2.1.2 Enclosed West Chalk Uplands

Key characteristic features

• Broad, rolling upland relief incised by branching, rounded dry valley systems.
• Bold patchwork of farmland, woodland and plantations varies from a relatively large-scale landscape mosaic in more elevated areas to a smaller, more domestic scale on lower slopes.
• Woodland and pastures on steeper slopes; patches of scrub mark steepest gradients.
• Woodland generally becomes more extensive towards the north.
• Patchwork of woodland and farmland tends to obscure minor variations in relief.
• Dense hedgerows containing many trees enclose most fields and provide visual links between woodlands.
• Large estates have an important visual influence; designed parkland landscapes; stone walls; avenues; follies etc.
• Many woodlands managed on a commercial basis.
• Numerous clustered settlements in sheltered sites, linked by branching hierarchy of lanes.

Landform and context

The south facing dip-slope of the west chalk uplands displays the broad, rounded ridges and gently curving slope profiles typical of chalk upland relief. The landform becomes more steeply undulating, and in places deeply folded, particularly towards the north, where the sloping chalk plateau is most elevated.

The enclosed west chalk uplands landscape extends westwards from the Arun valley to the Hampshire border. Further east, the southern part of the chalk dip-slope between the Arun and the Findon valleys is also included within this landscape character area. The chalk dip slope in these areas is made up of Upper and Middle Chalk. Clay-with-Flints occurs only very locally; on the ridgetop of Bow Hill and in the Stansted Forest area to the west.

The uplands have been carved into sweeping forms by dry valleys, which in places form steep, rounded coombes. Many of these branching dry valley systems are included within the enclosed west chalk uplands landscape character area. The historic combination of land use and landscape pattern has made this landscape a finely detailed mosaic in which such subtle contrasts of landform are a less important influence on visual character than in the more exposed chalk uplands to the east. However, the branching valleys of the Ems and the Lavant do provide a significant contrast in relief. These relatively broad valleys have eroded the upland plateau to leave undulating ridges which extend southwards and westwards from the escarpment to subdivide the uplands on a larger scale than is typical of the open chalk uplands of East Sussex. These ridges, which include the summits of Bow Hill, Charlton Down and Rewell Hill, broadly structure the topography of the west chalk uplands. Some are remnants of the secondary escarpment along the southern edge of the dip slope.

This more elevated land is indicated on the landscape character map as large-scale enclosed west chalk uplands, broadly separating it from areas of the dip-slope which have lower relief and which generally have a more subdivided landscape pattern with a smaller scale.

Land use and landscape pattern

This landscape is made up of a diverse mosaic of different land uses and landscape patterns.

Woodlands, copses and areas of extensive commercial forestry subdivide farmland in which arable land predominates, but which also includes substantial areas of pasture and smaller fragments of chalk grassland and scrub. The picture is further complicated by the strong influence of several large estates and designed parkland landscapes with their distinctive sweeping landforms and carefully grouped clumps of trees. Such estates own substantial areas of the dip-slope. Each typically encompasses a wide variety of different landscapes and their presence over the years has helped to maintain the typically diverse landscape pattern.

This landscape is particularly rich in local, distinctive features such as individual rounded summits, follies, banks, and avenues which form characterful landmarks and give the area a strong, expressive identity.

The landscape mosaic tends to have a larger, bolder scale and a less regular form on the more elevated land. Here woodland and commercial forestry plantations are more extensive and fields are generally larger with irregular shapes. They are often partially enclosed by woodland. The steep slopes of the many deep coombes in these areas are usually a combination of pasture, rough grazing and patches of woodland.

Forest edges are often bold and straight, forming strong woodland blocks which sometimes create hard, rather geometric edges. This is particularly evident along the northern margins of the chalk dip slope where the woodlands abut the open rounded summits of the wooded chalk escarpment.

The division between the large-scale landscape mosaic on the more elevated parts of the dip slope and the finer-grain of the smaller scale landscape on the lower slopes is not clear-cut. There is a very gradual transition which in places is masked by local variation.

On the lower slopes of the chalk plateau the fields become considerably smaller and form a more coherent patchwork. Most have irregular shapes but straight edges. The visual effect of such geometric outlines tends to be softened by the presence of numerous small woodlands, especially where these have irregular, organic shapes. Hedgerows enclose most fields and the small blocks of woodland are important elements in the landscape, linking with the hedgerows and hedgerow trees to give a relatively enclosed character. Arable farmland predominates, but is interspersed with areas of pasture, much of which is intensively managed. The combination of farmland, woodland and hedgerows on the undulating chalkland relief creates a complex, diverse patchwork in which trees and fields form distinctive local patterns. Historic parkland landscapes often interrupt the farmland patchwork and designed features such as avenues, follies and vistas contribute to the lively, unpredictable character of this landscape.

This landscape pattern continues to the east of the Arun valley, although here large estates have less influence. This, together with the narrowing of the AONB, has resulted in a simplified landscape mosaic with less land use diversity.

Settlement

Numerous small villages and hamlets, typically with a nuclear form, are grouped in sheltered sites throughout the small-scale landscape of the lower slopes. The more elevated areas are less populated but there are many individual farms, isolated farm cottages and, occasionally, tiny hamlets on the upper slopes of the ridges and within woodland clearings.

The villages tend to be strongly hierarchical in form, with large houses surrounded by cottages and farms. The larger properties are often carefully sited on sloping land at a slight distance from the village and are prominent features in local views.

Chalk flint is the most important building material; often attractively edged in red brick. Villages on the south margins of the dip-slope tend to have a more diverse mix of buildings, with rendered and brick houses interspersed with those of the traditional flint.

The influence of the estates is made evident in most villages, and the countryside immediately surrounding them, by the presence of well-built flint stone walls which give enclosure and character to the settlements.

Subjective response

The combination of farmland, woodlands and dense hedgerows provide a rich variety of landscape patterns, all with a strong sense of enclosure and a bold, distinctive identity. The landscape of the enclosed west chalk uplands seems all the more diverse and secluded because it contrasts so dramatically with the bleaker, exposed open chalk uplands to the east.

The bold patchwork of farmland and woodland, combined with undulating relief, forms a particularly diverse landscape with many contrasts of texture and form. The overall impression is one of well-balanced, harmonious rural scenery, where views are unpredictable and constantly changing; panoramas from high points such as Bow Hill and The Trundle are particularly important in understanding the overall setting and form of the area in relation to its surroundings. Such viewpoints describe the coastal plain to the south and the chalk escarpment to the north.

The many villages, distinctive local features and historic parklands give the landscape an idyllic, welcoming character. Much of the area seems deeply rural, but without feeling remote or inaccessible. The clustered villages, stone walls and parkland features have a timeless quality and evoke a strong sense of history. Hundreds of years of management have left many traces, from ancient earthworks to yew forests and stately homes. It all adds to the intrigue, mystery and rich variety of local interest which characterise this landscape.

Sensitivity to change

The relatively wooded character of this landscape gives it some capacity to absorb change without reducing its overall visual integrity. However, the broad, rolling form of the chalkland relief ensures that most of the landscape is highly visible, since any one area might be viewed from a number of different aspects. This complexity and diversity, and an associated sense of unpredictability, combine to make a significant contribution to local character. Detailed visual analysis, which takes account of the full range of possible viewpoints, is therefore an essential prerequisite to any form of built development and should also be considered in relation to changing patterns of land use related to forestry and agricultural practice.

In general terms, very small-scale changes can be accommodated in this area if they are carefully sited and designed so that they are closely integrated with the pattern and scale of the local landscape.

The most vulnerable areas are likely to be parts of the small-scale enclosed west chalk uplands where there is an irregular, finely-grained pattern of fields and hedgerows. Such areas are often closely related to settlement and are therefore under particular pressure for change. Examples are the expansion of horse paddocks and planting for game crops, shelterbelts and small plantations which are unrelated to landform and existing hedgerow patterns and the proliferation of modern farm buildings. In addition, the creeping commercialisation of the larger estates may represent a threat to the overall unity of the landscape, and in particular the setting of the historic parklands. Road improvements, signage, car parks and the use of exotic species in planting schemes are likely to be particular concerns and require careful control to ensure that they do not have a negative visual impact.

Key issues for landscape management

Farmland mosaic

• Retain and strengthen the existing diversity of the landscape mosaic, and in particular the broad variations between the large-scale landscape pattern on the more elevated slopes and the smaller-scale patchwork of fields and woodlands on the lower chalk dip-slope. Wherever possible, plan ongoing changes in land uses to reflect these variations in scale so as to give more visual emphasis to landform.
• Land use patterns in agriculture and forestry should be encouraged to follow landform and reflect minor variations in relief. For instance, woodlands should curve around the edges of coombes and within narrow valleys, field boundaries should also follow the landform to avoid regular, geometric shapes. In particular, large arable fields should not create hard edged geometric patterns which run directly across the grain of the landscape where it is incised by minor valley systems.
• Small, irregularly shaped fields are a particularly important, and perhaps threatened, visual component of the landscape mosaic and should be conserved. Many may also be unimproved grassland and so have additional ecological value.
• Protect existing areas of chalk grassland from damaging agricultural operations and scrub invasion. Priority should be given to archaeological sites and south-facing slopes. Encourage an overall increase in chalk grassland and bring relic areas, which may have remained on steep slopes, under appropriate grazing management. Scrub clearance and management will also be required. Encourage reversion of adjoining areas to create unified blocks of open, grazed grassland.
• Scrub should be managed in all situations, unless it is considered an appropriate area to be allowed to tumble down to secondary woodland.
• Established scrub should be managed by a combination of coppicing and removal to produce scrub of mixed age structure and species where and as appropriate for visual and wildlife 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.
• Specific details such as individual farm buildings, copses, hedgerows or landforms are of particular importance within the more open fields of the large-scale landscape and the quality of such landscape elements, in visual terms, is significant. Attractive features should be conserved and those which have a negative visual influence should be identified as a priority for removal, upgrading or screening.

Hedgerows

• The visual structure of this landscape is determined by the scale of its patchwork of fields and hedgerows. Future management should ensure that the existing hedgerow network is maintained and reinforced along its existing alignments. Where hedgerow trees are characteristic, they should be planted to provide visual links with small woodlands and copses and to enhance the setting of farms and villages within the wider landscape.

• There is some evidence to suggest that hedgerows have been removed to increase agricultural productivity. Wherever possible, replanting should be considered to strengthen the hedgerow network, defining the lane and field boundaries in areas where it has been depleted. Sympathetic hedgerow management should be encouraged and mechanical over-flailing avoided.

• Conserve hedgerows, banks and broad verges associated with existing tracks and byways to retain their importance as visual features within the wider landscape.

Trees and woodland

• New planting should be designed to reflect and emphasise the existing scale and structure of the landscape. Within the large-scale landscape, areas of woodland should be extensive, with woodland edges partially enclosing groups of fields at a time. In contrast, the small-scale landscape should contain smaller woodlands which closely relate to the existing hedgerow structure.
• Woodland planting on skylines has particular visual significance and proposals for new planting should be examined from a variety of viewpoints. Within the large-scale landscape, there should be an emphasis on linking woodlands across skylines, any gaps should be carefully designed to emphasise areas where the landform is more interesting. Elsewhere, particular attention should be given to the composition of woodland planting on individual hills with distinctive topographic forms e.g.. Nore Hill, to strengthen the identity of these potentially important landscape features in the wider landscape setting.
• New planting should be designed with curvilinear edges responding to local topography, avoiding hard, straight edges and angles, particularly across or up and down steep valley slopes. Such planting should include a wide variety of forms, including hedgerow trees, copses, individual specimens and clumps etc. and should be designed to enhance local landform.
• Given the importance and attractiveness of existing small woodlands, their protection and conservation should be given high priority to ensure that their long-term visual and ecological contribution to the landscape is maintained. In some cases, peripheral planting would help to re-establish an irregular, organic shape which provides a contrast with surrounding straight-edged fields. Thinning, coppicing and replanting of small woodlands should be encouraged to achieve a mixed age structure.
• Managed natural regeneration should be encouraged in woodlands which have suffered storm damage.
• Encourage linkage between hedgerows and woodlands to maximise visual and wildlife benefits.
• Special management programmes are necessary to retain important woodland stands e.g.. beech hangers and yew woodlands.
• Maintain a rich variety of species, particularly within the small-scale landscape mosaic and in the vicinity of settlements. Some replanting of beech and other important chalkland trees may be necessary in areas where such species are not being replaced by natural regeneration and where sycamore and ash may otherwise predominate.
• Encourage strong landscape design in felling and replanting to ensure that conifer woodlands are integrated into the landscape. Deciduous woodland stands may be more appropriate in some locations. In all cases species composition and form of woodland edges should be carefully designed. New planting of conifers should be avoided within the small-scale landscape on the lower slopes.
• Areas of clear fell within larger woodlands and commercial plantations should be designed to follow contours and with indented edges. Small stands of trees should be retained within coupes to maintain visual interest without reducing the overall proportion and large-scale of the landscape mosaic. When clear felling is essential, it should be carefully designed, with selective thinning and natural regeneration encouraged as positive management techniques.
• Identify opportunities for strategic woodland clearance or planting schemes which are designed to frame important views. In some instances, to create new vistas to landscape features such as buildings or interesting landforms which have the potential to become focal points within the wider landscape.

Parkland

• Encourage conversion of arable land to permanent pasture in areas of parkland trees.
• Historic parkland landscapes require specialist study to guide restoration and planting schemes. Particular care is needed in restoring and maintaining the visual influence of designed parkland landscapes, where these extend beyond the boundaries of the officially registered English Heritage historic parklands.
• Identify the finest views of landscape features - distinctive topographic features or man-made elements such as follies and windmills - and seek to enhance, or in some cases, reveal them by carefully designed planting or woodland clearance schemes.
• Many woodlands in this area are designated ancient semi-natural woodland; ensure continued protection and management. In particular, encourage replanting with native broadleaved species in those ancient woodlands which currently support conifers.

Priorities for action

• Management of small woodlands. Modify and design the structure and edges of larger woodlands and commercial plantations.
• Conserve and manage areas of chalk grassland. Encourage reversion of adjoining areas to open grassland; scrub clearance and management as required.
• Restore historic parklands and manage designed landscapes to conserve and enhance their visual influence in the wider landscape.
• Identify existing and potential views of local landscape features and design woodland clearance or planting schemes to enhance or reveal them.

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