East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment - Dorsetforyou.com
East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment - Dorsetforyou.com East Dorset Landscape Character Assessment - Dorsetforyou.com
in the east. Topography and human activity have created three distinctlandscape character areas on these soils and one of these, the Forest-Heath mosaic, marks the eastern edge of the District. Extensive plantingof conifers on much of this land, particularly non-native species, has hada significant impact on the character of these former areas of open heathdistinguishing them from the elevated open heaths and the areas offarmed heath to the west.regeneration, much of the remaining heath is of significant internationalecological importance and is designated as such.The A338 Bournemouth Spur Road lies close to the boundary of theForest Heath with the Avon Valley to the east. To the west of the road,the land rises steeply; the highest point is near North Lodge, close to theBoundary Lane/Hurn Lane junctionThe interface between forest and heath at Stephens Castle north of VerwoodThe heathland areas, although now fragmented, still represent one of thelargest groups of heathland in the County. They are less open andexposed than most East Dorset heaths, partly because of the substantialareas of regenerating birch and pine. The only significant open areastend to be isolated parcels of acidic grassland, which articulate the heathand conifer woodland. Despite the impact of afforestation and scrubThe impact of the A338 on the landscapeTo the north of Boundary Lane, the landform descends gently beforerising again near the A31. The highest point is David’s Hill, at theentrance to the North Park of Avon Heath Country Park. From thisvantage point there are good views southwards to the ridge south ofBoundary Lane. Beyond the A31 and the development of St Leonard’sand St Ives lies a further forested tract beginning on Ashley Heath andextending northwards beyond the District boundary as part of RingwoodEast Dorset District Council District Landscape Character Assessment 200851
Forest which reaches back into the District at Boveridge Heath, to thenorth of Verwood, and Cranborne Common, south of Alderholt.The large swathes of woodland help to unify the land and although muchof the woodland is comparatively recent, as a result of afforestation ofopen heathland, the area has an empty, wild character.View to Bansfield Heath from Matchams Viewpoint, flats in Bournemouth can be seen inthe backgroundThese dense plantings have also served to screen and contain much ofthe extensive post-war urban developments that have taken place alongmany of the principal routes that cross the heaths.The view northwards from Stephens Castle at the southern edge of Boveridge Heath,across the forest heath and heath farm mosaics to the downland beyondThe areas of woodland also make a significant contribution to the area’scharacter and identity. Ridgetop trees are also important landscapefeatures, for example, the ridgetop belts of conifers to the south ofBoundary Lane and on Foxbury Hill respectively.Key characteristics• Varied landform, with steep slopes especially to the east• Patchwork of heath, woodland and farmland• Sandy soils• Extensive areas of pine forest and birch woodlandEast Dorset District Council District Landscape Character Assessment 200852
- Page 7 and 8: Regional guidanceThe draft Regional
- Page 9 and 10: Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) p
- Page 11 and 12: 1) Chase WoodsContextLandscape Type
- Page 13 and 14: 2) East Dorset Downs/South Blandfor
- Page 15 and 16: distinctive profile of Badbury Ring
- Page 17 and 18: To the north east of this valley th
- Page 19 and 20: Handley Road. The strong contrast b
- Page 21 and 22: 3) Allen Valley Flat water meadows
- Page 23 and 24: 4) Monkton Up Wimborne ValleyContex
- Page 25 and 26: 5) Gussage ValleyContextLandscape C
- Page 27 and 28: 6) Crichel ValleyContextLandscape C
- Page 29 and 30: 7) Lower Winterborne ValleyContextL
- Page 31 and 32: • A31 Trunk road - has an adverse
- Page 33 and 34: Horton Tower, a Grade II* listed bu
- Page 35 and 36: • O/h powerline at Pamphill (adve
- Page 37 and 38: View of Henbury Plantation from Bla
- Page 39 and 40: that mark the former floodplain. Ho
- Page 41 and 42: The Stour looking north eastwards f
- Page 43 and 44: that lies within Poole is set on a
- Page 45 and 46: 13) Hampreston River TerraceContext
- Page 47 and 48: golf course suggest this character
- Page 49 and 50: • Urban influencesKey Features16)
- Page 51 and 52: Key CharacteristicsKey Features•
- Page 53: 18) Ringwood-Hurn Forest/Heath Mosa
- Page 57 and 58: appearance, it has more in common w
- Page 59 and 60: 21) Horton Common-Three Legged Cros
- Page 61 and 62: a National Nature Reserve the heath
- Page 63 and 64: Stour Valley northwards to Alderhol
- Page 65 and 66: Historically the River was an impor
- Page 67 and 68: Landscape DescriptionUnit boundarie
- Page 69 and 70: Appendix 2 Appendix 3© Crown Copyr
Forest which reaches back into the District at Boveridge Heath, to thenorth of Verwood, and Cranborne Common, south of Alderholt.The large swathes of woodland help to unify the land and although muchof the woodland is <strong>com</strong>paratively recent, as a result of afforestation ofopen heathland, the area has an empty, wild character.View to Bansfield Heath from Matchams Viewpoint, flats in Bournemouth can be seen inthe backgroundThese dense plantings have also served to screen and contain much ofthe extensive post-war urban developments that have taken place alongmany of the principal routes that cross the heaths.The view northwards from Stephens Castle at the southern edge of Boveridge Heath,across the forest heath and heath farm mosaics to the downland beyondThe areas of woodland also make a significant contribution to the area’scharacter and identity. Ridgetop trees are also important landscapefeatures, for example, the ridgetop belts of conifers to the south ofBoundary Lane and on Foxbury Hill respectively.Key characteristics• Varied landform, with steep slopes especially to the east• Patchwork of heath, woodland and farmland• Sandy soils• Extensive areas of pine forest and birch woodland<strong>East</strong> <strong>Dorset</strong> District Council District <strong>Landscape</strong> <strong>Character</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> 200852
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