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J Commercial-in-Confidence Report No. B3041A.04 June 2000 J J J J J THE OAKS, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

J DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY J J J J J J J J I Park Developments Ltd Wrexham ~ LL13 9TT Commercial-in-Confidence

THE OAKS, WREXHAM INDUSTRIAL EST A TE

DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY

l

l CONTROLLED DOCUMENT Gifford and Partners Document No: I B3041A.04 l Status: I Final Copy No: I 2 Name Signature Date L Prepared by: P Owen ~~ 10 ' 6 .

& B Sharma

Checked: A Thompson (::i, ~<1-ho~ ) ~"' 00 L Gifford Approved: T Strickland ~ ' G. 7)1) ~vllR~.------Client Accepted: L Revision Record L Rev. Date By Summary of Changes Chkd Aprvd L

Cefn Park Developments Ltd Gifford and Partners Wrexham 20 Nicholas Street Clwyd .!_ LL13 9TT CHl 2NX THE OAKS, WREXHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY

CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. ABBREVIATIONS ...... 1 3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 2 4. METHODOLOGY ...... 1. l 5. LOCATION, GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ...... 3 6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4 J, 7. SITE WALK-OVER SURVEY AND BUILDING DESCRIPTION ...... 8 8. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT SITE ...... 15 J_ 9. CONCLUSIONS ...... 19 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 20 l

TABLES l Table 1: Significance of Structures On Site - l . PLATES l FIGURES Figure 1: Site Location Plan Figure 2: Site Plan 1. Figure 3: Location Map of SMR Entries Figure 4: 1879 Edition OS Map Figure 5: 1949 Provisional Edition OS Map l Figure 6: 1949 Plan Figure 7: 1843 Tithe Map of Dutton Diffaith Township l APPENDICES Appendix A: The Brief and Project Design Appendix B: SMR Data

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B304IA.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page i Date: June 2000 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Cefn Park Developments Ltd have applied for planning permission (Application No . CB269 l ), for an industrial development on land adjacent to Wrexham Industrial Estate. As advisor to the Local Planning Authority, the Archaeologist has requested that an archaeological assessment is conducted to determine the presence/absence and nature of archaeological remains within the proposed development area. A Brief supplied by the Wrexham County Borough Archaeologist is included as Appendix A.

L 1.2 In March 2000 Gifford and Partners were commissioned by Mr Roger Graham-Palmer on behalf of Cefn Park Developments Ltd to undertake an evaluation in the form of an l archaeological desk-based assessment of The Oaks site, Wrexham. l 2. ABBREVIATIONS c. circa 1 CBA Council for British Archaeology CPAT Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust ha hectare l _ km kilometre . mm millimetre l . m metre NGR National Grid Reference OD Ordnance Datum l . OS Ordnance Survey PRO Public Record Office ROF Factory l SMR Sites and Monuments Record .. WW2 World War Two _L 2.1 Glossary of Terms

1 : An propellant used in munitions ranging from small arms to artillery pieces and rockets produced by combining nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose.

l Mixing House I Pouring on House: It was in this structure that nitro-cellulose was combined with the nitro-glycerine produced in the Nitrator. l Nitrator: This structure housed the process that produced the crude nitro-glycerine.

The Oaks. Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page I Date: June 2000 Wash Water Settling House: This structure served to remove contaminants fro m the water used in the nitro-glycerine manufacturing process.

Washing House: Nitro-glycerine came from the Nitrator to the Washing House to have impurities removed. The material was transported between buildings by means of lead­ lined wooden gutters. The need to move the material around site by gravity explains why the entrances to various structures are set at different heights.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this desk-based assessment was to gather sufficient information to establish the heritage value of the remains of the munitions works from local, regional and national perspectives. This would then allow the Local Planning Authority to make a l reasonable and informed decision regarding the need for subsequent conservation and or additional archaeological work as part of the planning response to the proposed 1 development.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 Documentary, cartographic and photographic research has been undertaken in order to l assess the likely presence/absence of archaeological remains within the study area. Sources consulted included: l 4.1.1 The Clwyd-Powys SMR This database re(_f.ords all known artchaeological sites, findspots and areas of l archaeological research held in a format allowing interrogation of the database on a geographic area by area basis. l 4.1.2 Published and unpublished documentary sources This category includes published material such as books and journals as well as l. unpublished material such as property deeds and work contracts. 4.1.3 Printed and manuscript maps in the Record Office, Ruthin l Estate maps, tithe maps and early editions of Ordnance Survey maps provided information on the development of an area. l 4.1.4 Records held at the Public Record Office, London Certain documents relating to the construction, use and de-commissioning of ROF Wrexham are held at the Public Record Office in Kew, London.

4.1.5 Photographic sources in the Wrexham County Borough, Planning Department

Th e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 2 Date.· June 2000 Wrexham Borough Council Planning Department holds aerial photographs taken during 1974, 1985, and 1992. Changes in vegetation growth caused by features such as ditches and buried stone walls can highlight the presence of below ground archaeology.

4.2 A site-visit was made on 11th April 2000 to undertake a walkover survey of the assessment area. Not all the structures on the site could be visited due to the condition of the site. The site was heavily overgrown in areas making it difficult to locate structures and/or find entrance-points. In addition, parts of the some of the sunken structures were flooded.

4.3 A record of the existing structures, both in terms of their physical presence and their significance has been made.

4.4 In addition to the written record, a photographic survey of the site was also undertaken, with at least two black-and-white photographs taken of all structures explored. l 4.5 A total of 31 structures was identified, of which 24 were visited. The structures have been given arbitrary numbers to aid in the description of the buildings, as no Ministry of l Supply numbers were evident on the structures themselves.

4.6 All the structures visited were located on the 1990 Ordnance Survey map (scale J 1: 2500).

j 4.7 Where a building observed has obvious similarities with structures of known function recorded at Waltham Abbey a similar function has been assumed. J 5. LOCATION, GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

l_, 5.1 The site is centred on National Grid Reference SJ 3870 4920, on the south-western fringe of the Wrexham Industrial Estate (Figure 1). It is bounded to the north by the l Redwither and Oak Roads and to the south by the . The site lies within the administrative area of Wrexham County Borough.

l 5.2 The site is located between 20-35m OD and covers an area of c. 32ha. The site slopes down from the north-east to the south-west. l 5.3 The geology of the area comprises Boulder Clay Till above Carboniferous and Permo­ " Triassic rocks comprising mudstones and sandstones, with local deposits of alluvium and river terrace deposits.

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 3 Date: June 2000 6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

6.1 Prehistoric Period (before 55BC)

6. 1.1 The earliest human activity in north-east has been recorded in the northern part of the region at the cave-sites of Pontnewedd, Cefn, Cae Gwyn and Ffynnon Bueno, where occupation has been dated to the early Palaeolithic, c. 200,000 BC (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991 , 29).

6.1 .2 Between c. 10,000 BC and 6,000 BC the climate of the region began to warm and the changes in the vegetation and sea temperature made available a greater variety of food resources for the groups of hunter-gatherers of the period (c. 8,000 - 4,300 BC) (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991 , 47). New hunting techniques were developed which included the use of small flint flakes called that were employed as barbed arrow points, knife blades and fish- hooks. The archaeological record of Mesolithic activity in north-east Wales is I characterised by the recovery of these stone artefacts and excavation of the temporary shelters and pits used by the Mesolithic population.

l 6.1.3 The period (c. 4,300 - 3,200 BC) witnessed the adoption of farming (when certain species of animal and crop were domesticated) and the development of settled and well-structured community groups, such as those l recorded at Rhuddlan, Delyn, Dyserth Castle and Bryn Llwyn. The Neolithic period also marked by the beginning of monumental funerary architecture in the l form of long and round cairns, which were used for the communal burial of certain members of society. Such monuments are recorded at Tyddyn Bleiddyn, Tan-y-Coed and Branas-uchaf (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991, 59). The l (c. 2300 - 600BC) is primarily characterised by the development of metalworking and the use of copper-alloys for certain tools, weapons and ornaments. This period is also noted for the expansion of population in north-east 1: Wales and the extension of cultural contacts to the west and north-east (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991 , 65). 1 6.1.4 An abrupt change in settlement and economy is recorded during the in north-east Wales (c. 600 BC - 55 BC). The small settlements and field-systems

..J.... of the Bronze Age were superseded by the use of defended hill-forts and the contraction of available land for agriculture as the climate became wetter (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991 , 90). Society became tribal in its organisation l and the assessment area appears to lie within the sphere of influence of the Deceangli, who controlled the north and the Ordovices who controlled the southern part of the region (Cunliffe 1991 , 188). Burial customs also changed and in the absence of any known Iron Age cemeteries it is believed that the dead were cremated in a pyre or exposed on the surface.

77ie Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304JA. 04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page./ Date: June 2000 6.1. 5 There is no evidence to indicate prehistoric settlement or activity within the assessment area or its immediate vicinity.

6.2 Ro man Period (5 5 BC - AD 410)

6.2.1 During the early years of the Roman occupation of Britain, military road and fo rt construction were major activities. Chester (Deva), (Varare) and Caernarfon (Segontium) were all major centres linked by road (Margary 1973 , 316). The nearest Roman road to the assessment area is that which links Chester to the settlement at Ffrith (Britness 1990, 132) and beyond to the forts at Bala, I Caer Gai and Brithdir. -l 6.2.2 There is no evidence to indicate Roman, or Romano-British, occupation or activity within the assessment area or its immediate vicinity.

l 6.3 Early Medieval Period (AD 410 - AD 1066) 6.3.1 After the collapse of Roman authority m Britain the eastern part of Wales 1 became part of the shifting territory between the native Birtons to the West and the advancing English kingdoms to the east (Dodd 1957, 14). To the east of the Dee the kingdom of was established and by the mid-seventh century had l become a powerful threat to the kingdom of Powys. In order to demonstrate this power and subdue the Welsh raiding of the fertile lands of the Vale of Clwyd the l earthwork barriers of Offa' s Dyke and Wat's Dyke were constructed. The line of Wat' s Dyke runs c. 6km to the west of the assessment area. The site of Bangor Is y Coed, c. 4km south of the assessment area, is referred to in the Anglo-Saxon l Chronicle entry for 616 AD as the site of an early Native British Christian monastic order.

l _ 6.3.2 The assessment area lies within the territory controlled by the English up to the early-eleventh century and is likely to have witnessed the development of the l_ countryside along the Anglo-Saxon pattern of nucleated villages rather than the Welsh pattern of dispersed farmsteads (Owen 1989, 180). However, during the reign of the Welsh Prince Gryffyd ap Llewelyn ap Seisyll (AD 103 7-63) the Welsh conquered a large area of territory to the east of Offa' s Dyke which included the Wrexham area.

1 6.4 Medieval Period (AD 1066 - AD 1500)

6.4.1 Soon after the Norman Conquest much of north-east Wales was granted to Hugh, Earl of Chester, and the area was the subject of constant disputes and warfare between the Anglo-Norman and Welsh warlords. There is no mention of Wrexham in the , but some activity in the Wrexham area must

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 5 Date: June 2000 I l__ be considered, although it was either too insignificant to be included within the survey or lay within an insecurely held zone which could not be formally registered (Dodd 1957, 16). This period of unrest is reflected in the high concentration of matte-and-bailey castles in the Dee area, an example of such a castle was built at Erdigg Park, situated c. 5km to the west of the assessment area.

6.4.2 The English political and administrative infrastructure of the Wrexham area began to crystallise during this period when the Welsh border lordships fell under increasing pressure to conform. Wrexham itself is first mentioned in the twelfth century (Dodd 1957, 14) as the maerdref or chief manor of the Hundred of Bromfield in the lordship of (Palmer 1983, 1). Thomas de Sheffield conducted a survey of the village of Wrexham in 1315 AD, which shows that I there was an established community at Wrexham with a variety of trades and its _L own market. There was a church in Wrexham in 1220 (Smith 1988, 1) which was rebuilt in the late-fifteenth century and currently stands c. 2.6km to the l south-west of the assessment area. The nascent iron and coal mining in the surrounding area developed during this period and the importance of coal extraction for the economy of the area is first noted in this period when a charter i of 1411 permits the burgesses of Holt to mine for coal at and . This developing industrial base helped to offset the sharp economic l decline experienced by many towns in the fifteenth century. 6.4.3 Wrexham was therefore situated in an ideal place to play an important role in the l urban hierarchy of north-east Wales, acting as a centre for commerce and raw material production (Soulsby 1983, 269). By the fourteenth century Wrexham had outgrown the neighbouring boroughs of Holt, , , Ellesmere l and Hope. l 6.5 Post-Medieval Period (after AD 1500) 6.5.1 Wrexham continued to prosper as a market town into the post-Medieval period l. and the population of the town is estimated at c. 1000 in the mid-sixteenth century (Davies 1990, 268; Owen 1959, 100). Its regional importance is reflected in the occupation of the town by Parliamentary forces in 164 3. The fabric of the town did not, however, suffer as a result of the Civil War - the Parliamentarians retreating without an engagement before Royalist reinforcements from Ireland (Dodds 1957, 54). A fire did destroy a quarter of l the town in 1643 , but this is unlikely to have resulted directly from the military occupation. I L 6.5.2 The town served as an economic focus for the Denbighshire uplands and small industrial and commercial concerns developed to serve the community. In the L parish register of 1703-1730 over one hundred occupations are listed including

The Oaks. Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 6 Date: June 2000

I L tanners, skinners, curriers, saddlers, weavers, felt makers, fullers, silk weavers, blacksmiths, brick makers and paper millers. The site of a smithy is recorded in the Clwyd-Powys SMR c. 500m to the west of the assessment area (SMR 104514, Figure 2). Field names, such as Corner Croft and Five Croft, from the tithe map of 1843 (Figure 3) indicate the possible presence of building remains within the assessment area. Norden's survey of 1620 list a field name as Cae Mynach, or Monk' s Field indicating land held by a monastic order (SMR 101526, Figure 2).

6.5 .3 North-east Wales, with its close associat10n with Merseyside, witnessed the evolution of a great number of industries in the early years of the industrial revolution (1770-1850). The ironworks towards the south of Wrexham were smelting iron with coke from 1721 onwards and by the late-eighteenth century Bersham was one of the leading iron foundries in Europe (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991, 219; Morgan-Rees 1975, 243). The lesser ironworks at Broughton Hall were located 1.8km to the west of the assessment area. Industrial and domestic demand led to the raising of 41 pits on the Brymbo estate l by 1841, but by 1948 only six pits remained in the Wrexham area. Today there are no working pits in North Wales. l 6.5.4 The progressiveness of the Wrexham area in terms of industrial development may be partly explained by the fact that this area of Wales was the first to l address the problem of poor road communications. Five turnpike companies had been established by 1760 linking the main production centres of the region, including Wrexham to , Chester and the English road network l (Davies 1990, 325).

;~ l 6.5.5 During the mid-nineteenth century Wrexham became a route focus for the development of the railway system. The town was situated in the nodal point between the industrial production-centres of north-eastern Wales and the markets l in England

6.5.6 The glacial and alluvial clays of the Wrexham area have long been exploited as a building material. During the post-Medieval period increasing use was made of clay, with becoming the centre for the production of brick, tile and I .L. terracotta (Manley, Grenter and Gale 1991, 227) .

6.5.7 Wrexham continued as an urban, industrial centre and many of its factories were L turned over to war-production during the First and Second World Wars. The construction of the Bieston Airfield and ROF Wrexham was part of this drive L towards a war economy.

L

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 83041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 7 Date. June 2000 l 6.6 The Second World War

6.6.1 Construction work on ROF Wrexham (SMR 72200, Figure 2) began in October 193 9 and was completed in June 1941. The land on which the factory was built had been rural in character. Original estimates for the cost of construction were £2,484,450, but the final cost was c. £5 ,900,000. The premises were constructed specifically for the manufacture of cordite, which commenced in October 1940 and ended in August 1945 (PRO). No figures are available on the size of the workforce employed at ROF, although it must have been sizeable. The provision of accommodation within the factory would suggest that workers were brought in from other areas of the region or country. In addition to the workforce, there l would have been a military presence to defend the site, especially from air attack.

6.6.2 During the post-war period the Wrexham Royal Ordnance Factory was converted to the Wrexham Industrial Estate - promoted by the Distribution of Industry Act j (1942), which designated Wrexham as a Development Area. The structures within the assessment area were considered unsuitable for reuse, which ultimately led to their survival. The initiation of an industrial estate, in addition J to an experienced residual workforce must have has a significant impact on the economics of Wrexham and the surrounding region. J 7. SITE WALK-OVER SURVEY AND BUILDING DESCRIPTION J Between many of the buildings ran a concrete trackway, with spurs running up to the various buitdings. Running beside the trackways were drains, some with opened - circular manholes, allowing observation of metal rungs set into the drains. The drains that run below appear to be constructed of concrete. Figure 7 illustrates the location of J. the buildings referred to below. 7.1 Structure Number 1 J This was a free-standing brick structure, with concrete lintels, floor and flat concrete roof. Externally the structure is two storeys high, with a single storey annexes to the J south and north. The structure stands in a slight dip, which has filled with water. The fenestration to the building is externally at first floor level. However, no internal floor could be observed. The annex to the south is attached to the building, and was part of the original design, as the window on this (south) side is positioned just above its roof, and not as high as on the east and west elevations. The southern annex had an entrance I' of its own, and appeared to be empty inside; the northern one contained large concrete blocks evenly spaced along its length. The building could be entered from the west and east elevations. To the west there was a small door and at the east there was a large

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 8 Date: June 2000 of iron work attached to it suggesting either a grille had been placed over it, or a structure built up from it. Concrete bases were observed, one of which formed a large L shape (next to one of the gulleys). There were also three concrete blocks, with evidence of a missing fourth. Metal pipes came in through the north wall at a height of c. 1 m from the floor.

7.3.4 To the north east of structure 3 are two small structures (4 and 5) standing on a rectangular mound. They are accessed by one of the concrete trackways.

7.4 Structure Number 4

This is a small single-storey brick structure with a concrete roof and a single entrance­ way. Its size and shape are consistent with those of an air raid shelter.

7.5 Structure Number 5

This is a small single-storey brick structure with a concrete roof. The building has ?5 1 window openings and is thought to have been a latrine. One of the doorways has been blocked up. Carrying on north east along the track was a large concrete entrance way l with a small brick structure set in front of the entrance. l 7.6 Structure Number 6 This is a small single-storey brick structure with concrete lintels and flat concrete roof. l Its floor level was lower than the surrounding ground surface. This building was not entered. From its association with structure 7, and judging from the similar structures at l Waltham Abbey, this may be a Plenum Heater House. 7.7 Structure Number 7

l 7.7 .1 The external appearance of this structure was of a large concrete passageway with splayed-out concrete walls. To the sides and above this is an earthwork traverse, now covered in brambles. The passageway is approximately 2m wide J approximately 2.5m tall and curved to the right leading to a large open square area. This area was surrounded on four sides by slightly battered concrete walls l c. 4-5m tall. There was also another passageway to the north which was thinner, shorter and ran straight. Around the inside of the area was a l-1.5m margin l inside which was a large square pit with straight concrete walls. 7. 7 .2 On two of the opposite sides of this pit were the ends of rusted iron beams which may have supported a structure. No traces of any structures could be observed. On the western side of the earth bank outside the structure was a large concrete covering supported on stilts. l '

n1e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 83041 A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 10 Date: June 2000 l 7.7.3 It is believed that structure no. 7 may be the Nitrator.

7.8 Structure Number 8

This is a tall thin free-standing brick building. The structure has a concrete roof and lintels and iron pipes running down each wall. At roof-level, are the remains of pairs of steel joists which appear to have supported a storage tank. It is assumed that this building is a water tower.

7.9 Structure Numbers 9 and 9a

7.9. 1 Standing outside structure 9 is a small brick building (9a), not shown on the site map. This structure has brick walls, concrete floor, roof and lintels.

7.9.2 It is believed that this is a Plenum Heater House. l 7.9.3 Adjacent to 9a is the main structure (9). This is one of several structures where the central building has gone, and only a rectangular shaped concrete - revetted traverse surrounded by earth survives. The concrete area is entered by a l passageway which has a small gulley running along the inside (at floor level). The size of this structure is smaller than structure 7. Internally the area is a rectangle with c. 1.5m high battered concrete walls, with a walkway above them, 1 then the rest of the earth embankment. The structure was entered at ground level, but on the plan another entrance is shown, presumably at the higher level. l Close to the main (southern) entrance is an irregularly shaped pool c. 2m square.

7.9.4 We believe this is the Wash Water Settling House. Inside the concrete walls 1 would have stood a timber building on a concrete plinth. 1 7.10 Structure Number 10 7 .10.1 Structure 10 has also lost its internal wooden building, with only the concrete­ revetted traverse surrounded by earth surviving. The structure was entered from the west (from the concrete paths) through a concrete lined passageway which had 'pavements' along either side with a lower part in the centre. Opposite this 1 (at the south east ) was the another passageway. These passages were at ground level. At the north east was another entrance at c. 1.5m up the wall, this I passageway would have led to structure 20. Looking through the entrance a l curved brick wall could be seen running away from the entrance. It is believed that this wall would have supported wooden gutters. In this structure a rectangular concrete base, with slightly raised edges stands within the centre of the area. On this concrete base would have stood the wooden structure.

7.10.2 It is believed that this structure was the Mixing House/Pouring On House.

77Ie Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 11 Date: June 2000 l 7.11 Structure Number 20

7. I I. I This (included here because of its position in the Nitroglycerine factory) building lies at the centre of the network formed by structures 7,9 and 10, and the pairs of banks (with a gulley in between) run between them and it. This structure was observed by climbing the earth mound as there was no obvious entrance. Internally the structure has four entrances, one high up the concrete wall, and three at lower levels. The structure was a concrete-revetted traverse surrounded by earth, but traces of a square concrete base could be observed in the centre of the area.

7.11.2 We believe this structure is the Washing House.

7.12 Structure Number 11

This is a tall brick building standing very close to the core of the nitre-glycerine factory. The building is externally two storeys tall with a flat concrete roof and concrete lintels. The concrete floor is lined with bitumen to prevent sparks and the roof is supported on l rusty steel joists. This building is made up of a main tall block with a single-storey annex to the east. The annex is comprised of two rooms, the inner one has no external light source, and only one small vent at roof level, the outer one contains a concrete l square with raised sides (looking like a basin for cleaning feet at a swimming pool). The main part of the building contained a pool of water at the north end. The pool runs 1 the width of the building, coming out 3-4m into the room and looked to be c. I .5 -3m deep (there was a rusting car on its side submerged within the pool). This building was very dark with the only~Jight coming from small windows at roof level and in through l the door. On the floor of the building were a number of concrete bases, presumably for machinery, including a large cylindrical one and a large long one opposite the main doorway.

7.13 Structure Number 12 l This is a small brick building opposite structure 11. It has brick walls, concrete roof and lintels and two large entrances. It most closely resembles a twin garage, but without l doors. l 7.14 Structure Number 13 This is a small brick air raid shelter divided into two separate portions.

Th e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 12 Date: June 2000 l 7.15 Structure Number 14

This is another brick air raid shelter but smaller in size than structure 13 . This appeared to be single-sided (but was not entered due to brambles).

7.16 Structure Number 15

This was a small but relatively tall brick structure with flat concrete roof and concrete lintels. The building was single storey with two rather tall entrances (it was smaller than structure 12). This building was not entered due to brambles.

7.17 Structure Number 16

This is a brick building with a flat concrete roof and concrete lintels. Externally the building was in a poor condition with a large hole in its west facing elevation. The building could not be entered due to flooding. The building looked the same in plan and elevation to structures 11 and 31 so it is fair to assume that their internal layouts may be similar. The function of this building is unknown.

J 7.18 Structure Number 17

This structure lies directly to the south of structure 11. No entrance could be found at J ground level, so its mound was climbed and the structure viewed from above. This is a large structure, with one wall concrete-revetted and the rest made solely of banked earth. J It is presumed that this structure acted in tandem with structure 11 and may have been used to store completed explosive. ,. J 7.19 · Structure Number 18 · J11 This is a free-standing brick structure (externally two storeys) with flat concrete roof and concrete lintels. The main structure had a single-storey annex to the south and a detached annex to the north. Although on plan it differs from structure 3, on site it J appears almost identical. In the centre of each wall just below the roof-line was a large downward-pointing vent (one in each wall). This corresponds exactly with the openings in structure 3. In front of the structure (to the west) stood two large concrete blocks, and J. on the bank around the building was the remains of what appeared to be concrete fence posts. These posts may have supported gulleys containing nitro-glycerine etc. to be l used in the building. The function of this building is unknown. 7.20 Structure Number 19 l Brick built air-raid shelter lying behind structure 18. l 7.21 Structure Number 20 - See section 7.11. l The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No . B304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 13 Date: June 2000 l 7.28 Structure Number 27

This structure could not be entered due to brambles etc, but on plan it appears to be a concrete - revetted traverse surrounded by earth banks, and acted as part of a network with two other buildings.

7.29 Structure Number 28

This structure could not be entered due to brambles etc, but on plan it appears to be a concrete - revetted traverse surrounded by earth banks, and acted as part of a network with two other buildings. The structure shown on the plan bares similarities with structure 9, so it is possible that this was a Wash Water Settling House.

7.30 Structure Number 29

This structure could not be entered due to brambles etc, but appears on plan to be l identical to structure 17. 7.31 Structure Number 30 L This structure could not be entered due to brambles etc, but appears on plan to be L identical to structure 17. 7.32 Structure Number 31

L This structure could not be entered but appears on plan to be identical to structures 16 and 11. L L 8. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT SITE 8.1 Significance of Below-Ground Archaeology

L 8.1.1 Apart from the ROF (SMR 72200, Figure 2) there are no archaeological sites recorded in the Clwyd-Powys SMR within the assessment area. The site of a L monastery is recorded c. SOOm to the west of the assessment area (SMR 101526, Figure 2). However, the evidence for this is derived from an early seventeenth century field name, 'Cae Mynach' meaning 'Monks Field'. The field-name is L likely to have resulted from the land being in the possession of a monastic house rather than the location of a monastery.

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 15 Date: June 2000 8.2 Structures: Survival of Other Factories.

8.2 .1 Only a relatively small number of cordite and TNT factories were built for the Second World War, as each of these were physically large-scale developments. Others survive at Waltham Abbey, Bishopton and Caerwent. Until the l 990's little recording work had been undertaken on ROF sites in the UK. The RCHME published a report on the recording of the Royal Works at Waltham Abbey, Essex and more recently, English Heritage have been recording military explosive factories in the UK for the forthcoming publication ' Dangerous Energy'. Other elements of Britain' s military heritage have been recorded as part of the Defence of Britain Project. Initiated by the Fortress Study Group and the CBA, the Defence of Britain Project set out to record anti-invasion defences and associated structures from the First World War to the early Cold War. The scope of this study did not include ROFs.

8.2.2 There is another surviving cordite factory in Wales: the Royal Naval Cordite l factory at Caerwent. Although the complex at ROF Caerwent is not scheduled, its use within an army range prevents industrial development.

l 8.2.3 Bishopton in Scotland is still an active Royal Ordnance Factory, but its continued use has undoubtedly led to alterations both to the layout and the l structures since World War 2. 8.2.4 Holton Heath is a First World War cordite factory altered and extended to serve Second World War uses. A management plan has been developed for the site.

8.2. 5 The largest surviving explosives factory in Britain is the Royal Gunpowder l Factory at Waltham Abbey. The surviving complex of buildings and associated features has recently been scheduled. The complex at Waltham Abbey covers a wide chronological range through the 19th and 20th centuries. This time period l resulted in various alterations to buildings as well as the creation of new sections and building to cater to technological developments necessary. l 8.2.6 The majority of the Royal Ordnance explosives factories were run-down and demolished either after the end of the war, or more recently. For example, J_ Ranshill in Nottinghamshire has been reduced to landscaped landfill. l 8.3 Survival at ROF Wrexham 8 .3 .1 Within the assessment area the western portion has been cleared of its structures and that area is now used as a motorbike off-road course. Aerial photographs held by Wrexham Borough Council also show that some of the structures and earthworks within the eastern portion of the site have suffered damage. From study of the aerial photographs it is also apparent that some of the elements of

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 16 Date: June 2000 the ROF shown on the 1990 OS map (Figure 1) have already been cleared away. The ROF remains are no longer complete and represent less than 5% of the original plant. The structures within the assessment area represent part of the area for production of cordite, and were known as the Number 2 Factory. A similar complex known as Number 1 Factory, which is no longer in existence, was located c. 500m south west of the assessment area.

8.4 Significance of ROF Wrexham

8.4 .1 ROF Wrexham is currently in a hybrid situation in terms of survival as the vast proportion of the site has been destroyed. The 1949 Ordnance Survey map (Figure 5) and the 1949 Ministry of Supply plan (Figure 6) shows the extent of the factory, which included purpose-built accommodation. The factory was very spread out with large amounts of space between the individual buildings, typical of Second World War factory design, especially on an open site. The factory only operated for the period of the Second World War, with the factory site sold i in 1949 to the Board of Trade to be turned into an industrial estate. 8.4.2 The Nitration complex is almost identical to that at Waltham Abbey, but with l fewer surviving buildings/features within the concrete 'blast walls' and is significantly less complete. However, there are some brick-built structures l within the assessment area that are not represented at the Waltham Abbey site. 8.5 Methodology for Assessing Significance l 8.5.1 Within the context of this study, significance has been assessed relatively simplistically (~ee Table 1). This is based on a simplified version of the l Secretary of State's Non-Statutory criteria for scheduling sites as published in Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (1990). Each of the buildings was given a score (e.g. 1, 4 or 9 for low, medium or high value 1 respectively) for each of the following five categories: characteristic of period, rarity, potential (documentary/archaeological), survival/condition and l potential/amenity. The total score for each building/area decided its rank in significance.

l l 8.5.2 The highest ranked category consists of those buildings or sites, usually Scheduled Monuments. Next would come, in second Rank, Listed Buildings and archaeological sites that are considered less significant than Rank 1. Other sites or buildings that are not Scheduled/Listed, but are arguably of equal significance are also ranked here. The third Rank consists areas of high potential meriting detailed excavation and reporting, for example, unscheduled archaeological sites. These are areas where historical structures or features were located and which are likely to have left archaeological remains. Later buildings in an area may l have damaged the remains of earlier structures, but some early remains may

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 83041A.04 . Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 17 Date: June 2000 l survive. Examples of buildings in Rank 3 may be reclassified (up or down) as a result of recording work undertaken. A fourth rank consists of existing but less significant buildings/sites. These buildings are considered to be less significant than those in Ranks 1, 2 or 3. A fifth rank might include buildings of lower historic/architectural interest or areas of archaeological remains which are arguably either of lower importance or so badly damaged by modem developments/buildings that they have lost most of their integrity.

8.5.3 In addition to assessing the significance of the individual structures within the assessment area the group value of the structures will also be considered. This group value will be assessed in the context of local, regional and national significance and will be ranked as low, moderate or high in each context.

L Table 1: Significance of Structures on Site

Building Date Charact Rarity Potential Survival/ Potential/ Sum Rank L No. eristic of Doc/Arch Condition Amenity Period 1 WW2 9 9 3 3 3 27 2 J_ 2 WW2 9 9 3 3 3 27 2 ,, 3 WW2 9 9 .) 3 3 27 2 L 4 WW2 9 I I 3 I 15 4 5 WW2 9 1 I 3 I 15 4 ,, 6 WW2 9 9 I .) I 23 3 ,, ,, l 7 WW2 9 9 3 .) I 25 .) ,, ,, 8 WW2 .) 9 .) 3 I 19 4 ,, 9 wwz 9 9 3 .) 1 25 3 l - . $ . •• .•• 10 WW2 9 9 3 3 I 25 3 11 WW2 9 9 9 3 I 31 2 ,, ,, L 12 WW2 3 .) .) 3 1 13 4 13 WW2 9 1 I 3 I 15 4 ,, 14 WW2 9 1 1 .) I 15 4 ,, 15 WW2 .) 3 3 3 I 13 4 ,, 16 WW2 9 9 3 I 3 25 .) L 17 WW2 9 9 3 3 I 25 3 18 WW2 9 9 3 3 3 27 2 \ L 19 WW2 9 1 I 3 1 15 4 ,, 20 WW2 9 9 3 3 I 25 .) ,, 21 WW2 .) 3 3 3 I 13 4 ,, 22 WW2 9 1 1 .) 1 15 4 ,, 23 WW2 9 9 3 3 I 25 .) ,, ,, L 24 WW2 9 9 3 .) I 25 .)

The Oaks. Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 83041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 18 Date: June 2000 I L.. Building Date Charact - Rarity Potential Survival/ Potential/ Sum Rank No. eristic of Doc/Arch Condition Amenity Period ,., ,., ,., 25 WW2 9 9 J J I 25 J ,., ,., 26 WW2 9 9 J J I 25 3 ,., 27 WW2 9 9 3 3 I 25 J ,., ,., 28 WW2 9 9 3 J J 27 2 ,., ,., 29 WW2 9 9 3 .) .) 27 2 ,., 30 WW2 9 9 .) 3 3 27 2 ,., ,., 31 WW2 9 9 3 .) I 25 .)

8.6 Group Value

8.6.1 In addition to the significance of individual structures on the site, the significance of the structures as part of a larger inter-related complex must be L considered. The structures within the assessment area, as stated in section 8.3 .1, represent somewhat less than 5% of the original plant. However, the structures l within the assessment area formed the core of the cordite manufacturing process, and are arguably a significant 5% of the original plant.

l 8.6.2 The structures can be considered as being of high local significance due to the role of ROF Wrexham during WW2 and its role in the development of Wrexham Industrial Estate. As ROF Wrexham was the only cordite factory in North Wales l and one of only two in Wales, the structures can also be considered as being of high regional importance. In a national context the significance of the structures l is moderate as ROF Wrexham is one of four surviving WW2 cordite factories, the example at Waltham Abbey being substantially better preserved and protected as a Scheduled Monument. l l 9. CONCLUSIONS This desk-based assessment has been completed in accordance with a Brief prepared by l the Wrexham County Borough Archaeologist. The structures within the assessment area can be considered as being of high local and regional significance and moderate national significance. The research results are presented to enable an informed decision to be made regarding any need for subsequent archaeological input as part of the planning response to the proposed development.

J_

n1e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 83041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 19 Date: June 2000 l 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 20 Date.· June 2000 L Davies, J Roman and Native in Wales, First to Fourth Centuries 1974 in Roman Frontier Studies, 1969 (eds Burley E, Dobson, B and Jarret, J), University of Wales Press, Cardiff.

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T71e Oaks. Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArchaeology Page 23 Date: June 2000 L Pennant, T Tours in Wales. H Humphreys, Caernarvon. 1883

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n1e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment ofArc haeology Page 24 Date: June 2000 L Wedd, CD et al The Geology of the County around Wrexham, Part 1, 1927 Lower Palaeozoic and Lower Carboniferous Rocks. HMSO, London.

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L Williams, G Recovery, Reorientation and Reformation: Wales c. 1987 1415-1642 History of Wales Volume III. Clarendon L Press, Oxford. Wymer, J J Gazetteer of Mesolithic Sites in England and Wales. 1977 Council for British Archaeology, London. l Aerial Photographs l GEONEX 111 /92/182 26.6.92 Clwyd County Council 1885/007 1.6.85 i Meridian 38174/009 14.6.74 Cartographic Sources

L 1843 Tithe Map of Dutton Diffaith Township First Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1879 Scale 1: 10,560 Sheet 29 L Provisional Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1949 Scale 1: 10,560 Sheet 29 Ministry of Supply Plan of ROF Wrexham 1949 - (Ruthin Record Office NTD/313)

L Public Record Office: L WORK.26/1912 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT SUPPS /1 218-20 ROFLABORATORY,WREXHAM

\ A VIA22/4 l l -3 .I-. DISPOSAL OF ROF WREXHAM

A VIA22/l 916 ROF WREXHAM (Wet mixing process for the manufacture of cordite) t L A VIA22/2499 ACQUISITION OF ROF WREXHAM

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 25 Date: June 2000 L A VIA22/2509/- I 0 ACQUISITION OF ROF WREXHAM

A VIA22/25 l I ACQUISITION & RELEASE OF ROF WREXHAM

AVIA46/275 EXPLOSIVE ROFs

AVlA/51 /58 PLANS (incl. ROF WREXHAM)

CAB102/270 ROFs AND AGENCY F ACTORJES

CABI02/628 CONSTRUCTION OF EXPLOSIVE ROFs l L

L L

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771e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. B3041A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Page 26 Date: June 2000 L L l PLATES l 1 l i

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Plate 1: Structure 1 Plate 2 : Structure 1

Plate 3: Structure 2 Plate 4: Structure 2

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Plate 5: Structure 2 Plate 6: Structure 2

Plate 7: Structure 3, West Facing Plate 8: Structme 3, East Facing

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Plate 9: Structure 3, Internal Plate 10: Structure 3, Internal

Plate 11: Structure 3, Internal Plate 12: Structure 4

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Plate 13: Structures 4 and 5 Plate 14: Structure 5

Plate 15: Structure 6 Plate 16: Structures 6 and 7

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Plate 17: Structure 7, External View Plate 18: Structure 7, from Curved Entrance

Plate 19: Structure 7, Straight Entrance

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Plate 20: Structure 7 Plate 21: Structure 8 Plate 22: Structure 8

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Plate 23: Structure 9 Plate 24: Structure 9

Plate 25: Structure 9 and 9a Plate 26: Structure 9

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Plate 27: Structure 10 Plate 28: Structure l 0

Plate 29: Structure 10 Plate 30: Structure 11

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Plate 3 1: Structure 11 Plate 32: Structure 11, Inside

Plate 33: Structure 11, Inside Plate 34: Structure 12

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Plate 3 5: Structure 12 Plate 36: Structures 12 and 13

Plate 37: Structure 13 Plate 38: Structure 14

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Plate 39: Structure 14 Plate 40: Structure 15

Plate 41: Structure 16 Plate 42: Structure 18

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Plate 43 : Structure 18 Plate 44: Structure 18

Plate 45: Structure 19 Plate 46: Structure 19

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Plate 4 7: Structure 20 Plate 48: Structure 20

Plate 49: Structure 20 Plate 50 : Structure 21

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Plate 51: Structure 21 Plate 52: Structure 22

Plate 53: Structure 22 Plate 54: Structure 23

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Plate 57: Road by Structure 23 Plate 58: Walls between Nitrator Structures

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l 771e Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gif.ford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Date. June 2000 l APPENDIX A

The Brief and Project Design

The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Date. June 2000 15-MRR-2000 17 :23 FROM TO 9-01244314560 P.05

applicant in order to provide an archaeological scope of work to allow an archaeologic.al contractor to provide a costed project design.

Archaeological Interest

The whole of what is now Wrexham Industrial Estate is on the site of a very substantial Munitions Works tha.t operated between 1940 and 1945. The development area includes a large number of buildings. storage bunkers and other structUres relating to the former Munitions Works. ROF began manufacture in December 1940, it produced l cordite and was operated by the Ministry of Supply.

The Wrexham Munitions works was a very major employer during the war years and l because of subsequent redevelopment relatively littJe of the site survives today. In fact this site represents the last substantial remains of what was a very substantial facility which still surviVes. The recording of the surviving traces of Britain's military archaeology 1 has recendy been the subject of a major project called The Defence of Britain project, which has highlighted the need to identify and record, and in some cases preserve. what l is left of our surviving wartime structures.

l Objective of the Fieldwork.

The aim of the evaluation is to gather sufficient information to establish the heritage value l of the remains of the munitions works from a local, regional and national context in order to allow the Local Planning Authority to make a reasonable and informed decision regarding the need for subsequent conservation and I or additional archaeological work. - . · ~ ···· · · · .

J Approach

A written project design is required of the archaeological contractor, to be submitted to J the Wrexham Archaeology Service and accepted by them in writing before any costed proposals are submitted to the applicant. The submitted project design should be based upon the format for a project design contained in "The Management of Archaeological J Projects" (English Heritage, 2nd edition, 1991 ). The archaeological contractor must comply with Wrexham Archaeology Service's "General Criteria for Archaeological Contractors in Wrexham for Work Necessitated by Development" (attached and part of J this specification). J The archaeological contractor should contact the Wrexham Archaeology Service prior to produdng the project design to discuss the approach to be adopted. Work to include: J 15/03/00

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H:\MsWord\Bricffor Oaks Site.doc J 15-MRR- 2000 17:23 FROM TO 9- 01244314560 P.06

I . A desk-based assessment to include the Regional Sites & Monuments Record. together with other appropriate documentary, cartographic and photographic sources relating to the area of the proposed development and its immediate environs (to include relevant Public Record Office documents (contact Curator for details)).

2. A rapid field survey of the development site.

3. The Contractor should state the period of notice (at the time of writing) required to commence the project.

4. The Wrexham Archaeology Service is responsible for monitoring progress and standards throughout the project. To facilitate this, the project design should include a projected timetable on site (indicating staff grades, l nu mbers etc.). Provision should be made for 2 field visits by Wrexham Archaeology Service for monitoring purposes, during the field survey l element costed at £60.00 plus VAT per visit. S. An estimate of tirne and staff resources required for report production is l required. 6. The contractor should forward their detailed project design to the Wrexham Archaeology Service for consideration and validation before any l costed proposals are submitted to the applicant.

Results

I . Details of style and format are to be determined by the archaeological contractor.

1. 2. The Report should include:

(a) A description of the methodology used in undertaking the assessment;

(b) A plan drawing of the development area at a suitable scale to be produced, locating the position and extent of any features of archaeological or historical l interest located in relation to Ordnance Survey datum and published boundaries;

(c) A description of each buildings and structure found within the development area to l. include where possible a functional identification of each building and structure; l (d) The transcription of relevant sources; {e) Maps. plans and photographs as appropriate (at least two 35mm black & white images l of each building or structure should be included); l 15/03(00

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(f) A full bibliography, indi~ting whether each reference wa.s actually consulted.

3. The Report should not give an opinion on whether preservation or further investigation is considered appropriate, but should provide an interpretation of results, placing them in a local and regional and national context. However, a client may wish to commission the contractor's opinion separately as to an appropriate treatment of the resource identified.

l 4. The collaborative role of the Wrexham Archaeology Service in carrying out this project shall be acknowledged in all publicity (including media releases, publications etc.) L arising from it. 5. A copy of the results will be supplied to the County Sites and Monuments Record on the understanding that this will become a public document after an appropriate period of time (generally not exceeding six months).

6. The Report to be produced within two weeks of completion of the fieldwork. Further l information or clarification of any aspects of this brief may be obtained from the Curator: l. Wrexham Archaeology Se.-Vice l Wrexham County Borough Museum, . Regent Street. WREXHAM, LLI I IRS. Tel. (01978) 356074 Fax. (01978) 353882 l E-mail [email protected] l_ l L

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...--.< I '.i ' <~~ ) lSl · >E ~~rH~NHCM.E / r c~ViuL ..u .C> ,,, 1111 ( · / 131 (WI TH P1PE lllA. ,i. NO KAHHOLE ild. N-0. ~ " ", .1 I I '.I ~ ~ --<> - - SIJ~ArEWATER SEll'ER Atl01~infuLe/,_,/ ;' :'.~')(,. ,,.,. .,,, /.'/ :•.• 1 " /' I I /../ ~ .~' •" ! / I I :/ /. ,. If ; ·. · ./ r I .- ...'· · ,• rP 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This Project Design has been prepared by Gifford and Partners Limited for Cefn Park Developments (hereafter the 'Client'). The Project Design is presented in accordance with a Brief for the work prepared by Wrexham Archaeology Service dated 16 March 2000. The Brief is reproduced in Appendix A.

1.2 The Project Design is formatted according to the recommended model detailed in the English Heritage document Management of Archaeological Projects, Second Edition (1991) and the Institute of Field Archaeologists publications Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments (1994) and Uses of Aerial Photography in L Archaeological Evaluations (1993).

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

l 2.1 The application site is located immediately to the south of Wrexham Industrial Estate centred on NGR SJ 389 492. It is bounded to the north by Redwither and Oak Roads l and to the south by the River Clwyedog. The development site includes a number of brick buildings and concrete storage bunkers, linked by roads and tracks, which relate to - l_ the former royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Marchwiel. 2.2 A planning application in relation to the site has been made by the Client. In l accordance with Planning Policy Guidance (Wales) Welsh Office (May 1996) and the Clwyd County Council Structure Plan (April 1995) the local planning authority has requested that an archaeological assessment of the land is undertaken before any 1 decision is taken on the application. l_ 3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

l 3.1 The whole of the present Wrexham Industrial Estate occupies the site of a substantial munitions works, ROF Marchwiel, which operated between 1940 and 1945 . The l development area includes a surviving portion of the works. 3.2 ROF Marchwiel was a very important producer of cordite during the Second World War l and much of it no longer survives. The recording of the surviving traces of Britain's military architecture has recently been the subject of a major project called 'The Defence of Britain', which has highlighted the need to identify, record and possibly l preserve what remains of our defence heritage. l

Project Design for an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Partners ltd Report No. 83041A.0 I Oaks Site. Redwither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page I Date. March 2000 l 4. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.

4.1 The aim of the assessment is to provide sufficient information and evidence to establish the heritage value of what survives of ROF Marchwiel in local, regional and national contexts in order to allow the Local Planning Authority to make a reasonable and informed decision regarding the need for subsequent conservation and I or additional l archaeological work. 4.2 The specific objective of the project would be to prepare a report describing the site and assessing its importance, thereby facilitating discussions regarding archaeological impact of the proposed development. l 5. METHOD STATEMENT

l 5.1 Desk-Based Assessment l. 5 .1.1 Documentary (including cartographic) research would be necessary to supplement the information provided m the Regional Sites and Monuments Record for the application site.

5.1.2 The types of data consulted would include:- l ' • published and unpublished documentary sources • printed a.I1d manuscript maps l_ • place an~ field-name evidence • aerial and other photographic information l_ • local museum catalogues and artefactual evidence • geotechnical and borehole data • geological, soil and land-use surveys l • oral evidence . 1.. 5 .1.3 The sources of data would include:- • Clwyd-Powys Sites and Monuments Record 1 • The Denbighshire Record Office (Ruthin) • The National Monuments Record () 1 • The National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth). 1 l Project Design/or an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Partners Ltd Report No. 8304/A.0! Oaks Site, Redwither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page 2 Date: March 2000 1 5.2 Aerial Photographic Interpretation and Mapping

5.2.1 It is proposed that oblique photographs from the Wrexham County Borough Council collection and the National Monuments Record in Aberystwyth would be consulted.

5.2.2 All available and appropriate aerial photographs covering the application site and its immediate environs would be interpreted to identify archaeological information up to the National Monuments Record terminal date of 1945.

5.2.3 Relevant archaeological information in the form of cropmarks or soilmarks would be mapped alongside pedalogical and geological features, palaeo-channels and recent sub-surface disturbances. All of the features would be differentiated L on the final maps. The mapping and written commentary would endeavour to correlate with the results of the desk-based assessment, to qualify reasons for the visibility of the aerial evidence and to explain, as necessary any gaps in the l record. Air photographic searches would also extend beyond the boundary of the application site to determine whether any features may extend into the site, but l . are not recorded there. - l_ 5.3 Surface Inspection 5. 3 .1 A surface inspection of the proposed development area would be undertaken. 1 The on-site observations and records would be related to the research findings in the resulting assessment report. - ,. l, - · 53:2 Gifford archaeological staff would arrange access to the proposed development site through the Client and would operate at all times to landowners/tenants l_ requirements. l 5.4 Report 5.4.1 Three copies of the fully illustrated report would be submitted to the Client within three weeks of completion of fieldwork. One copy would be forwarded to the Wrexham Archaeology Services County Sites and Monuments Record and one to the National Monuments Record (Swindon). l. 5.4.2 The report would contain the following:- l • a non-technical summary . • a table of contents . l • an introduction, with a list of all those involved in the assessment. • a statement of the project aims. l Project Design for an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Partners Lid Report No. B304/A. O! Oaks Site, Redwither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page 3 Date: March 2000 l an account of the project methodology undertaken with an assessment of the same. • a summary of the archaeological/historical background with transcripts of relevant sources, where appropriate. • a written description of the results of the surface inspection, including a description of each structure and, where possible, a functional identification. This will be supplemented by two 35mm black and white and colour photographs of each structure or building. • a summary of past and present land-use . • A plan drawing of the development area at a suitable scale locating the l position and extent of any features of archaeological or historical interest located in relation to Ordnance Survey Datum and published boundaries. • a provisional interpretation of the archaeological features within and L adjacent to the application site • other maps, plans, drawings and photographs as appropriate . L • an interpretation of the results of the assessment, placing them in a local, regional and national context. • a full bibliography of sources consulted . • a supplementary bibliography of sources identified but not available for consultation. • an index to the project archive and a statement of its location/proposed L repository.

L 5.4.3 Appendices to the report would contain the following:- • a copy of the agreed Project Design. l • an indication of any departure from the agreed Project Design with justification of the same.

5.4.4 A draft version of the report would be made available to the Client and the County Archaeological Officer for comment/approval before the final report is L issued. L 6. CONFIDENTIALITY, PUBLICITY, SECURITY AND ACCESS

L 6.1 Gifford and Partners would treat as confidential all information obtained directly/indirectly from the Client in connection with the project. Gifford would not, L without the prior written consent of the Client, disclose any information relating to the project or publicise the project in any way.

L 6.2 Gifford would conform to the Client's arrangements for notification of entering and

Project Design/or an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Partners Ltd Report No. 8304/A.0/ Oaks Site , Redwither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page 4 Date. March 2000 L leaving the proposed development site.

7. COPYRIGHT

Gifford and Partners would retain full copyright of any commissioned reports, tender documents or other project documents, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 with all rights reserved; excepting that Gifford and Partners hereby provide an exclusive licence to the Client for the use of such documents by the Client in all matters directly relating to the project as described in this Proj ect Design.

L 8. HEALTH AND SAFETY 8.1 Gifford and Partners operate in accordance with the health and safety procedures as set L out in:- l_ • the Health and Safety Work Act (1 974) and related legislation . • the Standing Conference of Archaeology Unit Managers Health and Safety 1 Manual 1991). • the Council for British Archaeology Handbook no. 6, Safety in Archaeological Fieldwork (1989) . . 1. • the Gifford Health and Safety Handbook. 8.2 In accordance with recent legislation Gifford would prepare a Risk Assessment prior to l_ the commencement of the surface inspection.

8.3 All necessary protective clothing and equipment would be used.

L 9. PROJECT MONITORING 9.1 Gifford understand that the project would be monitored by the Client and the County L Archaeological Officer. Gifford would give as much notice of the commencement of the works as possible, and recognise the need for the provision of up to two field visits from the County Archaeological Officer costed at £60.00 plus VAT, per visit, for L monitoring purposes. l L Project Design for an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Parlners ltd Report No. B3041A.OI Oaks Site, Redwither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page 5 Date: March 2000 L 9.2 Gifford would provide the Client with progress reports as required during the assessment.

10. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Gifford and Partners would manage the project in accordance with the Gifford quality management system which is third party accredited by Lloyds Quality Assurance to ISO 9001 . L 11. RESOURCES AND PROGRAMMING

L 11.1 Staff L • Proj ect Director: T J Strickland MA FSA MIF A (Quality review)

1 • Associate: A Thompson BA Diploma in Post Excavation Studies (Project management; editing of report).

L • Archaeologist: P Owen BA (Desk-based assessment; surface inspection and preparation of report text) 1 • Archaeology Technician: G Reaney L (Preparation of report illustrations) • Archaeology Technician: A Sawyer L (Presentation of report) L L L L L L Project Design for an Archaeological Assessment of the Gifford and Partners Ltd Report No. B3041A.01 Oaks Site, Red wither Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Page 6 Date: March 2000 L l

L APPENDIXB

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1

l_ L L L l

l The Oaks, Wrexham Industrial Estate Gifford and Partner Report No. 8304/A.04 Desk-Based Assessment of Archaeology Date: June 2000 L Information fro m the CPAT Regiona l Sites and Monume nts Record Ph' ESEP VATIO H & lt-iTERPRETAiiON Or oHE HISTOP iC E NVl ~O :·lM E1 ,rr of th e Clwyd-Powys .Archoeoiogical Trusi·

72197 Wrexham, ROF Marchwiel, WWII bunker I CountyWrexham WCBC Community NGR SJ383 14925 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Magazine Period 1 Modern Site form Structure & condition Destroyed

Site type 4Building Period 4 Modern 0 last updated 10/01/00(CP) Bunker from a WWII Royal Ordnance Factory. Investigated in advance of proposed development. W as originally used for the storage of a solventless cordite, an explosive propellant for canon and rockets (Sumpter, T, 1999). Sources:- Survey Sumpter, T,1999a, ROF Marchwiel, Redwither Road , Wrexham:Structural recording of two magazines,,, ,, Please note th at only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

Events:­ Survey T Sumpter/ 1999(/ /) - 72198 Wrexham, ROF Marc hwiel, WWII bunker II CountyWrexham WCBC Community Abenbury NGR SJ38384920 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Magazine Period 1 Modern Site form Structure & condition Damaged

Site type 4Building Period 4 Modern 0 last updated 10101/00(CP) L Bunker from a WWII Royal Ordnance Factory. Investigated in advance of proposed development. W as originally used for the storage of a solventless cordite, an explosive propellant for canon and rockets (Sumpter, T, 1999). Sources:- l Survey Sumpter, T, 1999a,ROF Marchwiel, Redwither Road, Wrexham:Structural recording of two magazines,,,,, Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SM R

Events:­ Survey T Sumpter/ 1999(/ /) - 72199 Wrexham, ROF Marchwiel, WWII bunkers, survey 1999 CountyWrexham WCBC Community Abenbury NGR SJ38314925 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Survey Period 1 Modern Site form Event & condition

Site type 4Event Period 4 Modern 0 last updated 10/01/00(CP) Drawn and photographic survey of two surviving WWII bunkers carried out by Tony Sumpter Archaeological Consultancy in 1999 in advance of proposed development (Sumpter, T, 1999). Sources:- Survey Sumpter, T,1999a,ROF Marchwiel, Redwither Road, Wrexham:Structural recording of two magazines,,,,, Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR l_ 72200 Wrexham, Royal Ordanance Factory Marchwiel CountyWrexham WCBC Community Abenbury NGR SJ383493 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Factory Period 1 Modern Site form Building & condition Intact Site type 4Building L Period 4 Modern 0 last updated 10/01/00(CP) Royal Ordnance Factory operational from 1940-5. Produced solventless cordite, an explosive propellant for cannon and rockets (Sumpter, T, 1999).

Grid ref. not accurate L Sources:- Description Pratt, D, 1999a,Memories of the Wrexham & Ellesmere railway: A Personal Odyssey. Part 2,Transactions of the Denbighshire Historical Society,48, 117-9,, l Survey Sumpter, T,1999a,ROF Marchwiel, Redwither Road, Wrexham:Structural recording of two magazines,,,, , Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR L Events:­ Survey T Sumpter/ 1999(/ /) - l

L ~~;~~~· ~~s~~!;~;~!-~~;~:Y/,(;:,~{1:;:;. {;,f ~~ ·:s~:· ~~~~,~~~;~ ;;,0;5~{:~~~;) .(:;.;··\~ :~:~~~~'?I(.~~~:'? .it~~~~~;~;~~~~:-=;.~~~'~:~\ r:;;r:~;L~ ~)() '.~ T::~;.>: ! c p ~~ r ,2:7DD .'(~_,. /l\'?38} 55?67). /-:_-:\ /t~ ! ::i3s,1 .:;"52/ 7°. O!'nr;!! -'rusJ.:;·cDtJf.derr:c.·;.c;.')_:_ .. ~ - ...-o!·::;/!( ' ~-~ ·· •'; · :.. , ...~::;r: ,;.de.r--; .:.::~.c.0.1...t .:_:·,«:Si.' cs O·'iC/ :4.-~· on~ :t:·:c,-·:'f l.:'ec.-_..,! tf :s t;(:,i-:g .::r.:n)·:nn,-"v u_:.:;o;_; ·e;:J: .:.-·/co.ff: o~<-~/c n-;c• cfo!t..' ,-··) r 1--:i)· .'"eporf ,.,,.. -:(?''; us:ng :h,:-; -:-:or.7 L Information from the CPAT Regional Sites and Monuments Record PRESER VATION & INTERPRETATION OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

101526 Cae Mynach Field name CountyWrexham WCBC Community Abenbury NGR SJ3800491 2 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Monastery Period 1 Medieval Site form Placenarne & condition Unknown

Site type 4Placename Period 4 Unknown 34 m OD last updated 01103190(CP) FIELDNAME MEANING MONKS FIELD.APPEARS IN NORDENS 1620 SURVEY.IT PROBABLY RESULTED FROM BEING PART OF THE POSSESSIONS OF ONE OF THE MONASTIC HOUSES IN THE DISTRICT.; Sources:- Visit form CCC,1 981 """ Mention RCAHM, 1914 ,Inventory of the ancient monuments of Wales and Monmouth - Denbighshire,, , 1,N01 , Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

Events:­ L Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ f) - BUILT OVER MINOR USE 104174 Pickhill Bridge Mill County Wrexham WCBC Community NGR SJ393484 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Mill Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Building & condition Destroyed

Site type 4Building Period 4 Unknown 15 moo last updated 01 /03/90(CP) NO TRACE OF MILL BUILDING PART OF THE MILL RACE CAN BE LOCATED. N0785; Sources:- L Visit form CCC,1981 " "" Map Unknown,1840 """ L Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR Events:- Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ f) - PASTURE B L 104297 Hirdir View Smithy County Wrexham WCBC Community lsycoed NGR SJ39654830 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Smithy Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Building & condition Destroyed

Site type 4Building Period 4 Unknown 30m00 last updated 01 /03/90(CP) l NO TRACE OF A SMITHY AT THIS LOCATION. N0785; Sources:- Visit form CCC,1981 " "" l Map OS,1879 """ Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

L Events:- Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ f) - PASTURE B 104298 Hirdir Boundary Stone 1 L County Wrexham WCBC Community lsycoed NGR SJ39554840 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Boundary stone Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Structure & condition Intact

Site type 4Single stone Period 4 Unknown 25 moo last updated 01 103/90(CP) L SHAPED SANDSTONE BLOCK NO INSCIPTION 0.40 BY 0.20 BY 0.11 M. N0785; Sources:- Visit form CCC,1981 """ Map OS,1879 " " " L Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

Events:­ L Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ f) - PASTURE B L

L 1 2 0 ~!~;(;~~{;:BE~~,;{!A~~~f~ii~;r~~~E[f~EJ'f:51~fI:J~~q{.~;~~~;~~;;§:~::;;,~J;t:~;::~::g ?iCPAT J •: ;,--:c s;;o~' and :Vc r;un~en.: l?ncori1 h' L">a 1i"'!{J constant.:v updctcci: r.;!e-osc c:u<_:ff:: /he dolt"J or !his ro.:-:J or: ... vf}cr; usri;g !_his dofo roqo2 L Information from the CPAT Regional Sites and Monume nts Rec ord PRES ERV ATION & INTERPRETATION OF TH E HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT of the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

104299 Hirdir Boundary Stone 2 County Wrexham WCBC Community lsycoed NGR SJ39644832 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Boundary stone Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Structure & condition Destroyed

Site type 4No visible remains Period 4 Unknown 25 mOD last updated 01 /03/90(CP) BOUNDARY STONE MISSING AT THIS LOCATION. N0785; Sources:­ Visit form CCC,1981 """ Map OS,1879 """ Please note that only a limited number of th e published sources cited above are available at th e SMR

Events :- Visit CCC / 1981 (/ f) - PASTURE B L 104300 Hirdir Boundary Stone 3 CountyWrexham WCBC Community lsycoed NGR SJ39714823 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Boundary stone Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Structure & condition Destroyed

Site type 4 No visible remains Period 4 Unknown 25m00 last updated 01/03/90(CP) L BOUNDARY STONE MISSING AT THIS LOCATION. N0785; Sources:­ Visit form CCC,1981 """ L Map OS,1 879 """ Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

L Events:- Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ f) - PASTURE B 104514 Redwither smithy l CountyWrexham WCBC Community Abenbury NGR SJ380492 (SJ34NE) Site type 1 Smithy Period 1 Post Medieval Site form Building & condition Destroyed

Site type 4Building Period 4 Post Medieval 50 moo last updated 07/01/00(CP) l Smithy site now within the Firestone Rubber Company factory site. No remains. Sources:­ Visit form CCC,1981 """, Map 68,1914 """ Please note that only a limited number of the published sources cited above are available at the SMR

L. Events:- Visit CCC/ 1981 (/ !)- INDUSTRIAL L L L L L

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