ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT VOLUME 1 MAIN TEXT AND FIGURES

SAPPHIRE QAC HOLDINGS S.E.N.C

QUEENS ARCADE, CARDIFF

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT VOLUME 1 MAIN TEXT AND FIGURES

On behalf of: Sapphire QAC Holdings S.E.N.C

In respect of: Queens Arcade, Cardiff

Date: July 2021

Reference: JP/3578CA/R002

Author: JP

DPP Planning Sophia House 28 Cathedral Road Cardiff CF11 9LJ

Tel: 029 2066 0265 E-mail [email protected]

www.dppukltd.com

CARDIFF LEEDS LONDON MANCHESTER NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

Sapphire QAC Holdings S.E.N.C

Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 4

2.0 THE APPLICATION SITE AND SURROUNDINGS ...... 5

3.0 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ...... 6

4.0 CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 7

5.0 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS ...... 8

6.0 EIA STAGES AND ASSESSMENT ...... 9

7.0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND HUMAN HEALTH ...... 10

8.0 TOWNSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ...... 11

9.0 CULTURAL HERITAGE (INCLUDING ARCHAEOLOGY) ...... 12

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1.0 Introduction

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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2.0 The Application Site and Surroundings

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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3.0 THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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4.0 CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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5.0 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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6.0 EIA Stages and Assessment

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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7.0 Socio-Economic and Human Health

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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8.0 Townscape and Visual Impact

SEE MAIN ES DOCUMENT

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9.0 Cultural Heritage (including Archaeology)

Introduction

This chapter of the ES considers the likely effects of the proposed development on the archaeological and heritage resource of the environs of the site (historic assets). This chapter has been prepared by Cotswold Archaeology.

This chapter describes the assessment methodology, the baseline conditions currently existing within the site and its environs, the likely environmental direct and indirect impacts of the proposed development, the mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce or offset any significant adverse effects and the likely residual effects after those measures have been employed.

This chapter is informed and underpinned by a detailed Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (Cotswold Archaeology 2021) which is included in Appendix 9.1 of this document and which should be referred to for the detail summarised in this chapter.

Regulatory and Policy Context

This heritage assessment has been undertaken in the context of relevant planning policies, guidance documents and legislative instruments. These are summarised below:

Legislation and regulation

• Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (UK Parliament 1979) was instated to provide for the investigation, preservation and recording of matters of archaeological or historical interest and for the regulation of operations or activities which may affect these matters. The Act also provides for the maintenance of a schedule of archaeological remains of the highest significance, i.e. of national interest, affording them statutory protection. • Historic Environment Act Wales 2016 An Act passed by the National Assembly for Wales on 9 February 2016 which became law on 21 March 2016. The Act amends previous legislation and contains stand-alone provisions for matters such as historic place names and historic environment records. • Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990) Act of Parliament placing a duty upon the Local Planning Authority (or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State) to afford due consideration to the preservation of Listed Buildings and their settings (under Section 66(1)), and Conservation Areas (under Section 72(2)), in determining planning applications.

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National Planning Policy

• Planning Policy Wales (Edition 10, November 2018) Provides the Welsh Government’s planning policies and describes how these are expected to be applied within the planning system. The Historic Environment is the subject of Chapter 6 (page 123).

Local Planning Policy (Cardiff Council Local Plan 2006-2026 and Supplementary Planning Documents ‘SPD’)

• Policy KP17: ‘Cardiff’s distinctive heritage assets will be protected, managed and enhanced. In particular the character and setting of its Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Listed Buildings; Registered Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens; Conservation Areas; Locally Listed Buildings and other features of local interest which positively contribute to the distinctiveness of the city’. • SPD Archaeology and Archaeologically Sensitive Areas (2018) • SPD Tall Buildings Design Guide (2017)

Technical Standards and Guidance

• Technical Advice Note (TAN) 24: The Historic Environment The TAN provides guidance on how aspects of the historic environment should be considered. It has replaced the former Welsh Office Circulars 60/96, 61/96 and 1/98. • CADW Guidance – Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales (2011) This guidance provides information on the determination of significance according to the industry standard approach on assessing heritage value in Wales. This approach considers heritage significance to derive from a combination of discrete heritage values: i) evidential (archaeological) value, ii) historic (illustrative and associative) value, iii) aesthetic value, iv) communal value, amongst others. • CADW Guidance – Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (2017) This provides guidance as to the best practice approach and methodology for the assessment of the contribution of setting to the significance of historic assets and the principles used to assess the potential impact of development within their settings. • CADW Guidance – Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales (2019) Provides guidance on best practice approaches to the assessment of impact and how to write heritage impact statements.

The methodology for the assessment of development effects has been partly informed by The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11, Section 3, ‘Part 2: Cultural Heritage’ (Highways Agency document referred to as HA 208/07), which provides the most recent, suitable and widely acknowledged guidance on heritage impact assessment (Highways Agency 2007). However only relevant aspects of that guidance have been used as it has been established within the Screening and Scoping process between DPPUK Ltd and the Local Planning Authority that in the absence of

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more up to date and relevant guidance a bespoke methodology would be utilised that relied on a descriptive and qualitative presentation of the findings regarding effect and impact. This allows for a more transparent and accessible articulation of the nature of any impact and harm.

Scope

The aim of this chapter is to address the likely significant effects of the proposed development on the cultural heritage resource, including archaeological remains, built heritage and historic landscape. In accordance with EIA legislation and guidance, the assessment of the significant effects will include the following stages:

• Identification of cultural heritage receptors which are sensitive to the development, both within the site and in the wider landscape;

• Assessment of the significance of heritage assets likely to be affected;

• Assessment of the proposed development and the likely significant effects of the proposal;

• Description of the mitigation measures if any; and

• Concluding assessment of the residual effects, taking into account the proposed mitigation.

The section presented below explains in detail the methodology employed by Cotswold Archaeology in order to meet the abovementioned criteria. It is based on a narrative and qualitative approach, which is used to describe the receptors affected in line with the current legislation, planning policy and guidance.

The Scope and Methodology of this ES chapter has been agreed as part of a Screening and Scoping Request produced by DPPUK Ltd in December 2020 and agreed by the Local Planning Authority in March 2021.

Methodology

This ES chapter is informed by the Queens Arcade, Cardiff Heritage Desk-Based Assessment (2021) (HDBA) produced by Cotswold Archaeology (Appendix 9.1).

Baseline Methodology

This assessment aims to establish the known cultural heritage resource within the site and its environs, and the significance of any cultural heritage assets. The assessment also seeks to establish the archaeological potential within the site through the examination of available resources.

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The baseline survey involved the consultation of readily available archaeological and historic information from documentary and cartographic sources. The major repositories of information consulted comprised:

• Cadw heritage designations: Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Register of Landscapes of Outstanding and Special Historic Interest in Wales; Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales and Register of Battlefields; • COFLEIN database of archaeological sites and events maintained by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW); • Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) Historic Environment Record (HER); • Online historical and archaeological sources, including cartographic websites (e.g. Genealogist, Envirocheck) • British Geological Survey (BGS website) • Site visit and area walkover with inspection of relevant ‘settings’ and a Level 1 survey of the listed building within the site.

Prior to obtaining data from these sources, an initial analysis was undertaken in order to identify a relevant and proportionate study area. This analysis utilised industry-standard GIS software, and primarily entailed a review of recorded historic assets in the immediate and wider landscape, using available datasets.

On this basis a 500m study area, measured from the boundaries of the Site, was considered sufficient to capture the relevant HER data, and provide the necessary context for understanding archaeological potential and heritage significance in respect of the Site. All of the spatial data held by the HER and RCAHMW – the primary historic data repository – for the land within the study area, was requested. The records were analysed and further refined in order to narrow the research focus onto those of relevance to the present assessment.

A site visit was also undertaken as part of this assessment on Tuesday 2 February 2021. Access was afforded to the Site and its environs. This enabled an adequate assessment of the Site’s historic townscape context, including its association with known and potential historic assets, including Queen Street Conservation Area, St Mary Street Conservation Area, St John’s Church, Cardiff Castle and Cathays Park Conservation Area, and assessment of key views from/towards the Site. A settings assessment was conducted for nearby historic assets. External inspection was possible for all with the exception of the interior spaces of Cardiff Castle due to its closure as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, though the perimeter of the site of the castle was inspected.

The Value of Heritage Assets (Statement of Significance)

The assessment of value has been primarily guided by the policies and guidance contained in the document Conservation Principles (Cadw 2011) and the primary objective is to understand ‘what matters and why’ in relation to the historic asset. Conservation Principles (Cadw 2011) states that: ‘the objective of understanding the heritage values of an historic asset and assessing its significance is to enable an authoritative statement of significance to be made, and allow for the effects of

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proposed changes to be evaluated’ It goes on to describe value as a combination of the following four aspects:

• Evidential value, derived from the potential of a place to yield evidence about past human activity and primarily associated with physical remains or historic fabric; • Historical value, derived from the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life can be connected through a place to the present. This can derive from particular aspects of past ways of life, or association with notable families, persons, events or movements; • Aesthetic value, derived from sensory and intellectual stimulation and including design value, i.e. aesthetic qualities generated by the conscious design of a building, structure or landscape as a whole. It may include its physical form, and how it lies within its setting. It may be the result of design, or an unplanned outcome of a process of events; and • Communal value, derived from the meanings of a place for the people who relate to it”. Communal value derives from the meanings that an historic asset has for the people who relate to it, or for whom it is in their collective experience or memory. It may be commemorative or symbolic, such as meaning for identity or collective memory.

The value of some cultural heritage assets may already be formally recognised though designation. Relevant guidance on informing judgement of heritage value includes the aims and objectives set out in ‘Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales’ and Tables 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 of Annexes 5, 6 and 7, respectively of HA 208/07.

The value of conservation areas is primarily assessed through an understanding of their special historic and/or architectural qualities, the character and appearance of which is desirable to be preserved or enhance (as per the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990).

Ranking of Value

The value of individual elements of the cultural heritage resource is presented in the below table 8.1. (after HA 208/07) and illustrates the approach employed to assess the value of heritage assets.

Value of the resource Description

Very high World Heritage Sites. Assets of acknowledged international importance. Assets that can contribute significantly to acknowledged international research objectives. Historic landscapes of international value (designated or not) and extremely well-preserved historic landscapes with exceptional coherence, time depth, or other critical factor(s). High Scheduled Monuments and non-designated assets of Schedulable quality and importance, as according to the non- statutory criteria for scheduling ancient monuments utilised by the National Assembly for Wales (via Cadw, an Executive Agency within the Assembly).

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Value of the resource Description

Grade I and II* Listed buildings and other Listed buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or associations not adequately reflected in their Listing grade. Conservation Areas containing very important buildings. Designated and non-designated historic landscapes of outstanding historic interest (including Grade I and Grade II* Registered Parks and Gardens); non-designated landscapes of high quality and importance of demonstrable national value; and well-preserved historic landscapes exhibiting considerable coherence, time depth or other critical factor(s). Assets that can contribute substantially to acknowledged national research objectives, in particular those identified in A Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales Medium Designated or non-designated assets that contribute to regional research objectives, in particular those identified in the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales. Grade II Listed buildings or other historic, non-designated buildings that can be shown to have exceptional qualities in their fabric or historical association. Conservation Areas containing important buildings that contribute significantly to their historic character, or historic townscapes with important historic integrity in their buildings or built settings (for example including street furniture or other structures). Designated landscapes of special historic interest (including Grade II Registered Parks and Gardens); non-designated landscapes that would justify such a designation; averagely well-preserved historic landscapes with reasonable coherence, time depth or other critical factor(s); landscapes of regional value. Low Designated and non-designated assets of local importance including those compromised by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations. Assets displaying limited evidential, historic, aesthetic or communal value, as defined by Conservation Principles, but with potential to contribute to local research objectives. Locally Listed buildings and historic (unlisted) buildings of modest quality in their fabric or historical association. Historic townscape or built-up areas of limited historic integrity in their buildings or built settings (for example including street furniture or other structures). Robust non-designated historic landscapes; historic landscapes with importance to local interest groups; and historic landscapes whose value is limited by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations.

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Value of the resource Description

Negligible Assets with very little or no surviving archaeological interest, and with little or no evidential, historic, aesthetic or communal value as identified by Conservation Principles. Buildings of no architectural or historical note and buildings of an intrusive character. Historic landscapes exhibiting little or no coherence, time depth or other critical factors, and displaying no evidential, historic, aesthetic and communal value as identified by Conservation Principles. Table 9.1 Ranking of value of heritage resource

Assessment of impact

The impact is defined as the change resulting from the proposed development that affects the cultural heritage resource. The classification of the magnitude of impact on heritage assets is rigorous and based on consistent criteria. This takes account of such factors as the physical scale and type of disturbance anticipated to affect them and whether features or evidence would be lost that are fundamental to their historic character and integrity. Changes may be adverse or beneficial. Depending on the nature of the change and the duration of development, effects can be temporary and/or reversible or permanent and irreversible.

The descriptions of change describe the ways in which an asset or elements of its setting may be modified or removed by the proposed development and will include the consideration of such issues as which, and how many, elements of an asset are affected; whether the change physically modifies the asset or whether it comprises changes in visual aspects, noise or access that would alter its setting; and whether the change in the significance of an asset will be adverse or beneficial.

The magnitude of impact (summation of direct and indirect impacts) on each individual heritage asset is assessed using the criteria in Table 9.2 below (based on HA 208/07):

Magnitude Description

Major Change to most or all key archaeological or historic building elements, such that the asset is totally altered. Total changes to setting of archaeological or historic building assets. Change to most or all key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; extreme visual effects; gross change of noise or change to sound quality; fundamental changes to use or access; resulting in total change to the character of a historic landscape area. Moderate Changes to many key archaeological or historic building elements, such that the asset is noticeably modified. Changes to setting of archaeological or historic building assets, such that it is noticeably modified.

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Magnitude Description

Changes to many key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; visual change to many key aspects of the historic landscape; noticeable differences in noise or sound quality; considerable changes to use or access; resulting in moderate changes to the character of a historic landscape area. Minor Changes to key archaeological or historic building elements, such that the asset is slightly modified. Changes to setting of archaeological or historic building assets, such that it is slightly altered and noticeably changed. Change to few key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; slight visual changes to few key aspects of historic landscape; limited changes to noise levels or sound quality; slight changes to use or access; resulting in limited changes to the character of a historic landscape area. Negligible Very minor changes to archaeological or historic building elements or their settings. Very minor changes to key historic landscape elements, parcels or components; virtually unchanged visual effects; very slight changes in noise levels or sound quality; very slight changes to use or access; resulting in very small change to the character of a historic landscape area. No change No change to heritage assets or their settings

Table 9.2 Magnitude of impact

Determination of effect

The significance of effect upon any heritage asset is a product of the value/significance of the resource, and the magnitude of impact upon it.

The significance of effect is then discussed. Key principles to be considered are whether the effect comprises substantial harm or total loss, and whether the asset is of a value that such a change should be exceptional or indeed wholly exceptional. The significance of effect can be adverse or beneficial. Such impacts may also be temporary and/or reversible, or permanent and irreversible. The final significance of any effects arising from the proposed development is therefore evaluated using a seven-point scale, as outlined in Table 9.3, which essentially presents a qualitative approach which will be augmented with descriptive narrative to articulate effects. The criteria given within this table take account of the guidance documents outlined above, as well as the current legislation and planning policy (see below).

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Significance of effect Criteria

Substantial harm or total loss of the value of a designated Large Adverse heritage asset (or asset worthy of designation) such that Development should not be consented unless substantial public benefit is delivered by the Development. Total loss of a non-designated heritage asset of medium value (i.e. which may contribute to regional research objectives) without compensatory mitigation measures agreed with statutory consultees Moderate Adverse Less than substantial harm or total loss of the value of a designated heritage asset (or asset worthy of designation), such that the harm should be weighed against the public benefit delivered by the Development to determine consent. Total loss of a non-designated heritage asset of medium value (i.e. which may contribute to regional research objectives) with compensatory mitigation measures agreed with statutory consultees. Harm to a non-designated heritage asset, of a greater degree than that perceived of as Minor Adverse, which should be considered in determining an application Slight Adverse Harm to a non-designated heritage asset that can be adequately compensated through the implementation of a programme of industry standard mitigation measures. Less than substantial harm to the value of a designated heritage asset, of a lesser degree than that perceived as Moderate Adverse, but which should still be weighed against the public benefit delivered by the Development to determine consent Neutral / not significant Effect that is nil, imperceptible and not significant

Slight Beneficial Development will deliver a positive contribution and / or better reveal the value of a non-designated heritage asset Moderate Beneficial Development will deliver a positive contribution and / or better reveal the value of a designated heritage asset (or asset worthy of designation) such that an application should be treated favourably Large Beneficial Development will deliver a positive contribution and / or better reveal the value of a heritage asset of recognised international value such that an application should be treated very favourably Table 9.3 Qualitative description of the significance of effect

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The Setting of Historic Assets

With regard to the assessment of non-physical effects or a ‘settings assessment’, this has been undertaken in accordance with the approach outlined in the guidance of the Welsh Government’s Setting of Historic Assets in Wales document (Cadw, 2017) (presented in greater detail in Appendix 1 of CA’s HDBA 2021).

The ‘Conservation Principles’ states that: ‘The assessment of the degree of harm to an historic asset needs to consider the impact of any proposal on its heritage values’ (Cadw 2011, 31). ‘Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales’ states that: ‘Your heritage impact statement will need to demonstrate that you have considered the potential impact of you preferred approach. You will need to show how your proposed work will sustain or enhance the significance of your historic asset, including potential benefits and any harm’ (Cadw 2019, 9). Planning Policy Wales states that: ‘The greater the significance and/or impact then the greater the benefit needed to justify any harm’ (para. 6.5.1).

The above planning note provides guidance on setting and development management, including the assessment of the implications of the proposed development. Quoting the Framework, this guidance reiterates that ‘the setting of a historic asset is the surroundings in which a historic asset is experienced. Its 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 that significance or may be neutral'. In accordance with the guidance, the extent of the setting of a historic asset is not fixed and can evolve periodically.

All historic assets have a setting and features of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to significance, affecting the appreciation of the asset, or they can remain neutral. The extent and importance of setting is often expressed by reference to visual considerations but can also comprise other elements which contribute to the ways in which a historic asset is experienced, including factors such as noise, vibrations, dust or other pollutants; spatial associations; the rarity of comparable survivals of setting, and associative relationships between historic assets.

The methodology for the assessment of the setting of historic assets employed by Cotswold Archaeology has been informed by this guidance, which has been widely adopted by local planning authorities in Wales. A stepped approach is recommended for assessing the implications of development proposals, comprising:

• Stage 1: Identify the historic assets; • Stage 2: Define and analyse the setting; • Stage 3: Evaluate the potential impact of change or development; and • Stage 4: Consider options to mitigate the impact of a proposed change or development.

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Conservation Area Appraisal

As part of the assessment here and based on the data contained in the HDBA (CA 2021), a Conservation Area Appraisal has been undertaken which examines the value of the designated areas which interact with the site through an analysis of their special historic and/or architectural qualities which contribute to their distinct character and appearance. The individual conservation area character appraisals for each area have been utilised to underpin an understanding of how the site interacts with the area and whether the site makes any contribution to its value (as embodied in the special qualities of character and appearance).

Level 1 Building Recording

There is one listed building within the site, this is 24-26 Queen Street Chambers, a Grade II listed building. The HDBA presents a Level 1 recording of the building as scoped in the Screening and Scoping document (DPPUK Ltd 2020). This concludes with a statement of significance detailing the heritage values inherent within the building from which a statement of effects can be determined.

Baseline Conditions

The following section provides an overview of the archaeological and historical background of the site and its environs. This is based on and informed by a detailed assessment accompanied by illustrations contained in the HDBA (CA 2021) found in Appendix 9.1 which should be referred to for greater detail.

Site Description and Townscape context

The Site is situated to the northern end of the Central Shopping Area (CSA) with principal entrances on Queen Street and Working Street and is an L shaped development enveloping an unrelated corner block. The north facing Queen Street frontage has glazing to pavement level with tiled panelling to upper levels at the sides and a centrally glazed upper mid-section leading to an atrium roof. The Working Street façade has level access from the highway plus double sweeping steps to a first-floor level, again with atrium roof. This entrance is bounded by older two/three storey building frontages to the north and the St David’s shopping centre development and St David’s Hall to the south.

Both entrances are within 150m of the Grade I Listed and Scheduled Monument of Cardiff Castle. The wider environs of the Site comprise the dense very mixed grain cityscape of the city centre, which includes landmark modern buildings such as the Millennium Stadium, Capital Tower and St David’s Hall, key historic landmark buildings such as St Johns Church, Cardiff Market and the City Hall enclave, and historic linear routes such as the High Street and Queen Street (their modern names).

Fig. 2 within the HDBA (CA 2021) in Appendix 9.1 presents a cityscape image illustrating key landmarks and features within the environs of the Site. Photos 1 to 4 give an overview of the Site from Queen Street and Working Street.

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Baseline Survey Information

Archaeologically Sensitive Area

This Site is located within Cardiff City Centre Archaeological Sensitive Area (ASA), a wider area of archaeological sensitivity which encompasses the urban area surrounding the Castle as defined by GGAT (HDBA Fig. 3). This area has seen settlement from the 1st century AD with the establishment of a Roman fort, followed by a planned medieval town and Castle from the 11th century AD. The 19th century saw major expansion as a result of the industrial revolution. This results in a complex stratigraphy of archaeological features which details the development of Cardiff from a Roman fortress to a modern capital city. The process of redevelopment over centuries results in an area of concentrated, stratified remains where evidence of previous buildings, infrastructure and finds is preserved (Cardiff Council 2018). This archaeological and historical background is discussed in full within the period background below.

Designated historic assets

There are a large number of designated historic assets within the study area and environs of the Site. These are illustrated figuratively on Fig.19 in the HDBA (Appendix 9.1). The most proximate and sensitive assets in terms of this assessment are Cardiff Castle (Grade I and a Scheduled Monument), St Johns Church (Grade I), on Working Street, opposite the Site, and 24-26 Chambers Street (Grade II), within the Site addressing Queen Street.

Conservation Areas

The Site lies partially within the Queen Street Conservation Area, directly adjacent to the St Mary Street Conservation Area and close to the Cathays Park Conservation Area. All the designated areas benefit from Conservation Area Appraisals, Queen Street and Cathays Park dated to 2009 and St Mary Street 2006. The conservation areas are illustrated on Fig. 4 within the HDBA (CA 2021, Appendix 9.1).

Previous investigations

One previous archaeological investigation within the Site is recorded within the HER. This comprises the 1991 trial trench excavation at the Queen Street Centre occurring in advance of the development of the Queen Arcade Shopping Centre. Three trenches were located within the Site (Fig. 5), one of which (Trench A) identified a number of foundation trenches associated with earlier construction. Trench B largely contained modern infill in a large pit thought to have been dug during the demolition of earlier buildings. Trench C was excavated to a depth of 1.2m where it was still cutting through modern disturbance. No evidence of the town walls or any traces of medieval occupation were identified (Ibid.).

Within the study area a significant number of previous archaeological investigations have taken place. These include non-intrusive desk-based assessments and geophysical surveys, as well as

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intrusive archaeological excavation and watching briefs. Of particular relevance is the 2006 trial trench excavation and 2007 watching brief during ground reduction in advance of the new St. David’s 2 development c. 140m south of the Site. A potential for surviving medieval remains was identified, however, the site has been severely truncated as a result of 19th century cellars and the foundations associated with 20th century development (Wessex Archaeology 2007). The backfilled route of the Glamorganshire canal was identified, however, no artefactual evidence predating the 20th century was uncovered.

Archaeological and Historical Background

Prehistoric

Cardiff comprises an area of low elevation along the south coast with the River Taff to the immediate west, the combination of which likely provided an ideal dry and wetland location for prehistoric settlement. However, surviving prehistoric archaeological features within the centre of Cardiff are scarce, possibly as a result of subsequent development from the Romano-British period onwards. This results in a limited understanding of early occupation, however the absence of archaeology in this case is unlikely to indicate a lack of activity within this area, rather instead that any remains have been truncated.

Whilst there is evidence of a prehistoric settlement site c. 200m west of the Site, there is a very low potential for prehistoric remains to be present within the Site. Whilst the Site may have been subject to activity within this period, the extensive re-development of the Site will likely have resulted in the truncation of any such features.

Romano-British (AD43 – AD410)

Within the Site there are no identified Roman period archaeological features, however Cardiff itself has a rich Roman history. In the 1st century AD the Roman invasion of Wales was in process. In the latter half of the century the Romans initiated a presence at Cardiff with a military fort established in the location of the current castle (HDBA, Fig. 6, 2) c. 250m north-west of the Site. This fort was built as winter quarters for the invading army and provided a strategic crossing point over the River Taff and trading post (Cardiff Council 2009; GGAT n.d.). The original fort was constructed of timber and earth and was replaced by the end of the century by an auxiliary fort to the north of the first (Cardiff Council 2018). A third and fourth fort were built in the 3rd century on a differing alignment, the fourth fort being enclosed by a stone wall which survived into the 11th century when it was reused as part of the medieval castle. The associated settlement is thought to have been located to the south of the fort.

The available evidence of the Roman period occupation of Cardiff indicates that the Site lay beyond the fort and associated settlement at Cardiff, which was located to the west of the Site in the vicinity of the Castle. However, two prominent roman roads are recorded to the immediate north and west of the Site and there is therefore potential for roadside remains. The potential for these remains to survive intact however, is very low considering the wealth of subsequent activity.

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Accordingly, there is a very low potential for any remains dating to the Roman period to still survive within the Site.

Early medieval and medieval

No known remains dating to the early medieval or medieval period have been identified within the Site.

There is limited knowledge of the period between the withdrawal of the Roman Empire, which occurred in Cardiff in the latter part of the 4th century AD, up until the Norman invasion in 1066 AD. However, two incised stones dating to the 8th and 9th century (HDBA Fig. 7, 10) have been located in Cathays Park, c. 430 north of the Site, and are now held by the National Museum of Wales.

Following the Norman Conquest of England, there was an advance into Southeast Wales in the 1070’s, with the fertile lowlands becoming quickly settled (Cardiff Council 2018). A castle was established at Cardiff in c. 1081 AD (HDBA Fig. 7, 11). The castle became the administrative centre of the Norman Lordship of Glamorgan and during the 13th and 14th centuries was expanded and altered. This alteration continued into the 15th century whereby the castle was turned into an elite residence for the Beauchamp family (Ibid.).

The settlement at Cardiff developed in the medieval period as a planned settlement to the south of the Castle, with an early stage of settlement characterised by a small enclosure to the west of the Site marked out by Working Street and Womanby (Hummanbye) Street. By 1147 AD the settlement had grown sufficiently to be granted a charter (GGAT 1991).

The Site within the medieval period, was located partially within the city walls and partially beyond (HDBA Fig. 5) with the walls located within the centre of the Site. The church of St. John (HDBA Fig. 2) c. 30m west of the Site was in existence in 1173. The eastern part of the Site was located within the medieval suburb of Crockherbtown which lay to the west of the medieval town walls in what now is known as Queen Street (Cardiff Council 2018).

The archaeological and documentary evidence for the medieval period, identifies the town wall running through the centre of the Site in a north-west orientation. As such the western part of the Site was located within the town walls, although whether there were buildings present within the Site at this point is unknown. The eastern part of the Site, located beyond the town wall, likely formed a market location. As such, whilst there is still some potential for medieval features to survive within the Site, largely relating to the town defence itself, the extensive development through the post-medieval and modern periods has reduced this potential as demonstrated by the 1991 evaluation. Accordingly, there is a low potential for medieval remains to survive intact within the Site.

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Post medieval

It was not until the 18th century that Cardiff started to undergo significant development, with many of the listed buildings in the study area (HDBA Fig. 19) dating to this period. Along with the development of houses, many chapels of varying religious denominations were built within the 18th century. Within this century the Castle, under the ownership of the 1st Marquis of Bute, was rebuilt and redesigned by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. Bute Park and the grounds of the Castle formed an urban park (HDBA Fig. 8, 32) within this period with a second park, Cathays Park to the east of the Castle (HDBA Fig. 8, 33), designed as a private park in 1812 by the Marquis.

Additionally, within the 18th century Cardiff’s role as a trading town and port developed with the building of a canal between 1794 and 1798 (HDBA Fig. 8, 30) which enabled a transport link between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil (Cardiff Council 2018) which resulted in an established trading network in Cardiff. The canal was built through the centre of the Site within a tunnel (HDBA Fig. 8, 31). Several additional features associated with the Glamorganshire Canal survive within the study area.

In the 19th century the rapidly increasing coal and iron trade resulted in the construction of a number of docks in Cardiff during the 1830s, the increased trade and job prospects of which resulted in the development of a community and settlement around the docks, significantly expanding the settlement of Cardiff. This was further increased within the construction of the Taff Vale Railway in 1840-1 (HDBA Fig. 8, 38; Ibid.). By 1880 Cardiff had transformed from one of the smallest to one of the largest towns in Wales (Cardiff Harbour Authority 2019).

The growth of the city within the 19th century resulted in the migration of residential areas from the historic core to the new suburbs, leaving the city centre open for commercial and administrative uses (Cardiff Council 2018). As a result, Crockherbtown became increasingly commercial in the mid-19th century with the most extensive phase of rebuilding in the city centre between 1880 and the early 1900s with the construction of hotels, departments stores and arcades. Another result of the increased administrative and commercial nature of the city centre was the development of Cathays Park as a civic centre in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

During this period, the Site underwent significant development with the removal of the medieval town walls, the construction of the Glamorganshire Canal, and the expansion of the city in the 18th century with the first phase of development within the Site. This was followed by a second phase of development within the 19th century and the redevelopment of the city centre from residential to commercial, which largely resulted in the demolition of any surviving medieval or pre-mid-18th century buildings. The Site became developed with an arcade, accessed from Queen Street Chambers, which housed business and retail premises.

Modern

Within the 20th and 21st century, the Site underwent a programme of development which resulted in the demolition of all built form with the exception of the listed Grade II Queen Street Chambers. The Glamorganshire Canal, which ran through the centre of the Site was infilled within the 1950s.

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In the 1970s a new layout of roads resulted in major changes to the character of the city centre. Dumfries Place (also known as the A4161) and Dumfries Lane were widened and extended across St. Andrews Crescent and the front of Cathays Park. This enabled an alternative access from west to east across the city which in turn enabled the pedestrianisation of Queen Street, enabling the immediate areas surrounding the Site, and the Site itself, to become the main shopping street in Cardiff.

Additional modern developments include the St. David’s Centre and the Millennium Stadium, as well as modern shops, offices, and apartments within the city centre.

During the 20th century the Site underwent partial redevelopment in 1950’s and 1970’s with the construction of the Queen Street Arcade Shopping Centre in the 1990s. There is little potential for any archaeologically significant remains as a result of the truncation associated with the demolition and construction of the current shopping centre.

A full historic map regression is produced in Chapter 3 of the HDBA (Appendix 9.1).

Archaeological resource and potential significance (Sensitivity of archaeological receptors)

Previous impacts

The earliest cartographic record indicates that at the start of the 17th century, the Site comprised the remains of the medieval town wall with the land either side forming garden sites or burgage plots. At the end of the 18th century the route of the Glamorganshire Canal dissected the Site. Development continued within the Site during the 19th and 20th centuries whereby it became part of the pedestrianised city centre of Cardiff comprising the Queen Street Arcade in the late 1990s.

At least four phases of development have been identified within the Site, the first associated with the construction of the Canal and tunnel, followed by the construction of 19th century houses. The cartographic record indicates a third development phase within the Site between the 1950s and the 1970s where there was at least partial clearance and redevelopment within the Site. In the 1990s the entirety of the Site, with the exception of the Listed Chambers, was demolished and the fourth phase of development comprised the construction of the Queen Street Arcade Shopping Centre.

Many of the 19th century buildings will have had cellars which will likely have resulted in the full or at least partial truncation of any archaeological remains predating the post-medieval period. The construction of the Queen Street Arcade Shopping Centre will have resulted in further truncation with the majority of the existing buildings containing basements (HDBA Fig. 18). This reduces the potential for any archaeological features to survive within the Site.

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The scale and extent of truncation to potential buried archaeological remains as a result of historic development varies across the Site, with the greatest impacts likely as a result of excavation practices during the construction of building foundations or services and the Glamorganshire Canal and the current shopping centre. However, there is potential for ‘islands’ of limited disturbance in which archaeological remains may survive such as the areas of the Site which do not contain extant basement features (HDBA Fig. 18).

Potential for archaeological remains and their significance

This assessment has identified the potential for the following archaeological remains within the Site (reference is made to Table 9.1, Value of Resource descriptions):

• Medieval town boundary wall

The route of the medieval town boundary travels through the Site in a north/south orientation as recorded on historic cartography. No extant surface remains of the wall or preceding bank are present within the Site. Trial trench evaluation within the Site did not identify any surface remains of the wall and the extensive development within the Site from the 18th century onwards will likely have resulted in the truncation of any remains. However, if such remains were to survive, they would exhibit evidential and historical value. Any such remains would have been subject to some level of truncation and therefore would hold Low value.

• Route of the Glamorganshire Canal and associated tunnel infrastructure

The route of the Glamorganshire Canal travels underground through the Site to the east of the medieval wall. This canal was infilled in the mid-1900s however there is potential for surface remains to survive. Indeed, excavations along the route of the canal to the south of the Site did identify the backfilled route of the canal. Any surviving remains would exhibit evidential and historical value and would hold Low value given the poor survival of its contextual associations.

• Prehistoric remains There is some evidence for prehistoric activity within the environs of the Site, with a settlement location identified c. 220m north-west of the Site. However, given the extent of activity and development within the Site from the medieval period onwards, there is a very low potential for any remains to survive within the Site. Should fragmentary remains of this date be present they are likely to be of Low value.

• Roman remains Within the Roman period the Site lay beyond the fort and associated settlement at Cardiff at the junction of two major roman roads. Whilst there is some potential for Roman remains to have been located within the Site, the subsequent development will likely have resulted in the truncation of any such features. Accordingly, there is a very low potential for any remains dating to the Roman period to still survive within the Site. Should fragmentary remains of this date be present they are likely to be of Low value.

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• Post-medieval and modern remains During the post-medieval and modern periods, the Site underwent four phases of development, the latter of which may have truncated any early post-medieval remains. A large portion of the existing buildings within the existing Queen Street Arcade Shopping Centre have basement features and as such the potential for post-medieval remains is medium-low. Areas of the Site without basement elements would likely have experienced shallower excavations during construction and may therefore have a higher potential. Any surviving post-medieval features will relate either to the construction of the Glamorganshire Canal or to the built form within the Site. Whilst such features will exhibit evidential and historical value, they will be likely of Low significance.

The Setting of Historic Assets and their Significance (Sensitivity of built heritage receptors)

The settings of all designated heritage assets within the 1km study area have been considered as part of this assessment. Where heritage assets occur in groups, sharing associations through virtue of their proximity or history, these assets have been considered together. Due to distance, the effects of intervening topography and built form, as well as a lack of historical or functional relationship, the application site is not considered to form a part of the setting of any designated historic assets beyond the 1km study area, and no potential adverse effects were identified in relation to these assets. Assets beyond the 1km study area have therefore been excluded from this assessment.

A number of assets were discounted from Stage 2 assessment at Stage 1 due to the lack of physical, experiential, functional or visual association between them and the Site; this results in the Site making no contribution to the significance of these assets by being part of their setting. These are illustrated figuratively in Fig.19 of the HDBA and are:

• High Street Asset Group (excludes Central Market and Howells Department Store) • Charles Street Asset Group (includes St David’s Metropolitan Cathedral Church, the Ebenezer Chapel, Welsh Presbyterian Chapel) • The Hayes Island Asset Group • Park Place Street Asset Group • The Cathays Park Asset Group

Detailed below is a summary of the baseline settings assessment data contained in the HDBA (2021) in line with Stages 1 and 2 of the Cadw Guidance on assessing the settings of historic assets, as set out above. The summary provides an overview of the more detailed analysis contained in the HDBA which includes an assessment of the significance of the assets. Fig.19 within the HDBA illustrates the location of the historic assets (some of which are grouped together). The HDBA also contains details of the listing reference numbers.

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Conclusion on the contribution of the site (as Historic Value (based on Historic Asset Designation/s extant) to historic value criteria in Table 9.1) (potential sensitivity to development of the site) Cardiff Castle Scheduled Very High Neutral contribution Monument /limited sensitivity and Grade I listed building Bute Park Grade I High Neutral contribution registered Park /limited sensitivity & Garden Sophia Gardens Grade II Medium Neutral contribution Registered /limited sensitivity Park & Garden Entrance Block to Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution High Street Arcade building /limited sensitivity Wimpey, High Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution Street building /limited sensitivity Burger King, High Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution Street building /limited sensitivity Church of St John Grade I listed High Neutral contribution /some the Baptist, building sensitivity Working Street Churchyard Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution /some Graveyard and structures sensitivity Garden asset group, Working Street Former Central Grade II* listed High Neutral contribution Library building /limited sensitivity Former Central Grade II* listed High Neutral contribution Market building /limited sensitivity Howells Grade II* listed High Neutral contribution Department Store building /limited sensitivity New Market Tavern Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution building /limited sensitivity 24-26 Queen Grade II listed Medium/Low Moderate adverse Street Chambers building contribution and is sensitive to development of the site Former Marments Grade II listed Low Neutral contribution Department Store, building /limited sensitivity Queen Street

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Conclusion on the contribution of the site (as Historic Value (based on Historic Asset Designation/s extant) to historic value criteria in Table 9.1) (potential sensitivity to development of the site) Lloyds Bank, Queen Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution Street building /limited sensitivity Midland Bank, Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution Queen Street building /limited sensitivity Andrews Buildings, Grade II listed Medium Neutral contribution Queen Street building /limited sensitivity Table 9.5 Potentially sensitive heritage assets, their value and the contribution of the site

As is to be inferred from the conclusions in Table 9.5 above, and other than the listed building within the site (24-26 Queen Street Chambers), the site in its extant form makes no contribution to the setting of nearby heritage assets in such as a way as to affect their heritage value. Whilst the site may make other non-heritage related visual or townscape contributions, in heritage terms it is neutral to the value of nearby heritage assets. The site, being an amorphous mass within a tight grained high density city centre location, assimilates into the townscape and street scene without intrusion or dominance over its environs or nearby historic assets.

The interaction of the site and the listed building within it is examined in Chapter 7 of the HDBA (CA 2021) and below in paragraphs 9.71 and 9.72.

Conservation Area Value and Sensitivity Appraisal

A detailed assessment of the character and appearance of the three Conservation Areas which interact with the site has been included in the HDBA (Appendix 9.1). The aim of the appraisal is to understand the special historic and/architectural qualities of the designated area, and to present an analysis of their overall value and the contribution of the site to that significance, including their sensitivity to development of the site. A summary of the appraisal is included below:

Special Qualities and Value Contribution of the site to Conservation Area (referring to Table 9.1) value of the area St Mary Street Conservation Reflects the medieval street Neutral contribution Area pattern with linear vistas and diverse mixed age architecture. Was the former civic centre until the late 19th century. Value - Medium Cathays Park Conservation Strong linear and open Neutral contribution Area character defined by formal avenue street patterns and purpose built monumental

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Special Qualities and Value Contribution of the site to Conservation Area (referring to Table 9.1) value of the area Neo-Classical civic buildings creating a civic centre. Value – medium Queen Street Conservation Purpose built 19th century Neutral to slight adverse Area retail street, with flamboyant contribution architecturally Revivalist genre architecture (the character appraisal and intimate character. specifically identifies the lack of quality of mid-late 20th Value -Medium century building design Table 9.6 Conservation area value

24-26 Queen Street Chambers – Value and Sensitivity

A Level 1 building recording of the listed building within the site has been conducted as part of the HDBA. The recording concluded that the building has historic and architectural interest as a late 19th century commercial building built in a distinctive Venetian Gothic styling. The recording has ascertained that the historic elements of the building are largely now only the façade as the overall internal fabric of the building has been removed and modernised. This has compromised its value, particularly its evidential value. With regards to the value of ranking detailed in Table 9.1, the building’s overall value is low, though clearly in relation to its distinctive façade this can be described as having medium value.

The building’s sensitivity to new development within the site is high, given that it is currently amalgamated into the current built form of the site.

Assessment without Mitigation (assessment of likely effects)

Construction phase

Physical effects

No significant known archaeological remains have been identified within the Site and given the extent of previous development within the Site there is a low potential for surviving archaeological remains dating to the prehistoric, Roman or medieval periods. There is a higher potential for post- medieval and modern remains, however, modern development has likely resulted in truncation of surviving post-medieval remains. Any surviving remains may include the infilled route of the canal or building foundations and will not be of such significance as to preclude development.

Any truncation (physical development effects) upon any surviving remains would primarily result from groundworks associated with construction. Such groundworks might include:

• pre-construction impacts associated with demolition and ground investigation works; • ground reduction;

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• construction ground works, including excavation of building foundations and service trenches; and • excavation of new site drainage channels (including soakaways).

The abovementioned groundworks and excavations in relation to the proposed development could result in the disturbance to, or loss of, any buried archaeological features that may be present within their footprint, in turn resulting in the total or partial loss of significance of these assets. The extent of the impact would be dependent on the type and depth of proposed foundations and the survival of archaeological features. Any adverse effects on buried archaeological resource would be permanent and irreversible in nature. However, as stated, any archaeological features present within the Site are unlikely to comprise remains of high value due to truncation. It is therefore considered that the potential archaeological resource within the Site would not require preservation in situ, nor would it preclude development of the site.

With regards to the listed building No.24-26 Queen Street Chambers, the proposed development looks to reinstate the building envelope as a standalone entity and to reinstate a decorated east gable (addressing the eastern leg of Queen Street). These are positive in effect to significance. The east gable will be designed in the flamboyant Venetian Gothic aesthetic of the principal façade and is informed by historic images of the building. The building has been assessed internally; the findings of this survey show that the historic fabric of the building now largely only survives in its northern (principal) designed façade. The rest of the building behind this façade has been rebuilt in modern fabric during the 1990’s when it was adapted and knitted into the arcade building. Therefore these works will result in physical impacts to modern fabric only (i.e. no harm to evidential value through loss or disruption of historic fabric) and will also better reveal the listed building within the streetscene (thus enhancing its architectural and historic interest). As a result, the concluded physical impacts of development on the listed building are moderate beneficial (referring to Table 9.3).

Non-physical effects

Non-physical effects, i.e. effects upon the settings of designated assets (including conservation areas), are considered to be greatest at their operational phase. As such, those assets which may be sensitive to development within their setting are discussed in the operational phase below.

Operational phase

Physical effects

No additional physical impacts are anticipated during the operational phase in relation to any potential archaeological remains within the development site.

Non-physical effects

This section is informed by the detailed analysis of assets (both listed buildings and conservation areas) contained in the HDBA (CA 2021) contained in Appendix 9.1.

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) Cardiff Castle Very High The settings assessment (HDBA 2021) has Neutral identified that the site forms a neutral, amorphous part of the dense, mixed grain, mixed height cityscape which forms the southern setting of the asset group related to the Castle. The proposed development will result in alteration to the site from its extant condition but it will essentially still be experienced as an amorphous assimilated mixed grain urban complex from the Castle grounds and in views to and from the castle. The height of the tower building will be more visible in views from the Castle Keep (for example) but this will not be overly intrusive on any key view from the castle, especially considered against general contextual character of the city centre which includes a number of contemporary tall buildings of significant height. The degree of change in wider cityscape terms would be discernible but minimal in effect. The proposed development would therefore not alter the important attributes of the setting of the castle contributing to significance and comprising its immediate surroundings and cityscape relationships which provide contextual information about its long history, development and use. The outstanding significance of the castle complex would not be affected by the proposed development. Bute Park High The significance of Bute Park is symbiotic to that Neutral of the Castle complex. Being located to the west of the Castle, it has no physical, experiential, historic or visual connections to the site. As such, the site makes no contribution to the significance of Bute Park and no effects from the development of the site are forthcoming. Sophia Gardens Medium As above Neutral

Entrance Block Medium The setting of the building which contributes to Neutral to High Street its significance has been identified in the HDBA Arcade to be its relationship to the street side location on the historic commercial shopping street which provides contextual information about its development and use. The wider townscape, including the Site, does not contribute to its special interest therefore development of the site will have no effect on significance.

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) Wimpey, High Medium The setting of the building which contributes to Neutral Street its significance has been identified in the HDBA to be its relationship to the street side location on the historic commercial shopping street which provides contextual information about its development and use. The wider townscape, including the Site, does not contribute to its special interest therefore development of the site will have no effect on significance. Burger King, Medium The setting of the building which contributes to Neutral High Street its significance has been identified in the HDBA to be its relationship to the street side location on the historic commercial shopping street which provides contextual information about its development and use. The wider townscape, including the Site, does not contribute to its special interest therefore development of the site will have no effect on significance. Church of St High The Site overlooks the church and churchyard on Neutral John the Baptist, its Working Street elevations. It forms part of the Working Street tightly knitted grain of the street frontage which extends along the west side of Working Street and addresses the church enclave. The Site forms part of the setting of the church but does not lie within or impinge upon any element of the setting of the church which affects it negatively in terms of significance. It is part of the homogenously experienced mixed grain cityscape which encircles the church, it has no notable functional, experiential, sensory or physical interaction with the church or churchyard beyond this generic contribution as part of the contiguous mass of built form within the environs of the asset. A key view of the church within which the Site is visible is the linear channelled view east along Church Street, as it lies behind and frames the tower in this scene. This view will be altered as part of the development scheme, but its character will not change, in that the view will still be of dense built form as a backdrop. The increase in height stemming from the proposed development has been examined in detail. Heights have been designed to take account of the sensitivity and importance of St Johns as a local landmark. The taller buildings are located within the centre of the site, away from the eastern elevations of the building. This combined with a separation and articulation of

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) building forms within the site, results in a stepping down of heights to meet the church, and does not result in a sense of dominance or assertiveness over it as an important landmark within the city centre. The permeable nature of the proposed scheme, providing a route through the site which reflects historic circulation, is a positive design feature which breaks up the building forms to reduce the impression of bulk, and allows for glimpses through the new development to the church, plus gives a sense of openness to the site which is presently not experienced. Overall whilst the setting of the church will be altered, the proposed scheme will not bring any affects which would detract from its setting in a way which would harm its significance or the understanding and appreciation of its high value.

Churchyard Medium The significance of the churchyard assets is Neutral Graveyard and symbiotic to that of the church, and as such the Garden asset same considerations as above apply. The linear group, Working desire line pathway which starts at the central Street market and dissects the churchyard from the church gardens will be extended through site, thus allowing for longer views into the churchyard/garden site which will better reveal the asset in views from the site and create a sense of spatial connection. Therefore the development will have no effect on the value and appreciation of the churchyard assets. Former Central High The site lies c.20m from the north-eastern corner Neutral Library of the library building, on the other side of Working Street. The site in its proposed form will become part of the amorphous mass of built form which bridges between Working Street and Charles Street, which includes the St David’s Hall and centre. The higher buildings of the site are located to the centre, with a step down in building height towards Working Street, this mitigates any potential tension between the listed building and the site in terms of any sense of dominance to the new scheme. The site makes no specific contribution to the setting of the building which contributes to its significance beyond being part of the generic mixed grain streetscape which encircles it. Thus,

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) no effect from the development of the site is anticipated. Former Central High The significance of the Central Market lies Neutral Market primarily in its historic value as a late 19th century indoor market. Its setting is extremely limited to its entrance and presence on Trinity Street. The wider generic cityscape setting is positive to significance in being an appropriate location for a central indoor market. The HDBA has concluded the site makes no contribution to the value of the listed building, and assessment of the proposed new development upholds that conclusion. The open route through the new development will increase the visibility of the asset from the site and create a natural progression towards it. Howells High As with the Central Market, the historic value of Neutral Department the department store lies in its strategic location Store within the centre of the city and its presence on Trinity Street. It also holds architectural value with regards to its design and appearance. The HDBA has concluded the extant site makes no contribution to the value of the listed building, and assessment of the proposed new development upholds that conclusion. New Market Medium The HDBA has concluded the extant site makes Neutral Tavern no contribution to the value of the listed building, which is largely embodied in its historic value as a city centre public house, and assessment of the proposed new development upholds that conclusion. 24-26 Queen Medium/Low At present the listed building within the site is Moderate Street Chambers adversely affected by the extant built form. This beneficial is because an approach of facadism in the past has resulted in only the main façade of the building being retained, with the majority of the building fabric being modern and functional. The building has effectively been assimilated into the site, which has compromised any contribution that setting may have made to the listed building and any interpretation of it as a standalone building. The development proposals look to reinstate the building form as a standalone structure which will enhance and better reveal the asset as a building in its own right. The east gable is to be enhanced through the reinstatement of the Venetian Gothic design to the façade.

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) The HDBA has presented historic cartography and images which show that the building was built and existed within a tight knit grain streetscape and townscape. The relationship with the new development to its rear will continue that character but with the enhancements created by detaching the building from the site and creating a break between the building and its adjacent block and a permeable break where once the canal was located. Thus, the proposals would result in the asset being better revealed with more opportunity for its interpretation and appreciation, and therefore significance would be enhanced. Former Low The HDBA has identified that the significance of Neutral Marments this building is largely embodied in its façade as Department much of the original fabric of the building has Store, Queen been removed. Its setting with one of Cardiff’s Street primary shopping streets is also positive. The appearance and use of the site makes no contribution to the understanding of the value of the building beyond being part of the mixed grain streetscape. As such, the proposed development, would assimilate with this dense streetscape and have no effect on the value of the asset. The Queen Street frontage of the site would comprise Block x and the listed building, with the bulkier blocks to the middle of the site, oriented away from Queen Street. Therefore, the mixed streetscene character would be maintained with no unduly assertive built form impinging on street views and thus the listed building. Lloyds Bank, Medium The HDBA has identified that the significance of Neutral Queen Street this building is largely embodied in its architectural value. Its setting with one of Cardiff’s primary shopping streets is also positive. The appearance and use of the site makes no contribution to the understanding of the value of the building beyond being part of the mixed grain streetscape. As such, the proposed development, would assimilate with this dense streetscape and have no effect on the value of the asset. The Queen Street frontage of the site would comprise Block x and the listed building, with the bulkier blocks to the middle of the site, oriented away from Queen Street. Therefore, the mixed streetscene character would be maintained with no unduly assertive built form

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) impinging on street views and thus the listed building. Midland Bank, Medium The HDBA has identified that the significance of Neutral Queen Street this building is largely embodied in its architectural value. Its setting with one of Cardiff’s primary shopping streets is also positive. The appearance and use of the site makes no contribution to the understanding of the value of the building beyond being part of the mixed grain streetscape. As such, the proposed development, would assimilate with this dense streetscape and have no effect on the value of the asset. The Queen Street frontage of the site would comprise Block x and the listed building, with the bulkier blocks to the middle of the site, oriented away from Queen Street. Therefore, the mixed streetscene character would be maintained with no unduly assertive built form impinging on street views and thus the listed building. Andrews Medium The HDBA has identified that the significance of Neutral Buildings, this building is largely embodied in its Queen Street architectural and historic value as one of the first commercial complexes built in the city during the 19th century building boom. Its setting with one of Cardiff’s primary shopping streets is also positive. The appearance and use of the site makes no contribution to the understanding of the value of the building beyond being part of the mixed grain streetscape. As such, the proposed development, would assimilate with this dense streetscape and have no effect on the value of the asset. The Queen Street frontage of the site would comprise Block x and the listed building, with the bulkier blocks to the middle of the site, oriented away from Queen Street. Therefore, the mixed streetscene character would be maintained with no unduly assertive built form impinging on street views and thus the listed building. St Mary St Medium The HDBA has identified the extant site as Neutral to Conservation making a neutral contribution to the character slight Area and appearance of the conservation area, the beneficial special qualities of which centre on its role as the historic built core of the city, and the contributions made by a diverse variety of architectural styling, forms and materiality.

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) The proposed new development of the site will introduce high quality new design into the site within a mixed-use scheme. Both design and building forms are varied and articulated to take account of and assimilate with context and local character which includes the conservation area. The design also incorporates a permeability through the site which references the historic circulation routes of the site and will therefore provide a more interpretable link between St Mary Street and Queen Street than the current internal routes within the extant arcade. These factors of the new scheme results in a slight beneficial effect when considered against the contribution made by the extant arcade. Cathays Park Medium The HDBA has identified the extant site as Neutral Conservation making a neutral contribution to the character Area and appearance of the conservation area, the special qualities of which centre on its role as the formal 19th century civic centre of the city, with formal avenues, green spaces and monumental buildings creating a distinctive enclave. The site is located c.100m south of the boundary of the conservation area and the proposed scheme will have no physical, experiential or functional links with it. The tall block within the scheme will be visible from areas of conservation area but will not be alien or incongruous given the general context of the cityscape which lies south of the area and which includes buildings of significant height. The proposed scheme is therefore concluded to have no effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Queen Street Medium The HDBA has identified the extant site as Slight Conservation making a neutral contribution to the character beneficial Area and appearance of the conservation area, the special qualities of which are centred on the architectural diversity of the street and its role in narrating the 19th century commercial expansion of the city. The conservation area appraisal has identified that ‘generally, post 1945 buildings in the conservation area do not replicate the same quality of architectural detail as pre-1945 buildings. Post 1945 buildings generally reflect the architectural trends prevalent in the era in which they were built. These generally lack the

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Historic Value (based Overall Historic Asset Discussion of Effects on criteria in Effect Table 9.1) same investment in architectural detail as pre- 1945 buildings’. This results in scope for there to be an improvement on the extant condition of the site in terms of its contribution to the character and appearance of the conservation area. The proposed new development of the site will introduce high quality new design into the site within a mixed-use scheme appropriate for the character of the area. Both design and building forms are varied, permeable and articulated to take account of and assimilate with context and local character, alongside contextually inspired materiality and a focus on exemplary creative design fit for the 21st century layer of the city’s history. The scheme will also reinstate the form of the listed building within the site, which is a positive contributor to the conservation area, and better reveal its significance via the reinstatement of detail to its gable facade. The scheme will therefore result in an enhancement of the site which will have a slight beneficial effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area. Table 9.6 Assessment of effects

Cumulative effects

The assessment has considered the potential for cumulative effects of impact stemming from the overall extent of development and development sites within Cardiff’s city centre, that is whether there are different impacts to those concluded in this assessment when considered in the round of the current permitted schemes and those under consideration, particularly in relation to tall buildings.

Those schemes which are being constructed or are under consideration in the city centre bring about naturally progressive change and modernisation to the cityscape as Cardiff continues to evolve into a 21st century city. No cumulative adverse impact on the significance of heritage assets was identified as a result of the development schemes currently in play within the environs of the site.

Proposed Mitigation and Residual Effects

Given no harmful effects have been found, no direct mitigation has been applied to the scheme though mitigation with regards to the setting of designated historic assets has been embedded within the development of the scheme design from its inception.

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Summary and Conclusions

This chapter has considered the likely effects of the proposed scheme in terms of archaeology and cultural heritage. The assessment has been carried out in accordance with key heritage guidance, including Cadw’s Conservation Principles (2011).

Baseline Conditions

No designated archaeological remains are recorded within the development site and no evidence for potential remains of a comparable level of significance has been identified.

The site has been located close to settlement activity associated with Cardiff since the prehistoric period, with significant activity focussed on the current Cardiff Castle site since the Romano-British period. The site itself likely straddled the town wall during the medieval period, with the eastern part of the site located outside the town walls in a suburb known as Crockherbtown. Within the post-medieval period the Glamorganshire Canal ran through the centre of the site, on roughly the same alignment as the town wall. The canal was filled in in the 19th century during Cardiff’s significant period of expansion within the city centre. The site started to become densely developed in the mid- late 19th century, during which time and into the 20th century it developed into an ambulatory shopping arcade which was then partially cleared and redeveloped in the mid- 20th century. In 1994 the site was cleared, and the extant Queen Street Arcade was constructed.

As a result of the ongoing redevelopment of the site, including extensive underground development in the 1994 works, it is likely that there has been full or partial truncation of any archaeological remains pre-dating the post-medieval period. There is a higher potential for post- medieval and modern remains, however, modern development has likely also resulted in at least partial truncation of surviving post-medieval remains. Any surviving remains may include the infilled route of the canal or building foundations and will not be of such significance as to preclude development.

A large number of designated historic assets of regional and national significance, including a scheduled monument (Cardiff Castle) registered parks and gardens (Bute Park etc), conservation areas, and listed buildings lie within the environs of the site.

Likely significant effects

No significant known archaeological remains have been identified within the Site and given the extent of previous development within the Site there is a low potential for surviving archaeological remains dating to the prehistoric, Roman or medieval periods. There is a higher potential for post- medieval and modern remains, however, modern development has likely also resulted in at least partial truncation of surviving post-medieval remains. Any surviving remains may include the infilled route of the canal or building foundations and will not be of such significance as to preclude development.

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Detailed assessment of the heritage value and significance of the surrounding designated historic assets has concluded that there are no adverse effects on significance stemming from the proposed development. The assessment has found a moderate beneficial effect in relation to the significance of 24-26 Queen Street Chambers through the development better revealing the building in its former standalone form. The assessment has also found slight beneficial effect in relation to the character and appearance of the Queen Street Conservation Area as a result of an uplift in townscape architectural quality and the positive contribution made by the proposed enhancements to the listed building within the site, 24-26 Queen Street.

Conclusion

The proposed development would not result in significant adverse effects upon potential archaeological remains with the development site, or upon designated historic assets within the environs of the site. It can therefore be concluded that the proposed development would not be in conflict with the provisions of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 or with national and local planning policy and guidance.

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