The Test Valley Borough landscape has changed over time in response to changing economic and social conditions and will continue to change in the future, due to a number of forces. The challenge will be to understand and then manage and direct them to the benefit of the local landscape character.

The main forces for change are considered under 9 main headings:

Climatic

Agriculture and Land Management

Built Development

Traffic and Transport

Recreation and Tourism

Telecommunications

Wind Farms

Minerals and Waste Management

Military

Finally the section is concluded with a summary of recorded community perceptions of the Test Valley landscape and the effect of present and future change.

Climatic

The Test Valley, as elsewhere, is undergoing climatic change to which CO2 emissions are a contributing factor. Since 1900, the average temperature has risen by 0.5C and summer rainfall has decreased. Greater climatic changes are predicted over the next 100 years, which may include warmer weather all year, wetter winters, drier summers and weather extremes including storms and flooding. The range of effects on the Test Valley may include the following:

Summer water shortages: Low flows (and drying out) in chalk streams and rivers in summer, plus a requirement for increased abstraction from the chalk aquifer to meet demands from surrounding urban areas, exacerbating low flows. This may result in extension of winterbournes and affect wetland habitats, increase the risk of fire on heaths and the restrict water abstraction for agriculture and horticultural use.

Flooding: Hand in hand with seasonal water shortages, climate changes are giving rise to sporadic but severe flooding and could lead to the requirement for local flood defences.

Change in crops: Climatic change may give rise to the opportunity for different crops, and affect the economic viability of current cropping regimes.

Increased wind speeds/storms: This will cause damage to woodlands, parklands and crops.

Tidal changes: Rising sea levels are expected to effect tidal patterns, with a consequent effect on estuarine habitats and farming on low lying land alongside tidal shorelines.

Agriculture and Land Management

The agricultural landscape within the Test Valley contains a mix of different farming types from the large open arable fields to the north, to the smaller contained mixed fields around to the south, the linear water meadows around the River Test and the open grazed heathland within the New Forest to the south.

The landscape has been significantly affected by changes in farming practice over the last few decades. These changes are still a significant force of change in the landscape, although the pace of change has decreased in some cases (for example conversion to arable farming) and increased in others (conversion of farm buildings on non agricultural uses). These forces bring about both positive and negative changes to the landscape pattern and distinctive characteristics of an area. These include:

a reduction in rough grassland and pasture

new shelter belt and woodland planting

the removal, neglect and new maintenance methods for hedgerows

intensification of arable farming and creation of larger fields

expansion of agri-business

increases in livestock herd sizes and the need for large farm buildings

extensification of pig farming

expansion of equestrian facilities and fencing in of grazing land

increased interest in game shooting

rise in interest in organic farming and support for local produce

uptake of set aside

introduction of new farming infrastructure such as poly tunnels and heavier machinery

conversion of land and buildings to new rural uses.

At the same time there has been a continued decline in traditional farming methods such as coppicing, use of watermeadows, heathland grazing, downland sheep pasture and hedgerow management. The foot and mouth epidemic in 2001 has resulted in lower stocking levels and a move away from livestock, at least at the present time.

At present the UK farming industry is in a recession with local impacts well documented for Hampshire within the Hampshire Farming Survey: 1999. A summary of the findings of this report are shown below:

Farm income has declined by 60% since 1995 and now stands at the same level as in 1985.

It is expected that future farming will be carried out by a small number of very large agricultural businesses, or by farmers who will derive most of their income from other sources i.e. part-time and hobby farmers.

Decline in the number of smallholdings under 100ha and an increase in those of over 100ha.

Decline in full time, seasonal and casual employment within the agriculture sector. However an increase in part-time workers by 36% between 1988 and 1999.

The total agricultural land area in Hampshire fell by 3% between 1988 and 1999. Set aside land area fell by 51%, due to a reduction in the levels of compulsory set-aside, determined by the E.C Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules.

For enterprises of farm type, the trend from 1992-1998 shows an increase in cereals by 9% and a reduction in all other EC farm types including mixed farming, general cropping, horticulture, pigs, poultry and diary.

In the future it is anticipated that the restructuring of the agricultural economy will produce two extremes: the creation of large farm units seeking to increase production through achieving economies in scale, and marginal land coming out of agricultural management and put into new uses.

England Rural Development Programme

The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) underpins the Government’s New Direction for agriculture by helping farmers and foresters to respond better to consumer requirements and become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible. It also provides help to rural businesses and communities, which need to adapt and develop. The programme will run from 2000 to 2006. The key aspects of the programme are as follows:

The creation of a productive and sustainable rural economy: This shall include grant aid for rural enterprises, energy crops, training, improving processing and marketing of agricultural products and forestry.

Conservation and enhancement of the rural environment: This shall be implemented through the existing Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), the existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the re-opened organic farming scheme.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA)

The ESA was introduced in 1987 to encourage farmers to help protect those areas of the countryside where the landscape, wildlife or historic interest is of national importance. The scheme involves farmers voluntarily entering into a 10 year management agreements with DEFRA, under which they receive an annul payment for each hectare of land. Much of valley floor of the River Test and lower parts of all its tributaries, excepting the River Blackwater, are covered by an ESA. Within the valley the ESA scheme has three main management options:

To maintain and enhance the nature conservation interest of the river valley grassland by sustaining and extending the area under extensive management, by managing associated wetland habitats and by increasing the area of land attractive to waders and wildfowl.

To create new grassland habitats and protect the nature conservation interest of watercourses by reverting arable to permanent grassland and by establishing grass buffer strips.

To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale native woodlands.

Some 14,850 hectares of land are under agreement within the Test Valley with further take-up being encouraged in the Borough.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is the Government’s principle environmental grant scheme for farmers to conserve and improve the countryside, and is available to farmers outside the ESA’s. Under the scheme, which was started in 1991, farmers are paid to follow more traditional methods, with the aim of enhancing the landscape, encouraging wildlife and protecting historical features.

In 2003, in response to the first public consultation on a review of the CSS and ESA schemes half way through the ERDP, DEFRA piloted a new less complex and less demanding Entry Level Scheme (ELS) to provide an opportunity for farmers to apply for a simpler means of supporting good stewardship of the countryside through a flat rate payment in return for carrying out appropriate management. A review of the pilot schemes has shown general support and success, and the ELS is likely to be rolled out nationally. It is hoped that the scheme will bring a greater environmental benefits to a greater number of farms.

AGENDA 2000

AGENDA 2000 sets out a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. This was finalized in 1999 with the objective to make agriculture more responsive to market demand, to lower EU product prices closer to world levels and to equate supply with demand, thus eliminating surplus.

The key issues and potential impacts of these scenarios are explored below:

Increase in large farm units: This may result in increased specialization and amalgamation of farms. This may result in increasing monoculture in the landscape and more large scale buildings for intensification of meat production and grain storage. Large scale productive farm units may also produce the resources, labour and capital to respond to environmental initiatives and pursue landscape and biodiversity enhancement in association with productive agriculture.

Medium and small farms: Due to the opportunities available under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), small scale farming units may become more efficient within the southern areas of the Test Valley. Small scale farms could find a market in the production of high quality premium goods for local and specialist markets under such schemes as the Countryside Management Scheme (CMS), where grant aid is provided to continue with or adapt to environmentally sensitive farming methods outside ESA areas.

The Organic Farm Scheme: A number of schemes throughout the country are already successfully supplying boxes of organic goods to locals. Although the downland areas seem an unlikely contender for this type of farming, a number of organic farms are already thriving within the North Wessex Downs AONB outside the Borough.

Surplus/marginal agricultural land: The concentration of resources based on the best land may result in pockets of land of poorer quality coming out of production resulting in areas of unmanaged land. If successfully managed and supported through agri-environmental initiatives, this could contribute to the diversity and recreational potential of the landscape.

Diversification: It is evident from a number of current studies of farm diversification, that farmers given the opportunity would prefer to focus their diversification actively within farming. However, farm diversification outside of agriculture is being encouraged in less productive areas to ensure the vitality of the rural economy and communities.

Energy crops: At the Kyoto Climate Change Conference the EU agreed to legally binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of 8% and the UK government subsequently agreed to 12.5% reductions as a contribution to the EU targets. Agriculture through the development of energy crops, has the potential to make a significant contribution to meeting these targets and also the planned UK targets for the generation of electricity from renewable sources.

The new Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) provides establishment grants for two energy crops, short-term-rotation coppice (SRC) and elephant grass, Miscanthus. SRC consists of densely planted, high yielding varieties of either willow or popular, harvested on a 2 to 5 year cycle. SRC is a woody crop, growing up to a height 3-4m. A plantation could be viable for up to 30 years before re-planting. Miscanthus species are a perennial rhizomatous grass, originating from Asia, again growing to a height of around 2m. The crops will supply biomass power stations which need to be sited within a reasonable distance of the crops.

Carbon Sequestration: The introduction of ‘energy crops’ and the increase in the planting of woodlands is being encouraged as carbon sinks to mitigate rising levels of CO2.

Woodland Management and Planting: Presently two grant schemes exist for farmers to subsidize the planting of and management of woodlands, the Woodland Grants Scheme (WGS) and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS). The increase in game shooting is also a major contributor to better management of woodland. New woodland planting, at a small scale, is taking place to provide shelter and mitigate the effects of new development.

Conversion of farm buildings: The change in the structure of agriculture and farm enterprises may result in an increasing number of buildings becoming redundant, whilst high values for buildings in the south east will encourage conversions for residential and business uses with the support of the Government’s Action Plan and the Rural White Paper.

The New Forest: In 2003 the New Forest Committee appointed the Forest Friendly Farming Officer to work with farmers, commoners and the local community to identify how they can work together to provide a more sustainable future for land management in the New Forest. An initiative to amend the Hedgerow Regulations has also been proposed by the New Forest Committee. This will include the protection of additional boundary features, such as wood banks, earth works, the bank and ditch delineation of ancient enclosures, drove roads and green lanes together with their ditches and hedges.

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Built Development and Urbanisation

Similar to other areas within the south of England, the Borough has experienced significant expansion of urban areas and pressure for development in many settlements. With the pressure for further growth continuing, current government guidance promotes first the redevelopment of brownfield sites within existing urban areas over the development of green field sites. Despite this there still remains significant pressure on countryside areas with potential impacts on the landscape character. In Hampshire County Council’s Structure Plan 1996-2011 and the Test Valley Borough Local Plan Review, the housing allocation for the Test Borough is for 6160 new dwellings for the north of the Borough, including a new community of 3000 dwellings proposed for Andover. 2730 dwellings are proposed for the south of the Borough, plus an additional reserve of up to 1000 dwellings. In the future, further housing land may be needed if government policy on meeting housing demand changes.

General urbanisation is also affecting both the urban fringe and remoter rural areas. Typical forces of change are:

Demands for higher lighting levels and security lighting

Homogenous development and building materials and styles

Visual intrusion from neighbouring urban areas

Demand for protection from flooding

Expansion of gardens into the adjacent open countryside

Suburban influences of modern features such as fencing, garaging, signage and development related landscaping.

Community led initiatives such as countryside design summaries, parish plans, village design statements (as have been completed for a number of villages), conservation area appraisals and development design statements can significantly help to develop and promote good design solutions.

Traffic and Transport

The Test Valley borough is crossed by two busy main transport corridors, the M27 in the south and the A303(T) in the north. Away from these two corridors traffic is heaviest around the more urban parts of the Borough at Andover and in the triangle between and including Southampton, Chandlers Ford and Romsey and on the main cross country roads, the A30, A343, A3057, A27, A36 and A3090. Elsewhere, particularly on the many small winding unclassified roads, traffic is pleasantly light but often perceived as intrusive, particularly in busy recreational areas such as Mottisfont, Danebury Hill and Stockbridge Down or where large vehicles are used.

Overall there is an increase in traffic volume, size and speed within the rural areas, caused by a number of factors, notably: commuting from rural areas into towns; lack of local services and facilities creating a dependence on the private car; the use of rural lanes as short cuts; larger scale farms creating additional traffic with bulk deliveries and using heavier vehicles; the increase in car-born recreation; and the increase in through traffic on the major roads in Test Valley Borough.

Higher traffic levels and the needs for safety and greater accessibility have resulted in:

New road signs, lighting, road widening and straightening, engineering works and uniformity

Increased requirement for the provision of parking within villages and rural locations, for example at recreation sites.

Recreation and Tourism

The landscape, ecological and historical resources of the Test Valley are a key economic asset for tourism and recreation. The government is actively encouraging rural tourism and improved access to the countryside through initiatives and legislation such as Green Tourism, or the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Traditional rural activities such as riding, golfing and clay pigeon shooting are increasing in popularity, resulting in larger, more numerous and more organised facilities. There is evidence of a latent demand for further provision of areas of open country within the Borough which are managed to accommodate public access (such as country parks and informal agreements with landowners) and for better information and promotion of general access to the countryside.

The New Forest National Park

In 1999 the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the first steps would be taken to designate the New Forest as a National Park. A Public Inquiry took place in 2002, ending in spring 2003. The proposals for the designated boundary which included the part of the New Forest Heritage Area which lies within Test Valley borough. Test Valley Borough Council have also promoted the extension of the National Park boundary to include the land bounded by the A27 and Gardeners Lane at Embley. The decision of the Secretary of State is expected in 2004/5. The designation as a National Park is not likely to affect the New Forest Heritage Area but inclusion of a larger part of Test Valley may introduce greater opportunities and demands for quiet recreational uses in the south of the Borough.

Telecommunications and Overhead Transmission Lines

It is difficult to predict whether the development of new telecommunication masts will continue to be a significant force for change as technology in this field is constantly being updated. At present the number of masts is still increasing with the potential cumulative effect in certain areas. Where possible these masts can be sited in locations that are already urbanised such as major roads and industrial areas.

Overhead power lines are particularly intrusive in some parts of the Borough, most notably where they cross the wide open landscapes of the Downs or the more secluded landscapes of the valleys. Like many rural fringe areas the landscape west and north of Nursling includes a number of overhead power lines.

Developments within the communication and energy industries could see the removal or placing underground of major overhead power lines and mobile towers in the future.

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Wind Farms

Government is seeking to encourage greater use of sustainable and renewable energy resources such as wind farms and for each part of the country to make some contribution to the national output. Wind turbines are rare at present in Test Valley but it is likely that there will be an increased demand in the future. Turbines are often single units, as at Faccombe, but may be developed as small or large groups. Turbines are becoming increasingly higher with larger blades, particularly in lowland areas of the country with lower wind speed.

Mineral and Waste Management

The Test Valley Borough is rich in sand and gravel deposits mainly found as plateau gravel and valley gravel. The valley deposits are located across the mouth of the River Test, all way up the River Test Valley and up along its tributaries. Plateau gravels form belts of deposits east and west of Romsey.

As minerals can only be worked where they are found, there is the potential for extensive extraction in these parts of the Borough. Hampshire County Council has, however, adopted the approach of identifying preferred areas for extraction within the county with a strong presumption against extraction outside of these areas. The Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan 1998 identifies two preferred areas within Test Valley Borough at Shootash and Gardeners Lane, Embley. Clay extraction has also been identified in the Michelmersh area.

Landfilling has traditionally been the principle means of the restoration of mineral workings, and still remains in the Local Plan as a means of waste disposal with landfilling including Shootash and Gardeners Lane. However waste recycling, incineration and composting are increasing. The Local Plan seeks to concentrate such facilities within urban areas and no significant proposals have been put forward within the Test Valley countryside. However further changes in waste management may see new forms of development, such as green waste composting in ecopods, larger recycling facilities and multi-purpose sites, which may affect the countryside.

Urban fringe areas and the larger villages also suffer from fly tipping of household and garden waste whilst cars are being dumped in the countryside.

Military

There are a number of military sites within the Test Valley Borough, some of these are active, as at Middle Wallop, whilst others are redundant, as at Drayton Down. There are also a number of shooting ranges. Many of these sites are situated within the Open Chalklands Landscape Type around and to the south of Andover. In the past, areas within these sites have included some visually intrusive development, uncharacteristic woodland planting, and damage to areas of downland grassland but the restricted access has also enabled a wider bio-diversity to establish.

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Community Perceptions of the Test Valley Landscape

Above all, the greatest overall impression was that the local communities find the countryside within which they lived unspoilt, rich and tranquil, even ‘superb’, with ‘lovely places to go’. The variety of the landscape is notable with particular importance attached to the ‘New Forest’ part of the Borough, the open aspects of the downs, the lush farmland and river of the Test Valley and the tributaries within wooded valleys. Few unattractive elements were mentioned except for the quarries along the river valley sides.

a) Views from the Initial Focus Group Meetings

The River Test is generally considered the Borough’s greatest asset. It is prided by residents as one of the finest trout streams in the world, with good water quality, and as the defining feature of the Borough. Residents value it as an example of the natural beauty of the area.

Beyond the River Test, the Test Valley Borough landscape is not considered to have a strong identity, although many recognise that the north differed from the south and that the River Test Valley defines and links the Borough. It is recognised that parts of the south lay within, or were similar to, the New Forest. Otherwise the landscape is considered to have little in common with its neighbours such as the Wiltshire Downs. Local people seem generally unaware of the special wildlife habitats of the Borough but value what they see. The decline in some species, mostly birds, and the rise in others such as deer and pheasants (perhaps from a decline in hunting) is however noticed.

Access to the Test Valley countryside is a particular issue, with many people commenting on lack of footpaths, car parks serving accessible areas, information about the area and areas where the public are welcomed. There is particular support for more country parks. As a result few feel that the countryside plays a significant role in their lives. Many find woodland more attractive to walk in, compared to the openness of the downs. The north is considered better served than the south, except for within the New Forest. Generally, people valued more highly the landscapes to which they have access, and their perceptions of the different types of landscape were closely related to their accessibility.

It is not thought that the landscape has a strong historical tradition, with the notable exception of Romsey, the River Test trout fisheries, Danebury Hill Fort, historic houses in the south and the typical thatch, flint and red brick buildings. Andover is perceived as all new and unrelated to the history of the rest of the Borough.

The greatest source of change is seen to be:

Alterations in farming practice, in particular loss of pasture and farm buildings, poor maintenance of hedgerows (hedge cutting is a big issue) and ditches, the creation of larger fields and introduction of large areas of single crops

Changes in farming management are blamed for increased flooding, loss of wildlife, increased polluted watercourses

The over expansion of urban areas (in particular Andover) and loss of traditional local ways of looking after the landscape

The increase in golf courses and equestrian activity

Changing social structure resulting in alterations to the built form of the villages and heavier traffic.

The expansion of Andover is a key concern to the north Test Valley residents. The spread of development into rural areas was likened by one resident to a spider growing at the expense of the farming communities. In contrast the small ‘sleepy’ villages around Andover with their traditional thatched dwellings are much valued.

There is no particular perception that any one area is more in need of protection than another: all green rural areas and their villages are considered worth protecting. Many see farmers as the guardians of the countryside and the character of the landscape and therefore both the credit and criticisms are accredited to the farming community. Little mention is made of the role of the local authorities or environmental groups. There was more interest in the conservation of the existing landscape than in creating new landscapes, and in fact there was some criticism of ‘excessive and artificial landscaping’ as a part of new developments.

b) Summary of Views from the Workshop

The following cover the more general views expressed at the workshop. Particular comments on the landscape character types and character areas have been included under the Community Perceptions in the Test Valley Community Landscape Project: Landscape Character Assessment. March 2004. The main themes have been picked out from the contents of the transcripts.

Purpose of the Study: there was concern about the purpose of the study and whether the participants were wasting their time. Residents felt that they should have been made more aware of the purpose of the meetings and some were suspicious of the motives behind the study. A general suspicion about planning and scepticism about whether their views will be taken on board were strongly expressed. This was, however, balanced by recognition that if views were taken on board, and the finished study was used in the planning process, then their participation would be worthwhile.

Change: many were well informed of the causes of change and saw the process as long term. People had an understanding of humankind’s role in the evolution of the landscape and recognised that it was impractical to halt progress. The realities of the farming economy, leading to a different type of land management, perhaps with a stronger recreational and tourism focus, was understood.

Whilst the need for change was appreciated, some of its impacts caused concern, for example in terms of water resources, especially when coupled with climate change.

Hedgerows: views varied on the main causes of damage. Some residents believed that hedgerow removal to enable larger-scale mechanisation of farming was still taking place, whilst others thought that the practice had more-or-less ceased. Others were critical of the standards of maintenance of roadside hedges. The skill involved in managing hedgerows properly was valued, as well as the contribution that good hedge management makes to the landscape.

Woodland: when asked about the priority for woodlands residents saw the replacement of conifers with broadleaves, the creation of a more diverse woodland habitat and the opening up of woodland for public access as important objectives.

Fields: importance was attached to local history. The tradition of naming fields, and the way that farmers still use those field names today, was specifically mentioned. The fragmentation of traditional field patterns through hedgerow removal, or in the case of the downs, putting up fencing, were a cause for concern.

Heathland: perceptions varied as to what constituted heathland, particularly where it is dominated by gorse and pine. There was a perception that overgrazing has resulted in the destruction of the heathland.

MOD land: The subject raised a number of concerns amongst residents about potential development of disused sites, light and noise pollution and the visual impact on the landscape of the structures and landforms (eg the rifle butts) associated with them.

Minerals and Waste: People felt that Test Valley had provided more than its fair share of minerals and did not want to see any more extraction. The quality of restoration was seen to be an important issue.

Natural beauty: the report was criticised for the lack of adequate reference to the beauty of the area and for being overly negative.

Terminology: this was generally a problem. For example, terms such as ‘intrusion’, ‘enrichment’ and ‘remoteness’ have particular meaning for landscape professionals that are not shared by the wider community. A plea was made to use language that everyone would use, and to avoid the misuse of terms such as ‘intimate’. As an issue, this prompted some lively discussion as residents debated whether an area was secluded, rural or remote.