©Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Hertfordshire County Council, LA 076678, 2001
| Landscape Character Assessment | HertsDirect | Environment | |||
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©Crown
Copyright. All rights reserved. Hertfordshire County Council, LA 076678, 2001
A south-west/north-east ridge between Radlett and Redwell Woods, south of the Vale of St Albans.
©Crown
Copyright. All rights reserved. Hertfordshire County Council, LA 076678, 2001
A strong and locally prominent ridge feature as seen from the north where steep slopes rise from the Vale of St Albans. Land cover is a mix of woodland, small pasture fields and built development, which all contribute to the skyline character. Panoramic views to and from the ridge characterise the area.
Grazing on ridge paddocks (J. Billingsley)
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Geology and soils. The underlying geology to the majority of the area comprises Tertiary clay overlaid by acidic seasonally waterlogged soils with some brown subsoils (Windsor series). Locally there are areas of fine loamy and silty soils over the clays. On the higher ground around Shenley the geology is plateau and river terrace drift overlaid by seasonally waterlogged coarse loamy, fine loamy and fine silty over clayey soils (Essendon association).
Topography. The ridge slope appears prominent against the open St Albans Vale to the north. Along the length of the ridge slope there are more local undulations which create enclosure. The ridgeline is relatively consistent in height along its length.
Degree of slope. Slopes are typically 1 in 12 to the north.
Altitude range. Slopes from 95 to 127m. Plateau 120-127m except where the M25 cutting breaches the skyline at c.115m.
Hydrology. A number of springs occur where the glacial gravels meet the underlying clay. The clay soils also support small ponds on the higher ground around farmsteads and within Shenley village.
Land cover and land use. A mix of land cover includes woodland, grassland and arable. Agriculture is primarily pasture with livestock and equestrian land use, including stud farms, e.g. Shenley Stud Farm. Field boundaries have locally been replaced with fences rather than new hedgerows. There has been a limited shift from pasture to arable, particularly north east of the M25 up to Redwell Wood Farm.
Vegetation and wildlife. The major ancient wood is Combe Wood. Although the natural woodland mix is oak/hazel, species include oak, ash and hornbeam, together with hazel coppice, birch regeneration and occasional sweet chestnut and beech. Banks and ditches mark historic boundaries within the woods and there are areas of remnant wet heath in the rides. Isolated poplar plantations exist on the northern slopes. Hedgerows are medium height and mixed species, including hazel, field maple, hawthorn, blackthorn and elm, locally gappy and in need of restoration. Scattered specimen trees exist within the pasture and give a local parkland feel, e.g. at Shenley Lodge, although they are generally mature or over-mature.
Shenley derived its name from the Saxon 'Schoenley' meaning a clearing in the forest. Parkland landscapes became a feature of the area from the 18th century and include Porters Mansion, home of the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor, whose walled garden and associated grounds now form part of Shenley Park. Shenley Hospital, opened in 1934 by George V, was planned on a villa system and housed up to 2000 patients. After its closure the only remaining feature was the water tower.
Field pattern. In the core of the area around Rectory Lane significant areas of the pre-18th century organic enclosure remain intact. Fields are generally small to medium in size and irregular in form. This pattern has been eroded elsewhere by 20th-century field amalgamation, particularly on the saddle where the M25 crosses over and there has been a move towards arable. The field pattern is generally irregular and verges are generally very narrow.
Transport pattern. Secondary roads climb over the ridge at Shenley and Shenley Lodge, with more minor lanes running along the ridgeline connecting villages and farms, e.g. Rectory Lane. The M25 is the dominant feature to the east of the area.
Settlements and built form. There is a mix of building styles within the area with vernacular materials including, brick and clay tile. Historically the settlement pattern was dispersed, with farms developing on the narrow ridge plateau. Shenley village developed where the plateau was locally wider. The former Shenley Hospital site, redeveloped in the 1990s for 900 houses, occupies a very prominent location on the south-west corner of the ridge. The parkland character of Porters Park has been retained and enhanced. The Clock Tower still represents a major landmark for miles.
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The ridge is visually very prominent from outside the area as seen from the south across the Vale of St Albans. There are extensive open views from the ridge to the north over much of the county. The area has a sense of coherence, particularly where the pattern of small to medium fields and grazing has been retained.
Rarity and distinctiveness. The landscape is unusual within the county. This is due to the relatively prominent ridgeline and the fine views up to and from the ridge.
Built development on the ridge and up the slopes at Shenley is a major feature The new residential housing on the skyline which faces south is an unwelcome impact. The water tower is a major landmark for miles and the grain silo at Redwell Farm is also a major feature on the horizon. The M25 cuts through the ridge producing a major impact, particularly as seen from the north.
The provision of footpaths up and down the ridge is generally good and the area has a network of local walks promoted by the Community Forest around Shenley. However, there are few bridleways, which is curious in view of the local equestrian activity. This could lead to potential conflicts along the narrow local lanes. Continuous access along the ridge is more restricted and locally interrupted by the M25. There are local attractions at Shenley Park gardens and the Cricket Centre of Excellence.
The woodland in this landscape is a valued element (D).
Landscape Conservation Area.
Watling Chase Community Forest
| CONDITION | |
|---|---|
| Land cover change: | localised |
| Age structure of tree cover: | mixed |
| Extent of semi-natural habitat survival: | fragmented |
| Management of semi-natural habitat: | variable |
| Survival of cultural pattern: | intact |
| Impact of built development: | moderate |
| Impact of land-use change: | low |
| ROBUSTNESS | |
| Impact of landform: | prominent |
| Impact of land cover: | apparent |
| Impact of historic pattern: | interrupted |
| Visibility from outside: | widely visible |
| Sense of enclosure: | open |
| Visual unity: | coherent |
| Distinctiveness/rarity: | unusual |
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