DOCSLIB.ORG

Archaeology Wales

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Archaeology Wales 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. 1 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 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).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Punchbowl
    The Punchbowl The Punchbowl Management Plan 2015-2020 The Punchbowl MANAGEMENT PLAN - CONTENTS PAGE ITEM Page No. Introduction Plan review and updating Woodland Management Approach Summary 1.0 Site details 2.0 Site description 2.1 Summary Description 2.2 Extended Description 3.0 Public access information 3.1 Getting there 3.2 Access / Walks 4.0 Long term policy 5.0 Key Features 5.1 Wood Pasture 5.2 Old Growth Stand 5.3 Informal Public Access 6.0 Work Programme Appendix 1: Compartment descriptions Appendix 2: Harvesting operations (20 years) Glossary MAPS Access Conservation Features Management 2 The Punchbowl THE WOODLAND TRUST INTRODUCTION PLAN REVIEW AND UPDATING The Trust¶s corporate aims and management The information presented in this Management approach guide the management of all the plan is held in a database which is continuously Trust¶s properties, and are described on Page 4. being amended and updated on our website. These determine basic management policies Consequently this printed version may quickly and methods, which apply to all sites unless become out of date, particularly in relation to the specifically stated otherwise. Such policies planned work programme and on-going include free public access; keeping local people monitoring observations. informed of major proposed work; the retention Please either consult The Woodland Trust of old trees and dead wood; and a desire for website www.woodlandtrust.org.uk or contact the management to be as unobtrusive as possible. Woodland Trust The Trust also has available Policy Statements ([email protected]) to confirm covering a variety of woodland management details of the current management programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Speleogenetic Evidence from Ogof Draenen for a Pre
    Page 1 of 52 Journal of Quaternary Science 1 2 3 SPELEOGENETIC EVIDENCE FROM OGOF DRAENEN FOR 4 5 6 A PRE-DEVENSIAN GLACIATION IN THE BRECON 7 8 BEACONS, SOUTH WALES, UK 9 10 11 Andrew R. Farrant 1, Christopher J. M. Smith 2, 3 , Stephen R. Noble 4, Michael J. Simms 5, 12 2, 3 13 David A. Richards 14 15 16 1. British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK. E-mail: [email protected] 17 2. Bristol Isotope Group (BIG), Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol, Queen’s Road, Bristol, 18 BS8 1RJ, UK. 19 3. School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SS, UK. 4. NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory (NIGL), British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, 20 NG12 5GG, UK. 21 5. Department of Geology, National Museums Northern Ireland, Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 22 0EU, Northern Ireland. 23 24 25 Abstract 26 27 The British Isles have been affected by as many as 30 glaciations during the Quaternary. 28 29 However, the evidence for pre-Devensian glaciations in upland regions is scarce. 30 31 Understanding the extent and timing of earlier upland glaciations is essential for modelling 32 the long term evolution and sensitivity of the British Ice Sheet (BIS). Caves, being protected 33 34 from surface erosion and weathering, can preserve evidence of earlier glaciations in the form 35 36 of speleothem and sediment archives. The ~70 km long Ogof Draenen cave system in South 37 Wales, UK, contains multiple cave levels related to changes in the surface topography and 38 39 drainage during the past 0.5 Ma.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blorenge Niche
    THE BLORENGE NICHE The Blorenge keeper’s Pond Foxhunter Car Park P Start point: Foxhunter Car Park, off B4246 Blaenavon - Govilon (NP7 9RY) Duration: 1.55 hours Difficulty: Gentle (rocky in places), 3 miles Peak height: 561m It’s suggested the name of The Blorenge may derive from the Welsh ‘plor’ (‘pimple’ and relate to the Middle English word ‘blure’ (‘blister.’) The mountain is a dominating presence acting as the border between the south Wales valleys to the south and the Black Mountains to the north. The walk is accessible to people of even modest levels of firtness, with only minor elevation changes. It does though offer incredible views of the Skirrid and Sugarloaf, with Abergaveny sandwiched in between. Set off from the Foxhunter car park, heading north east down a gradual valley. Before long, you head up hill towards the prow of the Blorenge - and what a view it is! On a good day, it’s the perfect place to stop off for lunch, before heading towards the cairn and summit - the flatter part of the route. For those who may be finding the going difficult, there is a more direct route from the car park across the ridge to our lunch spot. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always choose to incorporate the main ascent of the Blorenge, which admittedly is quite the challenge, but more than worth it for the reward. To do this, head to Llanfoist, which sits in the shadow of the mountain – there’s plenty of small car parks and street parking. Head to St Faith’s Church and climb the lane to the Punchbowl lake.
    [Show full text]
  • South East Wales Resilient Uplands: Core Delivery Plans Delivery Plan Title: A) NRMP Update
    Appendix 2 South East Wales Resilient Uplands: Core Delivery Plans Delivery Plan Title: a) NRMP Update Location Throughout the Project Area. Why the project A delivery partner will be appointed at the outset of the project to work is necessary with us to refine and update NRMP practical proposals and develop a robust monitoring and evaluation methodology based upon the principles of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. What we Working closely with NRW, refine and update practical proposals propose to do for specific actions based on the NRMP derived Delivery Plans within and beyond the current scheme in partnership with stakeholders, including an audit of Glastir arrangements on Partnership commons. Specific emphasis will be placed on carbon sequestration and landscape crime. Aims Consult with SE Wales Resilient Uplands Steering Group to develop brief and recruit specialist consultant (s). Develop robust monitoring and evaluation methodology based upon the principles of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, taking into consideration the environmental, social and economic aspects of the project along with other benefits such as improved health outcomes. Refine and update practical proposals for specific actions based on the NRMP. Desired Delivery Plans are up to date Outcomes Project activities are appropriate The Partnership is adaptive The Project delivers Delivery Plan Title:b) Landscape Crime Timescale Ongoing throughout 10 year plan Location Throughout the whole study area. Why the project A complete section of the NRMP was devoted to tackling landscape is necessary crime. This is because one of the biggest barriers to the delivery of sustainable natural resource management is the prevalence of landscape crime and antisocial behaviour.
    [Show full text]
  • Blaenavon Management Plan
    Nomination of the BLAENAVON INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE for inclusion in the WORLD HERITAGE LIST WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN Management Plan for the Nominated World Heritage Site of BLAENAVON INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE Version 1.2 October 1999 Prepared by THE BLAENAVON PARTNERSHIP TORFAEN BWRDEISTREF COUNTY SIROL BOROUGH TORFAEN Torfaen County Borough Council British Waterways Wales Tourist Royal Commission on the Ancient Blaenau Gwent County Monmouthshire Countryside Council CADW Board Board & Historical Monuments of Wales Borough Council County Council for Wales AMGUEDDFEYDD AC ORIELAU CENEDLAETHOL CYMRU NATIONAL MUSEUMS & GALLERIES OF WALES National Brecon Beacons Welsh Development Blaenavon National Museums & Galleries of Wales Trust National Park Agency Town Council For Further Information Contact John Rodger Blaenavon Co-ordinating Officer Tel: +44(0)1633 648317 c/o Development Department Fax:+44(0)1633 648088 Torfaen County Borough Council County Hall, CWMBRAN NP44 2WN e-mail:[email protected] Nomination of the BLAENAVON INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE for the inclusion in the WORLD HERITAGE LIST We as representatives of the Blaenavon Partnership append our signatures as confirmation of our support for the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Management Plan TORFAEN BWRDEISTREF COUNTY SIROL BOROUGH TORFAEN Torfaen County Borough Council Monmouthshire Blaenau Gwent County County Council Borough Council Brecon Beacons Blaenavon National Park Town Council Royal Commission on the Ancient CADW & Historical Monuments of Wales AMGUEDDFEYDD AC ORIELAU
    [Show full text]
  • Abergavenny Candidate Sites
    Final Report Monmouthshire Landscape Sensitivity Update Study Abergavenny candidate sites Site reference Sensitivity Abergavenny CS0033 High/medium CS0056 High/medium CS0093 Medium CS0094 High/medium CS0108 High/medium CS0125 High/medium CS0128 High/medium CS0145 High/medium CS0147 High/medium CS0161 High/medium CS0164 High/medium CS0172 Medium CS0174 High/medium CS0185 High/medium CS0192 High/medium CS0200 High/medium CS0201 High/medium CS0202 Medium CS0203 Medium Llanfoist CS0043 High/medium CS0089 High CS0130 High/medium CS0186 Medium CS0199 Medium The candidate sites within this section are within the relevant settlement LLCAs. Other candidate sites in the area/vicinity not included in this section are included within adjacent settlement assessments. White Consultants Final/October 2020 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Key ! Candidate Sites ! ! ! ! District Boundary ! ! ! ! Settlement Development Boundaries ! Local Landscape Character Areas ! ! ! Landscape Character Areas ! ! National Park ! ! ! A ! 4 6 AONB 5 ! O L ! D World Heritage Site H E R ! E F O Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest R D ! R O Historic Parks & Gardens A D ! Historic Parks Essential Settings ! D A Scheduled Monument O R D ! R O Conservation Area F E A05 R E ! !! Listed Building H ! RAMSAR / Special Protected Area ! Special Areas for Conservation A 4 6 A04 5 ! Sites of Special Scientific Interest ! National Nature Reserves ! E N Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation A L T R !
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape, Seascape and Cultural Services the South-East Wales Landscape Headline Characteristics Distinctive Landscapes and Se
    Landscape, Seascape and Cultural Services The South-East Wales Landscape Distinctive landscapes and sense of place Shaped by nature and people over time, landscapes are The area includes the eastern uplands of the Brecon the settings in which we live, work and experience life. All Beacons National Park, Blaenavon Industrial The exposed upland moorland to the north, dramatic Clydach Gorge, distinctive upland peaks framing the Usk landscapes matter. They combine natural resources, Landscape World Heritage Site, the Clydach Gorge Valley at Abergavenny, the Black Mountains and the more gentle spur of the Blorenge ridge form part of the culture and economy. Many environmental resilience and and South Wales Valleys of the Sirhowy, Ebbw and extensive Brecon Beacons National Park. The high ground is often scenic and tranquil, with extensive views, place-based planning challenges that shape our future Rhymney to the north. The undulating lowlands of sometimes exposed and windswept. Industrial history is a strong feature, including the Blaenavon Industrial wellbeing and prosperity are best addressed at a Caerphilly and Monmouthshire feature historic towns Landscape World Heritage Site, Clydach Gorge historic landscape and Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and landscape-scale. and tranquil areas along the Rivers Usk and Wye. The forms the basis for much of the recreational activity. The Monmouthshire & Brecon canal and the River Usk Wye Valley AONB extends across the border into together are important ecosystems and landscapes. Landscape characteristics and qualities combine to create England to the east. The city of Newport lies at the a distinct sense of place. Sense of place is key to mouth of the Usk, close to the Gwent Levels historic The open, exposed uplands of Torfaen are extensively disturbed by historic mining evidence and include the understanding and well-being from landscape.
    [Show full text]
  • Consultation by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
    PREFACE ITEM APPLICATION NUMBER: Consultation by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. PROPOSAL: Construction Wind Farm comprising 24 turbines. LOCATION: Mynydd James/Coity Mountain above Blaina, Blaenau Gwent. A consultation has been received from Blaenau Gwent Borough Council about a wind farm consisting of 24 turbines on land to the east of Blaina and Nantyglo on the edges of Mynydd James and Coity Mountain. Each turbine will consist of a 62 m high tubular steel tower, attached to which will be a three bladed motor with a radius of 31metres, giving each structure a maximum height of 93 metres. An access track from Cwmtillery will be provided for construction and maintenance purposes. The wind farm will operate for 25 years and provide enough electricity for 20,000 homes. An environmental statement has been submitted in support of the application, and forwarded to Caerphilly County Borough Council for the purposes of consultation. The proposal is at the opposite end of Blaenau Gwent Borough, adjacent to the boundary with Torfaen Borough. Therefore, the impact on this borough from a planning point of view will be minimal. Issues that would normally be considered by this Local Planning Authority if the application involved land within or adjacent to this borough would include impact on the landscape, nature conservation impact, noise, hours of operation, effects on agriculture, the visual impact of the turbines, safety of the users of adjacent highways, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker and reflected light. The nearest turbine to Caerphilly Borough would be approximately 4.2km from the boundary, with the Ebbw Fach and Ebbw Valleys in between.
    [Show full text]
  • Upland Commons of South-East Wales Natural Re- Sources Management Plan Non-Technical Summary October 2015
    Upland Commons of South-east Wales Natural Re- sources Management Plan Non-technical Summary October 2015 A Nature Fund project A 10-year natural resources management plan for the South East Wales Uplands - to integrate biodiversity, ecosystem services and the Water Framework Directive with long term, sustainable, economic land management through sustainable management of the commons, recreation and tourism. vide, to meet the needs of present generations Introduction of people without compromising the ability of Background future generations to meet their needs. This, of course, includes the well-being and needs of To address the continuing decline in Welsh bi- those who manage and make their living from odiversity, the Welsh Government established the land. This plan will be a valuable tool for the Nature Fund in July 2013 to support land- local authorities, land users and other stake- scape-scale biodiversity projects which also holders to inform decision-making in the sus- provided benefits to the economy and local tainable management of natural resources communities. Seven areas of Wales were se- within the study area. lected as priority for action, including the up- lands of South-east Wales. South-east Wales uplands study In 2014, Torfaen County Borough Council ob- area tained a Nature Fund grant for the Eastern Val- leys Uplands Project to build on and develop The project study area consists of a 380km2 the excellent work carried out for the Blae- area within the South-East Wales uplands navon World Heritage Site Forgotten Land- (area above 200m), and includes parts of five scapes Programme. The Eastern Valleys Up- local authority areas - Blaenau Gwent, Caer- lands Project consists of three inter-related el- philly, Merthyr Tydfil, Torfaen and the part of ements: Monmouthshire covered by Brecon Beacons National Park (Figure 1).
    [Show full text]
  • Abergavennyvisit the Mayor’S Welcome
    AbergavennyVISIT The Mayor’s Welcome I am very proud of my town. As a gentleman visitor For the more active we have the mountains of the said to me a few weeks ago “ Abergavenny is the best Blorenge, Sugar Loaf, Rholben and Skirrid and the town of its size, not only in Wales, but throughout Great Brecon and Monmouth Canal, where one can either hire Britain”. a boat or enjoy leisurely walks along the towpath. Many people tell me how friendly it is and how they Further afield there are many places of interest to visit, enjoy the interesting aspects of the town. several castles and Llanthony Abbey. Various activities such as pony trekking, hang gliding and fishing. The Castle and Museum, St Mary’s Church, Priory and Tithe barn with their wealth of history. We are so lucky to live here and we hope to encourage many visitors to share our bounty. The Market Hall and Brewery Yard with their different markets throughout the week. Cllr. Maureen Powell Mayor of Abergavenny Those wishing for a stroll can enjoy Bailey Park, Linda Vista gardens and the beautiful Castle Meadows with the river Usk flowing by. The Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre The Tithe Barn, Monk Street, Abergavenny NP7 5ND Tel: 01873 853254 Email: [email protected] As a fully networked ‘Visit Wales’ Centre, the centre offers a full range of services including the Bed Booking service both locally and nationally and a wide range of free literature about Wales, adjoining areas of England and the National Park. Friendly helpful staff are on hand to help with public transport enquiries, detailed walking advice and local attractions.
    [Show full text]
  • Blaenavon (United Kingdom) Be Seen Evidence of the Sources of All Its Raw Materials
    into practice the latest methods of the Industrial Revolution. Within a short distance of the Ironworks can Blaenavon (United Kingdom) be seen evidence of the sources of all its raw materials. Big Pit is a coal mine sunk by the Blaenavon Company about No 984 1860 which operated until 1980. On the hills north of Blaenavon, extensive evidence can be seen of the methods used to extract iron ore and coal during the first decades of the operation of the ironworks, together with the quarries for limestone. Linking the Ironworks, the ore workings, the quarries, and the wharves on the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal is a network of daringly engineered Identification primitive railways, constructed at a time of imaginative innovation in railway technology. Blaenavon’s principal Nomination The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape contribution to ironworking technology came in the late 1870s, when Percy Gilchrist and Sidney Gilchrist Thomas Location Wales perfected there a process for making mild steel from pig iron smelted from phosphoric ores. State Party United Kingdom There was no extensive settlement in the area before the establishment of the Ironworks in 1789. In the town of Date 28 June 1999 Blaenavon, south of the Ironworks, there remain many buildings which are eloquent evidence of the area’s industrial past – the homes of ironmasters and the working community, a church and a school built by the owners of the Ironworks, chapels founded by English-speaking and Justification by State Party Welsh-speaking congregations, shops, public houses, and the impressive Workmen’s Hall and Institute built in 1894, Iron and coal were characteristic materials of the Industrial financed by a levy on the wages of miners and Revolution, and the principal products of the South Wales ironworkers.
    [Show full text]
  • Blaenavon: Heritage and Regeneration Study
    BLAENAVON HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP BLAENAVON: HERITAGE AND REGENERATION STUDY A Final Report September 1998 BLAENAVON HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP BLAENAVON: HERITAGE AND REGENERATION STUDY A Final Report by DTZ PIEDA CONSULTING Greyfriars Gate 5 Greyfriars Road Reading RG1 1MU Tel: 0118 967 2020 Fax: 0118 950 3759 Also at Manchester, London, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and Belfast Ref: 8976 September 1998 CONTENTS PART ONE 1 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. BLAENAVON STUDY AREA 14 3. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 26 4. TOURISM MARKET 39 5. PROPERTY MARKET 49 6. CURRENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS 60 7. PLANNING CONTEXT 69 8. HERITAGE VALUE OF THE STUDY AREA 78 9. COMMUNITY VIEW 87 10. KEY ISSUES AND PRIORITIES PART TWO 90 11. HERITAGE AND REGENERATION STRATEGY FOR BLAENAVON PART THREE 12. MANAGEMENT AND ACTION PLAN 114 13. FUNDING AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 178 Blaenavon: Heritage and Regeneration Study 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 DTZ Pieda Consulting, in association with Gillespies and Jonathan and Kay Bryant, was appointed by Torfaen County Borough Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Monmouthshire County Council, the Brecon Beacons National Park, the National Trust and the Wales Tourist Board in September 1997 to undertake a heritage and regeneration strategy for Blaenavon. The purpose of the study was to provide an integrated strategic vision, action and management plan, based on the heritage potential for stimulating economic regeneration in the area. The study is expected to provide the basis for the preparation of applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other agencies. 1.2 The aims of the study were to: • establish base line information on the heritage, economic, environment and social composition of the town and surrounding area • recommend proposals for change to provide an effective and sustainable economic future for the town centre • identify key areas/buildings within the town for protection/enhancement and sustainable end uses, including specifically: • undertake a feasibility study into establishing an Environment Task Force/Heritage Restoration Training Centre based at St.
    [Show full text]