DOCUMENT NO 372 A.P.A.C. Ltd. ArchaeologicalPerspectivesAnalysisConsultancy ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT & SITE WALKOVER DBA/BR/17 Cross Yard, Watton Street,Brecon PreparedFor: BreconBeaconsNationalPark Authority Planning Application No:17/14980/FUL Prepared by C E Smith QA by Dr. N Phillips Nov 2017 A.P.A.C. Ltd Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon DBA/BR/17 Summary This desk based assessment and walkover report has been drawn up by APAC Ltd in response to the submission of a planning application; (17/14980/FUL), for the erection of twelve new domestic dwellings, with associated landscaping, access and infrastructure, on land at Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon (NGR 304770 228235). The desk based assessment is being undertaken; pre-determination’ in order to provide Brecon Beacons National Park Authority with further information on the likely impact of the development proposals. The area of proposed development forms part of the site of the former Brecon Boat Company’s wharf which dates from the late 18th century and operated into the later 19th century. Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey. Cover Photograph: Extract from 1888 1:500 Town Plan of Brecon 2 A.P.A.C. Ltd Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon DBA/BR/17 Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 Figures ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Plates ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Appendices ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 5 2 Site Location and Description ................................................................................................................... 5 3 Geology and Topography ......................................................................................................................... 5 4 Brief archaeological and historical background ........................................................................................ 5 5 Scope, Aims & Objectives........................................................................................................................ 6 6 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 7 7 Issues & Constraints ................................................................................................................................. 9 8 Desk Based Assessment Results ..............................................................................................................10 9 Site Walkover Results .............................................................................................................................14 10 Impact Assessment ..................................................................................................................................15 11 Discussions & Conclusions .....................................................................................................................17 12 Archive ....................................................................................................................................................18 13 Staff .........................................................................................................................................................18 14 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................18 15 Bibliography and References ...................................................................................................................19 Figures Fig 1 General site location map Fig 2 Detailed site location map showing assessment area Fig 3 GIS plan showing assessment area in relation to HER core data within a 250m radius Fig 4 GIS plan showing assessment area in relation to HER event data within a 250m radius Fig 5 GIS plan showing assessment area in relation to Cadw SAM data within a 250m radius Fig 6 GIS plan showing dense distribution of Cadw LBs within a 250m radius (unlabelled) Fig 7 GIS plan showing assessment area in relation to Cadw LB distribution within a 250m radius Fig 8 GIS plan showing distribution of LBs in north and west of 250m radius Fig 9 GIS plan showing distribution of LBs in north and east of 250m radius Fig 10 GIS plan showing assessment area in relation to Brecon Conservation Area Fig 11 1834 John Wood map Fig 12 1839 Tithe map Fig 13 1888 Brecon Town Plan Fig 14 1903 Six Inch OS map sheet XXVIII SW Fig 15 1938 Six Inch OS map sheet XXVIII SW Fig 16 1948 Six Inch OS map sheet XXVIII SW Fig 17 1964 25 Inch OS map sheet XXVIII SW Fig 18 1834 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 19 1839 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 20 1888 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 21 1938 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 22 1948 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 23 1964 map features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 24 All historic mapping features overlain on OS mastermap Fig 25 Plan showing current and proposed ground levels Fig 26 Plan showing overall layout of proposed development Fig 27 Plan showing proposed layout of surface water and foul drainage Fig 28 Development proposals and historic mapping features overlain on OS mastermap 3 A.P.A.C. Ltd Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon DBA/BR/17 Plates PL01 1981 Brecon Bypass aerial photograph 81-055 – Frame 16 PL02 View of current access at south western corner of site PL03 View north within site towards LB6869 encompassing former tramway line PL04 View north within site towards LB6869 showing current state of area PL05 View east within site showing undergrowth and line of rooves along Watton Street PL06 View west within site showing rear of houses on Conway street & 1999 development PL07 View of site as observed from canal bridge at Gas Works lane PL08 Current view of site as viewed from southern towpath PL09 Current view of site as viewed from southern towpath PL10 View towards site from Theatr Brycheiniog to south west PL11 View of 2005 house immediately adjacent LB6888, Gas Works lane canal bridge PL12 View of modern developments along canal to south east of Gas Works lane canal bridge LB Appendices Appendix I Scheduled Ancient Monument Data Appendix II Listed Building Data Appendix III HER Core Data Appendix IV HER Event Data Appendix V Table 6 - Listed buildings line of sight to area of proposed development Appendix VI Site Visit Photograph Contact Sheet 4 A.P.A.C. Ltd Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon DBA/BR/17 1 Introduction 1.1 This report has been prepared by C E Smith, A.P.A.C. Ltd, and forms the results of an archaeological desk based assessment and site walkover undertaken in response to the submission of a planning application for the erection of 12 new houses, with associated landscaping, access and infrastructure, on land at Cross Yard, Watton Street, Brecon. 1.2 The assessment area is centred on NGR 304770 228235 (Fig 1). The planning application number for the project is 17/14980/FUL and the local planning authority is Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNP). The desk based assessment has been undertaken in order that the impact of the proposed development can be properly assessed prior to determination of the planning application. The PRN Event number for this desk based assessment is 144180. 1.3 Prior to the desk based assessment and site walkover commencing, a written scheme of investigation (DBA/BR/17 – Doc 372) was submitted to, and approved by, the BBNP Heritage Officer, Alice Thorne. 2 Site Location and Description 2.1 The assessment area, totalling 2500m², is currently an area of flat, overgrown, waste ground located to the south of Watton Street (Fig 2) and fronting on to the Brecon Canal. It is situated at approximately 132m above Ordnance Datum. 2.2 The town of Brecon itself is situated on the north bank of the river Usk at its confluence with the river Honddu, adjacent to the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. 3 Geology and Topography 3.1 The underlying solid geology of the assessment area is formed by the St Maughn’s Formation, Argrillaceous Rocks and interbedded [subequal/subordinate] sandstones. These sedimentary rocks are fluvial in origin (British Geological Survey, 2017). 3.2 The assessment area is located on the approximate boundary between two different overlying soil types. To the north, freely draining, slightly acid loamy soils are present, whilst to the south, the soils are characterised by freely draining floodplain soils (Soilscapes, 2017). 4 Brief archaeological and historical background 4.1 The assessment area fronts onto the northern bank of the Brecon canal within the canal basin area of the town of Brecon itself. The Newport,