Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfean
FINAL DRAFT
Archaeology and Heritage Assessment
Prepared by: The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd
On behalf of: P & P Builders
May 2021 Report Reference edp6922_r002a
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Contents
Non-technical Summary
Section 1 Introduction ...... 1
Section 2 Legislation and Planning Guidance ...... 5
Section 3 Methodology ...... 15
Section 4 Existing Information ...... 19
Section 5 Assessment ...... 31
Section 6 Conclusion ...... 45
Section 7 References ...... 47
Appendix
Appendix EDP 1 Proposed Design and Illustrations
Images
Images EDP 1 - 10
Plans
Plan EDP 1 Designated Heritage Assets (edp6922_d006a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 2 HER Entries (edp6922_d007a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 3 NMRW Entries (edp6922_d008a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 4 BLOHI and HLCAs (edp6922_d009a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 5 Extract of Tithe Map 1843 (edp6922_d010a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Plan EDP 6 Historic Maps (edp6922_d011a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
This version is intended for electronic viewing only Report ref: edp6922_r002 Author Formatted Peer Review Proofed by/Date 002_DRAFT RS FD AP - 002a_FINAL DRAFT RS FJ - FD 270521
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Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Non-technical Summary
S1 This Archaeological and Heritage Assessment has been prepared by The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) on behalf of P & P Builders, to inform planning proposals for employment development on the Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen.
S2 It is concluded that the site does not contain any designated ‘historic assets’, such as scheduled monuments, listed buildings, or historic parks and gardens, where there would be a presumption in favour of physical retention or preservation in situ.
S3 Analysis of historic maps, aerial photographs and a site walkover survey indicate that the site, in its present form was created in the 1970s through the remediation and levelling of industrial spoil tips created from colliery waste with a deep deposit of made round recorded by geotechnical investigation.
S4 The assessment has considered the potential for effects on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site (BILWHS) and the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest (BLOHI), area designations that encompasses the site. It is concluded that, aside from a low potential for deeply buried, industrial-era archaeological remains the site makes no contribution to the OUV of the BILWHS or the historic character of the BLOHI. The proposed development adheres closely to the recommendations of the BILWHS Design Guide (Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC), 2011) and would sit well within the World Heritage Site (WHS) with its design echoing the localities’ industrial history and aesthetic and its muted colour palette, ensuring that it does not stand out as overly prominent in views across the landscape.
S5 As such it is concluded that the proposed development would not have any detrimental effect on the OUV of the WHS or the historic character of the BLOHI. Given the site’s allocation for employment development as proposed, and the positive conclusions of this report, it is not recommended that, unless the proposals change significantly, further, more detail assessment of impacts upon the BILWHS or the BLOHI (such as ASIDHOL2 assessment) would be required to support the submission of a planning application.
S6 The assessment concludes that the site makes no contribution to the significance of any designated historic asset and that the development proposals would not change the setting of any asset such that it results in an effect on their significance.
S7 In terms of the site’s archaeological potential, the assessment indicates a low potential for buried remains of low evidential value to be located at the natural ground level beneath the upper layers of made ground. Below-ground impacts from the proposed development would not be of sufficient depth to result in any impact upon archaeological remains. As such, no additional archaeological field work should be required to support a future planning application or by way of mitigation of archaeological impacts.
S8 The assessment concludes that the development of the site as proposed and in line with its allocation within the Local Development Plan (LDP), would not result in any impact upon
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT the historic environment and thus would not conflict with any historic environment legislation or planning policy.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Section 1 Introduction
1.1 This report has been prepared by The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP), on behalf of P & P Builders to support and inform a planning application for the Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen (hereafter known as ‘the site’) for employment development (in line with the site’s allocation within the Torfaen Local Development Plan (LDP) under Policy EET 3/3).
1.2 The first aim of this assessment is to identify and assess the site’s contribution to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site (BILWHS) and to the historic character of the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest (BLOHI), an area designation in which the site lies.
1.3 The second aim of this assessment is to identify and assess whether the site forms part of the setting of surrounding designated historic assets and whether in doing so it contributes to their significance.
1.4 The third aim of this assessment is to consider the available historical and archaeological resources for the application site and to establish its likely potential to contain historic assets and/or archaeological remains, in accordance with the requirements of Planning Policy Wales Eleventh Edition (i.e. PPW 2021), Technical Advice Note 24 (TAN 24) and local planning policy.
1.5 At this stage, ahead of PAC submission, and prior to consultee feedback, the report does not comprise a full impact assessment. However, its conclusions will consider the potential for impacts upon the significance of historic assets that might arise from development as proposed in the emerging proposals. It is anticipated that the report will be updated to inform a future planning application submission.
1.6 In accordance with good practice and guidance, desktop sources have been augmented through the completion of a walkover survey, undertaken in January 2021.
Site Location and Boundaries
1.7 The site (centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 324227, 209324) is located on the western edge of the town of Blaenavon. It comprises an area of waste-ground of c.1.6 hectares (ha) occupied by marshy grassland and dumped materials (Image EDP 1).
1.8 The site’s boundaries comprise a bank and ditch to the west and north and a modern fence to the east. To the north is a steep bank within an area of scrub woodland. To the west, the land slopes down into a basin containing several small enclosures and a house. To the east are large, modern industrial sheds. To the south the site is separated from a field of rough, marshy pasture by a post and wire fence (Image EDP 2).
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1.9 The site (along with the buildings to the east and grassland to the south) is located on the northern part of an artificial terrace, formed from industrial spoil which slopes down to the south and south-east and has a cut along its northern and western edge. To the south-east of the terrace is a light-industrial park, the Forge Side industrial estate which is characterised by large modern buildings and landscaped areas. Further to the east (c. 600m) beyond areas of woodland and open spaces is the built-up edge of the town of Blaenavon. To the west and south is largely open land comprising field enclosures and relict features of the area’s industrial history, such as spoil tips and industrial buildings as well as scattered modern development. Further north, beyond the B4248, is a broad expanse of open rough scrubland and pasture characterised by extensive industrial spoil tips. The site’s location is indicated on Plan EDP 1.
Topography and Geology
1.10 The site is situated on bedrock geology comprising mudstone, siltstone and sandstone of the South Wales Middle Coal Measures (British Geological Survey, 2021). There are no superficial deposits recorded within the site, however borehole records indicate that the site was part of a reclamation site and thus is probably in part built up with made ground. The site’s history and its prior disturbance is discussed further in Section 4 below with refence to historic maps.
1.11 The site has an almost level topography, falling gently to the south in line with the wider topography of the valley in which it lies. The northern edge of the site is at c. 370 above Ordnance Datum (aOD) and the southern edge at c. 365m aOD.
Emerging development proposals
1.12 Current development proposals comprise the site being utilised for employment development, encompassing light industrial units and office buildings.
1.13 The proposed development is illustrated on the plans at Appendix EDP 1. The Design and Access Statement supporting this application provides full details of the development proposals. To summarise, these comprise:
• ‘40 light industrial units and office space;
• Sufficient associated parking (circa 208 spaces) and open-air yard facilities;
• Associated internal road and utilities infrastructure and access off the currently terminated access road to Kays and Kears Industrial Estate at the south-eastern corner of the site; and
• Landscaping within the development internal courtyard area and within landscape buffers along the north, west and southern boundaries – to include provision of sustainable urban drainage features.’
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1.14 Groundwork associated with the development would comprise the stripping of topsoil and the implementation of shallow foundations and service trenches to support the buildings and road as proposed. It is not considered that any deep excavation work will be carried out in order to further remediate buried mining remains (voids and tunnels) that may be present beneath part of the site.
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Section 2 Legislation and Planning Guidance
2.1 This section outlines the legislative and planning policy context, to the form of development proposed, at both the national and local levels.
Legislation
2.2 In March 2016, the Historic Environment (Wales) Act came into force. Whilst providing a number of new provisions to existing legislation, the changes do not specifically affect the planning process, or the way archaeology and heritage is assessed.
Archaeology
2.3 The ‘Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979’ addresses the designation and management of scheduled monuments, providing for a schedule of monuments (and archaeological remains) which are protected. The designation of archaeological and historic sites as scheduled monuments applies only to those that are deemed to be of national importance and is generally adopted only if it represents the best means of protection.
2.4 The 1979 Act does not address the concept of ‘setting’, just their physical remains and, therefore, for scheduled monuments the protection of ‘setting’ is a matter of policy only.
2.5 In Wales, the written consent of the Welsh Minister is required for development that would impact upon a scheduled monument, and applications for Scheduled Monument Consent are submitted to Cadw, the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Service.
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
2.6 The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 is the primary legislative instrument addressing the treatment of listed buildings and conservation areas through the planning process in Wales.
2.7 Section 66(1) of the 1990 Act concerns listed buildings and states that:
‘...in considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses’.
2.8 The ‘special regard’ duty of the 1990 Act has been tested in the Court of Appeal and confirmed to require that ‘considerable importance and weight’ should be afforded by the decision maker to the desirability of preserving a listed building along with its setting. The
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relevant judgement is referenced as Barnwell Manor Wind Energy Ltd v East Northants DC, English Heritage and National Trust (2014) EWCA Civ 137.
2.9 However, it must be recognised that Section 66(1) of the 1990 Act does not identify that the local authority or the Secretary of State must preserve a listed building or its setting; and neither does it indicate that a development that does not preserve them is unacceptable and should therefore be refused.
2.10 This point is made very clearly in Paragraph 54 of the judgement regarding Forest of Dean DC v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (2013), which identifies that:
‘…Section 66 (1) did not oblige the inspector to reject the proposal because he found it would cause some harm to the setting of the listed buildings. The duty is directed to ‘the desirability of preserving’ the setting of listed buildings. One sees there the basic purpose of the ‘special regard’ duty. It is does not rule out acceptable change. It gives the decision- maker an extra task to perform, which is to judge whether the change proposed is acceptable. But it does not prescribe the outcome. It does not dictate the refusal of planning permission if the proposed development is found likely to alter or even to harm the setting of a listed building.’
2.11 In other words, it is up to the decision maker (such as a local authority) to assess whether the proposal which is before them would result in ‘acceptable change’.
2.12 Section 72(1) of the 1990 Act sets out the statutory duty for a decision-maker where a proposed development would have an impact on the character and appearance of a conservation area, and as such only applies to the area within a conservation area designation. This states that: ‘...with respect to any buildings or other land in a conservation area, of any powers under any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (2), special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area’.
2.13 As far as Section 72(1) of the 1990 Act is concerned, it has previously been established by the Courts (South Lakeland DC v Secretary of State for the Environment, [1992] 2 WLR 204) that proposed development which does not detract from the character or appearance of a conservation area is deemed to be in accordance with the legislation. In other words, there is no statutory requirement to actively ‘enhance’.
2.14 The preservation of the setting of a conservation area is not a statutory duty, instead being a planning policy matter only.
National Planning Policy
2.13 The Welsh Government published Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 on 24 February 2021 (see WG 2021a) and highlights in the foreword from the Minister for Housing and Local Government that it forms a ‘framework for planning the change and development our country will need over the next two decades’.
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2.14 In terms of the Welsh Government’s objectives, Number 6 of ‘Future Wales Outcomes’ on Page 55 states that:
‘Development plans will have a forward thinking, positive attitude towards enabling economic development, investment and innovation. Increased prosperity and productivity will be pursued across all parts of Wales, building on current activity and promoting a culture of innovation, social partnership, entrepreneurialism and skills-development in sustainable industries and sectors. The culture, heritage and environment of Wales will play a positive, modern role in the economy by attracting the interest and expenditure of tourists and providing a distinctive and trusted brand for Welsh businesses’.
2.15 National planning guidance, concerning the treatment of the historic environment across Wales, is detailed in Section 6.1 of Chapter 6 Distinctive and Natural Places of Planning Policy Wales Edition Eleven, which was published on 24 February 2021 (PPW 2021).
2.16 At Paragraph 6.1.2, it identifies the historic environment as comprising individual historic features, such as archaeological sites, historic buildings and historic parks, gardens, townscapes and landscapes, collectively known as ‘historic assets’.
2.17 At Paragraph 6.1.6 the Welsh Government’s specific objectives for the historic environment are outlined. Of these, the following statements are of relevance to the current assessment ‘outlining an objective to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Sites’ and ‘conserve archaeological remains, both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and the economy’.
2.18 At Paragraph 6.1.7, it is stated that:
‘It is important that the planning system looks to protect, conserve and enhance the significance of historic assets. This will include consideration of the setting of an historic asset which might extend beyond its curtilage. Any change that impacts on an historic asset or its setting should be managed in a sensitive and sustainable way.’
2.19 As such, with regard to decision making, it is stated that: ‘Any decisions made through the planning system must fully consider the impact on the historic environment and on the significance and heritage values of individual historic assets and their contribution to the character of place’.
2.20 Regarding archaeological remains, PPW states at Paragraph 6.1.23, that: ‘The conservation of archaeological remains and their settings is a material consideration in determining a planning application, whether those remains are a scheduled monument or not’.
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2.21 It then adds at Paragraph 6.1.24 that:
‘…Where nationally important archaeological remains are likely to be affected by proposed development, there should be a presumption in favour of their physical protection in situ. It will only be in exceptional circumstances that planning permission will be granted if development would result in a direct adverse impact on a scheduled monument (or an archaeological site shown to be of national importance).’
2.22 At Paragraph 6.1.25 it states that: ‘In cases involving less significant archaeological remains, 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’.
2.23 Paragraph 6.5.6 recommends that:
‘…Where archaeological remains are known to exist or there is a potential for them to survive, an application should be accompanied by sufficient information, through desk- based assessment and/or field evaluation, to allow a full understanding of the impact of the proposal on the significance of the remains. The needs of archaeology and development may be reconciled, and potential conflict very much reduced, through early discussion and assessment.’
2.24 In situations where planning approval would result in archaeological remains being destroyed, at Paragraph 6.1.27, PPW 2021 states the following regarding the planning authorities’ obligations:
‘If the planning authority is minded to approve an application and where archaeological remains are affected by proposals that alter or destroy them, the planning authority must be satisfied that the developer has secured appropriate and satisfactory provision for their recording and investigation, followed by the analysis and publication of the results and the deposition of the resulting archive in an approved repository. On occasions, unforeseen archaeological remains may still be discovered during the course of a development. A written scheme of investigation should consider how to react to such circumstances or it can be covered through an appropriate condition for a watching brief. Where remains discovered are deemed to be of national importance, the Welsh Ministers have the power to schedule the site and in such circumstances scheduled monument consent must be required before works can continue.’
2.25 Regarding WHS, Paragraph 6.1.22 states that: ‘The impacts of proposed developments on a World Heritage Site and its setting and, where it exists, the World Heritage Site buffer zone and its essential setting, is a material consideration in the determination of any planning application’. PPW recommends that the most effective way of implementing their conservation is through the adoption (by councils) of supplementary planning guidance, which is consistent and agreed between all relevant authorities.
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2.26 Finally, also of relevance to the current application, Paragraph 6.1.28 is concerned with Historic Environment Records (HERs). This states that:
‘The statutory historic environment records for each local authority area are managed and kept up-to-date by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts on behalf of the Welsh Ministers. These records must be used as a key source of information in making planning decisions affecting the historic environment. Advice on their use in decision making should be sought from the Trusts.’
Technical Advice Note 24 (TAN 24)
2.24 Additional guidance for archaeology in Wales is set out in ‘Technical Advice Note 24: The Historic Environment’ (Welsh Government, 2017).
2.25 TAN 24 provides ‘guidance on how the planning system considers the historic environment during development plan preparation and decision making on planning applications’.
2.26 It clarifies the polices and distinctions made in PPW. A definition for a ‘historic asset’ is given as: ‘An identifiable component of the historic environment. It may consist or be a combination of an archaeological site, a historic building or area, historic park and garden or a parcel of historic landscape. Nationally important historic assets will normally be designated’.
2.27 Indirect effects through changes within the settings of designated heritage assets are covered in TAN 24 at Paragraphs 1.23 to 1.29. These paragraphs define the setting of an historic asset as:
‘…the surroundings in which it is understood, experienced, and appreciated embracing present and past relationships to the surrounding landscape. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral. Setting is not a historic asset in its own right but has value derived from how different elements may contribute to the significance of a historic asset.’
2.28 TAN 24 also provides advice on factors to consider when assessing effects on setting. Paragraph 1.26 requests that it is:
‘…for the applicant to provide the local planning authority with sufficient information to allow the assessment of their proposals in respect of scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, registered historic parks and gardens, World Heritage Sites, or other sites of national importance and their settings.’
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2.29 Paragraph 1.29 goes on to state that:
‘The local planning authority will need to make its own assessment of the impact within the setting of a historic asset, having considered the responses received from consultees as part of this process. A judgement has to be made by the consenting authority, on a case- by-case basis, over whether a proposed development may be damaging to the setting of the historic asset, or may enhance or have a neutral impact on the setting by the removal of existing inappropriate development or land use.’
2.30 Section 4 of TAN 24 is concerned with archaeological remains and is thus relevant to the current assessment. Key points of advice, derived from the guidance, regarding archaeological remains and the development process, are as follows:
• ‘The importance of pre-application discussion is stressed in order to reconcile the needs of archaeology and development between the applicant, the local planning authority, their archaeological advisors and, in cases where scheduled monuments may be affected, Cadw;
• Applicants are encouraged to make an enquiry with the body with responsibility for the relevant historic environment record and seek advice from the local planning authority’s archaeological advisor at an early stage in considering their development proposal;
• Where archaeological remains are known to exist, or considered likely to exist, and a study has not already been undertaken by the applicant, the local planning authority should ask an applicant to undertake a desk-based archaeological assessment and, where appropriate, an archaeological evaluation. These should be done by a qualified and competent expert to the appropriate standard. The reports of these investigations will form part of the planning application. Applicants should show they have modified their development proposals to minimise any negative impact on the identified archaeological remains, and how they intend to mitigate any remaining negative impacts; and
• The case for the preservation of archaeological remains that are not considered to meet the criteria for national importance (see Annex A.2), must be assessed on the individual merits of each case. The local planning authority must take into account relevant policies and material considerations, and will need to weigh the significance of the remains against the benefits of and need for the proposed development.’
2.31 Regarding the preservation, recording and understanding of archaeological evidence, the guidance contains the following points of advice:
• ‘Measures can be taken to minimise the impact of a development proposal on identified archaeological remains and allow their preservation in situ;
• Having considered all policies and other material considerations and the need for the development, the local planning authority may decide that the significance of the
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archaeological remains is not sufficient to justify their physical preservation. In these cases, the local planning authority must satisfy itself that the necessary and proportionate arrangements for the excavation and recording of these archaeological remains are secured, and the results of this archaeological work are properly analysed and published; and
• Any programme of archaeological excavation and recording should precede the start of work on the development, unless there are exceptional circumstances which prevent this from occurring.’
2.32 Regarding unexpected archaeological discoveries, the guidance states the following:
• ‘Where unexpected archaeological discoveries are considered to be of national importance, the Welsh Ministers have the power to schedule the site (see Annex A). In the event of scheduling, the developer must seek separate scheduled monument consent before work can continue. It is also open to the local planning authority and the Welsh Ministers to revoke or modify a planning permission under these circumstances, in which case there is provision for the compensation of the developer for loss of value and expenditure incurred.’
2.33 Also, of relevance is Section 3, which is concerned with WHS. This section defines WHS as ‘places of OUV’. Outstanding Universal Value is defined as meaning ‘cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity’. It states that the effective management of a WHS is through the ‘identification and promotion of change that will conserve and enhance its Outstanding Universal Value’.
2.34 Additional clarity is given to the relevance of a WHS’s buffer zone (if defined) to planning, in that it is stated that ‘The buffer zone itself is not of Outstanding Universal Value but can be used to highlight areas where potential impacts need to be given careful consideration by developers and decision makers’. It also states that ‘where a buffer zone exists it includes the immediate setting of the World Heritage Site, important views and other areas that are functionally important to protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site’.
2.35 Notably, as principles, TAN 24 states that ‘Local planning authorities must preserve the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage Sites by carefully managing development within and adjacent to them’ and that ‘The approach to the protection and sustainable management of World Heritage Sites is based on the statutory designation of specific historic assets within each site, collaborative creation and implementation of World Heritage Site management plans and the use of the planning system to guide appropriate development’. As such, the onus is on understanding the OUV of a WHS and whether a development preserves this OUV.
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Local Planning Policy
2.36 The site is situated in the jurisdiction of Torfaen County Borough. Planning policy is contained within the Torfaen LDP to 2021 which was adopted in December 2013.
2.37 The LDP allocates the site under Policy EET 3/3 for employment development. It, along with the field to the immediate south, is allocated (along with two other sites in the North Torfean Area) for approximately 8 ha of employment development.
2.38 The LDP contains planning polices relevant to the Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) administrative area, excluding parts that are within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Policies are either strategic, outlining the broad strategy and outcomes that the LDP expects to deliver, or topic based and concerned with specific aspects of the borough.
2.39 Of relevance to this chapter is strategic policy S7 Conservation of the Natural and Historic Environment. This states the following:
‘Development proposals should seek to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the Natural, Built & Historic Environment of Torfaen, in particular:
a) Biodiversity resources;
b) Geodiversity resources;
c) Water environment;
d) Landscape setting;
e) Character of the built environment; and
f) Historic assets.’
2.40 Also of relevance is the topic based policy HE2, which is concerned with the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site (BILWHS). This states the following:
‘Development proposals within, and adjacent to the BILWHS will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that: -
a) The proposal promotes a standard of design in terms of siting, scale, massing and materials, which is sympathetic to and preserves or enhances the character of the local area and settlement form;
b) Important views into and within the BILWHS are not adversely affected by the proposals;
b) The proposal contributes to ensuring the preservation of the ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ of the BILWHS designation; and
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All development proposals within and adjacent to the World Heritage Site should be informed by the BILWHS Design Guidance and should identify how the proposals are consistent with the principles in this document.’
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Section 3 Methodology
Archaeological Assessment Methodology
3.1 This report has been produced in accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment issued by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA, 2020). These guidelines provide a national standard for the completion of desk- based assessments.
3.2 The assessment initially involved the consultation of readily available archaeological and historical information from documentary, cartographic and remotely sensed sources. This included the following:
i) The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) Historic Environment Record (HER), which holds information on known archaeological sites, monuments and finds, as well as previous investigations;
ii) The National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW);
iii) Cadw’s Historic Environment Service;
iv) Historic mapping obtained from online sources;
v) Aerial photographs held at the Central Register of Aerial Photography for Wales (CRAPW) at Cardiff; and
vi) LiDAR data (available from http://lle.gov.wales).
3.3 This report provides a synthesis of relevant information for the site derived from a search area extending up to 1km from its boundary, hereafter known as the ‘study area’, to allow for additional contextual information regarding its archaeological interest or potential to be gathered.
3.4 The information gathered from the repositories and sources identified above was checked and augmented through the completion of a site visit and walkover. This walkover considered the nature and significance of known and/or potential archaeological assets within the site, identified visible historic features and assessed possible factors which may affect the survival or condition of known or potential assets.
Heritage Assessment Methodology
3.5 In addition, the report also considers the potential nature and significance of any effects arising beyond the boundary of the application site; i.e. through potential changes to the settings of designated heritage assets, as defined in TAN 24 at Paragraphs 1.23 to 1.29.
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3.6 In that regard, the site walkover (completed in January 2021) also considered, where appropriate, the contribution (if any) made by the land within the site to the settings of designated heritage assets situated within its wider zone of influence.
3.7 Regarding the assessment of the site’s contribution to the OUV of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, the assessment makes reference to the Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties (ICOMOS, 2011), the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Design Guide (TCBC, 2011) and to the Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011 – 2026 (TCBC, 2011).
3.8 In respect of the WHS Heritage Impact Assessment guidance (HIA), the first stage would be to prepare a Scoping Report (or HIA brief). Whilst, at this stage, the report does not comprise a full Scoping Report it does fulfil many of its functions as set out in Section 2.2 of the guidance. In this respect the report provides:
• An outline description of the WH property setting out its OUV and the site’s contribution to this;
• A summary of the conditions present on the site and its environs;
• Details of the baseline information to be collected including methods and appropriate study areas; and
• Information on likely sensitive heritage receptors and a proposed survey and assessment methodology.
3.9 Regarding the first point above, in Section 5 the report sets out the BILWHS’s OUV and describes the relevant component values (as defined in the World Heritage Site Management Plan) which make up its OUV.
3.10 As for a Scoping Report, in accordance with the ICOMOS guidance, the present report will identify the potential for ‘large or critical impacts’ on the OUV of the WHS and present a clear indication of what knowledge exists about the site and where lacunae exist. It is anticipated that the report will provide heritage consultees with an appropriate set of baseline information and information on potential impacts on the OUV of the WHS so as to inform the scope of a future HIA (if such an approach is deemed necessary).
3.11 In terms of the potential for impacts upon the BLOHI, whilst the report references the Guide to good practice on using the register of landscapes of historic interest in Wales in the planning and development process (2nd edition; Cadw 2007) as the development does not comprises EIA it is not anticipated that a full ASIDHOL2 assessment (as set out in the Guide) would be required. Nevertheless, in order to inform the site’s baseline, the report will identify the Historic Landscape Character Areas (which make up the BLOHI) that might be affected by development, assess the site’s contribution to their character and assess how this might change following development of the type proposed.
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3.12 The report concludes with (1) an assessment of the site’s likely archaeological potential, made with regard to current best practice guidelines, and (2) an assessment of the site’s contribution to the significance of designated assets, whether direct or indirect.
The Significance of Historic Assets
3.13 The definition of the ‘significance’ in aspect of historic assets is derived from Cadw’s (2011) Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales.
3.14 This document defines the significance of a historic asset as embracing ‘all of the cultural heritage values that people associate with it, or which prompt them to respond to it’. It also states that these values are considered to ‘grow in strength and complexity over time, as understanding deepens and people’s perceptions evolve’.
3.15 Conservation Principles identifies four component values that contribute to significance:
• The asset’s ‘evidential value’, which is defined as those elements of the historic asset that can provide evidence about past human activity, including its physical remains or historic fabric;
• The asset’s ‘historical value’, which is defined as those elements of an asset which might illustrate a particular aspect of past life or might be associated with a notable family, person, event or movement;
• The asset’s ‘aesthetic value’, which is defined as deriving from the way in which people draw sensory and intellectual stimulation from the historic asset; and
• The asset’s ‘communal value’, which is defined as deriving from the meanings that a historic asset has for the people who relate to it, or for whom it figures in their collective experience or memory.
Setting Assessment Methodology
3.16 In addition to the potential for direct impacts on the fabric of an asset, when assessing the impact of proposals on designated historic assets, it is important to ascertain whether change within its ‘setting’ would lead to a loss of ‘significance’. This assessment is made according to Cadw’s guidance Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (published on 31 May 2017).
3.17 In simple terms, setting ‘includes the surroundings in which it is understood, experienced and appreciated, embracing present and past relationships to the surrounding landscape’ (Cadw, 2011). It must be recognised from the outset that ‘setting’ is not a heritage asset, and cannot itself be harmed. The guidance states that the importance of setting ‘lies in what it contributes to the significance of a historic asset’.
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3.18 As such, when assessing the indirect impact of proposals on designated heritage assets, it is not a question of whether their setting would be affected, but rather a question of whether change within the asset’s ‘setting’ would lead to a loss of ‘significance’.
3.19 Set within this context, where the objective is to determine the potential for development to have an adverse effect on designated heritage assets beyond the boundary of a development site, it is necessary to first define the significance of the asset in question - and the contribution made to that significance by its ‘setting’, in order to establish whether there would be a loss, and therefore harm. The guidance identifies that change within a heritage asset's setting need not necessarily cause harm to that asset - it can be positive, negative or neutral.
3.20 Cadw’s guidance (Cadw, 2017) sets out a four-stage approach to the identification and assessment of setting effects; i.e.:
• Stage 1: Identify the historic assets which might be affected;
• Stage 2: Define and analyse the setting, to understand how it contributes to the asset’s heritage significance;
• Stage 3: Evaluate the potential impact of development; and
• Stage 4: Consider options to mitigate or improve that potential impact.
3.21 This baseline assessment considers Stages 1 and 2 of this process and, in drawing conclusions as to the potential impacts of development, also Stage 3.
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Section 4 Existing Information
Introduction
4.1 The site does not contain any discrete designated historic assets, such as scheduled monuments, listed buildings or historic parks and gardens, where there would be a presumption in favour of physical retention or preservation in situ and against development proceeding.
4.2 It does however lie within the wider designations of the BILWHS and the BLOHI. Relevant designated historic assets within the study area are discussed in the section below and shown on Plan EDP 1.
4.3 The site contains part of a more extensive event record, recorded on the GGAT HER as well as a very small part of another event record. These are discussed in the section on non-designated heritage assets below. HER and NMRW records within the 1km study area are discussed below within the context of the appropriate period-based sections. All HER records within the site and study area are shown on Plan EDP 2.
Designated Historic Assets
Scope of Assessment
4.4 It is evident that the site lies within the BILWHS and the BLOHI and the site’s contribution to these designated historic assets is covered in detail in Section 5 below.
4.5 In accordance with Stage 1 of the settings assessment process, the following paragraphs identify which designated historic assets, located beyond the site boundary, might be affected by the development of the site as proposed.
4.6 The site has an open aspect to the south but, to the north, east and north-west is fairly well enclosed. The wooded banks to the north, wooded areas to the north-west, further woodland and large, modern light industrial buildings to the east serve to screen the site from the surrounding landscape, especially the northern part which is the most enclosed.
4.7 In this way, views to the site from the wider landscape are restricted to views across the valley from the south. From the town of Blaenavon to the east, the site is completely screened and even as the site is approached heading west along the B4248 the drop in topography coupled with vegetation and buildings on the south side of the road heavily restrict or completely screen views down to the land at the site (Image EDP 3). Beyond the road to the north are high spoil tips and, although the site is partially visible from the southernmost of these tips (Image EDP 4), their presence screens any appreciation of the site from any historic assets further north on the hillside.
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4.8 The site consists of disused waste ground and (as detailed further below), in its present form, its land surface and levels are a construct of the mid-20th century, when the land was remodelled. As such, the site’s current landform and appearance has no historical or functional relationship to any historic asset within the wider landscape.
4.9 Given these factors it is possible to scope out, at this stage, the potential for any effects on most designated historic assets located to the north and east of the site within the 1km study area. It is considered that, due to the screening described above, the following assets have no intervisibility with the land at the site. Furthermore, none of these assets has any historical or functional association with the land at the site. As such, it is concluded that the site makes no contribution to the significance of any of the following assets and they would not be affected by its development:
• The Scheduled Monument Brake Engine on Hills Pit Tramroad Incline (MM222);
• The Scheduled Monument Garn Road Powder House (MM357);
• The Scheduled Monument Pwll Du Tramroad Tunnel Southern Approach (MM223);
• The Scheduled Monument Blaenavon Upper Brick Yard (MM296);
• The Scheduled Monument Coal and Iron Workings west of Abergavenny Road (MM297);
• The Scheduled Monument Blaenavon Ironworks (MM200);
• The Blaenavon Conservation Area;
• 28 Listed buildings located within or very close to the edge of the Blaenavon Conservation Area; and
• The Grade II listed building Stone Chimney at the former Hills Pits (15305).
4.10 None of these assets will therefore be considered further within this assessment.
4.11 An exception to the above is with regards to a single Scheduled Monument, Old Coal Pits which is located close to the edge of the site, c. 70m to the north-east. Given its proximity to the site this asset is considered in further detail in Section 5 below.
4.12 Further designated assets are located to the south-east that are also fully or partially screened from the site. These, and how they relate to the site is described below.
Scheduled Monuments
4.13 The structural remains of the Engine Pit comprise cast iron bed plates for a beam engine set on carved sandstone corbels, a cast iron pump pipe, foundations of other structures
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and retaining walls, and are a Scheduled Monument (MM277). They are located c. 310m to the south of the site.
4.14 The remains primarily possess a high degree of evidential, archaeological value inherent in their fabric and related below-ground deposits. They also possess a high degree of historical value through their association with the industrial history of the locality. As functional structures the remains possess limited aesthetic value. The remains are located within a wooded area to the south of large, modern industrial units of the Forge Side industrial estate. As such the asset is completely screened from the site and, as the land at the site has no historical or functional association with it, it contributes nothing to its significance and development as proposed would result in no impact.
4.15 Another scheduled monument, Aaron Brute’s Level and Iron Bridge (MM220) is located further to the south east c. 700m from the site boundary. Again, this monument’s significance is primarily on account of the evidential value inherent in its fabric and its historical value in relation to the localities’ industrial history.
4.16 These structures are located in amongst vegetation in a stream valley adjacent to modern houses. Views out that include the site are not possible and the structures have no historic or functional association with the site, which contributes nothing to their significance. As such the site’s development would have no impact upon this asset.
Listed Buildings
4.17 Three Grade II listed buildings (15301, 15302 and 15303) are located in the small settlement of Forge Side, located c. 700m to the south of the site. The buildings are municipal and domestic buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries related to the development of Forge Side as an industrial suburb. Their significance is derived from their evidential, architectural value, their historic value in relation to the industrial history of the locality and their aesthetic value as attractive buildings. These listed buildings are principally experienced from adjacent streets, from which their historic relationship to the townscape can be appreciated and, although glimpsed views towards the distant land at the site may be possible from nearby, such views to distant empty land, are of no relevance to their significance. The land at the site also has no historical or functional relationship to these buildings and does not therefore contribute to their significance. The site’s development would have no effect on these listed buildings.
4.18 A group of 12 listed buildings and a single Scheduled Monument are located at the Big Pit coal mine c. 700m to the south-west of the site. Located on north-east facing slopes these assets command a broad view across the valley landscape which includes the land at the site. On account of this, these assets are considered in greater detail in Section 5 below.
Non-designated Historic Assets
4.19 Within the site are parts of two HER event records and no monument records. Within a 1km radius of the site there are 237 monument records on the GGAT HER, 23 event record and two records that relate to historic linear features as well as 447 records on the NMRW.
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These are discussed in relation to the site’s archaeological potential in the paragraphs below the locations of these are illustrated on Plan EDP 2.
Pre-Industrial: (c. 500,000 BC – AD c. 1750)
4.20 As might be expected for an area that is known for its industrial era heritage interest, the majority of records on the HER and NMRW within the 1km radius study area relate to features of the post-medieval and modern periods.
4.21 Only a single HER record relates to any period prior to the post-medieval. This records the find spot of a palaeolithic flint hand axe (GGAT05062g), found on ground c. 470m east of the site. On its own and unstratified this object does not indicate the presence of a palaeolithic prehistoric site in the vicinity as it could have been transported to the location at which it was found. Given its prior disturbance, it is extremely unlikely that similar finds might be made within the site itself. Given the lack of prehistoric, Roman and medieval records on the HER and NMRW it is probable that archaeology from these periods is very unlikely to exist within the study area.
4.22 Before the 18th century, during the earlier part of the post-medieval period, the land at the site would have been located within an open, upland landscape albeit of a differing topography to that at present, which has been heavily affected by the area’s industrialisation and 20th century remediation. The BILWHS Management Plan describes how, in the 18th century, prior to industrialisation, the local area was virtually unsettled and used only for small scale iron extraction and grazing. It is likely therefore that the site was open grassed land, waste or woodland at least during the historic periods (early medieval and medieval) prior to the post-medieval period. Such land use is unlikely to have resulted in the creation of archaeological remains and regardless, such remains are unlikely to be found within the site given its disturbance, and the deposition of spoil across it, in later periods.
4.23 As such, it is considered extremely unlikely that the site contains any archaeological remains dating from prior to the 18th century.
Post-Industrial and Modern: (AD 1750 - present)
4.24 Most of the HER and NMRW records relate to features of the post-medieval and modern periods. Of these, the majority are related to the industrial landscapes of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries or to domestic or municipal buildings of these eras and often related to this activity. For example, of the 237 HER monuments within the study area, 92 records are assigned to the class of ‘industrial’ and a further 28 to categories directly related to the industrial works: ‘transport’ and ‘water supply and drainage’.
4.25 In order to understand how this large dataset might relate to the history of the site and its archaeological potential, the paragraphs below firstly set out a general historical background to the development of the study area from the 18th century (derived primarily from the GGAT HER and the BILWHS Management Plan) and secondly provide details on the HER and NMRW records in the more immediate vicinity of the site.
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Historic background
4.26 Aside from small-scale iron extraction, the post-medieval landscape in which the site was set would have comprised open upland and pasture grazed by sheep and populated by scattered farmsteads. From 1780’s the area’s industrial history begins with the lease of common land by Henry Nevil, Earl of Abergavenny to Thomas Hill, Thomas Hopkins and Benjamin Pratt. These entrepreneurs saw the potential of the locality for iron making in that the land gave access to the key raw materials of this industry, coal, iron ore, limestone and fire clay. They established the earliest Ironworks at Blaenavon in 1788 (known as the North Street works: GGAT022221g), the remains of which are now a scheduled monument located c. 550m to the east of the site.
4.27 The ironworks was the second largest in Wales and drew its raw materials from local sources on the Blaenavon Iron Company’s lands. Within a few decades the ironworks stimulated the rapid development of an industrial landscape, with the construction of workers houses and a network of tramways connecting the works with wider transport routes as well as with local mines and quarries. By 1812 the ironworks had five furnaces and an outlaying iron smelting facility at Garn-Ddyrys (c. 2.6km north-east of the site). Additionally, a tramway connection to the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal had been established via the Pwll-Du Tunnel, the longest horse-drawn railway tunnel ever built (the southern tunnel entrance being c. 600m north-east of the site). The demand for raw materials required ever-expanding mining, scouring and quarrying sites along with their associated infrastructure for transport and water management which spread across the adjacent hillsides.
4.28 The development of industry lead to the development of Blaenavon as a town, complete with municipal facilities such as schools, churches, clubs and chapels many of which still exist alongside rows of terraced workers houses.
4.29 The local tramway network was connected to the mainline railway network in the 1860s via the AN9 LNWR Railway (GGAT03276.2g). This led to the development of a new iron works at Forge Side (GGAT03318g), on the southern side of the river valley (c. 450m south-west of the site), opposite the old North Street works. The better equipped Forge Side works came to dominate the valley’s industry, out producing the older works which ceased to expand. The works facilitated the construction and growth of the planned workers settlement of Forge Side and of an associated mineral extraction industry, including the coal mine at Big Pit, which is still extant and functions as a tourist attraction.
4.30 In the 1890s Forge Side was enlarged and re-fitted as a steel works and expanded again during the First World War. Conversely, the North Street works declined and ceased production in 1904. The Forge Side works continued to produce steel until production ceased in 1938. Big Pit mine was the last working mine at Blaenavon eventually closing in 1980.
4.31 The size of the settlement at Blaenavon has contracted considerably since the early 20th century and much of the remains of Blaenavon’s former industry has since been cleared. In the 1970s and 1980s large areas of land were remediated, reclaimed and re-formed with new ground levels established, including most of the Forge Side works as
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well as extensive tracts of land on the northern side of the river valley, including the land occupied by the site.
Records in the vicinity of the site
4.32 The nearest HER record to the site is GGAT03359g, a monument polygon which refers to the former 19th century Cinder Pit, which was present c. 180m to the west of the site, with the HER identifying the location of the mine works (GGAT03359g) and its associated winding and boiler house (GGAT05378g). The polygon encompasses the former extent of the pit workings, its engine house, related spoil tips and tramways with its nearest part c.25m to the west of the site. The pit in its full working extent is depicted on the 1880 Ordnance Survey map (Plan EDP 6), after which the workings are labelled as disused up until the mid-20th century.
4.33 The remains of the pit are no longer extant with the area of the mine and its workings having been remediated in the 1970s. A reservoir related to the Cinder Pit is still extant (NMRW 67647). This elongated pond is located behind houses c. 270m north-west from the site, just to the north of the reclamation zone.
4.34 The Cinder Pit worked the coal measures to the east of the Blaenafon Fault and supplied coal via a tramway to the north-east to the North Street ironworks during the 19th century. This tramway would have crossed the site from south-west to north-east and is shown extant on historic maps up until the 1960s (Plan EDP 6). The tramway is no longer discernible its course having been buried under spoil when the land at the site was reclaimed in the 1970s.
4.35 Mining maps indicate a network of roadways and coal faces aligned on different seams across much of the area to the east and north of the Cinder Pit mine which connect to other former mine entrances in the locality. The network extends under the site with a north- south adit identified approximately 24m Below Ground Level (BGL) with coal face working on its eastern side. This roadway emerged to the south of the site at a former level, which is shown on historic maps of the 19th century. The level entrance has since been buried under spoil by remediation works.
4.36 The HER records (GGAT05384g) part of an area of former feeder ponds, leats and canals (with the record point c. 150m to the south-west of the site) which extended across the northern side of the valley. These water management features were constructed to power the various industrial water balances and wheels that operated in relation to mines and other works in the locality during the late 18th and 19th centuries. A GGAT assessment of 1992 relates that at that time very few of these water features remained, with none of the examples of extant features given located near to the site. Historic map evidence (detailed below) indicates that the site was once crossed by a canal however, during the site visit no such feature was noted and it is evident that this was over tipped and probably entirely destroyed by later activity.
4.37 An HER record GGAT03371g, located c. 110m south of the site, relates to the former site of Pond Terrace, a row of six terraced stone-built cottages that are depicted on the 1880 Ordnance Survey Map (Plan EDP 6). The buildings are not shown on maps dated from
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1920 indicating that their remains had by this time been covered over with industrial spoil. This landscape of spoil tips was remodelled in the 1970s. No remains of these buildings are known to be extant and they did not extend into the site.
4.38 Further to the north-west (c. 140m from the site boundary at its nearest point) the HER records another coal mine as a monument polygon, the Kear’s Slope mine (GGAT03473g). This drift mine was established in the 1820s and provided coal and ironstone to the North Street works. The HER records the former locations of its waterwheel, leats and the extent of its spoilt tips (GGAT05383.0g, 05376g, 05382.0g). A further drift mine of the same era was located to the south-west of Kear’s Slope called Dick Shon’s Level (GGAT03467g). None of these features are now extant having been over-tipped with spoil and then destroyed and buried when the valley sides were remediated and reclaimed in the 1970s.
4.39 Located c.70m to the north-west of the site are a small group of domestic properties, Cinderpit House and Cinderpit Cottages (GGAT03354g and 03365g). Both are stone-built dwellings and were associated with the Cinder Pit. The Cottages are noted by the HER as having been the pit manager’s house. Both are long-house type dwellings and probably originate as a post-medieval farm appropriated for use in relation to the mine. The NMRW records a millstone at the property (NMRW 67763) possibly suggesting a former agricultural function as a mill. Both have been subject to modern modifications and neither building is listed. The dwellings are set within an embanked area within a cluster of small enclosures (NMRW 67649) defined by banks set with hawthorns and are visible from the site (Image EDP 11).
4.40 In terms of their setting, the enclosed, embanked area in which the building lie is closely associated with the buildings and represents an element of their setting that contributes strongly to their significance. The site is waste ground of an unattractive appearance, but it is at least partially screened from the buildings by the adjacent hedgerow and trees and, being a product of modern remediation and levelling has no historic association with the buildings. As such the site makes no contribution to their significance. The potential for impact upon these non-designated historic assets from the site’s development is discussed in Section 5.
4.41 Further 19th century dwellings (none of which are listed buildings) are located between 80m and 200m to the north and north-east of the site set along the roadside of the B4248, being screened from the site by the adjacent slopes and woodland. This includes, nearest to the site, six terraced cottages called Green Cottages (GGAT03392g) and Fairmount House (NMRW 6755) with further to the north-west, further cottages, and a schoolhouse (NMRW 67556, 67646 and 67645).
4.42 North of the roadside are enclosures of rough pasture and extensive spoil tips. Several quarry pits lie adjacent to the road that date from the early 20th century (NMRW 260455 and 260457). Further to the north (c. 190m from the site) are a series of enclosures and ruined structures associated with former terraced houses at Upper New Rank with several records related to these (e.g., NMRW 260435, 260577, 21058 and 260576). Further to the north-east and beyond to the north the landscape is characterised by relict remains related to industry interspersed with, and buried under, large spoilt tips. The HER and
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NMRW contain numerous records related to the structural and earthwork features that pepper this landscape.
4.43 Several HER and NMRW records are associated with two mine shafts at Old Coal pit. The shafts are located c. 70m to the north of the site within a densely overgrown area and are a scheduled monument. Given this status and the potential for development impacts upon their significance through change to their setting, the shafts are discussed in detail in Section 5 of this report.
4.44 The land to the east of the site, was, during the 19th century largely of a domestic character. It was occupied by rows of terraced houses interspersed with allotments and spoil tips related to the adjacent industry. The area also included a church and Methodist chapel. Most of these buildings became redundant as industry at Blaenavon declined and have since been destroyed, with the land redeveloped mostly as a light industrial estate. The HER and NMRW record the former locations of the various rows and municipal buildings (GGAT03373g, 02919g, 03396g, 03376g, 03411g, 03369g, 03375g, NMRW 36622, 97110, 421300). The only surviving element of this landscape are a row of early 20th century terraced houses (being one of the later developments) at West View Terrace (GGAT03389g, NMRW 67571) located c. 230m to the east of the site.
4.45 To the south and south-west of the site is the valley bottom. The original course of the Afon Llwyd ran c. 220m to the south of the site, with the river now culverted and canalised on a course further to the south-west. To the south of the site (c. 210m), a row of cottages opened onto the riverbank (GGAT03387g). These were covered over with industrial spoil in the late 19th century and the river course was culverted beneath spoil tips. Numerous coal and ironstone mining levels were dug from the edge of the river into the lower slopes of the valley such as at Engine Pit, the remains of which are a scheduled monument, located c. 310m south-east of the site. Other mining levels that are mostly now destroyed are recorded along the former riverside by the HER (e.g., GGAT03335g, 03358g, 02320g).
4.46 In the late 19th century and 20th century the valley bottom and slopes to the south were dominated by the sprawling Forge Side works which was constructed adjacent to the London and North Western Railway (LNWR). Prior to the works, the valley was home to several older post-medieval farmsteads. None of which are now extant. The locations of these, comprising Bumblehole (GGAT05375g) and Push John (GGAT03484g) are recorded by the HER although neither house is extant nor are any remains visible.
4.47 Multiple HER and NMRW entries are related to the former Forge Side works (GGAT03318g) and the closely integrated railway, sidings and other industrial features such as coke ovens (all located c.400-450m south of the site). The location of the works was remediated in the mid-20th century and its remains were almost entirely removed. The railway (GGAT03276.2g) has survived and its, and its sidings are now used as a heritage railway.
4.48 Whilst the Forge Side works have not survived, its associated settlement at Forge Side (located to the east of the works) has. Also extant is the coal mine of Big Pit, previously known as the Coity Pit, which operated up until 1980. This group of buildings are mostly listed and, as such, are discussed in detail in Section 5 below. Adjacent to the mine to the west is the large Coity spoil tip (NMRW 270051) which was formed from waste from the
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mine. Also extant are several reservoirs built to supply the works with water, including Forge Pond (NMRW 67525) and the much larger Coity Reservoir (NMRW 67518), both of which are associated with extant water supply infrastructure and feeders (all c. 900m south-west of the site).
4.49 A considerable number of additional HER and NMRW entries are located within the study area which are not discussed here as they are of little relevance to the land at the site and its archaeological potential. The records that have been discussed illustrate how the landscape at and around the site was part of an intensively developed industrial landscape that grew up rapidly from the late 18th century occupying and destroying a landscape formerly of scattered farmstead and pastures.
4.50 At the height of the industrial activity in the late 19th/early 20th century the site was occupied by spoil tips and crossed by tramroads, with the coal mine of Cinder Pit located adjacent to the west. The development of the site throughout the 19th and 20th centuries is discussed with reference to historic maps in the Cartographic Sources section below.
Previous archaeological Investigation
4.51 There are parts of two HER event records recorded within the site. The site forms part of a very broad regional project, The South-East Wales Industrial Ironworks Project (GGATE000954). Inclusion within this study reflects the site’s location within a former industrial landscape but due to the large scale nature of the project, the study has little relevance to the site itself, and it is not considered any further in this assessment.
4.52 The other record relates to the extent of a Desk-Based Assessment carried out in 1992 to advise on possible further reclamation works in the locality (GGATE003814). The study area only very slightly intersects with the site boundary and the study has little relevance to the site or understanding its archaeological potential. As such, it is not considered any further in this report.
4.53 Within the study area the HER records 23 Event records. Of these only seven relate to intrusive archaeological investigations with the rest referencing desk-based assessments, field observations, management plans and a building survey. These non-intrusive records do not convey any information that relates to the assessment of the site’s archaeological potential and are not considered any further. 4.54 All of the intrusive records relate to small-scale archaeological projects; six watching briefs and an evaluation. The closest of the watching briefs to the site was at the Old Coal workings c. 65m to the north-east of the site (GGATE005349). This was carried out during work in 2005 to cap the two mine shafts and the upper structure of the shafts was recorded. The work also examined the area around the shafts but, due to later disturbance, did not record any associated structures or archaeological remains. On this basis it is assumed that no structures related to the shafts are located adjacent to the site boundary.
4.55 The other intrusive investigations occurred at locations that are well-removed from the site. As such, their results have little relevance to the assessment of the site’s archaeological potential. However, the archaeological record does demonstrate that in some locations older, industrial remains are present buried beneath the modern ground surface. For
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example, a watching brief undertaken in 2008 during the construction of a new light industrial building c. 400m south of the site (GGATE001637) recorded buried remains such as walls, flues and surfaces related to the former Forge Side works.
4.56 As such, it might be expected that archaeological remains could be buried within the site. However, recent geotechnical investigations (Terra Firma, 2021) indicate that the ground at the site comprises a deep deposit of made ground comprised of colliery tip material. Borehole records suggest a deposit of tip material across most of the site of approximately 3 – 4.7m overlaying natural mudstone but with shallower depths at the northern boundary (c. 1.7m) and increasing considerably in thickness further to the south, with deposits of c. 17m near to the site’s southern boundary. This material evidently reflects spoil tips that once covered the site and which were reformed into the present land surface in the 1970s infilling depressions (such as the former tram way cutting).
4.57 It is not expected that the spoil tip material would contain any archaeological remains. Only ground work associated with the development that breached these deposits would disturb the natural ground surface and any archaeological remains situated upon it.
Cartographic Sources
4.58 The earliest consulted map was the 1843 Tithe Map of the Parish of Llanfoist (Plan EDP 5). The map shows the site across an area that contains industrial and domestic features. A key industrial feature is a tramway which crosses the site from east to west. At this time, the tram linked the mines at Cinder pit (shown as three small ovals to the west of the site) with the North Street Ironworks to the east, which are off the map.
4.59 The site is, on its western side, part of an enclosure associated with Cinder Pit Cottages (numbered 321), which is named as a garden in the Apportionment that accompanies the map. In the eastern part is a small, unnamed building set within a small, enclosed area with another enclosed area adjacent. This was probably a cottage or house as there is nothing to indicate that it was associated with any industrial feature.
4.60 The First Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1880 (all OS maps are shown on Plan EDP 6) shows little change from the Tithe Map, albeit with greater detail shown. The Cinder Pit is shown and a tramway leading to it continues to the south to the new Forge Side works. Additional tramways run north from the pit just to the west of the site to spoil tips in this location. A canal named as ‘feeder’ is shown crossing the south-east corner of the site passing underneath the tramway that bisects the site. As noted previously, an old coal level is shown just south of the site which mining maps indicated accessed a tunnel running under the site from south to north.
4.61 To the north of the tramway, the 1880 map shows the site occupied by a broad spoil tip which had evidently truncated the house and field enclosures depicted on the tithe map as these are no longer depicted.
4.62 The Second Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1901 depicts a similar scene to the map of 1880. The Cinder Pit is named as ‘disused’ (presumably due to the decline at this time of
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the North Street ironworks with which it was associated) but the associated tramways are still identifiably in use and, an east-west route still crosses the site as does the feeder canal. It is evident that the land to the south of the site had by this time begun to be over- tipped with spoil from the Forge Side works to the south.
4.63 The Third Edition Ordnance survey map of 1920 illustrates a continuation of the process of tipping from the Forge Side works. On this map, the tips are shown to have extended across the whole of the land to the south of the tramway, overlaying the former Pond Terrace, enclosures and the feeder canals in this area. This map reflects the peak of production at Forge Side and the fullest extent of its related infrastructure and spoil tips.
4.64 The next available Ordnance Survey map dates from 1961 and illustrates the site after the decline of industry at Blaenavon. This map shows the site entirely covered by spoil tips, interspersed with cuttings and tracks, reflecting the location of former tramways. By this time, the tramway crossing the site from east to west was no longer in use but its course is still identifiable.
4.65 It is evident that the landform at the site, as depicted in 1961, is different to its modern appearance as, in the 1970s the site and wider area on the north side of the valley was subject to remediation and reclamation with the present landform of level terraces created from the spoil tips that characterised the locality in the mid-20th century. With reference to the geotechnical borehole records, it is possible that the deep deposits of made ground (colliery spoil) at the southern edge of the site represent the infill of the former tramway cutting or feeder canal in this area. The cuttings associated with these features would be of little evidential value and it is not expected that the tramway rails would be intact as it is shown as a track on the map of 1961. As such, these features would possess no heritage significance.
4.66 It is not known whether remains of other features shown on historic maps, such as the cottage or house or old field boundaries shown on the tithe map are present. Based on the borehole data it is likely that, if present, they would be over laid by a layer of 3-4.7m of colliery tip material and, given the site’s disturbance, are probably poorly preserved. Remains of a post-medieval building or boundary walls would be of limited evidential value and would be considered, at most to be historic assets of low significance.
Aerial Photographs
4.67 A total of 20 vertical aerial photographs and two oblique aerial photographs, covering the site and its environs, were identified within the collection maintained by the CRAPW at Cardiff. The available images span the period from January 1941 to 1985. Due to copyright restrictions none have been reproduced.
4.68 The oblique images both date from January 1941 and show broad views towards the Forge Side works. Whilst these images illustrate well the Forge Side works and the heavily industrialised nature of the surrounding valley the land at the site only forms an indistinct part of the background and the images do not convey any specific information on the site’s archaeological potential.
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4.69 The vertical images illustrate change at the site from the 1940s up until the 1980s. The pre-1970s images depict the land at the site as little different from the depiction on historic maps, with the land increasingly covered over with spoil tips as the 20th century progresses.
4.70 An image from April 1974 (MAL 022 74 251) illustrates a stage in the remediation of the land at the site. In this image the land is shown entirely levelled and flat, a great contrast to the topographic variation of the spoil tips and tramroad cuttings seen on older photographs. The ground surface is streaked suggesting recent tracking by vehicles. A later photograph of May 1977 (ADAS 667 1181) depicts the land at the site with a similar, flat appearance but, with the banks to the south and south-east of the site now fully formed. The images suggest an ongoing process of formation of the terraces now present during the 1970s. A later set of images of 1985, show the land at the site as it is presently and also illustrate the extensive levelling and clearance that occurred along the valley side further to the west in the 1970s and 1980s.
4.71 None of the images indicate the presence of any features, cropmarks or soilmarks within the site that might suggest the presence of any previously unrecorded buried archaeological remains or any other type of previously unrecorded historic asset.
Site Walkover
4.72 The site was visited in January 2021 to assess the current ground conditions and topography within it, as well as to confirm the continuing survival of any known archaeological remains, and to identify any hitherto unknown remains of significance.
4.73 As described above, the site was formed in the 1970s when spoil tips were levelled, cuttings infilled, and the ground banked up to form a terrace. The site visit confirmed that there are no features of heritage value extant within the site.
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Section 5 Assessment
5.1 This section further assesses the site’s contribution to the significance of historic assets and outlines the potential effect of the proposed development of the site on the historic environment.
5.2 Firstly, the sites contribution to the significance of the BILWHS and the BLOHI areas is assessed as well as the potential for effects on this significance from the development as proposed. Then, the assessment addresses the site’s contribution to the significance of designated historic assets located off-site and assess the potential for effects on this significance through change within their settings.
5.3 In this respect, it addresses Stages 2 and 3 of the four-stage approach, which is identified by Cadw in its guidance (Cadw 2017a), covering the identification and then assessment of potential effects on the settings of those historic assets identified in Section 4 above. The locations of these assets are illustrated on Plan EDP 1.
5.4 Finally, based on the sources presented in Section 4 the potential for the proposed development to impact upon buried archaeological remains within the site is assessed.
Direct impacts upon designated historic assets
Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site (BILWHS)
5.5 The site is located within the BILWHS. The full extent of the WHS is depicted on Plan EDP 1.
5.6 The BILWHS was inscribed as a WHS by UNESCO in December 2000, on the basis that the heritage features and the landscape it contains are of ‘OUV’. As a WHS, the BILWHS is considered to represent an asset of very high significance.
5.7 It was recognised by UNESCO that: ‘The area around Blaenavon bears eloquent and exceptional testimony to the pre-eminence of South Wales as the world’s major producer of iron and coal in the nineteenth century. It is a remarkably complete example of a nineteenth century landscape’.
5.8 To be inscribed as a World Heritage Site and to be accepted as being of OUV, a site must meet at least one of ten criteria set out in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was inscribed for the following reasons:
‘Criterion C (iii): The Blaenavon Landscape constitutes an exceptional illustration in material form of the social and economic structure of 19th century industry; and
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Criterion C (iv): The components of the Blaenavon Landscape together make up an outstanding and remarkably complete example of a 19th century industrial landscape.’
5.9 Under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (to which the UK Government subscribes), all WHS must have an appropriate management system in place which specifies how its OUV, authenticity and integrity will be maintained. At Blaenavon, this obligation is fulfilled by the Blaenavon WHS Management Plan 2011-2016 (TDBC, 2011).
5.10 Amongst other functions, the management plan describes the WHS, its historical development and defines its significance as a heritage asset. This is expressed as a statement of the WHS’s OUV and through a description of its key values and qualities. The OUV is summarised below:
• The area has international importance in iron making and coal mining in the late 18th and early 19th centuries;
• Well preserved mining sites are present at Blaenavon Ironworks and Big Pit coal mine which include furnaces, kilns and other structures;
• Parts of the surrounding landscape contain elements of an outstanding relict landscape of mineral exploitation, manufacturing, transport and settlement, an integrated and authentic landscape representing all the crucial elements of industrialisation;
• The landscape reflects the development of early industrial society with distinctive terraced housing and other built elements (such as churches, chapels and schools) that reflect the industrial culture of the south-Welsh valleys, particularly in the town of Blaenavon; and
• Taking all these elements together, the WHS provides one of the prime areas in the world where the full social, economic and technological process of industrialisation through iron and coal production, can be studied and understood.
WHS Values
5.11 The WHS Management Plan gives a more detailed assessment of the significance of the WHS through reference to a series of values. Of these, only the following are relevant to the current heritage assessment: archaeological value, historical and cultural values and aesthetic and visual values.
5.12 The WHS’s archaeological value is expressed in the surviving monuments and relict landscapes within it, with the features of highest significance designated as scheduled monuments. The Management Plan describes how the WHS has a high archaeological integrity and that the WHS’s archaeological remains offer an opportunity to research and appreciate the history of industrialisation and living conditions in the industrial period. The WHS’s archaeological value is reflected in its inclusion on the Register of Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales.
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5.13 The WHS is considered in the Management Plan to be an important surviving landscape that represents the processes of early industrialisation and the development of industrial culture. Historical and cultural value is expressed in the houses and municipal buildings preserved in Blaenavon and the wider landscape illustrates cultural relations and attitudes towards the environment as well as the area’s pre-industrial history. In this respect, the WHS includes documentary sources relevant to life and society in Blaenavon’s industrial past.
5.14 The WHS’s aesthetic and visual values are identified in the management plan, which describes the ‘visual conjunction of agrarian countryside, townscapes and areas of mineral exploitation at Blaenavon’ as a ‘rare and important resource’. It is stated that areas of historic mining and quarrying are becoming rare and are seen as having ‘striking aesthetic qualities’ which have been an inspiration to various artists.
5.15 Elements of the industrial landscape in the WHS with aesthetic value and symbolic importance include functional architecture associated with iron works and mining, such as the prominent head gear at Big Pit and the Balance tower at the ironworks and, public and domestic buildings within the townscape which are considered to provide a visual resource for understanding the development of industrial communities. The management plan describes the character of the built environment as being ‘typically characterised by the importance of rows of terraced housing, roofscapes, chimneys and slate roofs’.
5.16 Insomuch as the Management Plan describes elements of the WHS that contribute to its OUV it also relates that the WHS includes a modern post-industrial settlement and ‘that physical, social and economic change are inevitable and necessary if the area is to have a sustainable future’. The Plan acknowledges the modern landscape, that inevitably does not contribute to the OUV of the WHS and that ‘New jobs, new homes including increasing use of motor vehicles, new shopping and leisure patterns all need to be accommodated in a sustainable manner while protecting the essential values of the site (WHS)’.
5.17 In this respect, it is important to note that TAN 24 states that the management of a WHS hinges on the ‘identification and promotion of change that will conserve and enhance its Outstanding Universal Value’, such that change through development that achieves the preservation of the OUV should be acceptable in terms of its impact.
The site in relation to the WHS and its OUV
5.18 The site is located within the WHS; however, it contains little that reflects its OUV. As described previously, the site’s current appearance is derived from the remediation and reclamation works of the 1970s that resulted in the site being cleared of spoil tips and tramways which related to its industrial history and that of the surrounding area and a new, level ground surface of artificial terraces created from the industrial spoil.
5.19 As such, the present form of the site does not reflect the industrial heritage of the locality aside from it being an end product of post-industrial reclamation. This reclamation occurred prior to the attainment of world heritage status at a time when industrial waste and relict feature were seen as unwanted, to be cleared in order to facilitate modern
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economic development as characterised in the locality by the light industrial park to the south-east and by the large units to the immediate east (Image EDP 5).
5.20 In this respect, the site possesses none of the aesthetic and visual value that the WHS is known for in that it is simply an empty, flat terrace. Any historical and cultural value at the site is now entirely intangible and is expressed by the history of the site as illustrated on historic maps and aerial images rather than by its present form and appearance.
5.21 Nonetheless, although the site contributes very little to the OUV of the WHS it does have a low potential to contain archaeological remains related to the former dwelling, water courses and tramways that once existed upon it. As described previously, such remains, which would be of limited evidential or archaeological value may be buried beneath a varying depth of spoil that forms the ground surface at the site, although given the site’s history of disturbance archaeological remains are unlikely to be well-preserved and of substantial and significant evidential value.
5.22 If such remains exist then, these might contribute to a very minor degree to the OUV of the WHS in terms of its component related to archaeological value.
The proposed development and its potential impact upon the OUV of the BILWHS
5.23 The potential for impacts from development upon archaeological remains are discussed in a separate section below. Otherwise, the proposed development would result in a change to the character of the land at the site from open, disused land to land populated by buildings and landscaping features such as trees.
5.24 Initial proposals (as detailed in Section 1 and at Appendix EDP 1) are for light-industrial buildings of 2-3 storeys that would be in line with the site’s allocation for employment development. These would be set out in rows along a local road network, with buildings at the perimeter, and would employ a saw-tooth roof design across the units with raised vents. The buildings would be constructed with elevations finished in light coloured brick with darker panelled and glazed elements and dark panelled roofing. The edges of the site would be planted with trees.
5.25 The buildings would reflect an industrial aesthetic reminiscent of 19th and 20th century factory buildings, with the saw-toothed roof line an especially prominent feature.
5.26 The BILWHS Design Guide (TCBC, 2011) aims to protect the historic character of the WHS by ensuring that all development respects the significance and values for which the WHS was inscribed. The Guide provides design and maintenance guidance for buildings within the WHS.
5.27 In order to inform its recommendations, the Guide references the character analysis which forms the basis of the BLOHI. In this respect it identifies the Historic Landscape Character area in which the site lies (HLCA 021 West Blaenavon Industrial Estates) as part of an ‘urban settlement area’ within which the site is categorised as:
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• ‘New buildings on vacant sites or sites identified for development.’
5.28 Under this category, it is recommended that new employment development follows the following criteria:
• A clear distinction between public and private areas;
• The creation of frontages that overlook and enclose public space; and
• The maintenance of a clear building line, where applicable.
5.29 It recommends a perimeter block approach as a way of screening noise and views to utilitarian areas. It suggests that buildings that do not define space clearly and which have exposed and blank flank walls should be avoided. The Guide recommends careful consideration of views in particular those that are sensitive or significant. It outlines the following key issues that should be considered in any design:
• Exploiting opportunities for the building to screen areas of car parking and servicing from sensitive views;
• Integrating the buildings with the landscape of the WHS, through the choice of cladding materials and colours, which should reflect the natural and muted tones of the surrounding context;
• As it is likely that some views to the building will be from above, the roof forms a prominent part of the visual impact of the building. Colours should be chosen to integrate with the surrounding landscape; and
• Elevations should be visually ‘broken up’ to avoid a large or monolithic appearance.
5.30 In addition, the Guide also states that screen planting should not be used as a replacement or alternative to sensitive building design and that, whilst some planting can be used to integrate a building into its surroundings, trees not typical of the natural landscape of the locality, such as rows of conifers should be avoided. The Guide also highlights the importance of roof form, profile and colour and recommends a colour palette of muted, natural tones to blend into the landscape. Finally, it recommends that, building massing should be sympathetic to the varied forms of traditional industrial buildings rather than creating dominant uniform structures.
5.31 The current emerging development proposals have been led by the Design Guide and it is apparent that they achieve the following which confirm closely to the Guide and its recommendations:
• The buildings would be situated at the perimeter of the development, enclosing the development road network, parking and outdoor spaces;
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• The outward facing elevations would be broken up by scattered, deciduous planting and display elevations containing windows and overhanging roofs supported by posts, and thus would not be blank or monolithic;
• The colour palette would be shades of brown, greys and reds and thus would reference traditional material use in the locality i.e. brickwork and stonework, with darker roofs that would not reflect light and would emulate the dark slate roofs employed traditionally; and
• The massing of the buildings would reflect the typical 2 storeys of the local area and the form of traditional factory buildings would be referenced in the saw-toothed roof design.
5.32 As such, the proposals would adhere well to the recommendations of the Design Guide and their form would illustrate the industrial character that is a key component of the OUV of the WHS. In terms of views, the site’s aspect is to the south and south-west and the development would be visible in views across the valley from this direction. As described previously, the site is well-enclosed to the west, north and east and, given the development’s two-storey height it would be unlikely to have much presence in views from these directions (i.e., Images EDP 3 and 4).
5.33 A key aspect of the WHS’s OUV is the group of historic assets at and adjacent to the Big Pit coal mine. From this location (c. 700m to the south-west of the site) views are possible to the north-east which include the site (Image EDP 6). The view is primarily of an open scene defined by countryside, although modern industrial buildings are present, both at the Forge Side industrial estate and on land immediately adjacent to the site. In this respect the green, grey roofed light industrial buildings adjacent to the site stand out and are eye- catching in the scene.
5.34 There is very little of the ‘striking aesthetic quality’ of the industrial landscape that is an element of the OUV present in this view. Spoil tips are visible beyond the site; however, the view does not include any prominent industrial buildings or other historic assets. Following development, a small part of the open space, as visible, would become populated by buildings. The architectural detail of the building’s would not be noticeable from this distance and it is anticipated that the development would appear as an area of distant buildings of an industrial appearance and of brown and grey colouration, with scattered trees in front of them. As such, set adjacent to trees, with further trees in the foreground and against the more distant moorland, the chosen, muted colour palette would blend in well with the existing scene and thus the buildings would not be especially prominent. The building would not stand out in the way that the adjacent building presently does.
5.35 Further to the south, from the hillside at Coity to the south of Big Pit (Image EDP 7), the development would be visible with the iconic industrial buildings of Big Pit in the foreground and in the context of the adjacent buildings and other modern industrial buildings mentioned above. It should be noted that, the mining complex at Big Pit is best appreciated in views towards it from the north, from adjacent spaces (Image EDP 8) or from across the valley (Image EDP 9). Views down to it from the south do not allow a compete view of the
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mining buildings and this is aspect allows only a limited appreciation of the mine’s aesthetic value.
5.36 Given the development’s aesthetic treatment, whilst visible, it would not be especially prominent. It would form another modern light industrial building in the backdrop of this view in a landscape already partially populated by such buildings and its appearance would not create a distraction from the iconic pit head or other buildings at Big Pit.
5.37 Consequently, the site’s development (as currently proposed) will have no effect on the prominence of Big Pit in views from the north, being as these are away from the site, and its presence in the background in views form the south will also not serve to distract or detract from the prominence of the mine.
5.38 As such, in terms of the WHS’s aesthetic and visual values, in following closely the recommendations made for development of its type in the Design Guide, the proposed development (as currently proposed) will have no detrimental effect on the OUV of the BILWHS with elements of the historic environment which exemplify this value in its vicinity retaining their prominence and present aesthetic quality.
5.39 Should, following PAC, the development proposals deviate dramatically from the current proposal this impact may need to be re-assessed.
Blaenavon Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales (BLOHI)
5.40 The Blaenavon Historic Landscape is described in the Cadw, CCW and ICOMOS UK Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales (1998). This document is complemented by the Blaenavon historic landscape characterisation project (GGAT). This latter piece of work is a key document identifying the component Historic Landscape Character Areas (HLCAs) that make up the BLOHI, with a description of their period, components, condition, significance and value (this information is accessible online at: http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/blaenavon/english/Blaenavon_Main.h tm).
5.41 The Introduction to the GGAT historic landscape characterisation describes the BLOHI in the following terms:
‘The area around Blaenavon is one of the finest surviving examples in the world of a landscape created by coalmining and ironmaking in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The parallel development of these industries was one of the key dynamic forces of the world's first Industrial Revolution, and South Wales was among its leading centres. For over a century, the natural landscape of Blaenavon was changed and scarred by ironmaking, coal extraction, settlement and related activities as the entire area of the Historic Landscape and the World Heritage Sites was turned to the demands of a single new industrial enterprise and the radical transformation of land and society which followed in its wake.’
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5.42 GGAT’s historic landscape characterisation project identified 21 HLCAs within the Blaenavon Historic Landscape (see Plan EDP 4). These reflect surviving industrial urban settlements, former ironworks and related workings, transport and water management systems, as well as some more modern elements (i.e. embracing settlement, production and resource zones).
5.43 The site is located within HLCA 021 West Blaenavon Industrial Estates. This HLCA is summarised as an ‘Area characterised by modern industrial estates. Previously dominated by collieries and associated buildings, industrial terraced rows and tramroad links’.
5.44 And is noted as having potential for ‘buried archaeological remains’.
5.45 The detailed description of the HLCA’s historic background reflects closely the history of the site and its environs as presented through the evidence outlined in Section 4. Key surviving feature of the HLCA are noted as:
• The two 18th century shafts at the Old Coal Pits (MM293) and their associated now- dry reservoir to the north-west; and
• The early 19th century structural remains at Engine Pit (MM277).
5.46 Other, mostly now historic features that are no longer extent are also mentioned, inclusive of other mining levels, former tramways and former domestic buildings that once populated the area.
5.47 It is apparent that, given that most of its significance is with regards to its historic and archaeological values the HLCA’s above ground features of heritage interest are limited. The site, being an open area of waste ground with a ground level formed in the 1970s contributes nothing to this historic character apart from possible potential for low value archaeology.
5.48 As discussed above, in the section on the BILWHS, the proposed development would be visible from across the valley to the south and south-west and there would be potential for indirect effects on the character of HLCAs 004 and 005, area that encompass the Big Pit coal mine and the adjacent hillside at Coity to the south. However, given the close accordance with the WHS Design Guide, as described previously, the development’s effect on views would not be such that it would not adversely affect the OUV of the WHS. As such, it is also considered that it would equally have no discernible negative effect on the character of either HLCA 004 or HLCA 005.
5.49 Should the application be required to reference the Register of Historic Landscapes in Wales in full, an assessment of potential impacts would be required in accordance with the established ASIDHOL2 process as set out in the Guide to Good Practice on Using the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales (Cadw, 2007). This assessment would consider the whole of the LOHI, but in the main focus on the potential direct impact of the proposed development on HLCA 021 and the indirect impact upon HLCAs 004 and 005.
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5.50 This current, preliminary assessment does not attempt to replicate the full ASIDHOL2 process here but as outlined above, it is considered that the development would have little effect on the heritage significance of the HLCAs in question and thus on the wider significance of the BLOHI.
Indirect impacts on designated historic assets
Scheduled monument Old Coal Pits (MM293)
5.51 The scheduled monument, Old Coal Pits (MM293) comprises the remains of two air shafts that are thought by Cadw to date from the 18th century and are considered to be some of the oldest colliery shafts at Blaenavon. Initially they functioned as mining shafts and later, in the 19th century were connected to other underground mines (such as that worked from Cinder Pit), whereby they functioned as air shafts. Their early use is thought to have been driven by a waterwheel with water from a now-dry reservoir located beyond the scheduled area c. 50m to the north-west.
5.52 The remains comprise stone-lined shafts with the upper part, a later construction, in brick. As noted previously the remains were fully recorded archaeologically when the shafts were capped in 2005 (GGATE005349).
5.53 The Cadw citation describes how the monument ‘is of national importance for its potential to enhance and illustrate our knowledge and understanding of the development of the mining industry in Wales’. It is described as having ‘significant archaeological potential’ with a strong possibility of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. However, as mentioned above, a 2005 watching brief examined the area around the shafts and did not record any features of archaeological interest.
5.54 In this respect, the monument is considered to have a high degree of evidential value encompassed in the physical remains of the shafts and also a high degree of historic value, with regard to its role within the history of coal mining at Blaenavon. The monument has some communal value through its association with the mining culture that defines the locality although the shafts have been long out of use. As functional, industrial structures the shafts have little or no aesthetic value.
5.55 The monument’s setting also contributes to its significance but to a lesser degree than its physical form. In this respect, as a group of structures, with a specific historical function that forms the basis of its significance, it is primarily its associations with other related remains of the former industrial landscape that relate to its significance. Key related assets include the former reservoir located to the north-west. This feature is described as a quarry by the NMRW (260455) although the identification is tenuous and, given its location just up-slope from the shafts the interpretation as a reservoir associated with them seems more valid.
5.56 The shafts also have a relationship with the Engine Pit mining remains to the south and with the remains of the North Street Ironworks to the east, although in general nearby historically related mining feature have since been destroyed either by later industrial
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activity or reclamation in the 1970s. Whilst these surviving historic assets make a strong positive contribution to the significance of the monument through their historic, functional association, none of them are directly experienced in conjunction with the monument which is located within a densely overgrown area and cannot be easily experienced.
5.57 The monument is located within a dense stand of bushes and trees (Image EDP 10), an enclosed area with a house and garden adjacent to the west and the B4248 to the north. This setting has little relevance to the monument’s historic setting which would have been in a more open landscape characterised by industrial features such as spoil tips and tramways. The surrounding vegetation restricts any appreciation of the monument’s upstanding remains and in shrouding the monument is considered to detract from its significance. The adjacent house, its garden and boundary as well as the road and its fenced boundary are of a modern appearance and of no relevance to the history or the historic setting of the shafts. Nonetheless, they do not obstruct the monument or influence how it is experienced and, are considered neutral elements of its setting making no contribution to its significance.
5.58 The site is located c. 85m to the south-west of the monument at the bottom of a wooded slope. In this respect, the land at the site is entirely screened from the shafts by intervening trees. As noted, the site’s present appearance as a flat terrace of waste ground is a modern construct and thus it has no historical or functional association with the monument. Given this fact and that the monument is screened from the site and cannot be experienced from it, the land at the site makes no contribution to the significance of the monument.
5.59 The proposed development would also be entirely screened from the monument and its construction would not result in the loss of any known historic assets that are associated with the mine shafts. The proposed buildings would not therefore change the setting of the monument such that its significance might be affected.
12 listed buildings and a single scheduled monument at Big Pit coal mine
5.60 A group of nationally important historic assets are located at Big Pit c. 700m to the south- west of the site. Of these, the 12 listed buildings are related to the former coal mine and its activity and the single scheduled monument to an incline railway and quarry located adjacent to the mine. All of the assets are in close proximity to each other and so, in terms of understanding their setting, its contribution to significance and the potential for change from the site’s development, are assessed together. The assets comprise:
Scheduled monument Coity Sandstone Quarry and incline (MM279)
5.61 The scheduled monument comprises the earthwork remains of a 19TH century sandstone quarry and an embanked incline railway which carried stone (and later coal) down slope to the north. The monument is significant principally on account of the evidential value of its remains but also die to its associations with other industrial era archaeology in the wider landscape and the history of extractive industry at Blaenavon.
40 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Grade II* listed building Pit Head Building, Headframe and Tram Circuit (15280)
5.62 The listing includes the iconic pit head of the colliery which dates from 1921 but which replaced the 19th century head gear and winding house. Of the winding house only the stone base remains. It also includes the Tram Circuit which comprises a loop of corrugated iron and brick sheds. The group are very well preserved and are open as a museum. The possess a high degree of evidential and historical value as well as aesthetic value in the appearance of the pit head. Cadw list the buildings at Grade II* ‘as a rare survival of pithead gear with tram circuit and as the focal point of this exceptionally complete colliery site’.
Grade II* listed building Miner’s baths and canteen (15290)
5.63 This functional, concrete building dates from 1939 and is situated on higher ground to the south-west of the core of the mining complex. The building is very well preserved both externally and internally. It has a strong degree of evidential and historical value and is listed at Grade II* on account of it being ‘the only pre-war miners’ baths building in Wales to retain its lockers and other internal fittings’ and that it has group value with the other buildings at Big Pit.
Ten grade II listed buildings – Cadw refs. 14264 - 14274
5.64 All of the Grade II listed buildings comprise various buildings and structures associated with the function of the mine. All date from between 1900 and 1970 reflecting the mine as it was during its 20th century working period. All are well-preserved and are incorporated into the museum that Big Pit currently represents. All of the assets possess a high degree of evidential value and historic value but, as functional buildings, limited aesthetic value. As a working museum the whole group of assets at Big Pit possess a high degree of communal value.
The setting of the assets and its contribution to their significance
5.65 All of the assets at Big Pit, including the closely but not directly associated incline and quarry, are industrial features and had a strong historic, functional purpose that is the main basis of their heritage significance. As such, it is elements of the surrounding landscape that have a functional association with the assets that make a particular contribution to their significance.
5.66 Big Pit was designed to supply coal to the Forge Side works which are no longer extant, however elements of the associated industrial landscape at Forge Side that have survived have an associative relationship with the assets at Big Pit. This includes the heritage railway that runs through the valley and its various extant features and structures and well as other features such as ponds and reservoirs, earthwork remains associated with mining and the extant domestic landscape at Forge Side which includes several listed buildings. All of these elements are features of the setting of the buildings, structures and earthworks at Big Bit, providing an historic context to the mine that reflects its function within the former industrial landscape. In this way the various historic elements on the south side of
41 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
the Afon LLwyd, that relate to the operation of Forge Side and the lives of its workforce contribute to a varying degree to the significance of the group of assets at Big Pit.
5.67 As noted above, in relation to the BILWHS, the pit head building, whilst an entirely functional piece of apparatus, has acquired an iconic aesthetic in the modern age. The image of winding gear, atop its supporting tower, has come to symbolise Britain’s mining industry which declined in the 20th century. The Head Gear (which is Grade II* listed) at Blaenavon (Image EDP 8) is a fine example of this type of icon and, set within a group of related and contemporary mining buildings and against the backdrop of the broad upland waste of Coity mountain to the south, is highly prominent and exemplifies the image of the 20th century Welsh coal mine. Its setting reflects its historic location on the edge of an upland landscape and located on the valley slopes, it is prominent across the valley from most directions (Image EDP 9) with no other nearby modern buildings that compete visually with it.
5.68 In this respect, the openness of the mine’s surroundings and the upland character of the adjacent hillside are important elements of its setting that contribute to the building’s significance. Insomuch as the open quality of its surroundings and resulting prominence allow views to the head gear from various locations, these views are entirely incidental, being possible only on account of the mine’s location and the height of its tower. They are not designed views and the locations from where they are had are not locations which make any specific contribution to the asset’s significance.
5.69 The site’s appearance is a modern construct and the land at the site has no historic association with the mine. Indeed, even prior to its remediation and reformation, the site’s archaeology was associated with mines on the north side of the valley and the North Street works rather than Big Pit and the former Forge Side works. Views of the distant Head Gear are possible from the site (Image EDP 2) and the Big Pit complex can, on account of its prominence be appreciated from it. However, as noted above, this view is incidental and the site itself makes no contribution to the asset’s significance because of it.
5.70 The proposed development (as currently proposed) will be visible across the valley from the group of buildings at Big Pit and from the incline railway monument to the south of them. However, as noted above, in relation to the BILWHS, the current development proposals, given their muted colours, two-storey height of the buildings and their ‘industrial era’ appearance will blend in well with the landscape that is visible in views north across the valley. In this way, the development will not be overly prominent or eye-catching. As such, its presence, would not distract from or compete with the prominence of the Head Gear listed building at Big Pit, nor would it feature in views to the mine, away from the direction of the site, which include its upland backdrop. As such, it is considered that the proposed development (as currently proposed) would not result in any effect on the significance of any of the listed buildings or the scheduled monument at Big Pit.
42 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Indirect impacts upon non-designated historic assets
5.71 As noted in Section 4 located c.70m to the north-west of the site are a small group of domestic properties, Cinderpit House and Cinderpit Cottages which date form at least the 19th century (GGAT03354g and 03365g). these non-designated historic assets, their significance and the contribution to it from their setting has been discussed in Section 4.
5.72 The current development proposals would occupy land which makes no contribution to the significance of the assets. The current proposal would result in a two-storey modern building, albeit of an ‘industrial era’ appearance being partially visible from the buildings. The development would be set back from the buildings and separated from them by a hedgerow, trees as well as a buffer of open space. As such, the development would not impose upon the building or compete with them, for prominence within their surrounding enclosed space.
5.73 Given that the development would not result in the loss of any aspect of the setting of the buildings that contributes to their significance and that the proposal provide for an offset and that there is exiting screening, it is concluded that the current proposal would not result in adverse effect on the significance of these buildings.
Impact upon buried archaeological remains within the site
5.74 The proposed development would require groundwork in order to develop foundations for its buildings and roads. This is anticipated to comprise topsoil stripping and shallow excavations for foundations and services. As noted previously, it is not anticipated that deep excavation (such as might be required for the remediation of buried mining voids) will be carried out. As such it is not considered that the required groundwork would penetrate beyond the deposit of made ground (colliery spoil) that overlays the site to a depth of 17m in some locations.
5.75 It is possible that archaeological remains of low value are located on the natural ground surface beneath this spoil however, given the limited depth of foundation design it is very unlikely that, if present, these would be disturbed by the development.
5.76 As such, presently it is not thought that the proposed development would result in any adverse impact upon archaeological remains.
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44 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Section 6 Conclusion
6.1 It is concluded that the site does not contain any designated ‘historic assets’, such as scheduled monuments, listed buildings, or historic parks and gardens, where there would be a presumption in favour of physical retention or preservation in situ.
6.2 Analysis of historic maps, aerial photographs and a site walkover survey indicate that the site, in it present form was created in the 1970s through the remediation and levelling of industrial spoil tips created from colliery waste. This activity infilled depressions in the site including that related to a former tramroad and canal and resulted in the present landform, a level terrace of open, waste ground. Geotechnical investigation indicates that the upper part of the ground at the site typically comprises 3 – 4.7m of made ground (colliery spoil) with shallower deposits at the northern edge of the site (c. 1.7m) and deeper deposits at its southern edge (c. 17m).
6.3 The assessment has considered the potential for effects on OUV of the BILWHS and the BLOHI, area designations that encompasses the site. It is concluded that, aside from a low potential for deeply buried, industrial-era archaeological remains the site makes no contribution to the OUV of the BILWHS or the historic character of the BLOHI. The emerging development proposals would change the appearance of the site but are intended to adhere closely to the recommendations of the BILWHS Design Guide (TCBC, 2011). Consequently, the development would sit well within the WHS with its design echoing the localities’ industrial history and aesthetic and its muted colour palette ensuring that it does not stand out as overly prominent in views across the landscape (notably in those from the south and south-west across the valley of the Afon Llwyd).
6.4 As such it is concluded that the proposed development would not have any detrimental effect on the OUV of the WHS or the historic character of the BLOHI. Given the site’s allocation for employment development as proposed, and the positive conclusions of this report, it is not recommended that, on the basis of the current proposals, further, more detail assessment of impacts upon the BILWHS or the BLOHI (such as ASIDHOL2 assessment) would be required to support the submission of a planning application.
6.5 The assessment has considered the site’s contribution to the significance of designated historic assets in the vicinity of the site, and the potential for effects, due to change within their setting, in accordance with Cadw’s Setting of Historic Assets in Wales (Cadw, 2017). In this regard, it concludes that the site makes no contribution to the significance of any such asset and that the development proposals would not change the setting of any asset such that it results in an effect on their significance.
6.6 In terms of the site’s archaeological potential, historic map evidence suggests that the site once contained post-medieval domestic features comprising a building and field boundaries as well as industrial features such as a tramroad, part of a canal and spoil tips. There is no indication in the sources considered that the site has any potential for buried archaeological remains predating the post-medieval period. The post-medieval domestic
45 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
elements were covered over with spoil tips in the late 19th/early 20th centuries and all of the features within the site were infilled and spoil tips levelled when the site was subject to remediation in the 1970s. Whilst this history of disturbance suggests that any archaeological remains within the site may have been damaged or destroyed, there is still considered to be a low potential for buried remains of low evidential value to located at the natural ground level beneath the upper layers of made ground.
6.7 Below-ground impacts from the proposed development would not be sufficient to penetrate below the depth of made ground at the site and so it is considered unlikely that development would result in any impact upon archaeological remains. As such, no additional archaeological field work should be required to support a future planning application or by way of mitigation of archaeological impacts.
6.8 The assessment concludes that the development of the site as proposed and in line with its allocation within the LDP, would not result in any impact upon the historic environment and thus would not conflict with any historic environment legislation or planning policy.
46 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Section 7 References
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), 2020, Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment (Reading)
Cadw, 2017, Setting of Historic Assets in Wales
Cadw, 2011, Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable management of the Historic Environment in Wales
GGAT, 1992, Kays and Kears Reclaimation Stage 2: Archaeological Assessment and recommendations 20192/02
HMSO, 1979, Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
HMSO, 1990, Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
ICOMOS, 2011, Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties
TCBC, 2011a, The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Design Guide
TCBC, 2011b, The Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011 – 2026
Cadw, 2007 Guide to good practice on using the register of landscapes of historic interest in Wales in the planning and development process (2nd edition)
Torfaen CBC, 2013, Local Development Plan
Welsh Government, 2021, Planning Policy Wales Edition Eleven Cardiff
Welsh Government 2017, Technical Advice Note 24 (TAN 24) The Historic Environment http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/blaenavon/english/Blaenavon_Main.htm
Historic maps referenced
Tithe Map of Llanfoist Parish 1843 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1880 (1:2500) Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1901 (1:2500) Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1920 (1:2500) 1961 Edition Ordnance Survey (1:2500)
47 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Aerial Photographs referenced
RAF Blaenavon 4226 Frames 2560 and 2563 10th January 1941 ADAS 667 1181 May 1977 MAL 022 74 251 April 1974
48 Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Appendix EDP 1 Proposed Design and Illustrations
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
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G LONG STAY CYCLE PARKING: 20 STANDS / 40 SPACES SHORT STAY CYCLE PARKING : 4 STANDS / 8 SPACES MAI N SI EN TE TRAN CE
FE ,PW F 1 .3m G F 21/05/2021 Updated to reflect client comments EXISTING TARMAC ROAD E 13/05/2021 MH CL 369.24 D 07/05/2021 Updated to reflect client comments
C 04/03/2021 Plan updated to reflect client comments
B 25/02/2021 Plan updated to reflect client comments
F E, A 22/02/2021 Plan updated to reflect client comments PW F 1 .3m / 15/02/2021 Plan issued for client + design team discussion
REV DATE DESCRIPTION
N 0m 10m 20m 50m
STAGE 3-PLANNING APP.
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T 2.2 E NG B 24/03/2020 Plan updated to show access to shutters L S S I S
T E C D K S RAINAG I A 12/03/2020 Plan updated to show mezzanines + B7 layout Y E CHAN D R E
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110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 E x h1.4 VOID
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 H x h1.4 5 VOID 2
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 M x h1.4 VOID O VOID 46 R VOID
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1 100 L 5.1 w1.3 x d m 1.0 x B5 h1.4 5 5.6 YARD
B6 1100 w L 1.3 x d1.0 5.7 x h1.4 110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 5.8 x h1.4
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 6.4 5.9 x h1.4
VOID 33
VOID 5.10 45 VOID
11 VOID
3 VOID VOID VOID 3.5 VOID 3.3 (16) 114
VOID
YARD 127 3.6 B3
6.5 3.2 8
7 VOID 86 VOID VOID
VOID 1.4 VOID
71 67 VOID 70 NOTES: VOID 68 3.7 VOID NIL
4
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1 VOID w AREA 1.3 VOID 7.1 VOID 7.2 B1 7.3 9 7.4 VOID E 21/05/2021 Updated to reflect client comments 7.5 2.1 D 13/05/2021 B7 15 7.6 1.2 YARD C 07/05/2021 Updated to reflect client comments 2.3 B 24/03/2021 Plan updated to show mezzanines + B7 layout
A 12/03/2021 Plan updated to show mezzanines + B7 layout B2 / 10/03/2021 Plan issued for client + design team discussion
VOID REV DATE DESCRIPTION 16
8 1.1 N 0m 50m 10m 25m 1 YARD A CCESS TO YA RD STAGE 3-PLANNING APP.
BRISTOL
9th Floor Beacon Tower T: 0117 930 0010
Colston Street W: www.cs-architects.co.uk
Bristol BS1 4XE E: [email protected]
CARDIFF
Tramshed Tech T: 02920 108 729
Pendryris Street W: www.cs-architects.co.uk
C COPYRIGHT E: [email protected]
P&P BUILDERS DRAWN MJC PROJECT KAYS + KEARS MASTERPLAN 1:250 01 PLAN - GA FIRST PROPOSED SCALE DRAWING PLAN - GA FIRST PROP. @A1 SCALE:- 1:250 @ A1 112 DATE FEB'21 NUMBER 20/570/112 REV.E P ROTEC TED HA BITAT
186 5m BU FFER F ROM P ROTEC TED HA BITA
185 T
4
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h1
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w
4
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1
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x
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3
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4
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3 CY P CLE 142 AR KIN
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1
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NE 161 W TA RMAC
ROAD 162 1
165 66
5
3
.
1
7
3 141
ADJACENT
E BUILDING
N I 110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 x h1.4
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 EL x h1.4 128 E G 110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 S x h1.4 A D U E
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 x h1.4 F E R
E A 110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 H x h1.4 R 52
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 M x h1.4
O 46 R
F C
A
5 R 3 M
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A AD T
FF O 1
110 w 0 L 1.3 x
R d1.0 U W 0 x h1.4
E 9 B 110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 x h1.4 N E
1100 w1 LS .3 x d m 1.0 x h1 B5 .4 A U 5 YARD E
B6 1100 w L 1.3 x d1.0 x hF1.4 R
E A
110 w 0 L 1.3 x d1.0 x h1.4 R
110 w 0 L 1.3 x
d1.0
x h1.4
33
45 113
114
YARD 127 B3
NE W TA RMAC
8 RO 7 AD
86
C
A
M
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A
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W
E
71 67 N
70 REF USE NOTES: 68 A REA NIL
4
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w 3
. YARD
1 AREA w
AY
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NG B1 L T I
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P
AN B7 I 15
R YARD
T
S E B2 A 21/05/2021 Updated to reflect client comments
D
E / 13/05/2021
P
REV DATE DESCRIPTION
1 6 8 YARD N 0m 50m 10m 25m 1 A CCESS TO YA RD STAGE 3-PLANNING APP.
BRISTOL
9th Floor Beacon Tower T: 0117 930 0010
Colston Street W: www.cs-architects.co.uk
Bristol BS1 4XE E: [email protected]
POSSIBLE CARDIFF MAIN SI Tramshed Tech T: 02920 108 729 FUTURE ROAD EN TE TRAN EXTENSION CE Pendryris Street W: www.cs-architects.co.uk SHOWN DASHED C COPYRIGHT E: [email protected]
P&P BUILDERS EXISTING DRAWN OG PROJECT KAYS + KEARS MASTERPLAN TARMAC ROAD 1:250 01 PLAN - GA ROOF PROPOSED SCALE DRAWING PLAN - GA ROOF PROP. @A1 SCALE:- 1:250 @ A1 113 DATE MAY'21NUMBER 20/570/113 REV.A Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Images
Image EDP 1: General view to the south-east across the northern part of the site illustrating its condition.
Image EDP 2: General view to the south-west across the southern part of the site illustrating its condition.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Image EDP 3: View to the south-west towards the site from a spoil tip above the B4248 and just south of the Scheduled Monument Garn Road Powder house (MM357) illustrating how views to the site from the north-east are at least partially screen by trees and buildings.
Image EDP 4: View out across the site from the spoil tps to the north illustrating how much of it is screened by woodland and buildings along the B4248 roadside.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Image EDP 5: View east across the site to the industrial sheds adjacent illustrating their appearance.
Image EDP 6: View to the north-east from adjacent to Big Pit illustrating the visibility of the site. The site is the green/brown open space seen between trees to the left of the large green sheds.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Image EDP 7: View towards the site from the northern slopes of Coity mountain to the south of Big Pit illustrating how it is seen from this location. Some of the buildings at Big Pit are visible in the foreground. The site is the distant brown open area to the left of the large green sheds.
Image EDP 8: View to the south towards the main complex of buildings at Big Pit illustrating their iconic appearance set against the backdrop of Coity Mountain.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Image EDP 9: View to the south across the Afon LLwyd valley from slopes to the north-west of the site illustrating the prominence of the Pit Head building at Big Pit in views across the valley.
Image EDP 10: View to the south towards the Old Coal Pits scheduled monument illustrating how the shafts are entirely shrouded by surrounding dense vegetation.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Image EDP 11: View to the west form the site towards the non-designated Cinderpit Cottage and House illustrating how they are experienced from the site.
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
Plans
Plan EDP 1 Designated Heritage Assets (edp6922_d006a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 2 HER Entries (edp6922_d007a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 3 NMRW Entries (edp6922_d008a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 4 BLOHI and HLCAs (edp6922_d009a 06 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 5 Extract of Tithe Map 1843 (edp6922_d010a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
Plan EDP 6 Historic Maps (edp6922_d011a 27 May 2021 MH/RS)
Kays and Kears Site, Blaenavon, Torfaen Archaeological and Heritage Assessment edp6922_r002a_FINAL DRAFT
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