Generator Tower

Cadw's description

Location

To the rear of Homestead, just above the lane, in an area of woodland.

History

Part of the Garden City Movement, Garden Suburbs Pont-y-Waun was begun c 1918, built by Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Co. for the officials of the Abercarn, Cwm Carn and Prince of Wales Collieries and was completed in 3 or 4 phases. The linear plan is composed of a single road with circus near the mid-point and the houses on the E side are set above the road, those to the W are below it. Architect is unknown although Edward Rosser has been suggested and links have also been made with Ebbw Vale and The Dingle Garden Villages; the variety of design probably indicates the work of several different architects. First housing development in the Borough with an electricity supply and adequate drainage system. This tower housed the generator.

Exterior

Two-storeyed tower of coursed rockfaced stone. the parapet corbelled and embattled, with water spouts. Main frontage has splayed ground floor segmental arched doorway with deep narrow voussoirs, the jambs and quoins slightly projecting; metal overlight, no glazing survives; above is a flat-arched opening with sill. Similar to rear but ground floor masked by corrugated lean-to. Wire attachments on 3 sides.

Reason for designation

Included as an integral part of the Garden Suburbs complex. Group value with other buildings here.