Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan

Transcription

Report No: 2004R066
Mineral Tramways
Conservation Management Plan
The Poldice Valley
Thomas’ Shaft
Engine House
Shaft at Unity Wood mine
Shaft at Unity Wood mine
Convex ore dressing buddle at Betty Adit
Convex ore dressing buddle at Betty Adit
Historic Environment Service (Projects)
Cornwall County Council
for the
Mineral Tramways Heritage Project
Sites & Trails
October 2004
Report No: 2004R066
Historic Environment Service, Environment and Heritage,
Kennall Building, Old County Hall, Station Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3AY
Tel (01872) 323603 fax (01872) 323811 E-mail [email protected]
www.cornwall.gov.uk
Acknowledgements
This study was commissioned by the Mineral Tramways Principal Officer (Kath Statham), Environmental
Projects (EP), Cornwall County Council, and carried out by the projects team of the Historic Environment
Service (HES, formerly Cornwall Archaeological Unit), Environment and Heritage, Cornwall County Council.
Within the Historic Environment Service, the Project Manager was Colin Buck. Report maps and illustrations
were provided by Jane Powning and Ainsley Cocks with project co-ordination and final editing by Jeremy
Williams and Peter Herring.
Bridget Gillard (HES) undertook fieldwork and site reports at Unity Wood, Wheal Fortune and Consols.
Ainsley Cocks (HES) produced the Trail reports and maps (Section 4.2).
Jeremy Williams (EP) produced Section 8.
Peter Herring and Colin Buck jointly produced the Management Plan Policies (Section 6).
Many stakeholders (both public and private) have contributed views that have helped shape this report, for
which thanks are given.
The views and recommendations expressed in this report are those of the Historic Environment Service
projects team and are presented in good faith on the basis of professional judgement and on information
currently available.
The report was written by Colin Buck, Dip. Arch.
Funding
The Conservation Management Plan was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Objective One European Regional
Development Fund, South West Regional Development Agency, Carrick District Council, Cornwall County Council and
Kerrier District Council.
© Cornwall County Council 2004
No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means
without the prior permission of the publisher.
i
Contents
1
Summary
2
Introduction
Project background
1
2.2
Aims
2
2.3
Methods
2
2.4
Ownership and management
7
2.5
Stakeholders
7
2.4.1
2.4.2
Criteria for selection of sites/trails
Conservation Management Plan methodology
Consultation workshop
2
4
5
Sites
Trails
7
7
Site descriptions and Statements of Significance
8
3.1
Introduction and layout of site reports
3.2
Ale & Cakes, Gwennap
10
3.3
Betty Adit Dressing Floors, Camborne
17
3.4
Consols, Gwennap
23
3.5
Cusvey, Gwennap
29
3.6
Grenville New Stamps, Camborne
35
3.7
Higher Condurrow, Camborne
41
3.8
Marshall’s Shaft, Camborne
47
3.9
Penhallick Leats, Carn Brea
53
3.10
Thomas’s Shaft, Carn Brea
59
3.11
Tolgus, Redruth
65
3.12
Tolgus Calciner, Redruth
71
3.13
Unity Wood, Chacewater
77
3.14
Wheal Fortune, Gwennap
85
3.15
Summary of recommendations
91
3.1.1
3.15.1
3.15.2
3.15.3
3.15.4
4
1
2.1
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
3
vii
8
Site report notes and key for sites template
8
Summary of main capital works recommended
Summary of main management recommendations
Summary of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs)
Sites that require further survey/evaluation
Trails description and Statements of Significance
91
91
92
93
94
4.1
Introduction and layout of trails reports
94
4.2
The Portreath Branchline Trail
95
4.3
The Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail
102
4.4
The Tehidy Trail
109
4.5
The Tolgus Trail
116
4.1.1
Site report notes and key for sites template
94
ii
4.6
4.6.1
4.6.2
4.6.3
4.6.4
5
123
123
123
124
125
126
5.1
Objectives of owners and managers
126
5.2
Public expectations
126
5.3
Other constraints and issues
127
5.4
Recurring environmental and landscape issues
129
5.5
Policy context for the Historic Environment
131
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3
5.4.1
5.4.2
5.4.3
5.4.4
5.4.5
5.5.1
5.5.2
5.5.3
5.5.4
5.5.5
7
Summary of main capital works recommended
Summary of main management recommendations
Summary of Historic Impact Assessments of all trails
Sites that require further survey/evaluation
Management constraints, issues and policy context
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
6
Summary of recommendations
Access
Local residents
Local visitors/tourists
Interpretation opportunities
126
126
127
127
Statutory designations
Non-Statutory designations
Resource issues (short and long term)
127
128
129
Historic (above and below ground)
Ecological
Mineralogical
Public health and Safety
Conflicts of interests
Cornwall Structure Plan
Carrick Local Plan (adopted 1998)
Kerrier Local Plan
Camborne-Pool-Redruth Urban Regeneration Company Strategy
World Heritage Site Strategic Policies (2005-10)
Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan Policies
129
130
130
130
131
131
132
132
132
133
135
6.1
Landscape Policies
135
6.2
Heritage Policies (above and below ground features)
135
6.3
Ecological Policies
137
6.4
Mineralogical Policies
140
6.5
Land management Policies
141
6.6
Policies ensuring works do not compromise other environmental interests
141
6.7
Public access and interpretation Policies
141
6.8
Education and training Policies
142
6.9
Community involvement Policies
143
6.10
Public health and safety Policies
144
6.11
Policies relating to shafts and adits
144
6.12
Management and administration Policies
145
6.13
Maintenance and monitoring Policies
145
6.14
Cross-cutting Policies
146
Use of the plan
147
7.1
Adoption and responsibility
147
7.2
Short and long term use
147
iii
8
9
10
Monitoring and Review
148
8.1
Monitoring & Evaluation
148
8.2
Reviewing the Plan
148
References
149
9.1
Primary sources
149
9.2
Secondary sources (published)
149
9.3
Reports commissioned for Mineral Tramways Heritage Project
149
9.4
Other secondary sources
150
9.5
Policy documents and references
151
9.6
Websites
151
9.7
Project archive
152
Appendices
153
10.1
Historic Landscape Characterisation
153
10.2
World Heritage Site vision and aims
157
10.3
Conservation Management Plan Project Design
158
10.4
List of Consultation Event invitees
165
10.5
A glossary of mining terms
167
List of Figures
Page
1. Mineral tramways location map
ix
2. Mineral Tramways map showing sites and trails with heritage designations
3
3. Mineral Tramways map showing sites and trails with landscape designations
6
4. Ale and Cakes
4.1 Project area setting map
10
4.2 View from Clifford’s Engine House
10
4.3 1880 OS Map
12
4.4 HES Summary map
12
4.5 Management Plan summary map
13
5. Betty Adit
17
5.2 View of a buddle at Betty Adit dressing floor
17
5.3 1907 OS Map
19
5.4 HES Summary map
19
21
6. Consols
23
6.2 General view of the Consols site
23
6.3 1880 OS Map
25
6.4 1907 OS Map
25
iv
6.5 HES Summary map
25
27
7. Cusvey
29
7.2 View of the Cusvey engine houses from the south
29
7.3 1880 OS Map
31
7.4 HES Summary map
31
33
8. Grenville
35
8.2 View of the Stamps engine house, loadings and stamps platform
35
8.3 1907 OS Map
37
8.4 HES Summary map
37
39
9. Higher Condurrow
41
9.2 Woolf’s/Neame’s engine house
41
9.3 1907 OS Map
43
9.4 HES Summary map
43
45
10. Marshall’s Shaft
47
10.2 Marshall’s Shaft pumping and winding engine houses
47
10.3 1907 OS Map
49
10.4 HES Summary map
49
51
11. Penhallick Leats
53
11.2 View of Penhallick’s surviving leat and the Great Flat Lode Trail
53
11.3 1907 OS Map
55
55
57
12. Thomas’s Shaft
59
12.2 Thomas’s Shaft engine house and bob wall
59
12.3 1880 OS Map
61
61
63
13. Tolgus
65
13.2 General view of the Tolgus site
65
v
13.3 1880 OS Map
67
67
69
14. Tolgus Calciner
71
14.2 Tolgus Calciner and Fuel store
71
14.3 1880 OS Map
73
73
75
15. Unity Wood
77
15.2 View of Magor’s (Wheal Bush) pumping and winding engine houses
77
15.3 1880 OS Map
79
79
82
16. Wheal Fortune
85
16.2 General view of site from footpath (looking west)
85
16.3 1880 OS Map
87
87
89
17. Portreath Branchline Trail
17.1 Trail route map
95
17.2 Trail photographs
95
17.3 Portreath Branchline Trail summary sites map
97
17.4 Portreath Branchline Trail principal management plan features
100
18. Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail
102
102
18.3 Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail summary sites map
104
18.4 Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail principal management plan features
107
19. Tehidy Trail
109
109
19.3 The Tehidy Trail summary sites map
111
19.4 The Tehidy Trail principal management plan features
113
20. Tolgus Trail
115
115
20.3 The Tolgus Trail summary sites map
117
20.4 The Tolgus Trail principal management plan features
120
vi
Abbreviations
ACA
Archaeological Constraint Area
AGHV
Area of Great Historic Value
BAP
Biodiversity Action Plan
CAU
Cornwall Archaeological Unit
CCC
CDC
Carrick District Council
CMP
CRO
Cornwall County Record Office
CWS
Cornwall Wildlife Site
DEFRA
Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs
EH
English Heritage
EN
English Nature
GIS
Geographical Information System
HER
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Historic Environment Record
HES
Historic Environment Service, Cornwall County Council
HIA
Heritage Impact Assessment
HLF
Heritage Lottery Fund
KDC
Kerrier District Council
LB
Listed Building
MT
Mineral Tramways
MTHP
Mineral Tramways Heritage Project
MTP
Mineral Tramways Partnership/Mineral Tramways Project
NGR
National Grid Reference
OS
Ordnance Survey
PRN
Primary Record Number in Cornwall HER
SAC
Special Area of Conservation
SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest
SoS
Statement of Significance
SWRDA
South West Regional Development Agency
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
WHS
World Heritage Site
vii
1 Summary
‘The overall aim of the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project is to conserve and manage a network of historic
mining sites for their archaeological and wildlife value; to create a network of recreational routes based on
disused mineral railways and tramways; and to assist in the economic regeneration of the area through new
visitors expenditure and managing sites and trails. It will deliver the next phase of the Mineral Tramways
Strategy. The Strategy was published by the Mineral Tramways Partnership’ (Mineral Tramways Heritage
Project Business Plan, Sept 2002).
The Mineral Tramways Strategy provides the vision for the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project
(MTHP). Works have been carried out to Mineral Tramways sites and trails for the past fourteen years,
and the MTHP is the final phase of the main works to implement the Strategy. It involves building
consolidation and provision of safe public access within thirteen mining heritage sites (mainly former
mining or industrial complexes), and the creation of four new trails (complementing the already
established Mineral Tramways network).
The preparation of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is part of the project development stage
of the MTHP, to inform the Project and the subsequent management of the MTHP sites and trails; and
its generic policies also have wider relevance to all of the Mineral Tramways sites and trails completed
in previous phases. The County Council’s Historic Environment Service (HES) successfully tendered
for the production of the CMP. The County Council had already commissioned specialist consultants
to carry out desk-top and site surveys (Archaeological, Ecological, Mineralogical, Geotechnical, and
Asbestos) of the MTHP sites and trails.
The CMP summarises the existing sites and trail routes, their significance, and their management issues,
based on the detailed information in these specialist reports. The principal site assets are reproduced on
single plans to provide an overall summary of all the site constraints.
The specialist consultant reports also provided a sound basis for the production of the general and
specific policies, which are the main focus of the CMP. These policies will be used as a guide by
environmental project managers during the preparation of site specifications and detailed plans of
works, both in implementing the MTHP and subsequent management. The CMP also provides an
easily accessible summary of the detailed site information, and information on key statutory planning
policies and the site designations (local, national and of world importance).
The mine sites contain significant archaeological and ecological site assets. Extant engine houses (most
Listed Grade II), are located on some sites, and all contain a number of mine shafts, all legacies of the
site’s industrial past. Project funding will seek to make these sites safe and more accessible for a greater
number of people, both for the local communities and visitors. Also, the CMP seeks to provide further
guidance through its policies to facilitate interest and means of public access to the mining heritage sites
and along the trails. Given the variable range of site assets (ecological, mineralogical, historical and
archaeological), the presentation of site information through a variety of mediums (leaflets, booklets,
web sites and newsletters etc) will broaden the range of visitors.
Works will seek to improve access both to and within sites, and to conserve and make safe the historic
mining structures (whether Scheduled and Listed or not). Many sites and structures have not been
managed in any way for very many years. Some trails will need clearance works and consolidation of
bridges and structures along their routes. Habitat management will combine preventative and proactive
measures, within strict guidelines, focusing on Biodiversity Action Plan priorities.
It is intended that this CMP will complement and link with other wider ranging management plans.
Thus, the World Heritage Site bid Management Plan provides an overall framework within which this
Plan rests, and provides the wider context of the significance of the MTHP sites compared with other
such sites in Cornwall and worldwide.
The production of the CMP has been a consultative process. The CMP will need to be endorsed by the
Mineral Tramways Partnership Steering Group and adopted by Cornwall County Council and Carrick
and Kerrier District Councils. The Plan will be reviewed every five years.
viii
Figure 1 Mineral Tramways location map
ix
2 Introduction
2.1 Project background
In 1987 Cornwall Archaeological Unit (now the Historic Environment Section - HES) proposed an
industrial archaeological assessment project for the Central Mining District (Camborne-RedruthGwennap-St Day). This was accepted in 1988 and published in 1990 (Mineral Tramways Report;
Sharpe et al 1990). The report outlined the extraordinary range of historic mining related remains still
surviving in the area. It identified that this presented a great opportunity for establishing a coherent
conservation plan for preserving and presenting these remains, but also the chance to build a unique
amenity and recreational opportunity for both the local population and the national community.
Central to the project concept were three interlocking proposals:
1. Mine sites, with their historic buildings and surrounding mining landscapes are of great historical
and nature conservation value in their own right. They should be consolidated, conserved and made
safe for public recreation.
2. The network of abandoned mineral railways and tramways should be used as the basis for
creating a network of trails connecting Devoran, Portreath and, ultimately, Hayle. The routes should
pass through as many historic mine sites as possible and act as a recreational link between these areas
and the principal mining villages and towns, and the historic mining heritage facilities that already
existed.
3. A dispersed Museum of Cornish Mining and Engineering should be created involving all
historic heritage facilities. Sites included in the report were: Taylor’s and Mitchell’s Shafts engine
houses at Pool; Robinson’s Shaft, South Crofty; Tolgus Tin; Camborne School of Mines, Geological
Museum; Perran Foundry, King Edward Mine and Sara’s Foundry - only Taylor’s, Mitchell’s and the
Geological Museum were open to the public at that time.
These ideas were developed into the Mineral Tramways Strategy the most recent edition of which was
published by the Mineral Tramways Partnership (MTP) in June 2000. The Partners of the MTP
include local authorities, environmental organisations and funding partners including the South West
RDA. Between 1988 and 2001, considerable progress was made by Kerrier Groundwork Trust, Kerrier
and Carrick District Councils and Cornwall County Council. Several sections of mineral tramway or
railway trail were reclaimed to create multi-use trails and over thirty mine sites and associated buildings
and structures conserved. This work was undertaken with a combination of local funds and match
funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and European Regional
Development Funds (Objective 5b).
The Mineral Tramways Strategy provides the focus and vision for the Mineral Tramways Heritage
Project (MTHP). Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), SWRDA, European Regional
Development Fund (Objective One), the County Council, and the District and Parish Councils, this
final phase involves building consolidation and provision of safe public access within thirteen discrete
sites (mainly former mining or industrial complexes), and the creation of four new trails (mainly
following former tramways or pathways - complementing the already established Mineral Tramways
network). At this time the Project has Heritage Lottery Stage 1 approval, the project development stage
commenced in February 2004. The implementation stage (Stage 2), will run from April 2005 to March
2008.
Cornwall County Council have commissioned specialist consultants to undertake surveys of the mine
sites (Archaeological, Ecological, Mineralogical, Geotechnical, and Asbestos) and the trails
(Archaeological and Ecological). As part of the project development stage, the preparation of a
Conservation Management Plan (CMP) was required to inform the development of the MTHP and the
subsequent management of the sites and trails. The Historic Environment Service (HES) successfully
tendered for this work. This report and contents follow the guidance set out by the Heritage Lottery
Fund (HLF) in their document Conservation Management Plans: A Guide, and utilise the World
Heritage Site Management Plan policies and recommendations as a foundation.
1
2.2 Aims
The Conservation Management Plan is for the thirteen mine sites and proposed four new trails
included in the MTHP, but its generic policies have wider relevance to all of the sites and trails
developed in previous phases of implementation of the Mineral Tramways Strategy.
The aim of the Conservation Management Plan is: ‘to help retain the significance of the heritage assets in
any management, repair, alteration or new development projects’, as described in the CMP project design
(reproduced in Appendix 10.3). It will inform the design of the proposals for the MTHP and will
support applications for Scheduled Monument, Listed Building and SSSI consent. It will also inform
the MTP’s long-term management strategy, proposals for conservation and remediation, development
of any further projects, plans for access, education and training, and a ten-year management and
maintenance plan.
The CMP mainly covers mining and transport heritage (though it also considers other aspects of the
historic environment), as well as other related specialist disciplines, namely: mineshaft geotechnical
issues, wildlife habitats and species, mineralogy and public health and safety requirements and the
contextual relationship of these to the landscape (both local to the site and its wider context). However,
of major importance is the preparation of statements of significance for each site, after outlining each
site or trail’s main assets for each specialist discipline. This also includes developing generalised building
and landscape conservation recommendations for each significant feature.
The generic policies (Section 6) cover all the significant assets of each site and trail, and also those of
the wider MTP for each specialist discipline. The policies are designed to respond to the needs of both
the assets and those who value them, and take into account management issues and the various ways
that assets are valued. The policies, after they have been ratified by the County Council and District
Councils, should be seen as a long term commitment to ‘best practice’ conservation principles. The
CMP also provides a hierarchy of significance in terms of individual site assets which will allow funding
priorities to be identified at each site/trail.
2.3 Methods
2.3.1 Criteria for selection of sites/trails
Between 1988 and 2001, considerable progress was made by Kerrier Groundwork Trust, Kerrier and
Carrick District Councils and Cornwall County Council to undertake mine site and building
remediation schemes (funded mainly by SWRDA). Also during this time several sections of mineral
tramway and railway trail were reclaimed to create multi-use trails and over thirty mine sites and
associated buildings and structures have been conserved.
Following meetings between Kerrier and Carrick District Councils, Cornwall County Council, and
landowners a number of mine sites and possible trail routes were proposed for further conservation
and presentation. The overriding criteria governing site selection were historic importance, suitability
for safe public access, and proximity both within the site and to/from the site to an adjacent existing or
proposed Mineral Tramways trail. The approximate project cost was also calculated to permit the
exclusion of large sites that would consume a disproportionately large amount of the project budget.
These have been left for future ‘stand alone’ schemes.
The following excerpt (from the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project grant application (2002, 51) states:
The list of sites that require work has been selected from the Mineral Tramways Strategy by a process of
measurement against project criteria. The list represents the Mineral Tramways Partnership’s priority for
conservation and management and was agreed by the Steering Group at their meeting on 7th December
2001. The prioritisation exercise was necessary when it became apparent that the full list of sites within the
Mineral Tramways Strategy could not be delivered within one project.
2
3
The following site selection criteria were developed by the Historic Environment Service, the Mineral
Tramways Partnership Officer Group and discussions with HLF officers:
• The site includes historic buildings, features or habitats, which are designated.
• The site includes historic buildings, features or habitats, which are threatened by deterioration.
• Close proximity of site to historic sites which have already been conserved by the Mineral Tramways
Partnership.
• Site conservation will directly deliver the targets of the Metalliferous Mine Sites Biodiversity Action
Plan (i.e. facilitate designation of Local Nature Reserves, extend Cornwall Nature Conservation Sites,
reduce threats such as scrubbing over, fly-tipping, and tidying sites).
• Sites are in local authority ownership already or negotiation is underway.
Using the above criteria, 14 sites have been identified, covering over 50 hectares. Within these sites, at least
25 buildings and features will be consolidated and made safe.
Goold’s Shaft site, although it was originally part of the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project proposals,
was recently omitted due to the large number of mine shafts that were found to be within the site by
the underground geotechnical assessment. These would have needed to be treated and made safe for a
high public access amenity end use.
The spinal routes of the trails were selected both as a reflection of their former function as a mineral
ore network (i.e. Redruth & Chacewater Railway Trail and the Portreath Branchline Railway trail), or to
function as a link to provide access between important mine sites (i.e. Tolgus and Tehidy Trails), and to
link with existing Mineral Tramways trails.
2.3.2 Conservation Management Plan methodology
Substantial amounts of work have been previously undertaken, by the HES (1988 to 2002 - formerly
Cornwall Archaeological Unit), resulting in a suite of general and strategic reports that relate either to
the Mineral Tramways project directly, cover allied issues or adjacent places, deal with the wider
landscape, or have been undertaken as part of this phase of the project planning.
Following Stage 1 approval of HLF and SWRDA funding, a Project Manager was appointed. Specialist
consultants were then commissioned to undertake fourteen mine site assessments for historical
research, archaeology, ecology (flora and fauna), mineralogy and asbestos deposits. Also, at a later date
specialist consultants were commissioned to undertake assessments along the proposed trail routes for
historical research, archaeology and ecology (flora and fauna). Measured surveys of all structures to be
conserved, and geotechnical and structural surveys of all relevant sites were also commissioned. All of
the above were carefully reviewed and synthesised as part of the preparation of the CMP; these surveys
largely obviated the need to undertake primary research and fieldwork.
The CMP for the MTHP is based on the HLF guidance set out in their Conservation Management Plans
– A Guide, which identifies four phases for preparation of a CMP. In particular the HES followed the
checklists for ‘Historic Places’, ‘Buried Archaeology’ and ‘Wildlife and Ecology’ when acquiring data
and preparing the appraisals and policies. These checklists ensured that the CMP achieved the
following during Phase 1 (i.e. HLF CMP guidance phase):
• The CMP fully appraises and critically reviews current and proposed management, and places each
site and trail within the context of local, regional and national legislation, standards and strategies.
• The report fully taps into the full breadth of stakeholder interest. This involved consultation (using
various media, including direct discussion) with the landowners, user groups and other interest
groups (including statutory agencies – English Heritage, English Nature, Defra etc).
• The CMP fully contextualises the historic and natural heritage. This involved the preparation of
site maps using the HES Geographical Information System (GIS) and using the specialist
consultant reports. Each site’s assets were also placed in their wider historical, ecological,
mineralogical and landscape contexts. The impact of the particular site and the whole of the
MTP asset on the social history of the local area and of Cornwall was also considered.
4
Following on from this the HES (in Phase 2), used the data to prepare realistic Statements of
Significance (SoS). The SoS for each site was made as close or as broad as appropriate (so where the
site is homogenous and uncomplicated the SoS will be correspondingly broad and simple). Where it is
complex, there are subsidiary statements for individual elements feeding into a more detailed overall
SoS. These statements (as required in the brief – reproduced in Appendix 10.4), pay particular attention
to the significance of each asset (i.e. Cornish mining, industry and transport, Ecology, Mineralogy,
Mineralogy, Users and the local community). Each SoS includes reference to the breadth of stakeholder
consultation that supports it, to ensure that each is as fully owned as possible.
In Phase 3, the HES considered ongoing or predictable issues and areas of vulnerability for each
asset and for the MTHP as a whole. These included:
• Potential conflicts between values of the asset (eg between the ecological and historical, or
between historical and access-related health and safety).
• Issues such as vandalism and fly-tipping.
• Tendency towards tidy management and overt and authoritative presentation and interpretation
on the one hand and a desire for ‘naturalness’ and the leaving of opportunities for people to
discover and interpret for themselves on the other.
All the foregoing were preliminaries to the production in Phase 4 of conservation management
policies. These were generated in partnership with CCC and KDC and the wider group of stakeholders
(using the consultation events as the appropriate medium – see Section 2.3.3). The policies are designed
to respond to the needs of both the assets and those who value them, and take into account
management issues and the various ways that assets are valued. Generic policies cover all the assets
(sites and trails) in the MTHP and also those of the wider MTP while specific policies have been
developed for the particular assets (sites and trails) within the MTHP.
2.3.3 Consultation workshop
A key element of the involvement of stakeholders in Phase 4 was the organisation of a workshop to
consider draft Statements of Significance and draft policies for all sites and trails in the Mineral
tramways project area. This workshop took place within the MTHP area on 17th September 2004. A list
of the invitees (main stakeholders) is included in Appendix 10.4.
Large display boards (one site per board), presented information on the assets of each site/trail with
specific and general statements of significance and management policies. A draft copy of the
management plan text, statements of significance and relevant maps for each site were provided,
together with a copy of the report’s draft generic and specific policies. A largely formalised structure
allowed open comments in respect of the site details, management policies and generic/specific
policies. These were recorded and used as part of the editing process for the CMP report.
A special combined meeting of the Mineral Tramways Partnership Steering Group and the Kerrier
Land Reclamation Group met on 4th October 2004 to also consider the above drafts. The relevant
sections of the CMP were revised after the above consultation to take account of comments, and then
the full revised draft CMP was sent, requesting further comments, to the three member representatives
and relevant officers on the MTP from the County Council, two District Councils, English Heritage
and English Nature.
5
6
2.4 Ownership and management
2.4.1 Sites
Section 3 in this report describes in detail each site including site ownership and current management. Many
of the sites are already owned by either the County Council or Kerrier District Councils. However there are
some sites that are privately owned (e.g. Higher Condurrow, Grenville New Stamps, Tolgus (part), and
Tolgus Calciner). Kerrier District Council is currently proposing to purchase or lease parts of all of these
sites. The land ownership of sites at Wheal Fortune, Cusvey and Consols are unknown. CCC is
investigating land ownership and hopes to lease or purchase these sites. Ownership of sites by District and
County Councils will facilitate safe public access by good site management, following the policies and
recommendations presented within this report. The Unity Wood site is owned and managed by the
Tregothnan Estate, but CCC hopes to lease the land containing the Magor’s (Wheal Bush) Engine Houses.
Recent and current management of many of these sites seems to be sadly lacking. Dense vegetation covers
many of the buildings, restricting access and damaging structures. Some sites are densely covered with
gorse, bracken and brambles, necessitating clearance surveys to permit access to the specialist consultants to
undertake site surveys and assessments. The exception is Unity Wood where many of the mine shafts have
not only been made safe with Clwyd ‘caps’ (in the 1980s), but some have been grilled and fenced. A similar
shaft remediation scheme has also been carried out at Wheal Fortune and some shafts treated with concrete
at Ale and Cakes. The two shafts at Penhallick Leats have also been treated by Kerrier District Council.
Where existing trails (for example the Coast to Coast Trail and Great Flat Lode Trail) traverse the Mineral
Tramways sites, these trails have been well maintained.
2.4.2 Trails
Section 4 in this report describes in detail each proposed trail, including site ownership and current
management. Some sections of the proposed trails are in public ownership, but the great majority of the
proposed sections are privately owned, especially within the Portreath and Tolgus routes. The Tehidy route
is mainly in the Tehidy Country Park, managed and owned by the County Council, whilst the Redruth
section of the Tolgus trail is partly managed by Kerrier District Council.
The County Council already maintains and manages long sections of existing trails (Coast to Coast Trail,
Great Flat Lode Trail, Cornish Way etc), and will be responsible for managing and maintaining the
proposed trails. Some sections of the proposed trails are along existing footpaths and bridleways or minor
public roads, but public access will need to be created over many sections. The Redruth & Chacewater
Railway Trail and the Portreath Branchline Trail will follow the route of the historic mineral railway where
this is feasible, or otherwise as close as possible to the historic route. For many sections it will not be
possible to follow the historic route because of building developments and gardens across the historic
route.
2.5 Stakeholders
The project stakeholders include those people and organisations that will be directly responsible for and
involved in caring for the main site assets. These include Cornwall County Council, Kerrier District
Council, Carrick District Council, and most of the organisations represented on the Mineral Tramways
Partnership Steering Group. Private landowners are individually described in each site description.
The stakeholders also consist of users, who are represented by user groups that include: the Ramblers
Association, the British Horse Society, the Cyclists Touring Club, Bissoe Tramways Cycle Hire and the
Wheal Buller Riding School. Other wider stakeholder interest groups include the Trevithick Society, Carn
Brea Mining Society and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Statutory organisations include English Heritage, English
Nature, Environment Agency, and DEFRA. All of these groups were invited to the consultation event
(Section 2.3.3), and were given the opportunity to comment on the proposals after receiving a copy of the
draft site and trail reports and proposed policies. A full list of the stakeholders, consultees and user groups
is given in Appendix 10.4.
7
3 Site descriptions and Statements of Significance
3.1 Introduction and layout of site reports
It was decided at an early stage of the project to make the Conservation Management Plan as user friendly
as possible. To this end all of the relevant site information (including maps and plans) is presented in a
single section of the report (quickly accessed via the contents page).
For each of the thirteen sites a standard layout is used which starts with a location map and a photograph
that captures the essence of the place. The summary statement of significance is also presented on this
opening page to allow the reader to rapidly appreciate the site’s particular qualities. There follows a table
that first provides information about location, extent, ownership, statutory and non-statutory designations,
and Historic Landscape Characterisation before presenting brief site description and history. A
reproduction of an archive OS map is accompanied by a map of current site assets. A table of principal
management plan features is then presented which effectively prioritises significant site assets within their
speciality (i.e. archaeology, ecology, mineralogy etc), with a cross reference to generic or specific policies
(Section 6). A graphical representation of this table has been produced, allowing the site’s assets and
constraints to be viewed on the same map. Statements of Significance (SoS) for each of the specialities and
a summary are produced, resulting in a general Statement of Significance for each site. Lastly, a table
outlines current and proposed management, detailing management issues and culminating in a heritage
impact assessment of the proposed scheme. A separate document describes in detail the generic and
specific policies referred to in the site text.
3.1.1 Site report notes and key for sites template
The following bullet points are relevant to all of the 13 site reported in this section.
Front Cover:
• The parish is given below the site’s name.
• The front cover photograph (taken in 2004) is intended to represent the main site assets.
Site Details:
• The Area measurement is Hectares (Ha), and the MT (Mineral Tramways) Bid Site No. refers to
the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project Heritage Lottery Fund Bid Number (September 2004).
• Historic Landscape Characterisation: A method of characterising the form and nature of the
present landscape based on historic land use. A detailed descriptive and interpretative text
accompanies each historic landscape character type (e.g. Industrial: Disused). The whole of Cornwall
has been characterised in this way and is available on the Historic Environment Record GIS
database. The relevant descriptive text for the sites within this report is reproduced in an Appendix
(10.2).
• Statutory Designations: English Heritage conducted a survey of industrial archaeological buildings
and landscapes in Cornwall a decade ago. This produced a list of sites proposed for consideration for
Scheduling. English Heritage is currently assessing these sites for Scheduling.
• Non-statutory Designations: These are designations adopted by the Cornwall Structure Plan. They
include the proposed Cornish Mining Landscapes World Heritage Site. Cornwall County Council
(through its Historic Environment Service), is currently preparing a nomination document for
submission to UNESCO for inclusion of ten areas in Cornwall and west Devon as a World Heritage
Site. All of the MTHP mine sites and most sections of the trail routes are within the proposed World
Heritage Site’s boundaries.
• HER (PRN): Historic Environment Record (Primary Record Number). The Historic Environment
Record is a statutory record of archaeological sites and finds within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Sites and Monuments Record. It is maintained and operates within the Historic Environment Service
(HES) of CCC. The Primary Record Number is a sole identification number that identifies the site
within the Sites and Monuments Record.
8
Figure 3:
• Figure 3, the Ordnance Survey map (OS), is dated to either c1880 or c1907. The choice of map was
based on whichever one showed the most representative site information.
Figure 4:
• Figure 4 summarises the main visible archaeological features (unless otherwise stated).
Table of principal management plan features
• Map No: This refers to a feature identification number for Figure 5, the Management Plan summary
map.
• The Condition, Issues and Recommendations columns are brief summaries for each feature.
• The Management Policies column refers each site feature to generic and specific policies that are
described in detail in Section 6 of this report.
Figure 5:
• The Management Plan summary map is a graphical representation of the table of principal
management plan features. It will be of considerable value when preparing site works in that all of
the significant site assets can be seen on a single site map, allowing site constraints to be easily
identifiable for project management and contractors alike.
Statements of Significance
• This table is self-explanatory. It summarises Statements of Significance for each specialist
consultant’s report. The General entry summarises all of the specialist statements and reproduces
this text on the front cover.
Site Management
• This table is also self-explanatory. It summarises the current and proposed management and also
outlines relevant management issues. The Heritage Impact Assessment summarises the effect of the
proposed site management on archaeological, ecological and mineralogical features.
9
3.2
Ale & Cakes, Gwennap
Fig 4.1 Project area setting map
Fig 4.2 View from Clifford’s Engine House
Brief Site Description and Statement of Significance
What appears to be waste land and a suitable site for dumping rubbish was part of one of the richest 18th
century copper mines in the world, United Mines. Despite the loss of four out of five of its engine houses
(including the second man-engine constructed in Cornwall), it has the potential to regain some of its past
significance by the uncovering of a number of important mine buildings. With careful management of the
existing archaeological resource, the site’s historical story and potential industrial features could create great
interest for locals/visitors.
10
Site Details
Site Name:
Ale and Cakes/Blackman’s
O.S Grid Reference (SW)
74993 41451 (SW6639)
Area (Ha.)
10.6
Statutory Designations
Listed Building, Grade II, 4/103 (Clifford Stamps Engine House)
MT Bid Site No.
34H
Non-statutory Designations Proposed WHS, AGHV
Adjacent Trail
Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail H E R (PRN)
162829
and Cornish Way
Landowner
Cornwall Environmental Services
Historic Landscape Industrial: Disused. A Go-Kart track has been sited in the project area which could be characterised as Recreational. Most of the northern
Characterisation
part of the site has spoil heaps which are characterised as Rough Ground: Industrial.
Brief site
description
Brief site history
The site is located in Gwennap Parish, east of Carharrack, and forms part of the area known as United Downs. The site has few
upstanding remnants of its former industrial past, the exception being Clifford’s Stamps Engine House and two nearby Listed Engine
Houses (Garland and Eldon). Nine mine shafts are located within the project area. Clearance of landfill and topsoil storage has revealed
the footings of mine buildings and World War II hut bases. During the last decade an oval Go Kart track has been constructed on the
central part of the site with other parts used as a local fly-tipping depository. The site is densely covered with scrub vegetation and spoil
heaps that obscure ground level remnants of archaeological features.
The United Downs waste disposal site is located on its west side creating a noisy and smelly setting for this site. Site access is by walking
from the north side from small car parks adjacent to the recently finished CCC United Mines site, or by car from roads adjacent to the
south side of the site.
This site was part of United Mines, one of Cornwall’s most productive copper mines in the 18C (concentrating along Hot Lode). By the
mid 19C the lode was being more deeply worked from five engine houses: Taylor’s Shaft (twin shafts worked by an 85” pumping engine
and whim/crushing engine), Grylls Shaft (small winding engine) and Hawke’s Shaft (38” man engine and a copper crusher). The Man
engine was built in 1845, the second built in Cornwall. This successful phase of copper mining (with extensive ore dressing floors) ended
towards the end of the 1850s.
From the 1860s, United and Consolidated Mines were reworked on a smaller scale for mainly tin (underground and possibly processing
earlier surface dumps), using Clifford’s United stamps engine house (c1880), covered dressing floors and three calciners. The engine house
is extant, recently consolidated, and is located at the northern side of the site. It is likely that stone for these buildings was taken from
nearby buildings on-site. By the early years of the 20C tin processing had ceased.
In the latter years of WWII the site housed detachments of US army engineers resulting in site levelling, the construction of concrete
founded Nissan Huts and probable demolition of adjacent engine houses. During the last fifty years landfill and topsoil operations
obscured a high proportion of the surface which was further added to by the construction of the Go-Kart circuit.
Following an application by Cornwall Environmental Services in 1994 to use the site for inert landfill, an archaeological assessment was
commissioned, following which (in June 1995), an evaluation excavation (190m of trenches, 80m² hand cleaned) proved the existence
(below ground level) of engine house foundations and of earlier copper ore dressing floors from the earlier phase. The planning
application was subsequently refused.
11
Fig 4.3 c1880 OS Map
Fig 4.4 HES Summary map
12
Table of principal management plan features (refer to relevant site map and site prefix key; NB All features are described and
discussed more fully in the specialist reports)
Map Name or type
No:
Condition
EH1 Clifford’s Engine
House
Extant, consolidated H & S risk assessment check
by CCC (1990’s)
needed
EH2 Taylor’s Pumping
Engine House site
EH3 Taylor’s Winding
Engine House site
EH4 Gryll’s Winding
Engine House site
EH5 Hawke’s Man Engine/
copper crusher site
S1
Davey’s Shaft
Not visible, below
ground foundations
Not visible, below
ground foundations
Not visible, below
ground foundations
Not visible, below
ground foundations
Plugged at surface,
marked by post
Obscured at surface
possibly capped
Plugged
S2
Andrew’s Shaft
S3
Possible mine shaft
S4
S6
Taylor’s Engine Shaft Open at surface with
concrete collar, grille
and Clwyd Cap
Taylor’s Whim Shaft Blocked and
obscured at surface
Footway Shaft
Unknown
S7
Grylls Shaft
S8
Hawke’s Shaft
S5
Capped at surface
with inadequate
fencing
Blocked at surface
forming a hollow
with remnant wall
Principal Issues
Recommendations
Possible sub-surface
archaeological features
Presumably safe site
Close to badger sett.
H & S risk assessment needed
Close to badger sett
Concrete collar is adequate but
grille and Clwyd Cap are
unstable
Management
policies
See Structural report
E4.4, H2.5, H3.1,
H2.1,
PHS1.2
Locate site, protect from any further damage
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1
No further action
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PHS1, PA1, SH1
Determine previous shaft treatment. Locate and E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
fence shaft and construct encircling stone hedge PA1, PHS1, SH1
Locate and fence shaft
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1
Detailed structural survey of collar and new grille E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
and hedge is necessary
PA1, PHS1, SH1
shaft E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
H & S risk assessment needed
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
The open excavation and fencing Clear, backfill and compact excavation, provide E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
requires attention
shaft cap drainage, provide shaft marker and PA1, PHS1, SH1
hedge site
Determine previous shaft treatment. Locate and E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
fence shaft and construct encircling stone hedge PA1, PHS1, SH1
13
Determine specification of previous
treatment.
Geophysical assessment to locate shaft
Map Name or type
No:
Condition
S10/ Boundary Shafts
S11
S12 Rod Shaft
and shaft cone
Blocked and partly
surrounded by hedge
Obscured beneath
car parking area
Obscured at surface
A1
Copper ore floors
Cobbled floors
A2
WWII Nissan Hut
floors
Earth/rubble clearance
(access/interpretation)
Badger sett
Bats
Flora clearance (public
access/interpretation)
Barite
Extant
S9
A3
E1
E2
E3
M1
Jenkin’s Shaft
Sub-surface
archaeology
In current use ?
Open shaft
Extant rare mineral
Principal Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
Shaft details unknown and
obscured by dump
obscured by car park surface
obscured by large dump
Possible damage to features
Determine previous shaft treatment. Locate and
fence shaft and construct encircling stone hedge
Trip hazard ? H & S risk
assessment needed
Damage
to
archaeological
features (above/below ground)
Damage to badgers/sett
Survey of bats in open shaft
Clearance works undertaken
outside bird nesting season
Removal of mineral from dumps
Assess for need of repair
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1
H3.3, PA1, PHS1
14
Refer to archaeological reports (1994/5) and E4.3, H3.3, H4.3,
HES (Development Control)
PA1.10
Refer to Ecological report (1994) and CTNC
E4.2
E4.4
E1, E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
PA1.10
Refer to Mineralogical report (2004)
M2, M3, M4
Fig 4.5 Management Plan summary map
15
General
What appears to be waste land and a suitable site for dumping rubbish was part of one of the
richest 18C copper mines in the world, United Mines. Despite the loss of four out of five of
its engine houses (including the second man-engine constructed in Cornwall), it has the
potential to regain some of its past significance by the uncovering of a number of important
mine buildings. With careful management of the existing archaeological resource, the site’s
historical story and potential industrial features could create great interest for locals/visitors.
History
• Part of the very productive 18C copper ore United Mines Sett
• Site of Cornwall’s second man-engine house (1845)
Archaeology • Below ground archaeological features uncovered in the 1995 evaluation excavation
• Most mine shafts plugged in 1983 (part of Operation Minecap)
Ecology
• Flora habitats represent secondary re-colonisation of mine dumps and tipped material
• Fauna habitats include a badger sett and possible bats in open shaft
Mineralogy
• Barite observed (rare mineral) with other non-rare minerals (Chalcopyrite)
Buildings
• Clifford’s Stamps Engine house (extant and consolidated)
• Below ground remnants of other engine houses and mine buildings
Geotechnical • Many shafts are capped but details are unknown and sites not all visible at surface
User groups • Walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Landowner
• County Environmental Services (Des Teal 01209 821669)
Site Management
Current
• At present the site is owned by County Environmental Services and appears unmanaged
and semi-derelict, with areas of rubbish tipping mixed with vegetated mine spoil heaps.
• The incongruously sited Go Kart track is fenced.
Issues
Proposed
• Public access at present is limited, but there are health and safety issues concerning the
open and treated mine shafts and Go Kart track.
• Damage may be being caused to the surface of mid 19C cobbled dressing floors near
Taylor’s Shaft by members of the public during Go Kart races.
• Some shafts have been plugged, but others are open.
• There is no current site management for exposed archaeological features.
• There are no indications of its importance as a former industrial site.
• Creation of new access paths to bridleway and footpath standards (refer CCC map).
• Go Kart track and access to be leased to the Raceway group.
• Mine shafts and mine building remnants requiring safety works and conservation.
• Scrub and vegetation management to northern section of site.
Issues
• Creation of new access paths may affect buried archaeological features.
• Site of Taylor’s mine buildings and nearby ore dressing floors should be omitted from
ground leased to Raceway group to preserve archaeological features.
• Health and Safety risk assessments should be undertaken in terms of the proximity of the
Go Kart track to both public access, archaeological features, mine shafts and mine waste
deposits, and to assess structures, shafts etc generally.
• Shaft treatment may affect badger setts and bat colonies (refer to CTNC).
• Clearing of scrub could disturb birds in the nesting season (April to September).
Heritage
• Increased public access and Go-Karting may damage surface archaeological features unless
Impact
these issues are resolved through liaison with HES and adequate A C A areas.
Assessment • By managing the area there is potential to control the natural/archaeological environment.
16
3.3
Betty Adit Dressing Floors, Camborne
Fig 5.2 View of a buddle in Betty Adit dressing
floors
This is one of the best-preserved tin processing sites in Cornwall and so has been proposed by English
heritage to be Scheduled as a site of national importance. The Red River has for centuries been
associated with tin works (extraction, stamping and dressing), mostly using water power. This small
site is no exception although it was not used for tin ore dressing until the late 19C. It was completely
remodelled in the 1920s when a new ore dressing floor was constructed. Since its closure in 1962, the
site has been unmanaged – gorse, brambles and cotoneaster masking the former concrete ore dressing
features. Its ecological interest lies in a small area of bryophytes and the possible presence of bats and
reptiles in the high retaining wall. Vegetation clearance will allow consolidation and increased public
access to important archaeological features.
17
Site Details
Site Name:
Betty Adit Dressing Floors
Area (Ha.)
0.4
MT Bid Site No.
16E
English Heritage considering Scheduling
the entire site
Non-statutory Designations Proposed WHS, AGLV
Adjacent Trail
Great Flat Lode Trail
HER (PRN)
35248/40293
Landowner
Historic Landscape The site is characterised as Industrial: Disused.
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Brief site history
66594 39796 (SW6639)
This densely overgrown site with concrete remnants of former ore dressing machinery (approximately 175m x 30m), is situated south of
the village of Brea, to the east of Camborne on the western side of a stream known locally as the Red River (due to the amount of tin ore
‘dressed’ along its length). The Red River forms the boundary between the ancient parishes of Camborne, on the west, and Illogan, on the
east. It is adjacent to a road leading to Brea (from the south on the Camborne side of the river), and has an early 20th century cementfaced plinth upon and in which were set various types of tin processing equipment. A high (8.0m) vertical retaining wall supports the
eastern side of the site, the Red River running along its base. Currently only a very small part of this site is not covered by dense gorse,
brambles and other plants. Public access is possible at the northern end of the site – but the dense vegetation gives very little access to the
extant remnants of concrete machinery plinths, tanks and buddles.
This site is likely to have been involved in the exploration, mining, processing and dressing of tin ore for many hundreds of years. Late
medieval accounts in the 16C and later estate maps allude to stamping mills, buddles, leats and watercourses both north and south of this
site along the Red River. The first documentary evidence for features near the site in particular is given in 1737 when
stamps/streamworks are shown to the north of the site on the Tehidy Estate map. In 1760 a map shows leats running through the site
from across the river (on a launder) from the Betty Adit portal. Robert Symons’ 1850 mine map does not show any mine related features
on the site (see Crofty Archaeological report 2004), whilst the later OS 1880 map shows the main Dolcoath leat running through the site
and a slope on its western side up to the adjacent road, a rhomboid shaped tin settling pond in its southern half, and the start of another
tin dressing floor with settling ponds, buddles and square frames in its northern half. By 1907 the OS 1:2500 map shows the massive
concentration of tin dressing floors (notably on the eastern (Illogan) side of the river), running along the bottom of the valley. The site
itself appears to have been occupied by long narrow settling tanks at its southern end and other related features (possibly narrow leats)
along the remainder of the site area.
The present site was built in a single phase in the 1920s above the earlier features described above, to dress tin that had previously been
left (in small quantities) at other nearby mine sites, but using more technologically advanced tin dressing processes. A date of 1928 can be
seen on one of the buddles. It is likely given the presence of concrete masonry plinths that the power source was small petrol or paraffin
engines providing belt drives to the various buddles, frames and vanner tables etc. The works are documented as being closed in 1962.
18
Fig 5.3 1907 OS Map
19
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
A1
Dressing floor
machinery plinths
Chipped and cracked
concrete in places
Repoint and repair walls and features
Reduce scrub vegetation
A2
Buddles
Chipped and cracked
concrete in places
H & S assessment needed.
Features require repair and
are overgrown
H & S. Features require
repair. Features overgrown
A3
Water Reservoir
tanks
Chipped and cracked
concrete in places
A4
Dressing settling
tanks
A5
Retaining wall
E1
Bryophytes
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
H2.5, H4.1, MM1,
PHS1.2
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
H2.5, H4.1, MM1,
PHS1.2
E2.1, E3.2,
E6.3,
H2.5, H4.1, MM1,
PHS1.2
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
H2.5, H4.1, MM1,
PHS1.2
E2.1, E4.7, E6.3, H2.5,
H4.1, MM1, PHS1
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3,
E2
Scrub clearance
E3
Retaining wall
H & S, Features require
repair and overgrown. H & S
hazard
Chipped and cracked H & S, Features require
concrete in places
repair. Features overgrown.
H & S hazard
Needs repairing in
H & S, structural assessment
places
necessary.
Small area at northern Protect nationally rare
end of site
bryophyte site
Overgrown
Clearance for public
access/conservation.
Possibly affect nesting birds
Gorse/Cotoneaster
Possible habitat for bats and
growing from wall
reptiles
20
Undertake structural survey of wall.
Repair as necessary
Site not to be affected by consolidation and scrub
clearance works
Clearance to be undertaken October to March
(outside bird nesting season)
Undertake bat emergence surveys (April to
September)
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.2
21
General
This is one of the best preserved tin processing sites in Cornwall and so has been proposed
by English heritage to be Scheduled as a site of national importance. The Red River has for
centuries been associated with tin works (extraction, stamping and dressing), mostly using
water power. This small site is no exception although it was not used for tin ore dressing until
the late 19C. It was completely remodelled in the 1920’s when a new ore dressing floor was
constructed. Since its closure in 1962, the site has been unmanaged – gorse, brambles and
cotoneaster masking the former concrete ore dressing features. Its ecological interest lies in a
small area of bryophytes and the possible presence of bats and reptiles in the high retaining
wall. Vegetation clearance will allow consolidation and increased public access to important
archaeological features.
History
• History of use of Red River as site of late medieval and post-medieval tin works
• Site used as part of tin dressing floors in 19C
• New 20C tin dressing floor constructed (closed in 1960’s)
Archaeology • Extant remnants of concrete buddles, settling tanks, water storage tanks and machinery
plinths
• High stone retaining wall (8.0 to 10.0m high)
Ecology
• Small area of rare bryophytes
• Retaining wall possible habitat for bats and reptiles
Mineralogy
• No mineralogical interest
Geotechnical • A geotechnical report was not commissioned
User groups • Walkers; industrial archaeological interest
Landowner
• Kerrier District Council
Site Management
Current
• Site appears unmanaged
• Gorse, brambles and small trees have grown, masking archaeological features
Issues
Proposed
• Unmanaged vegetation reduces public access, damages archaeological features and creates
health and safety issues
• Structural remediation works necessary to high retaining wall with ecological constraints
• Safety issue of a steep drop along the high retaining wall and drops within the site
• High degree of scrub and vegetation management (within ecological constraints)
• Consolidation works to 20C tin ore dressing floors
• Structural remediation works to high retaining wall (with ecological emergency survey)
• Access improvements into and through site
Issues
•
•
Heritage
•
Impact
•
Assessment •
•
Long term monitoring and maintenance of archaeological features and retaining wall
Ecological constraint area for bryophytes to be respected
Consolidation and preservation of archaeological features
Structural remediation works will ensure long term site stability
Access improvements should protect archaeological features
Site information should increase respect for site and enhance long term protection
22
3.4
Consols, Gwennap
Fig 6.2 General view of the Consols site
What appears at present to be waste land and a suitable site for dumping rubbish was once part of one of
the richest copper mines in the world. Despite the loss of its buildings, its position at the western end of
the Consolidated Mines site could allow the site to be re-interpreted and to regain some of its past
significance. With careful management the site’s potential industrial archaeological features and rare plant
and bird life could create an area of great interest for locals and visitors to the site.
23
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
MT Bid Site No.
Non-statutory
Designations
Adjacent Trail
Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail, the Cornish Way
H E R (PRN)
Historic Landscape This site is characterised as Industrial: Disused. It is bordered to Landowner
Characterisation
the north and west by Post Medieval Farmland, and with Rough
Brief site
description
Brief site history
Consols
4.1 Ha
34D
74247 42032 (SW 7441 7442)
None
Proposed WHS (Camborne/Redruth),
AGHV
34014
Unknown owner
Ground to the south east.
This site now has the appearance of a barren landscape with mine waste dumps, crossed by small winding paths. Consols is situated in the
parish of Gwennap on the north-western part of United Downs. It lies on the slopes of a river valley to the south east of Crofthandy. The
surrounding landscape of farmland divided into small fields bordered by hedges, is interrupted intermittently by areas of open moorland
many of which are former mine sites. Consols, despite its lack of visible mining structures, is easily identifiable due to its uneven
landscape of waste tips and barren land where the mine tips have been removed. However the loss of engine houses and many other
archaeological features at the eastern end of the site in the 1980s has resulted in the loss of a great deal of its context and visual/historical
interest. There is very little to be seen on this site, except by the trained eye. A public footpath runs through the site. It adjoins and
provides access to the United Downs area owned by the County Council, which also has many important archaeological features.
In the 1750s rich deposits of copper were discovered at West Wheal Virgin, a short time later in 1757 and again in 1765 Newcomen
engines were erected on Wheal Virgin and in 1767 a 60” engine was erected on West Wheal Virgin. Consolidated Mines were formed in
1780 by the amalgamation of West Wheal Virgin, Wheal Maid and Carharrack mines. This company was suspended in 1805 due to the
low copper price. The lease was obtained in 1819 by the entrepreneur John Taylor who re-started Consols, and for the next twenty years
it was possibly the largest copper mine in the world. It is claimed that 63 miles of levels were developed between 1819 and 1840. Some of
the most important shafts in the whole mine; Thomas’, (K)notwell’s, Butson’s, Knowle’s, Middle Whim, Whitford’s, Morcomb’s and
Tregonning’s were all on the Consols site. When the William’s family took over the mine in 1840 West Wheal Virgin continued to play a
significant part in its success. The mine closed in 1858 to re-open two years later as Clifford Amalgamated (on an even larger scale), but
finally closed in 1870 due to exhaustion of the main lodes and the low market price for copper ore. The low remnants of archaeological
features date from the heyday of the mine in the early/mid 19C, with obvious damage having been carried out during mine waste removal
for reprocessing, mainly during the twentieth century.
24
Fig 6.3 c 1880 OS Map
25
Map Description
No:
Condition
A1
Possible tramway
A2
Leat (possibly pre 1821)
Extant granite setts.
Two granite sleepers
on a tramway. site
Remnants
A3
Site of Counthouse
(19C)
S1S13
Sites of shafts
E1
E2
Areas of cotoneaster Extant
Extant
Areas of Pohlia
Establish extent of remains.
Retain and conserve all
features
Vulnerable to further
damage and to becoming
overgrown.
Remnants
Full extent not known.
Vulnerable to further
damage/overgrown.
Requires better presentation.
All shafts are obscured Shaft capping details and
and unmarked at
shaft stability are both
surface
unknown
andalusica (Moss)
E3
Area of
Cephaloziella
Extant
stellulifera
E4
M1
Issues
(Bryophytes)
Stands of Japanese
Knotweed. (several)
Rock crystal
At surface on mine
waste heaps
Recommendations
Management
policies
The sleepers should remain in situ and the
surrounding area along the path of the old tramway
should be investigated for further remains.
The leat should be kept clear of scrub vegetation and
not be disturbed by any ground works.
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
H2.5, H4.1, MM1
The area could be cleared to show the building’s H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
footprint and an information board could indicate PA1,
the nature of the original structure.
Site investigations should be undertaken to ascertain
the location and nature of each shaft closure where
they are in close proximity to proposed footpaths.
Located shafts should be fenced and hedged, so they
do not present a H & S hazard (Refer Policy SH1).
A non-native shrub
The cotoneaster should be removed.
Nationally rare moss occurs Infilling of hollows or ‘improvements’ to the old
in areas of partly bare mine- trackways should be avoided. There should be no
spoil. Requires light
planting of trees or shrubs on this site and no
attempts to increase vegetation cover.
These bryophytes/liverworts These areas should not be cleared.
are of lower conservation
importance.
Invasive alien usurps native
communities
Rare mineral
26
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
Eradicate as a high priority.
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.2
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
Prior to any disturbance of spoil heaps, a M2, M3, M4
mineralogical
watching
brief
should
be
commissioned.
27
General
What appears at present to be waste land and a suitable site for dumping rubbish was once
part of one of the richest copper mines in the world. Despite the loss of its buildings, its
position at the western end of the Consolidated Mines site could allow the site to be reinterpreted and to regain some of its past significance. With careful management the site’s
potential industrial archaeological features and rare plant and bird life could create an area of
great interest for locals and visitors to the site.
History
• Part of West Wheal Virgin which later became part of Consolidated Mines (one of the
largest and most successful early nineteenth century copper mines).
• Many of the major shafts of Consolidated Mines were sited within the Consols area.
• Early Newcomen steam engines were used on the site (probably at Butson’s shaft).
Archaeology • The Count House foundations (one of the most important former structures of the site),
could still be extant below ground level.
• There may be other archaeological features below ground level (particularly the Butson’s
shaft area and buried tramline setts)
Ecology
• There are several stands of the invasive Japanese knotweed and a small area dominated by
the non-native cotoneaster.
• Two areas of the nationally rare moss Pohlia andalusica were found on the site as was the
nationally scarce liverwort Cephaloziella stellulifera.
• Linnets and redwings have been recorded on the site (birds of conservation importance)
Mineralogy
• Although rare minerals are documented, at surface only Rock Crystal was observed.
Buildings
• There are no significant standing structures on the site.
Geotechnical • All 13 mine shaft sites are obscured at surface. Site investigations and subsequent
fencing/hedging may be needed for those near proposed footpaths.
User groups • Walkers/horse riders
Landowner
• Site to be used for public access
Site Management
Current
• At present the site appears unmanaged and semi-derelict, with areas of rubbish tipping.
• Although there is a public footpath through the centre of the site there are no indications
of its former industrial history, its ecological value nor the locations of its mine shafts.
• Public access is limited to the footpath.
Issues
Proposed
• Mine maps suggest there are at least thirteen shafts on this site (none are visible), there are
health and safety issues concerning the nature and location of the shafts.
• Due to extensive clearance it is very difficult to relate the site to its industrial past.
• Dumping has occurred at numerous locations, littering the landscape.
• Desk based research and site investigations should be undertaken to ascertain the location
and nature of each shaft and the nature of their closure.
• A heathland recreation programme should be extended, Japanese Knotweed eradicated.
• Fly-tipping should be removed as quickly as practicable.
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
• Contractors working on site should be made aware of archaeological constraint areas
(ACAs) and watching briefs commissioned to record disturbed archaeology.
• Cost implications for shaft site investigations and buried archaeological site evaluations.
• Geochemical site assessment along and adjacent to public access routes
• By managing the area as part of the proposed Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail there is
potential to control the natural environment. In addition the site could be interpreted in
order to re-establish some of its importance as an industrial landscape. Enhancing the
perceived value of the site would lead to greater public use and discourage fly tipping.
28
3.5
Cusvey, Gwennap
Fig 7.2 View of Cusvey pumping engine
house and chimney
This site contains two very old partly collapsed engine houses and a chimney set within dense vegetation.
Cusvey was part of Cornwall’s largest and most successful early 19C copper mining concern. Both of the
extant engine houses are Listed and represent early examples of Cornish engine house design. The whim
engine house is a rare example of the beam being housed within the building. Consolidation works to these
important buildings and safety works to the shaft will allow increased public access following vegetation
clearance. Ongoing site monitoring and vegetation management and preservation of badger setts is
necessary.
29
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
Cusvey
0.5
MT Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
35B
Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail
Industrial: Disused
Brief site history
75651 41999 (SW7541)
Pumping/winding engine houses and
chimneys (Listed, Grade II, 5/96 to 5/98)
H E R (PRN)
40932 (Wheal Fortune)
Landowner
Private (unknown)
This site contains two very old and mostly collapsed engine houses and a chimney set within dense vegetation. Cusvey lies at the eastern
end of the parish of Gwennap, and the high eastern end of Wheal Fortune Mine. This small site includes two Listed engine houses two
shafts and an extant chimney stack on the top of the north facing Wheal Fortune valley side. The site is overgrown with gorse, ferns and
trees. Access to the site is gained by an overgrown track, north of the pumping engine house, which itself is accessed via a track running
through Wheal Fortune from east to west, lower down the valley side.
Documentary evidence indicates that tin was being exploited from Cusvey by the mid 18C. However the potential of this site and its far
richer neighbouring mine – Wheal Fortune, was not fully exploited until the 1780s, when they were amalgamated to form Consolidated
Mines. In 1782 Newcomen engines were replaced by five Boulton and Watt engines with a further two engines added shortly after,
forming the most important mining complex in Cornwall. Two decades later the mines were temporarily closed as the copper ore market
price crashed (due to the exploitation of a large copper reserve at Parys Mountain, Anglesey), and the high running costs resulting from
the use of atmospheric engines. The mines were reopened in 1811 and six years later covered a mile and a half in length. In 1819 a 21-year
lease for the Consolidated group was acquired by John Taylor (a mining engineer and entrepreneur); the mine employed over 3000
people. Five years later the Consolidated and United Mines were amalgamated and within a decade outputs rose to nearly 20,000 tons per
annum. At their zenith in 1838, the mines (including Cusvey), were being worked by ten pumping engines (three 90” cylinders), with
eleven other winding and crushing engines, and a workforce of 1,730 men, 869 women and 597 children (Buck 2003, 6). This was the
most profitable copper mining concern Cornwall had ever seen.
Symon’s 1845 map of the Gwennap Mining District (see Joseph et al 2004, Fig 3.2), shows two engine houses and a possible reservoir
pond at the Cusvey site. The surviving engine houses were built in 1826. A 70” pumping engine was built on Shear’s Shaft at Cusvey, and
a winding engine house (which may well have replaced an earlier steam whim).
By 1850, the main lodes were showing signs of exhaustion, copper ore production averaged 6000 tons per annum and the market price
had fallen too. In 1861 the mines were reworked as part of Clifford Amalgamated Mines. Six years later the mines used nine pumping
engines (five 85” and one 90”), seven steam whims, a man engine and a copper crusher with a workforce of nearly 2000. However,
Cusvey played a gradually diminishing role in local copper production and by mid 1870 the whole concern closed. Within seven years, the
machinery had been dismantled, the buildings stripped and some demolished. Between 1880 and 1907 extensive recovery of dump
material took place. Aerial photographs of 1946 show that little had changed since mine spoil recovery had ceased, shafts appear as open
hedged features. In the early years of the 1980s, Operation Minecap (CDC Manpower Services Scheme) capped many shafts with a steel
cage (including a shaft at Cusvey). The sites have, in places, become very overgrown during the past century.
30
31
Map Description
No:
EH1 Pumping
House
EH2 Winding
House
A1
A2
A3
S1
S2
Condition
Engine Side walls unstable or
collapsed, densely
vegetated and rear wall
mostly collapsed
Engine Front wall unstable,
side and rear walls
partially collapsed
Chimney Stack
Some bricks missing
from top of stack,
remainder needs
repointing
Chimney flue
Partially extant.
Obscured by
vegetation.
Arsenic flue
Obscured by
vegetation but partially
extant
Shear’s Engine Shaft Rotting wooden
planks on a 1970’s
concrete collar (open
shaft), unfenced
Shear’s Whim Shaft A Clwyd Cap has been
installed. The shaft
appears to be stable
E1
Three badger setts
Possibly in use
E2
Shears Shaft Bats
Possibly use
shaft/buildings
Issues
Recommendations
Structural instability, H & S
assessment needed. Ivy
cover prevents structural
survey/consolidation
Structural instability, H & S
assessment needed. Ivy
cover prevents structural
survey/consolidation
Structural instability.
Structural survey following ivy removal. Rebuild part E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
of the rear wall to ensure structural stability. Repoint H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
and cap walls to remainder of engine house.
H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.2
Structural survey following ivy removal. Rebuild part E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
of the front wall to ensure structural stability. H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
Repoint and cap walls to remainder of engine house. H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.2
Replace missing bricks with equivalents, repoint E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
chimney where necessary (leaving construction holes H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
for bird nests), add lightning conductor (internally H4.1, MM1, PA1.7,
fixed) and earth mats/rods.
PHS1.2
Reduce vegetation cover.
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
Repoint/rebuild flue sides where necessary under H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
archaeological supervision
H4.1, MM1, PHS1.2
Following flue toxicity results repoint/rebuild flue E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
side walls where necessary under archaeological H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7, PHS1.2
supervision
Urgent safety works required to replace timber E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
planks with a new steel grille (after detailed MM1, PA1 PHS1,
geotechnical survey.
SH1
Build platform to view shaft within engine house?
Investigate shaft-capping details. Leave existing E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
dense vegetation to restrict public access.
MM1, PA1, PHS1,
Fence shaft and monitor for cap/ground instability SH1
(twice a year)
Undertake badger survey to locate entrances, apply E4.2
for licence from EN to carry out building works
Undertake bat emergence survey to locate sites
E1.2, E4.4
Vegetation cover prevents
structural
survey
and
rebuilding/consolidation
H & S assessment needed
(including check for arsenic).
Dense vegetation cover
Dangerous shaft covering
and insecure fence. Access
problems
for
large
remediation schemes.
No record of shaft capping
details. Additional fence
needed for shafts close to
public access.
Assess use of setts
Assess use of shaft/buildings
32
Management
policies
33
General
This site contains two very old partly collapsed engine houses and a chimney set within dense
vegetation. Cusvey was part of Cornwall’s largest and most successful early 19C copper
mining concern. Both of the extant engine houses are Listed and represent early examples of
Cornish engine house design. The whim engine house is a rare example of the beam being
housed within the building. Consolidation works to these important buildings and safety
works to the shaft will allow increased public access following vegetation clearance. Ongoing
site monitoring and vegetation management and preservation of badger setts is necessary.
History
• Two of the earliest (1826) extant engine houses in Cornwall
• Cusvey is part of the largest early 19C mining concern in Cornwall
• Winding engine house of rare and early 19C design (reassess for upgraded Listing)
Archaeology • Shaft remediation works necessary prior to engine house consolidation works
• Probable that further archaeological features will be revealed after vegetation clearance
Ecology
• Three extant badger setts, further surveys needed and constraints on site works
• Shaft/buildings may be used by bats, further surveys needed
Mineralogy
• There are rare recorded minerals but the absence of visible of mining waste and the dense
vegetation prevented the observation or collection of mineral specimens on this site.
Buildings
• Structural remediation works are necessary to both Listed engine houses
• Consolidation works are necessary to the extant chimney and flues
Geotechnical • Shears Engine Shaft needs to be made safe for increased public access and visual interest
• Recommend fencing for Clwyd Cap shaft, leave dense vegetation and site monitoring
User groups • Walkers
• Industrial archaeologists
Landowner
• Private owner (unknown), Cornwall County Council propose to lease or purchase the site.
Site Management
Current
• No existing site management (owner unknown)
• Site densely covered by gorse, brambles and trees
Issues
Proposed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Archaeological survey not possible until dense vegetation removed
Health and Safety issues for increased access (unstable buildings and open mine shaft)
Unstable engine house walls
Shears Shaft is open with thin covering of rotting timbers
Vegetation clearance
Repair and consolidate engine houses
Repair and consolidate chimney stack and flues
Construct grille on existing concrete shaft collar
Enable safe public access to site to view shaft and buildings
Issues
•
•
•
•
Machine access for shaft remediation and building consolidation works difficult
Shaft remediation works (fencing/hedging) may affect close visitor access
On site vegetation clearance may be necessary annually (cost implications)
Heritage
Machine access for consolidation/shaft remediation works may impact on archaeological
Impact
features (both visible and underground)
Assessment • Long term preservation and consolidation of two Listed buildings that presently are
unstable and have partly collapsed
• Vegetation clearance and future management (through possible WHS management) of site
will aid public interpretation and presentation of buildings
34
3.6
Grenville New Stamps, Camborne
Fig 8.2 View of the Stamps engine house,
loadings and stamps platform
The imposing Scheduled and Listed (Grade II) stamps engine house and stamps platform rises above the
dense vegetation obscuring the site. Documented mining in the site vicinity has continued for at least half a
millennium. The site lies on the Great Flat Road Trail - its high vantage point gives dramatic views of the
Great Flat Lode mines from Marshall’s engine houses at the western end to Marriott’s Shaft to the east.
The present remains are among the most significant and visually impressive of their type in the Camborne
mining district and offer a parallel to the Basset Stamps site at Carnkie.
35
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
Grenville New Stamps
1.7
66607 38561 (SW6638)
Scheduled Monument (874), Listed
Building Grade II (8/78)
MT Bid Site No. 19C
Adjacent Trail
H E R (PRN)
35302
Historic Landscape Industrial: Disused (and Rough Ground)
Landowner
Mr Carter, Newton Moor Farm,
Characterisation
Troon, Camborne
Brief site
Grenville New Stamps lies towards the western end of the Great Flat Lode valley, on the north-facing valley side (opposite King Edward
description
Mine), north-east of the village of Troon (2 km south of Camborne). With the exception of the imposing and well preserved Stamping
engine house, loadings, stamps platform (all Scheduled and Listed Grade II sites), and Vanner House (north wall), extensive areas of thick
scrub and trees hide many of the other denuded building remnants and structures on site. The boundaries of the site are marked by a
mixture of Cornish hedges (sections of which have collapsed) and post and wire fences. The Great Flat Lode Trail runs along the
southern and western boundaries of the site. The site has a gentle, northerly aspect and is within an agricultural landscape dominated by
fields of semi-improved pasture. The setting of this site gives magnificent views west, north and (predominantly) east covering most of
the Great Flat Lode mines.
Brief site history
In the 16C documentary evidence attests to tin mining in the area close to the later site of Wheal Grenville (earlier Polgine Mine). John
Norden in 1584 described nearby Tolcarne Mine as the ‘chiefe tyn mynes in Kirier’. Kahlmeter’s observations in 1724 described small
copper mines near the later South Condurrow Mine (north of Wheal Grenville – later to become King Edward Mine), which were
preceded by new concerns named Wheal Gine (or Polgine). In 1845, the mineral lord, Baroness Grenville, issued a new lease, and the
mine became known as Wheal Grenville (see Symons Mine map in the Archaeological report fig 3.1). By 1870 the mine had followed the
example of adjacent mines and reached the deep Great Flat Tin Lode. Seven years later East Wheal Grenville was reabsorbed into the
sett.
With increased production and profits, the mine needed greater ore stamping and dressing capacity, and the last years of the century saw the
area between East Wheal Grenville and Wheal Grenville (North Shaft) turned into a vast tin mill, with new and larger stamping plant, increased
buddles and round frames as well as the more modern Frue Vanners and calciners. A new stamps engine house was built in 1891 and new
tramways installed to bring tin ore from New Shaft and Fortescue Shaft (East Grenville Mine), to the Wheal Grenville New Stamps. From the
stamps the sand and slimes, containing the fine cassiterite, was fed down-slope to the mill, where the buddles, round frames and Frue Vanners
separated the black tin concentrate from the gangue material. Finally, the fines, which still contained tin were fed into settling pits where the
finest tin slimes could be washed clean’ (from Archaeological report, p 22). By 1910 Wheal Grenville had been amalgamated with South
Condurrow and part of West Wheal Francis to form Grenville United Mines. The First World War, labour shortages and fluctuating ore
markets sealed the mine’s fate, closing finally in 1921.
The Wheal Grenville New Stamps site dates from this last major construction phase during the turn of the twentieth century. During the
20C the arsenic calciners and dressing floor settling tanks have progressively collapsed and the masonry been robbed, whilst dense
vegetation has obscured many other features, restricting public access.
36
37
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
EH1 Engine House
Stable
Consolidation needed.
Repoint and cap walls
EH2 Engine House
Not extant
Archaeological constraint area
A1
Loadings and
Stamps platform
Stable
Possible below-ground
archaeological remnants
A2
Frue/Vanner House Extant
walls
Vegetation clearance, repoint where necessary, cap
walls
A3
Arsenic
calciners/flue
Partial remnants
Consolidation needed?
Vegetation clearance and re-survey
A4
Arsenic chimney
Stable
Vegetation clearance, repoint where necessary
A5
Mine building
Not extant ?
A6
Low remnants
S1
Dressing floor
settling tanks
Taylor’s Shaft
S2
Lobby Shaft
S3
Adit Shaft
Requires locating and
recording
Requires locating and
recording
Shaft subsiding, and near
footpath route
Geotechnical shaft
details/capping unknown.
Geotechnical shaft
details/capping unknown.
Invasive alien will usurp
native species
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7, PHS1.2
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1, PHS1.2
E4.3, E4.7, H2.3, H2.5,
H3.1, H4.2, H4.1, MM1,
PA1.7
E4.3, E4.7, H2.3, H2.5,
H3.1, H4.2, H4.1, MM1,
PA1.7 PHS1.2
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7, PHS1.2
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7, PHS1.2
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, SH1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, SH1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, SH1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
PHS1
E1
Small patch of
Japanese knotweed
HS1 Asbestos debris
Site
obscured
by
concrete feature (tank)
Site visible – but
infilled
Site
obscured
by
vegetation/slime tanks
Identified
Fly-tipped material
Vegetation clearance, repoint where necessary, grille
flywheel openings for public access?
Site investigation works necessary to elucidate shaft
collar foundations and review treatment options.
Remove as a priority
Remove debris to licensed tip
38
39
General
The imposing Scheduled and Listed (Grade II) stamps engine house and stamps platform
rises above the dense vegetation obscuring the site. Documented mining in the site vicinity
has continued for at least half a millennium. The site lies on the Great Flat Road Trail - its
high vantage point gives dramatic views of the Great Flat Lode mines from Marshall’s engine
houses at the western end to Marriott’s Shaft to the east. The present remains are among the
most significant and visually impressive of their type in the Camborne mining district and
offer a parallel to the Basset Stamps site at Carnkie.
History
• The site’s development and growth mirrors that of sites along the Great Flat Lode
• The final 20C building phase utilised the dying throes of steam engine technology
Archaeology • Dense vegetation obscures archaeological features in arsenic and dressing floor areas
• High possibility of sub-surface archaeological features
Ecology
• There are no habitats of international, national or county importance within the survey
area, but all areas of semi-natural habitat on site are to some extent likely to provide
suitable shelter and foraging opportunities for common faunal species.
• This site is not a site of nature conservation importance and there are no designated sites
within the local area that will be affected by any of the proposed works.
Mineralogy
• No rare or notable observed minerals
Buildings
• Extant and impressive Scheduled and Listed (Grade II) stamps engine house
• Arsenic and dressing floor buildings under dense vegetation
Geotechnical • Three mine shafts, all are recommended to be investigated by drilling to collect shaft collar
information and inform and review shaft treatment options.
User groups • Walkers, horse riders and cyclists
• Industrial archaeologists
Landowner
• Privately owned but permissive public access within site to be agreed
Site Management
Current
•
•
•
•
•
No visible site management (landscape or buildings)
Site densely covered in places by gorse, brambles and trees
Graffiti covering some walls
Fly-tipping in and around engine house
Japanese Knotweed starting to ingress
Issues
Proposed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Archaeological survey of arsenic calciners not possible until dense vegetation removed
Health and Safety issues for increased access: three mine shafts and high stamps loadings
Bike riders starting to use site for recreation
Possible high levels of arsenic near calciner sites and dressing floors
Long term preventative vegetation management
Consolidation works to engine house, loadings, Vanner house walls and dressing floors
Shaft treatment works may reduce site monitoring and maintenance
Ecological constraints for scrub clearance and remediation works (following bat surveys)
Soil contamination tests necessary (or leave dense vegetation to restrict access)
Site monitoring necessary (against fly-tipping, graffiti, building safety etc)
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
•
•
•
•
•
Cost of long term vegetation management and site monitoring (buildings/shafts etc)
Soil contamination survey should guide visitor access routes
Machine access for consolidation/shaft remediation works may impact on surface features
Long term preservation and consolidation of all mine buildings
Vegetation clearance and future management (through WHS management?) of site will aid
public interpretation, presentation of buildings and promote site safety
40
3.7
Higher Condurrow, Camborne
Fig 9.2 Woolf’s/Neame’s Engine House
Woolf’s (or Neame’s) Listed (Grade II) engine house is one of the last few to be built in Cornwall in the
twentieth century. It is a very important skyline landscape feature (as well as being important historically)
and is visible for miles. Most of the larger area is dominated by thick gorse and bramble (including three
shafts and the site of two engine houses). However, the site offers fine views over King Edward
Mine/Grenville New Stamps to the south and West Wheal Basset/Carn Brea to the east.
41
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
Higher Condurrow
2.0 (in two parts, east and west)
MT Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
15A
Non-statutory Designations
H E R (PRN)
Industrial: Disused to the engine house site
Landowners
Rough ground/Industrial to the second site
These two sites are situated to the south of Camborne, on the eastern outskirts of Beacon village. The western part of the two sites (only
28m x 28m), includes Woolf’s Shaft and Neame’s Engine House (a Listed building (Grade II) and one of the last to be built in Cornwall.
This is a well preserved and prominently visible skyline landscape feature, overlooking Camborne to the north, and at the start of the
great Flat Lode to the south.
The larger eastern part of the site is broadly triangular and densely covered by thick gorse and bramble. It contains three shafts and the
sites of three other engine houses. Most of the area however has little for the visitor to see, it is densely overgrown, (obscuring
archaeological features), although it offers fine views over King Edward Mine and Grenville New Stamps to the south and West Wheal
Basset and Carn Brea to the east.
In the 16C documentary evidence attests to tin mining in the area at Tolcarne, Goon Antron and Wheal an Owle at Beacon and Troon. John
Norden in 1584 described nearby Tolcarne Mine as the ‘chiefe tyn mynes in Kirier’. Kahlmeter’s observations in 1724 described small
copper mines including Condurrow Mine. In 1760 workings at Condurrow and Carnmough were associated with Tolcarne Mine and thirty
years later, the Parliamentary Report on the Copper Trade, again mentioned the Condurrow mines, which were still a going concern by 1823.
Although the mine was amalgamated in 1837 with that of Polgine and Newton Moor (south east of the site), Condurrow’s copper reserves were
not discovered until 1844 when further investment over the following decade included a 36” pumping engine south of Pryce’s Engine/Sump
Shaft, a new Burning House (probable calciner south of Hope Shaft), and an 18” whim engine (probably sited between Hope and Pryce’s Shaft
with a later crusher added). Wolf’s Shaft may have had a steam capstan on its south side. As the mine went deeper the copper lodes became
exhausted and the mine then encountered the tin lodes. The deeper workings necessitated further investment and the winding engine was
replaced by a larger 22” version. In 1866 the mine was incorporated into Pendarves United Mines and tin production peaked at 566 tons
of black tin, but seven years later the mine folded and the machinery was auctioned. On 8 March 1906 the mine was resurrected as
Condurrow United Mines Ltd, and it had a registered capital of £30,000. The new mine was centred on Woolf’s Shaft, which in 1907
installed a second-hand 80-inch pumping engine in the new engine house costing £1,525. This engine had a long and interesting history,
originally built by Harvey’s of Hayle for West Chiverton Mine in 1869. Four new boilers were built locally by Holmans and a new
horizontal winder sited east of the shaft (both of these buildings not surviving). This was not a successful concern however, most of the
ore having already been removed. In 1910 Condurrow Mines was formed to take over from the previous company, but little ore was
produced and the mine closed for the final time in 1914, and the engine was scrapped a year later. It is likely that mine spoil dumps were
removed for reprocessing through the middle decades of the 20C, further levelling the site and allowing vegetation to take a hold. The
engine house though has survived the last century in a relatively good condition.
Brief site history
42
66022 39228 (SW6539 6639)
Listed Building, Grade II (8/45)
Woolf’s Engine House
Proposed WHS, AGHV, AGLV
PRN 162776
Mr Beresford, Mr Brown
43
Table of principal management plan features (refer to relevant site map and site prefix key. NB All features are described and
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
EH1 Wolf’s Engine
House
Stable
Consolidation needed
H & S assessment.
Repoint and cap walls (including chimney)
EH2 Engine House
Site of 36” pumping
Establish an archaeological constraint area
EH3 Engine House
Site of 22”
winding/crushing
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
A1
Mine building
Site of calciner
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
A2
S1
Woolf’s Capstan
Woolf’s/Neame’s
Shaft
Stable
Open (covered by old
timbers) with old fence
Hope’s Shaft
Urgent safety works required to replace timber
planks with a new steel grille (after detailed
geotechnical survey).
Investigate archives for possible capping. Review
shaft treatment options (hedging and fencing).
Fence around both shafts (S3 and S4) due to close
proximity of S4).
Investigate shaft collar condition and review shaft
treatment options Fence around both shafts (S3, S4)
Eradicate Japanese/Himalayan Knotweed
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
S2
Sub surface archaeological
features. Obscured by
vegetation cover.
vegetation cover.
vegetation cover.
Foundation remnant
Dangerous shaft covering
and insecure fence. Close
public access proposed
Possibly capped by District
Council
Possible archaeological
remnants
Dangerous open shaft close
to proposed access route
Destroying native heath and
grassland species
Destroying semi-improved
grassland
Rare or notable observed
mineral
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7 PHS1.2
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
S3
S4
E1
E2
M1
Overgrown and
obscured by fly-tipping
Pryce’s Shaft (twin) Site depression may
not be a twin shaft
Pryce’s Engine Shaft Open and collapsed
collar, remnant fence
Foreign Knotweed Extant
Gorse/fern/bramble Densely overgrown
clearance
Unknown copper
Extant at Pryce’s Shaft
secondary mineral
spoil mound
44
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
Partial clearance of scrub to favour expansion of E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3,
areas of semi-improved grassland
It is advisable to minimise any disturbance to areas M2, M3, M4
of mining waste that lie away from mining features
that require safety work or general conservation.
45
General
Woolf’s (or Neame’s) Listed (Grade II) engine house is one of the last few to be built in
Cornwall in the 20C. It is a very important landscape feature (as well as being important
historically) and is visible for miles. Most of the larger area is dominated by thick gorse and
bramble (including three shafts and the site of two engine houses). However, the site offers fine
views over King Edward Mine/Grenville New Stamps to the south and West Wheal
Basset/Carn Brea to the east.
History
• A copper mine site of antiquity, in the 1860’s finding and exploiting the Great Flat tin lode
• Woolf’s (or Neame’s) was one of Cornwall’s few newly built 20C Engine Houses
Archaeology • Possible sub-surface remnants of a further two engine houses, a copper crusher and calciner
(‘Burning House’), either buried or under dense vegetation.
• Shaft sites need further investigation and possible fencing
Ecology
• The site is not an important site for nature conservation
• All stands of foreign Knotweed should be eradicated and scrub partially cleared to favour
expansion of areas of semi-improved grassland
Mineralogy
• Dense vegetation obscured field survey except near Pryce’s Shaft, where a rare secondary
copper mineral was observed
Buildings
• The solitary engine house is in a relatively good condition, although general consolidation,
lime repointing and wall capping need to be carried out.
• The attached chimney will need to be carefully consolidated.
Geotechnical • Three shafts, all needing further site investigations and reviews of shaft treatment
User groups • Walkers/horse riders and industrial archaeologists
Landowner
• Mr Beresford (Engine House site only) – proposed to be purchased by KDC
• Mr Brown (Overgrown site)
Site Management
Current
• No existing management to larger overgrown site (gorse, brambles and trees).
• Part of larger site cleared for use by garage but Japanese Knotweed starting to ingress
• Woolf’s engine house and Shaft fenced (but latter open)
Issues
Proposed
• Ecological issues relating to knotweed ingress
• Vegetation clearance necessary in advance of archaeological/asbestos/mineralogical surveys
and for ecological management
• Open/closed mineshafts need investigation and safety works treatment
• Scrub and vegetation management to improve biodiversity
• Bat surveys should be undertaken prior to consolidation works
• Shaft site investigations necessary if other non-fencing alternatives are sought
• Archaeological/asbestos/mineralogical field surveys following vegetation clearance
• Consolidation of Woolf’s Engine House and chimney
• The attached chimney needs to be repointed (especially the upper brick section) and an
internal lightning conductor installed.
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
•
•
•
•
Ecological constraints to scrub clearance (mainly seasonal timing)
Future use of the larger site by private developers
Public access to Woolf’s Engine House (formalised hedge/fence on west side)
Machine access for Pryce’s Shaft remediation works may impact on archaeological features
Long term preservation and consolidation of the imposing Woolf’s Engine House
• Vegetation clearance and future management of site will aid public interpretation and provide
a viewpoint to other Great Flat Lode sites.
46
3.8
Marshall’s Shaft, Camborne
Fig 10.2 Marshall’s Shaft pumping
and winding engine houses
This site, located at the edge of Troon, a historic copper mining sett, graphically shows the impact of the
discovery of the western end of the Great Flat Lode and then the resurgence of tin mining in the
Camborne district, by the construction of two fine engine houses in the 1880s. Both are Listed Grade II,
both are stable and in a good condition. They represent an excellent example of Cornish ore extraction
technology of the late 19th century.
47
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
M T Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Brief site history
Marshall’s Shaft
66307 38508 (SW6638 6538)
0.6
Listed Buildings, Grade II (8/68 to 8/70)
15E
H E R (PRN)
162775 (Grenville Utd)
Industrial: Disused (southern section)
Landowner
Rough Ground/Industrial (northern section)
This site, lying on relatively high ground (mostly mine waste) on the west side of the main road between Beacon and Troon is 40m to
70m wide and 110m long. It contains two fully extant engine houses and chimneys, both in relatively stable conditions and both Listed
Grade II. The site has no other visible features apart from two shafts and a considerable amount of spoil (up to 7.5m deep), in particular
to the north and west of the pumping engine house and west of the winding engine house. In places the ground has been colonised by
dense gorse and heather.
Although smaller mines have been documented as operating in the area from the 16C (see Grenville and Higher Condurrow site
histories), this particular small site does not appear to have been documented for early mining although a site investigation report by
Marcus Hodges (51449/R1, in March 2001), located small scale lode back mining, prior to 1875, when Boundary Shaft was sunk, predating the engine houses. This shaft (shown on the 1880 OS map), represents an attempt by South Condurrow Mine to extend westwards
to intercept the western (rising) section of the Great Flat lode. This must have had positive results as Marshall’s Shaft was sunk in 1881,
35.0m south-south-west of Boundary Shaft. This shaft was sunk vertical to a depth of 42 fathoms (75.2m), before it met and followed
Pease’s Lode which inclined 25º South, for a depth of 125 fathoms (224m), finally meeting the Great Flat Lode at a depth of 167 fathoms.
The shaft was cut to accommodate a double skip road and a winding engine house was soon constructed to house a second-hand 26”
engine from West Chiverton Mine, Perranzabuloe. However, the deepening shaft caused flooding, and so a pumping engine house was
erected and the second-hand 60” engine was working by 1886. The next fourteen years were the most successful in terms of ore output,
but by 1892 ‘all efforts had to be diverted from Marshall’s Shaft to re-timber King’s Shaft which threatened to collapse’ (Morrison 1983, 181).
South Condurrow Mine company closed in 1896, but smaller companies continued to work the setts during the next few years (parts of
South Condurrow were worked by the Wheal Grenville Mining Company); ‘in 1903 the plant of South Condurrow was bought for £875 by
Wheal Grenville. Marshall’s Shaft was maintained for pumping. Marshall’s 60”engine was scrapped in 1923’ (ibid 1983, 182).
48
49
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
EH1 Pumping Engine
House
Stable
EH2 Winding Engine
House
Stable
S1
Collapsed collar,
unstable ground
surface and infilled
shaft
S2
E1
E2
E3
M1
Marshall’s Shaft
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.1
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.1
Detailed geotechnical assessment and previous site E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
investigation interpretation necessary. Review shaft MM1, PA1, PHS1,
treatment options (Policy SH1) and liaise with engine SH1
house consolidation structural engineers.
Unstable infilled shaft with
unstable balance bob
mounting walls. Shaft
remediation works may
affect engine house stability
Boundary Shaft
Site obscured by dump The shaft is approximately Detailed geotechnical assessment and previous site
material. Previous site 10m from the proposed
investigation interpretation necessary. Review shaft
investigation stated it access route.
treatment options (Policy SH1). Once the shaft site
had a timber collar and
has been identified it may be possible to fence and
was partly infilled.
hedge the site.
Foreign Knotweed Extant
Destroying native heath and Eradicate Japanese/Himalayan Knotweed
grassland species
Gorse/fern/bramble Densely overgrown
Destroying semi-improved Partial clearance of scrub to favour expansion of
clearance
grassland
areas of semi-improved grassland
Fly tipping
Extant
Contamination, H & S
Remove fly tipping
Rare Mineral
observed
(Cassiterite)
Management
policies
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1 PHS1,
SH1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
E1, E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
E1, E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
PHS1 PHS1.1
It is advisable to minimise any disturbance to areas M2, M3, M4
of mining waste that lie away from mining features
that require safety work or general conservation.
Extant on mine dumps Other less rarer minerals
(Brochanite, Chalcocite,
Fluorite Cuprite and
Malachite)
50
51
General
This site, located at the edge of Troon, a historic copper mining sett, graphically shows the
impact of the discovery of the western end of the Great Flat Lode and then the resurgence of
tin mining in the Camborne district, by the construction of two fine engine houses in the
1880’s. Both are Listed Grade II, both are stable and in a good condition. They represent an
excellent example of Cornish ore extraction technology of the late 19th century.
History
• The history of this site is entirely related to that of South Condurrow Mine (renamed King
Edward Mine), north east of this site.
Archaeology • Site investigations carried out in March 2001 (Marcus Hodges), located pre 19C shallow
mine workings and drainage channels.
• Boundary Shaft has been accurately located and Marshall’s Shaft core drilled.
Ecology
• Bat surveys should be undertaken prior to consolidation works.
• Eradicate Japanese Knotweed and remove garden shrubs.
Mineralogy
• Brochanite, Chalcocite and Fluorite were observed during the mineralogical survey. Also
rare specimens of Cassiterite were found together with Cuprite and Malachite.
Buildings
• Two engine houses built in the 1880’s, both Listed Grade II, both stable and at full height
• A condition survey has been produced (Keith Rolleston 2001)
Geotechnical • Recommendations refer to the need for a further site investigation. This has now been
carried out (Boundary Shaft has been located, Marshall’s Shaft core drilled to ascertain its
‘closure’ method and shallow mine workings located).
• Further site investigation interpretation is necessary and review of shaft treatment options
• The Site Investigation survey identified significantly elevated levels of Arsenic and
Cadmium in the soils beneath the site.
• The mineralogical desk study revealed a shaft recorded at the southern end of the site.
This has not been confirmed by the Geotechnical mine survey.
User groups • Walkers/Horse riders/Industrial archaeologists
Landowner
• This site has potential for safe public access to two impressive engine houses (both Listed
Grade II), after remediation and consolidation works are completed.
Site Management
Current
• No present site management
• Site densely covered in places by gorse, brambles and trees with Japanese Knotweed ingress
Issues
Proposed
•
•
•
•
•
•
Health and Safety issues for increased access: unconsolidated engine houses and two shafts
High levels of arsenic and cadmium in the soil and spoil dumps
Invasion of native communities by alien species of plant
Short term vegetation clearance, long term preventative vegetation management
Consolidation works to engine houses
Site monitoring necessary (against fly-tipping, graffiti, building safety etc)
Issues
•
•
•
•
•
Heritage
•
Impact
•
Assessment •
Cost of long term vegetation management and site monitoring (buildings/shafts etc)
Soil contamination survey should guide visitor access routes
Ecological constraints for scrub clearance and remediation works
Review of shaft treatment options following site investigation re-interpretation
Archaeological consultancy to guide remediation works
Machine access for consolidation/shaft remediation works may impact on surface features
Long term preservation and consolidation of all mine buildings
Vegetation clearance and future management (through WHS management ?) of site will aid
52
3.9
Penhallick Leats, Carn Brea
Fig 11.2 View of Penhallick’s surviving leat
and the Great Flat Lode Trail
There is relatively little on this site to manage and simple features for the visitor to appreciate. Of note are
the late 17C mine leat and an unusual early to middle 20C iron aqueduct that carried water across the
railway line. The former is one of the oldest mining remains in the area; it provided water to power a water
engine in Pool Adit mine. Envisaged as a route rather than a destination, but with many fine views from
the site, notably to the south but also to Cook’s Kitchen Mine to the north and Dolcoath Mine to the west.
53
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
MT Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Brief site history
Penhallick Leats
66599 40533 (SW6640)
0.7
13C
Proposed WHS
Great Flat Lode Trail, Portreath Branchline Trail and Cornish Way
H E R (PRN)
54481
Industrial: Disused
Landowner
Rough ground/Industrial
This small and rather non-descript site (the only visible archaeology being a leat remnant and pipe aqueduct), lies on the eastern side of
Brea, adjacent to the south side of the Penzance-London railway line just to the south of Pool. Either as a result of shaft capping or the
removal of waste tips or some combination of both, the site is now occupied by a central thinly grassed area and gorse thickets on the
southern boundary, notably around the present end of the Cook’s Kitchen leat. A second leat and two shafts (both not visible), appear to
be the only other archaeological features. There are no building remnants.
The site area was formerly part of the southern part of Cook’s Kitchen Mine, including Allen’s and Duncan’s Shafts (the latter out of the
project area). However, the two leats that traverse the site are both of older origin than the later mine. ‘The oldest of these two leats is the
southern one which brings water from the eastern side of the Red River and joins the other (northern) leat beside the railway, close to the bridge.
This leat is shown on William Doidge’s Tehidy Manor Map of 1737, and appears likely to date from the late seventeenth century. The principal
water engine powered by this leat was at Pool Mine (Pool Adit)... The (northern) leat which joins the older one, beside the railway, carried
water from the eastern side of Cam Brea to the mines between Cooks Kitchen and Pool... The Tehidy Manor records show that this leat was built
in 1754, and passed through several tenements before crossing the road at Whitcross Hill and turning north toward Tincroft and Pool mines. It
crosses the railway immediately to the west of Carn Brea Station and Cowlin’s Store.
During the late eighteenth century the leat was an important source of water for Tincroft, Pool and Cooks Kitchen engines, but with the coming
of the railway, in the late 1830s, a branch of this leat was carried north-west, across Penhellick Veor, to join the older leat beside the railway.
The 1850 Robert Symons map (Camborne & Illogan Mining District) shows the two leats joined, and indicates that the water from the older leat
flowed into the 1754 leat and was carried south-east to join the main leat beside the Whitcross Hill road… By the end of the nineteenth century
(pre 1876), the older leat once again went northwards across the railway on an aqueduct, beside the bridge, which still exists.
Until the 1980s, water from this leat supplied the mill at South Crofty Mine (previously it had been used for providing condensing water for
steam engines), and during dry summer months was an important supplement to the mill ponds, which were fed by the underground pumps. It is
a source of much regret locally, that this older leat, which maintained a regular flow of clear water throughout the year, and carried fresh water
fish, including rainbow-trout, was destroyed by the unthinking action of Rio Tinto Zinc, which had it cleared by machinery in the mid-1980s,
taking away the clay lining of the leat, and allowing the water to drain away. Subsequent ‘land restoration’ work turned much of the area into a
muddy quagmire. The section of the 1754 leat, which runs south-east from the railway bridge, was also severely damaged (more recently) when
it was re-graded as part of the footpath, which had run alongside it’ (Crofty archaeological report 2004). The Great Flat Lode Trail runs
parallel to the slightly older section of the leat and is frequented by walkers and horseriders alike.
54
55
Map Description
No:
Condition
A1
Leat (south)
Partially extant
A2
Site of leat (north)
A3
Aqueduct
A4
Brick tunnel
S1
Allen’s Shaft
S2
Roger’s Shaft
E1
Four
rare Extant; small cluster Require adequate light
Bryophytes
on distributions
extant leat banks
Haematite
At surface on mine Rare mineral
waste heaps
M1
Issues
Recommendations
Vegetation obscuring and
causing damage to a section
near the railway viaduct
Not extant
Possibly destroyed during
footpath restoration
Extant
Lack of site information.
Structural safety assessment.
Extant
Exterior exposed at surface
causing possible damage
Obscured and location Possible effect of shaft collar
unmarked. Site is just collapse within the project
outside the project area.
area within the railway
property.
Site is obscured and H & S assessment needed.
unmarked.
Management
policies
Remove obscuring vegetation. Preserve leat banks H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
and maintain low vegetation cover.
PA1,
None
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
Provide site information and undertake structural site H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
assessment
PA1,
Cover brick tunnel to reduce pedestrian damage
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
The geotechnical mine assessment (SWMS Oct 2004) E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
recommends no further action on this site but to MM1, PA1, PHS1,
maintain regular site monitoring.
SH1
Research (with landowner) and site investigations
should be undertaken to ascertain the location and
nature of the shaft closure, to confirm that it does
not present a H & S hazard for user groups along the
Maintenance of vegetation (scrub reduction)
necessary for continued growth
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1,
SH1
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
Prior to disturbance of spoil heaps, a mineralogical M2, M3, M4
watching brief should be commissioned.
56
57
General
There is relatively little on this site to manage and simple features for the visitor to appreciate.
Of note are the late 17C mine leat and an unusual early to middle 20C iron aqueduct that
carried water across the railway line. The former is one of the oldest mining remains in the
area; it provided water to power a water engine in Pool Adit mine. Envisaged as a route
rather than a destination, but with many fine views from the site, notably to the south but
also to Cook’s Kitchen Mine to the north and Dolcoath Mine to the west.
History
• Two late medieval leats supplying water for water engines (water wheels).
• Later part of Cook’s Kitchen Mine with two related mine shafts in project area.
Archaeology • The northern leat is no longer visible, the southern leat mostly visible through its banks.
• Sites of two shafts not visible but extant metal aqueduct attached to bridge.
Ecology
• Four nationally rare Bryophytes (Cephaloziella massalongi, Scopelophila cataractae,
Cephaloziella nicholsonii and Pohlia andalusica) on banks of leat.
• The area of scrub present on the site should be seen as a maximum and any further spread
of scrub should be controlled.
Mineralogy
• Rare or notable minerals observed at surface include Haematite.
Buildings
• There are no buildings – the only structures are the banks of the leat and the aqueduct and
brick tunnel with later clay pipes.
Geotechnical • Two shafts, both obscured and unmarked. Site investigations may be necessary.
User groups • Walkers, horse riders, cyclists along Great Flat Lode/Cornish Way and local pedestrians.
Landowner
• Kerrier District Council (existing use of site for footpaths and trails)
Site Management
Current
• At present the site appears unmanaged with dense areas of vegetation (with the exception
of the footpaths which are clear), and small areas of rubbish tipping.
• Public access is limited along the footpaths due to dense vegetation or a derelict scene.
Issues
Proposed
• There are no indication of the sites of the two mine shafts
• Although a public footpath runs through the site there is no presentation of its former
industrial history, nor its ecological value.
• Maintenance of historically important leat banks is required
• Monitoring of steel aqueduct over railway line is required
• Creation of new (alternative) Great Flat Lode Trail route (low maintenance).
• Site investigations of two mine shafts to ascertain nature and extent of shaft closure
• Ecological site management of rare bryophytes, reduction of scrub, promotion of heath.
• Site monitoring to remove rubbish, maintain low vegetation on leat banks and aqueduct
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
• Ecological constraints to restrict foliage on leat banks, remove scrub and undertake shaft
site works out of bird nesting/badger season.
• Site works within Archaeological Constraint Areas (ACA) will need archaeological
consultancy and recording.
• Long term cost for site monitoring and vegetation maintenance.
• Impact of site investigations and/or shaft treatment on sub-surface archaeological features.
• Impact on archaeological features (leat banks) of close pedestrian access.
58
3.10
Thomas’s Shaft, Carn Brea
Fig 12.2 Thomas’s Shaft engine house bob
wall
Brief Description and Statement of Significance
The engine house is prominent and visible (on a clear day) from the western end of the Great Flat Lode. The
bob wall of the engine house (which is the main surviving feature), was well-made using finely cut granite
blocks and is a fine example of engine house construction. Although a shadow of its former self, it is the oldest
surviving engine house on the Great Flat Lode. Two clusters of rare bryophytes were found on the site as well
as rare amethyst and quartz on the mine waste heaps.
59
Site Details
Site Name:
Thomas’s Shaft
Area (Ha.)
MT Bid Site No.
1.0
20B
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Industrial: Disused
Non-statutory
Designations
H E R (PRN)
Landowner
Brief site history
68170 39703 (SW6839)
Proposed WHS, AGLV, AGHV
34001
The solitary bob wall of Thomas’s Shaft engine house occupies a prominent position and is visible from the Marriot’s Shaft complex.
This small site is located immediately on the east side of the village of Piece, on the road running from Pool to Four Lanes. The
surrounding landscape is a combination of small enclosed fields, some re-cultivated from 20C mine working, some still showing signs of
being affected by mine workings and overgrown with gorse and bracken. The site itself has very little else in terms of archaeological
features to offer the visitor except for the prominent fully extant front wall of the engine house (which will need structural consolidation
works), and a small section of the boiler house front wall.
The lode outcrops south of the small settlement named Piece, had been worked since at least the mid 16C when ‘Carnkye Bal’ worked
lodes south of the later Thomas’s Shaft site. Two hundred years later, this old mine was still operating, and had no doubt gone deeper. In
1835, as more east/west tin lodes had been found on the west side of the Carnkie/Piece road, they were found to extend over the road
into an area of agricultural fields. The Thomas’s site was amalgamated into the sett of West Wheal Bassett. Thomas’s Shaft was sunk in
the early 1850s whilst the 60” pumping engine house was working by 1855. ‘In 1865 the mine employed 300 men, 90 women and 30 boys’
(Crofty archaeological report 2004). The 1880 OS map showed the site mainly contained the shaft, balance bob, capstan, engine house,
boiler house and probable miners’ dry. Two tramways (one from Old Skip Shaft – presumably the whim shaft, south west of Thomas’s
Shaft), entered the project area from the south west linking to a single line just north of the site (probably en-route to the massive Bassett
Stamps and dressing floors either side of the valley south of Carn Brea). However, within the site the only visible archaeological remnant
is the engine house and very small part of the boiler house front wall.
It is likely that the mass of buildings shown north of the Thomas’s site was a complex of arsenic calciners, burning off arsenic and other
waste elements from the tin after it had been concentrated through dressing. The height of this mine’s production took place in the two
decades before the turn of the century. By this time however, the site had been amalgamated into South Wheal Francis in 1892, but three
years later was part of Basset Mines Ltd. In 1896 the engine house was partly destroyed by fire, the mine itself finally closing in 1918,
when tin prices had bottomed out and the easily available tin from the deep Great Flat Lode was worked out.
60
Fig 12.3 c 1880 OS Map
61
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
EH1 Engine House
Partially extant
A1
Boiler House
Small remnant
A2
Site of Miners’ Dry, Not visible
Capstan and balance
bob sites
Site of two tramways Not visible (except for
small section)
Two rare Bryophytes Two small cluster
distributions)
Several stands of
Extant
Japanese Knotweed.
Potential site for
Unknown
badgers and bats
Thomas’s Shaft
Obscured at surface
Structural rebuilding of part of east wall to retain bob E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
wall, repoint side walls and cap walls
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.1
Consolidate and cap remaining front wall
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
H4.1, MM1, PA1.7
PHS1.1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
A3
E1
E2
E3
S1
M1
Rare minerals at
surface on mine
waste heaps
Quartz var Amethyst
and Smoky Quartz
Possible buried
archaeological remains
Possible buried
archaeological remains
Nationally rare flora
Maintenance of vegetation (scrub reduction)
necessary for continued growth
Destroying native heath and Should be eradicated as a high priority.
grassland species
Protected species
Undertake emergence survey for bats
Desk research has not
provided geotechnical site
information. Site drilling may
be necessary to inform shaft
data.
Rare mineral
62
Further landowner research and site investigations
should be undertaken to ascertain the nature of the
shaft closure, to confirm that it does not present a
hazard. Refer to Policy SH1 for preferred forms of
shaft treatment.
Prior to disturbance of spoil heaps, a mineralogical
Management
policies
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
E4.2, E4.4
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, SH1
M2, M3, M4
63
General
The engine house is prominent and visible (on a clear day) from the western end of the Great
Flat Lode. The bob wall of the engine house (which is the main surviving feature), was wellmade using finely cut granite blocks and is a fine example of engine house construction.
Although a shadow of its former self, it is the oldest surviving engine house on the Great Flat
Lode. Two clusters of rare bryophytes were found on the site as well as rare amethyst and
quartz on the mine waste heaps.
History
• A small site but part of a larger mid/late 19C complex that utilised the entire valley south
of Carn Brea, latterly working the Great Flat Lode
• Pumping Engine House wall is a prominent marker in a mining landscape
Archaeology • Strong likelihood of buried archaeological remnants (Miners Dry, Capstan, Balance bob).
• Possible buried remnants (timber setts etc) of two tramways across the site
Ecology
• Two clusters of rare bryophytes (Cephaloziella nicholsonii and Pohlia andalusica) on site.
• Stands of Japanese Knotweed on site (to be removed)
Mineralogy
• Rare or notable minerals observed at surface includes: Quartz var Amethyst and Smoky
Quartz
Buildings
• Engine House bob wall stands although rear wall and side walls have mostly collapsed
• Only low remnant of boiler house front wall remains
Geotechnical • Thomas’s Shaft will need to be further researched and possibly investigated through
drilling to produce accurate geotechnical data of the shaft closure and site safety.
User groups • Walkers/horse riders
Landowner
• Owned by Kerrier District Council (site should be used for public access and site
interpretation).
Site Management
Current
• No existing site management to landscape or buildings
• Site partly covered by gorse, brambles and trees
Issues
Proposed
• Full archaeological survey not possible until dense vegetation is removed
• Health and Safety issues for increased access (vegetation, unstable buildings and possibly
untreated shaft)
• Unstable engine house walls
• Rare bryophytes
• Japanese Knotweed to eradicate
• Scrub vegetation and Knotweed clearance
• Structural rebuilding and consolidation of remaining engine house walls
• Repair roadside Cornish hedge
• Enable safe public access across site along Great Flat Lode
Issues
• Machine access for building consolidation and shaft works to be agreed with County
Archaeologist
• Further site investigation works may be required to inform shaft treatment options
• Ecological constraints on scrub clearance, consolidation works and site of bryophytes
• Vegetation clearance and building monitoring may be necessary annually (cost implications)
Heritage
• Machine access for consolidation/shaft remediation works may impact on archaeological
Impact
features
Assessment • Long term preservation and consolidation of the engine house (presently unstable and
mostly collapsed)
• Vegetation clearance and future management (through WHS management ?) of site will aid
public interpretation and presentation of buildings
64
3.11
Tolgus, Redruth
Fig 13.2 General view of the Tolgus site
Part of the site is covered by the designation Site of Special Scientific Interest for its rare and scarce
bryophytes found on copper-rich tailings. It is also part of a Cornwall County Wildlife Site. Given the
nature of the archaeological remains that have (so far) been observed, this cannot be regarded as an
archaeologically important site nationally, regionally or locally. Historically the site is more important as it
formed the northern end of a series of streamworks in the valley of which Tolgus Tin, at the Cornish Gold
Centre, is one of only two working examples in Cornwall. The atmosphere of the landscape, however, may
be significant, in that it represents what must have been a typical work-place setting for 18C and 19C tin
streamers.
65
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
MT Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Brief site history
Tolgus
6.1
2B
Tolgus Trail
Part Farmland, Post medieval and Part Industrial: Disused
H E R (PRN)
Landowner
68821 44754 (SW 6844/5)
SSSI
Part CNCS
Unallocated
Rosart Trading and Cornwall County Council
This site is very overgrown, obscuring from the adjacent road the small remnants of archaeological features. It lies along the western side
of the road from Redruth to Portreath, north of the Cornish Goldsmith and Tolgus Tin streamworks. It is approximately 450m in length
and varies from 70 to 150m in width. The site is partly owned by Cornwall County Council and is partly privately owned. The site can be
divided into two parts, a southern section of former waste tips and remnants of a small streamworks (obscured by dense vegetation), and
a northern section comprising mainly reclaimed pasture, the site of an earlier dressing floor (obscured by vegetation) and an extant adit
portal. Within the southern section the terrain comprises what may be the remains of large settling tanks made from slatestone waste tips
and covered by dense gorse and some bramble. The southern part of this section has been severely damaged in comparatively recent
times by the removal of waste tips and the virtual obliteration of any industrial remains.
Records of streaming the valley bottom for alluvial tin go back to medieval times. But from the 16C mining activity on both sides of the
valley expanded considerably as demand grew and new ground was worked. However, during the 18C copper mining overtook tin mining
in importance, and by the start of the 19C North Wheal Virgin was working to the north of the site and Wheal Mary to the south. Wheal
Mary Adit, constructed in the late 1700s, is shown on an 1819 mine map. The adit’s ventilation shafts along the north-western course of
this adit are still visible (west of the project area). However, the adit portal and tail lies within the western side of the site at the north
western end, and the stream from it forms part of the western boundary of the site.
The OS 1880 map shows three ponds in the northern section of the site. One connected to streamworks operating in the central section,
and two others to the adit portal tail stream, both presumably in an attempt to remove mine waste from the water (by settling) before it
was allowed to return to the water course. The aforementioned streamworks in the central (narrow) section of the site appeared in 1880
to mainly consist of long narrow tailings ponds, a characteristic of an operation to remove tin from the watercourse and adjacent
streamworks. The southern section of the site contained the remnants of a small dressing floor, with at least five structures shown, and a
leat. The 1908 OS map shows this dressing floor had been re-opened (re-occupying some of the same buildings), and a water wheel (c
8.0m diameter) was visible presumably powering the dressing floor buddles and square frames etc. However the rest of the site had
changed as a new road had been created on the west side of the stream which ran along the valley bottom. This had removed the dressing
floor streamworks in the narrow central section of the site, which may have been relocated on the south eastern side of an existing
Stamps site outside the north eastern side of the project area.
The third edition OS map (1973), shows that a small water wheel powered dressing floor was operating on the same site as that described
in the southern section of the site. Due to the ending of these industries, along the course of the river, and removal of mine waste spoil
heaps for re-processing in the 20C, the site has been successfully denuded of visible features, or simply obscured by dense vegetation that
has grown up over at least three quarters of the site.
66
67
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
A1
House(s)
farming/mining
Possibly not extant
A2
Dressing floor
buildings
Possibly not extant
A3
Water wheel
Extant
A4
Dressing floor
ponds
Extant, but banks
denuded
Obscured by vegetation, no Remove vegetation around site of building;
longer shown on OS maps undertake archaeological assessment and act on
consequent recommendations.
Obscured by vegetation, no Remove dense vegetation around site of buildings;
Obscured by vegetation, no Remove dense vegetation around wheel pit;
Obscured by vegetation,
Consider leaving dense vegetation to restrict public
possible H & S concerns
access to steep slopes.
A5
A6
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
Recommendations
Management
policies
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
E3.1, E3.2, E4, H2.1,
H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
E3.1, E3.2, E4, H2.1,
H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
E3.1, E3.2, E4, H2.1,
H3.3, MM1.2, PA1,
PHS1
Site of earlier
Possibly not extant
Obscured by vegetation, no Remove vegetation around site of building; E3.1, E3.2, E4, H2.1,
dressing floor
longer shown on OS maps undertake archaeological assessment and act on H3.3, MM1.2, PA1,
buildings
Adit Portal
Extant
Open with running water
Undertake archaeological/structural assessment and E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
act on consequent recommendations.
MM1, PA1, PHS1
West Cornwall
Rare Bryophytes
Nationally protected site – Adjust position of car park west of its proposed
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
Bryophytes SSSI
conflicts with proposed car location.
(Tolgus Tinworks)
park site and tramway route Locate proposed tramway along western edge of
SSSI.
Consult English Nature for formal consents.
West Cornwall
Rare Bryophytes
Nationally protected site of Enhance SSSI by selective scrub removal and E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
Bryophytes SSSI
ecological importance
vegetation management; liaise closely with English
Nature over this.
Japanese Knotweed Extant
Destroys other flora
Remove Knotweed with maintenance programme E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
along site and section of valley above and below site. E6.3
Consult Environment Agency (impact on river)
Badgers
Possible sett locations Protected species
Consult EN if sett encountered during clearance
E4.2
Odononata Survey In ponds/wetland sites Protected species ?
Undertake Odononata Survey if finances permit
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
68
69
General
Part of the site is covered by the designation Site of Special Scientific Interest for its rare and
scarce bryophytes found on copper-rich tailings. It is also part of a Cornwall County Wildlife
Site. Given the nature of the archaeological remains that have (so far) been observed, this
cannot be regarded as an archaeologically important site nationally, regionally or locally.
Historically the site is more important as it formed the northern end of a series of
streamworks in the valley of which Tolgus Tin, at the Cornish Gold Centre, is one of only
two working examples in Cornwall. The atmosphere of the landscape, however, may be
significant, in that it represents what must have been a typical work-place setting for 18C and
19C tin streamers.
History
• Shallow medieval tin streaming site, worked until the 20th century
• Site typical of early stamps and later dressing floor processing works
Archaeology • Cartographic evidence of previous dressing floor structures. These are now either
removed or buried or simply obscured by vegetation.
• After vegetation clearance an archaeological survey may need to be undertaken if former
sites of dressing floors are revealed.
Ecology
• The southern part of this site has been notified as part of the West Cornwall Bryophytes
SSSI by English Nature to protect its rare bryophytes (Tolgus supports populations of two
nationally rare (Cephaloziella integerrima, and Pohlia andalusica) and one nationally scarce
(Cephaloziella stellulifera) bryophytes.
• Japanese Knotweed stands are extant and need to be removed from (and near) the site
Mineralogy
• No rare or notable minerals observed.
Buildings
• No extant buildings were observed (although there may be remnants under vegetation)
Geotechnical • No geotechnical shaft assessment was commissioned.
User groups • Walkers/cyclists/horse riders
Landowner
• Private (Cornish Goldsmiths) and CCC landowners propose restricted public access along
the Tolgus Trail
Site Management
Current
• No existing site management to landscape
• Site partly covered by gorse, brambles and trees
Issues
Proposed
•
•
•
•
•
•
Full archaeological survey not possible until dense vegetation removed
West Cornwall bryophyte SSSI (ecological site constraints)
Rare bryophytes to preserve and Japanese Knotweed to eradicate
SSSI to be enhanced by selective scrub removal and Knotweed clearance
Site small car park away from SSSI site
Enable safe public access across site along the Tolgus Trail
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
• Ecological constraints on scrub clearance, tramway trail location and car park site
• Vegetation clearance may be necessary annually along trail (cost implications)
• Machine access for tramway creation/adit remediation works may impact on archaeological
features
• Increased public access will enable people to view site as an ecological rather than an
archaeological asset (assuming no features are found after vegetation clearance)
• Vegetation clearance and future management (through WHS management ?) of site will aid
public interpretation
70
3.12
Tolgus Calciner, Redruth
Fig 14.2 Tolgus Calciner and fuel store
The Brunton calciner on this site, important both historically and archaeologically, is Listed Grade II, and
together with the stack and flues is also Scheduled (SM No. 35822). This is one of only three calciners in
Cornwall that survive largely intact (and it is possibly the best example in the country). The excellent
condition of the building and survival of its machinery and most of the related infrastructure, make this site
unique (although its contextual relationship with the associated dressing floors is now lost).
71
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
Tolgus Calciner
2.2
M T Bid Site No.
2C
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Non-statutory
Designations
H E R (PRN)
Landowner
Tolgus Trail
18039
Industrial: Disused (SM area)
Mr Youlton, MY Motors, Redruth
Rough Ground/Industrial
The fully extant Brunton calciner lies against the side of a wooded valley, on the western side of the (New) Redruth to Portreath road,
immediately north of the A30 flyover. Topographically it is on the floor and western slopes of a steep sided valley immediately north of
Redruth. The valley runs north towards the coast at Portreath. Physically the site can be divided into three sections, an upper narrow flat
area (bounded on its east side by Old Portreath Road), a wooded and densely vegetated slope (partly quarried), and a lower wider flat area
(bounded on its east side by another road and the Red River). The only structure on the site of any note is the Brunton calciner, which is
both listed and scheduled, with remains of its arsenic condensing chambers behind it on the western side of the adjacent hill. The
proposed Tolgus Trail will run through the site close to the stream which runs parallel to the road along the floor of the valley.
Brief site history
‘Records from the sixteenth century detail tin mines and alluvial works between the top end of Redruth and the Tolgus site, and throughout the
nineteenth century the valley on both sides of the site was occupied by stream works dedicated to recovering tin from the ‘tailings’ or waste from
these tin works. Richard Thomas’s survey of the Manor of Tolgus of 1818/1819 shows stamping mills at each end of the present site as well as a
burning house to the centre with a stack to the west; it is tempting to suggest that the later stack and flues lie in the same place. Wheal Tolgus
was a copper producer from 1819 to 1839, although the principal workings lay to the west of this site. In the nineteenth century the
northern part of the Tolgus site was occupied by a stream works which was still apparently operating in the early 20th century although by this
time it had been joined by a second in the southern part... From the earliest times tin and copper ores were contaminated by unwanted arsenic
and sulphur. This was particularly true of lode material...By the early nineteenth century arsenic was seen as a potentially valuable by-product
of the mines, and ways were sought to recover the arsenical soot, rather than just send it up the chimney...The most successful method of
producing this commodity was invented by William Brunton, who introduced the Brunton Calciner in 1828. His apparatus roasted the sulphur
and arsenic contaminants by use of a rotating floor over a furnace. The arsenic carried away in the poisonous fumes was collected from a
carefully designed labyrinth for sale. In the case of the Tolgus Calciner, these condensers were up the steep slope above the calciner. The
chimney stack, on the upper side of the higher road, (out of the project area), to the west of the site, carries the date 1933. This presumably, is
the date of the present Calciner’s construction. Nothing is known of the production from this site and it may be, like sites such as Botallack Mine
(early 20th century operations), that it never sold any arsenic soot although the presence of condensing chambers implies that it was collected.
Certainly the Brunton is a high-capacity piece of equipment however its principal use may have been purely for improving the ore rather than
the production of another commodity’ (Crofty archaeological report 2004).
69032 42975 (SW6843 6943)
Scheduled Monument No. 35822,
Listed Building, Grade II (5/282)
The flat area of ground to its east contained a tin dressing floor (also possibly built in the 1930s). But the site was abandoned in either the
late 1940s or during the following decade. After closure the site was re-used in the 1970s to store materials used by neighbouring ore
dressing floors. It is likely that during the construction of the A30 flyover to the south of the site, further infilling and levelling occurred.
72
73
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
A1
Very good
Repairs and consolidation
Repoint walls where necessary, replace west door E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
and remove concrete block infill. Remove fly-tipping H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
A2
A3
A4
Calciner
Calciner fuel store
Remove asbestos roof and replace with corrugated
iron equivalent. Re-timber northern wall/replace
doors.
Arsenic labyrinth
Remnants
Geochemical assessment
Given the fragmentary condition of this surviving
(incl. related flues) obscured by vegetation (arsenic residues) required if feature and perceived high levels of arsenic residue,
and partly hedged
site to be consolidated.
recommend that site is not consolidated but perhaps
fenced to scheduled monument boundary.
Arsenic chimney
Extant but overgrown Repairs and consolidation
Remove ivy, repair and consolidate
(out of project area) with ivy
A5
Ore Dressing floor
S1
Tolgus Old Engine
Shaft
Adit Shaft
S2
E1
E2
Extant
Buried (not visible)
Open to water level
and partly hedged
Obscured by dump
material
Japanese Knotweed Extant
Presence of
nationally scarce
moss (Bryum
Growth in retaining
wall crevices
Roof damaged
Sub-surface archaeological
features may survive.
Open obscured shaft close
to proposed track
Shaft site close to proposed
track
Destroying heath and
grassland species close to
river course
Preserve in-situ
Minimise works that may impact upon sub-surface
Further investigation by drilling of shaft collar to
elucidate treatment options
Further investigation by drilling of shaft collar to
elucidate treatment options
Eradicate Japanese Knotweed (careful not to allow
eradication treatment to enter watercourse).
Management
policies
MM1, PA1.7
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7, PHS1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.2,
E6.3
The presence and location of populations of this rare E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
moss should be noted and as far as possible
disturbance of these locations should be avoided.
Donianum)
HS1 Asbestos (Amosite
and Chrysotile
cement) deposits
Roofing material and H & S issues
insulation board debris
Remove to licensed tip
74
PHS1
75
General
The Brunton calciner on this site, important both historically and archaeologically, is Listed
Grade II, and together with the stack and flues is also Scheduled (SM No. 35822). This is one
of only three calciners in Cornwall that survive largely intact (and is possibly the best example
in the country). The excellent condition of the building and survival of its machinery and
most of the related infrastructure, make this site unique (although its contextual relationship
with the associated dressing floors is now lost).
History
• Tolgus valley has been used for stamping and dressing ore for centuries
• The extant calciner is not only extremely rare but the only visible remnant of former use
for ore dressing
Archaeology • High potential for below ground sub-surface phases of previous ore dressing floors
• The best example of a Brunton Calciner in Cornwall (and possibly in the country), with
remnants of related flues and chimney
Ecology
• The control and eradication of Japanese Knotweed is a high priority.
• Bat surveys should be undertaken prior to consolidation works.
• The Environment Agency must be consulted prior to use of chemical control near the
river (refer EA Guidelines PPG5).
• The presence of populations of the nationally scarce moss (Bryum donianum) should be
noted and as far as possible disturbance of these locations should be avoided.
Mineralogy
• No rare or notable recorded or observed minerals
Buildings
• An excellent example of an extant Brunton Calciner
• Minimal consolidation works are necessary to the calciner although the adjacent fuel store
needs re-roofing and new timber walls.
Geotechnical • Two shafts
User groups • Close to Tolgus Trail (by walkers and horse riders)
• Industrial archaeologists and historians
Landowner
• Mr Youlton
Site Management
Current
• Recent bulldozing by owner in vicinity of Calciner and new route made through woods.
• Site densely covered in places by gorse, brambles, trees and knotweed
• Listed Building (Calciner) used as play area for children and as a rubbish depository
Issues
Proposed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ecological constraints for scrub clearance and repair works
Site monitoring necessary (against fly tipping, graffiti, building safety etc)
Repair works to calciner and fuel store building (Scheduled Monument Consent necessary)
Creation of new Tolgus Trail along lower valley site
Creation of new small car park at southern end of lower site
Japanese Knotweed to be eradicated (by river course)
Site investigations to identify shaft location and shaft fencing
Ecological emergence surveys during site works
Issues
•
•
•
Heritage
•
Impact
•
Assessment •
Cost of long term site monitoring (of buildings/shafts etc)
Need for archaeological watching brief during Tolgus Trail and car park creation
Archaeological consultancy to guide SM remediation works
Tolgus trail and car park creation may impact on buried archaeological features
Long term preservation and consolidation of the calciner building
Vegetation clearance and future management (through WHS management ?) of site will aid
76
3.13 Unity Wood,
Clwyd cap on mine shaft
Chacewater
Magor Engine Houses
Fenced Clwyd Cap
in Unity Wood
Fig 15.2 Site photographs
Brief Site Description and Statement of significance
This is an extremely significant site due to its special combination of important natural and man-made
environments. The woodland includes ancient sessile oak and beech with a carpet of bluebells underfoot.
Throughout this ecologically significant environment can be found a series of mine shafts and the remains
of former mining structures dating from the early nineteenth century. The site has great importance
therefore for its current ecology, its standing remains (especially two fine engine houses), its history and the
potential of its buried archaeology. The imposing engine houses are Listed Grade II and the entire site has
been recommended to be Scheduled by English Heritage.
77
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
Unity Wood
15.0 Ha
MT Bid Site No.
21 ABC
Non-statutory
Designations
Adjacent Trail
Coast-to-Coast Trail and the Wheal Busy alternative Route. H E R (PRN)
Historic Landscape The northern arm of the woodland and the southern edge Landowner
Characterisation
including the valley is characterised as Plantation and
Brief site
description
Brief site history
73341 43593 (SW 7343)
Listed Building, Grade II (4/38 and 4/39). Site
proposed for Scheduling by English Heritage
Cornwall County Wildlife Site (Unity Wood),
AGHV, Proposed WHS (Camborne/Redruth)
CWS
34013
Tregothnan Estate and Mr Rowe
Scrub. The rest of the woodland area is Ancient
Woodland. The area containing engine houses is
Predominantly Industrial.
A mainly wooded site riddled with industrial archaeological features. Much is ancient semi-natural woodland on the side of a hill rising to
100 m (AOD), including part of the Poldice River valley below. Magor’s engine houses are a prominent mark on the landscape, both of
which are fully extant and in a good condition (Listed Grade II). The surrounding area is mainly farmland on the slopes of the river valley
with patches of open moorland, and the ornamental estate grounds of Scorrier House to the west. At present there is a series of footpaths
and bridleways through the woods passing alongside numerous shafts, some of which have been capped with Clwyd Caps in the 1980s.
Early records (documented from 1516 as Killifreth Wood), suggest medieval mining took place within the area, but many of the early sites
have subsequently been reworked. Two ‘coffan’ works still survive in the woods (originally between 40-50 feet deep), however they have
been partly back-filled with later deeper shafts cut into its base. Different parts of Unity Wood were worked by different companies
throughout the C18 and 19C. In the northern half of the woods mining of cassiterite took place between 1780 and 1800. By 1819 the
Great County Adit had been driven beneath Unity Wood. The next major period of activity was 1830-50 in the lower (southern) half of
the wood at William’s Shaft where there is still some evidence of the capstan and winder sites, and a rock-cut platform which could be the
base of the former pumping engine house. There are clinker deposits nearby, presumably from the engine’s boiler house.
During the nineteenth century Reed’s and Oate’s Shafts were worked to the east of William’s Shaft. In 1872 the (extant) Magor engine
houses were built to the east of the site (possibly using stone from the dismantled William’s Shaft engine house). The pumping engine
pumped from Magor’s Shaft and the winding/stamping house hauled from another shaft in the valley. At various times these engine
houses have been named Wheal Trefusis and Wheal Unity Wood.
The final phase of work occurred at the northern end of the site. Initially worked for copper in the first half of the 19C it re-opened to
mine tin in the 1860s, and then arsenic. Abandoned in 1897, Skip’s Shaft was reopened in 1912 and operated (apart from a hiatus during
the Great War), until 1927. The remains of the underground manager’s office, together with some concrete footings and plinths of the
winding engine house, are still in situ and sited next to the footpath.
78
79
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
EH1 Magor’s Pumping
Stable
Engine House/stack
H & S, Consolidation
Capping and repointing to house walls and stack.
Refer to structural survey recommendations.
EH2 Magor’s Winding
Stable
Engine House/stack
H & S, Consolidation
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
S1
Investigate remedial works.
Shaft close to access track
H & S (steep drop to grille)
Capping and repointing to house walls and stack.
Refer to structural survey recommendations. Infill
lost timber and masonry to lower parts of bob wall.
Undertake geotechnical survey (ascertain nature and E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
extent of shaft closure), formulate shaft remediation MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
Refer site conditions to H & S risk assessment survey E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
Magor’s Engine Shaft Obstructed to ground
level, collar not visible
S2
William’s Engine
Open but modern
Shaft
grille on conc. slab
S3 - Shafts
Many with Clwyd
24,
caps, some recent
31-34
conc. slabs/conc.
plugs, some not
fenced or treated
Shafts
S25 - Shafts
30
A1 Williams Shaft
capstan
A2 Site of reservoir
A3
Skip Shaft Whim
Engine House
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
Detailed geotechnical survey Assess all shafts within 20m of all proposed footpath E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
needed (of shaft cap
routes. Repair existing shaft hedges (wooden rails
condition) and previous
remedial works for shafts
near footpaths.
give little protection and visually jarring). All Clwyd
caps should be fenced and those near the track,
hedged. Where existing stone hedges are in place (S3,
S4, S6, S8, S9, S13, S16, S20, S21, S22, S26, S29, S31,
S34), these should be repaired or rebuilt.
A further 25 shafts
Public health and safety
Locate and mark all shaft sites as a separate project.
(refer Geotechnical
issues. Woodland
Undertake a H & S risk assessment survey, and
report) are
management issues. Related prioritise shaft treatments (in terms of track
unrecorded in detail ecological issues.
proximity).
Blocked with hedges Shafts drilled, away from
In its current condition (private land, fenced, blocked
and shaft marker
track and fenced
and markers), this is not presumably a hazard.
Extant
Banks obscured by
Remove small trees and rubble to better define the
vegetation and trees
feature for public interpretation
Extant but overgrown Site obscured by vegetation Clear vegetation and small trees to re-create open
feel and better display remains. Monitor.
Extant foundations
Remove vegetation to assess Remove vegetation and cap the surrounding walls if
but overgrown
condition
necessary.
80
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1, PHS1, SH1
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1, PA1.10
E3.1, E4, H2.1, H3.3,
MM1.2, PA1, PHS1
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Remove ivy and trees. Cap the walls, repoint and
consolidate where necessary.
A4
Skip Shaft Managers Overgrown/stable
Office
Structural assessment. Site
overgrown with vegetation
A5
Scorrier Adit
Assessment of adit portal
stability if it is cleared
Obscured by vegetation
Potentially important early
remains
Tree fallen on building
A6
A7
A8
Blocked, almost
totally buried
Leats (series of 4)
Extant
Earthworks (outcrop Not fully recorded
works, whim plats
Powder magazine
Extant remnants
A9 Adit Portals
(S5)
E1 Three rare
bryophytes
Open adit portals
Possible public access to
underground workings
Extant patches
E2
E3
E4
Scarce moss
Japanese Knotweed
Rhododendron
Extant patch
Extant stands
Unmanaged bushes
Cephaloziella nicholsonii,
Pohlia andalusica and
Scopelophila cataractae
Bryum donianum
E5
Badger sett
In current use
E6
E7
Bats
Area of dry dwarf
shrub heath, acid.
Pipistrelle/Horseshoe Protected species
Extant
BAP priority habitat
As1
M1
Asbestos fly-tipping Discrete asbestos
Rare notable minerals Located near shafts
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
In its current condition (private land, fenced, blocked E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1
off) this is not presumably a hazard. Monitor.
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2, PA1
Vegetation to be reduced. Monitor.
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
Should be more fully investigated and appropriate
PA1,
management regime established.
E4.3, E4.4, E4.7, H2.3,
Consolidation works (cap walls, repoint etc)
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2, H4.1,
MM1, PA1.7
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
Install portal grilles after detailed geotechnical
MM1, PA1
assessments
This area should not be disturbed to prevent damage E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
to the bryophytes. Bushes or trees should not be
planted nearby.
This area should not be disturbed or cleared
Control and eradication is a high priority.
This species should be controlled in the oak
dominated area of the woodland.
Work within 30m of a sett entrance may cause
disturbance and would need an EN licence.
The open shafts should be open to provide roosts
Do not plant or seed the area, or improve soil. Do
not plant bushes or trees nearby. Cut back scrub
around edges to encourage heath species to spread.
Clearance should be carried out October to March to
avoid disturbing nesting birds.
Remove material (refer to report for site locations)
Undertake mineralogical watching brief
A highly invasive plant.
Invasive non-native plant
reducing biodiversity.
Protected species
H&S
Cassiterite, Galena etc
81
Management
policies
E2.1, E3.1, E4.7, E6.3
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7, E6.3
E2.1, E3.1, E3.2, E4.7,
E6.2, E6.
E4.2
E4.4
E1, E2.1, E3.1, E3.2,
E4.7,
PHS1
M2, M3, M4
82
General
This is an extremely significant site due to its special combination of important natural and
man-made environments. The woodland includes ancient sessile oak and beech with a carpet
of bluebells underfoot. Throughout this ecologically significant environment can be found a
series of mine shafts and the remains of former mining structures dating from the early
nineteenth century. The site has great importance therefore for its current ecology, its
standing remains (especially two fine engine houses), its history and the potential of its buried
archaeology. The imposing engine houses are Listed Grade II and the entire site has been
recommended to be Scheduled by English Heritage.
History
• The site was worked for tin from the late medieval to the early 19C period. During the late
17C the first copper reserves were found which increased during the early 19C, providing
a sizeable income for Lord Falmouth and the Tregothnan Estate.
• By the 1840s production was greatly reduced but Wheal Unity Wood still employed 200
men. The second half of the nineteenth century however was characterised by frequent
openings and closures until the mine finally closed in 1927.
Archaeology • The extant engine houses (both Listed Grade II), are imposing buildings in a relatively
good condition, whilst the wood hides mining operations during the past half millennium.
These manifest themselves as numerous mine shafts and spoil heaps.
• There is potential for subsurface archaeology throughout the wooded part of the site.
This is most likely to include leats, shafts, outcrop workings, and evidence of the early
coffan works.
Ecology
• 11 habitats were identified within this County Wildlife Site. The main habitat is broad
leafed woodland, mainly sessile oak with frequent hazel in the main part of the wood
whilst on the western side there is beech with rhododendron and a small area of Cornish
elm and sycamore.
• In a number of sites on the valley floor are dense stands of Japanese Knotweed.
• Three nationally rare bryophytes and a nationally scarce moss have been recorded.
• There is a badger sett in the north western arm of the woodland, records of Pipistrelle
bats in the woodlands, and a nationally scarce blue-tailed damselfly recorded.
Mineralogy
• Rare and or notable observed minerals found at the site included Cassiterite, Galena, and
Secondary copper minerals – the latter two found in a shaft collar at SW73394358
Buildings
• Two locally dominant late Victorian engine houses on the crest of the valley side. Both are
substantially intact with fine stonework (granite, killas and brick).
• Skip Shaft Manager’s Office is an intriguing ruin shrouded by trees with a modest
chimney.
Geotechnical • There are large numbers of shafts (c. 60). A variety of techniques have been used in the
past to make these ‘safe’. A H & S assessment should prioritise works to those shafts close
to proposed access routes (refer to policies SH1).
Landowner
• Tregothnan Estate permits public access (with tenants on the land).
• Mr Rowe owns land at the valley bottom (with an adit and shafts).
83
Site Management
Current
• There are currently a number of footpaths through the site. But the encroachment of nonnative tree and plant species and the haphazard creation of ‘off road’ cycle tracks all indicate
a current lack of appropriate management.
• Many mine shafts near public access routes have Clwyd caps installed (during the 1980s),
some with low (inappropriate) timber fences.
Issues
Proposed
• Although both the Magor’s engine houses are Listed (both in need of consolidation works),
none of the industrial archaeology within the woodland site is protected.
• The present signage is inadequate giving no interpretation of the site, or sufficiently
highlighting the health and safety issues of close proximity to mine shafts.
• The woodland is mainly oak, but threatened by rhododendron invasion. There appears to
be no ongoing woodland management.
• In several places (particularly on the western side), there are quite significant drops near the
track, notably by the capstan above William’s Shaft.
• The whole site is under consideration by English Heritage for scheduling.
• Both of the upstanding engine houses and two later building remnants are to be
consolidated
• Signage should stress the importance of keeping to paths in order to protect the natural
environment and archaeology, and because of the dangers of mine shafts both known and
undiscovered.
• The rhododendrons should be removed and a tree surgeon should assess the woodland and
re-survey regularly every few years.
• A geotechnical assessment should locate documented shafts at ground level in close
proximity to proposed routes and with consultation, recommend remediation alternatives.
• A site risk assessment should be carried out (both to the stability of existing Clwyd caps and
to various site hazards), close to proposed access routes.
Issues
• During conservation works to Magor’s Pumping Engine House disturbance of the area of
bare, metal rich sandy soil to the south west of the building should be avoided in order to
prevent damage to the nationally rare bryophytes.
• If any further badger setts are encountered English Nature should be informed and the setts
left undisturbed until mitigation has been agreed.
• All contractors working on the site should be made aware of the extent of the
archaeological constraint areas (ACAs) and watching briefs should be developed to oversee
any work carried out within them.
• Before any stabilisation work takes place on the engine houses they should be surveyed for
the presence of bats.
• Regular monitoring of this site (mine shafts/vegetation and building management), will
have long term project cost implications.
Heritage
• The site is already well used and clearly appreciated by local people. Conservation works to
Impact
the engine houses, shafts and other industrial features will make the site a safer place to visit
Assessment
as well as preserving the buildings for the future.
• The upgrading of the paths and new signage will protect the delicate balance of plant and
animal life within the wood and prevent further damage to archaeological features.
• The clearance of invasive non-native species will help preserve the ancient woodland.
• The connection of the wood to the Coast to Coast Trail will encourage visitors in addition
to the local population.
84
3.14
Wheal Fortune, Gwennap
Fig 16. 1 Project area setting map
Fig 16. 2 General view of site from
footpath (looking west)
Although there are no obvious structures remaining from the mine’s heyday this site has a wealth of
archaeological features. In contrast with most other copper mine sites in Cornwall, this site has remained
relatively unaltered since abandonment and is thus a rare example of 1760s – 1860s copper mining. Once
vegetation obscuring these surface features has been uncovered the site could be better appreciated as an
important early industrial monument and its group value as part of the famous Consolidated Mines group
understood. In addition to its archaeological potential the site also may contain badgers and bats; it has the
important vegetation community of acid dry dwarf shrub heath.
85
Site Details
Site Name:
Area (Ha.)
MT Bid Site No.
Adjacent Trail
Historic Landscape
Characterisation
Brief site
description
Brief site history
Wheal Fortune
75461 42134 (SW7542)
9.4
35A
Non-statutory Designations AGHV, Proposed WHS
Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail and Coast to Coast Trail
H E R (PRN)
40932
The majority of the site is characterised as rough ground with small Landowner
Private (Unknown) CCC to lease or
areas of medieval farmland to the north and south east. To the
purchase
south east and west are two disused industrial sites.
The first impression of this site is of a barren heathland hillside with winding paths interspersed with mine shafts with protruding Clwyd
caps. The site lies at the eastern end of the parish of Gwennap on a north-facing valley slope with the village of Twelveheads on the
opposite side of the valley. Although on a hillside, much of the site has been cut into terraces as part of the mining process. Some of the
terraced areas formed from layers of mineral processing waste have cobbled surfaces. Most of the site comprises heathland with barren
patches, particularly in the west where waste tips have been removed. The archaeological resource consists of low-lying remnants of walls,
dressing floors and mine waste heaps, often near mine shafts (most with Clwyd caps). Paths traverse the site, and these are overgrown in
parts to the east. The site can be accessed via a track leading north from Cusvey or south-west from Twelveheads.
By 1780 there was tin streaming on the site, and shortly after this date mining began at Wheal Fortune. Steam engines were first sited at
Bawden’s (East) Shaft and then another at West Shaft. The mine closed in 1805 (by which time it was already working to a depth of 140
fathoms below adit), due to the low market copper price. After reopening in 1819 the mine was leased by the entrepreneur John Taylor
and worked with a number of other mines along the Wheal Virgin lodes as part of Great Gwennap Consolidated Mines. Woolf’s Shaft
was sunk and equipped with a 90” pumping engine (exceptionally large for its day). In the early 19C for a brief period they formed the
largest copper mine in world. By 1823 Consolidated Mines rivalled Dolcoath for production, and the mine employed over 3,000 workers.
By 1836 Woolf’s Shaft had reached 200 fathoms depth, later finally achieving a depth of 250 fathoms. In 1839 Taylor failed to renew the
leases and the mines passed into the hands of the extremely successful Williams mining family. In 1858 the combined mines closed but
reopened again in 1861 as Clifford Amalgamated. In 1870 Wheal Fortune was abandoned, and the buildings and dressing floors left to fall
into ruin.
The archaeological resource dates from a variety of periods covering approximately half a century (early 19C to mid 19C). This site
appears to have been progressively mutilated, during the first half of the twentieth century, by the robbing of stone buildings and the
removal of remaining mine waste dumps for re-processing in more technologically advanced dressing floors. The resultant effect on the
landscape has been to spread the mine waste around the site between the shafts, making the ground effectively sterile. The main plant life
that has succeeded is heather and gorse.
86
87
Map Description
No:
Condition
S1-10 Mine shafts
Most shafts are
covered by a Clwyd
Cap (some hedged and
some fenced)
EH1 Site of engine and
Not visible due to
boiler house
overgrowth
EH2 Site of whim engine Not visible due to
house
overgrowth
A1 Visible
Partial remnants
archaeological
(walling/pits/whim
features
plats/dressing floors)
A2 Dressing floor wall Mostly extant
A3 Coal yard
Partially extant wall
A4 Carpenter’s
Extant (saw) pit
shop/trunking pit
A5 Adit
Open
A6
Reservoir pond
Extant form
A7
E1
E2
E3
Tramway
Bat roosts in shafts
Badgers
Heathland/scrub
Extant granite setts
Not surveyed
Extant runs
Distributed over site
M1
Rare minerals on
mine waste heaps
Pyrite and Sphalerite
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
Many shafts are close to the
proposed public access route
and have unstable shaft caps
and collars.
Possible buried walls and
capstan
Possible buried walls and
capstan
Site preservation, H & S,
historic environment
interpretation provision
Site preservation
Site preservation
H & S, historical
interpretation
Collapse of timbers/roof
and allowing public access to
underground workings
Currently used by cyclists.
Shafts close to the proposed paths may need detailed
geotechnical assessments to inform the type of shaft
remediation. Existing Clwyd caps should be assessed
for stability; fenced, and hedged if necessary.
Clear dense vegetation, re-assess the site and ensure
ACA is effective
Clear dense vegetation, re-assess the site and ensure
ACA is effective
Clear vegetation from features and consolidate
walled features where appropriate. Provide
information board with site history/mine plans.
Clear vegetation for further survey/consolidation.
Clear dense vegetation, consolidate and repoint wall
Remove vegetation and rubble at base of pit for safe
public access
Ensure structural stability (replace exterior timbers)
E4.4, H4.4, H4, MM1,
PA1, PHS1, SH1
Cyclists should be discouraged from use.
Site preservation
Shaft access/H & S
Protected species
Ecological constraints to
vegetation clearance
Rare mineral
Ensure sett preservation and no trip hazards
Bat surveys for shafts that need remediation works
Contact EN if setts discovered
Seasonal clearance constraints
E3.1, E4, H2.1, H3.3,
MM1.2, PA1, PHS1
H2.1, MM1.2, PA1
E4.4
E4.2
E1, E2.1, E3.1, E3.2,
E4.7,
M2, M3, M4
Prior to disturbance of spoil heaps, a mineralogical
88
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1, PA1.10
H3.3, MM1.2, PA1,
H2.1, MM1.2, PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, MM1.2,
PA1,
E1.2, E4.4, H4.4, H4,
MM1, PA1
89
General
Although there are no obvious structures remaining from the mine’s heyday this site has a
wealth of archaeological features. In contrast with most other copper mine sites in Cornwall,
this site has remained relatively unaltered since abandonment and is thus a rare example of
1760s – 1860s copper mining. Once vegetation obscuring these surface features has been
uncovered the site could be better appreciated as an important early industrial monument and
its group value as part of the famous Consolidated Mines group understood. In addition to
its archaeological potential the site also may contain badgers and bats; it has the important
vegetation community of acid dry dwarf shrub heath.
History
• In the early nineteenth century Wheal Fortune formed part of the Consolidated Mines
group, the largest mine in the world at that time, and one of the most successful.
• The mine still contains many of the features shown on the 1821 mine plan.
Archaeology • Although there are few above ground buildings, historic maps combined with remnants
already exposed suggest a wealth of unexposed below ground features. These include
further areas of cobbled floors and below ground remnants of two engine houses.
Ecology
• The nationally scarce purple ramping-fumitory and the liverwort Cephaloziella stellulifera
have been recorded on the site.
• No setts were found but there was evidence of badgers near woodland.
• Although no bats have been recorded the open shafts are potential habitats.
Mineralogy
• The following rare and or notable minerals were observed at the site– Pyrite, Sphalerite.
Buildings
• Although there are numerous walls and indications of the sites of buildings, there are no
significant standing structures remaining on this site
Geotechnical • Nine shafts were located many of which have unstable collars and Clwyd caps.
User groups • Walkers, cyclists and horse-riders
Landowner
• Private – currently unknown.
Site Management
Current
• The site is currently well used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders but is un-managed.
• The natural environment is not being managed and there are dense patches of trees and
bushes, which have grown across the footpaths in places
Issues
Proposed
• The area is used by cyclists (forming narrow paths over spoil heaps), which could
potentially damage archaeological features.
• Buildings have recently been erected at the southern end of the site blocking the footpath.
• There are many shaft sites, some of which are not securely fenced or capped.
• Although footpaths already exist many are rutted and contain loose material
• Cyclists and users need to be informed of the sensitivity and potential danger of the site
through signage, in order to prevent accidents and damage to archaeological features.
• The footpaths should be made good, and where particularly steep worn sections modified.
• Shaft fencing and hedging is necessary especially near the proposed footpath route.
Issues
• If badger setts are encountered English Nature should be informed and the setts left
undisturbed until mitigation has been agreed.
• Shaft remediation schemes affecting bat access will require a bat survey.
• All contractors should be made aware of the archaeological constraint areas (ACAs) and
watching briefs undertaken to record the effect on archaeological features.
Heritage
• Although the site is already well used, its popularity, particularly with off road cyclists, and
Impact
its current lack of management could potentially lead to the loss and damage of some of its
Assessment
assets. By designating specific trails and paths through the site the archaeological sites and
areas of rare plants could be better protected and appreciated. A heightened appreciation of
the site as a local asset should make it less vulnerable to inappropriate use and fly tipping
90
3.15 Summary of recommendations
3.15.1 Summary of main capital works recommended
Consolidation works to engine houses are likely to be the subject of this project’s main capital works.
Preparatory assessments include an archaeological, historical and structural survey by specialist consultants
and engineers, experienced in the preparation of specifications and undertaking supervision of building
consolidation works to steam engine and boiler houses (all built approximately one and a half centuries
ago). Many of the engine houses that need works to be carried out are Listed (Grade II), and some are
Scheduled Monuments. The large imposing Stamps Engine House (with intact loadings and Stamps
platforms) at Grenville New Stamps is both Listed and Scheduled, as is the Tolgus Calciner (although little
work is necessary on the calciner itself). The two engine houses at each of Cusvey, Marshall’s and Unity
Wood – all three sites have both winding and pumping engines – are in need of consolidation works and
are all Listed (Cusvey needing structural works that will necessitate partial rebuilding of the rear wall and
upper side walls of the pumping engine house). Higher Condurrow, another large imposing pumping engine
house, is also Listed Grade II and will need consolidation works to the chimney in addition to the main
building. Thomas’s Shaft engine house is not Listed but given the structural instability of the remaining bob
wall, will also need structural works that will necessitate partial rebuilding of the two side walls.
There are other smaller scale capital rebuilding works that are recommended for some of the sites where
building remnants are visible and accessible to the public. These include remnants of the arsenic calciners,
chimney and dressing floors at Grenville New Stamps; the Tolgus Calciner fuel store; possible remnants of
a small tin dressing floor and water wheel pit at Tolgus, Betty Adit dressing floors, Cusvey chimney and
Unity Wood (mine building and late engine house footings on the north side of the site).
Mine shaft treatment is likely to be a major cost factor in terms of capital works for each site. Preparatory
surveys include a geotechnical survey by specialist mine engineers, experienced in the preparation of
specifications and undertaking supervision of mineshaft remediation works. The form, nature and
specification of shaft remediation works will be guided by underlying principles given in this report. A
balance will need to be made between project cost, public health and safety, preserving archaeology and
ecology, and retaining the historic character of a site.
All of the main capital works recommended are within areas that are proposed to be within the World
Heritage Site. If inscription is successful, the form and specification of all works should follow agreed
principles and policies of the World Heritage Site Management Plan.
3.15.2 Summary of main management recommendations
The management recommendations are given in detail in each site’s table of Management Plan features.
These are then summarised to form the Site Management text which divides the recommendations into
current management and issues arising from that, proposed management and issues arising from that,
followed by an overall assessment of the impact of the proposed works on the existing heritage of the site.
The overriding recommendation is to make the mine sites accessible and safe for members of the public.
This necessitates several large capital works (summarised above), and numerous much lower key works.
However, a number of site constraints affect how and what work is undertaken. Statutory ecological and
archaeological factors have to be taken into account for these works, which are guided by the policies
described in detail in Section 6 of this report.
Several common themes have emerged.
• Very few sites have had any form of management, either to extant buildings or to the landscape,
since closure of the site as a working concern.
• Capital works are necessary for extant mine buildings (large and small). The procedure and
specifications for this work should mirror heritage policies outlined in Section 6 of this report.
• Many sites have the potential for extant sub-surface archaeological remains (usually within
Archaeological Constraint Areas - ACA). All of these sites are within the proposed World Heritage
Site Bid areas, and so works should follow World Heritage Management Plan guidelines.
91
• Whilst it is obvious that mine shafts are a safety hazard, the nature and extent of their treatment can
have an enormous negative or positive effect on the historic character of the landscape, its ecology,
and the setting of the site’s main assets. General guiding principles for a variety of shaft treatment
options have been given as part of the heritage policies outlined in Section 6 of this report and
commented upon in the World Heritage Site Management Plan guidelines.
• There are (statutorily protected) nationally rare bryophytes, flora and animal habitats distributed
across the sites. The procedure and specifications for work that may affect these sites should mirror
ecological policies outlined in Section 6 of this report.
• Positive and pro-active land management can enhance ecological assets (e.g. vegetation
clearance/heathland recreation/clearance of invasive species etc), heritage assets (site conservation
works), and mineralogical assets (preservation of rare minerals). However, it is recognised that this
will have a high short-term project cost, and regular ongoing maintenance costs.
• Eradication and control of Japanese Knotweed will be a long term financial and management issue
for a high percentage of sites.
• To avoid disturbance to nesting birds, any clearance of scrub should be carried out in the period
October to March (outside the bird-nesting period). The other principal ecological management
issues relate to the possible clearance of dense scrub to favour an expansion of heathland and semiimproved grassland.
• Badgers have been confirmed at Unity Wood and Cusvey, with the potential existing for them to be
at many other sites. In the event that a Badger Sett is encountered within 30m of any proposed
works, these should stop until such time that mitigation has been agreed with English Nature. Works
may need to be carried out under a licence. These can only be granted during the period July to
November.
• Where nationally rare bryophytes have been confirmed by survey, care should be taken to avoid
removing thin soil layers overlying gravel and old masonry. Growth of scrub and saplings should be
prevented as shade would be deleterious.
• To avoid/minimise the risk of disturbance to any hibernating reptiles, works on walls should start
from one end and work to the other (allowing escape). They should be programmed for the period
April to September. At this time reptiles are active and better able to escape harm and move to areas
of safety.
• The mineralogical report recommends that there should be no removal or restructuring of any mine
waste dumps on the sites studied. The sequence of the waste in these dumps (locally known as
burrows) can give useful information in respect of methods of working the mine and the part of the
mine from which such waste was derived. Restructuring of burrows can destroy any contextual
information so, where possible, this should be avoided.
• Careful presentation of on-site and off-site interpretation (books, leaflets, web-sites, educational
packs etc) will be very important for the successful outcome of the project.
3.15.3 Summary of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs)
General themes identified in the HIAs for sites are summarised below. Most relate to the impact (both
positive and negative) on heritage features of works designed to improve the condition of others. Use of
this report will guide careful design of work specifications to ensure important assets are preserved.
• Treatment of mine shafts can destroy all archaeological, ecological and mineralogical features close
to a shaft’s mouth. Policies for shaft treatment options have been presented in Section 6 of this
report and are also included in the World Heritage Site Management Plan.
• Machine access for works can affect archaeological, ecological and mineralogical features. The
Management Plan summary maps identify other heritage asset constraints that should be used to
design access routes.
92
• There is a presumption that important structures (e.g. engine houses) should be conserved. Survey
drawings have been prepared for all those needing consolidation. These will be used by structural
engineers to draw up proposals and specifications for careful consolidation works to be undertaken,
after Listed Building or Scheduled Monument Consent has been obtained. Archaeological watching
brief will be carried out where appropriate.
• Clearance of dense vegetation (for site/public access and heathland recreation) can be both positive
and negative. Animal habitats (particularly badger setts) could be affected and hazards uncovered
(deep drops etc).
• Carefully designed access will not only protect heritage features, but also provide safe routes for the
public to enjoy sites.
• Appropriate interpretation, presentation and promotion of heritage assets is recommended.
3.15.4 Sites that require further survey/evaluation
Dense vegetation obscuring some sites and buildings has hampered specialist surveys for archaeology,
ecology, mineralogy and the structural assessment.
If, after vegetation clearance, structural consolidation works appears necessary to buildings that have not
previously been surveyed, a detailed building survey should be commissioned prior to any works
commencing, the specification for these works to be agreed with the County Archaeologist. Where
vegetation clearance reveals unrecorded archaeological features, for example when new footpaths are
created at Ale and Cakes, Betty Adit, Consols, Cusvey, Higher Condurrow, Wheal Fortune and Tolgus,
further archaeological assessment should be commissioned. Such secondary archaeological assessments
following vegetation clearance have already been undertaken at Grenville, Betty Adit and Cusvey.
Cusvey (Shear’s) Pumping Engine House is structurally unsound and covered by dense ivy. This will need
to be removed (possibly with scaffolding), before a complete survey of the engine house can be undertaken
followed by a structural assessment. A specification for these works should be agreed with the County
Archaeologist.
The Stage 1 Geotechnical assessment of mine hazards (South West Mining Services 2004) identified many
shafts that due to their perceived instability, lack of information about their prior remediation scheme
specifications, or site location, would need a more detailed geotechnical site investigation (to inform any
possible remediation scheme). This may need to be undertaken to those shafts close (within 20m) to
proposed public access routes.
The Stage 1 Geotechnical assessment of mine hazards also recommended that further geotechnical
assessments should be undertaken if there are any other features that are considered to be an actual or
potential hazard within 20m of a trail, track or pathway (for example spoil heaps, possible arsenic residues
etc).
Detailed management and additional survey recommendations are given in the Mineral Tramway Sites
Ecological Survey Report (June 2004), varying from Bryophyte to Badger, Bats and Odonata surveys. Of
particular note however, is the potential for open mineshafts and large buildings to house bats. Bat surveys
should therefore be undertaken prior to consolidation works.
93
4 Trails description and Statements of Significance
4.1 Introduction and layout of trails reports
It was decided at an early stage of the project to make the Conservation Management Plan as user friendly
as possible. To this end all of the relevant trails information (including maps and plans) is presented in a
single section of the report (quickly accessed via the contents page).
For each of the four proposed trails a standard layout is used which starts with a location map and a
photograph that captures the essence of the trail. The summary statement of significance is also presented
on this opening page to allow the reader to rapidly appreciate the trail’s particular qualities. There follows a
table that first provides information about location, extent, ownership, statutory and non-statutory
designations, and Historic Landscape Characterisation before presenting brief trail description and history.
A table of principal management plan features is then presented which effectively prioritises significant
assets, with a cross reference to generic or specific policies (Section 6). A graphical representation of this
table has been produced, allowing the site’s assets and constraints to be viewed on the same map.
Statements of Significance (SoS) for each of the specialities and a summary are produced, resulting in a
general Statement of Significance for each site. Lastly, a table outlines current and proposed management,
detailing management issues and culminating in a heritage impact assessment of the proposed scheme. A
separate document describes in detail the generic and specific policies referred to in the site text.
4.1.1 Site report notes and key for sites template
Refer to Section 3.1.1, most of which is relevant to this section, but with the following exceptions.
Figure 3:
• Figure 3 summarises the main visible archaeological features along the trail.
Table of principal management plan features
• Map No: This refers to a feature identification number for Figure 4, the Management Plan summary
map.
• Report No: This refers to the individual feature identification given in the Mineral Tramways Trails
archaeological assessment report (HES Report 2004).
Figure 4:
• The Management Plan summary map is a graphical representation of the Table of principal
management plan features. It will be of considerable value when preparing site works in that all of
the significant site assets can be seen on a single site map, allowing site constraints to be easily
identifiable for project management and contractors alike.
94
4.2
The Portreath Branchline Trail
The Portreath Branch Line
Trail
Other proposed
trails
The Portreath Incline over-bridge
The Portreath Incline
and cutting
Robinson’s Shaft (S. Crofty Mine)
Cook’s Kitchen Mine
Michell’s Whim
Taylor’s Shaft complex
(East Pool & Agar Mine)
Fig 17.1 Trail route map
Fig 17.2 Trail photographs
Brief site description and Statement of Significance
The Portreath Branchline Trail is based on the historically important branch line of the Hayle
Railway which was constructed between 1836 and 1838 to provide an essential link between the
harbour at Portreath and the major copper mines of the Camborne - Redruth district; it was the first
railway in Cornwall to operate by locomotive traction.
The course of the track bed can still be discerned for much of the original route between Illogan
Highway and Portreath, with surviving embankments, over-bridges, crossing gate posts and
enclosure walls marking its location; the incline and the associated cutting near the harbour remain
impressive features in the landscape.
Within Pool the trail will be in the vicinity of some of the most significant mines sites and remains in
Cornwall. Cook’s Kitchen mine, Robinson’s Shaft, Michell’s Whim and the Taylor’s Shaft complex
are sites of national importance which is attested by their Listed and/or Scheduled status.
95
Trail Details
Trail Name:
The Portreath Branchline TrailCook’s Kitchen Mine
Length (Km.)
8.8km
Civil parish
Close MT sites/
trails
Carn Brea, Illogan and Portreath
The trail is planned to link with the Tehidy Trail at Trengove Farm Non-statutory
(near Portreath) and the existing Flat Lode Trail at Higher Brea.
Designations
O.S Grid Reference 66513 40553 to 65755 45329
(SW)
Statutory Designations The lower section of the Portreath Incline
(along the trail route only) is Listed, Grade II (1/228)
H E R (PRN)
Historic Landscape The Portreath Branchline Trail commences within the industrial Landowners
Characterisation
area of Pool at Cook’s Kitchen mine and, after traversing the pre-
Brief trail
description
Brief site history
NGR SW 65714 45163)
Proposed WHS
31832 (Hayle Railway)
Various
1907 core of the settlement and the later 20th century housing,
heads out on to the medieval and post-medieval farmland which
flanks the western edge of modern Illogan. The 20th century and
medieval field patterns of Trengove Farm are beyond to the north,
with the latter stretching away to the coastal slopes at Portreath,
with its now largely modern core adjoining the harbour.
The Portreath Branchline Trail extends from within Cook’s Kitchen mine, 280m NE of Brea Tunnel at SW 66509 40554, and reaches its
northernmost extent at the harbour level at Portreath (NGR SW 65755 45330). An additional route departs from the trail at South Crofty
mine (NGR SW 66578 40943) and takes in the Tuckingmill Valley Park and its industrial features before joining the A30 main road at
Tolvaddon. The southern section of the route is within the urban centre of Pool but the landscape gives way to lower density housing and
then to farmland to the north of Illogan Highway. The Portreath Incline is an impressive feature which is currently mostly inaccessible
and overgrown at its northern extent.
Plans for the Hayle Railway, of which the Portreath Branch later formed part, were first made in 1833 when an Act of Parliament was
sought to construct a railway between the copper quays and engineering works at Hayle, and the important copper mines of the
Camborne – Redruth area. The line, which included four incline planes and branches to Tresavean Mine and Portreath Harbour, was an
immediate success which prompted the introduction of a passenger service between Hayle and the Redruth terminus in 1843.
In 1852 the Hayle Railway Company was acquired by the West Cornwall Railway and briefly closed for the reconstruction of the main line
to bypass the inclines at Angarrack and Penponds. In 1866 the West Cornwall railway was itself acquired by the Great Western Railway
but the Portreath branch continued in operation as a freight line until being closed in the early 1930s. Subsequently the ownership of the
track bed reverted to the holders of the land adjoining.
96
97
Table of principal management plan features (refer to relevant site map and site prefix key; NB all features are described and
Map Description
No:
Issues
Recommendations
Management
policies
Report
No.
Aqueduct over main Good
rail line
Cook’s Kitchen
Extant mine buildings,
mine
fair condition
Lack of maintenance due to the
feature being disused
Stability of mine buildings uncertain;
consolidation required
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
PA1,
E4.4, H1.1, H2.1,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
41
A3
Robinson’s Shaft
complex
Outstanding early 20th century mine
site; consolidation required
E4.4, H1.1, H2.1,
H2.5, H3.1, H4.2,
50
A4
Palmer’s &
Bickford’s Shafts
Michell’s Whim
Excellent (Listed
Engine – EPAL Ltd. Building Grade II)
The aqueduct should be
consolidated
Commission structural survey and
consolidate; research and
incorporate historical information
into trail guide
Commission structural survey and
consolidate as part of a formulated
site management plan
Research and incorporate historical
information into trail guide
E4.4, H1.1, H2.1,
H4.4, H5, H6 PA1
H1
51
H1
54
A1
A2
A5
A6
Condition
Good and mostly
complete (Scheduled
Monument)
Shaft structures extant
A7
Taylor’s Shaft
complex – EPAL
Ltd.
Site of over-bridge
Pumping engine in
excellent condition;
remainder consolidated
Not extant
A8
Over-bridge
Good
A9
Embankment
Good
A10 Site of over-bridges Unknown
A11
Site of railway in
garden
Not extant
Consolidation of site completed
Engine house and contents are
complete and well preserved by the
National Trust and Trevithick Trust
Site preserved in good order by the
National Trust and the Trevithick
Trust
Japanese Knotweed clearance and
vegetation management required.
Section of railway embankment
encroached
In good condition but may require
structural assessment if used as part of
the trail
Embankment heavily overgrown with
vegetation
May require structural assessment if
used as part of the trail
Property garden built across the route
of the railway
98
42
53
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
Cut and treat Japanese Knotweed
E6.2, E6.3
and manage vegetation.
Detour may be required to avoid
embankment.
Commission structural assessment if E1, E4, H1, H2
appropriate
56
Vegetation management required
60
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8,
Commission structural assessment if E1, E4, H1, H2
appropriate
Detour may be required to avoid this H1, H2
section of railway
57
61
63
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
A12 Site of crossing
Good survival of railway Crossing gate posts are currently not
crossing gate posts
part of any archaeological
management strategy
A13 Granite setts (ex situ) Generally good
Setts removed from context.
Japanese Knotweed sited along track
route to the north of Trengove Farm
Route of track clearly
Heavily overgrown within the track
discernable
bed boundary walls
A15 Cutting
Cutting clearly
Dense vegetation within railway
discernable
cutting
A16 The Portreath
Generally good though Steep sides of cutting may be unstable;
Incline
truncated at the northern impassable vegetation at the northern
extent
end
A17 Site of mineral
Not extant above ground Dense, tall gorse and encroaching
processing features – good potential for sub- trees
within the Brea
surface archaeology
Valley
E1 Badgers
Extant Setts/runs
Protected species
E2 Japanese Knotweed Extant and spreading
rapidly
E3
Dry Heath
Extant distribution north Ecological constraints to vegetation
of existing trail route
clearance within woodland habitats
(south of A30)
99
Recommendations
Management
policies
Report
No.
Ensure that the gate posts are
preserved in situ as important parts
of the railway infrastructure
Acquire setts for use elsewhere on
the trail if appropriate.
Cut and treat Japanese Knotweed.
Manage vegetation
H2.1, H3.2
64
Manage vegetation
H1, H2, E2.1, E3.2, 65
E4.8, E6.2, E6.3
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8,
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8,
H1, H2
66
67
Commission assessment of the
70
stability of the cutting sides; manage
vegetation
H1, H2, E2.1, E3.2, 103
Manage vegetation; keep ground
E4.8, E6.2, E6.3
disturbance to a minimum
Contact EN if setts discovered
Remove knotweed with regular
maintenance programme along all
sections identified by the Ecological
report (Sept 2004)
Seasonal clearance constraints
E4.2
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
E6.2, E6.3
E1, E2.1, E3.1,
E3.2, E4.7,
100
General
The Portreath Branchline Trail (including the Listed Grade II Portreath Incline, a nationally
important structure) utilises the surviving sections of the Branchline to form a multi-use
trail between Pool and Portreath. The Branchline was an important link between the
enormously productive copper mines in the Pool area and the harbour at Portreath, from
whence the ore was transported by ship to the smelters at Swansea. Though modern
residential and industrial developments have largely removed or obscured the course of the
track bed to the south, the northern extent is still clearly discernable and is extremely
important to the mining story of west Cornwall. The mine sites within Pool are similarly
important and have the potential to be of great interest to locals and visitors alike.
• Important communication link between the mines of the Pool area and the harbour and
copper quays at Portreath
• The Portreath Branchline, as part of the Hayle Railway, was the first line in Cornwall to
use locomotive traction
• Railway features survive throughout the route and these include the Portreath Incline,
over-bridges, embankments, a cutting, boundary walls and crossing gate posts
• The trail route passes a number of important mine sites with very well preserved features
including Cook’s Kitchen mine, Robinson’s Shaft, Michell’s Whim and the Taylor’s
complex
• The native species rich hedgerows are of national and county importance. Five hedges
qualify as ‘ecologically important’ as priority habitats on both the UK/Cornwall BAPs.
• There are dry heath habitats located in association with the woodland habitats to the
south of the A30.
• Several nationally scarce moss species have previously been recorded along the route.
• There is a badger sett and evidence of badger activity at a number of sites near the trail.
• There are no users at present as the chosen route is not open to the public
• Various
History
Archaeology
Buildings
Ecology
User groups
Landowner
Site Management
Current
•
•
The proposed trail is mainly in public ownership to the south, with various private owners
holding the route of the former Branchline to the north beyond Illogan Highway
The southern extent of the proposed route uses mainly pavements in public ownership
within Pool
Issues
•
•
Proposed
•
There is no current management for archaeological features associated with the railway
Some of the sections of the former line to the north of Broad Lane are densely overgrown
with vegetation. Sections of the railway embankment at Paynter’s Lane End have been
absorbed into the gardens of the adjoining properties
The creation of a new access trail to bridleway and footpath standards (an assessment of
the engineering works needed should be commissioned to compliment the Conservation
Management Plan and the trail’s Archaeological Assessment)
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
• The establishment of a multi-use trail along the route proposed will inevitably increase the
number of users beyond current levels, which may have an adverse impact on the
archaeology and the condition of the path surfaces
• If badger setts are encountered English Nature should be informed and the setts left
undisturbed until mitigation has been agreed.
• Regular monitoring of the condition of the trail and the archaeology along it will be
required if the number of users increases significantly. A management strategy should be
put in place to undertake this monitoring and to direct the appropriate remediation works
when and where required
101
4.3
The Redruth & Chasewater
Railway Trail
Other proposed
trails
The Poldice Valley
Railway setts
within the valley
Railway footbridge at
Carharrack
The Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail follows the route of the former Redruth & Chasewater
Railway and traverses some of the most important mining landscape in Cornwall. Renowned copper
mines such as United, Great Consolidated and Poldice produced enormous quantities of ore during
the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and the Gwennap district was regarded as the ‘richest square
mile to be found anywhere on the earth’ by contemporary writers.
The Redruth and Chasewater Railway was conceived and built to service the needs of these and
other mines to the west, by transporting ore, coal and materials to and from the quays at Point and
Devoran; it was the first line to use iron edge-rails in Cornwall.
102
Trail Details
Trail Name:
Length (Km.)
12.4km
(along the trail route only)
Civil parish
Close MT sites/
trails
69409 41505 to 75957 42174
The
track-bed
overfootbridge at Carharrack is
Listed, Grade II (6/120)
(NGR SW 72965 41241).
Proposed WHS; AGHV (part
- see plan).
165624.
Various.
Carharrack, Gwennap, Lanner and Redruth
The Great Flat Lode Trail to the west, and the existing Coast Non-statutory Designations
to Coast Trail to Devoran in the east.
Cusvey mine is located nearby at NGR SW 75641 41991
H E R (PRN)
Historic Landscape Predominantly medieval and post-medieval farmland overlain Landowners
Characterisation
with industrial and settlement development.
Brief trail
The Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail is based for the most part on the route of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway but also
description
includes the Tresavean Incline section of the Hayle Railway near St Euny’s Church, Redruth. The proposed route extends from
NGR SW 69411 41504, in the west, to the village of Twelveheads at SW 75958 42175, 6.5km to the east. Short sections are planned
to extend to the former Wheal Buller coal yard on the Redruth and Chasewater line near Copper Hill House (NGR SW 69749
40215), to connect with the Great Flat Lode Trail, and also north to Sandy Lane at NGR SW 70778 40775.
A detour between NGR SW 72806 41045 and SW 73640 41812 is planned to provide a safe bridleway to the south-east of
Carharrack, which will avoid the road traffic travelling through the village.
Brief site history
The Redruth and Chasewater Railway was completed in 1825 and opened in the following year; the line was an immediate success.
Originally conceived as a horse-only operation, the locomotives Miner and Smelter were added in 1854 following the upgrading of
the track bed. Also in that year the company achieved its highest ever carried tonnage of 97, 764 tons, which comprised mainly
copper ore and coal. A third locomotive Spitfire was added in 1859 to augment those already in operation.
The closure of the major copper mines at Gwennap following the failure of the bank, Overend Gurney & Co. in 1866, robbed the
line of a significant amount of its business. Haulage for the Basset Mines at Carnkie became the mainstay of the company’s work but
the falling tonnages on the line had an inevitable affect; the company decided to apply for receivership in 1877 which was granted in
July 1879. Stringent cost-saving efforts sustained the company into the 20th century but the business trend was set on a continually
downward course. In 1915 the line transported its lowest ever tonnage of 6,491 and the company finally closed on 25th September
after nearly ninety years of operation.
The Tresavean Branch of the Hayle Railway was constructed between 1836 and 1838 to service the Tresavean mine at Lanner. An
incline was built between the Redruth junction and Buller Hill, and this section of the former track bed has been incorporated into
the Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail.
103
104
Map Description
No:
A1
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
A10
A11
A12
A13
A14
Condition
Site of engine house & Engine house –
Woolf’s Shaft
demolished; Woolf’s
Shaft walled/fenced
Granite setts (ACA)
In situ - good
Issues
Recommendations
Possible buried footings of engine
house
Site to be retained, undisturbed H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
Report
No.
6
7
Possible damage from footpath
works
Granite post (ACA)
In situ - good
works
Railway over-bridge & Appears fair
Deterioration of bridge decking and
cutting (ACA)
hand rails
Tailings dam
Potentially toxic waste Health and safety, contamination
exposed
Cornish Way bridle
Tarmac surface –
Possible buried track bed features –
route
condition fair
setts, iron chairs and rails
Granite setts (ACA)
In situ - good
works
Crofthandy coal yard Poor – footings may
Buried archaeology
survive
West Wheal Virgin
Fair
Possible buried archaeology;
Coal Yard (ACA)
structural deterioration
Route of proposed trail Fair
Encroaching vegetation; Japanese
detour for horse riders
Knotweed
Over-bridge at
Good
Long term preservation
Carharrack (ACA)
Granite setts and site Setts partially exposed; Possible damage to setts; concealed
of water tank
water tank site
archaeology
overgrown
Cutting
Partially infilled
Beyond proposed route
Granite setts (ex situ) Fair but stockpiled
Possible loss of ex situ track bed
features
105
Management
policies
PA1,
PA1,
PA1,
E1, E4, H1, H2
Assess structural stability and
repair hand rails
PHS1
Test for contamination and
fence off where appropriate
Features under blacktop to be E4.3, H3.3, H4.3,
retained, undisturbed, if found
PA1,
Clear vegetation; survey remains H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
PA1,
if found
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
Clear vegetation and survey;
PA1,
consolidate
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
Clear vegetation and cut and
E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
treat Japanese Knotweed
Consolidate when appropriate E1, E4, H1, H2
Site to be retained, undisturbed;
tank site should be cleared and
surveyed if appropriate
None
Remove setts for use elsewhere
if possible
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
PA1
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
PA1
8
9
10
11
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
24
Map Description
No:
Condition
A15 Pathway to Carn Marth Muddy and overgrown
in places
A16 Split moorstone
Good
boulder (ACA)
A17 Junction of Redruth & Track bed – unknown;
Wheal Buller branches densely overgrown
A18 Crossing
Fly-tipped waste
present
A19 Buller Yard
Fair but blockwork
closes some openings
A20 Coal yard (ACA)
Thought to be fair
A21 Loading wharf (ACA) Fair
A22 Incline plane
E1
Japanese Knotweed
E2
Dry Heath and
lowland dry acid
grassland
E3
Badgers
Issues
Recommendations
Lack of suitable surface; encroaching
vegetation
Damage through pathway
improvements
Concealed archaeology
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
Manage vegetation and
resurface path where required E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
Site to be retained, undisturbed H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 26
Could encourage further tipping
Waste should be removed for
disposal
Survey, remove blockwork
additions and consolidate
Survey and consolidate
Structural deterioration through
neglect
Structural deterioration through
neglect
Presence of builders’ waste;
vegetation coverage
Upper section survives Dense vegetation present
in fair condition
Route overgrown;
Could encourage further tipping
tipped garden waste
present
Extant and spreading Destroys other flora
rapidly
Vegetation clearance
Remove waste for disposal;
manage vegetation
Manage vegetation
Waste should be removed for
disposal and the route cleared of
encroaching vegetation
Remove knotweed with regular
maintenance programme along
all sections identified by the
Ecological report (Sept 2004)
Dense distributions
Ecological constraints to vegetation Seasonal clearance constraints
along the trail route
clearance within woodland habitats (seek advice of EN)
(north of United
and primarily on mine sites and bare
Downs)
scree. A nationally important habitat
Signs of extant
Protected species
Contact EN if setts discovered.
setts/runs within 30m
Seek advice of EN before works
of proposed paths
commence.
106
Management
policies
Report
No.
25
PA1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
29
E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
PHS1
31
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2,
PA1,
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
PHS1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.8,
E6.2, E6.3, H1, H2,
PHS1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
E6.2, E6.3
E1, E2.1, E3.1,
E3.2, E4.7,
E4.2
36
37
37a
37b
100
107
General
The Redruth and Chasewater Railway was an important communication link between the
large copper producers of the Gwennap area and the quays at Point and Devoran.
Enormous quantities of coal and timber were brought from the quays to the mines and
equally significant amounts of ore sent down the line to be shipped around the Cornish
coast to the smelters at Swansea.
The route is discernable for much of its original length in the form of over-bridges,
embankments, cuttings and parallel walls, with sections of track bed also surviving within
the Poldice Valley.
Numerous granite gate posts are extant at the sites of the former road crossings and a
Grade II Listed over-footbridge has been conserved on the outskirts of Carharrack.
• Important communication link between the large copper mines of Gwennap and the
quays of Devoran
• The line was to be the first to use iron edge-rails in Cornwall (completed in 1825)
• Track bed related features survive throughout the route and these include over-bridges,
embankments, cuttings, boundary walls and granite setts
• Six probable coal yards are extant to varying degrees of survival, one at the head of the
Tresavean incline of the Hayle Railway which also forms part of this trail
• Existence of sub-surface mining related voids (Geotechnical report is required)
• The native species rich hedgerows are of national and county importance. Eight hedges
qualify as ‘ecologically important’ as priority habitats on both the UK/Cornwall BAP’s.
• There is dry heath and lowland dry acid grassland habitats located north of United Mines
• There are numerous signs of badger activity at a number of sites near the trail.
• Walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Off-road motorcycles use the spoil heaps adjoining
the route within the Poldice Valley.
• Various
History
Archaeology
Buildings
Geotechnical
Ecology
User groups
Landowner
Site Management
Current
•
Some route management takes place along the Cornish Way section within the Poldice
Valley to cope with the walkers, cyclists and horses which currently use this trail.
Issues
•
•
•
•
Proposed
•
The pathway management currently undertaken within the Poldice Valley appears to be
appropriate to the present level of usage
There is no site management in place for exposed archaeological features along the trail
The proposed trail will utilise mainly existing paths but east of Carharrack the route has yet
to be opened up in the vicinity of the West Wheal Virgin coal yard
Most of the proposed trail follows existing routes which will greatly minimise the loss of
semi-natural habitats. The trail does not contain sites of nature conservation importance
The creation of a new access trail to bridleway and footpath standards (an assessment of
the engineering works needed should be commissioned to compliment the Conservation
Management Plan and the trail Archaeological Assessment)
Issues
•
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
•
•
•
The establishment of a multi-use trail along the route proposed will inevitably increase the
number of users beyond current levels, which may have an adverse impact on the
archaeology and the condition of the path surfaces
Hedges and badger setts must be protected from excessive disturbance during works.
The management of Japanese Knotweed is a significant short and long term financial issue
Regular monitoring of the condition of the trail and the archaeology along it will be
required if the number of users increases significantly. A management strategy should be
put in place to undertake monitoring and to direct the appropriate remediation works
where required
108
4.4
The Tehidy Trail
The Tehidy Trail
Other proposed
trails
Fig 1 Trail route map
Footpath from Tehidy to Portreath
The proposed Tehidy Trail is to use existing estate driveways and paths that run through the historic
woodlands of the Basset family whose enormous influence on the local mining industry was felt
throughout the area of Camborne and Redruth. The Manor of Tehidy has its origins before the time
of the Norman Conquest and was in the ownership of the Bassets from around 1150 until 1918
when the estate was divided and sold.
The expanse of woodland to the north of the estate mansion was eventually purchased by Cornwall
County Council in 1983 and the established West and East Drives were gradually incorporated into a
network of 14.5km of multi-use trails which have become a popular amenity with locals and visitors
alike.
109
Trail Details
Trail Name:
Length (Km.)
The Tehidy Trail
4.3km
Civil parish
Illogan
Close MT sites/ Connects with the proposed Portreath Branchline Trail near Non-statutory
trails
the Sunland Holiday Estate
Designations
H E R (PRN)
Historic
The Tehidy Trail is proposed to start at the head of the Landowners
Landscape
Characterisation
Brief trail
description
65930 44590 to 62945 42291
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Tehidy House, the Coach House and Stable
Yard, and the Walled Garden are Listed,
Grade II (4/204, 4/207, 4/205). A
‘shooting rights’ marker just off the
proposed trail is Listed, Grade II (4/208)
CWS
26555 (Manor house)
Cornwall County Council - Tehidy Country
Park.
NB. Tehidy Mansion is in private
ownership.
Ownership unknown in the area of Feadon
Farm
Portreath Incline, it then traverses medieval farmland,
plantation and scrub, before entering Tehidy Country Park
(Recreational land but including ornamental planting and
garden features). An extensive tract of ancient woodland
adjoins to the west, the trail route then runs through plantation
and scrub before ending at the rough ground within the Red
River Valley at Coombe.
The Tehidy Trail is planned to utilise the existing woodland walks of the country park to link the Portreath Branchline Trail, from a point at
the head of the Portreath Incline (NGR SW 65928 44591), with Coombe to the west at SW 62944 42295. The multi-use trails, which are a
much appreciated feature of the country park, incorporate the historic Basset East and West Drives which were constructed to entertain
visitors and members of the family.
110
Brief site history The Manor of Tehidy has its origins before the time of the Norman Conquest, but it is first recorded as being connected with the Bassets
from around 1150. A manorial building of some form is recorded at Tehidy by 1330 and an elaborate mansion was constructed there
between 1734 and 1739. The building, designed by Thomas Edwards of Greenwich, coincided with the greatly increased revenue received
from the Basset family’s copper mining interests in the Pool area. In the early 1860s the mansion was again rebuilt using the considerable
family income from copper mining and the additions included new servant quarters and an entrance hall, drawing room, wine cellar and
kitchen. The works were completed by 1863 after a period which also saw much tree planting taking place within the strip of land parallel to
the North Cliffs, between Coombe in the west and Illogan in the east. Formal trackways were established through the parkland to enable
the family and guests to enjoy the landscape by horse-drawn carriage and these survive as the West and East Drives. The fortunes of the
Bassets, however, went into decline around the turn of the 20th century which finally led to the estate and mansion being divided and sold in
November 1916. The mansion was later converted by the Cornwall Sanatorium Committee into a hospital for the treatment of miners and
servicemen with tuberculosis, but was consumed by a fire in 1918 which destroyed most of the central section of the building. The mansion
was rebuilt by 1922, however, and Cornwall County Council eventually acquired the woodland for use as a public amenity in 1983.
111
112
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
Recommendations
Management Report
policies
No.
Vegetation clearance and consolidation of
remaining wall
E1, E2.1, E3.2, 72
E4.8, H2.5,
H5.1, H6.1
H1
73
A1
Site of Blacksmith’s Poor
forge
One wall and footings remain;
vegetation covers the site
A2
Transformer
Good
building for
telephone exchange
East Lodge car park Good
Disused building alongside path; Could be removed
Little archaeological value
A3
A4
Driveway within
Poor
north cliff plantation
A5
Marker Stone
Good
A6
Garden water ways
Extant
A7
Quarry
Extant
A8
Leat channel
Extant
E1
Japanese Knotweed Extant and
spreading rapidly
E2
Badgers
Signs of extant
setts/runs within
30m of proposed
paths
Well positioned to access
proposed trail
Disused estate drive to the
north of current pathways;
overgrown and waterlogged
Granite marker (19th century)
associated with shooting rights
Features partially choked and
overgrown; extent unclear
Remains of outcrop quarry on
hill slope; set above the pathway
and no hazard to the public
Well defined leat, partially
choked in places with vegetation
Protected species
113
Install Mineral Tramway Trail sign/s at this location PA1
74
Site to be retained, undisturbed. Description should E1, E2.1, E3.2, 75
be included in trail guide
E4.8, PA1
Site to be retained, undisturbed. Description should
be included in trail guide
Careful vegetation management is required to
expose features; survey and consolidation necessary
Site to be retained, undisturbed
Clear vegetation and periodically monitor for
further blockages
Remove knotweed with regular maintenance
programme along all sections identified by the
Contact EN if setts discovered. Seek advice of EN
before works commence.
PA1
76
E1, E2.1, E3.2, 77
E4.8, PA1
H1, E2.1, E3.2 78
H1, E2.1, E3.2 110
E2.1,
E4.7,
E6.3
E4.2
E3.2,
E6.2,
114
General
The proposed Tehidy Trail will utilise the East and West Drives and the established network
of paths already in place to explore the extensive historic woodlands of the Tehidy Country
Park. The woods and driveways were established in their current form in the late 19th century
as part of a major remodelling of the estate and constitute an important amenity which is
enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. In the west the trail will link with the Red River Valley at
Coombe and in the east with the Portreath Branchline Trail and the historic harbour of
Portreath.
History
• The Tehidy Estate was the ancestral home of the Basset family which held major
investments in the mines around Camborne-Pool-Redruth
• The estate and mansion are a physical manifestation of the enormous wealth that was
generated from these mining interests
Archaeology • The West and East Drives, which form the basis of the trail, were constructed as
carriageways to entertain the family and guests
• The disused route of an earlier estate drive can be seen to the north of the current
pathways
• Ornamental water ways exist to the west of the mansion which were built for pleasure
boating
• Leat channel to the west of the mansion which formerly served a water wheel
Buildings
• The remains of a blacksmith’s forge exist near the East Lodge car park
Ecology
• Sections of the trail pass through County Wildlife Sites (CWS K32.2, K32, P/K4.1).
• The native species rich hedgerows are of national and county importance. Three hedges
qualify as ‘ecologically important’ as priority habitats on both the UK/Cornwall BAPs.
• There are numerous signs of badger activity at a number of sites near the trail.
Landowner • Cornwall County Council owns most of the Trail route
Site Management
Current
• The Tehidy Country Park is owned by Cornwall County Council who manage the
woodlands and pathways on behalf of the public
• The trackway to Feadon Farm to the east of the Lodge car park appears unmanaged; the
pathway is un-surfaced and prone to water-logging in places
Issues
Proposed
• Public access is already well established with the woodland paths being allocated for multi
or single use purposes
• Most of the proposed trail follows existing routes which will greatly minimise the loss of
semi-natural habitats. The trail does not contain sites of nature conservation importance
• The creation of a multi-use trail which is based on existing pathways within the county park,
and a section leading to Feadon Farm and Portreath
• Vegetation management within the western section of the park woodland
Issues
• The existing pathways will be subject to higher levels of erosion if the user numbers
increase significantly beyond the current levels
• Hedges and badger setts must be protected from excessive disturbance during works.
• The management of Japanese Knotweed is a significant short and long term financial issue
Heritage
• Increased public access may damage archaeological features which are exposed as a
Impact
consequence of vegetation management in the area of the estate water ways; fencing or
Assessment
other protective measures may be required
115
4.5
The Tolgus Trail
The Mining Exchange
The Tolgus Trail
Other proposed
trails
Sara’s Foundry
The Tolgus arsenic works
Redruth contains a fine assemblage of historic buildings which gives testament to its importance as
a centre for mining commerce during the 19th century. The Mining Exchange, which is a Listed
Building within the town centre, played a vital role in the dealing of mining shares.
Sara’s at Tolgus Place is an important iron foundry and the Portreath Valley, to the north, has a
long history of tin production, from both the alluvial gravels deposited below the valley floor (tin
streaming), and from the later trapping of water-borne ore lost from the dressing floors of mines
up stream.
The Tolgus arsenic works and the Tolgus Tin Works are a Scheduled Monument and Listed
Building respectively, and both are outstanding examples of small-scale tin production sites.
116
Trail Details
Trail Name:
Length (Km.)
Civil parish
Close MT
sites/ trails
O.S (SW)
70039 42031 to 68257 45162
Sara’s Foundry is Listed, Grade II* (5/311).
Statutory
th
Designations The Tolgus 20 Century Arsenic Works is a
The Tolgus Trail
4.5km
Portreath and Redruth
Scheduled Monument (SM 35822) and is
Listed, Grade II (5/282). The Tolgus Tin
Streaming Works is Listed, Grade II (5/280).
SSSI - Tolgus Tin Works
The westernmost extent of the proposed Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail is
located 1km to the south-west at Trevingey Road. The route of the Tolgus Trail
meets the existing Coast to Coast Trail to the west of Cambrose at Cambridge
(Cambrose) Farm.
Nonstatutory
Designations
HER
(PRN)
Proposed WHS – Redruth and Sara’s
Foundry.
British & Foreign [fuse works]: 18046.
Sara’s Foundry: 18042. Tolgus [arsenic
works]: 18039. Sinn’s [stamps]: 18122
Various
Historic
Landscape
Character
isation
After leaving the later medieval centre of Redruth the trail runs to the south of the Landowners
Redruth Brewery and then follows the course of the Town Mill Leat until reaching
the road which crosses the post-medieval farmland around Sara’s Foundry. The
upper reaches of the Portreath Valley is characterised as rough ground and the trail
runs parallel to the New Portreath Road until Higher Laity Farm where the character
reverts to medieval and post-medieval fields.
Brief trail
description
The Tolgus Trail is planned to commence within the historic centre of Redruth at the railway station (NGR SW 70037 42028) and includes many sites of
industrial interest on its route north to Cambrose (SW 68255 45160). The trail passes two impressive late nineteenth century mine offices and the Mining
Exchange in Redruth, and then passes the Grade II* Listed Sara’s Foundry site near Tolgus Place, to the north of the town. The proposed route then
follows the New Portreath Road down through the Portreath Valley, passing the Scheduled Tolgus arsenic works and the Grade II Listed Tolgus Tin
Works before entering the Tolgus SSSI site to the north. The route is then planned to intersect with the existing Coast to Coast Trail at Cambridge
(Cambrose) Farm, which leads to Portreath to the north, and Scorrier and the Poldice Valley to the south-east.
The Portreath Valley has a long history of tin production from the alluvial gravels deposited in the valley floor and from the later trapping of tin ore
(cassiterite) lost from the dressing floors of deep mines up stream, predominantly during the 19th and 20th centuries. An estate plan of the Manor of Tolgus
dating from 1818, produced by Richard Thomas, depicts multiple water powered stream works located at the level of the valley stream with many marker
stones dividing the land into separate tin bounds. Over the following years, similar small-scale operations came and went and the same locations were used
repeatedly in some instances to site new works using newer processing technologies. The Tolgus Arsenic Works north of the A30 viaduct is a remnant of
the last phase of tin production in the valley which dates from the early to middle years of the 20th century. The focus of the works is an excellently
preserved Brunton style calciner with rotating hearth which was designed to discharge the ore automatically as the roasting procedure progressed. The
fumes from the calciner were directed by means of a flue to a labyrinth constructed of brick within which the arsenic largely condensed before the
remainder of the gasses were discharged to atmosphere at the nearby chimney. The Tolgus Stream Works, 1.2km to the north of the calciner, houses an
impressive collection of machinery associated with the processing of tin ore during the mid 20th century. Water powered stamps, dipper wheels, shaking
tables and a round frame comprise some of the machinery that is on display to the public at this important site which is Listed, Grade II.
Brief site
history
117
118
Map Description
No:
Condition
Issues
A1
Generally good,
interiors not
inspected
Two historic buildings currently
disused or in limited use;
uncertain future
A2
A3
A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
A9
Mine office
buildings (opposite
Railway station)
Recommendations
The buildings should be consolidated and
brought back into permanent use. A
description of their history should be
incorporated into trail guide
The Mining
Good
Historic building currently in use A description of the building’s history should
Exchange
be incorporated into trail guide
Town Mill Leat
Good
Historic leat for town corn mill Preserve undisturbed; ensure long term
and Sara’s Foundry
preservation
Safety fuse works
Partially extant;
Car park on site of some works’ Renovation of car park area to respect historic
remaining structures buildings
character of remaining buildings; clear ivy from
in good condition
site chimney
Town Mill
Fair
Future of site uncertain; roof of Encourage appropriate use of site and reinstate
Foundry/Sara’s
main building not original; water slate roof. Rebuild water wheel if possible.
Foundry
wheel needs renovation
Incorporate site history into trail guide.
The Tolgus arsenic Best preserved
Site is a Scheduled Monument
Encourage sympathetic use of site with
works
Brunton calciner in (vulnerable to vandalism);
appropriate management. Assess structural
Cornwall. The
structural stability assessment
stability of calciner and labyrinth. Survey and
arsenic labyrinth is in required. Established Japanese
consolidate as necessary.
a poor condition
Knotweed alongside stream
Cut and treat Japanese Knotweed to prevent
regrowth
Site of tin recovery Extant remains
The leat/water wheel pit for the Clear vegetation and survey remains
works
former tin works are
overgrown/obscured
Tolgus United mine Open fenced shaft at Shaft remote from proposed trail; Assess spoil heap for stability and clear
top of spoil heap
stability of tip uncertain; dense
vegetation
vegetation
The Tolgus Tin
Generally good
Important extensive group of tin Encourage the renovation of site and
Works
processing sheds containing ore machinery and promote works in trail guide
dressing machinery; renovation of
site ongoing as part of Cornish
119
Management
policies
Report
No.
E4.3, E4.4, E4.8,
H2.5, H3.1 H4.2,
H5.1,H6.1 PA1.7
79
PA1
80
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 83
PA1,
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
84
E4.8, PA1
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8, PA1
85
E2.1, E3.2, E4.3, 86
E4.4, E4.8, E6.2,
E6.3, H2.3, H2.5,
H3.1, H4.2, H5.1,
H6.1, PA1.7
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8, PA1
88
E4.4, H4.4, H5,
H6, PA1
89
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 90
PA1,
Map Description
No:
A10
A11
A12
A13
A14
A15
E1
E2
Condition
Issues
Goldsmiths; managed by the
Trevithick Trust
Spoil heap and
Extensive area of
SSSI site due to the presence of
tailings waste
tailings overlain with Scarce and Rare bryophytes.
later rock waste
Some fly-tipped rubbish, gorse
extensive across site
Site of tin recovery No obvious remains Included within the above SSSI
works
above surface
Site of tin recovery No obvious remains Included within the above SSSI
works
above surface
Adit portal, lobby
Good
Flooded adit portal and lobby
and adjoining ditch
with later ditch adjoining. Site
somewhat remote from trail
Site of leat crossing Remains of timber Timber culvert under metalled
launder/culvert
roadway (impossible to conserve)
Site of Sinn’s Stamps Unknown
Early tin stamps site overgrown
with dense vegetation; stump of
chimney adjoins road
Japanese Knotweed Extant and
spreading rapidly
Dry Heath and
lowland dry acid
grassland
SSSI Special Site of
Scientific Interest
Dense distributions
along the trail route
(north of United
Downs)
Recommendations
Management
policies
Report
No.
Consult appropriate bodies regarding
bryophytes and manage vegetation. Remove
fly-tipped rubbish for recycling or disposal
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
E4.8, PA1, PHS1
91
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 92
PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 93
PA1,
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 94
PA1,
Site should be the subject of a detailed
archaeological survey
Clear vegetation and undertake site
investigation; a detailed archaeological survey
may be required
Remove knotweed with regular maintenance
programme along all sections identified by the
Seasonal clearance constraints (seek advice of
EN)
Ecological constraints to
vegetation clearance within
woodland habitats and primarily
on mine sites and bare scree. A
nationally important habitat
Extant West
Ecological legal designation to
The proposed route through the SSSI must
Cornwall Bryophyte protect heathland, dry heath and seek legal consent via English Nature to ensure
designation
unimproved grassland habitats
that it will not adversely affect its condition
which are of International,
National and County importance
120
H2.1, H3.3, H6.2, 95
PA1,
E1, E2.1, E3.2,
96
E4.8, PA1
E2.1, E3.2, E4.7,
E6.2, E6.3
E1, E2.1, E3.1,
E3.2, E4.7
E1, E2.1, E3.1,
E3.2, E4.7
121
General
The Tolgus Trail originates in the centre of the historic settlement of Redruth where a
number of impressive buildings give testament to the importance of the town to mining
commerce in the 19C. The mine share dealing offices and the Mining Exchange in Alma Place
are Listed Buildings which display fine Victorian architecture. The trail passes the Grade II*
Listed Sara’s Foundry at Tolgus Place which produced mining machinery and tools in addition
to more general iron work. The Scheduled Tolgus arsenic works further down the Portreath
Valley contains the best preserved Brunton calciner known, and the Tolgus Tin Works north
of Gilbert’s Coombe contains an impressive assemblage of ore dressing machinery.
History
• The settlement of Redruth had been established around the fording point of the Red River
to the east of the earlier church town by the early 14th century
• The Portreath Valley to the north of Redruth has a history of tin production which can be
dated to the early 17th century: Tin streaming is recorded there in 1602
Archaeology • The sites of several tin recovery works are located along the Portreath Valley whilst the
Tolgus arsenic and Tolgus Tin Works are excellent examples of 20C tin processing sites
Buildings
• The mine share dealing offices, Mining Exchange and Sara’s Foundry in Redruth
• The Brunton calciner and Tolgus Tin Works buildings in the area of Gilbert’s Coombe
Ecology
• 250m of the proposed trail passes through the SSSI of West Cornwall Bryophytes
User groups • The section of trail within Redruth will utilise an existing footpath which is used by walkers
• The trail north of Tolgus Place through the Portreath valley has yet to be established
Site Management
Current
• The proposed section of trail within Redruth is along an existing footpath which is
managed by Kerrier District Council
• The proposed route of the trail to the north through the Portreath Valley is in the hands of
various private owners; no existing footpaths will be utilised for this section
• Tolgus arsenic works is in private hands and no archaeological management strategy exists
• Tolgus Tin Works is managed by the Trevithick Trust for Cornish Goldsmiths-site owners
Issues
Proposed
• The Redruth section of the proposed trail is in public ownership whilst negotiations with
various private owners will be required to form the route between the Tolgus arsenic
works and Cambrose.
• Lack of a management strategy for the arsenic works threatens its long term preservation
• The SSSI designation means legal consent will need to be gained from EN for any works
• The creation of a multi-use trail which will encompass the centre of Redruth and follow a
parallel course northward on the western bank of the Portreath Valley stream
• Assess spoil heap stability and clear vegetation at Tolgus United mine
• Remove fly-tipped rubbish from the SSSI site north of Tolgus Tin Works
• Clear vegetation and survey leat crossing and Sinn’s Stamps site near Cambrose
Issues
Heritage
Impact
Assessment
• The trail will enable the public to experience important industrial remains which are
presently not easily accessible
• Consolidation of the Tolgus arsenic works would preserve this nationally important site
• Clearing vegetation may have an adverse impact if undertaken during the nesting season
• The management of Japanese Knotweed is a significant short and long term financial issue
• The presence of users along the created trail may lead to damage to archaeological features
• The perceived threat of the Tolgus United mine spoil heap to users of the trail below may
demand that stabilising engineering works are undertaken. This would have some negative
impact on the archaeological resource.
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4.6 Summary of recommendations
4.6.1 Summary of main capital works recommended
The Mineral Tramways Trail archaeological assessment has necessarily focussed on the railways,
trackbeds and the banks on either side. Other related industrial mine sites visible from the trail have
been briefly mentioned in the report.
Redruth & Chasewater Railway Trail
The 12.4km former route of this mineral railway is discernable for much of its original length. There are
a number of related railway features in the form of over-bridges, embankments, cuttings and parallel
walls that will need careful consolidation. Three yards (West Wheal Virgin, Buller and a coal yard), are
in a fair condition but need consolidation works to the perimeter walls, whilst there is the possibility of
intact track beds at the Junction of the Redruth and Wheal Buller branches. There are numerous granite
setts and posts that need to be carefully conserved, whilst the track bed surface will need to be carefully
bedded to preserve the original surface but not obscure visible archaeological features. Of significance
however, is the proximity of the large Tailings Dam (Site A5), at Mount Wellington Mine to the
proposed trail route. Removal of the contaminated overspill material is necessary and gullying/fencing
to restrict further ingress.
Portreath Branchline Trail
The Portreath Incline appears to be in a generally fair condition although the steep sides of the cutting
will need a slope stability survey and vegetation clearance at the northern end. As with the Redruth &
Chasewater Railway above, there are a number of related railway features in the form of over-bridges,
embankments, cuttings and parallel walls that will need careful consolidation. Consolidation works
preceded by structural surveys for bridges are recommended. However, again vegetation clearance is
necessary before a works specification can be established. Consolidation to Taylor’s and Mitchell’s
Engine Houses has already been carried out (as part of earlier schemes), but Robinson’s Shaft Engine
House (Scheduled Monument) and Chapple’s Shaft Engine House at Cook’s Kitchen Mine both need
consolidation works.
Tolgus Trail
It is likely that capital works for this trail will focus on trail creation itself (especially from the Tolgus
Calciner northwards). Mining related (Listed) buildings within Redruth (Mine share dealing Offices,
Mining Exchange and Sara’s Foundry) are likely to be capital projects within their own right, and
funded via the Camborne Pool Redruth Urban Regeneration Company. Tolgus Calciner (Site 3.2.11)
will be a stand-alone project (separate from the trail). However, the perceived threat of the Tolgus
United mine spoil heap to users of the trail below may demand that stabilising engineering works are
undertaken.
Tehidy Trail
This trail will utilise the east and west drives within the already established historic woodlands of
Tehidy Country Park. Capital projects therefore mainly consist of vegetation and drainage works
management of proposed trail routes (specifically the trackway to Feadon Farm), with small scale
consolidation works to the remains of the Blacksmith’s Forge (Site A1), near the East Lodge car park.
4.6.2 Summary of main management recommendations
The management recommendations are given in detail in each trail’s table of Management Plan
features. These are then summarised to form the trail management text which divides the
recommendations into current management and issues arising from that, proposed management and
issues arising from that, followed by an overall assessment of the impact of the proposed works on the
existing heritage of the site.
The overriding recommendation is to make the trails accessible and safe for members of the public.
This necessitates a number of capital works which are summarised above. However, a number of site
constraints affect how and what work is undertaken. Statutory ecological and archaeological factors
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have to be taken into account for these works, which are guided by the policies described in detail in
Section 6 of this report.
Several common themes have emerged.
• With the exception of some sections of existing trails, a number of trails either need to be
created or are in existence, but have not had any form of management since closure of the
railway.
• Capital works are necessary for some visible extant mine buildings (large and small) adjacent to
the historic railway routes, but mainly to small railway bridges. Slope stability surveys are
required on steep cuttings (after vegetation management). The procedure and specifications for
this work should mirror heritage policies outlined in Section 6 of this report.
• Given the function of the railway routes, geochemical and other related safety risk assessments
should be commissioned, although the conservation and presentation of archaeological features
on the trail itself should not be compromised.
• All trail routes have the potential for extant sub-surface archaeological remains. Most of these
trails are within the proposed World Heritage Site Bid areas, and so works should follow World
Heritage Management Plan guidelines.
• There are statutorily protected nationally rare bryophytes, flora and animal habitats distributed
along the trails. Conservation of Cornish hedges along the side of the trails is also an important
consideration. The procedure and specifications for work which may affect these sites should
mirror ecological policies outlined in Section 6 of this report.
• Positive and pro-active land management can enhance ecological assets (vegetation
clearance/heathland recreation/clearance of invasive species etc), and heritage assets (site
conservation works). However, it is recognised that this will have a high short term project cost
and regular maintenance cost that will need to be met.
• Control of Japanese Knotweed will be a long-term management issue.
• Biodiversity interest of the trail may be enhanced by avoiding hard edges to the trail, which will
allow colonisation by a disturbed ground flora, and associated insect fauna. This will also soften
the edges of the trail, helping it to integrate with the surrounding habitats.
• Fencing may be required along some sections of the trail where it passes through more sensitive
habitats.
• Some areas of dense scrub may benefit from a coppicing regime to increase structural diversity
of the habitat; this may also help users of the trail by opening up views to the surrounding
countryside.
• Careful presentation of trai interpretation (books, leaflets, web-sites, educational packs etc) will
be very important for the successful outcome of the project.
4.6.3 Summary of Historic Impact Assessments of all trails
General themes identified in the HEIs for trails are summarised below. Most relate to the impact (both
positive and negative) on heritage features of works designed to improve the condition of others. Use
of this report will guide careful design of work specifications to ensure important assets are preserved.
• Machine access for works can affect archaeological, ecological and mineralogical features. The
Management Plan summary maps identify other heritage asset constraints that should be used to
design access routes.
• There is a presumption that important structures (e.g. bridges) should be conserved. Structural
survey drawings may need to be compiled for bridge capital works. These will be used by
structural engineers to draw up proposals and specifications for careful consolidation works to
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be undertaken, after any required statutory consents are obtained. Archaeological watching brief
will be carried out where appropriate.
• Clearance of dense vegetation (for site/public access and heathland recreation) can be both
positive and negative. Animal habitats (particularly badger setts) could be affected and hazards
uncovered (deep drops etc).
• Regular monitoring of the condition of the trail and the archaeology along it will be required if
the number of users increases significantly. A management strategy should be put in place to
undertake this monitoring and to direct the appropriate remediation works when and where
required.
• Appropriate interpretation, presentation and promotion of heritage assets is recommended.
4.6.4 Sites that require further survey/evaluation
Dense vegetation obscuring some sites and buildings has hampered specialist surveys for archaeology,
ecology, mineralogy and the structural assessment. After vegetation clearance, it is recommended that
trails are re-assessed for their archaeological and ecological potential. Detailed management and
additional survey recommendations are given in the Trails Ecological Survey Report (September 2004).
Theses range from Bryophyte to Badger, Bats and Otter surveys.
If, after vegetation clearance, structural consolidation works appears necessary to buildings that have
not previously been surveyed, a detailed building survey should be commissioned prior to any works
commencing, the specification for these works to be agreed with the County Archaeologist.
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5
Management constraints, issues and policy context
5.1 Objectives of owners and managers
County, District and private ownership aspirations are affected by the following.
• From the earlier evaluation process (Sections 3 and 4); it is evident that the MTHP mine sites
and trails are important in terms of their heritage value, landscape and biodiversity.
• The sites and trails have the potential for further enhancement in all these areas, and for the
development of public access for quiet, informative enjoyment and recreation.
• The resolution of health and safety issues would allow access improvements. The location of the
sites and the proposed infrastructure of trails, tracks and paths will make access relatively
straightforward; sites are large enough to absorb people.
• There is a rich heritage to be interpreted at many levels and in different ways, from leaflets,
display boards and guided walks, to art and drama.
• The Conservation Management Plan should provide the medium by which the Mineral Tramway
sites and trails can be conserved, maintained and monitored, both in the short and long term.
• It is hoped the proposed bid to UNESCO for World Heritage Site Status will provide a further
springboard for local, national and world interest in the industrial archaeology of the Mineral
Tramways area. This will provide the impetus for related employment and business
opportunities.
• The aspirations of the Mineral Tramways Partnership management team are to aim high in terms
of conservation works, site and trail presentation in every detail and to give good value and
quality of experience. There is also potential for more partnerships with other voluntary
organisations in the area.
5.2 Public expectations
It is important to consider the expectations of existing and proposed users of the sites and trails,
especially where changes in site use and management is likely. Some sites have many different types of
users and therefore different expectations. If not correctly addressed these may lead to conflicts of
interest and problems in project implementation.
5.2.1 Access
Improved and safe physical and intellectual access to industrial archaeological sites has always been the
prime focus of the Mineral Tramways Project. Given the nature of mine sites and their desolate
landscape character as remnants of an industry that ceased over a century ago, public access can be
problematical. However, greater access for a wider range of people of all abilities and age is proposed to
MTHP sites and trails, to enable the qualities and experience of the sites to reach a far wider audience.
In addition, the employment of an Education and Marketing Officer during the implementation of the
MTHP will also provide the medium by which a greater range of people can be provided the
opportunity to experience the industrial archaeology of Cornwall. Forms of sustainable access to these
sites and trails by walking, bike riding, public transport and horse riding etc will be promoted by a
variety of marketing and publicity methods. It is proposed that a limited number of small car parks will
be provided, but the emphasis will be on sustainable access.
5.2.2 Local residents
Many of the mine sites are located in the countryside, but accessed via trails that cut across towns and
through the countryside. Some residents live in locations close to some MTHP sites, although most
MTHP sites are fairly isolated. It is acknowledged that people may have bought properties there
because of the peace and isolation, and they value their local area for its heritage, wildlife, and use of
the existing trails for quiet enjoyment. They may be concerned about any increase in the number of
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visitors using sites or trails, and about any increased traffic using the lanes for site access. However,
based on similar previous schemes it is not expected there will be unacceptably large increases in visitor
numbers due to the MTHP.
Conversely, the provision of safe public access via regularly maintained trails and footpaths, and within
sites will be of positive benefit for local residents.
5.2.3 Local visitors/tourists
The appeal of many sites and trails is the opportunity to undertake long walks in a peaceful
environment with good views from various locations. More guided walks will be held, showing local
people and tourists various aspects of the sites including building conservation techniques, historic
landscape management and archaeology.
At the moment public access to the sites is not publicised and there is no information available on site
with regards to the mining history. It is proposed that the MTHP sites and trails will be marketed using
leaflets, booklets, newsletters and web sites.
5.2.4 Interpretation opportunities
A common theme running through the consultation event and mentioned in the Mineral Tramways
Partnership meeting, was the lack of site interpretation as a result of previous land reclamation and
building consolidation works, and the opportunity now to rectify that situation for new works included
in this main phase of the project.
Site interpretation, presented through a variety of mediums (booklets, leaflets, newsletters and web
sites), will not only focus on individual sites but will tell the remarkable story of Cornish Mining across
the whole project area, giving an insight into the works of the mines, the importance of the mining area
and conveying international and local context.
Interpretation will be designed to increase intellectual access to the industrial heritage of the area and
nearby industrial archaeological visitor centres (Tolgus Tin Mine, Cornish Mines & Engines and King
Edward Mine); therefore a wide audience will be targeted. The interpretive material will cater for a
range of interest levels and will adopt a cohesive approach in partnership with other organisations. It is
proposed that on-site interpretation will be minimal but enough to permit the casual visitor to
understand a summary history and interpretation of the site’s function. Previous projects on important
sites that have been completed from 1998 – 2001, have established a contemporary style of
interpretation which befits the importance and status of these historic features. The interpretation will
complement existing material at the existing site based museums by focusing on the ‘dispersed’
museum available on the trail network and the opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Interpretation on the trail network will follow the same high quality style criteria used on the mining
sites. The interpretation boards will be specific to the site and engage both the casual visitor and the
avid heritage amateur.
Interpretive literature and websites will complete the programme. The aim will be to make the
interpretation available on site more widely available through new technologies. The interpretation will
link into and add to the Cornish Mining Web site launched as part of the World Heritage Bid
development work. Previous projects on important sites which have been completed within the period
from 1998 – 2001 have established a contemporary style of interpretation which befits the importance
and status of the historic features.
5.3 Other constraints and issues
5.3.1 Statutory designations
Under the Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979, two Scheduled Ancient Monuments
have been designated within the MTHP area (Tolgus Calciner and New Grenville Stamps). At the
commencement of the World Heritage Site Bid a commitment was made by the English Heritage
Monuments Protection Programme to prioritise the scheduling of mine sites and mine related
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structures within the World Heritage Site Bid areas in Cornwall and West Devon. A shortlist of local
sites has been compiled which targets those of greatest national importance that are most under threat
from neglect or development pressures. Within the MTHP area there are two sites that have been
considered since May 2003 (Betty Adit Dressing floor and Unity Wood). Scheduling proposals recently
submitted (within the project area but outside the scheme although accessed via trails), include the
Robinson’s Shaft complex at South Crofty, the East Pool Whim and Taylor’s Shaft engines at Pool, and
the New Sump Shaft complex at Dolcoath in Pengegon, Camborne.
There are 11 Listed Buildings designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas)
Act 1990, within the MTHP sites that are recorded within the listing description to have been directly
linked to mining or an associated industry or activity. It is proposed that applications will be made for
Listed Building Consent to undertake conservation works on all of these buildings.
One Conservation Area (Redruth) has been designated locally under the Planning (Listed Buildings &
Conservation Areas) Act 1990. The Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey report for Redruth has proposed
an additional and amended Conservation Area.
There are a number of designated sites of nature conservation importance potentially affected by the
works. One site of national importance is West Cornwall Bryophytes Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). This is made up of several different sites one of which is Tolgus Tin Works.
SSSIs are designated under s.28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to safeguard and enhance the
characteristic plants, animals and physical features of our natural heritage. The designation covers
important sites for nature conservation including those of national and international importance.
Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) are sites of at least county
importance for geology and/or geomorphology. They are identified by the Cornwall RIGS group and
selected using scientific, historical, educational and aesthetic criteria. They are shown on local plans and
are given a greater protection with respect to development.
Detailed information with respect to designation can be found for each site in the Site Description
table (Sections 3 and 4).
5.3.2 Non-Statutory designations
The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid (WHS) seeks to demonstrate the international importance
of the developments within mining and allied technologies which took place within Cornwall and West
Devon during the last half of the 18th century and into the 19th century, establishing beyond doubt the
contribution of this region to the development of the modern, industrialised world.
The bid will also demonstrate the far reaching effects of these technological changes on the society,
economy and landscape of the area, and will identify a number of areas within Cornwall and West
Devon where the results of these processes are still well-preserved.
Through the Cornwall Industrial Heritage Partnership a bid for Cornish Mining was short listed by the
UK Government and submitted to UNESCO in April 1999. The formal bid to UNESCO for World
Heritage Site status is being prepared, and a team from the HES is working on this during the period
from September 2000 to September 2004 on behalf of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site Bid
Partnership. The areas of search have already highlighted significant heritage merit within the MTHP
area.
The WHS Bid includes areas in Cornwall, representative of the period of Cornish dominance of the
mining world (c.1800-1860) and includes the Camborne-Redruth and Gwennap-St Day-Chacewater
mining areas. All of the mine sites and most of the trails within this project are within the proposed
World Heritage Site bid areas. Gaining World Heritage Site status will increase the likelihood of a
further round of statutory designations of mining related sites.
Other non-statutory designations include Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV). Many of the mine
sites and trails are sited within these areas. There are also two County Wildlife Sites (CWS): Tolgus
(K40) and Unity Wood (CK22). CWSs are designated by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. They are prime
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sites for wildlife in Cornwall, having been identified as supporting species, groups of species or habitats
which are at least of county importance. They are shown on local plans as CNC sites (Cornwall Nature
Conservation sites) and although not statutory, they are given greater protection with respect to
development.
Detailed information with respect to designation can be found for each site in the Site Description
table (Sections 3 and 4).
5.3.3 Resource issues (short and long term)
The MTHP includes a detailed capital works implementation programme (divided into yearly
manageable numbers of sites and trails works) for the period April 2005 to summer 2008, and a costed
monitoring and maintenance scheme for the next ten years after completion of the MTHP. Funding
approval for the MTHP implementation stage is expected to be obtained in March 2005. Before the
implementation of the MTHP commences, the County Council and Kerrier District Council will need
to approve the costed management and maintenance plan for the 10 year period after completion of
the MTHP.
5.4 Recurring environmental and landscape issues
Environmental and landscape issues have been summarised in detail within the Site Management Table
for each site or trail (see Sections 3 and 4). These have been divided into two sections; issues relating to
current and proposed site management.
The issues presented below should be resolved to achieve the vision of mine sites and trails retaining
their historical/ecological importance without unduly affecting the character of the site. The main
project management priorities relate to the multi-specialist assessment of sites and trails in order to
inform the current situation and proposed works. The conservation of sites, provision of improved
access, and creation of a safer environment for public access whilst retaining the site’s significant assets
and character, can only be achieved through resolving a variety of environmental landscape issues.
Section 6 of this plan provides specific policies relevant to the main issues concerning the significant
assets of each site.
The WHS Management Plan outlines a variety of policies that attempt to provide guidance for many
issues that are found at all mine sites. However this management plan attempts to provide specific
policies related to issues that have been identified in the specialist consultant reports.
5.4.1 Historic (above and below ground)
• Each site and trail contains various archaeological features (visible, underground or ‘sites of’). A
key issue is to conserve these assets for the future. Accordingly, the archaeological assessment
report has defined Archaeological Constraint Areas for sites. If any works are planned within
these ACAs, the HES should be consulted for guidance and advice.
• There appears to be very little management of the archaeological resource (above or below
ground). Extant mine buildings (often Listed as nationally important), or areas of cobbled
dressing floors have all been left to the elements, progressively robbed or have simply fallen
down during the last century.
• Long term preservation and consolidation of extant mine buildings (particularly engine houses),
will be an important aspect of the project. Many issues of structural consolidation techniques
and associated shaft treatment works will need to be resolved with the HES, Historic Buildings
Consultants, Local Authority Conservation Officers and English Heritage.
• Previous safety treatments to mine shafts during the 1980s (Operation Minecap) were carried
out without an archaeological watching brief being maintained to record any features exposed.
There is no doubt that a great deal of archaeological information was lost, the area around each
shaft (with Clwyd Caps) is now effectively sterile.
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• Mine shaft treatment and building consolidation works will require long term monitoring and
maintenance of archaeological features, although the positive benefit is the long term
preservation of the site’s archaeological and industrial character assets.
• There are high cost implications for searching for mine closed or covered shafts that have been
shown by documentary evidence to be close to proposed public access routes. It may be prudent
to mark the site and move the route away from the possible collapse zone. Policies for other
forms of shaft treatment are given in Section 6.7.
• If project resources permit, there are numerous sites that following archaeological survey, have
revealed the potential for further archaeological features to be uncovered, following removal of
vegetation and some covering earth/rubble. For Wheal Fortune and Consols in particular, there
is currently little to be seen at surface, but likely to be much that could be revealed.
5.4.2 Ecological
• Rare flora (bryophytes in particular), protected species (bats and badgers), and other ecological
constraints are now covered by various statutory and non statutory designations and associated
legislation and guidelines. Some of these important assets are rare locally, nationally and
internationally. Ecological site constraints therefore can be seen to be at least as important as
archaeological constraints, but may well result in conflicts of interest (see below).
• Unmanaged vegetation has severely reduced public access, damaged archaeological features,
restricted bryophyte procreation and created health and safety issues. Therefore, there is no
doubt that certain vegetation will need to be managed, both in the short and long term.
• Recurring ecological issues relate to the protection of existing flora/fauna and the potential for
encouraging ecological assets to expand and increase. This may well have implications for short
term vegetation clearance and management costs and long term preventative maintenance and
monitoring costs that will need to be taken into account over a ten year period.
• Ecological policies (Section 6.2.3) have described in detail a number of ecological management
techniques that have been recommended by English Nature. However, some of these require a
legal process to be strictly followed that may well have project cost and time implications.
5.4.3 Mineralogical
• Sites have varying potential to contain rare or notable minerals. Documented records of rare
minerals being mined are an important site asset, but the occurrence of these at surface may not
be certain. However, other rare minerals may well be found whenever removal or intrusion into
rubble dumps takes place. Site works that have the potential for uncovering important minerals
should therefore include a mineralogical watching brief.
5.4.4 Public health and Safety
• The most frequent issues concerning public health and safety relate to mine shafts: their
location, identification, condition and treatment. In fact the main site management that has
occurred over the past two decades has been safety works to mine shafts (mainly during the
1980s – part of a Manpower Services Commission Scheme). Specific policies (Section 6.7) deal
with mine shaft treatment. Specialist geotechnical consultants will make recommendations
(following guidelines presented in the shaft policies) for shaft remediation schemes on a site by
site basis to enable safe physical access by members of the public.
• Consolidation of unstable buildings is another important issue. Many of the major extant
buildings (engine houses and chimneys etc), are Listed or Scheduled, and so will need Listed
Building consent as part of a planning application. Structural engineers producing the works
specification and detailed plans will be consulting with the HES (County Archaeologist) prior to
works commencing to ensure structural and methodological issues are resolved, allowing the
works to conform to English Heritage principles of conservation practice.
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• It will be necessary to commission site/trail Risk Assessments in order to safely allow the public
to enter and explore these sites/trails.
5.4.5 Conflicts of interests
• In such complex sites there are inevitably conflicts of interest. These may involve archaeology,
ecology, landscape, access, and health and safety. Policies throughout Section 6 have been
developed to help resolve such conflicts.
• Clearing vegetation, making a site safe and increasing public access allow heritage features to be
enjoyed by a greater number of people. However they also increases the likelihood of damage,
vandalism and simple wear and tear. A balance needs to be struck between taking the
opportunity to conserve features and minimising damage caused through increased access.
5.5 Policy context for the Historic Environment
The Cornwall County Structure Plan and the Kerrier and Carrick District Local Plans, together with the
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site Management Plan, provide a range
of relevant policies for the protection of the historic environment from the detailed level of an
archaeological feature to county policies for the protection of the historic heritage of mine sites in
Cornwall.
The following abstracts relevant policies from this range of documents.
5.5.1 Cornwall Structure Plan
The latest Structure Plan was adopted in August 2004, replacing the 1997 Plan. Landscape Character
Assessment has been introduced in the new Plan and key phrases on character included in Policy 2
provide scope for Historic Landscape Characterisation to be used in the implementation of a more
sensitive approach to development in Cornwall. As this new characterisation approach is adopted, the
county designated Areas of Great Historic Value and Historic Settlements have been removed from the
Plan. A new definition of Historic Settlement has been introduced, accommodating Cornwall’s full
spectrum of medieval, industrial and coastal settlements. The CISI and CSUS projects are explicitly
mentioned as tools to guide characterisation and decision-making in urban areas. In addition, the
proposed World Heritage Site has been recognised as a ‘designation’ of international importance in
Policy 2.
Policy 2 – Character areas, Design and Environmental Protection
‘The quality, character, diversity and local distinctiveness of the natural and built environment of
Cornwall will be protected and enhanced. Throughout Cornwall, development must respect local
character and:
•
Retain important elements of the local landscape, including natural and semi-natural
habitats, hedges, trees, and other natural and historic features that add to its distinctiveness;
•
Contribute to the regeneration, restoration, enhancement or conservation of the area;
•
Positively relate to townscape and landscape character through siting, design, use of local
materials and landscaping;
•
Create safe, aesthetically pleasing and understandable places;
•
Consider, where appropriate, a mix of uses that create vibrant and active places, including
tenure, size and densities.
Local Plans should define Character Areas to inform planning decisions taking into account
Regional and County-wide landscape assessments. The conservation and enhancement of sites,
areas, or interests, of recognised international or national importance for their landscape, nature
conservation, archaeological or historic importance, including the proposed World Heritage Site,
should be given priority in the consideration of development proposals.
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Within Areas of Great Landscape Value and other areas or sites of county-wide significance for
their biodiversity, geodiversity or historic interest, development proposals will be required to
respect those interests.’
5.5.2 Carrick Local Plan (adopted 1998)
Policy 4U
Planning permission will be granted for proposals which, through management and interpretation,
encourage and develop the cultural, recreation, educational and tourist potential of archaeological
and historic sites and monuments, subject to all of the following criteria being met:• no adverse impact upon the character or setting of the site
• a safe means of access can be provided and the approach roads can reasonably
accommodate the additional traffic;
• parking can be provided in accordance with approved standards as set out in Policy 5ea.
Policy 10H
The district planning authority will not grant planning permission for development proposals which
would conflict with the implementation of the mineral tramway project.
5.5.3 Kerrier Local Plan
(Revised Deposit Draft)
Policy B.EN4: Historic Heritage - mining remains
Development likely to significantly harm industrial archaeology, mining heritage, historical,
industrial and mining buildings and sites, including former mineral railways, tramways, engine
houses and chimneys, will not be permitted unless the importance of the archaeology is outweighed
by the benefit of the development to the community.
Policy B.EN5: Historic Heritage – conservation and enhancement of mining remains
Development for the conservation, interpretation and display of industrial archaeological sites and
buildings will be permitted where:
• there is no significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, built
environment or the quality of the natural environment;
• there is no significant harm to the character, appearance, historic, cultural and heritage
value of the buildings and remains themselves, their setting or to other nearby heritage
features;
• there is no significant harm to the residential amenities of occupiers of nearby property;
• there is safe parking in accordance with the council’s guidelines and the access and
approach roads can provide safely for the level and type of traffic likely to be generated;
• there is a scheme of directional or interpretational signage, or exterior illumination, forming
part of the planning application that is compatible with the conservation of the site and its
setting where there is a requirement for signage or illumination.
5.5.4 Camborne-Pool-Redruth Urban Regeneration Company Strategy
Camborne-Pool-Redruth Urban Regeneration Company Business Plan 2003 follows on from the
Camborne-Pool-Redruth Urban Framework Plan 2001 which set out the underlying principles and
strategic direction needed to create a high quality urban place. The Business Plan sets out a vision that
is compatible with that of the World Heritage Site Management Plan, acknowledging the mining
heritage, strong distinctive character and potential tourist strengths.
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5.5.5 World Heritage Site Strategic Policies (2005-10)
Issue 1 Consistent coordinated management.
Policy 1a:
The World Heritage Site Management Plan will be delivered through an accountable and
effective partnership with clear responsibilities, in order to achieve the Vision & Aims.
Policy 1b: The partnership will monitor the state of the World Heritage Site.
Issue 2 Resources
Policy 2:
The World Heritage Site Partnership will identify and where appropriate provide resources
to implement the Management Plan.
Issue 3 Risk preparedness
Policy 3:
The risks to the World Heritage Site and its management should be regularly assessed and
actions taken to ameliorate these risks.
Issue 4 Strategic framework
Policy 4a: The partnership will ensure that all relevant strategic documents and programmes have
regard for the World Heritage Site and its Vision & Aims.
Policy 4b: All relevant strategic planning documents should make provision for the protection,
conservation and enhancement of the World Heritage Site and its setting.
Policy 4c: Planning authorities should ensure that new development protects, conserves and enhances
the World Heritage Site and its setting.
Issue 5 Increasing protection
Policy 5a: The review of statutory protection within the World Heritage Site will continue through
national designations.
Policy 5b: Local designations and protection systems will continue to be reviewed through out the
World Heritage Site.
Policy 5c: Local authorities and other agencies should make full use of the powers available to them
for the protection and conservation of the World Heritage Site.
Policy 5d: There is a presumption against the removal of historic mine waste within the World
Heritage Site.
Issue 6 Protecting the setting
Policy 6:
Developments outside the World Heritage Site which may adversely affect its outstanding
universal value will be resisted.
Issue 7 Sustainable development
Policy 7a: Sustainable heritage-led regeneration should be promoted.
Policy 7b: New development should add to the quality and distinctiveness of the World Heritage Site
by being of high quality design and respectful of setting.
Policy 7c: There should be a presumption in favour of retaining and re-using historic buildings which
are important components of the World Heritage Site
Policy 7d: Proposals for the resumption of mining will be supported where they do not adversely
affect the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site.
Policy 7e: Landscape, nature conservation and agri-environment management regimes should have
regard for the authenticity and values of the World Heritage Site.
Issue 8 Conservation of key components
Policy 8a: The conservation and continuing maintenance of the historic fabric of the World Heritage
Site should be undertaken to the highest standards.
Policy 8b: The historic character and distinctiveness of the Cornwall and West Devon mining
landscape should be maintained.
Policy 8c: Traditional materials and skills should be encouraged in the maintenance of the authentic
historic fabric within the World Heritage Site.
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Policy 8d: Where the historic fabric within the World Heritage Site has been lost or compromised
through non-authentic materials, inappropriate details and poor workmanship, historic
character and detail will be reintroduced wherever and whenever possible.
Policy 8e: Resources available for conservation of the World Heritage Site should be prioritised to
address the Vision & Aims.
Issue 9 Curation of archives & collections
Policy 9:
Archives, collections and artefacts concerning the World Heritage Site should be curated,
catalogued and conserved and made accessible to all.
Issue 10 Sustainable physical access
Policy 10: The Partnership should ensure that access to the World Heritage Site is sustainable to the
environment and consistent with the values of the Site.
Issue 11 Increasing intellectual access
Policy 11a: The World Heritage Site should be interpreted and presented as a distinctive, evolving,
living landscape, encouraging visitors to explore and learn about the physical, social and
cultural aspects of the Cornwall and West Devon mining heritage
Policy 11b: The values and significance of the World Heritage Site should be communicated to a wide
range of educational audiences.
Issue 12 Coordinated marketing
Policy 12: The marketing and interpretation of the World Heritage Site should be coordinated to
ensure a consistent, responsible use of the World Heritage Site Inscription.
Issue 13 Measuring economic outputs
Policy 13: The economic benefits of the World Heritage Site within the regional economy should be
demonstrable and promoted to support wider cases for sustainable heritage-led
regeneration and cultural tourism.
Issue 14 Community involvement
Policy 14: The communities within and outside the World Heritage Site should be engaged in the
enjoyment, benefits and management of the World Heritage Site.
Issue 15 Research and advocacy
Policy 15a: Research into Cornish mining and its worldwide linkages should be facilitated and
encouraged, published and disseminated.
Policy 15b: The partnership should promote best practice in heritage management, heritage-led
regeneration and sustainable remediation of Cornish mining landscapes and communities
worldwide.
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6 Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan Policies
6.1 Landscape Policies
L1:
Site works should not adversely affect the wider landscape
L1.1
The landscape character of each site and trail will be assessed in relation to the 1994 Landscape
Character Assessment and Historic Landscape Characterisation to ensure that the local
distinctiveness of the landscape will be conserved and enhanced in all works. Local materials
and styles should be used in all works where feasible.
L1.2
Care should be taken to retain the mining character of the sites and avoid suburbanisation
through over-tidy landscaping. Mine dumps and sites of exposed minerals should be left
undisturbed, not covered up. Any site works should take into account their effect on the
landscape, both within the site or trail, and the wider context.
L1.3
Particular attention should be paid to the effects on the wider landscape of the treatment of
mineshafts and adits, including the style of fencing/hedging, and the use of local stone in
hedging.
6.2 Heritage Policies (above and below ground features)
H1:
The historical resource should be fully understood and managed to national standards
H1.1
All sites and trails will be surveyed to assess the character, extent, significance and condition of
the historical resource. Survey and research should be related to ongoing research strategies.
Results should feed into a GIS-based database
H1.2
All Project sites and trails will be subjected to an historical and cartographic desk top survey
prior to field survey.
H1.3
All features, sites and structures will be located in the field, recorded to an appropriate level,
and assessed for their significance, condition and vulnerability, individually and in context.
H1.4
Where structural remediation works are necessary, the historic aspects of buildings and
structures will be surveyed in sufficient detail and archaeological watching briefs will be
commissioned to record all site interventions. Project briefs will be prepared in consultation
with the County Archaeologist.
H1.5
Research frameworks established as part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site
Management Plan will be adopted by the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project (MTHP).
Research within these will be guided by local researchers and community groups. Research
results will be published and also communicated to those responsible for site management and
interpretation.
H1.6
A GIS-based database will be established and maintained by CCC HES to store information
recorded on all sites and trails in the Project area; this will include providing hyperlinks to
related material including photographs, site plans etc.
H2:
The assessment of the significance and condition of the heritage resource (H1), should be used to
establish what remedial works and ongoing management regimes are required to appropriately
restore and conserve the resource
H2.1
Use local experience, examination of local vernacular building styles, and accepted best practice
to develop a suite of model specifications for works to the variety of heritage assets found on
MTHP sites and trails. These will include buildings, structures, shafts, adits, railways and
tramways, pits and heaps, earthworks, and semi-natural communities (ancient woodlands,
heaths, grasslands etc).
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H2.2
Stabilisation of remains will be the preferred option though partial reconstruction and adaptive
re-use could also be considered on a site-specific basis.
H2.3
Specifications for all works will be agreed with the County Archaeologist and the WHS team
(where relevant). They will follow the principles of good conservation practice set out in ‘A
Guide to Conserving Historic Mine Buildings in Cornwall’ (Sharpe, Johnson and Lewis 1996).
H2.4
It may be necessary to undertake further evaluative or detailed building surveys where new
information emerges during site clearance.
H2.5
All materials and techniques used in consolidation works will be sensitive to the authenticity of
the remains and the character of the historic fabric of the site. Guidelines can be found in the
CAU/ICS report ‘The Conservation Value of Metalliferous Mine Sites’ (1996), and relevant
English Heritage conservation publications.
H3:
Resources for site conservation should be prioritised appropriately to restore and conserve to the
highest standard the heritage resource, and then develop a programme of works accordingly
H3.1
High priority will be given to sites with high local/national/international significance and high
vulnerability scoring.
H3.2
Proximity to public access routes will be used in the prioritisation process: those features within
around 20m of a public access track/trail will be given higher priority for reasons of public
benefit and public safety.
H3.3
Less vulnerable sites will be considered for non-intervention if they do not meet the above
criteria.
H3.4
A capital works programme will be drawn up to ensure conservation of the highest priority
sites. All structures, apart from some stable low footings, will be consolidated.
H4:
Ensure other, non-heritage driven works on MTHP sites avoid or minimise damage to heritage
assets
H4.1
An Impact Assessment will be completed for each site in advance of any works (to recommend
variations to mitigate necessary impacts). This has been undertaken for the MTHP sites and
trails.
H4.2
Statutory consents will be obtained for all relevant works eg for Scheduled Monuments and
Listed Buildings before work commences.
H4.3
Works will follow established protocols to minimise damage to the historic or natural heritage.
Guidelines are found in the CAU/ICS report ‘The Conservation Value of Metalliferous Mine
Sites’ (1996), and relevant English Heritage conservation publications.
H4.4
Particular attention will be paid to the treatment of mineshafts (see Section 6.7); remediation
works will be designed to meet heritage as well as public safety, ecological, amenity and
landscape requirements. Where possible open mine shafts will not be closed by capping, but
made safe by fencing and then building a Cornish hedge around the outside of the fence to
ensure conservation of shaft-head archaeological remains. Capping will normally only be
considered where shafts are adjacent to paths, roads and buildings.
H4.5
Necessary and appropriate remediation works will be supervised by a suitably qualified and
experienced archaeologist, especially to insubstantial structures or any sites where buried
remains may be affected (as recommended by the archaeological site report).
H4.6
New uses for heritage structures can be considered where the integrity and conservation value
of the building or structure will be conserved and where the uses meet other targets for the
Project such as public access, interpretation or training. Such plans will be subject to Heritage
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Impact Assessments to ensure that no damage is caused to the structure during conversion or
reinstatement.
H4.7
There will be a commitment for the full archaeological recording of any feature or deposit of
archaeological interest where some alteration and/or loss is considered to be unavoidable.
6.3 Ecological Policies
E1:
The ecological resource should be fully understood and managed to national standards
E1.1
All sites and trails will be surveyed to assess the character, extent, significance and condition of
the ecological resource. The results could be fed into a GIS-based database.
E1.2
Desktop surveys will establish statutory ecological designations and previous records of
habitats or species and extended Phase I habitat surveys will be carried out at a suitable time of
year to assess the conservation value of the land.
E1.3
Particular care will be taken to assess the fragility of habitats and species in close proximity to
shafts, openings, structures or other features likely to be subject to conservation works.
Breeding birds, badgers and bats that could be affected by works will be particularly carefully
considered.
E1.4
Surveyors will establish the potential for habitat enhancement where habitats are not in
optimum condition.
E1.5
An assessment will be made concerning the presence of bats, owls, badgers, dormice and other
protected species in the area by suitably qualified and licensed surveyors. Reassessments should
be made in the future (say 5 and 10 years) to establish what benefits the Project has had in
terms of new habitats and species recorded. This work could be undertaken by student
volunteers.
E1.6
Surveys will pay particular attention to lichens and bryophytes, as important species are known
to colonise mine sites.
E1.7
It may be necessary to undertake further evaluative or detailed ecological surveys where new
information emerges during site clearance.
E1.8
A GIS-based database should be established to record all identified habitats and species of
nature conservation interest in the Project area; this could be incorporated into the archive
maintained by the Environmental Record Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
E2:
The assessment of the significance and condition of the ecological resource (E1) should be used
to establish what remedial works and ongoing management regimes are required to appropriately
restore and conserve the resource
E2.1
Use local experience and accepted best practice to develop a suite of model specifications for
works to the variety of ecological assets found on MTHP sites and trails. These will include
buildings, structures, shafts, adits, railways and tramways, pits and heaps, earthworks, and seminatural communities (for example ancient woodlands, heaths, grasslands).
•
Scrub clearing will usually be beneficial to heathland.
E2.2
Specifications for all works will be prepared in consultation with the County Ecologist (or their
agents).
E3:
Resources for site conservation should be prioritised appropriately to restore and conserve to the
highest standard the ecological resource and then develop a programme of works accordingly
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E3.1
High priority will be given to sites with high local/national/international significance and high
vulnerability scoring.
•
Acid dry dwarf shrub heath (often found on mine sites) is a habitat of great importance listed
under Annex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive. It is a UK biodiversity priority habitat and a
Cornwall biodiversity priority habitat for which habitat action plans have been prepared at both
national and county level.
•
Cornish hedges are another priority habitat in both the UK Habitat Action Plan and the
Cornwall Biodiversity Action Plan. Hedges are normally considered to be of at least local
importance for nature conservation.
•
Metalliferous mine sites are a Cornwall biodiversity priority habitat.
•
Consideration should be given to the potential for habitat re-creation of rare metallophyte
bryophytes at appropriate locations (especially within designated SSSIs). Cephaloziella
nicholsonii is a British endemic currently recorded nowhere else in the world. English Nature
would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.
E3.2
Proximity to public access routes will be used in the prioritisation process: those features within
around 20m of an access track/trail will be given higher priority for reasons of public benefit
and public safety.
E3.3
Less vulnerable features will be considered for non-intervention if they do not meet the above
criteria.
E3.4
A capital works programme will be drawn up to ensure conservation of the highest priority
sites.
E4:
Management and conservation works on MTHP sites and trails must avoid or minimise damage
to ecological assets
E4.1
An Ecological Assessment will be completed for each site in advance of any works (to
recommend variations to mitigate necessary impacts). This has been undertaken for the MTHP
sites and trails.
E4.2
Works will follow established protocols to minimise damage to the natural heritage. Guidelines
are found in the CAU/ICS report ‘The Conservation Value of Metalliferous Mine Sites’(1996),
in Dinsdale (2000), ‘A Manual for the Nature Conservation Management of Metalliferous Mine
Sites in Cornwall’, ‘Bats underground: A Conservation Code’ and other relevant English
Heritage and English Nature conservation publications.
E4.3
Particular attention will be paid to the treatment of mine shafts (see Section 6.7), adits tunnels
and flues. Remediation works will be designed to meet ecological as well as public safety,
heritage, amenity and landscape requirements. It will be assumed that bats and other species
(owls, rock doves etc) will be present in such features. If possible open mine shafts will not be
closed by capping, but made safe by fencing and then building a Cornish hedge around the
outside of the fence. As well as conserving shaft-head archaeological remains, this allows the
shaft to be used by bats. The work is best carried out during the summer months when bats are
least likely to be using the mine shafts.
E4.4
Necessary and appropriate remediation works (following approval by the County Ecologist or
their agent) will be undertaken. If necessary, a watching brief will be put in place.
E4.5
All habitat features will be left in situ where possible; translocation is not a preferred option.
E4.6
Any replanting will use appropriate native species and seed of local provenance. Natural
regeneration will be used where possible.
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E4.7
Timing of any operations will take account of the needs of vulnerable species, e.g. nesting birds,
hatching amphibians etc.
•
Clearance of scrub will be carried out in the period October to March (outside the bird nesting
period). At other times, proposed vegetation clearance will be preceded by a thorough search of
the area to identify and implement any appropriate mitigation, including the possible deferment
of works.
•
Work in heathland areas will be programmed for April to September to limit the risk of
disturbing any hibernating reptiles. During these summer months reptiles are active and better
able to escape harm and move to areas of safety.
E5:
Ensure legal framework and statutory consents protecting ecological resources is fully
understood and adhered to by all people working on site
E5.1
All site specifications, project planning, site workers and site contractors should be made aware
of the important ecological aspects and necessary statutory consents to be obtained from
English Nature. Project managers should ensure that all site personnel fully understand the
legal framework protecting nationally and internationally important ecological sites (refer to
Mineral Tramways CEC Ecological Report 2004).
E5.2
English Nature (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Team) is responsible for reporting on Cephaloziella
nicholsonii under the UK BAP. They should therefore be informed of the presence of this
species at the four sites (Tolgus and Penhallick Leats being the most important), newly
discovered during the ecological survey.
•
•
The rare metallophyte bryophytes are all calcifuge plants that would be damaged by small
amounts of lime, mortar or other calcareous dust, or by run-off from concrete. Any mixing of
mortar must be carried out well away from these locations (Bryum donianum is more tolerant of
lime).
The extent to which the rarer bryophytes are vulnerable to herbicides is unknown. Spraying of
herbicides in the vicinity should therefore be avoided. Fungicides leaking from tanalised wood
may also be toxic to at least some bryophytes, so fences or boardwalks of tanalised materials
should be kept a safe distance away.
E5.3
Badger setts are recorded at two sites (Unity Wood and Cusvey) but there are also numerous
areas of scrub that might hide a badger sett at other sites. Therefore care should be exercised
when carrying out any works within areas of dense scrub. In the event that a sett is encountered
within 30m of any proposed works, these should stop until such time that mitigation has been
agreed with English Nature. This may need to be carried out under a licence.
E5.4
Temporary fencing (e.g. with coloured tape on lamp irons) should be used to identify areas of
high bryophyte importance throughout works at the sites concerned, to ensure they are not
subjected to excessive trampling or other accidental disturbance.
E6:
Invasive plants from the Project area should be eradicated where possible. Such plants include
Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, Rhododendron ponticum, Ragwort,
Montbretia, Cotoneaster, and Russian vine
E6.1
Surveys (see E1) will include locating any areas of invasive plants and those prescribed by
legislation.
E6.2
Plants will be eradicated as a high priority, where possible using effective methods that do not
compromise other interests (eg by careful spraying), following the recommendations of English
Nature.
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E6.3
Sites will be monitored and treatment repeated where necessary as an ongoing project after
capital works are completed.
E6.4
Liaise with CCC Vegetation Officer to encourage adjacent landowners to treat invasive plants
on their land.
6.4 Mineralogical Policies
M1:
To ensure that the mineralogical resource is fully understood and is managed to national
standards
M1.1
All sites will be surveyed to assess the character, extent, significance and condition of the
mineralogical resource.
M1.2
Desk-top surveys will establish statutory geological designations (SSSIs, RIGS etc) and review
previous records of minerals and field surveys will be carried out to assess the mineralogical
conservation value of the land.
M1.3
Particular care will be taken to assess the sensitivity of exposed minerals in close proximity to
shafts, openings, structures or other features likely to be subject to conservation works.
M1.4
It may be necessary to undertake further mineralogical surveys where new information emerges
during site clearance.
M2:
The assessment of the significance and condition of the mineralogical resource (M1), should be
used to establish what remedial works and ongoing management regimes are required to
appropriately restore and conserve the resource
M2.1
Use local experience and accepted best practice to develop a suite of model specifications for
works to the variety of mineralogical assets found on MTHP sites. These will include
structures, shafts, adits, pits and heaps and earthworks. Attention will be paid to the
presumption against affecting the content or location of mine waste in the form of spoil heaps
and rubble spread layers. These not only form part of our industrial landscape, but often
contain rare minerals and heavy metal and arsenic contaminants (refer to PHS 1.2).
M3:
Ensure management and conservation works on MTHP sites avoid or minimise damage to
mineralogical assets
M3.1
A Mineralogical Assessment will be completed for each site in advance of any works (to
recommend variations to mitigate necessary impacts).
M3.2
Relevant statutory consents will be obtained eg from English Nature for Sites of Special
Scientific Interest.
M3.3
Works will follow established protocols to minimise damage to the mineralogical heritage.
Guidelines are found in the CAU/ICS report ‘The Conservation Value of Metalliferous Mine
Sites’(1996), in Dinsdale (2000), ‘A Manual for the Nature Conservation Management of
Metalliferous Mine Sites in Cornwall’, and relevant English Heritage and English Nature
conservation publications.
M4:
Mineralogical sites should be used for educational purposes where appropriate
M4.1
While the most sensitive mineralogical sites should not be disturbed (and indeed most should
be statutorily protected), it is suggested that interesting but less sensitive sites should be
identified for educational use where mineralogical samples can be sought
M4.2
Mineralogical events should be organised to encourage interest in the subject
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M4.3
A Code of Practice should be established for mineralogical sample collecting. That developed
for fossil hunters in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site of Devon and Dorset could act as a
model.
M5:
Avoid undertaking works that will sterilise the mineral resource, bearing in mind the provisions
of the Minerals Local Plan
M5.1
Check that the Minerals Local Plan does not permit future mining or streamworking on the
sites and trails. If it is permitted, ensure that MTHP works do not unnecessarily prevent
exploitation of the mineral resource.
6.5 Land management Policies
LM1:
Land management must be compatible with the aims and objectives of the Project, having regard
to the needs of landowners’ businesses
LM1.1 Heritage Sites will be either owned or leased for a minimum of eighty years and a ten-year
Management and Maintenance Plan will be produced that will identify works needed.
LM1.2 Project managers will consider issues concerning secure fencing of livestock and the separation
of public access and the activities of landowners using Cornish hedges (stone-faced earth
banks), fencing, gates and tree planting.
LM1.3 Development within MTHP sites along MTHP trails is subject to statutory and non statutory
designations.
LM1.4 Land management policies should reflect in substance those agreed for inclusion in the World
Heritage Site Management Plan.
6.6 Policies ensuring works do not compromise other environmental interests
EC1:
Specialist environmental works (heritage, ecological, mineralogical etc) should not unnecessarily
compromise other environmental interests
EC5.1 Appropriate specialist stakeholders will be consulted throughout remediation schemes, and due
consideration will be taken of their concerns in the context of the conservation and safety
works undertaken.
EC5.2 Public health and safety will be paramount during the works programme.
EC5.3 All works will be implemented to cause minimal disruption to landowners, residents and
visitors.
6.7 Public access and interpretation Policies
PA1:
Establish a prioritised list of sites for public access and heritage interpretation
PA1.1 Sites, wherever possible, will be accessible either directly or by viewing from a footpath, trail,
road or railway.
PA1.2 Where the historic or natural heritage of the site may be compromised by open access, the
environmental value of the site will be the over-riding consideration.
PA1.3 Sites with the broadest appeal in terms of understandable, robust heritage assets, and with good
sustainable access via road (car/bike) and public transport, will be provided with the highest
specification and well-designed arrangements for access and interpretation (including site
directions and car parking, if possible).
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PA1.4 The needs of users of sites with less broad appeal and less good physical access will be
addressed partly through intellectual access. All sites will be accessible via other media to
ensure that physical access is not always necessary to ensure a heritage experience.
PA1.5 Off-site access and interpretation techniques will be developed by the Project’s Education and
Marketing staff, and could include material such as Braille guides, audio guides, guided walks,
story telling, and visits to local schools and colleges. Guest lectures, websites, leaflets and
travelling exhibitions could also be used to meet the needs of a wide range of audiences.
PA1.6 As part of the marketing and interpretation of the trails a system will be adopted which can
distinguish routes suitable for wheelchairs. The nature of existing gradients will preclude some
areas from inclusion for use in a wheelchair.
PA1.7 Where there are health and safety issues in relation to access to a site, health and safety will be
the over-riding consideration. Sites that cannot be made safe close to access tracks will be
fenced or otherwise secured so that public access is not possible.
PA1.8 High quality on-site interpretation material will be provided at strategic but discreet locations
throughout the Project area; signposts, interpretation boards etc will not compromise the
historic and landscape character of sites.
PA1.9 Interpretation material should deal not only with the particular site but should also mention
other related trails and sites as well as local amenities that visitors might be expected to make
use of. Similarly, any interpretation facilities in local villages should draw attention to the
MTHP sites and trails.
PA1.10 On and off-site interpretation material will be designed in consultation with stakeholders,
particularly the World Heritage Site Office and will use best practice and innovative techniques
where appropriate. Interpretative and historical text will be checked by heritage experts for
accuracy. Use of local terms and, where appropriate, the Cornish language should be
encouraged to ensure that the local culture and distinctiveness are maintained and celebrated.
Cornish place-names should be accompanied by translations into English.
PA1.11 It is recognised that marketing and promotional material will focus on providing clear details of
appropriate sustainable access (eg public transport/cycling) to sites/trails, and provide
information about the closest car parking facilities and toilets.
PA2:
Provide appropriate information and interpretation during any capital works projects and on
completion of work
PA2.1 Where public access is not possible information will be available for visitors during capital
works via newsletters etc; and where access is possible site information will be given using
temporary boards.
PA2.2 Interpretation will be provided for each site when capital works are finished (in varying forms:
boards, leaflets/books/web site etc).
PA2.2 It is intended that site interpretation will be provided as an educational pack to allow National
Curriculum subjects to link into community history topics (see section 6.4).
6.8 Education and training Policies
ET1:
Ensure that where appropriate, work within the Project area and all post-Project maintenance is
used as an education and training resource to help meet the needs of local trainers, voluntary
organisations and education providers.
ET1.1 Contractors employed to carry out MTHP works will be encouraged to follow Cornwall
County Council policy to encourage apprentice work through the CITB Constructive Cornwall
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Scheme. The Project will seek to encourage the development of traditional building skills in the
county.
ET2:
Establish a range of education initiatives
ET2.1 Project staff will build on already established education and training links and facilitate the
delivery of new education initiatives by the employment of an Education Officer for project
delivery.
ET2.2 New links with education, training, volunteer providers and students will be established to
ensure a wider range of beneficiaries of training and education opportunities with potential to
help local people into the workplace environment.
ET2.3 Education projects will be themed to meet the needs of different local education and life-long
learning providers (for example Cornwall College training).
ET2.4 Through the Education Officer, a series of education projects (including on-site school
trips/adventure trails/hands-on experiences etc) will be run throughout the life of the Project
at appropriate sites.
ET2.5 Education projects associated with the Project will take the form of a variety of initiatives
including sculpture walks, the use of multi-media, drama and plays, ceramics and sculpture, oral
histories, painting, photography, textiles and fashion.
6.9 Community involvement Policies
CI1:
Fully involve local landowners and the local community in the Project and ensure that it
contributes to the economic and social regeneration of local communities
CI1.1 A procedure for pre-project consultation will be established.
CI1.2 Procedures will be established for processing comment, objections and grievances during the
operation of the Project.
CI1.3 It is an aim that a partnership of landowners and representatives of the local and wider national
community (out-of-county visitors etc) will be involved in the after-care and on-going
maintenance of the sites. A team of voluntary wardens will be established to help care for the
sites; full training will be provided to wardens.
CI1.4 Events and other activities will be organised within the Project area with the objective of
involving and informing local people and the wider national community about the aims of the
Project.
CI1.5 Project managers will work with existing special interest groups to organise events and to focus
on the provision of training local guides (through the Blue Badge scheme) for Industrial
Archaeology.
CI1.6 Procedures will be established to maintain the privacy of landowners on the sites and trails.
CI1.7 A Project aim is to encourage the promotion of good public health and well-being by providing
opportunities for walking, cycling, horse-riding and for raising awareness and increasing
celebration of the local culture and environment. These aims to improve physical health and
encourage local pride in community history are embedded in the county and district
Community Strategies.
CI1.8 The community will be encouraged to play a role alongside local wardens in the policing of the
trails and sites to ensure that they are not abused and do not become used for anti-social
behaviour. Interpretation material will include Cornwall County Council and relevant District
Council contact numbers.
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CI1.9 Encourage the establishment of a network of local facilities to service users of the trails and
sites (cycle-hire, horse-riding, refreshment providers etc) and so develop local ownership of the
Project as well as providing stimuli to local business.
CI1.10 Local ownership of the Project will also be encouraged by awarding contracts to local firms,
provided they meet the quality and cost requirements of the Project.
6.10 Public health and safety Policies
PHS1: Comply with legal obligations in terms of health and safety on all sites and trails under
management
PHS1.1 Current legal obligations will be complied with in terms of health and safety on all sites.
PHS1.2 All sites, buildings, structures and potentially contaminated land (COSHH), will be assessed by
qualified health and safety officers to establish the level of risk they pose to the public.
PHS1.3 A risk assessment will be undertaken by competent qualified structural and geotechnical
consultants in the preparation of contract documents for heritage site remedial works.
Contractors, under the supervision of the appropriate consultant, will prepare further risk
assessments before works start on site. Airborne transport of potentially toxic dust particles
should be considered in the preparation of such assessments.
PHS1.4 Particular attention will be paid to the treatment of mineshafts; all remediation works will be
designed to balance the heritage, ecological, amenity and landscape requirements while ensuring
public safety.
PHS1.5 Implement a recommended programme of site monitoring of areas that are vulnerable to
erosion or physical change.
PHS1.6 The Project should promote the positive health benefits of using the trails.
PHS1.7 The Project should inform animal owners of the positive environmental health benefits of
using the site/trails, whilst ensuring the owners’ responsibility for keeping the sites clean for
public use and enjoyment.
6.11 Policies relating to shafts and adits
SH1:
The treatment of mine shafts will be carefully designed, with each shaft considered individually
on its own merits, and the public safety aspects of each shaft carefully weighed against other
reasonable interests, including heritage, ecology, amenity and landscape.
SH1.1 All shafts will be assessed by qualified geotechnical consultants to establish the level of risk they
pose to the public.
SH1.2 The ecological, heritage, amenity and landscape values and requirements of each shaft will be
carefully assessed and balanced with the public safety needs to establish the treatment to be
applied.
SH 1.3 It will be assumed that bats and other species (owls, rock doves, ferns etc) may be present in
shafts and so specialist consultant surveys will be commissioned to recommend preservation
and constraints on shaft treatment. The maintenance of access to underground workings and
the longer-term costs of maintaining the chosen treatments should also be considered.
SH1.4 Where amenity value is high a secure grille should be fixed over the shaft so that the public can
approach the shaft in safety. Such shafts will include those adjacent to engine houses and other
well-preserved archaeological features. In certain cases, where access to underground workings
is required, the grilles should be designed to be securely locked, but sections capable of being
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opened. Recommendations of the Fire Brigade and mine rescue groups should be implemented
where appropriate.
SH1.5 Where amenity value is not high and public safety issues are a particular concern (eg where
collapse of the shaft would affect a public access site - i.e. a car park or footpath), then
consideration should be given to permanently closing the shaft. However, capping is
archaeologically, ecologically and mineralogically destructive, impossible to reverse, and often
has a significant impact on the character of the local landscape and so should only be used
where strictly necessary. Markers naming the shaft should be paced on the sites of capped
shafts, and vent pipes installed to keep underground workings well ventilated. If bat surveys
confirm their use of the shaft, then well-designed bat ‘castles’ should be installed to enable
them to remain. Work on shafts with bats should be undertaken during the summer months
when the bats are nor hibernating.
SH1.6 The remaining mine shafts close to public access routes that are open, choked or not visible at
surface (the majority), should be located and made safe by erecting a 1.2m high strained wire
fencing in secure ground around them and then building a 1.5m high Cornish hedge (stone
faced earth bank) outside the fence, using local materials and traditional skills. As well as
conserving shaft-head archaeological remains, this allows the shaft to be used by bats and
reduces disturbance to the character of the mining landscape. Shafts visible from public access
routes (but some distance away), may need to be fenced. This is an effective, non-destructive,
visually attractive and traditional method of protecting shafts.
6.12 Management and administration Policies
MA1: Utilise an existing management structure (the Mineral Tramways Partnership) to ensure good
management of the Project area into the future
MA1.1 An effective management structure will be put in place.
MA1.2 Quarterly meetings of the Mineral Tramways Partnership Steering Group will discuss and
resolve ongoing issues.
6.13 Maintenance and monitoring Policies
MM1: Ensure the survival of the heritage value of the sites and trails in the Project area, and to optimise
their future condition
MM1.1 A ten-year maintenance plan will be devised for sites and trails that require management or
capital work.
MM1.2 A monitoring plan will be drawn up that includes all sites and trails.. All non-intervention sites
will be monitored on a 5-year cycle and brought into the conservation programme if
deterioration is recorded. Reassessments will be made of the presence of bats, owls, badgers,
dormice and other protected species in the area by suitably qualified and licensed surveyors at
regular intervals in the future (every 5 and 10 years) to establish what benefits the Project has
had in terms of new habitats and species recorded.
MM1.3 A review procedure using the sites database will be established to adjust the maintenance works
programme to take account of the results of monitoring.
MM1.4 Landowners will be responsible for the after-care of sites through regular maintenance and
monitoring to ensure their survival. NB Most of the sites will be either in Local Authority
ownership or subject to leases of 80 or more years.
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6.14 Cross-cutting Policies
CC1:
The Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan policies should be implemented in
conjunction with other relevant strategic plans and programmes, particularly the County and
District planning policies and the proposed World Heritage Site Management Plan policies.
CC1.1 Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan Policies are founded upon the following.
•
Cornwall Structure Plan Policies, Kerrier and Carrick Local Plan policies;
•
The proposed World Heritage Site’s Management Plan Vision, Aims and Policies;
•
Principal recommendations guiding works and management to sites with extant or proposed
statutory or county designations (eg Nationally protected habitats, Scheduled Monuments,
Listed Buildings, County Wildlife Sites, County Geological Sites).
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7 Use of the plan
7.1 Adoption and responsibility
The Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan will need to be adopted by Cornwall County
Council, Carrick District Council and Kerrier District Council. The Mineral Tramways Partnership
Steering Group, which is the formal body that is to co-ordinate the Mineral Tramways Heritage Project,
will also need to endorse the CMP. Responsibility and management (in a co-ordinating role) for
ensuring the Management Plan policies are adhered to will also be the responsibility of the Partnership
Steering Group.
7.2 Short and long term use
Capital works and other site works included in the MTHP will necessitate very close detailed use of the
management plan policies by project managers (producing specifications), and site contractors etc.
However, over the longer term the CMP will also provide a consistent policy framework for any works
affecting any of the site assets, and the CMP should be consulted at the earliest stage in developing all
relevant proposals, including for maintenance programmes.
The World Heritage Site Management Plan forms the foundation upon which this Plan rests. They
closely relate to each other and offer County and District Council environmental managers a package of
policies from the specific to the general. If World Heritage Site inscription is successful, it is likely that
Conservation Management Plans will be produced for all major mine sites and landscapes within the
WHS Bid areas. This will provide guidance to environmental managers for the protection of the major
significant site assets of industrial Cornwall.
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8 Monitoring and Review
8.1 Monitoring & Evaluation
Monitoring of the implementation of the CMP policies is a key responsibility of the County Council
and Kerrier District Council, and monitoring information will be reported to the Mineral Tramways
Partnership Steering Group on an annual basis.
The management and maintenance plan for the 10 year period after completion of the MTHP includes
a monitoring programme to be implemented by both the County Council and Kerrier District Council.
One of the key actions will be to develop a useful set of monitoring indicators to assist with this.
Quinquennial building surveys can provide straightforward monitoring information on the condition of
buildings, but some of the key CMP policies are much more difficult to monitor and will require
qualitative analysis.
8.2 Reviewing the Plan
This Conservation Management Plan will be reviewed every 5 years, with the next review due to be
completed in 2010. Cornwall County Council and Kerrier District Council will be jointly responsible
for its review, which will include further consultation including the Mineral Tramways Partnership
Steering Group. The revised CMP will need to be endorsed by the MTP Steering Group.
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9 References
9.1 Primary sources
Survey with maps of the Manor of Tolgus in the County of Cornwall – 1818 and 1819 by Richard Thomas;
Particulars and Plans by J. Pascoe (CRO BU 1175)
Symons’ map of the Camborne, Illogan, Redruth & Gwennap mining area, c. 1870 (CRO AD 147/3)
Ordnance Survey, c. 1880. 25 Inch Map First Edition (licensed digital copy at HES)
Ordnance Survey, c. 1907. 25 Inch Map Second Edition (licensed digital copy at HES)
Ordnance Survey, 2004. LandLine Digital Mapping at 1:2500
9.2 Secondary sources (published)
Barton, D. B., 1966. The Redruth and Chasewater Railway 1824 – 1915, Truro: D. Bradford Barton.
Barton, D.B., 1967. A History of Tin Mining and Smelting in Cornwall, D. Bradford Barton, Truro
Barton, D.B., 1978. A History of Copper Mining in Cornwall and Devon, D. Bradford Barton, Truro.
Brown, K. and Acton, B., 1995. Exploring Cornish Mines – Volume 2, Truro: Landfall Publications
Burt, R., Waite, P. and Burnley, R., 1987. Cornish Mines – Metalliferous and Associated Minerals 1845 –
1913, Exeter: The University of Exeter Press
Dines, H. G. and Phemister, J., 1956. The metalliferous mining region of south-west England Vol.1,
London: HMSO
Morrison, T. A., 1980. Cornwall’s Central Mines – The Northern District 1810 – 1895, Penzance
Todd, A. C. and Laws, P., 1972. Industrial Archaeology of Cornwall
Trounson, J. H. and Bullen, L. J., 1999. Mining in Cornwall – Volume One: The Central District. Stroud
9.3 Reports commissioned for Mineral Tramways Heritage Project
Archaeological
Cocks, A., 2004. Mineral Tramways – An archaeological assessment of four proposed trails. HES
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Betty Adit – Site Survey and Archaeological Assessment
Report, Baldhu: Crofty Consultancy
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Cusvey Mine, Twelveheads– Site Survey and Archaeological
Assessment Report, Baldhu: Crofty Consultancy
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Goolds Shaft – Site Survey and Archaeological Assessment
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Higher Condurrow, Beacon – Site Survey and
Archaeological Assessment Report, Baldhu: Crofty Consultancy
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Penhellick Leats – Site Survey and Archaeological
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. The Portreath Incline – Site Survey and Archaeological
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Thomas’s Shaft, Piece – Site Survey and Archaeological
149
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Tolgus – Site Survey and Archaeological Assessment
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. The Tolgus Calciner – Site Survey and Archaeological
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. West Wheal Virgin – Site Survey and Archaeological
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Wheal Fortune – Site Survey and Archaeological
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004 Wheal Grenville New Stamps – Site Survey and
Archaeological Assessment Report, Baldhu: Crofty Consultancy
Joseph, P., Buckley, A. and Hitchon, J., 2004. Wheal Unity Wood – Site Survey and Archaeological
Mineralogical
Foster, D., 2004. Mineral Tramways Heritage Project, Mineralogical Assessment, Baldhu: Crofty
Consultancy
Asbestos
Cornwall County Council, 2004. Various Sites – Type 2 Asbestos Survey (Report No. 73849-56),
Engineering Services Laboratory, Scorrier
Ecological
Adams, S., Davies, M., and Holyoak, D., 2004. Mineral Tramways Heritage Project, Ecological
Assessment, Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd,
Lawrie, V., and Stuart, J., 2004. Mineral Tramways Heritage Trails, Ecological Assessment, Cornwall
Environmental Consultants Ltd,
Geotechnical
Kneebone, D., 2004. Report of Stage 1 Geotechnical Assessment of 13 mine sites for Mineral Tramways
Heritage Project, South West Mining Services Ltd.
9.4 Other secondary sources
Cornwall Environmental Consultants Ltd, 2001. A manual for the Nature Conservation Management of
Metalliferous mine Sites in Cornwall
Cornwall County Council, 1996. Cornwall Landscape Assessment, 1994, produced by Landscape Design
Associates and Cornwall Archaeological Unit
Clark, K., 1998. Conservation Plans in Action, English Heritage, London
Herring, P., 1998. Cornwall’s Historic Landscape – presenting a method of historic landscape character
Assessment, Truro: Cornwall Archaeological Unit/English Heritage
Heritage Lottery Fund, 2003. Conservation Management Plans – A Guide
Hocking, S, and Edwards, T., 1994. An Ecological Survey of part of United Downs, Environmental
Consultants Ltd
150
Johnson, N, Payton, P, and Spalding, A., 1996. The conservation value of Metalliferous mine sites in
Cornwall. Univ. of Exeter
Mineral Tramways Partnership, 2000. Mineral Tramways Strategy 1998 – 2004
Pye, A.R, and Rance, C., 1995. Archaeological assessment of proposed landfill site at United Downs,
Redruth, Cornwall, Exeter Archaeology
Sharpe, A., 1995. Archaeological evaluation at the proposed Blackman’s landfill site, United Mines: interim report on
results, CAU
Sharpe, A., Johnson, N, and Lewis, 1996. A Guide to Conserving Historic Mine Buildings in Cornwall
Sharpe, A., Smith, J. and Jenkins, L, 1990. Mineral Tramways Project, Truro: CAU
Sharpe, A., Lewis, R. Massie, C, Johnson, N., 1991. Engine House Assessment - Mineral Tramways
Project, Truro: Cornwall Archaeological Unit
Tamar Valley Countryside Service, 2004. Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project (Volume 2) Conservation
Plan (HLF bid)
Thorpe, S., 2004. Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape - World Heritage Site Management Plan
2005-2010
9.5 Policy documents and references
Cornwall County Council Structure Plan (adopted August 2004)
Policy 2 (Character areas, Design and Environmental protection).
Kerrier Local Plan (deposit draft)
Policies B.EN4 and B.EN5 (Historic Heritage)
Carrick Local Plan (adopted 1998)
Policies 4U and 10H.
9.6 Websites
http://lbonline.english-heritage.org.uk
The Listed building database of English Heritage and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
http://www.cornish-mining.org.uk
The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site Bid was instigated in 2000 to
achieve World Heritage Site status for former mine sites and settlements across the area which are
deemed to be of outstanding universal value. Sections of the railway routes covered within this
assessment form part of the bid and the areas proposed are shown in Fig. 1.
http://www.historic-cornwall.org.uk
The Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey (CSUS) was established as an Objective One project in 2001 to
survey a number of historic towns and promote heritage-led regeneration. The project web site has
downloadable versions of a number of the project’s reports including Redruth and Camborne. The
Cornwall Industrial Settlement Initiative reports (which include Illogan Highway, Pool, Redruth,
Camborne, St Day and Portreath) are also available form this site.
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9.7 Project archive
The HES project number for the MTHP CMP is 2004050
The project’s documentary, photographic and drawn archive is housed at the offices of the Historic
Environment Service, Cornwall County Council, Kennall Building, Old County Hall, Station Road,
Truro, TR1 3AY. The contents of this archive are as listed below:
1.
A project file containing site records and notes, project correspondence and administration.
2.
Digital photographs stored in the directory - G:\CAU\Images\SITES.M-P\Mineral Tramways
CMP 2004050
3.
This report is held in digital form as: G:\CAU\DOCUMENT\HE Projects\Sites\Sites
M\Mineral Tramways CMP 2004053\Mineral Tramways Con Man Plan Report final.doc
4.
An information file containing copies of documentary/cartographic source material (file no
2004050).
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10 Appendices
10.1 Historic Landscape Characterisation
The following is text prepared in 1994 and published in the Cornwall Landscape Assessment (Cornwall
County Council 1996). It is written to cover the whole of Cornwall and relates to a layer of mapping
that is less sensitive than that used in the site plans in Section 3 of this report. Nevertheless it does
place the MTHP within its county landscape context.
ZONE: PREDOMINANTLY INDUSTRIAL
Defining/distinguishing attributes
In the Zones mapping, only extensive areas of industrialised land are placed in this Zone, generally over
c. 50 hectares. Most will be the sites of extractive industry (mining, quarrying, china-clay working) and
some will be still active. Where relict industrial landscapes have been overwhelmed by woodland or
have become absorbed into Upland Rough Ground, they are included in other relevant Zones. The
effect of these decisions is to significantly under-represent industry as most industrial sites are fairly
confined and many derelict sites have been classified in other Zones.
Principal historical processes
Cornwall has been an industrial or semi-industrial region since the Bronze Age. It is probable that both
tin and copper were streamed and mined (respectively) from prehistory. As yet, the archaeological
evidence for this has been indirect, largely because later workings have tended to be in the same areas
as the earliest.
Tin-streaming was a major industry in Cornwall, and particularly on Foweymore (Bodmin Moor) and
Blackmoor (The Hensbarrow District) in the later medieval period. As easily worked alluvial and eluvial
deposits of shode (tin ore dislocated from the parent lodes and concentrated by various
geomorphological processes) were becoming exhausted, the tinners began, from the 15th and 16th
centuries, to turn their attention to the lodes themselves and became miners proper. They worked at
first from the surface but as rock-breaking and pumping technologies improved began to create deep
shaft mines and by the late 18th century flourishing tin and copper mines were scattered around each
of Cornwall's mining districts (Callington, Bodmin Moor, Fowey-St Austell, Hensbarrow, Polgooth, St.
Agnes, Camborne-Redruth, Wendron-Marazion, St. Ives and St. Just). Engine houses were becoming
commonplace.
Copper continued to expand until the mid-19th century and tin for a few decades more but a
combination of cheaper foreign imports and the gradual exhaustion of the more easily worked lodes led
to rapid declines in both by the end of the century. Tin mining has struggled through the 20th century
at a handful of mines but now, in 1996, just one mine, South Crofty, near Camborne, is operational.
Granite quarrying was largely local and confined to surface rock until the early 19th century. Then new
technologies and new national and international markets for precision-dressed stone for major civil
engineering and monumental architecture saw the quarries of Mabe, Bodmin Moor, Lamorna-Sheffield,
and Hingston Down flourish. The great pit at Delabole and the coastal quarries has been offering up
Cornwall's slate roofs since the medieval period and has also been sending its slate to the continent and
southern England since that time.
China-clay working began in Cornwall in the mid-18th century. Early pits and tips were small-scale, and
fitted around the local farms but, from the mid-19th century, more efficient extraction and drying
methods led to larger pits and then, in the early 20th century, pits and tips began to dominate their local
landscapes, as they do today.
There were and are processing plants and manufactories ancillary to the extractive industries, as well as
industrial tramways, wharves etc.
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Typical historical/archaeological components and features
This is a complex Zone, with each form of extractive industry having its own evolution and thus
sequences of components and features.
Tin streaming: Cuttings from c.1.0 to 18.0m deep, c. 10 to 80m wide, with patterns of linear or ramped
dumps of stones and waste in their bottoms. Leats and dams along their sides and on the slopes
around. Waste from streamworks has silted up most of the County's estuaries.
Mining: Surface-mining left great openworks (like Treveddoe, Mulberry Pit) or runs of densely packed
primitive shafts (as at Goonzion Downs or on Kit Hill) with now overgrown heaps.
Shaft mining has often left distinctive structures: engine houses for pumping, winding and stamping,
dressing floors for processing the ores, count houses, magazines, dries, tramways etc. The shafts
themselves are often hedged or fenced around.
Granite quarrying: Dimension stone quarries have enormous finger dumps of large angular waste
blocks trimmed from the main product. Quarries have vertical cliffs, corrugated iron sheds, deep, dark
pools.
Other quarries, for roadstone, rab or slate, have fewer dumps -most of the excavated material being
used. Several still work (granite quarries at de Lank and Hantergantick; slate at Delabole and
Trebarwith; roadstone at various places).
China-clay working: The St. Austell China-Clay Area is a working industrial landscape and the remains
of 18th, 19th and early 20th century clayworks are gradually being either eaten by pits or dumped on by
tips. Bodmin Moor and West Penwith have better examples of relict works. Here are small-scale pits
with simple finger dumps and early, miniature conical 'sky-tips', ruined engine houses and dressing
floors.
The active works have pits which are enormous; Littlejohns Pit is more than a square kilometre in
extent. Tips are no longer conical but stepped. Once landscaped and resoiled, they become new hills.
Plant is equally large-scale and the St. Austell clay area resounds to the noise of monitors (water-jets),
great dumper trucks and the sirens of reversing vehicles.
Rarity
Extractive industries can, of course, exist only where their object lies. So china-clay works are nationally
confined to Cornwall and parts of Dartmoor and tin mines to the same region. Copper mines are found
in other parts of Britain. Granite quarries are found in Scotland but the dimension stone quarries are
nationally rare. Slate quarries are found in north Wales and the Lake District but complete examples are
relatively rare and always spectacular on the north Cornish cliffs.
Survival
Mixed. In some areas, such as on marginal land (cliffs, uplands etc), complexes from the medieval
period or beyond can survive in excellent condition. Elsewhere, derelict land has been gradually tidiedup by farmers and in certain areas (St. Just, Redruth areas for tin-mining; de Lank valley for quarrying,
Delabole for slate; the St. Austell area for china-clay working) the remains of early industry have been
either damaged or destroyed by later or still active workings.
Degree of surviving coherence
Where a complex survives well then so does its internal coherence. Being very mechanistic, extractive
industry sites can be disentangled so that each element can be seen in relation to others. When elements
have been removed the whole pattern can, however, be difficult to understand.
Certain areas of the county have many small complexes and these are interconnected by shared
transport and processing infrastructure (good examples around Caradon-Minions, Redruth-Camborne
Mining Area and the St Austell China-Clay Area).
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Past interaction with other Zones
Usually an imposition onto other Zones as extractive industry is determined by the location of its
object. So mines can be found in all Zones, even URBAN DEVELOPMENT (e.g. Redruth) or
DUNES (Perran Sands).
A number of Zones were altered by historical processes associated with industry. RECENTLY
ENCLOSED LAND was partly stimulated in the 18th and 19th centuries by increasing and mobile
labouring populations. The form of ANCIENTLY ENCLOSED LAND (in particular, the enclosure
of strips) was also affected by medieval industrialisation. Some woodland and moorland has developed
on abandoned industrial ground, or derelict land.
Evidence for time-depth
Most mines, quarries and clay-works develop over some time and there are usually traces of earlier
technologies, plant, dumps etc among the remains of the latest. In some types of site, particularly
quarries and clayworks, the earlier features may be partly devoured by later workings. Most extractive
industries did not bother to remove traces of earlier features from the land they were exploiting. So
fragments of earlier settlements and fields etc are often found within industrial complexes.
Contribution to the present landscape character
Industrial remains form some of the most distinctive landmarks in the Cornish landscape. Tall, steeply
gabled engine houses with part-brick chimney stacks at their corners are Cornish icons but other
features have an equally profound impact. The finger dumps of granite quarries, the spectacular cliff
slate workings, the old conical sky tips and now the massive stepped dumps of china-clay works, the
deep cuttings of streamworks and the often scruffy, semi-derelict or overgrown industrial buildings,
yards, lanes, tramways etc associated with extractive industry.
The more indirect effects industry has had are not as often appreciated: the development of certain
towns, the enclosure of heathland, the generation of wealth. Ironically, historic industrial landscapes re
now often the last refuges of heathland.
Values and perceptions
Complex feelings, to a great extent dependent on closeness to the industries, are generated by industrial
remains. For many they are reminders of past employment and great days in Cornish history, when
Cornwall was the hub of British tin and copper mining, granite quarrying and steam engine
manufacture.
Many are still inspired by the remains and industrial history and archaeology are rapidly growing
interests in Cornwall.
Others find them unattractive, dangerous and distinctly non-picturesque. There are campaigns to tidy
up and make safe derelict industrial sites.
Research and documentation
Medieval works are fairly poorly documented before tin-sett bounding had to be registered at the end
of the 15th Century. The remains of streamworks and associated features have been intensively studied
in recent years (mainly by CAU and Sandy Gerrard).
Later mines have received attention from historians and archaeologists as close as for any other type of
site in Cornwall. Quarries and clayworks are relatively neglected but even here individuals have
undertaken detailed studies, e.g. coastal slate quarrying at Tintagel.
Potential for historical/archaeological research
Individual complexes can be researched in great detail and there remains much to be done in terms of
documenting particular works.
Archaeological recording (survey and excavation) has only recently been applied in a systematic way to
industrial sites and landscapes in Cornwall and the potential for discovering important features,
155
recording, interpreting and presenting them is considerable. Most histories have as yet been technical
(dealing with steam engines, and other equipment) or economic (mine yields etc). Relatively little work
has been done on the social background of Cornish industry, in both the medieval and modern periods.
Potential for amenity and education
Industrial 'heritage' is a rapidly expanding element of the Cornish tourism industry. It is usually handled
relatively well as the sites are potentially dangerous and competent and responsible people are therefore
usually involved (e.g Geevor Mine, Wh. Martyn clay museum).
Education is involving children more in their area's industrial past and this process will only continue to
increase with bodies like District Councils, Groundwork Trusts, and the National Trust all engaged in
promoting the presentation of industrial monuments and landscapes.
Condition of historical/archaeological components
Varies considerably. Some sites have been almost entirely destroyed, others are virtually intact, left with
most features except equipment still in place (e.g. Carbilly quarries, Treveddoe openwork, Burnt Heath
clayworks and Wheal Jenkin Mine), but most have seen some depredation, usually before Cornwall
entered the post-industrial age and these features were recognised as meaningful by people living
beyond their immediate neighbourhood.
Vulnerability of components
Continually rising awareness of the value and importance of industrial remains will make them
increasingly less vulnerable. Some receive protection through being Scheduled Monuments or Listed
Buildings.
Many sites fall within designated areas, especially AONBs and SSSIs (mainly the cliff sites).
Forces for change
Presentation of sites to the public brings attendant threats to certain components. In particular, the
making safe of mine sites often involves capping shafts, a process which is usually destructive of
features around shaft-heads. Most derelict land reclamation in Cornwall is now usually preceded by an
archaeological assessment and its execution is guided by archaeological recommendations.
The active sites continue to expand. The China-Clay industry will eventually (probably mid-21st
century) have either excavated or tipped over most of the 70 square kilometres of the china-clay area
north of St. Austell, in the process destroying the remains of earlier workings.
Decay of structures will continue apace if they are not consolidated.
Importance
Highly important in terms of components, rarity on a national level, contribution to Cornwall's
character and its potential for research and amenity.
Principal locations
The granite intrusions are the foci for most industrial remains and working sites. Granite itself is
quarried, china-clay is derived from granite and most metals are closely associated with granite
formation and cooling.
Slate quarries are found mainly to the north of Bodmin Moor and south of St. Gennys.
Variability
Considerable variability in basic industry, components associated with each, size of individual workings,
dates of workings etc. So much variability that each site is unique.
Safeguarding the Zone
Grants for consolidation and presentation should be encouraged. Statutory protection of the most
important sites and complexes should be extended.
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10.2 World Heritage Site vision and aims
The Vision for the WHS
We believe that by protecting, conserving and enhancing the outstanding universal value of the
Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site it will reinforce cultural
distinctiveness, and become a significant driver for economic regeneration and social inclusion.
WHS Aims for the next 30 years and beyond
We recognise that the management of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World
Heritage Site requires longevity steered by the following long-term aims:
• To protect, conserve and enhance the historical authenticity, integrity and historic character of
the World Heritage Site for current and future generations.
• To communicate the distinctiveness of Cornish mining culture and identity.
• To promote opportunities within the World Heritage Site for heritage-led regeneration
• To promote public access to sites, collections and information
• To undertake and facilitate research to increase knowledge and understanding
• To interpret and present the history and significance of Cornish mining to the highest quality
• To promote educational use of the World Heritage Site
• To optimise the contribution of the World Heritage Site to the local economy
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10.3 Conservation Management Plan Project Design
Historic Environment Service (Projects), Cornwall County Council
Mineral Tramways: Project Design for Conservation Management Plan
Project Background
Cornwall County Council (CCC) has prepared (through its World Heritage Site Bid Development
Officer) an outline design for the final main phase of works to realise the Mineral Tramways Strategy.
The Mineral Tramways Partnership’s programme was designed to conserve the mining heritage of the
central mining district of Cornwall (i.e. that focussed on Camborne, Redruth, Gwennap and St Day)
and establish a network of recreational routes based on disused mineral railways and tramroads.
Cornwall County Council are the lead partner for the present programme, with Kerrier District Council
joint applicants. The project is guided by the Mineral Tramways Partnership Steering Group.
The final phase (whose implementation is programmed for March 2005 to March 2008) involves 14
sites (mainly former mining or industrial complexes) and four new trails (mainly following former
tramways or pathways and complementing the already established Mineral Tramways network). CCC
intend to commission as part of the project development stage the preparation of a Conservation
Management Plan (CMP). Its format and contents follow those set out by the Heritage Lottery Fund
(HLF) in their document Conservation Management Plans: A Guide.
The Historic Environment Service of CCC has developed considerable experience in undertaking the
elements of a CMP.
The Conservation Management Plan
As set out in the brief, the aim of the CMP is, ‘to help retain the significance of the heritage assets in
any management, repair, alteration or new development projects’ in the Mineral Tramways Heritage
Project (MTHP), the title given to the final main phase of works.
It will inform the design of the proposals for the MTHP and will support applications for Scheduled
Monument, Listed Building and SSSI consent. It will also inform the MTP’s long-term management
strategy, proposals for conservation and remediation, development of any further projects, plans for
access, education and training, and a ten-year management and maintenance plan.
The CMP will mainly cover mining and transport heritage (though it will also consider other aspects of
the historic environment), minerals, habitats and species, and the landscape (both that local to the site
and its wider context).
The sites and trails
The following 14 sites are covered by the CMP:
Name
Higher
Condurrow
Area
(ha)
2.0
Betty Adit
0.4
Marshall’s
Shaft
0.6
Grenville
New
Stamps
1.7
Proposed works
Designations
Ownership
Conservation of engine house, boiler
house, chimney, and concrete platform.
Safety works to 3 shafts, contamination
remediation, fly tipping removal, access
works.
Conservation of buddles, sluices and
settling tanks, engineering works on
retaining wall vegetation works,
contamination remediation, fly tipping
removal, access and site safety works
Conservation of 2 engine houses, boiler
house, and 2 chimneys, access and
vegetation works
Conservation of engine house, chimney,
dressing sheds, calciner, labyrinth,
chimney, settling tanks. Safety works to
shaft,
contamination
remediation,
vegetation and access works, and
AGLV, LBs
Private
AGLV,
proposed SMs
Kerrier DC
LBs
Kerrier DC
SM, LBs
Private
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Name
Area
(ha)
Thomas’s
Shaft
1.0
Tolgus
6.1
Tolgus
Calciner
2.2
Goold’s
Shaft
4.8
Penhallick
Leats
0.7
Unity Wood
15.0
Consols
4.1
Ale
and
Cakes
Wheal
Fortune
Cusvey
10.6
9.4
0.5
Proposed works
removal of fly tipping
Conservation of engine house, safety
works
to
shaft,
contamination
remediation, vegetation and access
works, and hedging
Contamination remediation, vegetation
and access works (including small car
park), and removal of fly tipping
Conservation of world’s best preserved
Brunton calciner, labyrinth and
chimney, safety work on 2 shafts,
contamination remediation, vegetation
and access works (including small car
park)
Conservation of engine house and
chimney, safety works to 4 shafts,
contamination remediation, and access
works
Conservation of leat, safety work on 2
shafts, contamination remediation,
vegetation and access works
Conservation of 2 engine houses, boiler
house and 2 chimneys, safety works to
8 shafts and 1 adit, contamination
remediation, vegetation and access
works
Shaft conservation works, vegetation
works (including heathland re-creation)
Conservation works on engine hosue
and dressing floors
Conservation
works
to
shafts,
vegetation and access works
Conservation works on 2 engine
houses, 1 boiler house and 2 chimneys,
safety works to 2 shafts, vegetation and
access works
Designations
Ownership
AGLV
Kerrier DC
SSSI, CNCS
Private/CCC
SM, LB
Private
-
Private
-
Kerrier DC
LBs, propsed
SM
Private
AGHV
Private
LB
CES Ltd
AGHV
Private
LB
Private
The following are the proposed trails:
Name
Tehidy
Trail
Portreath
Branch
Trail
Tolgus
Trail
Redruth
and
Chasewater
Railway
Trail
Length
(km)
5.7
Lines and links
7.1
Portreath Branch of the Hayle Railway (later GWR).
Includes Portreath Incline.
6.7
Redruth and Chasewater Railway Trail to the Coast-toCoast Trail via Redruth, Tolgus Calciner and Tolgus
Tin
Redruth and Chasewater Railway (originally horsedrawn). Links to Coast-to Coast, Great Flat Lode Trail,
and Tolgus Trails.
8.7
Designations
Portreath Branch Trail and Tehidy Country Park
LB (Incline)
Associated and separately commissioned work
Substantial amounts of work have either been previously undertaken or are being undertaken as part of
this phase of the project planning. These include archaeological, historical, mineralogical and ecological
appraisals of all 14 sites and all four trail routes. Measured surveys of all structures to be conserved, and
geotechnical and structural surveys of all relevant sites have also been commissioned. In addition, the
159
brief sets out the suite of general and strategic reports already in existence that relate either to the
Mineral Tramways project directly, cover allied issues or adjacent places, or deal with the wider
landscape.
All of the above will be carefully reviewed and synthesised as part of the preparation of the CMP; they
will largely obviate the need to undertake primary research and fieldwork.
Designations and values
The tables indicate the extent of national and county designations covering the proposed project areas
and trails (including 12 Listed Buildings, 2 Scheduled Monuments and 1 SSSI). Elements of the trails
will also enter the proposed Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. It is also widely accepted that all sites
and trails will have local heritage value (historic and natural) and complex local community and cultural
associations that will need to be taken into account in the CMP. Visitors and residents will also be
expected to make use of the sites and trails for enjoyment and education; these uses will add further
value to the MTP’s assets.
How the HES will prepare the CMP
As noted above, the CMP for the MTHP is largely based on the HLF guidance set out in their
Conservation Management Plans – A Guide. In particular the HES will follow the checklists for ‘Historic
Places’, ‘Buried Archaeology’ and ‘Wildlife and Ecology’ when acquiring data and preparing appraisals
and policies.
These checklists ensure that the CMP achieves the following during Phase 1.
•
•
Fully taps into the full breadth of stakeholder interest. It is anticipated that this will involve
consultation (using various media, including direct discussion) with the following:
o
Cornwall County, and Carrick and Kerrier District Councils
o
Landowners
o
Users: local community, representatives of walkers, cyclists and horse riders and their
support groups
o
Other interest groups, including mining and wildlife organisations and local cultural
groups. This will include involvement with local mining historians.
o
Statutory and other national organisations (EN, EH, CA, Defra)
Fully contextualises the historic and natural heritage. This will involve the following.
o
preparing site phase maps using HES’s GIS
o
using the various subsidiary studies to prepare gazetteers of sites, features and vegetation
communities (all in one place rather than through disparate and uncoordinated mappings
and tables)
o
placing each site’s assets in their wider historical, ecological, mineralogical and landscape
contexts, again making full use of the GIS to do so. The HES has experience of
incorporating ecological, mineralogical and landscape work (eg Ethy Park Conservation
Plan, Cornwall Quarry audit, 1994 Cornwall Landscape Assessment etc)
o
highlight the impact of the particular site and the whole of the MTP asset on the social
history of the local area, of Cornwall and of Britain. This will include discussion of the
assumed and real roles of the asset in defining local, regional and individual identities
By such a full involvement of stakeholders and by broad contextualisation of the assets the CMP will
avoid the pathologies of remoteness and lack of ownership that often accompany over-specialisation.
The checklists will also ensure that the CMP will fully appraise and critically review current and
proposed management and place each site and trail within the context of local, regional and national
legislation, standards and strategies. To achieve this it will consider the following.
160
•
The extent and effectiveness of statutory and local designations
•
Condition of all aspects of the assets
•
Current uses, and by whom
•
Any conservation history and previous relevant reports
•
Whether current or projected use comply with health and safety, disability access and
environmental health standards
•
Relevance of planning policy documents, statutory plans and strategic plans
•
Relevance of CCC and KDC management policies (including access, education, training, health
and safety policies)
•
Other national, regional and local strategies relevant to the assets.
Following on from this the HES will, in Phase 2, use the data so gathered to prepare rounded and
supportable Statements of Significance. The SoS for each site will be made as close or as broad as is
appropriate; so where the site is homogenous and uncomplicated the SoS will be correspondingly broad
and simple. Where it is complex there will be subsidiary statements for individual elements feeding into
a more detailed overall SoS. These statements will, as set out in the brief, pay particular attention to the
significance of each asset to the following.
•
Cornish mining, industry and transport
•
Ecology
•
Mineralogy
•
Users
•
The local community
Each SoS will include reference to the breadth of stakeholder consultation that supports it to ensure
that each is as fully owned as possible.
Next, in Phase 3, the HES will consider ongoing or predictable issues and areas of vulnerability for
each asset and for the MTHP as a whole. This will include the following.
•
Identification of conflicts between values of the asset (eg between the ecological and historical,
or between historical and access-related health and safety)
•
Issues such as vandalism and fly-tipping
•
Tidy management and overt and authoritative presentation and interpretation on the one hand
and ‘naturalness’ and opportunities for people to discover and interpret for themselves on
the other.
All the foregoing are preliminaries to the production in Phase 4 of conservation management
policies. These will be generated in partnership with CCC and KDC and the wider group of
stakeholders and will again follow the guidance set out in Conservation Management Plans – A Guide. In
particular the checklists for ‘Historic Places’, ‘Buried Archaeology’ and ‘Wildlife and Ecology’ will be
used to guide the development of these policies.
NB The HES is currently preparing the Management Plan for the proposed Cornish Mining World
Heritage Site bid. The HES is therefore in a good position to ensure that the MTHP CMP (whose area
is largely within the WHS bid area) is properly nested with the WHS management Plan, and does not
inappropriately contradict it.
The policies will be designed to respond to the needs of both the assets and those who value them, and
will take into account management issues and the various ways that assets are valued.
161
Generic policies will cover all the assets (sites and trails) in the MTHP and also those of the wider MTP
while specific policies will be developed for the particular assets (sites and trails) within the MTHP.
Close liaison with the CCC MTP Officers will be required where proposed policies are in conflict with
the policies of outside bodies. The brief suggests that policies should include those covering the
following.
•
Improvement of physical and intellectual access
•
Minimising damage and conflicts arising from public access
•
Maximising public support for both the policies and the various practical measures that will
flow from their adoption and implementation.
A key element of Phase 4 (in that it will more fully involve stakeholders) is the organisation of a
workshop to consider the statements of significance and the proposed policies.
This workshop:
•
will take place in a public venue within the Mineral Tramways area,
•
will treat each of the fourteen sites and four trails as well as the overall MTHP separately,
•
will be preceded by the dissemination to invited attendees of draft statements of significance
and draft management policies,
•
will also be advertised in local media as a workshop open to the general public who can apply
to the HES for copies of the draft statements of significance and draft management policies,
•
will produce written material
o
to be added by attendees to display boards presenting information on the assets at each of
the 14 areas and 4 trails, and the draft statements and policies relating to them. A further
board will set out generic statements of significance and management policies.
o
to be summarised by one of the surveyors from a structured discussion (in which
contributors identify themselves and who they represent) that will also deal with each of
the 14 areas and 4 trails, and the MTHP as a whole.
• will summarise that written material and feed it back to attendees before incorporating it into
final statements of significance and management policies.
Any recording work will be undertaken according to the Institute of Field Archaeologists Standards and
Guidance for Archaeological Recording. Staff will follow the IFA Code of Conduct and Code of Approved
Practice for the Regulation of Contractual Arrangements in Archaeology.
Product
The CMP will result in the following outputs:
1. GIS mapping of archaeological remains, habitats, species and any other relevant data for each of
the 14 sites and 4 trails.
2. GIS phase mapping for each of the 14 sites and 4 trails (multiple layers, to include c1840, c1880,
c1907, c1946 and present).
3. Digital photographs of landscape and individual archaeological features (archived according to
the Historic Environment Service’s guidelines) and capable of being supplied to partners on CD.
4. Report which includes the following:
a.
Introduction to the MTHP, the area, the commission, the aims of a CMP, the methods
adopted in preparing this one (including use of HLF checklists throughout the process,
and consultation with stakeholders), and the layout of the report
162
b.
A presentation of the stakeholders involved, who they represent, and their general areas of
interest
c.
A summary of the archaeological, historical, mineralogical, ecological, cultural, landscape,
community and access values of the whole MTHP, together with MTHP-wide summaries
of management contexts, Statements of Significance, issues and vulnerability and
Conservation Management Recommendations
d.
A more detailed (tabulated) introduction to the MTHP’s component sites and trails
(including very brief summaries of their archaeological, historical, mineralogical, ecological,
cultural, landscape, community and access values, and summaries of management contexts,
Statements of Significance, issues and vulnerability and Conservation Management
Recommendations)
e.
References
f.
Appendix which will include mini reports for each of the 14 sites and 4 trails which will
contain the following:
i.
Brief introduction (location, geology, topography, access etc)
ii.
Outline history
iii.
Summary of archaeological remains (with reference to entries in Gazetteer)
iv.
Summary of ecological features – habitats and species – (with references to entries
in Gazetteer)
v.
Summary of mineralogical and other relevant features (with references to entries
in Gazetteer)
vi.
Summary of management context and any legislation, standards and strategies
vii.
Statement of Significance with, where appropriate, secondary Statements for
particular features (archaeological, ecological, mineralogical, cultural, community,
landscape, access, etc)
viii.
Review of issues and vulnerability affecting the site or trail
ix.
Conservation Management Policies
x.
Gazetteer of features, with very brief entries, summarising entries in associated
archaeological, ecological, mineralogical and other surveys and including
summaries of elements, designations, condition statements, issues statements,
Statements of Significance (if appropriate) and management recommendations
xi.
Maps:
1. Site/trail location
2. Gazetteer map
3. Phase maps
4. Issues and recommendations maps
Copyright
Copyright of all material gathered as a result of the project will be reserved to the Historic
Environment Service, Environment and Heritage, Cornwall County Council. Existing copyrights of
external sources will be acknowledged where required.
Use of the material will be granted to the client.
163
Health and safety statement
The Service follows the County Council’s Statement of Safety Policy. For more specific policy and
guidelines the Unit uses the manual Health and Safety in Field Archaeology (1997) endorsed by the Standing
Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers and also the Council for British Archaeology’s Handbook
No. 6 Safety in Archaeological Field Work (1989).
Prior to carrying out on-site work HES will carry out a Risk Assessment.
Insurance
As part of Cornwall County Council, HES is covered by Public Liability, Employers Liability and
Professional Negligence Insurance.
Peter Herring
Principal Archaeologist
3.5.2004
164
10.4 List of Consultation Event invitees
Stakeholders Consultation Event attendees
District Councils
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Kerrier and Carrick District Council portfolio holders for the Environment
Kerrier and Carrick District Council portfolio holders for Leisure, Arts and Culture
Kerrier and Carrick District Council portfolio holders for Regeneration
Tony Sandercock (KDC)
Andrew Richards – Conservation Officer KDC
Roger Radcliffe (CDC)
Alyson Cooper - Conservation Officer CDC
• Cornwall County Council Environment Portfolio Holder – Helen Richards CC
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Representative from the World Heritage Site team – Simon Thorpe
Representative from Countryside Access – Richard Walton (or Mike Eastwood)
CCC Land Agent (Adam Birchall)
Jeremy Williams, Kath Statham (Environmental projects management)
Sue Pring, Simon Murray (Trails-Environmental projects)
HES (Veryan Heal, Colin Buck, Kate Newell)
County Archaeologist (Nick Johnson)
Other organisations (single representative)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Representative from each Parish Council in the Project area
British Horse Society
Ramblers Association
Federation of Old Cornwall Societies
Cornwall Industrial Archaeology Advisory Group
English Nature
Environment Agency
English Heritage (Ian Morrison)
Trevithick Trust
Carn Brea Mining Society
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Cyclist Touring Club and or Sustrans
CPR Regeneration (Tim Kellet)
Country Landowners and Business Association
Trevithick Society
Mineral Tramway Partnership Steering Group Chairman
A separate consultation event was held on 4th October for all representatives on the Mineral Tramways
Partnership Steering Group
Landowners
(All other sites are in Local Authority ownership, or the landowner is not known)
• Tregothnan Estate – Unity Wood
165
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cornish Gold Centre – Tolgus
Mr Youlton – Tolgus Calciner
Mr Beresford – Higher Condurrow
Mr Brown – Higher Condurrow
Mr Carter - Grenville New Stamps
County Environmental Services – Ale and Cakes
166
10.5 A glossary of mining terms
ADIT
A horizontal or slightly sloping tunnel driven for access or drainage purposes whereby water could drain away by gravity
without the need for pumping. These were also used for exploration purposes in the development of early mines, as when
driven on lode outcrops from the bases of sea cliffs.
ADVENTURER
A shareholder in a mining operation.
ANGLE BOB
A simple lever-based device by which the direction of a reciprocal motion (of pump rods, flat rods) could be changed (for
example from horizontal to vertical).
ARSENIC FLUE
See LABYRINTH
ARSENOPYRITE
An ore of Arsenic. Also termed MUNDIC or MISPICKEL.
ASSAYING
The technique for determining the metal content of ores, concentrates and tailings.
ASSAY HOUSE
The mine laboratory, where samples or ore were analysed for their mineral content.
BACK
The roof of an underground LODE excavation.
BACK OF LODE
The upper part of the lode.
BAL or BALL
From Cornish ‘Pal’ a shovel, and hence ‘a digging’ (a mine). Generally applied to a group of individual workings which
frequently became incorporated into a single large mine. See also WHEAL.
BALANCE BOB
A mechanism comprising a large counterweighted lever attached to the shaft pump rods by which their weight was offset to
reduce the load on the pumping engine. A surface balance bob would be mounted adjacent to the shaft on a pair of plinths or a
masonry support at ground level (balance bob mounting), the attached counterweight - a large box filled with scrap iron or
rocks - working in an adjacent stone-lined pit or in the open. Other underground balance bobs would be installed in chambers
cut into the rock adjacent to the shaft wall as needed, to further counterbalance the weight of the rods in deep shafts.
BAL-MAID (MAIDEN)
A woman or girl employed at surface on a mine, generally in the dressing of ore.
BARROW
Narrow timber cart (sometimes wheel-less) with long handles for transporting broken ore and waste in adits and levels and at
surface.
BEAM-ENGINE
A type of steam-engine much favoured in Cornwall and west Devon for use in pumping, winding and the crushing of ores
preparatory to dressing. The power from a large cylinder set vertically in an engine-house was transferred via a massive rocking
beam or bob to the pumps in the shaft outside. For winding and crushing, the bob was instead attached to a flywheel and crank
on a LOADING next to the BOB-WALL (or in the case of all indoor engines, the side wall). In most cases, the engine house
formed an integral part of the framing of the engine.
BEDSTONE
The granite slab which formed the foundation for the cylinder of a Cornish Engine.
167
BLACK TIN
The refined concentrate of tin (SnO2).
BLOCKED OUT
Area of ground along the STRIKE of a LODE which has been developed for STOPING, usually by mining DRIVES and
RAISES.
BLOWING-HOUSE
An early form of tin smelting furnace, small in scale and using charcoal as a fuel.
BOB-WALL
The robust masonry front wall of an ENGINE HOUSE which was used to support the heavy iron bob of a BEAM
ENGINE.
BOILER HOUSE
A generally lightly-built structure attached to an ENGINE HOUSE, and designed to contain the horizontal boilers for a steam
engine; the associated chimney stack may be attached to this structure, or built into one corner of the engine house.
BORING MACHINE
Alternative term for a ROCK DRILL.
BRATTICING
Timber partition work in a mine, an example being the LAGGING BOARDS which lined the upper section of a shaft where it
ran through soft ground.
BROKEN ORE
Ore which has been mined and is ready for processing to remove impurities (see DRESSING).
BUCKING
The breaking down of copper ore on an anvil to about 10mm in diameter by BAL-MAIDS using small hammers, after which
the ore was separated from the waste by hand. This process followed cobbing, in which it had been broken down to about
25mm in diameter, the waste again being hand removed. These processes, through which the majority of the highest quality
copper ore was recovered, often took place within roofed structures called bucking houses.
BUDDLE
A device for concentrating tin ore. In the mid-19th century these most usually took the form of a circular pit with rotating
brushes; the tin from the stamps was fed into the centre or side of the pit and was graded by gravity, concentrating the heavy
ore near the inlet point. These were often mechanically worked. Earlier buddles were rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, and
manually operated, whilst a further variation was the dumb buddle or dumb pit, which was not mechanically operated.
CALCINER
A furnace and heating chamber in which ores were roasted to remove impurities such as sulphur and arsenic. These were also
known as Burning Houses, later patterns being of REVERBERATORY design. The Brunton pattern calciner, introduced in
the mid-19th century, was mechanically powered, and operated on a continuous basis, unlike earlier designs. Other patterns of
calciner were also devised, the majority named after their designers (e.g. Oxland, Hocking and Loam).
CAPSTAN
A manually or steam-operated winding drum, usually installed on a mine to raise pitwork from the shaft for maintenance or
repair. See also HORSE WHIM.
CASSITERITE
Tin ore in the most commonly occurring form (SnO2).
CATARACT PIT (or cock pit)
A sub-floor area within the foundation levels of an Engine house between the Cylinder Plat and the Bob Wall, containing the
regulating apparatus, and giving access to cylinder hold-down bolts.
CHALCOCITE
An ore of copper.
CILL
The base of a window or other wall opening.
168
CLACK VALVE
A simple control device used to prevent the return of water in a pumping RISING MAIN.
CLEAT DAM
A timber and mud barrier often used to retain water.
CLEFT
A crack, crevice or split within a rock face.
COBBER
A mine surface worker, usually female, employed in copper ore dressing to remove waste from the mineral by means of a longheaded hammer. See BAL-MAID
COFFIN or GOFFEN The narrow excavation resulting from stoping on a lode being carried to or from surface on part or all
of a lode. See also GUNNIS, STOPE, and OPENWORK.
COMPRESSOR
A machine used to supply pressurised air for ROCK DRILLS and other underground equipment.
CONCENTRATE
Ore ready for smelting after having been treated to remove the maximum amount of impurities.
CONDENSER
The cast-iron cylinder set in a tank of cold water immediately in front of the bob wall of an engine house in which the exhaust
steam was condensed, creating a vacuum which greatly increased the efficiency of a steam engine. For a pumping engine this
equipment was often contained within a pair of masonry walls projecting from the bob wall towards the shaft.
COUNT HOUSE
Properly ACCOUNT HOUSE, but generally shortened. The mine office, sometimes incorporating accommodation.
CULVERT
A small tunnel constructed to carry a channel of water.
COUSIN JACK CHUTE
A timber/steel structure used for the controlled removal of broken rock/ore from STOPES and ORE PASSES into railmounted wagons.
CROSSCOURSE
A geological formation which traverses the STRIKE of a mineral LODE.
CROSSCUT
A drive mined across the STRIKE of a LODE for access or exploration. Often mined on a GUIDE for easier progress, and
with the potential to discover unknown mineralisation.
CROUST
Food – also termed crib and bait.
CYLINDER OPENING
The often large, generally arched opening in the rear wall of an engine through which the steam cylinder was brought into an
engine house during the erection of the engine. This opening was generally subsequently closed off with a timber partition and
usually incorporated the principal doorway into the engine house.
CYLINDER PLAT
The massive masonry base on which the cylinder of a Cornish Engine was bolted down (see also BEDSTONE).
DAM
Underground structure of timber or masonry used to restrict the flow of water.
DEADS
Waste rock discarded after mining or processing.
DEVELOPMENT
The driving of tunnels and RAISES usually on LODE to access ore bodies.
169
DIGGER
A miner who digs STUFF, usually within an OVERHAND STOPE.
DIP
The angle of inclination from horizontal, of underground geological structures.
DRESSING
The concentration of the tin (copper or other ores) contained in the rock excavated from the STOPES of a mine. Carried out
on DRESSING FLOORS.
DRESSING FLOORS
An (often extensive) area at surface on a mine where the various processes of concentration of ore took place - these consisted
of crushing or stamping to attain a uniform size range, sizing (particularly on later mines), separation of waste rock,
concentration (generally mechanically and hydraulically on tin mines, manually on copper mines), the removal of contaminant
minerals (by calcination, flotation, magnetic separation), and finally drying and bagging for transportation to the smelter. Tin
floors in particular were generally laid out down a slope to reduce mechanical or manual handling between stages in the process.
DRILL STEEL
A steel bar used by hand or machine for drilling into rock. Hand versions are usually chisel-tipped and in sets of three with the
longest being 2 feet (0.6m) long.
DRIVE (alternatively HEADING)
A tunnel mined along the STRIKE of a LODE (lode drive) or in waste rock (waste drive).
DRY or CHANGE HOUSE (earlier MOOR HOUSE)
The building within which miners changed their clothes before and after going underground. Some were heated by steam pipes
connected to the engine boilers. Where there were large numbers of women or children employed on a mine, there might be
two drys - one for men, the other for women and children. The pithead baths or showers found in collieries were rarely
provided in Cornwall.
DUES
The royalty payment made to the owner of the mineral rights, paid by the mines’ operators as a proportion of the value of the
ores raised.
DUMP or BURROW (alternatively spoil heap, spoil dump, spoil tip)
A pile of waste material, usually from a mine or quarry. May contain primary waste (where this could not be disposed of
underground) or waste from various stages in the dressing process.
DUTY
A measured assessment of the efficiently of a steam engine calculated by the weight of water lifted one foot high (0.3m) by the
use of one bushel of coal.
EDUCTION PIPE
The large diameter pipe through which exhaust steam was drawn into the condenser set outside the bob wall.
ENGINE HOUSE
A building designed to contain steam, gas, oil or electric engines on a mine or other works. From the 18th to early 20th century,
usually a robust masonry construction of three floors over a CATARACT PIT to accommodate a vertical cylinder BEAMENGINE. Houses of this type were used to contain pumping, winding and stamping engines, with the former types usually
arranged in a right-angle about a principal shaft. The sturdy build has led to many examples surviving into the 21st century in
Cornwall and west Devon and their presence in the landscape has become an iconic representation of the importance of metal
mining to south-west Britain.
FATHOM
A measurement used in mining equal to six feet (1.8m).
FAULT
A geological structure which displaces the STRIKE of a LODE.
FINGER DUMP
A modern term for a linear dump of waste material from a mine or quarry which is flat-topped and progresses as tipping
operations proceed; often equipped with a temporary tramway track to allow material to be barrowed or trammed along it.
170
FLAT RODS
Reciprocating (or very occasionally rotative) iron rods used to transfer power from a steam-engine or water-wheel to a remote
location.
FLUE
A masonry-constructed tunnel or conduit connecting a furnace to a chimney stack.
FORKING
The process of draining a mine. One which had been drained would be said to be ‘in fork’.
FRUE VANNER
One form of mechanically-driven, laterally vibrated, inclined rotating belt on which fine tin-containing material in suspension in
water was treated by relative density. . These machines would be housed in banks in a Vanner House. Superseded by shaking
tables during the first decades of the 20th century.
GIG
A man-riding skip or cage within a mine shaft.
GIRDER
The massive timber beam set across an engine house just below top floor level to which the parallel motion was attached and
on which the spring beams sat.
GOFFEN (see COFFIN)
Generally applied to an excavation along the STRIKE of a LODE which is mined from the surface only.
GOSSAN
Decomposed rock where the original sulphide minerals have been altered to oxidized pyrites giving a reddish
or ferruginous colour; usually forms the upper part of a metallic vein.
GROUND
The area of mineral LODE between DRIVES and RAISES which has been BLOCKED OUT for STOPING.
GUNNIS
A narrow linear excavation left where a lode has been worked out, the term most commonly being used when the working is
open to surface. See COFFIN, GOFFEN
HEAD or CROP
The densest and hence the richest part of the material in a buddle - nearest its feed point.
HEADFRAME
The tall construction set over a winding shaft which carried the sheave wheels over which the winding ropes ran. Headframes
usually contained ore bins or ore chutes to allow the broken rock in the skips or kibbles to be tipped into trams at surface.
HORIZONTAL ENGINE
A steam engine where the cylinder(s) are set on a horizontal bed and the piston rods are attached via a cross-head to a crank
and flywheel.
HORSE WHIM
Similar to a capstan, but in this case power was supplied by a horse walking around a circular platform (PLAT) was applied to
an overhead winding drum; frequently used for winding from small shafts on Cornish mines, especially during exploratory
work and shaft sinking.
JIG
A large mechanically or hand-operated sieve set in a tank of water by which ore could be separated from the waste. Sometimes
constructed in groups within jigging houses.
KIBBLE
A large, strongly-constructed, egg-shaped, iron container used for ore and rock haulage in earlier shafts. Superseded by SKIPS.
KNACKED
A mine which has been worked out or has closed.
171
LAGGING BOARDS
The timber planks lining the upper part of a shaft, or where it ran through soft ground.
LAUNDER
A wooden or steel trough used to carry water or other liquids; often used to feed water or finely-divided material in suspension
around a dressing floor.
LABYRINTH (colloquially “lambreth”)
A series of interconnected masonry chambers on whose walls arsenic condensed after having been released as a fume from ore
roasted in a calciner. The fume followed a zigzag path through such groups of chambers; one end of each chamber was closed
off with a door through which the condensed arsenic could eventually be removed.
LEAT
An artificial water-course, built to carry a supply of water to a mine or around it.
LEVEL
A sub-horizontal tunnel driven to explore for valuable mineral, to remove the mineral, and/or for other purposes. Alternatively
a lode drive or heading.
LINTEL
The horizontal timber or stone support above an opening in a wall or structure.
LOADING
The masonry platform in front of an engine-house on which machinery such as cranks, flywheels or winding drums were
mounted and on which the reciprocal motion of the sweep rod attached to the beam was turned into a rotative motion. Also
more widely used to refer to the bed of any free-standing machinery or power source, as in ‘engine bed’.
LOBBY
The excavated cutting leading to an adit portal or wheel pit.
LODE
A linear zone of mineralization underground, referred to as a vein, rake or seam in other parts of Britain. Generally vertical or
near-vertical, and often extending for considerable distances along its STRIKE.
LODE-BACK PIT
A modern term for a shallow shaft dug from surface into shoad or the upper part (backs) of a lode, from which ore could be
extracted from shallow stopes to the depth of the water table or just below. Waste material was generally dumped adjacent to
the shaft mouth.
MAGAZINE
Small strongly built store containing explosives (gunpowder or dynamite) or detonators; often circular, sometimes with
additional enclosing walls to contain the blast of an accidental explosion.
MAN-ENGINE
A mechanical device used in mines to raise and lower men in a shaft using a system of platforms attached to a reciprocating rod
extending the depth of the shaft.
MELLIOR STONE
The bearing stone in which the upright shaft of a HORSE WHIM ran.
MIDDLES
The material in a buddle found between the crop and the tailings, this generally containing enough ore to warrant its retreatment.
MINERAL LORD
The owner of the mineral rights to a SETT.
MINER’S DIAL
An early mine survey instrument.
MISPICKEL
An ore of ARSENIC. Also ARSENOPYRITE or MUNDIC.
172
MUNDIC
An ore of ARSENIC.
OPENWORK or BEAM
A mineral extraction site open to the surface similar to a quarry but usually distinguished by its elongated shape, and steep sides;
generally applied to features broader in extent than a GUNNIS or COFFIN.
ORE
A mineral or mixture of minerals which could be worked for sale.
OVERBURDEN
The topsoil and subsoil removed in the process of opening or extending a quarry, streamwork or mine.
OVERHAND
Describing a STOPE worked from the bottom upwards.
PASTY
A meal favoured by the Cornish comprising pastry containing meat and vegetables; sweet variants made with fruit were also
popular.
PELTON WHEEL
A small enclosed water turbine, working at high pressure and rotational speeds. In use from the later 19th century.
PEWTER
A metallic alloy of tin with various amounts of antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, commonly used in the manufacture of
tableware.
PICKER
A mine surface worker, usually female, employed to hand-select copper ore during the dressing process. See BAL-MAID. Term
later applied to those employed to remove scrap and rubbish mixed with the ore on mechanically-operated picking belts.
PILLAR
Rock, usually containing ore, left unmined to support adjacent excavations.
PITWORK
The term used to describe the pump rods, rising main, shaft guides (buntons) etc. within a shaft.
PORTAL
The entrance to an adit beyond its LOBBY. Often timbered or stone vaulted.
PROSPECTING PIT/FOSSICKING PIT OR COSTEANING PIT
A small pit dug in search of minerals, and almost always found in linear groups, often arranged cross-contour, or at right angles
to the projected STRIKE of known lodes or deposits of SHOAD. A COSTEANING TRENCH is a linear excavation cut for
prospecting purposes.
PUMP ROD
A continuous timber rod fitted in a shaft to drive underground pumps via its reciprocating action.
RAG FRAME or RACK FRAME
An inclined table-like surface on which very fine slimes in slurry form were treated to recover their tin. Large mines would have
hundreds of such frames arranged in groups.
RAISE
A vertical or angled tunnel mined upwards to connect with other workings, sometimes as the first stage in the development of a
STOPE.
REVERBERATORY KILN
A design of furnace in which there was indirect contact between the heat from a hearth and the ore to be roasted, usually by
incorporating a baffle flue.
RISING MAIN
The vertical iron pipeline used to convey pumped water from a shaft sump to the surface or adit level for discharge.
173
ROCK DRILL
A machine for drilling shot holes in rock, usually powered by compressed air.
ROSE
The cast iron strainer attached to the bottom lift of pumps feeding a RISING MAIN.
ROTATIVE ENGINE
A beam engine in which the reciprocating motion of the beam was converted to rotary motion via a sweep rod, crank, and
flywheel.
ROUND FRAME
A timber built, mechanically-actuated rotating tin separation device working on similar principles to the BUDDLE.
SETT
A area of land legally held by a mining company or individuals within which a mine could extract minerals.
SETT
One of a series of stone supports for a tramway, performing the same function as sleepers.
SETT
One of the components of timber framing of an adit where it ran through loose ground; also the timber framing of a shaft to
which the shaft guides and LAGGING BOARDS were attached.
SHAFT
A vertical or near-vertical tunnel sunk within a mine for pumping, hoisting, ventilation, access or other purposes.
SHAFT HEDGE
A surrounding safety wall, usually of stone rubble, constructed to prevent people or animals from falling down an open mine
shaft.
SHAKING TABLE
A slightly inclined, mechanically vibrated table on which valuable minerals suspended in water are concentrated by relative
density.
SHAMMELING
Originally referring to the method by which material mined from an excavation was shovelled to surface in a series of lifts and
later applied to shafts where water was pumped to surface by more than one engine.
SHEARS or shear legs
A tall timber frame carrying a pulley or sheave wheel erected in front of an engine house over a shaft and used for the
installation and maintenance of PITWORK.
SHOAD or SHODE
Ore weathered from the load and moved (in geological time) downslope under the force of gravity. Material reaching a river
valley would be to some degree concentrated before redeposition in horizontal beds. These beds of detrital material (placer
deposits) and those on hillslopes were exploited by streamworking.
SKIP
A (generally elongated) iron or steel container equipped with small wheels or brackets running on the shaft guides (buntons)
and used for rock and ore haulage in later mines.
SPALLERS
Mine surface workers, usually female, employed in the dressing of copper ore to reduce the mineral to a size suitable for further
processing. See BAL-MAID.
SPRING BEAMS
The pair of longitudinal timbers extending the full length of an engine house parallel to and on either side of the BEAM at top
floor level. These served to arrest any unwanted excess indoor motion of the beam via catches set onto its rear. They were
extended out from the front of the house to form the foundation for the bob-plat (the timber platform from which the
bearings on the outdoor section of the beam could be serviced).
174
STACK
A chimney on an industrial site, used to carry away smoke or fumes from boilers, furnaces and calciners. Often situated at the
end of a Flue.
STAMPS
A mechanical device for crushing ore-bearing rock to a fine sand. Heavy vertically-mounted beams (or later iron rods) carrying
cast or forged iron heads were sequentially lifted and dropped onto the prepared ore beneath them by a series of cams mounted
on a rotating drum; this usually being driven by a water-wheel or rotative steam engine.
STANNARY
Pertaining to tin mines or miners and with its roots in the Latin ‘stannum’ (tin); the Stannary Parliament and Stannary Courts
existed for the administration of justice among the tinners within Cornwall, Devon and elsewhere, and were also courts of
record. The powers of the Stannary Parliament included the right to veto laws from the Parliament at Westminster and
some claim that the powers have fallen into abeyance but have never been repealed.
STOCKWORKS
A mainly opencast mine working where an area of ground containing a large number of small parallel lodes was removed
wholesale.
STOPE
Excavated area produced during the extraction of ore-bearing rock; often narrow, deep and elongated, reflecting the former
position of the lode. Where open to the surface, these form GUNNISES or COFFINS.
STREAMWORK
An area worked for detrital (redeposited) tin deposits by shallow excavation. Often characterised by linear dumps, river
diversion, and evidence for leats. Some such works (dryworks) exploited deposits of shoad in now dry valleys and on hillsides,
where concentrations of this material were economically workable. Leats and reservoirs were necessary to work these sites, and
are characteristic of them.
STRIKE
The direction of a mineral lode along a horizontal plane usually stated in the form of a compass bearing.
STRIPS (settling strips)
Elongated shallow tanks in which the primary settlement and subsequent separation of tin ore from waste took place after it
had been stamped.
STUFF
Ore after having been broken by blasting.
STULL
A working platform of one or more cross timbers installed between the walls of excavations; often covered with boards.
SWEEP ROD
The elongated iron rod which connected the beam of a Cornish engine to a crank and fly wheel, allowing reciprocating motion
to be converted to rotative motion.
TAILINGS
The waste sand and slime from a mine dressing floor, not containing workable quantities of mineral.
TAILRACE
The channel along which water flows after having passed over or under a water-wheel and is then generally returned to a water
course.
TRAMMER
Miner filling and transporting wagons or TUBS with ore from COUSIN JACK CHUTES.
TRIBUTE
A system of payment by results in which groups of miners bid against one another for contracts to work sections of the mine
for a percentage of the value of the ore raised from that area.
TUB
Small tram wagon used underground and at surface to transport ore and materials.
175
TUTWORK
A system of payment by percentage of value of ore broken or by depth of shaft sunk or length of level driven whereby groups
of miners contracted to work at previously-agreed rates.
UNDERHAND
Describing a STOPE worked from the top downwards.
UNDERLIE
Angle of inclination of a LODE or geological structure as measured from the vertical.
VANNER
A person employed on the surface of a mine to check or assess the tin content at each stage of the refining process. The
VANNING SHOVEL was used to test the relative concentration of ore in a sample of finely crushed ore or partially dressed
ore. The term was also later applied to mechanically-operated dressing equipment (see FRUE VANNER).
WATER-WHEEL
Wheel fitted with buckets or paddles around its periphery, and driven by the weight or force of a stream of water directed onto
them.
WAY LEAVE
DUES ascribed by MINERAL LORDS for the underground passage of ore or waste rock through land under different mineral
ownership.
WHEAL also WHELE, WHILE, HUEL
Dialect variations of a Cornish term for a mine.
WHEEL PIT
A structure built to house a water-wheel, often excavated and stone-lined, but sometimes free-standing.
WHIM
The winding gear used for hauling from a shaft; consists of a power source and a winding drum. See HORSE WHIM
WHIM PLAT
The level and usually circular platform on which a horse-whim was sited.
WIND BORE
The cast-iron strainer attached to the bottom lift of pumps – see also ROSE.
WINZE
A vertical or angled shaft mined downwards and not connecting to surface.
ZAWN
A west Cornwall dialect term derived from the Cornish language word sawan meaning ‘chasm’ and applied to gullies eroded
into cliffs, sometimes on mineral lodes.
176

Mineral Tramways Conservation Management Plan

Transcription

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