LLD: Muswell Hill

Assessment area map: Muswell Hill

Muswell Hill - View the map full screen in a new tab

Steep slopes of Muswell Hill foregrounded by horse-grazed pasture

The hill forming a skyline feature in longer views

Context

The assessment area lies to the south-east of Cherwell District and is defined to the west, south and east by the administrative border with Aylesbury Vale District. It comprises the northern side of the steeply sloping Muswell Hill, which straddles the district boundary. The area is strongly rural in character and features expansive views across the surrounding low-lying farmed vale landscapes. The adjacent land within the Vale of Aylesbury District is locally designated as part of the ‘Brill – Winchendon Hills’ Area of Attractive Landscape (AAL).

The assessment area lies entirely within LCA 8: Otmoor Lowlands described within the Cherwell Landscape Character Assessment.

Evaluation

Local distinctiveness and sense of place

Considerations

Is landscape rare/unique or special in the local context, and/or does it have a strong sense of place derived from its combinations of elements?
Does it contain character/features or elements which are considered to be important, typical or rare examples?
A landscape may have additional distinctiveness if it has a strong association with the character of a particular settlement, whether through strong views from the settlement or through providing a clear sense of arrival at the settlement.

Analysis

Steeply sloping landform of Muswell Hill (rising up to 185 metres AOD) forms a locally recognisable feature rising above the surrounding lower-lying landscape. This confers a unique character as distinct from the surrounding flat, low-lying vales to the north and west.
It forms part of a wider distinctive and coherent, intact landscape of individual rural hills and undulations, as designated locally by the Brill – Winchendon Hills AAL (Aylesbury Vale District).
A surviving example of an isolated limestone hill which remains largely undeveloped and retains remnant upland characteristics, including sheep grazing and bracken and gorse on the highest slopes; other isolated hills in the area (such as Arncott Hill and Graven Hill) have been partially developed, including with military installations.
The rising topography forms a distinctive elevated wooded backdrop to the south of the village of Piddington. There is also some sense of arrival/departure along Thame Road and public rights of way to the north of the village as the topography begins to rise.

Landscape quality (intactness/condition)

Considerations

What is the physical state of the landscape in terms of its intactness and the condition of individual natural and cultural elements?

Analysis

Several scattered blocks of woodland, including two areas of ancient woodland at Piddington Wood and Little Wood, provide ecological integrity; the relatively wooded character of the area also confers some sense of visual coherence.
Fields are defined by a network of hedgerows which are largely in good condition, albeit with some gaps in places.

Scenic qualities and perceptual aspects

Considerations

Does the landscape appeal to the senses, primarily visual but also considering perceptual and aesthetic qualities such as sense of tranquillity and remoteness.

Analysis

The elevated topography creates a sense of expansiveness with exhilarating long-range panoramic views available across the surrounding lower-lying rural vales, particularly from the crest of the hill.
The assessment area is also visible from a considerable distance across the surrounding vales, forming a prominent and distinctive focal point within an otherwise flat landscape.
In places woodland cover provides a sense of enclosure. Piddington Wood and Little Wood help reduce the influence of development around Arncott Hill to the north-west.
The area has a strong rural quality with a lack of intrusion from large development or major roads. This results in relatively high levels of tranquillity, particularly on higher ground to the south, as demonstrated by CPRE tranquillity mapping.
The majority of the area has relatively dark skies at night, as demonstrated by CPRE night blight mapping. However, the north-eastern periphery of the assessment area is influenced by light pollution associated with development around Arncott Hill.

Natural qualities

Considerations

Are there natural attributes that contribute to the value of the landscape?
Consider distinctiveness of landforms and the presence and extent of semi-natural habitats and wildlife that contribute to sense of place.
Consider any particular functional value associated with the natural landscape, particularly in the healthy functioning of the landscape.
Consider landscapes and landscape elements that have strong physical or functional links with an adjacent national landscape designation, or are important to the appreciation of the designated landscape and its special qualities.

Analysis

Muswell Hill is an outlier of Upper Jurassic Corallian Limestones and Sands which form a low east–west ridge extending from the Vale of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire to Swindon; this rises above the surrounding lower-lying clay vale landscapes, giving a visible expression of the underlying geology of the area.
The area is notably more wooded in character than the surrounding vales, which adds to its landscape value. It contains several blocks of deciduous woodland, including ancient woodlands to the west.
There are some small remnant areas of priority habitat traditional orchard associated with farmsteads (including Muswell Grange to the south and Chilling Place to the east), and an area of priority habitat good quality semi improved grassland to the south; these features provide ecological value and contribute positively to the landscape. A Local Wildlife Site (LWS) at Muswell Hill North is also proposed on higher ground to the south, designating acid grassland habitats.

Cultural qualities

Considerations

Are there cultural attributes that contribute to the value of the landscape?
Consider the extent to which the landscape displays time depth: either in terms of the presence of natural features, historic field patterns or heritage assets that contribute to landscape character.

Analysis

The Oxfordshire HLC identifies much of the area as comprising post-medieval ‘reorganised enclosures’, with some areas of post-medieval ‘planned enclosures’ to the west and ‘piecemeal enclosures’ to the east and southeast. This, along with the areas of ancient woodland, provides a sense of time-depth.
The dispersed farmsteads and rural structures on higher ground to the south-east reflect the historic settlement pattern, providing a sense of historic character and time-depth. This includes the Grade II Listed Buildings at Chilling Place, Muswell Hill Manor and Corble Farmhouse. The landscape provides a strong rural setting to these features.

Recreation value

Considerations

Is there evidence that the landscape is valued for recreational activity where the experience of the landscape is important?

Analysis

The area is crossed by an extensive network of public rights of way, including footpaths and bridleways, which provide valuable access to the landscape.

Associations

Considerations

Is the landscape associated with particular people such as artists or writers or events in history that contribute to its character?

Analysis

No associations noted.

Summary of landscape value and qualities

Aspects of landscape value (qualities and/or elements/features/areas of value) are:

An outlying hill of Upper Jurassic Corallian Limestone rising above the surrounding lower-lying clay vales; this gives a visible expression of the underlying geology and confers a distinct character.
A rare surviving example of an undeveloped isolated limestone hill which retains remnant upland characteristics.
The rising topography forms a distinctive elevated wooded backdrop to the south of the village of Piddington with rising topography creating some sense of arrival/departure north of the village.
Several scattered blocks of woodland, including ancient woodland, and areas of semi-improved grassland provide ecological integrity; it is notably more wooded in character than the surrounding vales, which adds to its landscape value and confers some sense of visual coherence.
The elevated topography creates a sense of expansiveness with long-range exhilarating panoramic views available across the surrounding lower-lying rural vales, particularly from the crest of the hill. The area is also visible from a considerable distance across the surrounding vales, forming a prominent and distinctive focal point within an otherwise flat landscape.
A strong rural quality with a lack of intrusion from large development or major roads. This results in relatively high levels of tranquillity, particularly on higher ground to the south and within the more wooded areas.
Dispersed listed farmsteads and rural structures on higher ground to the southeast reflect the historic settlement pattern, providing a sense of historic character and time-depth.
Crossed by an extensive network of public rights of way, including footpaths and bridleways, which provide valuable access to the landscape.

Based on the above, it is considered that the assessment area has ‘above ordinary’ landscape value. It shares many characteristics with the adjacent ‘Brill – Winchendon Hills’ AAL within the Vale of Aylesbury District, such that it could be considered to form an extension of this LLD.

The boundaries of the former AHLV would be appropriate for a reinstated LLD, as shown on the Map at the top of the page.

Landscape guidelines

Landscape management

Retain and enhance woodland cover and explore opportunities to expand and connect existing areas of woodland through natural regeneration and/or small-scale planting to strengthen landscape character and bring benefits for biodiversity. Consider opportunities for further woodland planting on the hillsides to the northwest to further reduce the visual influence of development around Arncott Hill.
Conserve and manage the ancient woodland sites and promote information and understanding about their historical and ecological importance.
Encourage the management and strengthening of hedgerows particularly in areas where there are gaps.
Maintain the undeveloped character and remnant upland characteristics of the area by resisting proposals for new development and managing semi-improved grassland habitats, including acid grassland habitats at the proposed Muswell Hill North LWS.
Protect the experiential qualities of the landscape, particularly the high levels of tranquillity and intact rural character.
Identify key viewpoints from publicly accessible locations and promote the retention and enhancement of the distinctive long-range views.
Maintain and enhance its role as a wooded backdrop to the south of the village of Piddington.
Encourage and enhance opportunities for public access to woodland with education and new access agreements where appropriate.

Development management

Maintain the characteristic sparse pattern of development by avoiding large-scale development.
If development is proposed look to minimise its impact through careful design, in terms of siting, form, scale, massing, materials and the use of locally characteristic planting.
Seek to reduce lighting impacts and avoid any reduction in tranquillity; minimise the use of lighting, in particular blue light emissions, and use shielding and sensors effectively to direct lighting downwards in relation to development visible on higher ground.