brook farm barn mamhilad building survey

DOCUMENT NO 240 August 2014

A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

REPORT

Brook Farm, Barn, Mamhilad

Level II, BUILDING RECORDING SURVEY

Monmouthshire County Council: DC/2013/00944

By: Dr N Phillips.

A.P.A.C. Ltd Brook Farm, Barn, Mamhilad BS/MAH/14

1

Summary

APAC Ltd was contacted by the client in order to undertake a level II building recording survey on a disused property under proposed development. The client was instructed to arrange for a building recording survey by Monmouthshire Council (MCC). APAC Ltd produced a project design for the work, which was approved and the survey was undertaken. This document comprises the Level II building recording survey as required.

Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey. Cover Photograph DSC06720, Brook Farm, Barn.


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Contents

Summary .........................................................................................................................................1 Contents...........................................................................................................................................2 Appendix .........................................................................................................................................3 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4 Site location.....................................................................................................................................4 Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................4 Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5 Data Presentation.............................................................................................................................5 General external description of Brook Farm, Barn. ........................................................................6 External detail: ................................................................................................................................6 General internal description ............................................................................................................6 Internal detail: .................................................................................................................................7 Phasing. ...........................................................................................................................................8 Interpretation summary ...................................................................................................................8 Archive ............................................................................................................................................8 Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................8 Staff: ................................................................................................................................................8 Copyright.........................................................................................................................................8 References: ......................................................................................................................................9

Figures

01. Site Location Map 02. Map Progressions 03. Existing Plans and Elevations


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Survey Photo cards 1-30

01 NW elevation general view. Original building right, addition left. 02 NW elevation south 03 NW elevation north 04 Northern gable end, offset roof and external 1st floor door with stair South gable end, long view 05 Under stair space north gable end 06 North gable end external stairs 07 North gable end external stairs 08 North gable end 09 South gable end 10 South gable end, blocked 1st floor window with brick segmental arch 11 South east elevation showing butt joint of extension building and extension corrugated roof 12 South east elevation. Roof extended to accommodate extension building and carried across

original 13 Extension building internal view (with ranging rod) 14 Stable inner north gable. Central blocked window and alcove to left 15 Stable general view. 16 Northern loft store, rear window and internal door, sawn timber collar, truss and purlins 17 Northern loft store roof detail showing wooden peg joints to truss and staggered purlins. 18 Northern loft store roof detail showing collar has iron bolts. Re used truss or original, tenoned

collar replaced. 19 Northern loft store. Original gable cut through for internal doorway with segmented brick arch. 20 Southern loft store internal doorway. Collared truss roof with iron bolt connectors. Purlins wooden

pegged 21 Southern loft store detail joist. 22 Southern loft store blocked south gable window. 23 Southern loft floor with non standard width planking 24 Southern loft store central double door

Appendix

Complete photograph list


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Introduction

A planning application to convert a redundant barn to residential use was submitted to Monmouthshire County Council, (MCC), pl.app.nos DC/2013/00944, by Mr B Spenser (agent) for R. P. Traffic Management, (client). The redundant building is Brook Farm, Barn, Mamhilad, Monmouthshire, NP4 0JG. Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) advisors to the council in relevant planning matters identified a possible archaeological issue with the proposed work and suggested that the council impose the following conditions to any approval:

No development shall take place until the applicant or his 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 to 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. No development to which this permission relates shall commence until an appropriate programme of historic building recording and analysis has been secured and implemented in accordance with written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.. Reason: As the building is of significance, the specified records are necessary to mitigate the impact of the proposed development.

MON1888/~JBHD

APAC Ltd., was contracted to produce the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for a programme of archaeological work which was compiled, based on information provided by the client’s agent and MCC Planning Portal, (WSI:BSWB/MAH2/13). The WSI was approved as ‘fit for purpose’ and the Building Survey was subsequently undertaken in July of 2014. This document; prepared by Dr Neil Phillips, A.P.A.C. Ltd, is the report of the building survey.

Site location The location of the site can be gained from the A4042, Abergavenny-Pontypool Rd, fig 01. When travelling NE from the Pontypool direction, along the dual carriageway, take the first left ‘Old Abergavenny Rd’ at the roundabout, after the Waun y Clare Inn. Continue along the road for around 1.6 km, passing the Star Inn to the left. Brook Farm complex is on the right just before the incline to the canal bridge over the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, NGR: 330610 204044. The barn to be converted is to the right of the farm house.

Brief archaeological and historical background Initial information concerning the background history of the farm complex was supplied by GGAT at the start of the project and was confirmed by their online site; www.archwilio.org.uk

http://www.archwilio.org.uk/


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The farm complex is noted in the Historic Environment Record (HER) as having originated in the medieval

period.

One of the buildings within the complex is protected PRN 03754g, as ‘a typical corn barn; it has two large opposing doorways with projecting ‘cheeks’ intended to protect the threshing floor’.

Although all the buildings have undergone developments, it is noted that the current ground plan is little

altered to that recorded on the 1882 first edition Ordnance survey Map.

(MON1888/CG) A building survey conducted on Brook Farm House was undertaken by APAC Ltd in April of 2014 and includes a brief on the known historical and archaeological background of the farm, BS/MAH/13. In summary, although a farm complex is shown on the 1831 1st series ordnance survey map the barn which is the subject of this survey does not appear until 1882, and then with its current footprint.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the level II survey was to preserve by record the structure of the building, prior to refurbishment and in so doing’ provide a facility for understanding the building’s historic development. The record produced can then be used to guide the determination of the planning condition as to the final design of refurbishment.

Methodology The building survey followed the methodology defined in 5.2, Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good Recording Practice (English Heritage 2006). The methodology employed was also guided by the Standards and Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures (IFA 1996, revised ed 2013). All photographs were taking using a Sony DSC F828 Digital camera mounted on a tripod, with images recorded at 8 mega pixels, in RAW format. The photographic record of the site includes general views of the exterior, the overall appearance of principle structure and circulation areas, external and internal detail relevant to the property’s design and development. All photographs include a scale rod where possible or practical. Photographs illustrative of the survey are produced as annotated ‘photo cards’ in the report. All photographs from the survey are included as a contact sheet in appendix I. Measurements were made during the survey using both hand steel tape and a Lecia Disto 510 and these were used to supplement supplied paper drawings. The paper drawings themselves were scanned into AutoCAD for ease of interpretation using provided, on plan, measurements. This report also comprises a written element as defined in 4.5 Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good Recording Practice (English Heritage 2006).

Data Presentation

Data referred to within the text is included in the Figures (fig##), Photo-cards. (PH##). Room names used in the text are derived from the annotated plans supplied by the clients architect figs 03.


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General external description of Brook Farm, Barn.

The building presents as a two storey, west facing building; easily identifiable as two separate phases with the northern portion (left) added to the southern one (right), figs 03. Both buildings have a single ridge roof of slate but the northern building is 1.3m wider than the original southern building and therefore has an extended roof to the rear, fig 03. The original building is shown in P02, of symmetrical aspect, whitewashed, coursed masonry construction with brick segmented arches over windows and doors; with the exception of the loft access door which at present is open to the eaves.

External detail:

The added northern building by contrast is re-pointed coursed masonry; possibly recently restored, open on the ground floor with a single squared window on the 1st floor, P03. The northern gable of the added building, has a flight of stone steps to a 1st floor door; unfortunately obscured by vegetation at the time of the survey for any detailed observation, however the photograph shows an extended roof towards the rear as well as illustrating a probable ‘extent of recent renovation’ denoted by the lack of whitewash, P04. The external stair is brick construction with stone steps and it has a small store/shelter under its rise as shown in P05. A photograph of the steps, P06 was taken during the survey of the main house in December of 2013 and this has been included here as it shows the steps clear of overgrowth. The survey photograph in P07 shows the same view with a ranging rod for scale, the third step, two below the ranging rod, is missing. The rear of the barn is obscured by the vegetation and a new adjacent metal barn but P08 gives a reasonable view of the roof line which is extended towards the rear. The southern gable end of the original house would appear to lack any features of note at first glance although the coursed masonry is quite well laid, P09. On closer inspection however, a drain or vent can be seen in the bottom left corner and a segmental double course brick arch can be seen at 1st floor level, P10. At the rear of the original building, a modern metal barn has been added to roof level, with the space used for internal storage. The photograph in P11 shows an extension roof in corrugated sheets metal, from the original building. To the rear of the photograph is the butt jointed extension of the additional building which has the full slate extension roof. The rear of the original building has no sign of blocked openings but the added building has a brick lined window set into the ground floor and a small window to the first floor, P12.

General internal description

The building consists of two ground floor rooms; cart room and stable with no internal access and two loft areas with internal access and an external stair.


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Internal detail:

The ground floor in the room called a cart room is devoid of any features with the exception of the single casement window to the rear, P13. The floor was a mixture of rubble with a few areas of cement washed concrete. The ceiling is planked board over planed timber binders set on two north/south joists with a front wooden lintel supporting the entire 1st floor elevation see P01 and P03. The stable which forms the ground floor of the original house has a single alcove to the north and a blocked window centrally placed in what would have been the northern gable, P14. The ceiling is of hewn timber joists running east/west and binders braced with herringbone strutting as can just be seen in the photograph. Clear access to the rear and south wall was not possible due to the room being used for storage, as the photograph in P15 shows, but there were no identifiable features visible and the floor appeared to be cement washed concrete. The first loft area, accessible from the external stair, opens into a single room with a small rear window and a larger front window, P16. The floor is planked but covered with plywood sheets beneath an open beam room supported from the wall plate by a collared truss of sawn timber with staggered purlins P17. The collar is bolted to the truss with iron bolts but the ridge has a pegged lap joint; a former mortise hole in the truss suggests that the collar is a replacement, P18. All the staggered purlins have a through tenon with a face peg. The internal access between loft 1 & 2 is through an opening in the adjoining wall which has been caped with a segmented brick arch, and a flagstone threshold inserted, P19. The adjoining wall has also been rendered with lime-wash. In relation to loft 1, the entry is centrally placed in the south wall whilst from loft 2 it is off centre towards the east, fig 03. The photograph in P20 taken from loft 2, shows the view through the internal doorway to the external doorway in the northern gable, both of which are centrally placed in loft 1. P20 shows that on the southern side, the doorway has a wooden lintel and the wall has been re-pointed and left as natural stone. The roof construction has is similar to that of loft 1 with the same use of tenon and face peg construction and the same iron bolting of the collar, P21. The gable wall of loft 2, P22, shows the scar of an old window under a wooden lintel; the external scar retaining its original segmented brick arch see P10. The floor of loft 2 has non regular width planking some of which seems reasonably sound however, the edges are rotting and so have been covered with plywood for safety, P23. The last photograph shows the 1st floor window and the central loft door of the western elevation, P24. The photograph also shows the repair along the top of the western elevation in order to secure the roof structure but it does throw some doubt as to the original height of the loft door.


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Phasing. A construction period for the complete present barn lies between 1831 and 1882 as suggested by evidence from the 1st series and 1st edition ordnance survey maps. In general, working from the plan with in conjunction with observations from the survey, it seems that the earliest relative phase of the house was southern building, stable and loft 2, fig 03. Judging by the two gables ends, the original building probably started as two storeys, although as the roof has been built as one with the new extension there is no evidence for any internal divisions. Similarly, there are neither clues to previous divisions on the first floor nor indeed any reason to suggest usage of the rooms as stable and cart shed. The second phase of construction saw the addition of the northern building; slightly wider than the original with a butt jointed return wall at the rear and requiring an extended roof. The loft area of the new building clearly dictated the position of the inner door and made redundant the loft access in the southern gable.

Interpretation summary The building is a mid Victorian construction with little in the way of detail left to suggest intended use. It has already undergone a large amount of restoration to keep it structurally sound.

Archive The original archive will be retained by APAC. Ltd Secondary archives consisting of a hard copy of the report with a digital copy of the complete data and photographs be deposited with the County Records Office in Ebbw Vale and with The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments Aberystwyth. A digital copy of the report will be forwarded to the HER, held by Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank the client and his agent for the supplied information.

Staff:

Dr N. Phillips. Survey, Photography, Drawings, Report & archive. Mr A.O. Phillips Survey Assistant, Cad, Drawings.

Copyright

A.P.A.C. Ltd will retain full copyright of any reports and specialist reports, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 with all rights reserved. A.P.A.C. Ltd hereby gives permission for the monitoring authority to use any documentation directly relating to the project as described in this Project Design.


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References:

APAC Ltd, 2013. Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Work, Brook Farm, Mamhilad. Archaeological Report, Brook Farm Mamhilad. Level II building Survey. BS/MAH/13 B.S. Technical Solutions Farm house & Barns, Brook Farm, Mamhilad, Pontypool. NP4 0JG.

Drawings: Existing plans and elevations BP2191 February 2011 Proposed plans and elevations BP2205/00C March 2011 Block Plan BP2191-00 April 2011 David & Charles. 1980. 1831. First Series Ordnance Survey, Sheet XXXVI . English Heritage Management of Archaeological Projects (1991). Understanding Historic Buildings A guide to good Recording Practice. 2006 Institute for Archaeologists. Code of Conduct and the Code of Approved Practice for the regulation of Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology. 2014. Standard and Guidance for the archaeological investigation and recording of standing buildings or structures. 2013. GGAT MON1888/CG Proposed works at Brook arm, Mamhilad 17/06/2011 Gwent Records Office Ordnance survey maps. Monmouthshire County Listed buildings. 2007/01583 Council; The Society of Museum Archaeologists Towards An Accessible Archive (1995) United Kingdom Institute for Conservation. (Archaeology Section) Guidelines for the Preparation of Excavation Archives for Long-Term

Storage (1990) Google Maps

A.P.A.C. Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7RG.

Tel: 07734962919. Mobile: 07734962919 Email: [email protected] Company Registration No 5041541 VAT Reg No 826 3628 19 Director: Dr. N. Phillips D.Phil. M. Phil. BA (Hons).Cert Ed/FE. AIFA.

Fig 01: Location

Brook Farm, Barn Mamhilad

A.P.A.C. Ltd BS/MAH/14

Google Maps

2km

1mi

N


Brook Farm Barn, Mamhilad

FIG 02 1831 & 1882 maps

1831 1882

6”:mile

100m

BarnBarn position

N

Ground Floor 1st Floor

North loft store

South loft storeStable

Cart Room

Elevations adapted from BS Technical Services BP2205/00 C

Plans. A.O.Phillips


Brook Farm Barn, Mamhilad

FIG 03 floor plans

0 5 10

metres

Site Site code Grid Ref:

Camera Format Dimensions Image no: Area

Direction of view:

Reason for image North west elevation general view. Original building right, addition left

o 5 10

metres

P01

BROOK FARM, BARN, MAMHILAD BS/MHA/14 330610 204044 Sony DSC F828 RAW 3264x2448 DSC06720 External

A.P.A.C. Ltd www.apac.ltd.uk

South East

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image NW elevation south

o 5 10

metres

P02



South East

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image North West elevation South

o 5 10

metres

P03



South East

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Northern gable end, offset roof and external 1st floor door with stair.

o 5 10

metres

P04



South

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Understair space North gable end

o 5 10

metres

P05



South

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image North gable end external stairs, December 2013, BS/MAH/13

o 5 10

metres

P06



South east

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image North gable end external stairs

o 5 10

metres

P07



South East

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image North gable end

o 5 10

metres

P08



N



Direction of view:

Reason for image South gable end

o 5 10

metres

P09



North east

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image South gable end, blocked 1st floor window with brick segmental arch

o 5 10

metres

P10



North east

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image South east elevation showing butt joint of extension building

o 5 10

metres

P11



North

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image South east elevation. Roof extended to accommodate extension building and carried across original

o 5 10

metres

P12



North west

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Extension building internal view (with ranging rod)

o 5 10

metres

P13

BROOK FARM, BARN, MAMHILAD BS/MHA/14 330610 204044 Sony DSC F828 RAW 2448x3264 DSC06732 Internal


East

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Stable inner north gable. Central blocked window and alcove to left

o 5 10

metres

P14



North east

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Stable general view

o 5 10

metres

P15



South east

N



Direction of view:

Reason for image Northern loft store, rear window and internal door, sawn timber collar, truss and purlins.

P16

BROOK FARM MAMHILAD BS/MHA/14 330610 204044 Sony DSC F828 RAW 2448x3264 DSC06735 Internal


South

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Northern loft store roof detail showing wooden peg joints to truss and staggered purlins.

P17



South

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Northern loft store roof detail showing collar has iron bolts. Re used truss or original, tenoned collar replaced.

P18



North

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Northern loft store. Original gable cut through for internal doorway with segmented brick arch

P19



South west

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Southern loft store internal doorway. Collared truss roof with iron bolt connectors. Purlins wooden pegged

P20



North east

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Southern loft store detail joist

P21



North east

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Southern loft store blocked south gable window

P22



North east

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Southern loft floor with non standard width planking

P23



North east

N

o 5 10

metres



Direction of view:

Reason for image Southern loft floor with non standard width planking

P24



South west

N

o 5 10

metres

A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix I Digital photograph list BS/MAH/14

Photo no Date Camera Size View Description Plate

DSC06720 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SE NW elevation general view. Original building right, addition left. P01 DSC06721 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SE NW elevation south P02 DSC06722 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SE NW elevation north P03 DSC06723 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 S Northern gable end, offset roof and external 1st floor door with stair P04 DSC06724 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 S Under stair space north gable end P05 DSC06725 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 SE North gable end external stairs P07 DSC06726 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 SW North gable end P08 DSC06727 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 NE South gable end P09 DSC06728 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 NE South gable end, blocked 1st floor window with brick segmental arch P10 DSC06729 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 N South east elevation showing butt joint of extension building and extension corrugated roof P11 DSC06730 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 NW South east elevation. Roof extended to accommodate extension building and carried across original P12 DSC06731 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 E Extension building internal view DSC06732 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 E Extension building internal view (with ranging rod) P13 DSC06733 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 NE Stable inner north gable. Central blocked window and alcove to left P14 DSC06734 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SE Stable general view P15 DSC06735 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 S Northern loft store, rear window and internal door, sawn timber collar, truss and purlins. P16 DSC06736 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 S Northern loft store roof detail showing wooden peg joints to truss and staggered purlins. P17 DSC06737 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 N Northern loft store roof detail showing collar has iron bolts. Re used truss or original, tenoned collar replaced P18 DSC06739 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 SW Northern loft store. Original gable cut through for internal doorway with segmented brick arch P19 DSC06740 24/07/2014 SONY F828 2448X3264 NE Southern loft store internal doorway. Collared truss roof with iron bolt connectors. Purlins wooden pegged P20 DSC06741 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 NE Southern loft store detail joist P21 DSC06742 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SW Southern loft store blocked south gable window P22 DSC06743 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SW Southern loft floor with non standard width planking P23 DSC06744 24/07/2014 SONY F828 3264X2448 SW Southern loft store central double door P24 DSC05768 07/12/2013 SONY F828 2448X3264 SE North gable end external stairs P06

brook farm barn mamhilad building survey

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