Tir Gofal
April 2002 – March 2003

Pre-application enquiries - Changes in the application form sent out for Year 4 of the scheme meant that farmers no longer had to specify in advance how many known archaeological sites or historic buildings are situated on their farm. Consequently, significantly fewer pre-application enquiries where received in the run-up to the 2003 application window. Only 11 pre-application enquiries were received compared to 108 during 2001/2002.

Historic Environment 1 reports (HE1s) - The consultations on Year 3 of the scheme were completed during the year, resulting in 467 Year 3 HE1 reports. Following a request by CCW the content of the HE1s was developed to address the overall historic landscape of the individual farm. The reports now include further assessment of the historic landscape and also have a summary of the key management objectives which should be taken into consideration in the overall management of the farm.

Historic Environment 2 reports (HE2s) - A total of 67 farms were visited during the year. Eleven of these visits were ‘call outs’ where the Tir Gofal Project Officer requested a farm visit to address a specific management issue. Unfortunately, a further call out was undertaken to assess the damage to an archaeological site that had been subjected to unauthorised works. The increase in farm joining the scheme had a knock on effect on the HE2 production with 2 temporary staff being recruited to assist with the production of HE2s.

Training - The Trust has been involved in a number of training initiatives throughout the year. A training day for CCW Tir Gofal Project Officers looking specifically at farm building restoration was held in July with specialist advice from Cadw. Dinefwr Park was the setting for a training day for newly recruited CCW Tir Gofal Project Officers in July. A series of inductions days were held by CCW in the spring for farmers who had recently entered the scheme. The Trust attended each of these days in order to raise the awareness of the historic environment and to answer questions.

Through Tir Gofal, and in consultation with Cadw, the parkland at Nanteos will be restored by tree planting.