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
Settled Valleys
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Settled Valleys Character Areas 8a Irwell |
Landscape Character
The narrow, high sided valleys of the River Irwell and its tributary streams, dissect the high moorland plateau of the Rossendale Hills and provide one of the most distinctive landscape types in Lancashire. Along the valley floor the urban settlements between Rawtenstall and Bacup, which originated at river crossing points, have now merged to form a dense ribbon of urban and industrial development. The textile mills, with their distinctive chimneys, dominate the urban skyline and are a hallmark of this South Pennines landscape. Gritstone terraces form characteristic features of the hillsides and valley floor and roads are concentrated in the narrow valley floor. North facing slopes usually remain free of development. There are frequently views towards woodlands, the patchwork of in-bye pastures and the moorland edge. Broadleaved woodlands cling to the steep slopes and fill the steep valley side cloughs, reinforcing the sense of enclosure within the valleys, although the Irwell Valley has relatively little woodland. Pockets of adjacent farmland are often under-used with attendant derelict structures.
Typical view photo 23:
Rawtenstall in Winter
Physical Influences
The alternating geological layers of gritstone, coal and glacial deposits of sand and gravel have been cut by the swiftly flowing rivers to form a distinctive stepped valley profile. Along the steepest valley sides sheer faces of the underlying rocks are exposed and create dramatic features. Elsewhere the sides are mantled with a thin soil cover.
The deeply incised valleys, which dissect the upland landscapes, are cut by the Irwell and its tributaries. The river flows in a westerly direction, fed by a ladder pattern of tributaries from the surrounding hills. The steep valley sides are typically 200m in height with a narrow valley floor.
The woodlands on the steep slopes of the valley sides include remnants of ancient oak woodland, but are largely planted and make a vital contribution to an otherwise urban landscape. The species composition reflects the harsh industrial climate of past centuries, with a predominance of pollution tolerant species such as sycamore. With the reduction in industrial pollution, the Irwell and its tributaries provide important green links. Together with the few surviving mill lodges they provide valuable fresh water habitats.
Some of the in-bye pastures are herb-rich, whilst there are many wet flushes of wildlife importance.
On the valley floor the rivers create important green links and, with the reduction in industrial pollution, many provide valuable freshwater habitats.
Human Influences
Initially part of the medieval Forest of Rossendale (also known as Brandwood), the valleys would have been utilized from early times as routeways. Settlement in the later part of the medieval period would have focused on the Booths or farmsteads within the Forest. Later official and unofficial encroachment on the Forest would have expanded upon these and developed as small hamlets.
The Settled Valleys contain a remarkable legacy relating to our industrial heritage, which itself masks remnants of pre industrial settlement and landuse. They include the early communications infrastructure of the railways and canals and the very distinctive vernacular architecture of the textile industry; the enormous factories and chimneys and the rows of Victorian terraced housing. Originally people would have exploited the water power of the rivers, particularly in the steep side valleys, but as coal became an increasingly important source of energy, the factories were concentrated in the main valley floor where major transportation routes were developed and the existing labour force could be exploited. The urban landscapes generated by the process of industrialisation are one of the special and significant features of these valleys. Urban areas, which were confined by topography, tended to grow along the bottoms of the valleys and have tight-knit urban centres. They are dominated by large textile mill buildings with terraces of stone cottages with their characteristic contrasting stonework and pointing, running along the lower valley sides. Many mill buildings survive due to their continuing use in the footwear industry as textile manufacturing has become less viable. Grand civic buildings and urban parks built on the wealth generated by the textile industry are important features of these towns as they reflect the late 19th century fashion for creating strong urban identities and improved conditions for workers in what were the squalid and overcrowded industrial towns. The towns also contain Victorian churches, chapels, schools and engineering features, often retaining the steep valley sides for housing or industrial development.
CHARACTER AREAS - SETTLED VALLEYS
The Irwell Valley is the only landscape character area associated with the Settled Valleys landscape character type within the study area. It is found in south-east Lancashire.