Series: Vindomora Solutions unpublished report series

In April 2018 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were commissioned by Projekt Architects on behalf of their client, Aldi Stores Ltd, to undertake a scheme of archaeological monitoring on land to the north of the current Aldi store on Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street. The monitoring was undertaken to fulfil Condition 3 of planning application DM/17/04062/FPA during the construction of a new carparking area extending the current carpark northwards. The archaeological monitoring scheme observed the excavation of eleven test pits and a t-shaped slit-trench as preliminary work to ascertain depths of overburden, the location of services and to inform over health and safety issues. Subsequently, the excavations covering the new pedestrian footway and the car-park extension itself were monitored. It was found that the development site lay within an area of superficial clay geology, over which was a layer of overburden comprising loamy soil with brick, concrete and other modern building material fragments as inclusions. No archaeological features, deposits or artefactual material were observed during the watching brief, suggesting that any Roman occupation had been removed during the 20th century, or that the occupation did not extend into the area. The latter is more likely, as no scarring or cut features that could denote truncated occupation was observed.

Building recording of the former Monks Haven Residential Care Home, Cullercoats, North Tyneside

In November 2020 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were commissioned by Gentoo to undertake an archaeological evaluation on land surrounding the former Carley Hill Primary School, Sunderland, to inform archaeological consultation on potential development of the site. The field evaluation of ten trenches followed the recommendations of an archaeological desk-based assessment produced by Vindomora Solutions Ltd earlier in the year noting that while the majority of the overall development area had been disturbed either by quarrying, the construction of the former school and/or tree cover, there were still areas that contained archaeological potential, including the possible remains of a late Georgian waggonway running northwestsoutheast through the site. Archaeological remains were only found in one trench out of the ten excavated. Trench 7 was located west of the school and south of the main entrance track, and had been located to see if any remains of the Georgian waggonway were still in place. According to historic mapping, the waggonway (transporting limestone) was still in use in 1862, but had been demolished by 1897 and its line re-used as a field boundary. Trench 3 in the southeastern end of the development area was also targeted over the waggonway, but nothing was found in that trench. In Trench 7 however, the badly truncated remains of the trackbed were observed. No trace of the rail itself was present suggesting that the waggonway had been dismantled rather than just covered over at the time of decommissioning.

In September 2022 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were instructed by Doonan Architects Ltd on behalf of their client, Matfen Hall Limited, to undertake an archaeological monitoring scheme (watching brief) at Matfen Hall Hotel, Northumberland. The monitoring was a requirement to fulfil Condition 3 of planning application 22/00431/FUL. The planning application seeks to undertake the following items of work at Matfen Hall: “Enclose space within inner courtyards to North West of building. Installation of fire exit staircase. Proposed internal alterations. Create additional bedrooms throughout the hotel including conversion of 2 outbuildings. Re-roofing the buildings to the west of the upper courtyard. Alterations to the south elevation (new door opening, replacement of existing steps and handrails with new).” The archaeological work required was undertaken in accordance with Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The monitoring of the groundworks in the courtyards did not reveal any elements of archaeological interest. The monitored area beneath the courtyards was found to be comprised of made ground comprising mixed clays and construction debris over natural geology, with levelling and bedding deposits above for the upper stone flagging. A number of service runs were noted within the made ground. The monitoring of the groundworks for the construction of the new manhole south of the main building did not reveal any elements of archaeological interest, with the makeup of the ground suggesting landscaping deposits over the natural boulder clay with manicured turf and topsoil above. Out of the six new openings observed within the main building, it was found that four were re-opening previously blocked apertures, with one cutting through the remains of a blocked fireplace and the other through a previously black wall.

On the 10th November 2014, Dysart Developments Ltd commissioned Vindomora Solutions to undertake the Level 2 historic building recording of Bedlington Old School, Bedlington, Northumberland report in order to discharge conditions 2 and 3 of the Conservation Area Consent 03/00508/CON to allow the demolition of the standing school building and the redevelopment of the plot into 19 residential flats with parking. The survey was also to examine the potential of re-use of the building's stone in the new build: the examination was undertaken by Heritage Consolidation Ltd and their comments incorporated into this report. Bedlington Old School was built in 1874 as a Council Infants School, the building replacing Church Row, and continued in use as such into the 20th century. In 1932, the building was renovated and extended west. The school discontinued its intended use in 1974, when it became St. Cuthbert's Church Hall. Built of local sandstone the school is architecturally unremarkable, with all historic and potentially interesting architectural features removed, barring an inscribed stone in the eastern outer elevation: furthermore, the building is in such poor condition that the structure is a health and safety liability, with the roof and ceilings liable to further imminent collapse and the floor continuing to rot. Multiple fires have opened the structure to the elements, allowing wind and water to compound the damage caused by the fires.

In October 2018 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were commissioned by Countryside Consultants to undertake a scheme of historic/archaeological building recording of a range of Listed farm buildings at Low Leam Farm near West Woodburn in Northumberland. The recording project was undertaken to inform Countryside Consultants' management plan to restore the buildings as part of a wider project between Natural England, Historic England and the Northumberland National Park Authority, partly funded by DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship scheme. The level of recording required was identified as being equivalent to a Level 2/3 survey as described within Historic England's 'Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice' (2016).

In June 2019 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were commissioned by CMF Planning and Design to undertake a scheme of historic/archaeological building recording Greta View Barn , County Durham. Greta View Barn had been built by the time the 1849 Tithe Plan was produced with a similar building arrangement to the current existing layout, with the main barn to the east and a smaller extension to the west. However, in the mid-19th century the barn was depicted as a reversed 'L' shape with the northern elevation of the extension recessed from that of the main barn. This remained so through the 19th century, but by the time the 1919 Ordnance Survey map was produced the building belonged to its current format, suggesting that the western extension and its attached boundary wall were rebuilt and realigned between 1895 and 1919. Overall, the barn is in a very poor state of repair, with the pre-20th century structure in the poorest state. The arched entrance in the southern wall is an excellent example of its type and the arrow-loop style embrasures lend character to the structure. The barn appears to be a combination barn, for storage of grain and a cart with a loading door in the upper storey of the original barn construction: the second storey only appears to have resided in the eastern section of the barn, with the majority of the building open to the eaves internally. The western early 20th century extension appeared to be single storey only.

In 2010, the client and owner of the Hall, Steven Spry, applied for planning permission to restore Hamsterley Hall through a mix of personal investment and enabling development on nearby land at Hamsterley Mill, where the development would pay for the shortfall in resources required to restore the Hall which is in dire need of repair. The planning permission was refused for the enabling development, though Listed Building consent was given for the restoration of the Hall. In June 2013, Vindomora Solutions was commissioned to produce a Written Scheme of Investigation and subsequent scheme of emergency building recording for the cataloguing and monitoring of the western brick wing of the Hall which had suffered catastrophic collapse of the north, east and west elevations and subsequently was to be demolished under controlled conditions to prevent further risk to the central range of the Hall, as well as for health and safety reasons. The collapse of the western wing highlighted the rapidly degrading nature of the Hall, and the client began to formulate a new scheme to allow for the restoration of the Hall. In support of his new planning application (to be submitted December 2013/January 2014) by planning consultant Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners, the client commissioned a number of surveys on the Hall, including a room-by-room survey of the Hall by Vindomora Solutions to summarise the archaeological and historical importance of the site.

In June 2022 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were instructed by PAR Design and Build Services Limited on behalf of their clients, Mr and Mrs Penny, to undertake an historic building recording scheme prior to works at Shooting Box Farm, Edmundbyers, County Durham (planning application DM/21/03842/FPA). The planning application seeks to undertake the following “…Single storey rear extensions, porch, two storey extension of existing detached garage including partial conversion to habitable room with link extension to main house, replacement terrace to the rear and the creation of vehicular access.” The building recording scheme (Level 2 Historic England equivalent) is a planning requirement detailed by Conditions 3 and 4 of the application consent, in line with Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The core of the Shooting Box appears to be early Victorian, built between 1841 and 1857 based upon Tithe and Ordnance Survey mapping, as well as inspection of the visible earlier structure itself. The assertion that the building has either a 16th or 17th century core appears to be simply a myth, as the 1841 tithe plan shows the location of the building as open meadowland. The field system surrounding it dates to the early Post-medieval period, accounting for the 17th century artefacts recovered from a ditch adjacent to the property, with the feature presumably forming part of the field boundary. The external structure has undergone a number of changes, with the large extension added to the northwestern side of the building in 2004, and the sunroom added to the southeastern elevation in 2006. The doors and windows all appear to have been replaced, with no original windows remaining (note the sash windows noted in the text are replacement sash). Internally, the 19th century building has been completely modernised, though Victorian fireplaces have been retained with modern surrounds on the ground and first floor.

In February 2019 Vindomora Solutions Ltd were commissioned by Vickers and Barrass on behalf of their client, Mr James Rutherford, to undertake a scheme of historic/archaeological building recording at the derelict site of Ulls Field, Wearhead in County Durham. Ulls Field is a derelict farmstead dating to at least the early 19th century. The Local Planning Authority identified the need for the recording project as a Condition (Condition 9) of Planning Application DM/16/03975/FPA, which seeks to convert the ruin into a single dwelling. The work was undertaken in accordance with paragraphs 135 and 141 of the National Planning Policy Framework as the building was deemed to be a non-designated heritage asset. This report contains the results of the Level 2 Historic England Historic Building Recording project at Ulls Field farmstead, Wearhead in Weardale. The document contains a comprehensive photographic and written record of the house, outbuildings, barn, netty and 'yard' to the east. Historic background research shows that the house was in place and possibly named Hulls Field prior to 1857, with the barns and outbuildings being added by 1895. While the current house is likely either late 18th or early 19th century in date, Hulls Field did exist in the medieval period though no evidence of medieval masonry was noted to be re-used within the structure.