Fields Farm Draycott Cross Staffordshire

Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

for Solstice Renewables Ltd.

CA Project: 5423 CA Report: 15285

June 2015 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

Land at Fields Farm Draycott Cross Staffordshire

Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

CA Project: 5423 CA Report: 15285

prepared by Elizabeth Pratt, Assistant Heritage Consultant

date June 2015

checked by Duncan Coe, Principal Heritage Consultant

date June 2015

approved by Duncan Coe, Principal Heritage Consultant

signed

date June 2015

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Exeter Building 11 41 Burners Lane South Stanley House Unit 8 Kemble Enterprise Park Kiln Farm Walworth Road Basepoint Business Centre Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Yeoford Way Gloucestershire Buckinghamshire Hampshire Marsh Barton Trading Estate GL7 6BQ MK1 3HA SP10 5LH Exeter EX2 8LB t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 564660 t. 01264 347630 t. 01392 826185 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 4 Outline ...... 4 Location and landscape context ...... 4 Scope ...... 4 2. METHODOLOGY ...... 5 Heritage asset significance ...... 6 The Setting of Heritage Assets ...... 8 3. PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT ...... 9 Legislative framework, national planning policy and relevant sector guidance .... 9 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990) ...... 9 National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) (2012) ...... 10 Local planning policy ...... 11 4. OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE RESOURCE ...... 12 Designated heritage assets ...... 12 Previous Archaeological Work ...... 13 Geology and the palaeoenvironment ...... 13 Prehistoric (up to AD43) ...... 13 Roman period (AD43 – 410) ...... 14 Medieval period (1066 – 1539) ...... 15 Post-medieval (1540 – 1800)...... 16 Modern (1800 – present) ...... 17 Undated ...... 17 5. DISCUSSION ...... 18 Significance of Recorded Heritage Assets ...... 18 Potential for archaeological remains ...... 18 Previous Impacts ...... 19 6. POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT EFFECTS ...... 20 Summary of Proposals ...... 20 Potential physical development effects ...... 20 Potential non-physical development effects ...... 20 Step 1 Assessment ...... 21 Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ (Fig. 3, 1) ...... 21 Grade II Listed ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ (Fig. 3) ...... 24 Recommendations ...... 26 7. CONCLUSIONS ...... 26

8. REFERENCES ...... 27

APPENDIX A: GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT...... 30

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan, showing designated heritage assets within a 2km buffer Fig. 2 Archaeological heritage assets: recorded find spots and features Fig. 3 Built heritage assets, with inset showing the setting of The Fields Farmhouse Fig. 4 Tithe Map of Draycott in the Moors, c. 1840 Fig. 5 Extract from the 1890 Ordnance Survey map Fig. 6 Electricity pylons and telegraph poles cross through the site Fig. 7 Looking south-west towards the site from the farm track Fig. 8 Barns at Fields Farm can be seen from the southern area of the site Fig. 9 Distinctive field layout, adjacent to the north-east boundary of the site Fig. 10 Approaching The Fields Farmhouse via the farm track from Cheadle Road Fig. 11 Associative relationships between The Fields Farmhouse, barn and farmyard Fig. 12 View of turbine and vegetation concealing a small pond, from the northern elevation of The Fields Farmhouse Fig. 13 Approximate view from the southern elevation of The Fields Farmhouse Fig. 14 Distant view of Callow Hill Farm from the northern boundary of the site Fig. 15 Topography screens visibility of the site from Callow Hill Farm

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SUMMARY

Project Name: Fields Farm Location: Draycott Cross, Draycott in the Moor, near Cheadle, Staffordshire NGR: SJ 978 416

In May 2015 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Solstice Renewables Ltd. to carry out a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment of land at Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire. The objective of the assessment was to identify the nature and extent of the heritage resource both within the site and its immediate environs. The site is proposed for solar development.

No heritage assets are known to occur within the proposed development site; but there is some potential for buried archaeological remains. Geophysical survey has detected possible buried rectilinear and curvilinear features in the central and southern area of the site. It has been tentatively suggested that these features relate to former human activity.

Two Grade II Listed Buildings, 'The Fields Farmhouse' and 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' have been subject to detailed settings assessment. It is considered that the construction of a solar farm will alter the character of the post-medieval agricultural hinterland of 'The Fields Farmhouse', by introducing built features that will cover an area of former cultivated land. However, such changes to setting will not harm the significance of this designated heritage asset. In the case of 'Callow Hill Farmhouse', distance and intervening topography will largely mask views to/from the proposed development site; and so no harm has been identified.

In conclusion, this desk-based assessment has found no known heritage constraints to the proposed development at Fields Farm. Based on current understanding of the impacts of the scheme, the proposed development is not considered to conflict with local planning policy, the NPPF, or heritage legislation.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Outline 1.1 In May 2015 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Solstice Renewables Ltd. to carry out a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment of land at Fields Farm, Draycott Cross. The objective of the assessment was to identify the nature and extent of the heritage resource both within the site and its immediate environs, in advance of solar development.

Location and landscape context 1.2 The proposed development site (henceforth called ‘the site’) is located c. 770m east of the village of Forsbrook and c. 870m north of the hamlet of Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 1).The wider landscape is agricultural in character, principally comprising cultivated fields. The Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ lies c. 170m east of the north-eastern corner of the site, with access via Cheadle Road c.430m to the east. This farm track will be retained as the access track to the site.

1.3 The site (including the compound areas, see Section 6.1) is approximately 11.88ha in extent. The fields are currently under a barley crop. The topography is undulating: dropping away sharply in the centre of the site before rising steadily to the north- east. Overhead electricity wires, supported by two large pylons, cross the site from north-west to south and south-east (Fig. 6). Small ponds lie immediately outside the site boundary to the north-west and south-west.

Scope 1.4 The assessment focuses upon the heritage resource of the site itself, as well as a 1km ‘buffer’ around the site boundary referred to as the ‘study area’ (Fig. 2; Fig. 3). There are 24 designated heritage assets lying within 2km of the site (Fig. 1). A detailed settings assessment has been undertaken for the Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ and the Grade II Listed 'Callow Hill Farmhouse'. No other heritage assets were included in this detailed assessment as it was clear that there was no potential for their significance to be impacted by the proposal.

1.5 The main objectives of the Heritage Desk-Based Assessment are:

• to identify and gather information on designated heritage assets within the site;

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• to identify and gather information on non-designated recorded heritage assets within the site and study area;

• where sufficient information allows, to assess the significance of the buried archaeology present;

• where possible, to assess the impact of the proposed development on the significance of the buried archaeology present; and

• to assess the impact of the proposed development on designated heritage assets within the study area.

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 The methodology used within this assessment is informed by the guidance provided in the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ Standards and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment (2014).

2.2 The defined study area for the assessment of the heritage resource has been measured from the boundary of the development site, and encompasses a buffer area of a minimum of 1km around its edge for all known heritage assets. The size of the study area ensured that data sources provided sufficient information about the site (and its surrounding landscape) from which to assess known and potential impacts on the heritage resource.

2.3 Known heritage assets within the study area are reported in Section 4. A gazetteer of known heritage assets in the study area has been compiled (Appendix A). All assets are referred to in the text by a unique reference number (1), etc... The locations of these assets can be seen on Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

2.4 The desk-based assessment involved consultation of readily available archaeological and historical information from documentary and cartographic sources. The major repositories of information consulted comprised:

Historic England National Heritage List • World Heritage Sites • Scheduled Monuments • Listed Buildings • Registered Parks and Gardens

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• Registered Battlefields

Staffordshire Historic Environment Record • Database of known archaeological sites, findspots, historic buildings and previous archaeological works; and • Published and unpublished documentary sources (including development control site reports).

Staffordshire Archives • Historic maps and documentary sources to demonstrate previous land use.

Historic England Archives • AMIE (Archives and Monuments Information, England) data including known archaeological sites, findspots and previous archaeological works; and • Aerial photography collections.

Online sources • Including the British Geological Survey Geology of Britain Viewer, Local Plan information, lidar data (see below) and the Cranfield University Soilscapes Viewer.

2.5 Existing (partial) lidar data of the site, surveyed by the Environment Agency, were viewed online from the Geomatics Group.

2.6 A site visit was undertaken on 2 June 2015 to identify any visible potential archaeological assets not recorded by the desk-based sources and to more fully understand the potential constraints, if any, to the proposed development.

2.7 Geophysical survey of a 22ha area (in accordance with the initial site layout plan provided by Solstice Renewables Ltd.) was carried out by AOC Archaeology from 18 – 25 May 2015. A report to discuss the results of this work has been produced (James 2015). However, subsequent revision of the proposed development ‘redline’ (received 3 June 2015) has meant that c. 3.6ha of the new area has not (at the current time) been surveyed.

Heritage asset significance 2.8 The National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) defines significance as ‘the value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. That interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic.’

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(2012, Annex 2). Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance (English Heritage 2008) provides a comprehensive framework for identifying and assessing significance. In this document, the notion of ‘place’ is favoured over ‘heritage asset’ (2008, 13); and four categories of ‘value’ are identified:

• Evidential value derives from ‘the potential of a place to yield evidence about past human activity’ (English Heritage 2008, 28). It is primarily embodied by physical remains or historic fabric, but also includes buried archaeology;

• Historical value derives from ‘the ways in which past people, events and aspects of life can be connected through a place to the present’ (ibid, 28). Illustrative historical value depends on visibility in a way that evidential value does not; and ‘has the power to aid interpretation of the past […] through shared experience of a place’ (ibid, 29). Associative historical value creates resonance through felt connections with a notable family, person, event or movement;

• Aesthetic value derives from ‘the ways in which people draw sensory and intellectual stimulation from a place’ (ibid, 30). Aesthetic value might be generated through conscious design and artistic endeavour, fortuitous and organic change, and the relationship of structures and materials to their setting;

• Communal value is tied to historical (associative) value and aesthetic value, deriving from ‘the meanings of a place for the people who relate to it, or for whom it figures in their collective experience or memory’ (ibid, 31). Communal value may be commemorative, symbolic or social. The latter is typically ‘associated with places that people perceive as a source of identity, distinctiveness, social interaction and coherence’ and might only be articulated when the resource is under threat (ibid, 32).

2.9 Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance defines the significance of a place as the constellation of one or more of these four forms of value. Approaches towards assessing significance are presented within the Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 2 – Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment (Historic England 2015a). Heritage assets of archaeological interest may be more sensitive to change, typically comprising buried remains that ‘may occasionally be harmed by even minor disturbance, thus damaging the significance of the asset’ (Historic England 2015a, 6).

2.10 Elements of setting, defined by the Framework (see Section 3) as the physical surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced (DCLG 2012, Annex 2), may

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make a positive or negative contribution to significance (Historic England 2015b, 2). In Section 6 (below), the contribution that setting makes to the significance of heritage assets is specifically discussed in terms of how it may foster and/or assist the appreciation of these value(s) (Historic England 2015b, 4-6).

The Setting of Heritage Assets 2.11 The Historic England document Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (2015b) provides guidance on setting and development management. A five-step approach is recommended for assessing the impact of development proposals; this report implements steps 1, 2 and 3. The first step is to identify the heritage assets affected and their settings. The second step is to assess whether, how and to what degree these settings make a positive contribution to the significance of the heritage asset(s), i.e. ‘what matters and why’. This includes determination of the key attributes of the heritage asset itself, and then considering:

• the physical surroundings of the asset, including its relationship with other heritage assets; • the way the asset is appreciated; and • the asset’s associations and patterns of use.

2.12 The third step (where appropriate) is to assess the effect of the proposed development on the significance of assets through the consideration of the key attributes of the proposed development in terms of its:

• location and siting; • form and appearance; • additional effects; and • permanence.

2.13 The fourth step is to maximise enhancement and minimise harm, which may be achieved through:

• removing or re-modelling an intrusive building or features; • replacement of a detrimental feature by a new and more harmonious one; • restoring or revealing lost historic features; • introducing a wholly new feature that adds to the public appreciation of the asset;

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• introducing new views (including glimpses or better framed views) that add to the public experience of the asset; or • improving public access to, or interpretation of, the asset including its setting.

2.14 Step five entails making and documenting the decision and monitoring outcomes.

3. PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

Legislative framework, national planning policy and relevant sector guidance 3.1 The assessment is written within the following legislative, planning policy and guidance context: • National Heritage Act 1983 (amended 2002);

• Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979);

• Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990);

• The Hedgerow Regulations (1997);

• Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (2008);

• National Planning Policy Framework (2012);

• National Planning Practice Guidance: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (accessed April 2015);

• Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 2: Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment (2015a);

• Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (2015b).

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990) 3.2 In determining planning applications that might affect the settings of Listed Buildings, the 1990 Act states that:

‘In considering whether to grant planning permission for development which affects a listed building or its setting, the local planning authority or, as the case may be, the Secretary of State shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the

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building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.’ (Section 66).

National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) (2012) 3.3 The Framework sets out national planning policy relating to the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment. It defines the historic environment as ‘all aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.’

3.4 Individual aspects of the historic environment are considered heritage assets: ‘buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of their heritage interest.’

3.5 Heritage assets include designated sites and non-designated sites, and policies within the Framework relate to both the treatment of assets themselves and of their settings, both of which are a material consideration in development decision making.

3.6 Key tenets of the Framework are that:

• when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be; • significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed building, park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, notably Scheduled Monuments, Protected Wreck Sites, Battlefields, Grade I and II* Listed Buildings, Grade I and II* Registered Parks and Gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional;

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• where a proposed development will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal; and • with regard to non-designated heritage assets a balanced judgement will be required having due regard to the scale of any harm or loss and to the significance of the heritage asset affected.

3.7 Local planning authorities are urged to request for applicants to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected by a proposed development, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail required in the assessment should be ‘proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance.’

Local planning policy 3.8 The Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Local Plan (adopted 2014) offers further guidance as to the protection and management of the historic environment (accessed online 01.06.15). Policy DC2: The Historic Environment policy states that:

‘The Council will safeguard and, where possible, enhance the historic environment, areas of historic landscape character and interests of acknowledged importance, including in particular scheduled ancient monuments, significant buildings (both statutory listed and on a local register), the settings of designated assets, conservation areas, registered historic parks and gardens, registered battlefields and archaeological remains by: 1. Resisting development which would harm or be detrimental to the special character and historic heritage of the District’s towns and villages and those interests of acknowledged importance. 2. Promoting development which sustains, respects or enhances buildings and features which contribute to the character or heritage of an area and those interests of acknowledged importance through the use of conservation area appraisals, design statements, archaeological assessments, characterisation studies and Masterplanning. 3. Preventing the loss of buildings and features which make a positive contribution to the character or heritage of an area through appropriate reuse and sensitive development, unless their retention is not viable or there would be substantial planning benefits to outweigh the loss’.

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3.9 The historic environment is identified as a resource ‘for which the District is renowned’: incorporating individual designated and non-designated assets, and more broadly, ‘the historic character of the wider landscape’ (Section 8.6.8). Supplementary Planning Documents have been produced to complement the Framework; but these primarily relate to sustainable residential development, with little specific reference to the historic environment. The Council intends (as of 2013) to create a Staffordshire Moorlands Local Heritage Register, to acknowledge the significant local interest of particular buildings, structures, parks and gardens, and archaeological sites.

4. OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE RESOURCE

4.1 This section provides an overview of the historical and archaeological background of the study area and the region surrounding it, to provide a better understanding of the context and significance of the heritage resource that may be affected by development. This assessment also determines the significance of recorded heritage assets, considers the potential for encountering buried archaeological remains within the site, and predicts their likely nature, date, extent and condition (Section 5).

Designated heritage assets 4.2 No World Heritage Sites or sites included on the Tentative List of Future Nominations for World Heritage Sites occur within the immediate or wider vicinity of the proposed development.

4.3 There are no Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens, or Registered Battlefields recorded across the study area. Further afield, a Scheduled Bronze Age bowl barrow survives at St. Thomas’s Trees, c. 1.6km north-west of the site.

4.4 Six Listed heritage assets are found within 1km of the site. The Church of St. Margaret at Draycott in the Moors, c. 935m to the south-south-west (Fig. 3, 3), is Listed at Grade II*; with its Hancock and Hyatt Memorials Listed at Grade II. Other Grade II Listed Buildings include 'The Fields Farmhouse' (Fig. 3, 1) and 'Forsbrook Hall Farmhouse' (Fig. 3, 2). 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' is located just outside the northern edge of the study area. Further afield, some other designated built heritage assets are found at Dilhorne (c. 2km to the north-west of the site).

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4.5 Those designated heritage assets considered to be sensitive to the proposed development have undergone a settings assessment (see Section 6). Desk-based research, followed through with a site visit, resulted in many of the Listed Buildings requiring no further assessment beyond Step 1 of the Historic England guidance (see Section 2.10). It was found that geographical distance, topography, modern infrastructure and buildings, or vegetation screened views from and towards the proposed development; and/or no clear historical association between the asset(s) and the site could be discerned.

Previous Archaeological Work 4.6 According to the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record, no archaeological work has previously been undertaken within the site or study area.

Geology and the palaeoenvironment Solid geology 4.7 The solid geology of the proposed development site comprises siltstone, mudstone and sandstone of the Tarporley Siltstone Formation, laid down during the Triassic Period (BGS viewer online, accessed 01.06.15).

Superficial deposits 4.8 Overlying this bedrock is diamicton (also known as Devensian Till), formed during the Quaternary Period (BGS viewer online, accessed 01.06.15). These deposits have no specific archaeological potential.

Soils 4.9 The site is characterised by freely draining, slightly acid loamy soils (Soilscapes viewer online, accessed 01.06.15).

Prehistoric (up to AD43) 4.10 Indications of prehistoric activity are scarce. In 1943 (or possibly earlier), a Neolithic or Bronze Age quartzite axe-hammer was discovered near Coneygreaves Farm, approximately 1.1km south-east of the site (Fig. 2). Another findspot of a similar such stone axe-hammer is also noted by the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record, albeit from an ‘uncertain location in Draycott [in the Moors]’.

4.11 A Bronze Age bowl barrow lies c. 1.6km north-west of the site, on high ground to the south of Dilhorne (Fig. 2). The location of this Scheduled Monument might suggest that later prehistoric occupation was focussed on the uplands to the north.

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Indeed, more than 250 round barrows are recorded in the county; many of these survive as substantial earthworks (Wardle 2002a, 2).

4.12 Partial lidar imagery of the site does not reveal any cropmarks that might signify the buried remains of prehistoric enclosures or other features. Assessment for the West Midlands Regional Research Framework for Archaeology has noted that ‘most cropmarks have been recorded on aerial photographs taken specifically for archaeological purposes’, typically ‘those that are in the vicinity of important archaeological monuments’; and ‘as a result, it has been a long time since fliers looking for cropmarks have visited most of Staffordshire’ (Wardle 2002a, 7–8).

Roman period (AD43 – 410) 4.13 The A521 Uttoxeter Road bisects the southern part of the study area, c. 770m south-west of the site. This is thought to follow the route of a Roman road that ran between Derventio (or Little Chester, now a suburb of Derby, c. 37km east of the site) and Chesterton (c. 16km north-west of the site) via Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 2, 4; Wardle 2002b, 6). It is believed locally that a small fort was situated on the hill above the present-day settlement, c. 1km south-east of the site (Pointon 1999).

4.14 However, there is seemingly no conclusive archaeological evidence for Roman period occupation within the study area. The Rural Settlement of Roman Britain Project online database mapping depicts only a small farmstead settlement approximately 9km to the north-west of the site. Earthworks of Romano-British farmsteads, settlements and field systems are particularly abundant on the limestone plateaux of the Peak District; although it seems that their form is ‘indistinguishable from those seen in late prehistory’ and additionally, archaeological investigation has generally been limited in scope (Wardle 2002b, 19).

4.15 Across Staffordshire as a whole, recorded findspots are largely focussed around the Roman road network, although there may be various explanations for this apparent correlation (Wardle 2002b, 23–24). Within the study area, a 2nd century Roman coin was unearthed by a metal detectorist in fields between Uttoxeter Road and Cheadle Road, at Draycott in the Moors c. 800m south-east of the site (Fig. 2). At Forsbrook, approximately 790m west of the site, an historical discovery of an early 7th century pendant containing a 4th century Roman coin is also noted by the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record (Fig. 2). These finds probably represent chance losses.

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Early Medieval period (410 – 1066) 4.16 Land in the vicinity of the proposed development site at Fields Farm is recorded by the Domesday Survey as Lufamesleg (near Drayton in the Moors) and Forsbrook. The latter has been identified as a significant place-name of possible Saxon origin, incorporating ‘broc’ as the old English word for a brook or stream (Gelling 1981). The findspot of a 7th century pendant at Forsbrook has already been noted (see above).

4.17 Conjectural and documentary sources suggest that a Saxon stone cross-shaft once stood in the churchyard that surrounds the Church of St. Margaret at Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 2). According to Ordnance Survey Field Inspection Records (cited by the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record), this heritage asset was overgrown by 1844 and had disappeared by 1930.

Medieval period (1066 – 1539) 4.18 Construction of the Church of St. Margaret at Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 3, 3) is thought to have begun in the late 13th century. It is possible that this stone building replaced an earlier structure, with which the aforementioned cross-shaft may have been associated. Buttresses, parapets and bell chamber openings were added to the church tower during the 16th century (NHLE No. 1037947). The historic parish of St. Margaret’s extended northwards, encompassing the area now known as Draycott Cross. Its western boundary, abutting the parish of Forsbrook, roughly corresponds with the western boundary of the proposed development site (Fig. 3).

4.19 According to the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record, earthworks symptomatic of ridge and furrow cultivation have been identified from historic aerial photographs of fields north of Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 2, 5a, 5b). Ordnance Survey mapping depicts a watercourse flowing north-south from close to the eastern site boundary towards the Cheadle Road (Fig. 2). It is probable that the floodplain was utilised as prime agricultural land during the medieval period. Extant and historic field boundaries to the south of Fields Farm and in the north-eastern corner of the site (Figs. 4, 5 and 9) might potentially fossilise the remnants of a medieval open field system. More symptomatic are the hedged strips extending either side of Draycott Old Road on the south-east side of Forsbrook village, c. 300m south-west of the site (Fig. 2).

4.20 As well as displaying evidence for ridge and furrow cultivation, the area immediately to the south of Hollow Farm (approximately 725m south-west of the site) has

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yielded a number of medieval artefacts through metal detecting. These include a cast copper alloy annular brooch of mid-13th to mid-14th century date; a cast copper alloy signet or merchant’s ring of 15th to 16th century date; a silver groat of Edward IV (minted 1464–1470); and a silver groat of Henry VII (minted 1490–1504). Assemblages of this kind are sometimes indicative of a trading or market centre. Nearby (albeit located just outside of the 1km buffer) are the earthwork remains of a moated site and associated fishpond (Fig. 2).

Post-medieval (1540 – 1800) 4.21 Continued agricultural use of land in the north-western quadrant of Drayton in the Moors parish is attested to by the scattered distribution of several post-medieval farmsteads. These include ‘Forsbrook Hall Farmhouse’ (built 17th century; Fig. 3, 2) and ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ (Fig. 3, 1) and ‘Mount Pleasant’ (both built late 18th century). The sites of farmsteads no longer extant are also pinpointed by the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record.

4.22 Metal detector surveying at Hollow Farm has additionally recovered post-medieval artefacts, arguably signifying the continuation of some form of economic activity within the settlement core of Drayton in the Moors. The Staffordshire Historic Environment Record describes a complete copper alloy ‘rose and orb’ jetton and four token of 16th–17th century date; and a silver half-groat of Charles I (minted 1625–1649). However, no such finds are known in closer proximity to the proposed development site.

4.23 According to Historic Landscape Characterisation data, approximately 9ha of the site represents former ‘early small rectilinear fields’ of post-medieval date; but there are no surviving internal boundaries within the site. However, in the area to the north-west of the northern site boundary (now excluded from solar development proposals), traces of these field systems and possible evidence for ridge and furrow cultivation are seemingly represented by magnetic anomalies detected through geophysical survey (James 2015).

4.24 No parliamentary or non-parliamentary enclosure maps for the parishes of Forsbrook and Draycott in the Moors could be found when undertaking research for this assessment (cf. Kain et al. 2004).

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Modern (1800 – present) 4.25 Several mid/late 19th century farmsteads are found within 1km of the site, including ‘Exhibition Farm’ and ‘Sweethills Farm’ (situated 760m to the north-west and 670m to the north-east, respectively) (Fig. 3). It would seem that the northern and western rural peripheries of the villages of Forsbrook and Draycott in the Moors were now being formally divided and managed by/between several private landowners.

4.26 Meanwhile, settlement at and around Boundary, c. 890m north of the site, appears to have grown up in tandem with coal workings at Delph House, Commonside and Harplow. The Cheadle Branch Railway (Fig. 3, 6), now dismantled, was constructed between 1900 and 1950, connecting with a colliery tramway. Its route passes within 700m of the proposed development site. There is no evidence to suggest that industrial activity extended south or west towards Forsbrook and Draycott Cross. There are no shafts, pits or associated infrastructure recorded in close proximity to the proposed development site.

4.27 Documentary sources indicate ongoing agricultural land use at Fields Farm from the 19th century onwards. The 1840 Tithe Map depicts a series of narrow fields in the north-east corner of the site (Fig. 4); and the Ordnance Survey of 1890 shows near- identical land divisions (Fig. 5). An area of this field system survives, outside the eastern site boundary (Fig. 9). Geophysical survey has also identified several anomalies that appear to correspond to six field boundaries present on historic mapping. These anomalies were recorded running north-west/south-east through the centre of the site; and running north-east/south-west in the area beyond the northern site boundary (James 2015).

4.28 Meanwhile, immediately surrounding Fields Farm to the north, and extending towards the hamlet of Boundary to the north-west, are ‘very large post-war fields’ that (according to Historic Landscape Characterisation data) replaced former ‘piecemeal enclosure’ and ‘strip fields’ (Fig. 2). Aerial photographs taken in 1981 show what appears to be a recently constructed pipeline bisecting the westernmost corners of the site.

Undated 4.29 Geophysical survey of a larger area that was initially proposed for solar development (see Section 2.7) has mapped a number of features of potential archaeological interest (James 2015). Distributed across 15ha of higher ground lying beyond the northern site boundary, magnetic anomalies appear to indicate the

17 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

presence of rectilinear features that may pre-date field boundaries shown on historic mapping. Aerial photographs of 1945 and 1971 also show a darkened area that seemingly corresponds to feature F11; whilst in the field immediately to the west, in the vicinity of features F14a and F14b, is an area of disturbance that may indicate that these anomalies are of modern origin.

4.30 Meanwhile, within the site itself, geophysical survey has identified possible rectilinear and curvilinear features in the central and southern areas. It is probable that these anomalies relate to former human activity, but a lack of patterning renders further detailed interpretation difficult.

5. DISCUSSION

Significance of Recorded Heritage Assets

5.1 There are no archaeological or built heritage assets recorded within the site of the proposed development.

5.2 However, the hedgerow forming the south-western boundary of the site may be of historic interest. According to the Hedgerows Regulations (1997) a hedgerow is historically important if it ‘marks the boundary, or part of the boundary, of at least one historic parish or township; and for this purpose “historic” means existing before 1850’ (Criteria 1). The 1840 Tithe Map of Draycott in the Moors (Fig. 4) shows the parish boundary with Dilhorne (to the west) as defined by a field boundary. During the site visit, a dense hawthorn hedge (with some large deciduous trees) was observed along the ‘dog-leg’ south-western corner of the site. It is possible that this hedgerow is the same as marked on historic mapping.

Potential for archaeological remains Prehistoric 5.3 Given the paucity of known evidence of prehistoric activity across the study area, and the absence of recorded cropmarks within the site that may be symptomatic of buried archaeological features such as ditched enclosures, the potential for prehistoric heritage assets is limited.

18 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

Roman 5.4 Two findspots and the probable route of a Roman road are the only indications of Roman period activity in the vicinity of the site. If the notion of a fort at Draycott in the Moors can be substantiated, it is possible that the floodplain of the watercourse flowing south from near the eastern boundary of the site towards Hollow Farm (Fig. 2) formed part of the agricultural hinterland of an associated civilian settlement. Any buried artefacts might comprise pottery sherds and other debris.

Medieval 5.5 Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that at least a portion of the north- western quadrant of Draycott in the Moors parish was under cultivation during the medieval period. The proposed development site abuts the eastern edge of Forsbrook parish; where, a little further south of the village of Forsbrook, extant hedgelines seemingly fossilise the layout of a medieval open field system. There is potential for medieval archaeological remains to occur within the site: for instance, scattered pottery sherds and other debris derived from historic manuring practices.

Post-medieval 5.6 Several farmhouses were constructed between the late 17th and early 19th century, in the area north-east of Forsbrook and north-west of Draycott Cross. ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ was built in the late 18th century; its farmland lying primarily to the south and incorporating the proposed development site (see Section 6). Some formal enclosure would have occurred at this time; and geophysical survey has recorded a possible layout of field boundaries. Any associated buried heritage assets within the site will likely entail scattered pottery sherds and other debris derived from historic manuring practices.

Modern 5.7 Land to the north of Fields Farm, encompassing the north-east corner of the site, represents the amalgamation of former piecemeal enclosure. There may be some buried archaeological evidence associated with the removal of former hedgerows and field boundaries; evidence of former land division was identified through geophysical survey, corresponding to patterns shown on historic mapping.

Previous Impacts 5.8 The site remains under cultivation. It is probable that continued ploughing has disturbed any archaeological material contained within the topsoil or sub-surface layers. The construction of electricity pylons, and the installation of a pipeline at

19 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

some point between 1971 and 1981, may also have disturbed any buried deposits present within the westernmost corners and centre of the site.

6. POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT EFFECTS

Summary of Proposals 6.1 A solar farm is planned for the site. Electricity pylons, overhead power lines and a wooded area with pond on the western boundary have informed the proposed layout of solar panel modules. Design plans show the access route comprising the existing farm track from Cheadle Road. A compound area is located on the south side of the farm track, to the rear of barns at Fields Farm (shown on Figs. 2 and 3). This will comprise sheeting laid directly onto the ground surface, surrounded by Heras fencing; therefore, no sub-surface impacts are expected. A grid connection will be buried in a trench, but routed (shown on Figs. 2 and 3) to avoid the features of possible archaeological interest identified through geophysical survey.

6.2 The solar panel modules will be no more than 2.5m in height, and spaced no less than 2m apart. Installation requires the insertion of piles, typically c. 150mm by c.75mm in cross section, and no deeper than c. 1.5m. Cables linking the panels are strung behind the frames. Cables from the end of the arrays to the invertors, which are typically constructed on concrete pads without the use of piling, are usually buried in trenches c. 500-600mm wide and c. 600-1200mm deep.

6.3 The overall footprint of development (encompassing piling, topsoil stripping, cable trenching and foundation excavation) is anticipated to be very limited in extent, typically a fraction of a percent of the site area. The development is also reversible, with an expected lifespan of approximately 25 years. After this time the solar panels will be removed, leaving no physical trace within the landscape.

Potential physical development effects 6.4 Due to the relatively wide spacing of the piles, and their relatively small cross- section, installation is unlikely to have a significant physical impact upon any buried archaeological remains within the site area.

Potential non-physical development effects 6.6 This section of the report assesses potential effects of the proposed development upon the significance of selected designated heritage assets within a 2km study

20 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

area, through the alteration of their setting. The assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets (Historic England 2015b). The first proposed step is to identify the heritage assets affected and their settings.

Step 1 Assessment 6.7 Designated heritage assets lying within 2km of the proposed development site were identified through a map-based search of the National Heritage List for England (Fig. 1). After reviewing Scheduling and Listing descriptions, and utilising Google Earth imagery to locate these assets relative to the proposed development site, it was considered that the vast majority of the Listed Buildings (and the single Scheduled Monument) required no further settings assessment. Excepting the immediate physical surrounds, setting did not notably contribute to heritage significance. Further, visual associations with the proposed development site were typically obscured by intervening built form and vegetative screening; or obviated by the direction of key views to/from these assets.

6.8 The potential for greater sensitivity was identified for the Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ and ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’. These designated heritage assets were accordingly subject to Steps 2 and 3 of the Historic England guidance (2015).

Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ (Fig. 3, 1) Significance 6.9 ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ is located 170m east of the north-eastern corner of the proposed development site. The List Entry describes a three-storey building of late 18th century construction with 20th century alterations. The brickwork is rendered and painted white; the roof is tiled with three chimney stacks. Recent modern features include a single storey glazed porch and UPVC double glazing to the rear. The heritage significance of this designated asset is derived primarily from its evidential value: as an example of a post-medieval farmstead in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The historic fabric of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ will not be harmed by the proposed solar development.

Physical surrounds – ‘what matters and why' 6.10 Fields Farm is situated on high ground that continues to rise in a northerly direction towards the hamlet of Boundary. The farm is accessed by means of a narrow track from Cheadle Road, which runs c.425m to the east; this is retained in solar design plans. The track fronts the northern elevation of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’, leading

21 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

around to a farmyard on its west side. Here is a small complex of red brick barns and conjoined outbuildings of late 18th or 19th century date (Fig. 11). The structural fabric of these non-designated heritage assets will be unaffected by the proposed development.

6.11 The formal entrance to ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ is via a gravel drive on its east side. Almost directly opposite the opening to the driveway is a small pond, surrounded by dense vegetation (Fig. 12). Beyond the trees on the north side is a large field, with a tall wind turbine standing on the crest of the hill. A garden, enclosed by the brick wall of one barn and tall conifers and shrubs, is found to the rear (southern elevation) of the building. These immediate physical surrounds will not be altered by the solar panel installations at least 170m to the west.

6.12 The farm track continues past the farmyard in a north-westerly direction for approximately 300m, bisecting two expansive areas currently under cultivation. The layout plan for the proposed development shows a compound located on the south side of the farm track, c. 75m west of 20th century corrugated barns and a storage area. A fence will also be erected along the northern side of this existing track; and a new access route will lead into and through the site from the compound. This will change the physical surrounds of Fields Farm, albeit beyond the bounded extent of the Grade II Listed farmhouse and its farmyard.

6.13 The fields to the west and south-west of Fields Farm, for which solar development is planned, form part of its historic agricultural hinterland. This is clearly shown on 19th century mapping (Figs. 4 and 5). Post-war removal of field boundaries and the presence of electricity pylons with overhead wires have altered the post-medieval character of this landscape – introducing man-made structures (Fig. 6). The installation of photovoltaic panels across an area of approximately 11ha will result in further, and more extensive, change to landscape character. Yet it is considered that these changes will not harm the heritage significance of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ that is derived from evidential value manifest in its fabric.

Experience – ‘what matters and why' 6.14 Approaching Fields Farm via the narrow track from Cheadle Road presents long- ranging views across the surrounding countryside to the south and west. The red brick barns of Fields Farm peep through surrounding tree cover. A clear, key view of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ is revealed after approximately 400m; the building is framed by an attractive windbreak of trees and large lawn on the east side (Fig. 10). From

22 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

the northern elevation of this building, the modern barns of Wayside Farm can be seen c. 270m to the north-east; with dense tree cover and the blades of the wind turbine visible immediately to the north (Fig. 12). These views will be unaltered by the proposed development.

6.15 Key associative relationships between ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ and its adjacent red brick barns are apparent when looking east from the north-western corner of the farmyard (Fig. 11). These will not be disrupted by the proposed development.

6.16 Continuing along the farm track in a westerly direction, to the point at which it eventually terminates, extensive views are afforded of the surrounding countryside (Fig. 7). Small rectilinear fields, marked on historic mapping (Figs. 4 and 5), are visible due south of Fields Farm (Fig. 9). This area is excluded from solar development. However, a sense of the scale and open expanse of the (medieval and) post-medieval agricultural landscape may be constrained by the installation of rows of solar panel modules. These ‘opaque’ and ground-covering artificial structures might also accentuate visibility of the existing pylons and overhead lines (Fig. 6); and so cumulative visual effects should be considered.

6.17 However, there is limited intervisibility between ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ and the site. From the southern elevation of the Listed Building, visibility is seemingly constrained by a garden wall and conifers. From the south-eastern corner of the farmyard, cultivated fields and housing at Draycott in the Moors can be discerned (Fig. 13). A similar viewshed might be afforded from the first storey windows of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’; and will not be altered by the proposed development. Meanwhile, from within the site, any sight of the Listed Building is obscured by intervening built form of the 20th century barns. These can only be seen from the highest ground close to the northern boundary (Fig. 8), due to the screening effects of distance, topography and vegetation elsewhere in the site.

Summary of development effect 6.18 The setting of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’ contributes to its significance as follows: • Private access via a farm track leading away from Cheadle Road; • Secluded location, sheltered by trees and vegetation cover at close range to the north, east and south; • Associative relationships with 19th century red brick barns and outbuildings that line the perimeter of a narrow farmyard on the west side;

23 © Cotswold Archaeology Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

• Associative relationships with its historic agricultural hinterland, specifically: the expanse of cultivated land to the west, south and south-west.

6.19 The proposed development will alter the wider physical surrounds of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’. However, it is the associative relationships with immediately-adjacent barns and outbuildings, and views afforded towards the Listed Building from the eastern approach via the farm track, that primarily contribute to the heritage significance and experience of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’. These elements of setting will not be affected by the proposed development.

6.20 Of potential concern are the cumulative effects that a solar farm might have in changing the character of the wider landscape. The Local Plan calls for ‘resisting development which would harm or be detrimental to the character of the local and wider landscape’ (Policy DC3): where ‘The historic environment also extends beyond individual assets to the historic character of the wider landscape’ (Section 8.6.8). However, these changes are not considered to harm the heritage significance of ‘The Fields Farmhouse’. There is a lack of intervisibility between this Listed Building and the site (which comprises part of its post-medieval agricultural hinterland); and extant historic hedgerows and field boundaries are to be preserved.

Grade II Listed ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ (Fig. 3) Significance 6.21 ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ is located approximately 1km north of the proposed development site. The List Entry describes an 18th century farmhouse with 20th century alterations. The front elevation is eye-catching: built of grey-black brick with a tiled roof and two chimneystacks, and a segmental head to the first floor. Heritage significance is derived primarily from its evidential value: as an example of a post- medieval farmhouse in the Staffordshire Moorlands. The built form of ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ will not be harmed by the proposed solar development.

Physical surrounds – ‘what matters and why' 6.22 ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ is accessed by a 300m track leading off from the Cheadle Road between Forsbrook and Boundary. Sited just below the crest of a hill, the building stands proud of the grassy meadows that slope away to the south. This topography and its distinctive architecture render 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' visible at some distance. A 20th century dwelling has been built adjacent to this designated heritage asset. These elements of setting will not be altered by the proposed development at Fields Farm.

Experience – ‘what matters and why' 6.23 Mention has already been made of the visual prominence of 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' on the approach via Cheadle Road. Appreciation at closer range is permitted from a public footpath along the entrance track; and this is the perspective from which this designated heritage asset is typically and best experienced. However, the presence of modern buildings arguably disrupt any cohesive sense of a post-medieval/19th century farmstead'.

6.24 From the crest of the hill, views to the south are of a landscape of agricultural fields and patches of trees (Fig. 15). The wide expanse of grassland either side of the entrance track forms part of the agricultural hinterland of 'Callow Hill Farmhouse'. The top of the wind turbine at Fields Farm is visible above a protruding area of high ground that extends south-west from 'Daisybank' at Boundary; and electricity pylons can be seen stretching towards the horizon. The fields for which solar development is planned could not be clearly or conclusively identified during the site visit.

6.25 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' could readily be seen from the western end of the existing access track at Fields Farm. However, within the site, it was only distantly visible from high ground in the north-eastern corner (Fig. 14). To the west and south, views were obscured by topography. Acknowledging that key views of 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' are afforded at closer range, from Cheadle Road and the public footpath along its access track, the construction of a solar farm at Fields Farm is not considered to alter those elements of setting that are key to the experience of this Listed Building. Its heritage significance will not be harmed.

Summary of development effect 6.26 The setting of ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’ contributes to its significance as follows: • Prominent situation below the crest of a hill; • Views afforded from the building's southern elevation, across an agricultural landscape with particularly long-ranging views to the south-west; • Associative relationships with its historic agricultural hinterland.

6.27 The proposed development will not notably alter the wider physical surrounds of ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse'. Distance and intervening topography should screen any view of solar panels from the top of the farm track. Elements of setting that contribute to the heritage significance of this Listed Building will not be altered. Its heritage significance will not be harmed.

Recommendations 6.28 Documentary and archaeological sources do not record any heritage assets within the site. Geophysical survey has identified some anomalies of possible archaeological interest. These appear to represent historic field boundaries, plough lines and possible rectilinear and curvilinear features that may relate to former human activity. This assessment has also considered the impact of development on the heritage significance of the Grade II Listed 'The Fields Farmhouse' and ‘Callow Hill Farmhouse’, through alteration of their setting. No harm has been identified; no further work is required in this regard.

7. CONCLUSIONS

7.1 No heritage assets are known to occur within the proposed development site; but there is some potential for buried archaeological remains. Geophysical survey has detected anomalies in the central and southern areas of the site, but interpretation is very tentative.

7.2 Two Grade II Listed Buildings, 'The Fields Farmhouse' and 'Callow Hill Farmhouse' have been subject to detailed settings assessment. It is considered that the construction of a solar farm will alter the character of the post-medieval agricultural hinterland of 'The Fields Farmhouse', by introducing built features that will cover an area of former cultivated land. However, such changes to setting will not harm the significance of this designated heritage asset. In the case of 'Callow Hill Farmhouse', distance and intervening topography will largely mask views to/from the proposed development site; and so no harm has been identified.

7.3 In conclusion, this desk-based assessment has found no heritage constraints to the proposed development at Fields Farm. The proposed development is not considered to conflict with local planning policy, the Framework, or heritage legislation.

8. REFERENCES

Allen, M. et al. 2015 The Rural Settlement of Roman Britain: an online resource. http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/romangl/query.cfm, last accessed 23 April 2015.

British Geological Survey 2011 Geology of Britain Viewer, 1:50,000 geological mapping, solid and superficial. Available online: http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html, accessed 1 May 2015.

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014 Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment. Available online: http://www.archaeologists.net/sites/default/files/node- files/CIfAS&GDBA_2.pdf, accessed 1 May 2015.

Cranfield University. n.d. Soilscapes soil type viewer. Available online: http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/, accessed 1 May 2015.

Department for Communities and Local Government 2012 National Planning Policy Framework. Available online: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/themes/planningguidance/assets/NPPF.pdf, accessed 1 May 2015.

Department for Communities and Local Government 2014 National Planning Practice Guidance: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment. Available online: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/conserving- and-enhancing-the-historic-environment/, accessed 1 May 2015

English Heritage 2008 Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance. Available online: https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images- books/publications/conservation-principles-sustainable-management- historic-environment/conservationprinciplespoliciesguidanceapr08web.pdf/, accessed 1 May 2015.

Gelling, M. 1981 Some Thoughts on Staffordshire Place-Names in North Staffordshire. Journal of Field Studies Vol. 21: 4.

Historic England 2015a Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 2: Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment. Available online: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/content/imported-docs/f- j/gpa2-decision-taking-consultation.pdf, accessed 9 June 2015.

Historic England 2015b Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3: The Setting of Heritage Assets. Available online: https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/gpa3- setting-of-heritage-assets/gpa3.pdf, accessed 9 June 2015.

James, A. 2015 Land at Fields Farm, Cheadle, Staffordshire: Archaeological Geophysical Survey Report. AOC Report No. 51364.

Kain, R. J. P., Chapman, J. and Oliver, R. R. 2004 The Enclosure Maps of England and Wales, 1595–1918. Available online: http://hds.essex.ac.uk/em/index.html, accessed 4 June 2015.

Pointon, M. 1999 Roman Draycott. Available online: http://web.archive.org/web/20020717214715/http://www.geocities.com/Athe ns/Agora/3542/roman.html, accessed 4 June 2015.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council 2013 Local heritage. Available online: http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/sm/council-services/conservation/local- heritage, accessed 9 June 2015.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council 2014 A Local Plan for the future of Staffordshire Moorlands: Core Strategy Development Plan Document (Adopted Version 26th March 2014). Available online: http://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/pages/Adop ted%20Core%20Strategy%20March%202014%20with%20front%20cover.p df, accessed 1 June 2015.

Wardle, C. 2002a The Late Bronze Age and Iron Age in Staffordshire: the torc of the Midlands? West Midlands Regional Research Framework for Archaeology (Seminar 2. Later Prehistory: the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age). Available online: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/historycultures/departments/caha/rese arch/arch-research/wmrrfa/seminar2.aspx, accessed 5 June 2015.

Wardle, C. 2002b Roman Staffordshire: the Five Towns and Beyond. West Midlands Regional Research Framework for Archaeology (Seminar 3. Research Issues in the Roman Period in the West Midlands: LPRIA to sub-Roman). Available online: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/historycultures/departments/caha/rese arch/arch-research/wmrrfa/seminar2.aspx, accessed 5 June 2015.

Cartographic sources

1840 Tithe Map of Draycott in the Moors 1890 Ordnance Survey for Staffordshire, 1:10,560

Aerial photographs

RAF/106G/UK/646 11 AUG 1945 MAL/71139 2 OCT 1971 MAL/81036 3 AUG 1981

APPENDIX A: GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

No. Description Period Status NGR HER ref. Major (all SJ) AMIE ref. Source NHLE ref. 1 Grade II Listed ‘The Fields Post-medieval Listed 9834 MST9826 NHLE Farmhouse’, Draycott Cross. A 4158 1037946 late 18th century brick building with 20th century alterations and additions. 2 Grade II Listed ‘Forsbrook Hall Post-medieval Listed 9662 MST9836 NHLE Farmhouse’, Forsbrook. A 17th 4142 1253689 century stone building with a tiled roof. 3 Grade II* Listed Church of St. Medieval Listed 9810 MST572 NHLE Margaret, Draycott in the Moors. 4023 MST5067 Late 13th century origins with 77782 16th century alterations and 1037947 refaced c. 1848. 4 The route of a Roman road from Roman MST1222 HER Little Chester to Chesterton. 5a Areas where ridge and furrow Medieval to 9848 MST19099 HER 5b earthworks have been identified Post-medieval 4085; MST5703 from historic aerial photographs. 9821 4029 6 The route of the ‘Cheadle Modern 9913 MST18539 HER Railway’, constructed in stages 4104 between 1900 and 1950. Now largely dismantled.

30 N Andover 01264 347630 site boundary Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 access track Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk grid connection e [email protected]

2km study area PROJECT TITLE Scheduled Monument Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire Staffordshire Grade II* Listed Building FIGURE TITLE Grade II Listed Site location plan, showing designated Building heritage assets within a 2km buffer 0 1km DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission of CHECKED BY JB DATE 19.06.15 Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office APPROVED BY SCALE@A4 c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 DC 1:25,000 1 396000 397000 398000 399000 440000 N

Scheduled Bronze Age bowl barrow

343000 site boundary access track grid connection study area Scheduled Monument earthwork remains of ridge and furrow, visible on historical aerial photographs watercourse early small rectilinear fields Neolithic 342000 Bronze Age Roman Saxon medieval post-medieval

341000 5a

5b 0 1:15,000 500m

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Moated site and associated fish pond c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Exeter 01392 826185 340000 Cotswold Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 4 Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire

FIGURE TITLE Archaeological heritage assets: recorded finds spots and features

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 19.06.15 APPROVED BY DC SCALE@A3 1:15,000 2 396000 397000 398000 399000 440000 N

343000 site boundary access track grid connection study area 15 parish boundary The Fields Farmhouse barns and outbuildings Cheadle pond medieval 6 Cheadle Branch Railway post-medieval farmsteads and buildings (extant) 342000 modern x photographic figure location

14 1 9

2 see inset Forsbrook 8

341000 Draycott in the Moors

0 1:15,000 500m

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 3

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] pond PROJECT TITLE 11 Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire 10 FIGURE TITLE 13 12 Built heritage assets, with inset showing the setting of The Fields Farmhouse 0 1:10,000 300m DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 19.06.15 APPROVED BY DC SCALE@A3 1:15,000 & 3 1:10,000 4

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 4 Tithe map of Draycott in the Moors, c. 1840 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

5 Extract from the 1890 Ordnance Survey map PROJECT TITLE Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Staffordshire

FIGURE TITLE Historic maps

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BY DC SCALE@A4 1:10,000 approx. 4 & 5 6

Site

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 6 Electricity pylons and telegraph poles cross through Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk the site e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 7 Looking south-west towards the site from the farm Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, track Staffordshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BYY DC SCALE @ A4 NA 6 & 7 8

Barns at Fields Farm

Early small rectilinear ﬁ elds

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 8 Barns at Fields Farm can be seen from the southern Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk area of the site e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 9 Distinctive ﬁ eld layout, adjacent to the north-east Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, boundary of the site Staffordshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BYY DC SCALE @ A4 NA 8 & 9 10

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 10 Approaching The Fields Farmhouse, via the farm track Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk from Cheadle Road e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 11 Associative relationships between The Fields Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Farmhouse, barn and farmyard Staffordshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BYY DC SCALE @ A4 NA 10 & 11 12

Draycott in the Moors

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 12 View of turbine and vegetation concealing a small Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk pond, from the northern elevation of The Fields e [email protected] Farmhouse PROJECT TITLE Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, 13 Approximate view from the southern elevation of The Staffordshire Fields Farmhouse FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BYY DC SCALE @ A4 NA 12 & 13 14

Callow Hill Farm

Wind turbine

Site

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 14 Distant view of Callow Hill Farm, from the northern Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk boundary of the site e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE 15 Topography screens visibility of the site from Callow Fields Farm, Draycott Cross, Hill Farm Staffordshire FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY RP PROJECT NO. 5423 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY JB DATE 04.06.15 APPROVED BYY DC SCALE @ A4 NA 14 & 15