Montgomery Canal Conservation Management Strategy (1.2MB PDF)

• Welshpool townscape. A small study is in progress to look at the town landscape along the canal corridor. This will
include liaison with local organisations and planners, but is intended seek to integrate the canal more fully with the
town, through a series of improvements to landscaping and access links. Potential plans for the Welshpool
maintenance yard site (currently Travis Perkins depot) and adjacent areas will also be a key development. This site is
also covered in the companion economic study. Some possible improvements are shown in Figures 7.1 and 1.2.
• Redundant buildings. Seeking alternative uses for redundant buildings and sites along the canal corridor is an important
way to improve the landscape as well as regenerate the local economy. The Severn Vyrnwy Project is pro-actively
helping with a number of buildings in Shropshire. Former industrial sites requiring alternative uses at present include
parts of Peate’s Mill near Maesbury and empty premises at Refail.
• Canal hedges. These are a traditional feature of the landscape, although in the last century they were often laid
periodically and kept well trimmed, with only occasional standard trees left to grow on to maturity. Generally, the
hedges contribute to the landscape continuity, and there are a number of locations where planting of gaps is desirable
e.g. Rednal and Abbey Lift Bridge. In England this work is already in hand through the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme. Laying will be particularly considered in narrow towpath areas, where stock proofing is required, and where
there are particularly valued local views. Gaps do have a value in revealing the canal to passing traffic, and this will be
an occasional consideration. Where leylandii or other conifer hedges occur in rural or semi-rural areas, the Partnership
will seek to encourage replacement with more appropriate local stock.
• New facilities will adopt BW guidelines for landscaping. They will be promoted and made available to potential planning
applicants.
7.1.4 Wider Corridor Actions
The following schemes are integral to fulfilling our policy of pro-active engagement with wider schemes.
11) Promote Environmental Stewardship and Tir Gofal on neighbouring land, and seek to ensure that schemes in the
canal corridor receive sufficient funding.
These agri-environment schemes subsidise traditional land management techniques, and foster lower input types of
agriculture. Priorities in DEFRA (Environmental Stewardship) and Countryside Council for Wales (Tir Gofal) must continue
to reflect the importance currently attached to the area. The Severn Vyrnwy Project (now continuing as Ruralscapes) has
actively promoted Countryside Stewardship in the Shropshire length, through a partnership with British Waterways. More
active promotion of Tir Gofal in the canal corridor in Powys is also an aspiration. Ruralscapes has strong links with the
farming community, and will help deliver an increasing take-up of the new Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
12) The Partnership will support efforts of the planning authorities to designate the length of the canal as a conservation
area, and any other designations or initiatives which seek to positively influence the landscape of the local area.
Conservation areas are designated under legislation designed to safeguard the built heritage, but also have a wider
landscape role. Designated areas effectively pass protection to a range of structures, and also trees within the area and
afford greater planning control on development or alterations to existing buildings. Such a designation should be
managed with appropriate resources, in order to offer positive advice and guidance.
Shropshire County Council has launched a new landscape assessment of the county to help guide and support planning
decisions. For the canal corridor, these policies seek to conserve and enhance or conserve and strengthen the landscape
character of the area.
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