Grundon, I. (1998). Brooks Hall, Old Redding, Harrow Weald, Middlesex, HA3 6SH, London Borough of Harrow. An Archaeological Impact Assessment.. AOC Archaeology Ltd.

Title:

Brooks Hall, Old Redding, Harrow Weald, Middlesex, HA3 6SH, London Borough of Harrow. An Archaeological Impact Assessment.

Number of Pages:

Biblio Note

Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database. The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.

Publication Type:

Report

Abstract:

An archaeological desk-based assessment was undertaken of the site as part of an application for planning consent for the residential redevelopment of the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Country Club. The settlement of Harrow Weald was first mentioned in 1303 as Waldis, but the site of proposed development was part of Harrow Weald Common land until inclosure, when the land was divided into five parcels. The land was inclosed by 1817. By 1839/40 a cottage had been built on one of the parcels of land which formed the site. This was purchased at that date by Thomas Blackwell, who had co-founded the sauce company of Crosse and Blackwell ten years earlier and whose family ran the large brickworks on the north side of the road later known as Old Redding. Blackwell rebuilt the cottage, adding to it gradually over the years until his death in 1879, by which time it was a sizable country house called 'Brookshill', with a small-scale landscaped garden. Though there was gravel and clay quarrying around the area of proposed development, there was no evidence to suggest that any was carried out on the site itself. The size of the present building, at least part of which is basemented, and that of earlier structures on the site made it likely that any potential archaeological deposits in those parts previously built on would have already been damaged to a certain degree and would have only survived in a fragmentary condition. To what extent this had happened was unknown as no previous archaeological investigations had taken place on the site. There was, however, potential for Iron Age and Roman remains on the site due to the proximity of the Iron Age Grim's Dyke and the chance find of a Roman cinerary urn, which could have implied the presence in the area of some sort of settlement. The urn, which was discovered on or near the east side of the site where it was bordered by Brookhill, may have been found during the construction of the original cottage on the site, or during the consolidation of an entrance to the site from Brookshill. Evidence of features of Iron Age or Roman date may have suvived cut into the natural geology in the form of ditches and pits. Such features could be threatened by foundations for the proposed new building, which was only partially contiguous with the footprint of the existing building, particularly at its eastern end, and by new tree planting at the north of the site. The construction of a house, gate house and new access road would also have an impact on areas of potential survivng archaeology. It was proposed that an archaeological evaluation be undertaken in areas where there would be significant impact but that evaluation be post-determination given the practical problems in providing access. [Au(adp)]

Author:

Imogen Grundon

Publisher:

AOC Archaeology Ltd

Year of Publication:

1998

Locations:

Location - Auto Detected:	Harrow Weald
Location - Auto Detected:	Grims Dyke
Location - Auto Detected:	Hertfordshire
Location - Auto Detected:	Old Redding Blackwell

Subjects / Periods:

1303 (Auto Detected Temporal)
1879 (Auto Detected Temporal)
ROMAN (Historic England Periods)
IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)

Note:

Date Of Issue From: 1998 Date Of Coverage From: 01 Date Of Coverage To: 01 Editorial Expansion: Site name: BROOKS HALL, OLD REDDING, HARROW WEALD
Study area:
Investigation type: Desk-based
District: Harrow
Monument: BUILDING. Post-medieval (1540-1901)
Ngr: TQ14759250
Parish:
Postcode: HA3 6SH

Source:

BIAB (Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))

Created Date:

19 Jan 2009