Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

The Levels LCT is located in the north-west of Somerset, broadly extending south between Weston-Super-Mare (in North Somerset) and Bridgwater. The LCT extends across the low-lying landscape to the east of the coastline and has a strong relationship with the contrasting Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12) which rise from the Levels. The LCT extends west from the Peat and Clay Moors (LCT 11) which form a similar low-lying landscape, though with a distinct field pattern relating to historic patterns of enclosure, located further inland. The Mendip Hills and Quantock Hills provide further containment of the Levels to the north-east and south-west, respectively.

The Levels LCT forms a low-lying wetland landscape, strongly influenced by the ancient field pattern created by the rhynes and ditches which drain the landscape. The LCT primarily comprises areas of pastoral floodplain grazing marsh, with an open character and broad horizons. Modern human influences, including overhead lines on pylons, solar farms, the railway line, the M5 corridor, and settlements, conflict with the rural character of open views.

Key Characteristics

• Alluvial and marine clay or gravel deposits, with smaller areas of peaty soils, overlying mudstone rocks result in a flat, open and low-lying floodplain landscape.
• Ditches, rhynes, rivers and ponds contribute to wetland character with a strong relationship to water, and support an extensive and unique habitat for birds, invertebrates, amphibians and wetland mammals.
• Sinuous and irregular ancient field pattern defined by ditches and rhynes, which follow former creeks and streams, reflect the gradual process of drainage and reclamation of the land.
• Predominantly pastoral land use resulting in a prevailing floodplain grazing marsh character, beyond areas of settlement.
• An open landscape characterised by low-growing vegetation, with trees and woodlands focused along the River Parrett and areas of traditional orchards associated with farmsteads and villages.
• Settlement focused near the edges of the landscape, with main roads (including the M5) and overhead lines forming evident linear features crossing the landscape. Both historic and contemporary human influence is evident across the LCT, the latter occasionally conflicting with the open and rural character of views.
• Church towers within historic settlements form a focus in the otherwise flat landscape.
• Rising landform to the north-east, east and south (in other LCTs) forms a backdrop to views and results in a sense of partial containment.
• A dynamic influence of water which lends to a changing sense of place and local distinctiveness in an otherwise simple and open landscape.

Natural Influences

The Levels form a low-lying, flat and open landscape which contrasts with other more elevated parts of Somerset located further inland. The landform of the Levels generally sits below 20 metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), though slightly higher in elevation than the Peat and Clay Moors (LCT 11) to the east. Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12) rise from the Levels forming distinctive skyline features with a contrasting landscape and settlement pattern (particularly Brent Knoll, which rises to 137m AOD and is surrounded by the north of the Levels). More broadly, the Mendip Hills and Quantock Hills form a distant background and offer containment to the open landscape of the Levels. Within the LCT, alluvial and marine clay or gravel deposits overlie mudstone rocks of the Triassic and Jurassic periods (Langport Member, Blue Lias Formation and Charmouth Mudstone Formation). Peaty soils are found in the north-east and south-east of the LCT, near its transition to the Peat and Clay Moors (LCT 11). The Somerset Levels and Moors make up the second largest area of lowland peat in the UK.

Hydrology strongly influences land use and landscape pattern within the LCT, with drainage and reclamation of land in the Levels having started during the prehistoric period. A sinuous pattern of drainage ditches, or rhynes, crosses the area, contributing to the wetland character. The tidal range of the Bristol Channel is the second highest in the world, and the low-lying Levels are prone to periodic flooding. Much of the LCT is located within Flood Zones 2 and 3, although this is controlled by a sophisticated management network including man-made defences, penstocks and pumped drainage. Ponds, including former clay pits, and small lakes are located across the LCT. Riverine and wetland habitats along the River Parrett in the south-west of the LCT and River Axe in the north of the LCT, including areas of salt marsh habitat (priority habitat) and the linear channel of the Huntspill River in the centre of the LCT, form part of, and contribute to, the important bird habitat found within the wider area of the Severn Estuary (designated as the Severn Estuary Ramsar Site, Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Important Bird Area (IBA) and Bridgwater Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)). These habitats form part of the Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve (NNR), England’s second ‘super’ NNR which absorbed six separate reserves spread across the landscapes of the coastline, levels and moors. The presence of water within the LCT gives rise to a variety of unique habitats, with widespread areas of coastal and floodplain grazing marsh (priority habitat) supporting wading birds, invertebrates, amphibians and wetland mammals.

Vegetation within the LCT mainly comprises low-growing species associated with unimproved grasslands, wet meadows, fen, mire and reedbeds with occasional hedgerows or pollarded willows lining rivers and rhynes. Small pockets of woodland and some small areas of traditional orchards (priority habitat) are also associated with farmsteads and the edges of villages and hamlets.

Cultural Influences

The reclamation and modification of the landscape of the Levels dates to the prehistoric period, with a surviving ancient field pattern of small and medium scale irregular fields reflecting the process of gradual draining of the landscape through the creation of rhynes and ditches following the sinuous courses of former creeks and streams. Land remains primarily in pastoral use, with some areas of hay or silage production, which contributes to a prevailing character of floodplain grazing marsh. Smaller areas of arable fields are particularly focused near areas of more fertile loamy soils in the south-west of the LCT (Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Grade 2).

Settlements are mainly located on the fringes of the Levels near areas of higher ground, focused around the towns of Bridgwater in the south and Highbridge in the west. Bridgwater developed around an important river crossing and port, with the village becoming a key centre for trade by the late 15^th century. The historic core of the settlement is now surrounded by more modern expansion, with main roads radiating out from the centre of the village. A number of smaller villages and hamlets are located in the north of the LCT, typically linear in form or nucleated around the junction of winding lanes. The Church of St Christopher, located within the historic village of Lympsham in the north of the LCT, forms a key focal feature in the surrounding flat landscape. Lympsham is designated as a Conservation Area, which is focused around the Manor House (a Grade II* listed building), its grounds and the Church of St Christopher (a Grade I listed building). A number of other smaller villages and hamlets are located throughout the LCT and are generally linear in form and located near the linear corridor formed by the A370 and M5.

Brick and tile making was an important local industry historically, due to extensive clay deposits. Typical building materials include brick and tile, as well as local lias limestone from the nearby hills.

In addition to the surviving ancient field pattern, historic occupation of the land is also visible through earthworks associated with the remains of medieval settlements or motte and baileys (many of which are Scheduled Monuments), primarily focused in the centre and south of the LCT near Bridgwater and Highbridge. These earthworks form localised and small-scale features in the landscape, which contrast with the character and scale of nearby modern development.

The M5 and railway line form evident manmade linear forms, crossing the LCT broadly on a north to south alignment. The pattern of winding minor roads across the LCT reflects the sinuous pattern of field boundaries, formed by the rhynes and ditches which drain the land.

Solar farms are located throughout the LCT, though the scale and arrangement of arrays generally reflects the underlying field pattern. A number of holiday parks are also scattered across the wider LCT. A concentration of industrial units is located between Highbridge and the M5, at the Walrow Industrial Estate and Isleport Business Park in the centre of the LCT. Once constructed, the Gravity Business Park at the former Royal Ordnance Factory will extend between the settlements of Puriton and Woolavington.

Other forms of contemporary human influence are focused in the south of the LCT, particularly near Bridgwater. Industrial and commercial units extend from the northern and southern settlement edges and form prominent features in the landscape.

Overhead lines on pylons cross the LCT and are particularly focused in the south of the LCT near Puriton and Bridgwater. The Hinkley Point C connection crosses the LCT and is the first overhead line to use new T-pylons. These T-pylons are visually distinctive from other older steel lattice pylons which cross the LCT. A landfill site is also located in the south of the LCT near Puriton.

Perceptual Influences

The influence of ongoing human intervention, including electricity and other industrial infrastructure, settlement and major transportation routes within the landscape of the Levels adversely influences the experience of rural tranquillity and contributes to light pollution, though some areas on the fringes of the Levels in the north-east, away from the M5, maintain relatively high levels of rural tranquillity and dark night skies. Construction associated with the Gravity Business Park near Puriton exerts a noticeable visual and audible influence on the landscape. Once completed the business park will form a noticeable large-scale feature in the wider low-lying landscape, though the proposed bunding and mitigation planting will assist with screening and softening the appearance of buildings.

The gentle and low-lying landform and limited tree cover within the LCT allows for open and distant views with broad horizons to be experienced across the LCT. However, where tall vertical features are present, such as pylons, these form a prominent influence on views. More distant views to the north-east and south-west are focused on the skylines formed by the Mendip Hills and Quantock Hills, with relatively open views experienced from the western edges of the LCT looking across the Bristol Channel towards the hills of South Wales. The Mendip Hills National Landscape is located within close proximity to the northern boundary of the LCT. The relationship of the Levels to the Mendip Hills contributes to the “distinctive limestone ridges and scarp slopes, rising from the Somerset Levels and Moors” and views towards and outward from the Mendip Hills, which are special qualities of the National Landscape. The LCT also has a strong visual relationship with the Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12) which rise from the Levels, including near Brent Knoll, Isle of Wedmore and Polden Hills. Views are more contained where mature hedgerows and riparian woodland is present, though these are limited.

Extensive areas of bird habitat support a notable population and diversity of bird species, which contributes visually and audibly to parts of the LCT. The presence of water and seasonal changes in flow patterns contributes to a changing and dynamic landscape. Formal recreational opportunities to experience the landscape are limited, and are mainly focused in the south of the LCT near the River Parrett, including the King Charles III England Coast Path and River Parrett Trail long-distance footpaths. National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 33 crosses the LCT near Highbridge. Other public rights of way (PRoWs) mainly provide connections between farmsteads and the road network.

Key Sensitivities and Valued Features

• Peaty soils within this LCT and the adjacent Peat and Clay Moors (LCT 11) form the second largest area of lowland peat in the UK, which contributes to carbon storage and preservation of archaeological remains. Peatland forms a valued and locally-distinctive habitat.
• The ancient field pattern of irregular small to medium scale pastoral fields, delineated by a sinuous pattern of drainage ditches and rhynes, contributes to the prevailing character of the floodplain grazing marsh, sense of place and time depth.
• Areas of traditional orchards soften settlement edges, contribute to traditional rural character and provide habitat connectivity.
• Areas of woodland along the River Parrett and Huntspill River provide habitat connectivity and visual contrast with the open character elsewhere within the LCT.
• Ditches, rhynes, rivers and ponds provide habitat connectivity and the influence of water contributes to sense of place.
• Historic church towers form skyline features in the otherwise flat landscape, contributing to the visual character and time depth of the landscape.
• Open and expansive views, including a strong visual relationship to the skylines formed by the Mendip Hills and Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12), contribute to sense of place.

The Changing Landscape

The following section sets out the changes and pressures to the Levels LCT.

• Large agricultural or industrial sheds, typically located along the settlement edges of Bridgwater and Highbridge or near the M5, have influenced the rural character of views within the LCT and more distant views overlooking the LCT.
• Ongoing decline of traditional orchards in favour of more intensive agricultural production has resulted in a change of character to settlement edges, more open views and less contrast in landscape pattern and texture within the LCT.
• The introduction of the Gravity Business Park will alter the rural character of views from the settlement edge of Puriton and Woolavington, and more distant views overlooking the LCT. Increased traffic associated with the development may further reduce the sense of rural tranquillity, though the M5 exerts an existing audible and visual influence in this part of the LCT.
• Solar farms have influenced the land cover pattern and form modern features in the rural landscape. Increased pressure for renewables may continue to result in expansion of solar farms and associated electrical linear infrastructure, further changing the character of the rural landscape and loss of ancient field pattern.
• The introduction of T-pylons within the LCT form modern vertical features that are more distinctive than older steel lattice pylons.
• Development pressure near settlements, particularly around Bridgwater and Highbridge, has, and may continue to result in, expansion into the rural landscape whilst increased traffic influences areas of rural tranquillity.
• The Bridgwater tidal barrier will be constructed across the River Parrett in the south of the LCT. This will form a large-scale modern feature locally in the landscape of the south of the LCT, influencing the character of views and the landscape pattern of parts of the river.
• Local initiatives, such as the ‘Reimagining the Levels’ group, are increasing woodland and hedgerow coverage within the LCT through tree and shrub planting. This enhances the habitat networks within the LCT, whilst also influencing the vegetation pattern and visual character within localised areas of the LCT.
• Changes in wetland habitats as a result of drought may result in changes to the land use or an intensification in grazing, resulting in changes to the visual character of the LCT.
• Changes in sea level as a result of climate change may result in increased risk of regular tidal inundation, resulting in changes to wetland habitats and the visual character of the LCT.
• Increased temperatures as a result of climate change, as well as increased frequency and severity of flood events in winter and drought events in summer may affect the water levels of the rhynes and need for further flood management infrastructure.
• Increased temperatures and frequency of drought events as a result of climate change may result in a drying out of peaty soils, releasing carbon, reducing the vegetation cover and increasing the risk of fire hazards and erosion.

These guidelines recommend how the landscape can be managed to ensure future change respects the local character and should be read in conjunction with the overarching management strategy objectives of the Somerset Landscape Character Assessment.

Landscape Management

• Protect and manage traditional orchards. Where possible, connect and extend small orchards, and involve local communities in management of these spaces. This will change the land use, field pattern and vegetation pattern in some parts of the LCT which form the setting to settlements, enhancing sense of place.
• Manage areas of grazing marsh, blocking drains through backfilling or installing leaky dams where appropriate to retain and slow the flow of water. By keeping land wetter and cooler in summer months, important habitat and characteristic landscape features will be maintained.
• Consider increased use of gravity-led drainage systems instead of pumping, enhancing connectivity between rivers and their floodplains. Reduced reliance on pumped drainage would change the character of the landscape locally, offering opportunity to return areas with modern infrastructure to that of a more traditional rural character.
• Maintain and restore the extensive pattern of drainage ditches and rhynes to retain the historic field pattern and areas of valuable aquatic habitat. Consider connectivity of these features with rivers and the wider hydrological network to enhance opportunities for flood management and nutrient filtration.
• Enhance or create areas of woodland sensitively so that the open character of the landscape is retained, engaging with local community initiatives such as Reimagining the Levels. New planting will be required particularly for the stabilisation of riverbanks and to slow the flow of run-off, while bringing improvements to water quality. This may change the visual character of the landscape locally, but will add further contrast to the pattern and texture of the landscape in some parts of the LCT. In some parts of the LCT, locally-appropriate planting will include saline-tolerant tree species.
• Consider extension of salt marsh habitat along the River Parrett or River Axe, similar to that found at Steart Marshes (within LCT 8: Salt Marsh and Mudflats), for flood management and carbon sequestration. The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2) identifies Pawlett Ham as a potential area of coastal realignment and salt marsh creation. This may lead to an extension of salt marsh within the LCT, changing the character of some parts of the LCT by introducing new habitat, changes to land and livestock management practices, a stronger tidal influence and opportunity for nutrient filtration.
• Manage and restore the hydrological function of areas of peat, rewetting where appropriate to ensure the carbon storage and habitat opportunities within these areas are enhanced and preserved.

Development Management

• Avoid development of a vertical scale which competes with historic skyline features, such as church towers, and key views towards the rising skylines formed by the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Limestone Lowland Hills (LCT 12).
• Retain the smaller scale and more dispersed pattern of settlement found in the north of the LCT, avoiding coalescence between settlements and retaining the sense of rural tranquillity expressed in the north-east of the LCT.
• Consider cumulative impacts, sensitive siting and design of renewable energy developments and associated electricity infrastructure, particularly additional overhead lines which may contribute to a ‘wirescape’ or appear incompatible with the T-pylons of the existing Hinkley Point C connection.
• Conserve the character of the panoramic views across the LCT that are experienced from, and characteristic of, the Mendip Hills National Landscape and Quantock Hills National Landscape.