Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, Caversham Lakes, Henley Road, Caversham, Oxfordshire
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Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, Caversham Lakes, Henley Road, Caversham, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for Mott MacDonald Ltd by Lisa‐Maree Hardy Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code RPR02/62 July 2002 Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, Caversham Lakes, Henley Road, Caversham An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Lisa-Maree Hardy Report 02/62 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of a parcel of land within the bounds of the Caversham Lakes Project, Henley Road, Caversham, Oxfordshire (SU 740 750) (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr Paul Browne, of Mott MacDonald, Demeter House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2RS. This report comprises the first stage of a process to determine the presence/absence, extent, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains that may be affected by redevelopment of the area. Site description, location and geology A site visit was made on 8th July, 2002, in order to determine the current land use on the site. The Caversham Lakes site comprises approximately 250ha, and is bounded to the south by the northern bank of the River Thames, and to the north by Henley Road. Access onto the site is via Marsh Lane, from Henley Road. The site comprises an irregular shaped parcel of land occupied by several large lakes, occupying the sites of former gravel quarries, a marina, open space and one active gravel working. The marina is accessed via Marsh Lane, and comprises car parking, open space, buildings and access to Marina Lake. Current access to the marina from the River Thames is via a small channel. The site is located on loam and alluvium, with the underlying geology comprising river terrace gravel (BGS 1946). The site lies at a height of about 37m above Ordnance Datum. Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is to be sought for the redevelopment of the site, which will comprise the construction of a new rowing course and rowing centre, with associated parking, drainage, access and landscaping; the relocation, submission and enlargement of the existing marina; the creation of a nature reserve and construction of a boatyard service building. The areas to affected by the proposed development can be seen in Figure 7. Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16 1990) provides guidance relating to archaeology within the planning process. It points out that where a desk-based assessment has shown that there is a strong possibility of significant archaeological deposits in a development area, it is reasonable to provide more detailed information 1 from a field evaluation so that an appropriate strategy to mitigate the effects of development on archaeology can be devised: Paragraph 21 states: ‘Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer’s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning authority to request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out...’ Should the presence of archaeological deposits be confirmed further guidance is provided. Archaeology and Planning stresses preservation in situ of archaeological deposits as a first consideration as in paragraphs 8 and 18. Paragraph 8 states: ‘...Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation...’ Paragraph 18 states: ‘The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its’ setting is a material consideration in determining planning applications whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled...’ However, for archaeological deposits that are not of such significance it is appropriate for them to be ‘preserved by record’ (i.e., fully excavated and recorded by a competent archaeological contractor) prior to their destruction or damage. Paragraph 25 states: ‘Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the development and that development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, it would be entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself ... that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the excavation and recording of remains.’ The Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2011 (OCC 1998) also outlines policies regarding the archaeological potential of development sites. Policy EN10 states: ‘There will be a presumption in favour of physically preserving nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings. Where development affecting other archaeological remains is allowed it should include appropriate measures to secure their preservation in situ or where this is not feasible, recording of archaeological features before development.’ Further guidance is provided by the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 1997 (SODC 1997): Policy CON16 states: ‘The Council will not permit development which would adversely affect the sites or settings of nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, or those of monuments of special local importance’. 2 Policy CON17 states: ‘Before the determination of an application for development which may affect a site of archaeological interest or potentially of archaeological importance, prospective developers will be required , where necessary, to make provision for an archaeological field evaluation, in order to enable an informed and reasoned planning decision to be made.’ Policy CON18 states: ‘Wherever practicable and desirable, developments affecting sites of archaeological interest should be designed to achieve physical preservation in situ of archaeological deposits. Where this is not practicable or desirable, the district planning authority will impose conditions on planning permissions, or seek legal obligations, which will require the developer to provide an appropriate programme of archaeological investigation, recording and publication by a professionally qualified body acceptable to the District Planning Authority.’ Methodology The assessment of the site was carried out by the examination of pre-existing information from a number of sources recommended by the Institute of Field Archaeologists’ paper Standards in British Archaeology covering desk-based studies. These sources include historic and modern maps, the Berkshire Sites and Monuments Record, the Oxfordshire Sites and Monuments Record, geological maps and any relevant publications or reports held in the Centre for Oxfordshire Studies. Archaeological background General archaeological background Previous archaeological research and excavations along the River Thames and its tributaries clearly indicate that both the alluvial deposits and the gravel terraces offer extensive archaeological potential, especially for early periods, such as the Upper Palaeolithic and the Mesolithic, at which times the area was widely exploited by hunter-gatherer communities (Gaites 1975). In the Middle Thames Valley there is a strong emphasis on low lying and riverside locations (Ford 1991) for these periods.Within the British Isles as a whole, sites and finds belonging to the Upper Palaeolithic and early Mesolithic periods are very rare (Barton 1989). An area to the east of the proposal site was included in the East Berkshire Survey (Ford 1987), and was subject to intensive field survey with a synthesis of previous knowledge from a wider area. The study noticed that prehistoric sites were both larger and more frequent on chalk and gravel subsoils, with smaller and fewer sites on London Clay and Reading Beds. By Roman times, dense activity occurs on the gravel and Upper Chalk but is still intermittent on London Clay (Ford 1987). 3 Excavations at the Thames Valley Park One of the most notable archaeological investigations previously undertaken in the vicinity of the proposal site is that of the area of the Thames Valley Business Park directly across the river in Berkshire (Barnes et al., 1997). A series of evaluations and excavations took place between 1986 and 1988. During the evaluation stage, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity was identified. The earliest find, a Mesolithic flint scatter, was found associated with a channel. A Late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age burial was also revealed with artefacts such as a beaker, arrowheads and a flint knife. An Iron Age/ Roman enclosure identified from aerial photographs was also excavated. More detailed excavation revealed Mesolithic flint scatters, a late Neolithic pit and features dating from the Iron Age to the Roman period. A number of palaeochannels were also encountered, amongst which was a major south-west to north-east channel, infilled with peat. The channel was later dated from the Late Devensian to present day. The evidence revealed by these investigations indicates an intermittent but broad span of land use in the area. None of the areas investigated indicate extensive use, with the most densely represented period being the Iron Age to Roman period, although even this activity is not considered to have been long lived (Barnes et al., 1997). Waterfront archaeology The topographic location of this site, on the banks of the River Thames, indicates that the presence of waterfront archaeology needs to be considered. River and stream channel deposits are characterized by anaerobic conditions that inhibit the