archaeological desk based assessment€¦ · 2.1 the ancient monuments and archaeological areas act...

Wentlooge Solar DBA | 1

October 2020 | Project Ref 05782B

Archaeological

Desk Based

Assessment

__________

Wentlooge Levels

Solar Farm,

Newport, South

Wales


Author with date Reviewer code, with date

JM, 23.10.2020 RD, 00102, 24.10.2020

Project Number: 005782B

File Origin: L:\Jim AC\HC05782 - Wentlooge Renewable Scheme, Newport,

Wales\05782B - DBA update\AC\Reports\2020.10.05-05782B-

Wentlooge-DBA-Update-V1.docx


Contents Non-Technical Summary

1. Introduction ................................................................................... 6

2. Relevant Policy Framework ............................................................ 9

3. Methodology ................................................................................. 19

4. Archaeological Background .......................................................... 27

5. Site Conditions and the Proposed Development ............................ 56

6. Impact Assessment ...................................................................... 69

7. Conclusions .................................................................................. 87

8. Sources ......................................................................................... 89

9. Figures ......................................................................................... 91

Figures Fig. 1 Site Location Plan

Fig. 2 Geology of the Site

Fig. 3 Topography of the Site

Fig. 4 Scheduled Monuments and Registered Parks and Gardens

within 4km of the Site

Fig. 5 Grade I and II* Listed Buildings within 4km of the Site

Fig. 6 Grade II Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas within

4km of the Site

Fig. 7 Designated Historic Assets within 4km of the Site lying

within the ZTV zones (based on plan prepared by WYG)

Fig. 8 GGAT Historic Environment record and National Monument

Record of Wales data within 1km of the Site

Fig. 9 GGAT Historic Environment Record Events data within 1km

of the Site (not included large area assessments)

Fig. 10 Historic Maps of the Site


Fig. 11 Lidar data for the Site

Fig. 12 Orthomosaic of drone photographs provided by The Black

Arrows

Fig. 13 Development Proposals Layout


Short Summary

This Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment has been prepared by Archaeology

Collective, part of the HCUK Group, on behalf of Savills, for the proposed Wentlooge Farmers

Solar Farm project in South Wales. The local planning authority is Newport City Council. The

Site encompasses an area of c.122ha centred on ST 27684 81820.

The Site lies within the Registered Historic Landscape of the Gwent Levels, with seven Historic

Landscape Character Areas within 4km of the Site, two of which lie partially within it. The

effect of the development proposals on these are covered in a separate ASIDOHL2 report.

The assessment has confirmed that the Site is covered with typical drainage features

associated with the Gwent Levels, still showing a clear layout of reens, drains and grips that

may have been present from at least the earlier part of the post medieval period.

There are a number of scheduled monuments present within 4km of the Site, although only

one has been confirmed to have any intervisibility with the Site and potential harm to its

significance may occur: the , Pen-y-Lan Camp, an Iron Age enclosure on the high ground to

the north which has views across the entire application area. One further designated historic

asset has been identified which may have some intervisibility with the Site and thus potential

harm to its significance, Gelli-ber Farmhouse, a Grade II listed building.

The main archaeological potential of the site area comes from former drainage features rom

the Roman period onwards and palaeo-environmental remains surviving in the waterlogged

and anaerobic conditions of the area, present across the majority of the Gwent Levels.

Crynodeb

TO BE ADDED


1. Introduction

Project Background

1.1 This Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment has been prepared by James Meek MCIfA, Director at Archaeology Collective, part of the HCUK Group, on behalf of

Savills. The report updates the previous Heritage Statement1 prepared by Savills

earlier in 2020 to address comments from Cadw and Glamorgan Gwent

Archaeological Trust. The report has been prepared in October 2020.

1.2 The subject of this assessment is the site known as Wentlooge Farmers Solar Scheme (Figure 1). The proposed solar farm is approximately 122ha in size and is

centred at National Grid Reference (NGR) 327684 181820. It is hereafter referred to

as the ‘Site’. The development area and application area lie within the administrative

jurisdiction of the Newport City Council. The scale of the development is such that it

is recognised as a Development of National Significance (DNS).

1.3 The purpose of this assessment is to consider the archaeological potential of area in question and to highlight any areas of known or suspected archaeological potential.

It will also consider the built heritage, and registered parks and gardens, along with

scheduled monuments. An archaeological written scheme of investigation (WSI) was

prepared by Archaeology Collective2 and approved by the Planning Services section

of Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust in their capacity as archaeological advisors

to the planning authority.

1.4 The Site lies within the Gwent Levels landscape included within the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interests in Wales (Ref number HLW(Gt)2), The development

boundary partially covers two character areas within the wider Gwent Levels HLW:

Western St Brides (HLCA No 16) and Maerdy (HLCA 21). The effects on these

Registered Landscapes of Outstanding or Special Historic Interest are the subject of a

separate ASIDOHL v2 assessment produced by Archaeology Collective3.

1.5 The aim of the report is to determine the archaeological potential of the Site, to identify any particular areas of archaeological potential or significance and to provide

guidance on ways to accommodate any relevant constraints identified, as well as

describing the potential impact, through changes to the setting of any listed

buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens,

and registered landscapes of outstanding or special historic interest within 4km of

1 Savills 2020 2 Archaeology Collective 2020a 3 Archaeology Collective 2020b


the application area. This assessment is in accordance with Chapter 6 of Planning

Policy Wales, Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 24 and the procedures set

out in CIfA’s ‘Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based

Assessment’4.

1.6 This desk-based assessment comprises an examination of evidence on the Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record (GGAT HER) and National Monuments

Record of Wales data (NMRW) within 1km and designated historic assets within 4km

of the Site. The report incorporates the results of map regression in order to review

change through time of the Site.

1.7 The assessment thus enables all relevant parties to assess the archaeological potential of the Site and the potential effects of the development on the significance

of any off-site designated historic assets through a change to their setting.

1.8 A desk-based assessment is defined by CIfA as: ……a programme of study of the historic environment within a specified area or site on land, the inter-tidal zone or

underwater that addresses agreed research and/or conservation objectives. It

consists of an analysis of existing written, graphic, photographic and electronic

information in order to identify the likely historic assets, their interests and

significance and the character of the study area, including appropriate consideration

of the settings of historic assets and, in England, the nature, extent and quality of

the known or potential archaeological, historic, architectural and artistic interest.

Significance is to be judged in a local, regional, national or international context as

appropriate.5

1.9 For the purposes of Planning Policy in Wales TAN 24 – The Historic Environment, the historic environment is defined as: All aspects of the environment resulting from

the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving

physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and

deliberately planted or managed (para 1.7, Welsh Government 20176).

1.10 A historic asset is: An identifiable component of the historic environment. It may consist or be a combination of an archaeological site, a historic building or area,

historic park and garden or a parcel of historic landscape. Nationally important

historic assets will normally be designated.7

Geology

4 CIfA. Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment 2017 5 Ibid 6 Welsh Government 2016, Planning Policy Wales TAN 24 The Historic Environment 2017 7 Ibid


1.11 The British Geological Survey8 (Figure 2) identifies the underlying solid geology across the application area as being Triassic Rocks (undifferentiated) - Mudstone,

Siltstone and Sandstone: sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 200 to 251

million years ago in the Triassic Period when the local environment was previously

dominated by hot deserts.

1.12 The superficial geology across the entire Site area is recorded as Alluvium - Clay, Silt and Sand, superficial deposits formed up to 2 million years ago in the Quaternary

Period when the local environment previously dominated by rivers9.

1.13 The area has been reclaimed from tidal flats since the medieval period and so there are more recent alluvial deposits across the site area also.

Topography

1.14 The Site c.162.26ha of low lying lands within the Gwent Levels (Figure 2) lying around 780m west of the village of Wentlooge and 350m south of Marshfield.

1.15 The Site is bounded to the north by the South Wales Main Line railway. The Broadway road forms the western boundary of the site. The B4239 St Bride’s Road

forms the southern boundary and Hawes Lane forms the eastern boundary.

1.16 The Site area lies at a height of between 3 – 7m above Ordnance Datum (a OD), with various channels and ditches across the Site dropping down lower to below 2m

aOD. There is a slight rise in the land to the east and northwest but the Site is

generally relatively level.

8 British Geological Society Online Viewer 9 Ibid


2. Relevant Policy Framework

National Legislation

2.1 The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 was previously the primary legislation for protecting archaeological remains and Scheduled Ancient

Monuments in Wales. This has been consolidated by the Historic Environment

(Wales) Act 2016 which has three main aims as defined by Cadw:

a) to give more effective protection to listed buildings and scheduled monuments;

b) to improve the sustainable management of the historic environment; and

c) to introduce greater transparency and accountability into decisions taken on the

historic environment.

2.2 The new Act consolidates the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and also the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. It is

supported by a number of planning guidance documents, a number of which are still

in preparation. The Act most specifically provides better safeguards for the

protection of Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings and Historic Parks and Gardens.

It will also include further guidance on place names.

Planning Policy Wales – Technical Advice Note 24: The Historic

Environment

2.3 Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 24 The Historic Environment was adopted on 31st May 2017 which replaced Circular 60/96 'Planning and the Historic

Environment and Circular 61/96 'Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic

Buildings and Conservation Areas’. This states that ‘The purpose of this TAN is to

provide guidance on how the planning system considers the historic environment

during development plan preparation and decision making on planning and Listed

Building (LBC) applications. This TAN provides specific guidance on how the

following aspects of the historic environment should be considered:

a) World Heritage Sites

b Scheduled monuments

c) Archaeological remains

d) Listed buildings

e) Conservation areas

f) Historic parks and gardens


g) Historic landscapes

h) Historic assets of special local interest’ (Ibid para 1.4)10

2.4 Advice and decisions on planning applications affecting nationally significant historic environment features (or designated historic assets) is provided by Cadw acting on

behalf of Welsh Government.

2.5 TAN 24 also notes the importance of The Conservation Principles document (Cadw 2011)11 being used for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in

Wales ‘and provide the basis upon which Cadw discharges certain statutory duties on

behalf of the Welsh Ministers’12. It notes that ‘Conservation Principles should be

used by others (including owners, developers and other public bodies) to assess the

potential impacts of a development proposal on the significance of any historic

asset/assets and to assist in decision making where the historic environment is

affected by the planning process’13.

2.6 Conservation Principles includes the following six principles.

1. Historic assets will be managed to sustain their values.

2. Understanding the significance of historic assets is vital.

3. The historic environment is a shared resource.

4. Everyone will be able to participate in sustaining the historic environment.

5. Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and consistent.

6. Documenting and learning from decisions is essential.

2.7 The significance of a heritage asset is defined in TAN 24 as comprising four heritage values which need to be understood before the significance of the asset can be

assessed: Evidential value; Historical value; Aesthetic value and Communal value.

2.8 TAN 24 discusses Heritage Impact Assessments and notes ‘that they are a structured process that enables the significance of a designated asset to be taken into account

when considering proposals for change. Heritage impact assessments should be

proportionate both to the significance of the historic asset and to the degree of

change proposed, and should include sufficient information to enable both the

significance of the asset and the impact of change to be understood. A Heritage

Impact Assessment should be summarised in a heritage impact statement which

10 TAN 24, para 1.4 11 Cadw 2011, Conservation Principles 12 TAN 24, para 1.10 13 Ibid


must form part of any listed building consent, conservation area consent and, when

requested, scheduled monument consent applications.’

2.9 Guidelines for the preparation of Heritage Impact Assessments in Wales have been prepared by Cadw14.

2.10 TAN 24 discusses what the setting of a historic asset comprises in para 1.25: ‘The setting of an historic asset includes the surroundings in which it is understood,

experienced, and appreciated embracing present and past relationships to the

surrounding landscape. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its

surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative

contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that

significance or may be neutral. Setting is not a historic asset in its own right but

has value derived from how different elements may contribute to the significance of

a historic asset.’15

2.11 It notes that the principles used for determining setting impact ‘are equally applicable to all historic assets, irrespective of their designation. For any

development within the setting of a historic asset, some of the factors to consider

and weigh in the assessment include:

• The significance of the asset and the contribution the setting makes to that

significance

• the prominence of the historic asset

• the expected lifespan of the proposed development

• the extent of tree cover and its likely longevity

• non-visual factors affecting the setting of the historic asset such as noise.’16

2.12 Further it recognises that ‘There will be cases where a proposed development will enhance the setting of a historic asset and this will be treated as a benefit resulting

from the development. Mitigation of damaging effects could be achieved through

good design and in some cases screening or landscaping.’17

2.13 Archaeological remains are referenced in section 4 of TAN 24. It states that ‘The conservation of archaeological remains is a material consideration in determining a

planning application. When considering development proposals that affect scheduled

monuments or other nationally important archaeological remains, there should be a

14 Cadw 2017, Heritage Impact Assessments in Wales, May 2017 15 TAN 24 para 1.25 16 TAN 24 para 1.26 17 TAN 24 para 1.28


presumption in favour of their physical preservation in situ, i.e. a presumption

against proposals which would involve significant alteration or cause damage, or

would have a significant adverse impact causing harm within the setting of the

remains’18.

2.14 In relation to ‘less significant archaeological remains, local planning authorities will need to weigh the relative importance of the archaeological remains and their

settings against other factors, including the need for the proposed development’19.

2.15 It should be noted than TAN 24 makes no distinction between Scheduled Monuments and those non-designated archaeological remains that would be considered of

national importance. This recognises the fact that not all nationally important sites

have been identified, and that there may be some going through the process of

scheduling.

2.16 Paragraphs 4.3 to 4.17 of TAN 24 discuss how potential impacts from development on archaeological remains should be addressed. It recommends early consultation

with local authorities and their archaeological planning advisors and gives details on

when initial desk-based assessments or pre-determination evaluations of sites should

be carried out.

‘4.3 Where development might reveal, disturb or destroy archaeological

remains, including palaeo- environmental evidence, it is important that the

opportunities to record archaeological evidence are taken and that archaeological

remains are not needlessly destroyed. The ability to record such evidence should

not be a factor in deciding whether controlled removal should be permitted.

‘4.4 The needs of archaeology and development may be reconciled and

potential conflicts between development proposals and the preservation of

significant archaeological remains can often be avoided through pre-application

discussion. This should be between the applicant, the local planning authority, their

archaeological advisors and, in cases where scheduled monuments may be

affected, Cadw. In the case of those local authorities that do not have in-house

archaeological advisors, they could draw upon the expertise and advice of the

curatorial sections of the Welsh Archaeological Trusts.

‘4.5 Where there is a possibility that archaeological remains may be present,

applicants are encouraged to make an enquiry with the body with responsibility for

the relevant historic environment record and seek advice from the local planning

authority’s archaeological advisor at an early stage in considering their

development proposal.

18 TAN 24 para 4.2 19 Ibid


‘4.6 In exceptional circumstances, where a local planning authority is aware of

a threat to a known archaeological site as a result of the potential exercise of

permitted development rights, they may wish to consider the use of their powers to

withdraw those rights and require planning permission be obtained before the

development can proceed.

‘4.7 Where archaeological remains are known to exist, or considered likely to

exist, and a study has not already been undertaken by the applicant, the local

planning authority should ask an applicant to undertake a desk-based

archaeological assessment and, where appropriate, an archaeological evaluation. …

The reports of these investigations will form part of the planning application.

Applicants should show they have modified their development proposals to

minimise any negative impact on the identified archaeological remains, and how

they intend to mitigate any remaining negative impacts.

‘4.8 The need for a desk-based assessment, and field evaluation where

appropriate, should be discussed with the local planning authority prior to

submission of an application, and where required the results of these studies should

be submitted as part of the planning application. Failure to provide sufficient

archaeological information of the appropriate standard may be a valid reason for

the local planning authority to refuse planning permission.

‘4.9 When considering planning applications that affect known or potential

archaeological remains, the local planning authority should consult with their

archaeological advisor, about the impact, including the potential scale and harm, of

the development on archaeological remains, and/or the adequacy of the mitigation

of what has been proposed. These two factors are material considerations in

determining the planning application. Where a planning application directly affects

a scheduled monument and its setting then the local planning authority is required

to consult the Welsh Ministers through Cadw.

‘4.10 The case for the preservation of archaeological remains that are not

considered to meet the criteria for national importance, must be assessed on the

individual merits of each case. The local planning authority must take into account

relevant policies and material considerations, and will need to weigh the

significance of the remains against the benefits of and need for the proposed

development. In cases where there are issues of more than local importance,

applications may be called in for determination by the Welsh Ministers.

‘Preservation, or Partial Preservation of Archaeological

Remains

‘4.11 Measures can be taken to minimise the impact of a development proposal

on identified archaeological remains and allow their preservation in situ. For

example, those aspects of a proposal that might cause damage, such as drains and


other services, may be relocated. Similarly, foundations may be redesigned so as

not to penetrate archaeological layers, or augered piling may prove more acceptable

than large-scale deep excavation. In considering these solutions, a local planning

authority must consider both direct and indirect impacts, such as changes to the

hydrology and soil chemistry of a site, and be confident that the development can

be removed at a future date without additional impacts upon the buried remains. In

some cases, it may be possible to enable the partial preservation of archaeological

remains. However, leaving ‘islands’ of preserved archaeology is not desirable.

Careful design can also minimise the effect upon setting, through detailed siting of

the development, considering external appearances, the use of screening or by

mitigating the visual impact of the proposals by removal of existing unsightly

elements.

‘Recording and Furthering Understanding of

Archaeological Evidence

‘4.12 Having considered all policies and other material considerations and the

need for the development, the local planning authority may decide that the

significance of the archaeological remains is not sufficient to justify their physical

preservation. In these cases, the local planning authority must satisfy itself that

the necessary and proportionate arrangements for the excavation and recording of

these archaeological remains are secured, and the results of this archaeological

work are properly analysed and published and that arrangements are made for the

deposition of the resulting archive to the appropriate standards. This can be

achieved by the local planning authority issuing a brief setting out the scope of the

archaeological work that is required, which should be prepared in consultation with

their archaeological advisor.

‘4.13 Planning conditions will normally require the applicant to commission a

qualified and competent expert to submit a written scheme of archaeological

investigation (WSI) which describes the different stages of the work and

demonstrates that it has been fully resourced and given adequate time. In

approving this WSI, the local planning authority will identify who will act as their

archaeological advisor63 for the programme, how it will be monitored both during

the excavation/ fieldwork and post-excavation/fieldwork stages, and how each stage

will be certified as fulfilling the planning conditions. The WSI may have to be

amended between the outline and full planning applications and will need to be kept

under regular review during the discharge of the conditions.

‘4.14 Any programme of archaeological excavation and recording should

precede the start of work on the development, unless there are exceptional

circumstances which prevent this from occurring. In certain circumstances, e.g.

where the site is occupied, the work could be integrated into the initial phase of

groundworks and demolitions following written agreement with the local planning


authority and their archaeological advisors. The developer must give sufficient time

for the archaeological contractor to complete the site work to the appropriate

standard before allowing the main contractor free access to that part of the

development. An archaeological watching brief may be agreed as part of the WSI

or be the subject of a planning condition64 that would require such work to be

carried out while the development is underway. The applicant’s responsibilities are

not finally discharged until the results are analysed and published and the archive

has been deposited.

4.15 Failure to comply with archaeological planning conditions can be subject

to enforcement in the same way as any other breach of planning control.

‘Unexpected Archaeological Discoveries

‘4.16 Developers should have a contingency to deal with unexpected

archaeological discoveries and be able to call on archaeological advice when

needed. Appropriate remedial measures will need to be agreed between the

developer, the local planning authority and their archaeological advisors.

‘4.17 Where unexpected archaeological discoveries are considered to be of

national importance, the Welsh Ministers have the power to schedule the site. In

the event of scheduling, the developer must seek separate scheduled monument

consent before work can continue. It is also open to the local planning authority

and the Welsh Ministers to revoke or modify a planning permission under these

circumstances, in which case there is provision for the compensation of the

developer for loss of value and expenditure incurred.

Supplementary Planning Guidance ‘SPG’s & Other Relevant

Policy

2.17 Planning Policy Wales (PPW) advises that SPGs may be taken into account as a material consideration where it has been prepared in consultation with the general

public and interested parties and it has been the subject of a Council resolution.

2.18 The Hedgerows Regulations 1997 are intended to protect important countryside hedges from destruction or damage. The Regulations define what a hedgerow is in

terms of the regulations, and set out the criteria for determining what an ‘important’

hedgerow is.

2.19 The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) is concerned with improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. It

requires the public bodies listed in the Act to think more about the long-term, work

better with people and communities and each other, look to prevent problems and

take a more joined-up approach.


2.20 The Act puts in place seven wellbeing goals;

• A prosperous Wales

• A resilient Wales

• A healthier Wales

• A more equal Wales

• A Wales of cohesive communities

• A globally responsive Wales.

2.21 The Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015 places a duty on the Council to take reasonable steps in exercising its functions to meet the wellbeing

objectives set out above.

2.22 The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 - The Environment (Wales) Act puts in place the legislation needed to plan and manage Wales’ natural resources in a more

proactive, sustainable and joined-up way. Part 1 of the Act sets out Wales' approach

to planning and managing natural resources at a national and local level with a

general purpose linked to statutory 'principles of sustainable management of natural

resources' defined within the Act. The Act has been carefully designed to help secure

Wales’ long term well-being so that current and future generations benefit from a

prosperous economy, a healthy and resilient environment and vibrant, cohesive

communities. The protection of historic assets can contribute to many of the

objectives of the Act through the sustainable and effective management of heritage

and archaeological resources.

2.23 National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) sets out the government’s approach to nationally significant energy infrastructure

projects, including on shore wind farms.

2.24 Paragraph 1.2.3 states that: “In England and Wales this NPS is likely to be a material consideration in decision making on relevant applications” and “whether and to what

extent this NPS is a material consideration will be judged on a case by case basis”.

2.25 In relation to onshore windfarms, paragraph 2.7.17 states that: “The time limited nature of wind farms…is likely to be an important consideration when assessing

impacts such as landscape and visual effects and potential effects on the settings of

heritage assets”

2.26 Paragraph 2.7.43 then goes on to state in respect of the determination of application for on shore windfarms: “…should take into account the length of time for which

consent is sought when considering any indirect effect on the historic environment,

such as on the setting of designated heritage assets”


Relevant Local Policies

Newport Local Development Plan 2011 – 2026

2.27 The Newport Local Development Plan is the spatial development strategy for the Newport City Council area and was formally adopted in January 2015. The Local

Development Plan contains policies to protect and enhance the contribution of listed

buildings, historic landscapes, archaeology and World Heritage sites as part of

managing change in the Council area.

2.28 The Local Development Plan pre-dates the Historic Environment Act (Wales) 2016, but the approach is similar.

2.29 The following policies are relevant to this assessment:

Relevant Section Details

CE4: Historic

Landscapes, Parks,

Gardens and

Battlefields

Sites included in the Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens

of Special Historic Interest and identified Historic Battlefields

should be protected, conserved, enhanced and where

appropriate, restored. Attention will also be given to their

setting.

CE5: Locally Listed

Buildings and Sites

Buildings and sites of local significance for their architectural or

historic interest will be included on a local list and should be

protected from demolition or inappropriate development.

CE6: Archaeology

Development proposals will normally be required to undertake

an archaeological impact assessment before the proposal is

determined:

i) Where Groundworks and/or The Installation Of Services Are

Proposed Within The Archaeologically Sensitive Areas Of

Caerleon, The Levels, Lower Machen And The City Centre , Or;

ii) Within Other Areas Of Recognised Archaeological Interest.

CE7: Conservation

Areas

Development Within Or Adjacent To Conservation Areas Will Be

Required To:

i) be designed to preserve or enhance the character or

appearance of the conservation area, having regard to the

conservation area appraisal where appropriate.


ii) avoid the removal of existing historic features, including

traditional shopfronts and joinery.

iii) use materials which are traditional, or appropriate to their

context.

iv) complement or reflect the architectural qualities of nearby

buildings which make a positive contribution to the character of

the area.

v) pay special attention to the settings of buildings, and avoid

the loss of any existing domestic gardens and open spaces

which contribute to the character of the area.

vi) avoid adverse impact on any significant views, within,

towards and outwards from the conservation area.

.


3. Methodology

Archaeological Assessment Methodology

3.1 This report has been produced in accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment issued by the Chartered Institute for

Archaeologists20. These guidelines provide a national standard for the completion of

desk-based assessments.

3.2 A written scheme of investigation for the Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment was prepared by Archaeology Collective in October 2020 and this was

approved by the Planning Services department of the Glamorgan Gwent

Archaeological Trust.

3.3 The assessment principally involved consultation of readily available archaeological and historical information from documentary and cartographic sources. The major

repositories of information comprised:

Information held by the Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record on

known archaeological sites, monuments and findspots within 1km of the Site

(search reference 6389);

National Monuments Record of Wales, Royal Commission on the Ancient and

Historic Monuments of Wales (licence : RCPL2/3/75/032);

Maps and documents held by the Glamorgan Archives and online;

The National Heritage List for Wales curated by Cadw;

Aerial photographs held by the Central Register for Aerial Photography in

Wales and National Monuments Record, Aberystwyth; and

Records made during a site visit in February 2019 and October 2020.

3.4 This report provides a synthesis of relevant information for the Site derived from a search area extending up to 1km from its boundary for non-designated historic

assets, and 4km for designated historic assets, hereafter known as ‘the 1km study

area’ and ‘the 4km study area’ respectively, to allow for additional contextual

information regarding its archaeological interest or potential to be gathered.

3.5 The information gathered from the repositories and sources identified above was checked and augmented through the completion of a site visit and walkover. This

walkover considered the nature and significance of known and/or potential

20 CIfA 2017


archaeological assets within the Site, identified visible historic features and assessed

possible factors which may affect the survival or condition of known or potential

assets.

3.6 In addition, the report also considers the nature and significance of any effects arising beyond the boundary of the application site; i.e. through potential changes to

the settings of designated historic assets.

3.7 In that regard, the site walkover also considered, where appropriate, the contribution (if any) made by the land within the Site to the settings of designated archaeological

assets situated within its wider zone of influence.

3.8 The report concludes with (1) an assessment of the Site’s likely archaeological potential, made with regard to current best practice guidelines, and (2) an

assessment of the likely effects of the proposed development upon designated and

undesignated archaeological assets, whether direct or indirect.

Assessment of Significance and Importance

3.9 Historic assets are assessed in terms of their significance and importance, following the requirement in PPW, and taking account of the Welsh Government’s guidance in

TAN2421 and Cadw’s Conservation Principles22. Significance, in relation to heritage

policy, is defined by the Conservation Principles as

“embrace[ing] all of the cultural heritage values that people associated with it, or

which prompt them to respond to it.”23

3.10 Where potential impacts on the settings of historic assets are identified, the assessment of significance includes assessing whether, how and to what degree

these settings make a contribution to the significance of the historic asset(s). The

methodology for assessing setting is described within the Setting Assessment

Methodology below.

3.11 The importance of a historic asset is the overall value assigned to it based on its heritage significance, reflecting its statutory designation or, in the case of

undesignated assets, the professional judgement of the assessor (Table 1).

Nationally and internationally designated assets are assigned to the highest two

levels of importance. Grade II Listed Buildings and Grade II Registered Parks &

Gardens are considered of medium importance. Conservation Areas are not assigned

to either level of importance by PPW but their status as local designations and their

21 WG 2017 22 Cadw 2011 23 Ibid


omission from the National Heritage List justifies their classification here as assets of

medium importance. Other non-designated assets which are considered of local

importance only are assigned to a low level of importance. An historic feature which

lacks a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because

of its heritage interest is not considered to be a historic asset; it may also be said to

have negligible importance.

Table 1: Criteria for Assessing the Importance of Historic assets

Importance of the asset

Criteria

Very high World Heritage Sites and other assets of equal international importance

High Grade I and II* Registered Parks and Gardens, Scheduled Monuments, Protected Wreck Sites, Registered Landscapes of Outstanding Historic Interest, Grade I and II* Listed Buildings, and undesignated historic assets of equal importance

Medium Conservation Areas, Grade II Registered Parks and Gardens, Grade II Listed Buildings, Registered Landscapes of Special Historic Interest, historic assets on local lists and undesignated assets of equal

importance

Low Undesignated historic assets of lesser importance

Archaeological Potential

3.12 The report concludes with (1) an assessment of the archaeological potential of the Site, (2) an assessment of the significance of any archaeological remains that may

be present, and (3) an assessment of the likely effects of the proposed development

on historic assets, both in terms of physical impact and (where relevant) change to

setting.

3.13 The likelihood that significant undiscovered historic assets may be present within the application site is referred to as archaeological potential. Overall levels of potential

can be assigned to different landscape zones, following the criteria in Table 2, while

recognising that the archaeological potential of any zone will relate to particular

historical periods and types of evidence. The following factors are considered in

assessing archaeological potential:

The distribution and character of known archaeological remains in the vicinity,

based principally on an appraisal of data in the GGAT HER;

The history of archaeological fieldwork and research in the surrounding area,

which may give an indication of the reliability and completeness of existing

records;


Environmental factors such as geology, topography and soil quality, which would

have influenced land-use in the past and can therefore be used to predict the

distribution of archaeological remains;

Land-use factors affecting the survival of archaeological remains, such as

ploughing or commercial forestry planting; and

Factors affecting the visibility of archaeological remains, which may relate to

both environment and land-use, such as soils and geology (which may be more

or less conducive to formation of cropmarks), arable cultivation (which has

potential to show cropmarks and create surface artefact scatters), vegetation,

which can conceal upstanding features, and superficial deposits such as peat and

alluvium which can mask archaeological features.

Table 2: Archaeological potential

Potential Definition

High Undiscovered historic assets of high or medium importance are likely

to be present.

Medium Undiscovered historic assets of low importance are likely to be

present; and it is possible, though unlikely, that assets of high or

medium importance may also be present.

Low The study area may contain undiscovered historic assets, but these

are unlikely to be numerous and are highly unlikely to include assets

of high or medium importance.

Negligible The study area is highly unlikely to contain undiscovered historic

assets of any level of importance.

Nil There is no possibility of undiscovered historic assets existing within

the study area.


Setting Assessment Methodology

3.14 The assessment process has given due consideration to Cadw guidance on setting as laid out in Managing Setting of Historic Assets in Wales24 and Heritage Impact

Assessment in Wales25 and similarly within the Welsh Government’s Planning Policy

Wales Technical Advice Note 24: The Historic Environment26.

3.15 When assessing the impact of proposals on designated historic assets, it is not a question of whether there would be a direct physical impact on that asset, but

instead whether change within its ‘setting’ would lead to a loss of ‘significance’.

3.16 In simple terms, setting is defined as ‘the surroundings in which a historic asset is understood, experienced and appreciated’. It therefore must be recognised from the

outset that ‘setting’ is not a historic asset, and cannot itself be harmed. Its

importance relates to the contribution it makes to the significance of the historic

asset and the extent to which it allows that significance to be understood,

experienced and appreciated.’

3.17 Welsh Government guidance27 identifies that ‘change in the historic environment is inevitable’, but it is only harmful when significance is damaged.

3.18 In that regard, the Cadw Conservation Principles document states that significance of an historic asset ‘embraces all of the cultural heritage values that people associated

with it, or which prompt them to respond to it’28.

3.19 As such, when assessing the impact of proposals on designated historic assets beyond the boundary of a development site, it is not a question of whether setting

would be affected, but rather a question of whether change within an asset’s ‘setting’

would lead to a loss of ‘significance’ or the ability to understand, experience and

appreciate ‘significance’ based on the above ‘heritage interest’ as defined by Cadw.

3.20 Set within this context, where the objective is to determine the impact of proposals on designated historic assets beyond the boundary of a development site, it is

necessary to first define the significance of the asset in question - and the

contribution made to that significance or the ability to appreciate that significance by

its 'setting', in order to establish whether there would be a loss, and therefore harm.

24 Cadw 2017a 25 Cadw 2017b 26 WG 2017 27 Ibid 28 Cadw 2011


The guidance identifies that change within a historic asset's setting need not

necessarily cause harm to that asset - it can be positive, negative or neutral.

3.21 In light of the above, the assessment of potential setting effects, arising from the proposed scheme, has followed the guidance set out in ‘Managing Setting of Historic

Assets in Wales’ by Cadw29. Part 1 of this guidance defines setting and observes that

the setting of a historic asset is:

“The surroundings in which a historic asset is understood, experienced and

appreciated, embracing present and past relationships and the surrounding

landscape. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings

evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive negative or neutral contribution to

the significance of an asset.”

3.22 The guidance is clear that the importance of setting lies in what it contributes to the significance of the historic asset or the ability to appreciate that significance.

3.23 On a practical level, the Cadw guidance identifies an approach to assessing setting in relation to development management which is based on a four-stage procedure; i.e.:

Identify the historic assets;

Define and analyse the setting which is made up of :

o Its current surroundings

o Our present understanding and appreciation of the historic asset

o What (if anything) survives of its historic surroundings.

Evaluate the potential impact of change or development; and

Consider options to mitigate the impact of a proposed change or development.

3.24 The Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales document30 states that the heritage values (significance) of a historic asset can be defined in the following terms:

evidential value: the extent to which the physical fabric tells how and when

your historic asset was made, how it was used and how it has changed over

time. There may be buried or obscured elements associated with your

historic asset which may also be an important potential source of evidence.

29 Cadw 2017a 30 Cadw 2017b


historical value: your historic asset may illustrate a particular past way of

life or be associated with a specific person or event; there may be physical

evidence for these connections which it could be important to retain.

aesthetic value: the design, construction and craftsmanship of your historic

asset. This can also include setting and views to and from the historic asset,

which may have changed through time.

communal value: your historic asset may have particular significance to

people for its commemorative, symbolic or spiritual value, or for the part it

has played in local cultural or public life. This will be particularly important in

the case of buildings in public use or sites where public access must be

maintained or improved.

3.25 Having established the baseline, the following guidance is provided in respect of an assessment of the effect upon ‘setting’; i.e.:

“Factors to be considered when assessing the impact of a proposed change or

development within the setting of a historic asset include:

the visual impact of the proposed change or development relative to the scale

of the historic asset and its setting

the visual impact of the proposed change or development relative to the

location of the historic asset

whether the proposed change or development would dominate the historic

asset or detract from our ability to understand and appreciate it — for

example, its functional or physical relationship with the surrounding landscape

and associated structures and/ or buried remains

the presence, extent, character and scale of the existing built environment

within the surroundings of the historic asset and how the proposed change or

development compares with this

the lifespan of the proposed change or development and whether or not the

impact might be reversible

the extent of tree cover, whether it is deciduous or evergreen, and its likely

longevity

the impact of artificial lighting — for example, on night-time views

the capability of a landscape setting to absorb change or new development

without the erosion of its key characteristics

the impact of the proposed change or development on non-visual elements of

the setting and character of the historic asset, such as sense of remoteness,

evocation of the historical past, sense of place, cultural identity or spiritual

responses


the impact of non-visual elements of the proposed change or development,

such as the removal or addition of noises and smell.”

3.26 In light of the above, the assessment of potential setting effects, employed in the preparation of this report, focused on the completion of site surveys, which were

undertaken in February 2019 and October 2020, and using further information

prepared for the development, especially the ZTV and ASIDOHL2 and has

concentrated on the following three main areas:

Identifying those historic assets that are capable of being affected by the

proposed scheme and the manner (if any) in which they would be affected,

through initial desk-based works and subsequent field visits;

Defining the contribution made to their significance by their setting; and

Assessing the likely impact upon their significance or the ability to appreciate

it as a result of the form of development proposed being implemented.

3.27 In light of the above, the setting assessment within Section 6 of this report has been prepared in a robust manner, employing current best practice professional guidance

and giving due regard to the methodology detailed above.


4. Archaeological Background

Introduction

4.1 The Site contains no designated historic assets although it does cover parts of two Historic Landscape Character Areas (HLCAs) of the Gwent Levels Registered

Landscape of Historic Significance. Designated historic assets were identified within

a 4km study area and are discussed below.

4.2 There are 8 scheduled monuments, 50 listed buildings, 1 Registered Parks And Gardens and 2 conservation areas within the 4km study area, and a further 5 HLCAs

(Figures 4, 5 and 6).

4.3 There are four known non-designated historic assets within the development area and 37 known non-designated historic assets within the 1km study area around the

Site recorded on the Glamorgan Gwent Historic Environment Record (GGAT HER).

There are 18 sites within this study area recorded on the National Monuments Record

of Wales (NMRW). Of these four lie within the Site boundary.

Designated Historic assets

4.4 The identification of relevant designated historic assets beyond the development area footprint that potentially could be affected by the proposed development through a

change to their setting (Step 1 of the Cadw guidance) was determined, in the first

instance through an initial desk top analysis. In this instance, the bare earth zone of

theoretical visibility (ZTV) out to 4km from the application area boundary was used

to further refine the Step 1 identification. Whilst the ZTV was used to filter out those

designated historic assets which were not within the ZTV, the process was further

refined during the field visits, so as to identify any such historic assets that whilst

being outside of the ZTV could still experience a change to their setting as a result of

the proposed development.

4.5 The designated historic asset numbers and names presented in the tables below, along with the locations of each asset as presented within the illustrations within this

report are taken directed from Cadw GIS data tables. This information has been

cross checked with the individual records for each designated historic asset as

available on the Cadw web portal.

4.6 The initial screening process established that 7 HLCAs, 4 scheduled monuments and 3 listed buildings were within the 4km ZTV (Figure 6). Field visits were then

undertaken to learn more about these sites and their settings. The assessment is

laid out in Section 5.


World Heritage Sites

4.7 There are no World Heritage Sites within 4km of the Site.

Registered Historic Landscape – Gwent Levels

4.8 The Site lies within The Gwent Levels Historic Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales (Ref number HLW(Gt)2). Within the 4km study area are seven

Historic Landscape Character Areas (HLCA), the Site itself lies within parts of two of

these.

4.9 The Site itself lies within parts of the Western St Brides HLCA 16 and Marshfield/ Coedkernow HLCA 20. All of the HLCAs lie within the Glamorgan Levels Registered

Historic Landscape. The impacts of the proposals on these HLCA areas is covered

within the Assessment of the Significance of Impact of Development on Historic

Landscape of Historic Interest in Wales 2 (ASIDOHL2) prepared by Archaeology

Collective earlier in 202031. The following text is taken from the ASIDOHL2 which is

a separate document assessing the impact of the development proposals.

Table 3: Historic Landscape Character Areas within 4km of the Site

HLCA Reference HLCA Name

HLCA 15 Eastern St Brides

HLCA 16 Western St Brides

HLCA 17 Llanbedr

HLCA 18 Rumney

HLCA 19 Trowbride

HLCA 20 Marshfield / Coedkernew

HLCA 21 Maerdy

4.10 The majority of the followings section is taken from the Heritage Statement prepared by Savills in 202032 to place the Site within its archaeological and historical context.

4.11 Additional information has been summarised from the detailed Landscape Character Assessment by Chris Blandford Associates in 2017 as part of the Living Levels

Landscape Partnership project . This study covered the entire area of the Gwent

31 Archaeology Collective 2020a 32 Savills 2020


Levels from Cardiff to the Welsh border to the east, but provides an excellent

assessment of the Wentlooge Levels area which has also been used within the

ASIDOHL assessment.

4.12 Savills 2020 describe the Gwent Levels as ‘low-lying, mostly being less than 7.5m above OD. They are generally at their lowest near their boundary with the solid

geology further inland. The southern boundaries of the Levels are protected by

seawalls and banks. Without the sea defences the Levels would be subjected to

frequent flooding. The area is criss-crossed by drainage channels known locally as

‘reens’.

4.13 ‘The area in which the Scheme sits is level throughout and divided by reens of various sizes; some are open although the majority are flanked on one side by a

mature hedgerow. The Site comprises a number of agricultural fields, which have

been opened up from earlier strip fields during the later 1900s.

4.14 ‘The majority of the landscape is under pasture with a smaller area of other agricultural practices such as orchards. Interspersing this rural landscape is a series

of small nucleated and ribbon villages that have their origins in at least the medieval

period: the majority of settlement is confined to the sides of the largely sinuous

minor roads that weave across the area. These include St Brides to the east and

Peterstone / Llanbedr to the west.

4.15 ‘The northern boundary of the Levels has seen significant modernisation, particularly around the Steelworks and M4/south Wales rail line corridor, which are clearly visible

in views to the north. Uskmouth power station provides a similar industrial backdrop

to western views across the landscape, whilst the numerous power lines and pylons

crossing the levels segment the majority of views from the Scheme in any direction.

4.16 ‘The Levels have accumulated during the post-glacial period (Holocene) and are largely composed of estuarine alluvium deposited through sea-level rise. These soils

are of the ‘Wentlooge Series’ and generally consist of brown-grey, moderately

friable, silty clays, becoming more grey in colour and heavier in texture with depth.

The Wentlooge Series can be divided into Upper, Middle (a peat layer) and Lower

Formations.

4.17 ‘Artefacts and structures dating to the Bronze Age are associated with the Middle Formation. The Upper Formation was laid down from the Iron Age through to the

post-medieval period. The present landscape represents human efforts to drain the

saltmarshes and to hold back later rises in sea-level.

4.18 ‘The historic landscape character of the study area around the Scheme comprises the following features:

major reens resulting from natural watercourses;


major reens which are wholly artificial (dating to the medieval period);

field ditches surrounding every field which discharge water into the reens;

grips (rectangular arrangements of shallow ditches on the surface of the fields which discharge into field ditches);

inland abandoned sea banks whose origins are obscure;

sea walls probably originating in the 16th century;

gouts where reens meet and coffer gouts where they cross;

pills where the major reens discharge either into tidal channels or into the estuary itself;

bridges across the reens;

roadways built upon embankments;

green lanes, sinuous with roadside waste in the east and straight without waste to the east; and

the distinctive and characteristic field patterns belonging to different phases of enclosure, represented by a patchwork of small fields, sinuous in the west and

rectilinear in the east, and largely marked by hedgerow vegetation which includes well-

cut hedges, scrubby hedges, mature trees and pollards.’

4.19 The CBA report includes a very useful illustration to demonstrate the various elements of drainage systems of the Gwent Levels:


Plate 1: Drainage components creating the general landscape of the Gwent Levels33

4.20 The Savills report continues ‘The Site lies wholly within the Gwent Levels Outstanding Landscape of Historic Interest, as noted on the non-statutory Register of Historic

Landscapes in Wales which has also been designated as a non-statutory

Archaeologically Sensitive Area by Newport City Council.

4.21 ‘The GGAT HER describes the Gwent Levels Historic Landscape as follows:

“The Outstanding Historic Landscape of Gwent Levels comprises three discrete and

extensive areas of alluvial wetlands and intertidal mudflats situated on the north side

of the Severn Estuary represent the largest and most significant example in Wales of

a 'hand-crafted' landscape. They are entirely the work of man, having been

recurrently inundated and reclaimed from the sea from the Roman period onwards.

The areas have distinctive patterns of settlement, enclosure and drainage systems

belonging to successive periods of use, and a proven and possibly quite vast

potential for extensive, well-preserved, buried, waterlogged, archaeological and

palaeoenvironmental deposits surviving from earlier landscapes.”

33 CBA 2017, p34


‘Within the Gwent Levels, the landscape is further divided into Historic Landscape

Character Areas (HLCAs), which provide further information regarding the specific

historical values of the landscape at a more local level. The Site is located across

two HLCAs, Western St. Brides (HLCA 16) and Maerdy (HLCA 21).’ Full descriptions

are included below (and repeated in Section 7) and are taken from the GGAT Historic

Landscape section of their website.

4.22 The characteristics of Western St Brides, which covers the southern half of the Site are laid out as follows34: ‘Simple landscape, laid out within a framework of elements

surviving from the Roman landscape.’

‘Regular field pattern of long narrow fields, significant boundaries of probable Roman

origin, drainage features include Peterstone Gout, the old sea wall, and a number of

fen-banks (some ridging/surface drainage also survives), limited linear roadside

settlement

‘This landscape area occupies the higher coastal zone east of Peterstone Gout. It

merges with HLCA 15 to the east and Maerdy (HLCA 21) to the north.

‘The principal elements are two NE-SW oriented boundaries which form continuations

of elements in the Roman landscape to the west. However, the small blocks of long

narrow fields between these boundaries are of medieval not Roman origin.

‘To the north of the main road there are a number of sinuous boundaries that

represent individual episodes of enclosure in the open back-fen moor; these "fen-

banks" were designed to keep freshwater from the low-lying back-fen, from flooding

the old enclosed lands towards the coast. Settlements are restricted to the main

road. The old sea wall and stone gout structure at Peterstone Gout are well

preserved.

‘This is an interesting landscape, at the edge of the area flooded in the post-Roman

period. It is characteristic of the general Wentlooge landscape of long narrow fields

and the process of reclamation of lower-lying areas through a sequence of intakes

from the open moor.

‘The western half of this area has been affected by agricultural improvement and the

construction of a golf course. Most hedges that survive are scrubby, especially to the

south of St. Brides village. Further west the landscape has been extensively

remodelled by a golf course and trout farm. Though not visually intrusive, they have

destroyed the historic fabric of the landscape by removing many reens and grips.

‘Overall, the integrity and coherence of the landscape are high to the north/east, but

lower to the south/west of this area. The area has suffered from agricultural

34 http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/Gwent%20Levels/English/GL_16.htm


improvement and the development of a golf course/trout farm complex. These

developments are not visually intrusive, and the sea wall still affords fine views of an

open landscape. The framework of Roman elements survives intact.’

4.23 The HLCA 21 - Maerdy is described by GGAT as follows35: ‘regular landscape" of medieval/post-medieval date in low-lying back-fen.

‘The long narrow fields, though superficially similar to the Roman landscape of

Peterstone, are of different dimensions. This landscape was created through the

enclosure of this block of open moor sometime in the medieval/post-medieval period.

Unfortunately, the creation of this landscape is not documented.

‘Former open moor: regular unified fieldscape of long narrow fields (ie single

operation), drainage features mainly reens, dispersed settlement (includes Maerdy -

medieval Reeve's house)

‘This area is intermediate in elevation between the higher coastal lands to the south,

and the lowest-lying back-fen to the north. The distinct and well defined block of

landscape is bounded by Drenewydd and Percoed Reen to the north (area 20),

Broadway Reen (HCLA 17) to the west, and the former fen-banks of St. Brides to the

south and east (HCLAs 15 and 16).

‘This large area can be divided into four blocks of long narrow fields (divided by

Horsecroft and Summerway Reens, and Hawse Lane). They represent large areas of

open land, enclosed and drained as a single operation. There are two farms; Maerdy

was probably founded when the area east of Hawse Lane was enclosed, while Hawse

Farm, which lies beside one of St. Brides' fen-banks, may have been responsible for

the enclosure of the whole block of landscape to the north. The place-name Maerdy

(medieval Reeve's house) is interesting, the location of Maerdy farm is indicative of

the formal control of grazing on the formerly open back-fen Moor during the

medieval period.

‘These long narrow fields are characteristic of Wentlooge. The landscape here was

created through the enclosure and drainage of a large block of open moor, beyond

the old enclosed lands of St. Brides. Two discrete landscapes can be identified,

associated with Maerdy and Hawse Farms.

‘This is a very open landscape, and the reed-filled ditches give a strong wetland feel,

typical of the lower-lying back-fen areas.

‘Overall, the integrity and coherence of this area are extremely high. The two

landscapes represent discrete examples of landscape creation. The completeness of

these landscapes makes them of great importance. Walking north down Hawse Lane

35 http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/Gwent%20Levels/English/GL_21.htm


gives the impression of the back-fen being lower than the coastal areas to the south.

The area has suffered from agricultural improvement, but remains remote from

visually intrusive development; there are fine views of the relatively unspoilt

uplands.’

Scheduled Monuments

4.24 There are 8 scheduled monuments within 4km of the Site. These are illustrated on Figure 4. They include a range of site types from a prehistoric burial mound and

standing stone, likely Iron Age defended enclosures, two medieval church crosses

and two medieval castle mottes.

Table 4: Scheduled Monuments within 4km

SM Number

Name Period Easting Northing

MM022 Gwern y Cleppa Burial Chamber, Chambered long

barrow

Prehistoric 327640 185052

MM032 Druidstone Standing Stone Prehistoric 324141 183420

MM121 St Mellons Churchyard Cross Medieval 322857 181352

MM131 Wentloog Castle - Motte Medieval 325137 183472

MM133 Pen-y-Lan Camp, Enclosure Prehistoric 325842 184874

MM134 Coed y Defaid Camp, Hillfort Prehistoric 327334 186211

MM190 Castell Glas Castle Mound, Motte Medieval 330180 185776

MM311 St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Marshfield Medieval 326154 182561

Listed Buildings

4.25 There are 50 listed buildings within 4km of the Site. These include 4 listed at Grade I and 6 at Grade II* (Figures 5 and 6).

Table 5: Listed Buildings within 4km

Record Number

Name Grade Easting Northing

2902 Tredegar House I 329067 184944

2910 Stable Block including Orangery I 328117 185360

2938 Parish Church of St Peter I 327047 179985

13865 Church of St Mellon I 322973 181148

2932 Parish Church of St Mary II* 325928 182692

2935 Parish Church of St Michael II* 323972 184244

2941 Parish Church of St Bridget II* 329321 182419

13941 St John's College (formerly Ty-to-Maen) II* 323196 181688


17097 Edney Gates, inc flanking screen and attached walls with

opposing gates to S end of Middle Court

II* 328854 185514

17098 Boundary Walls to Orangery Garden and Cedar Garden including three sets of gatepiers

II* 328345 184735

2908 Nos 28, 29 and 30 Forge Lane Cottages II 327886 186032

2911 Pair of lodges, gates and piers with flanking walls to NW of Tredegar House

II 328009 185708

2914 Croes-heolydd II 326255 185742

2933 The Coach and Horses PH II 325553 183578

2934 Gelli-ber Farmhouse II 326126 182964

3081 Former West Usk Lighthouse II 330673 182820

13822 Ty-du and adjoining byre and stable II 324710 178909

13833 Bethania Evangelical Church II 322252 180869

13864 Base of churchyard cross in St Mellons churchyard II 322178 181309

13866 Memorial to Joseph Benjamin Hemingway in St Mellons churchyard

II 322176 181496

13903 Pwll-coch farmhouse and adjoining barn II 323341 182671

13905 Pill du Farm II 324386 180003

13923 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses II 322143 181128

13940 Bluebell Inn PH II 323251 181208

13942 The White Hart PH II 323151 180983

13943 Lychgate to St Mellons Church II 323289 181450

13944 Lodge at Faendre Hall II 324349 182334

13945 Faendre Hall II 323950 181769

13946 Former Stable Block at Faendre Hall II 323850 182121

17099 Monument to Sir Briggs II 328024 184932

17100 Garden walls to SE of Cedar Garden, inc gate piers, gates and flanking workshops

II 328096 184719

17101 Home Farm II 329032 184396

17102 The Mill including attached Stable to the South II 329382 184848

17103 Lesser Barn II 329354 184621

17104 Great Barn II 329128 185234

17105 Former Laundry and Dairy to NE of Great Barn II 328908 185440

17106 Brewhouse II 328189 185198

17107 Bryans Building and attached boundary walls to S and N II 329370 185047

17108 Bothy and Potting Shed to the West of Bryans Building II 328507 184526

17109 Ruperra Gates to NE of Tredegar House II 328413 185406

17227 Castleton Baptist Church II 325457 183296

17321 The Old Rectory II 324332 184498

23534 Entrance Gateway at Faendre Hall II 324648 182027

23535 Circular garden seat at Faendre Hall II 324480 181754

23959 War Memorial II 322991 180682

23960 Former Stables at St John's College (formerlyTy-to-Maen)

II 322342 181739

23961 White Oaks (aka Rosminian Convent) II 322858 182073

23962 Garden Terrace at St John's College (formerly Ty-to-

Maen)

II 323358 181706

87624 Park Junction Golden Mile Pillar II 328771 186100


87671 Park Junction Signal Box II 329570 186066

Conservation Areas

4.26 There are 2 Conservation Areas within 4km of the Site; Old St Mellons to the west and Tredegar Park to the east, both over 3km from the Site (Figure 6).

Determination of which designated historic assets are

to be assessed

4.27 The following table lists designated historic assets that have been identified within the 4km study area surrounding the Site. Based on the Zone of Theoretical

Visibility prepared by WYG, the table includes a statement as to whether the

historic assets are within the ZTV. The ZTV is separated into Majority, Moderate

and Small amount visible. If it is determined that they are not intervisible with the

Site, that historic asset is not assessed further. Only the two Grade II listed

buildings that lie within ZTV zones have been included in the table, the remainder

have no intervisibility. Those that are considered further are shown on Figure 7

and in Table 6. As noted above, the HLCAs are assessed within the accompanying

ASIDOHL.


Table 6: Designated historic assets and intervisibility (Figure 7)

Reference Site name and reference

Does it lie within the ZTV?

Gwent Levels Registered Historic Landscape

Eastern St Brides HLCA 15

Yes, covered by Majority to Small amount visible ZTV – see ASIDOHL

Gwent Levels Registered

Historic Landscape

Western St Brides

HLCA 16

Yes, covered by Majority to Small

amount visible ZTV and Site – see ASIDOHL


Llanbedr Yes, covered by Majority to Small amount visible ZTV – see ASIDOHL


Rumney HLCA 18 Yes, covered by Moderate to Small amount visible ZTV – see ASIDOHL


Trowbride HLCA 19 Yes, covered by Majority to Small amount visible ZTV – see ASIDOHL


Marshfield / Coedkernew HLCA 20

Yes lies within Majority to Small amount visible ZTV – see ASIDOHL

Gwent Levels Registered

Historic Landscape

Maerdy HLCA 21 Yes, covered by Majority to Small

amount visible ZTV and Site – see ASIDOHL

Historic Park and Garden PGW (Gt) 48

Tredegar Park – Grade II*

No lies outside ZTV – Topography and existing development in-between

Scheduled Monument MM022

Gwern Y Cleppa Burial Chamber

No lies outside ZTV – Topography and existing development in-between, inc. M4


Druidstone Standing Stone

Yes lies within Majority visible ZTV


St Mellons Churchyard Cross

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and significant area of development in-between


Wentlooge Castle Yes lies within Small amount visible ZTV


Pen-y-Lan Camp Yes, partly in Majority visible ZTV


Coed y Defaid Camp No lies outside ZTV - Topography and existing development in-between, inc. M4


Castell Glass Castle Mound

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and existing development in-between, lies within Newport


St Marys Churchyard

Lies within area of Small amount visible ZTV

Conservation Area Old St Mellons Conservation Area


Conservation Area Tredegar Park

Conservation Area

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and

Coedkernow industrial develop. in-between


Listed Building 2902 Tredegar House Grade

I

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and

Coedkernow industrial develop. in-between

Listed Building 2910 Orangery and Stables Grade I

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and Coedkernow industrial develop. in-between

Listed Building 2932 Church of St Mary Grade II*

Yes lies within Small amount visible ZTV as scheduled monument MM311

Listed Building 2935 Church of St Michael

Grade II*

No lies outside ZTV - Topography and M4 in-

between

Listed Building 2938 Church of St Peter Grade I

No lies outside ZTV - Existing residential development in-between

Listed Building 2941 Church of St Bridget Grade II*

No lies outside ZTV - Existing residential and agricultural development in-between

Listed Building 13865 Church of St Mellon Grade I


Listed Building 13941 St John’s College Grade II*


Listed Building 17097 Edney Gates and Walls Grade II*


Listed Building 17098 Orangery Garden Boundary Walls Grade II*


Listed Building 2934 Gelli-ber Farmhouse Grade II

Lies within area of Small amount visible ZTV

Listed Building 13822 Ty-du and adjoining byre and stable Grade II

Lies within area of Moderate amount visible ZTV

Non-Designated Historic assets (Figure 8)

4.28 This section considers the archaeological finds and features from within the 1km study area, held within the HER and NMRW, together with a map regression exercise

charting the history of the application area from the early 19th century to the

present day. In addition to the non-designated historic assets discussed below, the

Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (GGAT HER) and

National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) contain records for scheduled

monuments and listed buildings within 1km of the application area. These are

discussed below as lying within 1km of the Site they do add to the assessment of the

archaeological potential of the Site.

4.29 The HER search undertaken for the project has the reference number 6389 and a map of the data is included in this report at Figures 8, showing the distribution of

entries within 1km of the application area. Relevant HER entries are included by


period in the following section. The GGAT HER references are referred to by their

Primary Record Numbers (PRN).

4.30 NMRW references are also included in the following tables and are referenced by their National Primary Record Number (NPRN) (Figure 8). A licence has been

obtained from RCAHMW for use of this data: RCPL2/3/75/032. A few of these are

duplicate records of those on the GGAT HER – the combined summaries of both are

therefore used for descriptions.

Timescales

4.31 Timescales used in this assessment:

Table 7: Timescales

Period Approximate date

Palaeolithic – c.450,000 – 12,000 BC Preh

isto

ric

Mesolithic – c. 12,000 – 4000 BC

Neolithic – c.4000 – 1800 BC

Bronze Age – c.1800 – 600 BC

Iron Age – c.600 BC – AD 43

Roman (Romano-British) – AD 43 – c. AD 410

His

toric

Early Medieval – c. AD 410 – AD 1086

Medieval – 1086 –1485

Post-Medieval – 1485 – 1901

Modern – 1901 – Present

Prehistoric

Table 8: Prehistoric Remains

PRN Name Summary NGR Period

GGAT09900g Bronze Age Post, Great

Pencarn Farm

The earliest evidence for human activity on the site was the presence

of a driven upright pile radiocarbon dated to the Bronze Age (1100-800 cal BC, Beta 110826). This survived to a height of 4.81m OD, was driven to a depth of 3.17m OD, and was

found in isolation with no other

ST2814083580 Bronze Age


indications for Bronze Age activity on

the site.

GGAT09922g Peat Deposit, Great Pencarn Farm

A shallow erosive hollow (0.15m deep) ran across the site aligned east-west. This had become filled with a fibrous reedy peat containing some fragments of roundwood. This

horizon has been radiocarbon dated to 495-395 BC (Beta 109345 and

109346).

ST2814083580 Iron Age

GGAT09945g Gully / Ditch, Great Pencarn

Farm

ST2814083580 Iron Age

4.32 The GGAT HER and NMRW contain no records within the 1km radius study area for non-designated historic assets from the early prehistoric period (Palaeolithic,

Mesolithic and Neolithic).

4.33 There are three records of later prehistoric date recorded on the GGAT HER (none on the NMRW) within the 1km study area, but beyond the Site. One record from the

Bronze Age represents a preserved timber pile (GGAT09900g) although no other

archaeological evidence was found within its vicinity. The timber pile was

radiocarbon dated to 1100-800 cal BC.

4.34 The two Iron Age records from within the study area but beyond the Site relate to material found at Great Pencarn Farm, including a peat deposit dated to 495-395 cal

BC (GGAT09922g) and the record of a gully or ditch at the same site (GGAT09945g).

Two further records for sites of uncertain date are recorded on the GGAT HER

(discussed below) which indicate possible palaeo-environmental deposits of Iron Age

/ Roman date, but these dates have not been confirmed.

4.35 The potential for further remains of prehistoric date to be present associated with occupation activity is considered low. The potential for palaeo-environmental

remains associated with the past environment from the prehistoric period within the

Site area is moderate, as although none have been confirmed within the study area

previously, possible remains of this date have been noted. Such remains would be of

regional (medium) archaeological importance.

Roman

Table 9: Roman Remains


GGAT05200g Sealand Reen Sealand Reen is an important NE-SW boundary and may reflect the Roman

landscape as to the south of nearby Wheel Lane part of the original

ST28638170 Roman


Roman drainage system is preserved

in its major NE-SW land divisions.

GGAT05667g Great Pencarn Farm

A large stone surface of Roman date identified in evaluation excavations below Great Pencarn Farm. The southern part of the surface is probably an external yard, and the

northern part may lie within a building. Finds indicate late 2nd-4th

century use.

ST28108360 Roman

GGAT06141g Possible Roman Find

A possible findspot of Roman material from Peterstone Gout

ST278805 Roman

GGAT09946g Roman Ditches, Great Pencarn Farm

Roman Ditches, Great Pencarn Farm ST2814083580 Roman

GGAT09957g Roman Road, Great Pencarn

Farm

A Roman road running northwest-southeast; the main body of its

construction was of river cobbles, and the surface was extremely disturbed. The flanking ditch on the south side was excavated, but the northern edge of the road lay outside the excavation area.

ST2814083580 Roman

GGAT05684g Great Pencarn Farm

A building of Roman date, associated with a series of cobbled surfaces situated next to a road, was identified during further investigation of the area in 1997 and interpreted as a farm.

ST28148358 Roman

4.36 The GGAT HER contains 6 records for the Roman period for the Site. No NMRW has no records.

4.37 As noted in the historical background section describing the Registered Historic Landscape of the Gwent Levels, it is likely that initial reclamation of the low lying

marshland started in the Roman period as may be evidenced by Sealand Reen

(GGAT5200g). A Roman findspot was also recorded at the Peterstone Gout to the

south of the Site (GGAT06141g). It is possible that other reens have earlier origins,

but have been recut throughout the medieval and later periods and their Roman

origin cannot be confirmed.

4.38 Occupation of the Gwent Levels is indicated by the archaeological evidence recorded at Great Pencarn Farm lying around 950m to the northeast. Here evidence for a

stone surfaces, ditches, a road and stone building were recorded (GGAT05667g,

GGAT0994g, GGAT09957g and GGAT05684g).

4.39 The potential for further archaeological deposits of Roman date to be present within the Site is considered to be moderate, probably associated with previous drainage of

the Levels. The potential for palaeo-environmental deposits relating to the general


environment from this period would be considered moderate to high, especially as

deposits thought to date from the Roman period have been located directly south

and northeast of the Site (although in both cases the dates have not been

confirmed). The significance of such remains would be considered of regional

(medium) archaeological importance. Findspots could also be present.

Early Medieval

Table 10: Early Medieval Remains


GGAT08614g Coedkernew Church, Possible Outer Enclosure

Coedkernew church is shown on the tithe map with what looks like the remains of the south and east sides of an outer concentric curvilinear enclosure. Although it seems that

the churchyard is Early Medieval, the putative outer enclosure is much less certain and may be merely an accident of topography, particularly at the south side where it is best marked.

ST27618349 Early Medieval

4.40 The GGAT HER 1km data contains a single record of Early Medieval date, that of the possible oute

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