LCA10F Andover Chalk Downland
Landscape Strategy and Guidelines
The Andover Chalk Downland is a fragmented and open landscape, with exposed views of the edge of Andover. The overall strategy is therefore to enhance and re-create a landscape structure of small woods and hedgerows within Andover Chalk Downland and to create new appropriate landscape features to contain and integrate Andover into its landscape.
Land Management
Landscape Distinctiveness
Protect significant open vistas from visual intrusion
Protect and enhance views to valued local landscape features
Agriculture
Seek opportunities to retain remaining small areas of pasture
Discourage further amalgamation of fields and loss of hedgerows
Encourage sustainable farming practices with a view to minimising the impact of new farming infrastructure and methods including spraying and fertiliser applications
Encourage new farm buildings to be well sited and integrated into the landscape
Hedgerows
Restore lost and fragmented hedgerows on former hedgerow lines
Seek opportunities mitigate impact from existing and future development through new hedgerow planting
Woodland and Trees
Seek opportunities for new woodland planting to link existing wooded areas and integrate modern development into the landscape
Promote good management of woodlands
Biodiversity
Conserve, restore and manage remnant areas of unimproved chalk grassland
Avoid further erosion of farmland biodiversity due to intensive agricultural methods
Seek opportunities to extend and link unimproved grassland and woodland habitats
Historic Landscapes
Protect the landscape setting to historic features
Avoid further erosion of historic landscapes due to modern agricultural methods
Urban Fringe
Reinforce the edge of Andover through careful design and appropriate landscape planting
Avoid deterioration in the urban fringe landscape arising from poor design and intrusive development
Improve management of the landscape around settlements
Seek improved management and maintenance of farmsteads and farms in the urban fringe
Land Use and Development
Built Developments
Development to respond to the local characteristics of the landscape
Opportunities to be sought to restore local landscape features and create a stronger landscape structure within the settlement edge of Andover
Maintain the historic integrity of the existing settlement pattern
Infrastructure
Seek opportunities to enhance roadside planting and minimise visual and noise intrusion
Avoid intrusive development of tall and large structures except where they can be successfully integrated into the landscape
Seek to minimise the visual intrusion and sub-urbanising effect arising from highway and other infrastructure
Recreation, Tourism and Access
Consider possibility of introducing small country parks or similar recreational focal points;
Manage any growth in horse related recreational activities to prevent deterioration in landscape features