LCA2B North Baddesley to Chilworth Woodland Mosaic
Landscape Strategy and Guidelines
North Baddesley to Chilworth Woodland Mosaic retains strong elements of its wooded character and patches of heathland but these are being eroded. The area is also at risk from the cumulative effects of urban fringe facilities. The overall strategy is therefore to restore a dominant wooded and heathland character to the North Baddesley to Chilworth Woodland Mosaic through the conservation of existing habitats and new landscape opportunities.
Land Management
Landscape Distinctiveness
Maintain the present balance of urban and rural land use and vegetation pattern in the area
Agriculture
Encourage the reversion of arable land to woodland pasture
Maintain existing pattern of assarting in the north of the area
Hedgerows
Restore the continuity and quality of field hedgerows
New boundary hedgerows to be planted using locally native species
Woodland and Trees
Maintain and strengthen existing woodland cover, particularly east and north of the M27 and M271
Avoid replacement of open land with plantation
Woodland management and new woodlands to be planted with locally native species
Biodiversity
Conserve and enhance remnant heathland and unimproved grassland
Seek opportunities to link existing woodland and heathland through habitat restoration
Historic Landscapes
Identify and seek opportunities to restore historic landscapes
Urban Fringe
Avoid deterioration in the urban fringe landscape arising from poor design and intrusive development
Improve management of the landscape around settlements
Land Use and Development
Built Development
Maintain the wooded separation of areas of residential development
Avoid loss of separate identity of well defined settlements through coalescence and homogeneous design
New development to be contained within a wooded or treed setting
Infrastructure
Protect the area from further noise and visual intrusion from the M27 and its infrastructure
Avoid increased suburbanisation arising from introduction of highway measures which conflict with the predominant rural character
Telecommunications and other high structures to be sited to take advantage of woodland screening
Seek opportunity to reduce visual fragmentation by placing electricity cables underground
Recreation, Tourism and Access
Minimise the impact of golf course construction and maintenance through locally appropriate planting, and avoid damage to remnant heathland
Encourage management of woodlands for public access