HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING: Polygonisation of Historic Buildings in the Western Area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING: Polygonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

Prepared by Dyfed Archaeological Trust For: Cadw

DYFED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST

REPORT NO. 2016/70 EVENT RECORD NO. 109225

March 2017

HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING;

Polygonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

Cover Photo: Lan Farmstead, Dyffryn Cennen, Western Brecon Beacons National Park

Menna Bell

The copyright of this report is held by Cadw and Dyfed Archaeological Trust Ltd.

The maps are based on Ordnance Survey mapping provided by the National Assembly for Wales with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. License No.: 100017916 (2014).

Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Dyfed Cyf Dyfed Archaeological Trust Limited Ty Cornel, Stryd 6 Caerfyrddin, Llandeilo, Sir The Corner House, 6 Carmarthen Street, Llandeilo, Gaerfyrddin SA19 6AE Carmarthenshire SA19 6AE Ffon: Ymholiadau Cyffredinol 01558 823121 Tel: General Enquiries 01558 823121 Adran Rheoli Treftadaeth 01558 823131 Heritage Management Section 01558 823131 Ebost: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Gwefan: www.archaeolegdyfed.org.uk Website: www.dyfedarchaeology.org.uk

Cwmni cyfyngedig (1198990) ynghyd ag elusen gofrestredig (504616) yw’r Ymddiriedolaeth. The Trust is both a Limited Company (No. 1198990) and a Registered Charity (No. 504616) CADEIRYDD CHAIRMAN: Professor B C BURNHAM MCIfA CYFARWYDDWR DIRECTOR: K MURPHY BA MCIfA

ERN 109225 Historic Building Recording Polyonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of BBNPA

HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING; Polygonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY 1 1 INTRODUCTION 2 2. METHODOLOGY 3 3 DIGITIZATION PROCESS 4 3.1 Problems Encountered 6 5. OUTREACH 8 6. CONCLUSIONS 11 7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 12 8. SOURCES 12

FIGURES Figure 1: Map showing the communities encompassing the study area (outlined in red) 4

Figure 2: Map showing the distribution of extant (in pink) and abandoned (in purple) buildings recorded within the study area 6

Figure 3: An extract from the 2nd edition 1906 1:25000 OS map showing the 2013 MasterMap polygons (in pink) offset from the historic farm buildings 7 Figure 4: An extract from the 2nd edition 1906 1:25000 OS map showing the 2013 MasterMap polygons (in red) and the recorded polygons (in pink) over the farm buildings at the farmstead. The modern mapping shows that the historic buildings have been added to but the historic building still survives. Also note the discrepancy with the southern most historic building and the modern polygon. Aerial photography and satellite imagery reveal that the historic building conforms to the plan depicted on the historic mapping 8

Figure 5: Results of the survey undertaken by volunteers of Lan Farmstead showing its salient features, boundaries and watercourses. Lan house and beudy are coloured in yellow and peach, the threshing barn is coloured brown whilst the modern agricultural sheds are in grey. Hedge boundaries are green whilst a robbed boundary is depicted in orange. The culvert and watercourses at the farmstead are coloured in blue as with the remains of a flagstone culvert depicted in dark grey 9 TABLES Table 1: The historic building recording table structure and attributes 5

Dyfed Archaeological Services Report Number 2016/70 ERN 109225 Historic Building Recording Polyonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of BBNPA

PHOTOGRAPHS Photo 1: Volunteers Sara and Amanda preparing to record the front elevation of Lan cottage (DAT Photo 109225_0001) 10

Photo 2: Volunteer Rob operating the EDM during the topographic survey of Lan Farmstead (DAT Photo 109225_0002) 10

Photo 3: Volunteer Arthur recording the front elevation of the threshing barn at Lan Farmstead (DAT Photo 109225_0003) 11

Dyfed Archaeological Services Report Number 2016/70 ERN 109225 Historic Building Recording Polyonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of BBNPA

HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING; Polygonisation of historic buildings with the Western area of Brecon Beacons National Park SUMMARY This is a Cadw-funded project running in partnership with Helen Whitear in her capacity as advisor and Consultant to Adfer Ban a Chwm (ABC) to create a polygonised baseline dataset of all extant and derelict historic buildings within the western part of the Brecon Beacons National Park and the entire Myddfai community. ABC is a buildings preservation trust whose objective is to provide affordable homes to meet local needs using redundant vernacular buildings. The information generated by this project will enable ABC to identify potential buildings to be targeted for future attention, creating affordable housing units using traditional building techniques and materials. The project adopted the recording methodology used by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust to record traditional buildings in Radnorshire to better inform the Glastir agri- environmental scheme. This project was a desk-based, rapid recording exercise using historic and modern Ordnance Survey GIS mapping in conjunction with aerial photography and satellite imagery. Over the course of 9 days 992 individual extant building polygons were created, of which 84 had existing PRNs. Of these 84 PRNs, 42 were recorded as listed buildings. Subsequently, 908 new records were added to the HER. ABC identified a total of 276 sites of abandoned or derelict farmsteads, of which 51 had existing PRNs, resulting in the creation of 225 new records. The total number of new records created during this project is 1133. It is intended that this baseline dataset later be enhanced through the volunteer participation in further desk-based research and/or field visits and building recording. An abandoned farmstead was located within the Dyffryn Cennen community was identified as worthy of detailed building recording with the help from volunteers. Over the course of two days in late November 2016, five local volunteers undertook a survey and produced a photographic record of the buildings.

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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This was a partnership project between the Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Adfa Ban a Chwm to record all historic buildings within the western area (Carmarthenshire) of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Adfar Ban a Chwm (referred as ABC hereafter) is a building preservation trust whose objective is to provide affordable homes to meet local need using redundant vernacular buildings. Vernacular buildings and in particular historic farm buildings are recognised as being important elements of the historic environment which are particularly at risk. Changes in socioeconomic factors such as livelihood, population, farming and subsistence practices can often lead to the neglect and abandonment of buildings resulting in quiet decay and dereliction. Conversely, unsympathetic restoration and reuse can damage or even destroy the character of the buildings. There are some, but limited, sources of funding for maintenance and management of historic buildings through agri-environmental schemes such as Glastir, but a strategy on where this funding could be most effectively used was lacking as there was no baseline data on the vernacular buildings within the western area of the national park. Beyond Listed Buildings, it was found that little and/or inconsistent information concerning buildings within the study area was held in the Dyfed Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (hereafter referred to as the HER).

1.2 Delivering affordable housing within the western area of the park is a challenge owing to its non-nucleated character and diffused populations. In 2015, ABC received funding from the Brecon Beacons National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund to investigate whether this challenge could be met through the reuse of derelict vernacular buildings. The investigation concluded that whilst there was support for such a housing model, the provision of a baseline dataset which identified and characterised the vernacular buildings within the western area of the park filled an imperative need.

1.3 It was therefore proposed that a polygonised baseline dataset of all extant and derelict vernacular/historic farm buildings should be created as part of the HER. This would be done following methodology developed by the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust for recording traditional farm buildings in Radnorshire (McCullough, 2015). Furthermore, following the creation of the baseline data, these records could be enhanced through desk-based research, site visits and field-recording undertaken by volunteers.

1.4 It is anticipated that the information generated by this project will enable ABC to identify a number of potential buildings to be targeted for a programme of restoration work, transforming them to affordable housing units using traditional building techniques and materials. It had been envisaged that ABC would be eligible to apply for funding for the physical work of derelict building(s) selected, in partnership with Bro Myrddin Housing Association. Other potential ABC partners in future stages of the project include the Twyi Centre (a specialist training centre for traditional building skills), Ty-Mawr Lime (purveyors of Lime and traditional building skills), University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Carmarthenshire County Council.

1.5 At the outset of the project it was determined that only extant, historic buildings would be recorded by the author whilst Helen Whitear, in her capacity as Landscape Archaeologist and Consultant to ABC, would record the derelict and abandoned buildings.

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2. METHODOLOGY 2.1 This recording methodology is based on that developed by colleagues at the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust as an exercise in rapid recording to create a polygonised dataset for extant historic farm buildings in Radnorshire, undertaken as part of a Glastir pilot project. The recording and mapping methodology is entirely GIS based; specifically using the MapInfo GIS software and digitized mapping resources.

2.2 The 2nd edition 1:2500 1907 Ordnance Survey map was used as a base map and was overlaid by the 2013 Ordnance Survey, MasterMap buildings layer. The 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map was chosen as a “terminus ante quem” for historic or traditional buildings since it provides a coherent coverage of Wales close to the start of the First World War; an event considered with the Glastir scheme as a cut off point for traditional farm buildings. If a building shown on the historic mapping was still present on the modern mapping layer then it was considered to be extant and vernacular in origin. In addition to the modern mapping, the 2004, “Next Perspectives” vertical aerial photography GIS layer was also checked to verify the presence of the buildings identified. Furthermore, current satellite images provided by Bing and Google were also checked and where possible, Google Street View was also utilized.

2.3 In addition to the mapping tables, the HER Core records (PRNs), Listed Buildings and RCAHMW’s National Monuments Records layers were also overlain the base map so that buildings recorded elsewhere could be included in the project.

2.4 Two new MapInfo tables were created which closely reflected the “Core” HER record table structure to capture the new building polygons. One table recorded the extant buildings whilst the other recorded the abandoned and/or derelict buildings captured by the ABC project partner. For the purpose of DAT’s remit within the project, the recording criterion for the extant buildings table was very simple (although not without problems which are discussed later in this report. If a building shown on the 2nd edition corresponded with a building depicted on the modern mapping layer, it was recorded and added to the new MapInfo table. Individual buildings were recorded as individual polygons which resulted in a corresponding number of records within the table. Each building was given the name shown on the 2nd edition map and in the case for farmsteads; each building within the farmstead was given the farm name suffixed with a number (i, ii, iii, iv and so on). If no name was given then “No Name” was recorded in the appropriate field for the record. A number of mandatory fields within the table were filled in at the time of its creation whilst others were populated post the recording process as global updates. Details of the digitization process are discussed in the following section.

3 DIGITIZATION PROCESS

3.1 This rapid recording exercise was confined to the boundaries of the Western Area of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This area encompasses the rural and diffuse communities west of the Black Mountain, bordered by the Towy Valley to the west and to the south by the Amman Valley. It comprises an area of approximately 227 square kilometres in total and includes the Llangadog, Llanddeusant, Dyffryn Cennen, Quarter Bach and the eastern part of the Myddfai communities, as well as some encroachment in the Llandybie and Cwmamman communities to the southwest (Figure 1).

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Figure 1: Map showing the communities encompassing the study area (outlined in red)

3.2 As mentioned previously, two MapInfo tables were created to capture the extant and abandoned/ruined buildings. Whilst they were identical in structure, the nature of the information entered into the tables varied owing to the differing limitations in time and resources available to the compilers. This report reflects the process undertaken by the author within the remit of rapidly recording the extant buildings.

3.3 At the outset of the project, the 25” and 6” Ordnance Survey map indices were overlain over the mapping layers and used to methodically work through the study area in grid squares which were shaded on completion to document progress.

3.4 Unless it was explicitly stated (either in an existing record or annotated on the mapping), no attempt was made to identify or categorise the building type. In most cases the building type was simply recorded as “Building”. Similarly, “Period” is a mandatory field in the HER and necessitates a broad date assigned to the building. Consequently, all buildings recorded were recorded as “Post Medieval”.

3.5 In an effort for expediency, the X and Y coordinate for each polygon was derived automatically from MapInfo using the “Coordinator Extractor” tool at the end of the recording process. This populated the eastings and northings field with the central coordinates of each polygon. Similarly, it was possible to add information regarding the unitary authority and civil communities as global updates to the table using information derived from existing MapInfo tables. Upon uploading the data to the HER it was possible to generate National Grid References and the appropriate 2nd edition, 25” Ordnance Survey map sheet numbers for each polygon.

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3.6 At the creation of each polygon a number of fields were completed in the recorded tables. The structure of each table is as follows (Table 1):

PRN If known, the PRN was entered, otherwise “0”. Name Name given from the name shown on 2nd edition mapping. If there are a number of buildings belonging to a farmstead, then each building is given the name of the farmstead suffixed by a number (eg. Cilmaenllwyd i, Cilmaenllwyd ii, etc.) Type “Building” Period “Post Medieval” Evidence “Documentary” Condition “Unknown” Summary “Building shown as extant on 1906 second edition 1:25000” OS mapping DAT Notes A free text field to record observations, inaccuracies in the MasterMap or notes on ambiguity by the author Flag # entered to flag building for revision or attention ABC Notes In the extant buildings record layer this field was used to record any buildings noticed on the mapping for the attention of Helen Whitear during her recording process Description_1 “Building extant on Google Earth 2016 imagery” Cymraeg Left blank as this will be populated by the translated Summary text once in the HER Status If as building was found to be Listed then “Listed” was recorded here eg; “82864” Reference Listed Building Number entered here is applicable Grade The grade of the listing was entered here eg. II, II* WAT Left blank WATprn Left blank East_1 Globally updated at end of recording process Nrth_1 Globally updated at end of recording process Table 1: The historic building recording table structure and attributes

3.7 The process of creating each polygon was not as simple as had been originally anticipated as the 2013 MasterMap OS buildings layer was not polygonised. This prohibited simply selecting the desired polygons and subsequently, copying and pasting into the record table. Buildings recorded in the MasterMap were composed of a number of polylines; often comprised of numerous segments. Consequently, individual polylines had to be copied into the record table (which subsequently created a new record for every polyline), selected once again, and finally combined as a single object following a lengthy process in MapInfo. The table then had to be “packed” to delete the remnant superfluous records of the individual polylines. Inevitably, this was an arduous and cumbersome process. However, it was subsequently discovered at the end of the process that it is possible to download the latest polygonised “Buildings” layer from the Ordnance Survey as an OpenData Shape file, downloadable by National Grid Reference Squares (https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/opendatadownload/products.html).

3.8 At the end of the recording process a total of 992 polygons were created, of which 84 had existing PRNs. Of the 84 existing records, 42 were recorded as Listed Buildings. Subsequently 908 “new” extant buildings were captured in this process over a period of 9 days. Between 80 and 150 records were created every day, with the average rate being around 100 records.

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3.9 The issue of the non-polygonised data was less of an impediment for recording the abandoned buildings as these polygons were drawn by hand and often encompassed an entire farmstead rather than individual buildings. A total of 276 polygons were created, of which 51 had existing PRNs. The total number of polygons created for extant and abandoned buildings was 1268 (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Map showing the distribution of extant (in pink) and abandoned (in purple) buildings recorded within the study area.

3.1 Problems Encountered

3.1.1 As an exercise in rapid recording the process was impeded by a number of problems. One anticipated problem was the discrepancies in the projections of the modern Ordnance Survey data over the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey mapping. The modern MasterMap building polygons were offset from the buildings shown on the historic mapping, a disparity which was inconsistent for the degree of error varied (Figure 3). In most instances it was relatively easy to correlate the buildings but on occasions where numerous buildings were shown at a farmstead or where there had been significant change, it was not always possible to correlate the historic building with the modern polygon. In these instances, the aerial photography and satellite imagery were essential in discerning the buildings.

3.1.2 Furthermore, this discrepancy in the MasterMap was symptomatic of its general inaccuracy which was often confusing. It was common to find that the modern polygons were erroneous either through deviations in the plan of an extant building (as seen in the satellite imagery), polygons drawn for non-existent buildings or polygons not drawn for buildings that are known to exist. It is not understood where the data in the modern mapping is derived and such errors

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only contributes to the inherent ambiguity of the process of identifying the buildings.

Figure 3: An extract from the 2nd edition 1906 1:25000 OS map showing the 2013 MasterMap polygons (in pink) offset from the historic farm buildings

3.1.3 In some instances the aerial photography and satellite imagery revealed that a historic building or farmstead had undergone extensive change since the 2nd edition mapping survey. Where it was still possible to identify the roofline of the historic building amongst a patchwork of later additions it was assumed that the historic building remained extant and a polygon was drawn (Figure 4). In this way, ambiguity has erred towards the positive and therefore the data maybe slightly over representative. However, only 50 of the 992 polygons were created in this way.

3.1.4 In addition to the 9 recording days a further 3 days were accumulated in reviewing, editing and updating the records in collaboration with the HER Officer. There was particular discussion over the merits and pitfalls of completing the “Type” and “Period” fields with information other than “Unknown” when to do otherwise may produce vague and misleading information. Unlike what was undertaken at CPAT, the records created were not verified by field visits.

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Figure 4: An extract from the 2nd edition 1906 1:25000 OS map showing the 2013 MasterMap polygons (in red) and the recorded polygons (in pink) over the farm buildings at the farmstead. The modern mapping shows that the historic buildings have been added to but the historic building still survives. Also note the discrepancy with the southern most historic building and the modern polygon. Aerial photography and satellite imagery reveal that the historic building conforms to the plan depicted on the historic mapping.

5. OUTREACH 5.1 On completion of the polygonization process, two further days were allocated to volunteer engagement. Project partners ABC were keen to engage volunteers in building recording and so a site was identified as a pilot. Colleagues within DAT Heritage Management had been altered to the case of Lan Farm; a small abandoned 18th-century farmstead situated in Dyffryn Cennen which was in the process of being listed. Lan Farm (PRN 11017) had been recorded within the “extant” dataset as the mapping evidence showed it to be roofed, although it has subsequently been moved to the “abandoned” dataset. It comprised a cottage and adjoining beudy (effectively it is a longhouse in origin) with a possible threshing barn situated on the opposite side of a linear farmyard. In addition there are two modern agricultural buildings which are still in use by the tenant farmer. Whilst there is no vehicular access to the farmstead it is accessible via a public foot path which runs through the center of the yard.

5.2 The owner and tenant farmer were contacted and both kindly gave permission for a rapid building recording to be undertaken. Over the course of two days five volunteers recorded measured drawings of the front elevations of the cottage, beudy and barn, in addition to a Level 2 Photographic Record and a rapid EDM topographical survey of the farmstead (Figure 5; Photos 1- 3).

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9 ERN 109225 Historic Building Recording Polyonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of BBNPA

Photo 1: Volunteers Sara and Amanda preparing to record the front elevation of Lan cottage (DAT Photo 109225_0001)

Photo 2: Volunteer Rob operating the EDM during the topographic survey of Lan Farmstead (DAT Photo 109225_0002)

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Photo 3: Volunteer Arthur recording the front elevation of the threshing barn at Lan Farmstead (DAT Photo 109225_0003)

6. CONCLUSIONS 6.1 In principle, the methodology first piloted by CPAT utilizing polygonised data is a straightforward and effective way to capture a large amount of data as an exercise in rapid recording. Discrepancies between the historic and modern mapping are inevitable but this is generally easily overcome by the use of complementary data such as the satellite imagery and aerial photography. Using this methodology is ought to be possible to cover a large area in a relatively small amount of time.

6.2 However, as with any exercise of rapid recording, there are pitfalls and caveats which inherently affect the quality of the data captured, particularly if the priority is quantity over quality. Without field verification is has not been possible to check the accuracy of the data captured, particularly where there has been ambiguity and caution has erred towards the positive rather than the negative. In this way it is possible that this resultant dataset on extant buildings within the western side of the National Park is over representative. Caution should also be given to the merits of assigning blanket periods to such a vast amount of data within the HER, as this may mask buildings with earlier origins. Similarly, assigning a broad site type such as “Building” does not adequately characterize the site.

6.3 Whilst this data is of a low resolution, it is nevertheless, a coherent baseline dataset which provides a platform for enhancement and further investigation. Furthermore, it has provided a dataset which identifies the vernacular buildings within the Western area of the Brecon Beacons National Park and can be used to better inform agri-environmental schemes such as Glastir, and to enable agenda such as ABC.

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6.4 In conclusion, a total of 1133 new records for extant and abandoned buildings were added to the HER. Of these records, 908 entries were for extant buildings whilst 225 records captured abandoned farmsteads.

7. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The desk based and field recording and reporting was undertaken by Menna Bell. The author would like to offer grateful thanks to colleague Helen Whitear and volunteers Amanda Price, Martin Davies, Sara Tommerup, Arthur Philips, Robert Hopkins for their assistance with the project. Very grateful thanks are also offered to Mr and Mrs Robert Owen of Penywaun Farm for this assistance of hospitality and to the owner of Lan Farm Richard Stevenson for his permission and support for the building recording.

Next Perspectives: 2004 High Resolution Aerial Photography

Ordnance Survey: 1906 : 2nd edition, 1 : 2500, Carmarthenshire Sheet 42.01

Ordnance Survey: 2013 Mastermap, 1:2500

Ordnance Survey: 2016 OpenData “Buildings” layer, 1:2500

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HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING;

Polygonisation of historic buildings in the Western area of the Brecon Beacons National Park

DYFED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST

REPORT NO. 2016/70 EVENT RECORD NO. 109225

March 2017

This report has been prepared by:

Menna Bell

Position: Archaeologist DAT Archaeological Services

Signature ...... Date:29/03/2017

This report has been checked and approved by

Ken Murphy

on behalf of Dyfed Archaeological Trust Ltd.

Position: Trust Director

Signature ...... Date: 30/03/2017

As part of our desire to provide a quality service we would welcome any comments you may have on the content or presentation of this report