Section 1: Physical and human influences
Section 2: Visual character of the landscape
Section 3: Landscape evolution and change
Section 4: Landscape strategies and key recommendations
Section 5: Landscape guidelines

Section 1: Physical and human influences

Introduction

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands is a remote rural area, lying along the eastern fringe of the County within the broad vale of the Trent. The vale stretches deep into Lincolnshire where it is overlooked by the prominent north-south scarp of Lincoln Edge. The region includes all the lands within the County that lie to the north of the historic market town of Newark-on-Trent, and to the east of the Trent Washlands. Historically the area was considered to be of poor agricultural value, with parts still covered by damp, low-lying moorland and “waste” towards the end of the 18th century. However, a tradition of arable farming has developed on the light soils following drainage and enclosure, with over 80% of the farmland now used for cropping. The region has a simple and undeveloped rural character with few dramatic features, due to the subdued relief and the lack of major modern developments outside the Newark area.

The shape of the land

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands form part of a broad, low-lying vale that extends from the Trent Valley to the foot of the Jurassic escarpment in Lincolnshire. The greater part of this vale has a foundation of Lower Lias beds, consisting mainly of bluish grey mudstones, and clays. To the north of Newark these beds are overlain to a large extent by fluvio-glacial sands and gravels. This covering of drift has flattened the landform, producing an almost level, triangular-shaped plain stretching northwards and eastwards into Lincolnshire. In places the underlying clays and mudstones stand proud of the mantle of fluvio-glacial drift to form low, rounded hills, rising up to 20 metres above the surrounding plain. The most prominent of these hills are associated with a narrow outcrop of Rhaetic beds. These are the same beds which form the low escarpment along the western edge of the Vale of Belvoir. To the north of Newark the continuity of this feature is very broken, but it is still recognisable as a series of discontinuous scarps and elongated hills at Newark, Collingham, Wigsley, Thorney and beyond into Lincolnshire.

Reddish Mercia mudstones also outcrop in several places within the region, most notably at North and South Clifton. The Trent has cut into the soft mudstone below North Clifton, forming a steep-sided river cliff reminiscent of those found in the Trent trench to the south of Newark.

Blown sand, believed to have been accumulated by strong westerly or south-westerly winds at the end of the ice age, forms a series of deposits along the eastern edge of the Trent Valley between Collingham and Gainsborough. These deposits occur as a succession of low ridges and hillocks overlooking the River Trent. Between Besthorpe and Girton the sand assumes the form of well-developed dunes.

The region is drained to the west and east by the rivers Trent and Witham respectively. Drainage water is carried by numerous small streams and a network of artificial drains and dykes. In the north, many of these feed into the Fossdyke Navigation, within Lincolnshire.

Soils

Slightly stoney sandy gley soils have developed in the glacio-fluvial drift. These exhibit prominent mottling, an indication of a history of poor natural drainage. Groundwater levels have now been lowered by arterial land drainage so that most soils are now well drained. Soils developed on the exposed Lower Lias beds consist mainly of stoneless, or slightly stoney silty clay loams and clay loams. These soils have slowly permeable subsoils which are subject to seasonal waterlogging, although they respond well to drainage. On the outcrops of Triassic mudstone slightly stoney sandy loam brown earth soils have developed. These lie over slowly permeable clayey subsoils. Well-drained, stoneless sands are typical on the blown sands and are highly susceptible to summer drought.

Landscape history

The landscape history of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands is complex, being affected by the local variation in geology and soils. The parishes along the Trent share a history with the Trent Washlands, into which they extend, while those in the south follow the pattern of the South Nottinghamshire Farmlands. They also share to one degree or another in the landscapes of the clays and sands which characterise the eastern sides of the region. As an entity, the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands have been little studied from the viewpoint of land use in history and, as is so often the case in such situations in the County, the depth and complexity of that history have been underappreciated.

Early prehistoric activity is proven by the finding of stone tools and fabrication debris on the surfaces of ploughed fields. Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups appear to have been attracted to the areas of blown sand and other raised sandy areas, perhaps because they were higher, drier and less densely wooded than the rest of the area. Settlement by Neolithic and Early Bronze Age farmers is also demonstrated by similar finds of stone tools. Neolithic flint sickles from Thorney and Harby suggest the likelihood of agriculture. The impact upon the woodland cover which these early farmers had is difficult to estimate but could have been considerable, more from the grazing of stock than from clearance for cultivation. This woodland will have been broadly mixed deciduous with some conifer composition, with local dominances according to variations in soil qualities. Nationally, a decline in elm after 4000 BC is attributed to the effects of Neolithic farming. More locally, a decline in lime and pine around 1600 BC in this region is likely to have had a similar human origin.

To what extent clearance was sustained through prehistory we do not know, but in all events the last millennium BC saw large scale diminution of woodland. By the time the Romans arrived, the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands was a fully used landscape. Differential crop growth over buried pits, ditches and other remains, recorded from the air, shows late prehistoric and Roman settlement and fields analogous to those on the terraces of the Trent Washlands. In the main, these cropmarks have been recorded in the Collingham area. However objects from elsewhere, and discoveries such as the Iron Age pits and ditches encountered in water pipe laying at Harby, demonstrate that settlement was widespread at this date in the region. Equally significant is the large Iron Age settlement which is now recognised to have preceded the Roman small town of Crococolana at Brough. Similar settlements appear to have been ancestral to other Roman small towns at Margidunum, near Bingham, and Ad Pontem, near East Stoke, both in the South Nottinghamshire Farmlands. That these were of importance in the Roman period was in part at least because of their significance as focal settlements, centres for markets and ritual activities, and meeting places, before the Romans came. The large settlement at Brough, therefore, would not have existed as such if there had not been a well-occupied landscape around it.

The same, of course, is true for the Roman period, during which the existing landscape and land use were perpetuated and developed. At least two Roman villas, probably with associated estates of farms and fields, were established close to Crococolana, at Norton Disney across the border at Lincolnshire, and at Collingham. Other villas in the Trent Washlands are also likely to be related to Crococolana, which was no great distance away. The Fosse Way was built early, in the period of the Conquest, as part of a route which extended across England linking Lincoln to Exeter. In this area, the presence of the pre-Roman settlement at Brough suggests that there was already an existing route which the Romans formalised. Another roadside settlement appears to have grown up at Newark but the scale of this is still unclear. We may conceive, then, of a late prehistoric and Roman landscape which was one of scattered farms and fields for both arable and pasture, with at best small pockets of woodland in those locations where the soils were worst. Even here, though, whether the ground was wet or dry it was as likely as not to be used for grazing. It should not be forgotten, either, that those settlements close to rivers will have had an economy and land organisation which made use of the river valley resources in addition to those immediately around them. Along the west of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands this will have meant intimate involvement with the Trent Washlands; indeed it is entirely likely that land in the region was used by, and belonged to, settlements in the Trent Washlands.

What happened at the end of the Roman period is uncertain. It does seem, however, that landscape change across the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands was not uniform. There was social and economic change everywhere as population declined and Roman administrative structures degenerated or were transformed. The villas were abandoned and Crococolana withered. Doubtless land holding and land use were reorganised. But alongside, and probably contributing to the economic, if not social, changes there may well have been changing environmental circumstances. Beginning in the late Roman period the climate may have become wetter, and the areas of poor drainage in the region may have become increasingly waterlogged. This, and later episodes of waterlogging, may explain the development of soils which overlie and conceal Iron Age ditches and pits at Harby and which, if more than locally extensive, may restrict the recognition of early settlement remains elsewhere in the region. At all events, it seems that at the end of the Roman period there was a withdrawal of settlement and changes in land use in those areas where soils were poor in quality or in drainage.

Other parts of the region remained prosperous, however. Those communities which shared in the Trent Washlands, or were on other better lands, will have retained their economic strength and appear to have belonged to that area of South Nottinghamshire which continued to be the most populous and extensively farmed. Certainly the region had qualities in common with the rest of South Nottinghamshire which attracted incoming Anglo Saxons. Indeed, some of the earliest settlement may have been in the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands, to judge from the date of brooches coming from Brough, which may point to a protracted decline for Crococolana, and from some of the pottery from the cremation cemetery at Newark, which is the largest known from the County. However, no structural remains of the Anglo-Saxon period are known from the region, so we are dependent upon place-names for clues about settlement and landscape. Amongst these, Collingham is a name of early origin, but the high proportion of names with Scandinavian elements, such as Harby or Barnby, or which include thorpe, implying a secondary satellite community, such as Danethorpe or Besthorpe, is usually taken as indicating that there was much unoccupied, poorer land available for settlement in the late 9th and 10th centuries. This contributes to the interpretation of settlement retraction over much of the region, and the eastern side in particular, after the Roman period. This may be reinforced by some names which reflect landscape characteristics, such as Broadholme, part of the historic County of Nottinghamshire now alienated to Lincolnshire, where holme means island and implies surrounding wet ground, and Wigsley, where “ley” is derived from leah meaning a clearing and implies adjacent woodland or scrub. In fact, this part of the region was the western edge of a large area of ill drained moor and scrub which extended towards Lincoln. Although sparsely settled in parts such as this, the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands were nevertheless not wholly isolated and unvisited. On the contrary, the Fosse Way remained a principal route to and from Lincoln, and the precursor of the A1130 will have existed as a long distance routeway along the eastern side of the Trent. Indeed, the possibility that early versions of the Great North Road followed this route to cross the Trent somewhere in the Collingham or Langford area should not be discounted. Recent tree ring and radiocarbon dating of timbers from the bridge structure destroyed in building Cromwell Lock have shown that this was not Roman, as had been believed since its discovery in the late 19th century, but Middle Saxon belonging to the 8th century. This important piece of civil engineering must have been approached by a route of some significance. Possibly the principal route of the Great North Road did not pass through Newark until this town was founded in the period 924 - 954, to control this strategic zone of river, roads and river crossings.

By the 10th century other developments were also under way in the countryside of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. Under the pressures of a generally rising population and the growing power of local landlords, the pattern of dispersed farms and some larger settlements, which is believed to have been the earlier norm, was being replaced by one of nucleated villages. People began to group together around the farm of the local lord or in some other geographically favoured location. Evidence from elsewhere in Nottinghamshire suggests that the nucleation of some villages was not completed until well after the Norman Conquest, but it is nevertheless likely that most of the villages of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands had come together by 1086. In the process, two separate but adjacent communities had formed in North and South Collingham, each with its own church, recorded together in Domesday Book. The same is probably true for North and South Clifton, where both were served by one church on the boundary between them. Again, Domesday Book does not distinguish between the communities but shows clearly that ownership of the church was already divided.

Compared with other parts of the County, Domesday Book is limited as a source of information about the early mediaeval landscape of this region. The Bishop of Lincoln owned many estates here, and their details were subsumed into the entries for his principal manor at Newark, from which they cannot be disentangled with confidence. Overall, however, it can be seen that it was the communities closest to the Trent which were the most populous and had the most extensive arable lands. This demonstrates the continuing affinity of these with the Trent Washlands. By contrast, the communities with place names suggesting late development appear to have been low in population and arable. This is true even of Besthorpe, situated on the side of the Trent Valley next to the floodplain, a mark perhaps of the poverty of its soils on the blown sands and illustrative of the variation from locality to locality which characterises this region. It might be expected that the areas of poor soils and low population would be well wooded. However this is not the picture which comes out of Domesday Book. Woodland is recorded in fewer than half of the communities, suggesting perhaps that uncultivated land was open heath and moor, used for grazing. The area around Harby was wooded, with some 360 acres recorded, which amounts to just over a quarter of the parish. Meadow was also present in all the communities of this region, with the largest amounts being in Collingham and Langford. Much of the meadow within these two communities was probably within the floodplain of the Trent Washlands. The extent of meadow in Barnby in the Willows, Danethorpe and Broadholme was also at the high end of the average for Nottinghamshire, indicating a response to the wetter or river bank land in these locations.

The pattern for the mediaeval landscape was set by 1086. In common with elsewhere, population even in this difficult area doubtless expanded, increasing pressure on the land for cultivation and grazing and reducing woodland. It appears, though, that the wetness of the land continued to be a dominating influence in some areas. As in Sherwood, the relative emptiness and lack of profit in the land made it suitable for donations to found a monastery, a double Premonstratensian house at Broadholme. The mill in Thorney, given to this monastery at its foundation, was described as being in the “Moore”. Amongst the larger parishes, both Collingham and Langford extended from the banks of the Trent up onto the areas of moor in the east, giving them access to a range of resources which will have included the grazing on these moors. However Danethorpe, although situated wholly in an area of poorer land, also grew into quite a sizable community. This in part might have been due to the slightly better climatic situation reducing the height of the groundwater, the village site itself being on raised ground. Equally it might be because its agricultural regime may have been intimately bound up with that of Collingham.

The degree to which the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands were affected by the Black Death in 1349 and subsequent outbreaks of plague is not clear. There can be little doubt that the region did suffer, but contrary to common belief there is no evidence that any community disappeared as a direct consequence of plague. Indeed, its natural resources should have enabled the region to adapt to the changed social and economic circumstances of the 15th century and later. With a generally reduced population, less emphasis was placed on arable, and animal husbandry assumed a greater importance. Marginal ploughlands were restored to pasture, and open field rotations were reorganised to allow for larger fallows, temporary grass and the creation of closes. The large areas of moor, already extensively used as common grazing, will have been important in this increasingly pastoral farming regime. Differing types of land offered different resources of differing value. Something of these and an impression of the landscape can be seen in the 1567 description of the manor of Thorney, which also covered lands in Wigsley, Clifton and Spalford, as including 400 acres of (arable) land, 100 acres of meadow, 300 acres of pasture, 300 acres of wood, 40 acres of marsh, 1000 acres of moor, 60 acres of turbary and 1000 acres of furze and heath. This description covers approximately 46% of the combined areas of these parishes.

Not all communities were able to adapt, however. Danethorpe disappeared entirely, probably after a protracted decline, as a result of population loss, conversion of better land elsewhere to pasture, and difficulties with a rising water table as the climate became colder and wetter from the late 13th century. Langford was also deserted. Again, the initial decline stemmed from the need to reorganise the farming regime with consequential beginnings of enclosure. 400 acres were let out here to Newark butchers in the late 16th century; most probably these were in the Trent Washlands floodplain. Ultimately, in the late 17th century, the village was moved by the lord of the manor in a dispute over tithes. It seems very likely, though, that the village had already reduced greatly in size.

The development of enclosure in the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands was variable, again seemingly determined by local circumstances. Much enclosure was not recorded. That which was recorded dates to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is clear from the amounts involved at this time that there had been much earlier enclosure in some communities. This piecemeal reorganisation and enclosure took place over the later 16th, 17th and early 18th centuries. At Barnby in the Willows, farms were being engrossed in 1608. Some communities were well advanced by the later 18th century, others such as Coddington or North and South Clifton were virtually untouched. In the main, though, the unenclosed areas were the “wastes”, the moors and heath, and meadows in the Trent floodplain. In 1790, for example, some 1590 acres of North Collingham’s cow pasture remained to be enclosed.

The effects of this late enclosure on the landscapes of this region can be seen graphically in the description given in 1798 of changes in Thorney. From having been largely “low moors, much flooded by rains”, some 200 acres of woodland had been planted and a further 700 acres enclosed out of “the best sort of common ling moorland”. This land had been divided into five small farms, each with brick and tiled houses and outbuildings, and hedges set out with hawthorn and birch. In this way, across the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands the characteristic landscape of villages and isolated farms was created. By the later 18th century it was normal to build new houses of whatever status in brick, and earlier houses with timber frames and thatched roofs were being replaced or clad in brick with tiled roofs. Local clay pits were the sources of these materials. The medium to large regular field layouts, often defined by deep drainage ditches, and the long straight roads of some localities, all speak of this opening up of the “wastes”.

Enclosure, drainage by means of ditch digging and underground piping, new farms and building in brick transformed the landscape of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands by the mid 19th century. The farming regime was mixed convertible arable and animal husbandry in character, reminiscent of that of the Sherwood region. Grass was a rotational crop, with root crops to provide animal fodder and to market, and animal grazing with sheep on the better drained land, and cattle on the lusher grasses of the river valleys and low lying areas. New landscape features appeared, principally small blocks of woodland plantation, often on the periphery of communities on the most difficult land, and country houses at Langford, Thorney and Winthorpe, the parks and gardens of which also contributed oases of trees and greenery. The development of wooded hedgerows also added to this. The 19th century also saw gentlemen’s houses such as Beaconfield Hall at Coddington being ornamented with gardens and planting. In 1846 the Nottingham to Lincoln railway line was laid down through the region, adding railway stations, level crossings and signal boxes to the countryside. Industrial development was essentially rural, with occasional small-scale sand and gravel pits, and, in the southwest around Balderton, gypsum quarries. A number of villages also had maltings, with no fewer than three at North Collingham.

The 20th century has made its own additions, notably to meet the needs of motorists, with development of the Great North Road to a near motorway standard and upgrading of the carriageways and kerbing of other roads. The relatively flat open countryside of moorland origin was well suited to the development of World War II airfields, the legacy of which has remained in the hedgerows, treelines, roads and buildings of particular localities, irrespective of the use to which these air bases have since been put. Agriculturally, the farming regimes of the region were able to adapt to the changes in economic conditions in the later 19th and 20th centuries, although the difficulties of the periods of recession in farming were no less than in other areas of Nottinghamshire where soils were difficult. As elsewhere, governmental farming policies since 1945, and the development of modern fertilisers, have canted agriculture towards arable, although pasture is still a significant minority land use.

As with other regions of the County, the landscape of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands has all too often been described in terms of its later history. However, this is but one stage in a human and environmental continuum which, in this region, merits much closer study.

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Section 2: Visual character of the landscape

Introduction

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands share many of the characteristics of the wider Trent Vale. The region, however, possesses a distinctive character of its own. This is closely related to the physical characteristics of the region, which produce differences in the pattern of land use, fields, woodland and settlement. For the most part, the region has a simple agricultural character, although variations in the scale and distribution of woodland create much local diversity. Historical variations in the use of the land are also very evident within the landscape, with some late enclosure areas easily recognisable by the well-ordered layout of roads, fields and farmsteads. There are also reminders of the former areas of moorland and “waste”, reflected in the occurrence of heathy vegetation along roadside verges and woodland edges. This heathy character is particularly pronounced on the accumulations of blown sand that cover parts of the area. The settlement pattern of small red brick villages is still very much intact within this low-lying vale, forming an integral feature of the region’s remote rural character. The region is now dominated by arable farming although many ancient features remain. These include old village pastures, ridge and furrow, field ponds, narrow country lanes and parklands.

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands can be subdivided into two distinct landscape types. These have been classified generically, which means that, theoretically, the landscape types could occur at any location within the country where there are similar physical resources and historical patterns of land use. In reality the landscape types possess a distinctively local character, because they share the broad characteristics of the regional character area, or represent a particular aspect of that character.

Terrace sandlands

An enclosed and in places well-wooded, low-lying landscape with a remote rural character

Characteristic features Remote rural character Broad low lying terrace Gently sloping hills associated with Liassic outcrop Acidic sandy soils Intensively managed arable farmlands Enclosed medium distance views, often to wooded edges Variable pattern of woodland and hedgerow trees Regular pattern of hedged fields and rural lanes Small rural villages and isolated farmsteads Vernacular style red brick and pantile roofed buildings

Landscape description

These are intensively farmed, enclosed agricultural landscapes, with a largely remote rural character located on broad river terrace deposits to the east of the River Trent. The area shares many of the characteristics of a more extensive tract of Terrace Sandlands that runs eastwards into Lincolnshire. The landscape is mostly confined to sandy soils on the flat, low-lying terrace, although the level landform is interrupted in places by outcropping beds of Liassic clay. These are marked by the presence of gently sloping, low hills. The pattern of land use and settlement has historically been determined by the physical environment of the terrace with the principal landscape components consisting of intensively managed arable farmlands, small red brick settlements and a variable pattern of woodland cover.

Much of the area was still uncultivated towards the end of the eighteenth century because of limitations imposed on its agricultural use by the high water table. Little now remains of the once extensive areas of damp low-lying moorland and “waste”, although its former character is widely reflected in local place names, examples being Coddington Moor, Stapleford Moor, Langford Moor and Thorney Moor. After drainage and enclosure the region developed a distinctively agricultural character that has endured to the present day. With adequate fertiliser the relatively poor sandland soils are capable of growing a wide range of crops. Arable cultivation therefore forms the predominant land use, with pasture confined to settlement edges. With the exception of the Newark urban fringe, the landscape has a robust and undeveloped rural character.

One of the distinctive features of the Terrace Sandlands is the small rural villages and the dispersed pattern of isolated farmsteads. Many of the settlements lie along the edge of the terrace, close to the division with the lower-lying alluvial lands of the Trent Valley. Buildings within the villages are constructed from traditional red brick and pantile materials. The vernacular style is an important component of the region’s character, although there has been a degree of modern infill in most settlements.

The villages often link with small and intimate landscapes containing features such as species-rich hedgerows, permanent pastures, ridge and furrow and old field ponds. Many of the farmhouses and farm buildings are constructed from the same traditional building materials, most having being built at around the same time as the surrounding lands were enclosed. A network of narrow and often straight rural lanes links the various small settlements and farmsteads. These usually have well-maintained hedgerows that restrict summer views across the level terrace. Collingham is the biggest settlement outside Newark, the predominance of traditional red brick buildings producing a strong sense of place and unity. The landscape has largely escaped the influence of urban and industrial development, the only exception to this being the landscapes that fringe the northern and eastern edges of Newark and Balderton, where residential housing, major road developments and light industrial units have an impact locally.

The farmlands are enclosed by a well-ordered pattern of hedged fields and lanes which reflect the relatively late enclosure of much of the farmland. The regular and medium to large-scale field pattern tends to be to be the most dominant landscape element. Many of the fields are bounded by drains and ditches, highlighting the fact that many of the underlying sandy soils are naturally prone to seasonal waterlogging. Field patterns are largely intact, although there are areas where they have become poorly defined. Many hedgerows are over managed, with their low and gappy form reducing the sense of enclosure. This produces more open views across the flat terrain and the gently sloping Lias hills. Thorn hedgerows predominate, although mixed species hedges are found locally, particularly along the narrow country lanes.

In the north east the Terrace Sandlands have a very distinct character, particularly the area centred on the village of Thorney. Numerous small and medium-sized woodlands frame and enclose the farmlands. These are mostly broadleaved with birch and oak the principal species. Several woodlands have bracken understories. A small number of coniferous and mixed woodlands are also found. The flat river terrace topography confines views to the many wooded edges. The woodlands are linked by sinuous lines of oak trees sweeping along field boundaries and roadside edges. These mature and semi-mature trees are a special and important feature of the landscape, creating a strong sense of local identity. The village of Thorney occupies a central position within this area. The village is surrounded by a small area of pastoral landscape including parkland associated with Thorney Hall. This provides a contrast to the adjacent arable farmlands. Modern poultry units are distributed through the area.

Elsewhere the tree cover of the Terrace Sandlands is variable. The landscape becomes progressively more wooded eastwards from the Trent Valley, where tree cover is relatively sparse. Hedgerow trees are an important feature over much of the Terrace Sandlands with ash and oak the dominant species. Lines of willow along stream lines, drains and ditches also form important features, adding to the sense of enclosure. The eastern fringes of the Nottinghamshire terrace are strongly influenced by large plantation woodlands that often straddle the boundary with Lincolnshire. The long sinuous woodland edges add diversity and interest to the intensively farmed character of the surrounding areas.

In the south eastern area of the region, woodlands are of variable scale and species composition. The coniferous plantation at Stapleford Woods is the largest, with its straight edges providing a rather harsh frame to the adjacent farmlands. Internally the coniferous plantations are of more interest, with hardwood belts and acidic plant communities established along rides and roadside edges.

Elsewhere woodlands are smaller scale and predominantly broadleaved, with ash, oak, birch, sycamore, poplar and beech being the main species found. The broadleaved woodlands help to reduce landscape scale, providing views of varying distance across flat terrain.

Heath sandlands

A varied, but typically well-wooded landscape characterised by small geometric plantations and remnant heathy vegetation

Characteristic features Free-draining sandy soils Variable pattern of land use and land holding Mixed small-scale geometric plantations with birch, oak and Scots pine Acidic grassland and grass heaths Numerous rabbit warrens Bracken, gorse and broom along hedgerows and roadside verges

Landscape description

This landscape has evolved on free-draining, drought-susceptible sandy soils on pockets of blown sand between Besthorpe and North Clifton. The landscape has a distinctive character which arises from the variable pattern of landholding and the diverse range of land uses that the area supports, including permanent and rough pasture, grass heath, commercial forestry and arable farming. This varied character is also reflected in the pattern of settlement, which includes the small nucleated villages of North Clifton, Spalford and Besthorpe, along with a concentration of smallholdings, farmsteads and light industrial/agricultural buildings.

Acidic grassland and scrub communities are found throughout the landscape. At Besthorpe and Spalford Warren, areas of tussocky grass heath have developed, with communities on Spalford Warren of particular biological importance. The heathy character of the landscape is reinforced elsewhere by the presence of gorse, bracken and broom species in roadside verges, hedgerows and pasture fields. Rabbit warrens are very noticeable within the grassland areas on sloping land, marked by eroding patches of loose sand. Place names such as Rabbit Hill Lane and Sand Lane pay testimony to the physical characteristics of the area.

The landscape has a well-wooded character arising from the many small-scale geometric plantations. An exception is the larger coniferous plantation established on Spalford Warren by the Forestry Commission. No hardwood belts have been planted along its edges and it consequently appears as quite a harsh and abrupt straight-edged feature. Elsewhere woodlands often directly abut areas of grass heath and scrub with birch, oak and Scots pine constituting the main species. Pine shelter belt plantings are a feature near North Clifton.

The grassland areas are characterised by a small-scale, irregular pattern of hedged fields. Many of the hedges are now back-fenced due to under management, with oak forming the principal hedgerow tree species. An area of species-poor pasture and grass heath is found immediately to the south of Spalford Warren. Certain areas of the blown sands are now intensively managed as arable land. The weak soil structure has led to severe wind erosion problems and a significant loss of topsoil. Low, gappy, agricultural hedgerows running along raised sandy banks provide striking evidence of this.

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Section 3: Landscape evolution and change

Introduction

This section examines the main forces that have brought about change and evolution within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands over recent decades. It does this by discussing how the current structure and pattern of land use has developed, paying particular regard to agriculture, woodland, transport, industrial/residential development and mineral extraction. It also considers the trends and pressures that may produce landscape change in the future.

Agriculture

The pattern of farming and land use has historically been related to the physical characteristics of the region, particularly the variable pattern of soils. Since enclosure, arable farming has been the principal land use with cash roots such as carrots, potatoes and sugar beet the main crops prior to the Second World War. Arable farming still dominates the economy of the region, although major changes in the pattern of crop production have taken place. The intensification of agriculture has resulted in a concentration on cereal and sugar beet production, with smaller amounts of other root crops now grown. Over 80% of the region’s farmland is now used for cropping. The agricultural character of the region has been affected by field rationalisation over recent decades, leading to the fracture and loss of field pattern in some areas. The condition of hedgerows has also deteriorated as a result of inappropriate management.

On the glacio-fluvial drift, sandy gley soils are the most common. On the level areas of the broad terrace where the drift is shallow, the underlying clays become easily waterlogged, placing constraints on the agricultural use of the land. This is particularly so in the northern parishes of Thorney, Harby and Wigsley where ponds and meres are a characteristic feature. Groundwater levels are dependent on seasonal rainfall and depth to the impermeable Lias clays and marls below; however most soils are now adequately drained and despite low inherent fertility, are suitable for a wide range of arable and horticultural crops. The drift in which the soils are formed is underlain by material associated with the Mercia mudstone to the west and Liassic clays to the east and varies in depth from a few centimetres to several metres. In places relatively extensive pockets of Liassic clay are exposed, supporting soils of mainly fine loamy texture with slowly permeable subsoils. These soils have traditionally been used for grassland and winter sown cereals, there being little opportunity for spring cultivation.

The agricultural value of the land has always varied. In the late eighteenth century substantial tracts of low-lying moorland and “waste” extended across the area between Newark and Lincoln. In the early part of the twentieth century the area became famous for the production of carrots, which favoured the light soils. A large proportion of land was given over to the crop around Collingham, North Clifton, South Clifton, Besthorpe and Harby. Yields were exceptionally high with the product being distributed as far afield as London and Manchester.

The area has always supported poor quality pasture, with livestock operations forming a minor component of the agricultural economy. The area lying to the east of Newark around the parishes of Coddington, Barnby and parts of Balderton where soils are capable of sustaining higher quality pasture is an exception. Grassland now accounts for 13% of the total area of the region. Much of this is still concentrated in the area to the east of Newark. Elsewhere it generally occurs within small-scale fields along settlement edges.

Soils derived from accumulations of blown sand occur in two areas, between Collingham and Spalford, and in North and South Clifton. The blown sands support a mix of land uses including arable cultivation, pasture, woodland and heath. Crops are grown over 57 % of the total land area, despite the fact that productivity is severely limited by droughtiness. Continuous arable cropping has led to soil erosion in places, by exposing the weak-structured top soils to wind blow. Permanent pastures cover 19 % of the land area, the bulk of which is concentrated around Spalford and the New Lane area. The grass heath areas have a hummocky and in places, dune-like character, with the areas now managed for rough grazing and nature conservation purposes.

Changes in national and European agricultural policies have focused on farm diversification and measures to reduce the overall level of agricultural production. It is unlikely, therefore, that further agricultural expansion will take place in the near future, although there may be an intensification of production on existing land. Incentives that encourage more environmentally friendly forms of farming offer the opportunity to enhance the traditional character of region, by introducing more woodland and, in appropriate areas, by restoring areas of semi-natural heath.

Woodland/tree cover

The pattern of woodland is highly variable, with the level of cover being significantly higher on the Lincolnshire sections of the terrace, where the larger and older broadleaved woodlands are mainly confined to clay soils on the Lias. On the sandy soils of the terrace a scattered distribution of smaller scale broadleaved woodlands is evident, mainly in the form of straight-edged plantations. In Nottinghamshire the landscape has a progressively more wooded appearance towards the east with large-scale plantations lying along the County boundary between Coddington and Swinderby.

A relatively large amount of woodland is found in the parishes of Thorney and Wigsley, where numerous small-scale oak and birch woodlands are connected by lines of mature and semi-mature oak trees running along field boundaries. Elsewhere in the region the woodland cover is relatively sparse, with the exception of the small Scots pine, oak and birch woodlands established on the blown sands, and the coniferous plantation at Spalford Warren and the large plantation at Stapleford Woods. The overall level of woodland cover within the region now stands at 5.5 %. Broadleaved woodland accounts for 50% of the total, coniferous 40% and mixed species woodland 9 %.

Prior to drainage and enclosure much of the terrace was covered in wet low lying moorland, thicket and scrub. Numerous thickets, and copses of birch and bracken survived in the eastern parts of the region in the 1930s and were used primarily as shelter for game. Little of this habitat remains today. Only one ancient woodland, Kelwick Wood, as defined by the 1990 English Nature Inventory of Ancient Woodland, is found within the region. This is classified as ancient replanted woodland. The main hedgerow tree species are ash and oak, with oak dominating in the parishes to the north of the region. Few young trees are coming through to replace the mainly mature hedgerow trees, due in part to the excessive trimming of hedges. Small, mature parkland landscapes occur at three locations, Coddington, Barnby Manor and Thorney. The condition of the parkland trees is variable.

Transportation

Four major roads run through the region, the A1, the A1133 to Gainsborough, the A17 to Sleaford and the A46 to Lincoln. There are current proposals to upgrade the A1 to motorway standard, for the construction of a By-pass at Collingham and for the dualling of the A46. Elsewhere the dispersed pattern of rural settlement is linked by a network of narrow and often straight country roads. The recently completed Newark Relief Road has had a major impact on agricultural land in that area. The East Coast Main Line and the Nottingham to Lincoln line are the only active railway lines.

Urban and industrial development

The settlement pattern in the region is one of small rural villages, with the historic market town of Newark-on-Trent lying to the south. The largest settlement outside the Newark urban area is Collingham, which has retained its distinctive character. Large-scale new development has been relatively well controlled so that the region’s rural character, and the historic settlement pattern of small red brick villages, is still intact. In the Newark area, past industrial and residential expansion has led in part to the coalescence of outlying villages and loss of historical settlement pattern and rural character. Local plan policies are now in force to prevent this process proceeding any further. Development is to be directed towards the built-up areas of Newark and Balderton in a manner that will protect the existing open breaks between settlements.

It is estimated that in excess of 5000 dwellings will be required in the Newark area to meet the demand for new housing over the next 10 years. Part of this demand will have to be met within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. Although most of the housing land will be found within the existing urban areas, there will be some pressure on the outlying rural areas of the region. In the countryside new development is to be confined to existing settlement, within village envelopes. Local plan policies allow for small-scale residential development within the larger villages, but only limited infill and the conversion of existing buildings within the smaller village settlements. In the wider countryside, development is strictly controlled with planning permission only available for agricultural workers’ dwellings and the conversion of traditional agricultural buildings. Policies are also in force to protect the character and form of village settlements, including areas of open space that contribute to that character.

It is likely that the demand for rural housing will continue to grow, driven by the increasing number of people who want to live in a rural location. The rehabilitation and conversion of old farm buildings to high quality residential dwellings is now widespread. The occupiers of these buildings are largely from the affluent service classes and their arrival has caused shifts in the economic and social structure of the countryside. The impact of these changes is only just being felt, and the trend is likely to continue.

Employment development will also be directed toward the built-up areas of the region. In the rural areas planning permission will not be granted for employment development unless associated with the agricultural or mineral sectors, or for the expansion of an existing business. The only existing proposals for employment development outside the Newark area relate to the airfield site at Winthorpe and a small allocation at Collingham. Local plan policies allow for the granting of planning permission for the conversion of agricultural and other rural buildings in the countryside to small-scale employment uses, provided that they help to diversify the rural economy. Continued uncertainty in the agricultural sector and declining incomes will ensure that rural tourism and farm diversification play an increasing role in the economy of the area. This is likely to result in the conversion of existing agricultural buildings, and in some cases demands for new built development.

Minerals: sand and gravel

Rich deposits of sand and gravel cover substantial areas of the broad terrace, with the main area of extraction lying outside the region, on the western side of Lincoln. The only quarry occurring within Nottinghamshire is found at North Scarle, where production ceased in the 1980s. This quarry is included in a pulverised fuel ash reclamation scheme, although some lagoons still remain to be reclaimed to agriculture. Mineral extraction has therefore had a minimal impact upon the character of the region. This may not be the case in the future, with major proposals for sand and gravel extraction existing for sites at Coddington and Stapleford Woods. Although the proposals for both sites were rejected at a recent public inquiry, they can be re-submitted when the Minerals Local Plan comes up for review.

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Section 4: Landscape strategies and key recommendations

Introduction

When applied to the landscape, the notion of “character” is not a concept that merely concerns itself with aspects of scenic quality. The character of the landscape derives from a complex interaction of a wide range of physiological and historical phenomena. These include geology, topography, soils, ecology, archaeology, architecture, and local customs and culture, as well as the pattern of land use, settlement and fields. It is the varied interaction between these factors which produces the local and regional variations in character for which the English landscape is famous. The diversity of that character is a central part of our landscape heritage and vital to people’s appreciation and enjoyment of the countryside.

The landscape that we see today is a product of its historical evolution, reflecting the underlying physical resource and the changing nature of human exploitation of the land. The landscape will, of course, continue to change and evolve, reflecting the changing priorities and demands that society places on it. Over recent decades, however, these priorities and demands have often degraded rather than improved the fabric of the landscape. There is now a general consensus that positive action is needed to reverse this trend, and that this should place a high value on conserving and enhancing the inherent character and diversity of our landscapes.

A series of Landscape Strategies and Key Recommendations is set out in this section for each of the landscape types within the region. These should be read in conjunction with the Landscape Guidelines that appear in section 5. Collectively, these will provide the framework for conserving and strengthening the distinctive character and features of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. They will help to ensure that landscape character is reflected in the many decisions and actions that affect its continuing evolution. The intention is not to fossilise change, but to provide a context that will enable policy making, planning and landscape management decisions to be made which respect and sustain the diversity and character of our countryside.

Landscape Strategies
These recognise the forces acting upon the landscape and set the broad vision for its future management. The Strategies provide the framework for conserving and enhancing the character and distinctiveness of the landscape. The Landscape Strategies are given in the form of a short summary title, followed by a reasoned justification of why it has been chosen. The strategy options defined for each landscape type generally relate to one, or more than one, of the following four courses of action:
A: Conservation, where the traditional landscape character and “sense of place”are strong, or where many landscape features are notable for their landscape, ecological or historical value. The Landscape Strategy will encourage the good management of the key features which characterise the landscape and recommend the avoidance of out-of-character development.
B: Enhancement, where landscape character is still reasonably strong, but the overall structure and individual features are in decline. The Landscape Strategy will relate to areas where landscape character is perceived to be under threat, and where positive action is required to strengthen the overall character and structure of the landscape.
C: Restoration, where landscape character or individual features have suffered significant decline or damage, but the underlying character and patterns within the landscape are still evident. The Landscape Strategy will seek to replace characteristic features and rebuild the character of the landscape.
D: Creation, where little of the original landscape character or landscape features remain. The Landscape Strategy will set a vision for a new landscape. This will either relate to the characteristics of a former landscape through a process of reconstruction, or aim to create a new and different landscape.

Key recommendations

The Landscape Strategies are supported by a series of Key Recommendations. These develop and focus the overall strategy further by identifying the main actions and priorities for each landscape type. The Key Recommendations are presented as a series of aims, each followed by a justification describing the recommended course of action. The Landscape Strategies and Key Recommendations are summarised at the beginning of the description of each landscape type.

Terrace sandlands
Landscape strategy

Conserve and enhance the traditional rural character and well-wooded appearance of the landscape

Key Recommendations Conserve the traditional pattern and character of small rural villages. Conserve and strengthen the pattern of field hedgerows and associated tree cover. Promote measures for new woodland planting on suitable sites.

Landscape strategy

• Conserve and enhance the traditional rural character and well-wooded appearance of the landscape

The historical development of the Terrace Sandlands is still widely reflected within the existing pattern of land use and settlement. The most dominant and unifying features are associated with enclosure, and the tradition of arable farming that has developed since that time. This is reflected in the well-ordered pattern of hedged fields and the layout of roads, farmsteads and rural settlement. The most noticeable force for change has arisen from arable intensification. This has led to a gradual decline in the overall structure and condition of the landscape with many of the hedgerows now gappy and overmanaged. The rural character of the region has survived largely intact, despite the introduction of inappropriate “suburban” style development in some villages. This is because major developments have been concentrated in the Newark and Balderton area or, in the case of mineral extraction, along the Trent river corridor which lies to the west. The variable pattern of woodland cover leads to some areas of the Terrace Sandlands being relatively devoid of trees, whilst others have a strong and well-developed wooded character. Where this occurs, woodland edges create a sense of wooded enclosure locally, strengthening the character and unity of the landscape. The overall landscape strategy should thus involve a combination of conservation and enhancement - to conserve the traditional pattern of farms and rural villages, whilst at the same time looking for opportunities to enhance the overall structure and unity of the landscape, particularly the pattern of hedged fields and the wooded appearance.

Key Recommendations

• Conserve the traditional pattern and character of small rural villages

The settlement pattern of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands has traditionally been one of small rural villages and isolated farmsteads, constructed in the distinctive vernacular style. These settlements and farms are one of the distinguishing features of the landscape, with the red brick and pantile roofed buildings adding greatly to the local sense of place. The majority of the villages have retained their traditional character despite the introduction of modern, suburban type buildings. These infill developments tend to weaken the overall character and integrity of individual settlements as well as affecting the traditional relationship between buildings, areas of open space, and the historic bond with the small-scale pastoral landscapes that often lie along village edges. Local planning policies should seek to balance the scale and layout of new development with measures to conserve the integrity and distinctive character of rural settlement. It is also important that new development is located, as far as possible, within existing villages in order to conserve the historic settlement pattern and remote rural character of the region.

• Conserve and strengthen the pattern of field hedgerows and associated tree cover

The pattern of hedgerows and hedgerow trees forms the basic structure of the late enclosure landscapes of the Terrace Sandlands. The regular and semi-irregular medium to large-scale field pattern is the dominant and distinguishing feature of the arable farmlands and the priority should therefore be to maintain and strengthen the traditional pattern of hedged fields. The field pattern is now variable. In some areas it has remained largely intact, in others it has become poorly defined, fragmented or lost. It is especially important to avoid the further removal of hedgerows, particularly primary hedgerows along roadsides, footpaths, bridleways and parish boundaries. Hedgerow reinstatement initiatives should initially focus on replacing primary hedgerows and restoring the basic structure of the landscape in the more open areas. Many hedgerows are thin and gappy and would benefit from being allowed to grow thicker and taller. Measures to conserve and enhance the structure of hedged fields should also focus on strengthening the level of hedgerow tree cover, which has now become highly variable.

• Promote measures for new woodland planting on suitable sites

Measures to extend and enhance the wooded character of the Terrace Sandlands should be a priority. This is especially relevant to the western portions of the terrace where the existing level of woodland cover is low, and in areas where field pattern has been lost through agricultural intensification. Medium to large-scale woodlands are a feature of the Terrace Sandlands to the east, particularly the large areas falling within Lincolnshire. A similar scale and pattern of planting is appropriate for strengthening the character of the landscape within Nottinghamshire. The establishment of more woodland will help to increase the sense of wooded enclosure and landscape interest, whilst maintaining the contrast with the more open alluvial lands of the Trent corridor to the west. Woodland planting programmes should be combined with other initiatives to strengthen tree cover. These should focus on rural settlement, the urban fringe, and individual farmsteads and rural dwellings. Hedgerow tree establishment should also form part of such initiatives. This will help to strengthen and emphasise the pattern of hedged fields and allow filtered views to wooded edges.

Heath sandlands Landscape strategy Conserve and enhance the overall unity and distinctive heathy character of the landscape Key Recommendation Identify opportunities for re-creating areas of heathland and semi-natural woodland Landscape strategy Conserve and enhance the overall unity and distinctive heathy character of the landscape

Historically the poor quality soils of the Heath Sandlands have been used for a range of purposes. These include cropping and pasture, commercial forestry and small holdings. Parts of the area may have been used in medieval times to raise rabbits, an important source of meat and fur at that time. The complex history of land use is reflected in the diverse character of the present-day landscape. It would appear that the area has been subject to periods of relatively sudden change, rather than gradual evolution. Intensive cultivation and commercial timber production are more recent examples of this, both practices leading to a dilution of the traditional, heathy character. As a result the Heath Sandlands tend to have little sense of visual unity, despite the fact that the landscape has a very distinct sense of place. Much of this distinctiveness arises from the widespread occurrence of heathy vegetation, and the small-scale woodlands. These provide a reminder of the former heathland character. The overall landscape strategy for the Heath Sandlands should thus involve a combination of conservation and enhancement - to conserve those features which contribute to the distinctive heathy character of the landscape, whilst at the same time enhancing the overall unity of the landscape through small-scale woodland planting and heathland re-creation.

Key Recommendation

• Identify opportunities for re-creating areas of heathland and semi-natural woodland

Acidic grassland, heathland and scrub communities are traditional features of the Heath Sandlands. Heather dominated communities are now limited in extent with only small patches now found. Acidic vegetation occurs widely, particularly as open areas of grass heath, within woodlands and along roadside verges and hedgerows. Small oak, birch and Scots pine woodlands are also a characteristic feature, along with scrub communities that have developed within the grass heath areas. The existing heath and woodland communities should be managed to retain and improve their ecological and visual interest, whilst at the same time opportunities should be sought to restore and re-create areas of heathland and semi-natural oak woodland. The restoration of heathland vegetation to areas formerly occupied by heath presents the best opportunity to re-establish this habitat. Small oak woodlands with secondary stands of birch and scrub are closely associated with the grass heath areas. The establishment of new areas of semi-natural oak woodland would greatly enhance the visual character of the Heath Sandlands, as well as providing valuable habitat for plants and animals. Areas adjacent to existing sites should be targeted first. The key to restoring both habitats lies with finding a mechanism and financial incentive for taking land out of arable production. Such schemes may be linked to European and national initiatives to reduce agricultural production and promote environmentally sensitive farming. Payments could be made to farmers to convert arable land to heathland and woodland within those parts of their holding that lie on the blown sands. This would have the added benefit of conserving soil resources in the area, which are currently subject to wind erosion.

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Section 5:  Landscape guidelines

Introduction

The Landscape Guidelines that follow act as the mechanism for implementing the aims of the Landscape Strategies and Key Recommendations by indicating how specific aspects of landscape character can be conserved, enhanced or restored. The Guidelines are design-based and relate to the management of all the individual features and components of the landscape, highlighting possible courses of action and mechanisms for implementation. The Guidelines provide the framework to place wider landscape considerations at the heart of the conception and design process for individual projects. They also recommend appropriate courses of action for integrating nature conservation measures into the process of change.

The Landscape Guidelines are presented in the form of a summary statement, followed by a justification for that course of action. The Guidelines are grouped under a number of topic headings, rather than by landscape type, as this better reflects the specific management issues and range of potential users of this manual. To aid clarity each topic area has been assigned a stylised symbol as follows.

	Rural villages		Parkland and ornamental grounds
	Farmsteads and rural dwellings		Historic features
	Urban development		Farmland
	Woodland		Recreational land
	Hedgerow trees		Highways and rural lanes
	Hedgerows		Utilities and industrial sites
	Meadowland and pasture		Rivers and stream lines
	Heathland

Conserve the settlement pattern of small red brick villages by avoiding new development in open areas of countryside

The historic settlement pattern of red brick villages is an important component of the rural character of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. Leaving aside the urban areas of Newark and Balderton, built development accounts for 5.5% of the total land area of the region. In the past, large-scale developments have been directed towards the built-up areas of Newark and Balderton, so that the region has maintained its relatively remote and undeveloped rural character.To maintain this character it is important that new, large-scale development in open areas of countryside is avoided. Built development should be restricted, as far as possible, to within existing settlements to conserve the historic settlement pattern. Where new housing is necessary in the wider countryside, it should reflect the dispersed pattern of isolated farmsteads and other buildings that lie outside the village envelopes. Single dwellings rather than groups of dwellings should be preferred. This will maintain the traditional pattern of settlement, as long as attention is given to the scale, siting and design of new buildings, which should incorporate features which reflect the local vernacular character.

Conserve and enhance the local vernacular character of villages and farmsteads

The traditional character of villages and farmsteads within the region is set by the vernacular style of red brick and pantile roofed buildings. The bricks and tiles were made from local clay and sit naturally within the landscape. A range of other building styles is also found, including newer developments that do not harmonise with the vernacular style. These buildings can appear out of place, introducing a suburban influence that sometimes disrupts the overall sense of rural unity. The conservation of the distinctive vernacular style is a priority. All new developments should seek to complement and harmonise with the local vernacular style.

Protect and enhance the internal open space and irregular outline of village settlements

Many of the villages within the region contain areas of open greenland. These are found internally within the village centres or as open green breaks running into the villages from the surrounding countryside. These open spaces typically comprise permanent pastures and horse paddocks, allotments, gardens, village greens, commons, small parks and play areas, and other areas of amenity land and open space. The many open breaks between buildings create village forms that are essentially irregular in outline. These village outlines harmonise well with adjacent farmed landscapes which are usually intimate pastoral landscapes with a small-scale irregular field pattern. The village edge landscapes provide much of the diversity and “sense of place” within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. Infill developments that would significantly disrupt or destroy the irregular pattern of village outlines should be resisted. New development should be designed and sited sympathetically to complement and reinforce the irregular nature of settlement edges, with adequate provision for internal open space and direct green linkages to surrounding farmlands.

Conserve the character of rural villages by retaining farmsteads within settlements

Farmsteads are an integral feature of many village settlements within the region, contributing greatly to the rural character of the immediate village landscape. The working farms are an important part of the agricultural economy and serve to reinforce the impression of a working agricultural landscape. They also emphasise the historic and economic bonds between the villages and the land. There has been a recent trend toward converting old farmhouses and associated buildings to residential use when farms are sold. The buildings are often sold separately from the rest of the agricultural holding. This weakens the historic ties between the village and the agricultural economy and leads to changes in the character of the village settlements. Planning policies should therefore seek to resist proposals for the residential development of farms and their associated buildings.

Conserve and enhance tree cover in and around rural settlements

The attractiveness of rural settlements within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands is often enhanced by the presence of trees. These introduce colour, shape, texture and height variations into the angular built environment. These trees provide wildlife habitat and cultural and historical links for the village dwellers and help tie the built landscape and wider farmed landscape together. Many of the villages are fringed by small-scale pastoral landscapes with mature hedgerow trees. In these areas the landscape of the village edge exhibits a particularly strong and unified character. The retention of existing trees and the replacement of lost trees is therefore essential to the maintenance of the distinctive rural character of these settlements. Garden trees play an important role in linking settlement edges into the wider landscape. Property owners should therefore be encouraged to plant appropriate longer-lived trees rather than non-native species. New planting should also be undertaken to soften the hard edges of more recent development and consolidate the well-treed character of the villages.

Conserve the character of village side pastoral landscapes and manage grasslands in a traditional manner

Since enclosure the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands have developed as a cropping area, with a relatively small proportion of the farmland set to grass. This remains the case today with only 13% of the total land area supporting grassland land uses. The permanent pastures are, for the most part, linked with village edges. They are often relatively unaffected by agricultural improvement and associated with small-scale field pattern, old mixed hedgerows, and occasional areas of ridge and furrow. These peaceful, undisturbed and aesthetically pleasing landscapes provide an important contrast to the more uniform arable areas. Although limited in extent, these areas add greatly to landscape diversity, introducing varieties of scale, colour, and texture to the wider landscape pattern. It is vital that this diversity is maintained by conserving all areas of pastoral landscape. The pastures were traditionally used for haymaking and summer grazing using low input forms of management, methods which created floristically diverse habitats of high nature conservation interest and supported a wide variety of invertebrates and other animal life. Many of the pastures are now managed intensively, leading to a decline in the aesthetic and ecological value of the grasslands. Where opportunities arise, a return to traditional forms of management should be adopted which will help to maintain and enhance the conservation value of these grasslands and improve their visual appeal. This may be achieved by the application of European and government schemes that seek to reduce agricultural surpluses and promote environmentally sensitive forms of farming.

Conserve and enhance tree cover around farmsteads and rural dwellings

Clumps of trees are an important feature around farmsteads and rural dwellings where they provide shelter and give a sense of proportion and balance to the built environment. Mature trees are particularly valuable as local landmarks where their presence often produces a strong sense of place. Trees can soften the hard edges of new buildings and help to link the new development into the wider farmed landscape. Tree planting, using locally occurring species, should be encouraged around farmsteads and rural dwellings. The intention is not to hide the buildings, but rather to integrate them into the landscape. Ornamental species planted as quick growing screens, particularly Leylandii, should be avoided.

Agricultural buildings should be sited, designed and landscaped to blend with the surrounding farmed landscape

Farmsteads have traditionally been constructed using materials that conform with the vernacular style. The red brick and pantile roofed buildings are an important feature of the landscape fabric, contributing greatly to local sense of place. The older farmsteads are often surrounded by small pasture fields, hedgerows and mature trees. These features ensure that the red brick buildings are well integrated with the wider farmed landscape. New farm buildings which have been built at many locations are often large and constructed from materials that do not complement or fit in with the vernacular style. When considering the siting and design of new agricultural buildings, careful consideration should be given to positioning and choice of building materials. Existing features such as hedgerows, woodlands and trees can be used in conjunction with landform to reduce the visual impact of large buildings. Darker colours will be less obtrusive and will harmonise better with the vernacular style. New landscape features can be created using locally characteristic species, to help blend agricultural buildings into the landscape. These should form an important part of the design process and not be used as a means of simply screening unsightly buildings.

Enhance the appearance of urban fringes and settlement edges with new tree and woodland planting

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands are affected by urban development around Newark and Balderton. The landscape has a distinct urban fringe character along the edge of these population centres, with a mix of residential housing, industrial parks, derelict land, railway lines, new roads and sewage works. Urban edges often appear harsh and abrupt with little effort expended on integrating built developments into the wider countryside. In some areas large-scale, intensively managed arable farmlands directly abut urban edges, increasing the harshness and visibility of the built environment. New tree and woodland planting around existing development provides the best method to soften the impact of hard built edges. This can be best achieved by allowing established trees to run into a built-up area and by new planting. The aim should be to produce filtered views of the built edges, rather than attempt to mask the settlement altogether. It is important for local residents that views out from settlement are retained. Off-site woodland planting increases the opportunity to integrate modern developments with the surrounding countryside and tie in with the wider landscape structure. Only locally native tree and shrub species should be used. New developments should be carefully designed to avoid straight and densely built edges, allowing open green breaks and areas of new tree planting to run into developments.

Enahnce landscape character through the planting of appropriately designed and located new woodlands

Woodland planting can be used to good effect to enhance the visual, amenity and ecological diversity of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands as long as the location and scale of new woodland planting reflects the scale and character of the surrounding landscape. Planting should generally be medium to large in scale on the Terrace Sandlands, and small scale within the Heath Sandlands, following the advice given in the key recommendations for each landscape type. New woodland planting should aim to create a sense of wooded enclosure and go hand in hand with measures to increase hedgerow tree cover, where this is practicable. In the Heath Sandlands the main focus should be on establishing areas of semi-natural oak woodland. The Terrace Sandlands can absorb relatively large amounts of new planting as long as it is directed towards the western areas of the terrace where existing tree cover is sparse. The woodland pattern in the northern parishes of Thorney, Wigsley and Harby consists of a number of small-scale, predominantly oak and birch plantations. In this area new planting and restocking initiatives should favour these species. It should also be small in scale and sited to enhance the sense of wooded enclosure by replicating the pattern of open spaces framed by broadleaved wooded edges.

Enhance the diversity of commercial conifer plantations by appropriate long-term felling programmes and the inclusion of native trees and shrubs along boundaries and rides

A relatively high proportion of the woodland within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands is made up of coniferous species. Much of this is concentrated in the large pine plantations at Stapleford Woods and Spalford Warren, although smaller plantations occur throughout. In line with Forestry Commission policy, commercial conifer plantations should not be developed at the expense of remaining areas of deciduous woodland. Their ecological and landscape value should be enhanced by improving structural diversity through appropriate long-term felling programmes. Rotational felling and replanting programmes should aim to improve both internal and external landscapes. Plantation edges should be contoured to produce irregular, rather than rectangular shapes. Edges should be “softened” by the establishment of native tree and shrub species along boundaries and rides, particularly oak and birch.

Consider options for restocking mixed woodlands to increase the proportion of native tree and shrub species

A small proportion (9%) of the woodland within the region consists of mixed species stands, of broadleaved and conifer. The use of appropriate species in well-designed mixes is important in determining how well new or replacement tree planting will fit into the landscape. Selection of species will need to reflect a wide range of considerations, including the balance to be struck between nature conservation, landscape enhancement and timber production. It is important however that broadleaved species predominate if the traditional appearance of the landscape is to be enhanced. Restocking with appropriate native trees and shrubs should be the management priority.

Conserve and enhance tree cover through the replanting and regeneration of hedgerow trees

The enclosure pattern of hedged fields forms a dominant feature of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. Hedgerow trees help to define and emphasise the pattern of hedged fields, enabling filtered views over the level terrace and low-lying Lias hills. The establishment of more hedgerow trees should form one of the main priorities for increasing tree cover, along with appropriate woodland planting. Hedgerow tree cover should therefore be maintained and enhanced, through either selection and natural regeneration, or the planting of individual hedgerow trees in gaps. Oak and ash are the principal species. A special feature of the landscape around the parishes of Thorney, Wigsley and Harby is the lines of mature and semi-mature oak trees along field boundaries. These enclose the arable farmlands and link with numerous small oak and birch woodlands. It is important that the character of this area is preserved, through the maintenance and planting up of the more gappy tree-lines, and by replacement of over-mature oak trees.

Conserve the traditional pattern of hedged fields

The pattern of hedged fields is an important and distinctive feature of large areas of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. The retention of the field pattern is crucial if the character of the landscape is to be maintained. There are significant areas where this pattern is now in decline or completely lost. The removal of further hedgerows should therefore be avoided, particularly primary hedgerows along roadsides, footpaths, bridleways and parish boundaries.

Promote the positive management of hedgerows to maximise their visual and nature conservation value

The condition of hedgerows in the landscape is variable. In the pastoral areas adjacent to settlement they are often well managed and stock proof. There are, however, hedgerows where under management is a problem, leading to overgrown and gappy hedgerows with potential long-term health problems. In the arable areas hedgerows have been intensively managed to maximise the cropping potential of the land. These hedges are typically low, gappy and in a poor state of health. In order to enhance the overall field pattern, hedgerows should be managed positively as landscape features by laying, coppicing and trimming as appropriate. The aim should be to achieve “fuller” and thicker hedgerows. Excessively gappy hedgerows should be gapped up to maintain and enhance the field pattern.

New or replacement hedgerow planting should complement the existing structure and traditional pattern of hedged fields

New hedgerow planting should be encouraged in areas where the traditional pattern of hedged fields has become fragmented or lost. Priority should be given, where practicable, for the reinstatement of primary hedgerows such as those along parish boundaries, roads, and public footpaths. New or replacement planting should complement the existing pattern of hedged fields. Variation in the species composition of hedgerows occurs throughout the landscape. Hedgerows are overwhelmingly dominated by hawthorn, particularly within the broad areas of arable farmland. Hedgerows are more mixed and species-rich in the small scale pastoral areas adjacent to settlement. The gapping up or reinstatement of hedgerows should seek to mimic the original species composition wherever possible. This will generally involve hawthorn and a mix of other locally characteristic species; however, in the smaller scale pastoral landscapes the proportion of hawthorn can be reduced.

Promote the establishment of permanent and ephemeral heathland habitats as a principal objective of diversification programmes within commercial conifer plantations

Coniferous plantations in the region have been established on former areas of heathland and “waste”. Examples are Spalford Warren, where heather is still to be found, and Stapleford Woods, where acidic vegetation is widespread. As a consequence, grass and heather heathland communities readily regenerate along boundaries, rides and areas with open canopy. The heather seedbank remains viable after 50 years under a pine crop, and establishes relatively easily into scarified areas. Heather will sometimes regenerate when pine crops are restocked following clear felling. This kind of regeneration is of a temporary nature, occurring in plantations less than 10 years old. Diversification programmes should, where appropriate, aim to establish and maintain open permanent heathland sites within coniferous forest areas. Restructuring programmes should also aim to maintain a supply of ephemeral heathland habitats. Plantations are often established using bracken herbicide/ground scarification techniques. These practices assist the regeneration of heathy vegetation.

Conserve and enhance all remaining heathland sites

Lowland heath sites, including those found in the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands, are now widely recognised as being of international importance. Within Nottinghamshire, between 80% and 90% of the County’s heathlands have been lost since the 1920s, principally to agricultural intensification, coniferous afforestation, urban expansion and mineral extraction. Today only 40 ha of the heathland (heathland with more than 25% heather cover) and slightly over 140 ha of acid grassland with less than 25% of heather cover remain. These depleted areas of heathland now represent an extremely important landscape and wildlife resource. All remaining areas of heathland should therefore be conserved. Appropriate forms of management should also be introduced on all remaining heathland sites, and should aim to enhance the landscape and wildlife value of sites.

Identify opportunities for the re-creation of heathland sites

Historical records show that, prior to enclosure, relatively large areas of low-lying moorland and “waste” extended across parts of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands. The only locations where this heathy character is now well defined lie within the Heath Sandlands, where the sandy soils have traditionally not favoured agriculture. Widespread “heathy” character is one of the fundamental components of the Heath Sandlands, although acidic vegetation is found elsewhere. The restoration of heathland vegetation to areas formerly occupied by heath presents the best opportunity to enhance and extend this “heathy” character. Through appropriate management it is often possible to re-establish heathland in areas dominated by bracken and scrub, and also in areas now subject to arable cultivation. Opportunities for heathland restoration may arise through European and government schemes that seek to reduce agricultural surpluses and promote environmentally sensitive forms of farming.

Enhance the visual and ecological continuity of stream corridors

Waterside trees and shrubs are important features of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands, found along tributary streams feeding into the rivers Trent and Witham, and the Fossdyke Navigation. These irregularly shaped linear features add variety and interest to the landscape, often forming historic boundaries. This variety is especially important in landscapes where the pattern of hedged fields is in decline. An essential element of the riparian character of the streams is the presence of trees and shrubs, notably willow, ash and hawthorn. The trees pick out the meandering course of the streams and offer valuable habitat to a range of wildlife to feed, breed, and over winter. Along certain streams, trees and shrubs have been removed, leading to a loss of visual significance and reduced wildlife value. Riparian tree and shrub-lined features should therefore be conserved and managed to retain their interest. The visual prominence and ecological diversity of these features should also be strengthened by encouraging natural regeneration or through new planting.

Enhance the diversity of aquatic and marginal vegetation associated with field drains

Marginal and aquatic vegetation along field drains can contribute significantly to the visual interest of the landscape. It also provides habitat of high wildlife value, supporting a range of flora and fauna. Much of this diversity has been lost because of modern farming methods. Opportunities should therefore be sought for enhancing the diversity of aquatic and marginal vegetation along drainage channels. There is an extensive network of these channels in northern areas of the region, but at present they have a purely functional use. There is much potential for developing some of these into habitats for wildlife. Such measures would not only enhance ecological diversity, but would help to emphasise the former wetland character of the landscape.

Conserve and renew ornamental parkland planting and individual parkland trees

Three mature parkland landscapes are located within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands, at Barnby, Coddington and Thorney. As ornamental settings to large country houses, the woodland plantings and specimen trees create localised areas of well-wooded landscape. The parklands add diversity, are visually appealing, offer historic interest and often provide homes to a variety of wildlife. The conservation of the parkland plantings and specimen trees should form a priority for these landscapes. Measures should be taken, via appropriate management, to enhance the interest of the parkland, taking full account of the original design intentions of individual parks.

Conserve the pastoral character of traditional parkland landscapes

Parkland landscapes have great visual appeal, much of this arising from the permanent grasslands which have traditionally been grazed by a range of parkland animals. Parkland grasslands often contain a diversity of wild flora and fauna due to the antiquity of parklands and because the grasslands have tended to be managed in a traditional manner. The grasslands therefore are of historic, landscape and nature conservation importance, and should be conserved and, where possible, managed in a traditional manner.

Consider opportunities to restore pastoral character to parkland areas

There are areas of parkland that have been agriculturally improved through the ploughing up of permanent grassland. Grasslands are an important design component of the parkland landscapes. Where opportunities arise, consideration should be given to the restoration of former grassland areas. This is particularly important where scattered mature trees have been retained, for example at Coddington. Such measures will help restore the historic landscape integrity of the parklands.

All areas of ridge and furrow should be managed to maintain their historic interest

Grasslands containing ridge and furrow landscapes are found in a limited number of fields within the region, particularly the smaller scale landscapes adjacent to settlement. The ridge and furrow grasslands are remnants of mediaeval landscapes that were enclosed and set to pasture. Many ridge and furrow grasslands have been lost over recent decades with the ploughing up and arable conversion of land. This has increased the historic importance and rarity of the remaining features. Where ridge and furrow survives, its very antiquity is an indicator that the grassland sward has never been ploughed and reseeded, and it is often floristically diverse. Ridge and furrow grasslands therefore have high historic, landscape and nature conservation interest, and all surviving areas should be conserved.

Conserve and manage field ponds to maximise their visual and ecological interest

Field ponds are a common feature of the region, particularly in areas where the glaciofluvial drift is shallow. Field ponds have historically been important features of pastoral landscapes where they were used for watering livestock. As the amount of arable agriculture increased in the region, so the need for field ponds diminished, with many being filled in, or falling into disrepair. It is estimated that 75% of field ponds nationally have disappeared. Although their practical function is often no longer relevant, field ponds can provide diverse wildlife habitat, in addition to being of great visual appeal and historical value. It is therefore important to conserve and manage field ponds to maximise their visual and ecological interest.

Farmland should be managed positively to enhance its landscape and wildlife interest

A variety of options are now available to farmers within the current set-aside scheme. These range from short-term rotations through to longer-term schemes where the same piece of land can be set aside over several years. Land managed under habitat and forestry schemes can now count as part of the set-aside obligation under the Arable Area Payments Scheme. There is now considerable scope for land to be managed positively in order to enhance landscape and wildlife interest. Both wildlife and landscape features can be restored or created at the field scale, or as conservation headlands, wildlife margins and grass margins. Such areas are of greatest value where they provide linkages between existing features such as woodlands, hedgerows, streams and ponds. The longer-term options allow the restoration and creation of a range of features such as wildflower meadows and lowland heath.

The design of recreational and sporting facilities, such as golf courses, should reflect the character of the local landscape

The East Nottinghamshire Sandlands have a generally strong and robust rural character, although suburban influences have grown in recent decades. The introduction of large numbers of ornamental or coniferous trees, the removal of hedgerow and streamline trees, or the erection of modern buildings using introduced materials would compound this growth of suburban character. In the more remote areas it would also lead to fracturing of the rural unity of the landscape. To minimise intrusion into the rural character of the landscape, the design of recreational facilities should be done sensitively to retain and enhance the traditional character, features of interest and local sense of place. Any developments should make a positive contribution to the quality of the landscape, with a comprehensive assessment of the potential impact of any recreational or sporting development on the landscape character of the area.

Conserve and enhance the rural character and historic features associated with roads and lanes

Narrow, and often straight hedged lanes and tracks are a feature throughout the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands, linking the rural settlements and providing access to the farmlands. These lanes contain many special features including species-rich verges; thick roadside hedgerows; hedgebanks and mature roadside trees. These are important features in their own right and a central component of the region’s rural character. They should be conserved and managed to retain their historic, visual and ecological interest. Any improvements to the road network should respect local landscape diversity by avoiding uniformity and standardised treatments and by replacing any lost features.

Diversity roadside character through the management and creation of flower-rich grasslands and heathland on highway verges

The small village settlements of the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands are linked by a network of narrow country lanes. A special feature of many of the lanes is the grass verges that flank the narrow carriageways. These lanes are an important component of the overall character and structure of the landscape. Roadside verges serve a number of practical purposes, including acting as a buffer between the road and the ditch/ hedge, a safe place for walkers and riders and a convenient place to locate services. As well as these practical functions, roadside verges also perform an aesthetic and ecological function. Many of the road verges are species-rich, similar in species composition to remnant hay meadows that have never been ploughed, reseeded or agriculturally improved, They still contain a variety of wildflowers and grasses which in turn support a wealth of invertebrate life, birds and mammals. The conservation interest of the verges should be maintained, and where possible enhanced through appropriate management. The creation of flower-rich verges containing native, slow-growing grass species would add to the visual appeal and diversity of the landscape, offer greater habitat potential for wildlife and require less management than many of the existing verges. In the Heath Sandlands opportunities should be sought to establish heathland vegetation on roadside verges. The creation of new verges and the reseeding of disturbed verges offer obvious opportunities for this.

All road improvement schemes should include a landscape assessment

The construction of new roads and the widening or realignment of existing roads can have a major impact on the character of the landscape.The visual impact of new roads can often be reduced by careful route selection. It is important therefore that landscape considerations are carefully assessed at the start of all such schemes, as no amount of landscaping will ameliorate the impact of a badly chosen route. Where improvements to existing roads are necessary, a nearly assessment should also be undertaken to identify locally important features that need to be retained or replaced.

Conserve rural character by limiting standardised treatments during highway improvement schemes

The improvement of rural roads and lanes to meet modern highway standards invariably results in the removal of existing features and the introduction of new suburban influences into the countryside. Traffic calming measures should therefore be considered as an alternative option in rural areas. Where improvements are necessary, standardised treatments such as concrete kerbing, galvanised crash barriers, new or replacement street lighting and the erection of modern roadsigns should be used only where absolutely necessary. Such features are not only visually intrusive but also look out of place in the countryside. As an alternative, consideration should be given to the use of more traditional materials and locally distinctive designs for such things as kerbing, street lighting and roadsigns.

Landscaping around utilities and other rural development should be better integrated into the wider countryside

Landscaping around utilities and other development in the countryside usually involves screen planting ingeometric blocks, or on raised bunds, to hide new development. While these mitigation measures are better than nothing at all, the effect is often lost because the contrast between the landscaped area and surrounding farmland is just as obvious. In rural areas the success of landscaping around sites, such as sewage works, will depend to a large extent on how well they have been integrated into the wider landscape. Particular attention should be given to the treatment of the site perimeter to ensure that it is tied strongly into the adjoining field pattern. Similarly, tree planting within the site should be linked to new or existing trees beyond the perimeter of the site. Better siting and design of new buildings should also be considered in addition to landscaping works. It is better to soften a well-designed building with a few trees, rather than try to hide an ugly building with screen planting.

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Species list
East Nottinghamshire Sandlands

Dominant Species
Other Species Present

The following list includes native tree and shrub species that are commonly found within the East Nottinghamshire Sandlands and are suitable for inclusion in planting schemes. These are important for determining the area’s regional character. A range of other native species may also be appropriate to particular locations or sites. In these cases professional advice should be sought. A list of organisations able to provide such advice has been included in the section 'Further Information'.

TREES	Woodlands	Hedges	Hedgerow Trees	Wet Areas/Streamsides
Ash
Aspen
Beech
Birch (Silver)
Crab Apple
Elm (English)
Elm (Wych)
Lime (Large leaved and Hybrid)
Maple (Field)
Oak (Common)
Pine (Scots)
Rowan
Willow (Crack)
Willow (White)

SHRUBS	Woodlands	Hedges	Hedgerow Trees	Wet Areas/Streamsides
Blackthorn
Buckthorn (Purging)
Broom
Dogwood (Common)
Gorse
Guelder Rose
Hawthorn
Hawthorn (Midland)
Hazel
Holly
Osier
Privet (Wild)
Rosa SPP.
Spindle
Willow (Goat)
Willow (Grey)