GILLYFLOWER FARM, LOSTWITHIEL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT DECEMBER 2020 REV A CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 ExecutiveSummary 3 2..0 Purposeofstatement 4 3.0 Descriptionofthesite 5 4.0 Identificationofthenearbyheritageassets 8 5.0 Visualassessment 9 6.0 Assessmentofthesettingofidentifiedassets 13 7.0 Proposeddevelopment 21 8.0 ImpactAssessment 25 9.0 PolicyConsiderations 27 10.0 Conclusions 30 Appendix1-LinkstoAssetDescriptions 31 This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of my client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by K Metcalfe Heritage Ltd, no other party may use, make use of, or rely on its contents. This report has been compiled using resources agreed with my client and in accordance with an agreed scope of works. No liability is accepted by K Metcalfe Heritage Ltd for any use of this report other than the purposes for which it was prepared. 2 20.70 | Gillyflower Farm | Heritage Impact Assessment | Rev A 1.0 EXECUTIVESUMMARY The aim of this document is to consider the potential impact of proposed development of a world-class rare species research, development and educational facility on part of the former Lostwithiel golf course on the nearby heritage assets. This assessment follows the guidance in Historic England’s documents Advice Note 12 “Statements of Heritage Significance”, and Good Practice in Planning 3 “The Setting of Heritage Assets”.It identifies the heritage assets that may be affected by the development and provides an assessment of their existing significance and the contribution made by their setting. A description of the development follows, and an assessment of the impacts on each asset. A summary conclusion of the nearby assets and their significance as assessed is: Restormel Castle (Scheduled Monument) including Lanhydrock Registered Park and Garden. The significance of Restormel Castle is very high, the contribution that the setting (including the RPG) makes to this significance is very high and the contribution of the site to the setting is high as part of the wider landscape, but minimal. Roman Fortlet (Scheduled Monument).The significance of the remains of the Roman fortlet is very high, the contribution that the setting makes to this significance is medium and the contribution of the site to the setting is neutral. Restormel Manor and Restormel Farm (Grade II Listed Buildings). The significance of Restormel Manor and the Farm is high, the contribution that the setting makes to this significance is high and the contribution of the site to the setting is negligible. Battle of Lostwithiel Battleground (Registered Battleground). The significance of the Registered Battlefield is very high, the contribution that the setting makes to this significance is high and the contribution of the site to the setting is high, but minimal. The orientation, massing and materiality of the proposals has been developed from investigation of the topography and views in order to reduce the visual impact on the surrounding landscape., Whilst planting of the orchards will fill the valley side with rare fruit trees that will develop a self-sustaining local industry. The summary conclusion of the potential impacts as assessed is: Restormel Castle including Lanhydrock Registered Park and Garden. The development has the potential to have a limited negative impact on the setting, however because of the minimal contribution of the site, the distances involved and the previous use of the site, this impact will be within the lower end of the less than substantial range. Roman Fortlet.The development will not impact its significance or setting. Restormel Manor and Restormel Farm. The development will not impact its significance or setting. Battle of Lostwithiel Battleground. The presence of the owners accommodation will not cause any harm to the significance or setting of the battlefield, however it is understood that archaeological recording is likely to be required in this area during the construction phase. The less than substantial harm identified has been weighed against the social, economic and environmental public benefits of the proposal, which are substantial and, on balance, are considered to outweigh the minor impact. 3 20.70 | Gillyflower Farm | Heritage Impact Assessment | Rev A 2.0 PURPOSE OF STATEMENT This assessment has been prepared for the owners of Gillyflower Farm in order to consider the potential impact of a new rare plant orchard and associated on the setting of nearby heritage assets. The existing site is the former Lostwithiel Golf Course that was purchased in 2016 to develop a a world-class facility for the research, growing and use of rare fruit and vegetable varieties. This will include the propagation of rare seeds to be planted out into the orchards; a 1acre potager area based on those at the Lost Gardens of Heligan for the cultivation of rare European vegetable varieties, a main Hub that will include a cookery school, training facilities (that will be linked to those at Heligan and the Eden Project), leisure training facilities and associated operations such as a distillery and fruit storage. In addition, eco-drum residential pods will be provided, linked to the facilities on the site and a single residential property will be provided as owners accommodation to the east of the site. The built elements have been designed to have a light footprint, physically, ecologically and environmentally. In terms of the landscape, the site itself is entirely contained within the former golf course, which can be seen on aerial photographs with man-made greens and fairways. It is contained within the surrounding designation of an Area of Great Landscape Value. To the north is an area of ancient replanted woodland. There are no designated heritage assets on the site and it is outside the Lostwithiel Conservation Area but to the north is a Registered Battleground, to the north west is Restormel Castle (Scheduled Monument), Restormel Manor, (Grade II Listed Building) and Restormel Farmhouse with attached Stables and Barn (Grade II Listed Building). These assets and their settings and the potential impact of the proposed development are considered in this report and can be seen on the map on page 8. Links to the separate designation entires is in Appendix 1. The Cornwall and Scilly Historic Environment record has been consulted via the Cornwall interactive mapping pages. As well as the designations mentioned above, there is one undesignated point marker on the site and the whole site is noted as being within an undesignated Civil War battlefield site. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (as amended) is the primary legislation protecting Scheduled Monuments (SM), however section 2.2 of this document does not require any specific consents for development within the setting of a SM; this is covered within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) under the provisions of protecting heritage assets. Consideration has been given to Section 66 (1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 in relation to the setting of the listed buildings. This assessment focusses on understanding the significance of the nearby heritage assets and how this significance may be impacted by the proposals. It has been provided in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF, paragraph 189: Para 189: In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. The following Historic England documents have been consulted in the production of this report: • Advice Note 12 “Statements of Heritage Significance” (October 2019) • Good Practice in Planning 3 “The Setting of Heritage Assets” (December 2017) This report has been prepared by Katharine Metcalfe IHBC of K Metcalfe Heritage Limited, an appropriately qualified and experienced Heritage professional. Opinions expressed have been reach through primary research, site visits, and reference to previous reports by others. Unless otherwise stated, all plans reproduced in this document are courtesy of Roderick James Architects. Unless otherwise stated, all photographs were taken by K Metcalfe Heritage in October and November 2020. 4 20.70 | Gillyflower Farm | Heritage Impact Assessment | Rev A 3.0 DESCRIPTIONOFTHESITE The site is located to the north east of Lostwithiel town centre on the former Lostwithiel Golf and Country Club grounds. The site is bounded to the west by Cott Road and to the north and east by Polscoe Road. The southern boundary is marked by hedges. The area to the west of the site, enclosed by the River Fowey, will be retained as the golf course. There is a fall of approximately 40m from north east to southwest, and the existing copse areas and tree lines will be retained to provide screening and retain the natural biodiversity of the land. From the north east corner 5 20.70 | Gillyflower Farm | Heritage