3.3 Heathland Mosaic

Key characteristic features

• Irregular, patchy landscape mosaic of oak-birch woodland, conifer plantations, open heath and common land.
• Open areas are generally rough grazing, with extensive uncultivated areas of bracken scrub and occasionally heathlands where Calluna species predominate.
• Dense, regenerating woodland thickets surround most open areas and are actively encroaching onto adjacent land.
• Few roads. Generally straight, often dead-end lanes and tracks lead onto heathland from small settlements on its periphery.
• Most pastures are used for horse grazing.
• Views limited by tracts of dense woodland which screen visually intrusive land uses.
• Ancient earthworks and banks.

Landform and context

The heathland mosaic landscape occurs on outcrops of the Folkestone Beds and the Hythe Beds, both forms of Lower Greensand. It is most extensive on the Folkestone Beds to the south of Midhurst where a broad swathe of heathland, and associated heathy woodland, stretches from Iping Common to Duncton Common. There are also isolated smaller patches at West Heath Common, Habin, near Sutton End and on the Parham and Wiston estates to the east of the River Arun. These areas are concentrated on the very low, flat topped ridges which separate the Gault vale from the sandy lower slopes of the West Sussex Rother valley.

Further north, on the dip slope of the Hythe Beds, the heathland mosaic is found in more isolated patches within the north wooded ridges of the western Weald. Examples are Weaver's Down, Chapel Common, Woolbeding Common and Hesworth Common. These areas all tend to be relatively elevated.

The Sussex Downs AONB also includes a much scarcer type of heathland mosaic, chalk heathland, which is particularly vulnerable to destruction by ploughing and scrub invasion. It is a nationally rare habitat, but one of the best examples in the country survives at Lullington Heath, on the exposed chalk uplands of East Sussex.

Lowland heath, which is one element within the heathland mosaic landscape, is an important and very vulnerable ecological habitat. The heathland mosaic landscape has been defined using visual rather than ecological criteria and so includes only those areas of heathland which have visual significance in the wider landscape. The heathlands of West Sussex have been well documented and a more detailed habitat survey is available (1992, Rose) which also gives some indication of the potential for extending and linking the existing remaining heathland areas.

Land use and landscape pattern

The heathland mosaic is an irregular, patchy mosaic of oak-birch woodland, conifer plantations, open heathland, acidic grassland, bracken and rough agricultural land. These components vary in size and scale and are in a constant state of flux as a result of management practices and natural regeneration.

Tracts of pure heather heathland occur only on sites such as Iping Common and Ambersham Common, which are actively managed to conserve an open heathland habitat. The predominant land use is pine forest and mixed plantations, with extensive areas of oak-birch woodland on the periphery of most open areas. Open patches of bracken, fringed by scattered birch trees and dense, regenerating woodland are typical. Fenced paddocks, for horse grazing and other rough grassland areas are also common. Substantial parts of the heathland mosaic are commons, with a special local cultural and historic value.

There are very few hedgerows and much of the landscape appears to be in transition, with little structure or predictable order. The conifer plantations and straight roads give some hard straight edges but the visual structure of other areas is governed by natural rather than man-made forces.

Open areas within the landscape mosaic are entirely enclosed by woodland and views within the heathland mosaic are very constrained. In longer views, the areas to the south of the Rother appear as a low wooded ridge and the open glades are completely hidden from view. Similarly, on the Hythe Beds to the north, the heathland mosaic only occurs where there are clearings in the extensively wooded landscape of the north wooded ridges and is completely hidden in longer views.

The heathland mosaic can be a very finely-grained landscape, where discernible changes in landscape character occur within very small areas, or, in its more degraded forms, can occur as relatively large-scale, featureless conifer plantations. In practice neither of these extremes predominates but areas where the landscape mosaic is on a fine scale are very special for visual as well as ecological reasons.

The chalk heathland at Lullington Heath has a wholly different landscape character to the enclosed acid heathlands of the Lower Greensand areas. Here the heathland mosaic forms a finely grained pattern of heather, scrub and small patches of woodland on an exposed chalk upland area. This relatively unenclosed heathland is prominent in long views across the chalk uplands and forms a sharp contrast to the smooth, managed arable fields which surround it.

The heathland mosaic landscape has been extensively quarried for sand. There are many disused pits, as well as a few which are still active. The sites are typically surrounded by signs and wire fencing and are usually fully screened by dense woodlands.

Small-holdings, with their associated paddocks and untidy selection of outbuildings, are a characteristic of the area. It is not unusual to find odd pieces of farm machinery and dumped cars apparently abandoned in corners of the woodlands. However, the regenerating woodland forms an effective visual buffer and potential eyesores are usually well-screened.

The heathlands were cleared and well-settled during the Mesolithic period and the heathland mosaic landscape is rich in archaeological features. The most significant are the Bronze Age barrows which often occur on the higher land. Such features seem all the more intriguing as they are well hidden secrets within the wooded mosaic.

Settlement

Roads across the heathland mosaic landscapes near Midhurst tend to be quite straight, in contrast to the twisting network of lanes on the clay vale to the south. There are very few settlements, only isolated cottages, farms and a few more recent suburban developments. The pockets of heathland mosaic within the north wooded ridges landscape are isolated from both roads and settlements.

Historically the heathland mosaic has been a marginal landscape for settlements and a high proportion of the land is common land, traditionally used by the poor for rough grazing and bracken or heath-cutting. This traditional land use is reflected by the extensive network of tracks and footpaths and by the many villages on the outer fringes of the heathland mosaic.

Subjective response

The heathland mosaic seems an untamed landscape; nature seems very close and the dynamics of the mosaic are structured by the natural forces of regeneration. The woodlands are a rich profusion of tangled forms and textures juxtaposed against open swathes of heathland.

The conifer-dominated parts of the mosaic can seem oppressive and monotonous, but the heathy deciduous woodlands typically have a relatively open canopy and tracts of pure heathland or open grassland provide longer views. Autumn colours in the oak-birch woodlands are a delight.

The profusion of close-knit natural forms and visual containment can evoke feelings of vulnerability, but this is also an intriguing, mysterious landscape with a wealth of hidden features and detail. The numerous paths and tracks, and the traditional use of the heathland as common land help to make it a relatively accessible wilderness.

Sensitivity to change

The dynamics of this patchy, well wooded landscape mosaic are largely governed by the forces of natural regeneration and views within the mosaic are tightly constrained by oak-birch woodland or conifer plantations. From a distance, the heathland mosaic appears as a low wooded ridge and any development, such as the extensive existing sand pits, which might potentially have a negative impact is completely screened. Most of the area is not overlooked, but where the heathland mosaic occurs relatively close to the escarpment near Storrington, such large-scale development would be visible.

The most vulnerable element within this landscape mosaic is the tracts of heather-dominated heathland. These areas are threatened by ongoing processes of natural regeneration and their conservation depends on active management. Other elements sensitive to change are the many important archaeological features, in particular the Bronze Age barrows and ancient earthbanks, which are likely to become engulfed by naturally regenerating woodland unless the process is constantly kept in check. The commons are also particularly vulnerable to change since in many areas the rights of commoners are not exercised or have been lost and policies for the ongoing management and conservation of the landscape are less secure.

The heathland mosaic is patchy in extent and often covers only a relatively small area so great care should be taken to ensure that important woodland screens are maintained, particularly when planning felling coupes associated with commercial forestry plantations and near to the existing sand quarrying activities.

Key issues for landscape management

Landscape mosaic

• Areas with a diverse, irregular visual structure should be retained and strengthened by maintaining an overall balance between woodland, pasture and heathland.
• Edges of woodlands and open areas should have an irregular, transitional, organic character and clearance or planting patterns should be designed to create a varied mosaic of interlocking shapes. The different landscape elements should occur at a range of different scales; both open and wooded areas should be extensive in places.
• Identify landscape features with historic or visual interest and design clearance and planting patterns to enhance their setting and frame important views. Such features might include stands of mature oak trees, paths bordered by ancient earthbanks, Bronze Age barrows, interesting hummocky landforms, streams, etc.
• Create some views into open heathland or grassland glades from local roads so that glimpsed views of a more diverse range of landscape elements are possible.
• Maintain appropriate grazing regimes on open grassland areas to encourage acidic grassland flora and to prevent bracken encroachment. Use simple, temporary wire fencing to control stock.
• Encourage positive management to meet recreation and educational needs. Protect against erosion by bikes and horses.

Heathland management

• Conserve and manage existing heathland areas.
• Assess potential for creating new interconnected heathlands, in particular in areas currently under conifer plantations.
• Studies to define priority conservation areas should be based on visual as well as ecological criteria and should also consider related or potential forestry clearance patterns.
• Retain areas of scattered gorse scrub for ecological and visual interest.

Trees and woodlands

• The progressive replanting of some pure conifer stands with native broadleaved species should be considered in key locations which will help to maintain the landscape character of the area. Ensure composition and form of woodland edges is carefully controlled.
• Tree clearance or peripheral planting to create more varied indented woodland edges.
• New accent planting of trees such as Scots pine or oak in visually important locations.
• Design clear-fell areas with deeply indented edges and scattered groups of retained trees; link with strategic plans for enhancing overall visual balance in other areas of the heathland mosaic.
• Retain broken and decaying tree stumps for visual and ecological interest.
• Encourage woodland management to create more diversity in woodland age and structure.
• Encourage woodland edge management to promote visual and ecological diversity.

Sand quarries

• Sandpit restoration schemes should be designed according to visual and ecological criteria. The aim should be to create a range of ecological habitats; sand banks, pools of water of varied depth, indented edges, etc. In visual terms, criteria relating to landform, edge characteristics, visual accents etc are important. Other considerations would include access and informal recreation.

Priorities for action

• Conserve and manage existing heathland areas; seek opportunities for heathland extensions and linkage.
• Aim to create a very varied landscape mosaic composed of irregular, interlocking shapes.
• Encourage replanting of pure conifer stands in key locations with native broadleaved species.
• Retain and enhance the setting of important historic and visual landscape features.

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