Countryside Appraisal

Foreword

If questioned, what would most people, who are generally unacquainted with Nottinghamshire, give as their dominant image or perception of the County?  Inevitably, perhaps, they would be drawn to the legend of Robin Hood and Sherwood, and a vision of oak forests, heathlands, and mediaeval castles  however misjudged this image may be, it demonstrates that one of our first associations is with the landscape, highlighting the important role that it plays in the mind of the general public. If questioned further, people with a greater appreciation of the County may point to the Trent Valley, and the role of this great river in the historical devlopment of the County.  The writings of D. H. Lawrence coud be discussed, with particular regard to the manner in which these were shaped and influenced by the landscape of the coalfield.  They may also be fascinated by the unique character and history of the Dukeries, with its large estates, country houses and ornamental parklands.  These, then, would be the areas with a widely appreciated, readily definable and distinctive character.

It is probable that many would have difficulty in describing other areas of the County, perceiving it to be a typical Midlands landscape with few dramatic features.  The message of this document is however that every part of the County, has its own distinctive character.  That the less well known landscapes such as the "Dumble" Valley Farmlands north of Nottingham and the "Carrlands" of the north are no less important in defining our "sense of place" and therefore deserving of our consideration and action.  One of the main purposes of this document is to identify the full range of locally distinctive landscapes that exist in the County, and in the process demonstrate how these reflect our rich physical, ecological and historical heritage.

Our landscape is central to the quality of our lives and we experience it daily, through our work, our leisure and when we travel.  The distinctiveness and local diversity of the countryside is an important part of this quality.  We should focus our attention on maintaining and enriching the character, quality and local diversity of the whole countryside.  To do this we need to recognise the unique collection of features which define each landscape and conserve and manage these appropriately.  The Guidelines provide the first structured and consistent assessment of countryside character in Nottinghamshire.  It shows the historic evolution of the landscape, describes its visual character, examines the main forces that have brought change in the recent past and considers the current trends likely to bring future change.  It identifies strategies and guidelines for the management of all our landscapes, in ways that will conserve and enhance their inherent character for future generations to enjoy.

The advice is targeted at a wide audience, including developers, planners, farmers, landowners, foresters, ecologists, archaeologists, landscape architects and highway engineers.  In short, all who make decisions that affect the caharacter and quality of the countryside.  The guidance does not attempt to fossilise or prevent change, rather it seeks to avoid uniformity and absorb change without diluting local character and distinctiveness.

County Councillor Terry Butler, Chairman of the Environment Committee

You can view a map of the Landscape Types Plan [PDF 2068KB]