East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment - Dorsetforyou.com

3) Allen Valley Flat water meadows lie either side of the river as it meanders throughoutits length, contrasting with the adjacent arable fields. Copses andContextriverside trees trace the course of the river. North of Witchampton thereis a continuous belt of woods and plantations extending as far as CrichelLandscape Character type: Chalk River Valley(Loverley) Mill. Throughout its length the valley habitat is of significantnature conservation interest.Landscape Description Unit No. 398Unlike its tributaries, the Allen has very little development along itsbanks. The ancient settlements of Didlington, Knowlton and Brockingtonare now only place names. The only buildings of note are the water millsat Stanbridge, Crichel, Didlington and Hinton Mill further to the south.Witchampton Mill has been associated with paper-making since theeighteenth century, but the majority of buildings associated with the millhave now been removed and the site redeveloped for housing.View south along the Allen from Fitches Bridge, note the impact of the o/h lineDescriptionThe Allen system extends from the chalk downs to the north and west toits confluence with the River Stour to the south. This narrow zone isassociated with a sinuous belt of valley gravel alongside the river thatextends from beyond Wimborne St. Giles in the north to Witchampton inthe south-east. Lower down the Allen valley below Witchampton theriver has laid down deposits of alluvium.View across the Allen Valley from the B3078, the course of the river is marked by the treeline in the centre of the photoThe landscape along the river is much more intimate than that of thesurrounding countryside. The best public views of the river can be foundEast Dorset District Council District Landscape Character Assessment 200818