Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

Somerset’s landscape is constantly changing through human activity and natural processes. The cumulative effects of these processes can considerably alter the character of the landscape.

The individual LCT profiles include reference to key pressures, past, present and future. The main pressures that have potential to influence the landscape character of Somerset as a whole are set out below.

UK Climate Projections (UKCP) show Somerset is facing a probable sea level rise of 0.27 metres – 1.13 metres by 2100. Projections developed by the Environment Agency as part of the ‘Flood Risk Assessments: Climate Change Allowances’ guidance show peak river flows are expected to increase of around 40% by 2080 (over and above 2013/14 levels). Under the more severe climate change scenario increases of 85% (over and above 2013/14 levels) are possible by the same date. Increased frequency and severity of flooding will put large parts of Somerset at risk, notably the levels and moors, as well as Somerset’s numerous main rivers and associated floodplains. Rising water and sea levels may also impact mudflats and marshes which provide important habitats for migrant bird populations.

Climate change is a major pressure on rural landscapes and is likely to result in increasingly unpredictable weather with hotter drier summers, more intense rainfall and longer dry periods resulting in the need for agriculture to adapt to grow different crops and develop more flexible and responsive land management practices. Hotter summers and increases in temperatures could result in increased demands for agricultural irrigation. Responses to climate change may also result in pressure for development of renewable energy.

More extreme weather, as a result of climate change, could alter the species composition of existing species-rich woodlands and hedgerows, favouring species with lower water demand. Increasing incidences of pests and pathogens may change the species mix of woodlands, with evidence of ash dieback already influencing parts of Somerset’s landscapes, particularly within the Mendip Hills.

Higher temperatures and prolonged drought are likely to put woodlands under further stress and increase the risk of wildfires. Longer drier summers may affect heathland and coastal habitats and increase the risk of fire. Woodland fires will drastically impact the character of the landscape.

Climate change is also likely to affect other important semi-natural habitats, particularly river and wetland habitats throughout Somerset. This will include water shortages in summer and increased water flows and flooding in winter, causing potential damage to habitats and species. These changes may manifest themselves within the natural environment through changes in habitats and a decline of flora and fauna which are unable to adapt quickly enough to the changing conditions.

Agricultural intensification is associated with a loss of pasture for cereal production, providing fodder crops (maize) and straw for bedding, which is in turn resulting in field enlargement and subsequent loss of hedgerows and hedgerow trees. Hedgerows can lose their function in arable landscapes and are often replaced by post and wire fences. There has been a general decline in hedgerow maintenance and condition across Somerset.

More intensive farming practices often result in larger amalgamated farms with new agricultural buildings. These agricultural buildings tend to be large scale, constructed of materials that are not locally-distinctive or compatible with the traditional architectural vernacular, and can be detractors within the landscape.

Small-mixed farming systems are increasingly uncompetitive in the current economic market, and farms are generally decreasing in number with many smaller farms diversifying or going out of business and traditional agricultural buildings steadily converted to residential or commercial use, with accompanying change in lighting and access requirements, roadside signage, further eroding rural character.

Changes in pasture and grazing livestock, including decrease in traditional sheep and cattle grazing and increase in pig or horse grazing can impact on the character of the countryside. This is through division of existing fields into individual paddocks defined by post and wire or horse tape, increasing stabling and sties and degradation of pasture due to lack of active grassland management leading to either scrub invasion or over grazing.

The presence of large urban areas both within and immediately outside the district boundaries means that pressure for development, particularly major housing or employment development and accompanying infrastructure, is a challenge to the existing landscape character. New or extended development also risks the urbanisation of rural villages.

Infill development or the expansion of existing settlements is likely to lead to the loss of open agricultural land and woodland reducing the rural character of landscapes immediately adjacent to these areas. The requirements for additional public open space adjacent to new development may also impact the character of the local landscape by changing land use from agriculture to recreation.

Strategic road improvements, including new or realigned roads and junctions, planned to help alleviate the impact of additional traffic, can result in a negative impact on landscape character in terms of fragmentation of the landscape and a loss of tranquillity.

Narrow winding rural roads are vulnerable to widening, new wider visibility splays for new development, and an increase in the number of vehicles. These cause damage to grass verges and hedgerows, which can degrade their rural character and lead to the decline of species rich roadside grassland.

Increasing visitor pressure also has the potential to affect the character of the area’s natural and historical assets, and its tranquillity. Increased recreational activity can also lead to demand for additional facilities at popular locations, resulting in visual intrusion from car parks or visitor centres, increased traffic at popular sites and potential urbanising of the most rural parts of Somerset through the provision of more formalised cycle and walking routes. There may also be increased demand for visitor accommodation such as caravan parks, hotels and leisure complexes and for the expansion of golf courses. An increased resident population within Somerset will add to these pressures.

An increase in the deployment of renewable energy installations, in line with the Somerset Climate Emergency Strategy and Energy Investment Plan, could have a significant impact on the character of the landscape. Pressure for suitable sites for wind turbines and solar farms, and the associated electricity grid infrastructure, is likely to continue.