LLD: Thames Valley

Assessment area map: Thames Valley

Thames Valley - View the map full screen in a new tab

View to Pixey Mead from the Thames Path, backgrounded by the A40.

A43 bridge crossing the River Thames

Context

The assessment area lies to the south of Cherwell District. It is defined to the west, south and east by the administrative borders with West Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and Oxford City districts respectively. The northern boundary is formed by the A40. It comprises an area of low-lying floodplain associated with the River Thames. This is an undeveloped area, although it is bordered by busy roads – the A40 to the north and the A34 to the east. The adjacent land in the south, within Vale of White Horse District, has been proposed as part of the ‘West Oxford Hills and Thames floodplain’ Local Landscape Designation (LLD).

The assessment area lies entirely within LCA 3: Lower Cherwell Floodplain 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

Very flat, low-lying landform, at around 60 metres AOD, and lack of built development confers a recognisable sense of place; forms part of a wider distinctive and coherent floodplain landscape along with the adjacent proposed LLD across the river within Vale of White Horse District.
Lowland meadows cover the majority of the area, which form part of a wider series of river floodplain meadows across Oxfordshire. The area has one of the best remaining examples of neutral grassland in lowland England, reflected in its international designation as Oxford Meadows Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and national Pixey and Yarnton Mead Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The area is physically separated from the nearby settlements of Yarton and Wolvercote by the A40 and A34 respectively. However, along with intervening land in Vale of White Horse District, it forms part of the wider river valleys setting of Wytham to the south.

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

The majority of the landscape is designated as part of the Oxford Meadows SAC and Pixey and Yarnton Meads SSSI for its neutral grassland. The condition of the neutral grassland is recorded as favourable.
The lowland meadows covering the majority of the area provide visual and ecological integrity.
The landscape forms part of the wider intact river floodplain landscape along with land south of the river within Vale of White Horse District. However, it is divorced from areas of the floodplain to the north and east by the presence of the A40 and A34 which are incongruous features.
Small grass fields in the north are defined by a network of hedgerows which are generally in good condition.

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 low-lying and flat topography creates a sense of expansiveness with broad vistas; views south and south-west are backdropped by the wooded higher ground of Wytham Woods.
Strong riparian vegetation along the River Thames, Wolvercote Mill Stream and Duke’s Cut create localised areas of enclosure.
Views of water and boats on the Duke’s Cut and River Thames adds to the rural character.
An uninterrupted floodplain landscape which is predominantly undeveloped. The only built features within the area are the Anyho to Didcot Parkway railway line which passes through the far east of the area, and an electricity pylon route which crosses the far north-west of the area.
Despite close proximity to the A40 and A34, railway line, on-going mineral extraction to the north, and construction of Oxford North employment district to the east, the landscape retains a sense of relative remoteness and tranquillity.

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

The floodplain plays a valuable function in the natural hydrological processes of the River Thames.
The majority of the landscape is internationally designated as part of the Oxford Meadows SAC and nationally designated as Pixey and Yarnton Mead SSSI. Oxey Mead in the north is run as a nature reserve by the Wildlife Trust.
Landcover is formed almost exclusively of priority habitat lowland meadows and good quality semi-improved grassland. There are small areas of priority habitat deciduous woodland around the pond in the north-east.

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

Yarton Mead and Pixey Mead are rare surviving examples of unenclosed land, which have been traditionally grazed and managed for hay; this provides a sense of time-depth contributing to landscape character.
The Oxfordshire Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) identifies the fields in the north are 19^th century enclosures, with some 20^th century reorganisation.
The Duke’s Cut, connecting the Oxford Canal to the River Thames, is part of the Oxford Canal Conservation Area.

Recreation value

Considerations

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

Analysis

Yarnton Mead and Pixey Mead are recorded as Open Access Land, and several public rights of way traverse the floodplain allowing access into the rest of the landscape. There are open views across the area from the Thames Path National Trail, which follows the opposite side of the river.

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:

Flat, low-lying landform which forms part of a wider distinctive and coherent floodplain landscape.
A rare surviving example of unenclosed lowland meadows, with a very long tradition of hay-cutting and grazing.
Broad open views across the river and floodplain, with views to the wooded Wytham Hill to the south-west.
Internationally and nationally important lowland meadow habitats, which contribute to a healthy functioning landscape and provide a sense of visual integrity.
Lack of built development within the area provides a sense of tranquillity and remoteness.
Open Access Land and several public rights of way provide valuable recreational 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 proposed ‘West Oxford Hills and Thames floodplain’ LLD across the river within Vale of White Horse 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

Conserve and manage the internationally and nationally important lowland meadow and grassland habitats. Promote information and understanding about their historic and ecological importance.
Maintain tree cover along the River Thames and Duke’s Cut and avoid planting that would detract from this linear character. The valley floor is generally open and therefore not suitable for woodland planting.
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, including towards Wytham Woods.
Encourage and enhance opportunities for public access to the floodplain with education and new access agreements where appropriate.

Development management

Maintain the characteristic undeveloped character by avoiding further development within the area.
Consider the impact of development in close proximity, to avoid visual or perceptual impacts. This can be through careful design, in terms of siting, form, scale, massing, materials and the use of locally characteristic planting.
Seek to reduce lighting impacts in adjacent areas 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.