Lancashire Environment 2002
Landscape - Historic Change
The most substantial changes in the landscape since 1850 are observed in three areas: the dramatic impact of urban growth (places such as Nelson were no more than a village 150 years ago), the final drainage of the former West Lancashire mosslands and the agricultural rationalisation which has taken place in areas of the Fylde and West Lancashire.
Both the latter have undoubtedly been influenced by the market for agricultural produce generated by that dramatic urban growth, especially in Blackpool, Preston and Liverpool.The map shows the emergence of [relatively] modern landscapes in these areas adjacent to landscapes which are ancient in character, particularly in the north and east of the county.
The Lancashire landscape is the product of over 10,000 years of human activity and change over time. A useful indicator of the rate of such change is provided through measuring the differences between the landscape of the 1850s (as depicted upon the First Edition 6" Ordnance Survey mapping) and that of today.
Change has been assessed according to land-use (such as change from enclosed farmland to builtup urban area) and, within enclosed farmland, the survival of old hedgerows and boundary walls. Four categories were identified: no change - where the land-use and/or field boundaries of the 1850s is broadly retained today; some change, where some field boundaries have been altered but the 1850 pattern can still be recognised; complete land-use change; and complete boundary change (but where land-use remains the same).
What is the role of LCC and other agencies?
The work has been carried out by Lancashire County Council's Environment Directorate (Archaeology & Heritage team) as a part of The Lancashire Historic Landscape Characterisation Programme (1999-2002). That programme has informed and directed the Lancashire Landscape Assessment and Strategy, which by turn, is implemented as policy in the Structure Plan.
Source: Data: Lancashire County Council
This Map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission
of Ordnance Survey of behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Sationary
Office
© Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.
Lancashire County Council Licence No: 076716 2002
Includes data for Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen Unitary Authorities.