Archaeological Building Recording of farm buildings at CROESLLANFRO FARM, , NEWPORT, SOUTH . for Mr Barry Davies

Report No. 1904/2007

By John Bryant

Bristol and Region Archaeological Services

St. Nicholas Church, St. Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UE. Tel: (0117) 903 9010 Fax: (0117) 903 9011 Archaeological Recording of farm buildings at CROESLLANFRO FARM, ROGERSTONE, NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES.

Centred on N.G.R. ST 2742 8939

Client: Mr Barry Davies

St.Nicholas Church, St.Nicholas Street, Bristol BS1 1UE. Tel: (0117) 903 9010 Fax: (0117) 903 9011 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] www.baras.org.uk CONTENTS

Summary

List of Illustrations

1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… 1

2. Brief Historical Background…………………………………………………………. 2

3. Aims and Methodology ……………………………………………………………… 4

4. The Buildings……………………………………………………………...... 5

5. Conclusion……………………………………………………………...... 5

6. Sources Consulted……………………………………………………………………. 6

7. Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………… 7

Appendix 1: Policy Statement

Illustrations and Plates

NOTE Notwithstanding that Bristol and Region Archaeological Services have taken reasonable care to produce a comprehensive summary of the known and recorded archaeological evidence, no responsibility can be accepted for any omissions of fact or opinion, however caused.

December, 2007.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:- Bristol and Region Archaeological Services retain copyright of this report under the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, and have granted a licence to Mr Barry Davies and his agents to use and reproduce the material contained within, once settlement of our account has been received.

Plans reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Bristol City Council, Licence Number LA090551, 2007. SUMMARY

A 19th-century barn and two associated ranges of farm buildings were recorded at Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, South Wales before their conversion into residential accommodation. The barn is large and stone-built and sits at the southern end of a farmyard with one range running north on either side of the yard. There is a small two-storey block with a first floor loft in the angle between the barn and the west range. The east range is separated from the other buildings by the farmyard gate. Both ranges step down the slope in three blocks each. Two-thirds of the west range and all on the east side were at one time open-fronted shelter sheds for stock, those on the west side being walled up at an early date to provide stables. Some of the east range was used for stabling when the farm was converted to riding stable use in the 1960s.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figures

Fig. 1 Site location plan

Fig. 2 Environs of farm

Fig. 3 Enlarged extract from OS 1:10560 map, 1883

Fig. 4 Ground floor plan showing direction of plates (in red)

Fig. 5 First floor plan

Fig. 6 Second floor plan

Fig. 7 North and south elevations

Fig. 8 Exterior elevations of side ranges

Fig. 9 Yard elevations of ranges and sections through barn

Plates

Cover Farm buildings seen from south-east

Plate 1 Barn north elevation

Plate 2 Barn east elevation

Plate 3 Barn interior looking east

Plate 4 Barn interior looking west

Plate 5 Barn: inside of south wall, eastern half

Plate 6 Barn: exterior of south wall, eastern half

Plate 7 Barn: added window in west wall of north porch

Plate 8 Corner block, from north-west

Plate 9 Corner block and end of west range, from north-east

Plate 10 Corner block: interior of ground floor room, looking south-west

Plate 11 West range west or outer elevation, from north-west

Plate 12 West range: south and middle blocks, from north-east

Plate 13 West range: north block, from south-east

Plate 14 West range: stable door with fancy hinges, n. end of middle block

Plate 15 West range: interior of south block, looking south-west

Plate 16 East range: south block, from south-west

Plate 17 East range: middle and north blocks, from west

Plate 18 East range: inside of south end wall

Plate 19 East range: interior of middle block looking north, showing pocket high in north wall 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Building recording was undertaken of a barn and two adjoining ranges of associated agricultural buildings at Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, (Fig. 1). The work was required prior to conversion of the barn and associated structures into a residential unit (planning application 07/0547/F). Site work was undertaken on 20-22 November 2007 by Tim Longman of BaRAS (Bristol and Region Archaeological Services) and the report written by John Bryant. The client is Mr. Barry Davies. This survey was made to English Heritage Level 3 standard. Notes were made and the existing 1:100 architect’s drawings checked and altered or annotated; 35mm black and white and digital colour photographs were taken.

1.2 The site is located on the west side of Groes Road and is immediately to the north of the entrance to Croesllanfro Gardens (Fig. 2). It is centred upon NGR ST 2742 8939.

1.3 Both the barn and the two ranges are recorded in the National Monuments Record as of 19th century date (43217 for the barn and attached west range and 310367 for the east range). According to the monument description, the barn is of early 19th century date and unusual scale. A short distance to the north-west is Croes-Lan-Y-Fro, a small country house of early to mid 19th century date. No previous archaeological work has been carried out on this site.

1.4 The archive will be deposited with Newport Museums and Heritage Service. This work will be given a Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) number after submission of the report. A copy of the report will be submitted to the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) at the RCAHMW at Aberystwyth.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 1 2. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Historically the farm lay within the parish of . Lord of the Manor in 1901 was the Rt. Hon. Lord , of near Newport, who was principal landowner in the parish. Croesllanfro Farm was part of the Tredegar House Estate.

2.2 After Croesllanfro House was constructed in the 19th century the old original farmhouse was utilised for cattle accommodation and barn use. Ordnance Survey large-scale maps surveyed in the early 1880s show the full set of farm buildings as survive today (Fig. 3); at that time the maps showed the place-name as Croes-lan-y-fro.

2.3 In 1901 the farmer here was John Morgan. Croeslanfro Farm was sold to the Eagle Star Insurance Company in the 1950s. Almost immediately it was sold to the tenant, Oliver Harris, who then soon sold it on to W. Jones, a large landowner and farmer. The latter’s son farmed here until the 1960s after which it was sold to developers. The ranges were converted into stabling and used as a riding school until the mid-1970s. In 1977 the farm buildings were purchased by the present owners, who rebuilt the original farmhouse just to the north of the farmyard.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 2 3. AIMS AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 The archaeological work involved recording the surviving historic buildings, including remaining fixtures and fittings, and looked for any evidence of phasing.

3.2 The building recording was undertaken to Level 3 standard (English Heritage 2006, 14). Evidence for the construction, evolution and alteration of the structure was recorded.

3.3 Existing detailed 1:100/1:200 architects’ surveys prepared in early 2005 were used on site and amended or annotated where necessary.

3.4 Photographs were taken in 35mm monochrome print and also using a Ricoh 8megapixel digital camera. They included general photographs of the interior and exterior as well as details.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 3 4. THE BUILDINGS

The Barn (Figs. 4-9; Plates 1-7)

4.1 This is a 3-bay structure of cruciform plan with porches to north and south, although the latter is shorter. In common with the other buildings around the farmyard, the barn is constructed of rubble stone of a variety of colours, together with red and yellow brick dressings in areas, all bonded in a pale pink lime-flecked mortar (Plates 1 & 2). Overall, the length is about 20m, and the width is 7.80m plus 5.50m for the north porch and 2.70m for the south. Both porches are 6.20m wide (4.60m internally), but the north doorway is 4m wide, 0.20m wider than its southern counterpart. Thicknesses for the shorter walls are greater than for the longer east- west walls (about 800m and 550mm). There were pairs of large inward-opening doors in each porch (now removed), with a pedestrian entrance at each end of the north elevation, the latter 2.30m high and 1.25m wide with plank doors with battens and bracing made from machine- cut timber. The roof (now removed and in store on site) was pitched with gable ends, with (probably) hips over the porches. Shallow brick three-centre arches carried the wall plates over the inner ends of the porches (Plates 3 & 4), with timber lintels above the main barn doors. Above the north wall pedestrian doors were shallow brick segmental arches on the exterior with timber lintels visible to the interior (Plate 1).

4.2 Either side of their porches, each long wall had a tall ventilation slit built in; a typical example was 2.5m high with an internal width of 0.40m but only 0.06m to the outside (Plates 5 & 6). Two short windows with rounded brick heads were placed at higher level in the south wall with a third in the east gable end (Plate 2), the first two later partially blocked to create short ventilation slits (Plates 5 & 6). An inserted window in the lower west wall of the north porch has been blocked with brickwork (Plate 7). Off-centre in the west end wall, a ground floor access doorway (2m high by 1.08m wide) into the corner block was a later insertion, the jambs being red brick laid in a black mortar (Plate 4). A row of joist pockets in the west wall just above the doorway have been blocked, as has a matching row in the far east end wall. Beam pocket holes are still visible in the main walls at approximately 3m from the eastern end (Plate 5), but none have been recorded in relation to the western set of joists. The joists must have carried partial mezzanine floors or lofts at either end of the barn.

4.3 All three entrances in the north elevation stand well above yard level, the side doorways presumably accessed by exterior steps. The threshold in the north porch would have been a suitable height for loading to or from waggons, whereas the south porch permitted direct vehicular access.

The Corner Building (Figs. 4, 5 & 7-9; Plates 8-10)

4.4 Continuing westwards flush with the south elevation of the barn was the south wall of a small two-storey building with a pitched roof. A straight joint defines the break between the two structures on their south sides, although their materials and construction, and therefore probably date, is similar. This block is 7m in length by 6.60m in depth (Plates 8 & 9). No access was possible at the time of survey, but the architect’s drawings show a roof of two purlins to each pitch carried by three trusses; the roof is now covered with corrugated asbestos sheeting. In the west ground-floor wall is a wide entrance (2.10m wide and 2.03m in height), with a smaller doorway in the north wall leading into the south-west corner of the west range. The first floor is carried on chamfered beams with machine-cut timbers for joists (Plate 10). There is no internal access to the upper storey or loft, sole entry being by way of a loft door (1.93m by 1.18m) in the west wall. Although they have now disappeared, it is thought that a flight of stone steps climbed up the outside to the loft doorway, and the 1880s OS maps appear to show these. In the south wall at first floor level is a 2-light window; at the east end of the north wall is a 2-light window just below eaves level (Plate 9).

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 4 4.5 The original function of the lower storey of this building is unclear; the upper floor was most likely intended as a hay loft.

The West Range (Figs. 4 & 7-9; Plates 9 & 11-15)

4.6 This comprises three parts, stepping down the slope from the north wall of the corner building; there is a short gap between this building and the north-west corner of the barn. In plan the range is a long rectangle with an angled north end, causing the 30m east wall to be slightly longer than its western companion; there is a rounded north-east corner. All walls are built of rubble stone but with red brick dressings to most jambs; the long east wall is limewashed, whereas its western counterpart is lime rendered and limewashed. From the south, the individual blocks are 8.80m, 9.30m and 11.90m in length (Plates 12 & 13), but all are 6m wide with walls approximately 500m thick. Each block has a pitched roof covered with corrugated asbestos sheeting. The upper two blocks have A-frame bolted or nailed trusses (Plate 15); the northern block has a tie-beam truss with V-arrangement raking struts.

4.7 The long west wall is one continuous structure, except where pierced by a later doorway near to its northern end (Plate 11); there are four wooden 2-light windows in the length of the wall, each of which also appears to have been inserted. In the east wall, facing the farmyard, are a number of openings, arranged alternately as windows and doors for the upper two blocks (Plate 12). Both of the main cross-walls, which are also gable ends to their respective blocks, are separated from the main east wall, which suggests that this elevation was formerly open- fronted, although the present front walling may well be of 19th-century date itself. Doors in the two southernmost blocks are all of the two-part ‘stable’ type, each 1.24/1.26m in width; some doors retain elaborate strap hinges that are 19th-century copies of 17th-century originals (Plate 14; cf. Hall 2005, fig. 2.59). Windows are of several types, some with toplights; the southernmost window of the northern block was formerly a full-height opening or doorway. The door at the northern end of the range is planked. Both of the main cross-walls include doorways at their western ends for access between the blocks and there is also access into the corner block; there is a blockwork partition wall in the northernmost block. Narrower external doorways in the northernmost block indicate that this part of the range may not have been used for animal accommodation.

4.8 As open-fronted structures the southern and middle blocks probably functioned as shelter sheds; the northern block may not have been open on its east side, so probably served a different purpose. Later, when their open fronts had been walled in, the uppermost two blocks became stable accommodation, although it is unclear whether this was in the form of large loose boxes (2 per block) or more numerous stalls.

The East Range (Figs. 4 & 7-9; Cover and Plates 16-19)

4.9 This range steps down the slope in similar fashion to that on the opposite side of the farmyard, also in three blocks. It backs onto the grass verge of Groes Road, but has no openings facing in that direction (Cover). This is a divided from the north-east corner of the barn by the farmyard entrance gate. Rectangular in plan, this range is longer and narrower than its counterpart across the farmyard, at 34.5m by 5.2m. The three blocks, in descending order from the south, are 12.6m, 11.3m and 10.6m; there is a smaller, fourth block at the northern end, but it is not included in this study. Externally, the south end wall is fully rendered (Plate 16) whereas other walls only carry remnants of render with limewash coating, both inside and out. Construction material is rubble stone bonded with a pale pink lime-flecked mortar, similar to the barn; walls are approximately 600m thick. All three roofs are pitched and fully covered with slate tiles. There are tie-beam roof trusses throughout, although those in the middle block are relatively modern and made from slimmer timbers (Plate 19).

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 5 4.10 The southernmost block has a south end wall with a 2-light (6 pane) window in its gable (Plate 16). Inside shows a brick rebuild at upper level, also a blockwork-filled former doorway at the east end, the latter stopping short of the present concrete floor due to the difference in ground level beyond (Plate 18). At the other end the gabled north wall has no openings. It does appear that, as built, the block was open-fronted, as it is at present, although in the recent past there was a west wall with four sets of stable doors and windows, as is shown by the 2005 architect’s drawing and Microsoft Live Search aerial photography. Since demolition of the front wall the western wall plate has been supported by 3 acrow props and a timber post (Plate 16). Partition positions each about 2.70m apart are still marked on the inside of the back wall: these would have separated the four large stalls or loose boxes that until recently occupied this particular block.

4.11 In common with its neighbour to the south, the middle block is now open-fronted, the wall plate carried by three timber posts. At the time of the architect’s survey there was a solid front wall with a single entrance left of centre and one small window towards each end. Inside the rear wall are four marks possibly left by timber divisions now removed: at intervals of about 1.90m these may represent former stall partitions. A small hole in the north end wall may have once housed a timber (Plate 19). There are a modern concrete floor and ceiling, the latter obscuring the roof structure above.

4.12 At the northern end of the range, the lowest block still retains some relatively modern front walling, concrete blockwork to the south and timber panelling and glazing to the north, with a central open bay about 3.5m wide (Plate 17). Despite the timber post at the south end of the panelling and the support offered by the blockwork, the wall plate has dropped in its centre and additional propping has been required. A disused mortice is visible in the underside of the unsupported portion of the wall plate. Inside, this block has been divided in three, with rooms created at both ends. At the southern end the room is defined by a 2.8m-high blockwork wall with a planked door at its west end; there is a blocked window in the west wall of the room. A timber partition divides off the northern room, again with a door at its west end. This block also has a concrete floor.

4.13 All three blocks in this range were at one time open-fronted, providing more shelter shedding. Together with the two blocks of the western range these provided a good amount of covered accommodation for stock. Stock could be divided into several groups by the use of multiple foldyards, which appears to have happened here, as indicated by the remains of walls on the same alignments as the farmyard divisions recorded by the OS maps. Later the upper block was divided into four loose boxes and the middle block into five stalls, presumably installed when the farm became a riding stables.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 6 5. CONCLUSIONS

5.1 These structures represent a group of surviving 19th-century farm buildings of more or less contemporary date, set out around three sides of a farmyard; the yard itself was divided into several foldyards. The barn was laid out across the slope and the potential difficulty of the gradient was solved for the side ranges by stepping them down the hill. Differences in ground level either side of the barn enabled the longer north porch to be used as a loading bay for waggons. A hay loft was provided as a first floor in the corner block. It appears that the western range was open-fronted for the southern two-thirds of its length as a shelter shed, the remaining part used as a general shed. All three blocks of the eastern range, which was separated from the barn by a farmyard entrance, were open-fronted and in use as shelter sheds. Other facilities were provided by re-use of the old farmhouse to the north of these buildings.

5.2 At a relatively early date the two open-fronted blocks of the west range were converted into stabling. Blocking in of the east range open fronts took place later, at least some of it when the farm was converted into a riding stables. The front walling of the uppermost two blocks in the east range has been removed recently. This range has retained its slate roof tiling throughout, although at least the middle block roof has been reconstructed with 20th-century trusses. The west range, along with the south-west corner block, has been re-roofed in asbestos sheeting. All of the barn roof has been removed and is now stored in part of the west range.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 7 6. SOURCES CONSULTED

Hall, L 2005 Period House Fixtures & Fittings 1300-1900, Newbury Ordnance Survey 1883 1:2500 plan Ordnance Survey 1886 1:10560 map RCAHMW NPRN entry for the barn and attached buildings (43217) RCAHMW NPRN entry for the east range (310367)

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

BaRAS would like to thank Barry Davies for arranging access to the site and for providing a background history.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 8 APPENDIX 1: Extracts from Planning Policies Relating to Archaeology

Planning Policy Wales, revised March 2002

Section 6.5:Development control and the historic environment

Archaeological remains 6.5.1 The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining a planning application, whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled. Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not and their settings, are likely to be affected by proposed development, there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation in-situ. In cases involving lesser archaeological remains, local planning authorities will need to weigh the relative importance of archaeology against other factors, including the need for the proposed development.

6.5.2 The needs of archaeology and development can be reconciled and potential conflict very much reduced, if developers discuss their proposals for development with the local planning authority at an early stage. Archaeological assessments commissioned by developers (sometimes as part of a wider Environmental Impact Assessment) can help to provide information on the archaeological sensitivity of a site before submitting a planning application. If important remains are thought to exist at a development site, the planning authority should request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out before any decision on the planning application is taken. The results of any assessment and/or field evaluation should be provided as part of a planning application. If this information is not provided, authorities should consider whether it is appropriate to direct the applicant to supply further information, or whether to refuse permission for inadequately documented proposals.

6.5.3 Where local planning authorities decide that physical preservation in-situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the case and that development resulting in the destruction of archaeological remains should proceed, before granting planning permission the authority needs to be satisfied that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the archaeological investigation and subsequent recording of the remains and the publication of the results. Archaeological investigations should be carried out before development commences, working to a project brief prepared by the planning authority.

6.5.4 Local planning authorities may impose conditions to protect a monument and require that an archaeological watching brief is carried out. In order to secure the provision of an appropriate archaeological investigation and subsequent recording of remains, a negative condition may be imposed prohibiting the carrying out of development until such time as works or other action (for example, an excavation) have been carried out by a third party.

6.5.5 Archaeological remains may only become apparent when development has commenced. Where such remains are deemed by the Assembly to be of national importance, the remains may be scheduled. In these circumstances, developers would need to seek separate Scheduled Monument Consent before continuing work. The local planning authority or the Assembly may revoke planning consent if deemed necessary.

Welsh Office Circular 60/96 ‘Planning and the Historic Environment: Archaeology’

Planning Applications (b) Archaeological Assessments 12. These consultations will help to provide developers with advance warning of the archaeological sensitivity of a site. As a result they may wish to commission their own archaeological assessment by a professionally qualified archaeological organisation or consultant. This need not involve fieldwork. Assessment normally involves desk-based evaluation of existing information: it can make effective use of records of previous discoveries, including any historic maps held by the local authority archive and local museums and record offices, or of geophysical survey techniques. In some circumstances a formal Environmental Assessment may be necessary.

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 9

(c) Field Evaluations 13. Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer’s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, the planning authority should request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out before any decision on the planning application is taken. Such an evaluation, normally a rapid and inexpensive operation involving ground survey and/or small-scale excavation and trial trenching, is quite distinct from full archaeological excavation but it should be carried out by a professionally qualified archaeological organisation or archaeologist. Evaluations of this kind help to define the character and extent of the archaeological remains that exist in the area of a proposed development and indicate the weight which ought to be attached to their preservation. They also provide information useful for identifying potential options for minimising or avoiding damage.

14. Local planning authorities should expect developers to provide results of such appraisals, assessments and/or evaluations as part of their application for sites where there is good reason to believe there are remains of archaeological importance. If developers are not prepared to do so voluntarily, the planning authority may wish to consider whether it would be appropriate to direct the applicant to supply further information. Authorities will need to consider refusing permission for proposals which are inadequately documented.

[The Circular then goes on to discuss the next stages of dealing with the archaeological resource during consultations by planning authorities and the preservation of archaeological remains in-situ or the preservation of archaeological remains by record.]

BaRAS Report No. 1904/2007 Croesllanfro Farm, Rogerstone, Newport, Monmouthshire. 10 SITE

© Crown Copyright All Rights Reserved Bristol City Council 100023406 2007

Fig.1 Site location plan Fig.2 Environs of farm Fig.3 Enlarged extract from OS 1:10560 map, 1883

cover

6

16 beam pockets 2

5 4 3

10 blocked doorway

18

9 7 blocked window 8 15

1

12

19 14 17 13

hole

11

0 20m Fig.4 Ground floor plan Fig.5 First floor plan

0 20m

Fig.6 Second floor plan 0 20m

Fig.7 North and south elevations timber lintel

blocking

(removed)

0 20m Fig.8 Exterior elevations of side ranges (now removed)

(now removed)

front walls since removed

Fig.9 0 20m Yard elevations of ranges and sections through barn Plate 1 Barn, north elevation

Plate 2 Barn, east elevation

Plate 3 Barn, interior looking east Plate 4 Barn, interior looking west

Plate 5 Barn: inside of south wall, eastern half

Plate 6 Barn: exterior of south wall, eastern half Plate 7 Barn: added window in west wall of north porch

Plate 8 Corner block, from north-west

Plate 9 Corner block and end of west range, from north-east Plate 10 Corner block: interior of ground floor room, looking south-west

Plate 11 West range west or outer elevation, from north-west

Plate 12 West range: south and middle blocks, from north- east Plate 13 West range: north block, from south-east

Plate 14 West range: stable door with fancy hinges, north end of middle block

Plate 15 West range: interior of south block, looking south-west Plate 16 East range: south block, from south-west

Plate 17 East range: middle and north blocks, from west Plate 18 East range: inside of south end wall

Plate 19 East range: interior of middle block looking north, showing pocket high in north wall