Lower Cosmeston Farm Development-Archaeological and Heritage Assessment

A part of the assessment of the area earmarked for development at Lower Cosmeston Farm is a report commissioned on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government and prepared by the Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP/ Final Draft/Archaeological and Heritage Assessment). This report sought to examine the area’s potential for archaeological remains as well as to assess the character of the historical standing architecture. The report details the results of a geophysical survey, excavation work undertaken as well as an assessment of the historical standing buildings of Lower Cosmeston Farm.

(A view of the upper fields at Lower Cosmeston)

Having carefully read through the EDP report we feel that many of its archaeological findings and its assessment of the historic buildings at Lower Cosmeston Farm could be challenged. We considered the results of the archaeological surveys in particular, which claim to have found no archaeology at all, to be misleading. We therefore decided to undertake our own archaeological survey in the form of a series of small trial trenches within the vicinity of Lower Cosmeston farm. These trenches were dug in an area that we had long suspected of containing medieval remains-an area that for some reason was not encompassed within the geophysical survey. In the first instance we encountered an abundance of medieval archaeology at a shallow depth.

The EDP report states that the field containing the recently discovered medieval archaeology was subject to two different types of survey, namely a magnetometry survey which was carried out by SUMO Geophysics, and an 'archaeological site walkover' undertaken by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT).

The 'archaeological site walkover' claimed to have found no evidence of archaeology or medieval activity whatsoever. The magnetometry survey results also failed to expose the presence of any archaeology within the near vicinity of Lower Cosmeston farm.

Because of the seemingly negative results of both surveys, this field was not subject to any form of archaeological excavation. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, who were commissioned to conduct any excavating work required, stated that there had been ‘sufficient investigation of the site’ with no recommendation to proceed further with any form of archaeological investigation.

(A ceramic sherd from one of the trenches) 

What we have discovered however within the two trial trenches are almost certainly archaeological remains of medieval date. We uncovered hundreds of pottery shreds and various other small finds from this area indicative of a midden. Given the close proximity of these archaeological remains to the medieval village of Cosmeston, there is undoubtedly a connection. Hence, this newly discovered medieval archaeology has the capacity to transform our understanding of not only the evolution of Cosmeston as a settlement, but to also elicit more information about the lives of some of Penarth's earliest inhabitants. 

(Detail of archaeological remains which likely represent part of a rubble filled wall course uncovered at Lower Cosmeston Farm)

Due however to the limited size of the excavations we cannot presently state the exact nature of the remains, and the conclusions that we can draw from them are at this time limited. The goal of our excavation however was only intended to highlight the flawed findings of the EDP report and to show what it had missed rather than to undertake a full and comprehensive excavation.

What we would like to see are these important archaeological remains granted legal protection as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. A local precedent relating to the same type of archaeological remains can be found at the nearby deserted medieval village of Cogan (ST16977052) which is afforded legal protection by CADW as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

We cannot do better than to quote CADW's reasons for listing the archaeology of Cogan medieval village:

'The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the scheduled area many be expected to contain a wide range of archaeological information, including chronological detail and evidence in regard to construction techniques and agricultural methods'.

This Scheduling criteria should logically also apply to the medieval archaeology at Lower Cosmeston Farm. 

In regard to the historic buildings of Lower Cosmeston Farm, the EDP report detailed an assessment of the near four hundred year old ‘end-entry’ historic farm house, which is at present one of the oldest standing buildings in Penarth. It is one of the only original 'in-situ' standing structures remaining from the post-medieval hamlet of Cosmeston. This building, which was considered interesting and important enough to be mentioned in the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) 1988 publication, ‘Farmhouses and Cottages, Vol 4 part 2’, was dismissed as being of ‘limited heritage significance’ and, ‘not recommended for retention or conservation’. The late Georgian period farm buildings, which to use CADW’s nomenclature, exhibit  ‘group value’, were also dismissed in the EDP report.

(View facing Lower Cosmeston Farm)

The report took no account of the structure’s wider significance within the historic environment of Cosmeston and as such its place in the modern community as a great, albeit relatively unknown survivor from this post-medieval period of Cosmeston’s history. If Lower Cosmeston Farm and its outbuildings however happened to be located within a conservation area elsewhere else within the Vale of Glamorgan such as Llamnaes, Llandow, Llantwit Major, Cowbridge, Llysworney et al, they would in all likelihood have received statutory protection because of their age, 'group value', contribution the historic environment and the character of the area.

A perplexing aspect to the EDP assessment of Lower Cosmeston Farm was that it was carried out without involvement from CADW, whom given the primary purpose of their existence is to, 'champion the appreciation, protection and conservation of the historic environment of Wales', seems odd. Despite repeated efforts by ourselves, a local Councillor who is working with us and a journalist, CADW have chosen not to respond. The authors of the EDP/ Final Draft/Archaeological and Heritage Assessment themselves also state that despite attempts to contact CADW they would not respond to them. 

Also just as perplexing is that despite contacting two other Welsh heritage bodies, namely the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust and Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments Wales, and imploring them to get involved by coming to view the archaeology, intercede in the planning process or to just simply lend us their voice, none have chosen to do so. This also very disappointing considering that their primary roles are to help  protect and promote the heritage assets of Wales.

(Cosmeston medieval village)

The medieval village of Cosmeston and its surrounding archaeologically rich landscape is regarded by everyone within the archaeological/heritage fraternity as an important place. A testament to Cosmeston's importance is that no less than three different archaeological groups, the most recent of which was Cardiff University whom from 2008-2011 spent tens of, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds undertaking archaeological excavations within its environs. Lower Cosmeston Farm and the recently discovered medieval archaeology are a part of this important archaeological site.

Cosmeston medieval village is regarded as a special place by many people from the local community who come to both muse upon our shared past and to appreciate the early origins of our community. Lower Cosmeston Farm and its surrounding fields lends itself to the peaceful tranquillity and ambience that Cosmeston affords. This ambience would be compromised if the destruction of Lower Cosmeston Farm were to be allowed to proceed. A huge increase in traffic and congestion at all times of the day, noise pollution, exhaust fumes and increased environmental pollution are always the invariable result of such developments-as well as visitors having to look at an incongruous eyesore on the near-horizon which would overshadow and despoil the rural character of Cosmeston.

(Lower Cosmeston Farm)

We invite anyone from any of the main heritage bodies of Wales, namely CADW, RCAHMW and GGAT to get in touch with us and come and view the newly discovered archaeology for themselves as well as the historical standing architecture. 

We also feel that this would be an opportune moment to consider ascribing the area encompassing  the medieval village of Cosmeston along with Lower Cosmeston Farm, its buildings, archaeology and the surrounding fields status as a Conservation Area or A Site of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) to help preserve, protect and enhance this historical, archaeological and not to mention biologically diverse natural habitat and ecosystem which helps to form a vial 'green lung' for Penarth and its surrounding area, from the threat of destruction.

©Jonathan and Mark Lambert 2020

The right of Jonathan and Mark Lambert to be identified as Authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted, reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic means, including social media, or mechanical, or by any other means including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the authors.