Archived decisions

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1. Summary

1.1 A booklet is to be published to raise the profile of the archaeological, ecological and landscape importance of water meadows in Hampshire. The booklet will contain policies for their conservation. The Executive Member for Environment is recommended to agree the policies set out in the appendix to this report.

2. Background

2.1 Water meadows are a characteristic element of the Hampshire landscape. The county contains up to half of all water meadows in the country. They are a nationally important historic landscape resource, which should be valued, managed and conserved.

2.2 On 1 March 1999 the former Roads and Development Sub-Committee approved the commissioning of The Hampshire Water Meadows Survey. This was the first systematic survey of water meadows in Hampshire and demonstrated that they were numerous on the chalk rivers and other systems such as the River Wey. The survey also showed that water meadows are in rapid decline, over a third having deteriorated in the last 50 years and over 10 percent of water meadows having been destroyed altogether.

2.3 Following the survey the County Planning Department organised a seminar with a number of relevant agencies to present the results and initiate discussion regarding the future conservation and management of water meadows. Arising from this it was suggested that the County Council produce policy guidance which other bodies could reflect in their own projects and programmes. On 19 February 2001 the former Planning and Transportation Committee approved a draft policy for consultation. A wide range of organisations was consulted, including local and national agencies, landowners and all parish councils with an interest in water meadows. Approximately 40 verbal and written responses were received, virtually all in support of the policy. No substantive comment was received that required the alteration of the policy.

2.4 A booklet is to be published which will explain the history, function and importance of water meadows and contain policies. The policies are attached as an appendix.

2.5 Clearly there are many issues that relate to water meadows and arise from the management options available, and these are discussed in the proposed publication. Many sites on which water meadows are located are already subject to designation, protection and policies for other purposes such as ecology and water control. The attached policies specifically deal with the physical manifestation of water meadows which included their historic, landscape and archaeological value and therefore fill a gap in the way other policies have approached water meadows.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be recommended to agree the policies in the attached appendix for inclusion in the forthcoming Water Meadows booklet.

7068/IW

APPENDIX

POLICIES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF WATER MEADOWS' HERITAGE AND CHARACTER IN HAMPSHIRE

AIM

To recognise and respect the importance of Hampshire's water meadows in all decisions concerning land management, structural and land use change in order to promote their positive management and conservation.

Introduction

Water meadows are an important and characteristic element of the Hampshire landscape. A recent survey has shown that all the major river valleys of Hampshire had extensive water meadow systems. The county is important in the overall distribution of water meadows nationally, consequently their management is both a local and a national issue.

Policy 1

The character and integrity of the remaining water meadows, and their settings, should be conserved recognising their local distinctiveness.

Landscape

Water meadows are a significant component of the valley landscapes of Hampshire. They are characteristic of the historic land use and make a distinct contribution to the character and appearance of the landscape. Their distinct open pastoral character is a key component of the valley landscape, highly visible from the surrounding higher ground. They are often set out in cogent and discernible blocks.

Water meadows are historically, functionally and visually related to their wider landscape setting and its management. They sometimes form part of significant river valley estates and are an integral component of these designed landscapes often developed for exemplary agricultural practice and sporting use. They vary according to the geography, topography and history of their setting, and this contributes to the local distinctiveness of an area.

Their special character is susceptible to erosion and loss through inappropriate land use, subdivision and management, including change to arable, abandonment with uncontrolled vegetation growth, tree planting, development and mineral extraction. Traditional management as permanent pasture would provide a conservation model. Proposals for change, conservation, management and enhancement of Hampshire's river valleys and floodplains should have proper regard for the character, distinctiveness and importance of water meadows.

It is important that the critical role of water meadows to the character of Hampshire's distinctive river valley scene be recognised, and that their conservation and management should be a matter of local, regional and national importance.

Policy 2

All decisions involving change should be properly informed, by survey where necessary, and proper recording should precede all irreversible change.

Archaeology

The origins and purpose of water meadows determine the archaeological elements of which water meadows are comprised. The drains and carriers, and the patterns that they form, create the essential character, and are often a reflection of the topography and date of origin. The built structures, such as sluices, aqueducts and bridges, provide additional visual elements. The archaeological aspect relies largely on these built and visible elements. There are few buried components and little complex stratigraphy. The archaeological integrity of the water meadows is maintained largely by the retention of visible features.

Where it is proposed to alter, destroy, remove or restore these features it is important that the proposals benefit from a full and proper understanding of the archaeological implication of those changes. In many cases it may be appropriate to carry out a full and proper archaeological survey to inform the decision. This should influence the proposed changes, and where it is decided that those changes should be implemented, it provides a permanent record of the archaeological resource before any irreversible change.

Policy 3

The conservation and repair of the built elements should respect the original character of the structure, and should be based on expert advice.

Built Structures

Some of the built structures are integral to the operation of the water meadow, such as bridges, sluices and aqueducts. There may also be ancillary features, such as races or sheep dips. They should not be needlessly or thoughtlessly removed or altered. Whilst their conservation may imply maintenance, and management of the land or restoration of a water meadow system may necessitate the need for repair, the removal or replacement of structures should be avoided where possible. Re-cutting of systems may also expose structures fully or partially buried and conservation to avoid rapid deterioration may be necessary. Where it is necessary to replace or repair a built structure, it will usually be necessary to take specialist advice. The structure should be recorded in its current state prior to any changes, which should be the minimum necessary. Appropriate materials should be used, either original materials reused, or materials that are sympathetic to the original structure used. A guidance note should be prepared and advice on appropriate materials obtained.

Management Guidelines

The management and conservation of water meadows can be influenced in many ways.

Owners have the most important role to play, but will often rely on specialist data and advice and on the policy and strategies of others to inform their choices. They may look to exemplary owners, such as local authorities, to lead the way. Many of these owners are fundamentally influenced by the context of the agricultural industry.

The Environment Agency has a key role in both protection and advice. In particular identifying water meadow issues in Local Environment Agency Plans, ensuring that Local Environment Agency Plans properly recognise the importance and vulnerability of water meadows and the manner in which their conservation and management might be influenced by the Environment Agency.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is able to influence the management of water meadows through Environmentally Sensitive Areas as well as targeting within the Countryside Stewardship scheme in relation to supporting the conservation of water meadows.

English Heritage might utilise a wide range of mechanisms and advice notes to support the positive management of water meadows and it might in some cases consider the role of scheduling to achieve preservation. It might also consider listing some of the built elements.

Where water meadows are threatened by development, or by mineral extraction, local authorities have an important influence, both in the policies within the Development Plan and in the determination of planning applications. Policies related to the historic landscape and archaeological remains will lend weight to the considerations of individual applications. The inclusion of historic landscape character within landscape assessment and the importance of historic landscape components within landscape strategies will allow these to influence land management and land use change in a positive way.