Local Landscape Character Assessment for Froxfield and Privett:F5, area North of C18

Summary of our area:

Landscape Characteristics

The landform in our area is mostly on a plateau, however we do have gently undulating and strongly

undulating/steep areas. The land is a mixture of farmland with trees and woodland, the farmland is a fairly

even mix of arable and grassland with a small amount of rough grazing. We have an assortment of field

boundaries some fencing although the majority are hedges with or without larger trees interspersed.

We have small and medium fields with mostly straight boundaries and there are no significant bodies of water.

There is a pond at Hill Farm. The land use at Hill Farm has changed from mixed (cattle) pre 1990 to more

arable now they have also converted 1 farm building to a house and built a new grain barn.

The sights and sounds of the farmland in our area vary quite considerably due to the practice of rotational

farming. Smells of manure spreading and oilseed rape were mentioned.

The general consensus is that our area has an open aspect which is confined by hedges and woodlands with

the occasional building also intruding.

The woodland is mostly deciduous broadleaf with a small amount of mixed. The cover is fragmented aside

from the Hangers although there are a couple of reasonable sized blocks of woodland on the Reeds land.

The settlement type is isolated farms/houses and small groups of houses.

Our area is within the area described as the Froxfield Clay Plateau. It consists mainly of elevated gently

undulating domed plateau defined by the shallow continuous clay capping which overlies the chalk bedrock.

The extensive deposits of clay-with-flint that overlies the chalk result in poorer heavy soils. This gives rise to a

landscape dominated by pasture, and blocks of woodland with limited arable cropping, compared to the chalk

downland.

Clay capping gives rise to poorer heavier soils which have not in the main been as intensively farmed and

improved as those of the chalk landscapes.

Fields are predominantly pasture for grazing with some arable cropping. The field pattern includes some of

late medieval origin and some relating to planned enclosure during the 18th -19' centuries. Fields are defined

by woodland edges and hedgerows. Oak is dominant in woodland, hedgerows and as a hedgerow tree species.

There is evidence of more heathy vegetation occurring in relation to acidic soils with bracken frequently in

hedgerows. Also, ancient beech dominated hanger woodland. The area is considered to be of visual, historic

and ecological interest.

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Woodland occurs throughout the plateau - significant areas of ancient woodland occur with small copses.

Presence of oak as a key species in hedgerows and woodland and coppiced hedgerows are characteristic with

a high proportion of holly.

This is a landscape of both openness and enclosure due to the variation in landform, field size and extent of

hedgerow and woodland cover. Occasionally very long views in open, higher areas amplify the sense of

remoteness. Elsewhere, tall hedgerows along roads and woodland blocks provide containment and enclosure.

This is a simple landscape composed of few elements, farming is not overly intensive, settlements are few and

small in scale, and there is little traffic on the rural lanes.

It is of international biodiversity interest. It also comprises a network of green lanes. There are clusters of

habitation, rather than all in one place The Hangers are a part of a National nature Reserve.

Landscape Characteristics cont’d

Treasures:

Eyesores:

Threats:

The residents of the area considered the views and the footpath network to be treasures, along with the

quiet, peaceful location.

The respondents noted that the proliferation of flags at the John Seales site are to be considered an eyesore

and out of keeping with the landscape, as well as the scrap left in the field at Warren Corner – something that

EHDC should be controlling.

People consider fly tipping and rural crime to be the main threats locally. Also included were inappropriate

housing developments; for example changing the use of barns etc., increased littering on the roadside, the

speed of traffic particularly towards Barnetside corner. Concerns of increased traffic to Commercial units on

either side of the corner were also expressed.

There was concern about the prospect of EHDC allowing retrospective planning permission when illegal

settlements have been developed. Travellers setting up encampments were also mentioned.

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The landform in our area is mostly on a plateau, however we do have gently undulating and strongly

undulating/steep areas. The land is a mixture of farmland with trees and woodland, the farmland is a fairly

even mix of arable and grassland with a small amount of rough grazing. We have an assortment of field

boundaries some fencing although the majority are hedges with or without larger trees interspersed.

We have small and medium fields with mostly straight boundaries and there are no significant bodies of water.

There is a pond at Hill Farm. The land use at Hill Farm has changed from mixed (cattle) pre 1990 to more

arable now they have also converted 1 farm building to a house and built a new grain barn.

The sights and sounds of the farmland in our area vary quite considerably due to the practice of rotational

farming. Smells of manure spreading and oilseed rape were mentioned.

The general consensus is that our area has an open aspect which is confined by hedges and woodlands with

the occasional building also intruding.

The woodland is mostly deciduous broadleaf with a small amount of mixed. The cover is fragmented aside

from the Hangers although there are a couple of reasonable sized blocks of woodland on the Reeds land. The

settlement type is isolated farms/houses and small groups of houses.

Primary concerns and positives expressed

throughout the entire area:

Land Use and maintenance of existing flora:

Organic farming is considered to be a major benefit for the entire Parish and it is to be hoped that this will

continue and expand.

The main landowners are considered to be good custodians of the land by all of our respondents and their

efforts are greatly appreciated.

Maintaining the current woodland and also individual trees was considered of the utmost importance as were

current hedges. Planting new trees to ensure continuity of the landscape pattern.

There was some concern expressed over the timing and method of hedge cutting. It was suggested that some

hedge laying may be an option particularly as grants are available to facilitate this work.

There was some disappointment expressed that the amount of livestock has dwindled in recent years;

however this was generally accepted as an economic necessity.

Assorted respondents expressed concern over the proliferation of numerous individual horse paddocks and

their attendant paraphernalia; particularly stable blocks which can be unsightly.

The increased size of agricultural machinery and the impact this has on the narrow lanes was commented on,

however as previously the economic necessity of this is generally understood. The ability of some of these

tractors to clear the roads of snow last winter was also greatly appreciated.

It was noted that there is mixed use of the land across the Parish varying from mostly arable to livestock

grazing.

Coppicing was suggested as something which would enhance the landscape as was adding wildflower strips to

field margins and “skylark plots”.

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Sloes, blackberries, wild garlic, apples, local honey, Hampshire Downs sheep are listed by the respondents.

There is shortly to be a local food market at the village hall, incorporating foods from this area.

Local Foods:

Historical characteristics

Local Stories, Poetry etc.:

Businesses:

Medieval sites 1066-1540 AD

Two shards of medieval pottery found in the areas

whilst field walking. Field alongside Cockshott Lane

Hill Farm, Honeycritch Lane. First documented in

AD1350 as Atte Hulle (perhaps home of Walter atte

Hulle) Recorded as part of the RCHMC Medieval

Settlement project. (1990)

Prehistoric Findspots (-500 000 BC to 42 AD)

Numerous pieces of struck flint found in this area,

also some burnt flint

Post Medieval sites

Shards of post-medieval pottery found.

Former Wesleyan chapel, opened in 1851.

Unlisted. Turned into dwelling in 1908.

The White horse Inn sign having no actual sign as it is deemed to be bad luck therefore the pub is known as

“The Pub With No Name” or simply The No Name, although one suspects its disappearance has more to do

with some inebriated locals years ago.

Edward Thomas, poet (3 March 1878 – 9 April 1917) He wrote topographical works, biographies, critical

studies, a novel, prose pieces, essays about nature and the countryside and many book reviews. He lived in the

area and is renowned locally. In the Hangers at the end of Cockshott Lane is a well-known memorial to him,

the Poet’s Stone.

William Cobbett (1763- 1835); The Rural Rides were collected together in 1830 from observations made in the

1820s. Cobbett disapproved of remedies for agricultural distress suggested, so he rode around various

counties including our own, to see for himself the conditions that workers had to endure. Part of the route

included an area of the Hangers.

We have numerous local businesses in our area- John Seale, Quinhay B&B, The Trooper Pub (once the home of

the Froxfield village Post Office, ‘As if By Magic’ Ceramics, car spraying (Honeycritch Lane), the buildings at

Barnetside; used by a forestry company as storage and workshops, the Arts and Crafts Barnsley Furniture

workshop and farming, which makes up a large proportion of the rural industry.

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Due to the nature of the area, with its green lanes, bridleways and footpaths, there are many leisure activities

that take place such as riding, walking, cycling, green-laning, and jogging. Shooting and microlight flying are

also pastimes done by people in the area. We also have villagers who carriage-drive regularly through the

lanes locally.

We have The No Name pub and The Trooper which can cause some noise pollution at times. Both businesses

appear to be doing reasonably well, especially in the summer when people can sit outside.

Leisure and Activities:

Sounds of the landscape

Biodiversity

The standard sounds of the countryside featured highly among our respondents; birdsong particularly.

Agricultural machinery working was noted as being particularly associated with the landscape, as were horse

related pursuits. The Chinooks were also mentioned as many local farmers allow them to use their fields for

landing in for training exercises. Localised building works are an irritant and road noise generally.

The area is rich in flora and fauna. The area is mentioned frequently by the Hampshire Biodiversity

Information Centre surveys.

Examples of the abundance of wildlife can be shown by the ones listed having been seen at

Trooper Bottom: Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Black Cap, Starling, Lesser Spotter

Woodpecker, Robin, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Siskin, Jay, Magpie, Yellowhammer,

Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Crow, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Roe Deer, Fox, Badger, Rabbit, Brown rat,

Mouse, Grey Squirrel

Also:

Ashford Hangers Lutcombe: Marsh Tit, Barn Owl, Woodcock, Song Thrush, Water rail, Large leafed Lime,

Grizzled Skipper, White Letter Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary

Warren Corner: Redwing

Happersnapper Hanger: Woodcock, Fieldfare

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Old Litten Lane Verge: Bullfinch, Violet Helleborine

Cockshott Lane: Violet Helleborine

Barnetside: Yellowhammer, Redwing

Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre lists:

Old Litten Lane Verge. This site is a short length of well wooded green lane situated on the north side of

Shoulder of Mutton Hill and Ashford Hill Hangers. Road Verge of Ecological Importance (RVEI)

Biodiversity cont’d

Listed Buildings

The three buildings that are noted as being listed in the area are as follows:

Barnsley Cottage and attached workshops. 1908-1909 Grade II

Barnsley Workshops timber drying sheds 1908-1909 Grade II

The Red House, Cockshott Lane (built for Edward Thomas) 1909 Grade II

The above is a summary for sector 5 in the

Local Landscape Character Assessment

and the authors are Steve Dillon and Caroline Driscoll

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