4. Landscape Character Areas · connection with adjacent landscapes – Dunstable Downs Chalk...

4. Landscape Character Areas

4

Chalk Arc Landscape Character Assessment

Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited2212959

4.1 District Landscape Character Area 5A:

Eaton Bray Clay Vale

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1. Totternhoe Clay Vale Village

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DESCRIPTION

This character area lies at the foot of the Church End Farmland slopes

on the eastern approach to Totternhoe from Dunstable. The area is

bounded to the west by the built edge of Totternhoe. To the east the

character area boundary is defined by the rise of the chalk slopes.

Landscape Character

An open landscape of low-lying damp pasture surrounding the eastern

edge of Totternhoe and Church End. Totternhoe village is a small rural

community along the edge of the chalk quarries, the vernacular is stone

and brick with the key focal point to the south of the church.

The landuse is mixed incorporating a cricket ground, recreational area

and allotments along with arable farmland. The vegetation pattern is

one of hedgerows of variable quality along the roadsides and isolated

groups or clumps of trees on the village edge.

Views from the village edge are open and expansive up to the

overlooking chalk farmland slopes to the east with Green Lane on the

horizon and south, to the AONB and escarpment.

Despite the proximity of traffic on Dunstable Road and Church Road,

and the noise effects this brings, the overriding character is tranquil,

providing a peaceful setting for Totternhoe and Church End.

Built Rural Interface

The character area interfaces with the villages of Totternhoe and

Church End. The village edge is both organic and linear with a

mixture of building styles, although predominantly in the vernacular of

brick and stone.

A row of red brick semi-detached houses are located on the Dunstable

Road near the northern edge of the character area.

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EVALUATION

Constraints

• Avoid linear development along

Dunstable Road. Avoid

development on rising farmland

slopes and avoid development that

would link Totternhoe with

Dunstable.

Quality / Condition The low-lying land is primarily occupied by

allotments, a cricket ground and recreation

areas that provide both a visual setting and an

important recreational resource for the village

of Totternhoe.

Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a medium sensitivity to change for reasons including the following:

• Provides setting to Totternhoe village

• Quality of landscape associated with

the recreation ground is variable

• Open views over higher farmland

slopes

Opportunities • Enhance ‘village’ perimeter with more

formal planting along Dunstable Road

and

• Conserve setting of Totternhoe and

Church End

• Maintain recreational uses

• Maintain the setting of Totternhoe and

Church End

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4.2 District Landscape Character Area 10A:

Totternhoe Dunstable Downs Rolling Chalk Farmland

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2. Church End Farmland Slopes

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DESCRIPTION

Location and Boundaries

This character area is located in the south eastern part of the Study

Area between Church End and the built edge of Dunstable. The area is

defined to the north and south by Dunstable Road and Well Head

Road, respectively. The eastern edge is defined by the AONB and the

Icknield Way.

Landscape Character

An open landscape, of large arable fields, which slopes south-

westwards down to the clay vale. Field boundaries lack boundary

features and are open onto the surrounding roads. Small paddocks

enclosed by post and rail fences characterise the edge of Church End.

Lines of telegraph poles feature as prominent vertical elements in this

smooth landscape.

Tracks cross the area, forming edges to the fields. There are no other

public rights of way.

This character area has open views across the lower-lying clay vale

and is visually contained to the east by the imposing landform of the

Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment. This character area therefore

plays an important role in providing a setting to the AONB, Dunstable

Downs Chalk Escarpment, Dunstable, Totternhoe and Church End.

The character area is contained by roads which reduce tranquillity,

however views across the rural clay vale and to the Chalk

Escarpment provide a peaceful setting.

Built- Rural Interface

The area interfaces with the urban areas of Harvey Road, Character

Area (CA) 3 and Badger Gate (CA 6).

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EVALUATION

Quality / Condition Lines of telegraph poles are prominent and paddocks at Church End village create an urban fringe character.

Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a

medium-high sensitivity to change for reasons

including the following:

• Open and elevated therefore visually

prominent

• Provides open setting to the Dunstable

Downs Escarpment

• Provides rural edge to Dunstable and

maintains setting of Church End.

Opportunities • Maintain openness and visual

connection with adjacent landscapes –

Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment

and Clay Vale.

Constraints • Avoid further linear development along

the Dunstable Road which would

connect Dunstable with the village of

Church End and Totternhoe,

compromising the setting of villages.

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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb Photos

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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb

DESCRIPTION


Elevated south western edge to Dunstable, defined to the north by

Dunstable Road and to the south by Icknield Way

Built Character

The character area comprises a mixture of detached and semi-

detached houses and bungalows with large gardens. Red brick is the

dominant building material with some tile cladding, mock tudor and

pebble dash. Low walls and hedges delineate front gardens.

The beech-hedged avenue is a distinctive feature together with the

largest properties and gardens. There is no vehicular access between

The Avenue and the rest of the residential area. There is pedestrian

access only via Beacon Avenue.

Street trees (e.g. cherry trees) and mature garden vegetation contribute

to the greenness of this suburb.

The Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment forms a prominent and

enclosing feature in channelled views down The Avenue.


The character area boundary has two edges interfacing with Church

End Farmed Chalk Slopes. Properties on the eastern edge generally

have their gable ends facing onto the farmed chalk slopes or are

aligned onto the perimeter Harvey Road. Properties along The

Avenue on the south eastern edge back onto the surrounding

landscape.

The southern edge lies on the plateau top, set back from the edge

and the slope down to lower ground. Combined screening is provided

by mature garden and parkland tree planting in the adjacent field.

This edge is concealed from views.

In contrast the western edge has extended down the slope and is

highly visible in views from the west with little intervening vegetation

to provide screening.

A pathway runs along the southern edge connecting to the tree lined

horseshoe pathway and a track across farmland to Church End. The

western edge has no direct access to the adjacent farmland.

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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb

EVALUATION

Quality / Condition • Not applicable

Sensitivity • Not applicable

Opportunities • Enhance visual and physical

connections along the B489 (Icknield

Way) and the Dunstable Road.

• Enhance screening and perimeter

planting on western boundary

Constraints • Extent of residential units within

character area restricts development.

• Visibility and open views to adjacent

AONB restrict development potential.

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4. Totternhoe Farmland Slopes

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DESCRIPTION


This character area is located between Totternhoe and the western

edge of Dunstable. It is defined to the north by Green Lane and the

edge of the Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries. Dunstable Road forms the

southern boundary to the character area.

Landscape Character

Gently undulating chalk downland sloping in a south-westerly direction

towards the clay vale. Large arable fields are divided by tracks,

sometimes edged by low trimmed hedgerows. This is an open

landscape with little enclosure provided by the small geometric

woodland copses on the lower slopes. Totternhoe recreation ground

and cricket ground lie on the flattest land adjacent to Dunstable Road.

Mature trees along the Green Lane form a prominent and striking

feature on the skyline. The character area is visually connected to chalk

farmland south of Dunstable Road and to the Dunstable Downs Chalk

Escarpment. These views enhance the rural quality of the area, which

is also detracted from by the elevated built edge of Dunstable.

Lancot Meadow occurs on the highest land adjacent to the urban edge.

This is a small chalk grassland nature reserve remnant with large areas

of flower-rich meadows that once occurred around the edge of

Dunstable.


The character area interfaces with the urban areas of Badger Gate

(CA 6) and Harvey Road (CA 3).

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EVALUATION

Quality / Condition Attractive undulating chalk farmland. Constraints • Extension of the built edge would be

highly visible and would

compromise the setting of the

Green Lane.

• Provides undeveloped rural belt

between Totternhoe and the edge

of Dunstable.


medium – high sensitivity to change for

reasons including the following:

• Open gently undulating landform

provides connectivity to adjacent

farmland and the Dunstable Downs

Chalk Escarpment

• Mature trees along the Green Lane are

a striking feature in views, framing the

character area

Opportunities • Manage Lancot Meadow and prevent

scrub encroachment.

• Maintain woodland copses.

• Conserve trees along Green Lane.

• Maintain views to Green Lane and

visual connection to the Dunstable

Downs Chalk Escarpment.

• Conserve and reinforce Green Lane

link.

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5. Totternhoe/ Sewell Chalk Quarries

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5. Totternhoe/ Sewel Chalk Quarries

DESCRIPTION


The area is defined to the south and east by the quarry cliff edges. The

wooded and open slopes of the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment define

the area to the north and west.

Landscape Character

This area forms the crest of the Totternhoe Escarpment. Dramatic chalk

quarry faces contain re-graded lower lying arable fields, paddock,

grassland and woodland. Areas of unimproved grassland and semi-

natural broad-leaved woodland at the foot of the chalk cliffs are county

wildlife sites. The area is adjoined on its northern and western edge by

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Totternhoe Chalk Quarry

SSSI on the northern edge of the area comprises calcareous grassland

on quarried escarpment. On the western edge lie Totternhoe Knolls

SSSI (unimproved calcareous grassland, scrub and semi-natural broad-

leaved woodland) and Totternhoe Stone Pit SSSI (exhibiting exposed

phosphate base of the Totternhoe Stone).

Varied views provide interest within the character area. The vertical cliff

faces and rougher edges of the chalk pits provide contrast with the

smooth, sweeping arable land to the east.

Distant open views are obtained across the clay vale, whereas views

to Totternhoe and Dunstable are limited by landform. This is a

peaceful area with few landscape detractors and built features.

However the A505 is visible in views north and a low hum of traffic is

audible.

Footpaths run along the tops of cuttings with a number of informal

paths across the quarry bottom. The area is popular with walkers

with links to Totternhoe Knolls and Motte and Bailey Castle

Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM).


The area is at a distance from the edge of Dunstable. To the south

west of the area, Totternhoe is tucked into the sloping face of the

Dunstable chalk escarpment and is concealed from view.

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5. Totternhoe/ Sewell Chalk Quarries

EVALUATION

Constraints Landscape contained by quarry face with

expansive open aspect towards Clay Vale

Quality / Condition A peaceful area with few detracting features,

with the exception of some views to the A505

to the north.


medium-high sensitivity to change for reasons

including the following:

• Nature conservation value of SSSIs

• Setting for Totternhoe Chalk

escarpment

• Lack of landscape detractors and built

features, the landscape is free from

built development

• Texture and variety in the landscape

contrasting with smooth openness of

arable fields to the east.

Opportunities • Conserve undeveloped nature of the

area

• Conserve ecological resource and

consider extending and linking areas of

chalk grassland.

• Conserve open views across the Clay

Vale

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6. Badger Gate Contemporary Development

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DESCRIPTION


The Badger Gate Character Area forms a recent extension to the

eastern edge of Dunstable. It is adjoined to the north by Lancot

Meadow County Wildlife Site (CWS) and Green Lane. Dunstable Road

defines its southern boundary.

Built character

The character area comprises large, detached houses with relatively

small gardens delineated by high red brick walls and hedges. The close

proximity of large buildings with little space between them creates an

enclosed character. Red brick is the dominant building material with

mixed finishes including tiles, white render and different window styles

adding variety.

Properties are arranged around cul-de-sacs, and access to the

character area is from Dunstable Road. There are no through roads.

Channelled views are obtained to Lancot Meadow, Totternhoe

escarpment and school playing fields. Mature trees along Green Lane

are a significant feature in views.

Built and rural interface

A rural track linking Dunstable Road with Green Lane separates the

residential area from the adjacent farmland. Buildings are aligned to

face inwards with rear aspects directly or obliquely orientated towards

the open countryside.

The built edge is softened by hedgerow vegetation along the rural

track and Lancot Meadow vegetation. However in views back to the

edge (e.g. from Totternhoe) the large scale red brick buildings are

prominent built features on the skyline with only a low level vegetation

screen.

Lancot Meadow, contained by wooden post and rail fencing is easily

accessed. The residential area is well connected to the adjacent

farmland area by rural tracks and Green Lane.

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EVALUATION



Opportunities • Enhance existing hedgerow tree

planting.

• Conserve and enhance planting along

existing rural track, which divides the

built development and adjacent rural

farmland.

• Conserve and enhance Green Lane

as a key wildlife and pedestrian link

Constraints • Existing built development limits land

availability.

• High-density development would not

be compatible with this rural edge

location and its close proximity to

Green Lane.

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7. Maiden Bower Plateau Farmland

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DESCRIPTION

Location and Boundaries:

Located on the eastern edge of Dunstable defined by its plateau

landform, this character area is delineated to the north by the

Dismantled Railway County Widlife Site (CWS) and to the south by the

Green Lane. The cliff edge of the Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries form the

western boundary.

Landscape Character:

The character area is an open, exposed and elevated part of

Dunstable’s chalk farmland edge. Large arable fields are edged by

mature vegetation associated with the Dismantled Railway CWS and

Green Lane – the line of older field access tracks. A hedged track

crosses the area linking these two access corridors. The curvilinear

quarry cliff edge and circular Maiden Bower Schedule Ancient

Monument (SAM) contribute to an irregular field pattern.

Maiden Bower Iron Age Hillfort and the Green Lane (part of a wider

network) provide historical interest and value. The Dismantled Railway

is a CWS with calcareous grassland at the eastern end and neutral

grassland and scrub to the west.

This is a peaceful landscape with mature boundary vegetation

contributing to the perceived naturalness. However the exposed,

elevated built edge of Dunstable is a detracting feature. Open distant

views across the clay vale add to the rural character with few built

elements visible. Mature trees along the Green Lane provide visual

enclosure and restrict views southwards.


The elevated and exposed built edge of Hillcroft Post War Estate (CA

8) is visible with little vegetation to provide screening or integration.

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EVALUATION

Constraints • Elevated and exposed situation with

open distant views across the Clay

Vale.

Quality / Condition The built form of the urban edge is a detracting

feature.

Opportunities • Enhance urban to rural edge

integration through sensitive

planting

• Maintain setting of Maiden Bower

SAM

• Maintain links between countryside

and Dunstable via Green Lane and

Dismantled Railway CWS

• Conserve Dismantled Railway CWS

and links to adjacent CWS.


medium – high sensitivity to change for

reasons including the following:

• Open, exposed and visible in distant

views

• Site of Maiden Bower SAM

• Ecological value of Dismantled Railway

CWS

• Historic Green Lane route marking the

line of older field access routes.

Provides good access and recreational

opportunities

• Open views across rural clay vale

which has few detracting built

elements.

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8. Hillcroft Post War Estate

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DESCRIPTION


This character area comprises residential development located on the

western edge of Dunstable. Green Lane borders the southern edge of

this area.

Built character

Elevated at 150m AOD this post war housing estate comprises

detached, semi-detached and terraced houses arranged around cul-de-

sacs which lead off Hillcroft Road (the main route through). Typical

building materials include red brick, yellow brick and tile cladding.

Small front gardens open onto wide pavements with no boundaries.

School playing fields adjoin the residential area to the north and,

combined with the western edge onto arable farmland these spaces

contribute to the open elevated character. There are occasional street

trees (cherry and birch) and mature trees along Green Lane are visible.

Built rural interface

Hillcroft Post War Estate Character Area interfaces with Maiden

Bowers Plateau Farmland (CA 7) and Green Lane. Properties are

rear and sidefacing at the edge. Hillcroft Road also runs alongside the

edge separated from adjacent farmland by a wide open grass verge.

A footpath runs alongside the side facing properties linking to a

communal grass area adjacent to the school. From this path views

across arable farmland to the south west are foreshortened by the

plateau landform. The escarpment is glimpsed in views south. Clear,

distant north westerly views area cross to the Clay Vale with adjacent

industrial warehouses visible in the foreground.

Garden boundaries are delineated by a mixture of chain link fencing,

walls and timber fencing. The built-rural interface is abrupt with little

vegetation to provide screening or integration and is prominent in

views back from arable land. Edge properties adjacent to the Green

Lane are screened in views by mature vegetation.

There is access from the residential area onto the Dismantled

Railway CWS and The Green Lane. Both provide wildlife and

recreational links between Dunstable and the countryside.

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EVALUATION



Opportunities • Significant opportunity to enhance

integration of built / rural edge through

appropriate vegetation planting.

• Conserve and enhance existing

footpath link from urban built edge to

surrounding rural area including Green

Lane and the dismantled railway line.

Constraints • Elevated and exposed situation with

open distant views across the Clay

Vale.

• Existing built development.

10A


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9. Barley Brow, Suncote Pit Rough Grassland and Scrub

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DESCRIPTION


The character area is located on the north western edge of Dunstable.

This character area separates the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment from

the built edge. The character area is bound to the south by the

Dismantled Railway CWS. The A5 (Watling Street) forms its northern

boundary.

Landscape Character

This character area is defined by a landcover of paddock and pasture,

chalk, calcareous and neutral grassland.

Geometric fields of paddock and pasture are defined by post and wire

fences. Enclosure is provided by vegetation associated with the CWSs.

Suncote Pit CWS consists of a mosaic of species of rich chalk

grassland and scrub. Barley Brow CWS is comprised of species of rich

neutral and calcareous grassland and scrub.

Distant views are afforded from this elevated area down the slopes of

the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment and across the Clay Vale. Tilsworth

Church is a landmark feature in views. The chalk cliff faces of the

Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries are also visible to the south.

A number of tracks cross the area and informal paths run through the

CWSs.


This area adjoins Salters Way Post War Suburban (CA 10) and High

Street North Industrial Estate (CA 11).

CWS scrub vegetation provides an effective screen to the built edge.

The built edge of Dunstable is not visible from this adjacent

landscape.

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EVALUATION

Quality / Condition The unmanaged scrub vegetation and the

paddock post and wire fencing contribute to an

urban fringe character.

Constraints • Elevated land visible in views from

the north-west.

Opportunities • Enhance the ecological value and

accessibility of the CWSs

• Maintain connections between

CWSs (including the Dismantled

Railway) to improve recreational

access and wildlife corridors

• Maintain open views to the cliff

faces of the Totternhoe/ Sewell

Quarries, across the Clay Vale and

to the church at Tilsworth


medium sensitivity to change for reasons

including the following

• Open views down the slope of the

Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment and

across the Clay Vale

• Ecological value of CWS

• Role of CWS vegetation in screening

the built edge

• Visible in from the Clay Vale and

villages

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10. Salters Way Post War Suburb Photos

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10. Salters Way Post War Suburb

DESCRIPTION


This character area comprises residential development on the western

edge of Dunstable. The A5 (Watling Street) forms the north-eastern

boundary of the character area, dividing it from Houghton Regis Chalk

Quarry. To the west and south, the area is adjoined by CWSs and a

large warehouse building.

Built character

Semi-detached and terraced houses are arranged geometrically

around cul-de-sacs. Bungalows occur along the northern edge. A

uniform style of building is expressed using a variety of building

materials including red brick and render, pebble dash, mock tudor and

stone cladding. Low red brick walls delineate small front garden, back

gardens are large and grass verges and street tress (e.g. Rowan)

contribute to the street scene.

Built and rural interface

The Salters Way Post War Suburban Character Area adjoins two

CWSs – Barley Brow and Suncote Pit, and fields of paddock and

pasture.

Scrub and garden vegetation conceal views to rear-facing bungalows

from the rural edge. Properties along Salters Way are visible from the

Houghton Regis Chalk Quarry, exposed on the chalk cliff top.

There is access via a path from Suncote Avenue to open pasture,

paths into the CWSs occur along more informal desire lines. 10A

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