A gentle agricultural landscape of high scenic quality, characterised by ribbon-like rivers. Slow-flowing, meandering streams fringed by trees glide through quiet, inaccessible floodplains. A semi-regular pattern of fields, edged with hedges and earth banks, covers the undulating landform and adds pattern and texture to the landscape. The area feels remote and peaceful, and away from Okehampton has seen very little C.20th development; the scattered stone-built farms and villages have a timeless quality. Narrow, earth-banked lanes thread across the valleys, contrasting with the A30 which cuts across the landscape.

dca62-upper-tamarThis roughly V-shaped area comprises the upper valleys of the rivers Tamar and Thrushel and their tributaries the Carey, Deer, Lyd, Lew and Wolf, extending from just east of Launceston in Cornwall northwards to Holsworthy and eastwards towards Okehampton. The western boundary of the area corresponds to the county boundary with Cornwall. To the north there are gradual transitions to the Western Culm Plateau and the High Torridge Culm Plateau. To the east are the Broadbury Ridges and to the south the Middle Tamar Valley, Tamar Upland Fringe and Tavistock Dartmoor Fringes. The boundaries with the latter two areas are marked by the transition to higher ground with a stronger moorland influence.

https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/west-devon-area/upper-tamar-tributary-valleys 

https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/devon-character-areas 

http://map.devon.gov.uk/dccviewer/?bm=Aerial2015Onwards&layers=Landscapes;9&activeTab=Landscapes&extent=226212;78983;266376;105679 

Planning Strategy

To protect the area’s scenic quality, and its undeveloped agricultural landscape, and to enhance its local distinctiveness and biodiversity value. Sustainable agriculture is supported, and traditional agricultural features such as hedgerows, linhays and earth banks are managed and repaired as necessary. The biodiversity of the area is increased through the good management of woodlands, watermeadows, wetlands, rough grassland and other semi-natural habitats.  Archaeological and historic sites (including country estates) are protected and managed appropriately. The traditional sparse settlement pattern and undeveloped character of the area are respected, but the river valley landscapes are opened up through the establishment of recreational routes along the disused railway lines.

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