Ty Lucas, llangovan

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DOCUMENT NO 178 May 2013

A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

REPORT

Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

Grade II, BUILDING RECORDING SURVEY

Monmouth County Council. 2010/00452


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A.P.A.C. Ltd Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan. BS/LAG/12

Summary

APAC Ltd was contacted by the client in order to undertake a level II building

recording survey on a barn and outbuilding prior to conversion work to residential

use.

The building at the time of the survey had partial roof and four walls, a substantial

part of which had had some extensive stabilization and restoration work, afteryears of neglect.

The out building had fared less well with only three walls remaining.

As part of the planning procedure the client was advised that he would need to

have the buildings recorded in their current state before any further development

could take place.

APAC Ltd produced a project design for the work, which was approved and thesurvey was undertaken.

This document comprises the Grade II building recording survey as required.

At the time of the survey the building was little more than a shell with new roof and

extensive restoration, including and above 1st

floor level.

As a result of background research for the survey it was possible to date the barn

as part of an earlier complex at least pre dating the early 19th century.


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Contents

Summary .........................................................................................................................................1

Contents...........................................................................................................................................2

Appendices ......................................................................................................................................3

Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4

Location and description of the evaluation areas............................................................................4

Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................4Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5

Methodology ...................................................................................................................................5

Data Presentation.............................................................................................................................6

External description of Old House Barn (Ty Lucas).......................................................................6

External detail: ................................................................................................................................6

Internal detail: .................................................................................................................................6

Description of out building .............................................................................................................7

Additional features noted: ...............................................................................................................7Phasing ............................................................................................................................................7

Interpretation summary ...................................................................................................................8

Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................8

References: ......................................................................................................................................9

Staff .................................................................................................................................................9


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Figures

01 Site Location map02 Site plan.03 Map progressions

Survey Plates 1-16

01 NE elevation. Southern section is a recent build from the bottom corner of the 1st floor window02 SE gable end all new above ground03 West elevation, new build south of doorway04 NW gable end with original wall and plaster of south inner wall of former dwelling05 Foundation at north west gable06

Internal north east corner showing wooden construction elements07 Internal north west corner showing butt construction

08 Internal view of NW gable of barn truss: principle rafter, tie beam, struts and replaced purlins09 Internal roof structure showing squared purlins and squared and uncut rafters10 Foundation at soothe east gable. New construction11 Internal floor at south end of barn12 NW and SW sides of outbuilding13 NW end of out building with new build14 Internal view of southern corner of outbuilding showing new build15

Raised curved wall to the NW of barn. Possible wall of former dwelling16 Partial remaining flag floor of former dwelling


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Introduction

This Grade II building survey has been prepared by Dr Neil Phillips, A.P.A.C. Ltd, in response to a proposedprogram of works to convert a barn and outbuildings for residential use.

The barn, and out buildings, NGR 343975 2067306, fig 01 have suffered from a period of neglect for some decadesand had fallen into a poor state of repair. Some much needed restoration and stabilisation work had been done toboth buildings by the client, prior to the planning proposal.

The project has now entered a conversion phase and the client has been advised that he would need to engage abuildings archaeologist as part of the planning process.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) imposed conditions on the planning approval. Relating to the standingbuildings the condition; as suggested by Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) who offer guidance to thecouncil in such matters, was worded:

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 a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted to andapproved 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.

MON1913/JBHD

This report details the building survey undertaken on 14th of September 2012.

Location and description of the evaluation areas

The location of the site can be gained from Raglan on the A40. Proceed through the town of Raglan and take a rightonto the old Chepstow Rd. Follow the road over the dual carriageway (A449) and take the second left signpostedKingcoed. At the top of the hill bear right at the crossroads and continue to the T junction and then bear lefttowards Llangovan. The second left along the road is marked No Through Rd and the property is just along thetrack.

The main building at present is detached and derelict barn with partial roof covering. Remains of a second singlestorey building stand within the curtilage, fig 02.).

Brief archaeological and historical background

The guidance letter from GGAT states that a building Ty Lucas is shown in the area of the present structure on the


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A decade later; in 1841 (Davies), the tithe map shows a less schematic representation of the site.

The site, still known as Ty Lucras, has two separate building blocks formed around a central square. To the north

east is the present barn, in filled black with an attached and equally large extension running north/west. The

extension is grey in filledand appears to have a central porch on the west elevation with a lean-to to the north east

corner. The southern building is L shaped the wider and longer portion to the east. It is only the narrower west

portion that survives at the time of the survey. The apportionment shows plot 75 associated with James Williams,

House Garden Buildings & Waste, (GRO D1059.28).

On the Ordnance Survey Map of 1882, the same buildings are represented as outlines clearly differentiating them as

separate units. The barn is shown with the attached and equally sized north/west extension (House) with its attached

lean-tos. The central porch interpreted in 1831 is not shown. The outbuildings are shown to the south west; sharing

one adjoining wall. East of the barn/house is a rectangular enclosed area with a small building and lean-to. The site

name has also changed to Ty Lucas.

During the following two decades, till 1901, the site underwent some changes with the enclosure and buildings to

the east being removed and the west and northern boundaries of the site being delineated with an enclosing

boundary. The footprints of the four main buildings remained as recorded earlier.

The next two decades however, saw more change. The northwest extension to the barn has gone by 1920 and the

southern outbuilding has been divided into two. The western outbuilding has also been divided at the south corner

and creating a new room between the southern and western outbuildings.

At the time of the survey in 1973-74, the complex of buildings had been reduced to a single barn with boundary wall

to the north and one partially surviving outbuilding to the west.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the level II survey was to preserve by record the structure of the buildings, prior to refurbishment and inso doing provide a facility for understanding the buildings historic development.

The record produced can then be used to guide the determination of the planning condition as to the final design ofrefurbishment.

Methodology

The building survey followed the methodology defined in 5.2, Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to GoodRecording Practice (English Heritage 2008). The methodology employed was also guided by the Standards andGuidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures (IFA 1996,revised ed 2008).


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A.P.A.C. Ltd Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan. BS/LAG/12This report also comprises a written element as defined in 4.5 Understanding Historic Buildings; A Guide to Good

Recording Practice (English Heritage 2008).

Data Presentation

Data referred to within the text is included in the Figures (fig##), Plates (P##).

The Plates are the photographs taken as part of the survey and included as annotated data records.

All the images are included in the archive disc.

Appendix I presents; in spreadsheet format, details of all the photographs taken during the survey, including thosenot used in the text. Photographs used in the text are listed in the right column with P and a sequential referencenumber: P##.

External description of Old House Barn (Ty Lucas).

The site is approached by an unmetalled road ends to the west at a field gate. Once through the gate, the site has aboundary of mature trees and a pond recorded since 1841, see fig 03.

The barn stands as an isolated structure of rubble-walled construction with oak fittings and roof timbers. Originally,it was probably a traditional threshing barn with central opening and slit windows, however the building has beenextensively restored in the southern half with possibly different fenestration added.

External detail:

The barn is divided into two half by large doorways on opposite elevations. The northern half measures 5.55m widewith both east and west elevations measuring 3.8mm in length.

The eastern elevation then has a doorway 2.69m followed by 5.79m of wall whereas the southern door waymeasures 2.56m followed by 5.92m of wall.

Plate 01, showing the eastern elevation illustrates a difference in build quite clearly. To the right of the door theeastern wall is original whereas to the left of the door, and more importantly to the left of the surviving slit, the wallhas been restored/rebuilt. The difference in colour clearly differentiates the two build periods including the entireupper window.

The south gable, Plate 02, is also a new build (Heath 2012, pers com) therefore the origin of the fenestration here is

also in doubt.

The same has to be said for the southern half of the western elevation Plate03 however, the northern half is probablyoriginal with some possible work to the upper quoins, Plate 04.

Plate 04 shows the northern gable end which does have some features of interest. The bottom half of the gable end

retains some plaster work consistent with an inner wall covering Above this plasterwork level the wall has been


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A.P.A.C. Ltd Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan. BS/LAG/12Plates 06 & 07 show the internal joins of the east and west elevations to the north gable wall. Surprisingly, neitherwall appears to be tied into the gable end which is particularly evident in Plate 06. Plate 06 also shows one of the

potentially original split windows with its internal splay.

A full view of the internal north gable can be seen in Plate 08. The wall has been rendered at some time in the past

but where the render has decayed, it is possible to see the construction technique used including the use ofhorizontal timbers along the corners to provide for settling.

Plate 08 also shows the position of the test pit described above and the surviving roof structure on the northernportion of the building.

In view in Plate 08 is a roof truss of a pair of principle blades rising from a tie beam carrying a ridge purlin and twotrenched side purlins, with the aid raked struts. The blades appear to have a half lap joint but the connection to thetie beam is not known.

Between the principle rafters, Plate 09, the roof structure appears to be a mix of both planed and roundwood raftersat quite random spacing which support a mix of modern and older battens.

The southern portion of the building is relatively new in construction as was discussed earlier. Plate 10 shows a testpit within central to the south gable end and shows the modern block work foundations. Plate 11 shows the position

of the test pit; beneath the new window. Plate 11 also shows the make up of the ground internally as sterile red clay.It is probable that any internal structure may have been removed during earlier restoration work.

Description of out building

The out building is a three sided single storey, rubble walled construction consisting of two gable ends and a

backing wall. The building measures 5.01m x 15.13m. Originally, gable roofed, nothing exists above the eaves,Plate 12. The surviving corners of the building are well defined with shaped stones.

Internally the building measures 4.49m x 14.14m enclosing an area of 63.49m.

Again, the building has had emergency consolidation work and Plates 13 & 14 show the extent of restoration

undertaken at both the north and south gables, respectively.

Additional features noted:

To the south of the outbuilding and between it and the barn is a rough rectilinear area of rough vegetation over aslightly raised and undulating surface. This area corresponds to the position of the larger outbuilding noted in themap progressions. The area was difficult to photograph in any illustrative way.

To the north west of the barn is a low wall which ends in a circular shaped corner which continues to the south west,Plate 15. The area is under coarse vegetation and difficult to interpret.

Also to the north west of the barn and enclosed within the continuations of the east and west elevations mentionedb i f fl i l 16


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A.P.A.C. Ltd Old House Barn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan. BS/LAG/12The house was removed between 1901 and 1920 followed by the southern out building before 1973.

The structure of the house itself adds more detail to the record. The northern gable wall of the barn is tied into thecourse of surviving wall running to the north/west. This would tend to suggest that the original building was that ofthe house with the barn added after.

It must be remembered however that only a few courses of the wall remained making it difficult to establish thestructural join with any certainty. That said, the internal butt joints of the barn elevations to the northern gable leaveless doubt that they were added to rather than built as one.

Of the rest of the barn, everything south of the threshing doors is probably of a fairly recent build.

Interpretation summary

It can be seen from the survey that there is little left of the original buildings and what is there, has been added toalready.

However, there does seem to be two areas of the site that have the potential to supply significant archaeologicalresources, fig 02. These have been identified as the position of the southern out building and the area to the

north/west of the barn, formerly the house Ty Lucas.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank Mr Heath & Mr & Mrs Heath sen for their assistance and background knowledge and for

allowing me to have a look around Old House itself. Thanks also to the contractor for his patience. Lastly, thanks tothe staff at the Gwent Record Office


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References:

A.P.A.C. Ltd. Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Work, Old House,Llangovan. 2012.

B.S. Technical Solutions Structural Appraisal of Barn at Old House, Llangovan Monmouthshire.21/05/2010

Drawings:

Existing plans and elevations BP2130/01

Proposed conversion of dwelling BP2130/02Location BP2130/03

Davies, R., 1999 The Tithe Maps of Wales. National Library of Wales, Cardiff.

English Heritage Management of Archaeological Projects (1991).

Understanding Historic Buildings, A guide to good recording practice, (2008).

GGAT MON1913/JBHD Proposed Conversion of Barn to Residential and Conversion ofExisting Outbuilding to Garage and Store: Old House, Llangovan.Pl.App.No.: 2010/00452

IFA Standard and Guidance for the archaeological investigation and recording of standingbuildings or structures.

Monmouthshire CountyCouncil; Notification of Approval of Planning Permission DC/2010/00452 10/02/2012

Report 277423. Evaluation report

The Society of MuseumArchaeologists Towards An Accessible Archive (1995)

Sir Cyril Fox &Lord Raglan 1952. Monmouthshire Houses Pt II. Merton Priory Press and National Museum of Wales.

Maps Gwent County Records Office

http://www.old-maps.uk/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/
http://www.old-maps.uk/http://www.old-maps.uk/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/http://www.old-maps.uk/


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Old House BArn (Ty Lucas) Llangovan Appendix I


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Old House BArn, (Ty Lucas), Llangovan.

BS/LAG/12

Appendix I

Digital Photographic RecordA.P.A.C. Ltd

Photo No Date Camera Size Area View Description Plate

DSC02694 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn SW NE elevation. Southern section is a recent build from the bottom corner of the 1st floor window P 01

DSC02695 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn NE SE gable end all new above ground P02

DSC02696 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn N West elevation, new build south of doorway P03

DSC02697 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn E NW gable end with original wall and plaster of south inner wall of former dwelling P04

DSC02698 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Ty lucas NE Partial remaining flag floor of former dwelling P 16

DSC02699 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Ty lucas SE Raised curved wall to the NW of barn. Possible wall of former dwelling P 15

DSC02700 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Ty lucas V View of the raised wall showing the curve profile

DSC02701 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Out building SE NW end of out building with new build P13

DSC02702 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Out building E NW and SW sides of outbuilding P12

DSC02703 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Out building S Internal view of southern corner of outbuilding showing new build P14

DSC02704 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Out building NW Internal view of northern corner of outbuilding showing new build

DSC02705 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 2448x3264 Barn NW Internal view of NW gable of barn truss: principle rafter, tie beam, struts and replaced purlins P 08

DSC02706 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn NW Close up of truss: wooden pegged, tenon joints and lap joint at ridge

DSC02707 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn NW Internal roof structure showing squared purlins and squared and uncut rafters P 09

DSC02708 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn SE Foundation at south east gable. New construction P10

DSC02709 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn NW Foundation at north west gable P 05

DSC02711 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 2448x3264 Barn N Internal north east corner showing wooden construction elements P 06DSC02712 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 2448x3264 Barn W Internal north west corner showing butt construction P 07

DSC02713 14/09/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Barn SE Internal floor at south end of barn P11

DSC02846 01/10/2012 DSC-F828 2448x3264 Tithe map V Overview of Tithe map

DSC02847 01/10/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Tithe map V Close up of Ty Lucas on Tithe

DSC02848 01/10/2012 DSC-F828 3264x2448 Tithe map V Apportionment to tithe

Documents

Ty Lucas, llangovan