OneSwindon Newburn Sidings, Swindon
Archaeological Desk Based Assessment and Heritage Statement
662140
OCTOBER 2020
RSK GENERAL NOTES
Project No.: 662140
Title: Newburn Sidings, Swindon Archaeological Desk Based Assessment and Heritage Statement
Client: OneSwindon
Date: January 2021
Office: Manchester
Status: Rev 1.2
Author Owen Raybould Technical reviewer Laurence Hayes
Signature Signature Date: 26/10/20 Date: 26/10/20
Project Manager Tamzin Wood
26/10/20
RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has prepared this report for the sole use of the client, showing reasonable skill and care, for the intended purposes as stated in the agreement under which this work was completed. The report may not be relied upon by any other party without the express agreement of the client and RSK. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report. Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by RSK for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested. No part of this report may be copied or duplicated without the express permission of RSK and the party for whom it was prepared. Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives of the work. This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of RSK Environment Ltd. OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 i
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has been commissioned by OneSwindon to prepare a combined archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) and Heritage Statement (HS) in relation to proposed development at the site known as ‘Newburn Sidings’ in Swindon, (Central Swindon South CP), Wiltshire. The report assesses the historic environment constraints of the site in relation to buried archaeological deposits (potential direct impacts upon physical remains) and the potential for significant adverse visual effects on heritage assets and their settings in the wider area. This report describes the development proposals, identifies heritage assets potentially affected within a 1km study area, provides a statement of their significance and the contribution that setting makes to that significance, and assesses the impact that the development proposals may have on their significance. Measures incorporated into the design to minimise harm are identified. There are two conservation areas, 88 listed buildings, two scheduled monuments, and 100 non- designated heritage assets recorded by the Wiltshire HER within a 1km study area surrounding the application site. There are no known heritage assets of any period recorded by the Wiltshire HER or Historic England’s NRHE within the site boundary (see Figures 5 and 6). Archaeological Potential Historic mapping and LiDAR data illustrate imported levelling fill across the majority of the proposed development site. Made ground is recorded across the majority of the site by the BGS, and across the entire site through geotechnical investigations (Atkins, 2015). There is a low potential for Medieval field boundary remains to be preserved within the site boundary which would be of local archaeological significance. A subway, culverted river, and the remains of a property “Newburn” are preserved beneath the made ground within the site, however the remains are of limited archaeological or historical value, likely to be of local significance. The proposed development site formed part of the GWR Works, operating as a sidings from the 1880s onwards, variously including two/three large buildings of an unknown function (likely warehouses) at the site’s northern end. Given the lack of subsequent development it is likely that the foundations of these buildings survive, however the remains are of limited archaeological or historical value, likely to be of local significance. Due to the extensive development of the site as detailed on historic maps and plans there is a low potential for hitherto unknown remains of significance to be preserved within the application site boundary. Setting Assessment The Heritage Statement presented in this report has identified that two conservation areas, one scheduled monument, seven listed buildings, and three non-designated heritage assets within the study area are sensitive to change within their settings. Of these, the proposed development site is located within the setting of the Railway Village and Railway Works conservation areas (RSK 200 and RSK 199), as well as Grade II and II* listed
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buildings: the Church of St Mark (RSK 23), the V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71) and Old L2 Shop (RSK 72), the GWR Turntable (RSK 73), and the Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89), and non-designated heritage assets: the Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), and the Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145). Currently, the proposed development site does not contribute to the character of the surrounding historic environment, however, its former use as part of the GWR Works is historically significant. Therefore, it is important that the boundaries are preserved such that the former outline of the sidings will be discernible. As is demonstrated in the ‘measures for minimising harm’ (Section 12), all elements of the proposed development have been informed by precedents from the surrounding historic environment. As such, there is an opportunity for the proposed development to contribute to the significance and character of the area, by acting as a ‘gateway’, referencing the heritage, and introducing and enhancing visitors’ experience of both conservation areas. In the same way, the proposed development site is also visible from the train immediately before/after it passes through the conservation areas and therefore an opportunity is presented to expand on and enhance the character of the area through the introduction of sensitively designed buildings on an otherwise derelict piece of land. In general, it is considered that the proposed development would create a harmonious character on the periphery of and with Swindon’s industrial railway heritage. No harm to the historic environment is predicted. Conclusion It is not anticipated that there will be any significant physical impacts upon archaeological remains within the site boundary that will require mitigation. Assuming the detailed design of the proposed development accords with the outline design considered in this Heritage Statement, it is assessed that no harm would occur in relation to the significance of the historic environment. The proposed development does not contravene any national, regional or local policy tests.
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CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 7 Acknowledgements and Quality Assurance ...... 8 2 SITE DESCRIPTION ...... 10 Location and Description ...... 10 Geology ...... 12 Historic Landscape Character ...... 13 3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ...... 14 Character Area: The Turntable Circus...... 16 Character Area: Railway Village ...... 16 Character Area: Newburn Square ...... 17 Character Area: River View Apartments...... 17 Character Area: Wootton Bassett Gateway ...... 17 4 CONSULTATION ...... 18 Pre-Application 1 ...... 18 Pre-Application 2 ...... 20 5 LEGISLATION, POLICY AND GUIDANCE ...... 21 Statutory Protection ...... 21 Setting and Group Value ...... 22 Local Planning Policy...... 23 Material Consideration ...... 25 Technical Guidance ...... 27 Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plans (CAAMP)...... 28 6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 30 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment ...... 30 Heritage Statement ...... 30 7 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 31 Terminology ...... 31 Study Area ...... 33 Data Sources ...... 33 Desk-Based Assessment ...... 34 Site Visit ...... 34 LiDAR...... 34 Historic Mapping ...... 35 Review of Geotechnical Site Investigation ...... 35 Physical Impact Assessment ...... 35 Heritage Statement ...... 36 Limitations ...... 39 8 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT BASELINE ...... 40 Designated Heritage Assets ...... 40 Conservation Areas ...... 40 Listed Buildings ...... 40 Scheduled Monuments ...... 40 Non-Designated Heritage Assets ...... 41
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Previous Events ...... 41 Detailed Baseline ...... 44 The Great Western Railway ...... 46 Historical Mapping ...... 49 9 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND PHYSICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 58 Archaeological Potential ...... 58 Archaeological Review of Geotechnical Site Investigation ...... 58 Prehistoric Periods ...... 58 Roman/Romano-British Periods ...... 58 Medieval Periods ...... 59 Post Medieval ...... 59 Later Historic and Modern Periods ...... 59 Physical Impact Assessment ...... 60 10 IDENTIFICATION OF SETTING IMPACT ASSESSMENT RECEPTORS ...... 61 Designated Heritage Assets ...... 61 Non-designated Heritage Assets ...... 62 Heritage Impact Assessment Viewpoints ...... 63 Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment AVRs ...... 63 11 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE ...... 65 Conservation Areas ...... 65 Listed Buildings ...... 73 Scheduled Monuments ...... 78 Non-designated Heritage Assets ...... 79 12 MEASURES FOR MINIMISING HARM ...... 81 13 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 83 General Assessment ...... 83 Detailed Assessment ...... 84 Conservation Areas ...... 84 Listed Buildings ...... 86 Scheduled Monuments ...... 90 Non-designated Heritage Assets ...... 90 14 POLICY ASSESSMENT ...... 93 National Legislation ...... 93 Local Planning Policy...... 94 Material Consideration ...... 94 15 CONCLUSIONS AND MITIGATION ...... 96 Summary Assessment Results ...... 96 Archaeological Potential ...... 96 Setting Assessment ...... 96 Recommended Mitigation ...... 97 Heritage ...... 97 Archaeology ...... 98 Conclusion ...... 98 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 99
APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF KNOWN HERITAGE ASSETS ...... 100 OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 v
FIGURES Figure 1: General site location plan (site boundary in red outline) ...... 9 Figure 2. The proposed development site, viewed from Park Lane (north east) ...... 10 Figure 3. Artificial ground (shaded) recorded by the BGS within the Site Boundary ...... 13 Figure 4. Proposed development: character areas plan (Design and Access Statement, Broadway Maylan, September 2020) ...... 15 Figure 5. Designated Heritage Assets ...... 42 Figure 6. Non-designated Heritage Assets ...... 43 Figure 7. 1841 Swindon tithe ...... 50 Figure 8. 1886 1:2500 OS ...... 51 Figure 9. 1923 1:2500 OS, also showing extent of modern conservation area designation boundaries relative to maximum extent of GWR works ...... 52 Figure 10. 1942 1:2500 OS ...... 53 Figure 11. Great Western Railway and environs, Swindon, from south west 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission) ...... 54 Figure 12. Great Western Railway and environs, Swindon, from south west 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission) ...... 55 Figure 13. Locomotive Shop at the Great Western Railway, Swindon, from south east 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission) ...... 56 Figure 14. Modern (2018) DTM LIDAR imagery ...... 57 Figure 15. Heritage Viewpoints ...... 64 Figure 16. Proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) ‘Defined Views of Importance’...... 66 Figure 17. Example monumental landmark buildings within Railway Village Conservation Area: Mechanics Institute (RSK 45) (left); water tower (RSK 10) (distant); carriage works No.7/8 Shops (RSK 53 & 54) (right), looking south west along London Street towards proposed development site . 67 Figure 18. St Marks Church as viewed from Railway Works Conservation Area (‘Defined View of Importance 02’, in unadopted proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP, June 2020). Showing general character: monumental industrial buildings viewed across recently-cleared open spaces. Looking south ...... 68 Figure 19. View east across The Park towards Railway Village Conservation Area (‘Defined View of Importance 03’, unadopted proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP, June 2020) ...... 68 Figure 20. General character of Railway Village terraced streets. Looking south west towards proposed development site from Bathampton Street ...... 69 Figure 21. General character of Railway Village back alleys. Looking south west towards proposed development site ...... 69 Figure 22. The Mechanics Institute, looking west towards proposed development site ...... 74 Figure 23. St Marks Church, looking south west towards proposed development site ...... 75 Figure 24. Underpass boundary between the proposed development site and Railway Works Conservation Area (left), looking south east along Rodbourne Road, towards GWR overbridge ...... 76 Figure 25. Monumental carriage works within Railway Works, with views south to the Railway Village beyond ...... 76 Figure 26. GWR Turntable (RSK 73) with Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89) beyond, looking north east with the northern end of proposed development out of shot to right ...... 77 Figure 27. Church of St Augustine (RSK 78), looking west along Summers Street ...... 78 Figure 28. Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1), looking west along Mill Lane ...... 79 Figure 29. Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), looking south west along Penzance Drive ...... 80
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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 RSK Environment Ltd (RSK) has been commissioned by OneSwindon to prepare a combined archaeological desk-based assessment (DBA) and Heritage Statement in relation to proposed development at the site known as ‘Newburn Sidings’ in Swindon, (Central Swindon South CP), Wiltshire (Figure 1). 1.2 The development proposal comprises residential blocks at the south western end and smaller town houses/one mid-rise block at the north eastern end, as follows: Outline planning permission for up to 368 residential dwellings and 370 sqm of uses falling within Class E with associated parking, landscaping and access with all matters reserved except for access. 1.3 This report assesses the historic environment constraints of the site, including potential direct impacts upon buried archaeological remains and the potential for significant adverse visual effects on heritage assets and their settings in the wider area. 1.4 Newburn Sidings (hereafter ‘the site’), centred at NGR 413741, 184302 (nearest post code SN2 2EQ), is located alongside and to the south of the London to Bristol railway line servicing Swindon train station which is located 1 km to the north east. The site is currently accessed from Park Lane at its north eastern end. 1.5 Historically the site was farmland until the twentieth century when it became part of the Great Western Works and was utilised as a railway sidings. Surviving parts of the Great Western Works are designated as two conservation areas lying to the east of the site. The site therefore has a historical relationship with Swindon’s railway heritage. 1.6 This report provides a review of relevant policy and describes the current historic environment baseline, including the site and its surroundings. This is used to assess the significance of the known and potential archaeological remains across the footprint of the proposed development in order to make an assessment of archaeological potential. Due to previous site utilisation comprising iterations of railway sidings and large engine sheds, the construction of which required embanking the majority of the site for levelling purposes, the archaeological potential of the site is generally negligible. 1.7 In relation to setting effects, the Heritage Statement included in this report describes the development proposals, identifies sensitive heritage assets (‘receptors’) that may be affected, provides a statement of their significance and the contribution that setting makes to that significance, and assesses the impact that the proposals may have on their significance. 1.8 The heritage impact considerations break down into two broad categories: potential visual/setting effects on conservation areas and their component assets; and potential visual/setting effects on sensitive heritage assets (scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and non-designated heritage assets) identified outside the conservation areas within a defined study area.
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1.9 Measures incorporated into the design to minimise harm are identified and measures which could be considered which would enhance the significance of the historic environment are recommended. 1.10 This report is suitable for submission in support of a planning application, identifies potential heritage constraints for the scheme in accordance with paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2019) and is consistent with the requirements of national and local planning policies with respect to consideration of the historic environment in the planning process.
Acknowledgements and Quality Assurance
1.11 The RSK staff involved in the production of this report were Owen Raybould MCIfA Assoc.IHBC (data collection, site visits and assessment, figures and report text), and Laurence Hayes MCIfA IHBC (technical review). 1.12 RSK is a Registered Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and is formally recognised as an Historic Environment Service Provider with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), audited statuses which confirm that work is carried out in accordance with the highest standards of the profession and the respective codes of conduct. 1.13 The methodology employed in this assessment is in accordance with current legislation, policy and best-practice guidance on the setting and conservation of heritage assets (see Technical Guidance, Section 5) as well as the requirements of pre-application 1 consultation response (see Consultation, Section 4 below). 1.14 LiDAR data is reproduced © Environment Agency copyright and/or database rights 2020. All rights reserved. 1.15 Ordnance Survey data is reproduced under licence 100014807.
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Figure 1: General site location plan (site boundary in red outline) OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 9
2 SITE DESCRIPTION
Location and Description
2.1 The Site, centred at NGR 413741, 184302 (nearest post code SN2 2EQ), is located alongside and to the south of the London to Bristol (Great Western Main Line) railway line servicing Swindon railway station which is located 1 km to the north east. The site is currently accessed from Park Lane at its north eastern end, and bound by Wootton Bassett Road at its south western end. 2.2 The site measures 5.3 ha in area. As a former sidings the proposed development site is linear, measuring 940 m north east – south west and a maximum of 65 m north west – south east. Within the site boundary the ground level dips slightly to the south west and lies at an elevation of 100 m AOD (above ordnance datum).
Figure 2. The proposed development site, viewed from Park Lane (north east)
2.3 The existing ground cover comprises areas of hardstanding with self-seeded scrub (Figure 2). It has been most recently used as a yard for railway access and maintenance. There are slight north east – south west aligned embankments along the length of the site which presumably relate to the latest phase of clearance. 2.4 The surrounding area is necessarily flat, chosen by the Great Western Railway (GWR) as a site suitable for sidings and reflecting the former need to enable the easy movement of engines and carriages. The area within the site boundary is artificially raised, however.
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2.5 The site can be broken down into two approximately equal halves; the northern half, which is slightly narrower (50 m wide), was raised to match the level of the adjacent railway by 1884. The southern half of the site is slightly wider (65 m) and was not embanked until the 1940s, at which time a tributary of the River Ray was culverted beneath the embankment for the expanded sidings on a north-south alignment. 2.6 The only standing structure of historical note is a disused brick stairwell, located at the junction of Dean Street and Newburn Crescent, within and alongside the southern boundary in the eastern part of the site. The stairwell provides access to a disused subway that runs beneath the site at its mid-point in a north west – south east orientation; this was constructed and buried beneath imported fill when the railway line was first constructed in 1840.
Boundaries 2.7 The north western boundary is defined by steel palisade fencing separating the site from the adjacent railway. A concrete retaining wall and railway bridge forms the north eastern site boundary. The south eastern boundary comprises steel palisade fencing to the west and a 1.5 – 2 m high retaining wall to the east adjacent to Dean Street. The south western boundary comprises a concrete retaining wall which forms part of the railway bridge crossing the A3102.
Surrounding Area 2.8 The site is flanked to the north west by the London to Bristol railway line, beyond which lies a brew house (former weigh house) at the centre point of the site, with residential housing on the site of the former GWR Works. To the north west is the Iceland Regional Distribution Centre, and to the north east is a former pattern store and railway turntable beyond which lies the Railway Works Conservation Area, the ‘Swindon Designer Outlet’. 2.9 To the east is a Territorial Army centre beyond which lies St Mark’s Church and vicarage, and to the south of which lies The Park; each of these areas form formal ‘character areas’ of the Railway Village Conservation Area (see Swindon Borough Council’s 2006 Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plans for Swindon Railway Areas, below). 2.10 To the west and south west of the site are industrial buildings beyond the A3102. 2.11 Adjacent to the western half of the southern site boundary is an open recreation ground and allotments (the allotments have been established since the 1920s). Adjacent to the eastern half of the southern site boundary are the rear gardens of two storey residential properties which front on to Newburn Crescent/Dean Street. 2.12 Further afield lies the Okus-Swindon Hill ridge to the south east, on which Swindon Old Town is situated. 2.13 The proposed development site is located at the foot of Swindon Hill, lying c. 2 km north west of its highest point.
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Geology
2.14 British Geological Survey mapping (BGS)1 records the underlying bedrock geology at the site as Ampthill Clay and Kimmeridge Clay Formation (mudstone). 2.15 Naturally occurring superficial deposits are not mapped within the site. Alluvium deposits are present approximately 300 m to the west of the site associated with the course of the River Ray. The River Ray curves around the southern side of the Okus-Swindon Hill ridge, then flows away to the north-west. 2.16 The historical settlement of Swindon, conventionally known as Old Town or Old Swindon, stands at the eastern end of an east-west aligned ridge rising approximately 40 m above the surrounding landscape. The Okus-Swindon Hill ridge forms a substantial contrast in its geology to the neighbouring claylands, its sandy and stony bedrock formations generating a lighter soil-type and vegetation than the damp oak forest which, prior to human intervention, characterised the lower lying ground (WCAS, 2004). 2.17 Swindon Hill is the result of a remnant syncline of Portland and Purbeck limestones capping the clays. The spur to the south-east is similarly formed by remnants of Portland and lower greensand beds. Prehistoric and Romano-British settlers were attracted to the ridge, the earlier groups perhaps on the move between the densely settled Thames Valley to the north and the Marlborough Downs to the south. The ridge has made an attractive settlement location from prehistoric times to the present day.
Artificial Ground 2.18 The British Geological Survey (BGS) records that ‘Made Ground’ is present in the western and central part of the site (Figure 3). A geotechnical site investigation of the proposed development site was carried out by Atkins in 2015, comprising a series of window samples (up to 7.75 m bgl) and trial pits (up to 3.5 m bgl) undertaken across the full site. Made Ground deposits were encountered in all 23 exploratory holes, the base of which, where proven, was encountered at depths of between 0.40 m bgl and 4.50 m bgl; much deeper towards the south western end of the site. The Made Ground was described as imported fill containing concrete, ash, red brick, slate, glass, coal, flint, tile, limestone, wood, pottery, metal, clinker, mudstone, quartzite, and charcoal. In two holes clay pipe fragments were recorded. 2.19 The location of Made Ground within the site boundary is supported by historical mapping and LiDAR evidence (presented below).
1 http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html accessed 20/10/2020 OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 12
Figure 3. Artificial ground (shaded) recorded by the BGS within the Site Boundary
Historic Landscape Character
2.20 The site can be described in two halves, roughly divided by the culverted tributary of the River Ray that passes through the site, and this is reflected in the Historic Landscape Character zones recorded by the Wiltshire HER. 2.21 The north eastern half of the site lies within a parcel recorded as HWI502 Park Lane (Even Swindon): Urban settlement; Terraced housing: ‘These terraces were created as an expansion to New Swindon at the beginning of the 20th century. They were constructed on agricultural land that became somewhat isolated after the advent of the railway. Previously: Fields and enclosed land; Planned enclosure.’ 2.22 The south western half of the site lies within a parcel recorded as HWI503 Allotments and open grassland: Orchards and horticulture; Allotments ‘This green space is now principally occupied by a large area of allotment gardens. Previously it was fields belonging to Westcot Farm, with these fields having been reorganised from a collection of earlier more irregular fields as shown on the first edition OS. Previously: Fields and enclosed land; Re-organised fields.’
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3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
3.1 The outline design of the proposed development has evolved iteratively, based on comments received from the planning officer, conservation officer and consultees based on Pre-Application 1 and 2 submissions. 3.2 The proposal to develop the site comprises residential blocks at the south western end and smaller town houses/one mid-rise block at the north eastern end, as follows: Outline planning permission for up to 368 residential dwellings and 370 sqm of uses falling within Class E with associated parking, landscaping and access with all matters reserved except for access. 3.3 The site analysis (constraints and historic context), planning history (summary results of consultations and design response), and the design process (including the detailed descriptions of character areas and views) is presented in the Newburn Sidings Design and Access Statement (DAS) by the architects (Broadway Maylan, September 2020). 3.4 A summary of the development proposals is presented here, however, the heritage impact assessment presented in this report should be read in conjunction with the September 2020 DAS. 3.5 The Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA, Turley) supporting documents for the proposed development should also be referred to, in particular the Accurate Visual Representations (AVR) and Zones of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV); the latter of which have been produced separately for (a) the cumulative proposed development as a whole, (b) for the proposed seven-storey River View Apartments located at the south western end of the site, and (c) for the proposed four-storey Signal Box Apartments located at the north eastern end of the site.
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Figure 4. Proposed development: character areas plan (Design and Access Statement, Broadway Maylan, September 2020) OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 15
3.6 The proposed development is described by character area from east to west (Figure 4).
Character Area: The Turntable Circus
The Turntable Circus and Signal Box Apartments 3.7 The Park Lane gateway is identified by a 4 storey apartment block ‘The Signal Box’ designed in a contemporary style but which takes its appearance cues from the adjacent Grade II Listed Pattern Store, acknowledging railway heritage in its scale, orientation and material selection. The Signal Box apartments create an attractive gateway into the site from Park Lane and enhance the setting of the Grade II listed Pattern Store by drawing upon the Victorian red brick aesthetic and industrial/railway rhythm of the facade. 3.8 The circular footprint of a Grade II Listed railway turntable situated directly over the railway line from the application site is replicated in the landscaping at the eastern end of the site.
Character Area: Railway Village
Railway Village 3.9 An extension of the Dean Street neighbourhood re-imagines the traditional terraced house: Smaller blocks and greater variations in orientation will enable the creation of mews courts, terraces and coach houses with carefully arranged greenery and pocket parks.
Railway Terrace 3.10 Three storey gable fronted townhouses face the railway line at the interface between the Signal Box apartments and the mews. This area, with the feature terrace and coach houses facing Turntable Circus and the railway line, create feature end blocks. These buildings act as a transition zone between the apartments and the low-rise housing.
Character Area Houses – Newburn Mews 3.11 The mews is a small informal square off the main spine road of The Sidings. Metal-clad, three-storey contemporary town houses mark the outer edge of the mews, with the metal- clad coach houses opposite closing the square and acting as buffer between the square and the railway line. The buff brick terrace which abuts the feature end unit faces on to the landscaped square.
Character Area Houses – The Sidings 3.12 The Sidings is the main route through the low-rise residential area. With a line of metal clad coach houses on the railway edge and parapet fronted terraced units facing these coach houses, this is a strong linear spine which leads through the site, connecting the squares.
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Character Area Houses – Dean Square 3.13 Dean Square is an open green square perpendicular to the main spine road of The Sidings. The town houses’ materiality relates to the coach houses which close the end of the mews and create a buffer between the green space and the railway line.
Character Area Houses – Railway Cottages 3.14 The railway cottages lead from The Sidings to Newburn square. These two-storey buff brick gable fronted houses have open views across the railway. These houses are of two storeys to respect the level difference and proximity to properties to the rear, on Newburn Crescent. 3.15 This aesthetic takes cues from the Railway Village conservation area.
Character Area: Newburn Square
3.16 Newburn House is a landmark building as it is the key termination of the view at the end of the Sidings, as viewed from the Turntable Circus and from the entrance gateway at the opposite end of the site. 3.17 Newburn Square is centred around Newburn House which is a four-storey apartment building at the heart of the site, bounded by gable fronted townhouses to the north east and seven storey apartments to the south west. Although this is a formal square, there are views over open parkland to the south. The railway line runs to the north of the building. 3.18 Newburn Square is identified by a medium rise four-storey apartment block, designed in a contemporary style with reference to the railway heritage in its scale, orientation and material selection.
Character Area: River View Apartments
3.19 These apartment buildings are of seven storeys on the wings with a central rooftop garden on the fourth floor roof, to break up the mass of the building and provide an attractive amenity space for residents with views over the railway, River Ray and the recreation ground. 3.20 The character of this area is a linear avenue with the River View apartments on one side, the railway line on the other side and a cycle route on the edge of the railway. The extending canopies define the entrances to the apartments. The metal framing around the apartments is a reference to the railway gantries over the railway line.
Character Area: Wootton Bassett Gateway
3.21 The gateway to the development from Wootton Bassett road is a landscaped area with terraced banks and soft planting. 3.22 Entrance sculptural signage will be added to this area.
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4 CONSULTATION
Pre-Application 1
4.1 A pre-application 1 consultation report was issued by Swindon Borough Council (SBC) in June 2018 in relation to Outline Application S/PRE/18/1070. General 4.2 Significance of railway heritage of Swindon was highlighted. 4.3 Design response on the eastern side of the site was too apologetic but the design response on the western side was preferable. Context 4.4 Densities, house types and sizes should respect the character of the surrounding area. 4.5 Development proposals to demonstrate the preservation and enhancement of heritage assets. Connectivity 4.6 Opportunity to create a new direct pedestrian / cycle connection between Wootton Bassett Road and Park Lane. 4.7 Providing small, open spaces with good overlooking viewed as a positive response at each new connection point from the existing streets. Massing 4.8 A new landmark gateway building at the south-western corner of the site is supported. 4.9 3 courtyard-type building blocks overlooking the thick vegetation along the western edge of Westcott Recreation Ground - considered that the building typologies are well considered in layout terms. 4.10 Low rise apartments at Plot L could potentially conflict with the setting and special interest of the listed Pattern Store. Design 4.11 Character area 3 (plots F-K): series of linear housing arrangements and a string of around ten coach houses leading up towards the eastern end of the site. One of Swindon’s ‘raison d’êtres’ is its railway, so it would appear disingenuous to offer development that would turn its back on the railway. ‘The emerging architectural language for the buildings needs to be developed thoroughly to create a high quality, strong, distinctive, contemporary architecture for higher-density housing in the town centre’. 4.12 The pre-application 1 consultation report relating to the historic environment is reproduced in full as follows:
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6.0 Historic Environment 6.1 Part (b) of Local Plan policy EN10 states that proposals that affect heritage assets shall conserve, and where appropriate enhance their significance and setting. Any harm to the significance, whether designated or non-designated must be justified with such proposals being weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. Part (e) states that development which would affect the setting of the Borough’s Conservation Areas will conserve those elements which contribute to their special character and appearance. 6.2 Furthermore, paragraph 193 of the Revised NPPF on designated heritage assets requires that: “When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be). This is irrespective of whether any potential harm amounts to substantial harm, total loss or less than substantial harm to its significance.” 6.3 An assessment will need be made as to whether or not the proposed development would lead to harm to the significance of heritage assets and, if so, whether that harm would be substantial or less than substantial. If substantial harm to the significance of designated heritage assets would occur, paragraph 195 of the Revised NPPF directs Local Planning Authorities to refuse consent unless it can be demonstrated that the harm is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh the harm, or all of the circumstances listed in the bullet point to that paragraph apply. In the event that harm to heritage assets is adjudged to be less than substantial, paragraph 196 of the NPPF directs the decision maker to weigh that harm against the public benefits of the proposal. 6.4 In deciding whether or not to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the Local Planning Authority is required by section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to have special regard to the desirability of preserving its setting. This applies irrespective of whether any harm that would occur is adjudged to be substantial or less than substantial for the purposes of the NPPF. 6.5 If the proposal is adjudged to cause no harm to the significance of heritage assets, then the tests in paragraph 193-198 would be passed. Any application should be accompanied by a Heritage Impact Assessment with robust evidence to consider heritage and the potential impacts and opportunities request to make an assessment of harm, significance or reference to the conservation principles, policies and guidance. 6.6 The Conservation Officer emphasises the Council’s statutory responsibility under Sections 66 and 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 whereby special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving listed buildings and preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of conservation areas. 6.7 As identified in Section 2 of this report, the site is located to the west of the Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area and Swindon Railway Village Conservation Area. The site is also adjacent to the former Pattern Store and the railway turntable, both Grade II listed buildings. These are to the west side of Rodbourne Road. Further Grade II and II* buildings associated with the works are situated to the east of the road, within the boundary of the Railway Works. These are all designated heritage assets. To the north
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of the railway line there is the ‘Weighbridge’, a building that the Conservation Officer considers is likely to satisfy the criteria of being of local significance - a heritage asset. 6.8 The lack of a Heritage Assessment / Heritage Impact Assessment at this stage demonstrates the lack of full consideration of the historic environment and restricts the ability to fully appreciate and contemplate the proposed development. This HA/HIA should be utilised to inform any potential development proposals to demonstrate how the preservation and enhancement of heritage assets is achieved as appropriate including the potential for “meaningful enhancement through design”. 6.9 A HIA/HA should include a full assessment of the historic environment likely to be affected. This should include the impact of the proposed development upon the adjacent conservation areas and its setting; the impact of proposals upon the setting of listed buildings and the impact upon other (potential) heritage assets including those potential for unknowns, which may extend to archaeological considerations. In this the submission should consider the impact of proposed development on assets that maybe not within the immediate vicinity of the site, not least due to the proposed scale of the proposed development and here the assessment process as demonstrated in Historic England’s Good Practice Advise 3 regarding setting is a useful tool. In addition it is noted that reference is made in the submission to a ‘Townscape and Visual Appraisal’ which may also be relevant to any potential assessments of heritage assets.
Pre-Application 2
4.13 Responding to the planning officer, conservation officer and consultees’ Pre-Application 1 comments entailed an architect’s review of the design, providing more clarity regarding design intent, providing more visual supporting information, and considering the findings and recommendations of an Archaeology and Heritage Interim Report (RSK, June 2019). 4.14 The Applicant presented the revised scheme during the Pre-application 2 meeting which took place at Swindon Borough Council in November 2019. It is understood that the response from Pre-application 2 meeting was positive and it is this iteration that is assessed in this report.
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5 LEGISLATION, POLICY AND GUIDANCE
5.1 This archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) and Heritage Statement (HS) has been prepared in accordance with current legislation, national and local planning policy and guidance, a summary of which is provided below.
Statutory Protection
5.2 The site does not include any statutorily designated heritage assets. Conservation areas, scheduled monuments and listed buildings are located in the surrounding area. 5.3 Table 1 summarises the statutory legislation relating to the historic environment and relevant to this report.
Table 1: Historic Environment Statutory Legislation
Legislation Key Issues
Ancient It is a criminal offence to carry out any works on or near to a Monuments and Scheduled Monument without Scheduled Monument Consent. Archaeological Development must preserve in-situ protected archaeological Areas Act (1979) remains and landscapes of acknowledged significance and protect their settings.
Planning (Listed Requires local planning authorities to have special regard to the Buildings and desirability of preserving the special interest of listed buildings and Conservation their settings, and preserving or enhancing the character or Areas) Act (1990) appearance of conservation areas. Section 66 of the Act demonstrates that the statutory provision is satisfied if development proposals preserve a listed building and features of special architectural and/or historic interest and/or the setting of a listed building. The meaning of preservation in this context is taken to be the avoidance of harm. Section 72 of the Act requires that, in the exercise of all planning functions, special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the [conservation] area. The statutory provision is satisfied if development proposals preserve or enhance the character or appearance of a conservation area. Character relates to physical characteristics but also to more general qualities such as uses or activity within an area. Appearance relates to the visible qualities of the area. Designation of an area as a ‘conservation area’ introduces general controls over demolition and development within that area. No works can be carried out in relation to a listed building without listed building consent.
Burial Act (1857) Under Section 25 of the 1857 Act, it is generally a criminal offence to remove human remains from any place of burial without an appropriate licence issued by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), although recent legislative changes indicate that some cases are exempt from this requirement.
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Legislation Key Issues
Treasure Act The 1996 Act defines ‘Treasure’ as any object that is at least 10% (1996, and 2003 gold or silver, associated coins or groups of coins which are over amendments) 300 years old, objects formerly classed as ‘treasure trove’ (i.e. deliberately deposited items with a high content of gold or silver); any group of two or more metallic objects of prehistoric date and any objects found in association with the above. Any find of ‘Treasure’ must be reported to the local Coroner.
Setting and Group Value 5.4 The 1990 Act is amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 to introduce additional controls for works to listed buildings or within a conservation area. Listed Buildings 5.5 Section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires the Secretary of State to compile and maintain lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. The principal statutory duty under the Act is to preserve the special character of these heritage assets, including their setting. 5.6 Buildings on the list are assessed and Graded against the criteria of architectural and historic interest. Buildings listed at Grade I are defined as those considered to be of exceptional interest. Grade II* listed buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest, while Grade II listed buildings are of special interest.2 This may include the extent to which the exterior of a building contributes to the interest of a group of buildings, i.e. ‘group value’. 5.7 The principles used in determining the special interest in a building are: age and rarity, aesthetic merits, selectivity, national interest and state of repair.3 5.8 Where a development would affect a listed building or its setting in different ways, some positive and some negative, the decision maker may legitimately conclude that although each of the effects has an impact, the overall effect is taken on the basis of the development as a whole4 (See NPPF paragraph 201 below). 5.9 In the planning balance, considerable weight is attached to the preservation or enhancement of the setting of heritage assets, which was clarified by the Court of Appeal judgment in Barnwell Manor Wind Energy vs East Northamptonshire et al (2014). The Court held that “to make an assessment of the indirect impact of development or change upon an asset it is first necessary to make a judgment about the contribution made by its setting”. In turn, the decision ruled that there is a “strong presumption” against granting planning permission for development which would cause harm to heritage assets precisely because the desirability of preserving the special interest is of “considerable importance and weight” (See NPPF section ‘Considering Potential Impacts’ below). Conservation Areas
2 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/listed-buildings/ 3 Historic England 2018, Principles of Selection for Listing Buildings, 6-7 4 Palmer v Herefordshire Council & ANR (2016) OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 22
5.10 Conservation Areas are normally designated by local planning authorities under Section 69 of the Act. Under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 local planning authorities are required to designate as conservation areas those parts of their locality which are ‘of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.5 The Act requires that ‘special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that [conservation] area’.6 A court judgement of 2008 has held that the setting of conservation areas can be part of their character or appearance.7 5.11 The character of conservation areas extends beyond buildings and includes a range of factors like the design and architectural quality of the buildings, their materials and setting, street alignment, street furniture, public and private open spaces, trees and landscape.
Local Planning Policy
5.12 The Swindon Borough Local Plan 2026 was adopted by Swindon Borough Council on the 26 March 2015 and forms part of the Development Plan for the Borough. Swindon Central Area Action Plan adopted in 2009 is also constituent part of the Development Plan. Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Development Plan 5.13 The Local Plan policy of relevance to this report is Policy EN10 – Historic Environment and Heritage Assets: a. Swindon Borough’s historic environment shall be sustained and enhanced. This includes all heritage assets including historic buildings, conservation areas, historic parks and gardens, landscape and archaeology. b. Proposals for development affecting heritage assets shall conserve and, where appropriate, enhance their significance and setting. Any harm to the significance of a designated or non-designated heritage asset, or their loss, must be justified. Proposals will be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, whether it has been demonstrated that all reasonable efforts have been made to sustain the existing use, find new uses, or mitigate the extent of the harm to the significance of the asset; and whether the works proposed are the minimum required to secure the long term use of the asset. c. Any alterations, extensions or changes of use to a listed building, or development in the vicinity of a listed building, shall not be permitted where there will be an adverse impact on those elements which contribute to their special architectural or historic significance, including their setting. d. Scheduled monuments and other nationally important archaeological sites and their settings will be preserved in situ, and where not justifiable or feasible, provision to be
5 Planning Act 1990, 69(1). 6 Planning Act, 1990, 72. 7 CIfA 2008, Working Group on the Setting of Cultural Heritage Features, 28. OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 23
made for excavation and recording. Development proposals affecting archaeological remains of less than national importance will be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance. An appropriate assessment and evaluation should be submitted as part of any planning application in areas of known or potential archaeological interest. e. Development within or which would affect the setting of the Borough’s Conservation Areas will conserve those elements which contribute to their special character or appearance. f. Features which form an integral part of a Park or Garden’s historic interest and significance will be conserved and development will not detract from the enjoyment, layout, design, character, appearance or setting of them, including key views into and out from, or prejudice future restoration. g. Any development proposal that would affect a locally important or non-designated heritage asset, including its setting, will be expected to conserve its significance, and any harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, including securing its optimum viable use. Design 5.14 In relation to conservation areas, matters of design, including: scale, height, bulk shape, massing, and proportions, patterns of opening, vertical or horizontal emphasis, materials and colour are of particular importance and may play a major part in the historic significance of an area. In respect of design, regard will also be made to the Borough’s design Policy DE1: High Quality Design: High standards of design are required for all types of development. Proposals for development should address the objectives of sustainable development through high quality design and place-making principles. To ensure this, proposals will be assessed against all the following design principles: a. Context and character; in respect of: existing built characteristics; acknowledged features of importance; and existing site conditions. b. Layout, form and function of the development, in respect of: accessibility, connectivity, permeability, legibility, inclusivity, safety & security, efficiency and adaptability; and siting, orientation, scale, massing, materials and detailing. c. Amenity, in respect of: Light, privacy, outlook, noise, disturbance, smell, pollution and space. d. Quality of the public realm Buildings of Significant Local Interest 5.15 As noted in the pre-app 1 consultation response, throughout the Borough there are a number of buildings, structures and facades that, whilst they may not merit listing or have the protection conferred by being situated with a conservation area, nonetheless have local historic or architectural importance to warrant retention and protection. The government recognises such heritage assets as noted in the NPPF [footnote 63].
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Material Consideration
National Planning Policy Framework 5.16 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)8 confirms that the historic environment, including archaeological remains, constitutes a material consideration in planning decisions, requiring applicants to describe the significance of heritage assets potentially affected by development, including any contribution made by their setting. It centred on the concept of sustainable development: ‘The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. At a very high level, the objective of sustainable development can be summarised as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Resolution 42/187 of the United Nations General Assembly). Achieving sustainable development means that the planning system has three overarching objectives [economic, social, and environmental], which are interdependent and need to be pursued in mutually supportive ways (so that opportunities can be taken to secure net gains across each of the different objectives)’ (p5). Chapter 12: Achieving Well-designed Places 5.17 Paragraph 127 of the NPPF requires local planning authorities develop policies in local plans to ensure that new developments are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, and establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places. Chapter 16: Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment
5.18 Heritage and conservation forms one of the core planning principles of NPPF9: 184. “[Planning should conserve heritage assets] in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life for this and future generations.” Footnote 62. “The policies set out in this chapter relate, as applicable, to the heritage- related consent regimes for which local planning authorities are responsible under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, as well as to plan-making and decision-making.” 5.19 Policies on the historic environment relevant to this assessment contained with the document include (paragraph numbers in bold text). Proposals Affecting Heritage Assets 189. “In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’
8 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, revised February 2019 9 Government guidance on the application of the policies contained within the NPPF is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/conserving-and-enhancing-the-historic-environment OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 25
importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” 190. “Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise any conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.” 192. “In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of: a. the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; b. the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities including their economic vitality; and c. the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.” Considering Potential Impacts 193. “When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be). This is irrespective of whether any potential harm amounts to substantial harm, total loss or less than substantial harm to its significance.” Footnote 63. “Non-designated heritage assets of archaeological interest, which are demonstrably of equivalent significance to scheduled monuments, should be considered subject to the policies for designated heritage assets.” 195. “Where a proposed development will lead to substantial harm to (or total loss of significance of) a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or total loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss.” 196. “Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use.” 197. “The effect of an application on the significance of a non-designated heritage asset should be taken into account in determining the application. In weighing applications that directly or indirectly affect non-designated heritage assets, a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.” OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 26
199. “Local planning authorities should require developers to record and advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) in a manner proportionate to their importance and the impact, and to make this evidence (and any archive generated) publicly accessible. However, the ability to record evidence of our past should not be a factor in deciding whether such loss should be permitted.” 200. “Local planning authorities should look for opportunities for new development within Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites, and within the setting of heritage assets, to enhance or better reveal their significance. Proposals that preserve those elements of the setting that make a positive contribution to the asset (or which better reveal its significance) should be treated favourably.” 201. “Not all elements of a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site will necessarily contribute to its significance. Loss of a building (or other element) which makes a positive contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area or World Heritage Site should be treated either as substantial harm under paragraph 195 or less than substantial harm under paragraph 196, as appropriate, taking into account the relative significance of the element affected and its contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area or World Heritage Site as a whole.”
Technical Guidance
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Guidance 5.20 This assessment has been undertaken with reference to the Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment10 and the CIfA Code of Conduct11.
Historic England Guidance 5.21 The document Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management12 sets out ways to manage change in a way that conserves and enhances historic areas. The document provides guidance on assessing ‘Special Interest’: key elements likely to include the relationship of the conservation area to its setting, the experience of a place by the people who live and work there (including diurnal and seasonal variation), the built form and the local distinctiveness which makes the area unique. 5.22 Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment13 contains guidance on the assessment of heritage significance through consideration of the component heritage values of an asset, and further guidance on the assessment of significance as part of the planning application process is contained in the document ‘Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment’.14 5.23 Historic England’s guidance document The Setting of Heritage Assets notes that ‘Extensive heritage assets, such as landscapes and townscapes, can include many heritage assets and their nested and overlapping settings, as well as having a setting of
10 CIfA, updated 2020 11 CIfA, 2019 12 Historic England, 2016, Historic England Good Practice Advice in Planning 1 13 Historic England, Consultation Draft, November 2017 14 Historic England 2015, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning 2 OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 27
their own. A conservation area will include the settings of listed buildings and have its own setting, as will the village or urban area in which it is situated’15. 5.24 It is also noted that the contribution of setting to the significance of a heritage asset is often expressed by reference to views, which may be static or dynamic. Views which contribute more to understanding the significance of a heritage asset include: • those where relationships between the asset and other historic assets or places or natural features are particularly relevant; • those with historical associations, including viewing points; • those where the composition within the view was a fundamental aspect of the design of the heritage asset; and • those between heritage assets and natural or topographic features, or phenomena such as solar and lunar events. 5.25 Historic England’s guidance Tall Buildings16 seeks to guide those involved in planning for and designing tall buildings so that they may be delivered in a sustainable and successful way through the development plan and development management process. The guidance identifies where elements of the existing historic environment may create local character and therefore be a constraint to new, tall developments, including: • Natural topography • Urban grain • Significant views of skylines • Scale and height • Streetscape and character assessment (including the history of the place) • Materials • Landmark and historic buildings and areas and their settings, including backdrops, and important local views, prospects and panoramas
Conservation Area Character Appraisals and Management Plans (CAAMP)
5.26 Designation as a conservation area (CA) now falls under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The council has a number of duties under the 1990 Act that require special attention is paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of the area when considering whether to grant planning permission. 5.27 The documents are comprised of two complimentary parts: • Conservation Area Appraisal: Identifies character and appearance of the CA, and those elements that make important contributions. • Management Plan: Management issues and enhancement opportunities derived from the appraisal.
15 Historic England 2018, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning 3. p.2 16 Historic England 2015, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning 4 OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 28
5.28 Conservation Area Appraisals for Swindon Railway Village and Swindon Railway Works are relevant to this assessment. The Railway Village Conservation Area was originally designated in 1975. The Railway Works Conservation Area was first designated in 1987. The character appraisals for each were adopted (approved as guidance for decision makers) in 2006. 5.29 Appraisals prepared by SBC provide a proper assessment of character and appearance. These documents are a material consideration in the determination of planning applications in conjunction with the Local Plan (2015) and the NPPF (2019). 5.30 The appraisals define the location and boundaries of the CAs, and historical development and current description, and identify key features such as open spaces, individual buildings/architectural interest, and significant views. 5.31 At the time of writing, proposals are under consideration for the Swindon Railway Area CAAMP, put forward by Swindon Railway Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Planning Committee to the SBC Planning Committee on 11th August 2020. 5.32 The proposed updated Appraisal and Management Plan (June 2020) is a draft supplementary planning document (SPD) and if eventually adopted will form part of the Council’s development plan. 5.33 The review of the Swindon Railway Village and Swindon Railway Works Conservation Areas began in January 2020. The review is specifically identified as a project of the Swindon Heritage Action Zone (HAZ, Project 2: Review Heritage Designations). 5.34 Specifically the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP promotes: • A merger of two separate conservation areas (Swindon Railway Village and Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area) as a single conservation area as described in the ‘Swindon Railway Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan’; and • An amendment in the form of additions (enlargement) to the designated Conservation Area boundary. Additions to the conservation area boundary tabled for discussion which, following analysis, are not proposed for inclusion are: o Cambria Place and properties to south Faringdon Road (Western end); o Park Lane (west side); and o Fleet Street. 5.35 For the purposes of this assessment, an area to the immediate north of the eastern end of the proposed development site is proposed for inclusion in the conservation area boundary; this area includes the ‘Pattern Church’ (former pattern store) (RSK 89 in this report) and a Grade II listed GWR turntable (RSK 73 in this report). 5.36 As will be demonstrated, due to their proximity to the proposed development site, these two specific heritage assets have been considered in detail and significantly influence the design of the proposed development. Therefore it is considered that the development proposals and the assessment methodology employed in this report will accord with the provisions of the SPD if eventually adopted.
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6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment
6.1 The aims of the archaeological Desk-Based Assessment are: • To establish the location, extent and significance of any known heritage assets at the site and surrounding area; • To assess the potential presence, survival and likely significance of previously unknown archaeological remains within the site boundary; • To assess the archaeological impacts of the proposed scheme; and • To inform subsequent phases of mitigation planning i.e. focus and refine any proposed mitigation measures for works at the site.
Heritage Statement
6.2 The aims of the Heritage Statement are:
• To describe the heritage significance, including the contribution made by setting, of the built heritage within and immediately surrounding the application site, including any designations, the age, style and history of development of the buildings/areas as a whole, and element parts; • To describe the proposed development and assess the potential impact on the setting and significance of heritage assets within and surrounding the application site; and • To identify measures to remove, reduce or mitigate any identified harm to heritage assets and their settings.
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7 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
7.1 The assessment methodology outlined in this section is a product of legislation, policy, and best-practice guidance as presented in Section 5 of this report.
Terminology
7.2 Table 2 summarises key terms and definitions relevant to this assessment report.
Table 2. Report Terminology
Term Definition Source
Listed Building A building or structure which is considered to be of ‘special Historic architectural or historic interest’ England
Heritage Asset “A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as NPPF having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing)”
Designated Assets registered on the National Heritage List for England. These Heritage Asset may be protected by primary legislation (e.g. listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments) or have a non- statutory designation (e.g. World Heritage Sites, registered battlefields, registered parks and gardens, designated wrecks)
Non- Assets identified by the local planning authority or national Designated registers for the historic environment which have no formal Heritage Asset designation but are considered to have a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions. These can include locally listed buildings, information on sites held by the relevant Historic Environment Record and National Record of the Historic Environment
Conservation “the process of maintaining and managing change to a heritage NPPF asset in a way that sustains and, where appropriate, enhances its significance”
Significance (1) “the value of a heritage asset to this and future generations NPPF because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting”
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Term Definition Source
Significance (2) “The significance of a heritage asset is the sum of its GAPN 2 archaeological, architectural, historic, and artistic interest. A variety of terms are used in designation criteria (for example, outstanding universal value for World Heritage Sites, national importance for scheduled monuments and special interest for listed buildings and conservation areas), but all of these refer to a heritage asset’s significance.”
Setting “the surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its NPPF extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate the significance or may be neutral” (an extended consideration of Setting is contained in GAPN 3)
Heritage Values Cultural values in the historic environment that people want to NPPF (PPG) enjoy and sustain for the benefit of present and future generations. and Historic England Archaeological - There will be archaeological interest in a guidance heritage asset if it holds, or potentially holds, evidence of past Statement of human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point; Heritage Architectural - These are interests in the design and general Significance: aesthetics of a place. They can arise from conscious design or Analysing fortuitously from the way the heritage asset has evolved. More Significance specifically, architectural interest is an interest in the art or science in Heritage of the design, construction, craftsmanship and decoration of Assets buildings and structures of all types;
Artistic - Artistic interest is an interest in other human creative skills, like sculpture;
Historic - An interest in past lives and events (including pre- historic). Heritage assets can illustrate or be associated with them. Heritage assets with historic interest not only provide a material record of our nation’s history, but can also provide meaning for communities derived from their collective experience of a place and can symbolise wider values such as faith and cultural identity.
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Study Area
7.3 A combination of site observations, a desk-based review of OS mapping, conservation area characterisation studies (including specified ‘Defined Views’), and the location and significance of identified relevant (sensitive) heritage receptors have been used to define a study area, which has been further informed by the existing baseline and an understanding of the development proposals. 7.4 A 1 km study area buffered from the site boundary has been tested relative to the scale, nature and character of the development proposals. This has comprised the production of a binary viewshed (ZTV) based on evolving drawings of the proposed development which shows that its visibility would markedly decrease beyond 1 km from the site boundary (see Turley, 2020). Beyond this study area the proposed development would generally only be glimpsed or form a very small part of any vista and it is considered unlikely to cause any significant effect upon heritage assets in relation to their significance or the contribution made by their settings. 7.5 Professional judgement has been used in a review of significant receptors which are particularly sensitive to visual change beyond the 1 km study area, such as Conservation Areas (Old Town, Devizes Road, Town Gardens, and Prospect place); Registered Parks and Gardens (Lydiard Park (Grade II, RPG 1001238), Queen’s Park (Grade II, RPG 1001549), Town Gardens (Grade II RPG 1001477)); and the scheduled monument ‘Stone circle immediately north east of Day House, Coate’ (SM 1016359). This review concluded there would be no visibility of the proposed development from these assets and as such the 1 km study area is considered robust, reasonable and proportionate for the purposes of this assessment, sufficient to understand the likely significant effects in relation to the historic environment. 7.6 The settings of all designated heritage assets within the 1 km study area are considered for detailed heritage impact assessment. In addition, professional judgement has been used to identify non-designated heritage assets within the study area that may be sensitive to change within their setting; these are identified and justified in the report.
Data Sources
7.7 In support of both the archaeological DBA and the HS aims, in order to identify the heritage assets and individual structures which may be affected by the proposed works, historic environment baseline information (including records of both designated and non- designated heritage assets) has been gathered for the 1 km study area from a range sources as follows: • Historic England’s National Heritage List for England (NHLE) for details of designated heritage assets; • The Wiltshire Historic Environment Record (HER), maintained by Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre for details of non-designated heritage assets, previous archaeological events, and historic landscape character (HLC) data; • The National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE), maintained by Historic England for details of non-designated heritage assets and previous archaeological events
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• The Swindon Borough Council website for records of conservation areas and conservation area appraisals; • Swindon Borough Council pre-application Advice for (non-designated) buildings of significant local interest; • Historical maps and plans; • Geological mapping (British Geological Survey); and • Relevant published and unpublished documentary sources. 7.8 As the site is demonstrated to have been previously developed, with negligible archaeological potential as a result, historic aerial photographs have not been sought as part of this appraisal. It is considered unlikely that any archaeolgoical potential will be revealed on photographs that is not already evident on historic mapping. 7.9 A gazetteer of all known heritage assets within the study area has been compiled, using information from the data sources listed above. Each heritage asset within the gazetteer has been assigned a unique reference number prefixed ‘RSK’. 7.10 The gazetteer is included as Appendix 1 and the location of each gazetteer site is presented in Figures 5 and 6.
Desk-Based Assessment
7.11 In addition to the above, the following data sources have been consulted to inform the assessment of archaeological potential within the site boundary:
Site Visit 7.12 The area within the site boundary was systematically walked and described by an appropriately qualified archaeologist, recording all observations relating to archaeological potential. 7.13 A summary of site characteristics, any visible archaeology and geographical/geological features which have had a bearing on previous land use as well as that which may constrict subsequent archaeological evaluation was noted. 7.14 Records were made on extant archaeological features, such as earthworks or structural remains, any negative features or soil discolouration, present land use, current boundary formation, evidence for previous land use, local topography and aspect, exposed geology, soils, watercourses, exposure, health and safety considerations, surface finds, and any other relevant information.
LiDAR 7.15 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is an airborne mapping technique, which uses a laser to measure the distance between the aircraft and the ground. Up to 500,000 measurements per second are made of the ground, allowing highly detailed terrain models to be generated. 7.16 A Composite Digital Terrain Model (DTM) has been produced by removing objects from the Digital Surface Model (DSM) which is available at 1 m resolution for the site (captured
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2018). This dataset is derived from a combination of the full Environment Agency dataset which has been merged and re-sampled to give the best possible coverage. 7.17 Analysis was undertaken by a professional archaeologist using QGIS imaging and geo- referencing/mapping software.
Historic Mapping 7.18 Consultation of available detailed historic mapping corresponding with the site boundary was made to collect information on land use and development throughout the later historic periods. 7.19 Parish tithe mapping and associated apportionment documents were consulted in order to identify annotated structures and record any field name evidence indicative of archaeological potential.
Review of Geotechnical Site Investigation 7.20 An archaeological review has been carried out for this DBA of an intrusive geotechnical investigation, comprising trial pits and window sampling, carried out as part of the current application.17 7.21 The aim of the review was to determine the nature of the existing deposit sequence, including areas of made ground, the potential for preserved subsurface archaeological remains to survive within the site, as well as identify any strata of palaeoenvironmental potential (i.e. peat or waterlogged deposits).
Physical Impact Assessment
7.22 Physical (direct) impacts are defined as damage to the fabric of a heritage asset, which typically could occur during pre-construction and construction phases, resulting in the loss (wholly or in part) of the significance of a heritage asset. Physical impacts can also be categorised as ‘indirect’ (secondary), brought about by knock-on effects resulting from a development, such as drainage causing lowering of the water table and degradation of preserved organic materials. 7.23 The review of baseline data with field assessments carried out as part of the assessment has been used to identify known heritage assets and make an assessment of trends and the likely potential for currently unknown heritage assets, which may be impacted by the proposed development within the site boundary.
17 Atkins, October 2015, Land at Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon, Geoenvironmental Interpretive Report OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 35
Heritage Statement
7.24 The assessment methodology for the HS follows a staged process adapted from GPA318:
Stage 1: Historic Environment Baseline and Identification of Heritage Assets 7.25 As described above, the baseline information is presented with supporting figures describing the known heritage resource within and surrounding the application site, and a chronological summary of the historical development of the site over time. 7.26 Conservation area character appraisals for all affected locations were reviewed with regard to significant sightlines and vistas, notable open spaces, and prominent landmarks. The site visit enabled assessment of potential effects of the proposed development: locations which would remain unaffected, locations which have some visibility but that is minimal and does not affect the baseline condition, and locations where visibility of the proposed development is possible/prominent. A description of the baseline was made and photographed for each of the heritage assets located within the study area.
Stage 2: Assessment of Heritage Asset Significance 7.27 For each asset or component structure potentially affected by the development proposals, importance (i.e. the heritage interests which contribute to its significance) have been identified, and the way in which setting contributes to each asset’s (or group of assets’) significance, is considered. 7.28 A broad measure of the importance/interest of heritage assets has been applied according to the following scale which takes into account existing designations, condition and group value (where necessary, the heritage significance of individual component structures has been described): • Very High – assets of acknowledged international importance inscribed as World Heritage (WH) Property, individual assets which contribute to the outstanding universal value of a WH Property, other designated and non-designated assets, historic landscapes and heritage associations which are of recognised international importance; • High – nationally important assets of the highest significance protected in law, including scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas containing nationally important buildings. Other designated and non-designated assets, historic landscapes and heritage associations which are of national importance including registered historic parks and gardens and registered historic battlefields; • Medium – designated and non-designated heritage assets of regional importance, including conservation areas containing buildings which contribute significantly to their historic character, and other sites, landscapes and historical associations which are of regional importance, other designated and non-designated assets, historic landscapes and heritage associations;
18 Historic England, 2017, The Setting of Historic Assets (2nd Edition, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 36
• Low - non-designated heritage assets of local importance, including archaeological assets compromised by poor preservation, locally listed and unlisted buildings/townscapes of modest quality/integrity/historical associations; • Negligible – assets with little or no heritage value, buildings and urban areas of little or no architectural merit, landscapes with little or no historical interest; and • Unknown – Importance has not been ascertained. 7.29 The applied level of heritage importance/interest provides an initial framework for identifying the likely most sensitive assets and a level of positive or negative effects which can be considered in terms of improvement to or avoidance of an asset (beneficial outcomes), or reduction or offsetting of impacts (adverse outcomes). 7.30 Further assessment of significance has also been undertaken in accordance with the NPPF (PPG paragraph: 006 reference ID: 18a-006-20190723) and Historic England guidance Statement of Heritage Significance: Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets (2019, HEAN 12) using the ‘Heritage Value’ criteria presented in Table 2.
Stage 3: Assessment of Impact 7.31 The impact assessment considers the effects of the proposed development on the significance of the identified heritage assets, including both positive (‘beneficial’) and adverse (‘harm’), direct impacts and effects within their setting. 7.32 The assessment of physical impacts considers the degree of harm arising from the proposed development relative to the importance/interest of the physical remains. 7.33 The setting impact assessment for each heritage asset taken forward for assessment is presented as a narrative. 7.34 The level of harm predicted is stated in accordance with the criteria contained in Paragraphs 195 and 196 of the NPPF (see Parts 5 and 14 of this report). 7.35 Visual impacts are defined as visual change within a heritage asset or its setting as a result of the proposed development, resulting in an affected ability to interpret, understand or appreciate the asset’s significance, and which typically could occur once constructed. 7.36 For those assets or settings sensitive to visual impacts, a detailed assessment was made, both as a desk-based exercise and using site visits. The assessment considered visual, spatial and historic relationships between each asset (or group of assets) with a consideration of setting, and the extent of visibility of the proposed development. The degree to which visibility contributes to the asset’s significance was then recorded. Accordingly, the assessment considers the following: • Asset significance; • Setting definition; • Asset character, integrity, appearance and the way in which it is appreciated; • Relationships with other heritage assets, including group value and shared settings; • Reasons for designation, and the degree to which they contribute to appreciation and significance of the asset;
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• Formal design - intended sight lines and vistas, inter-visibility with contemporaneous and other heritage assets, and natural features; • ‘Key’ (principal/critical) views towards, from, and within heritage asset; • Topography/landscape situation; • Asset scale: prominence/dominance; • Relative anticipated scale of the proposed development; • Landscape character, particularly unaltered settings; and • Degree of existing alteration, and significant existing impacts including indirect impacts. 7.37 The impact assessment for each asset is presented as a narrative, with categorisation of the impact magnitude judged according to the level of harm predicted, based on the following scale:
• Substantial harm –the significance of the heritage asset (or contributory elements to that significance, including its setting and associative links) is totally altered or lost as a result of comprehensive changes; • Moderate harm – the significance of the heritage asset (or contributory elements to that significance, including its setting and associative links) is significantly modified as a result of considerable changes; • Slight harm – the significance of the heritage asset (or contributory elements to that significance, including its setting and associative links) is slightly altered as a result of noticeable changes; • Negligible – very minor changes to key archaeological materials, historic building elements, setting or associative links which hardly affect the asset; • Beneficial – the significance of the heritage asset (or contributory elements to that significance, including its setting) are enhanced or better revealed; and • No change – there is no impact upon the significance of the heritage asset or its setting.
Measures for Minimising Harm 7.38 A summary is presented of the measures to remove, reduce or mitigate harm to heritage assets through careful design and consideration within the development proposals. 7.39 Embedded mitigation – measures to minimise the impact of the proposed development on the historic environment have been embedded in the design process from the outset, particularly with regard to visual effects within the setting of heritage assets. The final design as presented incorporates these embedded mitigation measures, and it is this resulting design that is the focus of the impact assessment in this report. 7.40 Recommended mitigation – additional mitigation to offset any identified residual impacts following the adoption of embedded/standard mitigation. If no impacts are identified, there may be no need for additional measures to minimise harm above and beyond the embedded mitigation.
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Limitations
7.41 Information held by public data sources is considered to be reliable; however the following general points are noted: • HER records can be limited because opportunities for research, fieldwork and discovery depend on the situation of commercial development and occasional research projects, rather than the result of a more structured research framework; note: a lack of data within a HER does not necessarily equal an absence of archaeology. • The significance of heritage assets can be difficult to determine from HER records, depending on the accuracy and reliability of the original source. • There can often be a lack of dating evidence for archaeological sites.
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8 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT BASELINE
8.1 There are no known heritage assets of any period recorded by the Wiltshire HER or Historic England’s NRHE within the site boundary (see Figures 5 and 6).
Designated Heritage Assets
8.2 No world heritage sites, registered parks and gardens, or historic battlefields are located within the study area.
Conservation Areas 8.3 There are two conservation areas within the study area: • Railway Works (RSK 199) • Railway Village (RSK 200)
Listed Buildings 8.4 There are 88 (No.) 19th century listed buildings located within the study area in total. 8.5 The Railway Works Conservation Area (RSK 199) contains 11 listed buildings; three are Grade II*, the No 12, O and E Shop, and the No 13 Shop (RSK 71 & 72) and the Chain Test House (RSK 74), the remainder are Grade II (RSK 68, 69, 70, 75, 76, 82, 83 & 85). One of the assets- the Chain Test House- is on the Heritage at Risk Register (RSK 74). 8.6 The Railway Village Conservation Area contains 64 listed buildings (nearly all the buildings within the conservation area are listed); only one is Grade II* (RSK 45), the remainder are Grade II (RSK 4-14, 17-29, 31-67 & 79-81). One of the assets is on the Heritage at Risk Register (RSK 45). 8.7 Outside of the two conservation areas there are 13 listed buildings, all of which are Grade II. These comprise a farmhouse (RSK 3), a chapel (RSK 15), a milestone (RSK 16), a house (RSK 30), a GWR turntable (RSK 73), a hotel (RSK 77), a church (RSK 78), Health Hydro (RSK 84), the stone boundary wall to GWR Works (RSK 86), a stone wall and entrance to a former canal (RSK 87), a brick boundary wall to the former GWR Works (RSK 88), a pattern store (RSK 89) and a stone building on the island platform at Swindon Railway Station (RSK 90).
Scheduled Monuments 8.8 There are two scheduled monuments within the study area:
• Medieval settlement and associated ridge and furrow, West Leaze (RSK 1) • Bowl barrow – sealed beneath a landfill deposit (RSK 2)
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Non-Designated Heritage Assets
8.9 There are 100 non-designated heritage assets located within the study area in total, recorded by the Wiltshire HER and the NRHE. None of these are located within the proposed development site boundary. 8.10 The assessment carried out for this report has added one heritage asset to the gazetteer as a result of the historic map regression, Newburn Farm shown on 1st ed OS, including outbuildings, greenhouses and duck pond (RSK 201). 8.11 These are discussed in context in the Detailed Baseline section below, and summarised chronologically as follows:
• Bronze Age (RSK 112); • Iron Age (RSK 95 & 96); • Roman (RSK 91, 113 – 121, possibly RSK 125); • Medieval (RSK 122 – 124, 136 – 140); • 19th century built assets (RSK 92-94, 97-109, 126-134, 141-145, 147-157, 159, 162- 167, 169, 171-178, 181-184, 186, 190, 193-195, 197-198 & 201); • 20th century built assets (RSK 158, 160, 161, 168, 170, 185, 188, 189, 191 & 196).
Previous Events 8.12 There are numerous previous archaeological investigations recorded by the Wiltshire HER and NRHE within the study area, the majority of which, where positive, have resulted in monument entries into the respective databases. There are no records for previous events within the proposed development site boundary which have a direct bearing on the assessment of the site’s archaeological potential. 8.13 A two-stage evaluation of land to the south of the site comprising in the main Wichelstowe – focusing on the medieval settlement at West Leaze (scheduled monument, RSK 1) – included a site access located adjacent to the western end of the proposed development site, off the A3102 Wootton Bassett Road. The works were carried out by Wessex Archaeology in 2014 (HER Ref EWI 7634/7636). The evaluation included features and artefacts dating from the Mesolithic through to the post medieval period. 8.14 Five broad zones of potential were identified during the evaluation. Two are recorded to the south and east of the shrunken medieval village of West Leaze, where ditches and pits containing Neolithic, Bronze Age and Romano-British pottery were recorded. The third area of potential relates to Romano-British activity recorded at the western extent of the site, spanning the M4 motorway. A further area is coincident with a substantial Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age ditch recorded in the West Wichel area of the site. A final area of potential interest, more difficult to define, has been identified in the central area of the Site where Mesolithic worked flints and Bronze Age pottery were recovered. Medieval or post medieval ridge and furrow was visible as earthworks in a number of fields across the site and was subject to a detailed survey in the 1980's. A section of the infilled Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal was visible as a low earthwork. An Iron Age gully and pit were recorded [RSK 95 & 96] and may form part of a wider area of dispersed activity in the West Wichel area.
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Figure 5. Designated Heritage Assets
Figure 5: Designated Heritage Assets OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 42
Figure 6. Non-designated Heritage Assets
Figure 6: Non-designated Heritage Assets OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 43
Detailed Baseline
8.15 The following section is based on the Extensive Urban Survey for Swindon (WCAS, August 2004), supplemented with historic environment data for the 1 km study area. Prehistory 8.16 A scatter of Mesolithic flints occurs across the top of Swindon Hill. The range of tools identified, including a pick, saw, scrapers, cores and microliths, is suggestive of a settlement, but no hearths or features have been recognised. Some of the sandy areas of the ridge may have featured a heathland cover, reminiscent of a terrain favoured by Mesolithic hunter-gatherer groups elsewhere in Britain (ibid.). Four of the Old Town excavations (located c. 2 km south east of the proposed development site) have also produced Neolithic flints and pottery from later horizons. Further west along the hilltop two pits containing flint tools have been recorded from the Okus quarries (Okus is located 1.2 km south east of the proposed development site). There are no known Mesolithic or Neolithic remains recorded from within the study area. 8.17 One of two scheduled monuments located within the study area is a Bronze Age bowl barrow (RSK 2), the site of which is located 330 m south of the site boundary. Its principal feature, as revealed by archaeological investigation, comprised a mound 11 metres in diameter and 0.75 metres high. Excavations recovered flint flakes and a possible cist burial. Recorded as ‘destroyed’ by the Wiltshire HER, the barrow is now sealed beneath a landfill deposit of modern origin approximately 0.4 metres thick. This area, on the floodplain of the River Ray, located between two watercourses and including the proposed development site, therefore appears to have held some significance for Bronze Age communities. 8.18 Further activity is in evidence along the ridge during the Beaker period of the early Bronze Age. Sites form two clusters at either end of the ridge. A cemetery containing at least three beaker burials is known from the western end of the Okus quarries (RSK 112). 8.19 Evidence of occupation in the Iron Age is less apparent in Old Swindon: a pit containing 13 chalk loomweights was found during quarrying in the early 1900s and another containing a bowl and other sherds was recovered from a garden in Westlecot Road. Excavations in Old Town have yielded Iron Age pottery in later layers. There are two known Iron Age sites recorded within the study area comprising a pit (RSK 95) and a gully (RSK 96), each within Wichelstowe, 900 m south of the site near to the River Ray. Roman/Romano-British 8.20 Old Town itself contained a Romano-British settlement, and the Okus end of the ridge may have possessed a Roman villa. Ermin Street, the Roman road to the early Fosse Way frontier at Cirencester, lies some 4 km to the east of the study area, straddled at that point by Durocornovium, a small Roman town. The Portland and Purbeck limestone outcrops capping the clays are valuable as building stone and it is probable that they have been quarried since Roman times. The ‘Stone Quarry Zone’ is recorded as lying between 500 m and 2 km to the south east of the proposed development site. Within the study area there are eight known sites dating to the Roman period. RSK 91, 113 and 121 represent Roman settlement at the Delta Industrial Estate in Westlea, 900 m to the west, and also the findspots RSK 114-120 imply a focus of Roman activity to the west and
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south west of the site, focusing around the floodplains of the River Ray. An undated well (RSK 125) from this area may relate to this settlement. Early Medieval 8.21 The town’s name, clearly of Saxon derivation, means “swine down” or simply an open space (Gover et al 1939), and is first mentioned in the Domesday survey as “Swindune”. The location of the Saxon settlement is believed to lie directly in Old Town- c. 2 km south east of the proposed development site where a number of sunken-floored huts have been excavated (Phillips & Chandler 1993). There are no known Early Medieval sites recorded from within the study area. Medieval 8.22 The excavations in Old Town which revealed Romano-British and Saxon settlement have failed to expose much of the Medieval town which was located just to the east of the study area. 8.23 The principal survival is the church of Holy Rood on the eastern edge of the town, and medieval pottery has been found in the vicinity of the churchyard. The mother church of Swindon, it was built in the 12th century, and was partially demolished in the mid-19th century. The chancel survives. The interior is largely 13th /14th century, but most of the visible exterior dates from the 15th century. Old Mill Lane is named for a mill that stood there until the mid-19th century, possibly one of the two Swindon mills mentioned in Domesday. 8.24 There are 13th century references to “burgages” and a “borough”, and in 1289 the town is mentioned as “Chepping” (Market) Swindon. The other major holding was at Nethercote, on the lower northern and north-western slopes of the hill. This estate became divided in the mid- 13th century, forming the twin hamlets of Eastcot and Westcot, and although the two estates were re-united in 1414, they kept their separate identities, with the main settlement apparently at Eastcot (Gover et al 1939). 8.25 Within the study area at West Leaze are the scheduled remains of a shrunken medieval settlement (RSK 1), comprising house platforms, holloway RSK 138 and ridge and furrow earthworks (RSK 139 & 140) beyond. The site is bounded on one side by the River Ray and on the others by a boundary ditch. 8.26 There were smaller nuclei of settlement at Broome, Piper’s Corner, Westlecot (RSK 136), and Kingshill (RSK 124). At Mannington, north east of Toothill Farm is an extensive deserted medieval settlement (RSK 137). To the north-east was Walcot, a substantial settlement at Domesday (ibid.), with Even Swindon (now buried beneath the railway yards) to the north-west. Beyond Even Swindon were two more medieval settlements that have now been absorbed into Swindon: Rodbourne Cheney and Moredon, both dating to Domesday and earlier. 8.27 A Medieval building was recorded in 1907 during construction of a new brickyard, near the canal at Rushey Platt (RSK 122). The building was rectangular in plan with walls 2ft. thick. Medieval pottery has also been recorded at Westlea (RSK 123). Post Medieval 8.28 The market at Swindon increased in importance during the 17th century. In the late 17th century, supplies of high quality stone were found and quarried from the top of Old OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 45
Swindon Hill, and the town prospered. Even so, it remained a fairly small town until the coming of the canal and railway. The Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal was opened in 1810 (RSK 141); this curved around the western end of Old Swindon Hill before crossing north- east across the centre of the study area in a series of gentle curves. The North Wiltshire Canal joined it nine years later (RSK 142); this joins the main canal in what is today the commercial heart of the New Town. RSK 87, 97-107 & 109 represent bridges and wharves relating to the canal era. 8.29 The open land surrounding the study area was farmed from a number of ‘out farms’ (detached locations comprising field barns away from the main farmstead) (RSK 126 – 134) during the post-medieval period. There are a number of listed buildings within the study area that are related to this phase of activity and are not associated with the later railway, comprising a farmhouse (RSK 3), a chapel (RSK 15), a milestone (RSK 16), a hotel (RSK 77), a church (RSK 78) and a swimming baths (RSK 84). Non-designated 19th century heritage assets located in the study area, not associated with the Great Western Railway comprise only four schools (RSK 169, 176, 184 & 193). 8.30 The only recorded heritage asset from within the site boundary is a small building complex ‘Newburn’ (RSK 201), which shows on the first edition OS, and includes an allotment and pond. 8.31 The Act of Parliament which inaugurated the Great Western Railway company was passed in 1835, the purpose of the company being to construct a line from London to Bristol. The canal was eclipsed by the opening of the railway and by the decision by Great Western Railways (GWR) in 1840 to site their main depot and works in the valley below the town (Crittall & Rogers 1970) such that the canals became uneconomical. 8.32 By 1861 ‘New Swindon’ (the new conurbation associated with the GWR) had some 3,600 inhabitants, whilst the population of the old town on the hill stood at 5,545. By 1881, however, New Swindon had outgrown its parent town with a population of almost 17,700 (Ibid.). In 1900 the two boroughs were amalgamated, and by 1901 the combined population of Swindon was 45,006. The canal was finally abandoned in 1914, and most sections have been drained and filled, although its course is still discernible across the town. 8.33 Associated with the rapid expansion of the Railway town are a number of 19th century brick works scattered across the clays of the valley north of Old Swindon Hill. Modern maps show small lakes next to several of these works, evidence of the proximity of the clay pits that supplied the brick works.
The Great Western Railway
Nineteenth Century 8.34 The proposed development site is part of Swindon New Town (RSK 194), a product of the industrial era. The site is positioned to the west of the adjacent conservation areas of the Great Western Railway Works and its associated Railway Village. 8.35 The proposed development site is bordered to the north by part of the earliest phase of the railway’s development – the Great Western Railway line, built 1840 (RSK 145). The listed stone building on the island platform at Swindon Railway Station (RSK 90) dates
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from this early period. The Swindon and Gloucester Railway (RSK 143) followed in 1845 and the Midland and Southwestern Junction Railway (RSK 144) with a station at Rushey Platt (RSK 190) followed in 1883. 8.36 The vast majority of the known 19th century heritage assets recorded within the study area relate to the GWR (summarised below). Located outside of the two conservation areas there are only four listed buildings relating to the GWR Works, comprising a GWR turntable (RSK 73), boundary walls (RSK 86 & 88) and a pattern store to the west of Rodbourne Road (RSK 89). Non-designated assets relating to the GWR but located outside the conservation areas comprise a further pattern store (RSK 89), carriage works (RSK 154 & 174), stores (RSK 163), and a culvert (RSK 108). 8.37 The following section is based on the Conservation Area Character Appraisals for Railway Works and Railway Village (SBC, 2006), to which the proposed development site is historically, albeit not physically, connected. 8.38 In 1841 the Great Western Railway Company began construction work on a major new engineering works which would become, in their heyday, one of the largest industrial complexes in the world. The chosen location was open farmland some two miles from the small hilltop market town of Swindon. The most significant remaining elements of the works is today designated as the Railway Works Conservation Area, located immediately north east of the proposed development site. 8.39 Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Daniel Gooch were given the responsibility for the design, construction and fitting out of the works (RSK 92). They were officially opened on 2nd January 1843. The original works were designed for the maintenance and heavy repair of locomotives, but within a few years the GWR board took the decision to manufacture locomotives as well. This involved the provision of many new buildings and by 1847 the works had doubled in size. 8.40 All of the 11 listed buildings within the Railway Works Conservation Area are related to rail works and are of functional (i.e. not of domestic) origin, such as the managers’ office (RSK 68), offices (RSK 69 & 82), workshops (RSK 70-72, 76 & 83), the Chain Test House (RSK 74), a stores (RSK 75), and the brick boundary wall (RSK 85). Furthermore there are preserved non-designated heritage assets, comprising inspection pits (RSK 93-94), the central power house (RSK 150), points and crossing shed (RSK 151), smiths (RSK 152), machine shops (RSK 153), steam hammer shop (RSK 155), gasworks (RSK 159), pattern makers’ shop (RSK 161), spring shop (RSK 162), boilermakers shop (RSK 164), fitting shop (RSK 171), rolling mills (RSK 172), coppersmiths (RSK 173), metal testing house (RSK 177), tuning and fitting shop (RSK 181), a brass foundry (RSK 183) and a traversing table (RSK 186). 8.41 The lack of existing housing in the vicinity of the works meant that it quickly became necessary to provide accommodation for the ensuing influx of workers. Shortly after the establishment of the works, a planned village to accommodate the GWR’s early work force was built nearby, to the south of the works on the other side of the railway. The terraced stone houses of this railway village, most of which still stand today, are an excellent early example of a "model village" development for an industrial work-force. Planned as a self-contained community, the intention was to provide all the necessary facilities (as perceived from a 19th-century point of view) for a 'decent' life (RSK 197). This
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is designated as the Railway Village Conservation Area, located immediately east of the proposed development site. 8.42 The original conception and plan for the village also belonged to Brunel. The Railway Village consisted of about 280 two-storey cottages, having front gardens and rear yards, built to a rectilinear grid plan of terraced blocks on either side of a central square. All were constructed using varying combinations of locally quarried 'Swindon' stone and Bath limestone from the Corsham/Box area. 8.43 Of special note is the Mechanics Institute (RSK 45). This is a monumental building in a central location within the village which reflects its role as the former cultural and educational centre of New Swindon. 8.44 The new mother church for the Railway Village, St Mark’s (RSK 23) was constructed as part of the new village. Its vicarage (RSK 22), and a tomb (RSK 23) and a monument (RSK 24) in the churchyard are each listed. 8.45 Nearly all of the listed buildings within the Railway Village Conservation Area are domestic (RSK 4-9, 12-14, 17-21, 27-29, 31-35, 37, 39, 41-42, 46-52, 55-67 & 79-80), as are a number of the non-designated assets comprising terraces (RSK 156, 165) and detached villas (RSK 157 & 182).Some of the buildings, however, do relate to the GWR works themselves, including a sawmill, carriage works and shops (RSK 11, 44 & 53-54) (listed), and a carriage repair shop (RSK 147) and a paint shop (RSK 178) (non- designated). 8.46 Facilities were gradually provided for the settlement, some built using funds subscribed by shareholders of the GWR company. Designated elements comprise a water tower (RSK 10), a school (RSK 26), inns (RSK 36, 38 & 40) and the central community centre (RSK 81). Non-designated elements include a hospital (RSK 149), a slaughterhouse and bake house (RSK 167), The Park (1871) (RSK 198), public baths (1868-77) (RSK 166) and a lodging house (1854) (RSK 43) that later was converted to a chapel (1868). 8.47 The GWR board's decision in 1868 to build the company's new carriage works in Swindon in preference to Oxford ushered in a new period of growth. A second major phase of expansion and modernisation was initiated and a new locomotive and tender building factory was constructed to the west of the works (1873). This vast brick built complex now forms the core of today's Designer Outlet Village. 8.48 Outside the Railway Village Conservation Area are further non-designated heritage assets relating to the housing of railway workers, including a housing estate constructed in 1868 (RSK 175) and Cambria Place built to provide housing for Welsh iron workers (RSK 148). 8.49 By the 1890s GWR, which over the previous 20 years had gradually concentrated almost all its operations on one site, was poised to take advantage of the coming economic revival and enter its third period of expansion and what many consider to be its 'golden age'. Between 1895 and 1920 the size of the works again almost doubled. Most of the expansion took place to the west of Rodbourne Road but was accompanied by alteration and extension of existing buildings on the main site.
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Twentieth Century 8.50 The railways were nationalised on 1st January 1948, when the Great Western Railway became British Rail Western Region. Following a period of rationalisation, the works became part of British Rail Engineering under the 1960 Transport Act. Little money was spent on the upkeep of the railway village and by the 1960's it had a very run-down appearance. Between 1969 and 1980 the Borough Council, which had bought most of the properties in the village from British Rail in 1966, carried out a huge refurbishment scheme which attempted to preserve the area's traditional character and appearance whilst bringing dwellings up to modern standards. 8.51 The future of the works became less and less certain and many of the historic buildings were listed in 1984. Finally, the works closed in 1986, 143 years after opening. 8.52 There are ten known heritage assets located within the study area which date to the 20th century, only three of which relate to the GWR, comprising shops (RSK 158 & 168) and a weigh house (now brew house) (RSK 189). The remainder comprise modern offices (RSK 170 & 191), a market (the David Murray John building, RSK 185), a leisure centre (RSK 188), and the Iceland regional distribution centre (RSK 196). 8.53 The final heritage asset located within the study area is a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (RSK 160), located in New Town and unveiled on 29 March 1973 to mark the completion of phase one of the Brunel Centre.
Historical Mapping
8.54 One heritage asset has been added to the gazetteer as a result of the historical map regression, the site of a property ‘Newburn’, with an allotment, outbuildings and pond (RSK 201). 8.55 The earliest mapping assessed for the project is the 1841 Tithe map of the parish of Swindon (Figure 7). The Great Western Railway was constructed by this date, evident on the tithe map to the immediate north of the site. Within the site boundary, the plot comprises all or part of six land parcels. The southern end and most of the central part is annotated ‘tithe free lands’. These likely indicate common lands, and are unlikely therefore to have been deeply ploughed. 8.56 Otherwise, the site boundary crosses the following parcels, with information provided from the according apportionment document: • 75 – ‘Part of Long Lands’ (Pasture) • 76 – ‘Part of Long Lands’ (Pasture) • 84 – ‘Great Lanquet’ (Pasture) • 86 – ‘Part of Great Mead’ (Pasture) 8.57 The apportionment indicates the area was preferred for pasture, and therefore also unlikely to have been deeply ploughed. There is no indication in the field names for potential archaeological remains (such as barns, kilns or quarries etc). Plots 84 and 85 were indicated to be a part of Westcot Farm. The farmstead of ‘Westcot’ (RSK 132) (no longer extant), on the site of a Medieval settlement (RSK 136) was shown.
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8.58 The open tributary to the River Ray was shown, bisecting the site in its middle. This was culverted to the north beneath the embankment for the GWR line. In the southern end of the site two plots were divided by a lane or track. In the wider area the road system and canals were annotated.
Figure 7. 1841 Swindon tithe
8.59 The earliest available Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping depicting the site at a large enough scale to identify features within it, the 1:2500 1886 map (Figure 8), shows that the southern end of the site had remained unchanged since the 1840s. The map demonstrates that the embankment for the GWR lay partially within the site boundary at this location. 8.60 The detail of a pond in a plot formerly annotated as ‘tithe free’ was added to this map. There was also a footbridge over the river. 8.61 To the north of the river there had been more extensive and varied development. A property ‘Newburn’ (RSK 201) had been constructed, which appeared to be associated with land to the immediate south, and probably the east (formerly ‘tithe free lands’). The buildings comprised a main dwelling with five outbuildings (three to the north and two to the south). There was an allotment garden to the west, beyond which the pond (probable duck pond, with an island) was likely associated. The property was approached from Park Lane, along a long driveway to the north. 8.62 To the immediate north of Newburn was a subway beneath the railway.
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8.63 In one large, new plot to the north east were two large and two small un-named buildings. Due to the presence of a single line of siding, these are very likely to have also been associated with the GWR. This part of the site had evidently been levelled with imported fill by this time in order to create the level surface for the sidings (as indicated by the extent of artificial ground on BGS mapping- see Figure 3). 8.64 Immediately east of the site boundary was St Mark’s parochial hall (no longer extant) and a drill hall (now a TA centre). Beyond, the full extent of the Railway Works and Railway Village, including The Park (RSK 198) had been established; these, oldest parts, roughly define the boundaries of the modern conservation areas. 8.65 The 1900 1:2500 OS map shows no changes within the site boundary, however to the north of the site an extensive network of railway sidings had been established, and to the south the site had been bordered with terraced housing. 8.66 In the wider area, both the Railway Works New Swindon continued to grow outwards in all directions.
Figure 8. 1886 1:2500 OS
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Figure 9. 1923 1:2500 OS, also showing extent of modern conservation area designation boundaries relative to maximum extent of GWR works
8.67 The 1923 1:2500 OS map (Figure 9) shows that in the southern half of the site the boundaries had been reorganised, establishing a buffer zone between the railway line, allotment gardens, and a recreation ground (each of which are still present today). 8.68 A number of greenhouses had been added to the property Newburn, and the main dwelling appeared to have been extended slightly to the north, but otherwise the layout of the property remained unchanged. 8.69 In the northern part of the site a new large un-named building had been added to the south west of the existing two, and the sidings had been added to and realigned. 8.70 Outside the site boundary to the west, further sidings had been established which, to the north, were enclosed within a massive shed. At the north west corner of the site the railway turntable (RSK 73) and a pattern store (RSK 6) had been built. 8.71 In the wider area to the north of the site, the Railway Works continued to expand westwards.
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Figure 10. 1942 1:2500 OS
8.72 Major changes within the site boundary are illustrated on the 1942 1:2500 OS map (Figure 10). The southern half of the site had been raised to the level of the adjacent railway on an embankment of imported fill. The railway sidings had been extended from the north, over the former site of ‘Newburn’ (RSK 201) and covered by a single long shed. 8.73 The northern half of the site remained unchanged. 8.74 The culverting of the water course beneath the site occurred during this period of ground reworking. 8.75 Outside the site boundary to the west the network of sidings was again extended. 8.76 To the north the Railway Works had reached their maximum extent as shown on the 1923 OS map (see Figure 9).
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Figure 11. Great Western Railway and environs, Swindon, from south west 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission)
8.77 Oblique aerial imagery of November 1946 shows the long shed occupying the proposed development site (Figure 11). The environs are as described on the 1942 1:2500 OS mapping (Figure 10) and the scale of the Locomotive ‘A’ Shop (RSK 168) to the north of the proposed development site is clear. Demolished in the 1990s, the site of the ‘A’ Shop’ is a non-designated heritage asset. 8.78 Railway balancing turntable (RSK 73) and a pattern store/watertank (RSK 89) were installed in 1902 to serve the ‘A’ Shop (RSK 168), built in 1901 and this locomotive works is one of the later phases of the GWR Works. The pattern store and a weigh house relate to this phase/group of buildings.
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Figure 12. Great Western Railway and environs, Swindon, from south west 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission)
8.79 In slightly closer detail, further oblique aerial imagery of November 1946 shows the long shed occupying the proposed development site and environs, focussing on the large expanse of sidings to the north of the western end of the site (Figure 12).
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Figure 13. Locomotive Shop at the Great Western Railway, Swindon, from south east 13th November 1946. (Image used under licence with permission)
8.80 Further oblique aerial imagery of November 1946 (Figure 13) focussing on the Locomotive Shop (RSK 168) also shows eastern end of the proposed development site, the long shed, and the three (un-named) buildings showing on historic OS mapping dating from 1886 (see Figure 8) and 1923 (see Figure 9). 8.81 There are no changes shown within the site boundary on 1956 1:1250 OS mapping. 8.82 The 1971 1:2500 OS map shows that the southern half of the site had been completely cleared, leaving only the two original un-named large buildings towards the north eastern end of the site. 8.83 In the 1980s the historical mapping sequence indicates that the site may have been again intermittently used for two sidings along its entire length. However, in the latest mapping, the 1988 1:10,000 OS, the site had again been completely cleared.
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LiDAR Data
Figure 14. Modern (2018) DTM LIDAR imagery
8.84 Recent (2018) Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data (Figure 14) illustrates the way in which the site has been artificially raised using imported fill to create an embankment level with the adjacent Great Western railway line to the north. 8.85 Various earthwork ridges are evident in the data, probably debris relating to the most recent phase of site clearance.
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9 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL AND PHYSICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Archaeological Potential
Archaeological Review of Geotechnical Site Investigation 9.1 Geotechnical data indicates that, where proven, imported fill is present across the site, present at depths of between 0.40 m bgl and 4.50 m bgl. The investigation report identifies that the made ground is shallowest towards the eastern end of the site.
Prehistoric Periods 9.2 There are no known Mesolithic or Neolithic remains recorded from within the study area and the focus of activity from these periods appears to have been concentrated on the ‘Okus-Swindon Hill ridge’, an east-west ridge with lighter soils rising above the surrounding clayland (this is also the location of the historical settlement of Swindon, Old Town). There is a negligible potential for Palaeolithic – Neolithic period remains to be preserved within the site boundary. 9.3 There are Bronze Age period remains recorded within the study area, predominantly also focussing on the ridge. However, a (now culverted) watercourse passes through the site on the west bank of which, only c. 300 m south of the site, lies the site of a Bronze Age barrow. This flat area, therefore, located beneath two watercourses and including the proposed development site, appears to have held some significance for Bronze Age communities. There is a low potential for Bronze Age period remains to be preserved within the site boundary, however any that are would be nearly impossible to identify given the extent of imported fill across the entire site. 9.4 Evidence of occupation in the Iron Age also appears to have focussed on the ridge, however, works carried out by Wessex Archaeology in 2014 around the area of West Leaze medieval settlement also recorded Iron Age activity which suggested a presence on the floodplains of the River Ray. There is a low potential for Iron Age period remains to be preserved within the site boundary, however any that are would be nearly impossible to identify given the extent of imported fill across the entire site.
Roman/Romano-British Periods 9.5 Old Town itself contained a Romano-British settlement and the Okus end of the ridge may have possessed a Roman villa. Within the study area there are eight known sites dating to the Roman period, representing Roman settlement at the Delta Industrial Estate in Westlea, 900 m to the west, and findspots also imply a focus of Roman activity to the west and south west of the site, again focusing around the floodplains of the River Ray. There is a low potential for Roman period remains to be preserved within the site boundary, however any that are would be nearly impossible to identify given the extent of imported fill across the entire site.
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Medieval Periods 9.6 There are no known Early Medieval sites recorded in the study area and there is a negligible potential for remains of this period to be preserved at the site. 9.7 The proposed development site was likely agricultural during this period and any preserved remains are likely to relate to such activities, however, given the lack of evidence for this period, if Early Medieval period remains were present at the proposed development site, then these would be of regional archaeological significance. 9.8 At West Leaze are the scheduled remains of a shrunken medieval settlement (RSK 1). There are records of smaller settlement nuclei within the study area at Westlecot (RSK 136), Kingshill (RSK 124) and Mannington (RSK 137). Of these, Westlecot is located closest to the proposed development site; the western boundary of an area defining the Medieval manor by Wiltshire HER lies only 85 m to the east. 9.9 There is a low potential for Medieval field boundary remains to be preserved within the site boundary, which if present would be of local archaeological significance.
Post Medieval 9.10 Historic mapping from the latter half of the nineteenth century shows that a subway beneath the GWR and a property ‘Newburn’ stood within the proposed development site boundary; with a number of outbuildings, greenhouses, an allotment a pond and access track; this stood until the 1940s. The building was demolished, a river through the site was culverted, and the site was buried under significant infill imported to level the site. 9.11 The subway, the culverted river, and the remains of the property Newburn are preserved beneath the made ground within the site (see Archaeological Review of Geotechnical Site Investigation, below), however the remains are of limited archaeological or historical value, likely of local significance.
Later Historic and Modern Periods 9.12 The proposed development site formed part of the GWR Works, operating as a sidings from the 1880s onwards, variously including two/three large buildings of an unknown function at the site’s northern end. Given the lack of subsequent development it is likely that the foundations of these buildings survive. Through their association with the GWR (albeit later than the main works) and listed assets of national importance these remains are potentially of medium importance, but have been compromised through demolition and are therefore reduced to low (local) importance. On mapping the buildings do not appear to be associated with any sidings and are therefore unlikely to have been workshops, and are interpreted as probable warehouses. Further historical research in future might identify their function and role within the wider complex. 9.13 The 2015 Atkins Geoenvironmental Interpretive Report19 records that TP05 refused at 0.40 m on a brick layer and identified footings of a former building (see p.13). A comparison with the location of TP05 with the historic OS mapping sequence indicates
19 Atkins, October 2015, Land at Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon, Geoenvironmental Interpretive Report OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 59
this coincides with one of the 19th century property Newburn’s outbuildings (RSK 201). It is therefore likely that Newburn itself is preserved beneath the imported made ground. 9.14 Due to the extensive development of the site as shown on historic maps and plans there is a low potential for hitherto unknown remains of significance to be preserved within the application site boundary from these periods.
Physical Impact Assessment
9.15 Sources of direct (physical) impacts upon buried archaeological remains associated with housing development generally comprise (but are not limited to) areas of bulk excavation (cut and fill), topsoil stripping, compound establishment, the excavation of footings, utilities and roads. 9.16 Where present, archaeological remains may be damaged or removed by these groundwork activities. 9.17 Historic mapping and LIDAR data illustrate imported levelling fill across the majority of the proposed development site. Made ground is recorded across the majority of the site by the BGS, and across the entire site through geotechnical investigations. 9.18 It is likely that the archaeological potential of the site has been compromised through the works to level the site and import fill to create the former sidings. It is concluded that any fragile shallow archaeological features are likely to have been disturbed through the extensive previous groundworks carried out within the site boundary, and no impact is therefore anticipated. 9.19 Later historic period structural/foundation remains may have survived or post-dated this disturbance, and may therefore be impacted by the proposed development groundworks, comprising: • The foundation remains of two/three large GWR buildings of an unknown function (likely warehouses) occupying the site’s northern end from the 1880s onwards; and • The foundation remains of the late 19th centurty property ‘Newburn’ (RSK 201). 9.20 These later historic period remains are considered to be of low (local) archaeological significance.
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10 IDENTIFICATION OF SETTING IMPACT ASSESSMENT RECEPTORS
10.1 The following heritage assets have been identified as being sensitive to setting effects. These assets are considered for detailed assessment of effects potentially arising as a result of the development as proposed. 10.2 See Figure 15 for the location of representative heritage viewpoints (HVP).
Designated Heritage Assets
Conservation Areas 10.3 All listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets within conservation areas are considered as a group within the conservation area assessment, including any inter- relationships and group value. 10.4 Two conservation areas are considered for detailed setting assessment: Railway Works (RSK 199) See HVP 1 • Railway Works CA contains 11 listed buildings (see above) and 20 non- designated heritage assets (RSK 92-94, 150-153, 155, 159, 161-162, 164, 171- 173, 177, 181, 183 & 186). The Great Western Railway (RSK 145) also runs through the CA.
Railway Village (RSK 200) See HVP 2, 3 & 4 • Railway Village contains 64 listed buildings (see above). There are also 13 non- designated heritage assets (RSK 110, 147-149, 156-157, 165-167, 178 & 182). • The boundary of the Railway Village as defined by the Wiltshire HER is larger than the designated conservation area (see RSK 197); ‘The Park’ is also recognised as a separate heritage asset (RSK 198) (HVP3).
Listed Buildings 10.5 The following listed buildings located within conservation areas are considered for individual assessment based on a review of their sensitivity to changes within their setting: The Mechanics’ Institute (RSK 45) See HVP 2 • The Mechanics’ Institute is a monumental landmark building located at a focal point within the Railway Village Conservation Area.
Church of St Mark (RSK 23) See HVP 4 • The Church is a prominent building, situated to present a face to the Railway Village and to users of the Great Western Railway. The church forms a group with the vicarage (RSK 22), a tomb (RSK 24) and a monument (RSK 25).
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V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71) & Old L2 Shop (RSK 72) See HVP 1 • Listed and monumental structures, well-preserved and representative of the character and significance of the railway Works Conservation Area. These two buildings collectively now comprise the Great Western Designer Outlet Village.
10.6 Listed buildings located outside either of the conservation areas considered for detailed assessment are based on sensitivity to change within their setting, or proximity to the proposed development site (as cited in SBC’s pre-app 1 scoping response): GWR Turntable (RSK 73) / Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89) See HVP 6 • The two Grade II listed buildings are located directly across the GWR line, opposite the northern corner of the proposed development site. Both buildings would be brought within the redrawn conservation area boundaries in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020), and the pattern store is identified as a landmark building.
Church of St Augustine (RSK 78) See HVP 7 • Prominent Grade II listed building located in Even Swindon.
Scheduled Monuments 10.7 Of the two scheduled monuments located within the study area only RSK 1, the earthworks remains of a Medieval settlement at West Leaze, is considered for detailed assessment. RSK 2, a bowl barrow, whilst once sensitive to visual change is already destroyed, buried beneath landfill and now within a housing development. Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1) See HVP 8 • The earthworks are upstanding features. A viewshed analysis carried out for the assessment indicates an open view of the proposed development in a south westerly direction.
Non-designated Heritage Assets
10.8 Non-designated heritage assets have been screened for assessment based on sensitivity to change within their setting affecting their significance, and proximity to the proposed development.
Buildings of Significant Local Interest
Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189) See HVP 9 • Now repurposed as a brew house, the weigh house was cited in SBC’s pre-app 1 response as a receptor based on proximity to the proposed development site. RSK 189 is located midway along the northern boundary of the site, separated from it by the GWR line.
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Monuments
Statue of Brunel (RSK 160) See HVP 10 • A public prominent monument, the statue was unveiled in 1973 and has an association with the Brunel Centre, rather than any historical associations with the surrounding railway architecture.
Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145) See HVP 5 • As a central feature of both conservation areas, the reason for the location of the Railway Works and the Railway Village, the northern boundary to the proposed development site, and a heritage asset, users of the railway dynamically characterise the GWR line as a receptor; as such the GWR line itself is considered a heritage receptor for detailed setting impact assessment.
Heritage Impact Assessment Viewpoints
10.9 Each of the sensitive baseline receptors outlined above is considered a heritage viewpoint. For the purpose of this assessment the location of the identified heritage viewpoints are presented on Figure 15 (‘HVP’- Heritage Viewpoint). 10.10 All receptors were visited, and their settings considered in relation to the proposed development site. This consideration including views to, from and through the site, the potential for setting effects to occur other than visual (such as noise, dust or smell), and the way in which the proposed development may impact on an ability to understand or appreciate any significant non-visual historical associations. 10.11 In the assessment of the conservation areas, a ZTV has been used to identify locations from which separate elements of the proposed development would be visible.
Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment AVRs
10.12 AVRs relevant to the Heritage Impact Assessment produced in the Turley Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment for the proposed development are referred to in this report as follows: • AVR 3 / HVP3: Representative view for the assessment of The Park (RSK 198) within the Railway Village Conservation Area (RSK 200). • AVR 5 HVP4: Representative view for the assessment of the Church of St Mark (RSK 23) within the Railway Village Conservation Area (RSK 200). • AVR 6 / HVP6: Representative view for the assessment of GWR Turntable (RSK 73) / Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89). • AVR 7 / HVP9: Representative view for the assessment of Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189). • AVRs 9 & 11 / HVP5: Representative view for the assessment of the GWR railway (RSK 145).
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Figure 15. Heritage Viewpoints OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 64
11 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
11.1 This section describes the significance, setting, and contribution of setting to significance of the selected heritage assets/receptors.
Conservation Areas
11.2 Any designated and non-designated heritage assets located within a conservation area are considered as part of the whole designated area, including any inter-relationships and group value.
Proposed Updated Swindon Railway Area Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) (June 2020) (Unadopted) Significance 11.3 The key heritage interests of the Swindon Railway Area (comprising both Swindon Railway Village and Swindon Railway Works) are summarised as follows: • Association with the GWR company and distinguished Victorian engineers. • At its height the railway works were the largest of their type in the world. • The pride and sense of community that the railway legacy has instilled in residents. • The industrial buildings are exemplary of their period. • The railway village is one of the earliest examples of a model railway estate. • The historic appearance and character of the area survives and is clearly legible. 11.4 Key landmark buildings in the Railway Village are considered in terms of their contribution to the character of the area (see Figure 17) (i.e. Signal Point, the Mechanics Institute, the David Murray John building, a 19th century water tower and the spire of St Mark's Church as viewed from the Railway Works). Similarly, the reassessment of the conservation areas in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) identifies the following positive landmarks in the conservation areas: The Park, Park House, The Health Hydro, The Platform, Emlyn Square and the Mechanics’ Institution, The Water Tower, St Mark’s Church, The Long Shop, and the Pattern Church (The Pattern Store). Setting 11.5 In general, views that contribute to the significance of the Railway Village are ‘within’ the conservation area, along terraced streets (Figure 20) and rear alleys (Figure 21); and those that contribute to the significance of the Railway Works are also ‘within’ the conservation area, of monumental industrial buildings across recently-cleared open spaces associated with the regeneration of the area as a retail centre. 11.6 The environment in which the conservation areas are experienced is provided by the built character of surrounding Victorian terraced housing, with Edwardian/inter-war residential housing beyond. Each phase of building demonstrates the rapid expansion of the area surrounding the GWR Works. This is particularly appreciated from The Park, also from
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which the ‘model’ layout of the Railway Village is evident (Figure 19), and the prominence of St Marks Church is also appreciated. 11.7 Views southwards from The Park are identified as ‘important’ in the Railway Village Conservation Area character appraisal, towards Radnor Street cemetery (see below). This is the same as ‘View 4’ in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020), as follows (see Figure 16): View 4 is from The Park to Radnor Street Cemetery. The openness of GWR Park allows for views south towards Radnor Street cemetery which was used as the graveyard for St Mark’s after its own churchyard became full. The cemetery therefore has an important connection to the conservation area and its history and special interest.
Figure 16. Proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) ‘Defined Views of Importance’
11.8 The proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP identifies a further three ‘Defined Views of Importance’ on Plan 7 which make a particular contribution to the special interest of the conservation area, reproduced in Figure 16, each of which is considered in this heritage impact assessment. View 1 is a channelled view towards the entrance to Designer Outlet Village. This view showcases the historic buildings of the railway works and sensitively designed new buildings. It demonstrates the positive regeneration which has taken place since the closure of the works and the vibrant future of this new urban quarter. OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 66
View 2 is across railway line from former railway works to railway village [Figure 18]. This view is one of the few where the railway village is visible from the former railway works and therefore shows the connection between these two integral parts of the Conservation Area. It contains two important landmarks south of the railway line which help provide orientation; the water tower and St Mark’s Church. This view is incidental and has only come into existence as part of the regeneration of the works. Now that it exists, it contributes to the understanding of the railway heritage of the area and should be protected, or indeed enhanced as this part of the railway works is used for parking and servicing at present. View 3 is towards St Mark’s Church and Railway Village across The Park. Panoramic views across The Park, particularly from its southern and eastern entrances, give the best comprehensive impression of the railway village as they capture the streets of terraced cottages and some of the village’s amenities many of which were provided by the GWR company, including the park itself. The most prominent feature from this important landmark is St Mark’s Church, the spire of which rises above the trees which characterise this part of the Conservation Area. Views from the open space of the park also take in the setting of the Conservation Area.
Figure 17. Example monumental landmark buildings within Railway Village Conservation Area: Mechanics Institute (RSK 45) (left); water tower (RSK 10) (distant); carriage works No.7/8 Shops (RSK 53 & 54) (right), looking south west along London Street towards proposed development site
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Figure 18. St Marks Church as viewed from Railway Works Conservation Area (‘Defined View of Importance 02’, in unadopted proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP, June 2020). Showing general character: monumental industrial buildings viewed across recently-cleared open spaces. Looking south
Figure 19. View east across The Park towards Railway Village Conservation Area (‘Defined View of Importance 03’, unadopted proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP, June 2020)
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Figure 20. General character of Railway Village terraced streets. Looking south west towards proposed development site from Bathampton Street
Figure 21. General character of Railway Village back alleys. Looking south west towards proposed development site
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11.9 At present, the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) which proposes and considers the Swindon Railway Village Conservation Area and the Railway Works Conservation Area together as a single area, has not been adopted. Therefore the assessment below references the extant character appraisals separately.
Swindon Railway Village (character appraisal adopted 2006) 11.10 Swindon's Railway Village was first designated as a conservation area in 1975. In November 1977, the Secretary of State named the Railway Village as a conservation area of "outstanding interest". In 1987 the area was re-designated, and enlarged to include former Great Western Railway buildings (mainly associated with the late 19th- century carriage-works) lying between the terraced cottages and the railway line to the north. Significance 11.11 The document outlines the conservation area’s special interest as follows: ‘National and international importance as an early planned railway village, the intrinsic value of its buildings, trees and open spaces and its significance as an integral part of the history of Swindon’ [p.2]. 11.12 The appraisal outlines that the Railway Village is significant predominantly in its historical relationship with the development of Swindon. It cites the ‘historic coherence’ of the village, which was ‘planned as self-contained and compact’. Four discernible areas with their own identity are defined:
• ‘East Residential’: Planned terraces of the village and Emlyn Square • ‘Industrial’: Former GWR carriage workshops / school • ‘The Park’ • ‘St Mark’s Church’ / vicarage 11.13 The character areas of ‘The Park’ and ‘St Mark’s Church’ are located at the western end of the conservation area, closest to the proposed development site. Setting 11.14 The conservation area character appraisals for the Railway Works and Railway Village (SDP 2006) identify intervisibility between the two areas as significant. 11.15 With due regard to the ‘Defined Views of Importance’ listed in the (unadopted) proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020), views looking ‘in’ to the conservation area are defined as particularly significant in the extant 2006 character appraisal, namely: from the railway line itself, ‘The GWR took great care to present a good face to the railway. The spire of St Mark’s Church is built in an unusual position on the north side, intended to produce an impressive view from the railway line’ [p.13, footnote 24]. 11.16 ‘St Mark's Church (1845) is an example of the early work of the 32-year old (later Sir) George Gilbert Scott, here working with George Moffatt. Swindon has very few examples of buildings by architects of national importance such as Scott who also designed St. Mark's Vicarage. The vicarage’s setting, in spacious grounds that form an extension to the churchyard, is an important element of its design. It is worth noting that a view of this
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area from the works side is afforded and is an important visual link from the railway works to the associated village’ … ‘The historical relationship [between the church and vicarage] and with the remnant of Bristol Street School, has not been disturbed [p.19]. 11.17 ‘The Park’ ‘has an open character in contrast to the enclosed geometry of the terraces. The relationship of buildings to open space in this area is important, giving a spacious "village green" feeling to the area’ [p.17]. The centre of The Park is a good viewpoint from which to spot the landmarks of the GWR’s vision of a ‘model village’. From here, Park House, the Mechanics Institution, the water tower, the spire of St Marks Church and the chimney pots of the railway village demonstrate The Park’s place in the concept of a planned settlement. It is also worth noting that looking almost directly south from the park affords a view of Radnor Street cemetery [RSK 195]. Whilst not directly related to the GWR, the expansion of the town due following its arrival necessitated further housing, and ultimately burial space. The plot of land remaining from the development of the ‘Kingshill estate’ coincided with the fact that St Mark’s churchyard was filling up and therefore this was designated as a new cemetery for Swindon’ [p.18].
Swindon Railway Works (character appraisal adopted 2006) 11.18 Thamesdown Borough Council designated the Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area, which covers the historic core of the works, on the 30th April 1987 in recognition of the national and international importance of what has been called “one of Britain’s finest monuments to the early days of the railway age”. 11.19 As a former sidings, the proposed development site is not specifically referenced in the appraisal, however, as part of the later development of the GWR, there is a historical connection between the proposed development site and Swindon’s industrial railway heritage, including the surviving elements protected as conservation areas. 11.20 Although the GWR Works once extended far beyond the area now designated within the conservation area boundaries, the areas excluded (to the east and west) were considered of limited architectural and historical interest and that designation could not be justified. Accordingly, the Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area was designated specifically to protect the historic core of the works which contains nearly all the GWR industrial and administrative buildings of architectural and historic interest north of the mainline railway. Significance 11.21 The document outlines the conservation area’s special interest as follows: In brief, the conservation area's special interest is twofold. First, the area’s considerable historic importance as the site of a major nineteenth century industrial complex and its association with the early development of Britain’s railways and, in particular, with the Great Western Railway Company; secondly, the architectural and historic interest of the area’s surviving industrial and administrative buildings which display innovatory forms of construction and exemplify the style of industrial building typical of its period (c.1840- 1920) [p.2]. 11.22 A ‘special note’ was added in 2006 that since its designation in 1987 the character and appearance of the Railway Works CA has changed considerably, and will continue to change, that the changes were necessary to regenerate a once derelict area and finally that the changes have preserved or enhanced its identity as a historic industrial site of
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national importance [p.3]. Since designation, mixed retail and office use has replaced the traditional manufacturing use of the site [p.7]. 11.23 The conservation area’s western boundary, Rodbourne Road (closest to the proposed development site) is described thus: ‘overlooked by a long brick frontage of varying height comprising two lengths of GWR boundary wall and the gable ends of former works’ buildings that now contain a modern shopping mall known as the Great Western Designer Outlet Village’ [p.4] (RSK 71 & 72). The stone boundary wall to the former GWR Works is a Grade II listed building (RSK 88). 11.24 The appraisal outlines that the Railway Works’ significance predominantly lies in its historical relationship with Brunel and Gooch and the development of the railway industry/economy in the 19th century (as the largest establishment in the world for the manufacture and repair of railway engines, carriages and wagons); and the architectural and historic interest of the area’s surviving industrial buildings. 11.25 ‘The area is characterised by massive renovated stone or brick 19th century industrial and administrative buildings that are large in comparison to the terraces of the adjoining residential area [p.13]. ‘Their architectural interest lays in their design, derived from innovatory forms of construction, the predominant use of brick and stone as building materials and their historic interest as important examples of 19th century industrial structures’ [p.17]. 11.26 Group values with the Railway Village to the south are identified, as well as association with the Great Western Railway Company and the Paddington to Bristol ‘Great Western’ railway line, which in 1999 was proposed by the Secretary of State for designation as a UNESCO 'World Heritage Site'. 11.27 ‘Taken together, the former GWR works and railway village contain the most significant surviving railway establishment of its time in the world and are internationally recognised as an exceptionally intact example of a planned railway development of the Victorian age’ [p.11]. Setting 11.28 This section selects passages from the appraisal which identify significant areas of the conservation area which it is desirable to preserve/enhance, and which could potentially be affected by nearby development. 11.29 In an appeal decision for a proposed mixed use development on land adjacent to the Test House roundabout (Appeal ref APP/U3935/A/05/1171578 (March 2006)) the inspector made reference to the importance of good design in preserving the character and appearance of the conservation area and setting of listed buildings within the works site stating that he did not consider “the appeal proposal would achieve the quality of the existing architecture…at odds with the interesting buildings adjacent”. He continued to say “While I accept there are design reasons why it is proposed for the building to be tall and dominant, I see no reason for it to be plain, but consider it should be a beacon for modern architecture in a similar way that the old railway buildings would have been when they were constructed”. The appeal was dismissed [p.14]. 11.30 ‘The area's buildings, roads and footpaths conform to a strict north-south/east-west grid and are generally taller than their neighbours outside the conservation area although key
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landmark buildings south of the conservation area (Signal Point, the Mechanics Institute, the David Murray John building, a 19th century water tower and the spire of St Mark's Church) appear taller than the NMRC building [RSK 69/82, former GWR office blocks]’ [p.14]. 11.31 ‘The removal of several covered workshops and other buildings since closure of the works has opened up long views across the site enabling one to appreciate their architectural qualities and to see more clearly how the area’s historic buildings relate to each other and to the wider surroundings. For example, the area in front of the railway museum, which is one of the site’s earliest (1847) buildings, has been cleared and today has the character of an urban ‘square’. Looking south across the railway line from this point enables an exceptional view of St Mark’s Church with the park beyond. The geographical closeness of these areas is most noticeable here, highlighting an interesting visual juxtaposition between the ‘working’ and ‘living’ sides of the historic railway area … Whilst historically this view would have been unintentional, today it offers an interesting visual context that should be protected and perhaps exploited in any development proposals [pp.14-15]. 11.32 ‘As other open areas are developed in the future, long views across, and out of, the site will become more restricted. Aerial photographs of the works prior to closure show that open space was not a feature of the area except where used for the movement or storage of engines or other heavy machinery. The traversing table [RSK 186] east of the Manager’s Office is an example of such a space [p.115].’ 11.33 ‘The general impression is of low, solid and well-grounded functional buildings contrasting with the numerous tall elements, such as the David Murray John Tower of ‘new’ Swindon to the south’ [p.13]. 11.34 In summary, therefore, the only reference to a significant view beyond the boundaries of the CA are towards St Mark’s Church southwards. Historically, the area was a private industrial site where security was important, and the area once had a fortress-like character [p.16]. Also, although massive, most buildings on site are comparatively long and have few features that stretch skywards’ [p.13]; as such, long-distance views do not contribute to the historical or architectural significance of the conservation area.
Listed Buildings
11.35 A summary of the significance and contribution made by setting of listed buildings draws upon a combination of Historic England’s Listing Descriptions, the conservation area character appraisals, and observations made as part of this assessment. Grade II* The Mechanics’ Institute (RSK 45) 11.36 See Figure 22. Limestone rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings. 2 storey with raised central hall/theatre. Gothic Revival style. At present vacant; 1853-1855 and considerably enlarged 1892-1893 to make room for the large addition which is itself a visible expression of the impressive breadth of the institute's work for over 100 years.
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Figure 22. The Mechanics Institute, looking west towards proposed development site
11.37 This institute, which is the major architectural feature at the heart of Swindon Railway Village, is of considerable historic significance both for the mode of formation and for the range, importance and influence of the various facilities provided. This institute also appears to be a unique survivor of one associated with a railway company. 11.38 Brunel’s original concept for the Railway Village provided for a central promenade, High Street, separating the two halves of the village. The arrangement served to emphasise its role as the civic and commercial heart of the village. This open space, today’s Emlyn Square, was encroached upon by the Mechanics Institution and Covered Market. 11.39 The result is that the monumental building forms a focal point for the conservation area, visually, but also historically and communally. The building is visible as a landmark from many places both within and from outside the conservation area; all the roads converge at this point. Grade II Church of St Mark (RSK 23) 11.40 See Figure 23. Parish church situated in Church Place, in the western area of the Railway Village. The church is constructed of limestone with a tile roof. The church was constructed in 1843-45. The roof was replaced during the 20th century. 11.41 The terraced housing, church, vicarage, school, shops, public houses and park of the Railway Village were all designed and constructed in a short space of time between 1841 and 1848, and therefore form a coherent historical grouping. 11.42 Aesthetically, the church is positioned in an open space which includes both the churchyard and The Park. Within the space, St Mark’s Vicarage is now a children’s nursery and Park House (once a medical examination centre) is now in office use.
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Figure 23. St Marks Church, looking south west towards proposed development site
11.43 The church is prominent with its tall spire, situated alongside the GWR and at the edge of the Railway Works in order to be seen from each – both public users and workers of the railway. Grade II* V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71) & Grade II* Old L2 Shop (RSK 72) 11.44 One storey locomotive building works and boiler shops to the Great Western Railway Swindon Works, constructed in 1873 as part of the western expansion of the railway works. Both workshops were originally housed in the stem of a T-shaped building which was extended northwards in 1879. The west facade facing Rodbourne Road is a long brick frontage with arched openings (Figure 24). East facade articulated by yellow brick semi-circular arches with limestone keys and impost mouldings. Iron-framed with red brick exterior walls with limestone ashlar and yellow brick dressings; multi-gabled Welsh slate roofs with glazed clerestories and glazed timber-framed gable ends. Partly amalgamated with other later buildings. The building was converted into the Great Western Factory Outlet in 1994. 11.45 These shops are representative of the monumental scale and exemplary character of the various Railway Works and present the western face of the conservation area- towards the proposed development site (Figure 25). There is an historical and visual association between these buildings, the railway, and the former railway sidings to the west and south west of the site (including the proposed development site), although the focus of the remaining works buildings is generally inwards (to the east, away from the site). 11.46 From the front (east) of these buildings a view towards the landmarks of and beyond the Railway Village to the south are cited as ‘Key Views’ in the Railway Works Conservation
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Area character appraisal (comprising Signal Point, the Mechanics Institute, the David Murray John building, a 19th century water tower and the spire of St Mark's Church).
Figure 24. Underpass boundary between the proposed development site and Railway Works Conservation Area (left), looking south east along Rodbourne Road, towards GWR overbridge
Figure 25. Monumental carriage works within Railway Works, with views south to the Railway Village beyond
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Grade II GWR Turntable (RSK 73) & Grade II Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89) 11.47 The proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) (Unadopted) proposes that these listed buildings are brought within the boundary of the combined conservation area. If this is adopted, the length of the proposed development site boundary that is coincident with the conservation area boundary would increase, to include the site’s north eastern boundary, as well as its eastern boundary. 11.48 The railway balancing turntable and a pattern store are parts of an important group of Victorian industrial structures in the GWR works (Figure 26). The list entry records that the turntable is a standard end-of-the-19th century design and was installed in 1902 to serve the new ‘A’ Shop (RSK 168); this locomotive works (a non-designated heritage asset located to the north of the GWR line and no longer extant) is one of the later phases of the GWR Works. The pattern store and a weigh house also relate to this phase/group of buildings.
Figure 26. GWR Turntable (RSK 73) with Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89) beyond, looking north east with the northern end of proposed development out of shot to right
11.49 The turntable is constructed of steel, set in a brick-lined pit and has a diameter of 19.81 metres. A restoration project took place during the mid-1990s. Large locomotive turntables in working order are now a rarity on the British railway system. 11.50 The pattern store was constructed in 1897 and was the first permanent building of the works to be built to the west of Rodbourne Road. The four-storey building is of fire-proof construction and is surmounted by a compartmentalised water tank which can hold 1.1 million litres. The basement was used as a mess room during World War I and as a canteen between 1939 to 1960. The building was renovated in the mid-1990s to be used as a public house.
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11.51 The pattern store is identified as a positive landmark building, visible from the proposed development site in views to the north, as well as north west from The Park, east from Penzance Drive, and from within the car park in which it is now located. 11.52 Historically the area would have been surrounded by a vast open expanse of railway sidings, and although the modern setting largely comprises a car park, this open aspect helps in interpreting the original setting of the asset. The group value of the surviving assets with the ‘A’ Shop is diminished through the construction of a residential housing estate over the ‘A’ Shop. However, the significance of the assets predominantly lies in their historical and evidential values and the setting is not a major contributor. Grade II Church of St Augustine (RSK 78) 11.53 See Figure 27. Anglican parish church, 1907. Red brick with interlocking red tile roof. Nave and apse with north vestry and bellcote. South west porch. North European Romanesque style. Pitched roof to bellcote between apse and vestry. 11.54 The church has no spire or tower and through dominant in its vicinity, is not prominent across a wide area.
Figure 27. Church of St Augustine (RSK 78), looking west along Summers Street
Scheduled Monuments
Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1) 11.55 See Figure 28. Shrunken Medieval settlement with surviving earthworks of a hollow way and house platforms. The site is bounded on one side by the River Ray and on the others by a boundary ditch, and is surrounded by well-preserved ridge and furrow. Two ponds on the site are probably 19th century. Limited excavation in the area of the ponds in 1988
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revealed few features, although a large number of sherds were recovered. A substantial number of the sherds were Romano British, perhaps indicating that the Medieval village overlies an earlier Romano British settlement. 11.56 Significance lies in archaeological interest, with little contribution made by setting beyond the immediate vicinity, which provides a landscape context to the Medieval settlement. The monument earthworks are not prominent. The Scheduled Monument is surrounded by tall hedges and long views towards the proposed development site are not possible.
Figure 28. Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1), looking west along Mill Lane
Non-designated Heritage Assets
Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189) 11.57 See Figure 29. Weigh house to the Great Western Railway Swindon Works constructed in 1906 as part of the ‘A’ Shop complex, situated to the west of Rodbourne Road. It housed a set of Henry Pooley and Son's locomotive balancing tables in a wooden shed. The shed was replaced by a brick-built structure in 1918 and was extended in 1930. 11.58 Historically the area would have been surrounded by a vast open expanse of railway sidings, and although the modern setting largely comprises a car park, this open aspect helps in interpreting the original setting of the asset. The group value of the surviving assets with the ‘A’ Shop is diminished through the construction of a residential housing estate over the ‘A’ Shop. However, the significance of the assets predominantly lies in their historical and evidential values and the setting is not a major contributor.
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Figure 29. Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), looking south west along Penzance Drive
11.59 Coincidentally, the historical functional relationship (group value) between the weigh house and the pattern store is preserved today in their repurposing to a modern viable use as a brew house and a public house respectively. Statue of Brunel (RSK 160) 11.60 Statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel unveiled on 29 March 1973 to mark the completion of phase one of the Brunel Centre. 11.61 The statue is located within an enclosed retail setting with no view of the proposed development site. Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145) 11.62 Brunel's Great Western Railway between London and Bristol. Authorised in 1835, the first section between Paddington and Maidenhead was completed in 1838. The whole route, built in nine sections, was completed by June 1841. The route was designed to provide the fastest access to Bristol, and so bypassed small market towns such as Wallingford, Wantage and Faringdon, thus giving a clear 40-mile run from London to Reading. 11.63 The setting of the railway line comprises its corridor, including the proposed development site. The GWR line is a ‘dynamic receptor’, assessing the effect of the proposed development upon the character of the proposed development site and its relationship with the Railway Works and Railway Village as viewed by users from the train itself: in particular, views of St Marks Church: (‘The GWR took great care to present a good face to the railway. The spire of St Mark’s Church is built in an unusual position on the north side, intended to produce an impressive view from the railway line’ [Swindon Railway Village character appraisal p.13, footnote 24].) OneSwindon Newburn Sidings 662140 80
12 MEASURES FOR MINIMISING HARM
12.1 The significance of Swindon’s industrial railway heritage is a central theme that has both guided and is referenced within the development proposals in each character area. The name of the proposed development, ‘Newburn Sidings’ is even inspired by the site’s historical land use. 12.2 The design parameters committed to in the DAS (Broadway Maylan, September 2020) are informed by a detailed architectural study (see ‘Historic Context’ on pages 10 -11 of the DAS, which should be read in conjunction with this report). 12.3 The detailed architectural study presents key design precedents that inform the aesthetic of the proposed development (see these listed below). 12.4 As well as the existing building form and materials of the Railway Village (RSK 200) and the Victorian industrial buildings of the Railway Works conservation area (RSK 199), the following buildings have been cited as informing the design of the proposed development: • St Marks Church (RSK 23), Grade II listed building • Pattern Store (RSK 89), Grade II listed building • GWR Turntable (RSK 73), Grade II listed building • Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), non-designated heritage asset 12.5 In addition, setting effects have been considered for these heritage assets, and the historic environment in general. 12.6 The proposed housing density, and the scale and massing of units, respect the prevailing character of the surrounding area. 12.7 The neighbouring grain of the surrounding townscape has been referenced in the proposed development, dividing the site into urban blocks. 12.8 The proposed development comprises buildings of varying scale, the taller of which have been positioned at the far western end of the site in order to reduce as far as possible any visual effect on the conservation areas of the Railway Works and the Railway Village. 12.9 The overall heights of the buildings have been limited as far as possible, whilst still remaining viable. 12.10 At the north east end of the site, railway heritage is referenced in the layout of the proposed development through the circular ‘Turntable Circus’, the scale and form of which has been designed to reflect the Grade II listed GWR turntable located on the opposite side of the railway. 12.11 The linear housing arrangements of the coach houses have the appearance of railway carriages being pulled along a railway line. As a former sidings, this is considered innovative and appropriate, reflecting the former land use of the proposed development site. 12.12 The seven-story River View apartments reflect the railway industry aesthetic, scale and massing; the four-story Signal Box apartments and Newburn House reflect the pattern store / weigh house aesthetic, scale and massing; whilst low-rise terraces (Newburn
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Mews, The Sidings, Dean Square, and Railway Cottages) reflect the aesthetics, scale and massing of Swindon Railway Village. 12.13 The colour palette and aesthetic of the proposed development is influenced by positive contributing elements of the historic environment through drawing inspiration from buildings that contribute to the area’s historical, architectural and aesthetic values, as follows: • Red brick with dark grey detailing, with an ‘industrial rhythm’ - from preserved elements of the GWR in the vicinity • Buff coloured facades – from the Railway Village Conservation Area 12.14 Finally, the DAS states that entrance sculptural signage will be added to the Wootton Bassett Gateway which references the aesthetic of the railway metal gantries. This signifies an arrival gateway at Newburn Sidings.
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13 HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
General Assessment
13.1 From a heritage perspective, the optimum use of the currently derelict / disused former GWR sidings/works would be as a refurbished sidings or repurposed railway works, however this is neither viable nor desirable. As such, the re-zoning of the site to residential use, with the design wholly heritage-led at every stage and in every character area in order to reference Swindon’s railway industrial heritage is appropriate. 13.2 As is demonstrated in the above ‘measures for minimising harm’, all elements of the proposed development have been informed by precedents from the surrounding historic environment. 13.3 The immediate area surrounding the proposed development site that once made up the GWR works, which at its peak expanded considerably further than the core that survives as conservation areas, has already been converted to housing. 13.4 As the proposed development site was once located within the GWR Works, formerly used as an area of sidings and warehouses, it is considered to be located within the functional setting of Swindon Railway Village CA (RSK 200), Railway Works CA (RSK 199), the GWR Turntable (RSK 73), the Pattern Store (RSK 89), the Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), and the Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145). 13.5 Although not intervisible with either conservation area, the location of the proposed development site on the western boundary of the two CAs (an area that it is proposed the conservation area’s boundary is redrawn to surround the corner of in the June 2020 proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP), means that the proposed development is located on their immediate periphery. As such, there is an opportunity for the proposed development to contribute to the significance and character of the area, by acting as a ‘gateway’, referencing the site’s former heritage, and introducing and enhancing visitors’ experience of the conservation areas. In the same way, the proposed development site is also visible from the train immediately before and after it passes through the conservation areas. Therefore an opportunity is presented to expand on and enhance the character of the area through the introduction of sensitively designed buildings on an otherwise derelict piece of land. 13.6 Currently, the proposed development site does not contribute to the character of the surrounding historic environment, however, its former use as part of the GWR Works is historically significant. Therefore, it is important that the boundaries are preserved such that the former outline of the sidings will be discernible. 13.7 In general, it is considered that the character of the proposed development and its location at the periphery of the former GWR works would be in harmony with Swindon’s industrial railway heritage. No harm to the historic environment is predicted. The proposed development may be seen as an enhancement of the local area considered in relation to the site’s current land use, providing a gateway to the historic core of GWR buildings and providing a setting that has been sensitively designed specifically to reference and compliment those positive elements that contribute to the heritage significance of the area.
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Detailed Assessment
Conservation Areas
Swindon Railway Village (RSK 200)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Historic and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: Group interest with Swindon Railway Works conservation area (a juxtaposition of ‘living’ and ‘working’), otherwise relatively ‘inward’ focussed and self-contained, with views within the area guided along terraced streets. Includes landmark buildings, mostly intended to be viewed from within conservation area, but also from railway line. The open character of the park contributes to the designed character of the model village. Beyond the conservation area boundaries is Victorian and Edwardian/inter-war housing demonstrating growth.
• ZTV/AVR review: TVIA visualisations produced for the proposed development demonstrate that (other than from the roofs of buildings, which is not considered significant) none of the taller elements of the proposed development i.e. River View Apartments located at the western end of the site, would be visible from within the conservation area, however, the Signal Box apartments located at the eastern end of the site would be visible from within The Park.
13.8 No harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of Swindon Railway Village Conservation Area. 13.9 Other than in a public open space, the proposed development would not be visible from the conservation area. 13.10 The inward focussed and self-contained character of the conservation area would not be affected, and neither would the landmark status of any of the buildings within it. 13.11 The proposed development would not be visible within any of the ‘Key Views’ listed in the conservation area character appraisal (SBC 2006) nor any of the ‘Defined Views of Importance’ listed in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020). 13.12 Where the proposed development would be visible from within the conservation area (specifically, the modestly-sized Signal Box apartments), the design and scale is complimentary to and acknowledges the architecture of the Pattern Store located beyond. Visualisations in the DAS (Broadway Maylan, September 2020) demonstrate that from The Park, the whole of the Signal Box apartments would be visible, however, due to the sensitive massing the ‘landmark’ prominence of the pattern store would not be compromised.
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13.13 The residential character of the proposed development is in keeping with the residential character of the current wider setting of the conservation area. 13.14 Views between the conservation areas of Swindon Village and Swindon Works would not be affected, in particular the view of St Marks Church from Swindon Works.
Swindon Railway Works (RSK 199)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Historic Interest (association and role in railway industry, and in particular association with Brunel/Gooch); and Architectural Interest (innovative construction in exemplary style of the period).
• Contribution of Setting: Group interest with Swindon Village conservation area (a juxtaposition of ‘living’ and ‘working’). At its peak the Railway Works area historically extended considerably further than the core that survives conserved as two conservation areas: this wider area would have included the proposed development site, an area of sidings/warehouses. Includes monumental landmark buildings which are currently best appreciated from within the conservation area.
• ZTV/AVR review: TVIA visualisations produced for the proposed development demonstrate that (other than from the roofs of buildings, which is not considered significant) no element of the proposed development would be visible from within the conservation area boundary other than from on the railway tracks of the GWR itself.
13.15 No harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area. The proposed development would not be visible from within the conservation area. 13.16 The historical significance of the works area, and perceived association with Brunel and Gooch would not be affected by the construction of the proposed development on an area of former sidings/warehouses. 13.17 The secure boundary wall of the previously ‘fortress like’ works created a generally ‘inward focussed’ area, and this would be maintained, albeit now converted to public retail with modern road access through the boundary wall as necessary. The neighbouring urban grain of the surrounding area would be referenced, and the boundary to the former works unaffected by the proposed development. 13.18 The dominance of the monumental industrial buildings within the conservation area would not be challenged by any part of the proposed development, nor would the proposed development be visible within any of the identified long views across recently opened up areas, sightlines that best reveal this significance. The innovative and exemplary style of the architecture would remain evident. The evolution of the works area from industry to retail through its sympathetic regeneration would remain discernible.
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13.19 The proposed development would not be visible within any of the ‘Key Views’ listed in the conservation area character appraisal (SBC 2006) nor any of the ‘Defined Views of Importance’ listed in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020). 13.20 The residential character of the proposed development is in keeping with the residential character of the current wider setting of the conservation area. 13.21 Views between the conservation areas of Swindon Village and Swindon Works would not be affected, in particular the view of St Marks Church from Swindon Works.
Listed Buildings
The Mechanics’ Institute (RSK 45)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Historic (including communal) and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: Designed to be the focal point of Swindon Railway Village, a monumental structure where all roads meet.
• ZTV/AVR review: No visibility of the proposed development from street level.
13.22 No harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of the Mechanics’ Institute. 13.23 The prominence of the monumental building will not be challenged by any part of the proposed development. 13.24 The historical significance of the building in the Railway Village, as a communal gathering place, community focal point, and a central part of a designed model village will remain discernible.
Church of St Mark (RSK 23)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Archaeological, Historic (including communal), Architectural and Artistic Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: The Railway Village provides the setting to the church where it is viewed prominently from a number of locations, with significant views from The Park. Also significant views are afforded from outside the Railway Village, including from the Railway Works conservation area, and dynamic views from the railway. Group value with the vicarage and graveyard.
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• ZTV/AVR review: The upper stories/roof of the Signal Box apartments would be visible from some small parts of the church graveyard. River View apartments would not be visible.
13.25 No harm is predicted to the archaeological, historic, architectural and artistic significance of the Church of St Mark. 13.26 The prominence of the church and spire will not be challenged by any part of the proposed development from any part of the landscape. 13.27 The proposed development would not be visible within any of the ‘Key Views’ listed in the conservation area character appraisal (SBC 2006) nor any of the ‘Defined Views of Importance’ listed in the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020). In particular, the church would remain as a prominent landmark as viewed from the Railway Works conservation area and by users of the railway. 13.28 Where the Signal Box apartments would be visible in the same view as the church from The Park, this would not interfere with the church’s prominence, nor would any part of the proposed development intervene between the church and the Railway Village and group value would remain unaffected. 13.29 The degree of visual change is therefore considered to be minor. 13.30 Views of the Signal Box apartments from within the church graveyard would not affect the ability to understand or appreciate the archaeological, architectural or artistic significance of the church. 13.31 The Signal Box apartments have been designed to blend into the surroundings in terms of massing, materials and colour palette, referencing the wider railway heritage setting in which the church is currently situated.
V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71) & Old L2 Shop (RSK 72)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Historic and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: Group value with the remainder of the Railway Works conservation area, the Railway Village conservation area, and the historical wider GWR works.
• ZTV/AVR review: The proposed development would be visible from Rodbourne Road, the boundary to the conservation area formed by the large rear façade of the V Shop and O and E Shops and Old L2 Shop.
13.32 No harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of the V Shop and O and E Shops and Old L2 Shop.
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13.33 The taller elements of the proposed development have been sited as far as possible from these buildings at the western end of the proposed development site. The dominance of the monumental industrial buildings would therefore remain unaffected. 13.34 The focus of the group of assets within the Railway Works conservation area is ‘inward’, oriented away from the application site, and intervisiblity with other buildings in the conservation area, as well as the Railway Village / Church of St Mark, would remain unaffected by the presence of the proposed development. 13.35 The proposed development would be visible in views of the back of the V Shop and O and E Shops and Old L2 Shop from the west of the Railway Works conservation area (Rodbourne Road, and from within the proposed development site). These views are of less significance than the long views over recently cleared open spaces towards the principal facades of the monumental industrial buildings as viewed from the east. 13.36 Forming the western boundary to the GWR Works, the historic grain of the industrial area would remain discernible and would be unaffected by the proposed development. 13.37 The historical significance of the buildings, their contribution to the railway heritage of Swindon and their association with Brunel and Gooch would remain unaffected and readily discernible.
GWR Turntable (RSK 73) / Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Turntable: Archaeological and Historic Interest / Pattern Store: Historic and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: At its peak the GWR Works expanded considerably further than the historic core conserved today as two conservation areas. Historically therefore the setting of the GWR turntable and pattern store would have encompassed a wide area of works and sidings. Much of this original setting has been deGraded by modern development, however the open car park in which they are now located allows an impression of the open sidings in which they were originally located. Proposals have been put forward in a proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) (unadopted) for the turntable and pattern store to be brought within the boundary of the conservation area due to its association with the GWR. The turntable and pattern store are separated from the proposed development site by the GWR railway line.
• ZTV/AVR review: All parts of the proposed development will be prominently visible.
13.38 No harm is predicted to the archaeological and historic significance of the turntable, and no harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of the pattern store.
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13.39 The applicant identified at an early stage that the setting of the turntable and pattern store were primary constraints of the proposed development site. The design of the Signal Box apartments, located in proximity to these assets, has been informed and developed sympathetically with reference to the design, material and colour palette of the pattern store. Further, the Turntable Circus, a road turning circle at the eastern end of the proposed development, has been designed to reference the turntable to the north of the GWR railway. 13.40 Where the pattern store is viewed as a prominent landmark building, particularly from The Park within the Railway Village, the Signal Box apartments would be visible in the foreground in conjunction with the pattern store; of a complimentary design and sympathetic scale the presence of the Signal Box apartments would reinforce the positive contribution of the historic environment through reference to the pattern store’s aesthetic and industrial rhythm. Other than from locations directly south of the Signal Box apartments, the proposed development would not obscure views of the pattern store. 13.41 The wider area does not necessarily contribute significantly to the heritage interest of the turntable and pattern store, however, the historic grain and boundaries of the proposed development site are maintained in order to enable future appreciation of its former use as a sidings and the site’s relationship with the wider railway works. 13.42 Intervisiblity and historical associations between the turntable and pattern store with the Railway Works to the immediate east will similarly be maintained. 13.43 The physical fabric and therefore archaeological significance of the turntable will not be impacted by the proposed development. 13.44 The architectural significance of the pattern store will be preserved, and enhanced through being referenced as a positive cue guiding the appearance of the proposed Signal Box apartments, creating a harmonious pair. The historic environment thus defines the area.
Church of St Augustine (RSK 78)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Historic and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: the church is a dominant building in the vicinity, with a residential setting.
• ZTV/AVR review: No visibility.
13.45 No harm is predicted to the historic and architectural significance of the Church of St Augustine. 13.46 The church’s dominance from its immediate vicinity will not be affected by the proposed development. The historical and architectural significance will remain unaffected.
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Scheduled Monuments
Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1)
Summary: • Importance: High (National)
• Heritage Significance: Archaeological Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: Although surviving as upstanding earthworks, these are not prominent and there are no landscape viewpoints from which they are best appreciated. The surrounding topography, roads and farmland provide an indication of factors which may have determined the settlement location.
• ZTV/AVR review: The upper storeys of the proposed new buildings may be glimpsed over hedgerows surrounding the scheduled monument.
13.47 No harm is predicted to the archaeological significance of earthwork remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze. 13.48 The proposed development site does not contribute to the significance of the scheduled monument and new development will therefore not affect the ability to interpret or understand the archaeological remains.
Non-designated Heritage Assets
Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189)
Summary: • Importance: Low (Local)
• Heritage Significance: Historic and Architectural Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: The GWR Works area once expanded considerably further than the historic core conserved today as two conservation areas today, and this area included the weigh house, however this is difficult to interpret today due to modern redevelopment. The significant element of the weigh house setting is its association with the GWR railway line, by which goods to be weighed once accessed the weigh house. The line separates the weigh house from the proposed development site.
• ZTV/AVR review: All parts of the proposed development will be prominently visible.
13.49 No harm is predicted to the historical and architectural significance of the weigh house. 13.50 Although both the weigh house and the former sidings on which the proposed development site is located both once formed part of the GWR Works, and are thus within each other’s setting, the neighbouring urban grain of the surrounding area would be
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referenced and the boundary of the proposed development site will be maintained such that this former use will be discernible. 13.51 All parts of the proposed development have been designed to be complimentary to, and take design cues from the historic environment i.e. Swindon’s industrial railway past, in particular the weigh house is cited as an architectural influence. New development in the setting of the weigh house will provide an appropriate and sympathetic backdrop to the weigh house, which currently comprises waste ground and modern development. 13.52 The relationship between the weigh house and the GWR railway line will be maintained. 13.53 The historic and architectural significance of the weigh house will be preserved.
Statue of Brunel (RSK 160)
Summary: • Importance: Low (Local)
• Heritage Significance: Historic and Artistic Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: the statue is placed in a public square in order to be prominently visible.
• ZTV/AVR review: No visibility.
13.54 No harm is predicted to the historic and artistic significance of the Statue of Brunel. 13.55 The statue’s prominence will not be affected by the proposed development. The historical and artistic significance will remain unaffected.
Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145)
Summary: • Importance: Medium (Regional)
• Heritage Significance: Historic Interest.
• Contribution of Setting: the railway corridor contributes to the significance of the railway, a dynamic view which in relation to the current proposed development includes the proposed development site and the Railway Village and Railway Works conservation areas in particular, including the way in which these areas are viewed by users of the train.
• ZTV/AVR review: All parts of the proposed development will be prominently visible from the train.
13.56 No harm is predicted to the historic significance of, or views from, the GWR railway line. 13.57 As a former sidings, the linear arrangement and rhythm of the ‘coach houses’ within the proposed development have been specifically designed to have the appearance of
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railway carriages being pulled along a line. This innovative design enhances the setting of the railway by referencing the former land use and bringing the historic environment within the everyday realm. 13.58 The view from a train window is often incidental, however, in the case of the Railway Village, the architecture of the Church of St Mark was designed specifically to present a particularly good face to the public using the railways. These designed views will remain unaffected by the proposed development. 13.59 Indeed, on approach either towards or from the conservation areas, through which the railway line passes, the proposed development in its design presents an extension of character, through its use of similar scale, design, materials and colour palette. This is an improvement on the currently derelict and disused condition of the site. 13.60 The historical significance of the railway will remain unaffected.
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14 POLICY ASSESSMENT
14.1 The impact of the proposed development has been assessed with regard to potential physical and setting effects upon the historic environment. 14.2 The heritage implications of the proposed development with regard to relevant local and national planning policy and legislation are considered in this section.
National Legislation
14.3 In compliance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and section 72 of the Planning Act 1990, to address potential adverse effects of the proposed development on the setting of scheduled monuments, conservation areas and listed buildings, this report presents an assessment of the likely effects of the proposed development in relation to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or the appearance of the historic environment.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 14.4 There are two scheduled monuments in the study area for the assessment, one of which has been assessed as sensitive to change within its setting and was considered for detailed assessment. 14.5 No harm is anticipated as a result of the proposed development in respect of scheduled monuments or their settings.
Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 14.6 There are two conservation areas in the study area, both of which lie immediately alongside the proposed development site to the east: Swindon Railway Village and Swindon Railway Works. Proposals have been put forward in a proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020) (unadopted) for the boundary of the conservation areas to be redrawn such that the proposed development site would be located in an ‘L-shape’ of the new boundary at its north eastern end. The proposed development site is considered to lie within the setting of both conservation areas. 14.7 There are 88 (No.) 19th century listed buildings located within the study area in total. The Railway Works Conservation Area (RSK 199) contains 11 listed buildings; The Railway Village Conservation Area contains 64 listed buildings. Any designated and non- designated heritage assets located within a conservation area are considered as part of the whole designated area, including any inter-relationships and group value. Seven listed buildings have also been identified as sensitive to change within their setting and were considered for detailed assessment. 14.8 No harm is anticipated as a result of the proposed development in respect of conservation areas or listed buildings, or their settings.
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Local Planning Policy
Swindon Borough Local Plan 2026 (adopted 2015)
Policy EN10 – Historic Environment and Heritage Assets 14.9 In accordance with Policy En10a, Swindon Borough’s historic environment would be sustained and enhanced. This includes all heritage assets including historic buildings, conservation areas, landscape and archaeology. 14.10 In accordance with Policy En10b, proposals for development [potentially] affecting heritage assets conserve and, where appropriate, enhance their significance and setting. No harm to the significance of a designated or a non-designated heritage asset has been identified and as such there is no requirement for proposals to be weighed against public benefits. 14.11 In accordance with Policy En10d, scheduled monuments and other nationally important archaeological sites and their settings are preserved in situ. This report represents an appropriate assessment submitted as part of the planning application. 14.12 In accordance with Policy En10e, this assessment has concluded that the proposed development would affect the setting of the Borough’s Conservation Areas and that the design will conserve those elements which contribute to their special character or appearance. 14.13 In accordance with Policy En10g, this assessment has concluded that the proposed development would affect the setting of a locally important or non-designated heritage asset, and that the design will preserve its significance. Three non-designated heritage assets have been assessed as sensitive to change within their setting and considered for detailed assessment. No harm is predicted.
Policy DE1: High Quality Design 14.14 In relation to conservation areas, matters of design, including: scale, height, bulk shape, massing, and proportions, patterns of opening, vertical or horizontal emphasis, materials and colour are of particular importance and may play a major part in the historic significance of an area. In respect of design, regard will also be made to the Borough’s design 14.15 In accordance with Policy DE1a, this assessment has concluded that the context and character of existing built historic environment has been duly acknowledged in the design of the proposed development.
Material Consideration
National Planning Policy Framework 14.16 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2019) sets out the Government’s environmental and social planning policies for England. At its heart is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF identifies a set of core planning principles including:
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• Always seek to secure high quality design; and • Conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance. 14.17 Heritage and conservation therefore forms one of the core planning principles of the NPPF. 14.18 The following section of this report represents an assessment of the proposed development in relation to heritage specific policies contained in the NPPF, and a justification for the proposed development in national planning policy terms.
Chapter 7: Requiring Good Design
NPPF Paragraph 127
14.19 Paragraph 127 (c) requires local planning authorities to develop policies in local plans to ensure that new developments are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change. 14.20 The design of the proposed development has been developed to be complimentary and sympathetic to the existing character of the local area in terms of location, layout, scale and materials/colour palette.
Chapter 16: Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment
NPPF Paragraphs 189 & 190
14.21 Paragraph 189 requires an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected by proposed development, including any contribution made by their setting. 14.22 Paragraph 190 requires local planning authorities to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal. 14.23 This Heritage Statement defines the significance of heritage assets within a 1 km study area, including the contribution made by setting, and provides an assessment of the likely effect of development proposals.
NPPF Paragraph 196
14.24 Paragraph 196 of the NPPF indicates that where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including securing its optimum viable use. 14.25 No harm is anticipated in respect of the significance of any heritage assets within the study area and therefore no balancing exercise need be undertaken.
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15 CONCLUSIONS AND MITIGATION
Summary Assessment Results
15.1 This archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Heritage Statement assesses the likely effects of a proposed residential development, located on the site of a former area of sidings/warehouses of the GWR Works, on the built historic environment within a study area of 1 km. 15.2 There are two conservation areas, 88 listed buildings, two scheduled monuments, and 100 non-designated heritage assets recorded by the Wiltshire HER within the study area. 15.3 There are no known heritage assets of any period recorded by the Wiltshire HER or Historic England’s NRHE within the site boundary (see Figures 5 and 6).
Archaeological Potential 15.4 Historic mapping and LiDAR data illustrate imported levelling fill across the majority of the proposed development site. Made ground is recorded across the majority of the site by the BGS, and across the entire site through geotechnical investigations (Atkins, 2015). 15.5 There is a low potential for Medieval field boundary remains to be preserved within the site boundary which would be of local archaeological significance. A subway, culverted river, and the remains of a property “Newburn” are preserved beneath the made ground within the site, however the remains are of limited archaeological or historical value, likely of local significance. 15.6 The proposed development site formed part of the GWR Works, operating as a sidings from the 1880s onwards, variously including two/three large buildings of an unknown function at the site’s northern end (likely warehouses, as they are not associated with sidings). Given the lack of subsequent development it is likely that the foundations of these buildings survive, however due to their demolition the remains are of limited archaeological or historical value, likely of local significance. 15.7 Due to the extensive development of the site as shown on historic maps and plans there is a low potential for hitherto unknown archaeological remains of significance to be preserved within the application site boundary.
Setting Assessment 15.8 The Heritage Statement presented in this report has identified that two conservation areas, one scheduled monument, seven listed buildings, and three non-designated heritage assets are sensitive to change within their settings:
• Railway Village (RSK 200) and Railway Works (RSK 199) conservation areas, which are proposed to be combined with the boundary redrawn under the proposed updated Swindon Railway Area CAAMP (June 2020, currently unadopted) • Grade II* listed building The Mechanics’ Institute (RSK 45) • Grade II listed building Church of St Mark (RSK 23) • Grade II* listed building V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71)
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• Grade II* listed building Old L2 Shop (RSK 72) • Grade II listed building GWR Turntable (RSK 73) • Grade II listed building Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89) • Grade II listed building Church of St Augustine (RSK 78) • Scheduled Monument Earthworks remains of Medieval settlement at West Leaze (RSK 1) • Non-designated building of local interest Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189) • Non-designated heritage asset Statue of Brunel (RSK 160) • Non-designated heritage asset Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145) 15.9 Of these, the proposed development site is located within the setting of the Railway Village (RSK 200) and Railway Works (RSK 199) conservation areas, the Church of St Mark (RSK 23), the V Shop and O and E Shops (RSK 71) and Old L2 Shop (RSK 72), the GWR Turntable (RSK 73), the Pattern Store/Watertank (RSK 89), the Weigh House to the GWR (RSK 189), and the Great Western Railway Line (RSK 145). 15.10 Currently, the proposed development site’s former use as part of the GWR Works is historically significant and it therefore contributes a legible part of the industrial grain of the GWR works; however the site does not contribute positively to the visual character of the surrounding historic environment. Therefore, it is important that the boundaries are preserved such that the former outline of the sidings will be discernible. 15.11 As is demonstrated in the ‘measures for minimising harm’ (Section 12), all elements of the proposed development have been informed by precedents from the surrounding historic environment. 15.12 As such, there is an opportunity for the proposed development to contribute to the significance and character of the area, by acting as a ‘gateway’, referencing the built and industrial heritage, and introducing and enhancing visitors’ experience of the conservation areas. In the same way, the proposed development site is also visible from the train immediately before/after it passes through the conservation areas and therefore an opportunity is presented to expand on and enhance the character of the area through the introduction of sensitively designed buildings on an otherwise derelict piece of land. 15.13 In general, it is considered that the proposed development would create a harmonious character on the periphery of and with Swindon’s industrial railway heritage. No harm to the historic environment is predicted.
Recommended Mitigation
Heritage 15.14 A disused stairwell which forms part of the southern boundary to the proposed development site could be refurbished and brought back in to use (depending on ownership). 15.15 It is recommended that the commission for the design of the entrance sculptural signage at Wootton Bassett Gateway is resourced by a local artist with a track record with works inspired by industrial heritage or the railway industry.
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Archaeology 15.16 It is not anticipated that there will be any significant physical impacts upon archaeological remains within the site boundary that will require mitigation.
Conclusion
15.17 Assuming the detailed design of the proposed development accords with the outline design considered in this Heritage Statement, it is assessed that no harm would occur in relation to the significance of the historic environment. 15.18 The proposed development does not contravene any national, regional or local policy tests.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Atkins, October 2015 Land at Wootton Bassett Road, Swindon, Geoenvironmental Interpretive Report
Broadway Maylan, 2020 Newburn Sidings, Swindon Design and Access Statement
Broadway Maylan, 2018 Newburn Sidings, Pre-Application Report 1
Broadway Maylan, 2020 Newburn Sidings, Pre-Application Report 2
Chandler, J. 1993 The Hermitage, Old Town, Swindon, an archaeological report. With contributions by B. Phillips & I. Young. Unpublished report, Fresden Archaeological Services.
CIfA, 2017 Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment.
CIfA, 2019 Code of Conduct
Crittal, E. & K.H. Rogers 1970. Swindon. in Pugh, R. (ed.) The Victoria History of Wiltshire IX:104- 140. Oxford University Press.
Gover, J.E.B., Mawer, A. & The place names of Wiltshire. F.M. Stenton, 1939 The English Place Name Society, Vol. XVI.
Historic England, 2011 Understanding Place: Conservation Area Designation, Appraisal and Management
Historic England, 2017 The Setting of Historic Assets (2nd Edition, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3; ‘GPA3’)
Historic England, 2019 Statement of Heritage Significance: Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets
MHCLG, 2019 NPPF Planning Practice Guidance: Historic Environment
RSK, June 2019 Newburn Sidings, Archaeology and Heritage Interim Draft
Swindon Borough Council, Swindon Railway Works Conservation Area Appraisal and 2006 Management Plan
Swindon Borough Council, Swindon Railway Village Conservation Area Appraisal and 2006 Management Plan
Swindon Borough Council, Proposed Swindon’s Railway Conservation Area Appraisal and June 2020 Management Plan (CAAMP) (unadopted)
Turley, 2020 Newburn Sidings Town and Visual Impact Assessment
Wiltshire County Archaeology The Archaeology of Wiltshire’s Towns Service, August 2004 An Extensive Urban Survey Swindon
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APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF KNOWN HERITAGE ASSETS
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
1 DWI13481 918316 SM Medieval settlement and associated ridge and furrow, West Medieval 413749 182982 Leaze
2 SM 28980 222047 SM Bowl barrow 210m north east of Rushy Platt Farm. Bronze Bronze Age 413637 183722 / Age bowl barrow located 210 metres northeast of Rushy DWI13501 Platt Farm in the south western area of Swindon. Listed as Swindon 1 by Grinsell. The barrow is sealed beneath a landfill deposit of modern origin approximately 0.4 metres thick.
3 DWI12719 LBII WEST LEAZE FARMHOUSE C19 413864 183177 / MWI67787
4 DWI12738 1063380 LBII BATHAMPTON STREET Nos. 1, 2 and 3 C19 414534 184752
5 DWI12739 1063323 LBII NOS 4-24 CONSECUTIVE INCLUDING YARD WALLS C19 414476 184713
6 DWI12740 1063383 LBII BATHAMPTON STREET Nos. 25 & 26 C19 414442 184690
7 DWI12741 1063389 LBII BATHAMPTON STREET Nos. 27 - 29 C19 414436 184721
8 DWI12742 1063391 LBII NOS 30-51 CONSECUTIVE, INCLUDING YARD WALLS C19 414475 184746
9 DWI12743 1063395 LBII BATHAMPTON STREET Nos. 52-54 C19 414520 184776
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RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
10 DWI12744 1218350 LBII WATER TOWER C19 414413 184764
11 DWI12745 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414509 184818 / WORKS AND WALL TO FORMER SAWMILL AND SHOP MWI32318 TO CARRIAGE WORKS
12 DWI12746 1063404 LBII NOS 1, 2 AND 3 INCLUDING YARD WALLS C19 414509 184793
13 DWI12747 1063408 LBII NOS 4-25 CONSECUTIVE INCLUDING YARD WALLS C19 414462 184760 / MWI32319
14 DWI12748 1063409 LBII BRISTOL STREET No. 26 C19 414431 184738
15 DWI12749 1072515 LBII CAMBRIA BAPTIST CHAPEL C19 414407 184364
16 DWI12750 LBII MILESTONE STANDING OUTSIDE SHOP NO 2-6 C19 414936 184745
17 DWI12772 1072274 LBII PARK HOUSE C19 414480 184602
18 DWI12773 1072426 LBII CHURCH PLACE Nos. 1, 1a, 2 and 2a C19 414462 184640
19 DWI12774 1072453 LBII CHURCH PLACE Nos. 3 and 4 C19 414437 184678
20 DWI12775 1072475 LBII PROSPECT HOUSE C19 414425 184714
21 DWI12776 1072485 LBII CHURCH PLACE No. 6 C19 414426 184734
22 DWI12777 1072430 LBII ST MARK'S VICARAGE C19 414247 184696
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RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
23 DWI12778 1072390 LBII CHURCH OF ST MARK C19 414344 184736
24 DWI12779 LBII GOOCH TOMB IN CHURCHYARD, 24 METRES NORTH C19 414320 184768 OF NORTH TOWER, CHURCH OF ST MARK
25 DWI12780 LBII ARMSTRONG MONUMENT IN SOUTH EAST CORNER C19 414374 184717 OF CHURCHYARD, CHURCH OF ST MARK
26 DWI12781 1072404 LBII NOW FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPOT C19 414388 184722 (FORMERLY GWR SCHOOL)
27 DWI12797 1063412 LBII EAST STREET Nos. 1, la, 2 and 2a C19 414740 184828
28 DWI12798 1063413 LBII 3A, 3B, 4A AND 4B, EAST STREET C19 414717 184863 / MWI32341
29 DWI12799 1063446 LBII EAST STREET Nos. 5 and 6 C19 414692 184902
30 DWI12800 LBII EAST STREET No. 9 C19 414713 184900
31 DWI12801 1072087 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 1a - 1e C19 414586 184842
32 DWI12802 1072090 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 2 C19 414589 184832
33 DWI12803 1072095 LBII EMLYN SQUARE Nos. 2a - 2e C19 414594 184825
34 DWI12804 1072179 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 3a - 3f C19 414610 184804
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RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
35 DWI12805 1072109 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 4 C19 414612 184794
36 DWI12806 1072103 LBII GLUE POT INN C19 414620 184788
37 DWI12807 1063495 LBII EMLYN SQUARE Nos. 12, 12a, 13 and 13a C19 414582 184719
38 DWI12808 1072075 LBII CRICKETERS PUBLIC HOUSE C19 414556 184748
39 DWI12809 1072071 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 15 C19 414549 184761 / 1072074
40 DWI12810 1072067 LBII BAKERS ARMS PUBLIC HOUSE C19 414531 184784
41 DWI12811 1072064 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 17 C19 414530 184795
42 DWI12812 1072041 LBII EMLYN SQUARE No. 18a - 18e C19 414523 184801
43 DWI12813 1072297 LBII Former model lodging house for the Great Western Railway C19 414648 184764
44 DWI12814 1218346 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414535 184846 WORKS AND WORKS ENTRANCE AND TRIMMING SHOP
45 DWI12815 107377 / LBII* THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE C19 414580 184781 1072341
46 DWI12816 1063498 LBII NOS 1-4 CONSECUTIVE WITH YARD WALLS C19 414563 184718
OneSwindon 103 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
47 DWI12817 1063532 LBII EXETER STREET Nos. 5 - 27 C19 414508 184680
48 DWI12818 1063535 LBII EXETER STREET Nos. 28 and 29 C19 414451 184677
49 DWI12819 1063536 LBII EXETER STREET Nos. 30 - 50 C19 414490 184705
50 DWI12820 1063541 LBII EXETER STREET Nos. 51 - 53 C19 414545 184738
51 DWI12821 1063538 LBII FARINGDON ROAD No. 2 C19 414739 184814
52 DWI12822 1063543 LBII FARINGDON ROAD Nos 4-34 (even Nos) C19 414703 184789
53 DWI12843 LBII CARRIAGE WORKS NO 8 SHOP C19 414592 184965
54 DWI12844 LBII CARRIAGE WORKS NO 7 SHOP C19 414518 184915
55 DWI12845 1063563 LBII LONDON STREET Nos. 1, 2 and 3 C19 414596 184850
56 DWI12846 1063565 LBII LONDON STREET Nos 4-12a (consecutive) C19 414652 184884
57 DWI12851 1063567 LBII OXFORD STREET Nos. 1, 2 and 3 C19 414607 184834
58 DWI12852 1063570 LBII OXFORD STREET Nos. 4 - 11a (consecutive) C19 414661 184871
59 DWI12853 1063628 LBII OXFORD STREET Nos. 12 - 13 C19 414689 184889
60 DWI12854 1063624 LBII OXFORD STREET No. 14 C19 414706 184866
61 DWI12855 1063622 LBII OXFORD STREET Nos. 15 - 30 (consecutive) C19 414663 184840
OneSwindon 104 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
62 DWI12856 1063617 LBII OXFORD STREET Nos. 31, 31a, 32 and 32a C19 414620 184812
63 DWI12863 1063614 LBII READING STREET Nos. 1, 1a, 2 and 2a C19 414632 184795
64 DWI12864 1063611 LBII READING STREET Nos. 3 - 18 (consecutive) C19 414678 184825
65 DWI12865 1063607 LBII READING STREET No. 19 C19 414713 184851
66 DWI12866 1063605 LBII READING STREET No. 20 C19 414731 184828
67 DWI12867 1063603 LBII READING STREET Nos. 21 - 36 (consecutive) C19 414698 184808
68 DWI12869 222112 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414277 184962 WORKS AND LOCOMOTIVE WORKS MANAGER'S OFFICE
69 DWI12870 222113 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414427 184972 / WORKS AND MAIN OFFICE BLOCK, GWR WORKS MWI76324
70 DWI12871 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414314 184905 WORKS AND NO 20 SHOP (OLD R SHOP)
71 DWI12872 222115 LBII* BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414092 184876 WORKS AND NO 12 SHOP (V SHOP) AND O AND E SHOP (32, 33 AND 35 SHOPS)
72 DWI12873 222116 LBII* BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414030 184977 WORKS AND NO 13 SHOP (OLD L2 SHOP)
OneSwindon 105 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
73 DWI12875 222117 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414059 184674 WORKS AND TURNTABLE
74 DWI12876 LBII* CHAIN TEST HOUSE C19 414338 185048
75 DWI12877 222120 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414171 184885 WORKS AND NO 15 SHOP (Q SHOP) AND WESTERN BAY OF BRASS STORES (FORMERLY K SHOP)
76 DWI12878 LBII BRITISH RAIL ENGINEERING LIMITED SWINDON C19 414290 184905 WORKS AND NO 19 SHOP, AND NO 20 SHOP (NORTH BAY) OLD N SHOP
77 DWI12883 1218646 LBII QUEENS HOTEL C19 415018 185148
78 DWI12887 LBII CHURCH OF ST AUGUSTINE C19 413853 185307
79 DWI12888 1071978 LBII NOS 1-23 (CONSECUTIVE) AND YARD WALLS C19 414520 184666
80 DWI12889 1072031 LBII TAUNTON STREET Nos 24 - 27 (consecutive) C19 414573 184702
81 DWI12890 1072244 LBII CENTRAL COMMUNITY CENTRE C19 414622 184739
82 DWI12900 527789 LBII OFFICE BUILDING TO NORTH OF GENERAL OFFICES C19 414386 185037
83 DWI12902 1216060 LBII NUMBER 9 SHOP C19 414210 184769
84 DWI12912 LBII HEALTH HYDRO C19 414594 184655
OneSwindon 106 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
85 DWI12913 LBII BRICK BOUNDARY WALL TO FORMER GWR WORKS C19 413954 185087 (NORTH)
86 DWI12914 LBII STONE BOUNDARY WALL TO FORMER GWR WORKS C19 414911 185093
87 DWI12915 LBII STONE WALL AND ENTRANCE TO FORMER CANAL C19 414754 185023
88 DWI12916 LBII BRICK BOUNDARY WALL TO FORMER GWR WORKS C19 413831 184710 (WEST)
89 DWI12901 1216187 LBII Pattern store to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414108 184712 Works. It was constructed in 1897 and was the first permanent building of the works to be built to the west of Rodbourne Road.
90 DWI16233 502679 LBII Stone Building on Island Platform at Swindon Railway C19 414938 185221 Station (MLN17716)
91 MWI16481 MON Roman Settlement, Delta Industrial Estate Roman 412892 184629
92 MWI63719 221907 BLD Site of the Swindon Works and Transport Garage C19 414023 185113
93 MWI75047 1216032 BLD RAILWAY WORKSHOP. Inspection Pits, Churchward C19 414380 184947
94 MWI75047 BLD RAILWAY WORKSHOP. Inspection Pits, Churchward C19 414352 184978
95 MWI75592 MON Iron Age Pit, Wichelstowe Iron Age 413279 183124
96 MWI75593 MON Iron Age Gully, Wichelstowe Iron Age 413295 183137
OneSwindon 107 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
97 MWI76134 MON Beaven's Bridge, West Leaze C19 413669 183211
98 MWI76135 MON Skew Bridge, Swindon C19 413748 183444
99 MWI76136 MON Kingshill Bridge, Swindon C19 414126 183982
100 MWI76137 MON Cambria Road Bridge, Swindon C19 414507 184373
101 MWI76138 222105 MON Milton Road Bridge C19 414734 184537
102 MWI76139 MON Milton Road Wharf, Swindon C19 414838 184600
103 MWI76140 MON Golden Lion Bridge, Swindon C19 414973 184765
104 MWI76151 MON North Wilts Canal Bridges, Swindon C19 415058 184900
105 MWI76151 MON North Wilts Canal Bridges, Swindon C19 414992 184951
106 MWI76151 MON North Wilts Canal Bridges, Swindon C19 414834 185020
107 MWI76151 MON North Wilts Canal Bridges, Swindon C19 415105 184867
108 MWI76152 MON Culvert, GWR Works, Swindon C19 414726 185074
109 MWI76153 1218205 MON Rodbourne Locks, Swindon C19 414078 185650
110 VOID
111 VOID
OneSwindon 108 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
112 MWI16429 MON BURIAL. Okus Quarry Bronze Age 414370 183490
113 MWI16445 MON DITCH. North-east of Toothill Farm Roman 412600 183670
114 MWI16448 FS North of Mannington House. Romano-British pottery and a Roman 412700 184520 rotary quern fragment.
115 MWI16451 FS West of Mannington House. A Romano-British pottery Roman 413080 184250 fragment.
116 MWI16456 FS Allotment Gardens now Delta Ind Est. A scatter of Romano- Roman 412850 184486 British pottery.
117 MWI16458 888052 FS Brunel Centre. A Romano-British coin. Roman 414890 184730
118 MWI16499 FS Mannington. A Romano-British coin. Roman 412900 183700
119 MWI16501 FS West Leaze. Evidence of Romano-British activity obtained Roman 413700 183100 in 1989.
120 MWI16509 FS Radnor Street. A Romano-British coin and a copper ring. Roman 414421 184137
121 MWI16511 MON Romano-British Features, Delta Business Park Roman 412903 184317
122 MWI16519 222050 BLD Medieval building recorded in 1907 during construction of a Medieval 413900 183700 new brickyard, near the canal at Rushey Platt. The building was rectangular in plan with walls 2ft. thick. Pottery and a brooch from the site are in the Ashmolean Museum
OneSwindon 109 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
123 MWI16531 FS North of Mannington House. Medieval pottery fragments. Medieval 412700 184520
124 MWI16540 MON SETTLEMENT. Kings Hill Medieval 414600 184000
125 MWI16560 888062 MON Undated Well, Southeast of Mannington House Unknown 412950 184100
126 MWI67686 MON Site of Mannington C19 412786 184153
127 MWI67720 MON Site of Outfarm Southeast of Mannington C19 413031 183863
128 MWI67721 MON Site of Outfarm Southeast of Mannington C19 413511 183933
129 MWI67722 MON Site of Outfarm Northeast of Mannington C19 413037 184291
130 MWI67723 MON Site of Mannington Cottage C19 413223 184247
131 MWI67724 MON Site of Farmstead East of Swindon Sewage Works C19 413583 185448
132 MWI67782 MON Site of Westcott Manor Farm C19 413950 184179
133 MWI67783 MON Site of Okus C19 413962 183611
134 MWI67784 MON Site of Outfarm Northwest of Okus C19 413835 183745
135 VOID
136 MWI16553 MON SETTLEMENT. Westcott Place Medieval 414043 184245
OneSwindon 110 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
137 MWI16520 888038 / MON DESERTED SETTLEMENT. Mannington, North-east of Medieval 412631 183769 888039 Toothill Farm
138 MWI16580 MON HOLLOW WAY. South-west of West Leaze Medieval 413423 183089
139 MWI31401 MON Medieval/Post Medieval Ridge and Furrow, West Leaze Medieval to 413159 183194 Late C19
140 MWI74909 MON Ridge and Furrow, East of South Leaze Medieval 413054 183441
141 MWI9472 975884 MON WILTSHIRE AND BERKSHIRE CANAL. A canal C19 419814 178854 constructed in 1810 by William Whitworth extending from Semington to Abingdon, a distance of 51 miles with a total of 42 locks. It was closed in 1914.
142 972271 MON NORTH WILTSHIRE CANAL. Canal constructed in 1814 by C19 410715 189325 William Whitworth, opened in 1819. It ran from Swindon to Latton, linking the Wilts and Berks Canal to the Thames and Severn Canal, covering a distance of 9 miles. It was closed in 1914.
143 1361033 MON SWINDON AND GLOUCESTER RAILWAY. The Swindon C19 391843 202769 and Gloucester Railway via the Stroud valley was promoted to provide a rapid line from Cheltenham to London. The Swindon - Kemble section was completed in 1841 and the Kemble - Gloucester section in 1845
OneSwindon 111 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
144 971169 MON MIDLAND AND SOUTH WESTERN JUNCTION C19 417169 181344 RAILWAY. Dismantled Railway. This had its origin in 2 independent companies. The Swindon, Marlborough and Andover Railway was incorporated in 1873 and opened from Red Post Junction to Grafton on May 1st 1882, connecting through to Swindon in 1883.
145 1359288 MON GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Brunel's Great Western C19 443196 177962 Railway between London and Bristol, opened as a broad gauge railway on 30th June 1841, the Swindon - Bristol Section being converted to narrow gauge in 1872, mixed gauge in use from Swindon to Paddington.
146 VOID
147 1063545 MON NUMBER 8 SHOP. Carriage repair shop of the carriage C19 414668 184938 works to the Great Western Railway Swindon Works. The building was constructed between 1869-73 and is situated to the south of the railway line facing onto London Street. An engine house was housed in the basement
148 1072500 MON CAMBRIA PLACE. A cottage estate designed by Thomas C19 414380 184400 Ellis, the manager of the Rolling Mills at Great Western Railway, to provide housing for Welsh iron workers following Great Western Railway's reluctance to build more housing in the Railway Village.
OneSwindon 112 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
149 1057736 MON GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY MEDICAL FUND C19 414500 184600 HOSPITAL. Hospital serving the railway works, opened in 1872 by converting 3 houses in Faringdon Street. The 1927 extension increased accomodation to 42 beds. 1960 closure, with 1927 extensions demolished. Now a community centre.
150 1216157 MON HOOTER HOUSE. Central power house to the Great C19 414100 184940 Western Railway Swindon Works constructed during the 1870s. The house is situated at the northern end of the eastern range of the locomotive works located east of Rodbourne Road.
151 527785 MON X SHOP. Points and crossing shed to the Great Western C19 414140 185070 Railway Swindon Works. It was constructed in 1896 and was situated to the north of the rolling mills. The building is now demolished.
152 527798 MON Smiths' range to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414320 185090 Works. The range was situated in the eastern part of the northern courtyard constructed during the first phase of expansion to the works in 1846. It is a single storey building with a metal framed roof.
153 1216101 MON Machine shops to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414180 184900 Works. The shops were constructed in 1874 as part of the locomotive works built to the east of Rodbourne Road during the 1870s.
OneSwindon 113 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
154 527787 MON Standard gauge engine shed to the Great Western Railway C19 414320 185290 Swindon Works. The engine shed was situated on the eastern side of the Gloucester railway line and was constructed in 1871 for the transition of rolling stock from broad to standard gauge.
155 527805 MON Steam hammer shop to the Great Western Railway C19 414240 185060 Swindon Works. The workshop was situated in the north range of the northern courtyard which was constructed during the first phase of expansion of the railway works between 1845-47.
156 1072262 MON A terrace situated in Taunton Street of the Railway Village. C19 414505 184613 It comprised twelve `type A' cottages with a `type C' cottage on either end. Both types were designed by Brunel. The `type A' cottages were of two-storeys with five rooms
157 1072375 MON A detached villa which was situated on open ground to the C19 414650 184910 northeast of London Street, in the Railway Village. It was designed by Brunel and constructed in 1846 to house the first Station Superintendent, Christopher Hill.
158 1216181 MON P1 SHOP. Steaming shed to the Great Western Railway C20 414020 184800 Swindon Works. The shed was situated to the west of Rodbourne Road opposite the 1870s locomotive works. The building was constructed in 1910 and extended in 1911.
OneSwindon 114 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
159 1218265 MON The gasworks to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414320 185080 Works were probably extant by 1842 and were situated with the ancillary buildings to the east of the quadrangle of the original works.
160 1248221 MON BRUNEL STATUE. Statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel C20 414990 184610 unveiled on 29 March 1973 to mark the completion of phase one of the Brunel Centre.
161 1216151 MON Pattern makers shop to the Great Western Railway C20 414130 184790 Swindon Works. The shop is situated in the locomotive works to the east of Rodbourne Road and was constructed in 1924 forming the southern extension to the O and E Shop
162 527783 MON SPRING SHOP. Spring shop to the Great Western Railway C19 414350 185080 Swindon Works, situated in the eastern corner of the north courtyard which was constructed in 1843 as part of the original railway works. The building was operational until 1986.
163 527792 MON General railway stores to the Great Western Railway C19 414480 185130 Swindon Works. The building was situated on the eastern side of the Gloucester Railway Line and was constructed in 1896 replacing the stores originally housed in the general offices
OneSwindon 115 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
164 527794 MON Boilermakers shop to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414280 185040 Works. The workshop was situated in the northern range of the courtyard of the original locomotive works. It comprised a single storey building which was constructed in 1843.
165 1072256 MON A terrace of six five-roomed cottages in Emlyn Square, in C19 414602 184745 the Railway Village. The houses were constructed in 1866 and located to the north of the Armoury and Drill Hall.
166 1072277 MON GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY MEDICAL FUND C19 414540 184640 WASHING AND TURKISH BATHS
167 1072358 MON Slaughterhouse and bakehouse constructed by Great C19 414520 184630 Western Railway in 1847, on a triangular area of land formed by Taunton Street and Farringdon Road in the Railway Village. The premises were leased to two of the shops in the village.
168 1216444 MON A SHOP. Locomotive erecting shop to the Great Western C20 413820 184600 Railway Swindon Works. It was constructed in 1901
169 1218505 MON WESTCOTT INFANT AND PRIMARY SCHOOL. Infant C19 414130 184340 school in Birch Street built by the Swindon School Board and opened in 1881.
170 1369668 MON INTERGRAPH. A late 20th century office building, built of C20 412920 184470 steel and glass.
OneSwindon 116 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
171 222118 MON O AND E SHOP. Fitting shop and later machine shop to the C19 414110 184800 Great Western Railway Swindon Works. It was constructed in the mid 1880s
172 1216023 MON Rolling mills to the Great Western Railway Swindon Works. C19 414230 184950 The mills were constructed in 1861 and were situated in the northwest corner of the railway works. The building originally held eight furnaces and had offices on the south site.
173 1216053 MON K SHOP. Coppersmiths to the Great Western Railway C19 414210 184840 Swindon Works. The building originally was the western range of the 1846 wagon works and included the wagon paint shop.
174 1216493 MON Wagon and carriage works to the Great Western Railway C19 414550 185400 Swindon Works. The works were situated to the north of Swindon railway station on the eastern side of the Gloucester railway line and were constructed in 1878.
175 1218425 MON Housing estate constructed in 1868 to house workers of the C19 414950 185030 Great Western Railway. The estate was financed by the Swindon Permanent Benefit Building and Investment Company which was established with support by GWR.
176 1218529 MON GILBERTS HILL SCHOOL. Infant school in Dixon Street C19 415070 184270 built by the Swindon School Board and opened in 1880.
OneSwindon 117 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
177 221908 MON CHAIN TEST HOUSE. Metal testing house to the Great C19 414300 185050 Western Railway Swindon Works. It was constructed in 1874
178 1063561 MON NUMBER 7 SHOP. Paint shop and trimming shop to the C19 414553 184852 Carriage works at the Great Western Railway Swindon Works. The building was constructed between 1869-73
179 VOID
180 VOID
181 222119 MON Turning and fitting shop to the Great Western Railway C19 414230 184910 Swindon Works. It was the second fitting shop at the works and was constructed in 1846 on the western side of the courtyard of the original works.
182 1072378 MON A detached villa which was situated on open ground on the C19 414560 184860 corner of London Street and a northward extension of Elmyn Square, in the Railway Village.
183 1216097 MON Brass foundry to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414180 184800 Works. The foundry was constructed in 1874 as part of the locomotive works situated to the east of Rodbourne Road.
184 1218617 MON COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL. School in College Street on C19 415080 184830 the south bank of the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal constructed in 1873 by Great Western Railway for the girls and infants who attended their Bristol Street School
OneSwindon 118 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
185 1400905 MON DAVID MURRAY JOHN BUILDING C20 414826 184689
186 1216042 MON Traversing table to the Great Western Railway Swindon C19 414331 184998 Works. This is situated immediately east of Churchward House (SU 18 SW 28) north of B shed
187 VOID
188 1382261 MON OASIS LEISURE CENTRE. The Oasis Leisure Centre was C20 414601 185427 constructed in 1975
189 1216427 MON Weigh house to the Great Western Railway Swindon Works C20 413790 184432 constructed in 1906 as part of the A shop complex situated to the west of Rodbourne Road. It housed a set of Henry Pooley and Son's locomotive balancing tables in a wooden shed.
190 502666 MON RUSHEY PLATT STATION. Site of railway station on the C19 413399 183612 Midland and South Western Junction Railway opened in 1882, closed to passengers in 1961 and fully closed in 1969.
191 1392417 MON ALLIED DUNBAR TRI CENTRE C20 415073 184993
192 VOID
OneSwindon 119 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
193 1218600 MON SANFORD STREET BOYS SCHOOL. School constructed C19 415090 184777 by 1881 for boys who were originally at the Great Western Railway School in Bristol Street (SU 18 SW 137) which was closed in 1879.
194 1216805 MON SWINDON NEW TOWN. Town originating from the Railway C19 414990 184990 Village built by Great Western Railways in 1841.
195 1433910 MON RADNOR STREET CEMETERY. Radnor Street Cemetery C19 414606 184120 opened around 1880 and spans 10.5 acres. There is a chapel, which has gone out of use in the late 20th to early 21st Century.
196 1400863 MON ICELAND REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTRE C20 413342 184264
197 888046 MON THE RAILWAY VILLAGE. Designed by Brunel for the C19 414481 184629 accommodation of Great Western Railway Workers, features include c. 300 houses and tenements, six shops and schools, which were constructed between 1842-62. This development lead to the creation of New Swindon.
198 1072489 MON THE PARK. Public park situated on the western side of the C19 414339 184574 Railway Village. It was created by Great Western Railway in 1844
OneSwindon 120 Newburn Sidings 661582
RSK ID HER ID NRHE Status Name / Description Period Easting Northing ID
199 MWI16098 222111 CA RAILWAY WORKS CONSERVATION AREA. GREAT C19 414218 184961 WESTERN RAILWAY SWINDON WORKS. Railway works designed by Brunel to provide stabling, maintenance and repair facilities for locomotives.
200 CA RAILWAY VILLAGE CONSERVATION AREA C19 414458 184735
201 Newburn Farm shown on 1st ed OS, including outbuildings, C19 413835 184385 greenhouses and duck pond
Acronyms: CA Conservation Area RPG Registered Park and Garden SM Scheduled Monument LB Listed Building APA Archaeological Priority Area Mon Monument FS Findspot LBM Local Building of Merit
OneSwindon 121 Newburn Sidings 661582