This is a transitional landscape, linking the upland moor with the Tamar valley to the west, and forming the backdrop to many views of Dartmoor from the west. It is a secretive landscape of enclosing hills, deep valleys and sunken lanes, but with occasional unexpected and magnificent views towards the moorland and across the Tamar Valley. The landscape contains a mosaic of moorland, small fields and woodland, creating rich contrasts of colour, scale and texture. A sense of history pervades through the stone walls, hedgebanks, lanes and villages and the landmarks such as Brent Tor and White Tor. The town of Tavistock – built of greenish local stone – is the largest settlement in the area and also has a rich history.
This area comprises the western part of Dartmoor and land to the west including the town of Tavistock. It encompasses upland moorland and the west-facing farmed slopes below it, running down towards the Tamar valley. It forms a transition from upland to lowland, and its boundaries with surrounding character areas are gradual. To the east are High Dartmoor North and Central Dartmoor; to the south and west the River Tavy Middle Valley and the Tamar Upland Fringe, and to the north the Upper Tamar Tributary Valleys.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/tavistock-dartmoor-fringes
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/devon-character-areas
Tavistock Dartmoor fringes on DCC Environment Viewer
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Planning Strategy
To protect the landscape’s scenic quality and open skylines, strengthen its special qualities and features, and enhance its appearance as a key element within views of Dartmoor from the west. The area’s strong historic character is protected and enhanced, the time-depth associated with archaeological sites, field patterns and historic settlements being retained. Sustainable agriculture is supported, and upland commons are managed to increase their biodiversity through appropriate management and grazing. Recreation and enjoyment of the landscape are encouraged, but without detriment to fragile sites or features. Urban expansion around Tavistock is controlled to minimise its impacts on the setting of the National Park.
Protect
- Protect and appropriately manage the landscape’s numerous historic sites and features, including prehistoric hillforts, hut circles, cairns, settlements, field systems, and medieval tin working features, castles and ecclesiastical sites.
- Protect and maintain the small-scale medieval field patterns on the valley sides, restoring hedgebanks and walls using traditional techniques and materials.
- Protect the area’s sparsely settled character and views to high moorland, carefully controlling new development outside existing settlement envelopes.
- Protect the strong unifying local vernacular of granite and slate; new development should utilise similar materials and styles whilst seeking to incorporate sustainable design.
- Protect the open skylines and distinctive geological features of the landscape, including the granite tors; remove scrub through appropriate grazing where necessary, and provide guidance and interpretation to enhance public understanding of sites.
- Protect the valuable habitats.
- Protect the landscape’s network of quiet lanes enclosed by species-rich hedgebanks, resisting unsympathetic highways improvements or signage.
- Protect and repair characteristic built features such as stone hump-backed bridges.
- Protect high levels of tranquillity and dark skies, resisting developments which would damage these qualities.