South West Archaeology Ltd. unpublished report series

The assessment was carried out in order to gather sufficient information to identify sites of archaeological potential which were likely to be affected by the proposed development. This comprised of the examination of the cartographic, printed and documentary sources available. Although the general area provides evidence of occupation from the Neolithic period onwards, no evidence of buried archaeology on the site was found. But the close proximity of the medieval core of Mortonhampstead, slight earthworks and a north boundary of probable medieval origin suggests that unstratified prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval material may turn up in any area of ground disturbance. An archaeological watching brief is recommended.

Groundworks, consisting of a stepped level reduction of between 0.4m and 0.6m, associated with the creation of a series of four aircraft hangars were monitored and recorded. No archaeological features or significant deposits were revealed. Some finds were recovered from the upper topsoil horizon during stripping; these consisted mostly of 19th to 20th century transfer printed wares, with just 4 fragments of local green-glazed coarseware of post-medieval date and 3 fragments of undiagnostic tobacco pipe stems.

There was no direct evidence of the former manor house. There was no trace of mine working, either in terms of structures or waste deposits. No built structures were located with the exception of a cobbled surface of unknown date in the west of the site. The ceramic evidence also provided little indication of early use of the site, finds being predominantly post-medieval. [Au(abr)]

The evaluation was carried out to investigate the possibility of the survival of medieval burgage plot boundaries and earlier Saxon remains within the rear garden of 44 Fore Street. Two trial trenches were dug on the site, a trench of approximately 17m in length in the area of the house plot at the north end of the site (Trench 1) which was 'dog-legged' to sample the maximum possible width of the site diagonally. A 6m length of trench (Trench 2) was excavated in the area of the garage development close to the south end of the site. Little archaeological material was revealed. The earliest finds were sherds of Totnes type post medieval coarseware. No archaeological features were observed apart from one stone built foundation of 19th century or later date.

The groundworks associated with the development of the former Quay Travel Site, Kingsbridge were monitored and recorded by South West Archaeology (SWARCH) staff. The work conformed to a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) drawn up by SWARCH in consultation with the Devon County Historic Environment Service (HES) Excavation was carried out by a swing shovel equipped with a toothless grading bucket. The groundworks for the development necessitated level reduction of between 0.7m-0.9m. The area 10m NW-SE by 5m NE-SW subject to the watching brief was covered by modern tarmac and concrete floors at the level of existing adjoining pavements. Below the tarmac was a 0.5m thick layer of mixed modern levelling and below this a 30-40mm thick, hard surface of compact but crumbly dirty grey lime mortar. This was compressed directly onto a deposit of brown sandy clay, interpreted as a reclamation deposit relating to the creation of new quays from the 17th century; only the upper 0.2m of this was disturbed by groundwork. The foundations of walls were revealed, probably the rear walls of a building marked on the 1884 OS map.

An archaeological watching brief and recording was undertaken during development involving the demolition of an existing single storey extension and erection of a new two-storey extension at Tithe Cottage. The aim was to establish the presence or absence, character, extent, state of preservation and date of any archaeological deposits exposed by the groundworks undertaken by the developer. Tithe Cottage is a grade II listed building, in parts dating from the 17th century. The site is located within an area deemed to be of particular archaeological sensitivity by the Exmoor National Park Authority, and lies 150m from St George''s church and the site of a medieval priory. Although there is reasonable potential for archaeological deposits or features on this site, the stratigraphy revealed consisted of only 3 layers and the only archaeological feature revealed during the groundworks was a small stone built culvert with fragments of 19th-20th century blue transfer-printed tableware incorporated into its structure.

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during the development of the site, which lies within the historic core of Winkleigh, 70 metres to the south east of the medieval Parish Church and 140 metres south of the 12th century motte and bailey mound. The 1880s Ordnance Survey depicts a small rectangular building within the northern part of the site. It was therefore possible that any works involving ground reduction could reveal archaeological deposits or features. The watching brief covered the footings and heating trenches for the new building. The footings trenches to the north of the site revealed a number of features, including a coal-rich layer which reinforced reported use of the area at one time as a coal yard. The northernmost footing revealed a large pit, probably a waste pit, possibly septic, the finds were of 19th and 20th century dates. The two geothermal trenches to the south of the site revealed the ditch of the extant hedgebank and a clay sealed feature which may be a pit or possibly a ditch, these features contained no dateable finds. The topsoil from the site contained a variety of ceramics including N. Devon medieval coarseware, N. Devon post-medieval wares and C19/20 varieties. One lug appears to be Bronze Age in date.

South West Archaeology were asked to undertake a desk-based archaeological and historical assessment of a property known as Northgate Lodge, Castle Street, and Totnes where development was proposed. The site would have been outside the Saxon burh and Northgate Lodge occupies a site which may lie within the outer bailey of the castle, and which may have been part of the later medieval or post-medieval development. Although there was possibly a post-medieval dwelling on the site, the first clear indication of the existence of the present building dates from the 1840s. It was probably built by James Gill, one-time Mayor of Totnes.

Archaeological recording associated with the near complete construction of a dwelling to the south of ''Cobblestone Court'', Chittlehamholt was conducted by South West Archaeology. This consisted of cleaning and recording the section to the rear (west) of the dwelling where the rising ground had been terraced; secondly, the recording of hedge-banks, and examination for finds and the collecting of pottery from the site. Most of the spoil had been removed from site, enough sherds were collected from topsoil, sections and surrounds to aid analysis, all were post-medieval or modern in date. The only features found were interpreted as a field drain or soakaway and a modern cut for a lead pipe.

South West Archaeology carried out an archaeological watching brief at Kerswell Priory, Broadhembury, during groundwork associated with development. No structures of archaeological significance were revealed, except parts of a cobbled surface, likely to be of 19th century date, and the only finds from the site were of 19th/20th century date.