East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment - Dorsetforyou.com

Mannington Brook drains from Mannington Heath in the north toPennington Copse where it joins Uddens Water which drains fromUddens Plantation and Broom Hill to the west to Tricketts Cross where itjoins the Moors River.The landscape of the alluvial valley tends to merge with that of theterrace, forest heath and heath/farmland mosaic areas on either side, thegreatest landscape contrast being provided where the woodland blocksof the forest heaths encroach from the west along the course of theValley and the urban areas and associated urban fringe uses to thesouth and north of Uddens Water and Mannington Brook.The valley of Uddens Water is bisected by the northern section of theA31 Ferndown by pass that now has a significant influence on thelandscape of this part of the character area. The by pass has separatedan area of wet heath at Slop Bog from Uddens Water. Slop Bog is part ofthe Slop Bog and Uddens Heath SSSI which is designated as aninternationally protected site.Uddens Water at AmeysfordThe Moors River rises as a winterbourne on the chalk downs to the northand is known for the first part of its course as the River Crane.Near Verwood the river drains across clays, sand and gravels, is joinedby several tributaries which drain acidic heaths and forest and transitionsto a more sluggish flowing low-alkalinity watercourse.This geological diversity gives rise to a large and varied range ofassociated plants and wildlife. The diversity of flora and fauna supportedby the river has led to its designation as a SSSI.To the north of Ferndown Uddens Water is bounded on its southern edge by the A31Ferndown By-passEast Dorset District Council District Landscape Character Assessment 200847