West of England Woodland Opportunity Study

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A gently undulating pastoral landscape that rises from the surrounding levels, forming an outcrop away from the urban edge of Nailsea. This LCT is located in central North Somerset, fringing the western and south-eastern edge of Nailsea, with a small section to the north-east.

Within North Somerset, LCT K comprises LCA K1: Nailsea Farmed Coal Measures, as described in the North Somerset LCA (2018) and shown on the mapping provided.

Existing tree and woodland coverage

Woodland cover across the Farmed Coal Measures LCT is relatively low, comprising 1.2% of the total land cover. There is no ancient woodland within this LCT. Woodland typically occurs in copses and shelter belts dispersed throughout the farmed landscape, with scattered small mature broadleaved woodlands. Frequent hedgerow trees along field boundaries and occasional remnant traditional orchards around farms contribute to the wooded character of the landscape.

Land cover composition of LCT J

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Landform (including scale and pattern)

• A low ‘raised plateau’ landform of gently undulating topography (ranging from 5m to 40m AOD) indicates lower sensitivity to new woodland planting which could complement the rolling landform.
• The small-scale, intimate character of the landscape, with small fields bound by intact hedges with mature hedgerow trees and shelter belts, increases sensitivity to medium and large-scale woodland creation which could mask this distinctive pattern.

Field and landcover pattern

• The pattern of irregular small to medium-sized pasture fields would be sensitive to woodland planting that could mask the landscape pattern.
• Traditional orchards make an important contribution to the rural character and present opportunities for regeneration and extension that would enhance landscape structure.
• Semi-natural grassland and marsh habitats (some designated as LWS) and small ponds would be sensitive to woodland expansion that could result in the loss of landscape and habitat diversity.

Historic landscape character

• The well-preserved medieval field patterns found across much of the LCT would be sensitive to medium and large-scale planting, which could mask the historic landscape pattern.
• The presence of historic assets, including the Grade I listed Manor House at Nailsea Court, and numerous Grade II listed historic farmhouses, indicates sensitivity to woodland planting that could impact their setting.

Visual character (including skylines)

• Occasional views over the adjacent flat moors landscape (LCT A: Moors), would be sensitive to medium-large woodland planting that would enclose outward views.
• The undeveloped skyline in the LCT be sensitive to medium- large woodland planting, potentially enclosing open views both within the LCT and to the wooded ridges north and south (LCT E: Ridges and Combes).

Perceptual and scenic qualities

• A tranquil, rural landscape with some attractive features, including stone-built farmsteads set within small-scale pastoral fields bounded by drystone walls, hedgerows, and ditches, which is sensitive to change.
• Tranquillity is disrupted along the settlement edge. Small-scale woodlands could screen the visual impact of unsympathetic urban edges of Nailsea, particularly to the north and west of the town.

Summary

Small-sized woodland is typical of this landscape and small and small-medium-sized woodland creation could generally be accommodated across the LCT. New woodland planting of this scale could complement and extend the existing pattern of small broadleaved woodlands, traditional orchards, linear shelterbelts. Woodland creation of this scale can enhance habitat connectivity between the existing woodland and with other semi-natural habitats, including grasslands. As outlined in the Forest of Avon’s Tree and Woodland Strategy small-scale tree planting can help conserve existing hedgerow and field trees, including oak, by strategically planting new trees at irregular spacings and where absent within hedged boundaries. However, woodland planting should sit within the traditional field pattern, adjoining, existing woodland and hedgerow to avoid masking the landscape structure. There is also an opportunity to screen and better integrate the settlement edges of Nailsea, particularly the northern and western edges.

There are currently no medium or large sized woodlands within this LCT. The introduction of woodlands of this size would be discordant with the existing woodland pattern and has the potential to mask characteristic landscape features, including the intimate scale of the historic field patterns and semi-natural grassland habitats. New woodland of this scale could enclose the intermittent views across the LCT, over the adjacent pastoral moors and towards the adjacent wooded ridges.

There are currently no commercial conifer plantations within this LCT. The introduction of this type and size of woodland would be inappropriate in this landscape and would detract from the existing landscape character.

Any variations in landscape sensitivity

There is only one LCA in this LCT.