Appendix A - Landscape Character Areas

Winchester City Council is currently undertaking a Landscape Character Assessment for the whole of the Winchester District, in accordance with Hampshire County Council and Countryside Agency guidance. This will ultimately divide the District into a series of 'Landscape Character Areas', each with their own Key Characteristics and Landscape Management Strategies (including, within Micheldever parish, the Dever River Valley and the Stratton Woodlands). The creation of landscape character areas will guide development, in accordance with Proposal C.6 of the Winchester District Local Plan.

Until the Landscape Character Assessment has been completed, the Key Characteristics and Landscape Management Strategies for the Dever River Valley and the Stratton Woodlands should accord with the 'Landscape Character Assessment Pilot Study' (Winchester City Council, 2000).

1. Dever River Valley: Landscape Character Area Key Characteristics

• The River Dever meanders through a relatively narrow valley, creating a distinct human-scale, enclosed landscape.
• Clear, alkaline, nutrient-rich spring river supporting a rich aquatic flora and fauna, including watercress beds, and luxuriant riverine vegetation.
• A predominantly agricultural landscape (Grade 4), with pasture on the flood plain.
• Small, irregular fields along the riverbanks, with no obvious field pattern. Remnant hedgerows enclose many fields.
• Small copses, carr* and isolated trees are characteristic of the area. These are predominantly water-associated native species, such as willow, sallow, ash, poplar and oak.
• The central section of the valley has an unspoilt, remote, and tranquil character. The A33 and A34 main roads reduce this at the eastern and western ends of the Landscape Character Area respectively.
• Minor roads run along the river valley sides linking the various settlements.
• Large manor houses and country residences with associated parkland are features of the northern side of the river valley, some of which are associated with earlier settlement.
• A number of small villages and hamlets are located along the valley, either clustered at river crossings, such as Micheldever, or along the valley side, such as Wonston.
• Traditional building materials are a common feature of the Character Area, including thatched timber framed and brick cottages, many of which are listed. Many settlements are noted for their special architectural and historic interest and are designated as Conservation Areas.

(* Carr - Woodland that has developed on fens and wetlands. Predominantly scrub species and colonising trees such as alder)

Dever River Valley: Landscape Management Strategies

Maintain and enhance the distinctive sense of place of the Character Area. In particular through the:

• conservation of the rich biodiversity associated with the clear nutrient-rich spring water;
• conservation of the structure and condition of field patterns, through the replanting and management of locally indigenous tree and shrub species (such as poplar, willow and ash);
• conservation of the linear pattern of settlements along the course of the valley and historic character of the lanes and roads;
• restoration of disused watercress beds;
• conservation of the diverse range of wildlife habitats including unimproved grazing, ponds, hedgerows, woodland and carr*;
• conservation of the generally unspoilt, quiet rural character of the valley away from the noise intrusion and urban influences of major roads and major towns;
• conservation of the generally small-scale enclosed and intimate character of the valley;
• conservation of the loosely structured landscape with occasional hedges and woods and single trees or tree lines along water courses including willow and poplar;
• improvement of public access to the riverside.

2. Stratton Woodlands: Landscape Character Area Key Characteristics

• Characteristic buildings within the village include 17th century timber framed thatched cottages, and 19th century brick and thatch estate cottages. Other buildings within the area are generally concentrated around farmyards, or have developed in association with the A33.
• The roads are generally quite narrow, but are straight and direct, as associated with medium rectangular parliamentary field enclosure patterns.
• Ancient woodland is a key feature of this area, including Micheldever Wood (mainly ancient replanted woodland), Black Wood, Rownest Wood and Shroner Wood (ancient semi-natural assorted woodland.)
• Mixed-species hedgerows are frequent, and are generally quite tall and dense. Oak and beech are the principal hedgerow trees, although ash and field maple also occur widely.
• The extended historic deer park, Stratton Park

Stratton Woodlands: Landscape Management Strategies

Maintain and enhance the distinctive sense of place of the Character Area. In particular through the:

• conservation of the generally high degree of enclosure and seclusion created by the numerous woodlands and hedgerows;
• restoration of the biological diversity and the patchwork appearance of the landscape within areas of intensive arable farming, by replanting hedgerows and woodlands where they have been removed, and allowing wider headlands around fields;
• conservation and restoration of the structure and condition of the woodlands, hedgerows, and historic parkland, which contribute to the biodiversity and character of the landscape, through the appropriate management and replanting of locally indigenous species including oak, beech, hazel, ash, and field maple;
• restoration of neglected oak-hazel coppice with appropriate management plans;
• conservation of the character of various archaeological sites and historic field patterns and character of roads, lanes and tracks;
• conservation of the pattern of isolated settlements and traditional building materials, including brick and timber-frame buildings and thatched roofs.