Landscape Types:
Alluvial Lowlands
1. ALLUVIAL LOWLANDS
Regional Character Areas
Upper Thames Vale, Vale of Aylesbury, Vale of White Horse and Chilterns.
Location
The landscape type is restricted to lowland areas, associated with alluvium drifts, adjacent to the main river corridors of the upper and lower Thames, the lower Cherwell, the rivers Ray and Ock.
Overview
This landscape type includes flat landscapes of lowland river valleys, associated with alluvial soils. It is characterised by a regular pattern of medium-sized hedged fields with permanent pasture and arable cropping.
Key characteristics
• Broad alluvial plains.
• Mixed farming pattern with regular fields with both arable cropping and pasture.
• Densely scattered hedgerow trees of ash and willow.
• Dense willow corridors bordering a large number of ditches.
• Sparsely settled.
Geology and landform
The area consists of low-lying land adjacent to main rivers and it is associated with alluvial drifts overlain by alluvial soils with naturally impeded drainage. Permanent pasture and numerous ditches are an indication of the heavy soils and poor drainage of this landscape type. On the slightly more elevated land and better drained areas there is more arable farming.
Land use and vegetation
There is a mixed farming pattern with both arable cropping and semi-improved and improved grassland. Remnants of unimproved neutral and marshy grassland also occur on Otmoor and close to the River Ray. Tree cover is a notable feature with dense corridors of willow and ash bordering ditches and watercourses. Woodland is insignificant and is largely restricted to small tree clumps surrounding farm houses, and small deciduous woods and plantations in the area around East and West Hanney. In places, gravel extraction has resulted in significant areas of open water, particularly near Lower Radley and to the southeast of Caversham. Small poplar and willow plantations also fringe the flooded gravel pits to the southeast of Caversham.
Cultural pattern
This is a planned landscape of late parliamentary enclosure which is reflected in the geometric pattern of the enclosed hedged fields. The landscape consists mainly of medium-sized arable fields and some smaller fields dominated by grassland. Fields are mostly enclosed by hawthorn, blackthorn and elm hedges. Open ditches, sometimes adjacent to hedges, often surround fields. Hedgerow trees are also very important with ash, willow and sycamore as the main species. They are often densely scattered, particularly in hedges alongside ditches and in areas dominated by pasture. Tall hedgerows, hedgerow trees and trees bordering watercourses create filtered views.
The landscape is generally sparsely settled with a few small settlements and scattered farmhouses adjacent to the floodplain. Straight roads, reflecting the planned character of the landscape, traverse the area and are often bordered by cottages and farmhouses. Although there is some infilling with new residential development in the villages, most retain their strong vernacular character. In villages located within the Vale of White Horse and Chilterns, such as East and West Hanney and Sonning Eye, the main building materials are red bricks with clay tiles or thatched roofs and some timber framed houses. In the small villages of the Upper Thames Vale, including Kelmcott, Duxford and Murcott, houses are predominantly built out of limestone with stone tiles.
BIODIVERSITY
Overview
This landscape is generally low-lying, a mixture of both arable and grassland, and criss-crossed by numerous tree-lined watercourses. There are some areas of unimproved neutral and marshy grassland, as well as species-rich rivers and ditches.
Key Characteristics
• Bioscores vary across the landscape type, from low to very high, but are predominantly low to low-medium.
• There is a range of both locally important and priority habitats, including neutral and marshy grassland and species-rich watercourses.
General Description
There is a wide variation in bioscores across this landscape type, ranging from low to high but with most local character areas falling within the low to low-medium bands. The latter tend to be associated with areas dominated by arable farming particularly to the north of Oxford, near Cholsey and in the vicinity of the River Thame. The higher scoring areas are on Otmoor and north of the Thames near Chimney. These areas support several important habitats including neutral and marshy grassland, flood meadows and species-rich rivers and ditches. Locally important habitats in most areas include plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges, and tree-lined watercourses.
LOCAL CHARACTER AREAS
Landscape Character
The area has geometrically shaped, medium-sized fields with a range of different land uses, but it is generally dominated by arable farming. Fields are enclosed by hedges which, in most places, are adjacent to ditches. They consist mainly of hawthorn, blackthorn and elm, and are generally overgrown and gappy. The hedges around Cote are very low and fragmented. Along old lanes, some of the hedges are tall, thick and species-rich. Tree cover is a notable element in this area. There are scattered hedgerow trees of ash, crack willow and dead elm but, apart from roadside hedges around Cote, there are no trees where intensive arable farming dominates. Ash and crack willow also border the numerous ditches and small streams throughout the area.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 136/H
Locally important habitats in this area include deciduous plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges, and tree-lined watercourses. There are flood meadows near Chimney as well as species-rich watercourses, ponds and ditches. There are also some species-rich hedgerows with trees bordering green lanes.
Landscape Character
The landscape consists of geometrically shaped, medium to large-sized fields dominated by improved grassland and arable farming, although there is a little semi-improved grassland. Fields are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges which, in places, are adjacent to ditches. Hedges, consisting of hawthorn, blackthorn and elm, are generally overgrown and gappy and, in some places, have been replaced by fences. Along roadsides the hedges tend to be in better condition. Tree cover is largely confined to ash, crack willow and hawthorn alongside ditches. Very small poplar plantations and tree clumps around farmhouses are also a feature.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 20/L
This area supports locally important habitats such as deciduous plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges and tree-lined watercourses.
C. River Thames floodplain (UT/21)
Landscape Character
In this area there are geometrically shaped, medium-sized fields with arable farming and semi-improved and wet grassland. Fields are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges, mostly adjacent to ditches. Although hedges are generally in good condition, in some places they are overgrown and gappy and there are fewer trees in areas dominated by arable farming. There are many hedgerow trees, consisting mainly of ash and crack willow, scattered throughout the area. In particular, there is a prominent pattern of high hedges and densely scattered trees around Northmoor. Dense corridors of willows, frequently pollarded, border small streams and ditches.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 57/LM
Locally important habitats include deciduous plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. There are also some wet grassland and species-rich watercourses.
Landscape Character
The area is characterised by medium-sized fields dominated by arable farming and semi-improved grassland. They are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges which, in some places, are bordered by ditches. The hedgerow network is generally intact, with tall and dense hedges. Tree cover is very distinctive and consists of ash and crack willow trees scattered throughout, and dense corridors of crack willow alongside ditches.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 94/MH
There are several locally important habitats including semi-improved grassland, scrub, species-poor hedges and tree-lined watercourses. There is also a small area of neutral grassland and a pond with fringing reedbeds close to the Oxford Canal near the Peartree interchange, as well as some wet woodland and species-rich watercourses.
E. Kidlington (northeast) (UT/32)
Landscape Character
In this area there are small fields dominated by wet grassland and a large area of rough grassland and scrub, with species such as hawthorn, blackthorn, scattered willows, some mature ash and the occasional oak. Fields are enclosed by a very fragmented pattern of hawthorn hedges with sparsely scattered willows.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 40/LM
This area supports a small number of locally important habitats including semi-improved grassland, scrub, species-poor hedges and tree-lined watercourses as well as some wet grassland known as Kidlington Meads.
F. Hampton Poyle (UT/39)
Landscape Character
The area is dominated by medium-sized arable fields, with some smaller semi-improved grass fields around the village. They are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges which, in a few places, are adjacent to ditches. Hedges are overgrown, gappy and very fragmented, particularly where arable farming predominates. Hedgerow trees, consisting mainly of ash, crack willow and some oak, are scattered thought the area. They are denser within roadside hedges and where there is more grassland. Ditches are also fringed by corridors of dense willows.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 23/L
The area has a limited range of locally important habitats including semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses.
G. River Ray (UT/45)
Landscape Character
The area is characterised by medium to large-sized fields with both arable farming and semi-improved grassland. There are also some smaller fields of unimproved neutral grassland west of Merton and to the south of Blackthorn close to the River Ray. Ridge and furrow patterns can also be seen in places. Fields are enclosed by hedges which, in several places, are adjacent to species-rich ditches. The hedges mainly consist of hawthorn, elm, blackthorn and goat willow. They are generally in good condition and relatively tall and thick, except in areas dominated by arable farming and particularly around Merton. Tree cover is a very distinctive feature, with hedgerow trees scattered throughout the area. They are denser and more prominent in pastoral areas and within hedges that are adjacent to ditches. They consist mainly of ash, crack willow, some oak, dead elm and occasionally poplars. There are also ash and pollarded crack willows alongside the river Ray and its small tributaries.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 164/VH
This area supports a range of locally important habitats including deciduous plantations, semi-improved grassland, scrub, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. It is also particularly important for its unimproved neutral grassland near Wendlebury and flood meadows near Arncott. Parts of the river and other watercourses have species-rich marginal aquatic vegetation and there are also some species-poor wet grassland and ponds.
Landscape Character
The area is dominated by large-sized arable fields and only a few semi-improved grass fields. Fields are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges, which, in some places, are adjacent to ditches. Hedges are generally low and gappy, apart from those along roadsides which are generally in better condition. Mature oak trees are thinly scattered throughout the area, and dense corridors of crack willow border the ditches. A few tree clumps, including species such as willow, oak, hawthorn and conifers, surround farmhouses. A dense corridor of ash, oak and hawthorn next to the railway line also adds to the tree cover.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 29/L
This area includes locally important habitats such as semi-improved grassland, scrub along the railway, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses.
Landscape Character
The area has geometrically shaped fields of differing sizes, which are largely dominated by arable farming. There are some smaller semi-improved grass fields around Murcott and Fencott and a little unimproved neutral grassland in the south. Fields are enclosed by hedges mainly consisting of hawthorn, blackthorn, some field maple and species-rich ditches. Hedges are generally in good condition and are particularly tall and dense when they are next to ditches. Scattered, mature hedgerow trees of crack willow and ash are a distinctive feature throughout. They are denser along roadside hedges and within hedges adjacent to ditches.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 106/MH
In this area, locally important habitats include deciduous woodland, plantations, semi-improved grassland, scrub and species-poor hedges with trees. There are also surviving areas of neutral grassland, wet grassland and dry meadows at places like Fencott and Murcott, as well as species-rich watercourses.
Landscape Character
The area is characterised by geometrically-shaped grass fields of varying sizes. Towards the south there are larger fields dominated by unimproved neutral and marshy grassland. The smaller fields to the north consist mainly of improved and semi-improved grassland with some ridge and furrow. Ditches, which are the main field boundaries, are a significant feature throughout. They are often open, deep and wide, and support species-rich aquatic marginal vegetation. In the north they are narrower, with only patches of marginal vegetation and are often surrounded by a dense tree cover of crack and white willow, oak and some dead elm. There are also some hawthorn hedges in this northern area which have pollarded willows, particularly where the hedges lie adjacent to ditches.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 170/VH
There is a range of locally important habitats in this area, including semi-improved grassland, scrub, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. It is particularly important for its neutral and marshy grassland, species-rich ponds and ditches. A significant part of the area is in the process of being converted from arable land to a combination of wet grassland, reedbed and species-rich ditches by the R.S.P.B. and it is one of, if not the most important areas in the county for breeding waders such as curlew, redshank, snipe and lapwing.
Landscape Character
The area is dominated by medium to large-sized arable fields, with some smaller semi-improved grass fields, frequently adjacent to ditches. The fields are enclosed by hawthorn and elm hedges, and some ditches. Hedges are in good condition and well-managed in most places. A prominent feature throughout are the numbers of hedgerow trees consisting mainly of ash and mature oak. There are also dense tree corridors of ash and crack willow fringing the ditches.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 29/L
Locally important habitats in this area include semi-improved grassland, scattered scrub, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses.
Landscape Character
The area is characterised by medium to large-sized arable fields. There is a distinctive hedgerow pattern with species such as hawthorn, blackthorn and elm as well as scattered ash, sycamore and oak trees. Hedges are generally gappy and roadside hedges along Watlington Road are fragmented and, in places, replaced by fences. Tree clumps, with similar tree and shrub species to the hedges, surround farmhouses. Alongside Baldon Brook there are scattered sycamore and young willow trees.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 64/M
Locally important habitats in this area include deciduous woodland, plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. There is also some wet grassland and parkland habitat.
Landscape Character
The area is characterised by small, irregularly-shaped fields of either semi-improved or improved grassland. They are enclosed by prominent, tall and thick hedges consisting mainly of hawthorn and elm. Roadside hedges are often more species-rich and include shrubs such as field maple, dogwood and wild privet. Throughout the area there are scattered ash, willow and oak hedgerow trees. Scattered willows, mostly pollarded, border ditches and the small tributaries of the River Thame. Dense hawthorn and ash scrub borders the disused railway.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 47/LM
There are several locally important habitats including semi-improved grassland, scattered scrub along the disused railway, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. There are also some species-rich hedges with trees bordering some roads.
Landscape Character
In this area there are small-sized, semi-improved grass fields enclosed by overgrown, gappy hawthorn hedges which, in places, have been replaced by fences. There are a few hedgerow trees including oak, field maple and crack willow and they are denser along some ditches. There is also a young oak and ash plantation which contributes to the overall tree cover.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 17/L
There are a few locally important habitats including a deciduous plantation, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses.
Landscape Character
In this area there are small grass fields enclosed by intact, tall hawthorn hedges. Along roadsides they are more species-rich including shrubs such as goat willow, dogwood and blackthorn. Some oak, ash and crack willow trees are growing in the hedges and there is a dense corridor of pollarded willows and some ash along some of the small tributaries of the River Thame.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 46/LM
Locally important habitats in this area include deciduous plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. Along some roadsides the hedges are more species-rich.
Landscape Character
The area is dominated by medium-sized arable fields. It also has some grass fields around the village, with arable fields beyond. The hedgerow pattern is insignificant and the most characteristic landscape features throughout are the many willow and poplar trees surrounding the old gravel pits and bordering some ditches. There are also areas of scrub and rough grassland, particularly along the disused railway. The area further to the south, adjacent to the River Thames, is associated with gravel extraction and this has resulted in a series of flooded gravel pits. Many of these are in the process of being filled with pulverised fuel ash from Didcot Power Station and restored to a mixture of plantations, grassland and wetland habitat.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 52/LM
Locally important habitats include semi-improved grassland, scrub along the disused railway, species-poor hedges with trees, and species-poor ditches. The land adjacent to the river was extensively worked for gravel and this resulted in a series of flooded gravel pits which were attractive to a range of wintering wildfowl. However, in recent years these pits have been progressively filled with p.f.a. from the power station and most of the land is being restored to a mix of plantations and grassland with some associated wetland habitat.
Q. East and West Hanney (WH/27)
Landscape Character
The area is dominated by large-sized arable fields with some semi-improved grassland to the west of Grove, and a little unimproved neutral grassland. Fields are enclosed by hawthorn hedges with very few trees. Hedges are generally gappy with the exception of some roadside hedges. The main features are the tree-lined watercourses with species such as ash, willow and poplar. There are also a few hedges and scattered scrub next to some ditches and a small number of isolated deciduous woods and plantations.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 94/MH
There is a range of locally important habitats in this area, including deciduous woodland, plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. There is also a small area of unimproved neutral grassland, some atypical ancient semi-natural woodland and a series of flooded borrow pits adjacent to the mainline railway.
R. Brightwell-cum-Sotwell (south) (WH/5)
Landscape Character
The area has a mixed farming pattern of arable cropping and semi-improved grassland but is dominated by medium-sized arable fields. There is some semi-improved pasture adjacent to Mill Brook. Fields are enclosed by hawthorn hedges and ditches. Hedges are gappy and fragmented in most places. The main landscape feature is mature hedgerow trees and tree-lined watercourses. They include species such as willow, ash and poplar. Trees also border the railway line to the southeast of the area and there are a few, small scattered deciduous plantations.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 22/L
Locally important habitats include semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses.
Landscape Character
The area has a mixed farming pattern with medium-sized arable fields and smaller fields of semi-improved and some marshy grassland. Fields are enclosed by tall, intact hawthorn hedges and ditches. Characteristic landscape features are the mature, densely scattered hedgerow trees of ash, sycamore and willow as well as dense corridors of willows alongside ditches. To the southeast of Caversham there is an extensive area of flooded gravel pits, which are used mainly for a range of water-based recreational activities including angling, water skiing and a new rowing course. A considerable number of small willow and poplar plantations surround the gravel pits.
Biodiversity
Bioscore/bioband: 62/M
There are several locally important habitats in this area including deciduous woodland, plantations, semi-improved grassland, species-poor hedges with trees and tree-lined watercourses. There is a little marshy grassland and the flooded gravel pits attract a variety of bird species, particularly wintering wildfowl, although this interest is partly compromised by the various water sports.
FORCES FOR CHANGE
• Overall, the hedgerow pattern is becoming fragmented and there are many overgrown and gappy hedges. In the more intensively managed arable areas the hedges are much lower, with fewer hedgerow trees and, in places, replaced by fences.
• The tranquil character of the landscape is disturbed by the busy transport network of railway lines and main roads including the A40, M40, and A34.
• A number of features are visually intrusive, particularly in the more open arable areas, and they include sewage treatment works, overhead pylons that are particularly visible to the west of Drayton and to the south of Oxford, large modern farm buildings and small-scale industrial development to the north of Grove and west of Steventon.
• Although there is an obvious vernacular character in most of the villages, this has been eroded to some extent by modern residential development in places like Yarnton and Hampton Poyle. In the more intensive arable areas to the southeast of Oxford, the lack of hedges and hedgerow trees accentuates the urban edge of the city.
• Gravel pits, with their processing plants and machinery, can be visually intrusive in places such as Caversham and Lower Radley although some are being restored to a more appropriate range of after-uses including grassland and plantations.
Landscape Strategy
Maintain the tranquil nature of the landscape and promote the restoration and enhancement of hedgerows, hedgerow trees and tree-lined watercourses.
Guidelines
• Strengthen the field pattern by planting up gappy hedges using locally characteristic species such as hawthorn, and hedgerow trees such as oak and ash.
• Promote environmentally-sensitive maintenance of hedgerows, including coppicing and layering when necessary, to maintain a height and width appropriate to the landscape type.
• Enhance and strengthen the character of tree-lined watercourses by planting willows and ash and, where appropriate, pollarding willows.
• Conserve the surviving areas of permanent pasture and promote arable reversion to grassland, particularly on land adjacent to watercourses.
• Minimise the visual impact of intrusive land uses at the fringes of towns, villages and farms with the judicious planting of tree and shrub species characteristic of the area. This will help to screen the development and integrate it more successfully with its surrounding countryside.
• Promote the use of building materials and a scale of development and that is appropriate to this landscape type. This ranges from red brick and clay tiles in the Vale of White Horse to limestone and stone tiles in the Upper Thames valley.
• Minimise the visual impact of intrusive land uses such as gravel extraction with the judicious planting of tree and shrub species characteristic to the area. This will help to screen the development and integrate it more successfully with its surrounding countryside.
Biodiversity Strategy
Ensure that all surviving priority habitats are safeguarded, in favourable condition and management, and enhanced to satisfy the actions and targets identified within the relevant habitat and species action plans. Safeguard, maintain and enhance all locally important habitats in a way which is appropriate to the landscape character of the area. Promote agri-environment schemes which will benefit biodiversity in general and protected species and farmland birds in particular.
Guidelines
• There are a number of important examples of species-rich neutral grassland, marshy grassland, flood meadows and wet grassland within certain parts of the landscape type. Many of these are designated as statutory or non-statutory wildlife sites and the priority must be to ensure that they are in suitable condition and management through agreement with the landowner. Opportunities for successfully expanding and maintaining these habitat types in parts of the landscape type where there is already good existing habitat are considerable, and they should be promoted through the use of agri-environment schemes.
• Species-rich rivers and ditches are also very important and the aim should be to establish and maintain diverse banksides and aquatic vegetation through sympathetic management and the use of agri-environment schemes.
• Species-rich hedgerows are distributed throughout different parts of the landscape type. Priority should be given to safeguarding, maintaining and expanding this resource particularly in those local character areas where they remain a notable feature.
• Tree-lined watercourses are a feature throughout the landscape type. They should be safeguarded and enhanced by planting species such as ash and willows, pollarding willows where appropriate, and establishing buffer strips/field margins to potentially benefit small mammals, invertebrates and birds.
• Flooded gravel pits can make a significant contribution to biodiversity, particularly bird species, and the sympathetic restoration and management of these sites through agreement between landowners, mineral operators and the minerals planning authority should be strongly promoted through the use of planning conditions and obligations.
• Opportunities for the establishment of other locally important habitats, such as semi-improved grassland and small deciduous woodlands, should be promoted in order to strengthen wildlife corridors and enhance the local landscape character.
• Promote the use of agri-environment schemes such as conservation headlands, overwintered stubbles and winter-sown crops to benefit farmland birds such as skylarks and yellowhammers.
Key Recommendations
• Maintain the tranquil nature of the landscape and promote the restoration and enhancement of hedgerows, hedgerow trees and tree-lined watercourses.
• Ensure that all priority habitats, particularly grasslands, are in favourable condition and management.
• Promote the management and expansion of these priority habitats through the use of agri-environment schemes.