12 Cultural Heritage 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Approach and Methods 12.4 Potential Impacts 12.5 Potential Mitigation 12.6 Summary of Route Corridor Options Assessment 12.7 Scope of Stage 3 Assessment 12.8 References

12 Cultural Heritage

12.1 Introduction

12.1.1 This chapter presents the assessment of the Stage 2 route corridor options for the Forth Replacement Crossing in terms of the following three sub-topics, in accordance with the guidance provided in Volume 11, Section 3, Part 2 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (The Highways Agency et el., 2007):

  • archaeology;
  • historic buildings; and
  • the historic landscape.

12.1.2 Other policy documents taken into account include:

  • Dunfermline and the Coast Adopted Local Plan 2002 - 2006;
  • Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan (ELSP) 2015;
  • Fife Structure Plan 2001 – 2011;
  • Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Historic Scotland, 1998);
  • National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5: Archaeology and Planning (Scottish Office, 1994a);
  • NPPG 18: Planning and the Historic Environment (Scottish Office 1999);
  • Policy Advice Note (PAN) 42: Archaeology – The Planning Process and Scheduled Monuments Procedures (Scottish Office, 1994b);
  • Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) 2: Scheduling: protecting Scotland’s nationally important monuments (Historic Scotland, 2006);
  • SHEP 3: Gardens and Designed Landscapes (Historic Scotland 2008);
  • Standard and Guidance on Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments (The Institute of Field Archaeologists, 1994); and
  • West Lothian Local Plan 2005.

12.1.3 Some archaeological sites are afforded statutory protection as Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs), protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and are by definition of National importance. Without the prior written consent of the Scottish Ministers, known as Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC), it is an offence to undertake any works which would have the effect of demolishing, destroying, damaging, removing, repairing, altering, adding to, flooding or covering up a SAM. Under article 15 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 notification to Historic Scotland of any planning application affecting a SAM is also required.

12.1.4 Buildings of special architectural or historic interest may be afforded statutory protection as Listed Buildings (Graded A, B or C(S)) under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 and Listed Building consent must be obtained where proposals will alter the character of the Listed Building. The criteria by which the Scottish Ministers define the necessary quality and character under the planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 are broadly: Age and rarity, Architectural Interest and close historical association. It is a criminal offence to undertake such works without this consent. Any object or structure which is fixed to a listed building, or which falls within the curtilage of such building and, although not fixed to the building, has formed part of the land since before 1 July 1948, is treated as part of the building and also listed. Some buildings of lesser interest may be protected under Local Plan policies (see below).

12.1.5 The Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 imposes a duty of local planning authorities to designate and protect the historic character and appearance of some areas through their designation as Conservation Areas. These are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance, and along with the main implication of designation is that consent will be required for specific types of development that would not otherwise require it, ‘conservation area consent’ is used for applications to demolish unlisted buildings in conservation areas.

12.1.6 Parks and gardens included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland are protected under Section 15(1)(j)(iv) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 (the GDPO) which requires planning authorities, prior to granting planning permission, to consult Scottish Ministers on ‘development which may affect a historic garden or designed landscape’. The Scottish Minister’s policies for gardens and designed landscapes are set out in Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3: Gardens and Designed Landscapes (Historic Scotland 2008).

12.1.7 NPPG 18, Planning and the Historic Environment outlines the Government’s advice to developers and local authorities in their consideration of development proposals affecting amongst others Listed Buildings and their setting, Conservation Areas and other historic buildings. Paragraph 12 of NPPG 18 states that "In the determination of an application for listed building consent or for planning permission for development affecting a listed building or its setting, the planning authority is required to have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, or its setting, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses". In addition prior consideration should be given to the scope for recycling buildings which have clear historic or architectural significance.

12.1.8 For trunk road, Historic Scotland is responsible for providing policy advice and commenting on the implications of a trunk road scheme for the historic environment.

12.1.9 The heritage policies of City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council and West Lothian Council are set out in the Local Plans and Structure Plans for these local authorities (Chapter 18: Policies and Plans). Generally, these promote the preservation, enhancement and conservation of archaeological sites, historic buildings and historic garden and designed landscapes and their settings. In general, there is a presumption against developments which would adversely affect such sites and their settings and a presumption of preserving important archaeological remains in situ where feasible.

12.2 Approach and Methods

Baseline Conditions

12.2.1 A study area was defined extending at least 200m in all directions from the edge of each of the connecting road corridor options. The extent of the study area is shown on Figure 12.1. Additional information was gathered from the wider surrounding area to place the cultural heritage in its local and regional context. Historic buildings and any other sites within the wider surrounding area where setting was considered to contribute to the importance or sensitivity of the site have also been taken into account.

12.2.2 The information used in this chapter has been gathered from the following sources:

  • Aerial Photograph Collection of the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS);
  • Fife Council Sites and Monuments Record;
  • National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS);
  • Ordnance Survey and pre-Ordnance Survey mapping held by the Map Library of the National Library of Scotland and the National Archives of Scotland;
  • published and unpublished archaeological reports, articles, journals and books;
  • Historic Landscape Assessment (HLA) undertaken by RCAHMS. Data were obtained from the RCAHMS for a 10km x10km tile surrounding the study area;
  • UK Hydrographic Office information regarding sea wreck locations; and
  • West of Scotland Archaeological Service (WoSAS) Sites and Monuments Record.

12.2.3 Walkover surveys were also undertaken between 31 March and 04 June 2008 to verify the information gathered from the sources listed above and to identify previously unrecorded sites of cultural heritage sensitivity which survive above ground.

Impact Assessment

12.2.4 DMRB, Volume 11, Section 3 (as modified by HA208/07), states that impacts are assessed in relation to the change to the ‘historic legibility’ of the cultural heritage resource, defined as ‘…the way in which a historic monument or landscape can be 'read' through an understanding of the development of its features, character, setting and context through time’.

12.2.5 Physical impacts and impacts on the cultural heritage setting are considered in this assessment:

  • Physical damage to a site will affect its historic legibility through destruction or disturbance of archaeological remains, demolition of buildings or severance of related features. More rarely, remains can be indirectly effected by vibration, dewatering or other direct impacts.
  • Effects on the historic legibility of sites, in association with, or in the absence of, physical impacts may also result from changes to the settings of sites, where the setting of a site makes a significant contribution to our understanding and appreciation of that site.

12.2.6 Physical impacts and impacts on setting resulting from major infrastructure projects are generally long-term or permanent, starting or occurring during construction and persisting through the operational phase. As such, impacts as assessed within this assessment are not separated into construction and operation impacts, and are all considered to be long-term or permanent unless otherwise stated.

Sensitivity

12.2.7 An assessment of the degree of sensitivity to change of each cultural heritage receptor within the study area has been made on a five-point scale of Very High, High, Medium, Low, Negligible and Unknown, according to the criteria given in Table 12.1 below.

Table 12.1 Criteria to Assess Sensitivity of Archaeological and Built Heritage Sites

Sensitivity

Criteria

Very High
  • World Heritage Sites or other sites of acknowledged international importance.

High
  • Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)
  • Category A Listed Buildings
  • Sites proposed for Scheduling or Listing.
  • Conservation Areas containing very important buildings.
  • Gardens and Designed Landscapes recorded on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.
  • Some undesignated sites assessed as of high sensitivity using paragraph 12.2.8 methodology.

Medium
  • Category B Listed Buildings
  • Conservation Areas containing buildings that contribute significantly to its historic character.
  • Historic Townscape or built-up areas with important historic integrity in their buildings or built settings.
  • Undesignated sites assessed as of medium sensitivity using paragraph 12.2.8 methodology.

Low
  • Undesignated sites assessed as of low sensitivity using paragraph 12.2.8 methodology.
  • Category C(S) Listed Buildings

Negligible
  • Site is a non-statutory archaeological site with no surviving remains.
  • Buildings of no architectural or historical note.

Unknown
  • The sensitivity of the site cannot be ascertained.

12.2.8 For the purposes of assessment, undesignated sites were assigned a level of sensitivity using professional judgement based on the criteria set out in the following documents:

  • criteria used in SHEP 2 for the designation of SAMs (Historic Scotland 2008); and
  • non-statutory criteria used in their designation of Listed Building categories (Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, Historic Scotland 1998).

12.2.9 For each site, the elements which contribute to its setting were identified against the following criteria:

  • physical relationship with or characteristics of the site;
  • demonstrable former relationship; or
  • perceptual non-physical relationship (e.g. public perceptions of the site, historical associations etc).

12.2.10 The sensitivity of each element was then assessed on a three point scale of low, medium and high in order to define its level of contribution to the setting of the site as a whole, and the contribution of setting to a site’s overall sensitivity.

12.2.11 Historic Landscape units were defined based on the Historic Landscape Assessment (HLA) undertaken by RCAHMS. The sensitivity of the each of the historic landscape units was based on the criteria set out in Table 12.2.

Table 12.2: Criteria to Assess Sensitivity of Historic Landscape Units

Sensitivity

Criteria

Very High
  • World Heritage Sites inscribed for their historic landscape qualities.
  • Historic landscapes of international sensitivity, whether designated or not.
  • Extremely well preserved historic landscapes with exceptional coherence, time-depth, or other critical factor(s).

High
  • Parks and gardens included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
  • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), National Parks or other designated historic landscapes of outstanding interest.
  • Undesignated landscapes of outstanding interest.
  • Undesignated landscapes of high quality and importance, and of demonstrable national importance.
  • Well preserved historic landscapes, exhibiting considerable coherence, time-depth or other critical factor(s).

Medium
  • Designated special historic landscapes.
  • Undesignated historic landscapes that would justify special historic landscape designation, landscapes of regional importance.
  • Averagely well-preserved historic landscapes with reasonable coherence, time-depth or other critical factor(s).

Low
  • Robust undesignated historic landscapes.
  • Historic landscapes with specific and substantial importance to local interest groups, but with limited sensitivity.
  • Historic landscapes whose sensitivity is limited by poor preservation and/or poor survival of contextual associations.

Negligible
  • Landscapes with little or no significant historical interest.

Unknown
  • The sensitivity of the landscape cannot be ascertained.

Impact Magnitude

12.2.12 Criteria for the assessment of the magnitude of impact are set out in Table 12.3 and Table 12.4.

Table 12.3 Criteria to Assess Magnitude of Impact for Archaeology and Historic Buildings

Magnitude

Criteria

Major
  • Change to most or all key archaeological or historic building elements so that resource is totally altered.
  • Comprehensive changes to setting.

Moderate
  • Changes to many key archaeological or historic building elements, such that the resource is clearly modified.
  • Considerable changes to setting that affect the character of the asset.

Minor
  • Changes to the key archaeological or historic building elements, such that the resource is clearly modified.
  • Slight changes to setting.

Negligible
  • Very minor changes to archaeological or historic building elements or setting.

No Change
  • No observable loss of archaeological or historic building elements or setting elements.

Table 12.4 Criteria to Assess Magnitude of Impact for Historic Landscape Units

Magnitude

Criteria

Major
  • Change to most or all key historic landscape features; extreme visual effects; gross change of noise levels or change to sound quality; fundamental change to use or access; resulting in total change to historic landscape unit.

Moderate
  • Change to many key historic landscape features, visual change to many key aspects of historic landscape, noticeable differences in noise levels or sound quality, considerable change to use or access; resulting in moderate change to historic landscape unit.

Minor
  • Change to few key historic landscape features, slight visual change to few key aspects of historic landscape, limited changes in noise levels or sound quality, slight change to use or access; resulting in a limited change to historic landscape unit.

Negligible
  • Very minor changes to key historic landscape features, virtually unchanged visual effects, very slight changes in noise levels or sound quality, very slight change to use or access; resulting in a very small change to historic landscape unit.

No Change
  • No change to key historic landscape features; no visual or audible changes; no changes arising from amenity or community factors.

Impact Significance

12.2.13 Significance of effect is determined as a combination of the site importance and impact magnitude. Five levels of significance were defined which apply equally to beneficial and adverse impacts. To provide consistency with other environmental assessments presented within this Stage 2 report, the significance terms used in the Table 5.4 of HA 208/07 have been substituted in this the cultural heritage assessment with the following terms, which are the same as those used in Chapter 10 (Landscape) and Chapter 11 (Visual):

  • Negligible (‘Neutral/Slight’ in HA 208/07);
  • Slight (unchanged);
  • Moderate (unchanged);
  • Substantial (‘Large’ in HA 208/07); and
  • Severe (‘Very Large’ in HA 208/07).

12.2.14 Table 12.5 shows how the sensitivity of the heritage assets and magnitude of impact are combined to assess the significance of impact:

Table 12.5: Significance of Impacts Matrix

Magnitude / Sensitivity

No Change

Negligible

Minor

Moderate

Major

Very High

Neutral

Slight

Moderate or Substantial

Substantial or Severe

Severe

High

Neutral

Slight

Moderate or Slight

Moderate or Substantial

Substantial or Severe

Medium

Neutral

Negligible

Slight

Moderate

Moderate or Substantial

Low

Neutral

Negligible

Negligible

Slight

Slight or Moderate

Negligible

Neutral

Neutral

Negligible

Negligible

Slight

12.3 Baseline Conditions

12.3.1 A total of 244 sites of cultural heritage interest were identified within the study area. While located outside the study area, possible impacts on a complex of sites associated with Dundas Castle (Sites 819, 822, 828, 839, 847, 849, 855, 874, 876, 877, 891, 898) were also assessed, bringing the total number of sites considered to 256. Of these, 214 sites are undesignated, while Table 12.6 provides a break-down of the remaining 42 sites by their designation.

Table 12.6: Summary of Designated Sites within the Study Area

Designation

Site Number

Total Sites

Category A Listed Building

30, 427, 847, 855

4

Category B Listed Building

89, 267, 279, 300, 303, 323, 358, 484, 721, 808, 814, 819, 817, 839, 876 ,877, 891, 898, 904

19

Category C (S) Listed Building

334, 336, 439, 482, 532, 815, 822, 828, 830, 834, 874, 907, 909

13

Conservation Area

1250

1

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

1096, 1111, 1112

3

Scheduled Ancient Monument

82, 849

2

Total

42

12.3.2 Table 12.7 provides a breakdown of identified sites by archaeological/historical period.

Table 12.7: Summary of All Sites within the Study Area (by period)

Period

Total Sites

Prehistoric (7000 – AD 43)

12

Roman (AD 43 – 410)

4

Early Medieval (AD 410 – 1066)

1

Medieval (AD 410 – 1603)

5

Post-Medieval (AD 1603 – 1901)

150

Modern (AD 1901 onwards)

31

Uncertain

53

Total

256

Topography and Landscape

12.3.3 While the Royal Burghs of North and South Queensferry and Inverkeithing have had a significant role in shaping the character of the study area, especially with regard to settlement based on trade and the passage of goods and people north and south across the Firth of Forth, the present landscape is largely a product of estate improvements of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. More recent influences have included a steadily increasing industrial and military presence on either side of the Firth of Forth with extractive industries such as coal, quarrying and shale oil mining followed by the construction of large Naval complexes such as Rosyth and Port Edgar Barracks. In addition, extensive defences were constructed during both World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII).

Prehistoric Period

12.3.4 Prehistoric human activity within the wider area includes the earliest dated human settlement ever found in Scotland. Evidence for a Mesolithic camp in the form of stone tools, tool waste and hazelnut shells have been recovered from Cramond just east of the Forth Rail Bridge. Activity in this camp has been dated to about 8500 BC. Two stone axes (Sites 234 and 818) recovered from inside the study area are likely to be Neolithic in date and it is possible that the stone axe heads found in a field beside the farmhouse of Ferry Barns (Site 346) also date to this period. The large stone cairn at Cromwell's Mount, Craigdhu (Site 344; now destroyed) may have been constructed in the Neolithic period.

12.3.5 Evidence for Bronze Age activity comprises two short cists excavated in advance of the construction of the Forth Road Bridge (Sites 87 and 743). Finds recovered from the former included a bronze dagger and a jet necklace. The finds recovered from the cists inserted into the stone cairn at Cromwell's Mount, Craigdhu (Site 344) indicate a Bronze Age date for these.

12.3.6 Evidence for later prehistoric activity is scant and comprises a Late Bronze Age socketed bronze axe was found near Kirkliston (Site 1003) and Middlebank Souterrain (Site 82; a Scheduled Ancient Monument), which is likely to date to the Iron Age. Souterrains are curving, underground passageways which are usually lined with stone. Such sites are known across all of Scotland but particularly, north of the Firth of Forth with a large concentration on Tayside. The function of such sites is not known but it has been suggested that they were associated with either storage of valuable commodities or alternatively had an important ritual function. Most souterrains were deliberately filled in and ritually closed towards the end of the Roman occupation of Lowland Scotland.

12.3.7 Other sites possibly dating to the prehistoric period include Middlebank ring ditch (Site 90), flints (Site 244), human graves in the vicinity of Inchgarvie House (Site 543) and 'Sentry Knowe' Barrow (Site 526; now destroyed) which was also located in the vicinity of Inchgarvie House.

Roman

12.3.8 To the west of the study area, the presence of the Antonine Wall and to the east the fort at Cramond attest to a substantial presence in the area during the Roman period. There are however few known Roman sites within the study area. Urns recovered from Middlebank in the 19th century (Site 94) have been attributed to the Roman period although this date is not secure. Roman material, including a patera handle and a possible building was noted in the 19th century close to Inchgarvie House (Site 534). Excavation has demonstrated that the possible Roman enclosure at Inchgarvie visible on aerial photographs (Site 706) was a misinterpretation of geological features while evaluation excavation also revealed no trace of the proposed Cramond to Antonine Wall Roman Road at South Queensferry (Site 745).

Early Medieval

12.3.9 A pre-12th century AD sculptured stone (Site 26) was previously located close to the old mansion house of Duloch and the west lodge of Fordell. This stone was broken up for road metal. Although there is little in the way of known Early Medieval sites within the area, the presence of sites in the wider area (particularly towards the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth) indicates that there is good potential for the presence of previously unknown sites.

Medieval

12.3.10 The Royal Burghs of North and South Queensferry and Inverkeithing have their origins in the Medieval period. The presence of great houses such as at Abercorn, Dundas and Niddry Castle are likely to have had associations with the Carmelite friary at South Queensferry. While the present keep of Dundas Castle dates to the 15th century, the castle may have its origins in the 12th century. It is possible that cultivation terraces located to the west of Inverkeithing Cemetery (Site 265) date to the medieval period; no trace of these was located by the evaluation excavations undertaken to the south (Site 262). It is also known that there was a medieval hospital at North Queensferry (Site 425) although the exact location of this site is unknown. Greig’s Hill to the west of Kirkliston, now the site of a modern housing development, is traditionally the site of an encampment of Edward I (Site 1002) while a now destroyed area of rig and furrow at Dalmeny Junction (Site 1234) may have dated to the medieval period.

Post Medieval and Modern (Industrial) Period

12.3.11 The cultural heritage of the study area is characterised by sites dating to the Post Medieval and modern periods, with 181 sites dating to this period identified within the study area.

12.3.12 The present landscape of the study area was shaped by the formation of country estates, all with substantial designed landscapes and organised parkland including Fordell Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1096), Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1111) and Newliston Designed Landscape (Site 1112) all of which are recorded on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. All of these estates retain several Category A and B Listed Buildings and/or Scheduled Ancient Monuments within their grounds. The influence of these large estates extended beyond their present boundaries with the creation of planned villages such as Dalmeny and the sponsorship of industrial and extractive industries also had a large influence on the wider landscape.

12.3.13 The area around the Forth Rail Bridge became an increasingly important location for the Royal Navy during the period following the construction of the Rosyth Naval Dockyard in 1906. As a result, the requirement for air and sea defences within the area, particularly during WWII, led to the construction of numerous and varied defence installations. There are a number of air defence batteries, pill boxes and barrage balloon mooring sites as well as the Category B listed former admiralty headquarters at St Margaret’s Hope (Sites 300 and 303). Notable amongst the military built heritage sites for its excellent preservation and quality is the Category B Listed former Royal Naval hospital, prison, hospital, air raid shelter and boiler room and barrack complex at Port Edgar (Site 484). Port Edgar was a training base for motor torpedo boats prior to WWI. During WWII it was renamed HMS Lochinvar and was later the training base for minesweeping and fishery patrol work until 1975 when the base was decommissioned.

12.3.14 The Firth of Forth became the focus for increasing industrial activity from the 18th century onwards with the advent of coal mining and associated salt panning, thus beginning a long history of industrial activity along the shores of the Forth, particularly around Inverkeithing upon construction of the railway bridge. The presence of the large country estates precluded larger scale industrial activity in these areas which have since been preserved as designed landscapes.

12.3.15 A number of wrecks have also been identified in the Firth of Forth (Figure 12.1f). The majority of these are 19th century cargo ships which sank after striking Beamer Rock.

Historic Landscape Assessment

12.3.16 Based on the Historic Landscape Characterisation data provided by RCAHMS, a total of 176 separate character areas have been identified, grouped into the 27 historic landscape types. The table below provides a summary of the historic landscape character types identified within the study area along with an assessment of their sensitivity. The locations of the character areas are shown on Figure 12.3.

Table 12.8: Summary of Historic Landscape Character Types within the Study Area

Historic Landscape Character Type

Number of Character Areas

Sensitivity

17th-19th Century Country Estate

1

High

17th-19th Century Designed Landscape

4

High

17th-19th Century Policies and Parkland

8

Medium

18th Century-Present Cemetery

1

Medium

18th-19th Century Planned Village: Agricultural

1

Medium

18th-19th Century Rectilinear Fields

27

Negligible

18th-20th Century Managed Woodland

19

Negligible

19th Century Rail Bridge

1

High

19th Century-Present Amalgamated Fields

24

Negligible

19th Century-Present Industrial and Commercial Area

12

Negligible

19th Century-Present Maritime Installation

2

Medium

19th Century-Present Quarry

1

Medium

19th Century-Present Railway

4

Negligible

19th Century-Present Recreation Area

13

Low

19th Century-Present Reservoir

2

Low

19th Century-Present Urban Area

14

Negligible

20th Century Road Bridge

1

High

20th Century Coniferous Plantation

1

Negligible

20th Century Holdings

3

Negligible

Late 20th Century-Present New Fields

3

Negligible

Late 20th Century-Present Power Station

1

Negligible

Late 20th Century-Present Restored Agricultural Land

1

Negligible

Late 20th Century-Present Roads

5

Negligible

Late 20th Century-Present Woodland Plantation

1

Negligible

Medieval Urban Core

1

High

Medieval Village Core

1

High

Rough Grazing

24

Negligible

12.4 Potential Impacts

12.4.1 The tables below list all sites that could experience impacts due to the Forth Replacement Crossing project and provides a provisional assessment of the significance of potential impacts on each known site, in line with the methodology described above. It should be noted that this section reports potential impacts in the absence of mitigation, which would be developed as part of Stage 3 assessment.

12.4.2 The proposed replacement bridge is common to all corridor options and it is therefore assumed that the magnitude and significance of potential impacts resulting from the river crossing would be the same for any combination of alignments. Potential impacts from the proposed replacement bridge are therefore only assessed once and separately from the connecting road corridor options.

12.4.3 With the exception of potential impacts on Designed Landscapes (Sites 1096, 1111, 1112), the impacts on the historic landscape character areas were not significant. This assessment was based on the proposed impacts when compared to present the existing and landscape character areas. These were therefore not taken into consideration in the assessment and comparison of the route corridor options.

Proposed Replacement Bridge

12.4.4 The construction of a bridge pier on Beamer Rock is likely to have a direct physical impact on Beamer Rock Lighthouse (Site 426), a site of low sensitivity. The magnitude of this impact has been assessed as major and the significance of impact as Moderate.

12.4.5 One of the bridge piers may also have a direct impact on St Margaret's Hope Relict Country Estate (Site 1102), a site of medium sensitivity. The magnitude of this impact has been assessed as minor and significance of this impact has been assessed as Slight.

12.4.6 Based on the locations provided by NMRS and the UK Hydrographic Office, no impacts on any known shipwrecks are predicted. There is however potential for direct physical impacts on unknown shipwrecks and other marine archaeological sites and impacts on their setting.

12.4.7 The complexes of Listed Buildings at St Margaret’s Hope (Sites 300 and 303) and at Port Edgar Harbour (Site 484) will be spanned or partially spanned by the proposed replacement bridge, introducing a new element into the setting of these sites. The significance of impact on the setting of these sites has been assessed as Substantial. The proposed bridge will also have an impact on views from and to Inchgarvie House (Site 532; a Category C(S) Listed building) and its associated gate lodge (Site 530). The significance of impact on the setting of these sites has been assessed as Moderate.

12.4.8 The location of the houses, principal facades, driveway and gate lodges would suggest that Hopetoun House (Site 452), Society House (Site 446) and the associated Designed Landscape (Site 1103) were constructed to take advantage of views eastwards along the Firth of Forth and that these views, which now include the Forth Rail Bridge (Site 435) and Forth Road Bridge (Site 427), form an important element in the setting of the Hopetoun Estate on which the proposed replacement bridge would have an impact. The significance of this impact has been assessed as Slight.

Table 12.9: Summary of Potential Impacts on Setting – Proposed Replacement Bridge

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

300

St Margaret's Hope, Including Boundary Walls, Walled Garden To South And Archway On Drive To North

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Major

Substantial

334

Ferry Craig, South Queensferry

Category C(S) Listed Building

Low

Major

Moderate

446

Hopetoun House, Society House

Category A Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

452

Hopetoun House

Category A Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

474

Hopetoun House, East Lodge And Gate

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Minor

Slight

482

Port Edgar West Pier

Category C(S) Listed Building

Low

Moderate

Slight

484

Port Edgar Harbour Barrack Complex

Category B Listed Buildings

Medium

Major

Substantial

530

Inchgarvie House Lodge

None

Low

Major

Moderate

532

Inchgarvie House

Category C(S) Listed Building

Low

Major

Moderate

1102

St Margaret's Hope Relict Country Estate

None

Medium

Major

Moderate

1103

Hopetoun House Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Minor

Slight

12.4.9 In addition to those sites assessed above, there are a large number of Listed Buildings located in North Queensferry and South Queensferry and parts of both towns are Conservation Areas. As the settings of these buildings and Conservation Areas are dominated by the existing bridges, the significance of impact on the setting of these sites by a similar element has been assessed as Slight.

Northern Route Corridor Options

Impacts Common to Both Northern Route Corridor Options

12.4.10 There are a number of Listed Buildings located in Inverkeithing, Jamestown, and North Queensferry, and part of North Queensferry is also a Conservation Area. To the west of Inverkeithing, there is recent residential development between both of the corridor options and the town’s historic core. Further to the south, both the Jamestown Viaduct and the Forth Road Bridge are likely to reduce the views of both corridor options eastwards from Jamestown and North Queensferry. The significance of impact on Listed Buildings in these towns, and North Queensferry Conservation Area of either northern route corridor options has therefore been assessed as Neutral.

North Corridor Option 1

12.4.11 Potential physical impacts on 11 sites have been identified, as detailed in Table 12.10 below. These impacts are all permanent and direct. Middlebank Souterrain SAM (Site 82) will be removed by this option and the significance of this impact has been assessed as Severe. This option will also have an impact on the approach ramps of the existing Forth Road Bridge (Site 427; Category A Listed Building). The significance of impact on this site has been assessed as being Slight. The potential impact on St Margaret's Hope Relict Country Estate (Site 1102) has been assessed as of Moderate significance.

12.4.12 While located within the footprint of this corridor option, Sites 94, 260, 297 and 1091 have been destroyed. The impact on these sites has been assessed as being of Neutral significance.

Table 12.10: Summary of Potential Physical Impacts - North Corridor Option 1

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

82

Middlebank Souterrain

SAM

High

Major

Severe

256

Inverkeithing Cemetery, Cultivation Terraces

None

Low

Minor

Negligible

289

St Margaret's Hope Rosyth

None

Low

Major

Slight

427

Forth Road Bridge

Category A Listed Building

High

Negligible

Slight

1060

Middlebank Quarry Tramline

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

1062

Middlebank Coal Level

None

Negligible

Moderate

Negligible

1078

Middlebank Cropmarks

None

Unknown

Moderate

Unknown

1094

St Margaret's, Quarry

None

Negligible

Moderate

Negligible

1097

Duloch House Designed Landscape

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1100

Middlebank Relict County Estate

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1102

St Margaret's Hope Relict Country Estate

None

Medium

Minor

Slight

12.4.13 As detailed in Table 12.11 below, potential impacts on the setting of 16 sites have been identified. While the northern end of this corridor option is located close to the Fordell Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1096) and Old Duloch House (Site 30; Category A Listed Building), it is mostly on the line of the existing A90 and in a cutting, reducing the visibility of this option. The significance of impact of the setting of these sites therefore been assessed as Slight. To the northwest of The Dales (Site 89; Category B Listed Building), this option follows the line of the A90, an existing element in the views which form part of the setting of this Listed Building. The significance of the impact on the setting of this has been assessed as Slight.

Table 12.11: Summary of Potential Impacts on Setting - North Corridor Option 1

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

22

Duloch House South Gate

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

30

Old Duloch House, Walled Garden and Boundary Walls and Gatepiers

Category A Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

89

The Dales, Inverkeithing, Farmhouse and Steading

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Minor

Slight

226

Inverkeithing, Dunfermline Wynd, 'Selvage' Manor House

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

267

Inverkeithing, Jamestown Viaduct

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

279

Jamestown, Ferryhills Road, Naval Base Mansions

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

282

Jamestown, General

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

323

North Queensferry, Northcliff House, Gatepiers, Gates and Railings

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

337

North Queensferry, Main Road, Fernbank, Outbuilding

Category C(S) Listed Building

Low

Negligible

Negligible

358

North Queensferry, Craigdhu

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

1056

Middlebank House

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1057

Middlebank House and Walled Garden

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1069

Castle Hill, Lodge House

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1096

Fordell Castle Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Negligible

Slight

1097

Duloch House Designed Landscape

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1100

Middlebank Designed Landscape

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

North Corridor Option 2

12.4.14 Potential physical impacts on 15 sites have been identified, as detailed in Table 12.12 below. Of these, the significance of eight impacts have been assessed as Slight while there is also the potential for an impact of Moderate significance on the non-designated designed landscape at Castlandhill (Site 1101).

12.4.15 While located within the footprint of this option, Sites 297, 299 and 1091 have been destroyed. The impact on these sites has been assessed as Neutral and these are not considered in Table 12.12.

Table 12.12: Summary of Potential Physical Impacts - North Corridor Option 2

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

22

Duloch House South Gate

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

36

Bridge over Pinkerton Burn

None

Low

Major

Slight

96

Greens Park Building (Site of)

None

Negligible

Major

Negligible

112

Inverkeithing, Belleknowes Industrial Estate

None

Negligible

Major

Negligible

121

Castlandhill Boundary Wall

None

Negligible

Major

Negligible

287

Stone and Earth Wall

None

Negligible

Major

Negligible

289

St Margaret's Hope Wharf Rosyth

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

292

St Margaret's Hope Cults Ness; Rosyth

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

304

Quarry

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

318

Stone and Earth Wall

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

1074

The Dales, Track/Road

None

Negligible

Minor

Negligible

1081

Castlandhill, WW2 Military Buildings

None

Low

Major

Slight

1082

Castlandhill, Circular Cropmarks and Building

None

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

1097

Duloch House Designed Landscape

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1101

Castlandhill Designed Landscape

None

Medium

Moderate

Moderate

12.4.16 Potential impacts on the setting of 11 sites have been identified in Table 12.13. Construction of the road would introduce a new element into essentially rural views north-westwards from The Dales Farmhouse and Steading at Inverkeithing (Site 89; Category B Listed Building) and the significance of this impact has been assessed as being Moderate. While the northern end of this option is located close to Old Duloch House (Site 30; Category A Listed Building) and the Fordell Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1096), it is mostly on the line of the existing A90 and in cutting, reducing the visibility of this option in the landscape. The significance of impacts on these sites has been assessed as Slight.

Table 12.13: Summary of Potential Impacts on Setting - North Corridor Option 2

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

30

Old Duloch House, Walled Garden and Boundary Walls and Gatepiers

Category A Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

89

Inverkeithing, The Dales, Farmhouse and Steading

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Major

Moderate

226

Inverkeithing, Dunfermline Wynd, 'Selvage' Manor House

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

238

Castlandhill Cottages

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

267

Inverkeithing, Jamestown Viaduct

Category B Listed Building

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

1069

Castle Hill, Lodge House

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1079

Castlandhill, Pillbox

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1096

Fordell Castle Designed Landscape

Designed Landscape

High

Negligible

Slight

1097

Duloch House Designed Landscape

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1100

Middlebank Designed Landscape

None

Low

Negligible

Negligible

1101

Castlandhill Designed Landscape

None

Medium

Moderate

Moderate

Southern Route Corridor Options

Impacts Common to Both Southern Route Corridor Options

12.4.17 A number of sites recorded in the area of Inchgarvie House (Site 532), including a possible barrow (Site 526), graves (Site 543) and Roman finds (Site 534) suggest activity in this area dating to the prehistoric and Roman periods. This area is therefore considered to have a high potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains on which either of the proposed southern corridor options may have an impact.

12.4.18 There are a large number of Listed Buildings located within South Queensferry, the northeastern part of which is a Conservation Area. However the existing embankment for the Forth Road Bridge will reduce the visibility of both South Corridor Option 1 and South Corridor Option 2 in views west from South Queensferry. The potential impact on the setting of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area within South Queensferry has been assessed as Slight.

12.4.19 The existing M9 Spur has already partially urbanised the setting of Humbie Dovecot (Site 907), Humbie Cottages (Site 909), Humbie Steading (Site 914) and Humbie Farmhouse (Site 919). Humbie Steading is a Category B Listed Building while the others are Category C(S) Listed Buildings. While a new link road is proposed, both South Corridor Option 1 and South Corridor Option 2 are on line in this area. The significance of impact on the setting of these sites has therefore been assessed as Neutral.

South Corridor Option 1

12.4.20 Potential physical impacts on 14 sites have been identified, as detailed in Table 12.14 below. These impacts are all direct and permanent. The impact on Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1111) has been assessed as of being of Substantial significance and there is potential for a Slight significance of impact on the northeastern corner the Newliston Designed Landscape (Site 1112). The significance of the impacts on other sites has been assessed as ranging from Neutral to Moderate.

Table 12.14: Summary of Potential Physical Impacts - South Corridor Option 1

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

150

Newbigging Cobbled Surface

None

Low

Major

Slight

561

Linn Burn Cropmark

None

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

811

Inchgarvie House Linear Cropmarks

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1111

Dundas Castle Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Moderate

Substantial

1112

Newliston Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Negligible

Slight

1118

South Queensferry, Linear Cropmark

None

Unknown

Moderate

Unknown

1122

Possible Quarry Pit

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

1145

Newbigging Roadway

None

Low

Minor

Negligible

1146

Newbigging Cropmark Pit Alignment

None

Medium

Major

Moderate

1147

Echline Strip Clearance Cairns

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

1148

Newbigging Clearance Cairns

None

Negligible

Negligible

Neutral

1149

Newbigging Tank/Spring

None

Negligible

Major

Slight

1197

Milton Cropmark Pit Alignment

None

Medium

Minor

Slight

1200

Newbigging Road

None

Low

Minor

Negligible

12.4.21 Potential impacts on the setting of eight sites or site groups have been identified, as detailed in Table 12.15 below. The significance of the potential impact on the setting of Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1111) has been assessed as Moderate. The potential impacts on Echline Farmhouse (Site 721; Category B Listed Building), Echline Cottages (Sites 723-730; Category B Listed), Newbigging Steading (Site 814; Category B Listed) and Newbigging Farmhouse (Site 815; Category C(S) Listed Building) have all been assessed as being of Slight significance.

Table 12.15: Summary of Potential Impacts on Setting - South Corridor Option 1

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

721

Echline Farmhouse

Category B Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

723-730

Echline Cottages

Category B Listed Buildings (group)

High

Minor

Slight

802, 807 & 808

Scotstoun House, 1 and 2, Offices & Garden Walls

Category B Listed Buildings complex

High

No Change

Neutral

814

Newbigging Steading 6-18

Category B Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

815

Newbigging Farmhouse

Category C (S) Listed Building

Medium

Minor

Slight

817, 828, 839, 847, 849, 855, 876, 879, 877, 891, 898, 904

Dundas Castle Complex

SAM and Category A, B and C (S) Listed Buildings

High

No Change

Neutral

1111

Dundas Castle designed Landscape

Designed Landscape

High

Moderate

Moderate

1112

Newliston Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Negligible

Slight

South Corridor Option 2

12.4.22 Potential physical impacts on seven sites or groups of sites have been identified, as detailed in Table 12.16 below. While the significance of the impact on Milton Cropmark Pit Alignment (Site 1197) has been assessed as Moderate, the significance of the impacts on the other sites have been assessed as Negligible or Slight.

Table 12.16 Summary of Potential Physical Impacts - South Corridor Option 2

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

561

Linn Mill Burn

None

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

811

Inchgarvie Cropmark

None

Medium

Minor

Slight

896

Swineburn Wood Linear Cropmark

None

Medium

Negligible

Negligible

945

Overton, Charles Bridge

None

Low

Moderate

Slight

1112

Newliston Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Minor

Slight

1118

Cropmark

None

Medium

Minor

Slight

1197

Milton Cropmark Pit Alignment

None

Medium

Moderate

Moderate

12.4.23 Potential impacts on the setting of five sites or groups of sites have been identified in Table 12.17. The potential impacts on the Category B Listed Dundas Mains Cottages (Sites 819-823) and the Westfield Steading complex (Sites 830, 834-6 & 842-844; all Category C(S) Listed Buildings) have been assessed as being of Slight significance. To the west of the Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1112), recorded on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, South Corridor Option 2 would be in a road cutting, reducing its visibility in the landscape. The significance of this impact on this site has been assessed as Slight.

Table 12.17: Summary of Potential Impacts on Setting - South Corridor Option 2

Site

Site Name

Designation

Sensitivity

Potential Impact (unmitigated)

Magnitude

Significance

819-823

Dundas Mains

Category B Listed Building

High

Minor

Slight

817, 828, 839, 847, 849, 855, 876, 879, 877, 891, 898, 904

Dundas Castle Complex

Scheduled Ancient Monument and Category A, Band C(S) Listed Buildings

High

No Change

Neutral

830, 834-6 & 842-844

Westfield Steading Complex

Category C (S) Listed Buildings

Medium

Minor

Slight

1111

Dundas Castle Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Minor

Slight

1112

Newliston Designed Landscape

Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes

High

Minor

Slight

12.5 Potential Mitigation

12.5.1 At DMRB Stage 2 assessment of route corridor options, the detailed design has not been developed and mitigation detail therefore cannot be accurately defined. The objective of this section is therefore to identify ‘standard’ or ‘anticipated’ mitigation taking into account best practice, legislation and guidance. This mitigation is taken into account in the subsequent identification of likely residual impacts in Section 12.6 (Summary of Corridor Options Assessment), to provide a robust basis for comparative assessment and selection of a preferred route corridor option to be taken forward to Stage 3.

12.5.2 Generic mitigation options available include:

  • design solutions to avoid or reduce impacts, so as to achieve ‘preservation in situ’, for instance by altering the vertical or horizontal alignment;
  • archaeological and architectural recording works in advance of construction, including set-piece archaeological excavations, and the dissemination of the results of these works to offset the impact by recording the site (‘preservation by record’); and
  • archaeological recording work during construction, including watching briefs, and the dissemination of the results, to offset the impact by recording any surviving remains.

12.5.3 Where mitigation works are required for impacts on the setting of sites of cultural heritage interest, they are most likely to take the form of landscape design measures, including the provision of false cuttings and or vegetation planting.

12.6 Summary of Route Corridor Options Assessment

12.6.1 This section takes the likely mitigation into account to summarise the residual impacts for each of the route corridor options.

Northern Route Corridor Options

12.6.2 The significance of the impact of North Corridor Option 1 on Middlebank Souterrain SAM (Site 82) has been assessed as Severe. While it may be possible to offset this impact through recording works, including set piece excavations and dissemination of results, the residual significance of impact on this site been assessed as Substantial until this can be confirmed. As North Corridor Option 2 avoids a direct physical impact on Middlebank Souterrain SAM (Site 82), this option is the preferred northern route corridor option. It is Historic Scotland’s expectation that all new roads are planned to avoid damage to the site and setting of statutorily protected scheduled monuments (The Highways Agency et al., 2007). This is in accordance with the guidance provided by NPPG 5 (Paragraph 17), SHEP 2 (Historic Scotland, 2008) and the Dunfermline and the Coast Adopted Local Plan (Policy BE15).

12.6.3 With the exception of Site 82, it is likely that the significance of the other direct physical impacts which may result from North Corridor Option 1 and North Corridor Option 2 can be reduced to Neutral through recording works in advance of construction. It is also likely that the impacts on setting identified can also be mitigated by recording in advance of highway and landscape construction.

12.6.4 Overall, whilst both North Corridor Options 1 and 2 have the potential to impact on Middlebank Souterrain SAM, North Corridor Option 2 is marginally preferred as it would be further away from this SAM.

Southern Route Corridor Options

12.6.5 A direct impact of Slight significance by both southern route corridor options on Newliston Designed Landscape (Site 1112) has been identified although it may be possible to mitigate this impact by recording works in advance of construction. In addition a direct physical impact of Moderate significance on Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1111) by South Corridor Option 1 is predicted, which would be difficult to fully mitigate. South Corridor Option 2 avoids this impact and is therefore the preferred southern corridor option. It is Historic Scotland’s policy to seek to prevent any intrusive development which would detract from the integrity and historic landscape character of gardens and designed landscapes (The Highways Agency et al., 2007).

12.6.6 It is likely that the other direct physical impacts predicted for the southern corridor options, assessed as ranging from Slight to Moderate, can be reduced to Neutral through recording works in advance of construction.

12.6.7 South Corridor Option 2 is predicted to have impacts on the setting of four sites, the significance of which has been assessed as Slight with the remaining impact being assessed as Neutral. Slight impacts on the setting of five sites by South Corridor Option 1 are predicted, along with two Moderate significance impacts.

12.6.8 In terms of number and significance of impacts on setting, South Corridor Option 2 would have less impact to South Corridor Option 1. With the exception of impacts on the setting of Dundas Castle Designed Landscape (Site 1111), it is likely that the other impacts on setting by the southern corridor options can be fully mitigated through landscape works.

12.6.9 Overall, South Corridor Option 2 is the preferred option as it would have less impact on Dundas Castle Designed Landscape and other impacts are generally similar.

12.7 Scope of Stage 3 Assessment

12.7.1 The Stage 3 assessment will be based on DMRB Volume 11, Section 3, Part 2 and will provide the following information:

  • a description of the archaeological/historic background of the area surrounding the preferred route corridor including a compiled of known sites;
  • a description of the archaeology, historic buildings and historic landscape character in the area surrounding the preferred route corridor;
  • an assessment of the cultural heritage value of each site, structure and area identified within the survey area;
  • an assessment of the potential of the survey area for unknown archaeological remains;
  • recommendations for further evaluation and mitigation works; and
  • an assessment of the magnitude of the un-mitigated scheme on all sites, structures and areas.

12.8 References

City of Edinburgh Council (2006). Rural West Edinburgh Local Plan, Adopted June 2006.

Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan (ELSP) 2015.

Fife Council (2002) Dunfermline and the Coast Local Plan, Adopted April 2002.

Fife Council (2002) Fife Structure Plan 2001 – 2011, Approved 8 July 2002.

Historic Scotland (2006). Scottish Historic Environment Policy 2: Scheduling: protecting Scotland’s nationally important monuments.

Historic Scotland (2008). Scottish Historic Environment Policy 3: Gardens and Designed Landscapes.

Scottish Office (1994a). National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 5: Archaeology and Planning.

Scottish Office (1994b). Policy Advice Note (PAN) 42: Archaeology – The Planning Process and Scheduled Monuments Procedures.

Scottish Office (1999). National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 18: Planning and the Historic Environment.

The Highways Agency et al. (2007). DMRB Volume 11 Cultural Heritage, Section 3, Part 2, Revision HA 208/07, August 2007. The Highways Agency, Transport Scotland, Welsh Assembly Government and The Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland.

West Lothian Council (2005). West Lothian Local Plan, finalised 2005, to be adopted 2008.