Contact:
  • Landscape Team
  • Address:
    Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath, BA1 2DP
  • E-mail:
    andrew_sharland@bathnes.gov.uk  
  • Telephone:
    01225 477589
  • Fax:
    01225 477663
  • Minicom:
    01225 477535
  • Page Updated:
    22/11/2008
  • Author:
    Matthew Hawkins
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Area 7 Hollow Marsh

A typical field in Hollow Marsh

Summary of Landscape Character

  • Geologically estuarine alluvium with Mercia Mudstones at edges of area

  • Grey clayey alluvial soils with reddish loamy soils on the mudstones

  • Wide flat / gently sloping valley floor

  • Drainage channels drain towards the tributary of the Cam Brook

  • Mainly permanent pasture with areas of arable

  • Late medieval enclosure of open field system

  • Regular rectilinear field pattern.

  • Clipped hedges with occasional trees

  • Tranquil open landscape with views to neighbouring areas

  • Few isolated buildings in Lias Limestone

Context

Introduction

7.7.1 Hollow Marsh forms a secluded and generally flat area of a little over 3sq km. It is located along the southern boundary of the area between the higher ground of the Hinton Blewett and Newton St Loe Plateau Lands and Farrington Gurney Farmlands character areas to the west and east respectively. In terms of topography and field pattern it has many of the characteristics of parts of the Upper Chew and Yeo Valleys character area. The boundary of the area is located where the land starts to rise significantly into the slopes of the adjoining areas.

Geology, Soils and Drainage

7.7.2 The majority of the area consists of estuarine alluvium reflecting the low-lying character of the area. This overlays the Mercia Mudstones which occur towards the west and east of the area.

7.7.3 The main soil is a dark grey stoneless clayey soil found on the alluvium of this typically flat landscape. The land naturally has poor drainage and so is drained by a series of ditches and drains. Rushes are characteristic where drainage has become impeded. Towards the eastern part of the area soils are reddish loamy soils which are associated with the Mercia Mudstones.

Major Planning Designations

7.7.4 It is outside any Green Belt or AONB designation.

Description

Landform and Drainage Pattern

7.7.5  The principal characteristic is the flat to gently sloping wide dished valley landform at 90m to 120m which rises gently towards the west, south and east. Drainage channels join the tributary of the Cam Brook that flows through the area in a south-west to north-east direction.

Land-uses

7.7.6 The land is primarily under permanent pasture used for rearing stock particularly on the slopes towards the edges of the area. There are also significant areas of arable land.

Fields, Boundaries and Trees

7.7.7 The area has a distinct regular field pattern with small to medium sized broadly rectangular fields aligned down the slopes towards the brook. Fields are enclosed by clipped hedges, occasionally containing trees. Much of the area was enclosed during the late medieval period from the open field system. The hedge alignment often reflects the outline of the old open field strips. The flattish landform with numerous clipped hedges and occasional trees gives the impression of a reasonably ‘well-treed’ landscape despite its open character. The principal trees within the hedgerows include oak and ash. There is a considerable cover of woodland at Chewton, Hengrove and Eaton Woods to the south which influences the character of the area but it lies outside both the character area and the area of this assessment.

Settlement and Communication

7.7.8 The settlements of Farrington Gurney, Temple Cloud and Cameley and several isolated farms are located just outside the area. There are only two farms, Brick House Farm and Red House Farm, within the area. The buildings in the area are traditionally constructed of white Lias Limestone with clay tiles. Relatively recent ribbon development has taken place along the Cameley Road near the northern boundary and the A37 near the eastern boundary. The only other routes within the area are footpaths and ‘green lanes’.

Landscape characteristics

7.7.9 The area has a very distinct quality resulting from its open character within a flat or gently sloping bowl with views to the surrounding hills and landmarks. The name Hollow Marsh reminds us of its historically marshy nature and the characteristic field pattern and drainage channels are legacies of the land drainage that occurred. It has an isolated, tranquil and harmonious character without any significant detracting elements. The main detractor is the piecemeal ribbon development beside the A37 adjoining the area.

Landscape Change and Condition

7.7.10 There has been some removal of hedges to enlarge fields but generally the enclosed pattern of the landscape appears to have changed very little since the 1st edition OS map was surveyed. There has been some loss of trees unusually located within the fields themselves as well as from the hedgerows. The remaining trees are typically reaching maturity to old age. In places the hedges are showing signs of thinning. One of the most significant changes has been the gradual and broken ribbon development beside the A37 which is prominent within the context of the otherwise remote character of this area.