A Study of Landscape Sensitivities and Constraints to Wind

LANDSCAPE TYPE 7: RIVER VALLEYSLANDSCAPE CHARACTER OVERVIEWThe landscape type encompasses the four rivers of the Kennet, Lambourn, Bourne and Pang. The boundaries of the River Valleys identify arelatively narrow corridor comprising the floodplain and immediate valley sides. Incising the chalk uplands the valleys form a distinct linearlandscape characterised by a rich mix of grazed pastures, water meadows, wetland and woodland. The valleys are enclosed by steeplyrising slopes which limit vistas and create an intimate and enclosed character.Key CharacteristicsRemoteness and Tranquillity• This is not a remote landscape and although tranquil in places there are obvious busy corridors through the river valleys of roads and settlement.Scale and Enclosure• Boundaries of the river valley identify a relatively narrow corridor comprising the floodplain and immediate valley sides.• A small scale landscape with the steeply rising slopes of the valley creating an intimate and enclosed character.Landform• The chalk rivers incise the uplands of the North Wessex Downs forming a distinct linear landscape.• Valley landform typically has short relatively steep sides enclosing a narrow flat alluvial floodplain.• Include some upper dry valleys heads with ephemeral winterbournes.Land Cover Pattern• Diverse texture and structure created by the floodmeadows, grazed pasture, calcareous fen, marsh, damp woodland and lines of pollarded willow.• Remnant ‘floated’ water meadows and watercress beds.• Fields are characteristically small, hedged enclosures with sinuous boundaries, which may reflect the shape of former medieval strips and furlongs.• Ancient woodlands and parklands are distinctive historic features.Settlement• Concentration of settlement in the river valleys in contrast to the uninhabited downland areas.North Wessex Downs AONB: Landscape Sensitivities105River Valleysand Constraints to Wind Turbine Development