Series: neo environmental unpublished report series

The design of the development included two buildings; the main house to the south and a garage to the north. Observation of main groundworks during the project occurred on 12th December 2016. This involved the monitoring of a controlled strip of the southern building's (house) footprint. This area was stripped of topsoil down to a level reaching natural subsoil. Some areas were subsequently reduced further in order to meet the technical specifications required for the development. Excavations were done with a 1.5m wide toothless ditching bucket fitted to a c. 5 ton tracked excavator. Excavated areas were not tracked over by the machine until the archaeologist had investigated the area. The northern section of the site (garage) retained a large area of hardstanding from its previous foundational use. As a result, the design of the project aims to build upon this hardstanding and does not require any topsoil stripping within the northern section of the site. Between the northern and southern sections was a service trench, the excavation of which was subsequently monitored on 4th October 2017. Much of this service trench was located within the previous hardstanding area but due to the depth of excavation required this was also monitored. In conclusion, no archaeological features, deposits or artefacts of significance were encountered during the monitoring of the development and it is recommended that no further archaeological investigation of the development site is required.

Neo Environmental was commissioned by Sunsave 28 (Ardleigh) Ltd to undertake an archaeological watching brief at Chancery Farm, Ardleigh, Essex (NGR E606108 N228196) (Figure 1). The watching brief was undertaken to address Condition 20 of the decision notice (Planning Reference 14/00408/FUL) for the development. The development site which is the subject of this watching brief consists of the footprints for a client and DNO substation, as well as the associated access track. The main development site for the solar farm will be situated approximately 350m to the south and will require a separate mitigation strategy. There are also several sites within the HER within 300m of the site. These are mostly features of low significance such as the former field boundaries and trackways to the north and northwest. There is a possible enclosure and associated ditch approximately 240m to the northeast which may indicate further prehistoric activity. No archaeological features, deposits or artefacts of significance were encountered during the monitoring of the development. The remains of three wooden posts encountered in the substation footprint are likely to be of modern origin relating to recent agricultural activity.

Neo Environmental was commissioned by Robert Spick and Jan Hanrahan to undertake archaeological monitoring of a controlled strip for a development at Land at Church House Farm, Steeple Lane, Little Brington, Northamptonshire (NGR E466283 N263631) (Figure 1). The development is the construction of a dwelling with attached garage. The controlled strip was undertaken to address Condition 4 of the decision notice, dated 3rd October 2014. No significant archaeological features, deposits or artefacts were encountered during the controlled strip at Church House Farm. The development site was situated in an area inclusive of Roman and medieval fabric but nothing of these periods were identified during the works. The footprints of a 19th century building were encountered, as well as the 19th century backfilled ditch to the south of this. Both of these features are visible on the 1885 OS map. A significant amount of 19th century pottery was recovered from the ditch but a brief analysis on these remains confirmed that they were not of sufficient significance to require further work.

Six trench evaluation. All six trenches measured 2m by 20m.

The report describes the results of a watching brief on a renewable energy development near Bratton, Telford, Shropshire. No archaeological features of significance were uncovered. A small improvised brick well was uncovered thought to be of recent origin.

Rosewell Development Trust Community Company Ltd commissioned Neo Environmental Ltd to undertake a Level 1 Historic Building Survey at Rosewell Mains Steading, Gorton Loan, Rosewell (NGR 328877 662571) prior to the development of the site. The survey was required to fulfil a condition set by East Lothian Council to

Watching brief on groundworks for the installation of a solar farm.