Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

The Wooded Greensand Ridge LCT is located in the east of Somerset, extending from Cucklington in the south to Timber Hill in the north. Wiltshire forms the eastern boundary of the LCT. The steep ridgeline of the LCT forms parts of the boundary of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, and extends from the gently rolling chalk hills to the east, marking a transition to the gentler landscapes associated with the River Frome, River Brue, River Cale and River Pitt within LCT 5: River Valley, LCT 6: Wooded Ridge and Valleys and LCT 26: Tributary Valley Farmland to the west.

The Wooded Greensand Ridge LCT forms a steeply sloping ridge, with extensive woodland in the east and transitioning to pastoral land use at lower elevations within and to the west of the LCT. Views experienced from the Greensand Ridge contribute to the uninterrupted panoramic views that are a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.

Key Characteristics

• Steeply sloping escarpments with west-facing slopes transition to a gentler dip slope extending across the county boundary into Wiltshire.
• Loamy and clay soils overlie chalk bedrock at higher elevations, with mudstone rock underlying mid to lower slopes.
• Extensive areas of woodland, much of which is ancient, and areas of coniferous forestry associated with timber production, mainly located on upper slopes.
• Small-scale pastoral fields with mature hedgerows are located across lower and mid slopes. Fields are predominantly rectilinear in pattern due to enclosure from the 18th century onwards.
• Key settlements are located within the south of the LCT along the A303, with dispersed farmsteads and individual dwellings scattered across the LCT.
• Roads mainly pass east to west, crossing the ridgeline into the lower-lying landscape to the west, with some minor roads and recreational routes following the top of the scarp slope.
• Several prehistoric defensive sites are located along the ridgeline, including hillforts and motte and bailey castles. Alfred’s Tower (an 18th Century commemorative tower/folly) is a notable skyline feature and forms a gateway location to the parkland of Stourhead Estate (within Wiltshire).
• Dark night skies and relatively high levels of tranquillity are experienced throughout the LCT.
• Open and distant views are experienced from across the LCT, particularly from elevated locations below or on the edges of woodland. Panoramic views contribute to the special qualities of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.

Natural Influences

The steep sloping ridgeline, which runs in a north to south direction, forms the distinctive topographical pattern of this LCT. Landform rises from the lower-lying River Valley (LCT 5), Wooded Ridge and Valleys (LCT 6) and Tributary Valley Farmland (LCT 26) forming a steep sloping ridge along the boundary with Wiltshire. The landform within the LCT transitions to a dip-slope which slopes eastwards into Wiltshire and is located within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape (which crosses into sections of this LCT). The topography within this LCT ranges from approximately 85-90 metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) along the Redford Water stream, with high points along the ridgeline reaching 240-250m AOD in the south-east of the LCT. The A303 traverses the landscape in an east-west alignment against the grain of the landscape, causing large incisions in the ridgeline.

Base-rich loamy and clayey soils overlie Greensand (sandstone) and mudstone of the Jurassic period, resulting in a range of woodland types. The chalk bedrock (Cretaceous period) located along the district boundary has produced an escarpment with a steeper slope (or scarp) within this LCT and a gentle slope (or dip) to the east that transitions to the sloping Chalk Hill landscape within Wiltshire. The steep-sloping nature of the landscape has resulted in extensive woodland cover along the ridge of the LCT, with pastoral fields located across areas of gentler slopes (mostly Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) Grade 4). A significant proportion of the deciduous woodland (priority habitat) is identified as ancient woodland, including Longleat Woods (a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)). This woodland has a high forest structure, comprising tall mature trees with a closed canopy, and has developed over a range of soil conditions reflected in the diversity of woodland stand types. Substantial areas of conifer plantation are located along the Greensand Ridge, creating a varied species composition of woodland within the LCT. North Brewham Meadows (SSSI) along the western boundary of the LCT comprises traditionally managed species-rich meadows that support a neutral grassland community of the nationally rare common knapweed and butterflies. Areas of semi-natural grassland accompany blocks of deciduous woodland providing habitat connectivity.

Cultural Influences

A linear pattern of historic features (Scheduled Monuments) is located along the escarpment within the LCT, indicating the strategic elevated position of the LCT above the lower-lying landscapes to the west. The Hillfort on Rodbury Hill, Hales Castle, Kenwalch’s Castle, Ballands Castle and a motte and bailey castle in Cockroad Wood (all Scheduled Monuments) reflect defensive use from the early prehistoric to post-medieval periods (a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape). However, these survive predominantly under woodland cover and are therefore less discernible in the wider landscape.

Elsewhere within the LCT, remains of the Roman occupation are found centrally within the LCT, including the Roman villa complex, 330m south-west of St Algar’s Farm (Scheduled Monument). However, this monument survives predominantly as a buried feature and is not notable within the wider landscape. Alfred’s Tower (Grade I listed building), an 18th century commemorative tower, is located along the boundary with Wiltshire. The 49-meter-high structure is located at the top of the ridge and is a prominent feature of the skyline. The tower forms a gateway location to the Stourhead estate (Grade I Registered Park and Garden), mainly located in Wiltshire.

Settlement across the LCT is predominantly limited to scattered farmsteads that are connected by a network of minor roads. The villages of Penselwood and Cucklington are located in the south of the LCT and were developed during the Anglo-Saxon period, whereby the high ground and proximity to transport routes made the area an attractive site for settlement. Over the centuries the villages retained their historic settlement pattern with several listed buildings. Traditional building materials include local limestone (grey in colour), and roofs comprised of orange clay and grey slate tiles.

Agricultural fields within the LCT are mainly located in the west, below the escarpment, and comprise small to medium-scale fields of linear pattern. Leigh Common within the south of the LCT retains some of the historic commons character of the landscape. Outside areas of woodland and conifer forestry, pastoral farming is the predominant land use within the LCT. Field boundaries comprise hedgerows and mature hedgerow trees, whilst fields at higher elevations are often bounded by areas of woodland.

More recent developments within the LCT include the A303, which crosses through the south of the LCT, and solar farms to the north-east of Cucklington and the south-west of Dark Lane.

Perceptual Influences

The limited presence of settlement within the LCT and sense of shelter provided by extensive areas of woodland result in high levels of tranquillity and dark night skies; a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. Solar farms located north-east of Cucklington and to the south-west of Dark Lane, exert an occasional adverse influence on the rural quality of views. The A303 exerts a local audible impact on tranquillity within the south of the LCT, though the deep incised nature of the road and surrounding landscaping limits direct views of the road. Commercial forestry taking place on the high ridge at Penselwood has an occasional audible influence due to associated machinery and movement of lorries.

Walking routes within the LCT include the Monarch’s Way and the Leland Trail/Macmillan Way (which passes along most of the wooded ridgeline of the LCT) as well as a limited number of public rights of way (PRoWs). Walking routes are particularly dense in the south of the LCT surrounding Penselwood. Beyond long-distance walking routes, other recreational opportunities are focused near Penselwood and include the woodland and grassland wildlife site at Moldrams Ground Nature Reserve which is a peaceful area for bird watching and picnics.

Open and distant views are experienced across the LCT, particularly from elevated locations below or at the edges of sections of woodland. Views experienced from the chalk escarpment dip slope to the east and scarp slope to the west contribute to the uninterrupted panoramic views that are a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. The wooded ridge along the eastern edge of the LCT forms a recognisable skyline and background of views from large parts of Somerset to the west. The escarpment becomes higher and more dramatic near Alfred’s Tower, with the profile of the tower forming a key skyline feature. Alfred’s Tower is open to the public during summer months, and panoramic views across Somerset are possible from the top of the tower. Views are more contained within areas of dense vegetation and woodland, including where mature field boundaries are present.

Key Sensitivities and Valued Features

• The range of soils within the LCT contributes to a diverse range of woodland types which are valued for the habitat that they provide.
• The strong wooded character of the LCT creates a sense of shelter and rural tranquillity, which is a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
• The wooded character of the Greensand Ridge forms a visually distinctive feature in views from large parts of Somerset to the west, contributing to a sense of place.
• Areas of meadows, commons and species rich grassland accompany blocks of woodland and provide a visual contrast as well as connecting important habitats. The diversity of habitats within this LCT is a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
• Alfred’s Tower forms a prominent skyline feature, and also provides a gateway location to the parkland of Stourhead Estate (within Wiltshire), contributing to visual character, time depth and sense of place.
• Several prehistoric defensive sites located along the ridgeline (hillforts, motte and bailey) add to time depth. The sense of history is a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
• Dark night skies and high levels of tranquillity contribute to the rural character and sense of place and are a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
• Open and expansive views from below the tree line and the top of Alfred’s Tower are a special quality of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and contribute to a sense of place.

The Changing Landscape

The following section sets out the changes and pressures to the Wooded Greensand Ridge LCT.

• The A303 forms an incised manmade feature with a poor fit with the underlying topography. The road also has a negative influence on rural tranquillity within the LCT. Development pressure near settlements, particularly Penselwood, may increase traffic and further reduce tranquillity, particularly along the A303.
• The introduction of solar farms (such as along Tinkers Lane to the north of Cucklington) has influenced the landcover within the LCT, adding modern features in areas of the rural landscape. An increased demand for renewables and associated electricity infrastructure may result in further alteration of the landscape and a potential loss in woodland.
• Ash dieback has led to a structural decline of woodland, changing the visual character and habitat within the LCT, particularly within the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape where ash is the most common tree species (constituting about half of all trees).
• Increased rainfall and more frequent severe droughts may lead to the erosion of landform and topographical features along the steep slopes within the LCT, potentially damaging woodland (such as Beaumont’s Wood) and altering their visual character and the sense of place they provide.
• The planting of conifers, such as at King’s Wood Warren, alongside areas of deciduous woodland (priority habitat) has created the appearance of a more densely wooded ridgeline but has changed the species composition of woodland within the LCT. Conifers are prone to various pests like aphids and diseases such as needlecast and pine wilt, potentially leading to a deterioration and fragmentation of habitat.
• Increased frequency of storms and high winds, as a consequence of climate change, may result in damage or decline in mature trees (particularly the high forest structure at Longleat Woods SSSI within the north of the LCT). Combined with stress during periods of drought, this may create gaps in canopies and will alter the visual character of the area.
• Drier and warmer summers will heighten the risk of fire. Loss of woodland to fires will drastically impact the character of the landscape.
• Extreme weather events and temperatures could also damage important historic elements of the landscape such as the Hillfort on Rodbury Hill (Scheduled Monument) and Alfred’s Tower (part of the Stourhead Estate), resulting in a loss of time depth and altering the sense of place and visual character in parts of the LCT.
• Changes in rainfall may result in wetter summers due to climate change. As a result, farming practices within areas of pastoral land use may be altered to accommodate livestock in wetter periods, including the expansion of livestock barns along the western extent of the LCT which would alter the visual character within the LCT.

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 the steep slopes of the wooded ridge against the impact of increased rainfall, periods of drought and erosion, by extending and enhancing woodland. This will alter the land use pattern of some pastoral fields within the LCT, particularly where woodland is extended onto lower or mid slopes, though this will be largely in keeping with the prevailing wooded character of the LCT.
• Conserve and enhance unique wooded habitats (including areas of ancient woodland) within the LCT, favouring broadleaved and mixed woodland creation over coniferous plantations to improve habitat connectivity. This will change the character of views experienced in some parts of the LCT, resulting in more enclosed views, and should be considered on balance with retaining key outward views from the LCT.
• Extend and link existing woodlands in preference of creating new stand-alone woodland where possible, such as between Hick’s Park Wood and West End Wood. Ensure new woodland responds to the species composition and pattern of the existing woodland.
• Protect and manage important areas of species-rich grassland, meadows and commons. Where possible extend and connect these habitats. This will change the land use, field pattern and vegetation pattern in some parts of the LCT, but will enhance the sense of place.
• Respect and conserve elements of the historic landscape, including the prehistoric hillforts and earthworks, and other associated features that contribute to visual character and time depth. Ensure new planting does not damage archaeological features or their setting.
• Protect the key views to and from the scarp slopes, maintaining their wooded and rural character in local and more distant views, where the wooded scarp forms a background and skyline feature.
• Conserve Alfred’s Tower and its historic parkland setting (associated with Stourhead Estate, mainly within Wiltshire), particularly areas of wood pasture and veteran trees. Planting associated with designed landscapes should use species characteristic of the historic landscape.

Development Management

• Conserve the rural skyline of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and the landmark formed by Alfred’s Tower, avoiding vertical development that would impact the special qualities of the designated landscape (including views towards it) and the panoramic views out across the lower-lying adjacent LCTs.
• Ensure earthworks associated with new development do not alter the profile of steep escarpments.
• New development including buildings and other structures should use materials of locally appropriate colour and texture (such as grey limestones, orange clay tiles and slate tiles) that respect and enhance local distinctiveness and the traditional character of the area.
• Conserve the settlement pattern of distinct villages or hamlets, particularly surrounding Penselwood. Avoid the amalgamation of settlements, particularly between Penselwood and villages to the east within Wiltshire.
• Protect and manage areas of recreational use, particularly along promoted footpaths through woodland (such as the Macmillan Way), improving connections, infrastructure and signage, and identify opportunities for green infrastructure. Footpath maintenance and creation will support increasing visitor numbers, allowing people to enjoy the landscape.
• Make sure that new development within the LCT does not harm the character or setting of the Stourhead Registered Park and Garden (Grade I).