Natural England - Clun ESA
Clun ESA
The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme has now closed to new applicants and has been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme. Some existing agreements will, however, continue until 2014.
The Clun ESA extends to just over 21,000 hectares of upland valleys and hills in south west Shropshire. The Clun ESA is a predominately pastoral landscape of gently rolling hills surrounding an elevated landscape. It is located in the Welsh Marches, being bounded on three sides by the Welsh border. The two broader valleys of the rivers Clun and Teme drain eastwards, away from their source in the Welsh uplands.
Description
The Clun ESA lies within the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gently rolling hill tops and valley sides, with their small-scale field patterns contrast with the broader valley floors of the rivers Clun and Teme. The varying patterns and sizes of grass fields are enclosed by long-established hedges, often with mature trees, and the presence of isolated farmsteads and clustered settlements contribute to a traditional character. The area was long fought over by the Welsh and English which is reflected in the many earthworks and historic features associated with features such as Offa's Dyke.
Significant habitats and species
Over 90% of the area is now protected by ESA agreements which all have compulsory hedge management and restoration programmes in place. The ESA is also bounded to the south by the River Teme Site of Special Scientific Interest. For many centuries, agriculture has consisted of a mixture of sheep and arable farming, but there remain fragments of heathland on the upland plateau, and ancient semi-natural woodlands on the steep valley sides. These support a variety of plants and associated invertebrates. The wet grasslands of the river valleys are also valuable habitats.
ESA management options
There were four main management options available within the Clun ESA:
To maintain and enhance landscape quality through the management of characteristic elements such as hedgerows, traditional buildings, habitat mosaics, field parcels, extensive permanent grassland and historic features.
To enhance the nature conservation interest of grassland by reversion of improved grassland to extensive permanent grassland or rough grazing.
To enhance the nature conservation interest of arable land through reversion to permanent grassland and the creation of conservation headlands.
To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale native woodland.
Contact
Natural England's Shropshire office
