MSDS Marine unpublished reports

Our pilot study focused principally on a local scale, though national issues were present. The goals were to understand the natural capital and ecosystems services provided by maritime heritage in the Goodwin Sands and Kent coast area, to define its associated values, and to connect with the work of Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). The focus was also on archaeological sites, though the historical context and the development of human-environment relationships are referred to and researched where they help underpin understanding of the ecosystems services and values associated with the sites. However, it is noted that this information may also underpin wider-ranging ecosystems services assessments and these factors in particular can help to understand cultural identity, spiritualty and other issues in which time-depth, memory and history are key influencing factors. This project highlights the importance of site-specific research and surveys for understanding ecosystems services arising from wreck sites. Too little is currently known about the relationship between heritage and ecology for generalisations to be made which adequately characterise this relationship. Predictive methods for identifying which sites give rise to which ecosystems services suffer from a lack of data. Classification of the benthic habitat of wreck sites, using the EUNIS classification system, may allow for predictive assessment of benthic communities based on characteristics including biological zone and hydrodynamic considerations, as has been done for certain steel wrecks in certain environments (Connor et al. 2004). If further information such as this were available, predicting potential sites at which ecosystems services arise may be possible, but, for local scale studies, this would always require verification in the form of site surveys and input from stakeholders. As a demonstration of the new information on the relationship between wrecks and ecology which has yet to be understood, our study found that in addition to their role as artificial reefs, and the provision of hard substrate, wrecks also appear to affect their surrounding environments altering habitat and possibly species in a zone of influence around the sites. This project identified communities of worms represented by dense concentrations of worm casts surrounding the wreck sites on Sandwich Flats which differed in size and density to those the rest of the beach. The reasons for the presence of these worms is not known, but it appears likely that their occurrence relates to the presence of wreck sites. The site surveys proved to be the most effective means by which the differing scales of the heritage and ecological desk-based data could be bridged. It also demonstrated that not all wreck sites are the same, and differences between the ecology of the metal B17 wreck site were observed when compared with the wooden wreck sites on Sandwich Flats. Our project identified a series of different services arising from wreck sites, including those within the provisioning category, as well as cultural services and supporting and habitat services. However, this work also demonstrated that ecosystems services arise at different scales. Some services arise at site, or even sub-site level, while others only arise from groups of sites or landscapes. These issues also affect valuations. As such it is necessary to consider the possibility that while some services and values may be tied to individual sites, the same sites may also form part of a wider network which give rise to other services and values. This project also identified a variety of parameters which alter the social and economic value of a site to different beneficiaries, including tourists, archaeologists, divers and the fishing community. This research was undertaken in order to identify areas and sites which may be particularly sensitive to change, either positive or negative. The number of variables affecting the value of a site, and the unpredictability of some of those variables, means that the use of characteristics to serve as proxies for value can only serve to indicate the potential services and value associated with a site. Site-scale research and stakeholder engagement must be conducted to determine whether these values are truly present. Valuation is a complex issue. The instrumental value of sites, as defined in Conservation Principles (Historic England 2008), allows for social and economic value to be brought in to existing frameworks for assessing heritage significance. However, methods for assessing instrumental value are not defined in Conservation Principles and this framework only allows for consideration of those benefits which arise from the heritage value of the site. This excludes consideration of those values arising from the role of the site in the ecosystem. However, valuation methods associated with ecosystems services assessments may be well placed to flesh-out this aspect of the Conservation Principles methodology. While some potential data sources are identified by this project, economic valuation is a specialist area and it is recommended that Historic England seek advice from economists in order to develop this part of the methodology. Overall, the wrecks within the area provide a variety of different Ecosystems Services and are multivalued. Areas where value can be increased have been identified, and the results of this assessment will feed into the work of the Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone which seeks to achieve economic growth using the historic environment as a catalyst.

Geophysical survey- multibeam and sub-bottom profiling Review of geophysical data indicated a reduction in sea bed level on both sites and areas with potential for further wreck debris were identified

Multibeam survey of Bracklesham Bay to enable the establishment of proactive management, and appropriate protection, of the wreck of the Newcastle The survey achieved 1.1km2 of coverage within the pre-defined survey area which equates to approximately 46% coverage. The data were of good quality and suitable for archaeological assessment. Full reporting on the data will be done separately by PAS

The project addresses the recommendation for a diver survey with acoustic tracking that was made in September 2019 and will help inform future management and the possible redesignation of the extents of the site to include all archaeological material related to the London. This project enabled the team of affiliated volunteers working on the London protected wreck site to be embedded within the project team to enable a tracked diver survey of the site. The Stage 3 multibeam bathymetry collected by MSDS Marine in May 2020 formed the base map for the diver tracked survey in this project. This project enabled the team of affiliated volunteers working on the London protected wreck site to be embedded within the project team to enable a tracked diver survey of the site. The Stage 3 multibeam bathymetry collected by MSDS Marine in May 2020 formed the base map for the diver tracked survey in this project. Following fieldwork, a specialist archaeologist from MSDS Marine worked with the affiliated team of volunteers during the post-fieldwork recording process to digitise the existing site plan and to combine the multibeam bathymetry for the site with the existing site plan and dive track data. Training and equipment has been, and will continue to be, provided to ensure the team of affiliated volunteers are able to maintain, and add to, the site records in future.

Geophysical and hydrographic survey data were collected during 2020 as part of the East English Channel Regional Geophysical Monitoring Survey (RGMS). Data were collected within pre-defined boundaries covering the dredging footprint and a pre-approved buffer. The data were assessed by a qualified and experienced maritime archaeologist to identify any features of potential archaeological significance and undertake a comparison with previously identified features, including within the archaeological baseline assessment undertaken prior to dredging. The archaeological assessment of the data from Area 478 is being undertaken to fulfil licence monitoring conditions. Following the review of the 2020 dataset, two exclusion zones have been recommended within the extents of the defined survey boundary and one further retained within the licence area, totalling three archaeological exclusion zones for Area 478.

In March 2022, MSDS Marine were appointed to the Historic England framework agreement to provide archaeological services in relation to marine protection. Under the framework MSDS Marine were commissioned by Historic England to undertake an undesignated site assessment on an unidentified wooden wreck site on the Goodwin Sands. The wreck was first identified during geophysical survey of the designated wrecks on the Goodwin Sands. The wreck was a candidate for scheduling under the 1979 Act. A desk-based assessment and subsequent geophysical survey were completed by MSDS Marine but as the site was found to be buried diving resources were redirected to enable the investigation of a wreck just outside, and to the west, of the designated area of the wreck of the Northumberland. This report relates to this second wreck and a four day SCUBA diving assessment, The assessment of the wreck has identified the remains of an unknown sailing vessel, likely dating between the mid-19th and early 20th Century. Whilst of general archaeological interest, the condition, the remaining features, the fragmented nature, and the robustness of the wreck do not meet the non-statutory criteria for Scheduling under the 1979 Act at this time. Should further works be undertaken on the site, either through diver or desk-based assessment, that change the results of this assessment it is recommended that the site be reviewed again against the non-statutory criteria.

Boreholes were collected by Fugro Geoservices Ltd between the 18th May and 12th June 2022. Seven boreholes including one bump-over were drilled from two moonpools from the JUB Aran 250 (Fugro 2022). Three boreholes were performed from moonpool 1 which was dedicated to cone penetration testing (CPT). Where the CPT equipment had reached its limitation due to ground conditions, open hole drilling and spot sampling were utilised to advance the borehole to target depth. Four boreholes, including one bump-over, were performed from moonpool 2 which was dedicated to sonic drilling and core liner sampling for archaeological preservation (Table 6.1). Sonic drilling was performed using the CRS XL170 Max duo rig. Dynamic sampling and rotary open hole operations were performed using a Fraste Multidrill. Dynamic sampling was performed using steel casing of 150 mm diameter to stabilise the borehole. Open hole and sonic drilling were performed using the Geobor-S wireline triple barrel rotary coring system with a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compact coring bit to recover core samples of 102 mm diameter and up to 1.5 m in length. Twenty-four samples were taken for archaeological assessment using downhole coring operations performed with the Geobor-S wireline triple barrel coring system. Core samples of 102 mm in diameter and up to 1.5 m in length were recovered within clear plastic liners. The core catcher at the bottom of the inner core barrel was selected according to the expected ground conditions. Catchers with longer fingers were used to increase the recovery in coarse grained soils, but the number and length of fingers were reduced where this was considered likely to cause disturbance to the in situ soil. After recovery of the core liner samples to deck, the samples were preserved for archaeological testing. The ends of the liner were logged in accordance with BS EN ISO 14688:2018 (BSI, 2018b) and BS 5930:2015 (BSI, 2015), and were then capped, sealed and clearly labelled with top and base indications and depths for photographing. Archaeological samples were taken at the instruction of the onboard client representative and stored separately from the geotechnical samples. All intact cores were transported to COARS at the University of Southampton for geoarchaeological sampling and assessment. Geoarchaeological recording was undertaken at the British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF), at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. Cores were carefully split using a GeoTek Core Splitter. Cores were split longitudinally, with one half retained for archival purposes. This was carefully wrapped and stored in a light-controlled environment, should luminescence dating be deemed necessary. The other half of the core was cleaned and subject to high resolution line scanning using a GeoTek Multi-Sensor Core Logger - Core Imaging System (MSCL-CIS). The MSCL-CIS generates high-resolution, depth-registered images that can be magnified to show millimetric detail. RGB colour data was also collected prior to any colour changes that may occur within the samples (e.g. through oxidation). The results have been tabulated and a summary of the core sections supplied for the Stage 2 assessment were provided. Geoarchaeological descriptions of the samples from each of the cores are also provided.

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks in advance of the construction of new properties to the rear of 67 High Street. Prior to ground reduction, both areas were stripped of topsoil using a machine equipped with a flat bucket to allow the archaeologist to establish the presence or absence of archaeological remains at the site. In addition to monitoring the ground reduction spoil removed from the area was inspected to assess the presence or absence of archaeological materials. No archaeological features were observed during the archaeological monitoring and no artefacts were recovered from the site of spoil removed from the site. The area appears to have been levelled at some point in the modern period, possible during the later use of the site as a farm, or in its more recent use as a plant nursery.

A desk-based assessment of the site and a surrounding 100m buffer area was undertaken. The baseline survey involved consultation of readily available archaeological and historical information from documentary and cartographic sources and repositories including the National Heritage List for England and Derbyshire Historic Environment Record. An inspection of the site was undertaken on 8th August 2023. The aims of the inspection were: • to identify any archaeological features visible on the surface within the site and the site’s immediate environs; • to ascertain the topographical setting of the site; • to compile a photographic record of the site; and • to identify indirect impacts on designated and non-designated assets within the vicinity. The results of the desk-based assessment and the site inspection were used to inform an assessment of the significance of the site, and the impacts of the proposed works on that significance. The desk-based assessment found that the proposed development has the potential to impact on the archaeological remains of housing associated with the 19th century development of Clay Cross, and the Clay Cross Company. At the west end of the site, the small area of green space fronting onto the High Street overlies the site of East Tunnel Row, which was originally built by the North Midland Railway during the construction of the Clay Cross Tunnel and was subsequently purchased by George Stephenson & Co. (later the Clay Cross Company) in 1838. The buildings were demolished in 1968 and the site has remained under green space since then. Contemporary descriptions of the buildings do not suggest the presence of cellars, but the footings of the terrace row may remain in situ. There do not appear to have been any earlier buildings on the site, although the High Street overlies the site of the 1756 Turnpike road. The central portion of the site contains an area of hardstanding which surrounds the former late-19th century school building. The building was recently demolished and its footings have not been removed. There do not appear to have been any earlier buildings on the site, which was formerly meadowland. At the east end of the site, the large area of green space overlies the site of the mid- to late-19th century Baileys Square, along with a row of housing which fronted on to Broadleys. These terrace rows were built as speculator housing to accommodate the workforce at Clay Cross. Again, contemporary descriptions of the buildings do not suggest the presence of cellars, but footings for the buildings and their associated outhouses may remain in situ. The houses were built on an area of former meadowland. The new access to the site from the High Street (A61) will involve the reconfiguration of the existing road system and the removal of the area of green space. This has the potential to impact on the below ground remains of mid-19th century housing (East Tunnel Row). The proposed development will also impact on the remains of the late-19th century school building which was recently demolished. The footings of the building currently remain in situ and it is not known if the building had any cellars. The construction of 16 new commercial units at the east end of the site has the potential to impact on the below ground remains of mid-19th century housing (Baileys Square and Broadleys). It is recommended that a programme of targeted evaluation be carried out over a portion of the terrace rows at either end of the site to characterise the extent and nature of the archaeological remains, and the presence or absence of any associated cellars.

This report details the results of a programme of Historic Building Assessment and Recording equivalent to a Level 2/3 building survey as outlined in Understanding Historic Buildings. The drawn and photographic record was carried out to a descriptive (Level 2) standard. The written description, interpretation, and phasing of the buildings was carried out to an Analytical (Level 3) standard. An assessment of the building’s significance has been carried out in accordance with standards and guidance provided by Historic England. All work on site was carried out by suitably qualified personnel and conducted in accordance with the standards laid out in Understanding Historic Buildings, Standard and Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation and Recording of Standing Buildings or Structures and in accordance with CIfA’s Code of Conduct. The work adheres to the approved WSI which reflects consultations with the Derbyshire County Archaeologist. The buildings form the core of main farm of the Longford estate, and lie directly to the north of Longford Hall which was originally constructed in the late-16th century. The earliest building within the group is the 18th century barn, which was built in 1760 by Wenman Coke. The Grade II* Listed stable block and coach house to the southwest (which does not form part of the current application) has often been cited as being of the same date, although the listing description provides an early-19th century date. The two buildings are set on a different orientation and are of a different style and character and it is more likely that the 18th century barn represents the earliest agricultural building still extant, with the stable block and coach house having been added later. Between 1840 and 1880 the cowshed and meeting house were added to the site, along with several other buildings which have since been demolished. The demolished buildings appear to have remained extant until at least 1946. The investment in the farm at this period expanded the ability to house cattle, and was most likely linked to the construction of the cheese factory at Longford in 1870. The farm appears to gone largely unaltered from 1880 to 1946, when a series of aerial photographs were taken. Soon after this a large amount of investment in the farm took place, involving the addition of the 1950s barn, and the substantial remodelling of the other buildings on site. The 1950s alterations are typical of changes made in the immediate post-war period as a result of government concern over the lack of investment made in agricultural buildings. In 1942, a committee was appointed to ‘consider and make recommendations regarding the layout, design, and construction of farm buildings after the war’, and the subsequent guidance, including the design of cattle stalls and use of concrete for flooring, all appear to have influenced the construction and modification of the buildings at Longford. The agricultural buildings at Longford Hall Farm reflect advancements in farming practice from the late-18th century through to the late-20th century, and in most cases appear to have been driven by the owners of the Hall, rather than being based on external examples. The Coke family included several significant figures, including Wenman Coke who was a Whig MP for Derby, his son Edward Coke who was MP for Derby 1780-1817 as well as being the High Sheriff of Derbyshire, and most significantly, Thomas William Coke, or Coke of Norfolk, who later became the Earl of Leicester of Holkham. Coke of Norfolk spent his childhood at Longford, and returned there for the last few years of his life. Buildings such as the 18th-century barn at Longford pre-date those at Holkham and undoubtedly influenced Coke of Norfolk in the development of the Holkham estate.