Landscape Character Types
LCT 3A: Upper Farmed Wooded Valley Slopes
View south-west from Newton Tracey across a patchwork of large scale mixed arable and pastoral fields.
Summary description
This Landscape Character Type (LCT) comprises the upper catchments of the main river valleys in both Torridge and North Devon districts, comprising a gently rolling pastoral landscape of fields bounded by thick Devon hedges, crossed by a network of springs and tributary streams.
Link to Devon Character Areas
DCA 65: West Torridge Upland Farmland
DCA 67: Witheridge and Rackenford Moor
Key characteristics
- Strongly undulating landform of rolling hills and farmland cut by tributary streams feeding into the main river valleys.
- Underlying geology comprising mudstones and siltstones with bands of sandstone creating the rolling landform ('Culm Measures').
- A pastoral landscape, with some fields of arable cultivation on higher slopes, forming a strong mosaic with copses, interlinking Devon hedges and small woodlands as well as occasional small blocks of coniferous plantation. Remnant orchards are associated with farmsteads.
- Strong pattern of medium-scale fields of medieval and post-medieval origin enclosed by species-rich Devon hedges with flower-rich banks. Thick hedges with frequent hedgerow trees found on more sheltered valley slopes.
- Some areas of intensive arable cultivation in larger, regular fields found on more elevated land. Villages and tributary valleys often characterised by smaller, historic field patterns.
- Nature conservation interest provided by areas of species-rich Culm grassland, rich valley mire, wet woodland and damp meadows associated with tributary valleys and springs. Patches of gorse on higher slopes give some areas an upland feel.
- A number of designated County Wildlife Sites, covering broadleaved and ancient woodlands and Culm grassland.
- Historic villages and hamlets (several of which are Conservation Areas) typically dispersed and clustered on hilltops with farmsteads distributed throughout, linked by winding rural roads and steep sunken lanes crossing stone bridges. Crossroads are marked by distinctive white fingerposts.
- Strong local vernacular of whitewash and white/cream render with painted window and door frames and slate roofs. Some buildings constructed of exposed stone with red brick detailing, with the use of thatch important locally.
- Linhays (traditional animal shelters) constructed of cob and local stone with slate or corrugated iron roofs, reinforcing a strong history of farming.
- Square church towers (many of which are Grade II* listed) form strong local landmark features peeping through the rolling hills. Other heritage features include a prominent prehistoric hillfort and designated parkland. .
- Overall a peaceful and highly rural landscape. Main roads, prominent pylon lines and the influence of modern development erode levels of tranquillity locally. .
- The Tarka Trail and National Cycle Network Route 3 dissect the LCT in Torridge district.
A typical view of rolling farmland, interspersed with small tracts of woodland and conifer plantation.
Valued landscape attributes
- Open landscape with important vantage points and uninterrupted vistas enjoyed by people.
- Narrow sunken lanes and species-rich hedgebanks.
- Culm grassland and copses, woodlands and tree clumps important for wildlife.
- Cob, thatch and whitewashed buildings, including traditional linhays which give time-depth to the landscape.
- Little or no light pollution resulting in starlit skies.
View towards South Molton across gently undulating arable fields.
Management guidelines
Protect
Protect valued areas of Culm grassland and implement appropriate management regimes.
Conserve existing areas of semi-natural habitat including rush pasture, wet woodland and damp meadows.
Manage
Restore lengths of lost Devon hedges, respecting traditional bank styles and species composition, to contribute to landscape structure, provide important linkages between semi-natural habitats and to prevent agricultural run-off.
Manage parkland and grassland habitats to prevent damage to tree root systems.
Retain veteran/dying trees for their wildlife habitats, seeking to plant the next generation of parkland trees using locally prevalent, climate-resilient species.
Manage areas of semi-natural habitat including Culm grassland, wetlands and scrub though appropriate levels of grazing, and encourage farmers to manage areas of 'marginal' land within their wider farming regime.
Manage broadleaved woodlands on valley sides (including use of traditional techniques such as coppicing) and promote woodland planting which extends and strengthens the existing woodland and hedge network, in line with Devon Local Nature Partnership's Right Place, Right Tree guidance.
Manage plantations to maximise their biodiversity, and encourage sustainable timber production.
Plan
Identify opportunities for enhancing agriculture (e.g. through the new Environmental Land Management scheme) that would reinforce local distinctiveness and beauty of the countryside whilst also delivering other objectives, for example restoring ponds, hedgerows, orchards and copses as part of the farming landscape.
Encourage natural regeneration of woodland (including ancient woodland) and undertake new planting (using climate-hardy species) to link fragmented sites.
Restore and manage areas of relict traditional orchards and explore opportunities for the creation of new ones, including community orchards.
Create, extend and link woodland and wetland habitats to enhance the water storage capacity of the landscape (reducing incidences of downstream flooding) and improve water quality through reducing soil erosion and agricultural run-off.
Reduce nutrient and sediment pollution of water courses by creating riparian buffer strips and creating new hedges along contours to intercept pollutants and minimise impacts on water quality.
Plan to extend and re-link remnant areas of semi-natural habitats (e.g. Culm grasslands, meadows and woodland) to enhance wildlife corridors, increase resilience to climate change and contribute to local nature recovery networks.
LCT 3A Upper Farmed Wooded Valley Slopes (PDF) [684KB]
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