LOCALLANDSCAPECHARACTERASSESSMENT – NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING
CHARACTER TYPE : Porth Island TrevelgueHeadPARISH: / DATE OF ASSESSMENT: ASSESSOR:Character
Attribute / Landscapereferenceguide / Yourlandscape description
Record your descriptive information foreachheading
Topography and drainage / What is the shapeofthe land?-flat, shallow, steep, uniform,undulating, upland,ridge,plateau
Is there any water present?-estuary,river, fast
flowing stream,babbling brook,spring, reservoir, pond, marsh / Sloping upwards to a small plateau. 9(Now sectioned off by wooden fencing for protection?)
Varied levels with some steep inclines.
Surrounded by ocean with steep cliff edges.
SupportinginfoOS Map; CornwallCouncilmapping; aerial photographs
Biodiversity / Does the areacontain areas of‘seminaturalhabitat?
(landwhichisnothighly modified– guidance from
CornwallWildlife Trust)
What elements ofthecharacter couldsupport protectedspecies (guidance fromCornwallWildlife Trust
CWT)
Are there anyhedges,what are theymade ofanddo they support vegetation, if so describe the typeof vegetation? Are there anywetareas?
Are there anyfeatures whichcouldsupportprotected species?
Are there anyinvasive species? (refertosupporting notes) / Land recently modified with walkways to provide pedestrian access ( and wheelchair access)
Wooden fencing around summit closing off the access.
Varied vegetation bees, caterpillars, birds and rabbits.
SupportinginfoCWT notes andmapping,localknowledge,oldphotos, localguide books
Landcoverand
LandUse / What is thevegetation cover?
Woodland,scrub,heather,dunes, mudflats,grassland, moorland, farmland crops
What is the landusedfor ?
Arable, pasture,industry, isolated farmbuildings, isolated residentialproperties, playing field, golfcourse,sports
pitch,caravan park,campsite etc / Thistles and seapinks.
There are a mass of large nettles.
As you reach the edge of the island the grass and wild flowers stop to become a muddy and rocky surface. (see photos)
SupportinginfoOS Map; aerial photographs,local knowledge
Field and woodland
pattern / Where is thewoodlandlocated?
In sheltered areas, inhollows,openlandscape, lowerlying landinundulatinglandscape. Are the treesnative?
Is there ancientwoodland? (existedcontinuouslysince
1600or before)
Whatsize are thefields -Small, medium, large,have hedges been removed andfiledsizesincreased?
What are thehedges madeof?-Cornishhedge (stone)
whatis the stone type? Hedgerow(no stone,all vegetation).Are theyheavily managedor overgrown.
What is thecharacter ofthehedge? -Sculpted by
exposure, possiblynotrees,or are there mature orlarger trees
Is there a buffer of vegetation toeither sideofthe hedge,
ifso whattype? Is the hedge fenced? / N/A
SupportinginfoOS Map; aerial photographs,CWT,agriculturalland classification
Character
Attribute / Landscapereferenceguide / Yourlandscape description
Record your descriptive information foreachheading
Building distribution
(thislooksat
buildingswithinthe charactertype,not thesettlements themselves.The actualsettlements
aredescribedintheir ownassessment
sheet) / Howare the buildings distributed?
Intermittentclusters, scattered,isolated
Age andtypeof buildings and their relationshipwith the landscape are they
Individual farm houses / buildings, clustered farm buildings,holidayaccommodation,ruraldwellings
Have buildings beenadded,and isitpossibletoestimate when?
What are the distinctive elements ofthe buildings?
Construction stone,buildingstyle,windowproportions, gate posts,front/reargardens,nature of propertyboundaries / No buildings.
The only buildings visible are those adjacent on PorthVeor or those looking inland at Porth.
SupportinginfoOS Map; aerial photographs,HistoricEnvironmentmap, oldphotographs
Transport pattern:-
highwaysand public rights of
way(PROW) / What is thecharacter oftheroads?
Whatis the road’s class,A,B orminor?Are theystraight, winding,with steep gradients?
Are there extensive verges, pavements,characteristic tree tunnels?
Describethe publicrights ofway -ingoodcondition, wellmanaged,overgrown,regularlyused, eroded, waterlogged.Are there old/modern stiles andsignage,and
whatis the character andcondition ofthese / No roads, only footpaths, some man made some natural through erosion of usage.
Access via footbridge.
SupportinginfoOS Map; aerial photographs,localknowledge
Historic
Features / Are there designatedfeatures in the landscape? monuments,burialsites. Features willhavetheirown setting(the space aroundittoallow you toappreciate the
feature) record anideaofthe scale ofthe settingwhich would beimportanttoretain.
SupportinginfoHistoricEnvironmentmaps, aerial photograph,localguide books,localknowledge
Condition / In what state/appearance are thecharacteristics of the area? Have areas /features become degraded
Are there areas where improvements couldbe made
toenhancethecharacter of the area? Howis the areamanaged?
The managementofthe landwilldirectlyinfluence the
value ofthe availablehabitat forwildlife. / Good, natural repair process visble after recent works to preserve and protect the area.
SupportinginfoLocalknowledge
Character
Attribute / Landscapereferenceguide / Yourlandscape description
Record your descriptive information foreachheading
Aestheticand sensory / Describethe leveloftranquillity,calmandundisturbed, consider birdsong, levelofartificialnoise,
Howis the landscapeexperienced?exposed,intimate,
noisy(ifso whatisthe source what direction?)remote, rugged,windswept,sheltered,enclosed,uncluttered,
sculptural
Howwilltheexperienceofthe areachangethrough theseasons?
Whatis the predominantwinddirection?
What is the leveloflight pollution at night? / This is an area of upmost tranquility due to its distance from roads. Exposed, rugged and windswept. The bridge access adds to the feeling of remoteness and its projector position from the surrounding coastline.
In spring and summer the flora will add colour adding to its natural beauty. In autumn and winter the strong winds would add to its sense of openness and remoteness.
Light pollution is minimum.
SupportinginfoLocalknowledge
Distinctive features / Features which are not designated but arelocally important, couldinclude churchtower,tree tunnels,distinctive tree(s)
on askyline,wind turbines,powerlines,telecommunication masts,thelocalstoneforconstruction,building types
styles,stiles on footpaths, gate posts
Features willhave theirownsetting (the space arounditto allowyou to appreciate the feature) recordanideaofthe scale ofthe settingwhichwould beimportantto retain. / The footbridge makes an impression as you cross over the ocean.
It allows one to take in the views between the impressive rock faces.
There are a number of points that sit higher as you walk along the island which allow vast sights of the surrounding area.
SupportinginfoHistoricEnvironmentmaps,localguide books,local knowledge
Views / Are there any important vantage points?
Describe the nature ofthe vantage point, cliff path,hilltop, andwhat makes theviewimportant / This headland allows stunning views, especially of Towan headland, the lifeboat house, the slip and the viewing hut on Towanheadland . From this vantage point you can really appreciate the formation and shape of Towan headland. The vantage point overlooks the town extremely well and that of the Harbour and beaches.
SupportinginfoOS Map; localguide books,localknowledge
Key characteristics / What features standout fromcompletingthe assessmentsheet
Create aset of bulletpoints tohighlightwhat makes this
charactertype distinctive,what areit’s keycharacteristics / Being and Island accessible only by a footbridge.
It has sense of value due to the elements of historical value.
Photographs / Take representative photos of
the overallcharacterofthislandscape type
specific characteristics featuresofthe landscape type
notable views and vistas.
Markthe photo locationon a planandwhichwayyou were lookingwhen you tookthe photograph.
Make anote ofwhatelementofcharacteristhe photograph
illustrating. / Can be supplied.
Relationshipto the adjacent landscape
character type(s) / There is likelyto be an areaof transition betweenthis landscape charactertype andthe adjacentone.Character cannot be tiedtoaline on a map.Make note here ofhow
thelandscape changes betweenthis charactertype andthe adjacent,andany importantrelationships/ links.#