Carlisle District Local Plan.indd - Carlisle City Council

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Carlisle District Local Plan 2001 - 2016 Revised Redeposit draftImportance under the Ramsar Convention, and is designated under the terms of theEuropean Community Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds as a Special ProtectionArea, and under the European Habitats Directive as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).The aim of these designations is to promote the conservation of the site and to avoiddeterioration of the habitats or disturbance of the species for which the area has beendesignated. SPA’s and SAC’s form part of a network of internationally important wildlife siteswithin the European Union which is known as Natura 2000.2.51 The AONBs special character is derived from the distinctive landscape of open salt marshand mud flats of the Solway Estuary, together with the coastal margin of flat agriculturalland giving extensive views across to Scotland. The marshes are characterised by closelygrazed turf bisected by a maze of creeks and channels in a dendritic pattern. They areessentially open except for patches of scrub and gorse, and sheep and cattle wander freelyacross them. The prolific bird life on the marshes is also an integral part of their character.Further inland are a number of settlements and isolated farms connected by a network ofminor roads. Vernacular buildings using stone, slate, cobbles, brick and clay are attractivefeatures in the landscape. Tree cover is generally scarce, although small copses associatedwith farms or churches are found further inland. Fields are generally divided by sparsehedgerows with scattered hedgerow trees.2.52 Although the landscape has largely remained unchanged by new development, there are anumber of intrusive features, such as electricity pylons and the Chapelcross Power Station,which lie outside the boundary of the AONB but detract from its landscape character. Whenassessing applications for development, the Council will have regard to the intrinsic qualityof the landscape and its openness, importance for wildlife and high number of vernacularbuildings.2.53 The North Pennines AONB is the largest in England and was designated in 1988. It lieswithin the boundaries of 9 County and District Councils. Within Carlisle District the AONBextends from Midgeholme in the north east to Cumrew in the south west, and is largelycomprised of Geltsdale and Tindale Fells with a number of isolated villages skirting thenorthern and western boundary. The western escarpment of the Pennines forms a prominentlandscape feature, visible from a wide area.2.54 The special landscape character of the AONB is derived from extensive moorland areasdissected by wooded valleys. Along the River Gelt in particular are a number of designatedancient woodlands. However, it is the moorland which gives rise to the wilderness image ofthe area, being interspersed with disused mines and quarries. Scattered farmsteads occuralong the northern and western edge of the AONB. On the lower ground, field boundariesgenerally consist of hedges with some fencing, which higher up give way to stone walls. Ona clear day there are extensive views from the north western edge of the AONB across tothe Bewcastle Fells in the north and the Solway Firth in the west.2.55 The AONB is important for a range of bird life and is partly covered by the GeltsdaleFells SSSI. In addition it is also classified as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the ECBirds Directive. This designation aims to promote the conservation of the site and to avoiddeterioration of the habitats or disturbance of the species for which the area has beendesignated. SPA’s form part of a network of internationally important wildlife sites within theEuropean Union which is known as Natura 2000.2.56 When assessing applications for development, the Council will have regard to speciallandscape qualities of the area including its wilderness image, extensive moorland and26 September 2006
Carlisle District Local Plan 2001 - 2016 Revised Redeposit draftwooded valleys. In addition, the nature conservation interest of the area will be fully takeninto account.2.57 Small scale developments to meet the social and economic needs of local communitieswill be acceptable in the AONBs. Such developments might include rural diversificationschemes, housing and local industry. Generally, such development should be located withinor immediately adjacent to settlements. Development should not detract from the landscapeand should be of a high standard of design, construction and landscaping, and be insympathy with the architecture and landscape character of the area. Provision of local needshousing is likely to be particularly important.POLICY DP9 Landscapes of County ImportanceWithin Landscapes of County Importance, permission will only be given fordevelopment provided that:1. there is no unacceptable adverse effect on the distinctive landscape character andfeatures of the area; and2. the proposal preserves or enhances the special features and character of theparticular landscape within which it is to be sited.Development required to meet local infrastructure needs which can not be locatedelsewhere will be permitted provided it is sited to minimise environmental impact andmeet high standards of design.2.58 The Structure Plan defines County Landscapes, which are of importance for their particulartopographical, visual, cultural or historical characteristics. Many of the areas also containimportant habitats for wildlife. They are an intermediate classification of landscape betweenAreas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the rest of the countryside, and are considered tobe of particular importance to the County.2.59 Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (March 2003) refers to landscape characterin Policy ER2. It stresses the need for Local Planning Authorities, through their plans andpolicies, to conserve and enhance landscapes and their settings which are of regional andsub-regional importance, but not covered by national designations.2.60 The aim of this policy is to maintain the distinctive character of county landscapes bypreventing development which would harm that character. When assessing applicationsfor development, the City Council will have regard to whether the overall character andthe distinctive features of the area would be harmed. New development should respectlocal distinctiveness, and where feasible enhance the landscape. Where possible, featuresessential to the distinctive character of the landscape should be retained. However, adevelopment proposal that would result in the loss of some local element of the landscape,such as field boundaries or trees, may be judged to be acceptable, provided such a loss,either individually or cumulatively, would not damage the character of the wider area, andadequate mitigatory measures are provided.2.61 A character based approach will be used when assessing development proposals inCounty Landscapes. The local planning authority is committed to carrying out detailed,local landscape character assessment work to inform both policy and decision making.This requires an assessment of the effect of the proposed development on the characterand distinctive features of the particular landscape. PPG7 The Countryside- EnvironmentalQuality and Economic and Social Development states that such an approach should helpSeptember 2006 27
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Carlisle District Local Plan.indd - Carlisle City Council

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