A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
WAUN-TYSSWG FARM, ABERTYSSWG, WALES
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT (reference: WAUN-009) - addendum
ON BEHALF OF A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Waun-tysswg, Abertysswg, Wales
NGR: SO 136 066
Report No. 1233-A November 2018
This report has been compiled with all reasonable skill care and attention to detail within the terms of the project as specified by the client and within the general terms and conditions of Archaeological Management Services Ltd trading as Foundations Archaeology but no explicit warranty is provided for information and opinions stated. AMS Ltd accepts no responsibility whatsoever to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies on this report at their own risk. Copyright of this document is retained by AMS Ltd, but unlimited licence to reproduce it in whole or part is granted to the client and/or their agents and/or assignees on payment of invoice.
Quality Assurance This Document has been Prepared and Checked in accordance with AMS's Quality Procedures (BS EN ISO 9001: 2015) Date: 09/11/2018 Approved: Roy King BA MCIfA QA Checked: Diana King BA MCIfA
This report has been compiled with all reasonable skill, care and attention to detail within the terms of the project as specified by the client and within the general terms and conditions of Archaeological Management Services Ltd. (AMS Ltd.) trading as Foundations Archaeology. This report is confidential to the client. AMS Ltd. accepts no responsibility whatsoever to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies on this report at their own risk. Waun-Tysswg Farm Solar Park, Abertysswg, Tredegar, Wales: Heritage Impact Assessment
CONTENTS
Glossary of terms and abbreviations
Summary
1 Introduction and Project Background
2 Assessment Methodology
3 Planning Background and Legislative Framework
4 Sources
5 Site Location and Description
6 Aerial Photographs
7 Archaeological and Historic Background
8 Historic Map Analysis
9 Archaeological Potential
10 Settings Appraisal
11 Impact Assessment
12 Cumulative Impacts
13 Conclusions
14 References
15 Acknowledgements
Appendix 1 Gazetteer of Historic Environment Information
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Site Location
Figure 2 Map showing HER Data
Figure 3 Parish of Bedwelty Tithe Map, 1839
Figure 4 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 Plan, 1877
Figure 5 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 Plan, 1901
Figure 6 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 Plan, 1920
Figure 7 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 Plan, 1945
Figure 8 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560 Plan, 1964
Figure 9 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Plan, 1973
Figure 10 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Plan, 1986
Figure 11 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Plan, 1999
Figure 12 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Plan, 2006
Figure 13 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Plan, 2017
Figure 14 Proposed Development Plan and Location of Features Identified during the Walkover Survey
Figure 15: Viewpoint Plan
*Maps at 1:10,560 are presented at 1:10,000
LIST OF PLATES
Plates 1-3 Plates 4-6 Plates 7-8 Plate 9
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Archaeology
For the purposes of this project archaeology is taken to mean the study of past human societies through their material remains from prehistoric times through to the modern era. No rigid upper date limit has been set, but AD 1900 is used as a general cut off point.
HER
Historic Environment Record.
HVIA
Heritage and Visual Impact Assessment.
ICOMOS
International Council on Monuments and Sites.
LVIA
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.
Medieval
The period between the Norman Conquest (AD 1066) and c. AD 1500.
Modern
There is debate in archaeology about when then modern period commences, but 1900 is a useful start point.
Natural
In archaeological terms this refers to the undisturbed natural geology of a site.
NGR
National Grid Reference from the Ordnance Survey Grid.
NMP
National Mapping Programme whereby possible archaeological features present on aerial photographs were mapped. Undertaken for certain counties, including Cornwall.
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OD
Ordnance Datum; used to express a given height above sea level.
OS
Ordnance Survey.
OUV
Outstanding Universal Value.
Post-Medieval
Refers to the period from c. AD 1500 to AD 1900.
Prehistoric
In Britain this term is generally used for any of the traditionally defined periods such as Palaeolithic (c. 480,000-12,000 BC), Mesolithic (c. 12,000-4000 BC), Neolithic (c. 4,000-2,500), Bronze Age (c. 2500-600 BC) and Iron Age (c. 800 BC – AD 43).
Romano-British
Term used to describe the fusion of indigenous late Iron Age traditions with the invasive Roman culture. Traditionally dated between AD 43 and AD 410.
Saxon or Early Medieval
Term used to describe the period between the end of Roman Britain c. AD 410 and the Norman Conquest (AD 1066).
WHS
World Heritage Site.
ZTV
Zone of Theoretical Visibility.
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SUMMARY
This Baseline Heritage Impact Assessment has been prepared by Roy King and Kim Watkins. The illustrations for the report were prepared by Diana King and Santiago Erimo. The project was commissioned by David Meehan of Elgin Energy ESCO Ltd.
This proportionate Heritage Impact Assessment has been prepared to accompany a Planning Application in relation to land at Wantysswg Farm, Abertysswg, Wales. The proposal is for the construction of a new 30MW photovoltaic scheme covering an area of approximately 57ha, and the assessment (HIA) has considered the potential for the proposed development to affect known and potential heritage assets, as required by Planning Policy Wales Chapter 6.
There are several identified heritage assets present on the site. These are all located on the western edge of the site area and include the remains of a Post-Medieval barn shown on an 18th century map, but demolished by the time of the tithe survey in 1839, and some features from the early extractive industry in the area, including an early mine level and workings, a gully, and some small pits. If the barn and extractive industry features just to the north of it cannot be preserved in situ, then archaeological mitigation is recommended; the spoil tips further to the south will probably remain unaffected by the proposed development. Any identified features to be preserved in situ would benefit from the erection of temporary fencing around them to clearly demarcate their positions.
The site also lies within an area of high historic landscape value known as the Bedwellte Fieldscape, including a recorded extractive ironworking industry site (EA072) and there is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery, located just to the north.
The HIA has also considered the potential for heritage assets with an archaeological interest to be present on the site, based on the known archaeological remains that are presently recorded in the vicinity. The potential has been assessed as low for the Prehistoric, Roman, Early Medieval and Medieval periods, with the recognition that if features were present they would be of moderate to high significance, given their rarity in the area.
The potential for non-agricultural Post-medieval features has also been assessed as moderate-high and the potential significance for these periods is high, especially with regard to assets which may relate to the historic extractive industry in the area.
Overall the proposed development would have a low non-visual impact on the heritage assets within the site area, especially if a mitigation strategy were adopted; that is to not extend the area of development to the western edge of the site area which has been identified as the main location for archaeological and historic features.
The main impact which would result from the proposals has been identified as an effect on the setting of heritage assets. This would result in a negligible trending to minor adverse impact on the setting of extractive industry area EA072 and a moderate adverse unmitigated direct impact on physical remains associated with it, reducing to negligible with appropriate mitigation. An overall minor adverse impact on the setting of the Scheduled Monument Area of the Cholera Cemetery, with a minor adverse trending to moderate adverse impact on the Bedwellte Fieldscape including Cwm-Tysswg Farm, and the heritage assets within the site area. Due to the topography of the site area and the views from the surrounding area, no mitigation is possible, although it is important to note that the photovoltaic scheme will only be in place for 30 years and is fully reversible with regard to settings.
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1 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND
1.1 This proportionate Baseline Heritage Impact Assessment has been prepared by Roy King and Kim Watkins to accompany a Planning Application in relation to Land at Waun-Tysswg Farm, Abertysswg, Wales. The proposal is for the construction of a new 30MW photovoltaic scheme covering an area of approximately 57ha and this assessment (HIA) has considered the potential for the proposed development to affect known and potential heritage assets, as required by Section 6.5 of the National Planning Policy Wales, Edition 9 Chapter 6). The project was commissioned by David Meehan of Elgin Energy ESCO Ltd.
1.2 This Heritage Impact Assessment has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Wales, Edition 9 and Local Planning Policy. This approach allows the assessment to study the potential of the site and the significance of the unknown archaeological resource, in relation to the likely impact of the proposed development on it and on any associated monuments. This study also considers the impact of the proposed development on any above ground heritage assets, including any effect on their settings within 2km of the site boundary.
2 ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
2.1 Heritage assessment involves a desktop study of presently available archaeological, historical, aerial photographic and other relevant information. Government guidance on heritage (Planning Policy Wales Edition 9, 2016) encourages appropriate consideration of the significance of any known or potential heritage assets present within a site, and the effect of the proposed development upon that significance, where development is being considered, prior to formal planning applications being submitted. This allows an assessment of the implications of any development proposal. This informs the decision as to whether heritage assets with an archaeological interest are likely to be present, whether a field evaluation is considered necessary, and may contribute to the development of an appropriate mitigation strategy if required. This report represents the first stage of the pre-planning permission as recommended in Planning Policy Wales Chapter 6.
2.2 This heritage assessment will therefore form the basis for any further works, archaeological or otherwise, which may be required to mitigate any adverse effects of the proposals on the significance of any known or potential heritage assets within and around to the site. The report will allow all parties associated with the project to consider the need for design mitigate and/or archaeological solutions to the potential effects and to ensure compliance with National and Local heritage policies.
2.3 This Heritage Impact Assessment fulfils the general requirements of a desktop assessment as set out by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologist’s Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk Based Assessments (2014).
2.4 Given the nature of heritage assets, this assessment process involves a degree of subjective interpretation based on existing data sources and professional judgement. This is particularly the case when assessing the potential presence and likely significance of buried archaeological deposits that may be present within a site. The assessment of the significance and the impact on above ground heritage, including on
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their settings, similarly involves a degree of interpretation and professional judgement because different elements of a heritage asset or its setting contribute differentially to its significance. How the significance of a heritage asset is likely to be affected by a set of development proposals will be contingent upon the nature of those proposals and professional judgement is required in order to gauge likely effects.
2.5 Largely, the actual archaeological resource, which may be present, is buried beneath the modern ground surface and the assessments of potential and significance are extrapolations from known data both within and around the study area.
2.6 In assessing the archaeological potential of the site, the criteria specified in Table 2.1 were used:
Table 2.1: Table of Archaeological Potential and Assessment Criteria Potential Criterion Negligible Archaeological features and finds are unlikely to be present. Low Archaeological features and finds may be present but are likely to be infrequent or rare. Low- Archaeological features and finds may be present but are likely to occur Moderate only infrequently and may have poor coherence. Moderate Archaeological features and finds are likely to be present and may include coherent groupings. . Moderate- Archaeological features and finds are probable, with likely coherent High groupings and possibly structures. High Archaeological features and finds are likely to be present, with features occurring frequently and having high coherence. Very High Archaeological features and finds are to be expected with finds predicted in quantity and with features that have very high coherence, highly likely. Structures are likely.
2.7 Where archaeological features are statutorily or non-statutorily designated, this can assist in the grading of their significance. For example, Scheduled Monuments are of a national importance, whilst locally designated archaeological sites are of local importance. However, not all archaeological features are designated. To assist in assessing the significance of these features, the following principles, as set out in the National Assembly for Wales’s criteria for scheduling, provide useful guidance. These criteria comprise: • Period • Rarity • Documentations • Group value • Survival/condition • Fragility/Vulnerability • Diversity • Potential
2.8 The significance of above ground heritage is derived from the criteria for listing. Buildings are listed because they are of “special” architectural or historical interest which warrants their preservation. Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings are of the highest significance because they are of exceptional interest (Grade I) or are more than of special interest (Grade II*). Grade II Listed Buildings are of special interest.
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Undesignated assets, which are not statutorily designated, but are documented in the Local Authority Historic Environment Record, are nevertheless still of heritage interest.
2.9 Assessing the impact of the development proposals on the significance of heritage assets employs a two-step process: • Identification of the importance of known and potential heritage features; and • Identification of the magnitude of the effect.
2.10 Cadw has published Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales (2011), which builds on the guidance published by Historic England (2008). To assist Cadw and others a section “Understanding Heritage Values and Assessing Significance” is included. This defines four heritage values which can be summarised as follows:
• Evidential Value - derives from the potential of a place to yield evidence about past human activity.
• Historical Value – derives from the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life can be connected through a place to the present.
• Aesthetic Value – derives from the ways in which people draw sensory and intellectual stimulation from a place.
• Communal Value – derives from the meanings of a place for the people who relate to it, or for whom it figures in their collective experience or memory.
2.11 When the evidence for these values is gathered together and assessed for an individual historic asset or an area of historic landscape, it will provide the basis for making a statement of significance against which the effects of any proposed changes can be measured.
2.12 Having determined the significance of any known or potential heritage asset, the assessment of likely potential and effects of the development upon heritage assets can be undertaken using the following five-level scale of significance. Effects can either be beneficial or adverse.
2.13 The Cadw guidance document Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales (2011) states that “Balanced and justifiable decisions about change to the historic environment depend upon understanding who values different historic assets and why they do so, leading to a clear statement of their significance and, with it, the ability to understand the impact of the proposed change on that significance. Every reasonable effort should be made to eliminate or minimize adverse impacts on historic assets. Ultimately, however, it may be necessary to balance the benefit of the proposed change against the harm to the asset. If so, the weight given to heritage values should be proportionate to the importance of the assets and the impact of the change upon them.” The section of the document Conservation Principles in Action provides further guidance on making decisions about changes to significant historic assets. It defines harm as “Change for the worse, here primarily referring to the effect of inappropriate interventions on the heritage values of an historic asset.”
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2.14 Conservation Principles in Action does not provide further detail on this definition of harm, however the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) has produced guidance (Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties 2011), which along with Conservation Principles, has been used as a baseline to compile Table 2.2 and extended to apply to all heritage assets whether designated or non-designated. ICOMOS defines substantial impacts as affect assets to such a degree that they are ‘totally altered’.
Table 2.2: Table of Impacts Criteria Impact Archaeological Resource Historic Buildings Settings Minor A change in land use or The historic fabric of The setting of any Beneficial management to the building is slightly asset is slightly enhance the enhanced to restore enhanced. preservation of the original features or identified archaeological patterns of circulation. resource. Neutral No effects on known or No change to historic No change to key predicted archaeological building elements. historic landscape resources or their elements, parcels or settings. No mitigation components. No required. effect on the setting of any asset. Negligible No effects on known or Slight change to Very minor changes predicted archaeological historic building to key historic resources or their elements that hardly landscape elements, settings. Mitigation affect it. parcels or protects the resource components; virtually from adverse effects. unchanged visual effects. No appreciable effect on the setting of any asset. Slight Effects small areas of Change to key historic Change to few Adverse known or potential building elements, historic landscape resources at a local level such that the asset is elements, parcels or or where the slightly different. components; slight archaeological resource visual changes to a is very truncated or few key aspects of fragmented. The historic landscape removal of the resource and the settings of would not affect future any asset. investigation and would increase archaeological knowledge. Moderate Adverse effects would Changes to many key Change to some key Adverse occur on archaeological historic building historic landscape resources at a local level elements, such that the elements, parcels or by ground work that resource is significantly visual components; would have a modified. visual change to key detrimental impact on aspects of the historic archaeological deposits landscape; resulting
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but would leave some of in moderate changes the resource in situ. to historic landscape character. Substantial Adverse effects caused Change to key historic Change to most or all Adverse to areas of high building elements such key historic landscape archaeological potential, that the resource is elements, parcels or Archaeological Priority totally altered. components; extreme Areas, Scheduled visual effects resulting Monuments, including in complete change their settings and to to historic landscape other archaeological character. sites of importance in breach of relevant planning policies.
3 PLANNING BACKGROUND AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
3.1 In considering a development proposal, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will consider the policy framework set by government guidance. Relevant considerations are given below.
3.1.1 The Code of Good Practice on Archaeological Heritage in Urban Development Policies, 2000.
3.1.2 The Code of Good Practice, established by the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Council of Europe states:…before taking decisions affecting the archaeological heritage, planners should obtain adequate information and advice, applying non- destructive methods of investigation wherever possible…the purpose [of assessment] will be not only to establish if it is necessary to dig but also to build a picture of the site’s morphology and its potential.
3.2 Planning Policy Wales, Edition 9, Chapter6
3.2.1 Planning Policy Wales, Chapter 6, sets out the policies with regards to the historic environment and planning. The policies also contain guidance for local authorities to consider when developing local plans, including the effect of re-use or new developments on historic areas and buildings. The policies outline the Welsh Government’s objectives to protect, manage and conserve the historic environment and specifically to:
• Protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Sites in Wales • Conserve the archaeological remains, both for their own and their role in education, leisure and the economy • Safeguard the character or appearance of conservation areas, while at the same time helping them remain vibrant and prosperous • Preserve the special interest of sites on the register of historic parks and gardens in Wales • Conserve areas on the register of historic landscapes in Wales
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3.2.2 The duties of the Welsh Ministers to the historic environment of Wales are exercised through the Welsh Government’s historic environment service (Cadw).
3.2.3 Section 6.5 contains advice on development management policies for making informed decisions on any proposed developments that may impact the historic environment. If development is likely to impact archaeological remains, throughout the guidance, the need for early consultation between developers and planning authorities, plus the need for an archaeological assessment to be carried out early in the process is heavily stressed.
3.2.4 The historic environment refers to all surviving physical remains of past human activity. The conservation of archaeological remains is a material consideration in determining a planning application. Where nationally important archaeological remains and their settings are likely to be affected by the proposed development, there should be a presumption in favour of their physical protection in situ. In cases involving less significant archaeological remains, local planning authorities will need to weigh the relative importance of the archaeological remains and their settings against other factors, including the need for the proposed development. The needs of archaeology and development may be reconciled if those proposing development discuss their proposal with the local planning authority at an early stage in pre-application discussions. Where it is not feasible to preserve remains in situ. An acceptable alternative may be to arrange prior excavation and recording of archaeological remains and the publication of the results by means of granting planning permission subjects to a negative condition.
3.2.5 There should be a general presumption in favour for the preservation of Listed Buildings and their settings that may be affected by the proposed development. The primary material consideration is to the statutory requirement to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest it possesses. The continuation or reinstatement of the original use should be the first option, but there should be flexibility in order to secure a buildings survival or provide it with a sound economic future. Justification for alteration or demolition of Listed Buildings should be provided with applications. Conditions may be imposed for the recording of historic buildings.
3.2.6 There should be a presumption in favour for the preservation or enhancement of the character or appearance of Conservation Areas or their setting. Consideration of proposed developments in a conservation area should be made on the basis of a full application. There will be a strong presumption against the granting of planning permission for proposed developments, including advertisements, which damage the character or appearance of a conservation area or its setting. Preservation or enhancement of a conservation area can be achieved by a development which either makes a positive contribution to an area’s character or appearance or leaves them unharmed.
3.2.7 World Heritage Sites and their settings (including their buffer zone, if applicable) are a material consideration in determining applications and the impacts of proposals. Cadw is a statutory consultee on planning applications likely to have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of a World Heritage site.
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3.2.8 When the local planning authority has identified historic assets of local interest, and included a policy in its development plan for their preservation and enhancement, any supporting supplementary planning guidance will be a material consideration when determining a planning application.
3.2.9 In relation to Parks, Gardens, on the first part of the Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, local planning authorities should protect and conserve parks and gardens and their settings included on this register. Cadw must be consulted on all planning applications where the proposed development is likely to affect the site of a historic park or garden or its setting, and the effect of the proposed development should be a material consideration in the determination of a planning application.
3.2.10 In relation to historic landscapes, on the second part of the register, should be considered by local planning authorities in considering the implications of developments which meet the criteria for Environmental Impact Assessment.
3.3 Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016
3.3.1 The Act gives more effective protection to listed buildings and scheduled monuments, improves the sustainable management of the historic environment; and introduces greater transparency and accountability into decisions taken on the historic environment. It also amends the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Act 1979 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 that provide the main UK framework legislation for the management and protection of the historic environment.
3.4 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979 (as amended 2016)
3.4.1 Scheduled Monuments are designated by the Welsh Ministers on the advice of CADW as selective examples of nationally important archaeological remains. Under the terms of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 it is an offence to damage, disturb or alter a Scheduled Monument either above or below ground without first obtaining permission from the Welsh Ministers. This Act does not allow for the protection of the setting of Scheduled Monuments.
3.5 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Wales) Regulations 2012
3.5.1 This Act outlines the provisions for designation, control of works and enforcement measures relating to Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.
3.6 Local Planning Policy
3.6.1 The Local Authority responsible for planning policy is Blaenau Gwent. The Blaenau Gwent Adopted Local Development Plan Strategic Policies (2006-2021), contains policy SP11 which relates to the Historic Environment. It states:
“Protection and Enhancement of the Historic Environment Blaenau Gwent’s distinctive built environment will be protected, preserved and, where appropriate, enhanced. This will be achieved through: Safeguarding nationally designated sites from inappropriate development and also protecting locally designated buildings of significant importance
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and conservation areas; a. Enhancing sites of historic or archaeological value; and b. c. The promotion of heritage tourism.”
3.6.2 There is also a Development Management Policy (DM17) relating to buildings or structures of local importance, but no further guidance on other heritage assets.
4 SOURCES
4.1 The information available in the Historic Environment Record has been consulted within a 1km search radius of the site.
4.2 Information held by the Gwent Record Office in Ebbw Vale has been consulted for cartographic and other historical data. Regional and national journals, where available, have been examined for relevant information, as well as unpublished reports of previous archaeological activity within the region.
4.3 A CD containing 37 aerial photographs covering the site was obtained from the Aerial Photography Unit for the Welsh Assembly Government. LiDAR data was available for this site from National Resources Wales.
4.4 Appropriate on-line resources, such as the British Geological Viewer, were consulted.
5 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
5.1 The site is located at Waun-Tysswg Farm and encompasses the farm and land around it on the north, west and south extending to an unnumbered road running north-south, with the western boundary broadly formed by the Nant Tyswg. At the northwestern corner, a small addendum to the site extends westwards away from the Nant Tyswg for approximately 308m until it meets the northeast-southwest road B4256. The northern extent of this part of the site is approximately 130m to the south of Cwm Tysswg Farm. The site is located approximately 2km to the south of Tredegar town centre in the civil parish of Rhymney. The site centre is broadly located at NGR: SO 136 066. The site occupies an area of approximately 57 hectares and comprises a number of fields with a farmhouse and outbuildings on the eastern edge. The site slopes gently southwards down towards the village of Abertysswg, which is just visible ½ km to the south. The site also slopes gradually down towards the west and the river. To the east and west the sides of the valley are steep and in places mountainous. To the north the area slopes up towards the higher ridge at the end of the valley and the edge of Tredegar. The site is currently rough pasture for grazing sheep. All measurements given in this section and those that follow are approximate, ignore variations in terrain and are measured from the nearest site boundary.
5.2 The site was visited on the 15th December 2017 by Kim Watkins and was subjected to a walkover survey. A second visit was undertaken on 30th October 2018. The site is located on the lower slopes of the eastern side of a steep north-south valley, with the Nant Tyswg running along the western edge.
5.3 The site was accessed from the road via a tarmac farm access road leading into the farmyard, with Modern fencing and gates. The existing farmhouse is relatively Modern and the outbuildings also appear to be 20th century in date. Within the farmhouse
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complex area, the only earlier structure still present is the remnant of a stone wall now forming the northern side of a Modern barn.
5.4 The outer boundaries of the farm complex are all recent, with Modern wire fencing, areas of terracing and Modern dumping along the western side to create a steep scarp sloping down towards the fields. The recent landscaping of this area around the farm buildings has removed earlier boundaries.
5.5 The area to the south of the farm extending up to the road is fenced off from the improved pasture to the west and slopes gradually down to a conifer plantation in the south. There are numerous streams running down from the slopes to the east and across this area, which is rough marshland. The field boundary between this area and the pasture is constructed of stones and earth forming a small bank, with a Modern fence on top.
5.6 The southern part of the site is a gradually sloping area of pasture with streams running through it down to the river on the western edge. The ground is uneven and boggy in places. The river bank in this area is steep and quite high.
5.7 The central area of the site also slopes gradually towards the river and is rough pasture. This area is cut with streams, in some cases forming deep stony channels, running down to the river in the west. There is evidence of previous ploughing in some areas and piles of stones associated with clearance for cultivation at some point, although of relatively Modern date. Along the western edge of this area the river bank is relatively steep, however there is an area roughly opposite the farm where there is an area of flatter river bank. In this area there are signs of earlier activity with rubble or spoil dumped appearing as very overgrown and uneven ground (see Figure 15 for location). The river bank appears to have been cut back in this area. This area of potential human intervention is consistent with an early mine level shown on the 1901 Ordnance Survey map. The current farmer also remembers that his grandfather had described reopening of the old coal level in this area in 1926, probably during the “Miners Lockout”.
5.8 Moving northwards into the northwestern area of the site the ground is similar rough pasture with streams. Most of the field boundaries are Modern fences but there are a few boundaries which comprise an earth and stone bank up to 0.5m high with a fence along the top. The one area of interest is on the western edge near the river, where there are remnants of a stone rubble building 30m by 15m with an entrance 2m wide on the eastern side, 10m from the northern end. This could be consistent with records which describe a Post-medieval barn in this area on an estate map (recorded on the HER as PRN 6757). There is also a short section of stone wall running from the western side of this structure towards the river. A gulley approximately 2m wide and 2m deep runs from the north eastern side of the building for approximately 20 to 30m northwards and then curves eastwards for approximately another 10m widening out to 5m wide at the end. On either side of this gulley at the northern end there were a number of round pits, approximately 3m in diameter and 1.5m deep. Both the gulley and the pits had clearly been created by human activity. See Figure 15 for the location of the identified features.
5.9 The northern and eastern area of the site consists of further large fields with Modern fences. There are streams including a particularly deep stony one running down to the river and the area is boggy with wet rough pasture.
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5.10 According to the British Geology Viewer (http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain /home.html) the bedrock geology comprises a band of “South Wales Lower Coal Measures Formation, mudstone, siltstone and sandstone” along the western edge of the site area. The rest of the site area comprises “The Deri Formation, mudstone, siltstone and sandstone”. There are superficial deposits of “Till, Devensian-Diamicton” across the whole site area.
5.11 No further observations were made during the site walkover survey that were considered germane to this study.
6 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
6.1 A CD containing 37 vertical aerial photographs covering the site was obtained from the Aerial Photography Unit for the Welsh Assembly Government. No LiDAR data was available for this site from the Environment Agency. The Cambridge University Collection of aerial photographs is not presently open for consultation. Images taken between 1945 and 2016 were examined at www.earth.google.com and the aerial and birdseye images were similarly examined at www.bing.com/maps.
6.2 The site itself has been under a mixture of pasture and scrubland for the duration of the period covered by the aerial photographs. The barn recorded on the HER under PRN 06757g cannot clearly be identified, however on the 1945 photographs there is a possible faint sub-rectangular cropmark which could represent the former barn recorded on the Estate map.
6.3 Visible on the earliest photographs near Prospect Place to the southwest of the site area, is a large trapezoid shape, with a smaller sub-square division in the southeastern corner of the feature. On the photographs dated to 1945 the feature appears to consist of a large walled outer area, with a smaller walled division. The shadows cast by the probable walls are small, so it would not appear that the upstanding features survived to any great height at this time. By the 1970’s the feature appears to be formed by wide flat bottomed negative earthworks. It would seem likely that if the earlier feature was of stone construction, then the material from this feature had been robbed out leaving a negative impression in the landscape. From its appearance it would seem likely that this is the footprint of an abandoned farmstead, but it is not listed in the HER data and unfortunately no early maps obtained for this document cover this area, however, it is marked on the 1964 OS map and is still present on the 2017 map.
6.4 The area of quarrying labelled 06873g and 06756g in the HER data is visible on all photographs covering this area. The locations of the cairns to the east of the study area can also be identified on the better quality photographs, but little detail can be ascertained.
6.5 On the eastern side of the study area within EA087 is a northwest-southeast aligned possible positive earthwork, which is visible on vertical photograph 93-261 dated 30/6/93. This is probably related to the mining/quarrying activity in this area, so would most likely be late Post-medieval/Modern in date.
6.6 To the northwest of the study area between the site area and the mine complex at Tredegar is a northwest-southeast straight linear depression, with a raised ramp at the northwest end. This feature was most likely linked to the mineworks, although not
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depicted on the 1877 map. It is clearly visible from the 1945 photographs onwards, with the best example on photograph 73 72 092 dated 10/8/93. The linear depression and ramp is marked on the 1964 OS map, however, only the linear depression seems to be marked on the 2017 OS map.
6.7 Outside the study area, to the north of Abertysswg and immediately east of the trapezoid feature noted in 6.3, is a long sinuous feature comprising two parallel upstanding earthworks which appear to terminate at the northwestern corner of Abertysswg. This possibly represents a trackway and is visible on all available Google Earth images from 2001 to 2016.
6.8 Along the western side of the study area, outside the redline boundary, are a large number of ‘tear drop’ shaped earthworks, which appear to follow the contours of the slopes. It is most likely that these represent small scale land slips, but may possibly be evidence of localised tipping events from small scale mining. These ‘features’ are clearest on photograph 73 72 053 dated 10/8/72.
6.9 In conclusion, the site appears to have been under continual use for agriculture for the duration of the period covered by aerial photographs. The 1945 photographs indicate it is possible that traces of the Post-medieval barn (PRN 06757g) may survive below ground level.
6.10 Composite 2m DSM LiDAR data held by National Resources Wales and available on the Lle Map Browser was examined but provided no additional data to that visible on aerial photographs or cartographic sources.
7 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
7.1 The purpose of this section of the report is to provide background information to place the site in its broader landscape and historical contexts. It is not meant to provide a comprehensive discussion of the historic landscape within and around the site, but to provide sufficient information to allow the significance of any heritage assets, likely to be affected by the proposed development, to be described, as stipulated in Planning Policy Wales Chapter 6.
7.2 The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (GGAT HER) lists 26 monument records, 2 events and 2 sites associated with the Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Project within the 1km buffer of the site boundary. One Scheduled Monument lies within the study area, the Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery (PRN07833g MM287), 400m to the north of the site boundary. There are no other Scheduled Monuments within 1km of the study area. There are no Listed Buildings within 1km of the site. The nearest Conservation Area is Tredegar, which lies approximately 1km to the northeast, within which there are a number of Listed Buildings. The Conservation Areas at Rhymney lies nearly 2km to the northwest of the site boundary. A number of additional scheduled monuments and listed buildings are present within 3km of the site, but none of these have any potential intervisibility and are not considered further in this document.
7.3 Historic Landscape Character
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7.3.1 The site lies within an area of high historic landscape value (HAA27 Bedwellte Fieldscape), with a surviving pattern of field enclosure shown on the historic mapping, comprising small sub-rectangular fields along the eastern flank of Mynydd Bedwellte with a pattern of larger polygonal fields on higher slopes, with areas of reclaimed land representing former extractive sites such as the Ty Trist and Bedwellty Pits collieries, established by the Tredegar Iron Company. The entire site area is recorded as an industrial landscape and includes two areas recorded as part of the Industrial Ironworks project.
7.4 Evidence for Prehistoric activity
7.4.1 Settlement of Wales began in the Palaeolithic period, although the known sites of this early human activity all lie in the southern coastal area or the eastern edge of Wales, with little evidence for occupation in the central upland areas until the Mesolithic period. There are a large number of Mesolithic sites in Wales, although the southern coastal area was most favoured, as there were many resources available there. There is however a scatter of evidence for Late Mesolithic activity in the more central and upland areas, which seems to indicate seasonal hunting locations. The nearest known Mesolithic site to the study area is a flint artefact assemblage from Gwaun Nant Ddu approximately 11km to the northwest. During the early Neolithic period in Wales settlement also appears to have been largely concentrated along the southern coastal area, and to the north on Anglesey. During the later Neolithic and early Bronze Age however, settlement expanded into the upland regions. Human activity in these upland areas is generally demonstrated by the number of ritual and burial monuments, usually built on high moorland areas. There are fewer known examples of domestic settlement sites at present, although this is partly due to lack of investigation. Several Neolitihic stone tools have been recorded from the wider area but the nearest one to the site was over 8km to the south. There is evidence for Bronze activity in the study area, with a number of Bronze Age cairns scattered across the surrounding uplands.
7.4.2 There are three records relating to the Bronze Age period present within the study area. The first is described as a Bronze Age round barrow (PRN 06878g), which lies approximately 450m to the east of the site boundary. The Twyn Yr Hyddod Round Cairn II (PRN 07041g), a ring cairn assigned to this period, is a similar distance to the east of the site boundary, but approximately 400m south of the barrow. The Carn Stwpa Kerb Cairn (PRN 06879g) lies just to the south of PRN 06878g, approximately 450m to the east of the site boundary.
7.4.3 One further cairn, the Twyn yr Hyddod Cairn III (PRN 06996g) is recorded on the HER approximately 600m to the east of the site boundary. However, there is little evidence for its existence and site visits have failed to identify its exact location. Its date is therefore currently recorded as Unknown.
7.5 Evidence for Roman period activity
7.5.1 There are no HER records within the study area for the Roman period.
7.5.2 There is no evidence at present for Roman activity within the immediate surrounding area of the site. There is a Roman Fort and associated settlement features near present day Merthyr Tydfil, approximately 8km to the west of the site. On Gelligaer Common, approximately 8km to the south, there are further earthwork features associated with
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the Roman military presence, including a Practice Camp, and further to the south a Fort.
7.6 Evidence for Early Medieval activity
7.6.1 In the period after the Roman withdrawal c. AD 383, the whole area of Wales was essentially rural in nature and was ruled as a series of separate kingdoms. It was characterised by small settlements known as trefi, and the society was ruled over at this time by a landed warrior aristocracy. The land ownership and territorial boundaries were complex and changeable during the early Medieval period, with numerous wars for territorial gain, and consolidation between the main aristocratic families. Documentary evidence in some areas is very limited.
7.6.2 There are no HER entries within the study area for the Early Medieval period.
7.7 Evidence for Medieval activity
7.7.1 There are no HER entries for the Medieval period within the study area.
7.8 Evidence for Post-medieval activity
7.8.1 In the Post-medieval period, this part of Wales was involved with two main industries, agriculture and Iron Working, and the HER records for the study area reflect this. In the first half of the 18th century the only development in the surrounding area was a few scattered farmsteads, and a small number of privately owned iron works, small coal drifts and levels. The area to the northeast of the study area became developed due to iron works from the mid-18th century onwards.
7.8.2 The Sirhowy Iron Works, the earliest in this area, was 2km to the northeast of the study area. However, it was the formation of the Tredegar Iron Company in 1800, on a site just over 500m northeast of the study area, which really started the development of the settlement here known as Tredegar. The landowner Sir Charles Morgan leased the land to Messrs Monkhouse and Fothergill of the Sirhowy Iron works to start this new company, and the site lies within the area of this leased land. Throughout most of the 19th century the company, which was known as the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, generally flourished although there were also short periods of economic decline when conditions for the local population were hard. Iron was manufactured with additional furnaces being constructed and high levels of output, and a number of relatively small- scale mining operations were opened across the area. By 1812 a tramway had been built to transport coal and iron ore to Newport docks. This increased the levels of commerce in the town and Tredegar effectively became the market town for the wider area.
7.8.3 The town experienced its first cholera outbreak in 1832, and a new isolated cemetery was opened for the victims on Cefn Golau, as the existing burial grounds could not be used. There was a further epidemic in 1849. These outbreaks both lasted for some months and a large number of people died.
7.8.4 By the mid-19th century the iron trade was being replaced by the new steel industry at Tredegar. In 1895, however, the steelworks closed and the predominant industry in the area became coalmining. In 1897 the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company commenced laying out of a new colliery in the Rymney Valley at Abertywswg to the southwest of the
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study area, and the earlier mines in the areas around Tredegar started to close. The Tredegar Iron and Coal Company continued to develop coal mines until it was nationalised in 1946, becoming part of the National Coal Board.
7.8.5 The only HER record of this period within the site boundary is a Post-medieval barn that is shown on an estate map (PRN 06757). This is recorded just inside the western boundary, but the HER also records that it has been destroyed. The estate map which is referenced is presumably in the 18th century Tredegar Estates archives held at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth and was not available for this report. The barn does not appear on the 1839 Tithe map, but was visible on the 1940s air photos and it was noted as a negative feature during the walkover survey.
7.8.6 Also linked to the Iron Working industry is the Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery (PRN07833g MM287) on Cefn Golau. This scheduled monument lies approximately 400m to the north of the site boundary. It is described as the evocative site of a cemetery with at least two hundred burials from two major cholera outbreaks in the first half of the 19th century, along with a third smaller outbreak in 1866. The earliest grave here is from 1832.
7.8.7 Another, less significant, cemetery is also present within the study area (PRN06513g). This small cemetery lies just to the north of the scheduled monument, approximately 400m to the north of the site boundary.
7.8.8 Five other Post-medieval structures lie to the north of the site boundary. The most significant is the intact farm, outbuildings and yard at Cwm-Tysswg (PRN 6511g) which stand approximately 200m to the northwest of the site boundary. A sheepfold and a number of other buildings are recorded on the 1st edition OS mapping, many of which have since been demolished.
7.8.9 Sites to the east of the site boundary comprise a mixture of quarries and mines, clearance cairns and agricultural or undefined buildings. The homestead at Waun- Tysswg is directly adjacent to the eastern site boundary (PRN 0672g), with the two crofts at Mountain Ash and Garn just to the south east. The majority of the buildings that are identified in the HER relate to crofting and sheep management.
7.9 Evidence for Modern activity
7.9.1 There are no entries in the HER relating to the Modern period within the study area.
7.10 Evidence for Undated activity
7.10.1 There are no entries in the HER relating to undated activity.
7.11 Archaeological Events
7.11.1 There are two entries in the HER that relate to archaeological events within the study area. The Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Landscapes project was undertaken to assess the current state of survival/preservation of the ironworks landscapes of the northern coalfield rim, and inform conservation, protection and management requirements through providing recommendations for the proactive and long-term management of the ironwork areas. Two sites were identified within the study area by this project. Both are extraction areas. The Cwm Tyswg extraction area (EA072) lies
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adjacent to the northwest corner of the site boundary and is crossed by the proposed access track. The Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Landscapes project describes this site as a small extractive area depicted on 1st edition OS maps consisting of two gravel pits to the west, a trial level and an old ironstone level in the north (Yr 4 Pt 3. p107). The Iron works it is linked to is unknown and there was no linking tramway. Another extraction site, quarries and surface workings at Mountain Ash and Carn Stwpa (EA 087) runs roughly parallel to the eastern site boundary, at approximately 250m distance. The Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Landscapes project describes this site as a small extractive area depicted on 1st edition OS maps consisting of an unnamed quarry and an old coal level (Yr 4 Pt 3. p112). The Iron Works it is linked to is unknown, but a tramway did link it into the larger Iron Working Industrial landscape.
7.11.2 All the records of mines and quarries lie to the east of the EA087 extraction site and show that, in addition to the larger scale industrialised extraction of ore, smaller more localised works were also present.
7.11.3 The survey details for the Bedwellte Fieldscape (HAA27), (Landmap- portal.naturalsources.wales) have evaluated the archaeological and historic significance of this landscape area to the south of Tredegar as high. This is due to “the well preserved character of this upland fieldscape and the reasonably diverse scope of the archaeological resource, with evidence of pre-industrial settlement, extensive industrial extractive activity and a post-medieval cemetery site”.
8 HISTORIC MAP ANALYSIS
8.1 A series of 10 historic maps have been analysed to place the site in its broader historic and landscape contexts.
8.2 Early County maps of Monmouthshire were examined, but were not sufficiently detailed to show the study area in any comprehensive sense and the scale of the maps is too small for any relevant details of the landscape to be shown.
8.3 The earliest available map to show the site in useable detail is the Parish of Bedwelty Tithe Map of 1839, which shows the site as single large land parcel numbered 1946. In the apportionment document this is listed as under the ownership of Sir Charles Morgan and the Tredegar Iron Company. The occupier is also listed as the Tredegar Iron Company. The description is written in very small almost unreadable script but has the appearance of “Meadow and pasture”. The only structure evident immediately adjacent to the site area is a building shown on the eastern edge in a land parcel numbered 1947, which is described in the apportionment as a “Homestead and meadow” called Blaen Tysswg. This is close to the area of the present farmhouse at Waun-Tysswg Farm, but appears to be a long narrow building. This is also listed as owned and occupied by Sir Charles Morgan and the Tredegar Iron Company.
8.4 The site boundaries along the eastern, western and southern sides remain broadly the same as the present-day site boundaries, although the northern boundary is not the same. At this time there are no other divisions or land boundaries shown within the site area.
8.5 Two apparent smallholdings shown to the east of the site area, numbered 1948 and 1949 are not listed on the Tithe apportionment document. To the north of the site area
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there are several small parcels of enclosed land within a larger enclosed area. Two of these are separately numbered 1930, and two others are numbered 1929 and 1931. On the apportionment document there are listings for 1930 and 1931 but these have both been crossed out. They appear to have originally been a “croft” occupied by William Evans and a “house and croft” occupied by Sarah Williams, both owned by Sir Charles Morgan. There is no listing for parcel number 1929. There are also two ponds or reservoirs shown in this area to the north of the site and a small rectangular enclosed area just between the reservoirs and the site area which corresponds with the cholera cemetery location.
8.6 The 1887 Ordnance Survey map shows that the site is still mostly open land at this time, however the area has been divided up into a number of large, irregular shaped fields. Most of these new land boundaries are fairly similar to those which are still present within this area. Few other changes are visible to the site area, although the 1887 plan illustrates a number of drains and watercourses (issues, collects and spreads) that may have been in existence in 1839 but not illustrated as irrelevant for tithing purposes. A small structure, possibly an agricultural, rather than industrial building, is located within the western edge of the site area. Some way to the south of this structure, a semi-circular depression is illustrated, which may represent the location of a feature labelled as ‘old level’ from 1901 onwards. On the eastern side the farm is now called Gwaun-Tysswg and has become a larger and squarer complex with some additional buildings. Just to the east there is a new branch off the original road which runs nearer to the site area, and a public house called the Mountain Ash Inn, and another smallholding or farmstead called Garn. Several quarries are illustrated further east along the original road.
8.7 To the north of the site area a new cemetery with two separate chapels, one for Dissenters and one Episcopal, is now clearly shown. The Old Burial Ground is shown to the south beyond the reservoirs and to the north of the site area. This matches the rectangular enclosure on the Tithe map which is the location of the earlier Cholera cemetery.
8.8 The 1901 Ordnance Survey map shows considerably internal change to the site area, with the introduction of a number of new field “boundaries”, which may merely represent more detailed depiction of the various watercourses and drains rather than being indicative of more intensive use of the land. On the northwest edge of the site area the words “Old Level” would appear to indicate that there was a level mine in this area at some stage and this may represent the feature illustrated on the earlier map of 1877. There has been a little further development at the farm buildings and the farm is now called Waun-Tysswg. There is also another property next to the Mountain Ash public house. There is very little change in the immediate vicinity, although the cemetery to the north has been extended and has an additional chapel.
8.9 A further “Coal level” is shown on the map to the east of the site, presumably representing another small early level mine.
8.10 The 1920 Ordnance Survey map shows that the site area is broadly unchanged, although more detail of land condition is illustrated. A ditch-like drainage/watercourse feature is illustrated as being more distinct along one of the land boundaries in the northwestern part of the site, having just been a slight dip on the earlier maps. A number of boundaries formerly defining three small fields to the east of the structure on the western edge of the site, which may have been associated with activities relating
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to it, have been removed, perhaps suggesting that the building was no longer in use. A new reservoir is illustrated on the river to the southwest of the site area.
8.11 The 1964 Ordnance Survey plan provides a slightly more detailed depiction of drains and watercourses within the site area, but shows no alteration to the field boundaries or evidence of land improvement. The small building in the western part of the site is no longer shown and the old level is also not labelled. Some changes may pertain to the buildings at Waun-Tysswg Farm, but this is not certain and may pertain more to the level of detail in depiction rather than actual changes. A golf course is illustrated to the west of the site and a new housing estate on the northeastern edge of Abertysswg is also shown, lying to the southwest of the site.
8.12 The 1973 Ordnance Survey plan illustrates no changes to the site area with the exception of the planting of a conifer plantation to the south, which extends into the southern part of the site area. A disused quarry is recorded to the southwest of the site, immediately to the north of the housing shown on the 1964 plan, although that earlier plan did not record a quarry in this location.
8.13 The 1986 Ordnance Survey plan shows no significant changes to the site area or its immediate environs. It is of some note, however, that the old level within the site area is again labelled, although this appears to be located a short distance south of the location given on earlier plans.
8.14 The 1999 Ordnance Survey plan is coloured and clearly depicts the nature of many of the boundaries shown on earlier plans as watercourses and drains. Few actual changes are visible within the site area, although the area of plantation in the very southwestern corner has been removed and a farm track is depicted heading northwest for a short distance from Waun-Tysswg Farm. Some change is illustrated to the farm buildings, most noticeably a new north-south range on the western side of the farmyard. No significant changes are noticeable in the environs of the site.
8.11 No changes are apparent on the 2006 Ordnance Survey plan.
8.12 The 2017 Ordnance Survey plan illustrates a number of changes within the site area associated predominantly with the removal of field boundaries in the western and southern parts of the site. An unroofed rectangular structure is illustrated to the southwest of the farm, located adjacent to a surviving field boundary and the system of trackways running from the farm into the site has been considerably extended. A number of possible changes are depicted to the farm buildings themselves, but may, again, be representative of more/less detailed surveying rather than actual changes.
9 ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL
9.1 Using the sources of data described in the previous sections, this section of the report will offer an assessment of likely potential for archaeological remains to be present within the site for each of the archaeological periods. The assessment of potential is based upon the known archaeological resource of an area, coupled with any known landuse, which may have affected the archaeological resource. A lack of archaeological assets in an area may, of course, be due to a lack of previous investigation in the area, rather than be representative of a true absence.
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9.2 Baseline Conditions
9.2.1 Prior to the assessment of archaeological potential, an assessment of baseline conditions is necessary to help establish the likelihood of archaeological deposits surviving within the site.
9.3 Prehistoric
9.3.1 There are three Historic Environment records for this period within the study area. These are all Bronze Age burial monuments, which lie between 400m and 450m to the east and south. It is clear from the scatter of such monuments in the wider area that the high ground was an important area during the later Prehistoric period. All of these features however, appear to lie on slightly higher ground, while the site itself lies broadly at the lowest point at the base of the hill, with the ground rising again to the south. It is possible that finds and features associated with this period are present on the site although, given the topography, structural remains or ceremonial/burial monuments have a negligible potential to be present. On the evidence available at this point, it is considered that the overall potential for this period is negligible-low. Given the nature of remains from this period in the surrounding area, the significance of any discoveries would be considered high.
9.4 Roman Period
9.4.1 There are no records for this period on the HER. The nearest known evidence for Roman activity is over 8km to the south and west. On the evidence available at this point, it is considered that the potential for this period is negligible-low, particularly given the topography. However, given the paucity of remains from this period in the surrounding area, if remains from this period were found, the significance would be considered high.
9.5 Early Medieval
9.5.1 The HER contains no records for this period within the site area, or the wider study area. On the evidence available at this point, it is considered that the potential for this period is negligible-low. Given the lack of remains from this period in the surrounding area, if remains from this period were found, the significance would be considered moderate, rising to high if occupation/structural remains were present.
9.6 Medieval
9.6.1 There are no records from the Medieval period in the search area. The area was located in the Ancient Parish of Bedwelty, and the tithe map evidence shows that by 1839 the site area was still open pasture or meadow in an area of scattered farmsteads. There is no evidence to indicate settlement or land enclosure during the Medieval period and it is almost certain that the site was in agricultural use during this time. The origin of the nearest farmstead is not clear from cartographic evidence, although there is nothing structural that suggests a date earlier than the Post-Medieval period. A building described as a barn is shown on the 18th century estate map, and the remains of this are still visible, however it appears to be of Post-medieval date. It is therefore highly improbable that finds and features associated with the Medieval period are present on the site. On the evidence available at this point, it is considered that, the potential for this period is low. Given the nature of remains from this period in the
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surrounding area, the significance of any non-agricultural or agricultural features would be considered moderate, rising to high if structural remains were present.
9.7 Post-medieval
9.7.1 There are more HER records associated with this period, many of which relate to the development of the early iron and coal industry and associated settlements. In the immediate vicinity of the site area the records mainly relate to agricultural activities, sheep farming and crofting, and small-scale extractive industries, which commenced in the 18th century. The development of the iron industry at Tredegar just to the northeast at the beginning of the 19th century heralded a new era of industrialisation, which has significantly influenced the settlement of this area. The site area lies within the area owned at this time by the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, and the main associated historic asset within the study area is the Tredegar Iron Company cholera cemetery, which lies in an isolated position on a prominent ridge just to the north of the site. This cemetery is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (MM287) and considered to be of high significance as it the only one which has survived in Wales.
9.7.2 Within the central western edge of the site area there are several Post-medieval heritage assets. The ruined walls of a building described as barn on an 18th century estate map are still visible, and several other previously unrecorded features lie in the area around and to the north of this (see Figure 15 for location). These consist of a gully and some pits which are probably associated with early extractive industry. On the southwestern edge of the site by the river there is an early coal level and traces of associated small- scale mining and spoil heaps. In general, within the site area the field boundaries are relatively late formations and the farmhouse complex is largely 20th century in date. The site also lies within the Bedwellte Fieldscape which is an area of high historic landscape value. This includes the Cwm-Tysswg an intact farm complex of buildings and yards which lies on the slope above to the northwest and the area to the south which is recorded as containing a number of elements relating to extractive industries relating to ironworking (Area EA072). Therefore, on the evidence available at this point, it is considered that the potential for this period to include features of agricultural and industrial origin is high, although the location of these is likely to be on the western edge of the site and particularly where the proposed access trackway passes through EA072. The significance of remains from this period is considered moderate, rising to high if they relate to the extractive industry: this is because the mining industry from this period is recognised as highly significant. The significance of the Post-medieval cemetery site to the north is considered high due to an association with the early industrial settlement and the rarity of the survival.
9.8 Modern
9.8.1 There are no HER records associated with this period within the study area and there is no evidence on mapping for this period of structures within the site, other than the small stable block and the shed noted during the walkover survey. The aerial photographic assessment also does not show any other structures within the site. Therefore, on the evidence available at this point, it is considered that the potential for non-agricultural features related to this period is low. If remains from this period were present, the significance would be considered to be negligible.
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10 SETTINGS APPRAISAL
10.1 During the site walkover survey, the intervisibility between the site and nearby designated assets was appraised and this section of the report will detail the findings of the settings appraisal.
10.2 Baseline Conditions
10.2.1 The site lies in a highly visible position within the lower part of a valley overlooked by the higher slopes to the east and west and the ridge above Tredegar to the north. The site is currently in use as rough pasture for sheep grazing with the farmhouse and outbuildings just within the eastern edge, on a raised area of ground.
10.3 Designated Assets (Monuments)
10.3.1 The nearest designated heritage asset to the site area is the Cholera Cemetery (MM287) which is located on the edge of the ridge just to the north of the site area. The main views to the south and southwest from this cemetery area and from the higher ground to the north and east of it all incorporate a wide-angle view of the site area. The views of the cemetery from the site area are less visible due to the relatively small dimensions of the cemetery and the topography. A number of other scheduled monuments are present within 3km, but none of these have any intervisibility with the proposed development.
10.4 Designated Assets (Listed Buildings)
10.4.1 There are no Listed Buildings within the study area; several listed buildings are present within 3km, but none have intervisibility with the proposed development.
10.5 Designated Assets
10.5.1 There are no designated assets within the study area.
10.6 Designated Assets (Conservation Area)
10.6.1 The nearest conservation area to the site is Tredegar This is located 2km to the northeast on the other side of a high ridge and has no intervisibilty with the site area.
10.7 Non-Designated Assets
10.7.1 The surrounding area which overlooks the site includes the undesignated heritage assets of Cwn-Tysswg Farm (PRN 6511G) to the northwest and the surrounding Bedwellte Fieldscape historic landscape area (HAA27). The views of the site area from these assets are wide and extensive. There are also several Post-medieval features within the site area, including the remains of extractive industrial activity and a building (PRN 06757) for which the setting would be changed by development on this site.
10.8 Conclusion
10.8.1 Due to the topography and location in the lower part of a steep sided valley, the site area is overlooked by much of the surrounding area. The designated heritage asset of the Cholera Cemetery lies directly north of the site area, overlooking it to the south and
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southwest. There would therefore be a high visual impact in this direction on the setting of this monument from the proposed development, although it is important to note that the photovoltaic scheme will only be in place for 30 years. The other non-designated heritage assets which overlook the site area are the Cwm-Tysswg Farm and the adjoining extractive industries area (EA 072) and the wider Bedwellte Fieldscape, of which it forms part. The visual impact on the setting of these assets would be moderate, rising to high with regard to EA072 from the proposed trackway that passes through it. Within the site area, the non-designated assets of the ruined barn and remains of other extractive industrial activity along the western edge of the site would also be visually impacted. It is therefore generally considered that a change in the usage of the site would have a moderate adverse impact on the settings of all these heritage assets and a substantial adverse impact on the setting of EA072 and could affect the significance of the designated and non-designated heritage assets in an adverse way.
11 IMPACT ASSESSMENT
11.1 The proposals for the site, as outlined in paragraph 1.1, are likely to involve some level of disturbance to the surface and sub-surface deposits. It is probable that the proposed development would extend only across the open flat areas of the site where there are no known features of archaeological interest and low potential for buried remains.
11.2 Standing Remains
11.2.1 The proposals have the potential to impact on the remains of the Post-medieval ruined barn (PRN 6757) and the extractive industry features just to the north of it, although, as shown on Figure 15, the barn lies very close to the edge of the solar arrays and the potential to avoid it could be encompassed within the development plans. The spoil tips further to the south do not seem likely to be affected by the proposed development. Temporary fencing around assets to be preserved could be erected during development. Outside the locations of these particular assets, it seems probable that, due to the nature of the proposed development and the topography of this area, the area of impact is likely to extend across the more open flatter areas of the site, and not encroach on the uneven ground. If this were to be the case the impact would be negligible-neutral. The proposed access road from the site to the B4256 also has the potential to affect upstanding elements of EA072. The access road will, however, consist of no more than a farm-track type feature; although the unmitigated effect of this feature might result in a moderate-substantial adverse impact, suitable mitigation involving a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording would ensure that any direct effect is reduced to a negligible impact.
11.3 Buried Archaeological Remains
11.3.1 The potential of the site has been identified as negligible or low for all periods, with the recognition that if features were present they may be of moderate to high significance, given their rarity in the area. In addition, the site is located in a very wet and boggy area, cut through by numerous streams, and this is likely to have been unattractive for any form of settlement activity at any period, prior to the present day. Previous activity within the site is therefore unlikely to have had more than a superficial impact on any buried deposits and no such deposits beyond possible agricultural or small-scale extractive features are anticipated. The overall potential for buried deposits is predicted to be low.
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11.3.2 Any significant remains which were present however could be disturbed, altered, truncated or possibly removed entirely by groundworks. Any Post-medieval finds relating to mining activity have been assessed as having moderate significance and their uncontrolled removal from the site would result in a loss of that significance. The overall impact of the proposals is currently predicted to be negligible across the majority of the site and moderate adverse where the proposed trackway crosses EA072.
11.3.3 Any possible adverse impact on archaeological deposits could be mitigated through a programme of archaeological recording as a mitigation strategy, but given the very limited potential for remains of any significance to be present within the greater part of site area, it is considered that any such archaeological condition would not be proportionate, other than along the line of the proposed trackway, ruined barn PRN 6757 and extractive industry features to the north of it, where such a condition is recommended if it is not possible to preserve them in situ. In the event that a condition is applied to a consent and a mitigation strategy be required, the residual impact on the archaeological resource is predicted to be neutral.
11.4 Settings
11.4.1 The Cadw guidance document Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (2017) explains what setting is, how it contributes to the significance of a historic asset and why it is important. Setting of Historic Assets in Wales also outlines the principles used to assess the potential impact of development or land management proposals within the settings of World Heritage Sites, ancient monuments (scheduled and unscheduled), listed buildings, registered historic parks and gardens, and conservation areas. These principles, however, are equally applicable to all individual historic assets, irrespective of their designation. It is important to note however, that settings have no intrinsic value in themselves and are only relevant where they contribute to the heritage significance of an asset. Visibility therefore does not, in itself, necessarily affect significance and it is possible for a development to be sited immediately adjacent to an asset and in full view without affecting its setting; conversely a development does not need to be visible at all to affect significance. Views into or out from heritage assets that neither contribute to significance nor allow appreciation of significance are a matter of amenity rather than of setting.
11.4.2 The settings appraisal identified that the proposals would visually affect the settings of several historic assets, both designated and non-designated. A number of other scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas and registered parks and gardens are present within a 3km radius, but have no intervisibility with the proposed scheme and are not further considered in this section. Settings can be affected by a number of other factors including noise and traffic, although visual effect is often the most common and easiest impact to appreciate. In relation to a photovoltaic scheme, such effects are likely to occur only during the construction and decommissioning phases and to represent only a minor impact.
11.4.3 The affected designated asset is the Cholera Cemetery on Cefn Goleu, which is an Scheduled Ancient Monument (MM287) just to the north of the site area. The cholera cemetery is detailed in the scheduling description thusly: The monument consists of the remains of a cholera cemetery from the epidemics which swept many emerging industrial communities in the 19th century. The epidemic at Tredegar in 1849 was focused on the housing for the ironworks. As in many areas, a
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separate cemetery was created on a hilltop away from the town, owing to fears of infection from the dead. The cemetery is delimited by the wrought iron bases of fence posts in a rectangle measuring 20m by 40m. It appears to contain six rows of graves with some 30 graves in each row. About 25 headstones remain standing and there are roughly 25 fallen slabs. Other graves are marked by stone edgings or mounds. Among legible inscriptions, in English and Welsh, nearly all record deaths in 1849, and many are directly ascribed to workers at Tredegar Ironworks. One is dated 1866. Given that there were often several burials per plot, the cemetery may represent between 200 and 600 fatalities. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of burial practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.
11.1.4 The cemetery was scheduled in 2000 but remained in an increasingly dilapidated and poorly maintained condition; the original boundary fence only survived as the bases to fence posts with only about 25 surviving upright headstones from at least 210 burials; other headstones had fallen, but many had been lost altogether. A campaign by local residents in 2007-2008 assisted in the implementation of a programme of restoration which included the erection of a functional, but unattractive, modern steel boundary fence.
11.4.5 Part of the heritage value relating to the Cefn Gloau cemetery is that it represents the only known survivor of a cholera cemetery. Others are known to have existed – notably at Thomastown at Aberdare- but these have since been cleared.
11.4.6 The cemetery is located in an isolated position with extensive views of an open landscape, in particular the Bedwellte Fieldscape, which is itself recognised as being of heritage significance. The cemetery was constructed in this isolated position in response to a single emotional driver, which was fear. Cholera also bore a significant degree of stigma; a surviving account of the 1849 epidemic described the town as being in the grip of the “King of Terrors” and there are accounts of families burying their dead during the hours of night time due to the shame attached to the disease. The original purpose of the cemetery, built to take the victims of a stigmatised epidemic, would have involved little consideration of any aspect of the landscape beyond isolation.
11.4.7 During the Victorian period, the burgeoning population, combined with poor survival rates, resulted in many existing church cemeteries within towns and cities becoming overfull, often with existing burials dug out or broken up to allow new burials to be inserted by disrespectful gravediggers. Much evidence for this was submitted to the Mackinnon Enquiry of 1842 “I have seen them play at what is called skittles; put up bones and take skulls and knocked them down; stick up bones in the ground and throw a skull at them as you would a skittle-ball”. Despite the Victorian ideal of elaborate and ritualised treatment of death, in practice, particularly outside the larger metropolitan areas, treatment of the dead could occasionally involve a lack of respect that would seem shocking to the modern perspective. The cholera epidemics in Britain during the mid-19th century were a prominent element in changing attitudes to burial, helping lead to the introduction of municipal graveyards outside, or on the outskirts of, towns and cities, rather than within them. Many of these new cemeteries were intended as ….. “a great theatre for public taste” according to the MP John Bowring during the Mackinnon Enquiry, but this elaborate Victorian ideal is no longer current; with modern
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cemeteries containing plain headstones amid mown grass lawn, rather than a form of parkland where families might go to picnic.
11.4.8 The Tredegar cholera cemetery would have had none of these ‘parkland’ associations but would have fulfilled a more pragmatic function in the separating of the dead from the living. The concept of ‘miasma’, in this sense of contagion rising from the graves, would have helped drive the location of the cemetery in this isolated spot. It is likely that in its original conception, the cemetery would have been more inwards looking; some of the headstones are certainly relatively ornate and it is clear that visitors would have been expected. However, it is unlikely that views out of the cemetery were a significant consideration at that time. The concept of ‘designed views’ is not something that would have had much place in the minds of the affected families; many of the victims would have been working in the industrial and agricultural industries associated with Tredegar and, rather than the sweeping, almost empty, modern vistas towards the proposed development site, some contemporaneous views would have contained the paraphernalia of a working mining and agricultural landscape. Many of the views for these visitors would therefore have appeared more as reminders of their own working lives, rather than providing a sense of peace and tranquillity. The relationship between the cemetery and the surrounding views should therefore be seen as broadly incidental to its original design.
11.4.9 The setting of the monument therefore needs to be considered predominantly in an aesthetic and communal sense, although its unique nature as the only known surviving cholera cemetery in Wales means that its historic value cannot be undervalued. The setting of the monument, in essence, revolves around the sense of isolation and the open views, particularly to the south and southwest, are therefore integral to how it is experienced today.
11.4.10 The proposed development will involve covering extensive areas to the south and southwest with solar panels, perimeter fence and associated infrastructure, significantly changing the nature of the views in this direction. A substation and 15m tall lattice tower are proposed close to the northern boundary of the proposed scheme. These will be partially concealed by the cluster of existing dilapidated agricultural buildings between the cemetery and the proposed scheme and the impact of the lattice tower may not be considerable, given its nature. Nonetheless, these features are likely to represent a noticeable intrusion in the landscape and further detract from the setting of the monument.
11.4.11 Although there are views all around the cemetery, the most attractive from a modern perspective is the vista to the south and southwest, where the solar arrays are proposed. The fieldscape in this direction has seen considerable division through the introduction of field boundaries since the cholera cemetery was constructed and there may also have been more extensive industrial activity than is apparent today. However, to the modern ‘viewer’ by whom the setting would be experienced, the scene appears evocative and almost entirely unspoiled with panoramic views. As a result, the cemetery fulfils most of the aesthetic requirements that one might expect for this type of monument, with all of its mournful associations. The generally dilapidated condition of the monument might even be seen as adding to the sense of isolation and melancholy. In counter to this, the cemetery has been surrounded by a visually unattractive steel fence that significantly detracts from its setting, while the presence of the small complex of dilapidated agricultural structures to the south also provides a very limited but eye- catching later intrusion into the landscape.
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11.4.12 Additionally, the communal value of the cemetery should not be understated, particularly to the present-day inhabitants of Tredegar for whom the cemetery is redolent of a link to a lost industrial past and provides a distinct and well-defined sense of place. The campaign for restoration works in 2007-2008 demonstrated considerable public feeling in this regard and significantly raised the public profile of the cemetery.
11.4.13 The proposed development is therefore likely to result in an adverse effect to the communal and aesthetic value with regard to views to the south, but other views to and from the cemetery would not be affected. Indeed, the cemetery is difficult to discern in all views looking towards the cemetery that incorporate elements of the proposed development, with the eye being drawn to other features within the landscape including a range of derelict agricultural buildings that lie to the south of the asset, as well as Cefn Golau cottage to the northwest. No other significant impacts on the setting of the monument are anticipated, although it should be noted that impacts from noise and traffic will occur during the construction and decommissioning phases. These will, however, be of relatively short duration and the nature of photovoltaic schemes means that there will be no noticeable noise during the 30-year lifetime of the scheme. The facility will be unmanned and the only additional traffic generated during the operational phase will be from occasional maintenance visits, which are unlikely to occur more than bi-annually. At the end of the operational phase the scheme will be decommissioned and the land returned to its former agricultural usage; the scheme is therefore fully reversible with regard to the setting of the monument.
11.4.14 No practicable mitigation for the impact on the setting of this monument appears possible. Given the nature and scale of the proposed development, there is no realistic scope for the relocation of solar panels and inverters, perimeter fencing and access roads. It is possible that the proposed substation and lattice tower might be relocated further south, to minimise the disproportionate impact of these structures, as long as that is feasible within the development proposals, but these are unlikely to be visually prominent in any case as indicated by the photomontage prepared for the LVA (RPS, Figure 33). Traditional mitigation might normally take the form of screening through the planting of trees and hedgerows; however no such planting would be appropriate in this case, given that it would be uncharacteristic and intrusive given the nature of the existing landscape and may be considered more detrimental to the setting of the monument than the solar panels, which will at least retain the open nature of the view and will have no, or very minimal, skyline impact.
11.4.15 Based on a subsequent site visit undertaken on 30th October 2018 and informed by the photomontage and using the criteria set out in Table 2.2 and the ICOMOS guidance (2.11) the effect on the views to the south of the cemetery has been reassessed. The greater part of the scheme would not be visible from the cemetery, with those panels which can be seen being experienced as little more than a slight visual change in a relatively small area due to the subdued colouring of the panels. The lattice tower proposed within the northern boundary of the site would also be difficult to discern at these distances. It is therefore the conclusion of this report that the effect of the proposed development on views to the south would result in a minor adverse impact (slight visual changes to a few key aspects of historic landscape and the settings of any asset).
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11.4.16 A limited visual effect is anticipated with regard to views looking towards the cemetery that incorporate intervisibility with elements of the proposed development. The cemetery is difficult to discern in all views from the south that incorporate elements of the proposed development, with the eye being drawn to other features within the landscape including a range of derelict agricultural buildings that lie to the south of the asset, as well as Cefn Golau cottage to the northwest. The nature of the heritage asset is such that it comprises mid-dark grey coloured headstones with a low above ground profile in an area of rough vegetation and is virtually indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape from within even a very short distance. Whilst it is accepted that this lack of visibility does not in itself divest a heritage asset from its setting (even buried assets may in some cases have a ‘setting’), setting only comprises a relevant concern where it contributes to the heritage significance of an asset.
11.4.17 Relevant views in this regard are restricted to dynamic views from the road along the views across the panels towards the cemetery, becoming more oblique towards its junction with the higher unnamed road to the east, after which no intervisibility applies. The cemetery itself can be recognised along this route only through the modern fencing that delimits it and which itself has a detracting effect on the setting of the asset. A pedestrian walking along the road would have approximately seven minutes whereby the panels and the fencing around the monument – but not the monument itself to the naked eye - are visible and this will equate to less than one minute in a vehicle, during which time it is the contention of this report that it would be almost impossible to identify the asset (Plate 9).
11.4.18 Given the generally oblique and transitory nature of the intervisibility and the virtual impossibility of appreciating the monument over these distances, this report concludes that the views towards the cemetery from the south and southeast have no relevance in their ability to affect the significance of the asset and therefore effectively represent amenity views. Nonetheless, some consideration must be given to the effects in regard to communal value, in that knowledge of the cemetery does not necessarily require sight of it. In assessing this communal value, it is considered that the cemetery relates to Tredegar, from which it was almost certainly deliberately located to avoid any visibility, and that views from the south and east would not either in the past or present have been relevant and do not consequently result in an appreciable effect on heritage significance. As such the effects of the proposed development from these receptors is considered negligible tending to slight adverse impact.
11.4.19 Views from the east-west of the B4256 to the north of the cemetery have the same limited degree of intervisibility as from the cemetery itself, in that the proposed development would be either not noticeable at all or would represent no more than a slight colour change to the south. As such the effects of the proposed development from this receptor is considered negligible.
11.4.20 The overall impact on the setting of this monument by the proposed development would be minor adverse in that only some key aspects would be changed, while other views from and to the monument would not be affected.
11.4.16 There would be a visual impact on the settings of the Bedwellte Fieldscape which encompasses the area within which the site lies and includes Cwm-Tysswg Farm which overlooks the site from the northwest. Heritage assets associated with the local extractive industry and agricultural use within the central western part of the site include the ruins of a stone barn (HER 06757), a gully, several pits and a number of spoil tips.
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The use of the area for industrial purposes is long in the past and, while it is difficult to appreciate the asset itself through a general absence of above-ground evidence (evidential value) with the exception of the ruins of a stone barn, a gully, some pits and a number of spoil tips, the fieldscape itself is well-preserved and, in this regard, it retains some historic value, as well as communal and aesthetic value in how it is appreciated today. The construction of the proposed development would have an effect on the appreciation of the asset, despite its general lack of above ground elements, as well as an effect on its associative features, but historic field boundaries will be retained within the proposals. Nonetheless, to a considerable degree, the visual impact will affect the amenity value rather than the heritage significance of the affected areas. As a result, this report concludes that the impact on the setting of these features will represent a minor adverse trending to moderate adverse impact (visual change to key aspects of the historic landscape; resulting in moderate changes to historic landscape character) in accordance with the criteria set out in Table 2.2.
11.4.17 There would be a very limited visual impact on the setting of EA072 from the construction of the proposed trackway which will be indistinguishable from a farm track and therefore in keeping with the existing agricultural land regime, meaning that the proposals would result in a negligible impact (no appreciable effect on the setting of any asset) trending to a slight adverse impact (slight visual changes to a few key aspects of historic landscape and the settings of any asset).
11.4.18 Due to the topography of the area the historic core and conservation area at Tredegar is beyond a high ridge, over 2km northeast and completely obscured from view, and the impact of the proposed changes would be neutral.
12 CONCLUSIONS
12.1 This proportionate heritage impact assessment has considered the potential for development at Wantysswg Farm, Abertysswg, Wales to affect known and potential heritage assets, as required by section 6.5 of the National Planning Policy Wales, Edition 9 Chapter 6.
12.2 There are several identified heritage assets present on the site (see Figure 15 for locations). These are all located on the western edge of the site area and include the remains of a Post-Medieval barn shown on an 18th century map but demolished by the time of the tithe survey in 1839, and some features from the early extractive industry in the area, including an early mine level and workings, a gully, and some small pits. If the barn and extractive industry features just to the north of it cannot be preserved in situ, then archaeological mitigation is recommended; the spoil tips further to the south will probably remain unaffected by the proposed development. Any identified features to be preserved in situ would benefit from the erection of temporary fencing around them to clearly demarcate their positions.
12.3 The site also lies within an area of high historic landscape value known as the Bedwellte Fieldscape, including a recorded extractive ironworking industry Site (EA072) and there is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery, located just to the north.
12.4 The HIA has also considered the potential for heritage assets with an archaeological interest to be present on the site, based on the known archaeological remains that are
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presently recorded in the vicinity. The potential has been assessed as low for the Prehistoric, Roman, Early Medieval and Medieval periods, with the recognition that if features were present they would be of moderate to high significance, given their rarity in the area.
12.5 The potential for non-agricultural Post-medieval features has also been assessed as moderate-high and the potential significance for these periods is high, especially with regard to assets which may relate to the historic extractive industry in the area.
12.6 Overall the proposed development would have a low non-visual impact on heritage assets within the site area, especially if a mitigation strategy were adopted; that is to not extend the area of development to the western edge of the central western part of the site area which has been identified as the main location for archaeological and historic features.
12.7 The main impact which would result from the proposals has been identified as an effect on the setting of heritage assets. This would result in a negligible trending to minor adverse impact on the setting of extractive industry area EA072 and a moderate adverse unmitigated direct impact on physical remains associated with it, reducing to negligible with appropriate mitigation. An overall minor adverse impact on the setting of the Scheduled Monument Area of the Cholera Cemetery, with a minor adverse trending to moderate adverse impact on the Bedwellte Fieldscape including Cwm- Tysswg Farm, and the heritage assets within the site area. Due to the topography of the site area and the views from the surrounding area, no mitigation is possible, although it is important to note that the photovoltaic scheme will only be in place for 30 years and is fully reversible with regard to settings.
13 REFERENCES
Cadw, 2011. Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales.
Cadw, 2017. Setting of Heritage Assets in Wales. (Welsh Government)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014. Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments.
Blaenau Gwent, Adopted Local Development Plan: Strategic Policies (2006-2021).
Department of the Environment (DoE), 1985. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
Historic England, 2011. Seeing the History in the View: A Method for Assessing Heritage Significance of Views.
Historic England, 2016. Preserving Archaeological Remains: Decision-taking for Sites Under Development.
Jones, O 1972. Early Days of Sirhowy and Tredegar.
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Landmap-portal.naturalsources.wales
Lynch, F, Aldhouse-Green, and Davies J. Prehistoric Wales.
Powell, E. 2008. Powell’s History of Tredegar
RPS, 2018. Land at Waun-Tyswgg Farm, Abertysswg, Rhymney: Landscape Visual Assesment
Welsh Government, 2016. Planning Policy Wales. Edition 9.
14 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Foundations Heritage would like to thank David Meehan of Elgin Energy ESCO Ltd, RPS, Helen Hudd, the landowner of the site; the staff the curatorial team at GGAT, and the Gwent and Glamorgan Record Offices for their assistance during the course of this project.
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HER Data: Monuments
PRN Name Summary NGR X Y Unitary Authority Community Period Type
CWM- Farmhouse, GGAT06511g SO13190746 313190 207460 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Farm TYSSWG outbuildings and yard
GGAT06513g Cemetery Small cemetery SO13930765 313930 207650 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Cemetery Mine and GGAT06722g Mine and level SO14180602 314180 206020 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Mine level GGAT06723g Quarry Quarry SO14250632 314250 206320 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry MOUNTAIN Series of buildings GGAT06724g SO14050644 314050 206440 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval CROFT ASH and enclosure Series of buildings GGAT06725g GARN and enclosure, named SO14110658 314110 206580 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval CROFT by 1880 Series of buildings WAUN- and enclosure, named GGAT06726g SO13950669 313950 206690 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval HOMESTEAD TYSSWG Blaen Tysswg (1839), Gwaun Tysswg (1880)
Enclosure in GGAT06727g Small enclosure SO13150752 313150 207520 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval SHEEP FOLD Tredegar
GGAT06755g Building Single building SO1366707231 313667 207231 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Building
GGAT06756g Quarry Quarry SO14230693 314230 206930 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry
Barn shown on estate GGAT06757g Barn SO13300683 313300 206830 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Barn map. Quarry, c100m GGAT06873g Quarry SO142407014 314242 207014 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry diameter
WFA17 HER Data: Monuments
Circular structure, 6m GGAT06874g Shelter SO1467906846 314679 206846 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Structure x 5m, with stone bank Quarry, c40m GGAT06876g Quarry SO142306307 314232 206307 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry diameter Rectangular SITE NAME depression, c4m x GGAT06877g NOT SO1449806694 314498 206694 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Hollow 4m, with banks on 2 KNOWN opposite sides A small oval mound situated south of PRN 6879g. The mound is currently under grass and moss with quite CARN steeply sloping sides; Round GGAT06878g STWPA no ditch or kerbstones SO14490684 314490 206840 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Bronze Age barrow CAIRN II are visible. Nothing in the mound's appearance or form would date it to a definitive period.diameter 2.5m The Carn Stwpa kerb cairn is a poorly- preserved and denuded example of a Carn Stwpa GGAT06879g burial monument of SO1448906868 314489 206868 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Bronze Age Kerb cairn Kerb Cairn the Early Bronze Age (c. 2000-1500 BC). It is 7m in diameter and stands 0.3m high. 2 adjacent quarry pits, GGAT06880g Quarry pits SO1448106885 314481 206885 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry c4m diameter
WFA17 HER Data: Monuments
Quarry and GGAT06881g Small quarry and tip SO1428306628 314283 206628 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry tip Small quarry, c4m GGAT06882g Quarry SO1412307031 314123 207031 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Quarry diameter Partially destroyed Twyn yr oval cairn, aligned Kerb Hyddod NNW-SSE, with four GGAT06968g SO1455106377 314551 206377 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval cairn,clearan Clearance stones defining the ce cairn Cairn northern edge of the cairn. GGAT06994g Building Building SO13570753 313570 207530 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Building GGAT06995g Building Building SO13870743 313870 207430 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Building No visible remains at cited NGR, nor in the vicinity. There is a Twyn Yr large, circular stand of GGAT06996g Hyddod sedge 15m to NE SO14550630 314550 206300 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Unknown Cairn Cairn III which may have been wrongly identified as this site from AP.(02 Evans) Twyn yr Hyddod Cairn II is a well-preserved and largely intact Twyn Yr example of a burial Hyddod GGAT07041g monument of the Early SO14500645 314500 206450 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Bronze Age Ring cairn Round Bronze Age (c. 2000- Cairn II 1500 BC). It is 3m in diameter and stands 0.3m high.
WFA17 HER Data: Monuments
This isolated site, set on the bleak Tredegar mountainside to the Ironworks GGAT07833g west of Tredegar is SO13880757 313880 207570 Blaenau Gwent Tredegar Post-Medieval Cemetery Cholera one of the most Cemetery evocative in the south Wales valleys.
WFA17 HER Data: Events
PRN Name NGR Community Type Year Organisation Summary E000954 Southeast Wales SO 09652 Darran Project 2005- Glamorgan-Gwent This project was instigated in response Industrial Ironworks 05462 Valley 2010 Archaeological Trust to the ongoing threats faced by (GGAT) industrial remains of Southeast Wales. The aim of the project was to assess the current state of survival/preservation of ironworks landscape in the area of the northern coalfield rim to inform conservation, protection and management of these monuments and their associated landscapes.
E001126 Field visit Twyn yr SO 14551 Tredegar Field 2006 Glamorgan-Gwent Field visit undertaken as part of GGAT Hyddod Clearance 06377 visit Archaeological Trust 72 Prehistoric funerary and ritual sites Cairn (GGAT) project.
WFA17 HER Data: Industrial Ironworks Landscape Data
Extractive Name NGR Area Number
EA087 Quarries and surface workings at Mountain Ash SO1311807265 and Carn Stwpa. EA072 Cwm Tyswg SO1420406103
WFA17 0m 2km
1:50,000
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A4
© Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722 Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: SE A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Site Outline Approved By: RK Date: 29/11/17
Figure 1: Site Location. A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 2: HER Map
06513g Site Outline 07833g 1km Buffer 06727g 06994g Mm287 06511g 0m 200m 400m 06995g 1:10,000@A3
EA072 06755g HER Data
Events 06882g 06873g Bronze Age 06756g EA087 06880g Post-medieval 06757g 06878g 06874g 06879g Unknown
06726g 06877g Industrial Ironworks Landscape 06881g 06725g Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery: 07041g Scheduled Ancient 06724g Monument (MM287) 06968g 06723g E001126 06876g 06996g
EA087
06722g
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2018. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: RK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 3: Tithe Map, 1839
Approximate Site Location
NOT TO SCALE
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2018. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: RK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 4: Ordnance Survey Map, 1877
Approximate Site Location
NOT TO SCALE
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: RK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 5: Ordnance Survey Map, 1901
Approximate Site Location
NOT TO SCALE
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: RK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 6: Ordnance Survey Map, 1920
Approximate Site Location
NOT TO SCALE
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 7: Ordnance Survey Map, 1945
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 8: Ordnance Survey Map, 1964
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 9: Ordnance Survey Map, 1973
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 10: Ordnance Survey Map, 1986
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 11: Ordnance Survey Map, 1999
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 12: Ordnance Survey Map, 2006
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: TLM Approved By: DK Date: 01/10/18
Figure 13: Ordnance Survey Map, 2017
Site Outline
0m 200m 400m 1:10,000@A3
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2017. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2017 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: SE Approved By: DK Date: 10/11/17
312800 313000 313200 313400 313600 313800 314000 314200 314400 Figure 14: Proposed Development Plan and Location of Features Identified during the Walkover Survey
207600 207600 Site Outline
Pits and Gully (Looking NW) 500m Buffer
0m 200m 400m 207400 207400 1:10,000@A3
207200 207200
Site Boundary
Extractive Pits NW of Fig.2. Half Solar Panel 207000 207000 Full Solar Panel
3.5m Access Track SO 133303 06870 SO 13311 06826 Inverter Substation 206800 206800 5m Standoff from Watercourse/Hedge
Cable Route
Security Fence
206600 206600
SO 1343106505 Location of Feature Identied Fig. 1: Ruined Barn - Post Medieval during the Walkover Survey
206400 206400
206200 206200
206000 206000 Fig. 4: Coal Level Area on RHS Stream (Looking NW)
205800 205800
312800 313000 313200 313400 313600 313800 314000 314200 314400
COPYRIGHT NOTICE © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2018. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. Fig. 5: Spoil Heaps by © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018 Fig.4 (Looking SE) 4 7 3 6 5
8
1
9
2
© Crown Copyright and Database Right 2018. Ordnance Survey Licence 100015722
This drawing is subject to copyright. © Archaeological Management Services Limited 2018
A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: DK Site Outline Approved By: RK Date: 208/11/18 4 Location and direction of photograph Figure 15: 0m 200m 400m Viewpoint Plan 1:10,000@A3 Cemetery (to rear of building)
Plate 1: View north from the Application Site looking towards the cemetery.
Plate 2: View of the Application Site from the east.
Approximate extent of Solar Panels
Plate 3: View from the cemetery situated to the north of the Application Site, looking south across the Site.
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: DK Approved By: RK A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Date: 08/11/18
Plates 1 to 3 Approximate extent of Solar Panels Cwm Tysswg
Plate 4: Panorama of the burial ground looking SE-S-SW
Cwm Tysswg Approximate extent of Solar Panels
Plate 5: Panorama looking SE-S-SW from the SE corner of the burial ground
Approximate extent of Solar Panels Tredegar Ironworks Cholera Cemetery
Cwm Tysswg
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: DK Approved By: RK A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Date: 08/11/18
Plates 4 to 6 Plate 6: Panorama looking SE-S-SW-W from the track to the east of the burial ground Approximate extent of Solar Panels Cwm Tysswg (within the parameters of plate 7)
Plate 8: Panorama looking W from south of the burial ground Plate 7: Panorama looking S-SE-E from within the burial ground
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: DK Approved By: RK A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Date: 25/06/18
Plates 7 and 8 Photovoltaic scheme Cholera Cemetery
Site Code: WFA17 Drawn By: DK Approved By: RK A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD Date: 08/11/18
Plate 9 A DIVISION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES LTD
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