3.Land Use.

The majority of the study area is arable and horticultural land. As described in the land classifications the land withing the arable and horticultural definition can be further subdivided into different grades of land depending on it richness in soil types. Much of the arable and pasture land is improved grassland designed and managed for grazing animals. The land has often been enriched though the introduction of clover species which are particularly nutritious for grazing herds. The brackish saltwater tidal flats of the Severn make up the south eastern boundary of the study area. They are combined with littoral sediments. Littoral sediment includes habitats of shingle (mobile cobbles and pebbles), gravel, sand and mud or any combination of these which occur in the intertidal zone. These are precious and internationally significant areas, rich in nutrients and favour feeding grounds for migratory birds. It’s mudflats and saltmarsh, augmented by freshwater ‘pills’, provide rich invertebrate feeding and roost sites to support the vast assemblage of over-wintering wildfowl and waders. These include dunlin, redshank, ringed plover, black-tailed godwit, shelduck, teal, pintail and shoveler.

The forest and woodland areas area significant land use type of the Forest of Dean district. They are subdivided here into broad leafed mixed and yew woodland and into coniferous woodland. The core forest has great cultural economic and heritage significance and is protected from development as is ancient woodland and indeed the protection of woodland is prioritised across the district. All trees and protected woodland are listed on the council web site and viewable through an interactive mapping system. This is referred to in the final selection of the site location and while it can be considered a constraint to development it is also an opportunity to bring woodland space to the green infrastructure of the site design. It would not prohibit the inclusion of woodland within the development area of the new site and it compliments the green agenda of the design and is in keeping with the Garden Communities Approach. Sensitive including of native forest and woodland into new developments is greatly encouraged. The Woodland trust states in its guidance that incorporating new and existing trees at the early stages of development plans is essential. (woodland trust, 2019). This inclusion of woodland and developing sensitively in proximity to woodland brings environmental social and economic benefits to communities. Consideration of existing land use is essential to deciding the location of the settlement.