Page 17 - Ickford NP Background Evidence

ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : BACKGROUND EVIDENCE REPORT 17

The landscape around Ickford is predominantly flat
pastoral landform, with small and medium sized fields
with good hedgerow retention. Tree cover is strongest Box 5: Key Landscape and Topography
close to the settlement and watercourses. The church is issues for Ickford
a focal point at the edge of the village and there are
good footpath links, particularly to neighbouring • Ensuring any new development has a minimal
Worminghall, which falls within the same character area. impact on landscape sensitivity. Parts of the
The village has retained a strong historic character; parish of Ickford have a landscape sensitivity
vernacular buildings are a feature, as are the stone between 75 and 100% which is of a high level.
bridges over the River Thame. • New development should seek to retain and
Water courses play a dominant role within the enhance the key landscape characteristics.
landscape, particularly the River Thame which forms • There is a need to ensure that the rural quality
the southern boundary to the area. This, together with of what makes the countryside surrounding
a number of tributaries, means that the village often Ickford tranquil, and to some extent remote,
sits on an island surrounded by flood water during times are retained and enhanced while providing
of high rainfall. The geology is mostly river terrace and appropriately for the needs of local
alluvium fill, with some areas of limestone marl to the communities and visitors for recreation
west and Kimmeridge clays to the south east. activities such as walking.
The landscape guidelines for Ickford Pastoral Vale • Ensuring that Ickford remains relatively free
are set out in the LCA and are as follows: of types of elements which detract from
landscape character such as new major roads,
• Maintain and improve the condition of existing derelict land and neglected building and
hedgerows through traditional cutting regimes. electricity pylons/overhead wires.
• Encourage the establishment of new hedgerow
trees to improve the age structure.
• Encourage the management and retention of
the open ditches as a landscape feature and
wildlife resource.
• Close to watercourses promote the use of
permanent pasture, with low stocking density
and flooding regimes to encourage biodiversity
and landscape enhancement.
• Maintain the condition and extent of neutral,
unimproved and semi-improved grassland.
Encourage good management practices.
• New housing and alterations to existing housing
should be designed to reflect the traditional
character of the area and use locally traditional
materials.
• Promote conservation and interpretation of rich
historic environment.
• Promote the retention of the character of minor
roads by the management of hedgerows, ditches
and verges and limiting urbanising elements
such as signage and kerbing.
• Identify key views from publicly accessible
locations and promote their conservation and
enhancement.
• Encourage the preservation of historic
earthworks and ridge and furrow by
maintaining a continuous grass sward.

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk