Landscape Character Menu
List of Figures
List of Photographs
1 Introduction
1.1 The Scope and Context for this Study
1.2 Purpose of the Landscape Character Assessment
1.3 Approach and Methodology
1.4 Structure of the Report
2 The Evolution of Lancashire
2.1 Physical Influences
2.2 Human Influences
3 Lancashire's Landscape Character
3.1 Moorland Plateaux
3.2 Moorland Hills
3.3 Enclosed Uplands
3.4 Moorland Fringe
3.5 Undulating Lowland Farmland
3.6 Industrial Foothills and Valleys
3.7 Farmed Ridges
3.8 Settled Valleys
3.9 Reservoir Valleys
3.10 Wooded Rural Valleys
3.11 Valley Floodplains
3.12 Low Coastal Drumlins
3.13 Drumlin Field
3.14 Rolling Upland Farmland
3.15 Coastal Plain
3.16 Mosslands
3.17 Enclosed Coastal Marsh
3.18 Open Coastal Marsh
3.19 Coastal Dunes
3.20 Wooded Limestone Hills and Pavements
3.21 Limestone Fells
4 Lancashire's Urban Landscape Types
4.1 Historic Core (1100-1800)
4.2 Industrial Age (1800-1930)
4.3 Suburban (1930 onwards)
A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire - Landscape Character Assessment
Open Coastal Marsh
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Open Coastal Marsh Character Areas 18a Ribble Marshes 18b Hest Bank-Silverdale Marshes 18c Wyre Marshes 18d Lune Marshes 18e Pilling and Cockerham Marshes |
Landscape Character
Salt marshes and intertidal flats occur around the sheltered waters of the west coast of Lancashire and extend to the low water mark. The Open Coastal Marshes are flat, expansive coastal areas formed on marine alluvium. They are separated from the Enclosed Coastal Marshes and coastal farmland by man-made sea dykes and in places by boulder clay and limestone cliffs. The simplicity of the landscape pattern is visually appealing: usually the fine sward surface is closely grazed and is etched by a maze of creeks and channels which gives texture to the flat, expansive landscape. The marshes are open, except for occasional patches of scrub just beyond the high water mark, whilst the few marshes which are ungrazed are a riot of colour in high summer. There is a striking absence of settlement or man-made features. This sense of remoteness is a dramatic contrast to the surrounding man-made landscapes. Another notable feature is the prolific bird life which brings movement to the landscape and provides a changing scene.
Typical view photo 34:
Warton Sands, south of Silverdale
Physical Influences
Areas of saltmarsh and mudflats, which include areas of sandy shingle occur in the sheltered waters around estuaries and rise almost imperceptibly from the high tide level where they are often marked by low erosion cliffs of boulder clay and at Silverdale, of limestone. Most of the marshes are enclosed by man made sea dykes.
The saltmarshes are constantly changing. There is accretion by sediments at high tides and river channels continuously cut new courses. The seaward edge is characterised by a system of dendritic creeks and erosion cliff tops and there are a series of terraces within the marshes. Creek migrations and sections of creek can be cut off leaving isolated sections of water known as pans or floshes.
Ecologically the salt marshes and mud flats are internationally important for their vegetation, as roosting and feeding grounds for tens of thousands of wildfowl and wading birds, including geese swans and ducks. Many species come from as far afield as Canada and Greenland. The seaward edges are characterised by pioneer species such as glasswort and seablite, whilst middle reaches are dominated by common salt marsh grass with herbs such as scurvy grass, sea thrift and sea lavender-depending whether they are grazed or not. Transitions to fresh water marsh and dry land have been truncated by reclamation, but are marked by other species only slightly tolerant of salt water and occasionally by brackish pools.
A small area of sand dunes is found at Potts Corner south of Heysham and is important as it supports dune vegetation not found elsewhere on this section of coast (Knott End-Silverdale).
Some of the Wyre marshes such as Barnabys Sands Marsh and Burrows Marsh remain ungrazed and are particularly important for their floral diversity. The open coastal marshes of the Ribble estuary are part of a major protected landscape and constitute one of the largest areas of salt marsh in Great Britain.
Human Influences
The rich resources of the coastal marshes have been exploited since the earliest times by migratory peoples or societies settling on the drier and more stable areas inland. Hunting wild game, collecting shrimps, cockles and mussels, or grazing animals on the drier landward edges all would have given great rewards.
Grazing rights on the marshes ensure that the saltmarshes have long been an important component of the local economy. The salt - marshes to the south of Silverdale are managed by common grazing of sheep and cattle and in some areas turf cutting has taken place to supply ornamental and bowling green industries. Tracks across the marsh lead to landing jetties, fisheries and historic salt working sites.
CHARACTER AREAS - OPEN COASTAL MARSH
The Open Coastal Marsh landscape type occurs in five distinct areas around the sheltered waters of the west coast of Lancashire.
Local
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Character Areas |
Description |
| 18a |
Ribble Marshes |
An extensive and expanding area of unenclosed coastal marsh occurs in the sheltered estuary of the River Ribble, most of which is protected and managed as a National Nature Reserve. This area is characterised by a fine green sward stretching out to sea. Its amorphous, natural form provides a dramatic contrast to the regular enclosures of the adjacent Hesketh Marsh and the urban form of the Warton Aerodrome. Urban buildings are never far away and provide a backdrop to views. A large number of visiting birds are encouraged by the standing water. Large numbers of waders and wildfowl are attracted to the marshes, adjacent mudflats and estuary. |
| 18b |
Hest Bank-Silverdale |
These marshes are on a raised platform backed by cliffs of sand and clay from Hest Bank to Carnforth and by the steep limestone cliffs of the Arnside and Silverdale wooded limestone hills further north. The front edge of the platform is eroding significantly at the point where it meets the sea. The marshes are open areas of sea-washed turf, grazed by cattle and sheep, and patterned by narrow rills, winding muddy creeks and brackish pools. Traditional turf cutting activities take place resulting in a patchwork of stripped and naturally regenerating areas on the southern half of the marsh. There are a number of access points to the marsh and it is visited by many people who walk, park and picnic upon the marsh. There is a recent landfill site on the edge of the marsh at Cote Stones, as well as remnant slag heaps from the historic iron workings at Carnforth. |
| 18c |
Wyre Marshes |
The Wyre Estuary provides a sheltered environment for the development of salt marsh. The proximity of the urban areas of Fleetwood and Cleveleys to the west affects the character of this area both visually and physically, whilst the east bank of the Wyre remains rural in aspect. Distinctive low boulder clay cliffs back the marshes in places and form linear features along the estuary. The area is relatively inaccessible to recreational users, and the salt marsh has been reduced to the west by encroaching industrial development and landfilling at Fleetwood Unlike other coastal marshes in Lancashire however the lack of grazing gives a colourful sward of sea lavender, sea aster and other herbs in summer. |
| 18d |
Lune Marshes |
The sheltered mouth of the Lune Estuary supports an extensive saltmarsh which stretches almost into the centre of Lancaster and provides a dramatic contrast to the built environment of the city and its industrial edges. This area includes the important remnant sand dunes at Potts Corner. There are a number of footpaths, nature trails, cycle routes and viewpoints alongside the marsh which ensures that the area is well visited and highly visible. This, and the areas proximity to the centre of Lancaster means the Lune Marshes are under pressure from visitors and from development. This is evident from the reclamation of the marshes immediately downstream of Lancaster. |
| 18e |
Pilling and Cockerham Marshes |
The intertidal salt marsh and sands of Preesall, Pilling and Cockerham form the southern bank of the Lune Estuary. The open flats are separated from the mainland by recently reinforced sea dykes which define the southern edge of the character area. The more exposed western end, by Knott End on Sea, is characterised by sand flats while the more sheltered eastern end of the character area is more typical of a salt marsh landscape. The sands and salt marshes are of international importance as a refuge for many pink-footed geese in late winter. |