Natural England - Cotwold Hills ESA
Cotwold Hills 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The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme has now closed to new applicants and has been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship scheme.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 Cotswold Hills ESA extends over 85,000 ha and lies in the Cotswold Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty. The western boundary comprises a prominent escarpment with a gentle dip slope and rolling landscape to the east bisected by steep valleys. The major part of the ESA lies in Gloucestershire and also includes small parts of Worcestershire and South Gloucestershire extending from Chipping Sodbury at the southern end to Broadway in the north.
Description
The Jurassic limestone gives the landscape its distinctive character in which dramatic scarp and secluded, steep grassland valleys contrast with the open, expansive cultivated wold tops. The steep escarpment and gently rolling dip slope are dissected and indented by river valleys falling away to the south and south east. Large open arable fields, bounded by dry stone walls characterise the wold tops whilst in the valleys hedges bound the smaller grass fields. Unimproved and semi-improved limestone grassland is located on the steeper slopes of the valleys and along escarpment. There is a wealth of archaeological interest ranging from Neolithic long barrows and Iron Age hill forts to extensive Roman and Romano-British settlements.
Significant habitats and species
The Cotswold Hills ESA contains a high proportion (2000 ha) of the remaining unimproved Jurassic limestone grassland in Europe. These grasslands are located on the escarpment and steeper slopes of the valleys and are characterised by short flower-rich swards. Orchids, rock rose, thyme and quaking grass are all to be found with a host of other species including the rarer pasque flower. Butterflies are well represented with a range of habitats supporting amongst others the Duke of Burgundy and marsh fritillary. Rare arable plants are being conserved including cornflowers, shepherds needle and broad-fruit cornsalad. The ESA also encourages the conservation of farmland birds with corn bunting and skylark high on the list of priorities.
There are extensive areas of hanging beech woods, many classed as ancient woodland.
ESA management options
There were three main management options available within the Cotswold Hills ESA:
The conservation, maintenance and improvement of the landscape, wildlife habitats and historical features. The basic requirements include amongst other features the retention of hedges, walls, woodland, individual trees and management of watercourses. Agreement holders must restore some hedges and drystone walls, and payments are available for further optional restoration. Traditional weatherproof farm buildings must be maintained and historical features left undisturbed.
Management of arable land and grassland is determined through a suite of options dependent on stocking levels, fertiliser use and restrictions on pesticides. Particular emphasis is given to the conservation of species-rich permanent grassland.The reversion of arable to grassland to enhance wildlife habitats or landscape and historic features.
Overwintered stubbles and conservation headlands in arable land to help preserve rarer arable plants and improve habitats for farmland birds.
Contact
Natural England's Worcester office
