POLICY C3
THE COUNCIL HAS IDENTIFIED AREAS OF HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE AND WILL NOT PERMIT DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON SUCH AREAS. THEY ARE DEFINED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AND INSETS AND ARE AS FOLLOWS :-

i) SECTIONS OF THE WANSBECK VALLEY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES WITHIN AND TO THE EAST AND WEST OF MORPETH, TOGETHER WITH HOWBURN WOOD.
ii) SECTIONS OF THE RIVERS BLYTH AND PONT.
iii) THOSE PARTS OF THE TYNE AND COQUET VALLEYS WHICH LIE WITHIN THE PLAN AREA.
iv) THE COASTAL AREA OF DRURIDGE BAY.
v) COUNTRY HOUSES WITH EXTENSIVE PARKLAND SETTINGS AT ANGERTON HALL, BELSAY HALL AND CASTLE, BLAGDON HALL, BOLAM HALL, CAPHEATON HALL, CHEESEBURN GRANGE, DISSINGTON HALL, ESHOTT HALL AND CASTLE, ESPLEY HALL, HARNHAM, KIRKLEY HALL, LINDEN HALL, LONGHIRST HALL, MATFEN HALL, MELDON PARK, MILBOURNE HALL, MITFORD HALL AND CASTLE, NETHERWITTON HALL, TRITLINGTON HALL AND WALLINGTON HALL.
vi) PRESTWICK CARR.
vii) SHAFTOE CRAGS, BOLAM LAKE, SIR EDWARD'S LAKE, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE HINTERLANDS.
viii) REMOTE AREAS ON THE FRINGE OF THE MAJOR UPLAND AND HILL AREAS ADJACENT TO ALNWICK AND TYNEDALE DISTRICTS.

4.20.1 All of the land within the plan area, which forms "open countryside",(See para. 4.18.3) is felt to be worthy of protection. Nevertheless the Council considers that the above areas of landscape deserve special attention when planning applications are being considered. These are parts of the Borough which are important to their particular locality and to the county as a whole in terms of their special character and greater than average visual quality. It is a combination of these factors that create the special identity of each area. This identity can be harmed or destroyed by unnecessary or insensitive development. Accordingly, in the context of Structure Plan Policy L8, Areas of High Landscape Value are defined having regard to the incidence of vegetation cover (trees and other flora), water, topography, dunes and beaches, moorland, farmland and country estates as landscape elements. The Council attaches particular weight to the need to protect the natural beauty of these areas and to improve the landscape or reduce environmental impact and will support proposals of this nature.

4.20.2 Of the country houses listed in the policy, Belsay, Blagdon, Capheaton and Wallington are included on the register of Historic Parks and Gardens, drawn up by English Heritage. Parkland associated with other country houses may be added to the register during the Plan period.