3.5 Low Weald

Key characteristic features

• Gently undulating lowland vale; numerous small streams, which occasionally flow in steep, narrow gullies.
• Relatively small-scale patchwork of pastures and deciduous woodlands interspersed with larger arable fields towards edges of the vale.
• Woodlands tend to be strong linear features between fields, often following winding streams.
• Many woodlands are ancient and particularly species-rich.
• Dense hedgerows containing many hedgerow trees enclose fields and link larger woodlands.
• Numerous villages clustered around village greens. Scattered farms and cottages.
• Network of winding narrow lanes.
• Mature single oaks in hedgerows and fields.
• Scenic, deeply rural, tranquil landscape with a domestic character.

Landform and context

The Low Weald landscape is confined to the Milland Basin and the undulating lowlands to the north-east of the Rother Valley. This is the western periphery of the extensive geographic region known as the Low Weald which extends across north-east Sussex. The area has a mixed geology. Dense Weald Clays are interspersed with thin bands of more resistant limestones and sandstones which give rise to undulating relief. The portion of the Low Weald region within the AONB is bordered by the higher land of the north wooded ridges which forms a strong, dark backdrop to lowland views. The lowland is drained by numerous branching streams. Many have carved into the Weald Clay and flow in very steep, narrow valleys. The Milland Basin is encircled by the wooded greensand escarpment and streams arising from the spring line at the foot of the scarp flow towards the centre of the Basin. Streams within the vale of Fernhurst and the lowlands to the east drain southwards via the River Lod to join the West Sussex Rother near Selham.

Land use and landscape

pattern The Low Weald landscape is composed of relatively few elements. Deciduous woodland, pastures, streams and hedgerows are closely interwoven to form a finely-grained pattern with an irregular, organic character.

This is predominantly a dairy farming area, although there are some arable fields. These tend to be found towards the outer edges of the Milland Basin where they form a strong contrast with the dense mixed woodland on the surrounding higher ground. The pastures are interspersed with patches of woodland. Both fields and woodlands typically have irregular shapes and both occur at a range of sizes.

Many of the woodlands are on the slopes of narrow stream valleys and have a striking linear sinuous form. These 'shaws' have a special visual character and their shape tends to enhance the overall sense of enclosure. Historically, these woodlands were intensively managed for fuel and timber by a combination of coppicing, thinning and wood pasture. Many, such as The Mens, are ancient semi-natural woodlands, containing a particularly rich diversity of species. The predominant species is oak, but birch, holly, beech, and yew are all represented. The shaws are particularly important for nature conservation as they often act as 'green corridors', interconnecting other, larger woodlands and harbouring a richly diverse flora.

The pastures are enclosed by a well-developed historic hedgerow network which remains mostly intact, although there are some areas, such as the south-west Milland Basin, where hedges have been removed. Single mature oak trees are a feature of most hedgerows and are also found as free-standing specimens within pastures.

Ponds, marshes and damp, low-lying meadows are locally important but, like the streams, are usually well hidden amongst dense tree cover. Some larger ponds such as that at Mill Farm, are mill ponds.

In some areas of the Low Weald landscape the field patchwork is more obviously 'planned' and has a regular, geometric field layout. The immediate surroundings of the Fernhurst Research Station seem particularly out of character, with rectangular plots, shelterbelts and many examples of exotic species.

Settlement

The larger, expanded villages of Fernhurst and Milland have a rather suburban character, but elsewhere the historic settlement pattern of small, picturesque clustered villages and numerous scattered farms and cottages remains intact. Many of the villages, such as Lurgashall, are centred around large village greens. They are connected by narrow, twisting lanes.

There are a wide range of local materials including red brick, half-timbering, tile-hung buildings and sandstone. Many cottages are rendered. Farm houses, and their associated farm buildings are often an important element in local views but are always partially screened by dense tree cover.

Subjective response

The Low Weald has a domestic, deeply rural character. Small villages clustered around greens, commons, ancient hedgerow trees and the landscape's irregular, organic pattern of pastures and shaws all contribute to the almost medieval character of the area. The twisting lanes, irregular small fields and sinuous woodland pattern form a dense maze in which distances seem expanded and all destinations seem remote. The profiles of the surrounding wooded ridges are a constant point of reference and an aid to orientation.

There are many shades of green in summer and a profusion of textures and natural forms. The spreading silhouettes of ancient oak trees, deep, ferny ravines, undulating damp pastures and winding hedgerows all add to the layers of detail. There are no abrupt edges or sharp contrasts and the landscape has a slow, relaxed pace with a strong, calm sense of security.

Sensitivity to change

The pastures and scattered villages of this undulating farmland landscape are particularly well enclosed by dense hedgerows and linear woodlands. Views within the Low Weald are relatively constrained, although there are occasional longer views across the Vale and the overall pattern of the landscape is revealed wherever it is overlooked from the adjacent greensand ridges. Minor changes in the landscape, such as the planting of small woodlands and alterations to farm buildings, can be accommodated without degrading its overall structure and it would be possible to conceal more substantial, isolated developments by careful screen planting. However, areas of the Low Weald have retained an historic landscape pattern and a sense of deep rural isolation which could easily be eroded by inappropriate changes to the landscape, regardless of whether they are widely visible.

The most vulnerable aspect of this landscape mosaic is its irregular pattern. The narrow, twisting lanes, sinuous shaws and small, irregular pastures all contribute to an overall sense of historic continuity and peaceful rural charm. Any change which would disrupt this special landscape pattern would degrade the character and distinctive qualities of the Low Weald landscape as a whole.

This landscape is rich in elements which may be vulnerable to change, often on a piecemeal basis. Ancient woodlands, hedgerows, hedgerow oak trees, ponds, commons and village greens are all important local landscape features. Their conservation is important so that the strong, enclosing landscape pattern and special qualities of this distinctive lowland are maintained and strengthened.

Key issues for landscape management

Farmland mosaic

• Conserve existing irregular landscape pattern and in particular the range of field/woodland sizes and shapes. The smaller fields and linear 'shaws', which make such an important contribution to the visual structure, historic character and ecological diversity of the landscape, should be a priority for conservation.
• Encourage conversion of arable fields to permanent pasture.
• Restore a typical irregular pasture/woodland mosaic within the degraded area surrounding the Fernhurst Research Station. Integrate new hedgerows and woodlands with existing landscape pattern. Design any new features to follow and take account of the pattern of existing streams.
• Identify and conserve the important longer views across the lowland to the enclosing ridges which give an impression of ‘being in a vale’.

Hedgerows

• Encourage the conservation and management of all existing hedgerows. Encourage replanting of any 'suburbanised' hedges which contain exotic species such as laurel or conifers.
• Tree surgery may be necessary to retain safely and improve the appearance of some of the oldest single specimen oak trees. Plant new oaks as replacements at intervals in hedgerows or in pastures, particularly near farm buildings. New hedgerow oaks could sometimes be positioned to give visual accents at lane bends, or to frame particularly scenic views.
• Replant hedgerows with a diverse mix of native species in areas where they have been removed or depleted. Restore historic field patterns wherever possible and maximise linkage with existing small woodlands.

Trees and woodlands

• Conserve and manage all existing woodlands. In particular encourage traditional management practices such as coppicing.
• Give priority to the conservation and appropriate management of ancient semi-natural woodlands and maintain wooded or hedgerow links between such species-rich woodlands and other parts of the landscape mosaic.
• New woodland planting should be on a small scale so as to retain open or filtered views across the lowlands to the wooded ridges. The aim should be to create a layered effect of gently overlapping woodlands which never provide complete enclosure but which always lead the eye further into the composition through a sequence of spaces.
• Small-scale woodland planting schemes on the edges of Milland and Fernhurst should be designed to screen the rear of properties and reduce the visual scale of the built landscape. Such planting should be carefully integrated with the surrounding landscape pattern. There is particular scope to improve the setting and identity of the village of Milland by carefully planned sequences of planting along the lanes leading to the village and a bolder, more distinctive planting scheme on the village green.
• New planting, in small copses and as individual specimen trees, should be considered in the vicinity of some farmsteads, particularly where there is a need to integrate and partially screen new modern farm buildings.

Water features

• Conserve and retain all ponds, marshes and areas of damp, unimproved grassland. Buffer these areas with protected permanent pasture and control erosion by cattle.
• Give priority to the conservation of features such as woodlands, steep banks, groups of trees etc. associated with the margins of streams and ponds. Water is the key structuring element in this landscape yet it is generally invisible in longer views. Stream-side features should closely mirror its linear winding form, giving the streams a strong expressive presence in the wider landscape.

Priorities for action

• Conserve existing irregular landscape pattern, in particular the smaller fields and linear 'shaws'.
• Restore landscape in the few areas where it has been degraded; the field/hedgerow/ woodland mosaic should conform to strong visual structure of existing local landscape patterns.
• Give priority to the conservation and enhancement of stream-side landscapes.

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