Town planners have voted unanimously to recommend approval of a planning application which will see access to the Nelson Garden from Monnow Street.

Phase 1 of the development at 24 Monnow Street will begin with the demolition of the steel framed buildings to the rear of Merlins and the formation of one 900 sq ft retail unit and four residential units.

Excavations since 1986 by Monmouth Archaeology Society led by Steve Clarke established that the burgage plots in Monnow Street were probably laid out in the late 11th century and a decade-long excavation at no.24 carried out in the 1990s (see picture below right) established evidence of Roman occupation, a large pre-Norman timber building and an early Norman ditch on the site.

On top of these were medieval metalworking deposits and post medieval features including a cesspit and well.

There was a public house at no. 24 from 1713 which also had an extensive range of buildings at the back of the plot.

The Nags Head was closed at the end of the 19th century and in 1901, the site was recorded as being a butchers shop. The brick street facade appears to date from the 18th century, but all the structures behind the facade now date from the latter 20th century.

A boundary wall between 24 and 20/22, (formerly Christopher's Jewellers and now Country Casuals), appears to be the oldest structure on the site and probably dates back to the 16th or 17th centuries and will come under scrutiny when the site is developed.

The present application has been scaled down from the original 2006 proposal, and the aim now is to retain the side access to open up into a courtyard space towards the rear to give a feeling of openess, with the residential units moving to the back of the site. Four two-bedroom apartments are proposed of about 740 sq. ft. each.

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Trustees of the Nelson Garden are very excited with the plans to provide a direct access to the garden which they hope to open to the public on a more regular basis.

The Grade II* listed Nelson Garden has been restored back to its former glory after lying derelict and unused for a number of years.

Four years into his affair with Lady Emma Hamilton, Horatio Nelson visited the garden with his mistress and her husband, Sir William, during a trip to the nearby Kymin Naval Temple.

Ever since, the walled garden has been named after the Admiral and a blue plaque on a classical pavilion built to commemorate the visit recalls the connection.

A number of features in the garden gives it its listed status, including a hypocaust, or heated, south-facing wall to help cultivate fruit trees. Work has been focusing on excavating the original Victorian pathways around the garden.

The recent restoration project has involved volunteers from U3A, who hope to see fruit trees reinstated.

The garden is entered through a 10ft-long tunnel leading to the base of the old town wall, which formed the perimeter of medieval Monmouth.

The boundary wall faced Chippenham and effectively acted as a viewing platform for the garden's visitors to take in events at a nearby racecourse.

Though known primarily for its association with Nelson, the garden predates the Admiral's visit on 19th August 1802, by at least 100 years.

It was the site of an indoor tennis court in the 17th century and a bowling green by 1718.

Further Roman and Norman remains are thought to be buried deep beneath the lawn.

The present access – through Cornwall House car park or via the back of Chippenham field – will be improved with a direct link to Monnow Street.

For more, see this week's Beacon (1st August).