Estate lands and designed landscapes

Overall vulnerability

Feature(s) assessed:

• Estate lands and designed landscapes

Special qualities:

• Beautiful views created by contrasting landscapes and dramatic geology
• Undeveloped places of tranquillity and dark night skies within reach of millions
• Landscapes that tell a story of thousands of years of people, farming and industry
• Characteristic settlements with strong communities and traditions

Feature description:

Across the PDNP there are a number of country houses, estate lands and designed landscapes, including Chatsworth, Haddon, Thornbridge and Lyme Park. For the vulnerability assessment of the houses within these landscapes, please see ‘Country houses’. These estates date back hundreds of years, growing up around a prominent property and sometimes incorporating villages and farms. The collection of buildings has a distinctive style and is usually built with similar materials. The associated parkland can be extensive and aspects are often designed.

At Chatsworth for example, the successive Dukes of Devonshire engaged the services of landscape architects and designers, including Henry Wise, Capability Brown and Sir Joseph Paxton, who input to the design of the landscape. This work includes the creation of water features, bridges and follies. It remains one of the least disturbed parkland landscapes in terms of archaeological earthworks and below-ground archaeology as large parts have not been ploughed for over 250 years. At the privately owned Thornbridge the gardens within the estate incorporate three temples, numerous statues, 46 urns and two grottos. Many of the statues were brought to the estate in the 1930s from the demolition of Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire while others are believed to have been gifts from Greek government.

These estates are enjoyed by visitors as tranquil places that have a sense of history, continuity and tradition. They are also appreciated for the views of the landscape they create, and for the evidence they contain of settlements, farming and land management through time.

How vulnerable are estate lands and designed landscapes?

Estate lands and designed landscapes in the PDNP have been rated ‘high’ on our vulnerability scale. This score is due to high sensitivity and exposure to climate change variables, a variable current condition, and moderate adaptive capacity.

Many estate lands are well managed and have ongoing maintenance and development plans. The current condition for those held in private ownership is more difficult to determine. Extreme events including heavy rainfall and flooding, but particularly drought, could have a significant impact on estate lands and designed landscapes. There is capacity for adaptation as most have a management plan or similar system in place. Some estates are also given protection through their registered status.

Current condition:

It is difficult to ascertain the condition of estate land and designed landscapes. Generally estate lands and designed landscapes appear to be well managed. The National Trust is the custodian of a number of sites including Lyme Park, and Chatsworth is overseen by the Chatsworth House Trust. They have considerable resources to call upon and include details of their management plans on their websites.

For example, at Chatsworth one extensive project will include planting more than 250,000 flowering perennials, shrubs and trees in a previously undeveloped 15-acre area of garden. The Trout Stream is another area which has been redeveloped.

At the National Trust’s Longshaw Estate a new native tree nursery is being set up. It is made up of a diverse number of species and aims to replace trees that have been lost and to create new woodland. Many estates that are held in private ownership do not publicise their plans and resources, so their condition remains unclear.

What are the potential impacts of climate change?

Overall potential impact rating

Direct impacts of climate change

Storm events and flooding may impact features such as buildings, farmland, woodlands, gardens and parkland structures including follies and towers. Flooding and standing water could exacerbate erosion of soft sandstone and new flood defences may change landscape aesthetics. Buildings are also sensitive to damage from poor or inadequate rainwater goods. Data Certainty: High

Plants in designed landscapes may suffer during intense continuous periods of rainfall. Old parkland trees could be vulnerable in storm events, potentially leading to the loss of associated habitats for wildlife, although there could be more opportunities created for dead wood invertebrates. Any damage could also impact the aesthetics of the estate. If properties and estates are deemed unsafe they may have to close temporarily or even permanently. Data Certainty: High

Water shortages caused by droughts may see fountains and ponds not in use which may impact tourist numbers and wildlife. Some of the trees and plants that make up designed and historic landscapes are sensitive to drought which could lead to their loss. Data Certainty: High

The drying out of certain geologies, clay for example, can increase subsidence affecting historic structures which are also sensitive to geological shrink and swell. Changes in rainfall may see the timing of planting and species used in gardens altered. These conditions could also affect the stability of buildings and other structures. Data Certainty: High

Limestone structures are sensitive to water chemistry changes and pollution which could increase erosion of buildings, statues and dry-stone walls, and impact lichens and mosses. Data Certainty: Low

Human behaviour change

Drought conditions could lead to increased competition for water and impact irrigation for parks and gardens. As a result parkland landscapes may alter as drought resistant plants thrive. Lawns and gardens could become dry which can affect the aesthetics of the landscape. Water features may also be impacted if choices have to be made about where water is directed. Drought could lead to the drying up of springs which could cause disruption to domestic and agricultural water supplies. Data Certainty: High

Increased temperatures may see parklands susceptible to changes in tourist numbers. Gardens and parklands could be damaged by a rise in foot traffic and fields and their historic and natural environmental components could be damaged if used as car parks and large events spaces. Data Certainty: High Conversely, if the aesthetics of these estate landscapes are negatively affected by climate changes, this may lead to a reduction in visitor numbers and therefore a reduction in viability of estates that are dependent on visitor fees. Data Certainty: Low

Parkland is sensitive to changes in stocking levels. Flooded land would not be suitable for grazing so scrub may develop and shortages of water for stock during summer could also make some pastures unsuitable. Nutrient inputs through farming practices could also be increased if the agricultural productivity of land needs to be raised through intensification. Farm buildings could become redundant or be altered due to these changing farm practices, resulting in a change to the landscape aesthetics. Data Certainty: High

Flooding may also impact buried archaeology. Flood adaptation could be added to buildings and structures and flood defences added to the parklands. Tree establishment may rise to help reduce overland runoff. Such disturbance could put buried archaeological remains at risk. Data Certainty: Low
Other measures to adapt to climate change such as installing air conditioning or rainwater harvesting may have a negative impact on this historic asset. Mitigation measures such as solar panel installation or upgrading the thermal efficiency of buildings by increasing insulation could have a similar impact. The characteristics of historic and significant buildings may be sensitive to modernisations and building aesthetics may be changed. Data Certainty: Low Increased demand for renewable energy could see the introduction of wind turbines and lead to a reduction of historic landscape character, amenity value and tranquillity. Data Certainty: Moderate

Invasive and other species interactions

Increased temperatures may see an increase in plant diseases such as Phytophthora and ash die-back. Different flora and fauna could also spread into parklands as the climate shifts. Plants in designed landscapes, trees in particular, are susceptible to this competition and pathogens such as ash die-back. The biodiversity and aesthetics of the landscape could be altered. Data Certainty: High

New pests and diseases such as insect and fungal infestations could damage historic buildings and organic artefacts at a time where traditional repair materials may become increasingly difficult to source. Animal diseases may become more prevalent changing farm stock choices and could ultimately alter grazing patterns. Data Certainty: High

Any land left under water for some time following flooding could be vulnerable to an increase in pests and diseases. It could also alter garden and parkland landscapes leading to the loss and damage of some plant species. Data Certainty: Moderate

Changes in atmospheric conditions including increased carbon dioxide levels may potentially see an increase in the growth rate of some plant species. These may include invasives like Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, trees or shrubs. This could cause structural damage to buildings and statues. Increased plant growth rates may also mean that additional garden maintenance is required. Data Certainty: Low

Other indirect climate change impacts

Hotter drier summers could see estates disrupted or damaged by fire. There may be a risk of injury to people and livestock, and buildings may need to close while repairs take place. This could put a greater demand on financial resources. Any damage to woodland and mature trees could also mean a loss of wildlife habitat, making these estates less enjoyable to visit. Data Certainty: Moderate

Sedimentation or erosion

Increased rainfall could see a rise in flooding and erosion. As many estates are situated close to rivers this could damage parkland and any buried archaeology in the floodplains. Structures such as bridges may suffer direct damage from flooding, while high water tables can impact the foundations and stability of structures, such as historically significant garden walls. Data Certainty: High

Nutrient changes or environmental contamination

Wetter winters may increase the need for fertilizer application if leaching increases. In addition, pressure from pest species due to warmer winters may lead to an increase in pesticide application. This could change pasture productivity and plant species composition in gardens which may negatively impact invertebrates and other wildlife living on estates. Data Certainty: Low

What is the adaptive capacity of estate lands and designed landscapes?

Overall adaptive capacity rating

Designation by listing provides some protection for buildings from inappropriate work as well as a system of monitoring condition so problems are noted and action can be taken. Non-designated assets, such as farmsteads, are subject to other policies, such as PDNPA planning policies, helping to prevent unsympathetic alteration. Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register is a reasonably robust way of tracking some of the most vulnerable buildings, but is missing many features which could also be considered to be at risk. Data Certainty: High

While estate lands and designed gardens have no specific legal protection there are four within the PDNP that are Registered Parks and Gardens which provides limited protection. They sometimes have detailed management plans. Estate lands are listed as a landscape character type by the PDNPA and have an associated strategy and guidelines. This identifies priorities for landscape protection, management and planning. Data Certainty: High

Country houses can recover from weather events but restoration may be at a large financial cost. Restoration of original features will not always be possible and so this historic information can be lost. Preventative measures may alter property aesthetics but reduce the risk of major damage or loss. The National Trust has done work already elsewhere in the UK to increase the water capacity of downpipes so they can better handle large volumes of water in storm events. Data Certainty: High

Depending on their specific design parklands may have a better adaptive capacity to recover if they have a variety of plant species. Garden design may be optimised for new climate restrictions. Trees are a defining aspect of parkland but there is less scope for selecting trees to plant that can cope with future climate stressors, therefore putting that aspect at greater risk. Historic structures and buried archaeology could not recover from being washed away in a flood event or fire. Data Certainty: High

A good level of information and skill is available to make appropriate adaptations and to deal with the aftermath of extreme events and fire. Advice is available from Historic England, PDNPA, National Trust, and Natural England. Farmed estate lands and parklands have been managed for a long time and land owners have the knowledge to cope with changing requirements. Data Certainty: Moderate

Fragmentation of field boundaries and woodlands would have a detrimental impact on landscape character. Maintenance and improvement of existing features will help overcome or help offset climate change stressors. Data Certainty: Moderate

The PDNP contains a number of estate lands and designed landscapes with various building types, plant species in gardens and woodlands, and farming strategies. A mixture of building materials and plant species gives them greater adaptive capacity than more uniform landscapes but conversely this depends on what aspect is being considered. Many attributes of these landscapes and estates are unique and several of these estates are close together putting them at higher risk in extreme events. Data Certainty: Moderate

Estates such as Chatsworth and Lyme Park have access to a large pool of resources and expertise to draw upon. However for some estates like Haddon and Thornbridge it is not known what resources they have and they may be more limited. Data Certainty: Moderate

Key adaptation recommendations for estate lands and designed landscapes:

Improve current condition to increase resilience

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are aimed at improving the condition of the feature at present, therefore making it better able to withstand future changes to climate.

• Carry out research and survey into designed landscapes, especially those at a smaller scale that might not previously have been recognised as significant. This will help inform future adaptation planning.
• Increase the resilience of the surrounding landscape to help create a buffer for estate lands and designed landscapes. Form estate level plans for improved climate resilience, such as improving moorland condition to reduce flood risk.
• Nurture partnerships with big estates and landowners.
• When planning any future adaptations ensure existing archaeological complexity is taken into consideration.
• Consider the cumulative impact on estate lands by visitor pressure and events.
• If visitor numbers increase at easy to access locations, encourage visitors to use alternative transport such as bikes and public transport to maintain tranquillity of the area.

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Targeted conservation efforts for important sites and at risk areas

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations are conservation measures aimed at those sites that will have the biggest impact for this feature – either because they are particularly important for the feature or because they are most at risk from climate change.

• Identify field boundaries that are at risk and work to restore or improve them.
• Manage and replace veteran trees (scattered trees in historic parklands and in field boundaries are a key characteristic of the Derwent Valley).
• Harvest and store rain water at drought sensitive sites (already in place at some properties).

Improve current condition to increase resilience: Increase structural diversity to improve resilience at a landscape scale

The current condition of a feature is an important factor alongside its sensitivity and exposure, in determining its vulnerability to climate change. These recommendations focus on increasing the structural diversity of the area or habitat in which the feature is found. This can help to offset the effects of climate change on the feature, as well as to allow it to be in a better position to recover from future climate changes.

• Increase woodland establishment and enhancement of habitats where appropriate, while maintaining the significance of key views and designed elements. This will strengthen existing landscape character, whilst in the future lower lying landscapes adjacent to the river could provide useful floodwater storage services.
• Increase the diversity of planting in parklands to make them more resilient.