Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm Cwmbran

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK- BASED ASSESSMENT

LAND AT CWRT HENLLYS FARM CWMBRAN

Planning ● Heritage AUGUST 2015 Specialist & Independent Advisors to the Property Industry

Planning Authority: TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Site centred at: NGR 325380, 191985

Author: PHILIP BETHELL BA (Hons) MCIfA

Approved by: WILLIAM BEDFORD BA, MCIfA

Report Status: FINAL

Issue Date: AUGUST 2015

CgMs Ref: WB/PB/19963

No part of this report is to be copied in any way without prior written consent.

Every effort is made to provide detailed and accurate information, however, CgMs Limited cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies within this report.

CONTENTS

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction and Scope of Study

2.0 Relevant Statutory and Planning Policy Framework

3.0 Geology and Topography

4.0 Archaeological and Historical Background, including Assessment of Significance

5.0 Site Conditions, the Proposed Development and Impact on Heritage Assets

6.0 Summary and Conclusions

Sources Consulted

Appendix 1: Heritage Assets Data Maps

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1: Site location and proposed development area boundary. Figure 2: 1843 Henllys Parish Tithe map Figure 3: 1886 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,560 Figure 4: 1883 Ordnance Survey map 1:2,500 Figure 5: 1922 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,560 Figure 6: 1964-65 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,000 Figure 7: 1962 Ordnance Survey map 1:2,500 Figure 8: 1971-72 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,000 Figure 9: 2006 Ordnance Survey map 1:10,000

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LIST OF PLATES

Field numbers referred to are illustrated in Figure 1.

Plate 1 Cwrt Henllys Farmhouse, from the south-east Plate 2 View south-west over the study site, from entrance by farmyard, in north-east corner of Field 1 Plate 3 View south-west over the study site, from boundary between Fields 1 & 2 Plate 4 View north-west along western boundary of Field 2 Plate 5 View south from northern corner of Field 3 Plate 6 View south-west from eastern corner of Field 5 Plate 7 View east along rack towards farmstead from boundary of Field 4 and 5 Plate 8 View east from footpath along northern boundary of Field 4

N.B. The illustrations are not to scale © CgMs Limited No part of this report is to be copied in any way without prior written consent. Every effort is made to provide detailed and accurate information, however CgMs Limited cannot be held responsible for errors or inaccuracies within this report. © Ordnance Survey maps reproduced with the sanction of the controller of HM Stationery Office OS Licence No. 100014723

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Executive Summary

This archaeological desk-based assessment has been researched and prepared by CgMs Consulting for Lightsource Ltd., on land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran, proposed for development as a solar farm. The proposed development area (hereafter referred to as the study site) comprises agricultural land approximately 13.4ha in area centred on NGR 325380, 191985.

No designated archaeological assets of national significance are recorded within the study site. One non-designated heritage asset is recorded within the study site, namely a short stretch of 19th century quarry tramway. The Grade II listed building Cwrt Henllys Farmhouse lies immediately adjacent to the northern extension of the study site.

The great majority of the study site consists of agricultural fields, and based on the available evidence has always been agricultural land. The cable-route extension at the north end of the study site passes through the Cwrt Henllys farmstead, which has surviving late Medieval architectural evidence, suggesting it has been the focus for a farmstead since at least the early16th century.

A low potential for activity from any period has been identified for the fields within the study site. While the impact of the solar panels within the study site fields is small, it could have some limited impact on any sub-surface remains located within the fields. Any such remains are likely to be of low significance, and solely related to agricultural activities. As a result, this impact is not considered likely to be significant.

The identification of the study site as a possible location of the ‘old manor, or court’ implied in the Henllys place-name is not borne out by any archaeological evidence.

The archaeological potential for the farmyard has been identified as low to moderate for Medieval remains related to settlement and farming, but these are likely to be of low significance. The cable route which runs through the Cwrt Henllys farmyard has the potential to impact on any remains surviving in this area. However, the narrow width of the cable trenching, and its location in an area which has already been disturbed, would limit this impact, and it is not considered likely to be significant.

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The proposed layout of the solar arrays would exclude the area at the southern tip of the study site where the quarry tramway has been mapped, so there would be no impact on this heritage asset.

The impact of the scheme on the significance of Designated Heritage Assets is discussed separately within a Setting Assessment (CgMs, July 2015). However, a plot showing the distribution of these designated assets within 1km of the study site is included in Appendix 1.

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1.0 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF STUDY

1.1 This archaeological desk-based assessment has been researched and prepared by Philip Bethell of CgMs Consulting for Lightsource Renewables Ltd.

1.2 The assessment considers land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran, NP44 7AS (Fig. 1). The proposed development area (hereafter referred to as the study site) comprises agricultural land and measures approximately 13.4ha in area centred on NGR 325380, 191985.

1.3 In accordance with Welsh Government policy on archaeology and planning (Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales), and the adopted Torfaen County Borough Local Plan (to 2021), this assessment draws together the available archaeological, topographic and land-use information in order to clarify the archaeological potential of the study site.

1.4 Additionally, in accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessments (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014), the assessment includes the results of a site inspection, an examination of published and unpublished records, and charts historic land-use through a map regression exercise.

1.5 As a result, the assessment enables relevant parties to assess the significance of heritage/archaeological assets on and close to the study site and assesses the potential for hitherto undiscovered archaeological assets, thus enabling potential impacts on assets to be identified along with the need for design, civil engineering or archaeological solutions.

1.6 The potential impacts of the proposed development on the settings of designated heritage assets are discussed in a separate Settings Impact Assessment.

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2.0 RELEVANT STATUTORY AND PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK

2.1 Statutory Framework

Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979

2.1.1 The Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (as amended) protects the fabric of Scheduled Monuments, but does not afford statutory protection to their settings. Relevant policies relating to the protection of the setting of scheduled monuments are contained within national and local development plan policy.

Emerging Legislation and Guidance

2.1.2 The Historic Environment (Wales) Bill is currently before the National Assembly for Wales, although in its early stages. This bill, when passed, will provide the legislative framework for managing the historic environment in Wales. Accompanying this bill is new guidance in the form of a Technical Advice Note (TAN) specific to the Historic Environment (see below). It is expected that the new legislation and guidance will be passed and adopted in 2016.

2.2 Policy Background

Planning Policy Wales

2.2.1 The Welsh Government has published Planning Policy Wales (PPW), currently updated to Edition 7 from July 2014. This sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh Government. It is supplemented by a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs). Procedural advice is given in circulars and policy clarification letters.

2.2.2 Chapter 6 of the PPW, entitled ‘Conserving the Historic Environment’, provides policy for planning authorities, property owners, developers and others on the conservation and investigation of heritage assets. Overall, the objectives of Chapter 6 can be summarised as seeking to:

x preserve or enhance the historic environment, recognising its contribution to economic vitality and culture, civic pride and the quality of life, and its importance as a resource for future generations; and specifically to

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x protect archaeological remains, which are a finite and non-renewable resource, part of the historical and cultural identity of Wales, and valuable both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and the economy, particularly tourism;

x ensure that the character of historic buildings is safeguarded from alterations, extensions or demolition that would compromise a building’s special architectural and historic interest; and to

x ensure that conservation areas are protected or enhanced, while at the same time remaining alive and prosperous, avoiding unnecessarily detailed controls over businesses and householders.

2.2.3 Chapter 6 of PPW does not define the historic environment beyond stating that it encompasses archaeology and ancient monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas and historic parks, gardens and landscapes.

2.2.4 There is no specific TAN for the historic environment, but several Welsh Office Circular Orders pertain to the historic environment:

x Welsh Office Circular 61/96 Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas.

x Welsh Office Circular 60/96 Planning and the Historic Environment: Archaeology.

x Welsh Office Circular 1/98 Planning and the Historic Environment: Directions by the Secretary of State for Wales.

2.2.5 TAN 24: Historic Environment is currently being considered in draft form as part of the suite of new documents complementing the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill currently before the Welsh Assembly. TAN 24, when it is adopted, will supersede the above Welsh Office circulars.

2.2.6 Another important source of guidance on assessing the impact of developments on the historic landscape is the ‘Guide to Good Practice on Using the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales in the Planning and Development Process, (Revised Edition 2007)’.

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2.2.7 The ‘Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales’ published by Cadw in March

2011 also provide useful guidance. The six principles expressed are:

x Historic assets will be managed to sustain their values.

x Understanding the significance of historic assets is vital.

x The historic environment is a shared resource.

x Everyone will be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.

x Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.

x Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

2.2.8 Welsh planning legislation and policy guidance outlines that the desirability of preserving archaeological remains and their setting is a material consideration in the determination of a planning application (Planning Policy Wales, Chapter 6, Para. 6.5.1). In order to take into account archaeological considerations and deal with them from the beginning of the development control process Local Planning Authorities in Wales need to be fully informed about the nature and importance of archaeological remains, and their setting, and the likely impact of any proposed development upon them (WO Circular 60/96 Para. 10 and Para.15). This means that Local Planning Authorities can request an applicant to provide further information on archaeological matters (WO Circular 60/96, Para. 15).

2.2.9 In considering any planning application for development, the planning authority will be mindful of the framework set by government policy, in this instance PPW Edition 7, by current Development Plan Policy and by other material considerations.

Local Planning Policy

2.2.10 The local plan framework is provided by Torfaen County Borough Council, and the current Development Plan is the Local Development Plan (to 2021), adopted in December 2013. This plan contains one strategic policy relevant to this assessment:

S7 CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT.

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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.

2.2.11 There is no specific policy relating to archaeological remains in the Local Plan, and so policies within PPW and the current relevant Welsh Office Circulars provide the policy background against which this assessment is made.

2.2.12 This assessment therefore seeks to establish whether the proposed solar farm development will have a significant effect on the historic environment, either through direct or indirect effects on designated heritage assets, within the scope of policies contained within PPW, and the adopted Torfaen Local Development Plan (to 2021).

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3.0 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

3.1 Geology

3.1.1 The underlying geology for the study site comprises Devonian interbedded Argillaceous Rocks and Sandstone of the St Maughans Formation. No superficial depsoits are recorded. (British Geological Survey On-line viewer accessed July 2015).

3.1.2 Soils are classified as “slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage” (Soilscape 8 on the Cranfield Institute LandIS on-line database accessed July 2015).

3.1 Topography

3.1.1 The PDA has an overall slope from north-west to south-east. The north-western boundary runs along the 200m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) contour. The southernmost point of the PDA is at approximately 144m AOD. There are changes of slope within the PDA, with increasing steepness to the south-west and south.

3.1.2 The PDA is located on the eastern slopes of Mynydd Henllys, which rises to 419m, 1.2 km to the north-west. The landscape is a series of rolling hills and valleys, with the town of Risca 1.3km to the south, and Cwmbran lying 2.4 km to the north-east at nearest. The south-west facing slope of the PDA has extensive views across the countryside.

3.1.3 The Pantyreos Brook forms the southern boundary of the study site, as it runs south-east into the Pant-yr-eos Reservoir.

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4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND INCLUDING ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Timescales used in this report:

Prehistoric Palaeolithic c. 800,000 - 10,000 BC Mesolithic c. 10,000 - 4,400 BC Neolithic c. 4,400 - 2,300 BC Bronze Age c. 2,300 - 700 BC Iron Age c. 700 - AD 43

Historic Roman (Romano-British) Period AD 43 - AD 410 Post-Roman/Early Medieval Period AD 410 - AD 1066 Medieval Period AD 1066 - AD 1536 Post Medieval Period AD 1536 - AD 1750 Industrial AD 1750 - AD 1899 Modern 20th century onwards

4.1 Introduction and methodology

4.1.1 This section reviews existing archaeological evidence for the study site, and the archaeological/historical background of the general area, and, in accordance with the policy background outlined above, considers the potential for as yet undiscovered archaeological evidence within the study site. Chapter 5 subsequently considers the site conditions of the study site and whether the theoretical potential identified in this chapter is likely to survive. Designated heritage assets and the potential impact of the proposed development upon their significance are considered in a Chapter 5, and discussed in detail in a separate settings assessment.

4.1.2 This assessment is based on a consideration of evidence in the Historic Environment Record (HER) curated by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT), and the National Monuments Record for Wales (NMR) for the study site, and a zone 1km in extent around its boundary (the study area). Documents held at Gwent Archives were examined.

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4.1.3 Archaeological data from the 1km radius area around the study site has been reviewed to produce a predictive model of the potential for the presence of additional, as-yet undiscovered below-ground archaeological features. Heritage assets are considered in the relevant sections below and are identified as either HER or NMR depending on the data source followed by the unique reference number. Plans showing the location of data mentioned in the text can be found in Appendix 1.

4.2 Previous Archaeological Investigations

4.2.1 No previous archaeological investigations are recorded by the HER and NMR for the study site itself, and three are known from the wider study area:

x HER E003834: An archaeological appraisal was carried out of the potential archaeological impact of new water main from the Pant-yr- eos Reservoir to Garth Fach (from 450m south-east of the study site to 2.6km south-east). This identified very limited archaeological implications for the pipeline route, apart from where it ran adjacent to St Peter’s Church. x HER E003835: A watching brief was carried out on the trenching for the water main (see E003834), but no archaeological features were identified, and the narrowness of the trench made observation so difficult it was abandoned. x HER E001696: A desk-based assessment was undertaken for a pipeline from Henllys to Rhiwdern, with a 1km search area. The pipeline terminus was 700m east of the study site, running south out of the 1km study area. Potential impact to archaeology along the Henllys to Rhiwdern route was considered to be low.

4.3 Recorded archaeology within the study site

4.3.1 One archaeological asset is recorded from within the study site itself, the line of a Post-Medieval tramway roughly parallel and close to its south-west boundary. One small section of this asset lies within the southern tip of the study site.

4.4 Prehistoric (Palaeolithic - Iron Age)

4.4.1 No Palaeolithic or Mesolithic material has been recorded within the 1km search area. Key sites for these periods within south-east Wales are largely confined to

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coastal areas (RFAW, 2003-2012), and there are no significant finds from the area around the study site that would suggest more than a low potential for any material from these periods to be present within the study site.

4.4.2 A Neolithic arrowhead was recovered 450m east of the study site (HER 03738g). No other Neolithic material was recorded in the 1km study area, and there is no indication that this area was settled in the Neolithic period. There is a consequent low potential for any significant Neolithic archaeological remains to be present within the study site.

4.4.3 The Bronze Age is represented in the study area by a number of round barrows or cairns. A group of four cairns is present on Mynydd Henllys, 575m north of the study site (HER 00139g, 00140g, 00141g, 08437g, 08439g, Scheduled Monument MM045, NMR 53147, 53219, 53230, 53146).

4.4.4 Two possible barrow sites are within 1km of the study site. The Rogerstone Round Barrow (HER 08418g) lies 750m south-south-east of the study site, and is present as large stone cairn. No investigation has been carried out to determine the age of the cairn, but 19th-century mapping indicates it was there in the 1880s, indicating a survival from earlier periods. Two less certain barrow sites are recorded 800m south of the study site (HER 00152g). Another barrow lies south of Upper Wennallt, 1.3km south of the study site.

4.4.5 The presence of these barrows indicates an active funerary landscape in the Bronze Age, in the area around the study site. The extant barrows are, however, located largely on higher, prominent ridges and provide distinctive markers in the landscape. The study site is not a typical location for such monuments. While the presence of the funerary monuments suggests Bronze Age settlement in the area, there is no current evidence for this. The upland nature of the area would suggest it was more likely to have been used for grazing at this time, and not as settled agricultural land. Davies suggests that the predominant subsistence mode was nomadic pastoralism, especially during the later Bronze Age (Davies, 1993).

4.4.6 It is considered, therefore, that although there are Bronze Age monuments present in the search area, there is a low potential for the presence of significant Bronze Age remains within the study site.

4.4.7 There is no Iron Age material reported within the study area. The earthworks surrounding the later Medieval motte on Twmbarlwm, 1km north-west of the

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study site, are believed to be the remains of an Iron Age hillfort. The study site lies within the territory identified as that of the Silures, at the time of the Roman invasion.

4.4.8 The lack of Iron Age material in the study area suggests a low potential for any significant Iron Age remains to be present within the study site.

4.5 Roman, Early Medieval, Medieval

4.5.1 There is possible Roman activity on Twmbarlwm, just beyond the study area to the north-west. No Roman features or finds are recorded within the study area. While the major legionary fortress at Caerleon lies 10km south-east of the study site, there is little evidence of settlement in the Roman period in the upland areas around the study site.

4.5.2 There is a correspondingly low potential for the presence of significant Roman archaeological remains within the study site.

4.5.3 The post-Roman period saw the development of small kingdoms in Wales. The study site was within the kingdom of Glywysing, and later within the larger kingdom of Glamorgan (Davies, 1993). Later in the Medieval period, following the Norman and Anglo-Norman invasions of Wales, Henllys was within the lordship of Machen, which was a part of the larger lordship of Wentloog (Gwynllwg) and Newport (Bradney, 1993).

4.5.4 The centre of Machen lordship lay approximately 5km south-west of Cwrt Henllys, and is believed to have emerged in the Early Medieval period, with the church at Machen believed to date from the 6th century (Bradney, 1993). The domination of South Wales by the Anglo-Norman marcher lords was a slow process, with Welsh lordships surviving alongside the Norman holdings (Davies, 1993).

4.5.5 Machen Castle (NPRN 307828) is traditionally held to have been built around the turn of the 12th century, and a Welsh dynasty continued to rule the upland part of the lordship from Machen Castle until 1270 (Griffiths, 2008). There was a subsequently more pronounced division between the upland and lowland parts of the area, with Welsh Law still operating in the ‘Welshry’ areas. This division was partly to do with the agricultural practices dominating the different areas, with the upland Welshry areas primarily relying on traditional pastoralism (Davies,

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1993). The lordship of Machen was among those ‘burnt and destroyed’ by Owain Glyndwr in the early years of the 15th century (Griffiths, 2008).

4.5.6 The first mention of the Henllys place-name is in 1230-1240 (HER 05013g). The place-name contains elements which identify a llys or manorial court, with the element hen meaning ‘old’. The cwrt part of the Cwrt Henllys name in this case means farm or farmyard (Philpotts, 1996). The location of the old court is not proven, and while Cwrt Henllys is a possible site, it was probably at Castell-y- Bwch, 1.7km east of Cwrt Henllys farm (Philpotts, 1996).

4.5.7 There is currently no evidence to prove that Cwrt Henllys was the site of the old manor or court, as the earliest material known from the site is the late Medieval architectural elements surviving in the farmhouse (Newman, 2000). The church of St Peter (1.5km south-east of the study site) has fabric that probably predates the identified 15th/16th century masonry (HER 05013g), but has no evidence of Early Medieval material. It is also logical that the old court was situated closer to the church than Cwrt Henllys farm, adding to the potential locations for the llys.

4.5.8 The current evidence suggests that the manor of Henllys was part of the upland, pastoralist Welshry areas of the Medieval lordship of Newport. While the Henllys place-name suggests that there was a manorial house and court present within the parish, its location is not certain. There are other candidate sites which would appear more likely locations for the manorial centre than Cwrt Henllys Farm, which lies on the periphery of the parish. There is currently no substantive evidence for an Early-Medieval origin for Cwrt Henllys farm, and the earliest surviving architectural fabric shows the current farmhouse to date either from the late Medieval period (Newman, 2000), or even the early Post-Medieval period: the GGAT HER entry for Cwrt Henllys dates the stone pointed doorways to the period 1550-1610. The Cadw listing text says that these features are Medieval, but this is taken from Newman’s book.

4.5.9 What evidence there is from these periods is focussed entirely on the farmhouse itself, and there is nothing to suggest that the great majority of the study site (which is now fields), was other than agricultural land associated with the farmstead throughout the Early Medieval and Medieval periods.

4.5.10 Based on this evidence, it is considered that there is a low potential for the presence of significant Early Medieval archaeological remains to survive across the great majority of the study site. Any significant remains from this period are

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most likely to have been confined to the farmyard area. Apart from the lack of supporting evidence, the presence of the later Medieval development, and the modern farmyard buildings and associated hardstanding, are likely to have truncated or removed any such traces within the farmyard area. As a result of these factors, it is considered that there is a low potential for significant Early Medieval archaeology to be present in the farmyard area at the north-eastern extremity of the study site.

4.5.11 The picture across the fields proposed for development is the same for the Medieval period, in that there is a low potential for the presence of significant Medieval archaeological remains in what was very likely to have been agricultural (and probably pasture) land during the Medieval period.

4.5.12 Within the farmyard, the known presence of late Medieval material in the house implies a wider area of activity during this period across the farmyard, and a correspondingly moderate potential can be considered for remains of this period to be present. Any such remains would, however, be solely related to the outbuildings and peripheral structures of the farmstead, as the house is still in situ. Even if the house itself was of high status, the other associated remains would not be of high significance.

4.5.13 The moderate potential for the presence of Medieval archaeology across the farmyard is further tempered by the presence of later phases of building, and levelling of the farmyard. The suggests that the potential should be considered as low-moderate.

4.6 Post-Medieval, Industrial and Modern

4.6.1 The HER records from these periods for the study area suggest little change, apart from some limited industrial activity related to quarrying, and the construction of the Pant-yr-eos Reservoir. In these periods understanding of settlement, land-use and the utilisation of the landscape is enhanced by cartographic sources, which can give additional detail to data contained within the HER and NMR.

4.6.2 It is clear that the Cwrt Henllys farmhouse was present at the commencement of the Post-Medieval period, and it was altered in the 17th century, asevidenced by architectural fabric (Cadw listing text). There is no evidence for the development of the rest of the farmstead throughout the Post-Medieval period and into the Industrial period. Henllys became part of the Morgan family estates, as

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evidenced by the marriage settlement of William Morgan in 1723 (Gwent Archives ref D/143.0004), but beyond that little is known.

4.6.3 By the time of the Tithe mapping of 1843 (Figure 2), the arrangement of the fields across the study site was established essentially as it is today. The majority of the fields (2, 3, 4, & 6, see Figure 1) were arable, with pasture and woodland brakes in field 5. The farm buildings were all at the northern end of the farmstead, with no structures depicted south of the farmhouse. The land adjacent to the farmhouse to its south-west was labelled as croft, and this is now used partly as an orchard. The farm was called Henllys Court at this time.

4.6.4 There was little change within the study site by the time of the 1880s Ordnance Survey (OS) map (Figures 3 and 4), apart from an increase in the area of woodland in Field 5, in the south-west corner of the study site. In the wider landscape, Pant-yr-eos Reservoir had been built in 1878, and lies 100m south of the southernmost tip of the study site. There is also a quarry (HER 04946g) mapped just to the west of the western tip of the study site (Field 5). This quarry was linked to the reservoir by a tramway (HER 09651.0g) which runs just inside the southern tip of Field 5 (see Figure 4). On the OS map of 1883 (Figure 4), the tramway is labelled as ‘Old Tramway’, indicating it was disused. It is therefore assumed that the quarry and the associated tramway were only in use during the construction phase of the reservoir.

4.6.5 Throughout the 20th century there was no change within the fields of the study site (Figures 5 to 8), although a new farm outbuilding was present to the south of the barn (south-east of the farmhouse house) in Cwrt Henllys farmstead, by the mid-1960s. Changes in the wider landscape were few, but included the expansion of forestry planting on the higher land to the north of the study site, and the gradual urban expansion of Risca to the south-west of the study site.

4.6.6 The current layout of the farm and farmyard was complete by 2006, with the relatively recent construction of large sheds to the south of the farmhouse, doubling the size of the farmstead area (figure 9).

4.6.7 The mapping evidence makes it clear that the study site has barely altered over the last century, and by inference has remained as farmland throughout the Post-Medieval, Industrial and Modern periods. Development has taken place in the farmyard, but largely within the Modern period, which is likely to have adversely affected any earlier remains. The small fragment of the temporary

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tramway which passed through the southern tip of the study site represents the only development activity within the study site itself.

4.6.8 Based on the current evidence, it is therefore considered that there is a low potential for the presence of significant archaeological remains from the Post- Medieval period up to the present day, within the study site.

4.7 Historic Landscape

4.7.1 No Historic Landscape Characterisation work has been undertaken for the PDA, and it does not lie in a registered landscape of historic interest.

4.7.2 The PDA lies within the Landmap Aspect Area TRFNHL006 Henllys. Landmap is a Wales-wide landscape characterisation tool developed by the Countryside Council for Wales (now part of Natural Resources Wales) (www.ccw.gov.uk), and describes the Aspect Areas as follows:

‘Medieval/post-medieval agricultural landscape with dispersed settlement of scattered farmsteads centred on ecclesiastical and manorial centres. Wealth of early post-medieval vernacular buildings. Ancient woodland.’

4.7.3 The value given to the historic landscape in the Landmap assessment is ‘High’, and is justified for the following reasons:

‘Well preserved regular fieldscape interspersed with areas of ancient woodland, with a pattern of dispersed settlement consisting of medium to large farmsteads, including an important late medieval farmhouse at Cwrt Henllys. A small settlement focus identified in the southern tip of the area at Henllys village centred on the parish church.’

‘The regular fieldscape shown in this area on the OS 1st edition map has survived largely intact up to the present day, defined by a well- preserved network of hedges and hedgebanks, although some hedge boundaries have been replaced by modern post-and-wire fencing. A number of farmsteads in this area contain fabric of late medieval or early post-medieval date, notable examples including Pant-yr-eos and Cwrt Henllys (GGAT PRN 00145g; PRN 00142g).’

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 18 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

4.7.4 The implication of these assessments is that the current landscape containing the study site has been little altered since Medieval times, and has not been subject to any development other than that related to agriculture.

4.8 Assessment of Significance

4.8.1 No designated archaeological assets of national importance are located within the study site itself. There are no Scheduled Monuments of national significance identified within 1km of the study site. The Grade II listed Cwrt Henllys Farmhouse is immediately adjacent to the northern limit of the study site.

4.8.2 Based on current evidence, this assessment has identified a low potential for activity of any period within the agricultural fields which form the great majority of the study site. There is a low to moderate potential for Medieval activity to be present where the narrow northern extension of the study site passes through Cwrt Henllys farmyard.

4.8.3 There is no evidence to suggest that the study site has been used as other than agricultural land during any period, and any archaeological remains found within the fields would only relate to the agricultural use of the land. The exception to this is the short length of 19th-century quarry tramway which passed through the southernmost tip of the study site. Any such remains present in the fields would be of low significance.

4.8.4 The identification of the study site as a possible location of the ‘old manor, or court’ implied in the Henllys place-name is not borne out by any archaeological evidence. In the area of the farmstead, the most significant element of the farmstead’s heritage is the farmhouse itself, but this would not be affected by the proposed development. Any other archaeological remains would be related to the farming activities carried out around the house, and would be of local significance.

4.8.5 It is therefore unlikely, based on current evidence, that any significant archaeological remains are present within the study site. Any remains that may still survive in the farmyard area are likely to be heavily degraded by the Modern development in the farmyard, where the area of buildings and hardstanding has been dramatically increased in recent years, further reducing their significance.

4.8.6 Given the level of potential, and the potentially low level of significance of any assets present, the potential impact on the limited archaeological interest of the

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 19 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

study site is considered to be of low significance. In addition, given the minimal impact of the scheme, it is not considered that the potential identified would preclude the development of the study site.

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 20 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

5 SITE CONDITIONS, THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT ON HERITAGE ASSETS

5.1 Site Conditions

5.1.1 The study site was visited in July 2015, and comprised five large fields of pasture grassland, divided by well-established hedgerows. The study site is bounded by a relatively open hedgerow with frequent mature trees along its north-western side, woodland along its southern edge, and hedgerows along its eastern boundaries, again with frequent mature trees. The farmyard of Cwrt Henllys Farm lies immediately to the east. Public footpaths run along the length of the north-western boundary, and most of the south-eastern boundary.

5.1.2 No features of archaeological interest were noted within the PDA during the visit, however, the fields were overgrown with tall grass at the time which prevented detailed inspection of the surface.

5.1.3 The narrow northern extension of the study site (see Figure 1) runs is designed to take the cables from the solar arrays out to the grid connection via the Cwrt Henllys Farmyard. This extension runs through the centre of the farmyard, largely where modern concrete/tarmac roads and hardstanding is present.

5.1.4 Plates 1 to 8 give a series of general views which characterise the PDA.

5.2 The Proposed Development

5.2.1 It is proposed to install a solar park comprising arrays of photovoltaic (PV) panels across the PDA. The park would consist of panels with a maximum overall height of 2.6m, small access tracks, fencing, security cameras, electrical inverters, a substation and other structures. The panels would be mounted on small piled foundations which would be driven into the ground. On average the piled foundations for the solar arrays would be driven approximately 1.5m into the ground and each pile would measure no more than 0.01m2 in area.

5.2.2 The proposal involves installation of a number of transformer stations located centrally within the PDA with service trenches linking the nearest end of each row of panels to the transformer. Foundations for these small structures are understood to be minimal (technical information is provided separately in the

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 21 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

technical drawing pack). An access road would also be installed, which would also require minimal impact (less than 150mm).

5.2.3 No large scale ground reduction or landscaping is planned for the development.

5.3 Summary of Heritage Impacts

Potential Archaeological Impacts

5.3.1 The impact of the proposed development on the study site is limited (less than 1% impact on the study site) and localised, and would not involve large scale ground reduction or landscaping. While the development proposals have the potential to impact on any sub-surface remains which may survive within the study site, this impact is considered to be minimal.

5.3.2 A low potential for activity from any period, and of low significance, has been identified for the fields within the study site. While the impact of the panels within the study site fields is small, it could have some limited impact on any sub-surface remains located within the fields. Given the level of potential and the potentially low level of significance of any assets present, this impact is not considered likely to be significant.

5.3.3 The archaeological potential for the farmyard has been identified as low to moderate for Medieval remains, which could be of up to regional significance. The cable route which runs through the Cwrt Henllys farmyard has the potential to impact on any remains surviving in this area. However, the narrow width of the cable trenching, and its location in an area which has already been disturbed, would limit this impact, and it is not considered likely to be significant.

5.3.4 The proposed layout of the solar arrays would exclude the area at the southern tip of the study site where the quarry tramway has been mapped, so there would be no impact on this heritage asset.

5.3.5 The impact of the scheme on the significance of Designated Heritage Assets is discussed separately within a Setting Assessment (CgMs, July 2015). However, a plot showing the distribution of these designated assets within 1km of the study site is included in Appendix 1.

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 22 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

6.1 No designated archaeological assets of national significance are recorded within the study site itself. One non-designated heritage asset is recorded within the study site, namely a short stretch of the route of a 19th century quarry tramway. The Grade II listed building Cwrt Henllys Farmhouse lies immediately adjacent to the northern extension of the study site.

6.2 The great majority of the study site consists of agricultural fields, and based on the available evidence has always been agricultural land. The cable-route extension at the north end of the study site passes through the Cwrt Henllys farmstead, which has surviving late Medieval architectural evidence, suggesting it has been a farmstead since at least the early 16th century.

6.3 A low potential for activity from any period has been identified for the fields within the study site. While the impact of the solar panels within the study site fields is small, it could have some limited impact on any sub-surface remains located within the fields. Any such remains are likely to be of low significance, and solely related to agricultural activities. As a result, this impact is not considered likely to be significant.

6.4 The association of the study site as a possible location of the ‘old manor, or court’ implied in the Henllys place-name is not borne out by any archaeological evidence.

6.5 The archaeological potential for the farmyard has been identified as low to moderate for Medieval remains related to settlement and farming, but these are likely to be of low significance. The cable route which runs through the Cwrt Henllys farmyard has the potential to impact on any remains surviving in this area. However, the narrow width of the cable trenching, and its location in an area which has already been disturbed, would limit this impact, and it is not considered likely to be significant.

6.6 The proposed layout of the solar arrays would exclude the area at the southern tip of the study site where the quarry tramway has been mapped, so there would be no impact on this heritage asset.

6.7 The impact of the scheme on the significance of Designated Heritage Assets is discussed separately within a Setting Assessment (CgMs, July 2015). However, a

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 23 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

plot showing the distribution of these designated assets within 1km of the study site is included in Appendix 1.

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 24 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran

SOURCES CONSULTED

General

Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record (HER)

National Monuments Record Wales (NMR)

Gwent Archives

Bibliographic

Bradney, J. (1993 ). A History of Monmouthshire, Volume 5: The Hundred of Newport.

CgMs (2015) Historic Environment Settings Impact Assessment- Land at Cwrt Henllys Farm, Cwmbran. Unpublished report.

Davies, J. (1993). A History of Wales. London: Penguin.

Griffiths, R. H. (2008). The Gwent County History Volume 2: The Age of the Marcher Lords, c. 1070-1536. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.

Newman, J. (2000). The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthsire. London: Penguin.

Philpotts, C. (1996). Cows, Customs and Kings. In C. C. Council, Cwmbran - Chapters in its History. Cwmbran Community Council.

RFAW. (2003-2012). Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales.

Cartographic

1843 Henllys parish Tithe Map

Ordnance Survey 1:2500 editions: 1883, 1901, 1920, 1962, 1985, 1993.

Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 / 1:10,560 editions: 1886, 1902, 1922, 1938, 1948-53, 1964-65, 1971=72, 1983, 1984, 1993, 2006, 2015

CgMs Consulting WB/PB/JAC19663 25 L:\Archaeology\Current Jobs\19000-19999\19963 - Cwrt Henllys\01 Graphics\02 Figures\02 Corel JT/ July 2015

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