LANDSCAPE

Introduction

7.7 The Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended, requires Local Plans to include policies in respect of the conservation of the natural beauty and amenity of the land. This requirement is reflected in PPG7: The Countryside - Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development.

7.8 The landscape and wildlife heritage of Wyre Forest District is rich and varied and it is seen as an important part of the District Plan to include policies which seek to conserve this heritage for the future.

Background

7.9 The landscape of the Wyre Forest District is generally of high quality, and it represents a major asset of the District, which is enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike. It provides an attractive environment for the local business community and is particularly important for the local tourist industry.

7.10 The landscape of the District comprises both natural and cultural (historic) elements, with an interesting variety of landscape features; ranging from the nationally important Wyre Forest and its outliers in the west, to the typical traditional lowland agricultural field patterns with hedgerows and trees in the east. Notable features such as Chaddesley Woods, the extensive lowland heathlands between Bewdley and Kidderminster and at Hartlebury Common, and the extensive systems of streams and pools that run through the eastern parts of the District, add to the attractive landscape diversity of the District.

Topography

7.11 Much of the District is over 60m (200ft) in elevation above sea level. West of the River Severn a much dissected upland plateau of 120m (400ft) above sea level rises to the District's highest point of 231m (758ft) at Clows Top. To the north-west of Kidderminster the old red sandstone upland plateau between Trimpley and Shatterford is generally over 120m (400ft) and rises to a summit of 205m (673ft).

7.12 The valleys of the Rivers Severn and Stour dominate the topography of the District. North of Bewdley the Severn has cut a narrow gorge through the upland area whereas south of Bewdley beyond Blackstone and Stagborough Hill, the Valley opens out into a series of shallow terraces.

7.13 The River Stour joins the Severn at Stourport-on-Severn. North of Stourport-on-Severn its valley is broad with ecologically important marshlands. The town of Kidderminster grew around the Stour and today the town centre and commercial areas are situated within the Stour Valley, with more modern development spreading out from the immediate Valley floor. North of Kidderminster the Valley contains further important wetlands before cutting through the District's northern upland areas.

Landscape Protection Policy Background

7.14 The first local definition of areas of high quality landscape was undertaken over 40 years ago by the former Worcestershire County Council in the 1957 County Development Plan. This concept has remained substantially unaltered until recently.

7.15 In May 1999, Worcestershire County Council published a Draft Landscape Character Assessment, as Supplementary Planning Guidance to assist with the interpretation of the adopted Worcestershire County Structure Plan . It identifies four regional Character Areas within Wyre Forest District: Kinver Sandlands; Mid Worcestershire Forests; Teme Valley; and the Wyre Plateau. Within these areas, the Character Assessment defines the characteristics of the various types of landscape. Further work on the preparation of the Landscape Character Assessment is in progress.

7.16 The Worcestershire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 was adopted in June 2001. Policy CTC.1 sets the strategic framework for the protection of landscape character across the County. Other policies in the Conservation of Town and Country chapter of the Structure Plan provide a strategic framework for other landscape issues, including Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLVs).

7.17 In the Wyre Forest Urban Areas Local Plan in1986, the District Council included a Landscape Protection Area designation to reflect the original Structure Plan policy, thus including additional areas that were worthy of special protection and enhancement.

7.18 The County Council did not object to this Landscape Protection Area policy designation and it was embodied when the Urban Areas Local Plan was adopted in May 1989. The adoption of the Wyre Forest District Local Plan in 1996 retained and extended the Landscape Protection Area designation.

7.19 The Countryside Agency is keen to see the use of the concepts of landscape character and local distinctiveness as tools to guide development in rural areas. The Worcestershire County Structure Plan places landscape character to the forefront in the consideration of development proposals. AGLVs and Landscape Protection Area policies are retained, in addition to Landscape Character Assessment

Landscape Character

Policy LA.1 Development proposals must safeguard, restore or enhance the character of the surrounding landscape. In considering planning applications, regard will be had to the extent to which the proposal: i) is informed by, appropriate to, and integrates with the landscape character; ii) safeguards and strengthens the components of landscape character and local distinctiveness, with particular attention to the scale, layout, design, detailing of the proposal and its relationship with existing buildings, features and vegetation; iii) relates to the characteristics and sensitivity of the landscape, and its capacity to accommodate the impact of the development. The introduction of detracting features, or the removal of important landscape features should be avoided. Development proposals which would have an adverse impact on landscape character will not be permitted.

 

7.20 In view of Policy CTC.4 of the Adopted Structure Plan, the District Council considers that the Area of Great Landscape Value and Landscape Protection Area designations should be retained in the Wyre Forest District Local Plan. The strategy for these Areas is to formally recognise their generally high landscape quality, protect them from inappropriate development and to ensure their maintenance and enhancement where necessary.

Landscape Protection Area

Policy LA.2 In considering applications for development in the Landscape Protection Areas, as defined on the Proposals Map, attention will be paid particularly to the effect of the proposed development on the landscape. Development that would have a significant adverse effect on the quality or character of a Landscape Protection Area will not be permitted. Exceptionally, development that will have an adverse effect on landscape quality or character may be allowed where it is demonstrated to meet the following criteria: i it is necessary to meet local community needs; and ii there are no possible alternative locations which would have no or less significant adverse effects.

 

7.21 Within the four main Character Areas identified in the County Council's Landscape Character Assessment, there are a number of important local landscape characteristics, which contribute to the varied and interesting landscape of Wyre Forest District. The valleys of the Rivers Severn and Stour, and their tributaries are of particular interest.

The Severn Valley

7.22 The Severn Valley throughout the District is a most important area of landscape, but one which is potentially at risk from insensitive development, particularly for recreation and tourism-related activities. The attraction of the river has, for many years drawn visitors particularly to Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley and there is every sign that recreational use of the river and its Valley will continue to increase.

River Severn

7.23 Proposals have been outlined by the Severn Navigation Restoration Trust to open the River to navigation upstream from its present limit at Stourport-on- Severn. Until such time as a detailed scheme is prepared, which enables an objective assessment to be made of the environmental and economic effects of the proposal, the District Council has declined to either support or oppose it. Whether or not the full detailed proposal is eventually prepared, the District Council seeks to ensure that the natural beauty of the Severn Valley is not despoiled.

The Severn Valley

Policy LA.3 Particular attention will be paid to conservation of the natural beauty and environment of the Severn Valley. Proposals for development in the Valley will be subject to the most careful consideration. Development that would have a significant adverse effect on the landscape quality or character of the Severn Valley will not be permitted.

 

The Stour Valley

7.24 The Stour Valley has for a long time been recognised by the District Council as an important landscape feature within the District and of considerable value both for recreation and nature conservation. Indeed, the Council undertook a special study of the entire valley in 1975 to identify opportunities and highlight problems. Following this study the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, which follows the Valley for its entire route through the District, was declared a linear Conservation Area. The Canal and its towpath are today used extensively for recreational activities due to the varied and generally attractive valley landscape. One of the features that makes the Valley such an important landscape and recreational asset is the way the open valley area penetrates right into the heart of the built up area of Kidderminster. Further upstream the Valley provides a fine setting to the historic village of Wolverley and a dramatic punctuation to the northern edge of the village of Cookley.

7.25 Unfortunately, in earlier less enlightened times the Stour Valley has been somewhat overlooked, and development has tended to turn its back on the once polluted river. With efforts continuing to improve water quality in the River, the District Council is keen to see the continued enhancement of the landscape along the Valley and will seek to ensure that proposals for development enhance the Valley landscape. A new country park is envisaged to the north of Kidderminster, to follow the completion of the flood alleviation scheme. This will enhance the existing Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and incorporate new wetlands, which will contribute to the aims of the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and West Midlands Stour Local Environment Agency Plan (LEAP).

The Stour Valley

Policy LA.4 Particular attention will be paid to conservation of the natural beauty and environment of the Stour Valley. Proposals for development in the Valley will be subject to the most careful consideration. Development that would have a significant adverse effect on the landscape quality or character of the Stour Valley will not be permitted.

 

Streams and Pools Systems East of Kidderminster

7.26 One of the important local landscape features is the extensive systems of streams and pools that flow through the eastern part of the District. These include the system that runs from Broome and Hagley through Churchill and Blakedown on to Hurcott and then into the River Stour at Springfield Park in Kidderminster. There is also the Hoo/Barnett Brook system that flows from beyond Belbroughton through Drayton, Hill Pool and Dunclent before joining the River Stour on the southern side of Kidderminster. Other systems include the Hockley and Elmley Brooks, which flow from north of Chaddesley Woods through Chaddesley Corbett before leaving the District south of Rushock to eventually join the River Salwarpe.

Springfield Park, Kidderminster

7.27 A number of these systems have suffered as a result of the lowering of water tables in this area. In view of this, policies in the Natural Resources chapter aim to control development which would lead to long term depletion of groundwater resources through over-extraction.

7.28 Although these stream systems are all Special Wildlife Sites and are therefore subject to protection to safeguard their nature conservation value, they are nonetheless also worthy of protection as valuable local landscape features. The District Council has purchased Hurcott Pool SSSI, with assistance from English Nature, to form a new nature reserve which will safeguard and enhance its future.

Streams and Pools Systems East of Kidderminster

Policy LA.5 The stream and pools systems at Churchill, Blakedown and Hurcott, together with the Hoo Brook, Barnett Brook and the Hockley Brook / Elmley Brook system are identified on the Proposals Map as linear landscape features of local importance. Special attention will be paid to the protection of these landscape features. Development that would have a significant adverse effect on the landscape quality or character of these features will not be permitted.

 

7.29 To the west of the River Severn there are a number of stream systems such as the Dowles Brook, Gladder Brook and Dick Brook, which are also important features of the District's landscape. These streams are within the Landscape Protection Area, and have thus not been specifically identified on the Proposals Map, as their protection will be afforded by Policies LA.1 and LA.2.

7.30 The Environment Agency (EA) has published Local Environment Agency Plans (LEAP's) for the main river catchment areas in the District, namely the Middle Severn and West Midlands Stour. The EA's aim is to protect and enhance the environment, and appropriate policies can be found in the Natural Resources chapter of the plan.

Landscape Features

7.31 To the east of Kidderminster the character of the landscape is influenced by the presence of a number of pronounced small hill or knoll features of local significance such as at Offmore, Bissell Wood and Mount Segg. The village of Blakedown is surrounded by a series of such features including Harborough Hill, Knoll Hill, Barnett Hill, Wild Acres Knoll, Wannerton Knoll and Churchill Hill. These are just some examples of important local hill features, which are present throughout most of the District.

7.32 Other important landscape features to be protected include Ancient Woodland (including Primary Ancient Woodland, Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and Plantation Ancient Woodland ) or more recent deciduous plantations on such sites. These woodlands add attractive elements to the landscape and are generally important for nature conservation interests. Protection and proper management of these sites is vital to ensure their continued contribution to the character of the landscape.

7.33 Historic gardens and parklands generally add significantly to the quality and character of the landscape. Within the District there are several formal landscapes such as at Arley House, Sion Hill House, Lea Castle, Broome House, Harborough Hall and Sion House. Protection and maintenance of these local landscape features is important to perpetuate the landscape diversity of the District. The importance of the grounds of Arley House is formally recognised by their inclusion in the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest compiled by English Heritage.

7.34 Hedgerows and hedgerow trees are important elements in the landscape of the District. Although there has been some hedgerow loss arising out of field amalgamations, large areas of the District still retain their historic hedgerow patterns. Orchards are a notable landscape feature in parts of the Wyre Forest, particularly around Rock. As well as providing visual interest in the landscape, many hedgerows are of importance for nature conservation. The removal of hedgerows requires permission from the local planning authority, and the District Council wishes to ensure that the loss of hedgerows for whatever reason is kept to a minimum in view of their landscape and nature conservation importance. The removal of trees from hedgerows may require tree felling permission, under the Forestry Act (1967) from the Forestry Commission.

7.35 There is a need to safeguard these essential components and features of the landscape, particularly in those areas of the District outside the designated Areas of Great Landscape Value. The adopted Worcestershire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 identifies a number of these relatively small-scale features, which are considered to be important to the character of the County's landscape. Examples are skylines, hill features, mixed and broad-leaved woodlands, sites of geological importance, areas of dense hedgerow and tree patterns, linear features of visual importance such as watercourses, historic parks and gardens, commons and village greens.

7.36 When considering applications for development, the impact of any necessary highway works on the landscape, and the character of the rural road network will be a material consideration.

Landscape Features

Policy LA.6 Development proposals should not detract from, or have an adverse impact on features within the landscape, such as: i) skylines and hill features including prominent views of such features; ii) sites of geological importance; iii) mixed or broad-leaved woodlands or prominent trees, with particular emphasis on ancient woodlands regardless of size; iv) areas of dense hedgerow and tree patterns, including long established orchards; v) linear features of visual importance including rural lanes; and vi) historic landscapes, including parks and gardens, commons and village greens. Adequate and suitable provision should be made for the protection and maintenance of landscape features during and following development. Development which would have a significant adverse effect on these landscape features will not be permitted.