Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Strategy

Transcription

1 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Strategy

2 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Contents 1. Strategy 1.1 Foreword 1.2 Statement of Commitment 1.3 Introduction 1.4 Structure of the plan 1.5 Area covered by this management plan 1.6 Statement of Significance 1.7 Vision Statement 1.8 Spatial Dimension 1.9 Relationship with other plans and strategies 1.10 Processes 1.11 Themes 1.12 Theme 1: Landscape, Biodiversity and Farming 1.13 Theme 2: Settlements and People 1.14 Theme 3: Enjoying the Area 1.15 Theme 4: The River and its Tributaries 1.16 Theme 5: Traffic and Transport 1.17 Monitoring 2. Delivery Plan 2.1 Theme 1: Landscape, Biodiversity and Farming 2.2 Theme 2: Settlements and People 2.3 Theme 3: Enjoying the Area 2.4 Theme 4: The River and its Tributaries 2.5 Theme 5: Traffic and Transport 3. Appendices Appendix A Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee Appendix B Index of Relevant Plans and Strategies Appendix C The Partnership Structure Appendix D Location map of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Appendix E Dedham Vale AONB designation map Appendix F Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley facts Appendix G Glossary

3 2 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Strategy The natural beauty of the area is vulnerable to the many pressures on the landscape Cllr Nigel Chapman Robert Erith 1.1 Foreword The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is one of the finest landscapes in England. It is characterised by riverside meadows, rolling farmlands and picturesque villages often dominated by church towers. The area is cherished by residents and is a draw to visitors who come to enjoy its beauty and tranquillity and to explore the countryside with its historical and artistic connections. The area has been an inspiration for many artists and writers but is particularly associated with England s greatest landscape artist, John Constable, who, two centuries ago, painted many of the views that are still recognisable today. The natural beauty of the area is vulnerable to the many pressures on the landscape from our lifestyles in the early twenty-first century. Demands for development, improvements to communication, transport and the utilities infrastructure, together with changing practices in land management and the problems associated with climate change, have all contributed to these pressures. Over the past twenty-five years, the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory and partnership Committees have sought to work to reduce the adverse effects on the area. In 2004 the first management plan for the area was produced, under the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act The plan set out guidelines to co-ordinate the management of the area to protect and enhance its natural beauty. This management plan, which runs from 2010 to 2015, builds upon the success of the previous plan and includes a delivery plan of co-ordinated activity to maintain and enhance the qualities of the area. The production of this management plan meets the statutory duty placed on the local authorities under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to produce such a plan for local authorities that have part of their administrative area designated as an AONB. This duty has been devolved to the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee which has taken the decision to extend the remit of the plan beyond the AONB boundary upstream to include parts of the Stour Valley. The plan will be implemented by The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership. On behalf of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and partnership we welcome the production of this plan and look forward to seeing the actions from the delivery plan implemented. We will continue to work together to maintain and enhance this very special area and landscape. Cllr Nigel Chapman Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee Robert Erith Chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership

4 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Statement of commitment The following organisations are signatories to the statement: We endorse the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan and will use it as a guiding framework for maintaining and enhancing the special qualities of the AONB and Stour Valley. We will work in partnership with other organisations to delivery the vision for the area through the delivery plan. As required by Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 this plan formulates policy for AONB local authorities relating to the management of the Dedham Vale AONB. Ryan Jones BSc CEng MICE Head of Contract and Asset Management Babergh District Council Nigel Harley Cabinet Member for Enterprise & Culture Braintree District Council Cllr Anne Turrell Council Leader and Strategy Portfolio Holder Colchester Borough Council Cllr Tracey Chapman Chief Whip and Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste Essex County Council Cllr Peter Stevens St Edmundsbury Borough Council Cllr Judy Terry Portfolio Holder for Greenest County Suffolk County Council Cllr Michael Dew Tendring District Council Bill Nickson Team Leader, West Suffolk and Breckland Natural England Jeremy Cohen Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE Essex & Suffolk Preservation Society Ade Clarke Property Manager, Essex National Trust Pam Forbes Regional Director National Farmers Union Nicola Currie Regional Director Country Land and Business Association Andrew Hoppit Grants & Regulations Manager Forestry Commission Richard Powell Regional Director Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

5 4 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Introduction AONBs constitute some of the finest countryside in England and Wales and make an important contribution to society This plan seeks to coordinate the management of the AONB and Stour Valley and to bring together individuals and representatives of all those organisations that have an interest in the area, to maintain and enhance its natural beauty. The Dedham Vale AONB is part of a suite of protected landscapes in England and Wales. The Dower Report (1945) and the Hobhouse Report (1947) recommended that England and Wales s finest landscapes should be protected for the nation s benefit. Landscapes were designated either as an AONB or as a National Park on the basis of their size, scale and aims. The 40 AONBs are primarily designated to conserve and enhance their natural beauty, with the secondary purposes of meeting the need for quiet enjoyment and having regard to those that live and work there. AONBs and National Parks have equal status in planning terms. There are currently 40 AONBs in England and Wales with a further 9 in Northern Ireland. The Dedham Vale was designated by the then Countryside Commission in 1970 as an AONB. Support for the original designation grew from the resistance to mounting pressure for new housing development in the 1960s and a desire to protect the landscapes captured by artists such as John Constable. Since the designation in 1970, there have been two extensions of its boundary and the designated area now extends to 90 square kilometres. AONBs constitute some of the finest countryside in England and Wales and make an important contribution to society in terms of maintaining areas of natural beauty for people to enjoy and for wildlife to thrive; they also provide a resource for learning about human interaction with the environment and the landscape. In 1998 the National Association of AONBs was formed to act on behalf of all AONBs.

6 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Structure of the plan The management plan is split into three sections: 1. Strategy: Introduction statement of significance vision for the area themes of the plan and objectives and policies to achieve the vision. 2. Delivery Plan: Groups of actions from each theme. 3. Appendices: Background information and other more detailed information on the area. The management plan seeks to deliver the vision (section 1.7). Each of the five themes: Landscape, Farming and Biodiversity (section 1.12) Settlements and People (section 1.13) Enjoying the Area (section 1.14) The River and its Tributaries (section 1.15) Traffic and Transport (section 1.16) has background information and evidence on the current situation and investigates pressures affecting the theme now and in the future. A series of objectives and management policies follow outlining how the partnership will meet the area s vision. The delivery plan outlines specific actions undertaken by the partnership to achieve the objectives and the vision.

7 6 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Area covered by this management plan This plan covers the Stour Valley that is shown on the map below. ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL ESSEX

8 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan While recognising that the populations of the surrounding urban areas of Colchester; Ipswich; Sudbury; Cornard and Haverhill have an interrelationship with the Stour Valley they are not included in the area covered by this management plan. The Dedham Vale AONB has a higher designated status than the rest of the Stour Valley. The as was Countryside Commission AONB designation map is shown in appendix E. The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley sit in a series of protected landscapes, its location and that of other protected landscapes in the East of England is shown in the map in appendix D. SUFFOLK BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL

9 8 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Statement of Significance The following statement draws on comments made during the consultation undertaken for the Management Strategy and during the review process for the management plan It seeks to outline what is special about the AONB and Stour Valley. The plan covers an area beyond the nationally protected AONB to include the Stour Valley and therefore the statement is split into two sections, one to reflect the AONB and the other the Stour Valley Dedham Vale AONB The Dedham Vale AONB covers the lower part of the Stour Valley on the Essex/Suffolk border. At its heart is an area known as Constable Country centred on the villages of East Bergholt, Flatford and Dedham which Constable painted two centuries ago. His scenes of a working landscape strongly influenced the designation of the area that has come to represent the epitome of lowland English countryside. The AONB stands apart from other lowland river valleys because of its association with Constable and the assemblage of features he painted that can still be seen today. These features include a meandering river and its tributaries; gentle valley slopes with scattered woodlands; grazing and water meadows; sunken rural lanes; historic villages with imposing church towers and historic timber framed buildings; small fields enclosed by ancient hedgerows and a wealth of evidence of human settlement over millennia. Despite intrusions of human activity in the twentieth and twenty first centuries, the area retains a sense of tranquillity in terms of minimal noise, light and development intrusion. The Dedham Vale AONB remains a predominately farmed landscape. There is little evidence of urban sprawl or industrial buildings but pressures on this intimate and subtle landscape are nevertheless increasing.

10 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Stour Valley (upstream of the AONB) The River Stour has been an important administrative boundary for hundreds of years and the river and its associated wet meadows have been a barrier to movement. From the eighteenth century, the river brought wealth to the area as it provided an important trading route between Sudbury and the sea, with links to other trading ports. The area remains predominately rural and has its medieval settlement pattern. Changes to agricultural practices and the growth of villages have altered the landscape but not fundamentally changed it. Many of the villages retain their historic centres with timberframed buildings, imposing churches and village greens. In addition to the villages, historic hamlets and isolated farm buildings are scattered throughout the landscape. Woodlands are situated within the tributary valleys and on the valley sides but much of the valley floor has been given over to arable crops, with the exception of areas such as the Sudbury Common Lands. Generally, fields have been enlarged but some evidence of former boundaries can still be seen in the form of tree lines, drainage ditches and banks. Tributary valleys are generally steeper than the main valley; often, they are less intensively farmed because of their topography and geology and so retain more of their landscape features. Changes to agricultural practices and the growth of villages have altered the landscape but not fundamentally changed it.

11 10 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Vision Statement: The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley in 2025 It is the aim of this plan that by 2025 the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is recognised as a distinctive working landscape, (one that maintains a viable agricultural production as its core function), and retains its special character. This character should be understood and appreciated by those that choose to live in, work and visit the area. The management plan has five themes: Settlements and people Enjoying the area The river and its tributaries Traffic and transport Landscape, biodiversity and farming Each theme has its own vision statement and these have been amalgamated to produce this overall vision statement for the area. The AONB stands out from other lowland river valleys because of its associations with Constable and the favourable condition of its features that he painted that can still be seen today. The rural landscape is primarily shaped by agriculture with its assemblage of features such as hedgerows, small woodlands and grazing meadows managed in a manner that meets landscape, conservation and food production needs. There is a rich diversity of wildlife throughout the area, sometimes in protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Wildlife Sites but also throughout the AONB and Stour Valley. The contribution of geology, landforms, soils and water to the landscapes and habitats of the AONB is appreciated and understood, and features are conserved. Historic villages and isolated dwellings are populated by communities that appreciate and understand the significance of the area and have the opportunity to further understand the historic landscape and its features.

12 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Visitors to the area have the opportunity to enjoy it and engage in a variety of opportunities to learn more about its special qualities. Local businesses help enhance the visitor experience by providing facilities for enjoyment the area whilst not detracting from its special qualities. These businesses can provide valuable local employment with additional benefits of reducing commuting distances and helping environmental sustainability. The river and its tributaries support a wide range of wildlife and provide a resource for local agriculture, water supply and a recreational resource for low impact activities. The river defines the valley and the importance of the river and its navigation is well understood. Opportunities to travel to and through the area in a sustainable manner are reliable, known about and used by the local population and visitors. Public rights of way, public transport and newly developed sustainable transport opportunities are easily accessible and used for both recreational and commuter use and as a means of travelling to and from the area. Forces for change within the area, and particularly the AONB, including development proposals, agricultural change and infrastructure and communication projects are sensitively managed to ensure the special qualities of the area are not compromised. Opportunities to mitigate the effects of climate change and opportunities to reduce potential contributions to negative climate change processes are considered during decision making processes on how the AONB and Stour Valley is managed. Much of the AONB is included in the Haven Gateway Growth Point, a central government designated area for growth, which presents opportunities through the Green Infrastructure Strategy and threats of increased development pressure. There are complex issues surrounding increasing pressures on the existing infrastructure in the AONB and Stour Valley. In addition St Edmundsbury has been awarded Growth Area Status with funding for services needed to accompany new housing such as transport links and the provision of green spaces between 2009 and The effects of the general economic downturn in the late part of the first decade of the twenty first century will have an impact on the area in terms of visitor numbers and their interaction with the environment, the viability of local businesses and development proposals. Wildlife, habitats and sites of importance for biodiversity and geodiversity, whether in protected sites or in the wider countryside, are maintained in a positive condition and the area is a well-functioning ecosystem. There are complex issues surrounding increasing pressures on the existing infrastructure in the AONB and Stour Valley

13 12 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Spatial Dimension The AONB and Stour Valley is a distinct area that has been subjected to its own Landscape Character Assessments, a developing discipline that seeks to describe the area in terms of its topography, landscape and human influence. A Landscape Character Assessment of the Stour Valley has identified three basic categories: valley floor, valley sides and upland landscapes. These basic categories are sub-divided as summarised below. Details of this assessment can be seen at In addition to this assessment the councils that have at least part of their administrative area as AONB or Stour Valley have their own landscape character assessments. Landscape Character Assessment of the Stour Valley

14 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan A Valley Floor Landscapes: Good examples of meadows providing excellent wildlife habitat and confined views often supported by agri-environment schemes. Objectives and policies relate to promoting the government-funded schemes and ensuring continuing positive management for wildlife, river and tributary management and landscape considerations. B Valley Side Landscapes: Subdivided into two: i Rolling Valley Farmlands A varied landscape with a concentration of picturesque village settlements. Steep valley sides with sunken lanes. Objectives and policies relate to maintaining the village form and feel and management of historic landscape features. ii Rolling Estate Farmlands Gently sloping valley sides with parcels of semi-natural ancient woodland combine with organic field patterns. Objectives and policies relate to landscape and historic feature management to maintain the natural beauty and historic resource. C Upland landscapes Subdivided into three: i Plateau Farmlands Dispersed settlement pattern and a network of lanes with a sense of isolation, that is sometimes compromised by A-Roads. Objectives and policies relate to mitigating the effects of infrastructure and enhancing existing character features. ii Undulating Ancient Farmlands Long open views of an undulating landscape with woodland and trees as dominant features. Dispersed farmsteads, medieval timber-framed buildings and some larger villages. Objectives and policies relate to maintaining the character of the settlements and farmed landscape. iii Undulating Estate Farmlands Clustered settlements and some parklands with modern larger farms with fewer hedgerows. Objectives and policies relate to maintaining the rural feel and mitigating pressures of modern infrastructure.

15 14 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Relationship with other plans and strategies This plan sits within a complex framework of plans, strategies and policies that impact upon the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project area. Many of these plans, listed in Appendix B, have been produced by public bodies that have a statutory duty to have due regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB under Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act National context The Government s Planning Policy Statements and (and Planning Policy Guidelines that are being updated to produce new Planning Policy Statements) have been prepared to explain statutory provisions and provide guidance to local authorities and others on planning policy. Local authorities must take into account their contents when preparing development plan documents. A list of the most relevant statements is given in Appendix B. Policy has been guided by various pieces of legislation including the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

16 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Regional context The Government Office for the East of England is responsible for overseeing the preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Development Frameworks. The Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy, The East of England Plan published May 2008, includes in its objectives to ensure the protection and enhancement of the regions assets including the built and historic environment, landscape, water and woodlands. This management plan will support the regional spatial strategy by delivering actions to meet this objective. The Government Office s key role is to promote the new system of Local Development Frameworks, which are replacing local plans, and to oversee their preparation. This is to ensure that Local Development Frameworks broadly conform to national planning policies and the Regional Spatial Strategy. Local Development Frameworks set out the local planning authority s policies and proposals for the development and use of land in their area over a period of at least 10 years. Local Development Frameworks must take into account the national and regional policies issued by the Secretary of State responsible for planning. The Regional Spatial Strategy is part of the Development Plan. The Development Plans Team in the Government Office for the East of England appraises draft plans on behalf of the Secretary of State, provides advice to local planning authorities and other stakeholders, and promotes the new reformed planning system. The Government review of sub national and economic development seeks to improve the regions performance in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. This plan will promote projects and decision making to enhance schemes that meet these aims. The Haven Gateway, an area incorporating the Haven ports and including parts of the Dedham Vale AONB in its hinterland, was given growth point status in A partnership was formed to deliver a vision of economic opportunity and financial prosperity with a strong focus on sustainable growth. The Joint Advisory Committee seeks to work with the Haven Gateway Partnership to deliver long-term sustainable development and create a green infrastructure. We want to promote sustainability and protect the county s physical environment Local context The plans, strategies and policies of most significance to this management plan are to be found in the local authorities Local Development Frameworks which will take the place of Local Plans. Local Strategic Partnerships have been set up to produce Community Strategies to guide the work of the public sector bodies. These strategies take into account the nature and significance of the AONB and Stour Valley. In 2009 the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership agreed to seek an extension to the AONB and to evaluate and provide a substantive case and detail in support of the proposed extension. The proposals will relate to the north and west of its current boundary along the Stour Valley. An extension of the AONB boundary would provide further protection for the area to the west and north of Bures.

17 16 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Local Strategic Partnerships have been set up to produce Community Strategies to guide the work of the public sector bodies. These strategies take into account the nature and significance of the AONB and Stour Valley. In Suffolk one of four agreed fundamental themes of Suffolk s Community Strategy, Transforming Suffolk is , is The Greenest County that notes that Suffolk wants to be an exemplar in enhancing the natural and historic environment which this plan will help achieve. In Essex the Community Strategy called Essex Strategy notes We want to promote sustainability and protect the county s physical environment which this plan will help achieve. See The Essex Strategy: Liberating Potential Fulfilling Lives. This plan will help fulfil the Rights of Way Improvement Plans for Essex and Suffolk. In Suffolk this strategy is known as In Step With Suffolk and notes the benefits of quiet informal recreation, providing safe routes and access opportunities that this plan will help deliver. In Essex the Rights of Way Improvement Plan has objectives that include improved accessibility, tourism and economic benefits which this plan will help deliver. The East of England Tourism study, undertaken in 2008, found that when direct, supplier and income deduced expenditure are added together, business turnover in the Dedham Vale AONB economy, ie total tourism value, is 39,767,418. Furthermore it is estimated that 599 full time equivalent jobs in the Dedham Vale AONB, equating to 841 actual jobs are supported by the tourism industry. Source: Economic Impact of Tourism in the East of England Protected Landscapes, East of England Tourism, The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership work with many organisations including the Dedham Vale Society and Colne Stour Association both work to protect the AONB and Stour Valley from inappropriate development.

18 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Processes This management plan has been developed over many years. In 1992 the first Stour Valley Management Plan was produced by the Project Team and the Joint Advisory Committee and largely concerned itself with project team work and planning issues and its involvement in the planning process. It was adopted by most local authority partners as supplementary planning guidance. In 1996, the then Countryside Commission produced the first Landscape Assessment of the AONB that was closely followed by project team work to undertake a Visitor Perception Study, a Residents Perception Study, produce a Visitor Management Group Sustainable Tourism Action Plan and carry out a community consultation exercise, based on the planning for real process, in conjunction with the University of Essex. In 2000, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act placed a legal requirement on local authorities that have at least part of their administrative area in the AONB, to produce an AONB management plan. This responsibility was officially devolved to the Joint Advisory Committee. The plan that was produced, the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Strategy , drew on consultations that included a partnership conference, public consultation and consultation drafts with final adoption by local authorities and publication in In 2008, an Historic Landscape Study was commissioned as part of Managing a Masterpiece: The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership. It incorporated Landscape Character Assessment work undertaken by the Project and by Suffolk County Council s Landscape Unit (that included the Essex side of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley) which assessed the important landscape and historic features of the area. In 2000, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act placed a legal requirement on local authorities that have at least part of their administrative area in the AONB, to produce an AONB management plan.

19 18 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan This management plan has been drawn up from the continuing requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act In 2008, the Joint Advisory Committee took the decision to employ a light-touch review of the previous plan. Members of the Joint Advisory Committee undertook internal consultation on the strengths and weaknesses of the plan and this analysis, along with issues identified at a national level in workshops facilitated by the National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was fed into the process. The Strategic Environmental Assessment ensures that the plan, including the delivery plan, does not have a negative environmental impact upon the area. Consultation drafts were distributed to the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Partnership (made up of all organisations and individuals with an interest in the AONB and Stour Valley) and a consultation process with stakeholders and via the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project s website ensured that consultation penetrated to those with an interest in the area. Once the consultation draft was complete, a Strategic Environmental Assessment was undertaken on the plan as directed by the European Directive 2001/42/EC. The Strategic Environmental Assessment ensures that the plan, including the delivery plan, does not have a negative environmental impact upon the area. The AONB and Stour Valley benefit from resources from seven local authorities to help manage the area. Within the AONB, significant additional resources from Natural England enable relevant authorities to meet the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000). The AONB, and Constable Country in particular, attracts a large number of visitors and work to encourage sustainable actions by these visitors is undertaken. In addition the AONB benefits from a Sustainable Development Fund, from Defra and channelled through Natural England to the AONB, to develop projects that benefit the social, environmental, economic and natural beauty of the area. Formal comments from Natural England, the Environment Agency and English Heritage have been sought before adoption of the plan by local authorities, followed by publication and use of the plan as the guiding document in the management of the AONB and Stour Valley.

20 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Themes The Management Plan is based on five themes, each generated from the consultation process of the plan and refined during consultation to reflect the current situation. For each theme there is an introduction and theme vision. The vision for each theme draws on an element from the plan vision. The issues surrounding each theme are explored and objectives are set for the period , the life span of this management plan. These objectives seek to deliver the vision of the AONB and Stour Valley in Partner organisations will achieve the vision set out in this plan by achieving the objectives through the delivery of the policies and actions set out in delivery plan. The structure of the Management Plan is set out in the diagram right: Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Vision for AONB and Stour Valley in 2025 (Incorporated 5 theme visions) 5 Themes Landscape, biodiversity and farming Settlements and people Enjoying the area The River and its tributaries Traffic and transport Theme based objectives to achieve the vision Policies on how to achieve the objectives Delivery plan Actions to implement the policies and achieve the objectives

21 20 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme 1: Landscape, Biodiversity and Farming Farming is the key driver in landscape management of the area Theme Introduction The Stour Valley is predominately a farmed landscape and has benefited in recent years from agri environmental schemes to maintain the nationally recognised landscape qualities and character of the area within the intimate topography of a lowland river valley. Information on local food availability is given in appendix F. Farming is the key driver in landscape management of the area. Many of the key landscape features in the AONB and Stour Valley, such as hedgerows, meadows and woodlands are dependant on input from the farming community. Farming makes a key contribution to providing food, and possibly energy, locally and nationally and the local economy. The generation of income from farming operations allows many of those farming the land to conserve and enhance biodiversity habitats and landscape features. Farmers in the AONB and Stour Valley are well placed to meet: Local premium and niche markets. Address some climate change pressures by sequestering carbon and its products in the soil. Climate change and rising transport costs may reduce the ability of exporting countries to supply the UK with food leading to an increase in UK production of vegetables, salad and fruit. The biodiversity of the area also benefits from agri environment schemes and the habitat types found in the valley include woodland, wetland, grassland, hedgerow and the river and its tributaries. Some habitats such as heath and acid grasslands are less prevalent than they were 100 years ago. Wildlife is present throughout the Stour Valley, some of which is present in designated sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local or County Wildlife Sites and nature reserves. Geodiversity may also benefit from agri-environment schemes, for example soil conservation, maintenance of natural springs, protecting wetland archaeology, protection of historical features such as limekilns. Farmers are the most frequent guardians of geodiversity features and have an important role to play in their conservation. In 2003 there were 183 land holdings in the AONB up from 121 in This can be in part due to changes in recording procedures, in 2000 smaller units were classified for the first

22 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Within the AONB there is data available from the Countryside Quality Counts (CQC) survey of The Joint Character Assessment (JCA) (now National Character Areas) area s of the AONB that can be summarised below: JCA number JCA name 86 South Suffolk and North Essex Clayland % of AONB CQC assessment Comment (since 1990) 86 Maintained Strengthening of grassland character 82 Suffolk Coast and Heaths 2 Enhancing Overall area of grassland stable or increased 111 Northern Thames Basin 13 Neglected Overall loss of grassland, mixed and general agriculture time. From 1990 to 2003 there has been a decline in cereal farms (27 to 15); general cropping (22 to 15); dairy (3 to 0); and horticulture (6 to 0). Increases for this period include mixed (9 to 10); grazing livestock (20 to 26); pigs and poultry (10 to 20) and other (24 to 97). The substantial increase in other landholdings can be attributed to improvements in the registration process and an increase in the requirement for small holdings to register rather than a structural change in farming. Landowners with grassland or livestock can benefit from the Grazing Exchange programme as a quick and easy way to identify local stock or grassland. Of the 9059 hectares that make up the AONB 29% ( ha) are in the Suffolk River Valleys Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) area. Within the ESA, there has been a focus on arable reversion to grassland and scrub management but outside the ESA Stewardship payments are below national levels. Information on agri environment schemes from September 2009 is given in appendix F. 2% of the AONB is designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest. Of these 97% meet Public Service Agreement targets. Cattawade Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest is part of the Stour and Orwell Special Protection Area. Woodland cover in the AONB is higher than the surrounding countryside, at 694 hectares calculated from the National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees in 1999 of woodlands over 2 hectares. The uptake of English Woodland Grant Scheme is lower than in the rest of the Joint Character Area. The Dedham Vale AONB Sustainable Development Fund can be used to support projects that can demonstrate an economic, social and environmental benefit. Projects must support landscape or biodiversity objectives whilst conserving or enhancing the AONB. Landowners with grassland or livestock can benefit from the Grazing Exchange programme Landscape is an important draw for visitors coming to the area. The Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 recorded: 63% of visitors knew they were in an AONB 20% of visitors visited because of the scenery 48% of visitors came to for sight seeing Source: Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009

23 22 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Grassland remains an important traditional landscape feature in areas where there is sufficient livestock to graze it Theme Vision for 2025 In 2025 the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is a predominately rural, farmed landscape with a rich diversity of wildlife, habitats, geology and landforms. It s natural, cultural and heritage assets and historic features, particularly in the AONB, are retained and apparent. The area has a strong rural feel, dominant agriculture, attractive views and historical landscape features such as hedgerows, trees and the river. Farming is the primary tool for managing the landscape and its wildlife. Settlements continue to help define the special qualities of the area. The fine churches, building vernacular and the associations with artists such as John Constable all contribute to the nature of the AONB and Stour Valley. The area has a diverse mix of agriculture and farm sizes. Farmers have access to clear information and advice on agri environment schemes to enable them to deliver sustainable farming and wider environmental and public benefits. Pressures to increase agricultural production from increases in population and increased costs associated with moving food and climate change have not had a detrimental effect on the landscape. Grassland remains an important traditional landscape feature in areas where there is sufficient livestock to graze it. Locally produced food is available, from domestic production eg allotments, garden plots and community supported agriculture and at a variety of shops, farm shops and farmers markets as well as providing for local pubs and restaurants. The management of the landscape, and development within it, is in line with the European Landscape Convention and the Landscape Character Assessments relating to the area.

24 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme Issues Landscape Issues The Stour Valley is a rural landscape with major settlements lying outside the designated area of the Project. The River Stour and its tributaries have cut a gently sloping valley through Eocene and glacial deposits and have an underlying geology of chalk. London clay and deposits of sands and gravels are sometimes exposed on the valley sides. In the AONB in particular, many features such as hedgerows, ancient woodlands and grazing meadows are retained. With the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme drawing to a close, work to maintain the benefits accumulated for both landscape and biodiversity attained over the past 20 years of the ESA scheme will need to be maintained by promoting the uptake of Higher Level Stewardship. The National Trust hold covenants for over 4000 acres of land in the AONB and this provides a further layer of landscape protection. There have been many landscape gains over the last twenty years. An awareness of the importance of the rural landscape and the built environment has lead to numerous benefits: new hedgerows, tree planting schemes and the restoration of buildings. Land is increasingly being sold in smaller plots for non agricultural use including extended gardens, keeping caravans and the keeping of horses. Future use of these parcels of land should be established when determining these planning applications to ensure minimal negative effects on landscape character. While individual incremental changes have minimal impact, the landscape of the area as a whole can be altered when many of these changes are brought together. Some land is being leased or bought for the creation of amenity sites for public access, such as at Stoke by Nayland (Cherry Wood), Langham (Hornestreet Field) and Clare (The Nuttery). The sites can have a public benefit and add biodiversity habitats and landscape features to the area. Redundant agricultural buildings are often subject to applications for change of use to residential, office space and visitor accommodation. These can bring economic benefits to the area by providing opportunities for diversification. Such applications need to be monitored to ensure that any conversions or change of use developments reflect the local building style, resist suburbanisation and do not contribute to incremental new development in the open countryside and associated growth in demand for gardens.

25 24 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan The removal of redundant infrastructure can bring landscape benefits to the area. Other applications for replacement dwellings, communication infrastructure, and utility infrastructure can have the potential to change the landscape character of the area. The European Landscape Convention, signed by the UK government in 2006, came into force in 2007 and seeks to strengthen the protection, management and planning of landscapes in England through the work of many bodies including that of local authorities and non governmental organisations. The policies and actions within this management plan will need to adhere to the principles set out in the convention. There is a demand for infrastructure development that can potentially have detrimental effects on the landscape. Such developments include reservoirs, telecommunication structures and the utility supply network infrastructure. It is recognised that suitably sited and designed agricultural reservoirs can bring benefits to landscape and biodiversity. Impacts on the landscape include: Changes to landscape character eg unsuitable planting schemes and poorly sited and designed new buildings Loss of traditional agricultural areas to new development and inappropriate change of use, eg poorly designed horse paddocks Changes to the village environment, eg suburbanisation and a tidying up culture Biodiversity Issues The valley sustains a wide variety of biodiversity, particularly in the AONB where established wet grazing grasslands and marshes, hedgerows,trees and small woodlands are retained. There are 7 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the valley and the river supports a number of wetland species subject to biodiversity action plans. In addition, the implementation of local biodiversity action plans encourages birds, mammals and invertebrates to thrive in hedgerows, woodlands, grasslands and cereal margins. 2% of the AONB is designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), of these 97% meet Public Service Agreement targets. The need to target SSSIs in Higher Level Stewardship agreements is recognised as is the need to disseminate information to land owners and managers on their importance and management. These sites are particularly vulnerable to changing management practices and effects of climate change.

26 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan In addition to the Sites of Special Scientific Interest, there are 94 Local or County Wildlife Sites (sometimes known as Sites of Importance to Nature Conservation) that have been designated and considered important by Local Planning Authorities as they are home to a significant population of wildlife. The biodiversity of England including the Stour Valley is protected by national and international law as well as by local planning rules and regulations. The area is served by two biodiversity action plans reflecting the administration of the area by the two county councils of Essex and Suffolk. There is a fragmentation of biodiversity habitats across the AONB and Stour Valley and competing land uses should be encouraged to work together to meet the needs of biodiversity. Biodiversity in the Stour Valley is affected by national and international trends in climate change, development, changing farming practices and the requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy. The biodiversity of the area is threatened by increasing use of the countryside for leisure, the change in use of former agricultural land to inappropriate activities and unsuitable intensive operations. There is a fragmentation of biodiversity habitats across the AONB and Stour Valley Cultural Issues The association of one of the great landscape artists of England, John Constable RA ( ), with the Dedham Vale AONB is strong. Indeed, the designation of the AONB was strongly influenced by the desire to protect the living and working landscapes which he painted. The views that Constable painted, many of which are still recognisable today and known globally, remain an important part of the fabric of the AONB. The relationship of the landscape to art goes beyond Constable. Whether because of his abiding influence or simply because of the allure of the East Anglian skies, the area has attracted many artists and writers including Thomas Gainsborough ( ), Sir Alfred Munnings ( ), Ronald Blythe (1922-), Adrian Bell ( ) and Ashley Cooper. The Stour Valley contains many diverse archaeological sites and historic landscape features, reflecting human habitation of the area for many millennia. Such sites include clusters of cropmarks; two Norman motte and bailey castles; an historic navigation; great halls and estates and numerous timber framed houses. There are three registered parks and gardens identified by English Heritage as having special historical interest: Tendring Hall, Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall.

27 26 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Climate change may also increase the flooding risk to the area putting at risk historic buildings on the river s edge. Little is known about many of the cropmark sites beyond their location and outline. Many of these sites are still subject to agricultural practices that are potentially damaging. There is an opportunity to help protect these sites by encouraging further uptake of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme. The area s two castle sites are equally under researched and are at risk of damage from lack of positive management. Climate change has the potential to change the landscape, for example an increase in some species of insects or changes in weather patterns may present a threat to timber framed buildings and thus affect the village scene. Climate change may also increase the flooding risk to the area putting at risk historic buildings on the river s edge. One of the most important assets of the area is its cultural heritage. Many visitors come each year primarily to view the landscape which inspired painters such as Constable and Gainsborough. However, large numbers of visitors can actually have a detrimental effect on the very landscape they have come to see. The volume of visitors to the area known as Constable Country, (a triangle between the villages of Dedham, East Bergholt and Flatford) can detract from the experience of the landscapes as made famous by Constable and others. The issues associated with the impact of visitor numbers are laid out in theme 3. Even small visitor numbers have the potential to damage culturally-sensitive sites through erosion and compaction of soils Tranquillity Issues The tranquillity of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley area is a key part of its landscape quality. New housing and infrastructure, increasing road size and traffic levels, changes to aircraft movements and flying heights and an increase in light pollution levels can all have an effect.

28 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Some recreational pursuits can lead to a loss of tranquillity in the area such as off road motor cycle sports; paint ball events; clay pigeon shooting and model aircraft events. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England s tranquillity maps, see shows that the Stour Valley is a relatively tranquil area, efforts should continue to maintain the nature of the area. New developments and incremental changes to existing features can have an effect on the landscape quality of the area. Schemes such as new roads or road improvement schemes, including widening, increasing infrastructure, road markings, lighting and signage can all have a detrimental impact on the landscape character of the area. Changes to road surface and layout can alter traffic habits, speed and noise, further altering the character and quality of the area. Theme 4 looks at Traffic and Transport issues in more detail. Air traffic can have a significant impact on the landscape quality of the area. Changes to flight paths, heights, stacking procedures and the number of commercial aircraft can have a significant effect. At a local level, similar issues relate to small aircraft using airstrips in and around the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley. Increases in outdoor lighting for domestic, social and business purposes can have an effect on the visibility of night time skies and on the perception of landscape tranquillity and quality Geodiversity The Stour valley has significant geodiversity, including Cretaceous, Palaeocene, Eocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene geology, and also Pleistocene and Holocene landforms. It owes the character of its physical landscape, and its identity as a valley, to its geological and geomorphological heritage. The diversity of its soils provides varied wildlife habitat and types of agricultural land. The Chalk aquifer is the most important source of local water supply, and in many places yields baseflow to the rivers in the catchment. The area s chalk, brickearth and aggregate resources were formerly economically important as building materials, although commercial extraction of brickearth still continues at Bulmer (Essex). An initial audit of geodiversity features in the Suffolk part of the valley has been carried out as part of the Suffolk Geodiversity Action Plan process, and seven sites of significance at county level have been identified (so far). Sites include disused chalk and gravel pits which have yielded geological information, and examples of relic and activeprocess landform features. There is one site of national importance at Brundon for its link between Palaeolithic human settlement and palaeo-environmental evidence.

29 28 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Physical landscape features and other Earth heritage sites in the Stour valley may be conserved as part of routine land management work, including agri-environment enhancements and wildlife conservation. However such features may often be vulnerable due to lack of understanding of their significance and value to the environment. Problems include infilling and landscaping of geological exposures, imposition of artificial landforms, river canalization and flood management; contamination and depletion of groundwater, soil erosion. The result is a steady loss of quality and distinctiveness of the valley s Earth heritage. Any development in the AONB and Stour Valley should seek to minimise the reliance on private transport where possible Other Issues The affects of climate change on the area are difficult to model. The issues are complex and interrelated but will include: The viability of species and habitats Effects on agricultural practices including crops Effects on river systems and wetlands due to possible increased extreme weather Effects of possible increasing of flooding events on property, water bodies and land based industries Effects on soil erosion due to changes in weather patterns Changes to human activity, including recreation behaviour Potential of changes/increases in flora and fauna diseases Potential increases in non-native invasive species The combination of these affects could lead to a change in character of the area including potential changes to the viability of characteristic wildlife; landscape features such as trees, hedgerows and timber framed buildings; increases in visitor pressures due to larger numbers of people coming to the area and changing agricultural activity such as new crops and livestock. The transition movement can be an important driver in minimising the reliance on fossil fuels by developing local skills and encouraging local solutions to the supply of goods and services to residents and visitors. This should be done within the framework of the AONBs primary purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area and not lead to large scale wind power or bio mass farming. Any development in the AONB and Stour Valley should seek to minimise the reliance on private transport where possible and meet with the aims of the AONB and Stour Valley. The electricity industry regulator Ofgem s Distribution Price Control Review 5 for 2010 to 2015 will be in operation for the lifespan of the management plan. Within this scheme, there is potential for a continuation of the Ofgem allowance to Distribution Network Operators, in the case of the Dedham Vale AONB this is EDF Energy Networks. It is possible that further wooden pole low voltage overhead power cables will be put underground continuing the landscape benefits achieved from the current schemes between Dedham and East Bergholt and Langham to Boxted Mill. Other utilities such as high voltage electricity distribution, BT lines and low voltage distribution networks within villages all have a detrimental affect on the landscape and opportunities to remove them or replace them with more sympathetic infrastructure should be sought.

30 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Priorities The partnership sees the following as Landscape, Biodiversity and Farming theme priorities: Maximise land in agri environment schemes. Implement biodiversity and geodiversity action plans. Maintain tranquillity and landscape character features Management Plan Objectives OB1 OB2 OB3 Land use management decisions will demonstrate consideration of landscape, cultural associations, tranquillity, biodiversity and geodiversity to conserve and enhance the area. Protected habitats and species will be conserved and enhanced. The area retains its assemblage of landscape features which contribute to the character of the AONB and Stour Valley Management Policies LFB1 LFB2 LFB3 LFB4 LFB5 LFB6 LFB7 LFB8 LFB9 Ensure wide access to information on agri environment schemes and encourage the take up of schemes. Encourage changes in land use to reflect local landscape character assessments and guidelines and in line with the European Landscape Convention and are not detrimental to landscape and tranquillity. Encourage environmentally sensitive agricultural systems that include food production for local markets. Seek to protect the tranquillity of the area, including its setting, from intrusive communication and utility infrastructure; noisy recreational pursuits; air traffic; some forms of national scale renewable energy facilities and light pollution. Provide integrated and consistent guidelines from Landscape Character Assessment in Essex and Suffolk. Conserve, protect and enhance habitats and species that have international, national and local importance. Encourage communities to enhance biodiversity in small areas such as gardens, greens, parish and community owned sites. Ensure archaeological features are understood, protected and managed. Monitor changes within the AONB relating to landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and environmental issues. Actions to implement the policies are listed in the delivery plan.

31 30 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme 2: Settlements and People Theme Introduction The Dedham Vale AONB has a small population of just 15,161 (census 2001) in an area of 90 square kilometres. A similar population density exists over the remainder of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project s area, towns such as Sudbury and Haverhill lie beyond the Project s boundary. Within 20 miles of the Stour Valley there are the towns of Colchester (pop 155,796, 2001 census); Ipswich (pop 117,069, 2001 census); Halstead (pop 11,094); Hadleigh (pop 8,000); Braintree (pop 132,179, 2001 census); Sudbury (pop 20,040), Haverhill (pop 22,090) and Cambridge (pop 108,863, 2001 Census). It is likely that these populations will increase significantly by the vision date of 2025 due to the housing targets set for local authorities. Many of these developments in towns surrounding the AONB and Stour Valley will be built with the minimum standard for the size of gardens, potentially increasing demand for access to the countryside. Within the area much of the population is housed in villages although there are a significant number of hamlets, isolated farms and houses. The profile of the East of England indicates that the population has a slightly older demographic and a higher growth rate than the national average. Sudbury and Haverhill have higher than average levels of deprivation. The index of multiple deprivation published by Suffolk County Council (see 0/ IMD2007Summaryreport.pdf) shows that these two towns on the edge of the project area are in the country s lowest 20-40% Lower Super Output Areas. The majority of the settlements date back to the Saxon period and are listed in the Domesday Book of Many have a distinctive settlement pattern with dwellings

32 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan clustered around small triangular greens or tyes. Some place names are indicative of former heathland, such as Dedham Heath, Polstead Heath and Leavenheath where there are still open tracts of land. Medieval churches are often built in prominent positions, such as at Stoke by Nayland and built from knapped flint. These churches reflect medieval prosperity. The villages show a rich heritage of buildings styles which make the area so distinctive. The buildings range from medieval timber-framed dwellings to grander brick-faced, eighteenth-century houses and to modern buildings of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries Theme Vision for 2025 In 2025 the people of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley community further understand the importance of the area that they live in. There is a vibrant local community with opportunities for all members of society. The local economy continues to thrive and there is support for the farming community. New technologies bring opportunities to the area. Tourism continues to benefit the local community as it generates money and encourages projects at an appropriate scale that benefits residents and visitors. The Stour Valley is a place where people want to live and work. It is a place that is safe and has an environment that is sustainable and where access to services is available to all. Local businesses and populations operate with a view to protecting local resources and within environmental limits ensuring a strong local society. Many villages retain their historic core and where homes have been adapted this has been done sensitively. The design and location of new buildings has taken into account the character of the area. Where smaller settlements and isolated dwellings have been extended, there has been recognition of the local vernacular and of the landscape setting. The importance of the area to those from the surrounding area is demonstrated in responses to the Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 that indicated: 68% of visitors travelled over 15 miles to reach the area 9.7% of visitors travelled from Colchester Borough 3.2% of visitors travelled from Ipswich Borough Source: Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009.

33 32 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme Issues Housing Issues With convenient links to London, outstanding landscapes and high quality housing, the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is desirable area to live. Because of relatively low wages in the traditional rural occupations, affordable housing is in high demand. The desire to meet this high demand should not outweigh the need for any new development to fit in well with the local character of the area. New housing in the area should be developed using sustainable materials in terms of construction, transport and access to services. With the increase in housing provision in the towns surrounding the AONB and Stour Valley, including Colchester, Ipswich and Haverhill there is likely to be an increase in demand for visits to the AONB and Stour Valley Design and Development Issues The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley is a working landscape as well as a protected area. For it to thrive, it must accommodate appropriate sensitive development to meet future needs. Incremental extensions, alterations and replacements need to reflect the vernacular architecture. New developments can provide opportunities for affordable housing and economic prosperity but their design and scale must respect traditional building materials and styles and use sustainable materials wherever possible. Many of the settlements owe much of their character to their historic buildings, either residential, communal or places of worship. Such buildings are almost always listed and often sit within built conservation areas. Local people can be priced out of the housing market and Local Authorities need to enable appropriate affordable housing to address this need that will reduce the need for commuting and help develop more sustainable communities. Development within the AONB and Stour Valley needs to take into account the local character and scale of the area and development needs to be of an appropriate scale, situation, siting and style. Residents are often well informed about local issues and aware of the historic nature of their villages. Some sectors of the community, such as young people, are less likely to engage in planning processes but it is important to attempt to engage everyone in order

34 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan to understand the needs of a whole community. Techniques such as village design statements, community planning events and village appraisals can all be useful tools in helping to understanding the need for resources, highlighting demand and suggesting plans for future physical assets and services Infrastructure Issues People living in rural areas are necessarily more reliant on private cars as a means to accessing services, usually due to the lack of public transport and the availability of appropriate public rights of way (see also theme 3, Enjoying the Area). An increase in car ownership and the increase in size of vehicles have the potential to damage rural roads and verges. There is likely to be an increasing demand for improved road infrastructure such as parking provision, for example at Stoke by Nayland, more road markings and signage, for example on the A134 at Nayland and therefore urbanisation of the rural landscape. Proposals for telecommunications masts continue to be made within the valley and in settlements in response to demands for improved coverage and band width and to meet the needs of customers. An increase in car ownership and the increase in size of vehicles have the potential to damage rural roads and verges

35 34 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan The demand for domestic renewable energy facilities such as household wind turbines, solar panels and water heating panels may also increase as people seek to tackle climate change and reduce their reliance on conventional power sources. There will need to be a consistent response across the AONB and Stour Valley to these applications and a balance struck between the aspiration of reducing local carbon emissions and the potential affect of such installations on the landscape and settlement character. Best practice in siting and design should be promoted. The development of new visitor facilities can have both positive and negative effects and careful consideration is required when they are determined. There are social and economic benefits to new facilities but they should not detract from the landscape, particularly within the AONB where the protection of natural beauty is paramount to managing the area. These issues are explored more fully in theme 3, Enjoying the Area. The AONB and Stour Valley should be recognised as an important place by those who live there Historic Settlements Issues The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley has a number of previously occupied sites. Many of these sites are scheduled monuments such as Clare Camp, Clare Castle, Court Knoll, Mount Bures and Wormingford Lodge. These are important sites to the understanding of the history of settlement in the area. These sites are protected by law and present an opportunity to learn how our ancestors lived and worked. Whilst they can be studied by professional archaeologists and historians, it is equally important that local communities and visitors are given information about these sites. This will improve understanding of the historic landscapes of the AONB and Stour Valley and encourage future protection of the area Other Issues The development of appropriate new and existing businesses in the valley should be encouraged to support the local economy and help to achieve local sustainability. In the AONB, this should not be at the expense of environmental concerns such as its natural beauty, biodiversity or tranquillity. The primary purpose of the AONB is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. The AONB and Stour Valley should be recognised as an important place by those who live there. Innovative schemes to promote a sense of place should be encouraged, raising awareness of the importance of the area. Any development within flood zones 2 or 3 will need to be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) which should accompany the planning application. Generally, development should be directed away from areas at risk of flooding. Under the terms of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Land Drainage Byelaws, any works in, over, under or within 9 metres of a designated main river will require our formal written consent prior to any of the works taking place Priorities The partnership sees the following as Settlement and People theme priorities: Development should reflect local characteristics. Historic features should be conserved. Infrastructure development should not detract from the areas character.

36 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Management Plan Objectives OB4 OB5 OB6 OB7 Development should be of an appropriate scale and take into account the landscape qualities of the area, from Local Landscape Character Assessments and should not adversely affect the integrity of any European site. The character of historic villages, buildings and conservation areas are maintained or enhanced. Infrastructure developments are of a type and scale appropriate to the AONB and Stour Valley. Heritage features are protected and there is a greater understanding of their significance Management Policies SP1 SP2 SP3 SP4 SP5 SP6 SP7 Conserve and enhance the quality of villages and archaeological sites and promote greater understanding of the area s character. Ensure that business development brings economic benefits to the local area and does not adversely affect existing sustainable businesses or adversely affect the qualities, including its setting, of the AONB and Stour Valley and should not adversely affect the integrity of any European site. Ensure that Landscape Character Assessments of the AONB and Stour Valley are acknowledged in local plans and local development frameworks and ensure that councillors and officers involved in the management of the area are aware of its qualities and aims. Encourage local communities to become involved in environmental enhancements of the area through processes such as community planning, village design statements and involvement in local development frameworks. Reduce or mitigate any negative impacts of tourism, communication and utility infrastructure development. Continue to lobby local and national organisations to protect the special qualities of the AONB and Stour Valley. Ensure that development does not detract from the area s character and that they meet sustainability principles. Actions to implement the policies are listed in the delivery plan.

37 36 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme 3: Enjoying the Area The Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey indicates some information about those that choose to visit the area: 65% of visitors went for a short walk 66% of visitors are on a day trip 48% of visitors came for sight seeing opportunities Source: Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey Issues relating to the river and public access are explored in greater detail in theme 4 The river and its tributaries Theme Introduction The AONB and Stour Valley is an area ideal for quiet, informal recreation. Recreation is a secondary purpose of AONBs, their primary purpose being to conserve natural beauty. The area has long attracted visitors, either to value the landscape made famous by artists such as John Constable or simply to enjoy the countryside. Close access from several towns including Colchester, Ipswich, Sudbury and Haverhill provides a rural idyll for many of their residents. The value of tourism to the AONB in terms of direct, supplier and income induced expenditure has been calculated as 39,767,418. Furthermore it is estimated that 599 full time equivalent jobs, equating to 841 jobs are supported by the tourism industry. Source: Economic Impact of Tourism in the East of England Protected Landscapes. East of England Tourism (2008). Every opportunity must be taken to help visitors to gain greater understanding and appreciation of the physical and historic landscapes and heritage features they have come to enjoy. The majority of the area is farmed and access to it is via the rural road network, public rights of way and partly by the river s navigation. National conservation organisations such as the National Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have small land holdings in the area and local authorities, small charities and parish councils have some minor sites with public access. There are many opportunities for residents to get involved in managing the area through: Volunteer groups: Such as those run by the AONB and Stour Valley Project, National Trust, Royal Society for Protection of Birds, BTCV, Sudbury Common Lands Charity, Wildlife Trusts and local parish groups Guided walks: Such as those run by AONB and Stour Valley Project, Ramblers Associations groups, National Trust, Sudbury Common Lands Charity, Wildlife Trusts and local parish groups Events on a variety of countryside issues: Such as those run by Assington Mill, Daws Hall, Wildlife Trusts, River Stour Trust and the Field Studies Council. Details can be found on: Although the area is well known locally, there is often limited understanding of the AONB designation and where its boundaries are. There is an active Visitor Management Group concerned with visitor issues whose interest has been extended from Constable Country (a triangle of the AONB between the villages of East Bergholt, Dedham and Flatford) to the whole of the AONB. More information on the Visitor Management Group can be found at: Information about how to travel to the area and around the area by public transport should be in a format that is easily accessible and should highlight the benefits of such an approach for example maintaining the tranquillity of the area; health benefits associated with walking and cycling; reducing individual carbon footprint and the chance to meet local people.

38 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme Vision by 2025 In 2025 the AONB and Stour Valley is an area providing access to the countryside for both residents and visitors, enabling them to enjoy the landscape and the associated benefits. These include health benefits associated with increasing exercise for those that choose to walk, cycle, ride and paddle their way through the area. Other benefits include mental well being advantages of being in a rural idyll and experiencing wildlife and nature at first hand. Every opportunity must be taken to help visitors to gain greater understanding and appreciation of the historic landscapes and heritage features they have come to enjoy. Local businesses can provide enhanced opportunities for sustainable tourism but must ensure that such opportunities do not overwhelm the local population. Those businesses not engaged in tourism must take care not to detract from the special qualities of the AONB but equally care must be taken to ensure that such businesses are not disadvantaged by tourism. A wide cross section of society, including those from previously under represented groups, comes to visit the area through the Managing a Masterpiece: Stour Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme, walking for health and other innovative schemes. Visitor access to the area is well-served, with a variety of sustainable facilities including public rights of way and public transport. Information about access is widely available both within the area and outside it, through the local media and on the internet. The primary purpose of the AONB (protection of natural beauty) is always considered and taken into account.

39 38 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan There is a lack of higher status rights of way (eg bridleways and byways) and joined up or circular routes for riders Local Authorities and others promote countryside access. Examples of this are: Discover Suffolk, (Suffolk County Council s official countryside website) org.uk Babergh and Mid Suffolk s Council s annual walking festival, suffolk.org.uk Visit Essex, Theme Issues Access and Recreation Issues Many people move around the area by private car. There are limited opportunities for moving around the area using public transport. Rail travel to the area as a whole is an option. The AONB is served by Manningtree railway station situated on the main line between London and Norwich, which also serves Colchester and Ipswich. Manningtree railway station is just 2 miles from the heart of Constable Country and Flatford. Bures, in the Stour Valley, can be reached by the Marks Tey to Sudbury branch line, known as the Gainsborough line. Public rights of way and permissive routes provide good access to the countryside. The area straddles two highway authorities, Essex and Suffolk, and this can cause confusion for users when reporting issues with rights of way. People using the rights of way network in the area and wishing to report problems with its infrastructure, for example issues with the surface, signage and furniture, (eg stiles, gates and waymarking), can be confused about whose responsibility it is. There have been recent improvements to signage from roads onto rights of way including telephone numbers provided on finger posts for users to report issues. There is a lack of higher status rights of way (eg bridleways and byways) and joined up or circular routes for riders. There may be opportunities to upgrade rights of way to enhance opportunities for quiet recreation pursuits such as cycling and horse riding where this does not compromise walkers. This can be achieved by the creation of restricted bridleways and byways to ensure use by those seeking quiet enjoyment of the area. There are several promoted routes including the sixty mile regional route, the Stour Valley Path and a number of circular routes promoted by the Project, the National Trust, district councils, parish councils and local groups. These routes are generally maintained to a higher standard than other routes and can provide good opportunities for public access. Access is also promoted on guided events by organisations such as the Ramblers Association; National Trust; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and parish councils, eg Dedham and Stoke by Nayland and walking groups.

40 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan There are two rights of way improvement plans, one for Essex and one for Suffolk, that cover the AONB and Stour Valley. These plans are regularly reviewed and identify opportunities for improvements to countryside access. Some users, such as cyclists and horse riders, are less well served by the public rights of way network. There are opportunities for both horse and cycle riding within the area although these tend to be of a linear nature on existing bridleways. Cyclists can use parts of the old railway network in Sudbury that passes through the area. There are cycling routes such as the Painters Trail and South Suffolk Routes A and B that use the network of minor roads and bridleways. There are opportunities to develop routes from railway stations and villages as sustainable transport options for those living in the area and for those visiting. Improvements to the public rights of way network are required for the needs of less able users. The removal or replacement of stiles with gates can be achieved without affecting the character of the area. Access to surfaced paths is limited and any proposals for extensions to surfaced routes need to be considered carefully to ensure that they do not impinge negatively upon the rural character of the area. Agri Environment schemes such as Environmental Stewardship through its Entry and Higher Level schemes continue to build on projects developed under Countryside Stewardship. These schemes give incentives to landowners to increase the amount of public access. All increases in public access need to be weighed up against the potential negative effects on wildlife, habitats and heritage sites including disturbance and loss of tranquillity. Details of access agreements can be found at: The Haven Gateway Partnership has developed a Green Infrastructure Plan that includes much of the AONB and there are opportunities for developing access and biodiversity projects. Noisy and intrusive pastimes and sports have the potential to impact negatively on the aims of the AONB. Furthermore, such pursuits can have negative effects on the tranquillity and landscape quality of the area. Villages and their settings should be protected from inappropriate parking and commercial signage. Facilities for non powered boating and angling should be available and maintained. Recreation issues relating to the river are explored in theme 4 the river and its tributaries. Villages and their settings should be protected from inappropriate parking and commercial signage.

41 40 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Visitors and Tourism Issues Constable Country (the triangle of the AONB between the villages of Dedham, East Bergholt and Flatford) has traditionally been subject to relatively high visitor numbers. Many local businesses cater for and rely on these visitors. In 2008 the National Trust estimates that approximately 120,000 visitors were attracted to Bridge Cottage, and 220,000 visitors to Flatford. Figures are based on sales in the tea rooms and a vehicle counter situated locally. Though concern has sometimes surrounded the actual number of visitors, it is the ways in which visitors travel to and around the area that has the highest potential to cause problems for the local population and impact on the landscape. The Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 indicated that: 92% of visitors came by car 66% are day visitors The majority of visitors will visit more than one site per visit Source: The Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 This can cause problems relating to visual intrusion, parking and the contribution to climate change. The issues relating to the reliance on cars to get to the area continue to be addressed by the Visitor Management Group. The Visitor Management Group is made up of representatives of local authority tourism staff, countryside charities and local businesses. The group seeks to address the needs of the local community, the environment and the economy and encourages behavioural change from visitors to enable visits which are more sustainable. The group seeks to promote best practice, the development of a high quality visitor experience and ways of working but there is no intention to seek to disperse visitors away from the AONB. The primary purpose of the group is to enhance the visitor experience through the development of small scale projects that conserve and respect the qualities of the landscape. Beyond the AONB the effects of tourism are less well known. There are popular visitor attractions in Long Melford, the National Trust s Melford Hall and the privately run Kentwell Hall and popular visitor attractions and events at Clare, Bures and Cavendish. The affects on the landscape and local populations are not known Understanding the Area Issues The AONB and Stour Valley is an area that contains a wide range of features relating to the heritage of the area. This resource, such as historic houses and halls, scheduled monuments, earth heritage and landscape features has the potential to engage visitors and residents alike in learning more about the history of the area. There are many active archaeological and history societies in the area and public events relating to the heritage of the area usually prove popular. Access to information for visitors and residents on the attractions in the area remains dispersed. With seven Local Authorities, competing private attractions and a wide range of activities available there remains the potential for those wishing to find out information becoming frustrated. The area s unique landscape and history needs to championed at a national, regional and local level and to reach as diverse an audience as possible. Although a uniform

42 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan branding of the area is unlikely and probably unnecessary, the messages from the Partnership about the AONB and Stour Valley should be clear and consistent Priorities The partnership sees the following as Enjoying the Area theme priorities: People see the area as a place to enjoy. There are opportunities to travel in more sustainable ways. The areas heritage assets are understood Management Plan Objectives OB8 OB9 OB10 OB11 Provide high quality of public rights of way including facilities for less able visitors and increase the access provision for walkers and riders. Maintain and protect the tranquillity of the area, particularly in the AONB. Encourage sustainable businesses, tourism and transport opportunities to the area. Improve popular understanding of the area, in particular the AONB designation, its purpose and its heritage features Management Policies EtA1 EtA2 EtA3 EtA4 EtA5 EtA6 EtA7 Continue improvements to the public rights of way network and identify opportunities to improve access facilities. Where new visitor facilities are provided within and/or affecting the area they are of appropriate scale and nature to the AONB and Stour Valley and will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site. Support the work of the Visitor Management Group and implement the sustainable tourism action plan for 2009 to Support the work of Managing a Masterpiece: The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership and its projects relating to visitor enhancements and increased understanding of the special qualities of the area. Identify opportunities to increase quiet informal recreation and public access that do not compromise the tranquillity and natural beauty of the area and will not adversely affect the integrity of any European site. Raise awareness of the importance of the AONB and Stour Valley to visitors, businesses and residents. Information, promotion and interpretation about the AONB and Stour Valley should promote its special qualities. Actions to implement the policies are listed in the delivery plan.

43 42 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme 4: The River and its Tributaries Theme Introduction The Stour Valley is in one of the driest areas of England, with around 568mm of rain per year falling on an average of 110 days, it has around half the UK average. Water extraction for domestic and agricultural use means that virtually no water flows out of the system into the sea. Other pressures on the river include those from recreational interests such as boating and fishing, diffuse pollution and industrial discharges. The River Stour forms the spine of the Stour Valley. Many parts of the river are lined by closely planted cricket bat willows that form an important income source to landowners but can have adverse effects on the landscape character. Other native trees at irregular intervals along the river banks provide important wildlife habitat and can add to the rural feel of the area. It is an important wildlife habitat in its own right with a wide range of species such as otter, fish, invertebrates, flora and amphibians. The river is used to transfer drinking water for South Essex and London through the Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer Scheme. The river has a long history of commercial use since the creation of the navigation in More recently the river is used for boating and canoeing recreation. The water quality of the river and its tributaries is subject to national legislation seeking to protect and enhance the water quality. This includes initiatives such as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy and the Water Framework Directive. The voluntary scheme, England Catchment Sensitive Delivery Initiative, can provide advice and information to farmers which can help them meet the requirements this legislation.

44 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan The number of industrial discharges into the river Stour and its tributaries has reduced over the years with the closure of, for example Bush Boake Allen and reduced activity at the Little Wratting port factory. There are significant surface water discharges from the major industrial estates including Haverhill, Chilton and Hadleigh although the number of pollution incidents originating from these has fallen over the years. The National Farmers Union is promoting protection of water and soil resources through its programme of promoting the Entry Level Scheme in its Campaign for the Farmed Environment programme. The number of industrial discharges into the river Stour and its tributaries has reduced over the years Theme Vision for 2025 By 2025 the river provides the focal spine for the Stour Valley and is defined by its path through wet grazing meadows and arable land with a variety of riverside trees and a variety of riparian habitats. By 2025 water quality is good, supporting healthy ecosystems with good stocks of fish and other wildlife reflecting the quality of the catchment management systems in place. The catchment meets demand for water supply, drinking supplies and irrigation, the maintenance of traditional grazing marshes and recreational use. Natural hydrological functioning has been restored to further parts of the river, as part of integrated flood management and wildlife enhancement schemes. River flow management systems, such as sluices and weirs, operate smoothly. Traditional navigation structures, such as locks and cuts, that provided passage for craft using the navigation, are maintained to help understanding of their importance in the development of the area. The Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer System is operating at a level that does not impinge upon the wildlife, landscape, agricultural or recreational interests. The system is understood by all those with an interest in the river. The use of the navigation by recreational users is in line with local bylaws and recreational use of the navigation is sensitive to the nature of the valley. Visitors and residents explore the area in a sustainable way while not impinging on the riparian owners operations or tranquillity and do not have an adverse impact upon the ecosystems.

45 44 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) The directive seeks to address the key issues of: Co-ordination of river basin management Identifying and addressing risks to surface water Managing groundwater supplies Managing artificial and modified rivers The monetary value of the resource Monitoring current water quality Calibration of water measurements The Water Framework Directive has the following aims: Expanding the scope of water protection to all waters, surface waters and groundwater Achieving good status for all waters Water management based on river basins A combined approach of emission limit values and quality standards Getting the citizen involved more closely Streamlining legislation Theme Issues Water Management Issues The Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) was adopted by the European Union member states in The directive seeks to integrate river basin management, i.e. looking at the catchment as a whole to ensure that the whole system works well in terms of natural systems and the navigation, and consider the many differing demands on the resource and provide objectives for water protection for the future. The Water Framework Directive will clearly have an implication for all those whose area of work has an affect on the water environment including government and non government agencies and agricultural interests. The Stour and its tributaries have a major influence on the landscape character of the area as detailed in the Landscape, Farming and Biodiversity theme. The form of the river has been adapted by human activity for many hundreds of years and is increasing. The form of the river has been adapted to accommodate mills, roads and railway lines. The channel has been modified to reduce flood risk. The cricket bat willows that often line the river and its tributaries have a significant landscape impact on the area. The river, especially on the areas of navigation would have had significantly less trees on the banks when the commercial navigation was in use, although it should be noted that the horses that drew the Stour lighters would have frequently needed to change bank to continue their journey because of landowner consent and tree cover. Cricket bat willows have a commercial lifespan of around 20 years and during this time can become important landscape features. Residents have genuine concerns over flooding of houses in the flood plain, for example along Bear Street in Nayland. Grasslands created and maintained by the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme and its successors have helped reduce flood risk. Flood management through soft engineering options, ie those that allow water to overflow from the channel into identified areas, have limited adverse effects on residential areas and agriculture, constructed from natural materials rather than bricks and concrete. Recent health and safety assessment of the mill gates has identified the need to upgrade the facilities to reduce the risk to operators. Sluice gates are vital in keeping proper water flow levels and the amenity of the river. The Environment Agency regulate the discharges from Anglian Waters sewage treatment works. Anglian Water Services operate and manage their own facilities as well as

46 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan sampling and monitoring the effluent quality on behalf the Environment Agency and provide them with the data. The affects of climate change could include increased storminess and wetter summers potentially leading to an increased flood risk. The Stour is subject to the North Essex Catchment Flood Management Plan that identifies the main factors in influencing flood flow and flood risk. Its policies include: General actions across the area: Continue with the flood warning service including the maintenance of flood warning infrastructure (ie river flow gauging stations) and public awareness plans. Work with planners to influence the location, layout and design of new and redeveloped property. Ensure that only appropriate development is allowed on the floodplain through the application of Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25). Actions specific to the Stour: Continue with the current flood risk management activities. Work with partners to develop emergency response plans for critical infrastructure and transport links at risk from flooding. Continue maintenance of Abberton Reservoir. Essex and Suffolk Water must carry out their duties under the Reservoirs Act. The River Stour falls within the Combined Essex Catchment in terms of the Environment Agency s Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy. The strategy sets out how the Environment Agency will manage abstraction until 2014 and their policies for granting abstraction licences. Both surface waters and ground water supplies in the chalk aquifer, underlying the area, are included. Any development plans within flood risk zones 2 and 3 (sites with higher flood risk) or any sites greater than 1 hectare need to be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment when any planning application is made. This will need to demonstrate the development can be made safe without any increasing flood risk to the surrounding area. The river is an important wildlife habitat for many species. Some species are still under threat due to changes to habitat or the threats posed by non native species and inappropriate management. Wildlife surveys can help to give greater understanding of the situation and surveys are carried out for a number of species such as otter, water vole, fish, The affects of climate change could include increased storminess and wetter summers potentially leading to an increased flood risk.

47 46 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan crayfish and bats using the river as hunting grounds. The implementation of biodiversity action plans, agri-environment schemes, river restoration works and improvements in water quality can all help the wildlife in the area by improving wildlife habitat. The River Stour is managed as its own system due to the operation of the Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme (see section ) from Wixoe to its tidal limit. The Environment Agency has calculated that little or no freshwater flow reaches the estuary via the weir at Cattawade due to abstractions along the river system. This situation, and the fact that there is not free movement for fish at the Judas Gap weir, has been linked to the poor levels of all fish stocks seen in the river and adverse affects on migratory fish (sea trout and eels). In addition the exposure of riverine sediments during periods of draw down from abstraction is thought to be responsible for the release of bacterial toxins which have an adverse affect on the health of fish populations. The low flow in the lower reaches of the Stour, before the tidal barrage and the lack of water flowing into tidal reaches of the Stour has the potential to have an adverse affect on Cattawade marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest and the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Special Protection Area (that lies outside the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project area) Water Quality Issues Water pollution and its effects on water quality can be caused by a variety of causes including agricultural operations and outputs from sewage and industrial plants. Diffuse pollution from road run off, discharges from contaminated land and poaching of soils alongside unprotected roadside verges. The whole of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project area falls within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, an area identified to be at risk from agricultural run off, and within one of England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative areas. The England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative seeks to keep diffuse pollutants at a level where they will not harm the areas water resources including rivers, groundwater and other water courses. The programme works by encouraging good farming practices on the use of fertilisers, manures and pesticides. Other programmes within the initiative relate to promoting good soil structure to avoid excessive run off, protection from faecal contamination, separation of clean and dirty water and managing stocking rates to avoid compaction and poaching of land. Further information can be found at: or In addition cross compliance places a legal duty on recipients of the single farm payment (i.e. virtually all farmers) to follow specific environmental legislation including

48 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan that aimed at protecting soil and water resources. Government information on cross compliance can be found at: Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer System Issues The Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer System was built in The scheme was designed to transfer surplus water from the Ely Ouse to the headwaters of Essex and Suffolk rivers including the Stour to supply the increasing demand for potable water from South Essex and London. The water, which would otherwise flow into the Wash, is taken out at under licence from Denver in Norfolk. It is then transferred to the River Stour via a tunnel and pipe at Kirtling Green in Cambridgeshire. At Wixoe, on the Stour, some water is pumped out into the River Pant, and further water is abstracted for Abberton reservoir from Stratford St Mary. The Environment Agency currently transfers water from Denver in Norfolk to Essex when it is needed to fill Abberton reservoir via the Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme. Northumbrian Water Limited as the statutory water undertaker for a large part of South Essex is required to provide sufficient drinking water to its customers. Northumbrian Water Limited has prepared a water resource plan that has identified that the water available does not meet its statutory duty. After investigating the alternatives of managing demand, alternative reservoir storage and new water resource options the company s favoured option is a scheme known as the Abberton scheme that involves three elements: Abberton reservoir enhancement, variation to the abstraction licence and enhancement of the Ely Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme. In the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley the most significant element is the enhancement of the transfer scheme. This will have a potentially adverse affect on the following: Traffic volume during construction Wildlife habitats during pipeline laying Wildlife Archaeological and heritage features Water quality Spread of diseases affecting wildlife Landscape quality of the area (new infrastructure) Tranquillity of area during construction Flow rates New abstraction facilities will be built near Wormingford to pump water being transferred along the Stour to Abberton reservoir and ultimately into the water supply network. An Environmental Impact Assessment of the scheme was completed in 2008 and there are plans to mitigate against any potentially damaging effects.

49 48 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Since the feasibility study the Environment Agency have made improvements to the portage sites... and increased the number of health and safety notices displayed along the navigation Recreational River Use Issues In 1705 the River Stour was made a navigation from Brantham to Sudbury, so that commercial craft could use the river to transfer goods over this maintained stretch. Over the years the river has partially naturalised itself by re-forming many features that were damaged by routine dredging and impounding water. Since the 1970s many changes have occurred for water abstraction, land drainage and flood defence. In 1977 Anglian Water Authority confirmed the public right to the navigation on the river following lobbying by the River Stour Trust and others. In 2001 a feasibility study into the navigation was commissioned on behalf of The Environment Agency; The River Stour Trust; The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and Essex and Suffolk Water. The findings from that study were published in 2003 including the preferred option to develop the use of the river by light craft, canoes, small sailing craft and rowing boats, and bylaws restricting use of other craft to those operated by the riparian owners and the River Stour Trust of the type in use on 25 October Since the feasibility study the Environment Agency have made improvements to the portage sites (agreed paths around sites where it is impractical for small craft to navigate, such as locks and weirs) and increased the number of health and safety notices displayed along the navigation. A users guide to the navigation was produced in The restoration of Stratford St Mary lock began in 2008 by the River Stour Trust. Recreational use of the river is increasing and guided canoe tours, for small groups, are a recent addition to boat rides from Sudbury and Flatford. Rowing boat hire is popular and available from Dedham and Flatford. The river has a strong coarse fishing interest. Fishing remains the highest participation sport in England and the Stour provides many opportunities for fishing including a variety of sites where local fishing clubs, such as the London Anglers Club and the Colchester Angling Preservation Society have fishing rights. There are some additional fishing lakes from gravel extractions where fishing rights have been let. Surveys by the Environment Agency in 2008 indicate some species of fish have declined from previously recorded levels. Facilities for the fishing community, such as platforms, are generally limited to publicly owned sites such as Cattawade picnic sites and Kings Meadow in Sudbury Priorities The partnership sees the following as the River and its Tributaries theme priorities: The river is an important wildlife habitat and landscape feature. The river is enjoyed as a recreational resource by responsible users.= Water quality is good.

50 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Management Plan Objectives OB12 OB13 OB14 OB15 OB16 OB17 OB18 The river and its tributaries provide a key landscape feature for the Stour Valley. The Stour provides water for irrigation on local farms in a sustainable manner. The Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer Scheme is understood and operated in such a way that it has negligible effects on the landscape, biodiversity and recreation interests of the valley. Recreational use does not conflict with the tranquillity of the area nor impacts adversely on landscape and biodiversity. Water in the Stour and its tributaries is of the highest possible quality and operations within the valley seek to minimise any adverse effects. Flood management measures in the valley protect people and property and where possible seek to enhance biodiversity and the landscape. Historic river navigation structures are understood and conserved as heritage features Management Policies RaT1 RaT2 RaT3 RaT4 RaT5 RaT6 RaT7 Development proposals that could have an adverse affect on the floodplain habitats and ecosystems should be avoided. The River Stour and its tributaries are managed to the best possible standard for water quality, flood channel management and landscape quality. The Ely Ouse to Essex Water Transfer Scheme is well understood and any adverse affects of its use are mitigated. Active navigation features, including portages, are maintained to a high standard to allow recreation users to benefit from the river environment. Associated infrastructure takes into account the nature of the area, particularly within the AONB. Landowners are kept informed of key legislation and initiatives relating to water and encouraged to implement these. Opportunities for biodiversity and landscape enhancements should be sought including during any river works. Historic navigation features are identified, mapped and conserved as heritage features and their historic significance more widely understood. Actions to implement the policies are listed in the delivery plan.

51 50 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme 5: Traffic and Transport Theme Introduction The AONB and Stour Valley is a rural area that over the last 50 years has faced a large increase in private car use for commuting and recreation. The AONB is crossed by two A roads, the A12 (a trunk road) and A134. Away from these the area is characterised by minor roads many narrow and sunken, some of which are designated as protected lanes. The AONB and Flatford in particular is a draw to visitors, with approximately 200,000 (estimated from a road counter on Flatford Lane and National Trust) visiting Flatford each year. The main transport routes are indicated in the map on section 1.5. Roads are managed by the County Councils, except the A12 that is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The A12 runs as a four lane dual carriageway, two in each direction, through the AONB. There are three junctions off the A12 into the AONB. Transport planning is developed through five year Local Transport Plans that are complimentary to many other local, regional and national strategies. The area is served by the London to Norwich mainline railway with the station at Manningtree in the AONB, which is only two miles by footpath from Constable Country and is an important gateway for walkers and cyclists. Further up the valley a branch line from Marks Tey serves Bures and Sudbury. Many of the villages within the area are accessible by bus although services have a restricted timetable. The Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 recorded the following: 92% of visitors arrived by car 68% of visitors travelled over 15 miles to reach the area The majority of visitors planned to visit more than one place in the AONB Source: Dedham Vale AONB visitor survey 2009 The increase in private car use for commuting and leisure purposes coupled with pressures on public transport and increase in use of the A12 have a significant affect on the landscape, tranquillity and natural beauty of the area, particularly within the AONB with its draw for visitors.

52 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Theme Vision for 2025 By 2025 roads do not have an adverse impact on the areas character in terms of landscape, tranquillity or biodiversity through limits on speed and weight restrictions. Roads and their infrastructure are sympathetic to the rural scene and have not taken on a suburban feel. More sustainable transport modes, including rail, buses, walking and cycling, are accessible to residents and visitors and users have confidence in them. Innovative schemes to encourage sustainable transport are in place, including improvements to local facilities and the public rights of way network. Walking and riding, both horse and cycle, is an attractive option along well maintained routes Theme Issues Essex and Suffolk Strategic Issues Major developments within the region, such as the Haven Gateway Growth Point with its implications for the growth of ports, housing and other development and the expansion of Stansted airport could have an impact on the transport network through the area. Changes to the flight and holding patterns to and from the London airports have the potential to affect the tranquillity of the area and the AONB. These issues are explored in more detail in theme 1, Landscape, Biodiversity and Farming theme. There are areas where there could be better co-ordination and consistency between Essex and Suffolk Highway Authorities and the Highways Agency. Work will continue to develop a coordinated approach to signage within the AONB. Public transport across the area requires further improvement in terms of service provision and timetabling A12 Issues The A12, which cuts through the AONB, is a strategic link between East Anglia and the motorway network via the M25. Further development of this part of the A12, such as an increase in lighting or widening will need to consider carefully the affects on landscape and tranquillity. During 2008/09 up to 120m in funding has been sought from central government and East of England Regional Assembly for enhancements to the A12 such as upgrading junctions. The aim will be to minimise any adverse effect on the AONB in terms of the landscape and tranquillity qualities of the AONB. In 2005 the Dedham Vale hopper bus ran on a circular route to and from Manningtree Station with stops at Dedham and East Bergholt from 1 July to 30 October. The following information is recorded from the pilot project survey: 1,884 passengers were carried on the 71 days of service 51% of those surveyed used the service in preference of a private car 35% of those surveyed used the service to access shopping or community facilities Source: Dedham Vale hopper: 2005 pilot project summary Manningtree station has the potential to offer more as a gateway to the AONB for those that want to visit the area Public Transport Issues Manningtree station has the potential to offer more as a gateway to the AONB for those that want to visit the area. There is a link from the station to the public footpath network. The station provides limited information on the AONB and there is potential for further development of visitor information facilities at the station and improvements to the public rights of way links to Constable Country. A leaflet detailing walking opportunities from Manningtree railway station is available at: on_walks/manningtree_station_walk

53 52 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Many local communities in the Stour Valley are concerned about transport issues, in particular Heavy Goods Vehicles and large vehicles. The Marks Tey to Sudbury branch line and the station at Bures has similar potential for visitors and commuters. In 2005 a second carriage was added to the train that runs on the branch line to meet increasing demand from commuters. The line, known as the Gainsborough Line due to the connections with the artist and Sudbury, was designated as a community railway line by the Department of Transport in In 2003 a pilot Hopper Bus was introduced to link Manningtree Station, East Bergholt, Flatford and Dedham. Despite its success this stopped operation after one year due to lack of funding. Work continues to identify alternative sources of funding to continue the service in peak times such as Managing a Masterpiece: The Stour Valley Landscape Partnership Local Transport Issues Transport in the area is planned through the Local Transport Plans and Local Development Frameworks for Essex and Suffolk local authorities. Many local communities in the Stour Valley are concerned about transport issues, in particular Heavy Goods Vehicles and large vehicles. Of particular concern is the choice of routes influenced by satellite navigation systems. The Department for Transport is working on a Global Positioning System (GPS) routing system for routing Heavy Goods Vehicles away from inappropriate roads. There are issues of commuter and leisure traffic rat running, parking and the proliferation of signage that cause particular concern. In addition the noise generated by road traffic, in particular motorbikes is a concern to local residents. The unique character, in terms of rural roads, historic villages and the protected sunken lanes of the area should be taken in to account when planning improvements to the transport network and road maintenance. To retain the character of the area, road works needs to take into account the special qualities of the area and the AONB in particular. Universal highways engineering solutions and materials are not always appropriate. The development of public transport and the public rights of way network needs further development to encourage sustainable movement around the area. Schemes to encourage walking and cycling should be encouraged such as developing walking and cycling routes between villages, creating safe walking routes within villages and shared space on roads to accommodate walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

54 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan In popular areas congestion and on street parking can be an issue. The number of visitors is not usually in itself a problem, rather the problems caused by congestion and parking issues at peak times. Any development, in particular within the AONB, should consider both the positive and negative traffic implications of the proposal, this is particularly important for new development and the redevelopment of redundant farm buildings or farm diversification proposals. Development near the boundary, particularly the AONB boundary, also needs to consider the implications of transport and its affects on the character and tranquillity of the area Priorities The partnership sees the following as Traffic and Transport theme priorities: There are options for using more sustainable transport methods. Reintroduction of the Dedham Vale hopper bus service Development takes into account transport implications Management Plan Objectives OB19 OB20 OB21 Minimise the impact of road transport on the landscape quality and tranquillity of the area, particularly the AONB. Encourage the development and use of public transport systems and railway stations promoted as gateways to the area for visitors and commuters. Minimise the impact of local, regional and national infrastructure transport developments, including maintenance, on the biodiversity and landscape quality and tranquillity of the area, particularly the AONB Management Policies TaT1 TaT2 TaT3 TaT4 TaT5 TaT6 TaT7 Promote the use of sustainable transport modes and seek to integrate walking and cycling provision with the public transport network. Reduce negative impact of visitor and tourist transport. Ensure transport policies relating to the AONB and Stour Valley recognise the importance of their special qualities. Minimise and mitigate the impact of Heavy Goods Vehicles and other traffic in and through the area, particularly on its sunken lanes, protected lanes and historic villages. Ensure that the transport implications of any development in or near the area, in particular the AONB, take account of its special qualities. Ensure Network Rail, community rail partnerships and rail operators promote the area appropriately. Minimise and mitigate the impact of any developments to major transport infrastructure including the A12, rail network and overflying aircraft and local airstrips. Actions to implement the policies are listed in the delivery plan.

55 54 Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan Monitoring The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Plan, including its strategy, themes and delivery plan will be reviewed every five years, with the next review due for the period The delivery plan will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect trends and opportunities. The annual review of the delivery plan will be subject to approval by the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership. The themes, and their associated objectives and policies will remain the same for the lifespan of the plan. Monitoring of the condition of the area is limited due to the availability of data and information currently available and the resources required to collect appropriate data. A further limitation is the availability to find data cut to the AONB and Stour Valley boundary. There are, however, some data sources currently available to the Partnership to record the condition of the AONB and Stour Valley, these include: % of land in Environmental Stewardship, including Entry Level Stewardship, Higher Level Stewardship and Organic Entry Level Stewardship Number of local food outlets in the AONB and Stour Valley % of woodland cover in the AONB and Stour Valley % of Sites of Special Scientific Interest meeting Public Service Agreement targets Review of the National (formerly Joint) Character Areas assessment if further national assessments are undertaken Number of visitors to Flatford Number of Dedham Vale and Stour Valley News distributed Number of visits to the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley visitor information website pages Awareness of AONB through Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley visitor surveys