Archaeology Wales

Hillside School, Blaenavon ASIDOHL

By Philip Poucher

Report No. 1158

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

Hillside School, Blaenavon

ASIDOHL

Edited by: Authorised by: Signed: Signed:

Position: Position:

Date: Date:

By Philip Poucher

Report No. 1158

Date: September 2013

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

Summary 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 ASIDOHL layout 1

2. ASIDOHL STAGE 1 2 2.1 The Proposed Development 2 2.2 The Site 2 2.3 Previous Assessments 2 2.4 Planning Policy Context 3 2.5 Limitations 5 2.6 Methodology 5

3. ASIDOHL STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT OF DIRECT, PHYSICAL 7 IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT 3.1 Introduction 7 3.2 Impact Assessment 7

4. ASIDOHL STAGE 3 – ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT IMPACTS 10 OF DEVELOPMENT 4.1 Introduction 10 4.2 Impact Assessment 11

5. ASIDOHL STAGE 4 – EVALUATION OF RELATIVE 25 IMPORTANCE 5.1 Introduction 25 5.2 Evaluation of the relative importance of the part of HLCA001 25 directly/indirectly affected 5.3 Evaluation of the relative importance of the part of HLCA002 27 directly/indirectly affected 5.4 Evaluation of the relative importance in the national context 29 of the HCAs directly/indirectly affected

6. ASIDOHL STAGE 5 – ASSESSMENT OF OVERALL 31 SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT 6.1 Introduction 31 6.2 Possible Mitigation 32 6.3 Conclusion 33 6.4 Bibliography 34 List of Illustrations Fig.1: Location of Site Fig.2: Plan of proposed development Fig.3: Plan of current layout within the area of proposed development Photo 1: Hillside Primary School Photo 2: Hillside Nursery School Photo 3: Recreational ground Photo 4: View down King Street (within HLCA001) overlooking site Photo 5: View form site overlooking part of HLCA001 Photo 6: View down Upper Hill Street past the site Photo 7: View north from site Photo 8: View south overlooking site Photo 9: View SE across the site Photo 10: View SW from the site towards Forgeside Photo 11: View south from the site towards Coity Mountain

Summary In July 2013 Archaeology Wales were commission to carry out an ASIDOHL to determine the potential impact of a proposed housing development within Blaenavon, which lies within the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and World Heritage Site. The proposed development site currently comprises Hillside Primary and Nursery Schools, now disused, and a recreational area, to the northeast of the central Conservation Area within Blaenavon. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 In July 2013 Archaeology Wales were commissioned to carry out an ASIDOHL to investigate the possible impact on the historic environment of a proposed housing development on the site of a former primary and nursery school on Upper Hill Street, Blaenavon, including former recreational land to the rear. The site lies within the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest (HLW (Gt) 1) and the Blaenavon World Heritage Site (WHS). As such an ASIDOHL (Assessment of the Significance of the Impact of Development On the Historic Landscape) was required to help inform the planning decision on the proposed development. ASIDOHL Layout 1.2 In assessing the impact of the proposed development guidelines are laid out in Guide to Good Practice on Using The Register Of Landscapes Of Historic Interest In Wales In The Planning And Development Process (Revised 2nd Edition) which includes revisions to the assessment process (ASIDOHL2). This guidance lays out a staged process for assessing the impacts, based on five stages.  Stage 1 consists of gathering the contextual information and provides the introduction to the report.  Stage 2 is an assessment of the direct physical impacts of the proposed development, in absolute terms, relative terms and landscape terms. Within this tables are provided to quantify these impacts and their magnitude.  Stage 3 is an assessment of the indirect impacts of the development, in terms of both indirect, physical impacts and also indirect (non-physical) visual impacts. Again tables are provided to quantify these impacts and their magnitude.  Stage 4 is an evaluation of the relative importance of the Historic Character Area directly and/or indirectly affected by the proposed development. This is done in relation to the whole of the Historic Character Area concerned and the whole of the historic landscape area on the Register, followed by an evaluation of the relative importance of the Historic Character Area concerned in the national context.  Stage 5 is an assessment of the overall significance of the impact. This combines stages 2 and 4 to produce an assessment of the overall significance of the impact of the proposed development and the affect that altering the Historic Character Area has on the whole of the historic landscape area on the Register. This stage also includes an examination of mitigation or positive benefits and a concluding statement. Further guidance on the general assessment of the Cultural Heritage and the potential impacts of development on the Cultural Heritage is included within the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Vol.11, Section 3, Part 2. Both were used within this assessment.

ASIDOHL STAGE 1 2.1 The Proposed Development (Figure 2) The proposed development consists of terraced, semi-detached and detached housing and apartments, two storeys high, with small gardens and parking bays, connected by several new parking streets and interspersed with area of planted tree cover and small open spaces. This covers an area of c.1.7 hectares. The main vehicular access to the site will be from Upper Hill Street. These works are likely to include enabling works, such as installation of contractor’s compound, construction of access roads, parking areas, storage areas, borrow pits and associated services. As well as landscaping and terracing works, topsoil stripping, foundation excavation, the construction of roads and infrastructure; and service installation.

2.2 The Site Blaenavon is situated on the south-west slope of the Blorenge Mountain at the head of the Afon Lwyd - the most eastern of the South Wales valleys. The eastern ridge of the South Wales coalfield outcrops on this hillside and coal, iron ore, fire clay and limestone are all easily accessible. Most of the town lies between 310m and 370m above sea level. Blaenavon is unusual in the Valleys as being a single definable settlement, not linked by urban valley sprawl, and for having key commercial streets running up the hill slope and not parallel to the valley bottom. The area of proposed development itself consists of Hillside Primary school and the adjacent Hillside Nursery school, both fronting Upper Hill Street in Blaenavon (Figures 1 & 3). The proposed development site extents westwards behind these buildings to incorporate a landscaped area behind that is now a concrete recreational area with a small built football pitch and surrounding scrub and patches of long grass, set within a wider area of grass scrub crossed by tarmacked footpaths. Hillside school is an early 20th century red-brick structure (built at some point between 1901 and 1920), with a small playground and some small ancillary structures, the school itself is disused and boarded up and there is currently no access to the site. Similarly the adjacent nursery school is disused and boarded up and consists of a mid-20th century (built at some point between 1938 and 1962) single-storey structure with small grounds. Upper Hill Street rises to the north and the area in general occupies a southward facing hill-slope with land also falling away to the west to the rear of the school. Upper Hill Street forms the eastern boundary to the proposed site, fronted on its eastern side (outside the area of proposed development) by rows of 19th century terraced housing. Modern (post-1989) detached dwellings form the north-eastern boundary. The southern and south- western boundary is formed by the rear gardens and property boundaries to mixed 19th century and 20th century terraced and semi-detached housing along Queen Street and Old Queen Street. The remainder of the northern boundary is formed by the main tarmacked footpath through a small area of open scrubby grassland, with the open area extending beyond, itself bounded by modern (built at some point in the 1960s or 1970s) apartment blocks to the north, and a large 19th century building and church to the west. The south-western corner of the site borders the Blaenavon Conservation Area.

2.3 Previous Assessments The industrial landscape of Blaenavon has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site since 2000 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and included in the Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest, published by Cadw, CCW and ICOMOS UK in 1998. As such, detailed research has been undertaken into the history and development of the area, a list of the projects and studies undertaken in this area can be found in the Bibliography and Appendices of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011 – 2016 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site Partnership 2011). There has been no specific previous archaeological assessment examining the site of this proposed development but lying as it does within the Blaenavon Area of Outstanding Historic Interest (HLW (Gt) 1) this immediate vicinity, including the site of the proposed development has been further assessed as the Historic Landscape Character Area 002 Blaenavon Urban Extension. The area has also been assessed as part of Landmap, which includes an assessment of the geological landscape (Mynydd Garn Clochdy (TRFNGL020) Upland valley slope), the landscape habitat ((TRFNLH006) Residential/Green Space), the visual and sensory (Blaenavon (TRFNVS031) Urban), the cultural landscape (Blaenafon Town (TRFNCL897) Sense of Place) and the Historic Landscape (HL016 Blaenavon (TRFNHL016) Nucleated Settlement). The Industrial Landscape of Blaenavon was inscribed as a World Heritage Site on the basis that it was of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. It was recognised by UNESCO that: ‘The area around Blaenavon bears eloquent and exceptional testimony to the pre- eminence of South Wales as the world’s major producer of iron and coal in the nineteenth century. It is a remarkably complete example of a nineteenth century landscape’. Taken from the ICOMOS report to the World Heritage Committee in November 2000, as reproduced in the management plan 2011. It was inscribed for two Criterions: - Criterion C (iii): The Blaenavon Landscape constitutes an exceptional illustration in material form of the social and economic structure of 19th century industry. - Criterion C (iv): The components of the Blaenavon Landscape together make up an outstanding and remarkably complete example of a 19th century industrial landscape.

2.4 Planning Policy Context National Policies relating to archaeology and cultural heritage include the following:  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  Welsh Office Circular 60/96: Planning & the Historic Environment: Archaeology.  Welsh Office Circular 61/96: Planning & the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas.  Welsh Office Circular 1/98: Planning and the historic environment: directions by the Secretary of State for Wales.

Planning policies relevant to work within the urban area of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, within which this proposed develop lies, are laid out in the local government (Torfaen County Borough Council) supplementary planning guidance document – Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Design Guide (April 2011), specifically sections 1.4 Planning Policy Context, 1.5 Comprehensive Design Principles and 1.6 Local Development Plan. This document has been adopted as supplementary planning guidance to the Adopted Local Plan (ALP) (2000). There is also a Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011-2016, drawn up by the Blaenavon World Heritage Site Partnership, led by Torfaen County Borough Council who are responsible for the co-ordination of the WHS. The Primary aim of the Partnership is to ‘protect this cultural landscape so that future generations may understand the outstanding contribution that South Wales made to the Industrial Revolution. By the presentation and promotion of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape it is intended to increase cultural tourism, provide educational opportunities and change perceptions of this area to assist the economic regeneration’. The ALP states: Torfaen [County Borough Council] has adopted planning policies designed to ensure that historic buildings are preserved and enhanced, that the special character of Conservation Areas is protected, and good design is a priority in all other areas, particularly within the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historical Interest which the BILWHS (Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site) falls within. Particular emphasis should be placed on the values of the World Heritage Site as identified in the Blaenavon WHS Management Plan and the Draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Values for which the World Heritage Site was designated. The ALP contains a number of policies aimed at protecting the appearance of the historic environment and important landscapes and enhancing its visual, architectural and historic character. These include: -Policies H1 and H2 which protect Conservation Areas through controls on development and demolition, or part demolition of any building or feature. -Policies H3 and H4 control development that affects Listed buildings and their settings -Policy H5 controls development on, or adjoining a Scheduled Ancient Monument. -Policy H6 covers both nationally and locally important archaeological remains, and where required, expects field evaluations and rescue of remains. -Policy H7 states: ‘Development proposals which are of such a scale that they would adversely affect or visually impinge upon the overall integrity of the Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest at Blaenavon will not be permitted’ The Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011-2016 states, in section 3.3 Preservation of Character that: A prime responsibility of the Management Plan is to protect the essential values and character of the World Heritage Site. The size of the World Heritage Site and the diversity and the condition of the monuments, buildings and landscape present a substantial challenge. The challenge is increased by the fact that approximately 7,000 persons live within the site and that physical, social and economic change are inevitable and necessary if the area is to have a sustainable future. A degree of balance therefore

is necessary in the protection of the features of the site both built and natural. There has to be acceptance of some changes while the authenticity of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and listed buildings and Conservation Areas must be actively conserved. Some flexibility however needs to be allowed in planning and detailed design to allow communities within the World Heritage Site to enjoy 21st century standards and indeed to begin to grow again. The area has changed from an industrial community into a post industrial society. The former noise, dirt and tightly knit work and social patterns and activities of a monolithic industrial society have changed. New jobs, new homes including increasing use of motor vehicles, new shopping and leisure patterns all need to be accommodated in a sustainable manner while protecting the essential values of the site. 2.5 Limitations This site lies within a World Heritage Site, therefore it can be argued that any identified Historic Landscape, Archaeological Remains, Historic Building or Cultural Heritage Asset becomes of the highest significance. This however would necessarily provide a barrier to any development within the World Heritage Site, as a result the Local Government have provided supplementary planning guidance, see above. This highlights the need to preserve and enhance the historic buildings within the Conservation Area, but also the need to accept development of good design in areas outside the Conservation Area but within the landscape area on the Register. Clearly recent development has been undertaken and is still being undertaken within these areas, such as the Blaenavon Community Campus less than 200m to the east. The proposed development is illustrated in Figure 2, however the construction materials and locations of temporary elements of the development (construction compounds, access routes) are not yet known. 2.6 Methodology This ASIDOHL was carried out by Philip Poucher, Project Manager at Archaeology Wales using the guidelines and methodology set out in the Guide to Good Practice on Using the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales in the Planning and Development Process Revised 2nd edition (Cadw and CCW 2007). A full examination of all available information has been undertaken and site visits undertaken in September 2013.

Photo 1: Hillside Primary School, viewed from Upper Hill Street.

Photo 2: Hillside Nursery School, viewed from Upper Hill Street.

Photo 3: The recreational ground to the rear of Hillside Primary School (the building in the background).

ASIDOHL STAGE 2 – ASSESSMENT OF DIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT

3.1 Introduction Description and quantification of the direct, physical impacts of development on the Historic Character Area(s) affected by the proposed development. This is described and quantified in three ways: a) In absolute terms i.e. the proportion of the surface area of the HCA affected b) In relative terms i.e. the proportion of each of the key historic landscape characteristics (as identified in the Historic Landscape Characterisation report) that will be permanently lost or removed by the proposed development. c) In landscape terms, the contribution that the affected elements of the key historic landscape characteristics make to the value of the Historic Character Area as a whole. The physical impacts are each assigned a score and the overall scores for the impacts on the individual Historic Character Area are used to produce a quantified expression of the overall magnitude of direct impact on a 24 point scale. These are presented as a table for each Historic Character Area along with qualifying statements and background information.

3.2 Impact Assessment HISTORIC LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA 002 BLAENAVON URBAN EXPANSION This area represents the maximum limit of urban expansion from the end of the 19th century. The historical development can be views as late 19th and 20th century urban settlement expansion over an early industrial and agricultural landscape, largely planned although with some early organic development. The area today is predominantly characterised by council estates of varying dates from the 1930s to 1970s, although perhaps a more significant characteristic lies in the eastern part of the area relating to late 19th to early 20th century properties leading out of the town, characteristic of the upwardly mobile aspirations of the emerging middle classes during that period. A remnant agricultural landscape also lies along the southern and northern edge of the area. Characteristic building styles are described in the full descriptions included to the rear (Appendix 1).

A – In Absolute Terms The proposed development will have a direct physical impact on only one HLCA, that of HLCA002-Blaenavon Urban Extension. The entire development area consists of just under 2% of the area of the Historic Character Area. The proposed development comprises a housing development that will replace the current visible features within the boundaries of the proposed development, therefore just under 2% of the entire Historic Character Area HLCA002 will be permanently lost or removed by the proposed development.

B – In Relative Terms Hillside Primary School is the only recorded archaeological site within the proposed development area (NPRN 306452). This building is currently intact, although now disused and boarded up. Permission is sought to remove the building as part of the proposed development. The adjacent Hillside Nursery School, although not part of the main body of late 19th and early 20th century urban expansion that defines this area, forms part of the general 20th century urban development characteristic of this area. This building is also still currently intact but also disused and boarded up. This building will be removed during the proposed development. The area to the rear of the schools within the area of proposed development initially would have formed part of the remnant agricultural landscape within the character area. With the urban expansion the remnant agricultural landscape was enclosed by urban development on all sides. This urban development removed the farmstead associated with this land, leaving it as rough ground. More recent development has further divided this area into two. To the northwest the open rough ground remains, crossed by footpaths. To the south east this land has been redeveloped as a municipal recreational area, only its southern boundary remains as a traditional boundary. Therefore this area is not a characteristic element of the Historic Character Area. The current wall along Upper Hill Street will be removed, the northern boundary will remain open, rear boundaries to properties along Old Queen street will be retained, the municipal recreational area will be removed.

Using the standard categories to rate the intrinsic importance of each characteristic affected, as laid out in the ASIDOHL2 and Design Manual for Roads & Bridges, Hillside School would be classified as a Category C site, a feature of local importance. Similarly the area to the rear of the school, incorporating the recreational area and the nursery school would be a Category D site, sites and features which are of minor importance, and little value to the characteristics of the HLC. However, in this particular location this characteristic becomes an element of a World Heritage Site, and therefore it could be argued that any and all elements within that area become Category A sites – Sites and Monuments of National Importance.

C – In Landscape Terms Extrinsic importance reflects the contribution the individual elements of characteristic makes to the value of the Historic Character Area as a whole. Hillside School is part of the early 20th century urban expansion that defines this character area. Although not residential it forms part of the characteristics of a typical residential urban area, in providing increasingly important educational services for the expanding community. Therefore the extrinsic importance of Hillside School is considered to be High. The Landscape Value that is Lost is considered to be Slightly Reduced given that it is a single building within a large building stock. By contrast the remainder of this area of the proposed development retains few of the characteristics that form the Historic Character Area. The Nursery Building is a later development, boundaries laid out during that period have been lost, and land use has changed

8 in the recreational area. Therefore the landscape importance of those elements is considered Low. The Landscape Value that is Lost is considered to be Very Slightly Reduced. Table 1. ASSESSMENT OF DIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA HLCA002 BLAENAVON URBAN EXPANSION ABSOLUTE IMPACT (LOSS OF AREA) MAGNITUDE & SCORE 1.7ha, 1.8% area Very Slight – 1

Table 2.

RELATIVE AND LANDSCAPE IMPACTS (LOSS OF KNOWN ELEMENTS OR CHARACTERISTICS) & SCORES Element / % Category Magnitude Landscape Landscape Loss Value Value Effect Hillside School (A - 4) C – 2 Very Severe – 6 High – part of Slightly urban expansion Reduced – 2 - 5 Hillside Nursery (A - 4) D – 1 Very Severe – 6 Low – 2 Very Slightly Reduced – 1 Recreational (A - 4) D – 1 Very Severe – 6 Very Low – 1 Very Slightly land to the rear Reduced – 1

Calculations to determine overall magnitude Average score for relative and landscape impacts: (2+6+5+2) + (1+6+2+1) + (1+6+1+1) = 34 (or alternatively if the category is increased due to WHS status – 41). Divided by 3 = 11.3 (alternatively – 13.7) Score for overall magnitude: 11 + 1 = 12 (alternatively 15)

Table 3. OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF DIRECT PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 002 BLAENAVON URBAN EXPANSION Score Grading 12 Moderate Alternative score based on increased WHS Considerable values - 15

STAGE 3 – ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT IMPACTS OF DEVELOPMENT 4.1 Introduction Description and quantification of the indirect impacts of development on all the Historic Character Area(s) affected. A clearly defined area will be directly or physically affected by the development but a much greater area could be indirectly affected due to fragmentation or changes to the setting of features in the landscape. Changes to views of, or views from a landscape feature are also important potential impacts. This stage is divided into two categories, the first (A) assesses the indirect physical impacts, the second (B) the indirect (non-physical) visual impacts.

A – indirect, physical impacts The principal types of indirect physical impact listed in the Guide to Good Practice are: (i) An increased risk of exposure, erosion, disturbance, decay, dereliction or any other detrimental physical change to elements, during or consequent to development. (ii) Related to (i), the likelihood of increased management needs to maintain elements as, for example, through altered habitats, water levels, increased erosion, new access provision etc., during or consequent to development. (iii) The severance, fragmentation, dislocation or alteration of the functional connections between related elements, for example, a field system becomes ‘severed’ from its parent farmstead by an intervening development. (iv) The frustration or cessation of historic land use practices, for example, it becomes more difficult or impossible to manage an area in a traditional manner as a result of development. (v) The frustration of access leading to decreased opportunities for education, understanding or enjoying the amenity of elements, during or consequent to development.

B – indirect (non-physical) visual impacts The principal types of indirect (non-physical) visual impact listed in the Guide to Good Practice are (i) Visual impacts on elements from which a development can be seen (considered up to its maximum height). The impact might be on ‘views to’ or ‘views from’ these elements, and it should be assessed with reference to key historic viewpoints and essential settings. These should be considered in relation to a site’s original character and function, as well as to the vantage points and visual experience of a visitor today. (ii) Impact on the visual connections between related elements, by occlusion, obstruction, etc.

(iii) Conversely, the creation of inappropriate visual connections between elements not intended to be inter-visible originally. (iv) Visual impact of the development itself in relation to the existing historic character of the area considering:  its form — the scale, number, density, massing, distribution etc.  its appearance — the size, shape, colour, fabric etc. of its constituent features

There are 21 Historic Character Areas within the Registered Landscape. These cover a wide area but as far as can be ascertained from the available information the proposed development will impact in either a physical or non-physical (visual) way on only six Character Areas at most, which are described below.

4.2 Impact Assessment

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 001 BLAENAVON URBAN CORE A 19th century urban settlement associated with the development of the Blaenavon ironworks and related extractive industries. The built environment is predominantly characterised by industrial terraced housing and a planned street pattern with associated civic buildings, chapels and commercial centre, with important historic associations. This area forms the core of the Conservation Area. The proposed development site borders this area in two main locations, the rear boundaries of properties along Queen Street and Old Queen Street, and the terraced housing on the opposite side of Upper Hill Street. Site construction works therefore have the potential to increase the risk of disturbance to these surrounding boundaries and buildings. The main access to the site will be from Upper Hill Street therefore site traffic and subsequent increased traffic flow to these properties may affect the terraced housing along Upper Hill Street, increasing their management needs. Table 4. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 001 – BLAENAVON URBAN CORE Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Increased risk of disturbance to A (within the Conservation Slight – 2 surrounding boundaries and Area) - 4 buildings during construction. Potential increased management A (within the Conservation Slight – 2 needs to buildings along Upper Hill Area) - 4 Street. Average Score (4+2) + (4+2) divided by 2 = 6

The proposed development will be visible, or partially visible, from several points within the Historic Character Area, most notably from properties along Upper Hill Street itself which fronts the school buildings and from King Street which has a direct line of sight over the open area, recreational ground and rear of the school. None of these are regarded as key viewpoints. The compact nature of the housing stock screens the site from most of this area, including many of its important early-19th century buildings mentioned in the Character Area description and its various Listed Buildings. The development form and appearance will clearly be different to the current form and appearance, although this area is enclosed by housing and therefore the general view of this area is one of housing. Table 5. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 001 – BLAENAVON URBAN CORE Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views of the school and A (within the Conservation Slight – 2 open ground behind from points Area) - 4 within the HCA Average Score 4+2 = 6

Calculations Total: 6 + 6 = 12 To create number on a 28-point scale - (12 x 28) divided by 20 = 16.8 Table 6. OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 001 – BLAENAVON URBAN CORE Score Grading 17 Considerable

Photo 4: View down King Street, within HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core, the best view from the HLCA of the area of proposed development. Hillside School is marked, with the Blaenavon Community Campus building behind it.

Photo 5: Looking west from the northern boundary of the proposed development area towards HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core.

Photo 6: Looking down Upper Hill Street which forms the boundary between HLCA 001 and HLCA 002. On the right is fencing and walling around Hillside Primary and Nursery School, this line would mark the boundary of the proposed development area, on the left is a 19th century terraced row within HLCA001.

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 002 BLAENAVON URBAN EXTENSION Late 19th and 20th century urban settlement, largely planned although with some early organic development. Characterised by large middle-class houses, modern terraces and council housing, with some remnant agricultural landscape. General construction works in this area have the potential to cause disturbance to surrounding boundaries and buildings, however with the exception of one detached house (and of course the school buildings within the development area) there will generally be a buffer between the development and buildings within the Historic Character Area. Included within this category are the effects of replacing the school buildings with housing and effects that would have on both the functional relationship that the schools had with the local community and what is effectively the traditional land-use practice of having schools there. This however should be viewed in the context of the school building having already been closed and disused, therefore it can be argued that both those two impacts have already occurred prior to the proposed development, and the proposed development is not necessarily the cause of those impacts. This is therefore reflected in the magnitude and score. Table 7.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 002 – BLAENAVON URBAN EXTENSION Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Increased risk of disturbance to surrounding D - 1 Very slight – 1 boundaries and buildings during construction. Severance of the functional relation C - 2 Very slight - 1 between the schools and the community it served (as the school is already closed) The cessation of historic land-use practices C - 2 Severe - 5 with the removal of the school Average Score (1+1) + (2+1) + (2+5) divided by 3 = 4

Due to the dense housing stock and ground topography the proposed development will largely be hidden from much of the Historic Character Area, with the exception of a small cul-de-sac of detached houses off Upper Hill Street/Woodland Street and council housing off Upper Woodland Street and Ty Fry Close. The views from these areas is currently partially screened by trees, this screening will be maintained within the proposed development. The form of the proposed development is similar in character to the general urban development of this area, in that there is a mix of terraced housing and semi-detached housing with small gardens, relatively closely packed, and connected by small streets. The appearance of the development has yet to be fully defined.

Table 8.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 002 – BLAENAVON URBAN EXTENSION Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views of the school and open C - 2 Moderate – 3 ground behind from Woodland Street, Upper Woodland Street and Ty Fry Close Development Form B – 3 Slight – 2 Average Score (2+3) + (3+2) divided by 2 = 5 Calculations Total – 4 + 5 = 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (9 x 28) divided by 20 = 12.6 Table 9.

OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 002 – BLAENAVON URBAN EXTENSION Score Grading 13 Moderate

Photo 7: View north from the northern edge of the proposed development area, overlooking scrub grass and 1960s/1970s council estates off Upper Woodland Street and Ty Fry Close.

Photo 8: Looking south from the same council estate buildings off Upper Woodland Street. The boundary of the proposed development is visible as the row of trees marked.

Photo 9: Looking SE across the scrub grassland area towards the proposed development area, the boundary of which is defined as the row of trees marked.

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 005 FORGESIDE AND BIG PIT A relict industrial landscape characterised by 19th century industrial processing, associated extraction and waste tips. The main elements of which are the Big Pit colliery workings and the former site of the later Blaenavon ironworks. The area includes possible buried remains of features relating to the Blaenavon ironworks. The area includes important railway and tram road transport links and water management features. There are historic events and people associated with this area. There will be no indirect physical impact on this Character Area by this proposed development. Table 10.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 005 – FORGESIDE AND BIG PIT Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score - - - Average Score 0

There is a view from Big Pit and the ironworks over the settlement of Blaenavon within which the site lies. The site is at such a distance that it is difficult to distinguish the area of proposed development, especially the current school buildings. The development of further housing in this area, as long as roofing material is in character, is unlikely to have any significant visual impact. The roofing material in this area is mixed, with natural grey slate predominant along Upper Hill Street (see photo 6 for example) and Old Queen Street to the east and south, but grey concrete tiles are also prevalent on Coedcae Road, Woodland Street and Ty Fry Close to the north of the site (see photo 8 for example). Appropriate roofing material for the site could therefore combine these styles and remain in character for the area. Table 11.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 005 – FORGESIDE AND BIG PIT Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views from Big Pit and A - 4 Very Slight – 1 Blaenavon ironworks Average Score = 5

Calculations Total: 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (5 x 28) divided by 20 = 7

Table 12.

OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 005 – FORGESIDE AND BIG PIT Score Grading 7 Slight

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 012 FORGESIDE SETTLEMENT

An industrial residential area characterised as a small, compact, regular-grid planned company settlement related to the development of the later Blaenavon ironworks at Forgeside as well as Big Pit and other Collieries. The area is characterised by industrial terraced housing and 20th century council estate development. There will be no indirect physical impact on this Character Area by this proposed development. Table 13.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 012 – FORGESIDE SETTLEMENT Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score - - - Average Score 0

There is a view from Forgeside over the settlement of Blaenavon. The site is at such a distance that it is difficult to distinguish the area of proposed development, especially the current school buildings. The development of further housing in this area, as long as roofing material is in character, is unlikely to have any significant visual impact. See description on p18 for discussion of appropriate roofing material. Table 14. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 012 – FORGESIDE SETTLEMENT Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views from Forgeside A - 4 Very Slight – 1 Average Score = 5

Calculations Total: 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (5 x 28) divided by 20 = 7 Table 15.

OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 012 – FORGESIDE SETTLEMENT Score Grading 7 Slight

Photo 10: View SW from the western edge of the proposed development area with views of Forgeside in the distance (marked).

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 018 CWMAVON INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR A major transport corridor, also characterised as a rare surviving medieval and post-medieval agricultural landscape with areas of woodland, scattered post-medieval farmsteads, and industrial processing at Cwmavon forge with associated industrial housing.

There will be no indirect physical impact on this Character Area by this proposed development. Table 16.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 018 – CWMAVON INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score - - - Average Score 0

There is a view from Varteg Road (B4246) on the edge of this character area over the settlement of Blaenavon. The site is at such a distance that it is difficult to distinguish the area of proposed development, especially the current school buildings. The development of further housing in this area, as long as roofing material is in character, is unlikely to have any significant visual impact. See description on p18 for discussion of appropriate roofing material. Table 17.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 018 – CWMAVON INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views from Varteg Road A - 4 Very Slight – 1 Average Score = 5

Calculations Total: 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (5 x 28) divided by 20 = 7 Table 18. OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 018 – CWMAVON INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORT CORRIDOR Score Grading 7 Slight

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 019 MYNYDD VARTEG OPENCAST An extractive landscape dominated by modern opencast workings and waste tips. The former industrial extractive features related to quarrying and mining were previously characteristic of the area.

There will be no indirect physical impact on this Character Area by this proposed development. Table 19.

ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 019 – MYNYDD VARTEG OPENCAST Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score - - - Average Score 0

This area covers extensive upland terrain including the ground above Varteg Road which has views over the settlement of Blaenavon. The site is at such a distance that it is difficult to distinguish the area of proposed development, especially the current school buildings. The development of further housing in this area, as long as roofing material is in character, is unlikely to have any significant visual impact. See description on p18 for discussion of appropriate roofing material. Table 20. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 019 – MYNYDD VARTEG OPENCAST Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views from Varteg Road A - 4 Very Slight – 1 Average Score = 5

Calculations Total: 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (5 x 28) divided by 20 = 7 Table 21. OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 019 – MYNYDD VARTEG OPENCAST Score Grading 7 Slight

HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 020 COITY MOUNTAIN A predominantly unenclosed upland landscape characterised by agricultural stock management, boundary markers and prehistoric funerary ritual features. Another main characteristic is industrial extraction given the numerous quarries and collieries once in the area. Historic events are also linked with this area. There will be no indirect physical impact on this Character Area by this proposed development. Table 22. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT, PHYSICAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 020 – COITY MOUNTAIN Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score - - - Average Score 0

This area covers extensive upland terrain and the north facing slopes are intervisible from the settlement of Blaenavon. The site is at such a distance that it is difficult to distinguish the area of proposed development, especially the current school buildings. The development of further housing in this area, as long as roofing material is in character, is unlikely to have any significant visual impact. See description on p18 for discussion of appropriate roofing material. Table 23. ASSESSMENT OF INDIRECT (NON-PHYSICAL) VISUAL IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 020 – COITY MOUNTAIN Impacts Category & Score Magnitude & Score Impact to views from Varteg Road A - 4 Very Slight – 1 Average Score = 5

Calculations Total: 9 To create number on a 28-point scale - (5 x 28) divided by 20 = 7 Table 24.

OVERALL MAGNITUDE OF INDIRECT IMPACTS ON HISTORIC CHARACTER AREA 020 – COITY MOUNTAIN Score Grading 7 Slight

Photo 11: View south from the recreational area with Hillside Primary School on the left, within the area of proposed development, view views of Coity Mountain in the background.

STAGE 4 EVALUATION OF RELATIVE IMPORTANCE 5.1 Introduction Evaluation of the relative importance of the Historic Character Area(s) (or part(s) thereof) directly and/or indirectly affected by development in relation to: (a) the whole of the Historic Character Area(s) concerned, and/or (b) the whole of the historic landscape area on the Register, followed by (c) an evaluation of the relative importance of the Historic Character Area(s) concerned in the national context, and a determination of the average overall value of all the Historic Character Areas (or parts thereof) affected. Stage 4 should then be completed with a determination of the average, overall value of all the Historic Character Areas (or part(s) thereof) affected. The evaluation criteria used is that suggested within the Good Practice on Using the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales in the Planning and Development Process (Cadw and CCW 2007). This SAM-based evaluation criteria was derived from criteria applied in a historic landscape assessment of part of the Gwent Levels landscape of outstanding historic interest (Welsh Office, M4 Relief Road Magor to Castleton — Stage 2 Assessment, Draft Report for Consultation by Ove Arup and Partners, April 1998/ Amended October 1998, Appendix 2 — The Historic Landscape by S. Rippon), and from work by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust. This evaluation is only undertaken for HLCA 001 and HLCA 002, as the visual impacts on the remaining four HLCAs are considered too slight to warrant a full evaluation of their relative importance. 5.2 Evaluation of the relative importance of the part of Historic Character Area 001 Blaenavon Urban Core directly and / or indirectly affected by the proposed development. Table 25. Value V High/ Mod/ Low V V High/ Mod/ Low V High/ Good Med Low/ High/ Good Med Low/ V Poor V Poor Good Good In relation to: (a) Whole of Historic (b) Whole of Historic Character Area Landscape Area on the Criterion: Register Rarity x x Representativeness x x Documentation x x Group Value x x Survival x x Condition x x Coherence x x Integrity x x Potential x x Amenity x x Associations x x

Table 26. Reasoning behind the evaluation A B Rarity Potential boundaries and views Commonplace within the urban affected are commonplace. setting, but this is only one element of a wide industrial landscape Representativeness Boundaries and views affected are Similarly not particularly not particularly representative of representative of the the HCA. characteristics of the HLA. Documentation There is a considerable amount of There is a considerable amount of documentation relating to the documentation relating to the HCA as a whole urban area Group Value The potential boundaries and views affected represent just a couple of the linked elements that form the typical characteristics of this urban core. Survival Part of a well-preserved 19th The general 19th century urban and century urban industrial industrial landscape is considered development, recognised in the to be well-preserved in this area, Conservation Area status of the and the reason for its high status. urban core of this HCA. Condition The potentially affected boundaries and views survive in moderate condition. Coherence Historic themes are present in Historic themes are present, these terms of property divisions, these elements are of low articulation elements are of relatively low articulation compared with the HCA as a whole. Integrity Elements within the urban core Elements within the urban core retain much of their original retain much of their original character and are fairly easily character and are fairly easily understood understood Potential There is little scope for future historic landscape study and analysis of the potential boundaries and views affected. Amenity There is also little scope for these There is probably little scope for potentially affected elements to be these elements to be developed as developed as a public educational a public educational and and recreational amenity in terms recreational amenity that is as of the story it tells about urban relevant to the whole HLA development of this HCA. Associations No known associations No known associations

Calculations Step (a) – (1xV High @ 5) + (2xHigh @ 4) + (1xMed @ 3) + (5xLow @ 2) + (2xV Low @ 1) = 28

Step (b) – (1xV High @ 5) + (2xHigh @ 4) + (1xMed @ 3) + (6xLow @ 2) + (1xV Low @ 1) = 33

5.3 Evaluation of the relative importance of the part of Historic Character Area 002 Blaenavon Urban Extension directly and / or indirectly affected by the proposed development

Table 27. Value V High/ Mod/ Low V V High/ Mod/ Low V High/ Good Med Low/ High/ Good Med Low/ V Poor V Poor Good Good In relation to: (a) Whole of Historic (b) Whole of Historic Character Area Landscape Area on the Criterion: Register Rarity x x Representativeness x x Documentation x x Group Value x x Survival x x Condition x x Coherence x x Integrity x x Potential x x Amenity x x Associations x x

Table 28. Reasoning behind the evaluation A B Rarity School buildings and recreational These elements are more common areas are not commonplace in this in the general landscape. HCA. Representativeness Contains some of the elements that Contains relatively few of the characterise the HCA, although elements that characterise the typical the elements mentioned HLA within the HCA description relate more specifically to housing. Documentation Some relevant information about the schools, boundaries and land- use affected, largely cartographic Group Value The schools and recreational area form two or three linked elements of the HCA as a whole. Survival The schools represent perhaps They represent less than 20% of around 20% of the surviving the surviving elements of the HLA elements of the HCA

Condition The schools and recreational area currently survive in good condition Coherence Historic themes are present, with a Generally a low articulation of the moderate articulation of the significance of the HLA significance of the HCA Integrity The elements retain much of their original character, are presently very visible and are fairly easily understood Potential Some scope for future historic Similar scope for their study and landscape study and analysis of analysis within the HLA the school in relation to their place within the HCA Amenity Some scope for elements to be developed as a public educational and recreational amenity Associations No known associations No known associations

Calculations Step (a) – (3xHigh @ 4) + (5xMed @ 3) + (3xLow @ 2) + (1xV Low @ 1) = 34 Step (b) – (2xHigh @ 4) + (3xMed @ 3) + (5xLow @ 2) + (2xV Low @ 1) = 29

5.4 Evaluation of the relative importance in the national context, of the Historic Character Areas directly and / or indirectly affected by the proposed development

Table 29. Value V High/ Mod/ Low V V High/ Mod/ Low V High/ Good Med Low/ High/ Good Med Low/ V Poor V Poor Good Good In relation to: Historic Character Area Historic Character Area 002 HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Blaenavon Urban Extension Core Criterion: Rarity x x Representativeness x x Documentation x x Group Value x x Survival x x Condition x x Coherence x x Integrity x x Potential x x Amenity x x Associations x x

Table 30. Reasoning behind the evaluation HLCA 001 HLCA 002 Rarity One of the best, but not the only, One of the best, but not the only, surviving examples of a valley surviving examples of a valley head industrial community head industrial community Representativeness The landscape comprises a wide The landscape comprises a wide area of mineral working and area of mineral working and industry, the urban area represents industry, the urban area represents only a part of that. only a part of that. Documentation A considerable quantity of There is some relevant material relevant information material is relating to this HCA, but probably available. less than the historic urban core of HLCA001. Group Value The urban core contains numerous The urban extension contains linked elements. three or four linked elements Survival A high proportion of the original This area has seen more 19th century urban layout and development during the 20th features survive century with the loss of some elements Condition Described as one of the best Elements survive in relatively surviving examples or an good condition. industrial community in South Wales

Coherence Historical processes and patterns Similarly this area retains many of have been maintained, the urban the historical processes and core retains much of its original patterns that created it, although function although the loss of the decline in industrial wealth has surrounding industry means it no led to a changed demographic. longer houses a largely industrial workforce. Integrity The elements retain much of their The elements retain much of their original character, are highly original character. visible and easily understood Potential There is still considerable scope There is some scope for future for future historic landscape study historic landscape study and and analysis due to the surviving analysis in this area. condition and integrity of this area. Amenity There is considerable scope for There is some scope for elements elements to be developed as a to be developed as a public public educational and educational and recreational recreational amenity, its World amenity. Heritage Site and Conservation Area status has already advanced this. Associations Historic associations, particularly No known associations linked to the development of the industrial landscape, form an important characteristic of this area.

Calculations step (c) HLCA001: (4xV High @ 5) + (6xHigh @ 4) + (1xMed @ 3) = 47 HLCA002: (4xHigh @ 4) + (6xMed @ 3) + (1xV Low @ 1) = 35 Determining average overall value on a scale of 1 – 100 HLCA001: (a- 28 ÷ by 55 x 100) + (b- 29 ÷ by 55 x 100) + (c- 47 ÷ by 55 x 100) ÷ 3 = 63 HLCA002: (a- 34 ÷ by 55 x 100) + (b- 29 ÷ by 55 x 100) + (c- 35 ÷ by 55 x 100) ÷ 3 = 59 Overall value: All of the above ÷ 6 = 61 Table 31. Average, overall value of all the Historic Character Areas (or part(s) thereof) affected

Grading

HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core 63 – High

HLCA002 Blaenavon Urban Extension 59 – Considerable

GRADE OF OVERALL VALUE 61 – High

STAGE 5 ASSESSMENT OF OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT 6.1 Introduction Assessment of the overall significance of impact of development, and the effects that altering the Historic Character Area(s) concerned has on the whole of the historic landscape area on the Register.

Table 32 SUMMARY OF THE OVERALL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT ON BLAENAVON LANDSCAPE OF OUTSTANDING HISTORIC INTEREST (HLW (Gt) 1) Historic Value of Historic Impact of Reduction of Overall Character Character Area Development Value of the Significance Area (based on Stage (based on Stages 2 Historic of Impact 4 results) & 3 results) Landscape Area on Register HLCA001 Very High – 10 Very Low – 1 Low – 2 10+1+2=13 Blaenavon The core of the There will be no land Slight change in the Moderate Urban Conservation Area loss or fragmentation setting for some Core within the World to this area, the elements of this HCA Heritage Site proposed may result in a slight development may reduction in its value impact on some on the HLA. boundaries and non- key viewpoints. HLCA002 Medium – 6 Low – 3 Low – 3 6+3+3=12 Blaenavon Area includes The land loss is less The changes to the Moderate Urban elements varying than 2%, although HCA will result in a Extension intrinsic this will cause some slight reduction in the importance, fragmentation of established value of generally typical of historic elements the HCA within the this HLA and found within this area and HLA. in several other changes in historic HLA across the land use. The general Register characteristic of urban expansion in the form of housing will be maintained.

6.2 Possible Mitigation In terms of its direct physical impact on the Historic Character Areas there will clearly be significant impact within the area of the proposed development but due care should be taken to either minimise the physical impact on surrounding boundaries, especially those with HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core, or to help appropriately restore and maintain those boundaries should they require it. The physical affect that the passage of site traffic and ground works has on surrounding properties within these HCAs should also be monitored to ensure their impact is reduced. The use of materials within the proposed development should also be considered to ensure it is in keeping with the general character of the area. Building materials are mixed in this area, both brick, stone and concrete are evident in surrounding buildings, in particular within HLCA002 within which this proposed development lies. Many, but not all, of the surrounding buildings have largely been rendered, the more traditional buildings in smooth render, pebble- dashed rendering is evident in the more recent estates that lie to the north of the proposed development area. Roofing material is of particular importance given the potential visual impact the proposed development could have on outlying HCAs. This impact will be greatly reduced if the roofing material is also in keeping with the general character of the area. Again roofing materials are mixed, slate being the more traditional material but grey concrete tiles evident on some of the more modern estates in the local vicinity. Natural grey slate is predominant along Upper Hill Street (see photo 6 for example) and Old Queen Street to the east and south, but grey concrete tiles are also prevalent on Coedcae Road, Woodland Street and Ty Fry Close to the north of the site (see photo 8 for example). Appropriate roofing material for the site could therefore combine these styles and remain in character for the area. The proposed planting regime as illustrated on the development plans (Figure 2) should help screen the development, particularly from viewpoints within HLCA001, the core of the Conservation Area.

6.3 Conclusion An Assessment of the Significance of Impact of Development On the Historic Landscape (ASIDOHL) has been undertaken on a proposed housing development within the town of Blaenavon. The proposed development lies within the Blaenavon Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest (HLW (Gt) 1), which also forms the core of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. This Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest is further subdivided into individual Historic Character Areas (HCAs). The ASIDOHL is laid out in five stages. Stage 1, the introduction, identified the contextual information regarding the site. The proposed development lies solely within the Historic Character Area HLCA002 Blaenavon Urban Extension, an area of late 19th and 20th century urban development around the initial core of earlier urban industrial settlement. The site also borders this initial core, represented by HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core, which also forms the focus of a Conservation Area. The Adopted Local Plan, developed by Torfaen County Borough Council, serves to ‘ensure that historic buildings are preserved and enhanced, that the special character of Conservation Area is protected, and good design is a priority in all other areas’. A World Heritage Site Management Plan, also led by Torfaen County Borough Council, goes on to state that ‘physical, social and economic change are inevitable and necessary if the area is to have a sustainable future. A degree of balance therefore is necessary in the protection of the features of the site both built and natural. There has to be acceptance of some changes while the authenticity of … Conservation Areas must be actively conserved. Some flexibility however needs to be allowed in planning and detailed design to allow communities within the World Heritage Site to enjoy 21st century standards and indeed to begin to grow again’. This flexibility can be seen elsewhere within HLCA002 where recent development has been, and is still being undertaken, such as at the Blaenavon Community Campus a short distance to the east of this proposed development. Within the area of proposed development lies Hillside Primary School, an early 20th century school building, Hillside Nursery School, a mid-20th century building and a recreational area. Both schools have been closed and the recreational area appears little used. Stage 2 assess the direct, physical impact of the proposed development. This was considered in terms of its impact on HLCA002, the overall magnitude of the direct physical impact was considered to be Moderate, although an alternative grading of Considerable is also suggested given that the elements affected lie within a World Heritage Site which may heighten their importance. Stage 3 assess the indirect impacts of the proposed development. These indirect impacts affect a wider area and several surrounding HCAs were also considered. Due to views of the site within Blaenavon the development could have a potential visual impact on seven HCAs, although this was considered to be Slight on five of those HCAs. The main impact would be concentrated on two HCAs, HLCA002 Blaenavon Urban Extension and HLCA001 Blaenavon Urban Core. Although the potential impact on boundaries, buildings and views within HLCA001 was considered to be slight this area forms the core of the Conservation Area, giving it a rating of the highest importance and therefore the overall magnitude of indirect impact was scored as Considerable. The overall magnitude of indirect impacts on HCLA002 was scored as Moderate. Stage 4 is an evaluation of the relative importance of the HCA and the parts within them that were affected. The visual impacts on surrounding HCAs was considered too slight to warrant inclusion in this stage, therefore only HLCA001 and HLCA002 were examined. The average overall value for HLCA002 was scored as Considerable, HLCA001 was given a higher score

33 of High. Despite having fewer elements effected the increased importance of HLCA001 produced this higher score. Stage 5 is an assessment of the overall significance of the impact. Given the relatively high scores for HLCA001 in Stages 2 and 3 there is some conflict between the grading of the impact in those stages and that within Stage 5 where the impact of the development is considered to be very low. This is largely because that although the impact of the development on this HCA is generally considered to be very slight any impact, however slight, is given increased significance due to the relative importance of this HCA in terms of its Conservation Area status within a World Heritage Site. The impact of the development on HLCA002, within which the proposed development lies, is considered to be low, leading to only a slight reduction it the value of the HCA within the whole Registered Landscape. The overall significance of impact on both HCAs is considered to be Moderate.

6.4 Bibliography

Blaenavon World Heritage Site Partnership 2011 Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan 2011 – 2016 Cadw & CCW 2007 Guide to Good Practice on Using The Register Of Landscapes Of Historic Interest In Wales In The Planning And Development Process (Revised 2nd Edition) Cadw, CCW & ICOMOS 1998 Register of Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record Highways Agency 2007 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Vol.II RCAHMW Coflein Online database Torfaen County Borough Council 2011 Supplementary planning guidance document ‘Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Design Guide’

Fig. 1 Location map of site (in green) and main Historic Character Areas (in red) HILLSIDE SCHOOL BLAENAVON Rear Boundary Fence

A Potential to integrate / link site with footpath

B reconﬁguration of parking amenities to improve legibility of entrance Fig. 2 Plan of proposed C Apartments relocated to overlook POS and rear parking street development

D Houses relocated to overlook rear parking street

APPENDIX I: Historic Landscape Area & Historic Character Area HLCA002 Blaenavon Urban Extension L A N D S C APES OF HISTORIC INTEREST IN WA L E S

B L A E N A F O N B L A E N AV O N

Landscape description in l816 in memory of Samuel Hopkins, one of the proprietors of the local ironworks, specifically for the educational welfare Blaenavon is located at the head of the Afon Llwyd valley in of his workers. Although many of the original workers’ one of the more exposed areas of the Gwent uplands.The houses have been demolished, many still remain, notably lowest part of the town, where the river enters the narrow those opposite to the Blaenavon Ironworks. In addition, and valley floor, is at 300m above OD.The valley sides rise fairly in contrast, the residences of some of the early proprietors steeply to the surrounding moorland ridges of Cefn Coch, of the Blaenavon Company survive, such as at Park House and Coity Mountain and the Blorenge which reach almost 600m Tyˆ Mawr, since converted into a hospital. above OD.The Pwll Du area, to the north of the town, The later development of Blaenavon during the period occupies the plateau forming the watershed between the Afon 1820 to 1870 is reflected in the area bounded by King Street in Llwyd valley and the Clydach gorge to the north. the north and Hill Street to the east.The area is typified by The whole area is covered by early, coal opencasts and simple four-roomed houses, some also provided with cellars. it survives as probably the only sizeable, abandoned, multiple More elaborate dwellings, such as Vipond House and Ton Mawr period, opencast mineral working in South Wales. It remains (The Arundel Club) exist alongside. Other notable community a palimpsest of early mineral working and processing, criss- buildings include the Horeb Chapel (1862 ), with its classic crossed by shallow trench mines, tramway inclines and tips. Ionic style, the Police Station (1867), the Workman’s Hall and These elements, with the town of Blaenavon, Coity Mountain, Institute (1894), which is an interesting example of an early the Blorenge and Pwll Du, and a preserved mining scenery social and recreational centre; and, of course, numerous public directly related to the mining processes, form the essence of houses. Broad Street and the adjoining terraced rows illustrate the unique historic character of the landscape of Blaenavon. the traditional urban landscape of a South Wales valley town, a Until the late medieval period, the area was primarily used type of institutional development that has largely disappeared for sheep grazing and it was not until the late 16th and early from other regions. 17th centuries that any form of settlement associated with Blaenavon contains two nationally important sites iron exploitation appears, although the area was richly preserved as examples of the area’s rich industrial legacy: endowed with all the requirements for ironmaking, with the Blaenavon Ironworks and the Big Pit Mining Museum, both woodland, limestone, coal and good quality ironstone available important historical and technological components in the in abundance. Between the 1670s and 1790s iron ore was being industrial and social landscape of Blaenavon. exploited on a small scale on lands immediately to the north The Ironworks, a Guardianship Site, are remarkably well- of the present town, however the large-scale, commercial preserved.The first Blaenavon Ironworks, constructed in 1789 development of the local mineral wealth only began with the as an early coke-fired works, utilised the natural terrain. A bank establishment of the Blaenavon Ironworks in l789. of furnaces were constructed into the hillside which enabled The succeeding industrial development of Blaenavon them to be charged from the upper level, whilst, after blasting, can be traced through the changes that have occurred to the allowing the molten metal to run off at the base into the surrounding landscape, which dramatically still bear witness casting houses, where it was moulded into pigs.The structures to the activities of the coal, iron and steel industries, with the of the furnaces and the two casting houses survive well. remains of quarry workings, mine shafts, open casting patches, A water balance lift is a very dominant structure. Built some extensive spoil heaps, tramroads and railways still apparent. time after 1839, it is an impressive hydraulic lift which was used Indeed, the vast desolate spoilheaps of the Blorenge forms to carry tramloads of iron from from one level to another a distinct landscape in its own right, dramatic and grim, and so that they could be transported by tramroad to the nearby provides a unique reminder of the Welsh industrial past and Garn Ddyrys Forge, and also to the Brecon and Abergavenny of man’s technological development, which saw the wholesale Canal which forms an equally significant element in this large alteration of the South Wales landscape at large. interconnecting industrial landscape. In addition, there is an The town of Blaenavon is one of the best surviving important surviving group of workers cottages at Stack Square. examples in South Wales of a valley head industrial community, The former Big Pit Colliery was sited on the easternmost retaining many characteristic features from the 19th century side of the South Wales coalfield. In 1980, it closed as a such as terraced housing, shops, churches, chapels, schools and working mine and is now run by a charitable trust providing the Workman’s Hall and Institute.The town retains the vital visitor access to descend 90m underground.The colliery link between the residential, commercial and religious elements was sunk to its present level in 1880, though its underground and the associated industrial sites and man-made landscape. workings incorporate much earlier shafts and tunnels, one The original core or the town, dating to the 1790s and based example being Forge Level, which was driven in 1812 to supply on North Street, is still evident in some of the surviving groups coal specifically for the Blaenavon Ironworks. Below ground, of buildings.These include St Peter’s Church (1804), the only engine houses and stables still remain. On the surface, the steel 18th century styled church which has cast iron tomb covers, headgear dated to 1921 and the associated ranges of buildings window frames and font.The adjacent school buildings, in demonstrate the extent of the former colliery.These buildings matching mock-Gothic style, were constructed and endowed include the pithead baths, blacksmiths’ shop, lamproom,

1 VALB L E A OFE N ACVO LW N Y D winding engine house and tram circuit.This site remains as a well-interpreted, yet rare, example of a colliery which contributed to the establishment of very distinct Welsh communities set in the landscapes they created. Associated with the industrial exploitation of the area are the remains of the transport network, required to convey the raw materials to the ironworks and export the ﬁnished product.The area contains a variety of transport features, ranging from small tramroads through to major monuments such as the tunnel and the dyne steel inclined plane at Pwll Du. The tunnel was opened in 1815 to transport limestone to the the ironworks from the quarries to the north. It also took pig iron from the ironworks to the forge at Garnddyrys, but it was eventually superseded by the dyne steel inclined plane in about 1850. The landscape of Blaenavon, although subject to reclamation schemes such as at Kays and Kears, remains one of the best preserved, relict industrial landscapes in Wales, containing a vast concentration and diversity of archaeological features. It also serves as one of the most powerful reminders of the Welsh Industrial Revolution, and man’s exploitation of, and dramatic impact on, the landscape.

S U M M A RY

Ref number HLW (Gt) 1 Index map no. 16 OS map Landranger 161 Former county Gwent Unitary authority Monmouthshire,Torfaen (Blaenau Gwent) Principal area The north eastern half of the area is within the Brecon designations Beacons National Park.The area includes: Blorenge and Gilwern Hill Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Blaenavon Ironworks Guardianship Site; Blaenavon town centre Conservation Area. Big Pit Museum is categorised as Grade II* Listed Buildings. Criteria 2 Contents and The narrow floor, and ridges surrounding the head of the significance Afon Llwyd valley in the north Gwent uplands contain extensive remains of early mineral workings and processing followed by the later commercial production of coal, iron and steel, which together have created probably the supreme example of a surviving South Wales industrial landscape.The area includes: opencasts, mines, quarries, spoil tips, transport systems, preserved colliery and ironworks; the related industrial settlement of Blaenavon town with its terraced housing, shops, chapels and public buildings.

Ffynonellau detholedig / Selected sources

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Archaeological Unit, Pwll Du, Gwent:An Archaeological Desk Top Assessment for Gwent County Council (Unpublished). J. K. Knight, Blaenavon Ironworks:A Bicentennial Guide (Cadw: Cardiff 1989). J. Lowe, and M. Lawler,‘Landscapes of the Iron Industry at Blaenavon, Gwent’, Landscape History, 2 (1980), 74–82. G. Rattenbury, Tramroads of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal (Railway and Canal Historical Society: Oakham 1980). W.G.Thomas, Big Pit, Blaenafon (National Museum of Wales: Cardiff 1981).

2 Blaenavon

002 Blaenavon Urban Extension

HLCA002 Blaenavon Urban Extension

Late nineteenth and twentieth century urban settlement, planned though some early organic development. Large middle class houses, modern terraced and council housing. Remnant agricultural landscape. Historic Background

The historic landscape area of Blaenavon Urban Extension represents the maximum limit of urban expansion from the end of the nineteenth century. The north-west boundary of the area represents the extent of enclosed land, which during the early industrial settlement of the area had largely been subdivided into rectilinear fields; this is now extensively built over.

The historical development of the area can be viewed as late nineteenth and twentieth century urban settlement expansion over early industrial/agricultural landscape, which in turn had been superimposed over the pre-existing medieval/early post- medieval agricultural landscape of evolved, irregular enclosures. These included the medieval/early post-medieval Fee of Parc Lettice and eighteenth century leaselands to the north.

The area includes land encroached upon and enclosed during the late nineteenth century associated with a collection of smallholdings laid out along the main roads. Remains of the former agricultural landscape survive along the southern edge of the area and include the ancient freehold estate of Ton Mawr, associated with Mr Francis James, and Y Coed, formally belonging to a Mr Edward James. The original farmhouse of Ton Mawr is now destroyed and part of the town has encroached over this land. Forestry to the north of Coed Farm was cleared in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century for such development. Most of the enclosed fields around the Coedcae Farm area have also been lost to urban expansion, extending into Middle and Upper Coedcae.

Urban development of the area occurred in a short period of time as shown on the 2nd and 3rd edition OS maps of 1901 and 1920. The period of construction appears to have started within the last two decades of the nineteenth century; this is reflected by the erection of St Paul's Church, Llanover Road, constructed in the Gothic style in 1893. Further expansion of planned urban settlement occurred during the second half of the twentieth century, replacing most of the original farmhouses and cottages largely with extensive council estates. Historic Landscape Characteristics

Blaenavon Urban Extension is today predominantly characterised by council estates of varying dates from the 1930s to the 1970s, for example, Kennard Court, Kennard Crescent and Capel Newydd, including 1960s and 70s prefab-housing. However, perhaps a more significant characteristic is to be found between Cwmavon Road and Ton Mawr Road; this area relates to the late-nineteenth century/ early- twentieth century properties leading out of town. This development is characteristic of the upwardly mobile aspirations of the emerging middle classes during the period.

The built environment in this part of the HLCA reflects the increasing prosperity and social standing of their inhabitants. The buildings here are generally larger than elsewhere in Blaenavon and tend to increase in scale with distance from the town centre. These properties are mainly built from rusticated stone and display a variety of styles; characteristic features include bay windows, stone stacks, red and yellow brick detail to doors and windows with carved roundels. Also characteristic are the walled front gardens, many retaining iron railings.

Along Cwmavon Road are large imposing terraces of two and three storey properties. Most are single fronted, with both rendered and pebble-dashed elevations, large double height bay windows and front gardens with elaborate original iron railings and gate posts, set back from the road. Some of these houses retain original fenestration. Towards the end out of town end of Cwmavon Road are a number of larger detached villas.

A similar characteristic area of housing lies along Ton Mawr Road, this has a spacious layout with a "village green" feeling between Ton Mawr Road and Charles Street. The spacious feeling is enhanced by moderately large front gardens with privet hedges and mature trees. The housing stock here comprises of substantial terraces of paired, single fronted houses. Original details include round-headed archways to doors in red and yellow brick and decorative keystones. The area exhibits a variety of roofing materials including slate and concrete tiles and brick stacks (mostly removed). The lower part of the Ton Mawr Road is characterised by single fronted houses with yellow brick detail to windows and doors and typically large bay windows and slate roofs. The area immediately behind Ton Mawr Road including Gladstone Terrace and New James Street is characterised by less ornate smaller properties. Generally these are single fronted with tri-part door arrangement in a variety of styles, some are now rendered.

The area is also characterised by the remnant agricultural landscape, the form of which is largely present along Llanover Road and Upper Coed Cae Road, however, most of the larger fields have been divided up to serve as gardens or allotments. These formed a regular pattern of large and medium rectilinear enclosures; some original dry-stone field boundaries remain. Subsequently, some of the remaining open areas have been turned over to sporting facilities. The formerly more extensive area of woodland around Maes y Glyn and Cae-Dalwyn Farm retains much of its character despite the clearance of woodland in the late twentieth century.

A minor characteristic feature of this area is that of water management with reservoirs and a water-works, dating back to the latter half of the nineteenth century.

Archaeology Wales

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