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4.1 District Landscape Character Area 5A:
Eaton Bray Clay Vale
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1. Totternhoe Clay Vale Village
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1. Totternhoe Clay Vale Village
DESCRIPTION
This character area lies at the foot of the Church End Farmland slopes
on the eastern approach to Totternhoe from Dunstable. The area is
bounded to the west by the built edge of Totternhoe. To the east the
character area boundary is defined by the rise of the chalk slopes.
Landscape Character
An open landscape of low-lying damp pasture surrounding the eastern
edge of Totternhoe and Church End. Totternhoe village is a small rural
community along the edge of the chalk quarries, the vernacular is stone
and brick with the key focal point to the south of the church.
The landuse is mixed incorporating a cricket ground, recreational area
and allotments along with arable farmland. The vegetation pattern is
one of hedgerows of variable quality along the roadsides and isolated
groups or clumps of trees on the village edge.
Views from the village edge are open and expansive up to the
overlooking chalk farmland slopes to the east with Green Lane on the
horizon and south, to the AONB and escarpment.
Despite the proximity of traffic on Dunstable Road and Church Road,
and the noise effects this brings, the overriding character is tranquil,
providing a peaceful setting for Totternhoe and Church End.
Built Rural Interface
The character area interfaces with the villages of Totternhoe and
Church End. The village edge is both organic and linear with a
mixture of building styles, although predominantly in the vernacular of
brick and stone.
A row of red brick semi-detached houses are located on the Dunstable
Road near the northern edge of the character area.
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1. Totternhoe Clay Vale Village
EVALUATION
Constraints
• Avoid linear development along
Dunstable Road. Avoid
development on rising farmland
slopes and avoid development that
would link Totternhoe with
Dunstable.
Quality / Condition The low-lying land is primarily occupied by
allotments, a cricket ground and recreation
areas that provide both a visual setting and an
important recreational resource for the village
of Totternhoe.
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a medium sensitivity to change for reasons including the following:
• Provides setting to Totternhoe village
• Quality of landscape associated with
the recreation ground is variable
• Open views over higher farmland
slopes
Opportunities • Enhance ‘village’ perimeter with more
formal planting along Dunstable Road
and
• Conserve setting of Totternhoe and
Church End
• Maintain recreational uses
• Maintain the setting of Totternhoe and
Church End
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4.2 District Landscape Character Area 10A:
Totternhoe Dunstable Downs Rolling Chalk Farmland
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2. Church End Farmland Slopes
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2. Church End Farmland Slopes
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
This character area is located in the south eastern part of the Study
Area between Church End and the built edge of Dunstable. The area is
defined to the north and south by Dunstable Road and Well Head
Road, respectively. The eastern edge is defined by the AONB and the
Icknield Way.
Landscape Character
An open landscape, of large arable fields, which slopes south-
westwards down to the clay vale. Field boundaries lack boundary
features and are open onto the surrounding roads. Small paddocks
enclosed by post and rail fences characterise the edge of Church End.
Lines of telegraph poles feature as prominent vertical elements in this
smooth landscape.
Tracks cross the area, forming edges to the fields. There are no other
public rights of way.
This character area has open views across the lower-lying clay vale
and is visually contained to the east by the imposing landform of the
Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment. This character area therefore
plays an important role in providing a setting to the AONB, Dunstable
Downs Chalk Escarpment, Dunstable, Totternhoe and Church End.
The character area is contained by roads which reduce tranquillity,
however views across the rural clay vale and to the Chalk
Escarpment provide a peaceful setting.
Built- Rural Interface
The area interfaces with the urban areas of Harvey Road, Character
Area (CA) 3 and Badger Gate (CA 6).
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2. Church End Farmland Slopes
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition Lines of telegraph poles are prominent and paddocks at Church End village create an urban fringe character.
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a
medium-high sensitivity to change for reasons
including the following:
• Open and elevated therefore visually
prominent
• Provides open setting to the Dunstable
Downs Escarpment
• Provides rural edge to Dunstable and
maintains setting of Church End.
Opportunities • Maintain openness and visual
connection with adjacent landscapes –
Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment
and Clay Vale.
Constraints • Avoid further linear development along
the Dunstable Road which would
connect Dunstable with the village of
Church End and Totternhoe,
compromising the setting of villages.
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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb Photos
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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
Elevated south western edge to Dunstable, defined to the north by
Dunstable Road and to the south by Icknield Way
Built Character
The character area comprises a mixture of detached and semi-
detached houses and bungalows with large gardens. Red brick is the
dominant building material with some tile cladding, mock tudor and
pebble dash. Low walls and hedges delineate front gardens.
The beech-hedged avenue is a distinctive feature together with the
largest properties and gardens. There is no vehicular access between
The Avenue and the rest of the residential area. There is pedestrian
access only via Beacon Avenue.
Street trees (e.g. cherry trees) and mature garden vegetation contribute
to the greenness of this suburb.
The Dunstable Downs Chalk Escarpment forms a prominent and
enclosing feature in channelled views down The Avenue.
Built- Rural Interface
The character area boundary has two edges interfacing with Church
End Farmed Chalk Slopes. Properties on the eastern edge generally
have their gable ends facing onto the farmed chalk slopes or are
aligned onto the perimeter Harvey Road. Properties along The
Avenue on the south eastern edge back onto the surrounding
landscape.
The southern edge lies on the plateau top, set back from the edge
and the slope down to lower ground. Combined screening is provided
by mature garden and parkland tree planting in the adjacent field.
This edge is concealed from views.
In contrast the western edge has extended down the slope and is
highly visible in views from the west with little intervening vegetation
to provide screening.
A pathway runs along the southern edge connecting to the tree lined
horseshoe pathway and a track across farmland to Church End. The
western edge has no direct access to the adjacent farmland.
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3. Harvey Road/ The Avenue Post War Suburb
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition • Not applicable
Sensitivity • Not applicable
Opportunities • Enhance visual and physical
connections along the B489 (Icknield
Way) and the Dunstable Road.
• Enhance screening and perimeter
planting on western boundary
Constraints • Extent of residential units within
character area restricts development.
• Visibility and open views to adjacent
AONB restrict development potential.
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4. Totternhoe Farmland Slopes
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4. Totternhoe Farmland Slopes
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
This character area is located between Totternhoe and the western
edge of Dunstable. It is defined to the north by Green Lane and the
edge of the Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries. Dunstable Road forms the
southern boundary to the character area.
Landscape Character
Gently undulating chalk downland sloping in a south-westerly direction
towards the clay vale. Large arable fields are divided by tracks,
sometimes edged by low trimmed hedgerows. This is an open
landscape with little enclosure provided by the small geometric
woodland copses on the lower slopes. Totternhoe recreation ground
and cricket ground lie on the flattest land adjacent to Dunstable Road.
Mature trees along the Green Lane form a prominent and striking
feature on the skyline. The character area is visually connected to chalk
farmland south of Dunstable Road and to the Dunstable Downs Chalk
Escarpment. These views enhance the rural quality of the area, which
is also detracted from by the elevated built edge of Dunstable.
Lancot Meadow occurs on the highest land adjacent to the urban edge.
This is a small chalk grassland nature reserve remnant with large areas
of flower-rich meadows that once occurred around the edge of
Dunstable.
Built- Rural Interface
The character area interfaces with the urban areas of Badger Gate
(CA 6) and Harvey Road (CA 3).
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4. Totternhoe Farmland Slopes
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition Attractive undulating chalk farmland. Constraints • Extension of the built edge would be
highly visible and would
compromise the setting of the
Green Lane.
• Provides undeveloped rural belt
between Totternhoe and the edge
of Dunstable.
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a
medium – high sensitivity to change for
reasons including the following:
• Open gently undulating landform
provides connectivity to adjacent
farmland and the Dunstable Downs
Chalk Escarpment
• Mature trees along the Green Lane are
a striking feature in views, framing the
character area
Opportunities • Manage Lancot Meadow and prevent
scrub encroachment.
• Maintain woodland copses.
• Conserve trees along Green Lane.
• Maintain views to Green Lane and
visual connection to the Dunstable
Downs Chalk Escarpment.
• Conserve and reinforce Green Lane
link.
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5. Totternhoe/ Sewell Chalk Quarries
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5. Totternhoe/ Sewel Chalk Quarries
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
The area is defined to the south and east by the quarry cliff edges. The
wooded and open slopes of the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment define
the area to the north and west.
Landscape Character
This area forms the crest of the Totternhoe Escarpment. Dramatic chalk
quarry faces contain re-graded lower lying arable fields, paddock,
grassland and woodland. Areas of unimproved grassland and semi-
natural broad-leaved woodland at the foot of the chalk cliffs are county
wildlife sites. The area is adjoined on its northern and western edge by
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Totternhoe Chalk Quarry
SSSI on the northern edge of the area comprises calcareous grassland
on quarried escarpment. On the western edge lie Totternhoe Knolls
SSSI (unimproved calcareous grassland, scrub and semi-natural broad-
leaved woodland) and Totternhoe Stone Pit SSSI (exhibiting exposed
phosphate base of the Totternhoe Stone).
Varied views provide interest within the character area. The vertical cliff
faces and rougher edges of the chalk pits provide contrast with the
smooth, sweeping arable land to the east.
Distant open views are obtained across the clay vale, whereas views
to Totternhoe and Dunstable are limited by landform. This is a
peaceful area with few landscape detractors and built features.
However the A505 is visible in views north and a low hum of traffic is
audible.
Footpaths run along the tops of cuttings with a number of informal
paths across the quarry bottom. The area is popular with walkers
with links to Totternhoe Knolls and Motte and Bailey Castle
Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM).
Built- Rural Interface
The area is at a distance from the edge of Dunstable. To the south
west of the area, Totternhoe is tucked into the sloping face of the
Dunstable chalk escarpment and is concealed from view.
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5. Totternhoe/ Sewell Chalk Quarries
EVALUATION
Constraints Landscape contained by quarry face with
expansive open aspect towards Clay Vale
Quality / Condition A peaceful area with few detracting features,
with the exception of some views to the A505
to the north.
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a
medium-high sensitivity to change for reasons
including the following:
• Nature conservation value of SSSIs
• Setting for Totternhoe Chalk
escarpment
• Lack of landscape detractors and built
features, the landscape is free from
built development
• Texture and variety in the landscape
contrasting with smooth openness of
arable fields to the east.
Opportunities • Conserve undeveloped nature of the
area
• Conserve ecological resource and
consider extending and linking areas of
chalk grassland.
• Conserve open views across the Clay
Vale
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6. Badger Gate Contemporary Development
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6. Badger Gate Contemporary Development
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
The Badger Gate Character Area forms a recent extension to the
eastern edge of Dunstable. It is adjoined to the north by Lancot
Meadow County Wildlife Site (CWS) and Green Lane. Dunstable Road
defines its southern boundary.
Built character
The character area comprises large, detached houses with relatively
small gardens delineated by high red brick walls and hedges. The close
proximity of large buildings with little space between them creates an
enclosed character. Red brick is the dominant building material with
mixed finishes including tiles, white render and different window styles
adding variety.
Properties are arranged around cul-de-sacs, and access to the
character area is from Dunstable Road. There are no through roads.
Channelled views are obtained to Lancot Meadow, Totternhoe
escarpment and school playing fields. Mature trees along Green Lane
are a significant feature in views.
Built and rural interface
A rural track linking Dunstable Road with Green Lane separates the
residential area from the adjacent farmland. Buildings are aligned to
face inwards with rear aspects directly or obliquely orientated towards
the open countryside.
The built edge is softened by hedgerow vegetation along the rural
track and Lancot Meadow vegetation. However in views back to the
edge (e.g. from Totternhoe) the large scale red brick buildings are
prominent built features on the skyline with only a low level vegetation
screen.
Lancot Meadow, contained by wooden post and rail fencing is easily
accessed. The residential area is well connected to the adjacent
farmland area by rural tracks and Green Lane.
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6. Badger Gate Contemporary Development
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition • Not applicable
Sensitivity • Not applicable
Opportunities • Enhance existing hedgerow tree
planting.
• Conserve and enhance planting along
existing rural track, which divides the
built development and adjacent rural
farmland.
• Conserve and enhance Green Lane
as a key wildlife and pedestrian link
Constraints • Existing built development limits land
availability.
• High-density development would not
be compatible with this rural edge
location and its close proximity to
Green Lane.
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7. Maiden Bower Plateau Farmland
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7. Maiden Bower Plateau Farmland
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries:
Located on the eastern edge of Dunstable defined by its plateau
landform, this character area is delineated to the north by the
Dismantled Railway County Widlife Site (CWS) and to the south by the
Green Lane. The cliff edge of the Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries form the
western boundary.
Landscape Character:
The character area is an open, exposed and elevated part of
Dunstable’s chalk farmland edge. Large arable fields are edged by
mature vegetation associated with the Dismantled Railway CWS and
Green Lane – the line of older field access tracks. A hedged track
crosses the area linking these two access corridors. The curvilinear
quarry cliff edge and circular Maiden Bower Schedule Ancient
Monument (SAM) contribute to an irregular field pattern.
Maiden Bower Iron Age Hillfort and the Green Lane (part of a wider
network) provide historical interest and value. The Dismantled Railway
is a CWS with calcareous grassland at the eastern end and neutral
grassland and scrub to the west.
This is a peaceful landscape with mature boundary vegetation
contributing to the perceived naturalness. However the exposed,
elevated built edge of Dunstable is a detracting feature. Open distant
views across the clay vale add to the rural character with few built
elements visible. Mature trees along the Green Lane provide visual
enclosure and restrict views southwards.
Built- Rural Interface
The elevated and exposed built edge of Hillcroft Post War Estate (CA
8) is visible with little vegetation to provide screening or integration.
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7. Maiden Bower Plateau Farmland
EVALUATION
Constraints • Elevated and exposed situation with
open distant views across the Clay
Vale.
Quality / Condition The built form of the urban edge is a detracting
feature.
Opportunities • Enhance urban to rural edge
integration through sensitive
planting
• Maintain setting of Maiden Bower
SAM
• Maintain links between countryside
and Dunstable via Green Lane and
Dismantled Railway CWS
• Conserve Dismantled Railway CWS
and links to adjacent CWS.
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a
medium – high sensitivity to change for
reasons including the following:
• Open, exposed and visible in distant
views
• Site of Maiden Bower SAM
• Ecological value of Dismantled Railway
CWS
• Historic Green Lane route marking the
line of older field access routes.
Provides good access and recreational
opportunities
• Open views across rural clay vale
which has few detracting built
elements.
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8. Hillcroft Post War Estate
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8. Hillcroft Post War Estate
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
This character area comprises residential development located on the
western edge of Dunstable. Green Lane borders the southern edge of
this area.
Built character
Elevated at 150m AOD this post war housing estate comprises
detached, semi-detached and terraced houses arranged around cul-de-
sacs which lead off Hillcroft Road (the main route through). Typical
building materials include red brick, yellow brick and tile cladding.
Small front gardens open onto wide pavements with no boundaries.
School playing fields adjoin the residential area to the north and,
combined with the western edge onto arable farmland these spaces
contribute to the open elevated character. There are occasional street
trees (cherry and birch) and mature trees along Green Lane are visible.
Built rural interface
Hillcroft Post War Estate Character Area interfaces with Maiden
Bowers Plateau Farmland (CA 7) and Green Lane. Properties are
rear and sidefacing at the edge. Hillcroft Road also runs alongside the
edge separated from adjacent farmland by a wide open grass verge.
A footpath runs alongside the side facing properties linking to a
communal grass area adjacent to the school. From this path views
across arable farmland to the south west are foreshortened by the
plateau landform. The escarpment is glimpsed in views south. Clear,
distant north westerly views area cross to the Clay Vale with adjacent
industrial warehouses visible in the foreground.
Garden boundaries are delineated by a mixture of chain link fencing,
walls and timber fencing. The built-rural interface is abrupt with little
vegetation to provide screening or integration and is prominent in
views back from arable land. Edge properties adjacent to the Green
Lane are screened in views by mature vegetation.
There is access from the residential area onto the Dismantled
Railway CWS and The Green Lane. Both provide wildlife and
recreational links between Dunstable and the countryside.
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8. Hillcroft Post War Estate
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition • Not applicable
Sensitivity • Not applicable
Opportunities • Significant opportunity to enhance
integration of built / rural edge through
appropriate vegetation planting.
• Conserve and enhance existing
footpath link from urban built edge to
surrounding rural area including Green
Lane and the dismantled railway line.
Constraints • Elevated and exposed situation with
open distant views across the Clay
Vale.
• Existing built development.
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9. Barley Brow, Suncote Pit Rough Grassland and Scrub
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9. Barley Brow, Suncote Pit Rough Grassland and Scrub
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
The character area is located on the north western edge of Dunstable.
This character area separates the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment from
the built edge. The character area is bound to the south by the
Dismantled Railway CWS. The A5 (Watling Street) forms its northern
boundary.
Landscape Character
This character area is defined by a landcover of paddock and pasture,
chalk, calcareous and neutral grassland.
Geometric fields of paddock and pasture are defined by post and wire
fences. Enclosure is provided by vegetation associated with the CWSs.
Suncote Pit CWS consists of a mosaic of species of rich chalk
grassland and scrub. Barley Brow CWS is comprised of species of rich
neutral and calcareous grassland and scrub.
Distant views are afforded from this elevated area down the slopes of
the Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment and across the Clay Vale. Tilsworth
Church is a landmark feature in views. The chalk cliff faces of the
Totternhoe/ Sewell Quarries are also visible to the south.
A number of tracks cross the area and informal paths run through the
CWSs.
Built- Rural Interface
This area adjoins Salters Way Post War Suburban (CA 10) and High
Street North Industrial Estate (CA 11).
CWS scrub vegetation provides an effective screen to the built edge.
The built edge of Dunstable is not visible from this adjacent
landscape.
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9. Barley Brow, Suncote Pit Rough Grassland and Scrub
EVALUATION
Quality / Condition The unmanaged scrub vegetation and the
paddock post and wire fencing contribute to an
urban fringe character.
Constraints • Elevated land visible in views from
the north-west.
Opportunities • Enhance the ecological value and
accessibility of the CWSs
• Maintain connections between
CWSs (including the Dismantled
Railway) to improve recreational
access and wildlife corridors
• Maintain open views to the cliff
faces of the Totternhoe/ Sewell
Quarries, across the Clay Vale and
to the church at Tilsworth
Sensitivity This character area is judged to have a
medium sensitivity to change for reasons
including the following
• Open views down the slope of the
Totternhoe Chalk Escarpment and
across the Clay Vale
• Ecological value of CWS
• Role of CWS vegetation in screening
the built edge
• Visible in from the Clay Vale and
villages
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10. Salters Way Post War Suburb Photos
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10. Salters Way Post War Suburb
DESCRIPTION
Location and Boundaries
This character area comprises residential development on the western
edge of Dunstable. The A5 (Watling Street) forms the north-eastern
boundary of the character area, dividing it from Houghton Regis Chalk
Quarry. To the west and south, the area is adjoined by CWSs and a
large warehouse building.
Built character
Semi-detached and terraced houses are arranged geometrically
around cul-de-sacs. Bungalows occur along the northern edge. A
uniform style of building is expressed using a variety of building
materials including red brick and render, pebble dash, mock tudor and
stone cladding. Low red brick walls delineate small front garden, back
gardens are large and grass verges and street tress (e.g. Rowan)
contribute to the street scene.
Built and rural interface
The Salters Way Post War Suburban Character Area adjoins two
CWSs – Barley Brow and Suncote Pit, and fields of paddock and
pasture.
Scrub and garden vegetation conceal views to rear-facing bungalows
from the rural edge. Properties along Salters Way are visible from the
Houghton Regis Chalk Quarry, exposed on the chalk cliff top.
There is access via a path from Suncote Avenue to open pasture,
paths into the CWSs occur along more informal desire lines. 10A