LCA10E Drayton Chalk Downland

General Description

Drayton Chalk Downland covers a small area of rolling chalk Downland which extends into the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

The disused army camp at Drayton contrasts with the adjacent homogenous arable farmland, with areas of rough grassland, scrub and small woodlands.

The old railway embankment is also wooded which has made it a prominent feature within this open landscape.

Location

Drayton Chalk Downland is sandwiched between the River Test to the north west, and the River Dever to the south and the Borough boundary to the north and east.

Local Physical Influences

Geology and soils: Upper chalk with a very small area of Clay with Flints in the east and Valley Gravels adjacent to the River Dever Valley Floor.

Landform: Gentle undulating slopes, rising to higher ground at Tidbury Hill.

Drainage: A well drained area, draining to the River Test and River Dever.

Local Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern

The character area is typical of the character type.

Local Historical Influences

Within this area 19th century parliamentary enclosures extend across the majority of the area. Immediately to the north of the A303 are several surviving stands of 19th century plantations with ornamental tracks and driveways extending throughout them. These plantations may well relate to the older forest of Harewood across the valley of the River Test to the north west.

The A303 bisects this area from west to east. This route connects with the A34 trunk road (aligned north south) which runs through the eastern end of the Landscape Character Area. Immediately to the west of the A34 lies Tidbury Ring, a univallate (with a single bank and ditch) hill fort. The remains of a dismantled railway extend through this area aligned roughly north south.

Settlement Pattern

No formal settlements are present within Drayton Chalk Downland.

The farmsteads within this character area are generally located to the north of Drayton Down and the woodland associated with it. Each of these farms are located along the lower ground by either the River Test or the River Dever beside good sources of fresh water and road networks.

Features of Built Form

Traditional building styles include brick and brick with flint walls with clay tiled roofs.

Community Perceptions

No specific comments were made for this area.

Remoteness and Tranquillity

The impact of noise from the existing road corridor of the A303 and the A34 will effect local tranquillity levels.

Key Characteristics

An elevated downland landscape sloping down towards the Test Valley

Large areas of open arable farming, with very limited areas of grassland

Poor hedgerow structure

Isolated small woodlands, sometimes associated with farmsteads

Areas of shelter belts which are linked together to provide some enclosure

A more complex landscape adjacent the Test Valley

Large redundant army base with associated woodland, scrub and rough grasssland

Redundant railway line demarcated within landscape as long wooded feature

Dominant road corridor of the A303 and A34, with large junction

Largely a landscape dominated by 19th century parliamentary enclosure

Iron Age hill fort (Tidbury Ring) present within the eastern portion of this character area

No settlement and few farmsteads.

Local Issues

Future of Drayton Camp.

Designations

Historic

Tidbury Ring Scheduled Monument.

Nature Conservation

SINC

5 SINCs, agriculturally unimproved grassland with some ancient semi-natural woodland and a site supporting notable species

Volume 2: LCA10E Strategies and Guidelines