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PPG 16 states in Paragraph 18 that;
"The desirability of preserving
an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining
planning applications whether the monument is scheduled or unscheduled."
In Paragraph 27 it further states that;
"Where nationally important
archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are
affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour
of their physical preservation i.e. a presumption against proposals which
would involve significant alteration or cause damage, or would have a significant
impact on the setting of the visible remains."
The following seeks to define both the setting of the various upstanding monuments and listed buildings as they relate to the Ladybridge Farm Extension to Nosterfield Quarry and assess the impact of the proposed development on the settings.
It has been assumed for the purposes of analysis that the three henges are accessible to the general public whereas in reality they are all in private ownership and are not accessible by any public right of way.
The visual and physical impacts on the surrounding landscape of the Ladybridge Farm Extension to Nosterfield Quarry have been assessed by landscape architects GlenKemp and are reported on in a supplementary report commissioned by Tarmac Northern Ltd. This contains detailed statements on the landscape character and describes the qualitative values placed upon the area by a number of studies.
The landscape in and around the Thornborough Henges, and the other monuments and listed buildings, is divided into a series of discrete blocks by a series of hedgerows and tree lines as well as the road system. Whilst some of these boundaries are relatively recent, most relate to the partitioning of the former Medieval open fields and moors as a consequence of 18 th century and later enclosure. This partitioning of the landscape has inevitably resulted in restricted views being created.
The limitation on views imposed by tree-lines and hedgerows is further compounded by the generally flat topography. Where views are from a similar level across the landscape the hedge lines effectively act as a screen. In the cases where there are no intervening objects, especially in the case of more distant views towards the henges, these landmarks are viewed against a backdrop of landform and woodland cover. The result is that there is a poor level of contrast between the object being viewed and the background against which it is being viewed.
In planning terms setting has normally been determined in visual terms. In case law the measure of the impact on the setting of a monument has been defined by a series of views;
A detailed analysis of the definition of setting is included as Appendix 1.
In the case of the Ladybridge Farm Extension to Nosterfield Quarry it has been necessary to assess and inspect views from the scheduled monuments of the Thornborough Henges, Centre Hill Barrow, Double Ring Ditch Barrow and listed buildings at Camp House, Chapel Hill and Manor Farm towards the development. Additionally views from Ladybridge Farm area to the monuments have also been assessed and inspect. A number of third points have also been assessed and recorded.
A composite plan has been created using a combination of digital terrain data sourced from the NextMap Britain 5m DTM model and a detailed topographic survey undertaken by Landform Surveys Ltd on behalf of Tarmac Northern Ltd. The area covered by the detailed topographic survey, and referred to below as the core area, has been highlighted in green on the accompanying maps. The model used is essentially a bare earth topographic model with hedgerows, houses and selected substantial stands of trees incorporated.
The hedgerows have been modelled based upon height elevations collected as part of the original survey work in 2003. These hedges have been treated as solid blocks. In general gaps in the hedges have been allowed for as the surveyors only picked up extant sections of any hedgerow.
Stands of trees such as on the Northern Henge and the advanced tree planting around the Nosterfield Quarry have been blocked in to average tree heights within each of the woodland areas. No allowance for individual trees has been made so these are effectively ignored.
Houses have been roughly modelled to an average height of 5m based upon their location according to the Ordnance Survey Maps. Sheds, garages and barns etc. have generally been ignored."
The software used to visualise the data was LSS, manufactured by McCarthy Taylor Systems Ltd. The plans below have been created using the "line of sight" function within the LSS software. The visualisation function works out lines of sight along every 1° of radius from a given central point An example in the case of the highest point on the Central Henge, Plan x, would be generated at 1.8m above ground level in order to mimic the height of the average person. At the map reference 428569.224E, 479381.588N, 47.836 elevation +1.8m to eye would equate with a level of 49.636m AOD for the viewer.
The software allowed any position to be checked through a full 360° and access to be gained any point within an area of interest, including those not normally available to the public. Using the LSS software, the line of site from anywhere within the Thornborough landscape could therefore be tested. When calculating the line of site in the core area the LSS software took into account any hedges, trees and buildings in the area.
Outside the core area, the line of site was based purely on a bare earth model. Consequently where a line of site originated in, or passed through, the outer area it did not take into account any upstanding obstacles such as buildings, trees, woods or hedges which would have restricted the view. The modelled views outside the area therefore are more generous in their coverage than when tested on the ground. When tested by field inspection a number of points on public roads and areas of public access which appeared to have long distant views of the monuments and proposed development proved to be hidden by mature stands of trees, particularly along the River Ure.
The software does not make any allowances for environmental factors which might impact on the visibility. It assumes perfect conditions and perfect vision over an unlimited distance by the viewer.
For the purpose of this study approximately four hundred and thirty points were tested on the computer model, see Plan 1 (pdf). These were located to test lines of site from each of the henge monuments, the Three Hills Barrows, the Centre Hill Barrow and the listed buildings within the study area. The line of site was tested from sixty nine points within the Ladybridge Farm extension site. A total of eighty five lines of site were tested around the periphery of the area looking to establish any third points at which both Ladybridge Farm and the henge monuments were visible.
Based upon the computer modelling a series of views were tested in the field during a site visit on 22 nd April 2005.
The computer based exercise suggested that:
There was no view out whatsoever from within the Central and Southern Henges towards the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension, despite past damage to the banks which has reduced their height in a number of places. Plans 2 (pdf) and 3 (pdf). The data for the Northern Henge, which is tree covered, did not allow views out to be modelled.
Views at ground level out from the areas on the eastern flanks and immediately adjacent to the banks of the three henges were so restricted by hedges, trees and buildings that the area of the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was invisible to a viewer looking from them and towards it. Plans 4 (pdf), 5 (pdf) and 6 (pdf).
A very limited view of a small portion of the Ladybridge Farm Extension was generated from the highest point on the circuit of the bank of the Central Henge. This was not checked physically as it would have required climbing atop the bank. It is not anticipated that this viewpoint will ever be officially available to a member of the public. Plan 7(pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the highest point on the bank of the Southern Henge. This was not physically checked as it would have required climbing the bank. It is not anticipated that this viewpoint will ever be officially available to a member of the public. Plan 8 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the Double Ring Ditch Barrow. Plan 9 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the Centre Hill Barrow. Plan 10 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the East Tanfield DMV. Plan 11 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the Three Hills Barrows. Plan 12 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from the listed building known as Camp House. Plan 13 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from Chapel Hill Farm. Plan 14 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from Manor Farm. Plan 15 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from Kiln Farm. Plan 16 (pdf).
The proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension was not visible from Village Farm. Plan 17 (pdf).
Five points within the main area of the proposed Ladybridge Farm extension were tested. All of these lie on land which is in private ownership and is not accessible to the general public. There are no rights of way across the area.
With the exception of the south west corner none of the monuments was visible from within the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension. Plans 18 (pdf), 19 (pdf), 20 (pdf), and 21 (pdf).
The uppermost parts of the bank of the Central Henge is in the line of sight from the south west corner of the proposed site. It is difficult, however, to discern against the background. Its visual definition required the use of mechanical aids, telephoto lens and binoculars. Plan 22 (pdf).
Most of the views from outside into the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension and the monuments occurred in the bare earth regions of the model. Six of these were selected for representation and visual checking.
Three were located on public highways at points where substantial breaks in the hedgerows or tracks, combined with an elevated position and possible stopping places allowed views in towards the monuments and the Ladybridge Farm Extension. A fourth point which was selected was the pavilion of the cricket ground south of West Tanfield since public access was not precluded. All of these four were physically checked on the ground. Two additional points selected were Southwood House and Upsland House. Since these were private properties with no public access they were not visited. The view from the public road adjacent to Southwood House was checked, however.
The modelling suggested that:
From in front of Southwood House the Ladybridge Farm Extension would be clearly visible and some points on top of the bank of the Central Henge might be in the line of sight. At a distance of some 2000 metres and against a background of the Landfill site and the woodland on the disused quarry it is unlikely that the henge would be discernible. A visual check from the public road failed to identify the central henge; it was obscured by the farm buildings at Ladybridge Farm. Plan 23 (pdf).
From in front of Upsland House a small part of the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension would be visible. None of the monuments would be visible. Plan 24 (pdf).
From the cricket pavilion a part of the bank of the Southern Henge might be visible. A visual check showed that mature woodland, Isles Wood, obscured all views out towards the monuments and the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension. Plan 25 (pdf).
From Sleningford Hill the DMV of East Tanfield, the Southern Henge, Chapel Hill Farm, and the Double Ring Ditch Barrow might be visible though not the propose Ladybridge Farm Extension. In fact hedgerows and mature woodland along the banks of the River Ure obscured all the monuments with the exception of Chapel Hill Farm. Plan 26 (pdf).
From Honey Hill a part of the circuit of the bank of the Central Henge would be visible. On ground checking it proved that the Landfill site effectively blocked all potential views into the Central and Southern Henges. Distant views of the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension were not discernible. Plan 27 (pdf).
From a farm gate on Long Road the eastern half of the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension would be visible as well as the Three Hills Barrow and parts of the bank of the Central Henge. A visual inspection proved that though a line of site existed neither the Three Hills Barrows nor the Central Henge could be discerned with the naked eye. The Central Henge could only be discerned with the aid of a telephoto lens or binoculars. Plan 28 (pdf).
The use of the LSS software and the data from the detailed topographical survey and the 5m DTM model has allowed a far more extensive and intensive analysis of the potential impact of the proposed Ladybridge Extension than would normally be applied. Over four hundred points have been checked and the vast majority to been dismissed as not relevant to the analysis. In a number of cases of potential impact as modelled by the software has proved on visual inspection not to be relevant since natural features such as woodland and hedgerows have obscured theoretical views.
With the exception of some minor views of the Central Henge from within the south western corner of the proposed Ladybridge Farm Extension, Plan 22, and from the farm gate on Long Road, Plan 28, the analysis has clearly shown that the impact of the development of the Ladybridge Farm Extension on the setting of the monuments and listed buildings will be so slight as to be virtually negligible. It certainly could not be classed as significant as defined in PPG 16 and should not, therefore, be regarded as a grounds for refusal of the application.
The landscape study by GlenKemp has identified a number of minor and short lived impacts which will occur during the working of the extension. These will include the construction of bunds around the margins of the site. These have not been modelled so cannot be tested directly but they are likely to rapidly merge into the general landscape background and have no visible impact on the setting of the monuments.
Where a development affects a monument or its setting it is reasonable for a planning authority to seek mitigation and where appropriate a measure of planning gain.
The archaeological deposits at Ladybridge Farm are under a continuing threat from agriculture. Currently there are no measures in place to protect what archaeology there is remaining on the site from future cultivation. If the Ladybridge Farm Extension application is not permitted then these deposits will continue to be ploughed and thereby damaged until the point where nothing of archaeological value is left. From the evidence of the evaluation, nearly a decade of work on the adjacent Nosterfield Quarry and work of Dr Harding elsewhere on the Thornborough Plain it is clear that in less than ten years it will be obliterated.
The work undertaken by Newcastle University elsewhere in the landscape has shown that ploughing has, and is continuing to drastically impact upon scheduled deposits. This damage is done without any form of compensatory record and in many instances is not visible on the surface. When it does become evident at the surface, in the form of lithic scatters, investigation on both the Ladybridge Farm site and elsewhere in the vicinity of the henges has shown that the archaeological context of the material has probably been destroyed.
Under the current proposals, future archaeological fieldwork at Ladybridge Farm will comprise a totally controlled, development related, research excavation. Each phase of the quarry will be available for a minimum period of up to two years for archaeological excavation. On the basis of the evaluation and the surrounding archaeological evidence, it should be noted that this is, to all intent, excessive, but various aspects of the project can be timetabled accordingly.
One hundred percent of the archaeological deposits within the proposed quarry extension will be archaeologically excavated. In addition to any environmental sampling required for current analysis, additional samples will be taken from deposits to be retained and stored for future research.
Sampling will include the as yet unknown number of swallow holes which are present within the proposed quarry area. Previous work at Nosterfield Quarry has shown that these features may contain well preserved sediment sequences which can be dated and used to reconstruct the local vegetational history on the site. With the close proximity of the swallow holes to archaeological deposits at Ladybridge Farm, the possibility exists of directly correlating the archaeological and palaeo-environmental record for specific periods.
Whilst there is no reason to question the zoned nature of occupation within the landscape, there are issues as to its interpretation. The future excavations at Ladybridge Farm, which would mitigate any approval to extend the current workings, will provide an unequalled opportunity to investigate the boundary of one particular zone of activity in the Neolithic period.