Series: Mott MacDonald unpublished report series

This report outlines the findings of an archaeological watching brief for the A303 Stockton Wood refurbishments. The refurbishment works took place along sections of the A303 between Fonthill Bushes and the Deptford Interchange, Wiltshire. The Cultural Heritage Assessment report (Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald 2011a) prepared for the works identified a potential impact on two heritage assets; a section of Roman Road and Grims Ditch. The kerbing works took place from chainage 725m to 1245m of the scheme. Details for a watching brief were set out in a Written Scheme of Investigation (Balfour Beatty Mott MacDonald 2011b) to mitigate any impact. A reassessment of the construction methodology during works resulted in a change to the extent of the installation of the new kerbing. The excavation was reduced to 450mm width x 300mm depth, along the roadside, and was to be wholly contained within an area of previously disturbed ground. The watching brief was conducted by a qualified archaeologist with the main aim to identify if any archaeological features were present, in particular those associated with the Roman road or Grims Ditch. The excavations took place within made ground, no archaeological features were disturbed by the construction works.

All work was undertaken to the standards described in the CIfA’s (2014) Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief. The MMSJV archaeologist followed CIfA’s (2014) Code of Conduct. The archaeological watching brief was undertaken by one MMSJV archaeologist who was present on site each day of excavation, while the test pits were being excavated and prior to their backfilling. The GI works commenced week beginning 14 January 2019, and then once a week until week beginning 28 January 2019. Additional test pits 7 and 8 were monitored later on 6 March 2019. Test Pits 1 and 2 were hand excavated by the principle contractor using a hydraulic breaker. Test Pits 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were hand excavated by the principle contractor using insulated hand tools. The MMSJV archaeologist was able to enter the working area to carry out close inspection, record sections or create a photographic record. The results of the test pits indicate that there is varying potential for deposits of archaeological interest in the locations of the scheme that were monitored. Test Pit 1 and Test Pit 2 suggest that the repeated resurfacing of Roman Road has truncated potential remains of the former Roman road, Ermin Way. The former Roman road may yet remain preserved in other locations, however. The test pits located in the vicinity of the Air Balloon showed varying signs of archaeological potential. Three out of the four test pits monitored exhibited varying levels of made ground, two of which contained charcoal, indicative of human activity. The layer of limestone blocks between two silty fills observed in Test Pit 3 could represent a man-made deposit or structure, but would require further investigation. Test Pit 5 and Test Pit 6 in the land belonging to Star College also showed varying levels of archaeological potential, despite their close proximity. Test Pit 5 revealed c. 0.26m of made ground, whereas Test Pit 6 exhibited no made ground between the topsoil and the natural geology. No remains of significant value were observed in any of the test pits monitored, and no dateable evidence was recovered from the excavated material, which has resulted in a limited understanding of the archaeology. The test pits do, however, provide scope for further investigation, particularly by the Air Balloon. Any future archaeological work would need to be undertaken in accordance with an approved Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI).

Baseline information has been gathered within a 1km radius of the centre point of the Site (hereby referred to as the ‘study area’) for designated assets, and a 500m study area for non-designated heritage assets. This search radius is considered sufficient to produce a comprehensive baseline for the Site and will allow for an understanding of the archaeological potential and historic significance to be established. Subsequently, appropriate mitigation will be recommended for the proposed development regarding the historic environment. The DBA is prepared in cognisance of the 2020 updated Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, 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 polices 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 Greater London Historic Environment Record (GLHER) database for archaeological Sites, archaeological findspots, locally listed buildings, APAs 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 the British Geological Survey (BGS) data; ● An examination of Google Earth Pro and Historic England, for historic images; ● 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 and LiDAR to determine previous land use of the proposed development area; and ● A Site walkover, undertaken on 27th April 2022 in order to determine the topography, existing land use and character of the area. This DBA has been carried out to assess the likely impacts on the historic environment from the proposed works at Goat Bridge. This assessment has incorporated a review of the available data from the GLHER within the study area. Within the 1km study area, there are four listed buildings and one conservation area. There is likely to be no impact to these assets, as there will be no physical change to the assets and the works proposed will not alter their setting. The Grade II listed former mill, Riverside located approximately 5m north of the Site, is considered the closest to the Site. However, due to buildings and mature trees between the Site and Riverside, there is no intervisibility and the setting of the listed building will not, therefore, be negatively impacted by the proposed works. There is a low potential for, Neolithic, Roman, Early Medieval, Medieval and Modern remains. The potential for remains relating to the Paleoenvironmental and Geoarchaeological, Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and post-medieval are medium. There is high potential for early Bronze Age- late Iron Age settlement remains within the Site. Beyond the area of disturbance, any aspect of the development that involves excavation, earth movement or other subsurface disturbance within the Site has the potential to impact buried archaeological remains. These remains have the potential to be of a low to high significance, depending upon the nature of the archaeology.

The following resources have been consulted for the compilation of this SoS: ● National Heritage List for England (NHLE); ● Cumbria Historic Environment Record (CHER); ● Materials available online and those digitised by the Cumbria Archive Service; ● A search of the Eden District Council website for conservation areas within the school site and surrounding area; ● An examination of the relevant published and unpublished archaeological and historic sources e.g. journals and historic records; ● The results of ongoing surveys for the Scheme and relevant documents produced by contractors within the Scheme team; and ● Additional resources available online. This Statement of Significance (SoS) has been produced by Mott MacDonald on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). It has been produced to better understand the significance and listing of Appleby Grammar School, Appleby-in-Westmorland, including providing a detailed history of the building and description of its current appearance. This SoS should be used to inform the redevelopment of the school site. The significance of Appleby Grammar School and the site is derived from its historic and architectural interest. Its historic interest is related to the school being a long-standing educational institution with medieval origins, still within the town where it was established. Historic interest is also related to former pupils including the brothers of George Washington. Its continuous change and adaption to reflect changing educational needs since it was established also contributes to its historic interest. Architectural interest is confined to the Original School Building and the 1927 and 1935-7 Science Buildings. The high-quality design of the Original School Building utilises local vernacular design cues, such as the combination of coursed rubble with red sandstone dressings. The inclusion and preservation of a range of decorative features, in the former Headmaster’s House and Library in particular, contributes to the building’s architectural interest. The internal and external appearance of the 1927 Science Building and the exterior of the 1935-7 Science Building also contributes to the site’s architectural interest. Both Science Buildings represent an early 20th century interpretation of the Original School Building, and the changing spatial requirements for an active school building. Modern linking circulation spaces diminish this interest somewhat, as they limits the ability to understand the buildings as originally separate, detached blocks. Similarly, areas of the interior of the Original School Building, and the 1935-7 Science Building do not provide any architectural interest, as all traces of original features, both decorative and structural, have been hidden or removed. The Modern School Buildings are part of the historic interest related to the ongoing adaption of the school, however they do not hold any intrinsic architectural or historic interest. They are constructed using prefabricated and steel frame construction and functional design, which were fairly common examples by the time they were used at Appleby Grammar School. The Modern School Buildings are considered to harm the significance of the Original School Buildings and the 1927 Science Building and 1935-7 Science Building by visually and physically dominating the site, removing the ability to understand the Original School Building as the historic focal point of the site, and its relationship with the science buildings as ancillary buildings. Due to the complexity of the site is not clear what elements of redevelopment would require listed building consent. There are two issues, firstly the extent of listing and secondly whether buildings meet the special interest affecting the character of the building.

Mott MacDonald were commissioned to conduct an archaeological walkover survey of c.55 hectares in advance of the proposed Arndean Woodland Creation Scheme, east of Dollar in Clackmannanshire. The landscape had not previously been surveyed and seven potential heritage assets were recorded during the present walkover survey. All of the heritage assets recorded within the study area relate to agricultural usage of the landscape, likely in the early modern period. While the walkover highlighted no clear evidence for archaeological survival within the boundaries of the Arndean Woodland Creation Scheme, buffer zones were proposed for two potential heritage assets (MM02 and MM07).

Baseline information has been gathered within a 500mradius of the red line boundary(hereby referred to as the ‘study area’). This search radius is considered sufficient to produce a comprehensive baseline for the site and will allow for an understanding of the archaeological potential and historic significance to be established, and subsequently for appropriate mitigation to be recommended for the proposed development regarding heritage. The DBA follows the 2017 updated Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, 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 polices 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 Buckinghamshire 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; ●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; and, ●A site walkover, undertaken on 9thFebruary 2021in order to determine the topography, existing land use and character of the area. This DBA has been prepared by MML on behalf of Thames Water to determine the heritage constraints of the proposed works at Aylesbury STW, assess the potential impacts and recommend an appropriate mitigation strategy. There are two designated heritage assets within the500mstudy area: Hartwell House Grade II* Registered Park and Garden and Hayden Mill Grade II listed building. Data gathered from within the study area suggests that there may be high potential for remains of Roman date; extensive surveys and excavations have revealed evidence indicative of Roman settlement in association with Akeman Street, to the north of the site on the other side of the River Thame, and Roman artefacts were recovered during the construction of the STW. In addition to this, the alluvium deposited by the River Thame in the north of the site29has the potential to contain paleoenvironmental remains. Evidence suggests that there is a moderate potential for late prehistoric and agricultural medieval remains, and a low potential for early prehistoric, Saxon, post-medieval and modern remains, as well as medieval remains of a structural nature. Deposits of archaeological interest will have been largely removed across the site during the construction of the STW. However, there are areas of the site that have seen seemingly little ground disturbance, and therefore have the potential to contain deposits of archaeological interest. There is no anticipated impact from the scheme on designated heritage assets, but a number of the proposals involving ground disturbance in certain areas would impact potential deposits of archaeological potential.