Part 8 Proposed Redevelopment of The Wonderful Barn P82024.10

A Chara,

Please find attached Heritage Related recommendations for the above mentioned planning Part 8 Application.

Please acknowledge receipt of same.

Regards

Diarmuid

Diarmuid Buttimer

Executive Officer

An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Aonad na nIarratas ar Fhorbairt

Development Applications Unit

Oifigí an Rialtais

Government Offices

Bóthar an Bhaile Nua, Loch Garman, Contae Loch Garman, Y35 AP90

Newtown Road, Wexford, County Wexford, Y35 AP90

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Diarmuid.Buttimer@npws.gov.ie

Manager.DAU@npws.gov.ie

A Chara,

I refer to correspondence in connection with the above further information received.
Outlined below are heritage-related observations/recommendations co-ordinated by the
Development Applications Unit under the stated headings

Archaeology
The Department has reviewed the documents submitted in support of the planning
application. These include two desk-based Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) reports
(Options Appraisal stage and Planning stage) prepared by AECOM Ltd; dated November
2022 and May 2024. It is noted that the desktop study does not include all available
documentary research1 and the reports appear to erroneously rate the archaeology of this
unique 18th century designed landscape as being of ‘low significance’ (Planning Stage AIA
report - ‘Potential Impacts’ - Sections 7.5 to 7.8).
The Department does not concur with this rating/categorisation and considers it prudent to
highlight that the heritage value of this landscape has been significantly eroded in recent
years and thus, what remains (both above and below ground) must be considered to be
significant and should be sensitively protected and enhanced.

Notwithstanding the ‘low’ heritage value assigned to the sub-surface archaeology of this
designed landscape in the AIA reports, the Department broadly concurs with the
recommended mitigation strategies contained therein. Therefore, in line with national policy
– see Frameworks and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (1999) –
the Department recommends that a Project Archaeologist, with experience of buildings
archaeology, be appointed to work with the Conservation Architects in the design and
implementation of all conservations works to the Wonderful Barn structure and its environs.
It is further recommended that the appointed Project Archaeologist carry out a
comprehensive programme of Archaeological Test Excavation of areas where ground
disturbance is proposed, in advance of commencement of the development. Thereafter, the
appointed Archaeologist should be retained to carry out licensed Archaeological Monitoring
all other groundworks during the construction phase.
The Department further recommends that the below wording be reproduced verbatim in any
approval of planning that may issue. This will ensure that all appropriate mitigation strategies
for the protection of the archaeological heritage are applied to the project. These conditions
align with Sample Conditions C.5 and C.6 as set out in OPR Practice Note PN03: Planning
Conditions (October 2022), with appropriate site-specific additions/adaptations based on the
particular characteristics of this development and the recommendations of the
Archaeological Impact Assessment report.

Archaeological Conditions – Pre-development Phase
1. All mitigation measures in relation to archaeology as set out in the Archaeological
Impact Assessment (AIA) report (AECOM Ltd; May 2024) submitted in support of the
planning application shall be implemented in full, except as may otherwise be
required in order to comply with the below conditions. In this regard, the developer
shall:
(a) Retain/engage a suitably qualified Project Archaeologist, with experience of buildings
archaeology, to work with the Conservation Architects to advise on, and input to, the
design and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies to protect, enhance
and record the archaeological heritage of the Wonderful Barn structure and its
environs. The Archaeologist, in consultation with the Planning Authority and the
Department, shall advise on the development and curation of the proposed
‘Archaeological Yard’.
(b) In advance of commencement of development, the Archaeologist shall carry out a
comprehensive programme of Archaeological Test Excavation of all areas where
significant ground disturbance is proposed.
(c) The Archaeological Test Excavation must be carried out under licence from the
National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and
Heritage and in accordance with an approved method statement; note a period of 4-
5 weeks should be allowed in any schedule to facilitate processing and approval of
the licence application and method statement.

(d) Test trenches shall be excavated at locations chosen by the Archaeologist, having
consulted the site drawings. Excavation is to take place to the uppermost
archaeological horizons only, where they survive. Where archaeological material is
shown to be present, the Archaeologist shall suspend works in the area of
archaeological interest pending a decision of the Planning Authority, in consultation
with the Department, regarding appropriate mitigation. Please note that all
features/archaeological surfaces within the test trenches are to be hand-cleaned and
clearly visible for photographic purposes.
(e) Archaeological Test Excavation shall be informed and supplemented by licensed
metal detection survey.
(f) Having completed this element of archaeological works, the Archaeologist shall
submit a written report on the results of the Archaeological Test Excavation for the
written approval of the Planning Authority and the Department. The report shall
comment on the degree to which the extent, location and levels of all sub-surface
works required for the development will affect the archaeological remains. This
should be illustrated with appropriate plans, sections, etc.
(g) Where archaeological material is shown to be present, further mitigation measures
will be required; these may include redesign to allow for preservation in situ,
excavation and/or monitoring as deemed appropriate. The Department will advise
the Planning Authority with regard to these matters.

Archaeological Conditions – Development Phase
2. During construction, the Archaeologist shall monitor (licensed as required under the
National Monuments Acts) all remaining ground works, including breaking/removal
of surfaces, service installations and/or the implementation of agreed preservation in
situ measures associated with the development. The use of appropriate machinery
to ensure the preservation and recording of any surviving archaeological remains
shall be necessary. No ground disturbance shall take place in the absence of the
Archaeologist without his/her express consent.
(a) Should further archaeological remains be identified during the course of
Archaeological Monitoring, works shall be suspended in the area of archaeological
interest pending a decision of the Planning Authority, in consultation with the
Department, regarding appropriate mitigation (preservation in situ / excavation).
(b) The developer shall facilitate the Archaeologist in recording any remains identified.
Any further archaeological mitigation requirements specified by the Planning
Authority, following consultation with the Department, shall be complied with by the
developer.
(c) Following the completion of all archaeological work on site and any necessary post excavation
specialist analysis, the Planning Authority and the Department shall be
furnished with a final archaeological report describing the results of the monitoring and any subsequent archaeological investigative work/excavation required. All resulting and associated archaeological costs shall be borne by the developer.

(d) The Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) shall include the
location of any and all archaeological constraints relevant to the proposed
development, as set out in the AIA report and as may become relevant during the
course of the Archaeological Test Excavation and subsequent monitoring. The
CEMP shall clearly describe all identified likely archaeological impacts, both direct
and indirect, and present appropriate mitigation measures to be employed to protect
the archaeological and cultural heritage environment during all phases of site
preparation and construction activity.
(e) All contractors and construction personnel shall be apprised of the locations and
sensitivities of the heritage assets within the development site. This shall be done
through the appropriate dissemination of the CEMP and tool-box talk/s given by the
Archaeologist.
Reason: To ensure the continued preservation (either in situ or by record) of places, caves,
sites, features or other objects of archaeological interest

Built Heritage
The Wonderful Barn, designed to close the great vista of the eastern axis from Castletown
House, is an integral part of the cultural landscape of this nationally/internationally significant
C18th estate. The subject site in the ownership of the Local Authority has unique architectural
character arising from the design intent to create an ‘eye catcher’ in the landscape, the
diversity of building typologies, and their unusual structural form and courtyard arrangement.
The conservation of this complex to benefit the wider community is welcomed.
The Department notes that it is very important that all proposed interventions to the cultural
landscape are carefully considered as part of a fully co-ordinated approach to the overall
landscape design and setting of the historic Castletown House. In particular, attention should
be given to the retention of historic specimen trees, and to planting appropriate to the historic
setting and informed by assessment of the surviving garden spaces. The appropriate
enhancement of historic boundaries and the screening of this cultural site from the impact of
adjoining residential development is welcomed.
The Department understands that the proposed redevelopment of the Wonderful Barn aims
to restore the existing structures on the site, including one house, one barn (two dovecotes,
a walled garden and two adjacent courtyards containing two stable buildings (all protected
structures – RPS no. B11-15). The proposed works will protect and enhance the architectural
heritage and cultural landscape of the site and provide an integrated public amenity park and
tourism destination at the Wonderful Barn and associated lands, informed by a detailed
conservation plan.

The Department recognises the benefit this proposal offers to community engagement, to
the provision of diverse recreational and cultural amenities and to the creation of a tourism
offer that complements the principal structure (Castletown House). Furthermore, the
Department welcomes the carefully considered conservation and reuse as an exemplar to
inform regeneration of other under-utilised traditional buildings.
It is recommended that:
1. The Local Authority should engage the services of a Grade 1 Conservation
Architect or equivalent to guide and advise on areas of historic fabric intervention,
remaking, repair and discovery in order to achieve a high-quality design and
conservation outcome in accordance with the architectural heritage protection
guidelines, 2011, best practice and conservation principles and with regard to the
conservation plan for the Wonderful Barn.
2. The design of replacement windows in historic openings should be informed by
research into the correct proportions and details based on a detailed analysis of
drawn/photographic evidence, surviving joinery or features in the structure.
3. The Conservation Architect should record as necessary all conservation works
undertaken as part of the project to maintain a permanent record. The unusual
use of clay roof tiles as a historic roof covering in this context is noted. The
restoration/salvage of this roof covering is supported where detailed assessment
suggests that this roof finish is appropriate.
4. Interventions to the cultural landscape should have regard to the protected views
and vistas and should be carefully considered as part of a fully co-ordinated
approach to the overall the landscape design setting of the historic Castletown
House
You are requested to send any further communications to this Department’s Development
Applications Unit (DAU) at manager.dau@npws.gov.ie