Series: Archaeology South East unpublished report series

A programme of archaeological evaluation and watching brief was undertaken by Archaeology South-East at Land at Cornfoots Furniture Store, Sea Street, Herne Bay, Kent, in advance of a proposed residential properties. The work was undertaken between the 18th and 20th January 2011 on behalf of CgMs Consulting. Four evaluation trenches, each, measuring 10 metres in length, sampled the archaeology across the site as well as targeting the remains of the 19th century Sea Street Farm. A series of Post Medieval ditches, pits, posthole and a wall were cut into the natural head deposit underlying the site. These features probably correspond to several phases of construction in this area in the early 20th century as illustrated by historic OS mapping. The natural horizon varied in height from 11.852m OD to the east of the site and 11.238m OD in the west of the site.

An archaeological evaluation was carried out by Archaeology South-East at on land north of Thanet Way, Whitstable between the 20th March and 4th April 2017. The evaluation revealed a scatter of possible later prehistoric and medieval features predominantly in the south-western half of the site. Only a few of these, including pits dating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age and 13th-mid 14th century AD, are considered to be unambiguously of archaeological origin. Most other features were poorly-defined and possibly represent geological action, though many of them contained small quantities of archaeological finds.

Archaeology South-East (ASE) the contracting division of the Centre for Applied Archaeology at University College London was commissioned by Mr Jon Bunning to undertake a watching brief during groundworks at Beeding Court, Upper Beeding West Sussex. The work was undertaken between the 4th May 2009 and 11th June 2010. The work uncovered internally the foundations of the western wall of the Main range, as well as a mid 20th century fireplace. The external works uncovered levelling deposits associated with the early 19th century construction of Outbuilding 1 and a backfilled well of approximately similar date.

An archaeological watching brief was maintained during groundwork associated with the construction of a new mains water pipeline near Twyford in Hampshire (NGR SU 4798 2392- 4929 2412). The watching brief recovered substantial evidence of Bronze Age or Late Bronze Age- Early Iron Age activity in the area. To the west of the easement strip a probable enclosure ditch containing a neonatal baby burial was identified. In the central eastern area of the strip a small curvilinear ditch or gully with associated stakeholes and a collection of postholes in association with a small patch of cobbled surface was revealed.

A programme of archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Archaeology South-East on land at Land at Aveley, Essex in advance of a proposed development. This phase of works (Phase 1 of 3) was undertaken between the 14th and 18th May 2012 and was commissioned by CgMs Consulting Ltd. Eleven evaluation trenches, each measuring 30 metres in length were excavated. The natural horizon varied in depth from 14.605 m OD in east of the site and 16.099 m OD in the north of the site. Despite known archaeological activity in the vicinity, no evidence of archaeological remains was recorded and no artefacts were recovered in the evaluation. Additionally, there was little evidence of truncation suggesting that this part of the site has low potential for archaeological remains. The dominance of fine to medium sand recorded in all geoarchaeological test pits is consistent with a mostly quiet water environment on the inside of a river bend. River gravels were only encountered at the base of TP1S. No artefacts, Mollusca or other biological material were seen -despite sieving. The Phase 1 area is therefore considered to have low Palaeolithic potential.

In January 2016 Archaeology South-East (a division of the Centre for Applied Archaeology, UCL) carried out a programme of historic building recording (Historic England Level 2) of Bassets House, Starts Hill Road, London Borough of Bromley, London, BR6 7AR (Figure 1; NGR 544230 127632). The work was commissioned by CgMs Consulting on behalf of London Square. Bassets House is a locally listed 'L' shaped Arts and Crafts building designed by Maurice Webb, built in 1911.The property was constructed as a residence for Arthur Neville Lubbock, before being used for a short period as a boy's preparatory school, and eventually the Headquarters of Bromley Primary Care Trust. The work was carried out to satisfy conditions placed on planning consent by London Borough of Bromley (planning ref. DC/15/04941/FULL3). Despite having seen over 100 years of use Bassets House retained much of its internal décor and layout as well as retaining to a great extent its external appearance. TThe building was clearly decced in style, well constructed, with attention to detail and craftsmanship typical of the Arts and Crafts movement. The external detailing and form is also typical of the style, and survives well as a late example of the movement. The form of the building is also of interest for the use of emerging technologies being used in conjunction with traditional craftsmanship and materials to create a modern, yet seemingly olde, structure reminiscent of tudor and gothic great houses. The loss of the building's original setting is unfortunate, having been designed as a country house, with gardens to the south, and an enclosed courtyard to its north. However, the building stands as a monument to the evolving face of Bromley, having been incorporated into the development and suburbanisation of the area and adapted in turn. The structure also has value and interest as an early example of a solo work by Maurice Webb, son of Sir Aston Webb.

In November 2017 Archaeology South-East (a division of the Centre for Applied Archaeology, UCL) carried out a programme of historic building recording of the Dunstable Gas Works, Westfield Road, Dunstable, LU6 1DN (NGR: 500999 222445). The work was commissioned by Montagu Evans LLP on behalf of National Grid, in relation to the proposed redevelopment of the gasworks site. The site contains a single gasholder, a series of operational and non-operational ancillary buildings, access routes and open storage areas. The gasholder was constructed in 1938 by the Whessoe Foundry and Engineering Co. Ltd and represents a typical early 20th century low-pressure water-sealed holder. The gasholder is based on a British spiral-guided design patented in 1887 by Gadd and Mason of Manchester. Its steel construction and above ground tank is reflective of the continued advances in gasholder innovation. Two separate ancillary structures, comprising an electrical switch room and electrical/pumping house are located to the north and west of the compound. The gasholder was constructed in response to the need for increased gas storage capacity and manufacture within Dunstable and the surrounding area.

Archaeology South-East was commissioned by CgMs Consulting, on behalf of their client, Pentland Homes to carry out an archaeological evaluation and subsequent immediate excavation at land adjacent to the King's Head, Woodchurch Road, Shadoxhurst, Kent, in advance of housing development on the site. Just three pieces of residual struck flint were recovered from the site indicating only very limited earlier prehistoric activity in the vicinity. A single blade was most likely of Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date. No date could be confidently attributed to the other two pieces. The earliest visible occupation of the site occurred during the Late Iron Age/ Early Roman period, dated to between AD10 - 60. A small settlement was identifiable from a single roundhouse with an internal diameter of 6.6m. It is unclear whether the settlement was enclosed or otherwise. Associated evidence of small scale iron smelting was recovered in the form of dumped deposits of fresh smelting slag and hearth lining, but no furnace or in situ deposits were identified. A return to the site was apparent in the 12th century with the creation of a system of narrow strip fields around a central spinal boundary. No evidence for settlement was recovered, instead the data suggests agricultural activity with possible small associated agricultural structures set some distance from the settlement core.

This report presents the results of a programme of archaeological excavations and watching brief carried out by Archaeology South-East (ASE) on land at 'Wickhurst Green', Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex between June 2008 and May 2013. The archaeological investigations were required to mitigate the archaeological impact of a large residential development and in order to discharge an associated planning condition. The fieldwork was commissioned by RPS on behalf of their clients Countryside Properties. The excavations represent perhaps the largest single archaeological investigation conducted within the Weald of West Sussex, an area which has suffered from a historical lack of fieldwork. The site succeeded in exposing multi-period remains dating from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval period of a density that was perhaps un-expected. The location of the site on gently sloping land close to the River Arun was possibly attractive to ancient settlement and land-use. Together with other recent fieldwork in the wider area the results indicate that Wealden sites close to water courses should no longer be considered of low archaeological potential. The results present the possibility of examining multi-period archaeological activity on a landscape scale. The report is written and structured so as to conform to the standards required of post-excavation analysis work as set out in Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991). Preliminary analysis of the stratigraphic, finds and environmental material has indicated a provisional chronology, and allowed assessments of the potential of the site archive to address the original research agenda, as well as assessing the significance of the findings. This has highlighted what further analysis work is required in order to enable suitable dissemination of the findings in a final publication.

In October 2013, Archaeology South-East (a division of the Centre for Applied Archaeology, UCL) carried out a historic building watching-brief during works to 1 Dove Cottages, Fletching Road, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6TL. The work was commissioned by Shaun Raubenheimer to satisfy a condition placed on listed building consent for the building's refurbishment and alteration. This follows on from a Heritage Statement including Archaeological Interpretative Survey produced by Alan Dickinson MRICS (Dickinson 2013) prior to listed building consent for alterations being sought. The recent works, which included partial surface stripping of wall and ceiling finishes, have revealed evidence to demonstrate that the partition between the two living rooms at ground floor level is a later insertion, having replaced an earlier stave partition. The joists to the former service room (Living Room 02) appear to be of later date than those of the main hall and do not fit the mortices in the tie beam snugly. Coupled with other alterations already identified by the Archaeological Interpretative Survey, this may suggest that a later re-build of the western bay of the house occurred, probably in the 18th century. Elsewhere in the building, the current programme of works had exposed some elements of the original early 17th century timber frame, including a former window in the landing partition.