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Historic and Archaeological Assessment. For

At Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook, Monmouthshire

By GK Heritage Consultants Ltd March 2018

Historic and Archaeological Assessment of Land at Southbrook Farm Sudbrook, Monmouthshire

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Historic and Archaeological Assessment of Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook, Monmouthshire

GK Heritage Consultants Ltd Report 2018/101

March 2018

© GK Heritage Consultants Ltd 2018

3rd Floor, Old Stock Exchange, St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1TG

www.gkheritage.co.uk

Prepared on behalf of:

Energion

Date of compilation: March 2018

Compiled by: G Kendall MCIfA

Local Authority: Monmouthshire County Council

Site central NGR: ST504877 (350475, 187763)


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Project and Planning Background ............................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Site description .......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Geology ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 4

3 METHOD STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................. 5

3.2 Information Sources................................................................................................................................... 5

4 PLANNING POLICY WALES ....................................................................................................................................... 5

5 BASELINE DATA ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Statutory and local heritage designations ................................................................................................... 7 5.2 Non-Designated Assets .............................................................................................................................. 8 5.2.1 Archaeological Remains ....................................................................................................................... 8 5.3 Historic Landscape Character ................................................................................................................... 8 5.4 Archaeological and Historical Background .................................................................................................. 8

6 CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

7 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. 9

8 PUBLICITY, CONFIDENTIALITY AND COPYRIGHT ....................................................................................................... 9 8.2 Statement of Indemnity ............................................................................................................................. 9 8.3 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 9

9 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 9.1 Primary Sources ....................................................................................................................................... 10 9.2 Secondary Sources ................................................................................................................................... 10


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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Scheduled Monuments within the wider study area ............................................................................... 3

Table 2: CADW records 10 listed buildings within a 1km radius of the site............................................................ 4

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Location Plan ................................................................................................................................. 11 Appendix 2: Proposed....................................................................................................................................... 12 Appendix 3: Cadw Consultation ........................................................................................................................ 13 Appendix 4: Conditions ..................................................................................................................................... 13


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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Project and Planning Background 1.1.1 GK Heritage Consultants Ltd was commissioned by Energion to undertake a brief historic and archaeological assessment of Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook, Monmouthshire. The proposed development is for the installation of a 20mw Peaking Gas Development.

1.2 Site description 1.2.1 The ‘red line boundary’ of the proposed development area (hereafter ‘PDA’) is depicted by a red polygon on Figure 1 (Appendix 1) and is c.0.63ha in area. The site is south east of Portskewett and within the area of Sudbrook within the Caldicot Level and is 280m west of the River Severn.

1.3 Geology

1.3.1 The underlying geology within the PDA is mapped by the British Geological Survey (BGS) as Mercia Mudstone Group, Sandstone formed approximately 200-251 million years ago. The PDA has no superficial deposits recorded, however further south of the PDA, River Terrace Deposits made up of sand and gravel are present (British Geological Survey).

2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 The principal aims of this assessment are to produce a report detailing any archaeological potential of the PDA, and to assess the potential impacts of the proposed development upon any buried and upstanding archaeological remains, historic buildings, the historic landscape and the settings of nationally designated assets and to assess their significance. The following objectives will contribute towards accomplishing this aim:

u To collate and assess existing information about the historic environment within the study area and to determine as fully as possible from the available evidence the nature, survival, quality, extent and importance of any archaeological remains and any upstanding buildings/structures within the PDA.

u To provide an assessment of areas of archaeological potential and survival based on the above research and assess the potential for the use of particular investigative techniques in order to aid the formulation of any necessary mitigation strategy, including further evaluation, excavation, and/or preservation of archaeological remains.

u To assess, where possible from the available sources, the extent of any ground disturbance associated with any previous intrusive development.


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u To provide an assessment of potential impacts of the proposed development to the settings of cultural heritage assets and make recommendations for further detailed assessment should this be considered necessary.

3 METHOD STATEMENT 3.1 This assessment was undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk Based Assessment (CIfA 2014).

3.2 Information Sources 3.2.1 This assessment has been largely informed by a Wessex Archaeological report of 2015 of the same name, submitted as part of an application made to Monmouthshire County Council in May 2015 (App Ref: DC/2015/00855). This site (photovoltaic solar farm) is immediately adjacent the PDA. The data of the Wessex report covers the area of the PDA and should be read in conjunction with this report. Links to this report are provided in reference section of this document. The information contained within this report was originally sourced from Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record (GGATHER, 2015).

4 PLANNING POLICY WALES 4.1 The Planning Policy Wales (PPW) was published by the Welsh Government in March 2002 and updated in 2014. This document provides advice on all aspects of planning policy in Wales and detailed advice on the historic environment in the planning proves is contained in Welsh Office Circulars:

u 60/96 Planning and the Historic Environment: Archaeology;

u 61/96 Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas; and

u 1-98 Planning and the Historic Environment: Directions by the Secretary of State for Wales.

4.2 PPW Chapter 6: Conserving the historic environment sets out the principal national guidance on the importance, management and safeguarding of heritage assets within the planning process.

4.3 The aim of PPW Chapter 6 is to ensure that Local Planning Authorities, developers and owners of heritage assets adopt a consistent and holistic approach to their conservation and to reduce complexity in planning policy relating to proposals that affect them.

4.4 To summarise, government guidance provides a framework which:

u recognises that heritage assets are a non-renewable resource;


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u requires an assessment and/or evaluation of the historic environment resource affected by the proposals and an impact assessment of the proposed development on the importance of the heritage assets;

u takes into account the desirability of preserving and enhancing the importance of heritage assets and their setting;

u places weight on the conservation of designated heritage assets (which include World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens, or Conservation Areas);

Local Development Framework

4.5 The Site is located within the administrative boundaries of the Monmouthshire County Council (MCC). MCC adopted its Local Development Plan (LDP) in February 2014, which, replaced the Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan.

Other guidance

4.6 This report has also been prepared with regards to guidance on development within the historic environment both in Wales and the wider United Kingdom, including;

1 Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales (Cadw 2011)

2 Guide to Good Practice on Using the Register of Landscapes of Historic Interest in Wales in the Planning and Development Process (Cadw 2007)

3 LANDMAP: Historic Landscape Guidance (CCW 2003)

4 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, second edition (The Landscape Institute 2002)

5 Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3; The Setting of Heritage Assets (Historic England 2015)

6 Seeing History in the View (Historic England 2011)

7 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, vol. 11, section 3, part 2: HA 208/07 Cultural Heritage (Highways Agency 2007)


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5 BASELINE DATA 5.1 Statutory and local heritage designations Table 1. Scheduled Monuments within 6km.

1 MM018 Heston Brake Long Barrow

2 MM019 Portskewett Hill Roman Site

3 MM029 Harold's House (site of)

4 MM048 Sudbrook Camp and Sudbrook Chapel

5 MM050 Caldicot Castle (unoccupied parts)

6 MM315 St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Portskewett

5.1.2 Consultation with CADW (March 2018: Ref: qA1283162, Appendix 3) noted that overall there was no objection to the proposal and further no need for additional information on the impact of the development on the setting of the above monuments to be included in any planning application as any impact is considered very slight. Table 2. CADW records 10 listed buildings within a 1km radius of the site:

Cadw Ref No

Grade Name Easting Northing

2044 I Church of St Mary: In the centre of Portskewett village at the junction of Main Road and Sudbrook Road.

349888 188107

2768 II* Manor Farmhouse and Manor Cottage: In Crick Road at the junction with Main Road.

349773 188242

2045 II Cross in Churchyard of the Church of St Mary: In the churchyard about 40m north east of the Church of St Mary.

349905 188148

2046 II The Old Rectory: In Crick Road about 80m north of the junction with Main Road.

349687 188287

24002 II Sudbrook Pump House: At the end of Sudbrook Road about 1000m south east of Portskewett village.

3500686 187429

24003 II Portskewett House: In the centre of Portskewett village immediately north east of the junction of Main Road and Sudbrook Road.

349977 188205

24004 II Portskewett War Memorial: In the centre of Portskewett village at the junction of Main Road and Sudbrook Road.

349934 188153

24005 II Old Cottage/Storehouse in Churchyard of Church of St Mary: In the churchyard about 30m south of the Church of St Mary.

349770 188083

24006 II Garden Walls of Underwood: In Crick Road about 50m north of the junction with Main Road.

349770 188295


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24010 II Fanhouse at Sudbrook Pumping Station: At the end of Sudbrook Road about 1000m south east of Portskewett village and behind the Pump House.

350711 187374

5.1.3 Whilst the Grade I Listed Church of St Mary does share intervisibility with the PDA, this visibility concerns the church tower only and is over a distance of 700m. The proposed development is expected to have a minimal effect upon the setting of the church. No other listed buildings will be impacted directly or indirectly by the proposal.

5.2 Non-Designated Assets

5.2.1 Archaeological Remains There are no known archaeological remains within the PDA.

5.3 Historic Landscape Character

5.3.1 The PDA itself has not been characterized, however, the site does lie close to two sections of the Gwent Levels Character Area, Caldicot fen-edge (HCLA 12) and St Pierre (HLCA 13). The introduction of the proposal has the potential to result in an adverse effect to the surrounding HLC however, the PDA has a minimal footprint and lies outside the HLC area and thus any impact is considered to be negligible.

5.4 Archaeological and Historical Background 5.4.1 The 2015 desk-based assessment produced by Wessex Archaeology described the archaeological background of the site as having:

‘...a moderate potential for remains dating to the medieval, Romano-British and prehistoric periods based upon the available information. Romano-British and medieval remains were discovered during an excavation at Sudbrook Road 600m to the west of the Site. Sudbrook camp is located to the south of the PDA which revealed evidence of Iron Age Romano-British and medieval remains. Another prehistoric monument is also known within the Study Area as well as a few findspots of prehistoric date. Roman roads are also known within the Study Area and a Roman port is suggested at Black Rock to the north of the PDA. The remains of a medieval manor were discovered during excavation at Harold’s eld in 2009.’

`There have been no previous investigations on the site. Lidar data produced by the Environment Agency has subsequently been consulted and indicates the presence of a potential bank crossing part of the site. It also indicates a system of banked enclosures crossed by Black Rock Road to the north-east of the site.`

5.4.2 Subsequent to the Wessex report of 2015 an archaeological evaluation was carried out by Headland Archaeology in November 2015. This evaluation of 20


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trenches revealed limited past agricultural use of the land in the form of three drainage or field ditches and a single post-hole. Whilst the features were undated, it is highly probable that they relate to the medieval period and the use of marginal land away from the focus of settlement activity. A single flint flake was recovered from a subsoil deposit.

5.4.3 Trenches 1, 2 and 3 where adjacent the PDA and produced no significant archaeological deposits.

6 CONCLUSIONS 6.1 This brief assessment has concluded that based on the data from previous adjacent studies, namely the Wessex Archaeological Report of 2015 and the Headland Archaeology evaluation of the same year, that the site has a low potential to produce hitherto unknown archaeological deposits. In addition, consultation with Cadw (RenPlan, 7th March 2018) noted that there are no objections to the impact of the proposed development on historic assets.

7 RECOMMENDATIONS 7.1 Based on the adjacent work and consultation it considered that no further work is required at the PDA as previous evaluation in the immediate area has failed to identify sufficient potential for archaeological deposits to be present to warrant further evaluation.

8 PUBLICITY, CONFIDENTIALITY AND COPYRIGHT 8.1 Any publicity will be handled by the client. GK Heritage Consultants Ltd will retain the copyright of all documentary and photographic material under the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act (1988).

8.2 Statement of Indemnity All statements and opinions contained within this report arising from the works undertaken are offered in good faith and compiled according to professional standards. No responsibility can be accepted by the author/s of the report for any errors of fact or opinion resulting from data supplied by any third party, or for loss or other consequence arising from decisions or actions made upon the basis of facts or opinions expressed in any such report(s), howsoever such facts and opinions may have been derived.

8.3 Acknowledgements GK Heritage Consultants Ltd would like thank Ben Lewis of RenPlan and the Client Energion for commissioning this report.


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9 REFERENCES 9.1 Primary Sources

1886-1887 Ordnance Survey 1:10,560

1901 Ordnance Survey 25”

Headland Archaeology 2015. Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook, Monmouthshire Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Client Report, Ref: SFSW/01

http://idox.monmouthshire.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Report-381850.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=381850&appid=1001&location=VOLUME4&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1&sid=

Wessex Archaeology 2015. Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook, Monmouthshire Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Client Report, Ref: 108910.

http://idox.monmouthshire.gov.uk/WAM/doc/Other-370966.pdf?extension=.pdf&id=370966&appid=1001&location=VOLUME4&contentType=application/pdf&pageCount=1&sid=

9.2 Secondary Sources British Geological Survey. 2017. Geology of Britain viewer. Available online at:

http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html [accessed 19th March 2018].

Cadw 2011: Conservation Principles for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment in Wales, http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/docs/cadw/publications/ Conservation_Principles_EN.pdf

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. 2014. Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk Based Assessment. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Reading.

Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru 2005. Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 8: Planning for Renewable Energy.

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APPENDIX 1: LOCATION PLAN


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APPENDIX 2: PROPOSED


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APPENDIX 3: CADW CONSULTATION

Plas Carew, Uned 5/7 Cefn Coed Parc Nantgarw, Caerdydd CF15 7QQ Ffôn 0300 025 6000 Ebost [email protected] cadw.gov.wales

Plas Carew, Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff CF15 7QQ Tel 0300 025 6000 Email [email protected] cadw.gov.wales



Mae Gwasanaeth Amgylchedd Hanesyddol Llywodraeth Cymru (Cadw) yn hyrwyddo gwaith cadwraeth ar gyfer amgylchedd hanesyddol Cymru a gwerthfawrogiad ohono. The Welsh Government Historic Environment Service (Cadw) promotes the conservation and appreciation of Wales’s historic environment. Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg. We welcome correspondence in both English and Welsh.

Ben Lewis MRTPI Director Renplan Consulting Ltd

Eich cyfeirnod Your reference

3151903

Ein cyfeirnod Our reference

qA1283162

Dyddiad Date

7 March 2018

Llinell uniongyrchol Direct line

0300 025 6203

Ebost Email:

[email protected]

Dear Ben Lewis, Welsh Planning Inspectorate Screening ref. 3151903 Planning Application - Proposed Temporary Installation of a 20mw Peaking Gas Development at Land at Southbrook Farm, Sudbrook Thank you for your letter of 22 February inviting our comments on the pre- planning application consultation for the proposed development as described above. The following comments are based on information made available to us as part of the pre-application consultation and we will review our comments when we are consulted on the final planning application. Advice Having carefully considered the information provided with this planning application, we have no objections to the impact of the proposed development on historic assets. Our assessment of the application is given below. Our role Our statutory role in the planning process is to provide the local planning authority with an assessment concerned with the likely impact that the proposal will have on scheduled monuments, registered historic parks and gardens, registered historic landscapes where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required and development likely to have an impact on the outstanding universal value of a World Heritage Site. We do not provide an assessment of the likely impact of the development on listed buildings or conservation areas, as these are matters for the local authority. It is for the local planning authority to weigh our assessment against all the other material considerations in determining whether to approve planning permission. National Policy

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cadw.gov.wales/








Applications for planning permission are considered in light of the Welsh Government’s land use planning policy and guidance contained in Planning Policy Wales (PPW), Technical Advice Notes and circular guidance. PPW (Chapter 6 – The Historic Environment) explains that the conservation of archaeological remains is a material consideration in determining a planning application, whether those remains are a scheduled monument or not. Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings are likely to be affected by proposed development, there should be a presumption in favour of their physical protection in situ. It will only be in exceptional circumstances that planning permission will be granted if development would result in an adverse impact on a scheduled monument (or an archaeological site shown to be of national importance) or has a significantly damaging effect upon its setting. Technical Advice Note 24 : The Historic Environment elaborates by explaining that there is a presumption against proposals which would involve significant alteration or cause damage, or which would have a significant impact on the setting of remains. PPW also explains that local authorities should protect parks and gardens and their settings included in the first part of the Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, and that the effect of a proposed development on a registered park or garden or its setting should be a material consideration in the determination of a planning application. Assessment The proposed development has an area of c.0.63 hectares, within a 2km buffer are the following Schedule Monuments: MM018 Heston Brake Long Barrow MM019 Portskewett Hill Roman Site MM029 Harold's House (site of) MM048 Sudbrook Camp and Sudbrook Chapel MM050 Caldicot Castle (unoccupied parts) MM315 St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Portskewett The proposal is for a 20mw peaking gas development, including generator and associated infrastructure, not exceeding c.6m in height. The proposal will not be visible from MM048 Sudbrook Camp, an Iron Age enclosure, because of intervening buildings along Sudbrook Road. The proposal will not be visible from MM019 Portskewett Hill Roman Site, a building complex which dates to the Romano-British period, as the site lies within woodland and views from it are restricted. The proposal will not be visible from MM315 St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Portskewett, free standing cross in the churchyard of St. Mary's church because of intervening buildings and trees. The proposal is potentially visible from the other monuments. MM050 Caldicot Castle (unoccupied parts) which consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period that was restored to make a family home in the late 19th century. The castle

as a centre of power commanded extensive views of the surroundings, the distance to the proposal form the castle (c.1.8km) and the scale of the proposed development means that damage to the castle’s setting will be very slight. MM018 Heston Brake Long Barrow is situated on the summit of a small knoll in the middle of a pasture field. The barrow will have been positioned with intent in relation to variables which might include territory, visibility from the surroundings and view out over the surrounding landscape, in this case particularly out to sea. The view out over the Caldicot Level is therefore considered significant. However the proposal is 780m from the monument where it will be located adjacent to an extensive solar farm which has already presents a large-scale modern intrusion to this vista, the relatively small change presented by the proposal is considered to have a very slight damaging effect on the setting of this monument. MM029 Harold's House (site of) comprises the remains of a medieval manor house traditionally thought to be the site of a hunting lodge belonging to Harold Godwinson, later King Harold II of England, which is described in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle. Evaluation excavation in 2007 found evidence for a substantial structure that has been interpreted as a possible tower house. Such a structure here will have commanded view of its surroundings including the Caldicot Level. Although this monument is nearer to the proposal at 530m, the reasons described above in relation to its proximity to the extent solar farm equally apply, and in this context the proposal will have only a very slightly damaging effect on the setting of this monument. Overall there is no objection to the proposal and there is no need for additional information on the impact of the development on the setting of these monuments to be included in any planning application. Finally, there may also be undesignated historic assets that could be affected by the proposed development and, if you have not already done so, we would advise that you consult the Historic Environment Record held by the Glamorgan- Gwent Archaeological Trust (www.ggat.org.uk). Yours sincerely,

Diogelu a Pholisi / Protection and Policy

http://www.ggat.org.uk/


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APPENDIX 4: REPORT CONDITIONS


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This report is produced solely for the benefit of Energion and no liability is accepted for any reliance placed on it by any other party unless specifically agreed in writing otherwise.

This report is prepared for the proposed uses stated in the report and should not be used in a different context without reference to GK HERITAGE CONSULTANTS. In time improved practices, fresh information or amended legislation may necessitate a re-assessment. Opinions and information provided in this report are on the basis of GK HERITAGE CONSULTANTS using due skill and care in the preparation of the report.

This report refers, within the limitations stated, to the environment of the site in the context of the surrounding area at the time of the inspections. Environmental conditions can vary and no warranty is given as to the possibility of changes in the environment of the site and surrounding area at differing times.

This report is limited to those aspects reported on, within the scope and limits agreed with the client under our appointment. It is necessarily restricted, and no liability is accepted for any other aspect. It is based on the information sources indicated in the report. Some of the opinions are based on unconfirmed data and information and are presented as the best obtained within the scope for this report.

Reliance has been placed on the documents and information supplied to GK HERITAGE CONSULTANTS by others but no independent verification of these has been made and no warranty is given on them. No liability is accepted, or warranty given in relation to the performance, reliability, standing etc of any products, services, organisations or companies referred to in this report.

Whilst skill and care have been used, no investigative method can eliminate the possibility of obtaining partially imprecise, incomplete or not fully representative information. Any monitoring or survey work undertaken as part of the commission will have been subject to limitations, including for example timescale, seasonal and weather related conditions.

Although care is taken to select monitoring and survey periods that are typical of the environmental conditions being measured, within the overall reporting programme constraints, measured conditions may not be fully representative of the actual conditions. Any predictive or modelling work, undertaken as part of the commission will be subject to limitations including the representativeness of data used by the model and the assumptions inherent within the approach used. Actual environmental conditions are typically more complex and variable than the investigative, predictive and modelling approaches indicate in practice, and the output of such approaches cannot be relied upon as a comprehensive or accurate indicator of future conditions.


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The potential influence of our assessment and report on other aspects of any development or future planning requires evaluation by other involved parties.

The performance of environmental protection measures and of buildings and other structures in relation to acoustics, vibration, noise mitigation and other environmental issues is influenced to a large extent by the degree to which the relevant environmental considerations are incorporated into the final design and specifications and the quality of workmanship and compliance with the specifications on site during construction. GK HERITAGE CONSULTANTS accept no liability for issues with performance arising from such factors

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