2 SPECIAL QUALITIES - Home - Malvern Hills AONBthe way forward for rural England. The Vision for each of The Special Qualities is: A rich and thriving diversity of distinctive landscapes

the biodiversity within them. RegionallyImportant Geological Sites (RIGS) are alsoidentified in the AONB, and there arefurther areas of geological significance whichcould be designated in this way.

The Malvern Hills AONB is unique forcontaining a wide variety of landscapes in asmall area. Landscape CharacterAssessments for Herefordshire,Gloucestershire and Worcestershire haveconsidered the geology, topography, soils,land use, tree cover and settlement patternsto establish 10 types of landscapes withinthe AONB, and they are explored in fullerdetail in Chapter 5.These assessmentsprovide an objective understanding of thenature of these landscapes, and what thepressures upon them are likely to be.Distinctive landscape features that occurthroughout the AONB include orchards,parklands, ridgelines, ponds, quarries,hedgerows, and watercourses.

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2.1 Landscape and Geology

The richness of the Malvern Hills landscapeand its biodiversity is inextricably linked toits geology.The distinctive ridge owes itsskyline to pre-Cambrian rocks dating back700 million years (representing some of theoldest rocks in the country), whilst thenorth west of the AONB is characterised bysteep limestone topography.To the southeast, sandstones and marls support thefertile arable plain, whilst to the west,limestone and shale give rise to theundulating hills and vales.The different soilsand rocks support a variety of differentvegetation types, wildlife, and land uses,giving the Malvern Hills their distinctive arrayof landscapes and natural habitats.Thegeology also gives rise to springs whichprovide another of the Malverns’ uniqueassets – its spring water.

This geological diversity is of national signifi-cance.The AONB contains a number ofSites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)which legally protect the special geology, and

2 SPECIAL QUALITIES

Well Dressingat Evendine

SPECIAL QUALITIES 15

• Internationally protected and locally important animals, plants and birds.

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2.2 Biodiversity

The AONB is endowed with a rich varietyof habitats and wildlife, which are a result ofthe geological and landscape variety and theinfluence of thousands of years of humanmanipulation and activity. Many wildlifehabitats and species are located within theAONB, several of which are nationally rareand have significant representation in theMalvern Hills. Some are legally protected inthe 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest andone Local Nature Reserve designated withinthe area, and others are protected bySpecial and Key Wildlife Sites (non-statutorydesignations) and in nature reservesmanaged by conservation bodies in theAONB. Development Plan policies alsoprovide some level of protection for sites ofspecies and habitat importance. Drawingupon the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, LocalBiodiversity Action Plans cover the AONB,but do not specifically represent a uniqueconservation framework for the AONB.The following habitats are discussed infurther detail in Chapter 6 on Biodiversity:

• Lowland mixed deciduous broadleaved woodland, including ancient woodland andscrub.

• Acid, lowland limestone and unimproved neutral and wet grassland;

• Traditional standard orchards, historic parkland and veteran trees;

• Hedgerows, hedgerow trees and field trees;

• Watercourses, including ponds, streams and marsh;

High Brown Fritillary

2.3 Historic and Built Environment

Today’s AONB landscape reflects a heritagecreated by the settlements anddevelopment of successive human culturesand their artefacts, features, architecture andbuildings.The historic built environmentwithin the AONB has a richness anddiversity which needs careful conservation.

Some elements of the historic builtenvironment are afforded statutoryprotection, for example the ScheduledAncient Monuments and Listed Buildings.However, many more are not, for examplethe townscapes and local features which col-lectively make an important contribution tothe AONB landscape.These unique, locallydistinct features help give the builtenvironment its spirit of place, and are anintegral part of the environment, needing tobe conserved, restored and, where possibleand appropriate, enhanced.

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In a similar process to theLandscape CharacterAssessment, the historiccharacter of landscape isdescribed and analyzed for thatpart of the AONB that lieswithin Herefordshire andGloucestershire.Worcestershire’sHistoric Landscape CharacterAssessment is under completion.These assessments togetherprovide a description of thefeatures which contribute to thearea’s historic record, and offer acontext for managing change inthe historic built environment ofthe AONB.

2.4 Quiet Enjoyment of the Countryside.

Since early Victorian times, the area has beena refuge from a more hectic world.Sedentary and stout Victorians came to quiteliterally ‘chill out’ under the cold douches andexercise regimes of the Water Cure. Many ofthese regimes involved walking through thecountryside. Today the douches aredispensed with, but 67% of respondents inthe Visitor Survey 1999-2000 cited theirreason for visiting the AONB to be walking.

Sir Edward Elgar, a local resident, was as keenon his music as he was on his bicycle, andenjoyed cycling through the local lanes. Thissame enthusiasm was reflected in a projectdone by Ledbury Youth First in Colwall in2002/3.When the youth of Colwall wereasked what activities they would like to haveorganised for them, the second most popularchoice was cycle rides around the lanes. Allage ranges appreciate the tranquillity of thecountryside.

Likewise the growth of riding schools andlivery stables in the area allows those whoprefer reins to handle bars, to quietly enjoythe countryside.

Photograph by Julia Boyle

3 LINKED ISSUES

18 LINKED ISSUES

3.1 Links

The plan is set out on a topic basis, butmany of the objectives and actionscontained in separate chapters will alsobenefit issues and topics in other chapters.For example, objectives and actions toconserve and enhance hedgerows andhedgerow trees will contribute not only tolandscape character, but also biodiversity andhistoric environment objectives. Anotherexample is the careful management offootpaths, with objectives not only aidingimproved access and recreation in theAONB, but also helping to conservevulnerable sensitive habitats. It is importantthat the Plan is read and implemented withthis integration of strategy and objectives inmind.

3.2 Overall Issues

There are also themes or issues which havethe potential to affect all of the specialqualities of the AONB – sustainability(including climate change), and developmentand rural land use, and these are outlinedbelow.

3.3 Rural Land Use,Activities, andDevelopment

Landscape features within the AONB suchas the hedgerows, field size, woodlands andtree cover, are influenced as much by manas they are by nature.The land use practicesthat helped create these landscape featureshave changed dramatically, particularly infarming over the last twenty years or so, andcould continue to change the integrity andquality of the character of the AONB’slandscape, and how it supports its biodiver-sity.

The changing face of agriculture, forestryand diversification initiatives needs carefulguidance to conserve and enhance thelandscapes and core features of the MalvernHills AONB. New roles may need to befound for those features and qualities of theAONB, and new links that are compatiblewith modern farming and forestry practices.The residents, landowners and managers,and visitors should all be engaged andencouraged to help achieve this visiontogether.

Hereford cattle in a Suckley orchard

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There is immense pressure on some partsof the AONB from high numbers of visitorsundertaking a variety of recreationalpursuits.There is a danger that unlimited andunchecked access will destroy the essenceof the Malvern Hills, their tranquillity, featuresand attributes and the biodiversity whichenriches them.There may be a conflictbetween those who see recreation andtourism as a substitute for, or answer to thewoes of the farming industry, and those whowish to conserve and enhance thelandscape character and biodiversity qualitiesof the AONB. A consensus on whatconstitutes sound stewardship is in the longterm interest of all.

The strategy of this plan must be toencourage the use of land within theAONB, in ways that do not damage thelandscape character, historic environment,biodiversity, and archaeological remains andspecial environmental qualities, nor its longterm economic and social value.

3.4 A Sustainable Environment

The effect of land use activities anddevelopment in the AONB should also beconsidered for their impact on the generalenvironment (for example on air, land andwater quality), on the efficient use ofresources and on the overall wellbeing ofthe AONB. Over time climate change maywell affect numerous features and qualities

of the area. If these issues are carefullyaddressed within good resourcemanagement and promotion of bestpractice, there is the potential for positivebenefits on the conservation andenhancement of the environment, and forthe identification of the Malvern Hills AONBas a visionary, environmentally awarecommunity.

3.5 Awareness of the AONB

The Malvern Hills AONB Visitor Surveyfound that over 90% of respondents hadheard of the term ‘AONB’ but that onlyabout 20% understood what the point ofthe designation was. Community projectssuch as the Jigsaw Project have brought theAONB to the attention of the localcommunity.The visitor newspaper, the HillsHopper bus service, and the Literary Guideall help to raise the profile of the AONBamongst visitors. Press articles, villageprojects and grants to landowners all bringthe AONB to the attention of local people.There is however a lack of understanding ofpurpose of the designation.This applies toresidents, landowners, visitors and relevantauthorities.To remedy this, a clear messageshould accompany all that the AONB does.

A poetry reading on the lawns of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s childhood home

4 VISION

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The Vision is one of a landscape in perfectbalance with its communities, economiesand visitors, where the special qualities – thelandscape, wildlife, cultural heritage and tran-quillity – are cherished, and conserved andwhich in return deliver a sustained highquality of life for its residents, wonderfulopportunities for visitors to sample localfood and picturesque scenery, a skilledlabour market and diverse economy ofagriculture and high tech industries.

The aspiration is one of a protectedlandscape which has met the challenges ofchange in the rural economy and localcommunities yet maintains its timelessnessand richness of natural beauty sustained byfarming and other industries which showsthe way forward for rural England.

The Vision for each of The Special Qualities is:

A rich and thriving diversity of distinctivelandscapes in prime condition with a charac-teristic network of hedgerows, a proliferationof old and new hedgerow trees, open hillsand commons, ancient coppiced woodlands,a characterful balance of pasture andcropped land, traditional orchards, restoredhop yards, historic parklands and peacefulstreams.

A place where wildlife thrives, not just in thenature reserves but throughout the managedlandscape, where wildflower grasslands onthe open hills, commons and meadowsflourish, where ancient rock formations arepreserved, where all of the ancientwoodlands are restored to their formerMedieval glory, where hedgerows and othertrees provide a widespread network ofcorridors, where traditional orchards,streams, brooks and ponds reverberate witha diversity of life and where people cancome close to and enjoy this rich resource.

A landscape providing a rich and vividlyillustrated record of the historic environment,where field patterns, monuments, historicparklands and buildings jewel the land, where

Photograph by D. Morgan

Photograph by G. Elvins

VISION 21

A bustling woodland estate yielding aconstant supply of high quality timber,charcoal, firewood and other woodlandproducts within a well-managed andextensive broad-leaved resource whichflourishes with rare wildlife on ancient

woodland sites, scrubscarbon dioxide fromthe air, records thelegacy of pastgenerations andprovides peaceful walksfor locals and visitorsalike.

the distinctive character of villages issustained by really high standards ofdevelopment, where the myriad of old signs,wells and milestones enrich the countrylanes and where schoolchildren, landowners,visitors and local residents appreciate,understand and care for the heritage.

An oasis of tranquillity where the air is pure,the land free from litter, the water clean, therural views from the main Hills uninterruptedby development, the skies clear of low-flyingaircraft and filled only with the sound ofskylarks.

The Vision subscribes to the SpecialQualities being in perfect balance andpartnership with:

A profitable and buoyant farm economyengaged in the production of highly soughtafter and high quality local produce whichhelps sustain the small-scale mixed farmtraditions and which lies at the heart of theconservation and restoration of the specialqualities of the area.

Photograph by G. Elvins

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A place which welcomes tourism, enjoymentand recreation, where the visitors’experience is high quality and open to all insociety, where visitors’ enjoyment of thedramatic views and tranquil paths is wellinformed and respectful of local residents,where local shops, pubs and farm gatesserve a bounty of local produce and wherethe only impression left is a cherishedmemory.

A local transport network that services theneeds of the local community and economywhilst providing a place of tranquil laneswhere walkers, cyclists and others enjoyprecedence over car traffic, where the noiseand intrusion of cars are hardly noticed,where regular train and bus services linkseamlessly servicing residents and visitorsalike and where cycle lanes proliferate fromthe villages to the country, encouraging envi-ronmentally friendly transport and a healthylifestyle.

A vibrant, harmonious and diverse localcommunity which engages in local decisionmaking and enjoys a high quality of living,which benefits from well used and excellentlocal facilities sustained by residents andvisitors, which celebrates the richness of itscultural heritage, and which enjoysnumerous local employment opportunitiesdrawn to the area offering a highly skilledworkforce and attractive environment.

Vintage tractor fair below British Camp

Antique sewage vent, West Malvern

LANDSCAPE 23

5.1 Aims

To protect and, where appropriate, enhancethose characteristics and features thatcontribute to the landscape beauty andamenity of the Malvern Hills AONB.

To manage change in the landscape in sucha way as to maintain the high quality of theAONB’s landscape character whilepromoting sustainable development.

5.2 Background

The Malvern Hills display remarkablecontrasts of geology which together withcenturies of manipulation by human activity,give rise to a landscape of great physical,ecological and historical diversity.The Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian ridge is thedominant feature of the AONB.Resulting features are bare hill topsustaining particularly vulnerable acidgrassland which turns to bracken andgorse on the slopes. In contrast, at thesouthern end of the main ridge, parts ofthe slopes retain natural woodlandcover.To the west, shales overlaysandstone and quartzite. From thesesofter rocks, valleys have formed withwooded knolls.

Regionally Important Geological Sites(RIGS) are considered wor thy ofprotection for their educational,research, historic or aestheticimportance. Numerous RIGS and SSSI’shave been designated for theirgeological importance, and potentialexists to increase the number of RIGSand make them more accessible to thepublic.

5 LANDSCAPE5.3 Landscape Character Assessment

Herefordshire and WorcestershireLandscape Character Assessments providean objective and cohesive understanding ofthe nature of the landscape and have beenfully integrated to also include the small partof Gloucestershire falling within the AONB.Ten rural landscapes are identified within theAONB, as shown in Map 3. Further detail onlandscape character assessment can befound in the Herefordshire andWorcestershire Supplementary PlanningGuidance documents.The urban landscapehas yet to be addressed.

The Gullet Quarry, a Geological SSSI

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LANDSCAPE 25

5.4 Special Features

There are ten Landscape Character typesdescribed below.They are derived from theLandscape Character Assessments. For eachcharacter type, the special features aredrawn out under that category.

5.4.1 High Hills and Slopes

These are areas of unenclosed highlandwhich are characterised by steep slopes andextensive tracts of rough grassland andheath.The landscape is open, exposed andwild with large scale views and an absenceof human habitation.This landscapecomprises the main north – south ridgesurrounded to the north, west and south bya series of smaller hills.

5.4.1.1 Special features

• Prominent, steeply sloping highland topography;

• Extensive area of acid grassland and heath,

and generally unwooded;

• Expansive area of unenclosed land with rough grazing;

• Exposed, panoramic views;

• Unsettled landscape with few signs of human presence.

5.4.1.2 Forces for landscape change

Significant reduction of sheep and cattlegrazing has dramatically increased scrub,bracken and secondary woodland cover, andconsequently decreased the percentage ofopen grassland. Increasing visitor pressurehas resulted in path and grassland erosion.

5.4.2 Principal Wooded Hills

These are upstanding, densely wooded, hillylandscapes with a sloping topography.Thelandscapes comprise large, irregular shapedand interlocking areas of ancient woodland,

High hills and slopes

Principal wooded hills

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with small cleared fields linked by hedgesand wooded streams. It is sparsely settledwith farmsteads and wayside cottages, and istypical to the north (Suckley Hills) and westof the main hills.


• Varied, often steeply sloping landscape;

• Mixed broadleaved woodland, often of ancient origin;

• Occasional hedged fields of pasture;

• Views framed by blocks of woodland;

• Scattered settlement.


Previous forestry practices, introducing a highproportion of conifers, have disrupted thevisual unity of these landscapes andcompromised the nature conservation valueof the woodland. More recent woodlandclearance and gradual loss of trees alonghedgerows and stream sides damages bothbiodiversity and the visual integrity betweenareas historically cleared and those stillwooded.

5.4.3 Principal Timbered Farmlands

This landscape is comprised of rollinglowlands with occasional steep sided hillsand low escarpments, has a small scale,wooded, agricultural appearance charac-terised by filtered views through denselyscattered hedgerow trees. A denselydispersed pattern of farmsteads and waysidecottages is typical.They are found primarilyin the western part of the AONB.


• Hedged fields;

• Ancient wooded character portrayed by woodland of varying scale and densely scattered, predominantly oak hedgerow trees;

• Filtered views between hedgerow trees;

• A small scale landscape with an organic enclosure pattern.


The landscape’s deterioration is very evidentand continuing, primarily marked by thedecline and fragmentation of the tree cover,

Principal timbered farmlands

LANDSCAPE 27

Wooded hills and farmlands

particularly the hedgerow trees.The gradualincrease in arable farming is reducing theneed for hedgerows, which will eventuallylead to the demise of the hedgerowstructure and pattern. However, currentHedgerow Regulations offer someprotection against this. Inappropriatemanagement means that little new stock orregeneration of hedgerow oaks is beingencouraged to replace the predominantlymature oaks. Density of new developmentdoes not respect the characteristicdispersed settlement patterns of thislandscape.

5.4.4 Wooded Hills and Farmlands

These are medium to large scale woodedlandscapes with sloping topography, similarto the Principal Wooded Hills but containinga higher proportion of farmland. Mixedfarming is interspersed with large, oftendiscrete, blocks of ancient semi naturalwoodland which frame enclosed hedgedfields and small villages or hamlets.Thislandscape can be found to the west of themain ridge of the Malvern Hills, aroundEastnor.


• Varied sloping topography leading to visually prominent field boundary hedgerows;

• A pattern of large discrete blocks of ancient woodland;

• Mixed farming land use;

• Medium framed views;

• Sparsely clustered settlement pattern.


The strength and scale of character hasbeen reduced by loss of hedgerows,hedgerow and streamside trees, and theaddition of inappropriate small scalefeatures. Previous conifer planting in someareas contributes significantly to the loss ofcharacter.

5.4.5 Estate Sandlands

These are very open rolling landscapes with apattern of large arable fields, straight roads andestate plantations. Strong regular field patternswith discrete blocks of woodland give structureto, and dominate, this planned landscape.Thereare tree belts and tree-lined watercourses, buthedgerow trees are notably sparse. Isolatedbrick farmsteads and clusters of waysidedwellings are interspersed with occasional smallestate villages. They are found in the mostsouthern part of the AONB, aroundBromsberrow.


• Arable land use;

• Hedged field boundaries;

• Planned enclosure pattern of straight boundaries and roads;

28 LANDSCAPE

• Planned woodland character and discrete woodland pattern;

• Heathy/acid grassland ground vegetation;

• Clustered settlement pattern.


Dominance of the intensively farmed land byarable cropping has led to a reduced needfor hedgerows and continued deteriorationin their condition. Intensive management ofland destroys the grasslands and native plantcommunities. Encroachment on parkland byother land uses leads to many parklandtrees being marooned in a sea of arablecrops.

5.4.6 Unenclosed Commons

Estate sandlands

Unenclosed commons

LANDSCAPE 29

scrub density or absence of grazing on thecommons has led to encroachment by scruband bracken. Under-resourced managementand maintenance of the commons forrecreation and amenity purposes has led toa decline in the commons character, and theintegrity of the traditional cottage andsettlement is being altered by uncharacteris-tic development of properties.

5.4.7 Enclosed Commons

These landscapes have an ordered patternof large fields of regular outline, straightroads and estate plantations. Tree coveralong watercourses can contribute signifi-cantly to the landscape although hedgerowand tree cover is less significant. The farmedlandscapes have typically poor soils and apastoral land use, together with a settlementpattern of scattered farmsteads and waysidedwellings. They occur on the low lying areasto the south-east of the Hills.


• Hedgerow boundaries to fields;

• Planned enclosure pattern of straight boundaries and roads;

These are open landscapes characterised bya lack of enclosure and generally notable fortheir overall sense of wilderness.Thecommons are traditionally grazed and areassociated with a high nature conservationvalue.They are a predominantly unsettledlandscape but wayside cottages set in smallplots of irregular shape exist around theperimeter of the commons. Large tracts ofUnenclosed Commons are found in theCastlemorton area to the east of the mainridge.


• Rough grazing land use;

• Unenclosed and unwooded;

• Heathy/acid grassland vegetation;

• Small wayside cottages found on commonperimeter, often constructed from red brick or stone.


There has been a marked trend away frompursuing the traditional commoners’ rightsto grazing over the last 50 years. The lowdensity or absence of grazing on thecommons has led to encroachment by

Enclosed commons

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5.4.8 Settled Farmlands with PastoralLand Use

These comprise small to medium scalelowland settled agricultural landscapes with adispersed pattern of farmsteads and waysidecottages linked by a dense network ofnarrow winding lanes.They have a predomi-nantly pastoral land use with a pattern ofsmall to medium sized hedged fields.Treecover is most notable along watercourses,and hedgerows.These landscapes occur onlow lying land to the south east of theAONB.

• Open farmland with pastoral land use;

• Planned woodland character with pattern of discrete blocks;

• Gently rolling topography.


The strong regular enclosure pattern isdeteriorating and the hedgerow trees arebeing lost or replaced by fencing in places.There are notable areas of horse cultureand small industrial units in parts of the area.


• Hedgerow boundaries to fields;

• Tree cover character represented by hedgerow and streamside trees as opposed to woodlands;

• Small scale landscape;

• Pastoral land use;

• Heavy soils;

• Groups of wayside dwellings and scatteredfarmsteads.


Hedgerow loss and deterioration is reducingthe scale and spatial character of theselandscapes. In places the strong pastoral landuse is declining, becoming replaced by arablefarming.The condition and age compositionof tree cover along watercourses andhedgerows varies and is notably lacking inplaces.

Settled farmlands with pastoral land use

LANDSCAPE 31

small interspersed areas of rough land andpasture with new development. An increasein horse and pony ownership with smallpastures changing to paddocks has led to adegradation and loss of hedgerows andgrassland.

5.4.10 Settled farmlands on riverterrace

This landscape has highly fertile soils whichgive rise to horticultural cropping. Fields aresmall to medium scale, with sparsehedgerow tree cover and settlement isdispersed.This landscape only occurs withinthe AONB near Ledbury.

5.4.9 Forest Smallholdings andDwellings

This is an intimate, densely settledlandscape characterised by stringsof wayside cottages and associatedsmallholdings.They nestle within acomplex mosaic of pastoral fieldsand narrow lanes, which arebounded by trees in hedgerows.This landscape is limited toWellington Heath on the AONB’swestern boundary.


• Prominent thick field boundary hedgerows;

• Individual densely scattered trees in hedgerows and gardens;

• Densely settled pattern of smallholdings and wayside cottages, with distinctive buildings of red brick or stone;

• Complex network of narrow intersecting lanes;

• Non-conformist chapels often constructed of corrugated iron;

• Heathy/acid grassland ground vegetation;

• Pastoral landscape.

5.4.9.2 Forces of landscapechange

The increasing urbanisation of thislandscape is its greatest threat.Changes in character of the originalcottages result from extensions andremodelling, and the settlementdensity is altered by infilling the

Forest smallholdings and dwellings

Settled farmlands on river terrace

32 LANDSCAPE


• Horticultural cropping land use;

• Hedgerows delineate the field boundaries;

• Sparsely dispersed settlement limited to small discrete clusters;

• Open views.


The demands of modern horticulture haveresulted in a landscape that is generallydenuded of hedgerow trees, and where theremaining hedgerows are themselves in verypoor condition.Tree cover is limited tothose around buildings and those growingalong water courses where the land is notrequired for crops.

5.5 Key Issues

5.5.1 Changes in Agriculture

British agriculture has fallen victim tocataclysmic change. The increasinglyglobalised nature of agriculturalcommodities, falling farm gate prices, theincreasing costs ofheightened welfare, hygiene,biosecurity and traceabilityinitiatives, the continuing lossof agricultural skills andworkers (Statistical Digest)together with the inability ofco-operatives to acteffectively against thegrowth of purchaser power,all have grave implicationsfor the viability of farming.

Consumer confidence in

British food has also been undermined bythe Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy(BSE) crisis and recent outbreaks of ClassicalSwine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease.These trends have particularly influencedstock farming, which plays a pivotal role inthe maintenance of the Malvern Hills agricul-tural landscapes. There is a continueddecline in livestock numbers (StatisticalDigest p23/24) within the Malvern Hills,together with a trend toward conversion toarable production which is less labourintensive. This trend, known nationally as‘arabalisation’, has real implications for theMalvern Hills landscape with regard to thereduced capacity for commons grazing, theloss of unimproved and semi-improvedgrasslands and disincentives for themaintenance of vigorous stockproofhedgerows.

Farming needs to be able to realise socialand economic needs while delivering awhole range of demanding ‘environmental’non-market goods including healthy food,biodiversity, high landscape quality, high airand water quality, high animal welfarestandards

LANDSCAPE 33

Forestry

The principal markets for timber productsare construction, joinery, fencing, firewoodand other wood products such as pulpwoodfor paper, card and pressed fibreboards.

While the UK is self-sufficient for only about15% of its wood products, the market forlocally produced timber is far from buoyant.

A combination of factors continue todepress timber prices which in turndiscourages investment in, and managementof, the AONB’s woodlands.

• Timber prices had fallen by 50% in 1999 to their lowest level since the 1980s, the strength of sterling and cheap imports resulting from the recent catastrophic European gales and new resources in eastern Europe continue to depress prices. Standing timber sale prices continue to fall and are now lower in realterms than the low prices of the 1980s.

and opportunities for public recreation andspiritual refreshment.

The future viability of farming is fundamentalto the appearance of the Malvern Hillslandscape and many of the problems canonly be solved by national and Europeanpolicy changes. The reform of the CommonAgricultural Policy and the proposals for theexpansion of EU membership are liable tofurther influence agricultural policy. Theprocess of ‘Decoupling’, supporting a generalmove away from production supportmechanisms to those providing enhancedenvironmental benefits, and ‘Modulation’,encouraging more investment in RuralDevelopment at the expense of productionsupport, is likely to continue. However, theoutcomes are still unclear.

In 1998, the Countryside Agencyrecommended to Government that ESAstatus should be extended to all AONBs.While the Malvern Hills has a strong casefor Environmentally Sensitive Area status, noenhanced agri-environmental schemes arecurrently availableto farmers in theMalvern Hills. TheESA designation iscurrently underreview and is likelyto be replacednationally. Everyeffort should bemade to ensurethat any new ‘highertier’ scheme isapplicable to theMalvern Hillssituation.

34 LANDSCAPE

• Softwood production continues to grow faster than consumption, creating overcapacity in sawmills and ferocious price competition.

• Technological innovation continues to increase the efficiency in which timber is utilised, reducing overall costs and also offering market substitution i.e. composite beams for structural lumber, softwood for hardwood, steel for timber.

• A consumer led move away from sustainably produced timber to recycled wood products now sees wood pulp accounting for less than half of the raw material used for paper production.

• The high degree of fragmentation in the timber products and processing industry isbeing exacerbated by companies’competitive pressures which are forcing companies to withdraw from round timber production by either mothballing

5.5.2 Visitor Pressures

1.25 million visitors come to the AONBannually and over two thirds of these cometo walk. Much of this activity is concentratedon the hills themselves and not spreadevenly over the AONB resulting in the HighHills and Slopes and the UnenclosedCommons bearing the brunt of this.The feetof visitors erode the paths and their dogsdiscourage graziers.The evidence of ticketsales from car parks on the hills andcommons is that still more visitors arecoming than ever.

or dismantling equipment. As a result,harvested timber being transported greater distances is increasing costs and reducing competitiveness.

LANDSCAPE 35

5.5.3 Development Pressures

Farms within the AONB are being brokeninto smallholdings (Statistical Digest).Withthis comes the desire to enlarge propertiesand add value such as loose boxes forhorses.

The growth of farm shops (Statistical Digest)and diversification of farm buildings intothriving non agricultural businesses hasmeant that many agricultural buildings havetaken on new lives.

5.5.4 Climate Change

Although trends in climate change may bediscernible, their local effect is unpredictable.Flooding, so prevalent in recent years, mayencourage the reintroduction of watermeadow management. Hot dry summers

increase the fire risk on the hills andeffectively raze the scrub.Winters, withoutbitter weather, allow microbes to survive ingreater numbers to infect livestock andplants in the following year. Lack of freezingconditions affect the germination of many ofthe native species of tree. Changes inclimate may isolate wildlife populations intheir local habitats, making the presence ofwildlife corridors yet more important.Warmer weather may also increase visitorpressure as the desire for holiday warmthcan be satisfied in Britain. (WMCCIS 2001)

Floods in Mathon

36 LANDSCAPE

5.6 Strategic Objectives5.6.1 Define a process for collecting and analysing detailed information about the

state of landscape character, in order to identify priorities for maintaining,restoring and enhancing landscape character, and monitoring change within the framework of the Landscape Character Assessment;

5.6.2 Implement measures to conserve, restore and enhance distinctive characteristics and attributes of each Landscape Character type, particularly those that have been degraded significantly, or are least resilient to change;

5.6.3 Provide guidance for other bodies, agencies, businesses and individuals upon good practice which will benefit the landscape of the AONB;

5.6.4 Work with AONB partners and other relevant bodies and organisations to promote initiatives aimed particularly at agriculture and forestry where this would retain landscape character;

5.6.5 Seek resources to promote landscape management and improvements;

5.6.6 Promote awareness of the important landscape attributes and character amongst residents and visitors, providing opportunities for their involvement in identifying locally distinctive features, views and landscape concerns, and traditional maintenance of the commons.

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2 SPECIAL QUALITIES - Home - Malvern Hills AONBthe way forward for rural England. The Vision for each of The Special Qualities is: A rich and thriving diversity of distinctive landscapes