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Archaeology

Mathafarn Farm, Desk Based Assessment

By Kate Pitt ACIfA

Report No. 1352

Archaeology Wales Limited, Rhos Helyg, Cwm Belan, , Powys SY18 6QF Tel: +44 (0) 1686 440371 E-mail: [email protected] Archaeology Wales

Mathafarn Farm, Llanwrin Powys

Desk Based Assessment

Prepared For: Mathafarn Solar Farm Ltd

V3 (V2 edited 30/6/15) V3 (V2 authorised 30/6/15) Edited by: Mark Houliston Authorised by: Mark Houliston Signed: Signed: Signed: Position: MD Position: MD Date: 8/9/15 Date: 8/9/15

By Kate Pitt ACIfA

Report No. 1352

September 2015

Archaeology Wales Limited, Rhos Helyg, Cwm Belan, Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6QF Tel: +44 (0) 1686 440371 E-mail: [email protected] Contents

Summary 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Site Description 4 3. Methodology 4 4. Assessment of HER Data 5 4.1 Introduction 5 4.2 Previous archaeological studies 5 4.3 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 6 4.4 Listed Buildings (Figure 3) 6 4.5 Known archaeological assets (Figure 4) 6 5. Map Regression 7 6. Aerial Photographs 8 7. Walkover survey 8 8. New sites 9 9. Impact of Development 16 10. Conclusions 17 Sources

Tables Table 1. Previous Archaeological Works within the Study Area Table 2. Detail from apportionment of the Tithe map of the Parish of Llanwrin Table 3. Complete list of Heritage Assets found within the study area (from CPAT HER data) Figures Figure 1. Location of the study site Figure 2. Proposed development Figure 3. All Listed Buildings within the study area Figure 4. All heritage assets held by the regional HER within the study area Figure 5. Archaeological works within study area Figure 6. The study site shown on tithe map of Llanwrin Figure 7. 1873 OS map showing the study site Plates Plate 1. Mathafarn Farm complex Plate 2. Mathafarn Farm complex Plate 3. The study site Plate 4. The study site Plate 5. Banked historic boundary within the study site Plate 6. View to the study site from Mathafarn Farm complex Plate 7. View to the study site from Mathafarn Farm complex Plate 8. View to the study site from Mathafarn House Plate 9. The study site viewed from the driveway of Grofft listed building Plate 10. The study site viewed from Poesnant Farm listed building Plate 11. The study site viewed from Pen y bont listed building

Copyright Notice: Archaeology Wales Ltd. retain copyright of this report under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, and have granted a licence to MATHAFARN SOLAR FARM LIMITED to use and reproduce the material contained within. The Ordnance Survey has granted Archaeology Wales Ltd a Copyright Licence (100055111) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey ARCHAEOLOGY WALES LTD, RHOS HELYG, CWM BELAN, LLANIDLOES, POWYS SY18 6QF

Summary

Archaeology Wales were commissioned by MATHAFARN SOLAR FARM LIMITED to undertake a Desk-Based Assessment to assess the impact of a proposed solar farm on land at Mathafarn Farm, Llanwrin, , Powys. The assessment reviewed information held by the regional Historic Environment Record (HER) and the National Monuments Record (NMR) as well as cartographic, photographic and other documentary sources. A site visit was made in May 2015.

No designated historic landscape areas, Listed Buildings or Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) lie within the study site.

No Scheduled Ancient Monuments and 18 Listed Buildings lie within the study area of 2km radius.

The proposed development will impact on the setting of some of the listed buildings in the study area, these being: The Mathafarn Farm complex (as part of the curtilage of the Mathafarn House listed building), Poesnant Farm listed building and Pen y bont listed building.

The regional Historic Environment Record lists 126 archaeological sites within the study area. None of these lie within the study site, although this assessment has recorded a new site within the study site, a banked historic field boundary.

There has been very little intrusive archaeological work undertaken in the study area and, therefore, the archaeological potential of the study site is unknown.

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1. Introduction

1.1 Archaeology Wales were commissioned by MATHAFARN SOLAR FARM LIMITED to undertake a desk-based assessment to inform on the impact on the archaeological resource of a proposed solar farm within the designated study area. The assessment forms the basis of the current report and was written in consideration of the ‘Brief for Heritage Assessment, Photovoltaic Solar Farm at Mathafarn Farm, Llanwrin, Machynlleth’ (3C Renewable Energy 2015).

1.2 The proposed solar farm development is currently in the pre-planning stages and covers a maximum area of approximately 30 acres. For this area the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust – Curatorial Division (CPAT Curatorial), act as archaeological advisors to the local planning authority, in this case (PCC). 1.3 The purpose of the Desk-Based Assessment is to support a planning application and provide PCC with the information they are likely to request in respect of the proposed development, the requirements for which are set out in Planning Policy WALES, March 2014, Section 6, and Welsh Office Circular 60/96. The work is intended to highlight standing and buried remains of known and potential archaeological interest, and to assess the potential impact of the proposed development on the historic environment, to ensure that any sites are fully investigated and recorded should they disturbed or revealed as a result of any subsequent activities associated with the development. 1.4 The Desk-Based Assessment includes a study of data recorded on the regional Historic Environment Record (HER) held by Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, historic map regression analysis, an assessment of readily available aerial photographs and the results of a site walkover visit. 1.5 The proposed development comprises plans for the construction of a solar farm (Photovoltaic panels) with associated cabling and infrastructure on pasture land. The development also includes the construction of internal cable trenching and transformer/inverter station and substation close to the site entrance, all of which will involve ground-disturbance works. 1.6 The proposed solar panels will be mounted on frames (two panels per frame). The total number of panels is yet to be finalised. The frames will consist of 0.2m diameter steel which depending on ground conditions will be driven or screwed into the ground to a depth of approximately 1.5m below the current ground surface. 1.7 Approximately 0.2m depth of topsoil will need to be stripped for the locations of new tracks, the substation and inverters. The substation and inverters will be set on concrete bases. Cable trench depths will vary between 0.6m and 0.85m deep. Fencing around each site will also be constructed which will require 0.6m deep footings. 1.9 The research and reporting was carried out by Kate Pitt, ACIfA, between May and June 2015. All works were undertaken in accordance with the Chartered

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Institute for Archaeologist Standards and Guidance for historic environment desk based assessment (2014) and current Health and Safety legislation.

2. Site Description

2.1 The proposed development is on open fields to the north of the B4404 road, to the immediate west of Mathafarn (Henceforth – the study site). It is presently used as pasture. The total size of the assessment area is c.40 acres centred around SH 80292 04368. 2.2 The topography of the site is flat, in the valley of the . 2.4 The underlying solid geology comprises mudstone bedrock in the eastern site area, with interbedded mudstone and sandstone in the western site area. This is overlain in majority by river terrace deposits of sand and gravel, with alluvium to the east.

3. Methodology

3.1 The methodology for this desk-based assessment and site visit follows that set out in the Brief for Heritage Assessment. 3.2 The primary objective is to assess the potential impact of the development proposals on the historic environment by means of a detailed desk top study and site visit. The aim is to make full and effective use of existing information in establishing the archaeological significance of the site, to elucidate the presence or absence of historic landscapes, archaeological sites, structures and deposits, its character, distribution, extent, condition and relative significance. 3.3 The work includes a comprehensive assessment of the regional setting within which the archaeological evidence lies and to highlight the significance of any remains within both the development and the study area. 3.4 The potential impact of the proposed development on the setting of known sites of archaeological importance is also assessed. 3.5 This report aims to provide information of sufficient detail to allow informed planning decisions to be made which can safeguard the archaeological resource. Preservation in situ has been advocated where at all possible, but where engineering or other factors result in loss of archaeological deposits, preservation by record has been recommended. 3.6 As part of the desk based assessment, the following repositories were consulted for readily available information:

 The regional HER database for the locations of all known archaeology within a 2km radius (as agreed with CPAT Curatorial) from the centre of the site and for previously undertaken published/unpublished works.

 The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monument of Wales RCAHMW for aerial photographic coverage and site files.

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 County archives for all material relating to local studies, historic documents and historic mapping.

 Online services for relevant information, historic mapping, geotechnical information, satellite imagery. 3.7 A site visit was undertaken by Kate Pitt in May 2015. It was designed to consider the nature, extent and degree of survival of archaeological sites, structures, deposits and landscapes within the study area. 3.8 A brief assessment of impacts was made following visits to specific designated assets with views of the site. The impacts have been assigned values of low, slight, moderate and major. These values are not intended to equate with those defined in more formal systems of Impact Assessment such as the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

4. Assessment of HER Data

4.1 Introduction 4.1.1 To assess the regional setting and to clarify potential visual impacts on designated heritage assets, the study area was applied to the development with a radius of 2km measured from the centre of the study site, as agreed with CPAT curatorial.

4.2 Previous archaeological studies 4.2.1 There have been no previous archaeological studies conducted within the study site and eleven studies within the study area, as shown in Table 1 below. For a search area of 2km, the amount of intrusive archaeological work is very limited, with only 3 intrusive studies listed (Figure 5). Of these 3 intrusive studies, PRN 85162 and PRN 85163 relate to the discovery of site PRN 77899, Abertwymyn Cottage, being the remains of a timber framed dwelling with hearth, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. PRN 112402 revealed two features that were deemed to be natural, not archaeological. Table 1. Previous Archaeological Works within Study Area PRN Site Name Description 58963 Brynmelin farm buildings, Range of stone and slate farm buildings photographic survey 1994 of one storey. Photographic record and plan 1994. (Williams, C E 1994). 85162 to Machynlleth Gas Watching brief undertaken by CPAT Pipeline (Phase 2 to 2000. A single new site (PRN 77899) Machynlleth), watching brief was exposed (PRN 85163) (Hankinson, 2000 R, 2001g). 85163 Caersws to Machynlleth Gas A site (PRN 77899) discovered during Pipeline (Phase 2 Talerddig to the watching brief over topsoiling Machynlleth), excavation operations (PRN 85162). (Hankinson, R,

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2000 2001g, pp4). 112402 Caersws to Machynlleth Gas Evaluation of 2 natural features on the Pipeline (Phase 2 Talerddig to route of the pipeline in 2000 Machynlleth), Archaeological (PRN112403) (Hankinson, R, 2000). Evaluation 2000 113237 Early Prehistoric Settlement in Desk-based assessment carried out by Mid and North East Wales: Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust in The Lithic Evidence, desk- 2002 based assessment 2002 113242 Round huts in North-east Wales, assessment project 2003-04 121745 Round huts in central and Desktop assessment of round huts in north-east Wales, desktop central and north-east Wales (CPAT assessment 1998 1998). 121746 Round huts in North-east Wales, field survey project 2003-04 123079 - Llanwrin pipeline Assessment project carried out by Clwyd Stage 2, assessment project Powys Archaeological Trust in 1996 1996 123561 Historic Settlement Reassessment of historic settlements in Archaeology Reassessment, Clwyd-Powys region undertaken by assessment project 2010-2014 CPAT 123562 Historic Settlement Desk based assessment of historic Archaeology Reassessment, settlements in Montgomeryshire, desk based undertaken by CPAT assessment 2011-12

4.3 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 4.3.1 No Scheduled Ancient Monuments are located within the study site or study area.

4.4 Listed Buildings (Figure 3) 4.4.1 A total of 18 Listed Buildings are found within the study area. Mathafarn House (PRN 32583) and Service Building (PRN 40330) are located opposite the study site, to the east, both being Grade II listed buildings, as well as the gates (PRN 40314) on the access drive. 4.4.2 The majority of the listed buildings sites are located over 500m to the south of the study site, on the other side of the River Dyfi. They are included in the HER entries in Table 3.

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4.5 Known archaeological assets (Figure 4) 4.5.1 A total of 126 archaeological assets are held in the regional HER for the study area. None of the heritage assets lie within the study site. 4.5.2 On the northern boundary of the study site a well was recorded on the OS maps (PRN66837) and on the southern boundary a milestone (PRN 66843). From the site visit and the Mathafarn Tir Gofal HER Assessment (Bull, 2004) it is seen that no remains of these historically documented features survive. Figure 4 shows that these features were located outside the boundary of the study site. 4.5.2 The closest assets to the study site are the 18th-19th century Mathafarn Farm complex that is immediately opposite to the east, being comprised of a cartshed/granary, stable, cowshouse, orchard and charcoal production site (PRN48744 - 48748 respectively). 4.5.3 600m to the south, on a north-east to south-west alignment runs the predicted route of the Roman Road from Caersws to to Pennal. 4.5.3 All other known archaeological sites are supplied as a full list in Table 3.

5. Map Regression

5.1 1839 Tithe Map of Llanwrin (Figure. 6)

The tithe map shows that the study site is divided by field boundaries, which in large part survive today. The fields are used for both arable and pasture purposes. All the land within the study site is owned by Sir Watkin Williams and leased to Edward Jones as set in Table 2.

The field names themselves can indicate past use. The eastern fields, with field numbers 859 and 860 are named Cae Ysgubor, translating as barn field, likely to be from their proximity to Mathafarn Farm. Field 863, in the central southern area of the study site, is named Caer Maen Llewyd. Taking into consideration the tithe apportionment scribe’s style of handwriting and 19th century spelling, Cae Maen Llwyd translates as grey stone field, possibly indicating a standing stone once stood in this field.

Table 2. Detail from apportionment to the tithe map of the Parish of Llanwrin Field Number Land Owner Occupier Field Name Use 859 Sir Watkin Edward Jones Cae Ysgubor Pasture Williams 860 Cae Ysgubor Pasture Ucha 862 Caer Mean Arable Llewyd 863 Caer Mean Pasture Llewyd 864 Caer Park Arable

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5.2 1887 OS County Series: Montgomeryshire (1:2,500) (Figure 7) This edition of OS mapping shows no changes to field boundaries since the tithe map.

5.3 1901 OS County Series: Denbyshire (1:2,500) No changes to the field boundaries are seen since 1887.

5.4 1963 OS Plan 1:10,560 This map shows that little has changed at the study site and Mathafarn farm since 1901. The field boundaries remain the same.

5.5 1973 OS Plan 1:10,000 The field layout is seen to remain the same. To the immediate north of the Mathafarn Farm complex, adjacent to the study site, an additional large agricultural building has been added.

5.6 Between 1973 and the present day an east-west orientated field boundary in the central site area has been removed, amalgamating two fields to become one large field.

6. Aerial Photographs

6.1 1946 RAF image (106G/UK/1468). Black and white This vertical photograph shows the study site clearly, no archaeological features were visible.

6.2 1971 OS image (71-323 930/938) Black and White This vertical photograph showed no archaeological features.

7. Walkover survey

7.1 The walkover survey was conducted in May 2015 in overcast conditions (Plates 1-5). The study site was under pasture. 7.2 The derelict remains of Mathafarn Farm were located immediately opposite the study site (Plates 1&2). 7.3 The fields of the study site were void of any visible archaeological features (Plates 3&4). 7.4 A north to south aligned internal field boundary was seen to have a bank present, indicating this is a historic boundary, described below (Plate 5).

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8. New sites

8.1 One new site was discovered during this assessment as a result of the site walkover and the map regression exercise. This was a north to south aligned banked historic field boundary, located at SH 80486 04588 to SH 80477 04256. The bank was up to 0.6m in height and 1.1m in width (Plate 5).

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Table 3. Complete list of Heritage Assets found within the study area (from CPAT HER data) 3A. Designated Assets and High Value Non-designated Assets, with distances from the study site PRN Site Name Period Type Status Distance NGR in M 7658 Llanwrin Multi- Church listed 1370 SH78660353 Church period building II* 7660 Plas Wrin Post- House listed 1430 SH7861803478 Medieval building II 32572 Aber-gwydol Post- House listed 1450 SH7908802949 Medieval building II* 32583 Mathafarn, Post- House listed 175 SH8073804476 house Medieval building II 40229 Dol Twymyn Post- House listed 1997 SH82520486 Medieval building II 40231 Dolwen Post- House listed 1348 SH81440572 Medieval building II 40302 Dovey Hotel Post- Hotel listed 1515 SH82080434 Medieval building II 40306 Poesnant Post- Barn listed 600 SH80920389 Farm, sw Medieval building II 40308 Poesnant Post- House listed 590 SH80930390 Farm Medieval building II 40309 Ty Uchaf, Post- Barn listed 1330 SH78690354 farm range Medieval building II 40310 Ty Uchaf Post- House listed 1300 SH78690352 Medieval building II 40314 Mathafarn, Post- Gateway listed 167 SH80730447 gate piers Medieval building II 40316 Grofft Post- House listed 750 SH81270410 Medieval building II 40317 Hen Ysgol Post- School listed 1380 SH78690347 Medieval building II 40320 Grofft, Post- Milestone listed 900 SH81360392 milestone s Medieval building

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II 40330 Mathafarn, Post- Service listed 160 SH80720448 service Medieval wing building building II 59352 Llanwrin Post- Churchyard listed 1355 SH78690352 Church, Medieval gate building churchyard II gate 66842 Pen-y-bont, Post- House listed 570 SH8042003707 house Medieval building II

3B. Non-designated Assets PRN Site Name Period Type Status NGR 1289 Cochshed Bronze Age Round SH812000510 Cropmark I barrows 0 1290 Capel Seion Bronze Age Round SH807000500 Cropmark barrow 0 1291 Coed Graig Unknown Enclosure SH80230531 Ddu complex Cropmarks 1292 Foel Bronze Age Round SH802062 Cropmark barrow 1302 Coed Mawr Unknown Non SH816000480 Cropmark antiquity 0 1303 Poesnant Bronze Age Round SH81160389 Cropmark barrow 1706 Coed Bryn Neolithic Find SH796000570 Melin Find 0 1714 Cochshed Bronze Age Round SH815300524 Cropmark II barrow 0 1715 Foel Warren Unknown Spring; SH80620616 Cropmark Enclosure 1724 Pont Dol Medieval;Post- Bridge SH82570465 Dwymyn Medieval 4037 Rhosysilio Post- Quarry; SH80500245 Quarry Medieval;Unknow Enclosure n 4040 Felin Eithin Post-Medieval Farmstead SH806690474 Farmstead 7 4259 Gardd y Post-Medieval Friends SH81930417 Crynwyr burial ground 4969 Felin Eithin Medieval Ridge and SH807000498 Ridge and furrow 0 Furrow I 4970 Felin Eithin Medieval Ridge and SH809900510 Ridge and furrow 0

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Furrow II 5160 Esgair For Unknown Enclosure SH786047 Cropmark 5161 Coed Iron Age Hut SH790046 Gamffrwd Cropmark 5171 Pen y Graig Bronze Age Round SH816800380 Cropmark barrow 0 5297 Esgairhydor Post-Medieval House SH79990548 False Longhouse 6155 Cae Adda Bronze Age Find SH793000600 Find I 0 6484 Felin-eithin Post-Medieval House SH806300473 house 0 6637 Fuches Goch Post-Medieval Farmstead SH8204 7659 Llanwrin Medieval Churchyard SH78660353 Church 13117 Abergwydol Post-Medieval Bridge SH791800291 Bridge 7 14426 Caersws - Post-Medieval; Earthwork; SH817450423 Carno - Roman Road 0 Pennal 14427 Caersws - Roman Road SH817220421 Carno - 0 Pennal 14428 Caersws - Post-Medieval; Earthwork; SH815420406 Carno - Roman Road 5 Pennal 14429 Caersws - Roman Road SH814860401 Carno - 8 Pennal 14430 Caersws - Roman Road SH812950392 Carno - 8 Pennal 14431 Caersws - Roman Road SH811990388 Carno - 7 Pennal 14432 Caersws - Roman Road SH794650309 Carno - 7 Pennal 14433 Caersws - Roman Road SH794650309 Carno - 7 Pennal 14434 Caersws - Roman Road SH793710302 Carno - 4 Pennal 14435 Caersws - Roman Road SH793520300 Carno - 2

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Pennal 14436 Caersws - Roman Road SH792560290 Carno - 3 Pennal 14437 Caersws - Roman Road SH792130286 Carno - 3 Pennal 14438 Caersws - Roman Road SH791690282 Carno - 8 Pennal 14439 Caersws - Roman Road SH791680278 Carno - 9 Pennal 15665 Multiperiod Settlement SH821650443 6 15731 Llanwrin Multiperiod Settlement SH787370350 6 15842 Llanwrin Medieval Church SH78660353 Church 17190 Caeadda Bronze Age Find SH793000600 Find I 0 17191 Caeadda Bronze Age Find SH793000600 Find II 0 17532 Caeadda Iron Age Find SH793000600 Finds 0 17694 Llanwrin Post-Medieval Church bell SH786640353 Church bells 0 20209 Bryn Melyn Post-Medieval House SH80790540 House 21983 Cemmaes Post-Medieval Well SH82080431 Road, well I 21984 Pont Post-Medieval Ford SH807200435 Mathafarn 0 ford (site of) 26586 Brynmelin Post-Medieval Barn SH80710527 farm buildings 26664 Pandy Mill Post-Medieval Woollen SH807054 mill 26665 Felin Ceirig Post-Medieval Corn mill SH810053 26666 Felin Eithin, Post-Medieval Gorse mill SH806370474 gorse mill 5 32602 Glantwymyn Post-Medieval Rectory Listed SH8204 Rectory building 3 32603 Glantwymyn Post-Medieval School Listed SH823610443 School building 1 3 32606 Glan- Post-Medieval House Listed SH8204 Gwynedd building 3

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37009 Llanwrin Post-Medieval Earthwork SH787350346 earthworks 1 44864 Llanwrin Neolithic Find SH787370350 find 6 47600 Cemmaes Post- Road SH821530442 Road - Medieval;Roman 4 Mallwyd 47601 Cemmaes Post- Road SH821530442 Road - Medieval;Roman 4 Mallwyd 48114 Brynmelyn, Post-Medieval Building SH807710552 building I 6 48115 Brynmelyn, Post-Medieval Building SH806850545 building II 2 48116 Brynmelyn, Post-Medieval Farmstead SH807420538 farmstead 4 48117 Brynmelyn, Post-Medieval Well SH807810546 well 9 48118 Esgairhydor, Post-Medieval Farmstead SH799690551 farmstead 1 48119 Esgairhydor, Post-Medieval Well SH800720548 well 0 48332 Coed-ddol, Post-Medieval Ford SH797910354 ford 6 48333 Coed-ddol, Post-Medieval Farmstead SH795420389 farmstead 7 48334 Bryn- Post-Medieval Farmstead SH795670401 Goronwy, 1 farmstead 48335 Gamffrwd, Post-Medieval Farmstead SH796360448 farmstead 2 48744 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Cart shed SH806930447 cart shed, 0 granary 48745 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Stable SH806970451 stable 1 48746 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Cow house SH806580450 cow house 2 48747 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Orchard SH807730446 orchard 6 48748 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Charcoal SH814650498 charcoal burners site 4 production site 48812 Cae Adda, Post-Medieval Cow house SH793550601 cow house 5 48813 Cae Adda, Post-Medieval Pigsty SH793300602 pigsty 5 59440 Mathafarn Post-Medieval Farm SH807380447

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6 66836 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Barn SH806730446 barn 6 66837 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Well SH801020435 well II 8 66838 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Well SH808100444 well I 3 66839 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Footbridge SH807100432 footbridge 7 66840 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Structure SH807100425 structure 4 66841 Pen-y-bont, Post-Medieval Ford SH805150383 ford 3 66843 Mathafarn, Post-Medieval Milestone SH803610421 milestone 6 66844 Railway Post-Medieval Railway SH802310365 0 66845 Pont Post-Medieval Bridge SH807250432 Mathafarn, 7 bridge 66846 Coed Mawr, Post-Medieval Ford SH816910463 ford 2 66847 Coed Mawr, Post-Medieval Road SH815720490 trackway I 2 66848 Coed Mawr, Post-Medieval Trackway SH815060465 trackway II 4 66849 Felin-eithin, Post-Medieval Structure SH808070480 structure 2 66850 Bryn-gwyn Post-Medieval Footbridge SH810240512 footbridge I 3 66851 Bryn-gwyn, Post-Medieval Footbridge SH809110522 footbridge II 6 66852 Pandy, Post-Medieval Fulling SH808420523 fulling mill mill 9 66853 Bryn-gwyn, Post-Medieval Ford SH809020523 ford 6 66854 Pen-y-coed, Post-Medieval Well SH820220550 well 6 66855 Pen-y-coed, Post-Medieval Quarry SH817610548 old quarry 1 66856 Cockshed Medieval Farmstead SH814210556 Farm 3 67386 Commins Post-Medieval Level SH815520375 Bach level 4 77899 Abertwymyn Post-Medieval House SH82010513 Cottage 80099 Glantwymyn Post-Medieval Railway SH82590489 , narrow gauge

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railway 80293 Glantwymyn Post-Medieval Peat SH82080526 , natural cutting feature 86721 Cae Adda, Post-Medieval Farmstead SH793640604 farmstead 8 86722 Caeadda Post-Medieval Ford SH797350584 ford I 5 86723 Caeadda Post-Medieval Ford SH798520577 ford II 2 86724 Caeadda Post-Medieval Ford SH800000576 ford III 1 11352 Llanwrin, Post-Medieval Outbuildin SH786640348 8 Ger-y-llan, g 7 outbuilding 12616 Llanwrin Post-Medieval Inn SH786670357 2 Ty-uchaf, 6 Inn 12616 Llanwrin Post-Medieval Building SH787220357 3 Ty-uchaf, 1 building

9. Impact of Development

9.1 Impact on known sites 9.1.1 A total of 126 sites were identified within the applied study area of 2km radius from the study site. Of these, none lay within the study site itself. A new site, a historic banked boundary, was located within the study site. Subject to the implementation of suitable mitigation measures to protect the boundary within the design layout, the impact on this site can be assessed as low. 9.1.2 The visual impact of the proposed development on the closest Listed Buildings in the study area was assessed (Figure 3). These Listed Building were visited as part of the Desk-Based Assessment. The closest Listed Building was Mathafarn House (Grade II), 175m to the east. From Mathafarn House, the proposed development area was screened by the buildings of the Mathafarn farm complex, as seen in Plate 8. From the farm complex, immediately opposite the study site, the site was partially screened by hedgerows. The visual impact from Mathafarn Farm, which is the curtilage of Mathafarn House, can be assessed as major. 9.1.3 Grofft Listed Building (Grade II) is located 750m to the south-east of the proposed development site. The visual impacts from the driveway of Grofft are screened by hedges and, therefore, can be assessed as negligible. Although access up to the house was not possible, the house itself was slightly elevated from the driveway so visual impacts are likely to be slight. 9.1.4 Poesnant Farm Listed Building (Grade II) is located 590m to the south-east of the proposed development site. The visual impacts from the boundary of

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Poesnant Farm were uninterrupted elevated views and were assessed as moderate to major. 9.1.5 Pen y bont Listed Building (Grade II) is located 570m to the south of the proposed development site. The visual impacts from the boundary of Poesnant Farm were partially screened by trees and were assessed as moderate.

10. Conclusions

10.1 Summary 10.1.1 The proposed development will not impact on any recorded heritage assets. It will however, impact on the setting of some of the listed buildings in the study area. The impact on Mathafarn Farm complex, as part of the curtilage of the Mathafarn House listed building, has been assessed as major. Poesnant Farm listed building and Pen y bont listed building have moderate to major and moderate visual impacts respectively. 10.1.2 As has been outlined above, there is an unknown potential for significant archaeological features being located within the study site, due to the small amount of intrusive archaeological works undertaken in the immediate vicinity. Land use as pasture during the post-medieval period will have served to preserve any archaeological deposits from earlier periods. 10.1.3 The Tithe Map of 1839 shows that the study site is divided by field boundaries that in majority survive today. Plate 5 shows an example of an internal field boundary within the study site, which is a new site of a historic banked boundary of local interest. The development proposals respect the internal hedged boundaries and there is no plan to remove any hedges.

10.2 Direct Impacts

10.2.1 The provisional site layout is shown on figure 2. 10.2.2 The construction method for the frames supporting the solar panels does not include the digging of any footings/foundations. Rather the 0.2m diameter frames will be driven or screwed into the ground to a depth of 1.5m. The depth of the frames (1.5m) has the potential to impact on unknown buried archaeological features. 10.2.3 Topsoil stripping for substation and inverter footings, as well as access tracks (shown on figure 2), although only being carried out to 0.2m depth, has the potential to impact on unknown buried archaeological features. 10.2.4 Cable trenching, to be carried out to depths of between 0.6m and 0.85m, has the potential to impact upon any previously unrecorded buried archaeological features in all areas.

17 ARCHAEOLOGY WALES LTD, RHOS HELYG, CWM BELAN, LLANIDLOES, POWYS SY18 6QF

Sources

The following sources were consulted during the preparation of this desk based assessment:

Bull, D.E., 2004. Mathafarn, Llanwrin Tir Gofal HER CPAT 614

BGS Geology Viewer http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/viewer.html (Accessed May 2015)

Planning Policy Wales (Edition 7), 2014. Welsh Government. Online Resource http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/ppw/?lang=en

Cartographic Sources 1839 Llanwrin Tithe Map and Apportionment 1887 OS Map Montgomeryshire County Series, 1:2,500 1901 OS Map Montgomeryshire County Series, 1:2,500 1963 OS Map 1: 10,560 1973 OS Map 1: 2,500 1979 OS Map 1: 10,000

Aerial Photographs 1946 RAF image (106G/UK/1468). 1971 OS image (71-323 930/938) 2001 Google Earth image (Colour) 2009 Google Earth image (Colour)

HER Data Provided by CPAT HER

18 Development Site

Fig. 1 Location of site

0 200m 400m 600m 800m 1km 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Legend

A 260W Module A

Fence

T01.INV02 ABB inverter

QMT ABB ABB transformer station

B B

C C

D D

E E

F F

G G

Storage Container T01.INV02 T01.INV01 SG

SP T uSbstat oin

H H

J J

Infobox: generator parameters:

K total power DC: modul: K 13,524 x 260W modules 3516.24 kWp ______total output AC: inverter/station: 2730 kVA 1 x ABB Ultra 1400; 1 x ABB Ultra 1050 connection I: 1 x 336 x strings à 22 modules; 1 x 252 x strings à 22 modules connection II:

L AC/DC - without reactive power supply: L AC/DC - with reactive power supply (assumption cosφ = 0.95): 0.80 characteristics of frame: mounting system: table typ: number of tables: modul tilt: 2x23, 2x11, 2x12 284x 23; 10x 11; 10x 12 25° built-up area (projected): modul orientation: light row spacing: selected shading angle: ______South ______19.05° site conditions: land size: fence length fence distance: terrain height: ______- min 3m 72-79m degree of latitude: degree of longitude: global radiation horizontal: shading angle 21.12.: M M 52.624° N 3.768° W ______12.34° all mass in meter

N N

P P

1:750

0m10m 20m 30m 40m 50m 60m 70m 80m

Q Basic planning: General Plan - General Layout Q Fig. 2 Site Builder/ Customer: Date: Name: General contractor Editor 29.04.15 AS ______Check ______Allowed Norm Proposals Adress: Conergy UK Limited 300 South Row, Luminous House Milton Keyney, MK9 2FR Phone: +44 844 381 41 48 Fax: +44 190 893 35 07 Project: Scale: R Rev 5 Comments 11.06.15 AS 1:750 R Rev 4 CCTV added. Updated Substation Fence 29.05.15 GLME Mathafarn Drawing-No.: Rev 3 Fence min. 4m to Hedge, 20° tilt 29.05.15 AS EX 1.1 VER oT2 gop ar cip vrus ey .81 0 51.5 AS 3516.24 kW Plot date: F1veR i tsr I s eus .42 0 SA51.4 11.06.2015 Index Modification: Date: Name:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 01 11 12 31 41 51 61 71 81 91 20 12 22 23 A0 Figure 3. Listed Buildings Within Study Area

500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 m Figure 4. HER Heritage Assets Within Study Area

500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 m Figure 5. Archaeological Work Within Study Area

500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 m Fig. 6 Site Location on Tithe Map (not to scale, for illustration only) Fig. 7 Site Location on 1887 OS Map (not to scale, for illustration only) Plate 1. Mathafarn Farm Complex, Southern Area, Viewed from the West

Plate 2. Mathafarn Farm Complex, Northern Area, Viewed from the West

Plates 1 and 2 Plate 3. Proposed Development Site, Viewed from the West

Plate 4. Proposed Development Site, Viewed from the East

Plate 5. Historic Banked Boundaries within Development Site, Viewed from the South

Plates 3, 4 and 5 Plate 6. The study site from Mathafarn Farm, viewed from the north-east

Plate 7. The study site from Mathafarn Farm, viewed from the south-east

Plates 7 and 8 Plate 8. View to the study site from Mathafarn House, showing the Mathafarn farm complex, viewed from the east

Plate 9. The study viewed from the south-east

Plates 8 and 9 Plate 10. The study site viewed from Poesnant Farm, viewed from the south-east

Plate 11. The study site viewed from Pen y bont, viewed from the south

Plates 10 and 11 Archaeology Wales

Archaeology Wales Limited Rhos Helyg, Cwm Belan , Llanidloes, Powys SY18 6QF Tel: +44 (0) 1686 440371 Email: [email protected] Company Directors: Mark Houliston MIFA & Jill Houliston Company Registered No. 7440770 (England & Wales). Registered off ce: Morgan Gri ths LLP, Cross Chambers, 9 High Street, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2NY