appendix d: landscape character assessment results · mature trees and woodland frame the boundary...

Appendix D: Landscape Character Assessment Results

Appendix D Contents

Page

Landscape Assessment Results Tables: Original Cells 2

Landscape Assessment Results Tables: Consultation Sites 36

Landscape Assessment Results Maps: Original Cells 49

Landscape Assessment Results Maps: Consultation Sites 64

Landscape Character Area Description for Launceston 70

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 1

ASSESSOR; Peter Sainsbury DATE; 9th February 2011

Landscape Survey Information Landscape Value Landscape Sensitivity

Overall Landscape Assessment

Character Area: CA26 East Cornwall & Tamar Moorland Fringe LDU No: 312

Landscape Description

Landscape Character Sensitivity

Visual Sensitivity

Final Cell Judgement

Natural Landscape Features Topography/ landform

Predominately flat to the west sloping toward the A30 but increasingly steeper towards the east

Vegetation cover/ trees

Predominately clipped hedgerows with many scattered mature trees. Some clumps particularly along the A30 boundary framing fields of pasture

Field pattern/ boundary type

Standard field patterns and sizes

Land use

Pasture

Distinctive landscape/ historic features

N/A

Water bodies/ courses

N/A

Settlement/ Built Features Settlement type

Linear settlement feel on urban edge of town and A30

Distinctive manmade features

Power lines

Distinctive historic or cultural features

N/A

Moderate

High

Vernacular (use of local materials)

Standard hedges

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other ‘Other’ road cuts through the east of the cell (NW-SE) Railways None Farm/ Private tracks Farm/Private track cutting through the cell at Lower Tresmarrow (N-S) Cycleways None PROW None Informal paths None

Moderate

Landscape Sensitivity

Med/High Sensitivity (4)

7 (Amber)

Visual Prominence (tick appropriate) Open/ long distance (high)

Open views to the south

Intermittent (medium)

From the A30 and the lane

Limited (low)

Landscape Condition Integrity and unity of landscape

Large agricultural but with increasingly residential development to the east

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Strongly affected by the views and noise of the A30 and Pennygillam Industrial Estate

How is the landscape experienced?

Mundane, windswept, exposed, cut off due to position between the A30 and the lane

Key sources / visual or noise (both within and outside the cell)

A30, Pennygillam Industrial Estate Potentially smells coming from nearby tip/recycling centre but none experienced whilst at location

Cell to Cell relationship What is the key information relating to adjacent cell?

Cell 2 has been considered as 3 sub-cells. Sub-cell 2C adjoins this cell and shares similar characteristics and topography

Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 2C




Character Area: CA31 Upper Tamar and Ottery Valleys LDU No: 214



Visual Sensitivity



Shallow valley bottom falling from Under Lane to the River Kensey


Excellent range of mature trees


Tall hedgerows along road boundary with some very mature trees

Land use

Pasture, boggy in places


Mature trees along Under Lane


River Kensey and leat


Borders urban fringe on the eastern boundary, otherwise very rural in character


Scrapyard, Pylon (E-W) – 2 lines therefore not very dominant. Adjacent railway line, leat


Railway line forming northern boundary leat running through the cell

High

Moderate


Traditional range of hedges

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other Under Lane cuts through Sub-cell 2A (E-W) Railways Launceston Steam Railway forms the northern boundary to the sub-cell Farm/ Private tracks None Cycleways None PROW None Informal paths None

High


Medium/High (4)

9 (Red)


Limited longer view along valley bottom


Along valley bottom (E-W) broken up largely by tree cover

Limited (low)

Along lanes, across fields where trees and hedges restrict views


Largely complete other than the intrusion of the scrap yard

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Generally high other than traffic from Under Lane Railway will affect area during the tourist season Noise from A30


Generally an intimate, enclosed, sheltered corridor with a diverse range of vistas due to tree cover


Sheltered in valley bottom


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 2B




Character Area: CA31 Upper Tamar and Ottery Valleys LDU No: 316



Visual Sensitivity



Land drops sharply to Under Lane and is very steep in places


Mixtures of woodland, pasture within hedgerows of predominantly mature trees


Fields predominantly small to the east but larger to the west with mature trees creating a greater sense of enclosure

Land use

Pasture and woodland


Mature trees along Under Lane creating a very intimate and attractive feature


Springs


Farm and a few agricultural buildings – not dominant


Timber telegraph poles – 2 lines of electricity


None

High

High


Standard local hedges/gates

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other None Railways None Farm/ Private tracks Farm/Private tracks to Landrends Cycleways None PROW None Informal paths None

High


High (5)

10 (Red)


Highly from across the valley


Valley bottom to due to extensive tree cover

Limited (low)

From boundary of cell from west, south and east


A mixed landscape of woodland and pasture with woodland predominantly in the east

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Very tranquil apart from affect of Under Lane and railway – both fairly minimal


Remote, sheltered, intimate – overall interesting and attractive


A30 and Under Lane/Railway (very limited)


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 2A




Landscape Description Record descriptive information for each survey sub heading listed


Visual Sensitivity



Gently sloping towards the north from the lane.


Largely pasture with limited nature in hedgerows and in fields.


Normal mix of field sizes, mix of clipped hedges with some mature trees scattered within them.

Land use

Pasture


N/A


N/A


Hamlet at Trebursye Oak at western end and at the eastern end Chapel creates a predominantly suburban feel


Power Lines


N/A

Moderate

High


Nothing Distinctive

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other Railways Farm/ Private tracks Cycleways PROW Informal paths

Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


(Check distant views again)


Limited (low)

Few view points from lane and scattered housing.


Scattered housing and large agricultural/industrial operations. Telegraph poles reduce the agricultural /rural character.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) More strongly affected by A30 noise and (more) regular use of lane.

how is the landscape experienced?

Windswept, rather bland and uncared for.


A30 and Lane


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Grounds fall increasingly sharply towards north and east.


Pasture with fairly well treed hedgerows


Standard size and type of hedgerows

Land use

Pasture well maintained


None on site but intimate views of castle dominate the cell


N/A


Although close to town, the agricultural nature of the cell predominates.


Telegraph poles but only a few


As above

High

High


N/A


Moderate


High

8 (Amber)


Highly visible from the N/E and the town


Limited (low)


Complete agricultural, pastural feel.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Quite high but proximity of roads to the west has some impact


Exposed to the NE and the town. Interesting view point to the town, castle and landscape beyond.


Is exposed to noise of the town i.e. schools periodically


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 4 ASSESSOR; Peter Sainsbury DATE; 9th February 2011





Visual Sensitivity



Gently sloping from New Churches Lane in the North to valley bottom in the south.


Quite heavily managed with few mature trees


Mainly tightly clipped, uniform in appearance hedges with the exception of the boundary along New Churches Lane where there is a good length of mature trees (oak)

Land use

Pasture – well managed


Nothing especially distinctive


Stream? To North East. River Kensey at valley bottom. Springs along/through valley.


Extremely rural


N/A


N/A

Moderate

High


Traditional hedges


High


Medium/High (4)

9 (Red)


Big open views across valley


Along Lane to New Church farm

Limited (low)

Very Limited from Castle area of town.


Complete

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) High – limited disturbance from A30 and railway


Remote. Limited experience by users of lane. Seen as part of part of valley landscape.


A30/railway


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Slopes away gently from N-S


Generally hedgerows clipped and very well managed but some have good mature trees with denser tree cover on the folds of the valley.


Traditional spread

Land use

Pasture well managed



Springs and streams


Rural with one main road boundary to the North


N/A


Holy Well to N.E of cell disused quarry to the N.

Moderate

High



High


Medium/High (4)

9 (Red)


Highly visible across valley E-W and from North West Edge of town.


Along New Church access lane and from railway and Under Lane.

Limited (low)

Limited views along Egloskerry Road. Very Limited from Castle area of town.


A complete rural landscape mix of pasture and mature trees.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) High levels of visual and sensory tranquillity with the exception of Egloskerry Road.


Quite remote despite visual link to castle. A quiet cared for traditional Cornish landscape.


Noise from Egloskerry Road, only intrusion.


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Namely gently undulating landform typical of golf course.


A broad mixture of specimen parkland, trees set within a highly managed manicured grassland setting with mature trees forming a screen on the boundaries to the cell and woodland on the northern edge.


Mature trees and woodland frame the boundary of the cell from most view points open flowing landscape of a parkland type within it.

Land use

Predominantly highly managed parkland type landscape


The well tree’d boundaries enclose much of the cell from the surrounding landscape and from roads.


N/A


The S. Eastern edge abuts the town whilst the southern boundary is adjacent to a main road, nether the less the cell is in a rural landscape giving it a predominantly rural character


The parkland setting and highly managed landscape is clearly man made


N/A

Moderate

Low




Moderate


Medium/Low (2)

5 (Yellow)



Limited (low)

The cell is only visible from a restricted number of openings around the boundaries


The parkland style landscape gives the cell a uniform characteristic throughout.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Visually and audibly the cell is of medium level of tranquillity when the golf course in use but at other times it would be more tranquil still


The cell is an artificial manicured landscape in a predominantly rural setting but with a very private secretive inward facing nature.


Some noise intrusion from surrounding roads. Particularly the main access points to and from Launceston.


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 7A ASSESSOR; Peter Sainsbury DATE; 9th February 2011





Visual Sensitivity



Rolling, flowing slopes, high ground mainly centrally located no very steep slopes but all in an elevated position.


7A rolling field with substantial tree cover through most of the hedges creating a distinct landscape. Small tree plantations within cell and substantial woodland adjoining north. 7B A highly managed character dominates most of the cell. Rough pasture to 7C (south).


7A special quality created by mature hedges. 7B mainly clipped hedgerows with some mature character. 7C – mixture of clipped hedges and some extensive and mature, both along roadside/within fields.

Land use

Predominantly pasture with small tree plantations in and around the cell. Small portions of 7B arable.


N/A


N/A


Urban edge of South West with isolated farm buildings


Mast in cell C and power lines scattered throughout. Shooting range in dug out of 7B


N/A

7A: High

7B: Moderate 7C: Moderate

7A: Low 7B: High 7C: High

7A: 8 (Amber)


Some limited stone faced hedges farm outbuilding and farmsteads.


7A: High 7B: High 7C: Low


7A: Moderate (3)

7B: Medium/High (4) 7C: Medium/High (4)

7B: 9 (Red)


7A Largely enclosed 7B Open/exposed especially from N/W. The ridge line being visible from town. 7C Very visible from town and forms a visual barrier to the town from the north.


From roadway into 7A and B

Limited (low)

From St Stephens


Residential home in 7C form an urban intrusion in an otherwise largely attractive diverse landscape character

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Largely tranquil in particular 7A. 7B tranquil other than along roadway and urban edge. 7C not tranquil due to proximity to the edge of highway.


7A – sheltered and enclosed/tranquil 7B – Open and windswept/tranquil other than by highways 7C – Open/exposed more noisy due to proximity of road and outer fringe of town.


Highways


Photograph numbers

7C: 5 (Yellow)

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; 8 ASSESSOR; Peter Sainsbury DATE; 9th February 2011





Visual Sensitivity



Undulating land form with small areas of steeper slopes which give way again to flatter areas on the valley bottom and on the northern border.


Scattered copses around northern fringe. Arboretum style tree planting around Homeleigh. Further linear tree cover along eastern boundary alongside river.


Traditional field boundaries with some mature trees but managed clipped hedgerows predominate.

Land use

Pasture in good condition.


N/A


Tamar on eastern border


Predominantly rural with isolated farms but the ever expanding Homeleigh site adjacent to the A388 creates a harder urban edge to the western edge of the cell.


Large industrial units, car parks, lakes and arboretum affect around Homeleigh.


N/A

Moderate

High




Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


Very open with the exception of the north east boundary


From surrounding lanes.

Limited (low)

Part of northern section of A388 (Homeleigh – Launceston not visible) visible from public footpath.


The Homeleigh development creates a substantial manmade intrusion affecting the character of the landscape which outside of this area is picturesque and rural in keeping with the surrounding landscape.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Busy around Homeleigh and on surrounding Highways, but fields windswept and tranquil.


Windswept due to open nature of cell


Noise from Highways and Homeleigh, sewage treatment plant on the South East border is a visual intrusion and periodically offensively smelly.


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Very steep along western boundary giving way to a gentler slope towards to the east


Dense cover of trees, pastures bordering the A39. Some substantial clumps of trees within hedgerows which are well maintained.


Traditional local hedgerows, some stone walling visible along the boundary of the old A30

Land use

Pasture- well maintained. Caravan storage at eastern edge and holiday cottages at Higher Banham




N/A


Towns boundary with residential area to the west of cell. A30 to south old A30 to N. Broad to the East and Tavistock Road to West.


N/A


Scattered traditional farm buildings

Moderate

High


Traditional local hedge with granite posts in some instances


Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


Very open to the North and East.


Very exposed from specific locations along the western boundary

Limited (low)

Very limited from southern boundary. A30 provides visual screen.


Distinctly agricultural throughout.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Affected by proximity of roads. Both visually and audibly but an overall comfortable feel to the cell.


Windy due to levels of exposure and lacking privacy due to being overlooked by roads and town but still pleasant countryside.


Windy as described above and suffers from vehicular noise due to proximity of roads.


Photograph numbers

42-27

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Increasing gradient from the southern edge of the cell to the northern boundary. Particularly on the eastern side alongside the lane. More gently sloping from the western side of cell.


Mixture of clipped hedgerows and those with mature trees within the cell. Predominantly along roadsides.


Normal traditional sizes and style.

Land use

Pasture in good condition


N/A


N/A but check O.S


Predominantly rural but part of western edge at joins. New residential extension to Launceston.



N/A

11A: Moderate 11B: Moderate

11A: High 11B: High

11A: 5 (Yellow)


Nothing especially distinctive beyond traditional local hedgerow.


11A: Low 11B: Low


11A: Medium/High (4) 11B: Medium/High (4)

11B: 5 (yellow)


Highly visible from the north and east (A30) and western boundary from adjoining residential.


Very limited but at gateway from the south/west

Limited (low)

From the southern edge


2 distinct parcels of land created by the dividing roadway. Other rural in character- pasture with grazing cattle.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) North and Western edge of cell affected by proximity to housing/urban edge and A30. Remaining part of cell tranquil particularly further away from diving lane.


Open, windswept on higher ground towards the north and western boundaries, more sheltered and tranquil on lower ground/(valley) of the south east.


A30 traffic noise affecting the north and impact of residential along North West boundary


Photograph numbers

48

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Shallow, gently falling towards the east, forming a ridgeline on the west of the cell.


Limited to hedgerow field and round boundaries where there’s a mixture of low clipped hedges and some with mature tree cover.


In the local context very large open fields with little tree cover.

Land use Arable. Distinctive landscape/ historic features

The open, exposed nature of the land, visible at a considerable distance to the east.

Water bodies/ courses N/A Settlement/ Built Features Settlement type Predominantly rural.


Telegraph poles – forming 2 lines across the landscape.


Nothing adding character to the cell.

Low

High


Traditional, but unexceptional hedges.


Low


Moderate (3)

4 (Light Green)


Highly visible along Eastern boundary


Along western boundary

Limited (low)

Along northern boundary


Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Generally tranquil except where there is limited traffic noise from minor roads.


Exposed, windswept industrial agricultural character harming cells distinctive local and rural characteristics.


Windswept and minor traffic noise.


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Valley from north west to south east with mature trees. Shallow, flat along western edge but a more gently undulating elsewhere.


Hedgerow made up with many mature trees within the cell valley bottoms and south but clipped low hedgerow from Newton Farm/ across to Launceston/urban fringe.


Vegetated Cornish hedges in a traditional layout

Land use

Pasture


Nothing exceptional except the low hedgerow along roadside (A388) giving open aspect to urban fringe.


Check O.S for the stream in valley.


Northern fringe forms the urban boundary


2-3 lines of timber telegraph poles carrying electric services across valley to Badash and beyond east – west line.


Newton farm building

Moderate

High


Nothing exceptional


Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


Open views across the N.E corner of the site towards residential and industrial edge of town.


Along the edge from Broadland A388.

Limited (low)

Very limited along road to Hurdon Farm and A30


Complete rural envelope

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Only South West edge of cell has tranquil setting. Other areas are dominated by edge of roads and town.


Quite noisy, largely exposed to affects of the proximity to town and roads except from the southern side of Newton Farm.


As above


Photograph numbers

70s

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Gently undulating to the east getting progressively steeper to the south and becoming steep on the western boundary.


Pasture with a mixture of clipped hedgerows and dense hedgerows with mature tree particularly from urban fringe.


Largely standard field patterns within the cell with mature trees but clipped tall hedgerows along old lanes/roads and low hedge with avenue of trees along town boundary.

Land use

Pasture in good condition.


Tall hedgerows along old roadways and distinct rural character within a short distance of the town fringe.


Stream at the western end of the cell within a shallow valley.


Urban edge.


Few in general but a line of timber telegraph style power lines along northern edge of urban fringe.


Listed building at Badash.

Moderate

High


Distinctive tall hedges along old roadways.


Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


Open along southern boundary views to Kit Hill (SE) and South Petherwin (SW, from North of cell. From North East open views to Bodmin Moor.


N/A

Limited (low)

On the northern urban fringe views of cell are very limited by avenue of trees and hedgerows. East/West edge views limited by high hedgerows.


Uniform, managed pasture in good condition. Hedgerows well maintained.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Northern edge affected by proximity to busy road, industrial noises and lighting noise but further south tranquil rural feel.


As above with roads and proximity to industrial urban fringe affecting character to North but strong, increasingly remote rural character to the south.


Noise from proximity of link road and B3254; Pennygillam and waste tip – a constant impact affecting northern industrial fringe.


Photograph numbers

80-70

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Shallow sloping to undulating land in general with steeper slopes on shallow valley. Ridgeline running through centre of cell with land falling down to southern boundary.


Pasture with some woodland (check) Scattered areas of well tree’d hedgerows throughout.


Generally some longer fields particularly within the central portion of the cell, and along northern edge to A30.

Land use

Predominantly pasture with some arable.


Mature avenue of trees along driveway to Trebursye Manor and mature tall hedgerows well tree’d along south boundary. Some large mature trees on hedges/ boundaries within fields off the southern boundary.


Stream in part covered over creating boggy areas in field.


Urban fringe on northern boundary and eastern boundary by daw’s House but agricultural along southern boundary.


Telegraph poles scattered throughout, extensive use of post wire fencing.


Estate gate houses, Trebursye Manor and Avenue to Manor.

Moderate

High


Local stone style to footpath on southern boundary but post wire/barbed wire fencing along field edge.


Moderate


Medium/High (4)

7 (Amber)


Along boundary of A30 and footpath


Medium distance views from North and South broken up by ridge and trees.

Limited (low)

Along southern boundary lane and town slip road to Trebursye and scattered buildings.


Generally, predominantly complete, particularly to the South West but with the south east cover affected by scattered industrial building (infrastructure) and odd collection of buildings at Trebursye.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Strongly affected by noise for A30 particularly along northern boundary but southern boundary quite tranquil.


Exposed, noisy, windy overall other than South West Corner which has a quite tranquil feel but still affected by traffic in the lane.


A30, any industrial noise (Tip)


Photograph numbers

Other Information







Visual Sensitivity



Generally flat throughout


Boundaries with mature trees presence of some of the original field layout with mature vegetation.


As above

Land use

Playing fields- well managed grounds


Little remains of historic layout other than field hedgerow cutting across centre of site.


None


Small single storey buildings- associated with playing fields/school.


Astro turf, sealed surface tennis, gravel hockey pitch and floodlights.


Cornish hedge with mature trees very distinctive.

Moderate

High


None of significance.


Moderate


Moderate/High (4)

7 (Amber)


None of any significance due to the dominance of the well tree’d boundaries and flat topography


Small number of views glimpsed from adjacent link road to south and A30 to the north.

Limited (low)

Open views to site from nearby nursing home /access road/medical centre.


Good condition throughout but presence of man made playing surfaces.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Affected by noise of adjacent main roads but the visual quality of the space is calming.


Well sheltered, enclosed space with mature trees creates a parkland feel. Simple but attractive and private.


Dominated by affects of the noise of the adjacent roads


Photograph numbers

Upper 60’s

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE; KUE1: Kennards House

ASSESSOR; Peter Sainsbury DATE; 14th March 2011





Visual Sensitivity



Largely flat or very gently sloping.


Low vegetation on hedgerows but some mature trees within them.


Random medium/large fields.

Land use

Pasture, well managed


Cricket pitch.


None


Rural


Cricket pitch


None

Moderate (3)

High (4)


Nothing distinctive.


Medium (3)


Med/High Sensitivity (4)

7 (Amber)



Limited views around fringes of cell but open across field.

Limited (low)


Complete rural landscape with a cricket pitch

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Medium. A30 and surrounding minor roads and lanes reduce the otherwise quiet setting.


From intermittent views from surrounding roads and lanes


A30 and junction to Kennards House


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REF; KUE2: West of Pennygillam






Visual Sensitivity



Shallow sloping land falling mainly to the valley bottom on the southern edge of the cell.


Well wooded valley bottom to the south and mature, large hedgerow along the western boundary.


Random field pattern of medium to large size.

Land use

Predominantly pasture but some woodland.


Well treed southern boundary and Trebursye Manor and tree lined avenue along driveway.


Watercourse along southern boundary.


Urban fringe


Trebursye Manor.


Trebursye manor and avenue of mature trees.

Moderate (3)

Moderate (3)


Local materials used in Trebursye Manor.


Medium (3)


Moderate (3)

6 (Yellow)



Northern half of cell open and visible from short distances.

Limited (low)

Southern end of cell screened by mature trees.


Rather mixed. Affected by the proximity of the A30 and industrial estate.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Low


Mainly from surrounding roads and Trebursye Manor, it is visually accessible but no public access.


A30 and industrial estate.


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; KUE3: South of the Link Road






Visual Sensitivity



Largely level ground but falls away towards the southern boundary and in the south west corner.


Mainly clipped hedges and hedgerows but with mature trees in the valley the south west corner of the cell.


Normal field pattern of average to large size.

Land use

Pasture.


Mature trees in valley bottom in the south west.


Some streams along valley bottom in south west of cell.


Rural but northern and western boundaries adjacent to industrial fringe of town.


Farm and associated buildings, some redundant.


Old farm buildings.

Moderate (3) Moderate (3)


Local stone in farm buildings.

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other Railways Farm/ Private tracks Cycleways PROW

Medium (3)


Moderate (3)

Yellow (6)

Informal paths Visual Prominence (tick appropriate) Open/ long distance (high)

Distant views towards Bodmin Moor, Kit Hill and generally towards the south with little tree cover breaking the view.


Limited (low)


Rural pastureland although its open nature, lack of established trees and proximity to Launceston gives it a semi-rural character.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Medium. how is the landscape experienced?

From surrounding main roads, urban fringe and dwellings to the south.


As above.


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; KUE4: South of the A388






Visual Sensitivity



Fairly level throughout most of cell but the ground falls away quite steeply to the valley that cuts across from west to east to the north of the cell.


Mainly clipped hedgerows with some mature trees with more established tree cover to the south.


Evidence of regular linear field pattern particularly clear across the south and western portions of the cell.

Land use

Pasture.


Field boundary layout.


None.


Rural; better screened from the edge of town than the adjacent cell UE3.


Field layout.


Farm buildings.



Local stone used in construction of farm buildings.


Medium (3)


Moderate (3)

Yellow (6)


Big open views towards the distant south. From the higher ground along the northern boundary.


From surrounding main road especially approaching from Callington.

Limited (low)


Complete.

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Medium-Low. how is the landscape experienced?

Mainly from the surrounding roads and dwellings.


As above.


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE NUMBER; KUE5: Stourscombe






Visual Sensitivity



Land slopes down from south to north/north east increasingly steeply


Predominantly clipped hedgerows with scattered mature trees within them


Standard, average size, random configuration

Land use

Pasture


Northing distinctive


None


Semi-rural


Some over head cables


None other than hedgerows



None


Medium (3)


Moderate (3)

6 (Yellow)


Visible from the north and east (A30) and southern/western boundaries adjacent to Stourscombe


Limited (low)


Complete rural

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Medium how is the landscape experienced?

Mainly from surrounding roads and housing


As above


Photograph numbers

Other Information

LAUNCESTON CELL REFERENCE; KUE6: St Stephens






Visual Sensitivity



Slopes North to South, most gently in the North.


Clipped hedgerows with some good mature trees – best established hedgerow runs along western boundary.


Cornish hedges form the boundaries to fields of small- medium to large sizes.

Land use

Well managed pasture.


Holy well.


Springs and streams.


Rural but bordering urban fringe.


Holy Well


Holy Well

Moderate (3)

Moderate (3)


Traditional hedges and stone and slate in the construction of holy well.

Transport Pattern A Road/ B Road/ other Railways Farm/ Private tracks Cycleways PROW

Medium (3)


Moderate (3)

6 (Yellow)

Informal paths Visual Prominence (tick appropriate) Open/ long distance (high)

Open view across and Down valley and adjacent to urban fringe.


Limited (low)


Complete- rural

Aesthetic & Sensory

Tranquillity (H/ M/ L) Medium- inevitably affected by urban fringe to some extent


No direct physical links other than New Churches Lane. Most visible from across the valley.


Urban fringe and New churches lane.


Photograph numbers

Other Information

Launceston Character Area Description Description The historic town of Launceston sits in the strategically important location overlooking the Devon border and is centrally placed between the north and south coasts. The ‘old’ town is situated on a small plateau which had for long been an important cross roads for transport links for the counties of Devon and Cornwall. There are main road links to Callington, Saltash and Plymouth to the south. Bodmin to the west, Okehampton and Exeter to the east and Holsworthy and Bude to the north. These roads are all busy and congestion, particularly from the road leading to Bude and Holsworthy is normal for the residents of this otherwise attractive town which still retains an agricultural setting to the castle from a number of viewpoints. Prominent though the castle and surrounding ‘old’ townscape is, much of the town is only visible close by along access roads or public rights of way as it is well screened by the high ground surrounding it and by established tree cover. In general, the landscape is a mixture of rolling pasture to the north and south with a steeper sided green valley running through the town from east to west, where, in this more sheltered location, there are many fine mature trees and a diverse range of habitats and wildlife. The mix of a well established, mature pastoral landscape, interspersed with significant areas of mixed woodland and the focal point of the historic castle and the surrounding diverse architecture of the old town has produced a unique quality to Launceston which is quite different to most other towns in the south west. It is still an attractive town set within a diverse but rural landscape with good road links to the surrounding towns in both Devon & Cornwall.

Launceston Key Characteristics

◊ Gently rolling landscape surrounds the approach to the historic town particularly from the South and North with a steeper sided valley running East to West strongly influencing Launceston’s layout and character.

◊ Castle and architecturally diverse and visually interesting town centre located

on high ground overlooking the Devon border and beyond to Dartmoor.

◊ Field sizes generally of medium size with the occasional large one scattered throughout the cells but most commonly to the north or south west.

◊ Field boundary of typical Cornish hedge construction but with some lines of

post and wire or post and rail most likely where original hedge have been removed.

◊ Tree cover particularly strong along the water courses of the East-West valley

bottom and south facing slopes on hedges. Many good sized mature species and diverse in type. Low tightly clipped hedges form the boundary to fields particularly to the north of the town and south east, sometimes with the occasional mature tree left standing.

◊ Mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland forms part of the northern fringe of

the town.

◊ Land use predominantly pasture with some arable woodland to the north and pockets to the south. Manicured golf course, largely self contained on the northern boundary adjacent to the main block of woodland.

◊ Main source of vernacular building style and use of local materials to be seen

in a range of good quality farm buildings scattered around the countryside surrounding the town and the historic town centre of Launceston and its castle.

◊ Whilst the historic town centre has extensive views in places in an easterly

and northerly direction, much of the rest of the town is hidden from distant views by the surrounding hilly topography with the recent exception of Stourscombe estate.

◊ Whilst well positioned for access to the A30, many of the roads and lanes

elsewhere are narrow and twisting often bordered by quite high Cornish hedges.

◊ Limited range of public rights of way providing access across the countryside.

◊ Launceston Steam Railway runs through the western valley bottom to near

the town centre along the old Launceston-Padstow line.

appendix d: landscape character assessment results · mature trees and woodland frame the boundary...

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