An undulating, agricultural landscape with a strong sense of history and long management. The extensive woodlands, hedgerows and parklands give the area a pastoral character and a verdant, settled quality. Its historic character is enhanced by the stone bridges, linhays, medieval castles, square church towers and prehistoric barrows which are features of the landscape. The lanes are winding and enclosed by colourful flower-rich hedgebanks, but through gaps in the hedgebanks the views from high ground are long and open, stretching away to Dartmoor.
This area comprises elevated farmland to the west of the Torridge Valley, and includes the upper, western reaches of the River Torridge. The boundary with the Torridge Valley is defined by changes in landform and vegetation. To the south (beyond the upper reaches of the River Torridge) is the High Torridge Culm Plateau, and to the west and north there is a gradual transition to the more extensive forests and areas of unimproved grassland of the Western Culm Plateau.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/torridge-area/west-torridge-upland-farmland
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/devon-character-areas
West Torridge upland farmland on DCC Environment Viewer
Information on Devon's environment has been mapped on Devon County Council's Environment Viewer. These maps give access to geographic data for Devon on a wide range of topics.
Planning Strategy
To protect the landscape’s historic character, agricultural traditions and parkland influence. The historic features of the landscape, including parkland, buildings and archaeological sites are protected and well-managed. Sustainable agriculture is supported, and sites with particular biodiversity importance such as Culm grasslands and woodlands are well-managed and linked. The area’s exceptionally dark night skies and its open views are protected.
Protect
- Protect (and restore where appropriate) historic features such as church towers, linhays, finger-posts and bridges.
- Protect historic field patterns, particularly the preserved strip fields around Sheepwash.
- Protect local vernacular styles and avoid settlement spread along ridgelines; any new development should respect traditional styles and forms, whilst incorporating sustainable design.
- Protect important local views and vistas, encouraging the screening of intrusive developments (e.g. farm buildings) with trees where possible.
- Protect the local winding road network and its associated flower-rich banks, resisting unsympathetic highways improvements or signage.
- Protect the area’s dark night skies through (for example) resistance to street lighting schemes.
