Land at Duffryn Newport Archaeological Watching Brief Report

Land at Duffryn Newport

Archaeological Watching Brief Report

for Persimmon Homes (East Wales)

CA Project: 4860 CA Report: 15019

February 2015

Land at Duffryn Newport

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 4860 CA Report: 15019

prepared by Damian De Rosa, Project Manager

date 30/01/2015

approved by Richard Greatorex, Principal Fieldwork Manager

signed

date 02/02/2015

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Walworth Road Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected]

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

The site ...... 6 Archaeological background ...... 7 Appraisal of modern development impacts ...... 7 Archaeological objectives ...... 8 Methodology...... 8

2. RESULTS (FIGS 3 TO 10) ...... 9

3. DISCUSSION ...... 10

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 11

5. REFERENCES ...... 11

APPENDIX A: SUMMARY REPORT FORM ...... 12

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Watching brief area (1:2500) Fig. 3 View of site looking south-east Fig. 4 North-west corner of site showing in situ terram and made ground Fig. 5 View looking north showing in situ made ground at north end of site Fig. 6 View showing raft construction Fig. 7 View showing raft construction Fig. 8 View north showing excavated service trench Fig. 9 View north showing section in service trench Fig. 10 View looking north of section through service trench in north-west corner of site

Summary

Project Name: Land at Duffryn, Newport Location: NGR: ST 2884 8465 Type: Watching Brief Date: April to October 2014 Planning Reference: 13/0669 Location of Archive: CA Andover to be submitted to National Museum of Wales Site Code: SPD14

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material was recovered. The monitoring of the groundworks established and confirmed that there had been significant modern ground disturbance, which is likely to have impacted upon and removed any archaeological features and or deposits that may have been present.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In 2014 and 2015 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief at the former Panasonic site on Land at Duffryn, Newport (centred on NGR: ST 2884 8465; Fig. 1) at the request of Persimmon Homes (East Wales).

1.2 Conditional planning permission (Ref: 13/0669) for the demolition of the existing buildings and redevelopment of the site for Housing and Associated Infrastructure was granted by Newport City Council, the local planning authority (LPA).

1.3 The permission is conditional on a programme of archaeological work being undertaken during the course of the development and condition 21 states that:

No development, to include demolition, shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Reason: To identify and record any features of archaeological interest discovered during the works, in order to mitigate the impact of the works on the archaeological resource.

1.4 The archaeological condition and the recommendation for an archaeological watching brief followed consultation with the Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) the archaeological planning advisors to the LPA. Their decision was informed by the production of a heritage desk-based assessment (CA 2013) prepared prior to the submission of the planning application.

1.5 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (CA 2013) approved by GGAT prior to the commencement of groundworks. The work also followed the Standard and Guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2009), the county standards (if applicable) and the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.6 The site is located just beyond the south-western edge of Newport, approximately 4.5km from the city centre. It is set within an industrial and residential area, with industrial parks surrounding to the east and west, and residential areas to the south. Main roads surround the site to the north and east. The M4 runs approximately 800m to the north of the site, while the mouth of the River Usk lies c. 2.8km to the south of the site, beyond the Newport Levels. The surrounding landscape is characterised by the flat land of the Levels to the south, and rising topography to the north, with the majority of the proposed development site lying at between 7-8m above Ordnance Datum (aOD). The north-western corner of the site rises northward, to 12.85m aOD.

1.7 The site is approximately 6.9ha in size. The site prior to development comprised one large enclosed area, with hardstanding for car parking in the western and eastern parts of the site, and two large warehouses located centrally within the site. The area to the south of these warehouses was devoid of any structures, although a road ran across the southern part of this area. The site is surrounded by trees situated on an embankment on all sides, which lie beyond the site boundary, as demarcated by a metal fence.

1.8 The proposed development site lies on mainly flat ground, between 7-8m aOD. The north-western corner of the site rises to the north, and lies at approximately 12m aOD. The elevation in the north-west corner represents the interface between the lower area of the Wentlooge levels and higher ground characterised by superficial river terrace deposits of sand and gravel. The Gwent Levels were created by the deposition of sediment on the banks of the Severn during the rise in sea-level at the end of the last period of glaciation.

1.9 The solid geology of the proposed development site comprises Mudstones of the Triassic Mercia formation. Superficial deposits of alluvial clay, sand, silts and gravel laid down in the Quaternary period are recorded across the site (BGS Viewer 2014), overlying river terrace deposits comprising gravels of sandstone and mudstone (Earth Science Partnership 2000)

Archaeological background

1.10 A heritage desk-based assessment (CA 2013) was undertaken of the site, which detailed its archaeological and historical background. Only a very brief summary of the results is presented below and the full document should be consulted for the full background.

1.11 There is some limited potential for Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman remains to be present within the site. This potential is based on geological factors, and the fen-edge location of the site. The potential for Bronze Age and Roman remains is also supported by evidence from within the wider vicinity of the site. There is also considered to be potential for remains of medieval and later agricultural practices to be present within the site. Cropmarks observed within the southern part of the site are likely to relate to former drainage systems, demarcating fields. There is some potential for remains relating to these cropmarks to survive.

Appraisal of modern development impacts 1.12 The potential for archaeological remains of any period to survive within the site was dependent on the extent of modern disturbance as a result of the development of the site from the 1980s (Fig. 2).

1.13 An aerial photograph dating from 1988 shows the site during the construction phase of the first, northernmost, warehouse. The photograph indicated that the whole area of the site was stripped during this period, with bare earth apparent across the site. This is likely to have caused disturbance to any archaeological deposits within the upper levels of the site. The most extensive areas of disturbance are likely to have been around the warehouse, with the southern part of the site also exhibiting more marked evidence of disturbance than the rest of the site

1.14 An aerial photograph dating from 1998 showed the second warehouse, located within the southern part of the site, during, or just following the construction phase. This aerial photograph indicates that there was more extensive disturbance within the southern part of the site during this period, with piles of earth and apparent holes in the ground, filled with water. As in 1988 all of the grass had been removed. During a site visit undertaken in 2013 for the DBA evidence of disturbance was noted in the southern part of the site, including dumped material with modern demolition debris inclusions, in addition to uneven ground in the south-western area of the site.

1.15 Car park areas within the site were considered to be likely associated with minimal ground disturbance, such as the removal of topsoil. A topographic survey of the site indicated that the car parks rose gradually to the north, in line with the general topography of the site, suggesting that the areas were not terraced. It is likely that terracing was unnecessary due to its naturally flat character.

1.16 The north-western part of the site was identified as an area which had some potential for archaeological remains, based on its topographic situation and location on the former fen-edge. However, it was likely to have seen some disturbance associated with the stripping of soil during the construction of the first warehouse. Trees and shrubs have also been planted in this area, and could have resulted in localised disturbance.

Archaeological objectives

1.17 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

• To monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks;

• Assess the degree of modern impact upon the site as a result of the 1980 and 1990s development of the site in establishing the potential for the survival of archaeological features and/or deposits;

• at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

Methodology

1.18 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2013). An archaeologist was present to monitor ground clearance for the warehouses and car parking areas of the existing site. Following clearance of the site groundworks associated with the new residential development of the site were monitored by

Cotswold Archaeology. This comprised of the excavation of service trenches for the new residential units.

1.19 Due to the underlying ground conditions construction of the units by use of foundation was deemed unsuitable. All the units are to be constructed on rafts upon the existing ground surface. This involves the importation and building up of material on to the existing ground surface upon which the new units are constructed. Due to this method of construction the below ground impact of the development was dramatically reduced and restricted wholly to the excavation of service utility runs.

1.20 A written, graphic and photographic record was compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).

1.21 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Andover. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited with National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. A summary of information from this project will be submitted to the HER of Wales, and Charina Jones (HER manager) [email protected] will be contacted by CA with regards to the correct procedure for deposition and digital entry of the data.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 3 TO 10)

2.1 The groundworks for the clearance of the site (Figs 3 to 5) of the existing buildings only saw the removal of modern hardstanding and underlying make up material. The ground was reduced to a level of terram sheeting, which had been placed on the reduced ground at the time of construction of the warehouses and car parking and on which the warehouse buildings had then been constructed. Due to the impact of the construction of the warehouses, car parking and access roads along with the sheeting being left in situ no archaeological features or deposits were observed or present.

2.2 Following the ground clearance of the existing buildings construction of the new residential development commenced. As detailed in the methodology above material has been imported to build up the existing ground surface and on which the new residential units will be constructed on a raft (Figs. 6 and 7). Excavation however for service runs extended through the built up service and into the existing ground surface and were monitored during the watching brief (Figs 7 to 10). Monitoring of

service runs were observed in the northern part of the site, which had been highlighted as having the best potential for the survival of archaeological features and/or deposits. Trenches were excavated up to a depth of 1.20m below the existing ground surface. Made ground deposits up to 0.60m deep were observed to lie directly over the natural geology and no archaeological features and or deposits were observed. The natural geology comprised of alluvial orange and grey clay, sand, silts and gravel. The gravel was up to cobblestone in size.

2.3 A wooded grass area in the north western part of the site, which had been highlighted as having the best potential for the survival of archaeological remains has been largely left in situ. Where this area has been partially truncated by the excavation of a service trench it revealed a c.0.25m deep topsoil, which was seen to directly overlie made ground deposits. This overlay the natural geology, which did not contain the large cobblestone gravel observed in the other excavations. Further to the east the ground had been truncated by modern development, the former access and entrance/exit way into the Panasonic site, and the topsoil was seen to overlie made ground deposits, which overlay the natural.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological background above), the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. The site as a whole has been severely impacted upon by the former Panasonic site and this is particularly marked in the central and southern parts of the site.

3.2 Although the impact of the former Panasonic site was less notable in the northern part of the site no archaeological features or deposits could be identified. Further to this the method of construction for the new residential development has limited the amount of below ground excavation that needs to be undertaken.

3.3 Following consultation by CA with GGAT it was recommended that no further monitoring of the ground works would be required.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

The watching brief was undertaken by Joe Whelan and Damian De Rosa. The report was written by Damian De Rosa. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been compiled by Adam Howard, and prepared for deposition with by Adam Howard. The project was managed for CA by Damian De Rosa.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013. Land at Duffryn, Newport, Wales. Heritage Desk- Based Assessment. CA Project No. 4181. CA Report No. 13073

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014. Land at Duffryn, Newport, Wales. Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief. CA Project No 4860

Earth Science Partnership. 2000. Draft Geo-Environmental Report. Earth Science Partnership report 2151c.411.

APPENDIX A: SUMMARY REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Duffryn, Newport. Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks for the removal of existing warehouses and the residential development of the site.

Previous work None (reference to organisation or SMR numbers etc)

Future work No PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land at Duffryn, Pencarn Way, Newport, Wales NP10 8YE Study area (M2/ha) 6.9 ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) ST 2884 8465

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator GGAT Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Damian De Rosa Project Supervisor Joe Whelan MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc) TBC currently at CA Andover

Physical None Paper National Museum of Wales Context sheets, photo register Digital National Museum of Wales Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Land at Duffryn. Archaeological Watching Brief Report. CA typescript report 15019. Project No. 4860

12 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 326549 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] Newport PROJECT TITLE Land at Duffryn, Newport Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02-02-2015 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY JB / LJH REVISION 01 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 288 290

Drain

P E N Sports C A R N Ground

848 WAY 6 Ysgol

WAY 5

9m9m 9 10 7 3

8 WorksWorks

846 C

LANE

A S

MORGRAIG A Y ST W

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Milton Keynes 01908 564660 site boundary Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk footprint of demolished warehouses e [email protected] areas of deep impact associated with former use of site PROJECT TITLE Land at Duffryn, Newport area which had potential for some undisturbed archaeological remains Vale of Glamorgan, Wales FIGURE TITLE 7 photograph location Watching brief area

0 100m PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02-02-2015 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Digital mapping (2015) with the permission DRAWN BY REVISION of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office DJB/LJH 02 c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 1:2500 2 3

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 3 View of site looking south-east Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

4 North-west corner of site showing in situ terram and PROJECT TITLE made ground Land at Duffryn, Newport Vale of Glamorgan, Wales FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02/02/2015 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 N/A 3 & 4 5

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 5 View looking north showing in situ made ground at Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk north end of site e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 6 View showing raft construction Land at Duffryn, Newport Vale of Glamorgan, Wales FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02/02/2015 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 N/A 5 & 6 7

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 7 View showing raft construction Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

8 View north showing excavated service trench PROJECT TITLE Land at Duffryn, Newport Vale of Glamorgan, Wales FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02/02/2015 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 N/A 7 & 8 9

Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 9 View north showing section in service trench Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

10 View looking north of section through service trench PROJECT TITLE in north-west corner of site Land at Duffryn, Newport Vale of Glamorgan, Wales FIGURE TITLE Photographs

PROJECT NO. 4860 DATE 02/02/2015 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 APPROVED BY JB SCALE@A4 N/A 9 & 10