Eryri Local Development Plan Background Paper 3 Historic Environment May 2017

Eryri Local Development Plan

Background Paper 3

Historic Environment

May 2017

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

1. Introduction

1.1 The Snowdonia National Park cannot be separated from its people. The Park is not an area of wilderness but is a combination of a landscape that has been modified, with communities and a culture created by its inhabitants over a period of thousands of years. Its cultural heritage encompasses the all human activity within its confines, dating from the prehistoric up until the present day.

1.2 The historic environment of Snowdonia has a wealth of archaeological remains ranging from individual sites, many of which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, to more extensive areas where the landscape bears witness to human activities and habitation over the last 6,000 years. These can be considered to be part of the “hard” cultural heritage of the National Park

1.3 Snowdonia is a stronghold of Welsh culture. The Welsh language is the most obvious part of the “soft” cultural heritage in the Park as is the inherent Welsh culture. Some 58% of the population speaks Welsh and historically the percentage was substantially higher. The different dialects used add to the wealth of the area. The language is the unbroken link between the past and the present. There is a Welsh name on every mountain, hill, stream and river. The names of our farms, fields, streets and mansion houses, cottages and towns all form a part of rich cultural inheritance.

1.4 The literature of Wales has its deep roots in the Mabinogi, the nation’s medieval literature masterpiece, which has several stories located within the Park boundaries. In addition there is a wealth of folklore and local oral histories about our rivers, lakes and mountains. The eisteddfod tradition continues as a living part of today’s culture . The expressive arts have also been inspired by our shared history.

1.5 Snowdonia has attracted visitors for centuries and they have contributed to its cultural wealth through literature, paintings, photography and innovative scientific investigations, particularly in earth sciences.

2. The Historic Environment in Snowdonia

2.1 World Heritage Sites Harlech Castle is included within “The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd” World Heritage Site; Consultation is currently underway on a new management plan for The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd World Heritage Site. The implications of the new plan will need to be taken into account during the ELDP Review.

2.2 Scheduled Ancient Monuments

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

Scheduling is the process through which nationally important sites and monuments are given legal protection by being placed on a schedule. Scheduled Monuments cover the whole range of archaeological sites and are not always visible or above ground sites. There are 377 in Snowdonia.

2.3 Since 1985 a system of monitoring the condition of scheduled ancient monuments (SAMs) has been undertaken by Cadw Field Monument Wardens (FMWs). An assessment of all monuments within the Park is shown below.

Condition No of sites %age Improved 18 5% Stable 334 89% Worsened 25 7%

2.4 Listed Buildings The listing process ensures that buildings of 'special architectural or historic interest' are placed on a list and afforded statutory protection. The number and grade of Listed Buildings in Snowdonia is shown below.

Listed Building Grade Number Grade 1 13 Grade 2* 119 Grade 2 1,799 Total 1,911

2.5 Conservation Areas Conservation Areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve. They are a statutory designation and they help to ensure the positive management of buildings within them and their character.

2.6 There are fourteen Conservation Areas in Snowdonia. These are Betws y Coed, Beddgelert, Nantmor, Dolbenmaen, Maentwrog, Bala, Harlech, Dolgellau, Cymmer Abbey, Pant y Rodyn, Aberdyfi, Abergwyngregyn, Llanllechid and Nant Peris.

2.7 Historic Parks and Gardens Wales has a rich inheritance of historic parks and gardens. They form an important and integral part of the historic and cultural fabric of the country. Those thought to be of national importance have been included on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. There are some 21 Historic Parks and Gardens within the National Park.

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

3. The Slate Industry of North Wales World Heritage Site Bid

3.1 A partnership comprising Gwynedd Council; the Snowdonia National Park Authority; Welsh Cadw; the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales; the National Museum of Wales; the National Trust and Bangor University is promoting the inscription by UNESCO of the Slate Industry of North Wales as a World Heritage Site.

3.2 The site, which is on a Tentative List1 for nomination by the UK Government, consists of seven areas, some of which are in the National Park, representing the variety of technology, organisation and social and environmental impacts of the slate industry in the mountain landscapes of north Wales, which once dominated world production and which is still active.

3.3 Areas wholly within the Park include Cwmstradllyn and Cwm Pennant, Bryneglwys quarry and Abergynolwyn village. Parts of the Dwyryd Valley and the greater part of the Festiniog Railway are located within the Park as is most of the length of the Talyllyn Railway. Some structures associated with these sites already receive protection through their listing or scheduling.

3.4 Other areas outside the National Park include the Ogwen Valley, Nantlle and Aberllefenni

4. The Historic Environment (Wales) Act

4.1 The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 received Royal Assent on 21 March 2016. The Act makes important changes to the existing laws for the historic environment to deal with current weaknesses and inconsistencies, for example, in the case of unlawful damage to scheduled monuments there are provisions to make it harder for those who cause the damage to escape prosecution. The Act amends the two pieces of UK legislation — the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

4.2 The Act also introduces new structures to support the positive management of change in the historic environment and one of the Act’s measures allows owners and the relevant authorities to negotiate agreements for the coherent and consistent management of historic assets over a period of years.

4.3 The Act will be supported by a suite of complementary policy, guidance and advice documents that will ensure that the management Welsh historic conforms

1 A Tentative List is an inventory of those sites or areas considered by the Government to be suitable for nomination for WHS inscription because of the outstanding universal value of their cultural and/or natural heritage.

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

to current best practice. Public consultation on these documents will take place during 2016 and 2017.

4.4 The Act 2016 has three main aims:-

1. To give more effective protection to Listed Buildings and Scheduled Monuments there are provisions for:-

• Extending the definition of a monument • Changes to the Scheduled Monument consent process (certain provisions) • Temporary stop and enforcement notices for Scheduled Monuments • Amendments to the criminal offences and defences for damage to scheduled monuments • Powers of entry for the archaeological investigation of ancient monuments

2. To improve the sustainable management of the historic environment there are provisions for:-

• Compiling a Statutory register for historic parks and gardens • Compiling a Statutory list of historic place names • Compiling a Statutory historic environment records • The introduction of heritage partnership agreements • Amending to the scheduled monument consent process • New rules for applications for certificates of immunity from listing

3. To introduce greater transparency and accountability into decisions taken on the historic environment there are provisions for:-

• The establishment of the Advisory Panel for the Welsh Historic Environment • Consultation, interim protection and review of decisions to designate historic Assets • Formal consultation with owners and others when a building is being considered for Listing or a site for Scheduling

4.5 Some of these provisions are already in force whilst supplementary regulations or non-legislative, preparations will be needed before others can be brought into force.

5. Policy Context

5.1 Planning Policy Wales (PPW)

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 9 November 2016 refers to the central role that the historic environment has in contributing to Wales’ culture and character, enriching the “sense of place” and distinctive cultural identity. It is also considered to be an important economic and social asset. It is essential therefore that the historic environment is protected, appreciated and actively maintained and made accessible for the well-being of this and future generations. PPW sets out WG’s objectives with regard to the historic environment

• conserve and enhance the historic environment, which is a finite and non- renewable resource and a vital and integral part of the historical and cultural identity of Wales; • recognise its contribution to economic vitality and culture, civic pride, local distinctiveness and the quality of Welsh life, and its importance as a resource to be maintained for future generations; • base decisions on an understanding of the significance of Wales’ historic assets; • contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the past by making an appropriate record when parts of a historic asset are affected by a proposed change, and ensuring that this record or the results of any investigation are securely archived and made publicly available; and specifically to:

• protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Sites in Wales; • conserve archaeological remains, both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and the economy; • safeguard the character of historic buildings and manage change so that their special architectural and historic interest is preserved; • preserve or enhance 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; and • conserve areas on the register of historic landscapes in Wales.

5.2 PPW then sets out the roles and responsibilities of Welsh Government Ministers, Cadw (the Government’s historic environment service) and Local Planning Authorities. Section 6.4 sets out the role for Development Plans in meeting the WG’s objectives, with specific reference being made to:

• World Heritage Sites • Archaeological Remains; • Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas • Local Historic Assets and

Background Paper 3: Historic Environment – May 2017

• Historic Parks and Gardens.

6. Implications for Plan Review

6.1 PPW reminds LPAs of the requirement to undertake a Strategic Environmental Assessment and a Sustainability Appraisal when preparing (or revising) a development plan. An assessment of cultural heritage is one of the baseline studies in this process and requires consultation with Cadw.

6.2 The SNPA will take into account the outcomes of the consultation undertaken by Welsh Government on the new management plan for the Castles and Town Walls of Gwynedd World Heritage Site.

6.3 Similarly should the bid to inscribe the Slate Industry of North Wales as a World Heritage Site be successful then this will also need to be taken into account. In the interim protection will be given to sites on the Tentative List for nomination as World Heritage Sites.

6.4 In revising the Eryri Local Development Plan and how it deals with the cultural and historic environment it will be necessary to update the supporting text in Part 4: Protecting and Enhancing the Cultural and Historic Environment, in the light of the legislative changes that have occurred since the Plan was adopted. The policies however will require no change other than to give protection to areas nominated for WHS status, as they remain in conformity with the latest edition of PPW and the draft version of Technical Advice Note 24: The Historic Environment.