E1 Annex 1 - North Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment

North Norfolk Landscape Character Assessment

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1

The landscape of North Norfolk exhibits considerable variety, from the open, elevated landscapes in the west to the intimate wetland landscapes on the edges of the Norfolk Broads. The variety of landscapes is potentially endless as different scenes continually unfold and change. In order to make sense of the complexity, a pattern of landscape elements can be identified, which combine to produce a locally distinctive character.

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These patterns can be determined at a range of scales. Broad patterns produce a range of landscape character areas which define large tracts of landscape with a locally cohesive identity. At this scale, the physical components of the landscape -its geology and form -usually have the most dominant influence on character, but subtle changes in settlement pattern and woodland type may also play a part.

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The District has been divided into seven character areas, namely:-

• the North Coast Levels
• the Cromer Ridge
• the Central Farmlands
• the Western Farmlands
• the Wensum Valley
• the Walsham Plain
• the Fenland Margins

Descriptions of each character area are given in paragraphs 10 to 42 of this Annex and are identified in the diagram on the next page.

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At a more local scale, the picture becomes more complicated by the patterns of land use, vegetation and other land-cover elements which have a strong influence on landscape character . Nevertheless, it is possible to sort this diverse range of landscapes into units of common and distinctive character, termed landscape types . These are generic combinations of landform and land-cover, and as such, they repeat across North Norfolk without being tied to a geographically specific area.

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The following range of landscape types were identified for the purposes of this study:-

• fenland
• marginal coastal farmlands
• sand dunes
• marshland
• heathland
• pastoral landscape
• open arable farmland
• enclosed farmland
• parkland

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Sometimes the division between these types is distinct, for example, between an area of wooded parkland divided from the surrounding open arable land by a clear boundary. More frequently, there is a gradual transition between areas of different landscape type, for example, where hedgerows change from well managed, dense lines to weak, gappy, disappearing features, and the landscape changes from being well patterned, enclosed farmland, to open arable farmland.

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A consideration of the range of landscape types within a character area can, however, help to focus the description and make sense of the components which give that character area its local identity. Summary descriptions of the landscape types are given in paragraphs 43 to 52.

8

North Norfolk is essentially a very rural district. This assessment does not take account of transitional landscape types where very specific land uses have an overwhelming influence on local landscape character. Transitional landscapes include urban fringes, amenity landscapes such as golf courses, mineral extraction sites and air-fields. Where these uses result in prominent landscape features within a character area, it has been noted in the area descriptions.

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The detailed expression of character is useful in two respects. It helps to identify what makes each landscape character area distinctive and also provides pointers to local landscape condition and quality

Landscape Character Areas

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North Coast Levels

10

The North Coast Levels extend along the North Norfolk coastline from Holkham and Wells-next- the-Sea to east of Blakeney and Cley-next-the-Sea. Much of this area is designated as being of international and national importance for nature conservation (see Chapter 6: Environment).

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The most dominant landscape type is marshland. Freshwater marshes occur around Cley-next-the-Sea and Blakeney, but the greatest part of the marshland is salt-marsh. The landscape is exposed and open, with long views and huge skies across level grasses and reedbeds. The mud-flats are divided by sinuous creeks and pools which form the rich, undisturbed feeding grounds for birds. These marshes have formed behind a shingle bank, a prominent coastal feature which runs from Weybourne to Blakeney Point. Continuously ebbing and flowing tides dramatically and repeatedly change the appearance of this landscape.

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Around Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea, the sculptural forms of sand dunes rise up from Holkham Bay. The coniferous woodlands, planted behind the dunes by Lord Coke, form a distinctive landscape feature, and have created a valuable wildlife habitat which is managed as a nature reserve. Across these flat expanses of marginal coastal farmland, poor grazing land separates the dunes from rising ground further inland. Vegetation is sparse and pastures are divided by ditches and dikes which are important components of the local landscape character.

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A pattern of open fields, predominantly pasture with some arable, has formed between the villages. Hedgerows are sparse, and field boundaries are mostly fenced. Heathland vegetation is common on locally steep slopes and along field boundaries. The landform rises gently to the south, to form the low ridge beyond which the landscape character changes as the sea disappears from view.

Cromer Ridge

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Between Cley-next-the-Sea and Mundesley the land rises into a distinctive ridge. This dominant physical feature is formed by a glacial terminal moraine, which rises up to form a line of impressive low cliffs along the coast. The irregular, hummocky landform is typical of such glacial features.

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The landscape is remarkably well-wooded, particularly from Cley-next-the-Sea to Cromer. Both deciduous and mixed woodland and coniferous plantations are found. Many of the woods are part of the 18th century parklands which are associated with established country houses and estates, such as Bayfield Hall, Sheringham Hall, and Felbrigg Hall.

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Large tracts of land were formerly heathland. This is reflected today in many of the placenames, such as Salthouse Heath, Kelling Heath, Weybourne Heath and Roughton Heath. Areas of heathland are still found throughout this character area, with pasture on the poor soils being speckled with gorse and birch scrub, and woodland areas interspersed with considerable expanses of heath land vegetation. The flowering gorse is a particularly spectacular feature.

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However, much of this heathland has been brought into cultivation. The landscape is now dominated by a landscape type defined as enclosed farmland. Views across arable land, and locally occurring pasture, are contained by woodlands and by rises and falls in the landform. Medium or large fields are patterned with thorn hedges of the enclosures period, although some hedgerows are becoming thin and gappy. These landscapes have more visual interest than the expansive open arable farmland, which occurs, in this character area, around Mundesley, Southrepps and Trunch. Here, there are few woodlands, and hedgerows have largely disappeared. Slight rises in the landform afford long views over open arable farmland. Denuded hedge-banks indicate where Enclosures Act hedges once divided the fields and the skyline is broken by occasional isolated oak trees.

Central Farmlands

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The Central Farmlands character area has a pronounced rolling landform which rises into small rounded hills and gentle ridges divided by shallow valleys. From the crests of the hills, long views offer a good sense of elevation, with the land rising above 80 m in places.

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Intensive arable farming is the predominant land use, and consequently the most dominant landscape type is open arable farmland. A regular pattern of large and medium sized fields covers the hillsides and crests, patterning the landscape with a patchwork of crops and plough-land. Hedgerow condition varies locally. Pockets of enclosed farmland, where the landscape is divided by hedges and woodland and punctuated by copses and hedgerow trees, occurs throughout the area. Removal of hedges is fairly widespread, and redundant hedge-banks line roads and divide fields. However, in some areas, hedges are better maintained, and thorn hedges dating from the Enclosures period form important landscape features. Hedgerow trees also form locally important features, although many of these are becoming stag-headed and over-mature. The considerable local variation in landscape condition may be related to landholdings.

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Settlements are located close to watercourses, low down the sides of the shallow valleys. Vernacular flint and brick building is widespread throughout the whole of North Norfolk, but brick in flint patterned work is a distinctive feature of this area. Numerous small villages are connected by a dense network of minor roads and narrow lanes. Field sizes tend to be smaller immediately around some settlements and on the valley floors. A small-scale pastoral farmland is found on the valley floors, often only one field wide between arable land. Pasture can be either temporary grass leys or permanent grazing. This type of landscape is found particularly around Holt, and in the south part of the character area around Wood Norton, Hindolveston, Corpusty and Saxthorpe. Here, a complex land tenure system has resulted in the retention of small ancient fields, which are bounded by tall, dense, species rich hedgerows. Holly is a particularly noticeable component of many of the hedges within this character area.

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Woodlands within this character area tend to be smaller and more fragmented than the large tracts along the Cromer Ridge. Many of the woods and copses are associated with parkland landscapes, for instance, around Melton Constable Hall, and Wolterton Hall. The older woodlands are deciduous, irregularly shaped and are evenly distributed across the hills and valley floors. More recent forestry planting has introduced regular stands of coniferous plantation which are now prominent landscape features. Small plantation areas are scattered throughout the area, with extensive tracts along the River Glaven near Holt. The pattern of woodlands is accentuated by the relief, small woods gaining particular prominence where they occur across the brows of hills against the skyline.

Western Farmlands

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The Western Farmlands character area is similar to the Central Farmlands, inasmuch as they are both dominated by arable landscapes and both have a rolling landform. However, a number of distinguishing features contribute to the Western Farmlands having a subtly different character. The local geology is partially responsible for these differences. This is the only area within North Norfolk where the underlying chalk rises to the surface. The landform is simpler than that further west where the chalk becomes overlain by glacial deposits. Within the Western Farmlands, the land rises into broild rounded hills and falls in very gentle slopes to form the valleys of the River Stiffkey and its tributaries. Views from hilltops offer a sense of spaciousness under large skies.

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Long views from the brows of hills look across open arable farmland. This large-scale landscape is structured with a weak pattern of thorn hedges and hedge-banks dating from the Enclosures period. As with the Central Farmlands area, the condition of hedgerows is variable. In some areas, hedgerow removal has been widespread, in others hedge maintenance is poor and the hedges are becoming thin and gappy.

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However, over large tracts of this character area, the hedges are in good condition and form dense, tall, closely clipped barriers between fields and along road verges. Here, long views are restricted by hedges and a large scale enclosed farmland is the dominant landscape type. Both these types of farmland lack hedgerow trees which in other parts of North Norfolk make a considerable contribution to the landscape. Copses and coverts are a feature of this landscape, and form significant landscape features as well as giving good cover for game birds. Woodland cover throughout the character area is sparse, and, outside the nationally significant parkland at Holkham, is restricted to very small deciduous and mixed woods, and long lines of coniferous shelter-belts. The shelter-belts have been planted with scant regard to contours, but, although appearing at odds with the surrounding landscape, are nevertheless a distinctive feature of this character area.

25

Pastoral landscapes are occasionally found on the valley floor of the River Stiffkey and its tributaries. As with the rest of North Norfolk, the scale of the landscape changes on the valley floor, and around the villages, where field sizes tend to be smaller, and where small areas of scrub and outgrowing hedges result in a more contained, intimate landscape.

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The settlement pattern is less dense than in the Central Farmlands area, with many scattered farm-steads and small hamlets, and fewer villages. The network of minor roads is correspondingly less complex than it is further to the east. The open, level hilltops are suited to airfield use, and three of these are found within this small area, at Little Snoring, Sculthorpe, and Egmere (North Creake).

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The other landscape type which occurs within this character area is heathland. Heathland vegetation is an important component of hedgerows and is also found in small pockets, particularly towards the coast.

Wensum Valley

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To the south of the Western Farmlands, the River Wensum has cut a distinctive valley through the chalk. The Valley is sufficiently well defined to be considered as a separate character area, although it has many features in common with the Central and Western Farmlands.

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The Valley has a shallow V-shape, and the valley sides contain an intimate and attractive landscape. The valley sides are chalk with deposits of boulder clay, and extensive deposits of sand and gravel are found on the valley floor. Mineral workings have created a series of lagoons and pools which are of ecological and wildlife importance. Considerable lengths of the river channel have been canalised, and in these areas the river has a highly artificial appearance. Drainage ditches and dikes are also features of the valley floor, criss-crossing and dividing areas of permanent and improved pasture and marshland. This pastoral landscape dominates the valley floor.

30

Woodlands are scattered across the Valley. The distribution of small woods and copses occurs at random over the valley floor and sides, and across higher ground. The irregular shapes of these woods harmonises with the landform. Deciduous woodland includes alder, willow and birch carr on the valley floor. There is a high proportion of coniferous plantation.

31

An enclosed farmland landscape is found within the valley, mainly occurring on the gravel deposits. This is a small-scale, complex landscape, with irregular field patterns, high hedge-banks and dense, tall hedges, crossed by a network of narrow lanes.

32

Over the brow of the valley sides, and on the more open slopes, the landscape is typically open arable farmland. A regular pattern of medium and large fields is divided mainly by shelter-belts and coniferous plantations, and there are long views across and up and down the Valley. A particularly extreme example of .this landscape type is found across the elevated land around the headwaters of the River Wensum, where the open, flat landscape is particularly lacking in features. As in the Western Farmlands the open elevated areas are suited to airfield use, as at West Raynham.

Walsham Plain

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The Walsham Plain lies between the rolling land-form of the western parts of North Norfolk, and the very low-Iying areas around the Norfolk Broads. The landform, lying mainly between 10m and 30m, sinks gently down to the fens. The landscape is open and expansive, with extensive views across level or very gently undulating landscapes. The underlying geology of the area is extremely complex, with loams overlain by sands and gravels giving way eastwards to glacial outwash and peat fens.

34

The landscape is dominated by open arable farmland. Hedgerow loss is almost completely universal, and fields are only separated by low hedge-banks. Locally, incomplete lines of hedgerow trees, usually oak, are found along roadsides, marking the lines of hedgerows which have been removed. Many of these trees are showing signs of over-maturity. However, in a few locations some planting replacement has been carried out and rows of young trees and new hedges can be found along roadsides.

35

Pastoral landscapes are found in very localised areas, on poorer drained soils along the valley floors in areas liable to flooding. Hedges are scarce and fences more common. Stands of willow and alder carr create a sense of enclosure in very localised areas.

36

Small deciduous and mixed woodlands are widely scattered across this character area, and have a considerable influence owing to the level landform and open views, by breaking up the skyline. The largest tracts of woodland are associated with parkland landscapes at Westwick and at Gunton, outside of which woodlands tend to be very small and fragmented. Extensive areas of coniferous plantation are found to the east and west of North Walsham. In such an expansive landscape large tracts of woodland do not seem out of character and are appropriate in scale. However, the deciduous and mixed woods are more visually pleasing and better integrated with the surrounding landscape. In spite of their small size these woodlands assume considerable importance in the landscape because of the level landform.

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Built features are visible over long distances in this character area. Windmills, both disused and restored, and numerous churches, are important features. Traditionally, roofs in this part of Norfolk were thatched, and examples can still be found.

Fenland Margins

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This character area forms the landscape setting for the Norfolk Broads. It includes some small areas on the edge of the Broads Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) but excludes the Broads Authority area which incorporates almost all of the fens and broads. The landscape of this character area ranges from the very small-scale, intimate landscape on the immediate edge of the fens, to the open arable landscapes on slightly higher ground between Hickling Broad and the River Ant. The area is very low-lying, with most of the land being below 10 m.

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The most dominant landscape type is a wide, tranquil, pastoral landscape. Permanent pasture occurs on the shallow, wet valley floors. The
unimproved lowland valley grasslands are of considerable botanical, wildlife and historic interest. Fields are divided by a dense network. of drainage ditches, often displaying the feathery flowers of reeds. Tall, species rich hedges are found in some locations, but they are scarce. Long views over an open pastoral landscape look towards a line of sand dunes along the coastline.

40

In the wettest parts of the valley floor, the landscape takes on fenland characteristics, with a sense of enclosure and intimacy given by the dense stands of scrub. Here, willow and birch are superseded by alder and oak. Occasional willow pollards are found along the waterways. On drier, rising land around the fenland there are areas ef heathland, with birch and gorse scrub. These landscapes are of nature conservation and historical significance, and their intricate detail has a high level of visual interest.

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Beyond these watery landscapes, the slight rise in ground and drainage technology have made cultivation possible, and an open arable landscape is found. Fields are sometimes divided by drainage ditches. Enclosure Acts hedges were once a feature of this landscape, and slight banks between fields remain, but the landscape is now very open with long views.

42

Buildings and structures are visible for long distances, and isolated farmsteads, windmills and telegraph poles are significant landscape elements. Settlement pattern in this area is dictated by landform, with villages sited on slight rises in landform.

Landscape Types

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43

Fenland landscapes are found on the peat deposits, around the margins of the Norfolk Broads. An intricate network of waterways divides areas of alder and willow carr and extensive reed beds, with local areas of rough, wet pasture. Within North Norfolk District most of this landscape type is within the Broads Authority area.

44

Marginal coastal farmlands are found along the coast, usually separated from the sea by a line of sand dunes. Since soils and drainage are poor, these areas are usually used as permanent rough pasture. Field sizes are small or medium, and fields are separated by drainage ditches, dikes or fences. The land is flat and open, with long views. The sand dunes form distinctive coastal features, their marram grass sometimes being followed in natural succession by extensive coniferous woodland.

45

Much of North Norfolk is very low-Iying, and there are extensive areas of marshland which are associated with the coasts and with river valley floors. These marshlands are rich and diverse wildlife habitats and have a high ecological interest. The landscapes are open, lonely and windswept, with reeds, grasses and mud-flats stretching out to distant horizons under huge skies.

46

Characteristic heathland vegetation includes gorse and heather, which may be naturally succeeded by birch. Heathland landscapes are found on the sandy and poor soils, near the coast and at the edges of the fens. Scattered remnant heathland vegetation is also occasionally found within farmland, where the scrub provides a valuable wildlife habitat and the vegetation, particularly the gorse, provides landscape interest.

47

Pastoral landscapes are associated with the floors of river valleys. They make a significant contribution to the variety and diversity of North Norfolk's landscape. These landscapes vary considerably from valley to valley. They may be intimate, enclosed landscapes with tall, dense species-rich hedges surrounding permanent pasture that has been continually grazed for centuries. In such areas, the floors of the valleys are clearly defined and separate from the surrounding farmed countryside. Alternatively, the grasslands may be temporary or improved, with medium-sized fields divided by fences or drainage ditches. Such grasslands are, nevertheless, still important elements in the composition of the wider landscape.

48

The river valleys vary in size from the smaller River Glaven and River Stiffkey, which flow northwards into the North Sea, to those streams which form the upper tributaries of the River Bure and River Wensum. The watercourses wind gently through the countryside conveying a sense of calm and tranquillity. Views from within the river valleys are contained by copses, woodlands and areas of scrub where old hedge lines have overgrown. Although these pastoral landscapes are becoming fragmented by changes in agricultural practice in some areas, they are essentially rich, peaceful landscapes with considerable landscape and historic value.

49

The rich soils of the District are intensively farmed. Farmed landscapes have been divided into two types for the purposes of this assessment, although this is not exhaustive.

50

Open arable farmland is characterised by long views, across level or gently undulating land. These are expansive landscapes with large or
medium sized fields. Many hedges have been removed, and the fields are now generally only defined by the lines of bare hedge-banks, or in some places, by a change of crop. They are often bleak, exposed and featureless landscapes.

51

The landscape of enclosed farmland is more contained and structured. Containment of views is either by landform or by vegetation, but is usually a combination of dense and virtually intact hedges, scattered copses and small woodlands and rolling landform. These landscapes are visually very pleasing, with unspoilt rural aspects punctuated by scattered farmsteads and small villages in the valley bottoms.

52

Throughout North Norfolk there are a number of distinctive parkland landscapes which are associated with halls and large country houses. Many of these parklands were laid out during the 18th century and have been identified as Historic Parks and Gardens (see Policy 25: Historic Parks and Gardens). Views across these landscapes present a classical English scene, with gently rolling grazed swards stretching out to dense stands of deciduous woodland. Single parkland trees often frame views to the country house and the parklands themselves usually incorporated a lake or water feature. The influence of the 18th century landscape style often extends beyond the areas that are today defined as parkland, giving the parklands a well wooded setting. Indeed, the wooded character of parts of North Norfolk, particularly on the Cromer Ridge, and in the Central Farmland character area, owes much to these parklands and their associated estates.