18th Century milestone issue for Powys garden centre plans

The ancient mile marker, dating back to the 18th Century, is located on the side of the A483 at the former Greenacre Garden Centre in Howey, just outside Llandrindod Wells.

The survival of a complete series of mid-18th Century milestones between Llandrindod and Builth Wells is described as being of “considerable historic value” to Powys.

One outside the former garden centre, indicating to ancient travellers that Builth is six miles away, will need to be carefully removed from its home of the last 264 years and refurbished before being put back.

The survival of a complete series of mid-18th Century milestones between Llandrindod and Builth Wells is described as being of “considerable historic value” to Powys. (Image: Powys County Council)

Gary Bevan lodged plans for four houses, two garages and associated works in March, with plans green-lighted by Powys County Council in August, after outline planning had been approved back in 2017.

One of the plots will be for a three-bedroom affordable home and two of the remaining three will have four bedrooms.

However, listed building consent for the relocation of the milestone will need to be granted before the development can move forward.

“One of the stones is dated 1759 and this may well relate to the whole series,” said a report submitted to planners earlier this month.

“The inscription reading from the top ‘To Ye Wells’ and ‘to Builth 6M’ along the bottom has been partially obscured by the build-up of tarmac.

“The stone has all the appearance of a local glacial erratic boulder roughly dressed to give a smooth face with a weathered top to shed water.”

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Milestones, which originated in the era of the Roman empire, help travellers find their way across Britain. They have been a feature of the nation's highways and byways for 2,000 years, but it wasn’t until 1698, in the reign of William III, that parishes nationwide were required by law to place guideposts at crossroads.

“The survival of a complete series of mid-18th Century milestones between Llandrindod and Builth is of considerable historic value,” continues the report.

“Milestones have a particularly interesting aesthetic in common with other inscribed stones, in particular how the carver places the lettering in the limited space. This stone is of particular interest.

“Of both historic and cultural interest is the failure to mention Llandrindod as a destination. The wells were clearly far better known for themselves in the 18th Century, rather than their location near Llandrindod or Cefnllys.

“The milestone is of considerable historic interest in relation to the development of roads in the area and also to the development of the wells, 100 years before the railway opened the spa to greater numbers of visitors.”

The ancient mile marker, dating back to the 18th Century, is located on the side of the A483 at the former Greenacre Garden Centre in Howey. (Image: Powys County Council)

Over the years the Grade II-listed stone has been lost to view within a hawthorn hedge. Pavement resurfacing has partially obscured the inscription and the black and white paint on the inscribed face has largely weathered away.

As part of proposed changes to the Howey site, the area around the milestone will have to be excavated, to establish the base, and the stone will then have to be lifted out of the ground carefully so it is clear of earth and roots.

The report suggests: “Immediately transfer and secure to a pallet, forklift to a location well away from the working area and cover with a tarpaulin until relocating.

“On completion carefully clean off the inscribed face by hand and redecorate the lettering in black on a white background.”