| Abstract: |
The DBA follows the 2017 updated Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, Historic England’s Advice Note12: Statements of Significance (Historic England, 2019) and Historic England’s Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance (Historic England, 2008). The CIfA guidance outlines the necessity of the DBA to enable appropriate mitigation strategies where necessary, in line with the local and national policies in place. The following actions have been undertaken for this assessment: ● An examination of the local, regional and national planning policies in relation to the historic environment; ● A search of the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) for listed buildings, registered parks and gardens, scheduled monuments, World Heritage Sites and registered battlefields within the study area; ● A search of the Herefordshire Historic Environment Record (HER) database for archaeological sites, archaeological findspots, locally listed buildings, Archaeological Priority Areas and archaeological event locations within the study area; ● An examination of the relevant published and unpublished archaeological and historic sources e.g. journals and historic records; ● An examination of aerial imagery as available on the Historic England Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer; ● A search of the Archaeological Data Service (ADS) for the reports of archaeological excavations within the wider area; ● An examination of topographical and geological evidence; ● A map regression exercise using historic maps to determine previous land use of the proposed development area; ● A site walkover, undertaken on 8th June 2022. There are no World Heritage Sites, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens or registered battlefields within the site boundary or the 1km study area. However, one grade I listed building and 28 grade II listed buildings have been identified, most of which fall within Wigmore Conservation Area, which encompasses the historic core of Wigmore. The site exhibits clear evidence of extensive ground disturbance, largely as a result of the construction of the STW. The potential for archaeological remains to survive is generally considered to be low and those that do will likely be preserved in small, localised and isolated deposits. Records indicate that there is a medium potential for such remains to include evidence relating to the Roman Road Watling Street West, the alignment of which clips the south-east corner of the site, and any associated roadside activity dating to this period. There may also bea medium potential for palaeoenvironmental remains to be preserved within the deposits of alluvium that may be present within the site, as well as deposits relating to medieval and post-medieval agricultural practices. There is considered to be a low potential for remains of prehistoric, early medieval and modern date, and structural remains of medieval and post-medieval date. There are no permanent impacts anticipated to designated heritage assets as a result of the proposed works. However, the excavation required for the construction of new structures has the potential to severely truncate archaeological remains, if present. Superficial ground disturbance caused by topsoil stripping, ground levelling and plant movement would unlikely impact archaeological remains given the considerable deposits of made ground that are anticipated across the site. |
