthe original route at Alkmonton tofollow an easier gradient.

There are many footpaths andgreen lanes connecting the smallsettlements and scatteredfarmsteads.

Built EnvironmentThis is a well settled but sparselypopulated landscape containingsmall villages, isolated groups ofroadside cottages and scatteredfarmsteads. Villages tend to besmall like Somersal Herbert andMarston Montgomery and someloose knit, such as Roston andNorbury on the eastern flanks ofthe Dove. Many of the villageshave their origins in the medievalperiod. Some have shrunken insize since the middle ages and arecharacterised by the earthworks offormer crofts and tofts, such as atThurvaston. Others havedisappeared altogether andremain only as earthworks,sometimes with single farms suchas Hungry Bentley.

Between villages there arescattered farms and cottages.The predominant building materialis a warm red brick withStaffordshire blue clay tiles. Somelocal reddish sandstone is alsoused, usually for more importantbuildings like the parish churchand manor houses. A few timberframed buildings survive although

Many hedgerows contain a goodvariety of species indicating ageand maturity. These include holly,hazel, blackthorn, dog rose andhawthorn.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes throughout thislandscape, often with irregularwidth verges. In some areas thenetwork is so dense and intricatethere are a choice of routes

Valley they create a strong senseof enclosure with more restrictedviews.

The well treed character is furthersupplemented by localisedparkland with its maturespecimen trees and small mixedspecies game coverts. AtLongford Park there are severalsmall plantations and gamecoverts.

EnclosureThis is a landscape ofpredominantly small to mediumsized semi-regular fields enclosedby hedgerows, although the fieldsize and pattern varies locally,reflecting the diverse history ofenclosure. This cultural patternremains essentially intactalthough there has been somefield amalgamation in areas ofarable farming.

Several examples of strip fieldsenclosed from former open fieldssurvive, most notably inHollington and Boylestoneparishes, where fields displayevidence of medieval ridge andfurrow.

These terrestrial corridors aresupplemented by a network ofwatercourses, fringed by denselines of riparian trees. There arepatches of rush pastureassociated with the streamcorridors, most notably atMercaston Marsh, a designatedSSSI.

On the steeper slopes in the westthere is more woodland, some ofwhich is of ancient origin.Parkland, such as that atSnelston, provides additionalecological benefit with its manymature specimen trees andoccasional small game coverts.The value of small plantationwoodlands is often limited by thepresence of coniferous species.

On the steepest slopes oversandstone there are heathyassociations, with brackenoccasionally found in thehedgerows and road verges.

Tree CoverThe fertile soils and intensiveagriculture associated with thislandscape type ensure thatwoodland is poorly represented.Exceptions to this rule areinterlocking woodlands like EatonWood and Bradley Wood, thatfollow the steeper slopes of theDove and Henmore Valleys,creating a distinct wooded edge.Both woodlands are rareexamples in this area of ancientsemi-natural woodland with oakand ash.

Despite the lack of woodland, treecover is well representedthroughout, due to the denselyscattered hedgerow andwatercourse trees. Collectivelythese trees filter views throughthe landscape and at lowerelevations north of the Trent

75


SummaryLike much of the Midlands lowlands the landform and topography is shaped by the underlying sequence of

Permo-Triassic mudstones, siltstones and sandstones. The differential weathering of this geology gives rise to

gently rolling landscape within incised valleys, locally undulating where the sandstone is most prevalent.

Although there is some local variation in soils, relating to the variations in both geology and landform, they tend

to be free draining fine loams over clay subsoils that are prone to short-lived seasonal waterlogging.

A key feature of this landscape is its settled character. Although not densely populated there is a general

scattering of small villages, laneside cottages and farmsteads throughout, constructed in the local vernacular

style of red brick with Staffordshire blue clay tile roofs, and a few older, timber framed buildings

The area’s settled nature reflects its long history of exploitation for agriculture. The predominant land-use is

pastoral associated with dairying. Much of the permanent pasture is now improved and some fields have been

set aside for fodder crops. Increasingly there is a trend for more arable farming particularly where gradients and

drainage allow.

Trees are well represented, associated with scattered hedgerow and dense lines of watercourse trees.

Woodlands occur infrequently, mostly associated with the steeper slopes of the Dove Valley or localised

parkland, in the form of small plantations and game coverts. The trees help to define the small to medium scale

by filtering views through the landscape. At lower elevations towards the Trent Valley, tree cover can give a

strong sense of enclosure particularly on views to the north.

Due to the intensive nature of thefarming regime and the large sizeof some farms, bulky and poorlysited modern farm buildingsdominate many areas. Sometraditional farm buildings havebeen converted to residential useand there is a growing quantity ofsub-urban type housingdevelopment in some parts.

Most of the villages have grownvery little though modern infilldevelopment has modified theiroriginal loose knit character.Modern suburban developmenthas been largely restricted to theoutskirts of Ashbourne andClifton.

these are no longer a prominentfeature of the area.

Snelston has its own particularcharacter, being the estate villageof the former Stanton Hall with anumber of cottages and estatebuildings in the picturesque style.


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A gently undulating pastoral landscape of very few woodlands butdensely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.

Primary woodland character: Occasional small woodlands


Woodland vision: Occasional small woodlands



Woodland pattern: Organic / linear


● Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees-through selection and natural regeneration,

or by planting.





character.


77









Neutral/slightly acidic soils




Open Space 0-20%

Waterlogged conditionson all soil types

Primary Tree Species 50%+ Alnus glutinosa Alder+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchQuercus petraea Sessile OakSalix caprea Goat WillowMinorIlex aquifolium HollyPopulus tremula Aspen

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorPrunus spinosa BlackthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornSalix purpurera Purple WillowSalix triandra Almond WillowSalix viminalis Osier

Open space 0-20%





Occasional 0-5%Cornus sanguinea DogwoodLonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog Rose


78

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LANDSCAPE TYPE: SANDSTONE SLOPES AND HEATHS

A landscape of moderate to steep sandstone slopes with prominent roundedundulations and hillocks forming the upper slopes. Predominantly a pastoral

landscape, there are small woodlands and scattered hedgerow trees.

Key CharacteristicsProminent landform of moderate to steeply sloping sandstone valleysand slopes with rounded undulations along the slopesWell drained sandy soilsA pastoral land-use on steeper slopes with mixed farming on gentlergradientsHeathy associations with patches of gorse on steeper slopes andbracken along some hedgerows and road vergesTree cover defined by scattered hedgerow trees, predominantly ash,and patches of woodlandSmall to medium sized regular and sub-regular fields with mixedspecies hedgerowsSparsely settled landscape with the very occasional red brick andclay tile farmsteads and roadside cottages

Geology and LandformThis is a landscape associatedwith moderate to steeply slopingvalleys and slopes created by anunderlying geology of Permo-Triassic sandstone. Differentialerosion along the slopes,particularly those facing west, hascreated a series of visuallyprominent, rounded undulationsand hillocks.

Soils and Land UseThe sandstone bedrock gives riseto a reddish, coarse, sandy loamof variable depth, dependingupon the steepness of slope.These soils are well drained andwell-managed soils readily absorb

EcologyThese free draining sandy soilswill naturally support acidgrassland and heathy habitats. Inareas of unimproved pasture onthe steepest slopes patches ofacid grassland persist. Where thisgrassland has become neglectedgorse is beginning to colonise andthere are some sizeable patchesof gorse thicket. In other areas ofneglected pasture and grasslandsome localised scrub hasdeveloped.

Another habitat type of thislandscape is woodland whichfeatures as small patchesthroughout but is rarely aprominent visual feature. It tendsto occur on the steeper, upperslopes where land is lesscultivable.

Ecological corridors are variabledepending to some extent uponthe enclosure patterns and land-use. In areas of smaller, irregularfields the hedgerows arecommonly mixed species withholly, hazel and blackthorn. Inareas of mixed farming and largerfields the hedgerow network ismore

winter rainfall even on thesteepest slopes.

The relatively steep slopes andimpoverished nature of the soilsensures that pasturepredominates. However wherethe slopes are moderately steepor gentle the agriculture is moremixed with some arable cropping.Water retention is poor and areasunder arable production needregular irrigation during thesummer months. Topsoil can dryout very quickly and in croppingareas can be prone to winderosion. Where steep slopeshave been cultivated then theseare especially susceptible toerosion.


80

SummaryThe underlying geology of Permo-Triassic sandstone strongly influences both the physical and cultural

characteristics of this landscape. The harder more resistant sandstone weathers away more slowly to form this

undulating landform of steep valley sides and slopes. Differential erosion of the slopes themselves has created

visually prominent rounded undulations and hillocks, most obvious on the west facing slopes.

Trees are well represented throughout, mainly as scattered hedgerow trees and the occasional small woodland.

Views through the landscape are often restricted by both vegetation and landform, although there are views out

across lower lying landscapes, particularly where this landscape occurs as a discrete slope.

The land-use is variable, depending upon the steepness of the slopes. It predominates as pasture with some

mixed farming and arable on the gentler slopes. Where the pasture remains less intensive there are extensive

areas of acid grassland. These support localised patches of gorse where the pasture is further neglected. This

heathy association, as a result of the free draining soils, is further evidenced by the amount of bracken that can

be seen in road verges, hedgerows and woodland margins.

As a result of the low agricultural potential of this landscape, primarily due to landform, there is very little

settlement throughout this landscape type. Some of the more remote slopes are unsettled whilst others have

sparsely scattered farmsteads and estate cottages, built in the local red brick with Staffordshire blue tile roofs.

In areas of former common there are small collections of wayside cottages. Remains of elements of a medieval

deer park at Ravensdale constitute an impressive relict landscape.

steep, uncultivable slopes. Someslopes are sparsely settled withoccasional farmsteads andcottages. Traditional buildingmaterials are almost exclusivelyred brick with Staffordshire blueclay tile roofs. Sandstone havingbeen reserved mainly forchurches and larger estatehouses. In areas of remnantparkland larger estate farms andcottages are evident. In areas offormer common there are smallgroups of wayside cottages.

The main environmental impactson this landscape are large scalesand and gravel quarrying, aconcrete products factory andmodern farm buildings, includinglarge chicken sheds.

There are remains of medievaldeer parks, notably Mansell Parkand Ravensdale Park, associatedwith a once extensive huntingforest; Duffield Frith, establishedshortly after the NormanConquest. Today there remainmany fragmentary featuresincluding park pale, oldrouteways, and former fishponds.

medium size and regular inoutline, being more visuallyprominent in areas of mixedfarming. On steeper slopes wherewoodland is traditionally moreprevalent, then fields may besmaller in size and more irregularand semi-regular in shape.

Hedgerows are predominantlyhawthorn, though in areas ofsemi-regular fields or alonghistoric boundaries thehedgerows are more diverse,including species like hazel andholly.

TransportLanes through this landscape areinfrequent and often restricted toa single route running through thevalley bottoms or gentlergradients. When the occasionallane runs up a slope it isinvariably winding with irregularwidth verges and often sunken. Inareas of former common, like thatat Hulland Ward, the lanes arestraight and direct with wide,uniform road verges.

Built EnvironmentSettlement has been sparse inthis landscape primarily due to

fragmented and beginning to loseits ecological function. In areas oflate enclosure hedgerows aregenerally single specieshawthorn.

Large mature hedgerow trees andthe occasional parkland tree addto the ecological diversity.

Tree CoverTree cover is apparent throughoutthis landscape type but is rarelyvisually prominent There arescattered boundary trees alonghedgerows, often a mix of oakand ash sparsely scattered inareas of mixed farming.

There are small woodlandsusually associated with thesteeper less cultivable areas. Theoverall character is one of a well-treed landscape, but theundulating nature of the landformensures that whilst there are openviews across adjacent countryviews through the landscape andalong the slopes are oftenblocked or filtered by trees.

EnclosureThe enclosure pattern is generallyon a small to medium scale.Fields are predominantly small to

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Moderate to steeply undulating pastoral landscape with thinly scattered plantations and hedgerow trees.

Primary woodland character: Thinly scattered small broadleaved plantations.

Primary tree character: Thinly scattered hedgerow trees.

Woodland vision: Thinly scattered small broadleaved plantations.

Tree vision: Thinly scattered hedgerow trees.



● Ensure the use of indigenous tree and shrub species, including a proportion of large, long-lived species.




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Primary 70-75%Fraxinus excelsior Ash






Neutral/slightly acidic soils




Open Space 0-20%




Occasional 0-5%Cornus sanguinea DogwoodLonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

83


LANDSCAPE TYPE: ESTATE FARMLANDSThis is a broad, gently rolling lowland mixed farming landscape with estates.Woodland is well represented throughout with small estate woodlands, dense

watercourse trees, scattered hedgerow trees and localised parkland trees. There areoccasional red brick villages and scattered estate farmsteads and country houses.

Key CharacteristicsGently rolling lowland dissected by minor river valleysSeasonally waterlogged fine loamy soils over Permo-Triassicmudstones, siltstones and sandstonesMixed farming with intensive arable cropping and improvedpermanent pastureProminent estate woodlands with broadleaf and coniferous speciesScattered oak and ash trees along hedgerowsDense lines of trees along streamsSmall to medium size semi-regular and regular fields enclosed byhedgerowsSmall villages constructed of red brick with clay tiled roofsScattered red brick estate farmsteads and the occasional countryhouse

Geology and LandformThe undulating geologycomprises of alternating bands ofPermo-Triassic mudstones,siltstones and sandstones. Thedifferential weathering anderosion of the bedrock has givenrise to a gently rolling topographywhere the harder sandstoneforms the shallow ridges and hills.Where sandstone is moreprevalent in the bedrock thelandform becomes moreundulating with steeper slopes.

and as a result the land-usewithin this landscape type ismixed farming, with intensivearable cropping and improvedpermanent pasture. Pasture ismost prevalent on the slightlyheavier soils over mudstone andon the locally steeper slopes.

EcologyEcologically this landscape type ispoor as a result of intensivefarming practices. The arablecrops and improved permanentpastures and leys are of littleecological value. Remnantunimproved grassland is nowconfined to the road margins andthe occasional field margin inpastoral areas.

Terrestrial corridors are strongwith many good hedgerows andlines of trees along watercourses.The value of some hedgerowshas been much reduced by poormanagement, with manyhedgerows over-flailed andbecoming gappy.

Numerous small woodland blocksinterlink, forming a more complexnetwork of habitats

Soils and Land UseThe underlying geology supportsa deep, fine loamy soil with someslight local variation based on theprecise nature of the bedrock.The subsoils are slowlypermeable so these soils areprone to some seasonalwaterlogging. However, anywaterlogging is usually only forshort periods.

The landform and soilscollectively form land of aboveaverage quality for agriculture


84

gradients. These lanes withirregular width verges connectthe small villages and scatteredestate farmsteads.

There are many footpaths andgreen lanes which also connectthe settlements. Many of theseare historic routeways and areoften bound by hedgerows with adiverse species composition.

Built EnvironmentThis is a sparsely populatedlandscape. At Kedleston this isthe result of the removal of thevillage, as part of the creation ofthe landscaped park. Villages, likeWeston Underwood andMercaston, tend to be small andnucleated, often being locatedaway from modern throughroutes. Most of these settlementshave grown relatively little,although modern infilldevelopment is beginning tomodify their original loose knitcharacter.

Between the villages there aresparsely scattered large estatefarmsteads, built in the local redbrick with Staffordshire blue claytile roofs.

A key feature of this landscapeand quintessential to its characteris the Kedleston Estate.Kedleston Hall is a Grade 1 listedbuilding and a superb example ofa Georgian country house. Thehouse, its pleasure gardens andgarden buildings stand within anoutstanding landscaped park, alldesigned by Robert Adam. Thepleasure gardens and park arealso registered Grade 1.

blocks may assist in framing longerviews to landscapes beyond.

EnclosureThis is a landscape of small tomedium size fields, which arepredominantly sub-regular inshape but display much localvariation in pattern as a result ofthe area’s diverse history ofenclosure. The intensification inarable farming in recent yearshas led to the loss of many fieldboundaries with numerous smallfields amalgamated into largerunits.

Around villages the fields tend tobe smaller and semi-regular inshape, reflecting the enclosure ofland from former open fields.Where these boundaries remainin good condition the reverse ‘S’of former selion strips can still beseen. In these areas of earlierenclosure many of the hedgerowscontain a good variety of speciesincluding holly, hazel, blackthornand hawthorn.

Where land was enclosed fromformer parkland the field patternhas a larger scale and regularoutline and as a result have lessdiverse hedgerows with hawthornas the main species.

Today the estate influence is stillevident. Many of the hedgerowsare formally managed andregularly flail cut into a box ortrapezoid outline.

TransportThere is a dense network ofwinding lanes that reflect theirregular outline of the semi-regular fields or follow the easier

supplementing the terrestrialcorridors. The value of thesewoodland blocks is diminished byvirtue of their more ornamentalnature and composition ofconiferous and non-nativespecies.

Wet pasture and patches ofmarsh with Juncus are a featureof some of the minor streamvalleys. Mercaston Marsh is animportant wetland meadow siteand is a designated SSSI. Itexhibits a range of habitats whichwould once have been muchmore widespread in other streamvalleys that dissect thislandscape.

Bracken is occasionally present inroad verges being indicative of aheathier habitat. This is mostnotable where the soils are freerdraining, over sandstone or onsteeper slopes.

Tree CoverTrees and especially woodlandsare well represented in thislandscape type and play animportant role in emphasising itsestate character. Scattered,mature boundary trees, usually amix of oak and ash, are foundalong most hedgerows. Thewooded character is reinforced bydense lines of trees alongwatercourses, typically alder andwillow but also the occasional oakor ash. In and around the smallvillages amenity trees areprominent, as are the parklandtrees where they occur.

Woodlands tend to occur as smallestate plantations, tree belts andsmall coverts, formerly managedby estates for game rearing. As aresult much of the estatewoodlands are predominantlybroadleaf species and haveregular shaped outlines. Locallyaround Kedleston Park thelandscape appears to be morewooded due in part to theexistence of some much largeradjacent woodlands.

Together the trees combine torestrict or filter views through thelandscape. Where hedgerowtrees are less obvious woodland

85


SummaryLike much of the midlands lowlands the landform and topography is shaped by the underlying sequence of

Permo-Triassic mudstones, siltstones and sandstones. The differential weathering of this geology gives rise to

a gently rolling landscape, locally undulating where the sandstone is most prevalent. Although there is some

local variation in soils, relating to the variations in both geology and landform, they tend to be free draining fine

loams that are prone to short-lived seasonal waterlogging.

However, it is not the physical factors that are most influencing the character of this landscape but its cultural

associations with large estates and parks. These include both existing parks like that at Kedleston and former

parks such as Meynell Langley.

Woodland is a dominant feature, affecting the character of the landscape and influencing the views through it

and from it to adjacent landscapes. The estate influences are clearly evident, with many of the woodlands being

mixed species plantations, managed as game coverts or for commercial timber. The woodlands are generally

small in size and have regular outlines. The wooded character of this landscape is further emphasised by

dense lines of watercourse trees and scattered hedgerow trees.

The landscape is perceived as medium scale due to the small to medium size fields between the trees and

woodlands. The fields display a variety of patterns, reflecting the diverse nature of enclosure and more recent

effects of agricultural intensification. Many of the hedgerows are well managed, and indeed over-managed, by

flail cutting.

At the heart of this landscape lies Kedleston Hall, one of the finest country houses in England, standing in an

idealised ‘classical’ parkland landscape.

LANDSCAPE TYPE: ESTATE FARMLANDS


86


A gently rolling mixed farming landscape with densely scattered smallestate plantations, hedgerow trees and watercourse trees.

Primary woodland character: Densely scattered small mainly broadleaved plantations.


Woodland vision: Densely scattered small mainly broadleaved plantations.










87







Woodland Species MixNeutral/slightly acidic soils



Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorCornus sanguinea DogwoodIlex aquifolium HollyLonicera periclymenum HoneysucklePrunus spinosa BlackthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog RoseViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open Space 0-20%

Waterlogged conditionson all soil types


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchSalix caprea Goat WillowMinorPopulus tremula Aspen


Open space 0-20%





Occasional 0-5%Cornus sanguinea DogwoodLonicera periclymenum HoneysuckleRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornRosa canina Dog Rose



88

89



Flat flood plains, containing meandering rivers and streams with dense treesalong riverbanks. A pastoral landscape of generally large hedged fields

with trees scattered along boundaries.

Key CharacteristicsFlat floodplains containing meandering rivers and streamsSeasonally waterlogged soils over alluviumPermanent pastureLocalised patches of rushes in damp hollowsScattered locally dense trees along watercourses; widespread alderand localised willowScattered trees along boundariesRegular shaped fields bounded by hawthorn hedgesLanes alongside or crossing the floodplainActive and disused railway lines with secondary woodland alongembankments

Geology and LandformThe underlying sediment of theseflat floodplains consists of alluvialmud lying over gravels, depositedby the rivers in times of flood. Thegravel acts as an aquifer carryingwater from the adjoining land intothe rivers and so is permanentlywaterlogged. In places there arenatural raised banks to the riversknown as levees. These areformed as a result of thedeposition of sediment by waningfloodwaters. The upper floodplainbrooks are narrow, such asSutton and Markeaton Brook. Thefloodplain broadens out down thelower part of the Dove.

improvements and floodprotection measures.

EcologyThe Sutton Brook and itstributaries are narrow withunpolluted water making it veryvaluable as a freshwater habitat.The river Dove is fairly wide anddeep with relatively clean water.All these watercourses areimportant wildlife habitats, as aretheir banks and margins. Someold oxbow lakes such as OldMarston SSSI are diversehabitats of value as part of theriver corridor.

The remaining unimprovedpasture occurs in concentrationsalong the Dove, north ofDoveridge. Pasture with a highwater table and where the soil ispermanently wet is importantecologically for its species-richflora, ground beetles and birdssuch as curlew and snipe.However such habitats arebecoming increasingly rare, asformer pastures have often beenconverted to arable followingdrainage improvements.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are seasonallywaterlogged clayey loams. Someareas are more permanentlywaterlogged and some hollowsretain floodwater long after themajority of floods have subsided.The predominant land use ispastoral.

The flood plain makes goodquality fattening pastures. Thewet, fine textured soils and risk offlooding make the land difficult towork for arable cropping,although some arable fields canbe found in the lower Dove Valleyas a result of recent drainage


90

SummaryThis flat river meadow landscape is characterised by a narrow alluvium floodplain in the upper river and brook

valleys, which broaden out in the lower Dove. The upper river and brook areas are more treed and as they are

also narrower have filtered views and are more intimate. Views become more open as the tree cover becomes

more scattered along the lower stretches of the rivers and where there are less hedgerow trees and the

floodplain widens.

Medium to large sized pastoral fields of sub-regular shape are enclosed by hedgerows, many of which are

gappy and neglected.

Although largely unsettled, transport routes (road and railway) dominate the landscape in the lower Dove.

Historical ridge and furrow add local distinctiveness to the river meadows.

Changes to river meadows by the introduction of drainage schemes to produce improved pasture and arable

farmland are threatening the river meadow pastoral landscape.

Pastoral grazing on the floodplain

floodplain, raised onembankments that minimise therisk of flooding. Occasionallyroads cross the valleys on bridgesover the rivers.

The railways follow the floor of thefloodplain along the Dove, oftenon raised embankments.

Built EnvironmentHistorically there would havebeen little built development onthe floodplain, excepting theoccasional water mill for grindingcorn. There are occasionalfarmsteads on the higher, betterdrained parts of the floodplain.Because of their unsuitability forbuilt development some floodplainareas have been made over torecreational use. Sections of theriver and meadowland are lostentirely in places where they havebeen culverted or drained.

trees have been removed fromthe riverbanks as part of floodprotection works and there is dieback in other places.

There are also mature treesscattered along field boundaries,chiefly oak, ash and willow.

Both watercourse and boundarytrees are noticeably denser in themore intimate landscape of theSutton Brook valley, giving a morewooded aspect.

EnclosureFields are medium to large sizedand of sub-regular shape; thelarger fields being found in thelower river valleys. Many of theboundaries are comprised of talland gappy thorn hedgerows.

TransportThe lanes and major roads tendto run along the edge of the

Further habitat diversity isprovided by bands of scrub andsecondary woodland that fringetransport corridors.

Improved drainage, conversion toarable and localised culverting isleading to a significant loss ofmeadowland.

Tree CoverThere are dense lines of treesalong riverbanks, mainly alder butwith occasional willows. Some

91





Primary tree character: Dense watercourse trees


Tree vision: Dense watercourse trees

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 5 ha






● Encourage the continuing practice of pollarding to maintain the traditional riparian character of the

landscape.



92


Primary 70-75%Fraxinus excelsior AshQuercus robur Pedunculate OakSalix fragilis Crack Willow




Woodland Species MixWaterlogged conditions


+ Alnus glutinosa Alder+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchSalix caprea Goat WillowMinorIlex aquifolium HollyPopulus tremula Aspen


Open space 0-20%




Occasional 0-15%Acer campestre Field MaplePrunus spinosa Blackthorn


93

Trent Valley Washlands Character Area 69

TRENT VALLEY WASHLANDSCHARACTER AREA 69

Location of TrentValley Washlands


• Lowland Village Farmlands

An agricultural landscape set within broad, open river valleyswith many urban features

“We therefore continue our course along the arched causewayglancing on either side at the fertile meadows which receive oldTrent’s annual bounty, in the shape of fattening floods, andwhich amply return the favour by supporting herds of splendidcattle upon his water-worn banks.....”

page 248 ‘Guide to Derbyshire’, Bemrose’

IntroductionThe Trent Valley Washlandsconstitute a distinct, broad, linearband which follows the middlereaches of the slow flowing RiverTrent, forming a crescent fromBurton on Trent in the west toLong Eaton in the east. It alsoincludes the lower reaches of theriver Dove and Derwent.

To the north the valley rises up tothe South Derbyshire Claylandsand the Derbyshire Coalfield,whilst the south is bounded by theMelbourne Parklands and Mease/Sence Lowlands.

This is a somewhat fragmentedlandscape of pastoral and arableland, intermixed with urbandevelopment, transport routesand localised mineral extraction.The rivers regularly flood over theadjacent land creating atemporary but very differentscene.

The broad, meandering rivers areunobtrusive and often onlyrevealed by lines of willows andpoplars. In the Riverside

Meadows permanent pasture isoccasionally defined by small,hedged fields with scatteredhedgerow trees, but morefrequently by medium to largehedged fields with sparselyscattered trees. On the raisedriver terraces of the LowlandVillage Farmlands pasture givesway to mixed farming with largermore regular sized fields. Withinthese arable areas hedgerowsare low and tightly trimmed andhedgerow trees are few.Woodlands are few throughoutthe area although occasionallythe full growth of riparian treesand shrubs give the impression ofwoodland cover.

Large power stations dominatethe scene with their massivecooling towers. Some are being“decommissioned” and will soonbe demolished.

Sand and gravel extraction andsubsequent restoration hascreated localised areas of openwater. Major roads like the A50,south of Derby, and the A52 fromDerby to Nottingham furtherdissect the area.

Physical InfluencesThe area is defined by anunderlying geology of MerciaMudstones overlain with a varietyof fluvio-glacial, periglacial andriver deposits of mostly sand andgravel, to form terraces flankingthe rivers.

The gravel terraces of theLowland Village Farmlands formcoarse, sandy loam whilst theRiverside Meadows arepredominantly a heavy clay loam.Locally distinct to the Midlandsand occurring only in a few areassouth of Derby, at Stenson Fieldsand Sinfin Moor, the Wet PastureMeadows are characterised bygrey, calcareous clays affected byground water and occasionalflooding.

These variations in soils andlevels have determined the natureof agricultural practices andsettlement patterns. Mixedfarming and the villages of theLowland Village Farmlands arelocated on the slightly higherlevels which are freer drainingand less prone to flooding, whilstthe unsettled pastoral areas formthe Riverside Meadows of the

• Riverside Meadows


94


• Lowland Derbyshire BAP• On Trent Initiative• Trent Valley Supplementary

Planning Guidance (draft)

Swarkestone bridge

are constructed from importedsandstones.

With the developing use of waterpower, mills were constructed onthe more accessible tributaries inthe floodplain. However, the riskof flooding restricted settlementon the Riverside Meadows. Whenwater power was replaced bycoal, the proximity of theDerbyshire Coalfield and animproving transport network in the18th and 19th centuries, led to thegrowth of the textile andengineering industries .

In the 20th century plentifulsupplies of nearby coal, as wellas easy access by rail, led to theconstruction of large coal-firedpower stations. The Trent valleycontinues to accommodateimportant transport routes withroad, rail and canals threadingthrough its length. Modern roadslike the A50 and A52 have amajor impact on the landscape asthey cross the area from east towest, often dissecting historiclanes across the floodplain.

The evidence for thesesettlements and field systems isnow generally only visible onaerial photographs althoughsome upstanding monuments dosurvive, such as the prehistoricbarrows at Swarkestone Lowesand Round Hill in Twyford andStenson Parish.

As is often the case, the patternof settlement and enclosurevisible today was established inthe Anglo-Saxon Period, as placenames such as Aston andWeston-on-Trent or Swarkestoneindicate. Enclosure of themedieval open fields andcommons by parliamentaryenclosure and private agreementhad begun by the eighteenthcentury. The enclosures aregenerally quite large and regularand many have been enlarged inrecent decades. Some areas ofridge and furrow survive but muchhas been lost due to intensivearable farming on the gravelterraces in particular.

The villages of the LowlandVillage Farmlands are compactand nucleated althoughsettlements like Hilton, Breastonand Draycott have expandedrapidly in the 20th century tosprawl across the valley. Thetraditional building materials ofthe historic settlements are redbrick with Staffordshire blue claytile roofs. High status buildings

flood plain. The open floodplainsplay a vital role in coping withincreased volumes of water in theTrent system during times offlood.

Natural InfluencesAgriculture remains thepredominant land-use withimproved pasture and arable onthe slightly higher river terraces ofthe Lowland Village Farmlands.Pasture is the main land-useadjacent to the river on theRiverside Meadows.

Areas of traditional semi-naturalhabitats such as wet grasslandsand marsh, small fields withspecies rich grasslands, pondsand ditches, and wet woodlandshave all been marginalised orisolated by modern farmingpractice and the deepening andcanalisation of the river Trent,which has drained adjacent land.In some areas there has beenconsiderable loss of hedgerowsthrough removal to enlarge fieldsfor arable crops or throughneglect.

The rivers themselves and theirtributaries are recognised asvaluable wildlife corridors both forterrestrial animals and migratorybirds. Mineral extraction hascreated additional open waterareas, marshes and wetwoodland, some of which havebecome important wildlifehabitats.

Human InfluencesThe Trent Valley has been a focusof human activity since earlyprehistory. The gravel terraceswith their light soils attractedsettlement from the Neolithicperiod onwards and from as earlyas the Iron Age there is evidencefor the establishment ofboundaries within the landscape.

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LANDSCAPE TYPE: LOWLAND VILLAGE FARMLANDS

This is a large scale, open, gently rolling lowland landscape associated with thelower slopes and terraces of broad floodplains. A mixed farming landscape defined

by medium to large regular fields with thorn hedges, punctuated by villages.

Key Characteristics

Geology and LandformThe underlying geologycomprises alternating bands ofPermo-Triassic red mudstonesand siltstones. Within the TrentValley the bedrock has beenoverlain with a variety offluvioglacial drifts, river terracedeposits and alluvium.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are variable, relating tothe underlying geology and driftmaterial. Soils developed fromthe fluvial drift and river terracedeposits are deep andpermeable. They are variablyaffected by ground water whichsupports short-term grasslandand cereals. Other soil types areslowly permeable, seasonally

waterlogged, reddish fine loamyclayey and clayey soils derivedfrom Permo -Triassic mudstoneand alluvium. These supportwinter cereals, short-termgrassland, dairy and stockrearing. Fields respond well tounderdrainage but the lesspermeable soils can suffer fromcattle poaching and a limitedautumn season for sowing crops.

The traditional land-use is mixedfarming with arable crops andimproved pasture, reflecting thevariation in the underlying soils.Grassland is now restricted to theareas of heaviest soils andsmaller field parcels associatedwith the villages. The presence offluvioglacial and river gravels hasled to localised quarrying.

EcologyWith a long tradition of mixedfarming with intensive cropping,this landscape is ecologicallypoor. Terrestrial corridors, in theform of hedgerows, streams andditches persist but these arebecoming poorer owing toneglect, drainage schemes andfurther agricultural intensification.

Gently rolling, almost flat lowland with river terracesLow slopes and summits give a sense of elevation over a broadfloodplainMixed farming with arable cropping and improved pastureThinly scattered hedgerow trees including some willow pollardsScattered, locally dense, watercourse treesMedium to large regular fields with thorn hedgerowsDiscrete red brick villages with farms and cottagesLarge red brick outlying farms

Newly created habitat at Willington

Canals and standing open waterprovide additional habitatopportunities for wetland floraand fauna, such as those foundat the Hilton Gravel Pits SSSI.Further gravel extraction isproviding opportunities forincreasing wetland habitats butthere are constraints due toissues such as the proximity toEast Midlands Airport, flood flowsand availability of suitable fill.


96

Between the villages there aresparsely scattered farmsteads,again built in red brick. Adjacentto former commons there aresmall collections of waysidecottages.

The combination of proximity toDerby and Nottingham, andlocation on good transportcorridors have lead to the rapidexpansion of many villages,particularly noticeable at Hatton,Hilton, Borrowash and Breaston.Today the urban fringes arecharacterised by large modernhousing estates.

Other major impacts in thislandscape relate to theconstruction of large powerstations like that at Willington withtheir extensive plant, pylons andoverhead power lines. There havealso been major changes tolandscape character as a result oflarge scale mineral extraction.

A significant feature within thislandscape is Elvaston Castle withits formal grounds and estateplantations.

early prehistoric times particularlyfrom the neolithic onwards.

Villages are compact, withcottages and farms built in thelocal vernacular style of red brickwith Staffordshire blue clay tileroofs.

flailed and becoming gappy.Some hedgerows have been lostto agricultural intensification.

TransportCountry lanes are few and mostare organic in character withirregular width verges. Theselanes connect the villages andscattered farmsteads and connectwith crossing points in the TrentValley. There are also lanesrunning parallel to the floodplaintaking advantage of the slightelevation to avoid the risk offlooding.

The importance of this landscapeas a transport corridor is stillevident, with the expansion andconstruction of new roads like theA50 and A52, both formingimportant east-west connections.These are busy routes and form aprominent visual intrusion in thelandscape. Modern roads havealso impacted on the character ofthe traditional lanes, many ofwhich have been widened to passover new roads or been truncatedby them.

The Trent and Mersey Canal wasonce a major industrial transportroute. It now caters mainly forrecreational water traffic crossingthe area from south-east ofEgginton eastwards toSwarkestone.

Built EnvironmentSettlements are generallynucleated and some are muchextended. Early settlement in thefloodplain was constrained byboth flooding of the valleybottoms and by heavy clays. As aresult settlements are located onthe gentle slopes and gravel riverterraces, immediately off thefloodplain, where drainage isbetter. In fact the gravel terraceswere settled and utilised from

Tree coverTree cover is variable throughoutthis landscape character type,although it is rarely visuallyprominent. Sparsely scatteredhedgerow trees are locallyprominent where the fields aresmaller, particularly in associationwith villages. Hedgerow trees aregenerally a mix of oak and ashwith some willow. Many of thewillows have been pollarded andform visually distinctive features.There are scattered, locally densetrees along watercourses;predominantly alder with somewillow. There are localisedparkland trees and avenuesaround Elvaston Park, and smallamenity tree groups are foundadjacent to scattered farmsteads.In areas of former common, treecover is very sparse.

Woodland is largely absent fromthis landscape, or occurs assmall, sparsely scattered blocks.There are some small estatewoodlands in the proximity ofElvaston.

EnclosureThe enclosure pattern is animportant characteristic indefining the scale of thislandscape type. Hedgerows,predominantly hawthorn, enclosemedium to large semi-regular andregular fields. In areas of formercommon, as at Etwall Commonand around Hilton, the regularfield pattern is particularlyprominent. In areas of earliestenclosure, immediatelysurrounding settlements,hedgerows tend to be more mixedin composition and fields tend tobe smaller and more sub-regular.Some of these smaller fields havepatches of ridge and furrowindicative of earlier medieval fieldsystems. Many hedgerows arenow poorly managed being over-

Aston-on-Trent

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SummaryThe soft rocks of Permo-Triassic mudstones and siltstones with drift deposits have weathered away to form a

very subdued, gently rolling lowland landscape that has strongly influenced the cultural patterns of the

landscape. Soils reflect the geological variation, with heavy seasonally waterlogged soils over mudstone and

lower lying areas, and with more permeable soils over localised drift and river terrace deposits. The resultant

land-use is typically mixed, with cropping on the flatter, more cultivable, soils and improved pasture in damper

areas.

A key feature of this landscape is its nucleated settlement pattern. Villages like Hatton and Weston-on-Trent are

located on relatively high spots or better drained land immediately off the floodplain, in order to reduce the risk

of flooding. The enclosure pattern reflects a diverse history. Immediately adjacent to the villages, fields are

medium size, semi-regular, with areas of ridge and furrow reflecting the enclosure of medieval open fields. The

hedges that enclose these fields are species rich. Beyond the villages there is a more regular pattern of fields

suggesting a period of later enclosure and typically the hedgerows are single species hawthorn. The more

regular fields are most obvious in areas of former common like Etwall Common and Egginton Common.

Villages are traditionally compact with cottages and farmsteads built in the local material of red brick with

Staffordshire blue clay tile roofs. Some of these settlements like Hilton, Breaston and Borrowash have

undergone rapid expansion during the 20th Century with the construction of new housing estates to serve the

city of Derby.

Much of the original character of this landscape has been seriously impacted upon by modern large scale

development. Large power stations dominate views across the landscape as do the many pylons carrying the

resultant electricity. The gentle topography above the floodplain has always been attractive for road

construction and modern roads like the A50 and A52 pass through this landscape. The underlying mineral

deposits have resulted in localised gravel extraction and the restoration of these sites has created areas of

immature agricultural land, also more recently, large water bodies.


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Open, mixed farming landscape with thinly scattered plantations and hedgerow trees.


Primary tree character: Thinly scattered hedgerow


Tree vision: Thinly scattered hedgerow





farmsteads.


landscape.


character.


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Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleTilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Occasional 0-5%*Malus sylvestris Crab ApplePopulus tremula AspenSorbus aucuparia Rowan





Occasional 0-5%Rhamnus cathartica Purging Buckthorn

Primary Tree Species 50%Fraxinus excelsior AshQuercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorAcer campestre Field MapleIlex aquifolium HollyMinorMalus sylvestris Crab ApplePopulus tremula AspenSorbus aucuparia RowanTilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Shrubs 10-30%MajorCorylus avellana HazelCrataegus monogyna HawthornMinorPrunus spinosa BlackthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornSalix cinerea Grey Willow

Open space 0-20%



Neutral/Base Rich Soils Waterlogged Conditionson all soil types


Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchFraxinus excelsior AshMinor

* Populus nigra ssp.betulifolia Black PoplarQuercus robur Pedunculate OakSalix caprea Goat Willow

Shrubs 10-30%MajorSalix cinerea Grey WillowSambucus nigra ElderMinorCrataegus monogyna HawthornFrangula alnus Alder BuckthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornSalix viminalis OsierViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%


* Plant only native Black Poplar (sub species betulifolia). Contact Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for more information.


100

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Key Characteristics

Broad flat floodplains, containing meandering rivers and streams with scatteredtrees along riverbanks. A pastoral landscape of generally large hedged fields

with trees scattered along boundaries.

Flat floodplains containing meandering rivers and streamsSeasonally waterlogged soils over alluviumIntensive permanent pastureLocalised patches of rushes in damp hollowsDense watercourse trees, mainly alder with some localised willowScattered trees along hedgerows and ditchesRegular shaped fields bounded by hawthorn hedgesLanes alongside or crossing floodplainGenerally uninhabited with sparsely scattered, isolated farmsteads

Geology and LandformThe underlying geology of theseflat floodplains consists of alluvialmud lying over gravels depositedby the rivers in times of flood. Thegravel acts as an aquifer carryingwater from the adjoining land intothe rivers and so is permanentlywaterlogged. In places there arenatural raised banks to the riversknown as levees. These areformed by the deposition ofsediment by waning floodwaters.

The floodplain broadens out inthese lower reaches of the rivers,to form the broad flat floodplain ofthe lower Dove, Derwent andRiver Trent.

Soils and Land UseThe soils are seasonallywaterlogged clayey loams. Someareas are more permanentlywaterlogged and some hollowsretain floodwater long after themajority of floods have subsided.The predominant land use ispasture.

The flood plain makes goodpasture and good quality fatteningpastures. The wet, fine texturedsoils and risk of flooding make theland difficult to work for arablecropping, although some arablefields can be found in the valley asa result of recent drainageimprovements and flood protectionmeasures.

EcologyThe lower Dove, Derwent andRiver Trent are important freshwater habitats. The open waterprovides important wildlifehabitats, as do their banks andmargins. Important ecologicalsites include the Old River DoveSSSI at Marston-on-Dove andLockington Marshes SSSI.

Localised patches of unimprovedpasture occur along the Dove,Derwent and Trent. Pastures witha high water table, where the soilis permanently wet, are importantecologically for their species-richflora, ground beetles and birds,such as curlew and snipe.However these habitats arebecoming increasingly rare, asformer pastures have often beenconverted to arable followingdrainage improvements.

Gravel extraction is providingopportunities for increasingwetland habitats but there areconstraints due to the proximity toEast Midlands Airport, flood flowsand availability of suitable fill.Gravel extraction, combined with


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Localised areas of ridge and furrow

excepting the occasional watermill for grinding corn. There areoccasional red brick farmsteadson the higher, better drained partsof the floodplain.

The underlying mineral depositshave resulted in extensive gravelextraction in the lower Dove andTrent floodplains. The restorationof gravel pits is changing fromagricultural afteruses, to openwater, resulting from the lack ofsuitable fill material.In somesections of the Trent active gravelextraction and open waterstrongly influences the landscapecharacter.

Large power stations, locatedwithin the Lowland VillageFarmlands landscape charactertype, dominate views and theA52, A50, A38 and M1 alsovisually intrude into this land-scape.

Built EnvironmentHistorically there was little builtdevelopment on the floodplain,

The Trent and Mersey Canalcrosses the Dove on a viaductnorth of Burton-on-Trent, leavingthe Riverside Meadows for theLowland Village Farmlands. Itfollows the edge of the floodplainalong the northern side of theTrent, from Swarkestone to TrentLock in the east. Once animportant transport route for earlyindustry, its use dramaticallydeclined with the advent of therailways. It now carriespredominantly leisure craft.

TransportBy virtue of its generallyuninhabited nature there are fewlanes crossing this landscape.Where lanes occur they arenarrow with irregular verges, oftendirect, tending to cross the floodplain or run along its edge wherethe risk of flooding is lessened.

The A514 crosses the broadvalley of the Trent on themedieval sandstone SwarkestoneCauseway, a scheduled ancientmonument and one of the largestsuch structures in the country.

improved drainage andconversion to arable, is leadingto a significant loss of meadow-lands.

Tree CoverThere are scattered lines of treesalong the riverbanks, mainly alderbut with occasional willows. Manytrees have been removed fromthe riverbanks as part of floodprotection works and there is die-back in other places. There arealso mature trees, chiefly oak,ash and willow, scattered alongfield boundaries. Pollardedwillows form distinct localisedfeatures in the landscape.Scattered trees in associationwith the flat topography filterviews through the landscape.

EnclosureThe enclosure pattern is a keyfeature defining the scale of thislandscape type. Fields aremedium to large in size, beingsub-regular or regular in shape.Fields are enclosed byhedgerows, predominantlyhawthorn, which tend to be tall,limiting or filtering views throughthe landscape. Many of thesehedges are becoming gappy dueto poor management.

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SummaryThis is a distinct landscape associated with the lower reaches of the rivers Dove, Derwent and Trent. Broad flat

floodplains, with underlying alluvial deposits, have strongly influenced the cultural patterns that are evident

today. The floodplain is often clearly defined by rising land on either side, whilst in the Trent Valley the

landscape appears much broader because of gently rising valley sides.

The alluvium gives rise to clayey, seasonally waterlogged, soils. This is a landscape traditionally associated

with pasture. Historically much of it would have remained unenclosed, as extensive fattening pastures for

summer grazing. Pockets of free draining soil over areas of gravel or on slightly higher land would historically

have been cultivated for crops and this is evidenced by the presence of localised ridge and furrow.

Pasture is still the prevailing land-use although with improvements to drainage there is an increasing move

towards arable farming. Fields are medium to large in size and assist in defining the scale of the landscape. In

areas of earlier piecemeal enclosure fields are sub-regular in shape. However, the majority of fields display a

regular outline, typical of fields enclosed as part of the Parliamentary Enclosure Acts. The majority of these

fields have single species hawthorn hedgerows.

Tree cover is not a prominent feature, although there are areas where trees are locally frequent and views

through the landscape become filtered. Scattered trees, predominantly alder, fringe many of the rivers together

with some willow, and there are sparsely scattered hedgerow trees. Hedgerow trees tend to be oak and ash

with some willow. Where willows are still pollarded, they are a distinctive local feature. Long distance views

tend to be restricted by the surrounding landform.

Historically this is an uninhabited landscape, due to the risk of flooding, and there are very few traditional

buildings other than a few water mills. Roads and lanes are generally few in number and where they occur they

tend to be straight and direct, either crossing the floodplains or running along the edge. The historic sandstone

causeway at Swarkestone is a prominent local feature.

Recent impacts mostly relate to the extraction of sand and gravel, which often leaves large holes filled with

water. There are impacts beyond this landscape type, mostly associated with modern roads, power stations

and urban expansion.



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A broad, open floodplain with scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.


Primary tree character: Thinly scattered hedgerow trees and dense watercourse trees.

Woodland vision: Occasional wet woodlands.

Tree vision: Thinly scattered hedgerow trees and dense watercourse trees.








landscape.

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Primary 95-100%Fraxinus excelsior AshQuercus robur Pedunculate OakSalix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary 25-30%Acer campestre Field MapleTilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Occasional 0-5%*Malus sylvestris Crab ApplePopulus tremula AspenSorbus aucuparia Rowan




Secondary 10-15%Acer campestre Field MapleCorylus avellana HazelPrunus spinosa Blackthorn

Occasional 0-5%Rhamnus cathartica Purging Buckthorn

Woodland Species MixWaterlogged Conditions


+ Alnus glutinosa Alder+ Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20%MajorBetula pubescens Downy BirchFraxinus excelsior AshMinor

* Populus nigra ssp.betulifolia Black PoplarQuercus robur Pedunculate OakSalix caprea Goat Willow

Shrubs 10-30%MajorSalix cinerea Grey WillowSambucus nigra ElderMinorCrataegus monogyna HawthornFrangula alnus Alder BuckthornRhamnus cathartica Purging BuckthornSalix viminalis OsierViburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%


* Plant only native Black Poplar (sub species betulifolia). Contact Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for more information.


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Documents

Landscape Character Derbyshire