A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

January 2014 ARS Ltd Report no. 2014/13

A Setting Study for the Proposed Great Oak Coal Prospect, Staffordshire

Archaeological Research Services Ltd Report 2014/13

January 2014

Prepared on behalf of: Heaton Planning, for UK Coal Date of compilation: March 2013 (amended January 2014) Compiled by: Antony Brown MIfA Checked by: Dr. Clive Waddington MIfA Planning Reference: N/A Local Authority: Staffordshire County Council

A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 Project Background...... 1 1.2 Location and Land-Use...... 2

2 POLICY AND GUIDANCE ...... 3

2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)...... 3 2.2 PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide ...... 4 2.3 The Setting of Heritage Assets: English Heritage Guidance (2011)...... 6

3 METHODOLOGY...... 8

3.1 Study Area...... 8 3.2 ZTV ...... 9 3.3 Scheme of work ...... 9 3.3.1 Step 1: Identifying the heritage assets affected and their settings...... 9 3.3.2 Step 2: Assessing whether, how, and to what degree these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s) ...... 10 3.3.3 Step 3: Assessing the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the asset(s)...... 10 3.3.4 Step 4: Maximising enhancement and minimising harm...... 10 3.3.5 Step 5: Making and documenting the decision and monitoring outcomes ...... 10

4 SETTING STUDY...... 11

4.1 Assessment Step 1 ...... 11 4.1.1 Baseline data collation...... 11 4.1.2 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)...... 11 4.1.3 Site visits...... 11 4.2 Assessment Steps 2 & 3 ...... 12 4.2.1 The Wedgewood Monument (NHLE no. 1374392) – LB3 ...... 12 4.2.2 The Castle, Mow Cop (NHLE no.1162028)...... 12 4.2.3 Sir Bernard Lovell Telescope, Joddrell Bank (NHLE no.1038613)...... 13 4.2.4 Church of St. James, Audley (NHLE no.1038613)...... 13 4.2.5 Castle Hill Motte, Audley (NHLE no.1011071) ...... 14 4.2.6 Hullock’s Pool Farmhouse (NHLE no.1374409) – LB1 ...... 14 4.2.7 Mile Post at Grid Reference SK 805 510 – LB2...... 15 4.2.8 Harecastle Farmhouse (NHLE no.1374407) – LB4...... 15

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS...... 15

5 STATEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... 16

5.1 Publicity, Confidentiality and Copyright...... 16 5.2 Statement of Indemnity...... 16 5.3 Acknowledgements...... 16

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6 REFERENCES...... 17

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Assessing the contribution of setting to significance ...... 6 Table 2: Assessing the effect of the development ...... 7

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Gazetteer of Designated Assets ...... 18 Appendix 2: Figures...... 30

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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project Background UK Coal is to submit a planning application for a Surface Mine Scheme known as Great Oak, which is located to the east of Junction 16 of the M6, close to the villages of Audley and Bignall End (Fig. 1). The closest major town to the site is Newcastle under Lyme, c. 4 miles to the south. The Mineral Planning Authority (MPA) is Staffordshire County Council. A Scoping Opinion was received by Heaton Planning, dated 8 th February 2013 regarding the required scope and content of the Environmental Statement (ES) that should accompany the planning application for the scheme. Staffordshire County Council’s Environmental Advice Team (Cultural / Historic Environment Officers) commented as follows: 1. The Scoping Report (Section 7.5) correctly identifies the need to undertake an archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA). This work should be undertaken in line with the Institute for Archaeologists Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments (revised 2008). 2. The DBA should include information derived from the rapid reconnaissance and walkover survey and the geo-archaeological study referred to in the Scoping Report (Sections 7.5.3 and 7.5.4). 3. The DBA should also incorporate an assessment of the historic landscape character for the impacted area and the surrounding environment to determine landscape sensitivity, assess the historic significance of all hedgerows impacted as identified in the Hedgerow Regulations (1997) and develop recommendations for appropriate archaeological mitigation. English Heritage (EH) has commented as follows: 4. The development could, potentially, have an impact upon the following designated heritage assets and their settings: I. The Wedgwood Monument, Red Street, Audley Rural (grade II) II. The Castle, Mow Cop (grade II) III. Sir Bernard Lovell Telescope, Jodrell Bank Laboratory, Goostrey (grade I) 5. The ES should contain a thorough assessment of the likely effects which the proposed development might have upon those elements which contribute to the significance of these assets. 6. Section drawings and techniques such as photomontages should be used as part of the assessment. 7. The potential impact of associated activities (such as construction, servicing and maintenance, and traffic) which might have an impact upon perceptions,

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understanding and appreciation of the heritage assets in the area should be assessed. 8. The assessment should consider, where appropriate, the likelihood of alterations to drainage patterns that might lead to in situ decomposition or destruction of below ground archaeological remains and deposits, and can also lead to subsidence of buildings and monuments. 9. The opportunity should be taken to restore the grade II listed Wedgwood Monument to its original height as a planning benefit of the proposed development. The monument is a 19th Century obelisk which was badly damaged by storms in the 1970s but is still an impressive landscape feature in views towards the site from the lower lying land to the north. 10. The potential impacts on non-designated features of historic, architectural, archaeological or artistic interest should be taken into account since these can also be of national importance and make an important contribution to the character and local distinctiveness of an area and its sense of place. This information is available via the local authority Historic Environment Record (www.heritagegateway.org.uk) and relevant local authority staff. 11. The Conservation Officers of Newcastle Borough and Cheshire East Councils and the HER staff at Staffordshire County and Cheshire East Councils are involved in the development of this assessment. They are best placed to advise on: local historic environment issues and priorities; how the proposal can be tailored to avoid and minimise potential adverse impacts on the historic environment; the nature and design of any required mitigation measures; and opportunities for securing wider benefits for the future conservation and management of heritage assets. Further discussions were held with Alan Taylor, English Heritage Historic Buildings Inspector for the West Midlands region, to ascertain a suitable study area for the assessment of setting. He highlighted the potential of the scheme to be visible for large distances across the Cheshire Plain to the west and recommended that an assessment of potential long-distance views would be necessary. A Desk Based Assessment has already been produced for the scheme proposals (ARS Ltd 2012), which has since been updated to reflect a change in the site’s redline boundary (hereafter ‘RLB’), and to include further information regarding historically important hedgerows. Heaton Planning is preparing the cultural heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement, and has commissioned Archaeological Research Services Ltd to provide this setting study to inform this chapter. 1.2 Location and Land-Use The proposed redevelopment site is located mostly on agricultural land, with a small amount of woodland and scrub, between the modern settlements of Bignall End/ Audley (west), Red Street/Crackley (east) and Talke/Talke Pits (north), towards the north of the western side of Staffordshire, centred on grid reference 381600, 351500.

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The site is an irregular diamond-shape in plan (c.80 hectares in size) and is bounded by the A500 to the north and Bignall End Road to the west. On its southern side, the site is bounded by the built-up area of Bignall End, and by agricultural land comprising pasture to the east. On its eastern side, the site is bounded by the built- up area of Red Street, agricultural land (pasture) and a public highway. The agricultural land within the site is currently used almost exclusively as pasture, although there are some wetter areas around small watercourses that are effectively set-aside as boggy moor. The site is bisected by the deep cutting of the dismantled North Staffordshire Railway, which closed in 1963, and is now largely overgrown There are a number of topographic observations to be made. In general, a north to south aligned irregular escarpment of higher land known as Gem Edge runs roughly north-south across the eastern portion of the site. There are three watercourses within the site boundary, one to the west of the railway cutting flowing in a westerly direction. Another is situated towards the south of the site forming an open drain for c.125m but which is culverted further to the east and west, and there is a short south to north flowing stream which issues from two springs to the east of Oldhill Wood at the eastern side of the site.

2 POLICY AND GUIDANCE Details of national and local planning policy with regard to the historic environment can be found in the DBA for the scheme (ARS 2012) and these will not be repeated here. The policy and guidance details below relate specifically to the setting of cultural heritage assets and its assessment. 2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The NPPF (DCLG 2012) is the policy statement which contains the framework for conservation of the historic environment within the planning system and establishes the historic environment as a material consideration within the planning process. The NPPF replaced the now cancelled Planning Policy 5 (PPS5) in March 2012.

The NPPF makes a number of references to the important contribution that setting can have to the significance of heritage assets, and how this should be addressed within the planning system:

‘In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary’ (NPPF para. 128).

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‘Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this assessment into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal’ (NPPF para 129).

‘When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building, park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably Scheduled Monuments, Protected Wreck Sites, Battlefields, Grade I and II* Listed Buildings, Grade I and II* Registered Parks and Gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional’ (NPPF para. 132).

2.2 PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide Although PPS5 has now been cancelled, the Planning Practice Guide which accompanied it (DCLG 2010b) is still considered to be a live document by English Heritage, and should be used as supplementary guidance to the NPPF until such a time as an updated guidance document is produced.

A detailed consideration of setting is provided in paragraphs 113-117, which relate to the former Policy HE10: A dditional policy principles guiding the consideration of applications for development affecting the setting of a designated heritage asset, and these have been reproduced in full below:

Understanding setting and its contribution to significance 113. Setting is the surroundings in which an asset is experienced. All heritage assets have a setting, irrespective of the form in which they survive and whether they are designated or not. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance, or may be neutral.

114. The extent and importance of setting is often expressed by reference to visual considerations. Although views of or from an asset will play an important part, the way in which we experience an asset in its setting is also influenced by other environmental factors such as noise, dust and vibration; by spatial associations; and, by our understanding of the historic relationship between places. For example,

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buildings that are in close proximity but not visible from each other may have a historic or aesthetic connection that amplifies the experience of the significance of each. They would be considered to be within one another’s setting.

115. Setting will, therefore, generally be more extensive than curtilage and its perceived extent may change as an asset and its surroundings evolve or as understanding of the asset improves.

116. The setting of a heritage asset can enhance its significance whether or not it was designed to do so. The formal parkland around a country house and the fortuitously developed multi-period townscape around a medieval church may both contribute to the significance.

117. The contribution that setting makes to the significance does not depend on there being public rights or an ability to access or experience that setting. This will vary over time and according to circumstance. Nevertheless, proper evaluation of the effect of change within the setting of a heritage asset will usually need to consider the implications, if any, for public appreciation of its significance.

Further guidance is offered in paragraphs 118-124 of the Practice Guide:

Assessing the implications of change affecting setting 118. Change, including development, can sustain, enhance or better reveal the significance of an asset as well as detract from it or leave it unaltered. For the purposes of spatial planning, any development or change capable of affecting the significance of a heritage asset or people’s experience of it can be considered as falling within its setting. Where the significance and appreciation of an asset have been compromised by inappropriate changes within its setting in the past it may be possible to enhance the setting by reversing those changes.

119. Understanding the significance of a heritage asset will enable the contribution made by its setting to be understood. This will be the starting point for any proper evaluation of the implications of development affecting setting. The effect on the significance of an asset can then be considered and weighed-up following the principles address the addition or removal of a visual intrusion, other factors such as noise or traffic activity and historic relationships may also need to be considered.

120. When assessing any application for development within the setting of a heritage asset, local planning authorities may need to consider the implications of cumulative change and the fact that developments that materially detract from the asset’s significance may also damage its economic viability now, or in the future, thereby threatening its ongoing conservation.

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121. The design of a development affecting the setting of a heritage asset may play an important part in determining its impact. The contribution of setting to the historic significance of an asset can be sustained or enhanced if new buildings are carefully designed to respect their setting by virtue of their scale, proportion, height, massing, alignment and use of materials. This does not mean that new buildings have to copy their older neighbours in detail, but rather that they should together form a harmonious group.

122. A proper assessment of the impact on setting will take into account, and be proportionate to, the significance of the asset and the degree to which proposed changes enhance or detract from that significance and the ability to appreciate it.

2.3 The Setting of Heritage Assets: English Heritage Guidance (2011) This recently published EH position statement recommends a 5-stage approach to the assessment of impacts to settings of heritage assets:

Step 1: Identifying the heritage assets affected and their settings;

Step 2: Assessing whether, how, and to what degree these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s);

Step 3: Assessing the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the asset(s);

Step 4: Maximising enhancement and minimising harm; and

Step 5: Making and documenting the decision and monitoring outcomes.

For Step 2, the guidance provides a detailed, but non-exhaustive, checklist of potential attributes of a setting which may help to elucidate its contribution to the significance of an asset; this is reproduced in Table 1 below: Table 1: Assessing the contribution of setting to significance Assessing the contribution of setting to significance:

The asset’s physical Topography surroundings Other heritage assets (archaeology/buildings/landscapes)

Definition, scale and ‘grain’ of surrounding streetscape, landscape and spaces

Green spaces, trees and vegetation

History and degree of change over time

Integrity

Issues such as soil chemistry and hydrology

Experience of the asset Surrounding landscape and town character

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Views from, towards, through and across, including the asset

Visual dominance, prominence or role as focal point

Intentional intervisibility with other historic and natural features

Noise, vibration and other pollutants and nuisances

Tranquillity, remoteness, ‘wildness’

Sense of enclosure, seclusion, intimacy or privacy

Dynamism and activity

Accessibility, permeability and patterns of movement

Degree of interpretation or promotion to the public

The rarity of comparable survivals of setting

The asset’s associative Associative relationships between heritage assets attributes Cultural associations

Celebrated artistic representations

Traditions

Similarly for Step 3, the guidance provides a detailed, but non-exhaustive checklist of potential attributes of a development affecting setting which may help to elucidate the implications for the significance of an asset. This is reproduced in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Assessing the effect of the development Assessing the effect of the development

Location and siting of Proximity to asset the development Extent

Position in relation to landform

Degree to which location will physically or visually isolate asset

Position in relation to key views

The form and Prominence, dominance, or conspicuousness appearance of the Competition with or distraction from the asset development Dimensions, scale and massing

Proportions

Visual permeability

Materials (texture, colour, reflectiveness etc)

Architectural style or design

Introduction of movement or activity

Diurnal or seasonal change

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Other effects of the Change to built surroundings and spaces development Change to skyline

Noise, odour, vibration, dust etc

Lighting effects and ‘light spill’

Change to general character (e.g. suburbanising or industrialising)

Change to public access, use or amenity

Change to land use, land cover, tree cover

Changes to archaeological context, soil chemistry or hydrology

Changes to communications/accessibility/permeability

Permanence of the Anticipated lifetime/temporariness development Recurrence

Reversibility

Longer term or Changes to ownership arrangements consequential effects of Economic and social viability the development Communal use and social viability

The checklists presented in Tables 1 and 2 provide a framework for the assessment of impacts to setting, which following a consideration of potential mitigation or enhancement in Step 4, should be clearly documented in Step 5. The guidance states that: ‘It is good practice to document each stage of decision-making process in a non- technical way, accessible to non-specialists. This should set out clearly how the setting of each heritage asset affected contributes to its significance and what the anticipated effect of the development, including any mitigation proposals, will be. Despite the wide range of possible variables normally this analysis should focus on a limited number of key attributes of the asset, its setting and the proposed development, in order to avoid undue complexity.’ (EH 2011, 24).

3 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Study Area The advice of Alan Taylor (Historic Buildings Inspector for the West Midlands) regarding a suitable study area for the assessment of setting, was that there should be no defined limit, but that a reconnaissance of the surrounding landscape should be undertaken in order to ascertain the likely potential visibility of the proposals. His scoping response highlighted the potential for impacts to the Sir Bernard Lovell Telescope at Joddrell Bank, c.18km to the north of the site, The Castle at Mow Cop, 6.6km to the north-east, as well as the Wedgewood Monument which is only c.250m from the site boundary.

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Consequently, it was determined to visit all ‘assets of the highest significance’ (i.e. Scheduled Monuments, Grade I and II* Listed Buildings and Registered Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields and World Heritage Sites) within at least 10km of the site (where access was possible), with a view to widening the scope should this initial reconnaissance indicate that significant visual effects might be experienced at greater distances. However, as a result of time constraints imposed on the assessment, it was necessary for the reconnaissance to be undertaken during a tight window in March 2013 when visibility was poor, and therefore unfortunately any assessment of the visual effects of the proposals at distances beyond 10km was not feasible, and views towards from Great Oak from many of those assets within 10km was restricted.

3.2 ZTV In order to eliminate areas of the landscape where there would be no visibility of the proposed scheme, a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) was created. Such maps depict the predicted visibility of the development using a ‘bare-earth’ Digital Terrain Model (DTM), i.e. without any vegetation or buildings depicted, and are therefore indicative of a ‘worst case scenario’ which will not be a true reflection of the situation in reality. However, a ZTV can be usefully employed at an early stage of a setting assessment to enable assets which are outwith the theoretical viewshed of the development to be omitted from further assessment. The ZTV was created using the Ordnance Survey Landform Panorama 50m contours as a DTM, and using OpenWind GIS software. Five control points were used situated at the north, south, west and eastern extremities of the proposed overburden mound, with one at its centre. A height of 202m AOD was assigned to each of these points, being the maximum height of the proposed overburden mound (although in reality this will be graded in height towards the edges of the mound).

The resultant ZTV (Figure 1) indicates that that there would be very limited visibility of the overburden mound across much of the landscape within a c.180 °arc from the NNE to the SSE. Consequently, it was considered that there would be no visual effects to assets within the area shaded green on Figure 1, and these assets were not considered further as part of this assessment. However, the ZTV indicates that there was the potential for visual effects across much of the Cheshire Plain to the north and west.

3.3 Scheme of work The scheme of work follows the staged methodology recommended in The Setting of Heritage Assets: English Heritage Guidance (EH 2012):

3.3.1 Step 1: Identifying the heritage assets affected and their settings. This was achieved through the interrogation of English Heritage’s National Heritage

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List for England (NHLE) and downloadable GIS datasets to identify and map all designated assets within the study area. The resulting constraints map was overlaid with the ZTV in GIS in order to identify any assets which were outwith the viewsheds of the overburden mound. As this was to be the most dominant visual aspect of the scheme proposal, and would take up much of the area of the development, it was considered that any assets outwith the ZTV for this prominent feature would be unlikely to result in visual effects, and could therefore be omitted from further assessment.

Site visits were undertaken to ‘ground-truth’ the results of the ZTV, and to identify any assets which were within the ZTV, but where in reality any visual effects would be screened by intervening vegetation, buildings or landform. The site visits also afforded an opportunity for an assessment of the nature of the settings of those assets which would progress to Steps 2 and 3..

3.3.2 Step 2: Assessing whether, how, and to what degree these settings make a contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s) Once the number of assets that required assessment had been reduced following the site visits, Step 2 of the assessment was undertaken, making reference to the attribute table reproduced in Table 1.

3.3.3 Step 3: Assessing the effect of the proposed development on the significance of the asset(s) Step 3 of the assessment was undertaken with reference to observations made during the site visits, and also utilised the photomontages that had been produced as part of the LVIA.

3.3.4 Step 4: Maximising enhancement and minimising harm Step 4 is beyond the scope of this assessment, as any proposed enhancement or mitigation will be discussed as part of the ES.

3.3.5 Step 5: Making and documenting the decision and monitoring outcomes This report documents the decision-making process with regard to the setting assessment, but the monitoring of outcomes is beyond the scope of this document.

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4 SETTING STUDY 4.1 Assessment Step 1

4.1.1 Baseline data collation The initial desk-based baseline data gathering identified that within the 10km study area there are:

20 Scheduled Monuments

33 Grade I Listed Buildings

54 Grade II* Listed Buildings

Nine Registered Park and Gardens (1 Grade I; 1 Grade II* and 7 Grade II) All of these assets are detailed in Appendix 1 and depicted on Figures 2 - 4. It should also be noted that in addition to the above there are 623 Grade II Listed Buildings within 10km of the proposed development. However, due to the large quantity of these assets, and the fact that they are not regarded as ‘assets of the highest significance’, only those within 1km of the proposed development were assessed. These are illustrated in blue on Figure 21 of the Desk Based Assessment of which this study forms an Appendix.

4.1.2 Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) The ZTV indicated that of the assets quantified above, the following were within the ZTV:

Eight Scheduled Monuments

Five Grade I Listed Buildings

14 Grade II* Listed Buildings

Five Registered Park and Gardens (1 Grade I; 1 Grade II* and 3 Grade II)

4.1.3 Site visits Site visits across the study area to ‘ground-truth’ the results of the ZTV were undertaken on 6 th and 7 th of March 2013. It was not possible to visit every asset, as a number of these were on private property and not publicly accessible, nevertheless, in many cases it was possible to ascertain from beyond the limits of the asset that views of the proposed development would not be possible or else would be highly unlikely and/or restricted. Use was also made of on-line resources such as Google Maps and Google Street View which provided further details regarding the topography and townscape in the vicinity of the assessed assets. Unfortunately the weather during the site visits was damp and misty which restricted long distance views, and therefore it was not always possible to confirm with certainty whether views of the Great Oak site would be possible from all of the assets. Many of the assets that were within the ZTV were eliminated from further assessment due to the presence of screening which prevented views towards the

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proposals. Details of these are provided in the Gazetteers in Appendix 1. Those assets which were still considered to have the potential for views of the proposals are discussed further below.

4.2 Assessment Steps 2 & 3 Those assets which could not be eliminated during Assessment Step 1 were progressed to Assessment Steps 2 and 3, and a discussion of each asset is provided below. This section also addresses potential impacts to the Wedgewood Monument, Joddrell Bank and Mow Cop, assets which were highlighted in English Heritage’s Scoping response.

4.2.1 The Wedgewood Monument (NHLE no. 1374392) – LB3 This monument was erected in 1845 to commemorate local colliery owner John Wedgewood following his death in 1837. He had stated in his will "I desire my body to be interred within my estate at Bignall End in a vaulted tombe at the summit of a certain field called Old Hill… and my executors do cause an obelisk or monument to be erected". Although the monument was erected as per his wishes, he was in fact interred in Audley churchyard. The monument was blown down during a gale in 1979, and has been restored to only a quarter of its height. The monument has an associative historic value with John Wedgewood and the coal mining heritage of the area, and also an aesthetic value as it is still a prominent landmark despite its reduced height. Views from the monument are extensive and look out over the former locations of Wedgewood’s mines around Audley and Bignall End. The proposed development will have an adverse impact on the setting of this asset, marring views both from and to it, and diminishing its aesthetic value and hence its significance. However, in mitigation UK Coal proposes to deliver some adjacent public access improvements to the monument as part of the restoration works. Further to this, it is proposed to establish a community fund based upon a levy on the coal tonnage and UK Coal consider that this could be used as a catalyst for obtaining grant aid for restoration/improvements to the monument. Whilst the adverse effects of the development proposal would be temporary and reversible, the beneficial effects of such a restoration would be long-term, and this would result in a planning benefit of the proposed development outweighing the impact.

4.2.2 The Castle, Mow Cop (NHLE no.1162028) The Castle on the natural eminence of Mow Cop is a folly built as a summer house in 1754. It was evidently placed at this location to take advantage of the dramatic 360 ° views across Cheshire and Staffordshire, as well as becoming a prominent landmark in its own right which is visible for many miles in the surrounding landscape. As such, whilst there may be a certain evidential and historical value to this asset, it is the

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largely aesthetic value which provides the asset with its significance. Due to poor visibility it was difficult to assess conclusively whether the proposed development would be visible from the vicinity of The Castle. However, a bearing was taken from the Castle towards the Great Oak site, and this confirmed that the view in this direction is largely blocked by the rocky outcrop on the summit of Mow Cop (Figure 23). Whilst views towards the development might be possible from some points on the summit of Mow Cop, it is likely that these would be limited to small areas. Furthermore, as the development would be over 6km distant from this asset, any views would not be prominent, and it would be seen only in clear visibility, and as part of the wider landscape. Consequently it is concluded that it is unlikely that there would be any loss of significance to this asset as a result of the development proposals.

4.2.3 Sir Bernard Lovell Telescope, Joddrell Bank (NHLE no.1038613) This Grade I Listed Building was originally built during 1952-57, and was the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world of its time. As well as being a working scientific instrument used for observations on a daily basis at the Joddrell Bank Cenre for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, it is also the centrepiece of the Joddrell Bank Discovery Centre, and has become a tourist attraction as well as a prominent landmark within the surrounding landscape. The associative historical value of the telescope with Sir Bernard Lovell and the history of astronomy contributes the asset’s significance, although as an iconic building and landmark, it also has a lesser aesthetic value. There is also a communal value ascribed to the telescope by the scientific community which perhaps endows it with its greatest significance. Although the Jodrell Bank site is within the ZTV, it has a rural setting, and long distance views to the south are screened by nearby farm buildings and trees (Figure 24). Furthermore, as the Great Oak site is more than 18km distant, it is considered that there would be no visual effects upon the telescope. However, as the radio telescope is sensitive to electrical signals, there is concern that development in its vicinity might interfere with its observations if caught within its target area. Consequently, a statutory 10km Consultation Zone is in place providing a buffer within which any proposed developments are notified to the Director of the Observatory, so that they can be co-ordinated. As the Great Oak proposals are outwith the Consultation Zone, there is no statutory responsibility to consult with the observatory over the proposals. However, as there is the potential for a loss of significance of this asset, albeit temporary, should electrical equipment associated with mining activity interfere with the scientific explorations of the telescope, it is recommended that UK Coal consult with the University of Manchester in order to allay any concerns, and to co-ordinate any mitigation that is deemed necessary.

4.2.4 Church of St. James, Audley (NHLE no.1038613) This Grade II* Church is significant for the evidential value of its architecture, as well as its communal value as a place of worship. The setting of the church also has an

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associative value with the personage of John Wedgewood, the local colliery owner who is commemorated by the Wedgewood Monument which was erected in 1845 following his death in 1837. This is located due east of the church, on the prominent hill top of Old Hill, although he was interred in the church yard rather than in a vaulted tomb beneath the monument as he had requested in his will. The aesthetic value of the view towards this monument will be compromised during the operational phase of the mine, and up until restoration is complete. However, this would be a temporary effect, and it would be possible to off-set this with mitigation, should the Wedgewood Monument be restored to its original height (see above).

4.2.5 Castle Hill Motte, Audley (NHLE no.1011071) This Scheduled Monument is located on a natural plateau a little over 1km to the west of the Great Oak site, and is a defensive earthwork dating to the Norman period ( c. 11 th – 13 th centuries). Of over 600 motte and motte and bailey castles nationally, only 100 - 150 examples exist that do not have an adjoining bailey, and therefore this is a relatively rare type. Its list entry states that it is of particular importance ‘ because its short period of occupancy and its early abandonment in the 13 th century will have ensured that these early deposits have not been greatly disturbed by later buildings on the site’. The significance of this asset therefore derives largely from the evidential value of the buried deposits, features and artefacts which are contained within the scheduled area. However, the asset also has a lesser illustrative historical value with regard to its topographic location, as it situated upon a locally prominent, easily defended knoll. It should be noted that views towards the proposed development area from the scheduled monument are largely screened by vegetation (Figure 6), and its situation adjacent to the main ‘B road’ through the centre of Audley means that traffic noise is a feature of its setting. Whilst glimpsed views of the development might be possible during the winter when the leaves are off, and there might be an increase in noise pollution, these will be temporary effects, and it is not considered that these will result in changes to setting which would result in a loss of significance of the asset. The photomontage produced as part of the LVIA for the scheme (Viewpoint F) shows the predicted view beyond the vegetation to the east of the monument. This indicates that the overburden mound would project slightly above the horizon resulting in a temporary change in landform. However, this is not considered to be a key view from the asset, and as discussed above, this view would be largely screened by vegetation from within the scheduled area.

4.2.6 Hullock’s Pool Farmhouse (NHLE no.1374409) – LB1 This Grade II Listed Building is situated 950m to the west of the Great Oak site and is within the ZTV. Substantial screening is provided on the eastern side of the building by adjacent farm buildings, and a row of mature trees, and consequently it is considered unlikely that there would be any views of the development. The significance of the building derives from the evidential value of its internal architecture, which dates back to the 16 th and 17 th centuries, and this significance

Page | 14 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

will not be diminished as a result of the development proposals.

4.2.7 Mile Post at Grid Reference SK 805 510 – LB2 This early 19 th century mile post is situated c.630m to the south-west of the Great Oak site on New Road in Bignall End. Its significance resides in its evidential and historic values for illustrating the development and later history and maintenance of the turnpike system. Although the Great Oak site will be visible on the horizon from the road adjacent to this asset, this temporary visual effect would not detract from its significance.

4.2.8 Harecastle Farmhouse (NHLE no.1374407) – LB4 This farmhouse dates to c.1600, and its significance derives from the evidential value of its architecture and the historical value of the building as a fine example of an early post-medieval farmstead. The farmhouse has now been redeveloped as a restaurant, resulting in a slight loss of historic value. Although this building is within the ZTV, in reality views towards the Great Oak development would be screened by the mature trees which line the western side of the A34 Newcastle Road, c.175m to the west, and therefore there would be no loss of significance as a result of the development proposals.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This assessment comprises the collated baseline data for designated assets within 10km of the Great Oak site, and a subsequent stage of field visits in order to ground- truth the results of the ZTV, and to carry out further detailed assessments of settings of the identified assets.

The assessment has concluded that the development proposals would be outwith the settings of most of the assets identified within this study area, and consequently these assets were eliminated from further assessment. However, there would be changes to the settings of a number of assets, and an assessment was made of each of these to address whether these changes would result in a loss of significance.

The assessment has concluded that the development proposals would have an impact upon the Grade II Listed Wedgwood Monument which would result in a loss of significance, although this would be a temporary effect and would be reversible. However, there is the opportunity to mitigate this by providing a beneficial long term effect that would outweigh the temporary impact through the restoration of the Monument to its former size. UK Coal consider that this could be achieved through utilising a community fund based on a levy on the coal tonnage from the scheme as a basis for obtaining grant aid for restoration/improvements. UK Coal also proposes to provide some adjacent public access improvements to the Monument as part of the restoration scheme, details of which will be provided in an Environmental

Page | 15 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Statement.

There would also be changes to the setting of Audley Church, although any resulting loss of significance would be slight, temporary and reversible. There is also the potential for a beneficial effect here, should the Wedgwood Monument be restored, as this would add to the associative value of the church with the local colliery owner.

It is possible that the development could result in a temporary loss of significance to the Sir Bernard Lovell Telescope at Joddrell Bank, should electrical signals from the mine workings interfere with the scientific observations of the telescope, although this is considered unlikely as the development would be outwith the 10km Consultation Zone, and it is thought likely that the proposals would be too distant to cause any noticeable effect. Nevertheless, it is recommended that consultations are undertaken with the Observatory to ascertain whether there would be any adverse effects, so that these can be managed.

Although there would be slight changes to the setting of Castle Hill Motte at Audley, it is not considered that this would result in a loss of significance.

5 STATEMENTS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 5.1 Publicity, Confidentiality and Copyright Any publicity will be handled by the client.

Archaeological Research Services Ltd will retain the copyright of all documentary and photographic material under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act (1988).

5.2 Statement of Indemnity All statements and opinions contained within this report arising from the works undertaken are offered in good faith and compiled according to professional standards. No responsibility can be accepted by the author/s of the report for any errors of fact or opinion resulting from data supplied by any third party, or for loss or other consequence arising from decisions or actions made upon the basis of facts or opinions expressed in any such report(s), howsoever such facts and opinions may have been derived.

5.3 Acknowledgements Archaeological Research Services Ltd would like thank David Green of UK Coal for commissioning the work, the landowners and their agents at the Great Oak site for allowing access, Alan Taylor at English Heritage for his advice, Keith Hampshire of ESP limited for sight of the photomontages, and Jenna Conway, Kate Newsum-Smith and Simon Heaton at Heaton Planning for their assistance.

Page | 16 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

6 REFERENCES

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2010. Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment . London, The Stationery Office.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2010. PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide . London, The Stationery Office.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2012. National Planning Policy Framework. London, The Stationery Office

English Heritage, 2011. The Setting of Heritage Assets: English Heritage Guidance

Page | 17 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF DESIGNATED ASSETS

Page | 18 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

SCHEDULED MONUMENTS Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site SJ 87217 6.5km to 1003720 Etruscan Bone Mill, Etruria 46826 SE Outwith the ZTV Bowl barrow north of SJ 85955 10.2 to 1009315 Hargreaves Wood 41709 SSE Outwith the ZTV Site of Old Madeley Manor: a moated site with late 16th SJ 77361 9.4km to 1009769 century house, gardens and a 42368 SW watermill Outwith the ZTV Anglo-Scandinavian cross in SJ 87887 8.5km to 1012667 St Peter's churchyard 45168 SE Outwith the ZTV Motte and bailey castle 100m SJ 84398 5.6km to 1020853 and 200m south of St Mary's 46029 SE School Outwith the ZTV Icehouse with associated SJ 84051 7.8KM to 1018705 iceyard at Great Moreton 59491 SSW Hall, 70m east of the hall Outwith the ZTV Canopied tomb in St Mary's SJ 84645 10km to 1017059 churchyard 61568 NNE Outwith the ZTV SJ 88378 5.6km to 1015947 Chatterley Whitfield colliery 53277 WNW Outwith the ZTV Standing cross in St Mary's SJ 84602 9.9km to 1020625 churchyard 61556 NE Outwith the ZTV Motte and bailey castle 100m SJ 84425 5.7km to 1020853 and 200m south of St Mary's 45940 SE School Outwith the ZTV Hulton Abbey: a Cistercian SJ 90575 8km to 1021284 monastery adjacent to Leek 49077 ESE Road, Abbey Hulton Outwith the ZTV Ringwork castle in Bailey's SJ 88938 9.9km to 1014690 Wood 59476 NE Outwith the ZTV Within the ZTV, but in reality there is substantial screening of views to the north by SJ 82119 1.1 km to 1003719 Springwood blast furnace surrounding vegetation and 49915 S adjacent buildings (Figure 5), which would prevent views of the development

Page | 19 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site Within the ZTV, but views towards the development would be largely screened by the vegetation that has grown SJ 79938 on its eastern side. However, 1011071 Castle Hill motte 1km to W 51036 some glimpsed views of the development could be possible, especially in winter when the vegetation is not in leaf (Figures 6 and 7) This asset is just within the ZTV, but in reality, the views Little Moreton Hall moated towards Great Oak are most SJ 83233 7km to 1011879 site and outlying prospect likely to be screened by the 58925 SSW mound intervening block of woodland c.250m to the SSW of the Hall (Figure 8) This asset is within the ZTV, but at this distance, any views of the mine would only SJ 83699 10km to perceptible in clear weather. 1014116 Roman camp at Bent Farm 61939 SSW There is also some screening afforded by trees in nearby fields in the direction of Great Oak (Figure 9). Partially within the ZTV, but this asset has largely been SJ 77236 5.8km to colonised by trees, therefore 1011070 Heighley Castle 46748 SW long-distance views towards Great Oak are unlikely. Not visited. Although within the ZTV, in reality the church yard is in the urban environment of Early medieval sculptural SJ 75923 10.4km Sandbach and also screened by 1016853 fragments in St Mary's 60768 to NNW trees, and therefore views churchyard towards the development would not be possible (Figure 10) Although within the ZTV, in reality the crosses are situated within the market square in Sandbach Anglo-Saxon SJ 75878 10.4km 1011144 the urban environment of crosses 60826 to NNW Sandbach, and therefore views towards Great Oak would not be possible (Figure 10).

Page | 20 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site Although within the ZTV, in reality the church yard is in the Standing medieval cross 10m urban environment of SJ 75945 10.4km 1016852 south of the nave of St Mary's Sandbach and also screened by 60756 to NNW Church trees, and therefore views towards Great Oak would not be possible

Page | 21 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

LISTED BUILDINGS (Grade I within 10km) Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site CHURCH OF ST MARGARET, SJ 75563 6.1km to 1038581 Bentley 48459 SW Outwith ZTV CHURCH OF ST MARY, SJ 84623 9.9km to 1138740 Congleton 61527 NNE Outwith ZTV SJ 81090 9.7km to 1206579 WHITMORE HALL, Whitmore 41266 S Outwith ZTV CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS, SJ 77301 7.7km to 1206195 Madeley 44377 SW Outwith ZTV Within the ZTV, but in reality the churchyard is enclosed by THE CHURCH OF ST SJ 76761 4.3km to 1330063 trees which would prevent any BERTOLINE, Bathomley 52378 W long distance views towards the proposed mine (Figure 12) Within the ZTV, but in reality there are industrial buildings SJ 73304 8.1km to immediately to the south-east 1138666 CREWE HALL 54021 WNW which screen any long distance views towards the proposed mine (Figure 14) This asset is just within the ZTV, but in reality, the views towards Great Oak are most SJ 83249 7km to 1161988 LITTLE MORETON HALL likely to be screened by the 58922 the SSW intervening block of woodland c.250m to the SSW of the Hall (Figure 8) SJ 74836 7.6km to 1136283 HASLINGTON HALL 55933 NW This asset is just within the ZTV

(Grade II* within 10km) Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site PROSPECT TOWER AND SJ 89677 7.8km to 1037810 ATTACHED WING 55341 SW Outwith the ZTV SJ 89234 9.9km to 1037835 BIDDULPH GRANGE 59207 NE Outwith the ZTV SJ 88444 7.4km to 1074943 KNYPERSLEY HALL 56391 NE Outwith the ZTV EGYPTIAN PORTAL AND TWO SJ 89323 9.9km to 1037838 PAIRS OF SPHINXES 59155 NE Outwith the ZTV

Page | 22 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site RAMSDELL HALL INCLUDING SJ 84274 6.5km to 1138715 FORMER STABLE BLOCK 58093 SSE Outwith the ZTV SJ 81890 5.3km to 1138746 RODE HALL 57336 N Outwith the ZTV SJ 83947 7.8km to 1138736 GREAT MORETON HALL 59493 NNE Outwith the ZTV BARN AT LITTLE MORETON SJ 83318 7km to 1138748 HALL FARM 58903 NNE Outwith the ZTV CANOPIED TOMB OF A MEMBER OF THE VENABLES SJ 84635 9.9km to 1161887 FAMILY IN CHURCHYARD OF 61552 NNE ST MARY AT NGR 8463 6158 Outwith the ZTV SJ 82164 3.7km to 1161743 CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS 55759 N Outwith the ZTV MODEL FARM COMPLEX SJ 75138 6.3km to 1188395 SOUTH WEST OF BETLEY OLD 49011 SW HALL Outwith the ZTV CHURCH OF ST LAWRENCE SJ 88996 1189902 AND COFFIN LIDS AND 9.6km 59015 BENCHES ON SOUTH SIDE Outwith the ZTV SJ 87215 6.5km to 1195818 ETRUSCAN BONE MILL 46825 SE Outwith the ZTV FORMER WEDGWOOD SJ 86866 4.3km to 1195840 INSTITUTE (PUBLIC LIBRARY) 49748 SE Outwith the ZTV SJ 88254 6.7km to 1195837 ODEON CINEMA 47476 SE Outwith the ZTV CHURCH OF THE HOLY SJ 86545 6.8km to 1195800 TRINITY 45835 SE Outwith the ZTV SJ 82402 5.5km to 1161954 CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS 57481 N Outwith the ZTV SJ 85640 4.5km to 1196517 CHURCH OF ST MARGARET 48062 SE Outwith the ZTV FORD GREEN HALL AND SJ 88739 5.9km to 1220313 ATTACHED WALL AND 50860 E DOVECOTE Outwith the ZTV SJ 85059 5.6km to 1219946 CHURCH OF ST GEORGE 46336 SE Outwith the ZTV CHURCH OF ST MARY AND SJ 81034 9.9km to 1280181 ALL SAINTS 41032 S Outwith the ZTV SJ 84678 5.7km to 1297603 CHURCH OF ST GILES 46050 SSE Outwith the ZTV

Page | 23 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site SJ 82092 4.2km to 1330044 ASHBANK FARMHOUSE 56260 N Outwith the ZTV SJ 84669 9.8km to 1309873 GLEBE FARMHOUSE 61493 NNE Outwith the ZTV SJ 83189 8.8km to 1353782 CHURCH OF ST THOMAS 42242 S Outwith the ZTV CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE SJ 80983 5.7km to 1377612 BAPTIST 45218 S Outwith the ZTV SJ 81969 6.1km to 1377615 KEELE HALL 44769 S Outwith the ZTV SJ 77344 7.5km to 1206169 THE OLD HALL 44628 NE Outwith the ZTV PITHEAD BATHS AND SJ 88358 5.8km to 1260223 CANTEEN AT CHATTERLEY 53428 ENE WHITFIELD COLLIERY Outwith the ZTV SJ 86923 4.4km to 1220792 No name for this Entry 49861 ESE Outwith the ZTV NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE SJ 88007 7.7km to 1290251 HOTEL 45691 SE Outwith the ZTV BETLEY COURT, DOVECOTE, SJ 75350 6.4km to 1038584 AND FORECOURT WALLS AND 48398 WSW GATES Outwith the ZTV MIDDLEPORT POTTERY SJ 86048 3.8km to 1297939 (BURGESS AND LEIGH) 49321 SE Outwith the ZTV SJ 81035 9.6km to 1027845 OLD STABLE BLOCK 41258 S Outwith the ZTV CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE SJ 88359 6.6km to 1210680 EVANGELIST 47868 SE Outwith the ZTV OLD TOWN HALL (BURSLEM SJ 86832 4.3km to 1195811 RECREATION CENTRE) 49844 ESE Outwith the ZTV PRICE AND KENSINGTON SJ 85777 3.4km to 1290799 TEAPOT WORKS 49728 SE Outwith the ZTV SJ 87964 7.7km to 1210928 STOKE ON TRENT STATION 45658 SE Outwith the ZTV SJ 86909 5.8km to 1291071 THE ROUND HOUSE 47305 SE Outwith the ZTV BETHESDA METHODIST SJ 88228 6.8km to 1195821 CHAPEL 47351 SE Outwith the ZTV

Page | 24 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site On the edge of the ZTV, but in reality any views towards the proposed mine would be SJ 75202 6.25 to 1038588 BETLEY OLD HALL screened by the mature trees 49066 SW and vegetation which surround the fish pond c.50m to the east. Just within the ZTV, with possible distant views of the overburden mound to the BUTTERTON GRANGE SJ 84308 9.2km to north. It is considered that any 1027842 FARMHOUSE 42111 SSE views at this distance would only be seen on a clear day, and would be seen as party of the wider landscape. Within the ZTV, but the church itself is surrounded by mature trees. However, there are SJ 79894 1.2km to 1038613 CHURCH OF ST JAMES various locations within the 50888 WSW church yard where clear views of the Great Oak site are possible (Figure 13). Within the ZTV, but in reality views towards the proposed mine would be screened by the large buildings industrial estate/business park which is FORMER STABLES AT CREWE SJ 73243 8.3km to 1138667 located c.200m to the east. HALL 53999 WNW Key views towards the former stables are from the SE, and therefore the mine would not be within the same arc of view (Figure 14). Just within the ZTV, but in reality the Inn is within the urban environment of the SJ 76763 4.4km to village of Barthomley, and 1138700 THE WHITE LION INN 52431 W views towards Great Oak would be screened by the surrounding vegetation and buildings (Figure 15)

Page | 25 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site Within the ZTV, but in reality views towards the proposed mine would be screened by the mature trees which surround thee church yard. THE CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL, SJ 72693 9.3km to There are some views possible 1138674 CREWE GREEN 55360 NW to the SE from the edge of the church yard, but these are screened by nearby trees and buildings (Figure 16), and it is unlikely that Great Oak would be visible. Within the ZTV, with possible clear views towards the overburden mound, although some screening would be afforded by the hedgerows SJ 71456 9.8km to and trees in the vicinity of the 1138514 LEA HALL, DEN LANE 48925 WSW hall. It is considered that any views that are possible would only be visible in clear weather, and would be barely noticeable at this great distance. Within the ZTV, but in reality any views eastwards towards the proposed mine would be SJ 73338 7.9km to 1312453 HOLLYHEDGE FARMHOUSE largely screened by the mature 53112 WNW trees within the garden on the eastern side of the farmhouse (Figure 17). Just within the ZTV, but in reality views towards the SJ 73257 9.3km to proposed mine would be likely 1312600 CHECKLEY HALL 46187 SW to be largely screened by the surrounding farm buildings, hedges and trees. On the edge of the ZTV, but in reality any views towards the proposed mine would be SJ 76800 4.3km to 1374892 HALL O' THE WOOD screened by the mature trees 50426 W and vegetation which surround the fish pond immediately to the east of the hall.

Page | 26 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Distance Notes NHL No. Name NGR from site Within the ZTV, but in reality because the church is situated within the urban environment SJ 78893 4.4km to of Alsager, any views towards 1138754 CHURCH OF CHRIST, ALSAGER 55664 NW the proposed mine would be screened by the intervening buildings and vegetation (Figure 19). Within the ZTV, but in reality any views eastwards towards DEAN HILL FARMHOUSE SJ 78084 8.1km to the proposed mine would be 1161710 WEST 59423 NNE largely screened by the trees and farm buildings c.50m to the SE. Within the ZTV with possible clear views towards the proposed mine. However, the SJ 76386 4.9km to trees surrounding the village of 1138707 CHURCHFIELD FARMHOUSE 52675 WNW Barthomley to the ESE afford screening which might prevent any views of Great Oak (Figure 20). Within the ZTV although the trees surrounding the garden HASSALL HALL AND HASSALL SJ 77075 6.8km to 1161774 are likely to screen all but HALL FARMHOUSE 57317 NW occasional glimpsed views towards the proposed mine.

Page | 27 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

REGISTERED PARKS AND GARDENS

NHL No. Name NGR Distance Notes from site

1001590 VICTORIA PARK, TUNSTALL SJ 86536 3.5km to Outwith the ZTV. (Grade II) 51569 E

1001329 BURSLEM PARK (Grade II) SJ 87397 4.5km to Outwith the ZTV. 50167 E

1001690 HARTSHILL CEMETERY (ALSO SJ 86396 7.1km to Outwith the ZTV. KNOWN AS STOKE 45350 SE CEMETERY) (Grade II)

1001328 HANLEY PARK (Grade II) SJ 88299 7.3 km to Outwith the ZTV. 46368 SE

Partially within the ZTV, with possible views towards the propose overburden mound of the proposed mine from various locations within the SJ 73273 7.2km to designated area. However, the 1000124 CREWE HALL (Grade II) 53570 WNW key surviving vista is the tree- lined south approach to the hall, which would not included any views towards the proposed mine in its arc of view.

Only a small area at the very eastern extremity of the registered area is within the ZTV, and this comprises the SJ 89646 9.6km to 1000115 BIDDULPH GRANGE (Grade I) dense woodland of Spring 59145 NE Wood where any distant views towards the proposed mine would not be possible. Not visited.

Page | 28 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

Largely outwith the ZTV, but some small areas along the northern edge and the central parts of the designated area lie within it. However, there are numerous ornamental plantations within the northern area of the park and in Keele Golf course immediately to the north which which would screen SJ 81814 1001165 KEELE HALL (Grade II) most views towards the 44760 proposed mine, and only glimpsed views would be possible. There are clear views towards Great Oak from the roundabout immediately to the east of the designated area at the entrance to the university (Figure 21), but these are likely to be screened from within the designated area itself.

Largely outwith the ZTV, but some areas within the western and south central parts of the designated area lie within it. However, there are numerous SJ 81737 4.9km to 1000644 RODE HALL (Grade II) ornamental plantations within 57422 N the parkland which would screen most views towards the proposed mine, and only glimpsed views would be possible (Figure 22).

Largely outwith the ZTV, but some discrete areas fall within it. However, much of the designated area comprises plantations which would screen most if not all views TRENTHAM GARDENS (Grade SJ 86170 9.8km to towards the proposed mine, 1001168 II*) 40027 SSE and the key vista from the designed gardens is southwards towards the ornamental lake. This is not towards the proposed mine, and this area of the gardens is outwith the ZTV.

Page | 29 A Setting Study for the Great Oak Coal Prospect, Bignall End, Staffordshire

APPENDIX 2: FIGURES

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