Solar Site, Llanwern, Newport Archaeological desk-based assessment March 2015 GGAT report no. 2015/017 Project no.P1737 A report for Energy My Way National Grid Reference: by Andy Sherman BA ACIfA ST 37811 84203 CONTRACTORS HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT SCHEME Accredited Contractor www.chas.gov.uk The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd Heathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL Solar Site, Llanwern, Newport: Archaeological desk-based assessment Contents Page Summary ..................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 3 Copyright notice ......................................................................................................... 3 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. 3 Period definitions ....................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Planning history................................................................................................................ 5 1.2. Specification and methodology for study......................................................................... 5 1.3. Assessment criteria ........................................................................................................... 7 1.4. Hedgerow Regulations ................................................................................................... 11 2. Background ................................................................................................................... 12 2.1. Location, Topography and Geology............................................................................... 12 2.2. The historic landscape .................................................................................................... 12 2.3. Walkover survey ............................................................................................................ 13 2.4. General historical and archaeological background ........................................................ 15 2.5. Specific historical and archaeological background ........................................................ 19 2.6. Previous Ground Investigations ..................................................................................... 21 2.7. Rippon’s Cartographic analysis of the Caldicot Levels ................................................. 22 2.8. Review of Cartographic and Aerial Resources: ............................................................. 23 3. Archaeological Interests .............................................................................................. 26 4. Assessment .................................................................................................................... 35 4.1. Effect of the development on archaeological sites ......................................................... 35 4.2. Justification of assessment ............................................................................................. 39 4.3. Indirect physical and visual effects of the development on archaeological sites and landscapes.................................................................................................................... 39 5. Mitigation ...................................................................................................................... 40 Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 41 Appendix I ..................................................................................................................... 45 Map Regression ........................................................................................................ 45 Appendix II ................................................................................................................... 48 Plates and Walkover Survey ..................................................................................... 48 Appendix III ................................................................................................................. 51 Aerial Photographs with Coverage of the Development Areas ............................... 51 Appendix IV .................................................................................................................. 53 Gazetteer of archaeological interests ...................................................................... 53 I Solar Site, Llanwern, Newport: Archaeological desk-based assessment Plates Page Plate 1: A typical landscape of the Caldicot Levels, showing development area 7 on the right, Grangefield Farm in the background and Elver Reen to the right. View to the southwest. ........................................................................................................... 48 Plate 2: Example of one of many bridges on the Caldicot Levels, shown here crossing the Chapel Road reen. View to northeast. .................................................................. 48 Plate 3: Whitson Court (LB2944/21147/00217g). View to the east. .................................... 49 Plate 4: St Mary Magdelene's Church, Goldcliff (LB2912/307350/00274g). View to the northeast. .................................................................................................................. 49 Plate 5: Medieval ridge and furrow identified just to the east of Area 7. View to the southwest. ................................................................................................................. 50 Tables Table 1: Commercial residents of Whitson, listed in Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire 1901 ........................................................................................................................... 20 Table 2: Identified archaeological interests within Study Area ........................................... 34 Table 3: Direct effect of the development on archaeological interests ................................ 37 Table 4: Indirect effect of the development on archaeological interests ............................. 38 Figures Figure 1: Plan showing study area (green), development area (red), sites of archaeological interest (red) ............................................................................................................. 14 Figure 2: First edition (1883) Ordnance Survey map showing the development areas ..... 45 Figure 3: Second edition (1901) Ordnance Survey map showing the development areas . 46 Figure 4: Third edition (1920) Ordnance Survey map showing the development areas ... 47 II Solar Site, Llanwern, Newport: Archaeological desk-based assessment Summary Energy My Way are proposing to construct a solar farm on land near Chestnut Farm, Llanwern, Newport (scoping request Planning Application number: 14/0419). The proposed development is divided into seven, irregular shaped areas, centred on the village of Whitson (NGR ST 37811 84203). The proposed development would consist of the erection of a solar farm producing up to 49 MW of power, which would consist of fixed panels in rows, mounted on a framework system which is screwed in to the ground. It would include small substation buildings and associated small scale plant. The electricity generated from the site would be piped directly to the national grid via underground cables. Energy My Way instructed their agents Smiths Gore to request a screening opinion for the proposed development from Newport City Council. In responses to this screening request the archaeological advisors to the LPA (GGAT Curatorial) recommended that a desk-based assessment and ASIDOHL2 be completed for the proposed development. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, Projects Division (GGAT Projects) have been commissioned by Energy My Way’s agents Smiths Gore to undertake the assessment of the effect on the archaeological resource of the proposed development. A total of 187 sites of archaeological interest identified within the study area. This total includes four Scheduled Ancient Monuments MM092/307860/00273g (Goldcliff moated house), MM205/406/54452/02313g (Moated site east of Grangefield Farm), MM313/307859/00275g (St Mary Magdalene’s, Goldcliff, churchyard cross) and MM353/412859/08900g (Goldcliff Pill tank traps). There were sixteen Listed Buildings identified within the study area. LB18352/220537/00266g (St Mary’s Church at Nash) is a Grade I. Buildings LB2943/307461/307381/03834g (St Mary’s Church, Whitson) and LB2944/21147/00271g (Whitson Court) are Grade II* Listed Buildings. The remaining thirteen buildings are Grade II Listed: LB2912/307860/00273g (St Mary Magadelene’s Church, Goldcliff), LB17538/00269g (Great Newra), LB17539 (Barn at Great Newra), LB17540/03833g (Whitson Green Farmhouse), LB17541 (Samson Court), LB17542/410539/03831g (Pye Corner Farm), LB17544/03830g (Fair Orchard), LB17545 (Fair Orchard barn and attached agricultural buildings), LB2940/220746/00437g (St James’ Church at Redwick), LB2946/21148/03832g (Whitson Lodge), LB3060/36493/02977g (Brickhouse), LB3065/45058/00282g (Little Portion Cottage) and LB3066/43266/002833g (Little Portion Byre). No Registered Parks and Gardens were identified within the study area. The current report forms