Landscape

Development in the Countryside

Policy NE1

The countryside of the District is valued for its undeveloped character. To protect its character, new development in the undeveloped countryside outside settlements and groups of dwellings will only be permitted to meet local infrastructure needs or if a need is established for the development in a specific location which is sufficient to outweigh environmental cost and if all of the following criteria are satisfied:

1. the siting of the development and any landscaping proposed will minimise impact;
2. the design and materials proposed are appropriate to the location; and
3. an unacceptable level of harm will not be caused to any interests of acknowledged importance.

2.8 Policy NE1 seeks to carry forward the level of protection established by Structure Plan Policy 13 in relation to the undeveloped countryside for all those areas of the District which fall outside those settlements listed in Local Plan Policies HS1 and HS2 or groups of dwellings, defined as cohesive groups of dwellings which include at least three existing dwellings. Policy NE1 indicates that exceptions may be made to this general policy if it can be demonstrated that there is a substantiated need for the development to be sited in a specific location outside any established urban area or settlement. Such need may stem from the necessity to be located close to an established rural activity or source of materials, or for a particular type, size or character of site which is not available in or adjacent to existing development. Exceptions will also be made where appropriate to accommodate the need for improvements to local infrastructure which cannot be located elsewhere.

2.9 In evaluating proposals regard will be had not only to the need for a development in a particular location but also to the impact of the proposal on the landscape or sites of wildlife, archaeological, geological or other recognised value; and to measures proposed which may serve to mitigate that impact including the use of high standards of design and appropriate materials and of landscaping measures.

2.10 In so far as proposals within developed areas of the countryside are concerned, that is those within settlements or groups of dwellings, the Local Plan establishes policies supportive of some classes of development, notably those which will generate employment opportunities. Specific examples include Policy NE8 which is supportive of proposals to diversify and support rural enterprises, Policy BE24 concerning the reuse of existing buildings and Policies TM1 and TM2 which jointly provide a basis for the evaluation of small scale tourism developments.

Development in the North Pennines AONB

Policy NE2

Priority will be given to the protection and enhancement of the special character of the North Pennines AONB. Within the North Pennines AONB development proposals will only be permitted on sites within or immediately adjacent and well related to settlements. Major development outside established settlements will only be permitted if an exceptional case can be made and all reasonable alternative locations have been explored and shown to be unacceptable. All development within the North Pennines AONB must, through appropriate siting, design, materials and landscaping measures, minimise environmental impacts and contribute to the preservation or enhancement of the distinctive character of the landscape and of the area.

2.11 The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, designated in 1988, is the largest AONB in England. That part which lies within the Local Plan area covers the whole of the East Fellside from Newbiggin in the north to Stainmore and includes the South Tyne and Nent valleys. The purpose of designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, the special landscape quality of which derives from its physical character as an upland area of high moorland plateau and heather grouse moor dissected by gently incised valleys, each with a distinct character. The farmed landscape is characterised by the small size of holdings, vernacular buildings and dry stone walls while evidence of the past lead mining industry of the area has also left a significant mark. This is a varied landscape but one which is characterised by an openness which renders isolated new development particularly intrusive. The North Pennines area includes a substantial and active residential community whose social and economic needs must be accommodated. Some development within the AONB is both necessary and inevitable, however, in the interest of protecting its unique landscape character and quality it is intended that developments will normally take place in established settlements. Exceptions to this may be made for agriculturally related development and to accommodate infrastructure and other developments which cannot be located within settlements and from which social and economic benefits derive which outweigh their environmental costs. Cumbria County Council has set out a policy framework in the Structure Plan, Policies 3, 11 and 41. Both Policy NE2 and Policy NE11 are consistent with that guidance. The Council is an active partner with other local authorities and interest groups in the Steering Committee for the North Pennines AONB. Through that body, the Council will seek to promote the proper management of the landscape and wildlife resource of the area and the interests of the locally resident communities.

Landscapes of County Importance

Policy NE3

Within Landscapes of County Importance proposals will be expected to have due regard to the distinctive character of the landscape. Those involving development outside established settlements will be permitted only if the following criteria can be satisfied:

1. the selection of the site can be adequately justified;
2. the siting of the development will minimise impact;
3. the design, materials and landscaping measures are appropriate to the character of the landscape;
4. the scale of the proposal is appropriate to the location concerned; and
5. an unacceptable level of harm will not be caused to any interests of acknowledged importance.

2.12 Landscapes of County Importance are defined by Structure Plan Policy 12 and identified on the Local Plan proposals map. These are areas of distinct and valued character which warrant particular protection. Within the context provided by Policy NE1, development proposals in Landscapes of County Importance must not only be clearly justified on the same basis as all development outside settlements but must, in terms of location, scale, design, and materials demonstrate a particular regard for the qualities and character of the area concerned.

2.13 The following notes provide a brief description of the landscape character of each of the designated Landscapes of County Importance.

Foothills - Rolling and hilly farm land and moorland generally 200-250m over datum (OD) adjacent to the North Pennines AONB boundary. Land cover varies from improved grazing with some arable to unimproved heathland. Some parts are intersected by small valleys with semi-natural heathland. Others are more continuous with coniferous plantations dominant. Most farmland has a pattern of large fields tending to be square in shape with stone walls or hedges. Much of the area offers fine views of the Pennine scarp.

Limestone Farmland - A rolling upland farmed landscape with distinctive limestone characteristics found particularly on the northern slopes of the Westmorland Fells. The landscape type is typified by a strong pattern of high stone walls and other built stone features. This is a landscape of historic character marred in some locations by discordant elements including quarries, pylons and the M6 Motorway.

Limestone Foothills - This area lies between Greystoke and the National Park boundary at an elevation of 220-360m OD. Topographically typical of limestone areas but natural crag features and other rock outcrops are rare. Dominated by forest, the area includes a variety of other features including unimproved land, ancient woodland and parkland. The quality of the landscape is generally high, in particular on the west and north where there are impressive views of the Lakeland fells and interesting areas of relic woodland and scrub.

Open Moorland and Common - Most of this landscape type is open grazing common at 250-350m OD, between Crosby Ravensworth Fell and Ash Fell. Most is developed on limestone although the western fringe is underlain by Shap Granite. Limestone pavements are extensive over large parts of the area, particularly on Orton and Asby Scars, and many are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest and/or covered by Limestone Pavement Orders. Land cover is grassland and remnant heather moorland. The boundary walls of the commons are of historic interest while the area also has many sites of archaeological value.

Limestone Valley - This landscape type comprises the Lune Valley, forming a gap between open moors and commons to the north and the Howgill Fells to the south. It is a distinctive valley landscape of irregular, walled fields along the sides and a narrow flat floodplain in the bottom. Features of the valley include small mixed woods, vernacular buildings and old quarries.

Fells and Scarps - The Howgills form a range of rounded fells with deeply incised valleys, underlain by sandstone, on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North Pennines AONB. The landscape is of high quality, similar in character to the Yorkshire Dales, being open with few field walls or other features. Land cover is in the main grass and bracken.

Eden Valley and Eden Gorge - A major linear feature running through the District from southeast to northwest. The landscape is variable in character, some being flat and unspectacular while elsewhere, such as around Warcop and Kirkby Stephen the valley is narrow and twisting with wooded banks. From Culgaith to Kirkoswald the valley is deep and wide with extensive plantations, small woods, parkland and extensive views. Around Appleby and to the north of Kirkoswald the valley is narrower with steep, rocky banks and overhanging woodland. Towards its northern end, the valley forms an impressive gorge typified by woodland and rock features.