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Survey Details for CYNONHL639 - 2026-06-07

CYNONHL639

Historic Landscape

Gilfach Goch

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2017-03-15

  • Level 1: Built environment
  • Level 2: Settlement
  • Level 3: Other Settlement

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • OS Data, Aerial Photographs
  • Fieldwork

Q1d - What has changed?

  • Boundaries

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • Level 3; 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

  • Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

  • The mining settlement of Gilfach Goch is nestled in the Ogwr Fach valley and bounded by the upland areas of Mynydd Maendy to the southwest, Mynydd Maes-teg to the northwest, Mynydd Pen y graig to the northeast and Mynydd y Gilfach to the southeast. During the last glaciation these upland areas played host to static inactive glaciers, unlike their very active cousins in the Rhondda Fawr and Fach valleys, which inevitably joined the the glaciers in the Ogwr Fach valley and deposited c25 meters of boulder clay (Davies 1981, 11/2). The current settlement is built on this alluvial deposit, however earlier settlement in the area tended to adhere to the more elevated and agriculturally attractive, boulder clay free upland pastures, ideal for animal husbandry. The coal industry in the Gilfach Goch area has had a dramatic effect on the landscape and its people during the industrial period. As early as 1502AD coal seems were known and worked in Glynogwr and Gilfach Goch; by 1832AD this had turned into an industry supplying the local area, supplanting wood for coal, fuelling local industry. By the late 19th century numerous collieries and levels were being worked in the Gilfach Goch area; however the boom was not to last, by the time of the nationalisation of the coal industry most of the collieries were either decommissioned or in the process of decommissioning. This type of activity has left a much-altered landscape littered with many industrial monuments; many however have been dismantled such as the Gilfach Goch Colliery, the Dinas Main Colliery and the Glamorgan Pit. A great deal of rejuvenation has occurred in recent years altering the landscape further; almost nothing can now be seen of the former collieries and Levels where landscaping has taken place. As with many mining communities religion was an important factor in everyday life, this is reflected strongly in the dense number of chapels interspersed amongst the settlement of Gilfach Goch. There are five chapels; Noddfa Welsh Baptist Chapel, Libanus Welsh Calvinist Methodist Chapel, Bryn Seion Independent Chapel, Moriah Baptist Chapel and Bethel Methodist Chapel. The diverse nature of these chapels and their associated religious affiliations is testament to the importance placed on religion within the structure of society.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

  • Reclaimed land
  • Water & Wetland
  • Extractive

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

  • No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

  • Hedgerow With Trees
  • Dry Stone Walls
  • Post & Wire Fence
  • Cut Drainage

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

  • Buildings & Structures
  • Documentary
  • Industrial Archaeology

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

  • Industrial

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

  • No

Q16 - HLCA description url

  • No Answer

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

  • No

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

  • No

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

  • No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

  • No

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

  • No

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

  • No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

  • Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

  • Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • All

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • The boundary is the extent of the Gilfach Goch settlement area.

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • High
    • The dominant landscape pattern in this area, represented by 19th-20th century industrial settlement scattered along the Ogwr Fach valley, is reasonably coherent in visual terms, although some landscape coherence is lost due to the fact that the numerous collieries which provided the raison d'etre for the growth of this settlement have since disappeared

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

  • High
    • Although the colliery sites which stimulated the growth of settlement at Gilfach Goch, including the Gilfach Goch Colliery, the Dinas Main Colliery and the Glamorgan Pit, have now been cleared, reclaimed and landscaped, substantial remains of disused quarry sites and dismantled tramroads have survived... Substantial remains of 19th-early 20th century industrial workers' housing and associated buildings (chapels, mission halls etc) have survived, including the Gilfach Garden Village in the southern part of the aspect area, the first planned development of its type established in 1910-14...

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

  • Moderate

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • Moderate
    • Many other examples of industrial settlement corridors exist within the Rhondda/RCT historic landscape (e.g. Cynon HL378; Cynon HL949; Cynon HL977); however, the Gilfach Garden Village, situated in the southern part of the aspect area, is of exceptional importance as the first planned 'Garden Village' housing development of its type in South Wales, built in 1910-14.

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

  • High
    • This area has not been covered by a detailed historic landscape characterisation; consequently, there is potential for further investigation of the development of this industrial landscape. A comprehensive assessment of the surviving industrial heritage in this area (including quarries, tramroad features, industrial workers' housing and associated buildings, such as chapels) would certainly be merited.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • High
    • This HL has been assigned a high value as representing a discrete, well preserved area of 19th-early 20th century industrial settlement extending along the Cwm Ogwr Fach. This industrial landscape has lost some of its coherence due to clearance and reclamation of the colliery sites that gave rise to it; however the overall value of the area is increased by the presence of the Gilfach Garden Village of 1910-14, the earliest planned development of its type in South Wales.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • This HL has been assigned a high value as representing a discrete, well preserved area of 19th-early 20th century industrial settlement extending along the Cwm Ogwr Fach. This industrial landscape has lost some of its coherence due to clearance and reclamation of the colliery sites that gave rise to it; however the overall value of the area is increased by the presence of the Gilfach Garden Village of 1910-14, the earliest planned development of its type in South Wales.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

  • Davies, M, 1981, Glynogwr and Gilfach Goch: A History. Cowbridge and Bridgend. Lewis, RL, 2003, Pantycornant Farm Tir Gofal HE2 farm visit report. Ref: GGAT 2003/085. Swansea. Ordnance Survey, 1884/5, First Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1900/1, Second Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1921, Third Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Rhondda and Merthyr Tydfil. 1:25000, Explorer 166. Southampton. Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

  • https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/