2.2.2 East Chalk Valley Systems

Key characteristic features

• Extensive branching valley systems wind through open chalk upland forming contrasts in relief and landscape character.
• Relatively narrow valleys which nevertheless have a strong visual influence.
• Varied valley forms; some have steep side slopes and lead to deep, narrow rounded coombes; others are asymmetrical in form with very steep, curving slopes on one side and gentle gradients on the other.
• Some arable fields on gentle slopes but pastures and patchy scrub predominate on most steep slopes.
• Fields often have irregular shapes which give visual emphasis to the landform.
• Individual patches of woodland, hedgerows and hedgerow trees are important visual elements in most valleys.
• Villages, farms and hamlets are clustered in sheltered sites on valley floors, linked by lanes and tracks.
• Enclosed, relatively secluded character.

Landform and context

These branching, linear dry valley systems display a variety of forms and different stages of evolution. The valleys are of two main types: rounded valleys and asymmetrical valleys.

Rounded valleys

The majority of east chalk dip slope valleys are gently rounded, winding trough-shaped hollows which become progressively deeper and narrower as they cut into the more elevated, northern part of the chalk dip slope. The valley systems typically divide into several branches, each ending in a deep, steep-sided coombe. An abrupt break of slope indicates the division between the valley landscape and that of surrounding open east chalk uplands. The landforms seem crisply sculpted and deliberately carved, particularly when the sharp breaks of slope are revealed by shadows in strong sunlight.

The rounded, dry valley systems tend to be fairly consistent in size throughout the open eastern part of the chalk dip slope. They are, generally, relatively narrow and small in scale. Some have particularly well-developed relief with an extensive linear form, steep sides and a relatively flat valley floor; abrupt, steep slopes sometimes occur on one side of the valley, particularly where it changes direction suddenly. Other valleys, particularly towards the lower, southern margins of the chalk, are much shallower. Nevertheless, the typical rounded `hollowed-out' landform is evident even where the dry valleys are relatively minor features.

Asymmetrical valleys

Curving, up-standing mini-scarp slopes are a prominent feature of some parts of the chalk dip slope. They are particularly associated with the northern slopes of the remnant secondary escarpment hills but also occur elsewhere. The most striking example is Blackstone Bottom to the west of the Cuckmere valley.

These features can be described as asymmetrical dry valleys with a very steep slope on one side (the curving mini-scarp), and a sweeping shallow slope on the other. These landform contrasts are given strong visual emphasis by their associated patterns of land use and vegetation cover.

The formation of these asymmetrical valleys may relate to differences in resistance, and therefore elevation of the chalk dip slope but they may also have formed when the developing valley system eroded at an angle across the natural strike of the chalk. Like the rounded valleys, the curving asymmetrical valleys occur at a range of scales.

On the Landscape Character Maps (727D/2 and 727D/3) the steep slope of each asymmetrical valley is fully defined, but the approximate extent and branching pattern of the shallow valley slope is indicated by a dotted line within the east open chalk uplands landscape, as this side of the valley is not visually distinct.

Land use and landscape pattern

Patterns of land use and vegetation cover vary according to the scale of the valley landform.

The shallower rounded dry valleys are often almost entirely devoted to arable farming, although the presence of a remnant curving hedgerow, fragments of chalk grassland or the odd patch of scrub often indicates a variation in landscape character. Nevertheless, the dry valleys indicated on the landscape character map all display a contrast in land use and vegetation cover which is visually significant.

The steep side slopes and the rounded heads of the coombes are typically an irregular patchy mosaic of rough grassland and scrub. Small patches of woodland may also occur and, where they are extensive, provide a particularly strong sense of visual enclosure. e.g. the Stanmer Valley to the north of Brighton. Hedgerows sometimes extend up the valley side slopes and may follow the curving break of slope between the steep valley slopes and the rolling open chalk uplands landscape on the chalk dip slope. Tree cover is often quite sparse but increases towards the valley floor. The sides and floor of the upper dry valleys are often used for pasture but, as the landform becomes shallower, the valley floor is typically subdivided into arable fields, leaving progressively narrower fragments of pasture on the side slopes as the valley broadens out on the dip slope. The hard, geometric shapes of arable fields sometimes form harsh, ruled edges cutting across the linear grain of the dry valley systems.

The steep slopes of the asymmetrical valleys are always a distinctive, patchy mosaic of woodland, grassland and scrub which forms a striking contrast to the sweeping, large arable fields which typically occur on the shallow side of these valleys.

Settlement

These valley systems tend to be too remote and narrow to support large villages but they frequently provide a sheltered site for farms and hamlets. The latter usually have a sporadic linear form and are strung out along the narrow lane which follows the valley floor leading to the most distant farm.

The traditional local building material in these relatively remote settlements is chalk and flint, although all the farms also have some modern steel-framed outbuildings and some of the farm buildings are made of red brick.

Subjective response

The deepest rounded valleys have an intimate scale and a strong sense of enclosure and seclusion. They often seem like a sheltered refuge because of the strong contrast between the valley landscape and the more exposed chalk uplands which surround it. Many of the valleys are invisible in long views across the chalk uplands and are therefore surprise features in the landscape with a special, secretive quality.

The pastures, hedgerows and farm buildings tend to give these valleys a domestic, hospitable character, a quality which again is heightened by the contrast to the relatively bleak, exposed upland landscape which surrounds them.

The winding, narrow character of the rounded valleys tends to make them seem particularly tranquil, wild and remote even though urban areas and roads may be close by.

The steep slopes of the asymmetrical valleys are intriguing features which provide a welcome visual contrast to the open arable fields of the chalk uplands and help to give an overall structure and scale to the landscape. These valleys also provide some seclusion and enclosure, but this feeling is inevitably less marked than in the deeper rounded valleys.

Sensitivity to change

Some of the rounded valleys are deeply enclosed and secluded, particularly towards the northern more elevated parts of the chalk dip slope. The landscape of these valleys is relatively hidden from the longer, typically open views across the open east chalk uplands and the visual impact of any changes to the landscape would be relatively contained. However, it is essential that such valleys retain their valuable isolated sense of wild remoteness and that any form of built development, together with associated improvements to access, would be likely to intrude upon these qualities.

Traditional farm buildings make a distinct positive contribution to the character of the valleys. Whether or not conversion of such buildings is acceptable depends on the retention of their simple appearance and their rural setting in the landscape. Particular types of building may not be suited to alteration without a loss of character. Very small-scale development related to existing settlements and farms can be accommodated by careful siting, the use of chalk flint for all construction and planting designed to integrate the changes with the existing visual structure of hedgerows and woodlands. The potential for such accommodation is reduced in valleys with an open character, and in particular, in the shallower valleys which are visible in the long views across the open chalklands.

Within the valley landscapes, changing land uses have an important visual influence. The small-scale, irregular field patterns which follow the alignment of the valleys, are particularly vulnerable to pressures related to intensive arable farming and there are many examples of small valleys where the large arable fields of the adjacent chalk uplands have swept down into the valley, disrupting the visual structure and integrity of its landscape. However, the conversion of arable land to pasture, in association with the designation of the Sussex Downs ESA, is an appropriate and welcome change which can only enhance the character of these valleys.

The mini-scarp slopes of the asymmetrical valleys are highly visible features and any changes to their characteristic landscape pattern are likely to be visually intrusive.

Key issues for landscape management

Farmland mosaic

• The few remaining fragments of chalk grassland on the dip slope are found on the steeper slopes of the dry valleys. Many are under pressure from either agricultural intensification or scrub encroachment. Existing areas of chalk grassland should be conserved and managed, with appropriate grazing regimes and scrub clearance or thinning as necessary. encourage the reversion of adjoining areas to open grassland wherever possible
• The steep upper valley slopes should be targeted for chalk grassland restoration schemes which would extend this important ecological habitat, while also giving unity and visual continuity to the landform.
• Archaeological sites should be top priority for grassland restoration schemes with associated grazing regimes.
• Scrub should be managed in all situations within this landscape type. Established scrub should be managed by a combination of coppicing and removal to provide scrub of mixed age structure and species where and as appropriate for wildlife and visual purposes. Scrub clearance or thinning should be carried out in irregularly shaped patches to avoid hard edges and to maintain the visual character of the random, patchy scrub/grassland mosaic on prominent slopes. Areas of relatively stable, uninvasive scrub such as gorse, should be retained for its visual and nature conservation value, subject to archaeological considerations.
• Land use patterns should reflect and emphasise the reduced scale and linear, curving landforms of the dry valley landscapes. Within valleys, fields should be irregularly shaped and follow landform so as to give visual emphasis to the valley landform and enhance the contrast between the relatively enclosed valley landscape and that of the exposed arable fields surrounding it. In particular, field and land use patterns should respect the break of slope marking the outer edge of the valley landscape.
• Encourage reversion of arable fields to grassland within small-scale valley landscapes.
• Conserve hedgerows, banks and broad verges associated with existing tracks and byways.
• Golf courses should be required to adopt sensitive management techniques.

Farm buildings

• Conserve traditional farm buildings and their associated flint walls. Sensitive conversion of redundant farm buildings to agriculturally-related uses may be appropriate as long as all traditional architectural features and the rural setting of the building details are retained. Particular types of building may not be suited to alteration without a loss of character.
• Wherever possible, encourage the rationalisation of farm buildings and the removal of modern farm buildings which have become redundant. In particular conserve the special character of traditional groups of farm buildings and look for opportunities to site any new large-scale buildings separately, at a distance from the historic farm cluster.

Hedgerows

• Conserve and manage existing historic hedgerows. Gap up and replant damaged or lost historic hedges and train up and plant hedgerow trees, particularly towards the valley floor and in the vicinity of farm buildings.
• Some long, sinuous hedgerows have particular visual (and possibly historic) significance and should be a priority for conservation. Such hedgerows typically occur at the break in slope at either the top or bottom of the valley sides. Their alignment visually reinforces the form of the land and emphasises local contrasts of landscape character.

Trees and woodlands

• Conserve and manage existing small valley woodlands to achieve an improved age structure by replanting, coppicing and thinning as necessary.
• Woodlands should have flowing linear shapes, following contour lines and reinforcing the sense of seclusion and enclosure within the valley landscape. They should have irregular, indented outlines.
• Planting of native trees should be encouraged as part of improvements to copses and shelterbelts near farm buildings, with a view to improving the visual setting of farms, and in particular, screening visually intrusive buildings and machinery.
• There are particular opportunities for carefully designed new planting to reduce the visual impact of urban development along the southern edge of the AONB. Such planting should partially screen development but should also respond to the relatively small-scale and fine grain of the valley landscape. Careful planting in such urban fringe situations should be designed to enhance the sense of secrecy and remoteness characteristic of the valley landscapes.
• It is important to avoid larger plantings which might be out of scale with the landform, jeopardise opportunities for chalk grassland restoration and obstruct opportunities for a sequence of views along the valley.
• Restore parkland trees, for instance at Stanmer, where the deep coombe is framed by mature woodland but where there is considerable evidence of storm damage.

Priorities for action

• Conserve, manage and extend chalk grassland habitats; encourage reversion of arable fields to grassland, particularly in areas adjoining existing chalk grassland.
• Improve the relationship between patterns of land use and landform. Conserve small-scale, irregular field patterns which relate closely to contours.
• Small-scale, professionally designed planting schemes to reduce visual impact of urban development along the southern margins of the AONB.
• Hedgerow conservation and restoration.

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