Building our community and heritage

Community led planning

Updated 2016

Foreword and Part 1

Table of Figures Table of Contents

Foreword ...... 2

Why have we produced a Design Statement? ...... 2 Fig: 1 Map of the three settlements ...... 4 The three settlements ...... 2 Fig: 2 Trefonen Brook Valley ...... 5 Going Forward ...... 3 Fig: 3 View across the Shropshire Plain from Trefonen ...... 5 1 Part 1 Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr: The starting points ...... 4 Fig: 4 From Mynydd Myfyr ...... 5 1.1 The landscape & the past ...... 4 Fig: 5 Trefonen Brook before and after heavy rain ...... 6 1.2 The importance of what lies below ...... 6 Fig: 6 View of Nantmawr...... 6 1.3 The rural context ...... 8 Fig: 7 Ty Tegwch ...... 7 1.4 English or Welsh? - the importance of Offa’s Dyke...... 8 Fig: 8 Nantmawr Quarry ...... 7 1.5 Some key dates: ...... 10 Fig: 9 A typical rural scene ...... 8

Fig: 10 Map of the Dyke through the three settlements ...... 9

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Foreword: Why have we produced a Design Statement? Foreword 2016: This Village Design Statement (VDS) was originally produced in 2005/6. Therefore, there were references in it that are now superseded. The communities evolve so there have been changes which affect the information in the Statement. It was also necessary to make it available in digital format. All this has been considered as part of this updating process and, after community consultation and taking full note of the Oswestry Rural Parish Council 2014 Survey, the document has been revised. One of the key drivers to this update has been the changes in both local and national legislation which affect how the communities are to be developed in the years to come. Not least of these are the National Planning Policy Framework1, the Shropshire Council Core Strategy2 and their Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev).

“The Localism Act 2011 emphasised the importance of community led planning, in the form of Neighbourhood Plans, Parish and Town Plans and Village Design Statements. A significant number of Shropshire’s communities have either recently completed or are in the process of preparing a community led plan for their area. The draft policies in this document acknowledge the key role played by such plans by cross referring to, and where appropriate requiring proposals to take account of the local requirements set out in these plans.” Shropshire Council SAMDev – 2014 Para 2.6 3 What follows is the attempt of many people to look at how our community has evolved, what is special about it, what is characteristic of our natural and built environment, and what matters to people here.

The Statement looks forward, makes proposals for the future and lists policies which should underpin future planning and development. The aim remains that future development should preserve our local identity, promote high quality and ensure the continuance and growth of a vibrant, caring and self-sufficient community. The three settlements It was agreed that this Statement would cover the three settlements of Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr. While each has some specific characteristics, within the Oswestry Rural Parish they constitute a unit and share many activities and interests. The settlements have a total population of some 1,200 people, with Trefonen, much the largest, being the focal point for local services – the shop, Post Office,

1 Download NPPF 2 For more information click here 3 See SAMDev Core Documents

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hairdressers’, primary school, village hall, playing field and church.

Going Forward

The 2006 Statement and its 75 recommendations were considered and adopted as policy by Oswestry Rural Parish Council on 25 August 2006. On 30th October 2007 Oswestry Borough Council formally recognised the Statement and adopted many of the recommendations, amended and clarified in consultation with them, as material planning considerations. The Policies, now updated, appear as Part 4 of the 2016 Statement and we seek formal confirmation from Shropshire Council and Oswestry Rural Parish Council of their continued recognition and adoption of the new policies.

We have sought to contribute to key policies, particularly:

Ensuring all development protects, restores, conserves and enhances the natural, built and historic environment, and is appropriate in scale, density, pattern and design taking into account the local context and character, and those features which contribute to local character… Shropshire Core Strategy S6 Sustainable Design and Development Principles4 and: For a development proposal to be considered acceptable it is required to: 1. Achieve local aspirations for design, wherever possible, both in terms of visual appearance and how a place functions, as set out in Community Led Plans, Town or Village Design Statements…. 2. Contribute to and respect locally distinctive or valued character and existing amenity value by: i. Responding appropriately to the form and layout of existing development and the way it functions, including mixture of uses, streetscape, building heights and lines, scale, density, plot sizes and local patterns of movement; and ii. Reflecting locally characteristic architectural design and details, such as building materials, form, colour and texture of detailing, taking account of their scale and proportion; and iii. Respecting, enhancing or restoring the historic context, such as the significance and character of any heritage assets Shropshire Council SAMDev MD2 Sustainable Design5 There was and continues to be a very strong commitment to bringing this Statement to fruition and maintaining it. Its implementation is in the hands of both the local authorities and also the people who live in Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr.

4 See Core Strategy Document page 69 5 See link to Shropshire Council Website Document page 17

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May 2016

1 Part 1 Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr: The starting points “The Council for British Archaeology strongly supports the principles of local community influence over local heritage and planning. The VDS for Trefonen, Treflach, and Nantmawr neatly represents the cherished community heritage that lies at the heart of communities all over the country. The village landscape is unique in terms of history and nature. This is most visceral and perceptible from the perspective of those who live there today. The VDS allows for this value to be recognised and planned for with utmost sensitivity to the built and natural environment and the sustainability of its local social scene." Rob Lennox, Local Heritage Coordinator, CBA 1.1 The landscape and the past The settlements of Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr (Fig: 1) developed in the north- western corner of Shropshire, between three to five miles from the market town of Oswestry. They are situated in the area designated as the Oswestry Uplands 6(Countryside Agency – Joint Character Areas) and all of the countryside immediately surrounding them was designated as an Area of Special Landscape Character in the Local Development Plan of Oswestry Borough Council 7. They nestle between the Shropshire Plain and the Welsh Hills. It is considered a prime example of a dramatic landscape marking the transition from lowland to upland. The highest point is a hill above Trefonen at 341 metres, and the lowest point is at 135 metres in Nantmawr. The difference causes the roads and lanes to be steep and twisting, but it also contributes to the many spectacular views in and out of the settlements. Fig: 1 Map of the three settlements

6 See Natural England – Oswestry Uplands 7 See https://shropshire.gov.uk/planning-policy/former-planning-policies/oswestry/

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Trefonen lies close under the eastern slope of a ridge running roughly north-south to the west of Oswestry to the spectacular viewpoint of the Moelydd, which looks over the Tanat Valley. The nearby summit of Mynydd Myfyr (height 341 metres; 1,118 feet) is just over a mile from the village centre. From both the Moelydd and Mynydd Myfyr (Fig: 4) there are clear views across Trefonen.

To the west, a little over half the village is sited on the hillside, whereas the remainder, to the east of the main road, is bounded by open and flatter farmland with views stretching into the distance over north Shropshire. However, a major topographical feature of the village is the field-lined valley to the south along which runs a stream, referred to as the Trefonen Brook.(Fig: 2) The valley cut by the Trefonen Brook between the village and Treflach is of significant landscape value, and views along the line of the brook in both directions are outstanding. Parts of the village, particularly along the north side of the Brook, lie on the rather dark Cefn-y-Fedw sandstone which outcrops in Martins Fields and a number of other places in the valley. This quite steep slope forms a definitive natural boundary to the village. The Brook runs all the year round: it is not a seasonal “bourn”.

Fig: 2 Trefonen Brook Valley

Fig: 3 View across the Shropshire Plain from Trefonen

Fig: 4 From Mynydd Myfyr

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The Environment Agency has designated the Trefonen Brook and parts of the adjacent fields as liable to flooding and there has been significant flash-flooding 8 at times (Fig: 5 Trefonen Brook before and after heavy rain). An area of mixed woodland, Bwyltai Wood, of natural and wildlife importance, lies on the southern slope of the valley very near to the village.

Treflach is of a different physical character from Trefonen. It nestles in the folds in the landscape and the village is almost hidden by trees. It has many exposed limestone ridges and evidence of former quarrying activities. Apart from a few outlying houses and farms, the main settlement is along the road running from Oswestry towards the Tanat Valley. It lies to the east of, and is sheltered by, the prominent hill known as the Moelydd. The Trefonen Brook Valley forms a distinct division between the settlements of Treflach and Trefonen.

Nantmawr is built along the steeply sloping road running down towards the Tanat Valley and many of the dwellings have the advantage of wide views across the valley towards Llanyblodwel and Blodwel Rocks. Most properties lie on the steep hillside rising to the Moelydd

The valley itself is of glacial origin and cuts through old rock formations until it Fig: 5 Trefonen Brook before and after narrows in the east near Porth-y-waen and southwards towards Llanymynech. heavy rain 1.2 The importance of what lies below The settlements developed on the southern limit of the North Wales coalfield, which lies on top of carboniferous limestone and Cefn-y-Fedw sandstone. This explains why from the early eighteenth century the population expanded so dramatically to exploit the small scale coal mines and limestone quarries.

Trefonen became the largest village with its houses clustered under the hill and its

8 See Trefonen Flood Risk Map Fig: 6 View of Nantmawr Village Design Statement Part 1 Issue 5 Rev 5 Page 6

inhabitants working the coal mines, local pottery and brickworks, limestone quarries and the small lead workings. The populations of Treflach and Nantmawr grew more slowly. Nevertheless, the number of people involved in these activities was considerable. The quarries constitute significant landmark features in Treflach and Nantmawr (Fig: 8 Nantmawr Quarry) and their future use, particularly in Nantmawr, remains a major concern.

Although coal mining was mainly centred on Morda and Gronwen, there were two mines in Trefonen, the last of which shut down in 1891. Industrial activity to the north and east of Trefonen was serviced by an artificial water course, locally known as the Gutter, a two kilometre long clay and stone structure, evidence of which still remains. 9 (See Discovering Shropshire’s History Report ) At its peak in the middle of the Fig: 7 Ty Tegwch nineteenth century it is recorded that more than 300 people were employed in over twenty pits. Traces of the mining activity can be found in a number of places, in particular on and around the playing field off School Lane. Although there is no recent indication, it is possible that the areas around the old pits may be subject to subsidence. Little evidence remains of Howell’s brickworks, situated on the field opposite the former Rectory in Trefonen, other than ornamental tombstones in Trefonen Churchyard and an impressive house near Treflach, Ty Tegwch,(Fig: 7 Ty Tegwch) on the Old Drovers’ Path.

'I consider the landscape in and around the Border village of Trefonen as a perfect example of a fossilised 18th and 19th century industrial landscape, revealing the archaeological remnants of the now long-gone brick-making and coal industries that flourished around the village up until the early 20th century. This significant landscape is flanked on its western side by the internationally-significant Offa's Dyke. In essence, the history and archaeology reveals a complex landscape that is unique to North Shropshire'. Fig: 8 Nantmawr Quarry Professor George Nash MIFA 10

9 For more information click here 10 Archaeologist & specialist in Prehistoric and Contemporary Art, Senior Researcher, Instituto Terra e Memória, Mação, Portugal, Adjunct Professor, IPT, Portugal and Visiting Fellow within the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Bristol, England. Biography

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1.3 The rural context After this period of mining and quarrying, the area returned to its rural roots and agriculture as its main economic activity. Farms and small holdings dominated the countryside and sheep and cattle rearing flourished.

But two settlements of the three have declined. As has been the case in many parts of the countryside in England, some communities have changed significantly. At one time Treflach had a Methodist Chapel at the cross roads, a village hall known as the Coffee or Cocoa Rooms, two public houses, a petrol pump and a shop. The chapel and one of the public houses have been converted into domestic residences. The former public house, the Gibraltar Inn, is now considered a Welsh long house and has a significant history. The village hall was demolished and is now a tiny village green, not suitable for ball games. Very few of the quarry workers’ cottages have survived. The petrol pump is no longer there and the shop and post office closed in 2006. In Nantmawr, the public house, the school, chapel, post office and shop have all gone. Such trends have been evident in many small English villages in recent decades. 1.4 English or Welsh? - the importance of Offa’s Dyke

Over the centuries Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr fluctuated between England and Wales, the names Nantmawr and Cefn Blodwel being examples of Welsh presence. In the 8th century, probably between AD 757 and 796, Offa’s Dyke was built, during the reign of Offa, King of Mercia. At this time, it is more than likely that this area of the Welsh Marches was a sub-kingdom, probably administered by one of Offa’s family. The Dyke formed the boundary between Mercia and Wales. The earthwork, which ran north-south, comprised a large turf and stone bank, with an accompanying ditch along the western side. Fig: 9 A typical rural scene

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Distinct traces of the original Dyke are clearly visible (Fig: 10)11, and can be found adjacent to Chapel Lane and the Barley Mow pub in Trefonen, with a number of more substantial lengths in the middle of Treflach, adjacent to Blodwel Bank and north of Nantmawr. The Dyke, with its accompanying ditch, is in particularly good condition north of Trefonen to Pentreshannel. Scheduled Monuments are considered to be assets ‘of the highest significance’. The Dyke is now a scheduled monument throughout the three settlements. For Scheduling details click here.

Offa’s Dyke is the largest, most impressive, and most complete purpose built early medieval monument in Western Europe. It is the largest civil engineering project ever undertaken by an Anglo-Saxon state, and the most impressive Anglo-Saxon monument to now survive in the UK. Historic England In any case of development in the future, it is most important that one of Britain’s most significant ancient monuments, of international importance, should be preserved. The much-used modern long distance footpath – Offa’s Dyke Path – runs right through the centre of Trefonen and is an important feature of the village from the tourism, and consequently economic, point of view.

Trefonen is shown on maps published in the early 1800s as a hamlet with the Welsh name of Carneddau. Trefonen, roughly translated as the place or hamlet of the ash, appears to be a later name, but although it is allegedly Welsh, it seems more likely that it has its roots in the Brithonnic language which preceded Welsh. Treflach used to be called Treflach Wood and this is reflected in the names around: Quarry Wood, Middle Forest, Lower Forest, Forest Cottages, Pleasant Grove, Dummy Wood. Fig: 10 Map of the Dyke through the three For more details of local heritage see www.oswestry-borderland-heritage.co.uk and settlements for more onTrefonen’s heritage, click here.

11 To download a larger scale copy of the map click here

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1.5 Some key dates: Prehistoric and Roman Activity:

Late Neolithic and early Bronze Age activity has been recorded. In Treflach two standing stones were recorded on the first edition Ordnance Survey map, although they had been removed by the 1970s, and there is also a barrow, probably a burial site. Lithics have been found within the vicinity of Trefonen. (A hoard of Roman coins, dating to the late first century A.D. was found in Wern Lane, Treflach Wood, during the 19th century). Anglo-Saxon & Medieval 757 – 796 The construction of Offa’s Dyke, a mixture of natural barriers and an earthwork. 1070- Following the Norman Conquest this area was controlled by the Baron of Oswestry, Alan Fitz Flaad, and his family held the area through the medieval period. 1538 Unification between Wales and England. The parish of Trefonen was annexed to Shropshire. Early post-medieval to the present day

Woodland was cleared. There was piecemeal quarrying of limestone for use in agriculture and in the iron industry and lead and copper were mined. 1650 The farm which eventually became the Gibraltar Inn in Treflach was built. It was first licensed in 1705. The name is said to refer to the Rock of Gibraltar, taken over by the British in 1705, or because the pub was built on solid rock. It closed in 1990. 1720 The Malthouse (and Efel Inn?) in Trefonen were built and linked by a tunnel. Unusually the ale was brewed over coal rather than wood. 1760 The foundations of the Barley Mow in Trefonen were built by Abraham Pryse of Oswestry. 1792 Trefarclawdd Colliery opened but closed around 1833 due to flooding. 1795 The Calvinistic Methodist Chapel was built in Little London Lane, Trefonen. 1821 All Saints’ Church was built in Trefonen, in the diocese of St Asaph. The Earl of Powis donated two acres of land. Initially all services were in Welsh. 1825 A school room was built on land next to Trefonen church, with a house for the master. 1832 Carneddau Independent Chapel was built. 1833 Treflach Chapel (primitive Methodist) opened. It closed in 1976. 1842 The Parish of Trefonen was formed on 27th August, comprising Trefonen, Treflach and Trefarclawdd. 1855 A parsonage was built on the glebe land next to Trefonen church. 1860 The Old Trefonen Pit mined until 1886 1866 The inclined plane opened, allowing the railway to reach Nantmawr quarry 1867 The Trefonen school was enlarged, at a cost of £220, and by 1876 there were nearly 170 pupils. 1870s Mr. Dumville Lees, benefactor, paid for the organ, helped to set up the band, and funded the building of a Mission Room in Treflach. 1875 A Temperance Society was formed. By 1877 there were over 80 members. The mine owners let it be known ‘no teetotallers would be employed’. The drum and fife band and a successful football team were started. During the winter months there was a night school. 1881 Two new coal pit shafts were sunk to form the New Trefonen. 1905 A fire at the Trefonen school meant that the Band Box had to be used as a school room for about 18 months. 1991 Trefonen new Village Hall opened.

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Building our community and heritage

Community led planning

Updated 2016

Part 2

Fig: 25 Victorian Post Box ...... 2 Table of Contents Fig: 26 Aerial View of Treflach ...... 2 Fig: 27 Treflach Green ...... 2 Fig: 1 Globe flower ...... 2 Fig: 28 Ty Gwyn ...... 2 Fig: 2 Paris quadrifolia (Herb Paris) ...... 2 Fig: 29 Treflach Public House ...... 2 Fig: 3 Broad bodied chaser ...... 2 Fig: 30 Aerial view of the Nantmawr hamlet ...... 2 Fig: 4 A hay meadow...... 2 Fig: 31 Views of Nantmawr ...... 2 Fig: 5 Comma 3 Butterfly ...... 2 Fig: 33 Nantmawr hamlet ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Fig: 6 Buzzard in flight ...... 2 Fig: 32 Inclined plane crosses road in Nantmawr ...... Error! Bookmark not Fig: 7 Trefonen "The Cross" ...... 2 defined. Fig: 8 Into Nantmawr ...... 2 Fig: 34 Approaching Nantmawr ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. Fig: 9 Typical Tourist Information Sign ...... 2 Fig: 35 Typical stone walls in the settlements ...... 2 Fig: 10 Map of Offa's Dyke ...... 2 Fig: 36 A stone hedge in Trefonen ...... 2 Fig: 11 Footpath style and sign ...... 2

Fig: 12 Trefonen and its Development Boundary 1999 (indicative) ...... 2 Fig: 13 Trefonen's adopted public roads ...... 2 Fig: 14 Cul de sac and narrow lanes ...... 2 Fig: 15 Open plan housing ...... 2 Fig: 16 Barley Mow Inn ...... 2 Fig: 17 War Memorial ...... 2 Fig: 18 Wulfruna Cottage ...... 2 Fig: 19 Attractive detail of Church Cottages ...... 2 Fig: 20 Semi-detached houses on School Lane ...... 2 Fig: 21 Trefonen Village Shop and PO ...... 2 Fig: 22 Trefonen Primary School ...... 2 Fig: 23 All Saints' Church ...... 2 Fig: 24 QEII Playing Field play area ...... 2

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2 Part 2: The present. The characteristics of the settlements and their communities

2.1 The natural environment – why people live here

The Oswestry Rural Parish questionnaire summary, published in autumn 2005, recorded that the most frequently given reason for living here was love of country life. And the two highest number of responses to what people liked about living here were: enjoy the peace and quiet and enjoy the rural views and country location. In the 2014 questionnaire1 the highest number of responses to the question: “What do you believe to be of significance in giving your ward identity and what should be preserved or improved?” were:

Open countryside, woodland, landscape and wildlife Fig: 1 Globe flower Small local village feel

The landscape of hills and many trees and the traditional pastoral scene contribute significantly to this area of Special Landscape Character, greatly treasured by local people.

The area mostly comprises farmland, surrounded by hedges and shrubs that are punctuated by mature trees. These can be oak, sycamore, beech, chestnut, elder and ash. The latter abounded in the area at one time as Trefonen's name is derived from these, Onnen meaning ash tree and Tref meaning place or town. There are numerous veteran trees in hedgerows and pastures everywhere. There are several patches of mixed deciduous woodlands of antiquity, such as Givern Treflach and the Jones’ Rough2 reserve. Bwlytai Wood, on the southern slope of the Trefonen Brook valley very near to the village, is held in trust by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust donated by the wife of a former Rector of All Saints’ Parish. The wood is used occasionally for educational purposes by the pupils of Trefonen Primary School.

1 See Final Document Q22 on page 32 Fig: 2 Paris quadrifolia (Herb 2 See http://www.oswestry-welshborders.org.uk/city/jones-rough/ Paris)

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Old wood pasture and unimproved grassland3 (i.e. undisturbed), species-rich hedgerows, banks and verges, scrub habitat and wet meadows are all in evidence. Native plant species include wood sorrel, wood anemone, cowslip, golden saxifrage, stichwort, moschatel and crosswort, all indicators of an ancient and relatively unimproved landsape. Lichens can be seen in the hawthorn hedges in winter. Lichens growing on the old trees also indicate that the local air is fairly unpolluted. In the hedgerows wild gooseberries and raspberries can be found and strawberries in Middle Forest. Frog orchids, autumn lady’s tresses, pyramidal orchids, stinking hellebores, spurge laurel, and carex muricata ssp muricata (a rare sedge growing in only about six locations in the U.K.) are all reported.

Wildlife abounds and the quarries, streams and brooks are important habitats. Rabbits, hedgehogs, stoats, badgers, bats and foxes can be seen and occasionally polecats. Slow worms and glow worms are sometimes seen by patient and sharp-eyed naturalists who go Fig: 3 Broad bodied chaser out at the right times. Bird species are numerous and the plaintive cry of curlews can sometimes be heard. The curlew is on the Red Data List in Europe and has just been put on the UK list, classed as the most pressing bird conservation priority in the UK due to its decline (November 2015). Red kites have been seen and buzzards nest in the huge oak trees surrounded by sycamores. Hunting owls swoop over the fields at dusk and summer sees the return of the swallows and swifts. Many gardens are home to families of house sparrows, several species of tits and finches, wagtails, blackbirds and robins and woodpeckers, nuthatches, siskins, treecreepers and sparrowhawks are not infrequent. A heron can often be seen wading along Trefonen Brook

Nantmawr has a quarry, now mostly left to become overgrown, where orchids and quaking grass flourish. Treflach Quarry, although closed to the public and somewhat overgrown, is still an important site for nature and wildlife and also has a pool. A link to a recent Shropshire Council and Natural England ecological report can be found in Section 5. The Fig: 4 A hay meadow

3 'Unimproved grassland' means land used for grazing or mowing which is not normally treated with mineral fertiliser or lime and does not constitute either improved grassland or rough grazings. Unimproved grassland contains a significant presence of sensitive plant species indicative of native unimproved grassland. For more, click here

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roadside hedge is particularly species rich with trees and shrubs, including some rarer species, such as dogwood, spindle and buckthorn. The roadside verge is a linear strip of excellent limestone grassland. Ancient boundary stones are reported in the quarry.

There are significant wetlands in the area, including pools, streams, marshes and fens- all of which are important for their flora and fauna. Great crested newts are found in most of the local pools and there is a good wildlife rich pool adjacent to Sweeney Fen reserve near Treflach. The pool at Trefarclawdd is the only large area of still water, a home for water birds, frogs, amphibians, dragonflies and others. Trefonen Brook and its tributaries constitute an important corridor for wildlife, including the aquatic.

Throughout the year there is a continual showing of wild flowers in the lanes; naturalised patches of snowdrops on banks in the spring, followed by primroses and violets. As spring continues into summer, Queen Anne's Lace (cow parsley), ox eye daisy, vetches, campion Fig: 5 Comma 3 Butterfly andknapweed come into flower.

The Oswestry Uplands have one of the highest concentrations of Local Wildlife Sites in Shropshire4, in particular areas of limestone grassland, which are very important for plants and butterflies. A valuable conservation project for the area has been established by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, known as the Oswestry Hills Butterfly and Grasslands Project, which has been financially supported by WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd). Helping and advising local landowners to manage their grassland appropriately and creating wildlife corridors and stepping stones will, in turn, support a rich diversity of butterflies, including Dingy and Grizzled Skippers and Pearl Bordered and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, which have disappeared from many places.

Fig: 6 Buzzard in flight

4 For more information Click here

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2.1.1 Map showing places of environmental interest5

5 To download a printable version of the map click here

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2.2 The main communication networks 2.2.1 From Oswestry to the Tanat Valley Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr are joined by the main thoroughfare from Oswestry to the Tanat Valley. This is an unclassified road, which in addition to carrying local traffic acts as a short cut, or rat run, between Oswestry and the Tanat Valley, avoiding the longer route via Llynclys. It runs first through the middle of Trefonen. A mile further on Treflach sits astride the road and the right hand fork on the way out of the village leads down the steep lane through Nantmawr to a T-junction with the B4396 over a mile further on. On leaving Oswestry the road is single carriageway with a continuous footway on one side to Trefonen. Fig: 7 Trefonen "The Cross" On leaving Trefonen the road appears to become narrower, there being no footway and the verges being steep in places. Over recent years the verges have been significantly eroded by passing vehicles putting pedestrians greatly at risk. There is a single footway through part of Treflach, but Nantmawr has no such facility and as the road is narrow and steep, bounded in many places by walls and hedgerows, residents feel very exposed to accident. In 2005 the modification of speed limits through the short stretches of Trefonen and Treflach should have eased the situation, but this has not proved to be the case and concerns for people’s safety and the protection of the verges are still major issues locally. The only other road of any importance is Blodwel Bank, a left- hand fork when leaving Treflach and going south, which leads to the A495. As its name suggest, it is steep, and local people know it must be avoided when there is snow or ice. It is, however, extremely popular with cyclists and athletes, Fig: 8 Into Nantmawr and regularly included in competition routes. There are no east–west routes.

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2.2.2 Our footpaths The rich network of footpaths, a particular and greatly valued feature of the area, contributes daily to the life of local people and constitutes a significant tourist attraction.

In many cases they give an indication of the historical local industrial scene. For example, footpaths leading to and from the old coal mining sites on the eastern end of the Trefonen playing fields from Coed-y-go and Gronwen, and Sun Hill on the western aspect. Footpaths and bridleways were used by industrial workers to walk from their homes to their place of work. In addition the old Fig: 9 Typical Tourist Information Sign Drovers’ Road to the east of Treflach, now a green lane, was the route used for taking prisoners between Shrewsbury and Chester.

Farming has always been a mainstay of the area and employed many local people, hence the number of footpaths crossing farmland and leading directly into the farmyards. In some cases the importance of a farm, i.e. its acreage and number of tenant farmers, can still be determined by the number of footpaths and / or bridleways converging in the farmyard.

Visitors and walking groups come some distance to enjoy the footpaths, particularly the Offa’s Dyke long distance path. Many foreign visitors walking this take B & B in the villages, use the local shop and pub, bringing some revenue into the local economy. The local area of Open Access land is on the southern side of the Moelydd. Offa’s Dyke Path (Fig: 10 Map of Offa's Dyke)6 allows access to the summit, from which superb 360˚ views can be enjoyed.

6 For larger printable copy of the map click here Fig: 10 Map of Offa's Dyke Village Design Statement Part 2 Issue 5 Rev 6 Page 7

In September 2013 the Trefonen Heritage Group published a booklet of six walks, starting from the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Field in Trefonen and giving the chance to explore the industrial heritage. The green environment of Trefonen was once tinged with the black of coal. Download a copy at www.trefonen.org or collect one from the Village Shop.

The work of footpath monitoring and maintenance has in 2015 become the work of local 'Parish Path Partnership' (P3) groups, volunteers, including members of The Ramblers, supported by Shropshire County Council. Trefonen and Treflach P37 group has recently completed a survey of rights of way in the area and is ensuring that all are open and accessible for use by carrying out tasks such as vegetation clearance, way marker and stile replacement and repair.

Fig: 11 Footpath style and sign

7 See http://ttp3.co.uk/path%20status.html

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2.3 The built environment Shropshire Council’s Core Strategy (2010) and SAMDev (Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan, 2014)8 give the framework for development to 2026. Oswestry Rural Parish Council decided that the three settlements did not constitute a community hub or cluster, and they are therefore now considered as ‘ countryside’9

2.3.1 Trefonen village – Has it been over-developed? The settlement of Trefonen nestles on a south easterly facing hill and the slopes at its foot. It hugs the landscape, being built on layers of rock and away from the flooding Trefonen Brook. (Fig: 12)10 With the exception of the Oswestry to Nantmawr road, only Old Post Office Lane and Chapel Lane lead anywhere. There are no through roads; narrow roads and lanes characterise the settlement.

To the west they fan out up the hill, changing almost immediately from two car to single car width, on to un- metalled track and finally into footpaths where stout footwear is required. These lanes have no footways and all have steep banked grass verges topped with walls of local stone – visually attractive and historically important, but difficult for pedestrians if there is any traffic. To the east, the roads end abruptly as sharp drops in the rock are encountered or meadows liable to flooding are approached. Although School Lane, Brooklea Close, the beginning of Martins Fields and the short new link road extension to Chapel Lane have been Fig: 12 Trefonen and its Development Boundary 1999 (indicative) constructed to enable two way passage of traffic, the lack of

8 See SAMDev Core Documents 9 See Oswestry Rural District Council Document paragraph 2, SAMDev Document pages 169 to 175 where settlements are not included 10 For a definitive Development Boundary Map, Click here, to get a printable copy of the indicative map click here

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off-road parking in School Lane, and the access to the primary school, in effect reduce this to a single carriageway. The majority of the public roads are single track with passing places (Fig: 13) 11 and there are several un-adopted lanes. Throughout the village there are footpaths leading across the fields and open spaces, often a reminder of previous industrial activity, such as the coal mine or the quarries. The existence of four chapels or churches in the village is a strong reminder of the former Welsh Borders community.

The village has far and rural views. From all points there is a vista, and houses and gardens are often orientated to take advantage of this. The rural setting is emphasised by the evidence of small holdings, as well as farms, everywhere. This is not a dormitory village. Fig: 13 Trefonen's adopted public roads Trefonen is not perhaps a chocolate box view, but it is still a visually pleasing one. Viewed from the Treflach Road, the hillside appears a densely packed hotchpotch of trees and old cottages with newer houses shoehorned between. No single style predominates and, with one or two notable exceptions, they nestle comfortably together. Density peters out to the west as the hillside becomes steeper and more thickly wooded. The outstanding feature is the great variety: the houses differ in age, style and construction materials, although white rendered walls are very evident. The layout is the result of a natural evolutionary process. Since the 1980s, with significant development in Woodland View, Martins Fields, Brooklea Close and Chapel View, there has been much expansion of the housing stock. While the variety and relatively low density are appreciated, the imposition of open plan features on much of these recent developments is the subject of adverse comment, since it is very much in

11 To download a printable version of this map, click here

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contrast with the dwellings on School Lane, whose gardens are enclosed by hedges and fences, more obviously characteristic of the Borders identity and rural nature of the village. However, it must be recognised that the new developments have matured and softened to a point where many are now blending more harmoniously with their environment. Open plan design (Fig: 15 Open plan housingis seen as detracting from the Borders identity and rural nature of the village.

As in many villages in England, the number of dwellings has greatly increased in recent decades. The maps of 188112, 195413 and the present day14 show these changes dramatically. However, unlike many parts of the country, this village enjoys a very well balanced housing stock. There are small and large dwellings, houses and bungalows. They are privately owned, shared equity, let through Fig: 14 Cul de sac and narrow lanes housing associations and the council, or let as holiday accommodation. Responses to the 2004 Rural Parish Council questionnaire showed an overwhelming view that there should be no further development. That view has been substantiated in the Analysis of the 2014 Rural Parish questionnaire, with a significant number of comments that there has been too much development and that the infrastructure cannot cope with more development. The rapid expansion of the village in the 1990s led to many believing it to be over- developed.

This thinking underpinned the high volume of very strong objections to planning applications in 2014/15 for three developments which would between them have added over forty dwellings (although as they were outline Fig: 15 Open plan housing applications only the number could easily have increased). The intrusion into open countryside, the encroachment onto and possible threat to Offa’s Dyke

12 Click here to view 1881 map 13 Click here to view 1954 map 14 Click here to view present day map

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and access issues all figured highly in representations. The vast majority of people struggle to see any evidence for increases in dwellings on this scale when a significant number of existing properties were on the market, house prices in this area have hardly risen in a decade and there are still infill and renovation opportunities.

A large scale aerial photograph of the village (Fig: 12)15 shows clearly that the present settlement has a well-defined physical boundary which fits well with the surrounding landscape. The village has expanded to its boundary and it is now easy to understand why so many think that Trefonen should not spread any further.

2.3.2 The village centre: Where is it and what characterises it? Fig: 16 Barley Mow Inn The centre is the area on either side of the main road through the village which includes All Saints’ Church, the Barley Mow public house (Fig: 16) and its micro-brewery, the Band Box / hairdressers’, the war memorial and grass beside it, the surrounding houses and the shop and post office. It is characterised by a mixture of community buildings and houses, a mixture of white rendered and slate roofed and the more recent brick. It is made particularly attractive by the older white rendered buildings, the stone walls and hedges, the tall, mature trees and the sense of purposeful space.

All the roads and lanes running off the main road are at different angles, enhancing the attractiveness of the centre and avoiding the harsh impact of a crossroad. The eye is taken to small roads which curve away and limit the view. While the immediate centre appears flat, it is visually attractive because the land rises and falls around it. The road now has speed restrictions on it, but speeding is still a matter of considerable public concern. At the moment the road is not really seen as just a road through a village. The risk of its being seen Fig: 17 War Memorial

15 To see a detailed view, click here

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as splitting the village, particularly socially, must be minimised at all costs. The pub, the shop and the post office are well established parts of the rural community and valuable assets to the retention of its identity. They are also a focus for tourists.

2.3.3 Housing - and its characteristics The outstanding feature of the houses of Trefonen is their great variety, in age, style and design, and construction material. Diversity is the predominant, strong feature.

Although there were a few farms and isolated dwellings in the area where the village now stands, for example the 250 year old part of the house known as The Carven (Rectory Close) and Dingle Cottage (Bellan Lane), which is of similar Fig: 18 Wulfruna Cottage age, the village as an integrated community is relatively young. There are a few old houses of exposed stone, but most are rendered and painted white.

Some recent development has continued this trend, a move which is welcomed. Newer brick houses are of varying colours, and there is, sadly, nothing to show of the locally made bricks. Roof lines, both slate and tile, are well broken with a fair proportion of gable ends and dormer windows on view. The brick corbels which feature on quite a number of the more recent houses are a small detail which enhances properties. The same is true of some other recent development, with detail in brick work, or around windows, lifting design and adding interest. Only the development on the car park of the former Efel Inn defies these trends, particularly in its unrelieved mass and roof line. However, householders have improved the appearance of the frontages by their imaginative floral displays and well-maintained gardens. With the exception of three recently developed areas, properties are enclosed by low walls, built of local stone (usually found in the garden), or by hedges. Even where there is open plan Fig: 19 Attractive detail of Church Cottages development, it is possible to see how some residents have sought to use the local stone in their gardens, thus stamping a local feel on their homes. The two

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pairs of semi-detached houses built on an overgrown site in School Lane reflected the policies adopted in the 2006 Design Statement. They were asymmetrical but complementary in style, and instead of being open plan had local stone walls at the front.

Gates, driveways and pathways are generally well maintained and fit well into the rural environment. There appear to be many keen gardeners in the area and one of the features of the gardens is the exploitation of the outstanding views.

Fig: 20 Semi-detached houses on School Lane

Fig: 21 Trefonen Village Shop and PO Village Design Statement Part 2 Issue 5 Rev 6 Page 14

2.3.4 Services The village has one shop, which includes a post office (open five days a week), and which is advertised as a tourist information point. It is open seven days a week. After a year when the shop was closed it re-opened, early in 2015, with the business under new ownership. Its importance as a community service and hub has been more than apparent. When, in September 2015, there was a risk of its hours being threatened because of a family emergency, a rota of sixteen volunteers emerged within hours, and more offered to help.

There is one public house, the Barley Mow (Fig: 16), (which benefits from a Fig: 22 Trefonen Primary School micro-brewery in a small barn beside the pub). It sits on Offa’s Dyke, being to the best of our knowledge, the only pub actually on the Dyke. The planned building of a function room has not yet been completed, but we are told it is imminent! However the evening and Sunday lunchtime restaurant is popular and walkers and visitors to the area assure us the welcome is most warm – and the locals most lively. The further promotion of tourism could be focussed on these two facilities.

There is a hairdressers’ situated in the old Band Box, next to the church and graveyard. Fig: 23 All Saints' Church Trefonen Church of England Primary School16 (Fig: 22) is situated in School Lane and currently has 13617 on roll. It has been extended from the original building in various phases and its roof line constitutes an interesting architectural feature. The school occupies a roughly triangular site, wedged between All Saints’ Church and the Village Hall. It has no car parking, a serious consideration, but enjoys an informal arrangement with the Village Hall. Clearly there could be times when there would be a conflict of interests. There is a lay-

16 See: www.trefonenschool.co.uk Fig: 24 QEII Playing Field play area 17 As at March 2016

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by outside the school. The Pre-School now occupies a building in the School grounds and runs the After School Club, open from 8 am to 5.45 pm for children aged 2 to 1118.

All Saints’ Church (Fig: 23), in the centre of the village, is now part of the Border Benefice of four parishes. The range of services and activities has been widened, with Messy Church attracting families and the Community Café, run in the Village Hall every Tuesday morning, proving popular19.

Carneddau Chapel, in Old Post Office Lane closed in 2014 as a place of worship

Trefonen and Sychtyn Village Hall, next to the School, has gone through significant change and improvement. It is a modern, well equipped and well used facility. There is a public access defibrillator on an external wall. There is a recycling facility in the corner of the car park, operated by Shropshire Council, who own and maintain the adjacent playing fields.

The hole in the wall type of Victorian post box at the corner of Bellan Lane (Fig: 25), in the centre of the village, is a local landmark - and the only public post box in the village

Fig: 25 Victorian Post Box

18 See: www.trefonenpreschool.org.uk 19 See www.borderparishes.org.uk

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2.3.5 Treflach Village – Is it losing its services? Unlike Trefonen, which can be seen from a considerable distance, the settlement of Treflach is not readily visible until driving into the village from its northern or southern approaches on the main road, although the public house can be seen from the hillside area of Trefonen. See Fig: 26 for an aerial view of the settlement with an indicative layout of the 1999 Development Boundary20

Exceptional outward views over the Welsh mountains and the Severn – Vrynwy – Tanat and Cain valleys are gained from Blodwel Bank. After passing the entrance to Treflach Quarry, Offa’s Dyke is clearly visible as the village is approached from Trefonen. It is set back a few metres from the road and crosses the field, being cut off at the entrance to Oak Lane.

There are significant trees which protect the village from being seen from many aspects. Indeed, they almost totally obscure the view during summer months, and they constitute an important feature of the settlement. As is not unusual in this area of special landscape value, groups of trees are common and special. Fig: 26 Aerial View of Treflach This has been enhanced in recent years by tree planting on the Big Bellan Covert near Ty Tegwch.

The impression is that the majority of homes are strung out along the main road, with glimpses of a few lanes and private roads leading to individual properties set further back. There is a focal point, the Green (Fig: 27), at the cross roads with Gibraltar Lane and Stoney Lane. The Green was formerly the site of the village meeting room; a seat and phone box are now provided here, although the phone box is scheduled for removal. In April 2006, on the closure of the post office, the village post box was moved to the Green. While this old box is visually attractive and local people wish to keep it, it does not accommodate some of today’s larger envelopes and it is the only such facility in Fig: 27 Treflach Green

20 For a definitive map, click here and for a detailed aerial view click here

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the village. The old chapel, now converted into a house, sits on the corner. Set back from the main road, on the west side, is a row of three cottages. These and the cottages outside the village at the end of Stoney Lane, Bwlychygwynt, were local quarry workers’ homes. Offa’s Close, a development of nine houses on a brown field site, follows the line of a former limestone quarry face.

2.3.6 Housing - and its characteristics There is a mixture of old and new properties in Treflach and of houses, cottages and bungalows. Outside the settlement boundary are isolated properties of some significance, being the former dwellings of farmers or agricultural workers, or of quarry overseers. These include the old properties of Wern Fig: 28 Ty Gwyn Cottage, Thornhill and the very old Ty Gwyn (Fig: 28 Ty Gwyn (Fig: 28), with its special windows and bread oven feature to the north west, and Underhill and Pleasant Grove to the south east. Two of the older properties are particularly important because of the building materials used in their construction. Some way from the village is Ty Tegwch (beautiful house) built of Trefonen bricks with blue brick features. Within the village are Wyddn House and Wyddn Cottage built of Welsh stone, dressed and carted from the village of Llanwyddn, now below Lake Vyrnwy.

The houses and bungalows of Treflach are all individual and they sit comfortably within their plots. There are no examples in recent development of rows of houses of the same design, which can blight the landscape in some rural areas. This diversity is not characterised by the predominance of any particular building materials. Nevertheless, local people appreciate the sensitive Fig: 29 Treflach Public House way in which some owners have sought to extend older properties, blending old stone with brick and using wooden window frames. Residents also seek to continue the local feature of properties being hidden by trees and take advantage of any naturally occurring slopes to enable a property to be well sited in its garden.

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The overall impression is of a rural hamlet, with quite a lot of recent development, which nestles in its surrounding countryside. There are some outstanding planning permissions, for example behind the public house, and a few sites within or adjoining the current hamlet which some residents consider could be usefully allowed for houses, particularly if they would replace the rather unsightly present activity on them. The issue is access, particularly from Oak Lane, where the junction with the main road and the proximity of Offa’s Dyke have to be accommodated.

Treflach now has the former Royal Oak public house (Fig: 29 Treflach Public House), as its only permanent public service. Land adjoining the pub is designated for car parking. Three building plots behind the pub are yet to be fully developed.

2.3.7 Nantmawr Village – Are dark clouds gathering? Nantmawr is a hamlet (Fig: 30 Aerial view of the Nantmawr ) which one comes Fig: 30 Aerial view of the Nantmawr hamlet across almost unexpectedly, on following the road south from Treflach. It is situated mainly in a deep valley (hence its name) with most dwellings on the southern facing slopes benefiting from sunshine most of the day, but from spectacular views all the time! Historically the village was based on a combination of agriculture and quarrying. Quarrying ceased around 1980 and farming now dominates, although most farmsteads are relatively small units with cattle and sheep being the main income producers. The core of the village is now purely residential.

The road through the village increasingly feels like a lane and as it falls away the houses on each side appear to cling to the hillside. This unclassified road is clearly rural, narrow, in many parts steep and with a few potentially dangerous bends. There are no pavements and the steep verges and stone boundary walls mean that pedestrians feel particularly exposed to risk. The road is reported to carry some 1,000 vehicles per day and has no speed limit, other than the Fig: 31 Views of Nantmawr Village Design Statement Part 2 Issue 5 Rev 6 Page 19

national 60 m.p.h. for single carriageways. The angle of the disused incline plane (Fig: 32) from the quarry with its bridge over the road emphasises the impact of the depth and gradient of the road

Disused lime kilns and the quarry are reminders of the past21. The future use of the quarry is of very real concern to local residents. For many, a dark cloud hung over the village and its neighbouring settlements a few years ago, in the form of a threat of a planning application lodged to Shropshire Council to transport 150,000 tons of waste material into the quarry, turning it into a major landfill site. Road safety and environmental impact were key factors in the rejection of the application. Indeed the adverse impact on the roads, verges and surrounding countryside was easily observed when there were motorised events in the Quarry following its closure as a mountain bike centre. Whatever its future, sensitive development and appropriate arrangements for traffic management in the narrow lanes will be needed. Rigorous consideration of environmental impact and noise abatement strategies are considered essential. Fig: 32 Inclined plane crosses the road in Nantmawr

Offa’s Dyke Path passes through the village, with the Dyke itself being clearly visible just to the north. Tanat Valley Light Railway now operates a small railway and country park in Nantmawr running along the Old Potts Way22.Visitors to this line and walkers bring additional tourists to the area.

2.3.8 Housing - and its characteristics Nantmawr is a scattered development. Dwellings are strung out along the main road with others on the two or three lanes off this main route. Quarry Lane has some sixteen dwellings along its length. It is notable that many of the houses along the main road are built close to the road with little or no garden between them and the carriageway. These are clearly affected by any increase in traffic.

21 See http://www.nantmawrvisitorcentre.co.uk/nant-mawr-lime-kilns/ 22 See http://www.nantmawrvisitorcentre.co.uk/tanat-valley-light-railway/

Village Design Statement Part 2 Issue 5 Rev 6 Page 20 Fig: 33 Nantmawr hamlet

The houses are predominantly older houses, many refurbished, with only eight houses built since the 1970s. All houses are different with the exception of two new houses which are a mirror image of each other and a row of six ex-quarry workers’ cottages. There are only three bungalows and all properties are owner occupied, with the exception of the row of cottages and one other, which are rented. All but two of the houses are occupied full-time.

Building materials vary considerably. There is some brick, including yellow, many rendered walls and a few houses of stone. Slate is almost exclusively used for roofing. Some stone walls exist, but hedges predominate as boundaries.

2.3.9 Services – an issue Since the 1990s Nantmawr has lost its school, chapel, shop and post office and, Fig: 34 Approaching Nantmawr even further back, its public house. There is no building which constitutes a focal point in the village and this, together with the fact that dwellings are quite widely scattered means that there is a real risk of it losing its identity. However, a community spirit exists; many local residents know each other well and share in activities. Local people have expressed the view that a limited amount of new development would inject further life into the community.

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2.4 Walls - A major characteristic throughout the settlements The predominant boundary markers - and news of a great discovery: the stone hedge

The most frequent style of property boundary is the stone wall (Fig: 35 Typical stone walls in the settlements), built using the distinctive local sandstone or limestone. In fact, almost every house in the higher part of Trefonen, whether modern or old, has a stone wall of some sort, as part or all of its boundary. The older walls are of dry-stone construction, whereas many of the newer ones are mortared. Properties which do not have walls inevitably have hedges, either mixed or the more recently planted conifer.

Many of these walls appear to have hedges growing on top of them. Closer examination reveals that these are retaining walls built against a bank, presumably to help prevent erosion where the level of the road or path is lower than the property being enclosed. The term stone hedge is used for these free standing stone-faced earth banks, with hedges on top. They are most common in Cornwall23 and Devon and the coastal areas of Wales, and to a lesser degree in Cumbria. In North Wales stone hedges are known as clawdd (singular) or cloddiau (plural). Authorities such as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) suggest that examples in good condition are few and far between.

One of the more important aspects of stone hedges is their wildlife role, as their earth core can be a haven for small mammals, and their faces an important habitat for plants and invertebrates. Stone hedges are more valuable than dry stone walls as habitats, as the earth core helps sustain a wider range of plants and animals.

BTCV Dry Stone Walling24

Many of the older field boundaries are, or were originally, stone hedges. They have Fig: 35 Typical stone walls in the settlements

23 See www.cornishhedges.co.uk) 24 ISBN: 0-95467521 9 2 See http://www.dswa.org.uk/books-dvds.asp

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degraded over the years until they now look like a hedge on top of a bank, but in many cases the stones are still there.

These walls are a fundamental characteristic of the settlements, possibly more than any other single feature. However, it is noticeable that in some parts of Trefonen and Treflach there are open plan front gardens, often favoured by developers or planners. The houses in the Martins Fields area of Trefonen are an example. If these are compared with the older, although still recent, housing in School Lane it is striking how the latter have a much more ‘village’ feel to them. Their boundaries are an attractive, haphazard mixture of hedging, fences and low brick walls, blending well together to give the feeling of a distinct community. Open-plan gardens on the other hand, which were originally designed to help knit a group of houses into a whole, actually can have the opposite effect, with each house standing isolated from its neighbours. The most recent significant development in Trefonen is Chapel View. These houses, while owing little to the vernacular architecture of the village, sit well in their location. However, the Fig: 36 A stone hedge in Trefonen open-plan front gardens work against the village identity and are reminders of the sort of development which can be found in many parts of England. Owners of some of these properties have expressed real enthusiasm for adding low, local stone boundary walls.

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2.5 Facilities and infrastructure 2.5.1 Library and refuse collection services Shropshire County Council mobile library service now stops only at the Barley Mow pub in Trefonen, on alternate Tuesdays, 9.00 a.m. to 9.35 a.m. There are several arrangements for refuse collection and re-cycling, depending in particular on the ease of vehicular access for the Council’s vehicles.

2.5.2 Sewerage provision Trefonen and Treflach have a mixed system of combined and separate foul/surface water sewers. Surface water from roofs and lanes is largely shed to soakaways and ditches. The majority of properties are on mains sewers but there are still some septic tanks. There are no mains sewers in Nantmawr.

2.5.3 Electricity – and telephone supply Many of the supplies are from overhead wires, which means a considerable number of poles exist. . The electricity poles also carry Openreach (part of BT) distribution connections in some places. Openreach is in the slow process of removing these connections onto their own poles. However, Openreach is also providing ducts between the poles for telephony connections, which will reduce the amount of visible wiring. A mobile phone mast is located off Pit Lane. However the telephone service in some cases is still unreliable.

2.5.4 Broadband access Broadband provision has improved over the last decade but is still very unreliable in Nantmawr, a subject of considerable concern. There is now a fibre optic connection between the Oswestry telephone exchange and the cabinet in Trefonen providing “Fibre to the Cabinet” (FTC) facilities there and in Treflach. The final loop of conventional copper cable to the properties means that dwellings with connection longer than 2.5Km are unlikely to benefit from the improved download speeds and remain on the lower rates

2.5.5 Public transport Treflach and Trefonen are provided with a regular, daily bus service, but if buses are not available at the times people want to travel, there is increasingly less use made of them. However the only bus service in Nantmawr is the school bus to Trefonen and

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Oswestry in the early morning, returning mid-afternoon. There is also Dial-A-Ride scheme25.. Some more detailed study should be made of the availability of public transport and its use promoted.

2.5.6 Lighting and street furniture There is considerable concern about lighting, focused on how inappropriate it is in a rural area and how intrusive it is when kept on all night.

The majority of Trefonen’s public highways have street lighting. There is limited lighting in Treflach and Nantmawr. Most of the lighting, particularly in areas of recent development, is from stand-alone lamps. Older areas are served by lamps sited on electricity poles

Two authorities supply the lighting. Shropshire Council supply all the main road and Trefonen east of the main road with dusk to dawn low-pressure sodium light (amber light which spreads in all directions from the lantern). However on the Chapel Lane link road and in Chapel View they have installed high pressure sodium with a shallow dish lantern, providing less light pollution and brighter light under the lanterns.

Oswestry Rural Parish Council is responsible for the rest of Trefonen and installed time clock controlled lights in most places. It was the first to pilot the high pressure sodium light within the village and its success has meant that all lantern head replacements under its control follow a similar specification to reduce light pollution

The rural nature of the settlements and people’s appreciation of the night sky mean that there is strong objection to night lights. Additional lights are now visible from across the Shropshire plain and from the Oswestry area. This is intrusive and serves as a reminder that we all have an impact on the wider environment. Light pollution is becoming increasingly recognised as undesirable in a modern, caring society as legislation covering security lights attached to houses has shown.

25 See http://qube-oca.org.uk/transport/dial-a-ride

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2.6 Employment The countryside and rural situation are reflected in economic activity and potential employment opportunities. Agriculture, mainly livestock, abounds and is a characteristic feature of the area. However, the rural situation also explains much of the activity which focuses on tourism, be it because of the very attractive, woody and hilly countryside, or more specifically the Offa’s Dyke Path.26

Those in active employment follow similar patterns of activity to those in other rural situations. If not engaged within the immediate village area, they tend to be working for services (education, health, public services) or local employers based in the nearby conglomerations. The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, offering regional and supra-regional services, employs some 1,000 people. Oswestry, a significant market town with a livestock market (which was subject to a major refurbishment in 2014) and an important and generally thriving industrial estate, is the place of work for many, where Openreach and BT are major employers. There is a very wide variety of jobs and professions undertaken by the people who live in the three settlements, whose expertise and specialisms continue to surprise.

26 See: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/offas-dyke-path or http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk/

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Building our community and heritage

Community led planning

Updated 2016

Part 3

3.12 Representation ...... 19 Table of Contents 3 Part 3: Reflections and Looking forward ...... 2 3.1 A pro-active, caring community which ensures sustainability ...... 2 Table of Figures 3.1.1 A focus on people ...... 2 Fig: 1 Inside the Hall ...... 5 3.1.2 Joined up thinking and collaboration ...... 3 Fig: 2 The Hall kitchen ...... 5 3.1.3 Grants received for projects ...... 4 Fig: 3 QE II Jubilee Field plaque ...... 6 3.1.4 Fund-raising Events ...... 5 Fig: 4 "Lights Out" ...... 7 3.1.5 So, what has been achieved so far? ...... 6 Fig: 5 Verges damaged by heavy vehicles ...... 9 3.1.6 The Trefonen Hill Walk Weekend ...... 7 Fig: 6 Typical single track “through” road ...... 9 3.1.7 The Broadplace and its current legacy ...... 7 Fig: 7 Typical single track “side” roads ...... 10 3.1.8 Future projects – keeping up the good work ...... 7 Fig: 8 Trefonen housing densities ...... 11 3.2 The natural environment and heritage ...... 8 Fig: 9 Treflach housing density ...... 12 3.3 The built environment ...... 9 Fig: 10 Rural Trefonen...... 13 3.3.1 The infrastructure ...... 9 Fig: 11 Results from Q10 of ORPC Survey 2014 (386 responses) ...... 13 3.3.2 All settlements ...... 10 Fig: 12 Results from Q14 of ORPC Survey 2014 ...... 14 3.4 Housing density in Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr ...... 11 Fig: 13 Village Hall ...... 14 3.5 Trefonen Village ...... 13 Fig: 15 Into Treflach ...... 15 3.5.1 Overview ...... 13 Fig: 14 Sheep in Treflach ...... 15 3.5.2 Public buildings and open spaces: ...... 15 Fig: 17 Cattle, Trefonen in the distance...... 16 3.6 Treflach Village ...... 15 Fig: 16 Nantmawr Village ...... 16 3.6.1 Overview ...... 15

3.7 Nantmawr Village ...... 16 3.7.1 Overview ...... 16 3.8 The special characteristic - Walls ...... 16 3.9 Agricultural, equine and commercial buildings ...... 16 3.10 Employment ...... 17 3.11 Attractions and amenities in the three settlements ...... 18

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3 Part 3: Reflections and looking forward Key documents which have been considered are Shropshire Council’s Core Strategy (February 2010)1, the National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)2, Shropshire Council’s SAMDev (March 2014)3 and the Oswestry Rural Parish Council’s Parish Plan survey (May 2014)4. Sustainable development is about change for the better, and not only in our built environment. Our natural environment is essential to our wellbeing, and it can be better looked after than it has been. …. Our historic environment – buildings, landscapes, towns and villages – can better be cherished if their spirit of place thrives, rather than withers. Our standards of design can be so much higher. We are a nation renowned worldwide for creative excellence, yet, at home, confidence in development itself has been eroded by the too frequent experience of mediocrity. Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister for Planning, The Ministerial Foreword to the National Planning Policy Framework 2012 3.1 A pro-active, caring community which ensures sustainability 3.1.1 A focus on people The people within our villages are what matter for the future. The policies which are in Part 4 reflect the vision of the vast majority within each settlement. However, the settlements do differ. Trefonen is a much larger community than the other two and has ease of access to practically all the services, as they are situated in the village. The impact of future change is not always easy to predict, but there are some factors of which communities can feel relatively sure. People speak increasingly of the need to consider how we get around. The number of cars per household is increasing and not only because the public transport facilities are in decline. While the country as a whole will be considering congestion, the cost of travel could well become a major concern. As people get older they do not necessarily find it easy to get around independently and the risk of isolation is increasing. Our community needs therefore to provide services locally, thus reducing the number of journeys necessary and making access to services easier for all. Some would suggest that being able to obtain deliveries from super markets, particularly with orders over the Internet, solves many problems, but it could also add to people’s isolation and it certainly exacerbates the impact of traffic on the narrow lanes and pedestrians’ safety.

1 See http://shropshire.gov.uk/planning-policy/core-strategy-2006-2026/ 2 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2 3 See http://shropshire.gov.uk/planning-policy/samdev-examination/submission-documents/core-documents/ 4 See http://www.2shrop.net/live/cme2061.htm

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3.1.2 Joined up thinking and collaboration Developments to date The 2006 Design Statement included the following recommendations:  to ensure the improvement and maintenance of the existing sport and leisure facilities in Trefonen  to ensure the playability of the football pitch The achievement of these objectives has required vision and commitment. It has demonstrated a rather amazing sense of community and just what can be achieved when people and groups pull together. On 10th May 2009 the Playing Field Association (TPFA) was formed, its highest priority being to level and drain the central area of the Playing Field. Shortly after this a decision was taken to work with the Village Hall and a detailed household survey was carried out in the autumn to ascertain people’s wishes and aspirations for community facilities on the Field and in the Hall. The response rate from Trefonen was 75%, considerably less from the other settlements. However it enabled sound decision making. A development plan for the Field was put on public display in January 2010 and consultations were held with local children about the proposed new play area. In a letter dated 24th February 2010 the plans were endorsed by Shropshire Council, the owners and managers of the Field, recognising that: the plan is based on widespread consultation and that you have worked very hard to make sure that playing fields can be developed for the whole community and not just one particular user group The Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) were discussing various possible developments in the Hall. The minimum requirement would be significant refurbishment. Joined-up thinking and fund-raising coordination became essential. It was clear that very large sums of money would be needed to bring projects and aspirations to fruition. The VHMC and TPFA needed to continue working together. In March 2010 the Fund-raising Events Group (FREG) was set up, with the objective of bringing all village organisations together and putting monies raised into a communal pot, to be used to facilitate projects according to need and timeliness. The activity generated and the range and extent of the achievements reinforced the sense of community and caring, and they are still massively in evidence today (2016).

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3.1.3 Grants received for projects Trefonen Village Hall & on the QEII Playing Field:

Date Awarded to By For Amount

2009 Playing Field Association Community Fund Shrop. Council Survey of Field and development plan £10,000.00 2009 Playing Field Association Local Joint Committee Household survey about Hall & Field £ 292.00 2010 Playing Field Association Community Fund Shrop. Council Field: level and drain central pitch area £40,000.00 2010 Fund-raising Events Group Local Joint Committee EZups, PA system, generator & lights £ 1,445.00 2011 Hall Management Leader Extension to kitchen and refurbishment £33,669.00 2011 Hall Management Grassroots Kitchen equipment £ 3,129.00 2011 Playing Field Association & the Community Spaces (Lottery) Heritage work (sculptures, fence, panels), £49,998.00 Heritage Group trail, planting, car park 2011 Playing Field Association Trefonen Youth Club Wildlife equipment for the school £ 670.00 2012 Playing Field Association Hilton Jones Trust Equipment for trim trail and grass matting £ 8,828.00 2013 Playing Field Association & the Community Spaces (Lottery) Sustainability Fund: maintenance £ 3,493.00 Heritage Group equipment, shed, Heritage walks booklet 2013 Trefonen W I Women’s Institute Raised flower bed in the Village Hall carpark £ 2,500.00 2013 Shropshire Council with the Sport England Phase 2 pitch work £17,400.00 Playing Field Association 2013 Playing Field Association Local Joint Committee Phase 2 pitch work £ 1,000.00 Total £172,424.00

The proposed projects had caught the imagination and local groups and individuals rallied to fund-raise to support the grant applications. Of particular note was the number of volunteers who worked on the Trefonen Village Hall, generating matched funding £7,625. Not bad when you remember that an hour’s labouring earned £5.73!

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3.1.4 Fund-raising Events

Date Event Responsible Raised

Aug. 10 Strawberry tea Jubilee Club £ 1,000.00 Oct. 10 Curry night with fun quiz Val Smout, David Mills & Co, Tref. Entertains £ 850.00 Nov. 10 Quiz night Broadplace £ 859.70 Dec. 10 Christmas Market Carols on Green All involved £ 560.25 Jan. 11 Talk by M Gaches Women’s Institute £ 600.00 Jan. 11 Burns Night Phil Hayes £ 90.00 Feb. 11 Hot Pot Supper Alwena Martin £ 100.00 May 11 Golf Tournament Football Club £ 601.00 Fig: 1 Inside the Hall Jun. 11 Plant Sale Gardeners’ Club £ 820.00 July 11 Fun Day All involved £ 906.06 Sep. 11 Quiz Hill Walk Committee £ 622.10 Oct. 11 Harvest Supper All Saints’ Church £ 280.00 Nov. 11 Christmas market All involved £ 915.60 Dec. 11 Carols on Green All involved £ 8.00 2012 Donation £ 4.00 Jan. 12 Burns Night Phil Hayes £ 83.60 Apr. 12 Spanish evening Phil & Helen Hayes £ 397.00 May 12 Band evening Football Club for changing rooms project £ 2,000.00 Sep.12 Field Launch Playing Field Assoc & all involved, £ 1,032.45 to be used mainly for Hall external painting Nov.12 Christmas Market All involved £ 843.44 Fig: 2 The Hall kitchen Sep.13 Field Day Playing Field Assoc – & many involved £ 786.90 Nov. 13 Fire Festival P Woddy, TPFA and FOTS £ 400.00 Nov. 13 Christmas Market All involved towards new Terrace costs £ 836.00 Continued…………..

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Date Event Responsible Raised

Nov. 14 Fire Festival P Woddy, TPFA and FOTS £ 722.19

Nov. 14 Christmas Market All involved towards new Terrace costs £ 772.85

Total £16091.14 Donations, including from the Football Club and the Youth Club, came to £2,025 and a Curry Evening 2015 raised £722.50 to support the Defibrillator Scheme £26,513.99 of funding or matched funding has been generated by the community. This does not include donations in-kind of £1273.50 for the Hall and hours of work by the Monday evening Task Force: a group of volunteers who carry out maintenance work on the Field and outside the Hall throughout the summer time months. 3.1.5 So, what has been achieved so far? In the Hall: The kitchen – extended & totally refurbished and bar area created (Fig: 2) Main Hall – resealed floor, hung curtains & decorated walls. New screen for films. Border Room – new floor, decorated & furnished – a small meeting room Changing Rooms – 2 created, WC added, with access to showers Storage – re-arranged Foyer & corridors – decorated & upgraded Exterior - painted On the Field, now The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Field (Fig: 3) Pitch – central area levelled, drainage work, grass managed and a full sized football pitch created

Play area – totally new area installed Fig: 3 QE II Jubilee Field plaque Trim trail – round the Field, with equipment for 11 people at any one time Car park – for 27 cars Heritage work – fence round pit shaft, two sculptures of miners, interpretation panels, Walks booklet (free) Planting – 100 trees & shrubs, wild flowers Outdoor classroom – at the back of mound, bird boxes, bulbs planted (Forest school activities for the Pre-School) Planter – in Hall car park (thanks to WI) The Terrace – to link the Hall and the Field, with provision for canopies, finished late 2015

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3.1.6 The Trefonen Hill Walk Weekend5 This annual four day event continues, after twenty years, to involve large numbers of local people and draw in many from far away. The fund-raising aspiration of raising £10,000 was achieved in 2015 when over £11,000 was raised. This money always goes outside the village. It is the community’s way of recognising how fortunate we are to live in such beautiful countryside. 3.1.7 The Broadplace and its current legacy Some fifteen volunteers ran this community broadband facility from its inception in January 2007 until the Shropshire Council support ended in March 2014. A system of patronage had been developed to ensure there was always money in the kitty. This, and the sale of equipment now surplus to requirements, is now being used to fund:  the broadband connection to the Village Hall and All Saints’ Church  the broadband connection, computer and desk at the Village Shop  the Trefonen web-site A new web-site www.trefonen.org was launched in September 2015 3.1.8 Future projects – keeping up the good work There is clearly a great deal of evidence of the community having vision and the ability to harness the resources needed to implement ideas and change. It is not dependent on windfalls from the Community Infrastructure Levy. There are several ideas for projects under discussion: Following the Lights Out Trefonen 2014 event, when a new memorial cross was erected on the QEII Jubilee Field, ideas for a stained glass window in the Hall, a specific memorial walk, and development of Chapel Green as the village green are all being mooted. The household survey revealed Fig: 4 "Lights Out" considerable interest in having a bowling green (and there were people prepared to maintain it) and a tennis court. There were also sufficient people interested in a choir and a drama group if leaders for these activities can be found. The Monday Evening Task Force is pursuing projects on the Field and around the Hall and plans for 2016 include upgrading the woodland classroom they have built for the School and Pre-School and upgrading the trim trail. All Saints’ Church has secured a grant and is discussing ways of promoting further work with young people. The income

5 See www.trefonen-hillwalk.com

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from the November 2015 Fire Festival will probably be used to provide canopies over the new Jubilee Field/Hall patio. Consideration should continue to be given to using our public buildings for additional purposes. For example the upgraded Trefonen Village Hall could be used for clinics and health support, for additional learning opportunities, and as an advice centre. The Village Shop offers internet access/a computer, light refreshments and could be a further outlet for locally produced goods and crafts, and a collection point for mail order deliveries. Communication between people is of fundamental importance. The Trefonen village web-site, launched in September 2015, must be used, kept up to date and provide information for visitors as well as local residents. The Parish Magazine, produced by All Saints’ Church in Trefonen and available free, should continue its focus on the community as well as the church. 3.2 The natural environment and heritage The importance of the countryside to local people has been emphasised and it is already recognised as an area of special landscape character. Further interest in the richness of the natural environment could be promoted by the inclusion within the village website6 of pages devoted to records of bird, plant and animal life seen in the area. Hedges and verges, streams and areas of water, woodland and copses constitute extremely valuable habitat. Steps should be taken to inform people of their importance and there should be a deliberate effort to maintain them in good order. Local landowners and property owners have important responsibilities in this respect. No future development should threaten these natural habitats. There are many old trees in fields, meadows and gardens, and concerns that some may well be reaching the end of their life span. Existing trees need to be maintained, and schemes to support the planting of new trees should be sought and exploited. The former quarries are a significant feature of the countryside and two in particular are the subject of local concern. The landfill proposals for Nantmawr Quarry still remain as a risk and are considered by most people to be detrimental both to the important natural habitat within the Quarry and also to the whole of the surrounding area. The development of Treflach Quarry as a wildlife site is a discussion point. Concerns about its future remain, including access to the site, which is important on this busy road. Offa’s Dyke is unique historically, of international importance, and a recognised, significant feature of the landscape. It can be seen stretching its way through the three settlements. The Offa’s Dyke long distance Footpath crosses the three settlements but does not always follow the Dyke itself. It brings many country lovers to the area. Both should be preserved and maintained to the highest standard and the network of public footpaths and bridle ways treasured. Many paths are very well sign-posted and stiles are generally kept in good order. The local P3 Group monitors and addresses problems, such as overgrown or littered paths and broken stiles.

6 www.trefonen.org

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3.3 The built environment 3.3.1 The infrastructure While the Oswestry to the Tanat Valley road is a main thoroughfare it is still an unclassified road, and people are very keen that it should remain as such. Despite the imposition of 30 m.p.h. limits through Treflach and Trefonen, there is much concern that traffic travels far too quickly and that pedestrians are at risk. It will be important to ensure that the verges of the road are not further eroded, which means ensuring that HGV movement is restricted and that the number of vehicle movements is reduced by measures to tackle the use of the road as a shortcut. Nevertheless, at the moment most people think that the actual settlements are not dissected by the road, as happens in some villages. It is vitally important that this remains so. The other roads and lanes in the area are showing clear signs of deterioration because of increased traffic and larger vehicles. It is Fig: 5 Verges damaged by heavy vehicles accepted that agricultural vehicles must be able to move around, but the additional delivery vehicles linked to modern life, for example, constitute a threat. As some of the country lanes have had their verges eroded, the carriageway has gradually been widened as ruts have been filled in. The road through Coed-y-Go to Morda is a good example of this. However, in most places hedgerows and stone walls limit the width of lanes. The frequent meeting of oncoming vehicles interrupts local journeys and grass verges and householders’ private driveways have to be used as passing places. The lanes are now, it is argued, at capacity. The local road network and narrow lanes are a feature of our landscape and should not be widened to permit two way traffic where this does not currently exist. Street lights, on the other hand, are not accepted as a feature of the Fig: 6 Typical single track “through” road villages. In order to preserve and promote the rural identity of the villages, to enable people (including our visitors) to enjoy the night sky, and to conserve energy very many people wish to see the lights switched off by

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midnight. Indeed there are those who wish to see the street lights removed, but they consider themselves to be in a minority. It would be interesting to undertake a referendum on this matter! Speed limits, the zebra crossing in Trefonen, and street lights contribute to concerns about the proliferation of signage and street furniture. The signs are intrusive and arguably too numerous in places to convey information effectively. 3.3.2 All settlements As referenced in the Foreword: For a development proposal to be considered acceptable it is required to: 1. Achieve local aspirations for design, wherever possible, both in terms of visual appearance and how a place functions, as set out in Community Led Plans, Town or Village Design Statements, Neighbourhood Plans and Place Plans. 2. Contribute to and respect locally distinctive or valued character and existing amenity value by: i. Responding appropriately to the form and layout of existing development and the way it functions, including mixture of uses, streetscape, building heights and lines, scale, density, plot sizes and local patterns of movement; and ii. Reflecting locally characteristic architectural design and details, such as building materials, form, colour and texture of detailing, taking account Fig: 7 Typical single track “side” roads of their scale and proportion; and iii. Respecting, enhancing or restoring the historic context, such as the significance and character of any heritage assets, and iv. Enhancing, incorporating or recreating natural assets

Policy MD2 Sustainable Design SAMDev Shropshire Council 20147

7 Extract from Document page 17

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The rural nature of the villages is of the utmost importance to local residents and any future development must address the need to retain that identity. It is fundamental to the ethos of the community and contributes hugely to the ways in which people engage with one another and care for one another. It explains the informal networking and ease of communication and encourages self-sufficiency, involvement and vibrancy. How the villages continue to develop is of great importance to people. While there are specific policies about future development for each village, there are many points which apply to the three settlements, now officially recognised as being countryside by Shropshire Council. 3.4 Housing density in Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr Current development density values, shown below, have been calculated using the development boundaries for Trefonen and Treflach from the Oswestry Borough Local Plan adopted in July 1999. For the purpose of this study Trefonen lends itself to being divided into three areas (Fig: 8)8: Hillside Trefonen comprises all land in the western sector or ‘hillside’ area of the village. Its eastern boundary is the Offa’s Dyke Path and a continuation into Malthouse Lane and Bellan Lane. Middle Trefonen comprises the land east of this boundary line down to the Oswestry – Nantmawr road and includes Chapel View. Lower Trefonen comprises all properties on the eastern side of the Oswestry – Nantmawr road. Fig: 8 Trefonen housing densities

8 For a printable version of the map click here

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Below are the housing densities at December 2015:

Development No. of boundary area residential Density per (m2) Hectares properties* Hectare

TREFONEN

Hillside 231,101 23.11 103 4.46

Middle 31,480 3.15 62 19.68

Lower 180,625 18.06 127 7,03

TREFLACH 150.156 15.01 62 4.13

There have been 13 new(8), restored or renovated(5) houses in Trefonen and its immediate surroundings between 2006 and 2016. Treflach See map (Fig: 9)9 Nantmawr has no definitive development boundary and therefore no calculation is possible.

Fig: 9 Treflach housing density

9 For a printable version of the map click here

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3.5 Trefonen Village 3.5.1 Overview It is very clear, from the Oswestry Rural Parish surveys in 2004 and 201410 (Fig: 11) and from local discussion that there is an overwhelming view that there should be only very limited development in Trefonen, with many believing the village has reached its natural capacity or even been over- developed. The present village has a well-defined physical boundary which fits well with the surrounding landscape. It can genuinely be argued that Trefonen is a compact rural village settlement enjoying the basic facilities needed for such a settlement to thrive. It is sited in an area of significant natural beauty and is an active and lively community. However, it can also be argued that developments since the early 1990s have stretched the village infrastructure, with many beginning to fear a threat to the rural character if such were Fig: 10 Rural Trefonen to continue. This development has resulted in a significant increase in population and its associated traffic. It is therefore considered that Trefonen cannot be expected to absorb very much further development without damaging its character and seriously diminishing the quality of life of the existing inhabitants. It must be noted that local people are very aware of the impact of new housing. The development, on the car park of the former Efel Inn was viewed as being totally out of keeping with the vernacular architecture of the village and significant over-development of the site. The planning applications for housing developments off Chapel Lane, North of Whitridge Way and south of Little London Lane initiated in 2014 and still on-going have generated an overwhelming Fig: 11 Results from Q10 of ORPC Survey 2014 (386 responses) 10 To download complete copy of ORPC Survey click here

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number of very strong objections, Parish Councillor meetings with local residents, the setting up of the Trefonen Rural Protection Group and significant research into updating this Village Design Statement. With the exception of the main through road, not one of the roads and lanes in the village is capable of accommodating anything but very light traffic. Whilst this is particularly true in the hillside area, School Lane and the roads leading off it are also of limited capacity. The need to use a special light vehicle for refuse collection in several parts of the village serves to demonstrate the narrowness of the lanes. Many of them are bounded by old stone walls and, particularly on the hillside, there is a noticeable absence of footways. There are a few dwellings which could be upgraded or replaced but the infrastructure does not support further significant development. Any replacement or infill proposal should take account of the responses to the Rural Parish’s survey (2014)11 which showed that one/two bedroom dwellings and bungalows were identified as the major need (Fig: 12). This has been largely supported through the Fig: 12 Results from Q14 of ORPC Survey 2014 consultation process for the 2016 update. However, it should be noted that a need for a few 3 bedroom houses (not individually identified in the ORPC Survey) has been reported. Comments suggest new dwellings should only be in groups of 1 to 4. Formal representation from the Governors of Trefonen Primary School stated: “We are in no way asking for further development in the area but if there is to be any it would be valuable for sustainability of the school if the housing needs of young families were included in the mix.”12 As an example of meeting the need within the parameters described, the site of a derelict dwelling in Chapel Lane could be developed with a short terrace of three homes, with two/three bedrooms. They could be white rendered or stone-faced, with variable roof lines and staggered frontages.

Fig: 13 Village Hall 11 To download complete copy of ORPC Survey click here 12 See http://www.ttn-vds.org/Contact---Feedback/Feedback/email-from-Molly-Harvey-9th-Mar-redacted.pdf

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3.5.2 Public buildings and open spaces: The village has only one public house – the Barley Mow. It is particularly important to emphasise that this is a valuable, and much valued, village facility. The output of the Offa’s Dyke micro-brewery connected to the pub is in great demand, locally and further afield. In addition, the restaurant facilities and the licensee’s contributions to the community suggest that no case for closure or conversion based upon non-viability could be justified. The Village Hall (Fig: 13) provides excellent upgraded facilities and the QE II Jubilee Field is invaluable. Chapel Green could be further developed as a community asset and the field immediately to the north of it should remain as ‘a green lung’. If it ever became available, part of it should be considered for development as tennis courts or a bowling green, for use by the community.

3.6 Treflach Village Fig: 15 Sheep in Treflach 3.6.1 Overview The residents of Treflach have made it clear that they do not wish to see any major development such as has happened in Trefonen. Although there has been development since 2006 they wish to preserve the current density of properties. The perception that some areas of minor development might enhance the rural identity of the settlement as a village have borne fruit. Limited development should conserve the village’s individual character, take account of the many footpaths and green lanes and protect the heritage of Offa’s Dyke and the workers’ cottages. However, there is a firm belief that major growth in Treflach should not be considered, now or in the future. Planning permission for three houses at the public house has been granted and parking reduced, which is seen as a significant potential hazard. Any Fig: 14 Into Treflach further development of the land behind the pub is considered unsuitable

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because of the pub’s need for adequate, safe parking, the very limited access from the site onto the road and the possible detrimental effects on Offa’s Dyke. It is particularly important that the strategic gap between Trefonen and Treflach is protected and that there is no northwards ribbon development of the latter. There is an ongoing problem with speeding traffic, which is the subject of increased comment and suggestions for footpaths. This would be particularly critical at Treflach Quarry if it were developed as a wildlife site. For Shropshire Council’s survey of the quarry, its reference to the importance of Offa’s Dyke and its recommendation that there should be no development there. See the link in Part 5. 3.7 Nantmawr Village 3.7.1 Overview Nantmawr remains in open countryside and the major concerns of local Fig: 17 Nantmawr Village residents are the future of the Nantmawr Quarry, the continued inadequate broadband facilities and the need for small scale development. 3.8 The special characteristic - Walls Local people knew that stone walls and stone hedges were characteristic of the area, but their prevalence, importance and uniqueness in these three settlements were one of the most exciting finds of the research undertaken for the 2006 publication of the Village Design Statement. As boundary walls they not only enhance the visual appearance of the settlements, but they contribute significantly to the sense of a village environment. This is why the open plan aspects of some developments in Trefonen are viewed so negatively. They are urban in nature and appear out of character. Fig: 16 Cattle, Trefonen in the distance 3.9 Agricultural, equine and commercial buildings Policies for agricultural, equine and commercial buildings See Part 4

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3.10 Employment In many villages there is a temptation to assume that most people commute to work. This is not proven here. Many people work locally and increasingly people will work from home. Agriculture and animal management, gardening and arboriculture, tourism and hospitality, craft work and care of young, old and infirm, all contribute to local employment opportunities. The tourist potential of the area has become increasingly apparent and important.

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3.11 Attractions and amenities in the three settlements

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Part 3 – Reflections and Looking Forward

3.12 Representation This 2016 updated Design Statement is based on the research of a Steering Group which was formally constituted in September 2015: Jeff Court, Victoria Gemmell, Andy Heaton, Kathleen Kimber and John Morten with specific contributions from Ruth and Allan Dawes, Julian Francis, Mark Leather, Jackie Knight, John Ashmore and Karen Pringle. Draft 1 was submitted to 6 local councillors and over 30 residents for review. Draft 2 was the subject of public consultation in February/March 2016. All comments were carefully considered. Thanks also go to the members of the Steering Group that produced the 2006 Design Statement, the genesis of this 2016 update: John Ashmore Sheila Carr Sue Christian Wendy Clews John and Felicity Cripps Pete and June Day Julian Francis Brian Hogbin Lynne Jackson Allister Jones Bob and Kathleen Kimber John and Diana Morten Karen Pringle

The Statement is now available to download from the Trefonen Treflach and Nantmawr Village Design Statement website www.ttn-vds.org or from the Trefonen web-site, www.trefonen.org. It is hoped in time to be able to make a limited number of printed copies available

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Village Design Statement update in progress Page 1

Building our community and heritage

Community led planning

Updated 2016

Part 4 - Policies

Contents Policies – developed in consultation with the local community ...... 2 Introduction:...... 2 4 Policies ...... 2 Underlying principles and general policies ...... 2 4.1 The environment and landscape ...... 3 4.2 The infrastructure & highway access ...... 3 4.3 Housing – All settlements ...... 4 4.4 Housing - Trefonen ...... 5 4.5 Housing - Treflach ...... 6 4.6 Housing - Nantmawr ...... 6 4.7 Agriculture, equine and commercial buildings ...... 6 4.8 Walls ...... 7 4.9 Employment ...... 7 Policies and recommendations generally outside the remit of the Council, the planning authority ...... 8 4.10 The community ...... 8 4.11 The environment and landscape ...... 8 4.12 Traffic and transport ...... 9 4.13 Employment ...... 9 4.14 [Heritage, tourism], sport and leisure ...... 9

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Policies – developed in consultation with the local community Introduction: The Village Design Statement 2006 was formally recognised by Oswestry Borough Council on 30th October 2007 as a statement about future development from local people and as part of the Local Development Framework evidence base. At meetings on 20 February and 30 October 2007 Oswestry Borough Council approved those recommendations which appear as follows in blue as material planning considerations in the determination of future planning applications.

We, the community, place on record our wish that these remain in place, as our consultations show that they command very wide support.

On 25 August 2006 all the 2006 recommendations were adopted by Oswestry Rural Parish Council as policy. We ask the Rural Parish Council to confirm their adoption of the policies which follow, keep them under review, and press relevant bodies for their implementation. We have used the responses to the consultations carried out by the Parish Council in our deliberations.

Proposals for new policies are in italics.

We encourage participation in the ‘Big Conversation’, Shropshire Council’s consultation on the services local communities wish to promote and enjoy.

4 Policies Underlying principles and general policies  All development proposals must be considered for their impact on the local communities of Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr, and on the infrastructure, particularly the roads and lanes, and the special landscape character of the area.  The three settlements are discrete entities, with Trefonen, the largest, being particularly compact and well defined. The character of each village must be maintained by the protection from development of the fields and land surrounding the existing settlements.  No change of use or redevelopment of the two public houses, or of the shop and post office, should be permitted, as this would leave the community without reasonable access to such facilities and the communication networks they afford to the residents. The shop and post office in Trefonen are particularly important as there are no such facilities in Treflach or Nantmawr.

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4.1 The environment and landscape 4.1.1 Landmarks and strategic views in and out of the settlements must be protected and promoted. 4.1.2 There should be no ribbon development on the approaches to any of the settlements. 4.1.3 The preservation of the remaining, but significant, sections of Offa’s Dyke is imperative. 4.1.4 Native species of trees and shrubs/hedges should be planted to retain the landscape and to benefit wildlife. 4.1.5 The yew tree in All Saints’ Church yard should be retained for its natural and historical value. 4.1.6 Any landfill planning application for Nantmawr Quarry should be turned down, in the interests of protecting the important landscape and environmental assets and in keeping with the current demands to re-cycle waste 4.1.7 There should be a study of the possibility and desirability of developing Treflach Quarry as a wildlife site to include a consideration of the road safety and access. 4.2 The infrastructure & highway access 4.2.1 The rural character of the Oswestry to Nantmawr (unclassified) road, with its hedgerows, walls and current width, should not be threatened or changed by widening. It should be further enhanced and preserved by the planting of a few trees in the fields adjoining the road on the approaches to the villages, and with some in the hedgerows. 4.2.2 [A footpath, possibly inside the hedgerow, between Trefonen and Treflach should be developed for safety reasons. Consideration should be given to cycle paths and solar powered speed sensitive signs.]1 4.2.3 The design of new vehicular access to existing properties and potential development sites in the villages should not destroy the contribution to their special character made by the narrow lanes themselves and the hedgerows and stone boundary walls. Standard ‘estate’ visibility requirements will not always be appropriate. 4.2.4 Consideration should be given to weight restrictions on lanes too narrow to accommodate heavy vehicles, particularly to prevent further erosion of the verges. 4.2.5 The Highways Authority should review the appropriateness and effectiveness of road signs. Fewer, more effective signs, in keeping with the rural environment, would be welcomed.

1 Added 2016 update

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4.2.6 In any new development or replacement programme the lamp posts should be changed for more attractive street furniture from the heritage/classic ranges, not made of concrete. They should conform to the Shropshire Council Climate Change Strategy. They should be equipped with either high pressure sodium down lights or white lights, which should be fitted with suitable controls and switched off between midnight and 6.00 a.m. 4.3 Housing – All settlements 4.3.1 Further development must respect the characteristics of the villages, particularly with regard to the sense of space. Any replacement dwelling or extension must sit well within its plot, with the footprint similar to the relationship between existing nearby buildings and their sites. 4.3.2 Diversity is an important characteristic. In any future development, houses of different designs next to one another should be preferred. Any semi-detached dwellings should, if possible, incorporate different styles for each dwelling within the pair so that they are asymmetric but complementary. 4.3.3 New development must encourage variable building lines, while avoiding mutual overlooking. 4.3.4 The scale or proportion of buildings should complement and reflect surrounding dwellings and buildings. 4.3.5 Prominent rear views of properties should be appropriately designed and landscaped to shield prominent garden furniture and sheds. Close boarded fencing should be avoided or shielded by the planting of a hedgerow of naturally occurring species. 4.3.6 Roof lines should be broken and varied. Roofs should be low pitched to reflect the vernacular style and keep views as open as possible. 4.3.7 Detail makes a difference and should be encouraged in brick work, particularly around windows and under eaves and in the use of brick corbels. 4.3.8 Extensions should be subsidiary to the original building. On the road elevation, window shapes and styles must be continued. Materials used should match the original or be sympathetic to them and the area. Roof lines should be varied in height and orientation to add variety in form and shape; there should be no large, unrelieved expanses of roof. 4.3.9 Gates and driveways should respect the rural situation of the village and avoid the urbanisation of brick and high walls. Wooden and wrought iron gates are to be preferred and the use of pea gravel promoted, in particular to aid drainage. 4.3.10 Where a chapel has been taken out of use, its outward appearance should be retained as a historical feature. 4.3.11 Provision should be made on each property for the collection and use of rainwater runoff from roofs.

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4.3.12 Lime based mortar, wooden window frames and environmentally friendly and sustainable materials should be used if at all possible. 4.3.13 Energy conservation measures should be incorporated within properties. [This should be a requirement for new properties and owners of existing properties are encouraged to consider implementing such measures]2. 4.4 Housing - Trefonen 4.4.1 The character of Trefonen must be maintained by the protection from development of the open land and countryside of outstanding beauty which surrounds the present settlement. There are no sites outside the former development boundary suitable for development. 4.4.2 The area of land at the entrance to Chapel View, known as Chapel Green, should be promoted as a public open space with an appropriate tree planting scheme. 4.4.3 Part of the field next to Chapel Green, bordered by Chapel Lane and the Oswestry Road, should, if it ever became available, be considered for development as a public open space for community use, to complement Chapel Green. 4.4.4 With the exception of small scale, individual [infill, renovation or brownfield development to provide small houses and bungalows]3 if a specific local need can be proven, there should be no further residential development in Trefonen. Any future development must be able to demonstrate that the infrastructure, particularly vehicular access, is sufficient and that it does not threaten the wellbeing of others. The narrow lanes will not support development. 4.4.5 There should be no further residential development in the centre of the village, in order to allow the development of the public amenity aspects of this area. [The centre of the village is defined as the area on either side of the main road through the village, which includes All Saints’ Church, the Barley Mow public house and its micro-brewery, the Band Box/hairdresser’s, the war memorial and the grass beside it, the surrounding houses and the Village Stores and Post Office.] 4.4.6 The Barley Mow is a particularly attractive feature of the village centre. The car park area should be further enhanced by landscaping and softer detail: the planting of trees and bushes.

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4.4.7 Open plan properties do not sit comfortably in the rural location. Low, local stone walls or hedges are the preferred boundary markers. In any future development, the developer should not be allowed to impose a covenant prohibiting the erection of a boundary. 4.4.8 The old Victorian post box in the wall at the entrance to Bellan Lane should be preserved as a local landmark. 4.4.9 A tree, or trees, should be planted on the grass beside the war memorial. 4.4.10 There should be a tree planting scheme for Martins Fields and a review of the landscape features of all the small areas of open space at road junctions, to encourage the natural habitat and the rural identity of the village. In particular the junctions of Woodland View, School Lane and Brooklea Close, and Old Post Office Lane and Silverdale Drive should be considered. 4.5 Housing - Treflach 4.5.1 Any limited development should be confined to small groups of two or three individual dwellings within or immediately abutting the existing development boundary. Over the last few years properties have only been built on infill sites. Further development, if any, should be on the same kind of site. 4.5.2 The size and character of new properties should be individual. In both new and restored or extended properties, stone walls and wooden windows are seen as desirable, whereas the use of white UPVC windows or doors should be discouraged. 4.5.3 There are significant trees which provide effective screening of the village properties. This feature should be protected by the use of appropriate tree preservation orders. 4.5.4 In the long term a solution to the access to Oak Lane needs to be found. 4.5.5 There should be no additional street lighting. 4.6 Housing - Nantmawr 4.6.1 Limited development of individual sites, which reflect the scale and density of the existing settlement, should be allowed to enable the local community to thrive. 4.7 Agriculture, equine and commercial buildings 4.7.1 Agricultural: these buildings should be sited and designed to reduce their apparent mass. Their impact should be reduced by screening, careful location within the local landform, or by locating close to existing farm buildings.

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4.7.2 Stables and associated buildings should be sited in less prominent parts of paddocks and constructed of materials which complement the countryside. 4.7.3 Shops and business premises have a major visual impact. Owners should contribute to the appearance of the village by emphasizing the rural setting, using non-reflective signs and quieter colours. 4.7.4 Commercial or industrial development on a significant scale would be unsuitable. 4.7.5 Were small scale development ever to be proposed, the materials used should match those characteristic of the area, and buildings should be screened and noise abated. Boundary walls of local stone should be required. There should be provision for parking and turning within the site 4.8 Walls 4.8.1 Stone walls are an outstanding feature of the area. Those stone walls which exist should be maintained and kept in good repair. 4.8.2 Where possible those properties which have had open plan restrictions put on them should have these restrictions amended to allow the erection of low, local stone boundary walls. 4.8.3 Planning restrictions or covenants should be lifted on all open plan development in Trefonen to allow the erection of low, local stone, boundary walls, to bring these properties into keeping with the rest of the village and emphasise the rural character. This is particularly important in the centre. 4.8.4 In any future development, local stone should be used for boundary walls. 4.9 Employment 4.9.1 We would look positively on applications for small-scale development which enhances the sustainability of the settlements, without prejudicing the environment and the well-being of neighbours and the community.

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Policies and recommendations generally outside the remit of the Council, the planning authority 4.10 The community 4.10.1 A web-site4 for the villages should be developed. 4.10.2 The Parish Magazine should be supported and promoted. 4.10.3 [The financial assets of the former Broadplace should continue to be used to provide broadband facilities to the Village Hall, All Saints’ Church and the Village Shop, and support the web-site, until they are exhausted]5. 4.10.4 All public access buildings: Trefonen Village Hall, Trefonen Primary School, All Saints’ Church, the Barley Mow public house, Trefonen village shop and post office, and the Treflach public house should be invited to join in dialogue about the incorporation within their premises of additional public services. Specific thought should be given to clinics and health services, to Citizens Advice, to internet access, to educational and social facilities and opportunities for people to meet informally. 4.10.5 A Youth Club6 and other facilities for young people should be promoted and supported. 4.11 The environment and landscape 4.11.1 Land and property owners should undertake regular maintenance (at recommended intervals) to keep hedges, verges, trees and waterways in good order. 4.11.2 Local people should contribute to a record of wild life activity and diversity and the record, which could be put on the web-site, be used to ensure the natural habitats are preserved. 4.11.3 Landowners and householders should protect existing wildlife environments and help create new habitats in the form of copses, hedgerows, ponds, and walls. Advice is available from the local Wildlife Trust and others. 4.11.4 Shropshire Council, working with local people and P3 groups, should ensure that public footpaths and rights of way are well marked and maintained. 4.11.5 Local councils should take appropriate steps when views of the countryside become blighted by litter, unsightly rubbish or dumped items.

4 Now set up as www.trefonen.org 5 Broadplace now closed 6 The Youth Club identified in the 2006 VDS has since closed.

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4.11.6 A review of all the trees in the settlements should lead to the identification of significant trees with appropriate maintenance and preservation arrangements. A tree planting scheme should be drawn up and implemented as part of the review, working with Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Recreation Team. 4.11.7 Open Reach should be encouraged to reduce the number of telephone poles and put cabling in ducts between poles. 4.11.8 Those stone walls which exist should be maintained and kept in good repair, as significant features of the villages. The Rural Parish Council should support restoration work where possible. 4.12 Traffic and transport 4.12.1 The Rural Parish Council should undertake a survey of the current public transport services and people’s needs, including an exploration of a community transport scheme, and the possibility of extending existing volunteer driver schemes. 4.12.2 Consideration should be given to using the village shop or a central building as a point where local people may collect deliveries of packages, thus avoiding the need for delivery vans to use the lanes. 4.13 Employment 4.13.1 Rural tourism should continue to be promoted and developed, where this can be done without adverse impact on the countryside and wildlife. 4.13.2 Local producers (such as farm shops and dairies) and crafts people should be supported. 4.13.3 Opportunities for involvement in local services should be promoted, such as in the [Monday Evening Task Force]7, in youth work, [the Community Café and]8 in village businesses. 4.13.4 Broadband facilities should be further developed to aid locally based businesses. 4.13.5 The local web-site, www.trefonen.org, should be used to promote the tourist potential of the area. 4.14 [Heritage, tourism]9, sport and leisure 4.14.1 [The significant heritage and history of the area should continue to be explored by local groups and applications for the scheduling and formal listing of outstanding features be pursued.

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4.14.2 Activities and facilities which attract tourists while preserving the rural identity of the area should be promoted. 4.14.3 New facilities to further promote social interaction, sport and leisure, where there is evidence of demand and interest from local people, should be the subject of public consultation and pursued if supported. 4.14.4 The improvement and maintenance of the existing sport and leisure facilities should be ensured, working where appropriate in partnership with Shropshire Council and other bodies. 4.14.5 Links with regional, national and international bodies which are concerned with the natural environment and heritage should be actively pursued.]10 4.14.6 Sites of wildlife interest should be further developed.

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