Our ref.: MON2008/JBHD
Development Control Manager
Monmouthshire County Council
Planning Section
New Market Hall
Priory Street
Monmouth
NP25 3XA
CURATORIAL DIVISION
22nd March 2013
FAO: David Wong
Dear Sir
Re: Proposed Extension of Existing Brewery Comprising Erection of a Storage
and Distribution Warehouse, Laying out of Hardstanding to form New
Internal Roadway and Loading Bays, Widening of Existing Access Road,
Installation of New HGV Weigh Bridge and Associated Works:
Magor Brewery, Magor.
Pl.App.No.: 2012/00631.
Thank you for notifying us of this application, consequently we have consulted the
detailed information contained on your website; the proposals will require
archaeological mitigation.
The supporting information includes a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment
undertaken by Waterman. This work included a site visit, a review of the existing
Historic Environment Record data and considered the results of the archaeological
evaluation, which was undertaken in 1993. As it is noted, the Scheduled Ancient
Monument of Wilcrick Hill, Cadw Ref: MM127, an Iron Age hillfort, is less than
200m from the application area, set above the Gwent Levels, and finds of prehistoric and Roman date have been made in the vicinity. The 1993 evaluation did
not reveal any significant archaeological features or finds; a drainage ditch of postmedieval date was noted; the layout of the field system as depicted on the Tithe
map was confirmed and ridge and furrow noted.
The report concluded that, taking into account the results of the assessment and the
previous assessment and field evaluation on the site, there was low potential for
previously unknown significant archaeological features to be encountered, whilst
noting the close proximity of Wilcrick Hill and pre-historic and Roman remains.
The recommendations are that all surviving historic earthworks, such as field
boundaries, drainage ditches and any upstanding features such as ridge and furrow
remains should be surveyed prior to the commencement of groundworks and an
archaeological watching brief undertaken during ground disturbing work.
We concur with the results of the assessment and therefore recommend that a
condition requiring the applicant to submit a detailed programme of investigation
for the archaeological resource should be attached to any consent granted by your
Members. We envisage that this will include the survey work on the boundaries,
ditches and ridge and furrow as detailed in the desk based assessment and also of all
ground disturbing work being undertaken under archaeological supervision, and
this will also ensure that suitable contingency arrangements to provide sufficient
time and resources to investigate the archaeological resource and allow for the
discovery of any significant features and finds are in place.
We recommend that the condition should be worded in a manner similar to the
model given in Welsh Office Circular 60/96, Section 23:
No development shall take place until the applicant, or their agents or
successors in title, has secured the implementation of a programme of
archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation
which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the local
planning authority.
Reason: To identify and record any features of archaeological interest
discovered during the works, in order to mitigate the impact of the works on the
archaeological resource.
The applicant must therefore employ an archaeological contractor to undertake
the works to meet the condition; a list of archaeological contractors who have
indicated their availability to work in Wales is available from
http://www.archaeologists.net/ROsearch.
Information on how to meet the requirements of the condition from our website
http://www.ggat.org.uk/aps/english/archaeological_planningmain.html .
If you or the applicant have any questions or require further advice on the
contents of this letter please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours faithfully
Judith Doyle
Archaeological Planning Officer