REVIT Heritage Report.pdf

Torfaen County Borough Council
REVIT: A Review of the Conservation of Industrial Heritage Assets on Brownfield Sites
4 Case Studies: Industrial Heritage Assets
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 In each of the partner areas a number of case studies have been examined for
best-practice in the conservation and promotion of industrial heritage in the
regeneration of sustainable Brownfield sites. The sites which have been
examined are developments where the industrial heritage is central to
regeneration and is treated as a stimulant to regeneration rather than a
hindrance. One definition of sustainable development, which takes account of
the importance of preserving the historic environment is:
"Development within the capacities of our natural and cultural resource base whilst
safeguarding social and economic vitality".
4.1.2 Within the context of these case studies, the report examines some of the
approaches used on different sites in order to draw-on best practice within
such developments and propose opportunities for the further promotion of the
industrial heritage as tourist attractions.
4.1.3 Abandoned historic industrial sites obviously have a high potential for attaining
the general aims of sustainable development and regeneration, such as:
• reducing poverty and improving the quality of life in post-industrial
communities;
• efficient re-use of existing cultural, natural, social and economic assets;
• safeguarding the interests and heritage for future generations;
• improving the image and appearance of run-down areas;
• promoting local economic development;
• providing public places and green spaces;
• encouragement of private investment;
• empowering disenfranchised communities and renewing civic pride; and
• revitalising community identity and iconic structures.
4.1.4 At the European Union level the cultural heritage is being addressed in the
European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). One of the main aims of
the ESDPs is to promote a more balanced and polycentric system of cities with
a new urban-rural relationship and prudent management and development of
the natural and cultural heritage.
4.2 Torfaen
4.2.1 Within Torfaen County Borough Council, in south-east Wales, there a number
of former industrial sites which are important for their historic features such as
ironworks and tinplate works, iron, coal and mine workings, tramways,
railways, leats, weirs and canals which are representative of South Wale’s
important role in the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Associated with these
features are churches, chapels, monuments, workers housing, turnpike roads,
offices and industrial estate owner’s houses which also contribute to the
industrial character and landscape and have high potential for regeneration of
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