OUR REF: 191/P/699

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT

FOR

PROPOSED WORKS

AT

PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION

RHONDDA CYNON TAF

MID GLAMORGAN

WALES

DATE: 9TH MARCH 2020

CLIENT: PREPARED BY: Interserve (Facilities Management) Ltd Mr B Lee DFT McAndrew Martin Ltd Ingenuity House Trafalgar House Elmdon Trading Estate 11 Acorn Business Centre Bickenhill Lane Northarbour Road Birmingham Cosham, Portsmouth B37 7HQ PO6 3TH

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT RAIL STATION, CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Pontypridd Railway Station

2

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, , MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Contents

1.0 Introduction and Objectives

2.0 Historic and Architectural Significance

3.0 Justification for Proposed Works

4.0 Impact of Proposed Works

5.0 Setting of the Listed Building

6.0 Legislation and Policy

7.0 Evaluation of the scheme in the context of the Conservation Principles

8.0 Assessing the changes to in the context of the Conservation Principles

9.0 Conclusion

Appendix A - Current Internal Photographs

Appendix B - External Elevation Photographs

3

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

1. Introduction and Objectives

1.1 This heritage statement has been prepared to accompany the listed building application for proposed works at Pontypridd Rail Station, namely the alteration of the existing redundant toilets located on platform one, to provide British Transport Police (BTP) accommodation for day to day security operations on the Welsh rail system

1.2 This report draws on the guidance on the statutory requirement to prepare a heritage impact statement in tandem with an application for listed building consent. The guidance is complementary to the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and is underpinned by the modern conservation philosophy of Cadw's Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales (2011).

1.3 Pontypridd rail station is Grade II* listed, designated as such on 17/07/1990, and amended 26/02/2001. The listed building description is attached at Appendix A. Pontypridd Railway Station is Grade II listed and opened in 1840 as part of the Company which ran from to . The Station,

originally called Newbridge Junction, was remodelled several times: in the early 20th century: in the 1970s; and in the 1990s. The façade seen today dates from the 1990s, however, other parts of the station have retained their historic form and date to 1907-19014

0.4 The proposal comprises the creation of office accommodation and a British Transport Police facility on platform one, by refurbishing the present redundant toilets located at the end the platform This includes: -

• Re modelling the current interior space from male and female toilets to office accommodation

• Creation of new male and female locker rooms with showers and WC facilities

4

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

• Creation of an interview room for witnesses to crimes

• Creation of a secure store facility for storage of stolen goods and narcotics

• Creation of separate offices for police superintendent, and officer in charge

2.0 Historical and Architectural Significance

2.1 The Taff Vale Railway was begun at Pontypridd in 1837, being the first major locomotive railway into Wales, and with Isambard Kingdom Brunel as its chief engineer. It opened in 1841, running a line from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff, primarily to serve the ironworks, and later for the transportation of coal to Cardiff docks.

2.2 In 1907 a reconstruction of Pontypridd station was begun, and at its peak it dealt with 11,000 passengers a day and had seven platforms.

2.3 When built the main, island platform was the longest in the world, and still is the longest in the western region.

2.4 A long, distinctively curved platform, 14 bays long, eight bays of which have canopies carried on I-section steel piers standing on cast-iron, fluted, oval bases.

2.5 The lightly trussed steel roof has segmental principals and a boarded underside, while the canopies have deep ogee valancing.

2.6 There are six buildings including a ticket office, station master’s office, waiting room and toilets, all built in the free Egyptian revival style of red brick and terracotta.

2.7 These buildings are decorated with parapets, deep bracket cornices, panelled pilasters and high plinths.

5

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

2.8 The openings have labels over lugged and tapered architraves and consist mainly of panelled doors and T-framed windows.

2.9 At the south end is the two bay toilet block, to the north is the largest building of nine bays which formed the ticket office, the north wall of which is decorated by a terracotta panel sporting an urn holding foliage.

2.10 The station master’s office is six bayed, on the south side of each end bay being opposing stairs leading down from the platform to ground/street level. These have tall, panelled gate piers, the western set with a Baroque style overthrow and sliding lattice gates.

2.11 There are side railings with simple Art Nouveau detail, which were made by Bayliss Lt of Wolverhampton. There is another stair further to the north with similar piers and overthrow, with the lettering 'Way Out'. The lower level is faced with white tiles.

Aesthetic Context

2.12 Pontypridd Rail Station is a very well-preserved - example of a later C19 locomotive railway station into Wales, and having Isambard Kingdom Brunel as its chief engineer, when built the main island platform was the longest in the world with its 14 bay long distinctively curved platform with 8 of the 14 bays having canopies carried on I section steel piers standing on cast iron fluted oval bases.

2.13 The lightly trussed steel roof has segmental principals and a boarded underside, while the canopies have deep ogee valancing.

2.14 The platform buildings are all built in the free Egyptian revival style of red brick and terracotta, and decorated with parapets, deep bracket cornices, panelled pilasters and high plinths.

6

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Communal Value

2.15 Services run from Bridgend, Barry Island and Cardiff Central to Pontypridd six times an hour on weekdays and Saturdays until early evening; look for trains to Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare or . The train station is located on Broadway, at the south end of Taff Street, arriving trains pass through Pontypridd curve along the banks of the and deliver passengers into the heart of the town, with its long high street filled with well-known high street names alongside traditional shops, bars and pubs just a few minutes' walk north-west of the station.

2.16 The sprawling Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Cricket Ground, a five- minute stroll away, has a pitch-and-put, cafe and sports grounds as well as a revamped lido.

Evidential Context

2.17 The structural history of Pontypridd Station is reasonably straightforward, and its major phases may be outlined as follows: -

• The station was built by the Taff Vale Railway (TVR) and opened on 9 October 1840. It was known as Newbridge Junction until March 1866 when it was renamed Pontypridd

• It was progressively remodelled during the 19th century, but its present appearance derives largely from reconstruction carried out between 1907 and 1914

• Architecturally, the 1912 station still includes all the original red brick and terracotta buildings on the island platform, some of which remain in public use, e.g. as ticket office and waiting room.

7

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

• The elaborate 1912 main station façade in the same art nouveau style was destroyed during modernisation in the mid-1970s and replaced by a featureless red brick wall.

• As part of a £200m regeneration scheme to boost train capacity in Cardiff and the surrounding areas, Pontypridd received a third platform in December 2014.

• Work began in 2014 to build this platform in the station, to accommodate more trains and to increase the number of services to Cardiff.

• The modernisation of 2014/2015 brought former through platform 6 back into use as a bay platform, now numbered platform 1, for southbound services to Cardiff.

3.0 Justification for the Proposed Works

3.1 In common with many Rail Stations of the scale of Pontypridd, platform arrangements are rather out-dated. The existing listed buildings located on the platforms of Pontypridd Station are not large and there is no opportunity to introduce new buildings onto the platforms.

3.2 Those listed rail stations still in use as operating stations have generally adapted to modern rail conditions typically extending platform lengths, conjoining small buildings, and converting existing listed buildings internal areas into comfortable working accommodation.

3.3 This typically allows the external facades of the more formal areas of the stations to remain unaltered, and with care, internal fixtures of interest to be preserved.

8

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

3.4 The proposal offers the opportunity to fully restore and celebrate the history of Pontypridd Station. The current scheme will have no impact on the external character of the listed building, and in fact will reinstate small alterations undertaken to the external facades over the past years back to original condition.

3.5 The interior is quite a 'period piece' of Victorian times in terms of its plan layout as male and female toilets, the Victorian fixtures and fittings have long been removed and replaced with circa 1970 fixtures and fittings, with little regard for the overall internal character of the listed building.

3.6 Modern stainless-steel urinals, off the shelf kitchen units and worktops have been introduced to internal areas, some internal plasterboard partitions have been constructed, along with plasterboard dot and dab over existing internal wall areas with modern ceramic wall tilling to all internal wall surfaces.

3.7 Whilst it is considered that the current scheme preserves the architectural and historic character of Pontypridd Rail Station, other options have been considered, as follows: -

• Building an extension. The existing toilet facilities are not large enough and a new extension would need careful consideration in regard of the impact on the external façade of the listed building to accommodate the desired office accommodation

• Conjoining all principal rooms, by removing all internal walls. This would have a major impact on the historic planform, leading to the destruction of all internal historic details

4.0 Impact of the Proposed Works

4.1 The proposed works may be described as follows: -

9

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

4.2 Exterior works: -

• Removal of modern through the wall extract fan, and reinstate back to original

• Removal of modern extract fan located through window, replace glass and timber window frame back to original

• Remove modern type louvred window over one door and replace with casement window to match the existing three external doors

• Refurbish all external windows and redecorate

• Refurbish all external doors making good scarfing in new timber to match existing and decorate.

4.3 Interior works: -

• Internal alterations female toilet area (remove all existing cubicles, remove wall between small store area and large storage area)

• Creation of openings between the two large areas allowing usable office space

• Creation of openings between existing male toilet area and enlarged office area

• Refurbish existing terrazzo floor in existing male toilet area

• Provide new floor coverings to all other areas

• Create new office for officer in charge

10

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

• Create new secure store for stolen goods and narcotics

• Create new male and female locker rooms with WC and showers.

• Create new interview room for taking statements from witnesses

• Provide new false ceilings throughout, keeping the existing Victorian features above.

4.4 The proposed scheme has the following merits: -

• The buildings external appearance will remain

• The internal alterations are reversable

• The planform is retained substantially intact

• The occupation of the building by the British Transport Police will provide a visible present on the Welsh Rail Network

5.0 The setting of the Listed Building

5.1 The setting of a listed building is the surroundings in which it is understood, experienced and appreciated, embracing present and past relationships of Pontypridd Rail Station and the surrounding landscape.

5.2 Views of an historic asset are an obvious form of evaluation, but other sensory elements may be relevant too, including close location to the main town of Pontypridd, layout of the historic rail station, continued use, as well as its historic, and artistic merits.

11

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

5.3 When assessing proposals, local planning authorities are required to pay special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any other features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. This is set out in section 66 of the 1990 Act Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act.

5.4 In terms of its historic setting, Pontypridd Rail Station is a substantial rail station located at the junction of the and the Rhondda line and has for many years been the only station serving the town of Pontypridd. The proposal will have no visual impact on the existing aesthetics of the current rail station, as the proposed works are all internal, and its modest scale of refurbishment and the simple internal design changes will have no overall impact on the listed building.

6.0 Legislation and Policy

6.1 The legislative and policy context includes the following: -

• 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act, section 66

• 2016 Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016

• Technical Advice Note 24 (The Historic Environment) 2017 including annex 1 (Historic Impact Assessment in Wales), 2 (Managing Change to Listed Buildings in Wales) and 6 (Setting of Historic Assets in Wales)

• Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 (November 2016), Section 6

• Pembrokeshire County Council Local Development Plan (2013), Policy GN.38

• Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales’, Cadw, 2010.

12

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Evaluation of the proposed scheme in the context of national policy

6.2 The main material policy document is Technical Advice Note 24 (The Historic Environment) 2017. Paragraph 5.13 requires consideration of a number of issues when determining a listed building consent application. These include:

• The importance and grade of the building and its intrinsic architectural or historic interest.

• The physical features of the building which justify its listing and contribute to its significance, (for example its form and layout, materials, construction and detail) including any features of importance such as the interior, which may have come to light after the building’s inclusion on the list.

• The contribution of curtilage and setting to the significance of the building, as well as its contribution to its local scene

• The impact of the proposed works on the significance of the building.

• The extent to which the proposed works would bring substantial community benefits for example, by contributing to the security of staff and public on the Welsh Rail Network.

6.3 The first four points comprise the crux of listed building legislation and it is considered that this statement addresses the relevant issues. In terms of the fifth point, it is certain that the proposal will enhance the local security and safety on the railway environment and highly likely that the converted building will contribute to less petty crime on the station with a more visible presents of the British transport Police.

13

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

6.4 The main material policy document is Technical Advice Note 24 (The Historic Environment) 2017. Paragraph 5.14 states that 'Many listed buildings can sustain a degree of sensitive alteration and extension to accommodate continuing or new uses. Past changes that reflect the history of use and ownership may themselves be aspects of the special interest of the listed building'. It advises that ' when applicants and the local planning authority assess the heritage values and significance of a listed building, which is the subject of a consent application, they must consider the sensitivity of that building to the proposed changes.

6.5 Sustaining the special interest and significance of a listed building through the process of alteration, extension or re-use is exacting, and should always be based on specialist knowledge and skill in order to realise the benefits that well-designed interventions can bring'.

6.6 It is considered that Pontypridd Rail Station existing male and female toilet building is capable of sustaining the degree of alteration proposed to sustain its ongoing use as a new office facility for accommodating the British Transport Police in undertaking there roll as security enforcement on Welsh Rail Network and that a careful balance has been made against the heritage values of the building.

Evaluation of the proposed scheme in the context of current Local Authority Policy

6.7 Policy GN.38 states 'development that affects sites and landscapes of architectural and/or historic merit...... or their setting will only be permitted when it can be demonstrated that it would protect or enhance their character and integrity'.

6.8 It is considered that the proposal complies with this policy objective.

14

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

7.0 Evaluation of the proposed scheme in the context of the Conservation Principles.

Principle 1 – Historic Assets will be managed to sustain their values

7.1 Changes in the historic environment are inevitable and conservation of historic buildings is about the careful management of change, having special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

7.2 The proposed works at Pontypridd Station are perceived as conserving the special character of the building whilst upgrading its internal facilities for modern-day office use. The works of alteration mainly centres on the internal remodelling. The character of Pontypridd Station as one of the most important C19 stations in west Wales remains unaltered.

Principle 2 – Understanding the significance of historic assets is vital

7.3 In evidential terms, the structural history of Pontypridd Station is very straightforward, as examined above

7.4 In terms of communal value, to the historian, Pontypridd Station is a substantial and well-preserved rail station, set on the outskirts of Pontypridd main town. The proposed scheme has no impact on any of this.

Principle 3 – The historic environment is a shared resource

7.5 Although Pontypridd Station is owned by Welsh rail, it forms the centre of an historic town, which has helped shape the surrounding countryside. In terms of public interest, the legal procedures needed to obtain listed building consent provide the mechanisms for arbitrating between private and public interests.

15

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Principle 4 – Everyone will be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment

7.6 It is hoped that this document will assist in ensuring that decisions about Pontypridd Station are taken in an open and transparent manner, as well as sharing what is known about the station to date, raising people’s awareness and understanding of their heritage.

7.7 All contractors involved will be suitably qualified and/or experienced in undertaking works to best conservation practice

Principle 5 – Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent

7.8 It is hoped that this document will underpin this principle and provide a clear justification for proposed changes to the building

Principle 6 – Documenting and learning from decisions is essential

7.9 The information and documentation gathered as a result of the proposed scheme will be retained by the owners, with a copy provided to the RCAHMW’s public archive.

8.0 Assessing the changes to Pontypridd Station in the context of the Conservation Principles

8.1 Changes to the building may be categorised as new work or alteration, including:

8.2 Exterior works: - • Removal of modern through the wall extract fan, and reinstate back to original

16

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

• Removal of modern extract fan located through window, replace glass and timber window frame back to original

• Remove modern type louvred window over one door and replace with casement window to match the existing three external doors

• Refurbish all external windows and redecorate

• Refurbish all external doors making good scarfing in new timber to match existing and decorate.

Interior works: -

8.3 Internal alterations female toilet area (remove all existing cubicles, remove wall between small store area and large storage area)

• Creation of openings between the two large areas allowing usable office space

• Creation of openings between existing male toilet area and enlarged office area

• Refurbish existing terrazzo floor in existing male toilet area

• Provide new floor coverings to all other areas

• Create new office for officer in charge

• Create new secure store for stolen goods and narcotics

• Create new male and female locker rooms with WC and showers.

• Create new interview room for taking statements from witnesses

17

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

• Provide new false ceilings throughout, keeping the existing Victorian features above.

9.0 Conclusion

9.1 It is hoped that this report adequately addresses the impact of the proposal on the character and setting of the building, balancing the statutory requirement to preserve the listed building with government and local policy to retain it in suitable use and condition.

18

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

APPENDIX A

INTERNAL PHOTOGRAPHS

19

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Existing toilet wash area to be new interview area

Existing Terrazzo flooring to be refurbished and retained along with timber moulded skirtings

20

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Modern cabinets and worktop to be removed external doors to be refurbished, new opening in wall for entrance to interview room

Modern cabinets and worktop to be removed external doors to be refurbished, new opening in wall enlarge new office area

21

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Existing features to be retained above new suspended ceilings

Removal of all walls to old female WCs to form new Officer in Charge Office and enlarge general office area.

22

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

APPENDIX B

EXTERNAL ELEVATIONS

23

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Elevation One

Elevation Two

24

HERITAGE IMPACT STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED WORKS AT PONTYPRIDD RAIL STATION, RHONDDA CYNON TAF, MID GLAMORGAN, WALES – REF: 191/P/699

Elevation Three

Elevation Four

25