The broad character area of the Stour Valley extends along the length of the valley from Ashford to the Chislet Marshes. It is
characterised by the flat alluvial floodplain of the River Stour and clayey soils affected by groundwater. Traditionally this
area was managed for grazing. Its low lying and waterlogged nature mean that settlement and arable crops are not typical on the
valley floor. Grassland is often poor and the agricultural land classification is Grade 3. Meadows around Canterbury are noted in
the Domesday survey in 1086. This landscape remained largely unchanged until the introduction of the railways in Victorian times.
In the Twentieth century gravel extraction, modem agricultural practice and the growth of the City have destroyed much of this
historic landscape. It is these recent developments that have brought about local changes particularly in land use that subdivide
the Stour Valley.
This section describes the section of the Stour Valley to the south west of the City from Thanington to the urban edge. The
continuation of the Stour Valley to the north east of the City is described in the following section.
Landscape Description
To the west of Thanington areas of former gravel workings form large waterbodies surrounded by mature wetland vegetation. The Stour
passes Thanington tight to the eastern edge of the urban area with the floodplain extending to the west. There are attractive views
of the higher ground around Harbledown from the valley floor.
The Stour Valley is an important link between the City and the countryside and throughout history it has been an important transport
corridor. Today the A2 cuts across it, and the A28 from Ashford, the Ashford to Canterbury railway and the Faversham to Canterbury
railway all follow the valley into the City. The Ashford to Canterbury line and the disused Elham Valley Railway both cross the
valley floor on embankment.
These embankments and railway architecture are significant features in the valley, enclosing views and subdividing the area.
The brick viaduct over the Stour creates a focal point in the landscape and allows glimpses of the floodplain beyond.
Approaching the City north of the A2 the valley feels more enclosed as the land rises steeply above Whitehall Road to the
north and the built environment tightens around the valley. Dominant commercial buildings and the gasometer at Wincheap
encroach onto the valley floor. Along with playing fields and allotments these introduce an urban fringe character to
this area, In contrast these playing fields and allotments also have an important role of bringing the green space into
the heart of the City.
The Stour winds its way across the meadows creating a passive landscape despite the introduced features in the valley.
Views of the City
To the south west the valley narrows and is contained by the North Downs, This, combined with the screening effect of
dense vegetation around the gravel pits, restricts views along the floodplain. Views of the city start to the east of the
A28 crossing of the Stour and increase on the approach to Thanington.
There are intermittent views along the valley floor of the City and the Cathedral. To the south of the A2 these views are
partly blocked by the road on embankment although Bell Harry Tower rises above this providing a strang focal point, North
of the A2 there are views of Bell Harry Tower rising above the vegetation but the clutter of the built development tends
to distract from the valley setting.
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Key Characteristics
- Flat alluvial floodplain with deep waterlogged soils divided by the channel of the River Stour and associated ditches.
- Grade 3 agricultural land managed as wet meadows.
- Lakes created from former gravel pits enclosed by mature wetland vegetation.
- Transport corridor containing railway and road embankments enclosing views and subdividing the area.
- Clumps of wetland tree species associated with river and ditches with mature trees established on the railway embankments.
Views of the City
- Views along valley floor of Bell Harry Tower rising above the vegetafion and road and rail infrastructure.
- The view of retail and commercial development does not relate to the landscape character of the Stour Valley
and impinges on the quality of the view of the City.
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Condition
The visual unity of the Stour Valley is interrupted by the introduction of elements within the valley. It is also strongly influenced
by features on the edges of the valley and on the valley sides. Detracting Features in the valley include the gas holder and mobile
homes. with educational and commercial establishment on fringes, In addition the A2 and railway embankments are contrasting introduced
elements in the landscape.
The ecological integrity is strong. There is a good network of ditches, floodplain pasture and scrub. The extent of semi-natural habitat
is good but stops abruptly at the urban edge. The tree cover associated with the ditches and railways embankments has a diverse age
structure and the ditch field boundaries are generally regularly managed although some are in decline. This retains the traditional
pattern of enclosure and encourages ecological diversity. Recent industrial archaeology in the form of railway heritage is evident
in the valley floor, particularly where the remnant embankment of the disused Elham Valley Line curves across the floodplain.
Settlement is not traditionally characteristic of the floodplain, however there is a significant impact from recent commercial and
retail development encroaching into the valley floor.
Sensitivity
The strength of character of this landscape is considered to be moderate. The traditional pattern of ditches and meadows is distinct over
much of this part of the Stour Valley, allthough some is lost to gravel extraction and recent development. Where it is intact the
intrinsic pattern of the landscape has remained largely unchanged for many centuries.
The flat valley floor with its limited tree cover creates a very highly visible landscape. Overall the Stour Valley is a highly sensitive
landscape.
Guidelines
The analysis shows that this part of the Stour Valley is sensitive to the introduction of new features. This sensitivity has not been
given due respect in the past and the condition of the valley has deteriorated. Guidelines that encourage the restoration of the open
valley landscape are required.
- Restore tradltiona! drainage pattern where it is in decline.
- Restore traditional field pattern between the Ashford to Canterbury Railway and the urban edge. Soften the impact of the retail and
industrial development to the east by encouraging a seasonally wet woodland buffer.
- Restore wetland grazing on the east side of the Stour to recreate the valley floor setting of the river.
- Restare green links into the heart of the City.
- Remove detracting features within the valley where practicable.
- Restore the quality of views of the Cathedral by mitigating the impact of the built up areas and protect from further intrusion.
- Soften the impact of the built development by using planting appropriate to the local landscape.
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Summary of Analysis
Condition: Moderate
Pattern of elements coherent
Detracting features many
Visual unity
interupted
Cultural integrity
modified
Ecological integrity corridors
Functional integrity coherent
Sensitivity: Moderate
Distinctiveness
distinct
Consistency of pattern distinct
Distinctive features some
Continuity
historic
Strength of character moderate
Landform
dominant
Extent of tree cover open
Visibility
very high
Guidelines: Restore
Sensitive to change
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