Chalk ridge / escarpment
Location
The Chalk Escarpment/Ridge landscape type defines the furthest extent of the chalk landscapes of the county around its north, west and southern outer margins.
Key Characteristics
- steep, distinctive and bold ridge and scarp slope on the edges of
the chalk landscapes.
- dramatic visual edge enclosing and providing a backdrop to the
surrounding countryside.
- marked variation in character and landform along the scarp.
- undeveloped and open character with panoramic views.
- distinctive and bold pattern of land cover including hanging mixed
woods and patches of chalk grassland.
- woodlands are often visually prominent landmarks.
- settlements concentrated along the foot of the scarp.
- narrow twisting lanes often with high hedgebanks.
- many ancient and distinctive hillforts on escarpment highpoints
such as Eggarden and Hod/Hambledon Hills.
The Chalk Escarpment/Ridge landscape forms a steep, distinctive and
dramatic backdrop to, and gives panoramic views of, much of the
surrounding patchwork lowland landscape. It is a bold, dominant and
prominent visual edge which helps enclose the surrounding landscapes.
Although in geological terms an escarpment is slightly different to a
ridge, they have been grouped together for this assessment as they
share very similar characteristics and management requirements.
However the northern, western and southern sections do have variations
in character and landform often based on geology and patterns of
erosion. With an undeveloped, open character and bold skyline, this
landscape type supports important patches of chalk grassland and
hanging mixed woodlands which together often form broad distinctive
patterns and adds variety along the steep scarp slopes. The woods are
often very visible landmarks. In many locations the small scale
pattern of fields extends up the scarp slopes from the valleys below
gradually giving way to larger fields or open downland. Settlements
such as Compton Abbas, Durweston, Ibberton, Litton Cheney and
Askerswell are concentrated at the foot of slopes, along the spring
line and apart from these, which are on the fringes of the area, there
are only a few scattered farms. The network of narrow, steep and
twisting lanes often have high hedge banks which create ‘tunnels’
before emerging on the ridgetops. There are many ancient hillforts
several of which are key landmarks, including Fontmell Down and
Melbury, Hod, Hambledon, Eggarden and Bulbarrow Hills. These dramatic
landscapes have been captured by the romantic paintings and writings
of Wilsdon Steer, Moffat Linder, Daniel Defoe and Lamora Birch.
Management Objectives
The overall management objective for the Chalk Escarpment Landscape Type
should be to conserve the uninterrupted landform, strong open skyline
and the distinct mosaic patterning of woodland, scrub and chalk
grassland and to seek opportunities to restore and enhance habitats and
historic features.
Key land management guidance notes
- promote the use of visually permeable boundaries such as post and
wire fencing on higher ground and enhance the sense of continuity
and openness across the escarpment/ridge tops and associated monuments.
- monitor continued encroachment of scrub on the steepest slopes.
Manage scrub as a valued habitat component, and encourage grazing
where appropriate and avoid cutting vegetation in straight lines to
minimise visual impact. Retain occasional small patches of scrub for
aesthetic and wildlife benefits.
- seek opportunities to recreate, link and restore important
grassland sites and buffer from intensive management
- further woodland planting is not a key objective for this area,
with the aim being to maintain the balance of open land and woodland
cover with enhanced woodland management.
- ensure conservation and restoration of low impact grassland
management around prehistoric features, particularly barrows and
hill forts.
- promote sustainable management and recreational access to Open
Access areas and important viewpoints.
- consider location of game cover crops in visible locations to
minimise visual impact.
- maintain the undeveloped character of the scarp and the sharp
contrast with the scarp foot settlements e.g. by the careful control
of settlement edges and boundaries.
- any new development should be small scale and should respect the
distinctive nucleated ‘scarp foot’ settlement pattern and should not
extend onto the lower slopes.
- conserve the rural character of the narrow sunken lanes and
protect sensitive hedgebanks from further erosion e.g. by
identification of key sites through Parish Action Plans or similar
and/or via Conservation Verge ‘designation’.
- identify, protect and enhance important views to and from the
ridge/escarpment e.g. via Parish Action Plans, Village Design
Statements and other Settlement Appraisals.
Landscape Character Assessment Map
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