LCA6E Amport Wooded Downs

General Description

Amport Wooded Downs is made up of extensive blocks and belts of plantation and semi natural woodland, alongside large arable fields. The arable fields are semi enclosed by the woodlands and hedgerows which range from a reasonable to poor quality. Areas of contrast are provided by parkland and estate farmland, as found at Amport House to the west and Red Rice School to the east.

Location

Amport Wooded Downs is located to the south west of Andover, along the southern edge of Pillhill Brook running through Abbotts Ann, Monxton and Amport. The eastern boundary runs alongside the east of Red Rice School. The western and southern boundaries follow the outer boundaries of woodland (including Hurst Copse, Stonehanger Copse) above Kentsboro.

Local Physical Influences

Geology and Soils: Upper chalk with some parts of the area overlain with clay and flints, which are typically covered with areas of woodland as at Great Wood.

Landform: A relatively level topography with heights between 60m to around 90m forming minor dry valleys which generally align in a southwest direction leading down to Philhill Brook.

Drainage: Well drained area with no streams or significant waterbodies.

Local Biodiversity and Vegetation Pattern

This landscape has larger open arable areas than the previous character area but still has a strong incidence of woodland and hedgerows. Again the hedgerow structure is relatively intact and links with areas of ancient semi-natural woodland. The woodlands are small copses and game spinneys with some shelter belts. Frequent tree species are Ash, Field Maple and Yew and other trees found in lower frequencies include Lime, Hornbeam and Elm with occasional Oak. The shrub layers are generally composed of Hazel, Elder, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Spindle and Privet. Typically Hazel was planted as a coppice crop.

Ground flora includes Dogs Mercury, with Bluebells, Enchanters Nightshade, Arum Lily, Early Dog Violet, Yellow Archangel, Sanicle, Moschatel, and Pignut. Wetter areas often have dense covers of Ransoms/Wild Garlic. Typical orchids include Early Purple Orchid, Twayblade Birds-Nest Orchid

Small pockets of unimproved calcareous grassland with great conservation value occur in places.

Local Historical Influences

The historic agricultural landscape area around Amport Park which dominates the western area of this LCA is largely composed of regular fields with wavy boundaries. These fields represent a process of 17th and 18th century informal enclosure focused around the core parkland and associated with several areas of pre-1810 woodland. Elsewhere in this character area parliamentary enclosure is to be found throughout the rest of the LCA.

A Roman Road aligned north east south west through this Landscape Character Area and forms the south eastern boundary of Amport Park and is also fossilised within the track referred to as Grately Drove.

Settlement Pattern

The historic core of Amport is located close to Amport House along the northern edge of the park boundary and extends towards the valley floor and Monxton during the later post-medieval period. No other historic settlements are to be found wholly within this character area although the 20th century settlement associated with Abbott’s Ann does extend into this area.

The farmsteads within this character area generally lie within the 19th century parliamentary field systems and are connected by surveyed straight farm tracks and roads.

Throughout LCA 6E there is a network of roads, strongly rural in character and, because of the overall flat level landform, the roads tend to have a relatively direct alignment.

Local Settlements and Features of Built Form

Amport: Chalk River Valley Settlement Type

Monxton (Southern portion) Chalk River Valley Settlement Type

Buildings are predominately of brick and flint.

Community Perceptions

Few comments were made for this area. However, the Middle Wallop airfield is considered visually and aurally intrusive, particularly at night. The tranquillity of the area is valued.

Remoteness and Tranquillity

A remote and tranquil landscape, although A343 causes some localised intrusion.

Key Characteristics

Relatively flat landscape

Large blocks and belts of woodland

Medium to large scale arable fields

Parkland estates

Good hedgerow structure

Generally unsettled landscape except where it abuts the Pilhill Brook valley

Isolated rural character.

Local Natural and Cultural Landscape Issues

Possible development pressures from Andover extending into the area north west of Red Rice Park

Intrusion from Wallop airfield across a wide area of the landscape.

Designations

Historic

Amport House and Park Pre-1810 park Conservation Area Grade II Listed Building Listed Grade II on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Red Rice Park Pre-1810 parkland.

Nature Conservation

SINC

18 SINCs, mostly ancient semi-natural woodland and other woodland

Volume 2: LCA6E Strategies and Guidelines