January 2002

75

This area comprises the Severn Ridge and Levelslandscape zones north of the river Avon.Theexisting woodland cover of this area isapproximately 5.6%.

The ridge runs north-east from the Avon Gorge toThornbury. It is made up of steep slopes, with anundulating top. In general, the ridge is not such a distinctland-form as it is to the south of the gorge. The woodlandcover is also less, particularly close to the edge of Bristol,where new warehouses and major roads dominate.

The Levels landscape adjacent to the Severn is generallydefined by the 8m contour above sea level and consistslargely of small fields predominantly of improved pasturedefined by a complex network of drainage channels andrhines dating back in some cases to Saxon times. TheLevels is an area of high archaeological potential andhistoric landscape value. Earthwork remains, the historicdrainage pattern (albeit altered by later inclosure), and19th century planting makes the levels particularly valuableas an historic landscape. The protection and enhancementof these features will form a key element of any plantingor development strategy.

There are few trees and very little woodland thereforeexisting hedgerows are very important. The southernpart, the Severnside area, is very flat and dominated byindustrial development. There are extensive proposals fornew development in association with the Second SevernCrossing which are transforming the natural environment.The northern section of the area remains rural incharacter and the land-form becomes slightly moreundulating, with more mature hedgerows.

The area is primarily grade 3 agricultural land, with a smallarea of grade 1 adjacent to the M32. It is moreproductive than most of the land in the Forest, with thehighest level of full-time farming and the largest farms.Dairying is the major full-time farm type, although this hasdecreased recently in favour of sheep and cattle.

The estuary and adjacent land is of very high natureconservation value (RAMSAR and SPA).

The whole of this area lies within the boundary of theancient Forest of Kingswood and there is a concentrationof historic parkland on the ridge.

Throughout the area, major roads and railway linespresent a considerable barrier to walkers, cyclists andhorse-riders.

The priorities in this area will be to:

■ visually improve the northern edge of Bristol, withnew woodland planting;

■ use woodland structure planting to create anattractive setting for new development in theSevernside area;

■ improve the management of hedgerows and existingwoodland, particularly in the north of the area;increase the number of hedgerow trees in the south;

■ establish new woodland along the ridge tostrengthen its character;

■ improve recreational links across major road andrail corridors;

■ promote improved access on foot, bike and horsein association with new development at Severnside;

■ strengthen and protect the existing wildlifecorridors and habitats, especially where newdevelopment and transport corridors arefragmenting the landscape.

■ pay particular attention to the historic landscapeand archaeological potential below the 8m contour.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

January 2002

76

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

Clickto open hi-res

version

January 2002

77

1

2

3

4

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

1. Brentry to Tockington 2.Alveston

3. Severnside 4.Aust

January 2002

78

Brentry to Tockington

Description

This continuation of the Severn Ridge creates a visual andphysical boundary between Bristol and the Levels. It ismainly pastoral with a small area of market gardeningadjacent to the M32; hedgerows are generally poor. Thelandscape structure is fragmented by new land usesincluding three motorway corridors, railway lines, a largenew development and Filton airfield. Some woodlandremains, most notably at Haw Wood and Spaniorum Hill. Inthese areas and parts of the western side of the ridge thereare tranquil pockets in an otherwise disturbed landscape.Existing woodland cover: 10.2%.

Local strategy

Significant landscape change to create a well-woodedlandscape, to reduce the impact of intrusive elements andcreate attractive woodland. Tree cover will be extended onthe steep slopes and adjacent to the major roads,particularly between Shirehampton and the M5 and besidethe M32. Extensive new woodland establishment will bepromoted in association with development at CribbsCauseway and the M4/M5. Where development densityprecludes woodland establishment, tree planting andrecreation improvements will be the priority. Improvedhedgerow management will be encouraged, along with theestablishment of new hedgerow trees. A management planwill be developed for the attractive area of countrysidebetween Haw Wood and Charlton Common, which is closeto a large residential area but is currently of limitedrecreational use because of lack of access and fragmentation.

Proposed woodland cover: over 30%

Woodlands

■ Encourage management of existing woodlands andextend with carefully designed new planting toestablish a continuous network of tree cover alongthe steeper and upper parts of the ridge.

■ Promote community involvement in themanagement of new and existing woodlandsadjacent to residential areas.

Wildlife

■ Encourage the management of the identified wildlifecorridors.

■ Promote the development of a continuous web ofwoodlands and strong hedgerows from the urbanarea out along the ridge.

■ Encourage improved management of pastoral areas.

Heritage

■ A restoration plan for Stoke Park, on the EnglishHeritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens,has been produced.

■ Almondsbury is a conservation area.

Recreation

■ This part of the strategy area is most affected bymajor roads and railway lines creating a barrier torecreational movement from the urban area out intothe countryside. There are only two footpath linksacross the M4 which the Patchway Greenway andthe Community Forest Path make use of, but thereremains a great need to establish a comprehensivenetwork of recreational links out into thecountryside. Reinstating the bridge over the railwayline near Brentry would help to improve access.

■ The Round Avon Ride and the Avon Cycleway passthrough the edges of the area.

■ Haw Wood is a 25 ha woodland which could havefree and open public access. Blaise Castle, justwithin the city, contains large areas of woodlandand is public open space.

■ Blaise Castle and Stoke Park will be considered aslarge gateway sites in the Forest.

■ Small gateways will be investigated near CharltonCommon and Haw Wood, with a need for a directfootpath link between the two. Small gateways willalso be investigated near Savages Wood, BradleyStoke and at Cribbs Causeway.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

January 2002

79

Alveston

Description

A further continuation of the Severn Ridge as a mixedagricultural landscape. The western side is rolling, withlarge fields and poor hedgerows framed by woodland. TheM4 is of limited visual intrusion. The eastern side is open,and close to Bristol has little woodland, poor hedgerowsand large fields. The M5 and pylon lines are dominantelements in much of the landscape.Existing woodland cover: 7.3%.

Local strategy

Landscape improvements to create a well-woodedagricultural landscape, through the promotion of increasedtree cover within a restored landscape pattern. Newwoodland will be concentrated on the higher ground andthe sloping area between the A38 and the M5, with anobjective of extending the well-wooded ridge characterdown to the edge of the Northavon Vale. The improvedmanagement of hedgerows will be promoted along withan increased number of hedgerow trees, particularly onthe eastern side of the ridge. Views from the A38 will beretained.Proposed woodland cover: 20-30%.

Woodlands

■ Encourage management of existing woodland, andinvestigate opportunities for increased recreationaluse.

■ New woodland establishment will be of mediumsized woods to extend cover in close relation tolocal topography.

■ Around urban edges there is an opportunity tocreate community woodlands.

■ Woodland planting will be designed to improveviews to and from the M4, M5 and the SecondSevern Crossing link road (M49).

Wildlife

■ Approximately 30% of the existing woodland isancient.

■ Where ancient semi-natural woodland is beingextended, natural regeneration may be consideredas a means of establishing the new native woodland.

■ New woodland and hedgerow improvements shouldaim to connect fragmented areas of woodland tocreate a strong network of wildlife corridors.

Recreation

■ The Round Avon Ride, Jubilee Way and the AvonCycleway all cross the area.

■ Promote greater recreational use of existingwoodland, and develop the network of recreationalroutes.

■ Improve the environment of the existing golf course.■ Provide community woodlands close to urban

areas. (Filnore Woods at Thornbury is a goodrecent example).

Heritage

■ Retain valuable field patterns and promote suitablemanagement.

■ Olveston,Tockington and Tytherington are allconservation areas.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

January 2002

80

Severnside

Description

A Levels landscape of flat open pastoral fields, with adegraded hedgerow pattern and several pylon lines,adjacent to heavy industry. Dilapidated chain-link fencingforms the only boundary between industry andagriculture, resulting in the industry being highly intrusive.Views to the wooded Severn Ridge and the small-scaleinterest of the rhynes remain attractive features in adegraded landscape. New development is proposed inmuch of this area; the motorway links to the SecondSevern Crossing also cross the area. Archaeology isparticularly important below the 8m contour.Existing woodland cover: 0.2%.

Local strategySignificant landscape change providing a strong woodlandframework to new development to enable the attractiveLevels landscape to be retained in pockets with awoodland backdrop rather than one of buildings. This willat the same time create a more attractive setting fordevelopment and enable human-scale environments to becreated within it. Every opportunity will be taken tomaintain and enhance the existing Levels landscape inareas away from development, where new planting will beestablished within the existing small field pattern and usedto screen intrusive pylon lines and views of development.Proposed woodland cover: 10-20%.

Woodlands

■ Creation of a woodland structure to thedevelopment area should include structure plantingof 40 m between the newly developed site and thecountryside or major roads. Buffer planting willalso be necessary to protect the rhynes within thedevelopment area

■ Structure planting will be planted in associationwith all the major roads to ensure that their impactis minimised and the view from them is enhanced.Between the Severn Ridge and the M49, thewoodland character will be extended down fromthe ridge. Tree planting in hedgerows should bepromoted, to strengthen landscape character.

■ In the north of the area, planting can more directlyreflect the typical Levels character, being of smallblocks, reinforcing the existing field pattern.

■ The creation of community woodlands will bepromoted, adjacent to villages.

Wildlife

■ Protect manage, link and extend existing wildlifesites, particularly rhynes.

■ Where the water table is appropriate, new plantingin this area should be of wet woodland carrspecies. All planting beside rhynes within thedevelopment area is to be designed to enhance thearea’s wildlife value.

■ New planting and habitat creation will be necessaryto counteract the fragmentational effect of the newdevelopment.

Recreation

■ The Second Severn Crossing is a visitor attractionat Severn Beach, where the coastal area already hassome recreational facilities.

■ The large amount of industry and new roads willlimit the area as a whole for recreational use, butthere is potential to improve the facilities that doexist along the coast, particularly the route of theSevern Way.

■ There is also an opportunity to enhance informalrecreational use of the area, between the M49 andthe Severn Ridge; this area also contains theCommunity Forest Path which will act as a ‘spine’for other link routes.

■ Within the developments at Avonmouth, thereshould be attractive footpaths and cycleways andinformation readily available at places of work onaccess into the city and countryside.

■ Circular walks will be developed from the villagesin the area.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

January 2002

81

■ New bridleways will be created, especially adjacentto the Severn Ridge, where there is an existing need.

■ A Gateway will be investigated at Lawrence WestonCommunity Farm.

Heritage

■ Pay particular attention to archaeological potentialand remnants of the historic landscape.

Aust

Description

A flat, open pastoral Levels landscape, slightly moreundulating than in the south, with strong low hedgerows,pollarded willows, ditches and rhynes. This area is rural incharacter with few roads and hamlets, disrupted to someextent by the M4 by the access roads to the SecondSevern Crossing. Views of the existing Severn Bridge are afeature of the area. Archaeology and the historic landscapeare particularly important below the 8m contour.Existing woodland cover: 1.0%.

Local strategy

Conservation of the existing Levels landscape character,whilst reducing the impact of new development. Smallareas of new woodland will be concentrated adjacent tothe link roads to the Second Severn Crossing and on theeastern edge of the area.Proposed woodland cover: below 10%.

Woodland

■ Small-scale planting within the existing field pattern,with wet carr woodland as appropriate in wetterareas. Pay particular attention to archaeology andthe historic landscape.

■ Energy crops will be promoted; their impact givencareful consideration, on a site-by-site basis.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge

January 2002

82

■ On the eastern side of the area, planting at thebase of the Severn Ridge will be promoted toextend the wooded ridge character down the slopeand link visually the Ridge with the Levels.

■ The creation of community woodland adjacent toOlveston will be promoted.

■ Improve the management of hedgerows andexisting woodland.

Wildlife

■ The greatest existing wildlife value is associated withsections of the rhynes. There will be a general aimto improve the wildlife value of all the watercourses.

■ The improved management of hedgerows, ditchesand pollarded willows within hedgerows will bepromoted.

Recreation

■ The routes of the Avon Cycleway, the Round AvonRide, the Severn Way and Jubilee Way all go throughthe area, so the aim will be to enhance these.

■ Circular walks into the countryside from villageswill be promoted.

CHAPTER 18 - Strategy Area: Severn Vale and Ridge