2.2.1 Principle Chalk Valleys

Key characteristic features

• Well defined valleys with a north-south alignment which have broken through the chalk escarpment to the north.
• Broad, U-shaped valleys with a fairly flat valley floor and steep, undulating side slopes.
• Valley sides indented with blunt, rounded coombes and deeper, branching side valleys. Small coombes often isolated on upper slopes.
• Patchwork of arable fields and woodland form distinctive patterns on valley sides, grassland and irregular patches of scrub are common on steeper slopes.
• Hedgerows enclose many fields and link woodlands. Hedgerow trees are typical, particularly on lower slopes and around villages.
• Fields vary in size and tend to be geometric shapes, becoming more irregular on steeper slopes.
• Settlements are usually clustered on the lower slopes above the floodplain; with isolated farms on higher land; farms/hamlets are often more elevated.
• Major communication routes follow lowest contours; above floodplain, or valley floor.

Landform and context

Each of these principal chalk valleys has eroded a substantial, broad, U-shaped trough through the chalk. The four river valleys generally have steep side slopes, often with minor cliffs such as those along the edges of the floodplain at Amberley. The dry valleys containing the villages of Findon, Pyecombe and Jevington have a more gently rounded profile, while the longitudinal valley running between the villages of Falmer and Glynde has the shallowest landform and is more of a broad, deep indentation within the chalk.

The geological structure of the valley slopes is simple. They consist of Middle and Upper Chalk while the valley floor is overlain with either alluvium, if there is a river floodplain, or surface deposits of undifferentiated head material if there is not.

The valley side slopes are deeply indented by dry valleys, displaying a wide variety of forms and stages of evolution. Some are rounded hollows perched well above the valley floor; others are deeper coombes. There are also many examples of well-developed dry valleys which form deep, winding troughs twisting at an angle away from the principal valley (ref. east chalk valley systems).

The valley side slopes generally become progressively higher and steeper towards the north, where the more elevated section of the dip slope has been eroded. However, an exception is the valley of the River Ouse. Here, the picture is complicated by the convergence of two principal chalk valleys, that of the River Ouse and the dry Falmer-Glynde valley just south of Lewes. To the south of this point of convergence, the River Ouse has carved deep into a relatively elevated section of the chalk dip slope, leaving a dramatic, steep ridge along the west side of the valley to the west of the village of Kingston. Visually, and in terms of appropriate management strategies, the ridge along this section of the valley bears a strong resemblance to the true chalk escarpment to the north and east and is therefore included within the open chalk escarpment landscape type. At the foot of this ridge, the lower slopes of the valley are particularly undulating and a low bluff separates the Falmer-Glynde valley from that of the Ouse. Beyond this point, to the south of the village of Kingston, the river has eroded a straighter deeper channel towards the coast at Newhaven.

Land use and landscape pattern

Valley sides are predominantly arable fields, but with pastures on the steeper, more undulating slopes. The steepest slopes, generally at the heads of the minor side valleys, are a patchy mosaic of scrub and rough grazing. Field shapes vary. Most are enclosed by hedgerows, although these tend to be more stunted and sporadic on the exposed arable farmland landscape on the upper valley slopes. Irregularly-shaped blocks of woodland often form a distinctive part of the patchwork of land uses. Many have sweeping forms which closely follow contour lines and give visual emphasis to the undulating landform along the valley sides.

Tree cover increases towards the valley floor, where the farmland patchwork becomes smaller in scale and hedgerow trees tend to link small woodlands and copses to create a fairly strong wooded edge to the floodplain in the river valleys. Isolated, individual trees often contribute to the more diverse landscape pattern on the lower slopes.

Roads and lanes link the villages along the lower slopes of the valleys, but many act as important major communication routes through the South Downs, linking the coastal urban areas with London's hinterland to the north. The larger roads usually follow the lowest point along the valley floor in dry valleys or the boundary between the valley side slope and the floodplain in the river valleys. Transmission lines and railways also follow these principal chalk valleys. The extensive urban development on the coastal plain has a strong visual influence towards the south, particularly where the valley side slopes are shallower and views therefore less contained by landform. Exceptions are the Cuckmere and Jevington valleys to the east, which still have an unspoilt, deeply rural quality. The Cuckmere valley, in particular, is unique in the South Downs as the floodplain remains undeveloped, allowing long unspoilt views along the valley to Cuckmere Haven.

Chalk quarries often form prominent white scars along the steeper valley side slopes. They are most numerous along the Ouse valley where they seem relatively exposed and, visually, poorly integrated in this rather open valley landscape. The disused cement works in the Adur valley is particularly visually intrusive, not least because the buildings and chimney are so stark and monumental. This quarry has sliced abruptly into the valley side, creating a deep gash which is highly visible in longer views from the surrounding open chalklands. Elsewhere the quarries are generally less intrusive. Many older, well vegetated quarry cliff faces, such as those near Amberley, add interest and detail to views along the valley.

Settlement

Larger settlements are typically concentrated in sheltered sites on the lower slopes of the valleys, and in particular on the very edge of the floodplain. Farms, small groups of farm cottages and isolated barns are often found on the more elevated slopes.

Villages have a variety of forms, but traditionally are clustered around a central, nuclear core, with some linear 'spokes' of development along valley lanes. Most buildings are partially screened by dense tree cover, but the villages are often a focus within views across and along the valley: buildings are typically viewed from a closer distance - the opposite side of the valley - than in other larger-scale chalkland landscapes.

Building materials are a diverse mix of flint, brick, timber, rendering and imported stone; a contrast to the more homogeneous character of villages in more isolated parts of the chalklands.

Subjective response

The principal chalk valleys seem settled, domestic and secluded in relation to the windswept open chalk uplands that surround them. Nevertheless, their landscapes have a fairly large-scale and the sweeping grandeur of the chalkland relief is often most impressive when viewed from within the valleys. Most have a strong sense of harmony and order, with land uses responding closely to variations in landform.

Views are generally contained within the valleys and the varied, patterns of farmland, woodland and settlement often form bold, distinctive visual compositions. There tends to be a concentration of prominent landmarks and most valleys have a strong sense of place. The less urbanised valleys such as those of the Arun and Cuckmere rivers, are particularly harmonious and tranquil.

Sensitivity to change

The detailed visual composition of this landscape is particularly important because views are generally well contained within the valleys and are relatively short, from one side of the valley to the other. Pressures for development are likely to be particularly intense within the principal chalk valleys and there is scope for new woodland planting which can strengthen the existing landscape pattern while at the same time partially screening and integrating inappropriate development. Such planting would need considerable design input. Disused chalk quarries are a feature on many of the valley sides and it is important that their restoration is guided by an assessment of their visual landscape value rather than by their potential as new sites for large-scale built development. These valleys also contain the main communication routes through the South Downs and are therefore the most accessible of the chalkland landscapes. It is important that each has a strong sense of identity and that together they create a bold, attractive impression of chalk scenery.

Woodlands on the upper slopes of the valleys offer relatively little potential for screening as even small clearings will be highly visible from one side of the valley to the other. It is important that such woodlands retain bold, distinctive shapes which, together with the open fields, form a relatively simple, uncluttered pattern. Most existing settlement occurs on the lower slopes, closely related to roads along the valley. Tree cover typically increases in these areas and they have the capacity to absorb some small-scale built development if it is carefully integrated into the characteristic landscape pattern of each valley. Any development on the upper valley slopes would be highly visible and cannot be integrated into the landscape. In many instances there is scope to improve the roadscapes along the edge of the floodplain and this would not only give the landscape a stronger sense of identity, but would also make it less vulnerable to the potential negative visual impact of ongoing change.

In particular it is essential to retain an attractive, balanced transition between the large-scale, bold landscape pattern on the upper slopes and the smaller scale landscape mosaic towards the valley floor. Any form of development which disrupts this longitudinal pattern by introducing shapes or lines directed up and down the valley sides, rather than in line with the valley floor, would be particularly visually intrusive.

Key issues for landscape management

Farmland mosaic

• The characteristically diverse mix of land uses within the chalk valleys provides an important contrast to the surrounding more homogeneous open chalk uplands and should be retained and enhanced wherever possible. In particular, the irregular, patchy mosaic of scrub and grassland which tends to occur on the steepest slopes, should be conserved by a combination of scrub clearance, thinning, coppicing and appropriate grazing regimes. Priority should be given to the conservation and management of existing areas of chalk grassland. Wherever possible, the reversion of adjoining areas should be encouraged so as to create unified blocks of grazed, open grassland.
• The overall proportion of the woodland to open farmland on the valley sides is an important aspect of its character. A valley side which appears to be approximately one third wooded and two thirds open farmland, or the converse, tends to retain a strong visual integrity and seems naturally balanced. In many instances it is appropriate for the large, open arable fields typical of the chalk upland landscape to sweep well down into the valley, but the visual dynamics of most valley landscapes will be stronger if such relatively open areas are balanced by woodlands with bold, distinctive shapes on the upper slopes elsewhere in the valley. Parts of the Adur valley, for instance, have a rather bleak character and could be much improved by such carefully designed large-scale planting.
• The transition from a relatively large-scale landscape pattern on the upper slopes to a more irregular, small-scale patchwork of farmland, woodland and hedgerows on the lower slopes is an important visual characteristic which contributes to the simple scenic harmony of the landscapes in many of the valleys. Such contrasts should be conserved, enhanced or in some instances created to maintain proportion and scale. In particular, it may be necessary to conserve the smaller, irregularly-shaped pastures on the lower slopes as these field patterns are most likely to be threatened by development or changing patterns of agriculture.
• Avoid oddly-shaped small geometric shapes of fields, crops or woodlands which can be distracting and particularly prominent when viewed at relatively close quarters from across the valley.
• Panoramic views from the valley ridges should be considered in planning changes to landscape patterns within the valley landscapes e.g.. new tree planting or felling schemes; changes to field boundaries.

Hedgerows

• Hedgerows are important visual and historic landscape features in the principal chalk valleys. Wherever possible, field hedgerows should be replanted where they have been removed due to agricultural intensification. In particular, it is important to train up and replant new hedgerow trees to maintain and enhance specific character, especially on lower valley slopes.
• Protect and retain hedgebanks along fields and lanes.
• In particular, conserve, and if possible, replant the historic, tightly curving hedgerows which define the rounded coombe-bottom fields to enhance the visual impact of these landforms within the valley landscape.

Trees and woodlands

• Conserve all existing woodlands and copses, in particular retain the relatively wooded, secluded qualities of the smaller Cuckmere and Jevington valleys. It is important that new planting is designed to strengthen the individual, distinctive character of each valley.
• New woodland planting should be carefully designed, with flowing curvilinear edges which closely follow the landform and link visually with adjacent hedgerow patterns. At a detailed scale, edges should be irregular, with protrusions and indentations following and emphasising local variations in landform.
• Skylines should be carefully planned and kept either predominantly open or wooded in any one area of the valley. Fragmented, partially open canopies should be avoided by planning successive phases of felling. In some instances, e.g.. the Arun Valley, replanting may be necessary to restore prominent skyline woodlands which have been badly effected by storm damage.
• Planting of small woodlands, copses and groups of hedgerow trees should be encouraged on the lower slopes of the valleys, particularly where there is visually intrusive development. Such planting should not take place where chalk grassland would be affected.
• Manage small woodlands to achieve a balanced age structure by thinning, coppicing and replanting as necessary. In some cases, new peripheral planting would help to establish an improved overall shape which relates to variations in landform and links with the hedgerow network.
• Conserve and manage beech hangers on upper slopes of valleys, particularly towards the steeper scarp slopes to the north.
• Carry out a programme of elm tree conservation and management in the Cuckmere valley to retain its historic elm-dominant character.
• 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 many locations. In all cases species composition and form of woodland edges should be carefully designed.
• New woodland planting can provide a visual screen in parts of the principal chalk valleys where urban development to the south of the AONB is a dominant visual influence. Such planting should be carefully designed so that it is well integrated with the surrounding landscape pattern and in scale with local variations in landform.

Views

• Identify most important views of key valley landmarks such as Cissbury Ring, Arundel Castle etc and ensure that these are retained and enhanced when planning planting schemes.

Roads and communications

• Opportunities should be sought to underground transmission lines wherever possible (e.g.. the Cuckmere valley), particularly where these extend up and over steep valley sides, as in the Adur Valley.
• Major roads are often a significant visual element in the principal chalk valleys landscape. In some locations there is scope to improve the views from existing roadscapes by carefully designed planting schemes which integrate the routes, and in particular their associated service facilities within the wider landscape. There are also opportunities to improve the roadsides themselves by managing verges, designing the landform of embankments and cuttings sensitively and controlling the use of signs.
• Opportunities should be sought to enhance the local sense of place by creating chalk grassland habitats on modern road cuttings and verges.

Quarries

• Specialist studies, which take full account of geological, nature conservation and aesthetic issues are required to determine the best approach to quarry restoration. In some cases restoration might include the chamfering and stepping back of sheer faces; elsewhere it might be preferable to retain quarry faces intact to preserve their geological or nature conservation interest and to limit the extent of further change to the landscape. It may occasionally be appropriate to consider the partial infilling of particularly large, visually intrusive, quarries such as that within the Adur Valley. Partial re-vegetation of the quarry face should be designed to improve its visual impact and ecological value.

Priorities for action

• Reduce overall proportion of arable farmland to increase diversity of valley landscapes.
• Enhance transition from large to smaller-scale landscape pattern on valley sides.
• Woodland planting designed to screen visually intrusive features and enhance overall sense of enclosure in parts of the bleaker valleys.
• Quarry restoration schemes.
• Planting schemes should be designed to improve the integration of communication corridors and urban development within the wider landscape.

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