Appendix H. Cultural Heritage Assessment

A34 Chilton North Facing Slip Roads Environmental Assessment Report

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Oxfordshire County Council

April 2014

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Notice

This document and its contents have been prepared and are intended solely for Oxford County Council’s information and use in relation to the A34 Chilton junction improvements.

Atkins Ltd. assumes no responsibility to any other party in respect of or arising out of or in connection with this document and/or its contents.

This document has 12 pages including the cover.

Document history Job number: 5126689 Document ref: Revision Purpose description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date Rev 1.0 Draft for comment BB BB AH 13.03.14 Rev 2.0 Final BB BB AH 22.04.14

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Project 34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads

Document title Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

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A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

1. Introduction

1.1. Purpose of the report 1.1.1. This report was commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council in order to assess the potential impacts on cultural heritage assets that could occur as a result of the proposed A34 junction improvements at Chilton, Oxfordshire (hereafter ‘the Scheme’). This baseline assessment is intended to inform the preliminary Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) for the Scheme.

1.1.2. The Development comprises the provision of north-facing slip roads to the Chilton junction (the A34/A4185 junction). The proposal includes a northbound on-slip, a southbound off-slip and two new roundabouts connecting the slip roads to the A4185. A by-way currently passes under the A34 and a new under-bridge is required adjacent and to the west of the existing structure to carry the proposed northbound on-slip over the existing by-way. The length of new slip roads to be created would be approximately 850 metres (from the roundabout to the nosing of the slips).

1.1.3. The assessment has been undertaken in line with guidance provided in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Volume 11, Section 3, Part 2 (Cultural Heritage). In line with this guidance, this report considers the cultural heritage resource under three sub- topics, namely archaeology, built heritage, and the historic landscape. Similarly, it adopts terminology found therein (such as the term ‘cultural heritage’ over the now more commonly used ‘historic environment’) in order to maintain consistency with other reports produced under this guidance.

1.2. Site Location, Description, and Geology 1.2.1. The development site (hereafter ‘the Site’) is located near Chilton, Oxfordshire, approximately centred at National Grid Reference (NGR) 448818, 186204 and is approximately 9.05 ha in size including land-take for the development, landscaping and land temporarily required in connection with construction. The Site comprises the existing carriageway, associated verges and fields immediately adjacent to the highways boundary. The Site comprises agricultural land, parts of which have been planted with trees. There is an existing un-named and un-designated road running south-west from the A417, over Hagbourne Hill, leading to the village of Chilton. At present, this is the only link to Chilton village, the A34 and Harwell Oxford Campus from the east side of the A34.

1.2.2. The nearest centres of population to the site are the villages of Chilton (500 metres to the south) and Upton (2.3 km to the north-east). The closest property in Harwell Oxford Campus is approximately 750 metres north-west from the Site, and a commercial property located approximately 100 metres away to the south-east.

1.2.3. The Site is surrounded predominantly by arable fields and associated hedgerows, with occasional blocks of mixed woodland plantation. To the south-east is the village of Chilton and to the south-west is Harwell Oxford. The site is located within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is designated as an environmentally sensitive area. It would involve the development of a greenfield site and change the use of an existing agricultural area.

1.2.4. The bedrock underlying most of the Site consists mainly of the West Melbury Marly Chalk Formation of a Cenomanian Age, with a small section of the Zig Zag Chalk Formation close to the road junction at its south. The entire Site is overlain by Quaternay Head deposits (BGR 1:50,000 mapping provided by Envirocheck).

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

1.3. Methodology 1.3.1. This report has been produced to gain an understanding of the entire cultural heritage resource of the Site and surrounding area (‘the Study Area’) and to examine the potential for heritage assets to exist within any future construction footprint and for the setting of the heritage assets to be altered by the Scheme. The Study Area consisted of a 1.8km radius centred on the Site (see Figure 1).

1.3.2. Data sources have been examined to determine details of any World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Historic Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields and Conservation Areas, non-designated heritage assets and archaeological findspots, and past archaeological investigations in the Study Area. Sources reviewed for this included:

 Oxfordshire Historic Environment Record (OHER) maintained by Oxfordshire County Council;  National Heritage List for England;  Superceded OS Mapping;  Relevant secondary sources, including those available online; and  A site visit. 1.3.3. Results from the National Heritage List were found to be identical with designated heritage assets captured in the OHER, and are therefore not referenced further within this report.

1.3.4. A gazetteer of known sites identified from the above sources is set out in Appendix A, and illustrated in Figure 1. Heritage assets and archaeological findspots recorded from the OHER and other sources have been allocated an Atkins Heritage number prefixed AH, and are recorded alongside their respective significance in local (low), regional (medium), and national (high) terms. Previous fieldwork events are discussed and illustrated under their OHER reference numbers (prefixed EOX).

1.4. Guidance and Policy Context

Statutory Legislation 1.4.1. National legislation relevant to this assessment includes the following:

 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (AMAA)  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990  Treasure Act 1996  Burial Act 1857 and Disused Burial Grounds (Amendment) Act 1981  Hedgerow Regulations 1997

National Planning Policy 1.4.2. Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government’s objectives for the management of the historic environment and establishes guidance for the consideration of the historic environment in the preparation of development plans and the development control process.

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Local Planning Policy

Vale of White Horse Local Plan 2011 - July 2006 1.4.3. The Vale of the White Horse Local Plan, adopted 2006, is currently undergoing revision in the light of the changes in national planning policies since that date. Policies HE1, HE4, HE5, HE 7 (Listed Buildings), HE8 (Historic Parks and Gardens), HE9, HE10, and HE11 (archaeology) have been found to be fully consistent with policies contained in the NPPF and have been saved until they are replaced by the Local Plan 2029 when this is adopted.

1.4.4. Policies relevant to the preservation of the historic landscape character are detailed within the LVIA chapter of the EAR report.

1.5. Archaeological and Historic Background 1.5.1. The introduction to Chapter 6 of the Vale of the White Horse Local Plan 2011 summarises the historic environment and planning issues in relation to it as follows:

6.2. The area covered by this Local Plan has supported human habitation for thousands of years, especially along the Downs where ancient hill-forts, long barrows and other remains are sited near the Ridgeway, one of England’s oldest roads. The White Horse itself, from which the district takes its name, is a figure cut in the chalk thought to date from the Iron Age. Many settlements in the district were established in the Middle Ages and laid out in distinctive patterns which remain an essential part of their character. For example, the importance of Stanford-in-the-Vale as a medieval market centre is indicated by its two village greens. Some villages are compact and tightly knit, others are linear settlements stretching along roads. Estate villages, like Ardington and Coleshill, have a distinctive architectural character which derives from a long association with a single owner or estate.

6.3. The three market towns of the district also grew to prosperity in the Middle Ages; Abingdon, the largest, is now recognised as the oldest continuously inhabited town in England. It has a well- preserved centre with a medieval street pattern, numerous timber-framed buildings, monuments and major buildings of more than local significance (such as the County Hall and the almshouses around St Helen’s Church), as well as associations with the once-great Benedictine Abbey. Wantage, located at the foot of the Downs, has roots deep in English history and is reputedly the birthplace of King Alfred the Great. It has a fine heritage of medieval and Georgian buildings and, in addition, some interesting Victorian architecture. The small town of Faringdon has Saxon origins. It retains a well-preserved medieval street pattern and the Market Place has a wealth of vernacular stone buildings from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries.

6.4. What distinguishes the built heritage of the Vale is its variety. The district displays a subtle range of traditional building types and materials. This is because the geology of the landscape in which the buildings and villages stand is itself so varied. Traditional buildings have a close affinity with local materials: chalk and sarsen buildings are found on and near the Downs, rubble limestone walls and stone tile roofs on the corallian limestone ridge in the north of the district. The timber- framed buildings of the clay vale, with thatched roofs, complemented sometimes by cob walls, are one of the districts most delightful features. Building materials are not strictly limited to local geology, however; timber framing is found throughout the Vale as are traditional Berkshire ’Orange’ plain tiles and bricks.

1.5.2. In cultural heritage terms, the landscape in which the Site is located is dominated by the prehistoric Ridgeway running along the Downs and its numerous, often highly visible monuments, as well as by the open, rolling downland dotted with rural historic settlements surrounding it. It has been commonly suggested that the use of this route dates back to the Neolithic period, but this has more recently been put into question (Bradley. 2010: 4). The Scheduled Monument of the Uffington White Horse, which gave

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

the district its name, is located approximately 18km to the west of the Site and dates from the Iron Age.

1.5.3. More locally, the landscape of the Chilton Downs is dominated by prehistoric sites. As elsewhere along the hill chain, funerary monuments from the earlier part of prehistory are prolific, and within a 5km radius of the Site scheduled sites include one Neolithic long barrow and fourteen Bronze Age barrows (magic.gov.uk). There are also numerous additional non-designated barrows in the vicinity to Chilton village. For these earlier periods, settlement evidence, by contrast, is sparse.

1.5.4. Next to the Bronze Age, the Iron Age is the most prominent of all periods represented around the Site and along the Downs, which feature several hillforts. The scheduled section of the monument of Grim’s Ditch (or Dyke), runs along the Downs in an east-west alignment south of Chilton and forms part of the parish boundary there. The name is shared by a number of prehistoric bank and ditch earthwork monuments running along the hill chain, and represent probable territorial markers from this period. In contrast to the Bronze Age, Iron Age settlement evidence exists alongside these monuments, several of which are near Chilton, such as Hagbourne Hill.

1.5.5. During the Roman period, a number of villa sites were established along the Downs, although none are known to be present within or close to the Study Area. However, rural settlements established during prehistory in the Study Area seem to continue into the Roman period. Evidence of agricultural settlements along the Berkshire Downs during this period is also present in the form of field systems (Fulford. 2010: 10).

1.5.6. The settlement at Chilton dates back to the medieval period, documented since the 11th century, and features a number of listed historic buildings, including the medieval Church of All Saints (Grade II*). Many of the villages, hamlets and estates around Chilton have a historic character, and feature conservation areas, for instance at Harwell, Blewbury, East Hendred, Milton, and Farringdon. In some cases, such as at Harwell, the survival of medieval housing stock has been noted as exceptional in national terms (Mumby. 2010: 9).

1.5.7. The most significant site of the modern period at Chilton is the former Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE). The establishment was part of the UK Atomic Energy Association (UKAEA) from 1940-1990 where prototype nuclear reactors were built (Hind. 2010: 27)and is now occupied by the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.. The AERE was created after the Second World War on the site of the former RAF Harwell airfield, established in the 1930s (ibid: 21). The atomic research facilities at Harwell and Burghfield contributed considerably to economic growth of the area in the 20th century.

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

2. Cultural Heritage Baseline

2.1.1. Period definitions used in this discussion are in line with those of the Solent Thames Research Framework 2010 (thehumanjourney.net accessed on 27/02/2014)

2.1.2. Details of all assets and their significance in local, regional, and national terms are contained in the gazetteer (Appendix 1), and their locations illustrated on Figure 1.

2.2. Archaeology

Designated Heritage Assets 2.2.1. One Scheduled Monument (AH1), forming part of the overall monument of Grim’s Ditch (West of Chilton Plantation), is present in the Study Area.

Non-Designated Heritage Assets 2.2.2. A total of thirteen non-designated archaeological heritage assets and findspots are recorded in the gazetteer (AH10-17, AH20-24). In several cases multiple periods were recorded in one location, and these sites will be discussed under each respective period.

Prehistoric (c. 4,000 BC – c. AD50) 2.2.3. Eight heritage assets and findspots from the prehistoric period are present in the Study Area (AH10-17). Seven of these are considered of a medium (regional), and one of low (local) significance.

2.2.4. A possible ditch of an Early Neolithic date was identified at Fermi Avenue (AH10), and residual Late Neolithic material was also located on a multi-period site at Hagbourne Hill (AH11). An Early Bronze Age pit was recorded amongst features of a Roman date at Chilton Field (AH14).

2.2.5. Two sites of Bronze Age barrows (totalling five mounds together) are present in the Study Area (AH12, AH13). Bronze Age material was also located in the context of a later Iron Age cemetery at Hagbourne Hill, which suggested an earlier funerary use (AH11).

2.2.6. Iron Age occupation is well-represented in the Study Area. Settlement evidence from the early part of the period has been recorded at Hagbourne Hill Farm (AH15), and a cemetery of rectangular pit burials has also been located at Hagbourne Hill (AH11). An artefact surface scatter was recorded in the field to the south of Hagbourne Hill Farm (AH16), and an Early- to Mid-Iron Age settlement has been recorded at Chilton in the area now occupied by the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus (AH17).

Roman (c. AD 50 – 450) 2.2.7. A Romano-British settlement has been recorded at Chilton Field (AH14). Some of the surface artefacts found in a field near Hagbourne Hill Farm (AH16) suggest a continuity of settlement from the Iron Age into the Roman period.

Medieval (AD 410 – 1536) 2.2.8. There is no known archaeological evidence from the medieval period in the Study Area.

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Post-Medieval (1536 – 1899) 2.2.9. There is one archaeological site of low importance of a post-medieval date in the Study Area, AH20, which describes the site of a former quarry.

Modern (1900 onwards) 2.2.10. While the former sites of the Tadem Van de Graaf accelerator (AH21) and GLEEP hanger (AH22) have historic value in relation to the former atomic research centre, both facilities are now entirely demolished and built over by parts of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. It is therefore considered that neither site represents any ongoing archaeological importance.

Undated 2.2.11. There are two undated records in the OHER in the Study Area, the findspots of undated potsherds (AH23), and earthworks forming parallel banks (AH24), both likely to be of a prehistoric date.

2.3. Built Heritage

Designated Heritage Assets 2.3.1. There are eight listed buildings in the Study Area, all located within Chilton village and of a medieval to post-medieval date. Two of these (AH2, AH3) are of a Grade II* rating, while the remainder are Grade II listed (AH4-9). The two listed buildings Grade II* are of a high (national) significance, while those of a Grade II are of a medium (regional) importance.

Non-designated Heritage Assets 2.3.2. There are two non-designated built heritage assets in the Study Area, both of a post- medieval date: AH18 is a Type T2 milestone, and AH19 describes a derelict former Methodist chapel at the Bargeway.

2.4. Historic Landscape

North Wessex Downs Historic Landscape Characterisation 2.4.1. The North Wessex Downs Historic Landscape Characterisation dataset was completed in 2006. The technical report supporting the assessment (Land Use Consultants, 2002) describes Chilton as within the Hendred Plain Character Area (5C) within the Open Downland Landscape Type on the border (to its east) with the Blewbury Downs Character Area (1D). The latter falls within the Downs Plain and Scarp Landscape Type (to its east). With the exception of Chilton, the dividing line between character areas is the A34.

2.4.2. The Open Downland Landscape Type is described as follows (55-56):

Historic Environment

8.7 The Open Downland landscape of today is a product of 5000 years of human activity. Many of these past layers of human settlement and land use have a strong resonance in the landscape. It is in this landscape type; perhaps more than anywhere else in England, where prehistoric settlement and land use can be most easily appreciated. Evidence of the prehistoric survives in the form of dramatic visible field monuments that contribute much to character of the landscape today and

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

creating a very strong sense of antiquity. The principal surviving historic features are summarised below.

8.8 Prehistoric Monuments: The western part of the landscape type (Marlborough Downs and Horton Down) is a major site of prehistoric activity, focused on the massive Neolithic henge and stone circles at Avebury. There are numerous long and round barrows. The great majority of the latter are in clusters or groups of three or more. These monuments are typically situated on high ground, along the skyline, often on spurs and are meant to be seen from below. By contrast, the character of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age occupation would appear to have been different on the Lambourn Downs, with far less emphasis on long mounds and communal monuments such as henges.

8.9 Field Patterns: One of the key characteristics of the landscape type today is the extent of enclosure across the downs. This is largely a legacy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when continuing advances were being made in agriculture and farming techniques. The most notable and obvious change was the enclosure of open arable fields and the extension of arable cropping over large areas of former downland. Two types of field pattern seem to have emerged; the first appears to represent the creation of fields by the simple expedient of using existing roads, tracks and paths as their boundaries. This is particularly apparent on the Lambourn and Blewbury Downs. In some cases these ‘ladder’ fields are associated with tracks leading up to or over the downs - sometimes linking the valley floor to the downland through a series of parallel tracks. The second main field pattern is represented by a formal landscape of large rectangular fields with straight edges (often single species hedgerows). Such fields, particularly prominent on the Marlborough Downs, were carefully planned by professional surveyors and were the culmination of the long gradual piecemeal enclosure, the majority of which was undertaken during the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), under the impetus of high corn prices.

8.10 The ‘Corn-Sheep Cycle’: Significant agricultural improvements occurred in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. At this time corn was the major cash crop on the chalklands - and the whole pattern of farming on the downs was geared to the production of corn crops and the maintenance of the fertility of the thin chalk soils by folding the sheep flocks on them. Yields could only be increased by keeping larger sheep flocks and one of the most important and dramatic advances was made with the invention and rapid spread of artificially watered meadows along the valley bottoms (see landscape type 7) which stimulated early growth providing feed for lambs and ewes.

Settlement and Building Character

8.11. The Open Downlands are generally very sparsely populated, containing only scattered isolated farms or small hamlets. Occasionally and notably in the eastern part of the AONB, small village settlements shelter in the folds of the downs at valley heads. Equestrian establishments, associated with the racehorse industry are also common within the landscape type. Built form varies considerably and includes traditional knapped flint and brick. Traditional farm buildings including timber framed weather-boarded aisled barns are a feature of the downs, with large-scale modern buildings, for example for grain storage, also prevalent.

2.4.3. The Downs Plain and Scarp Landscape Type is described thus (157-158):

Historic Environment

12.52. Prehistoric routeway: The Icknield Way may be later prehistoric or Roman, the line of which is still respected today by minor roads, tracks and field boundaries.

12.53. Saxon and Later Settlement: Wantage (on the AONB boundary) was a royal manor in the Saxon period, and a Saxon cemetery has been excavated at Arm Hill, just to the south-east of East Lockinge. The villages of West and East Hendred date to at least the medieval period and it was during this period that Wantage became an important local market centre, including a focal point for

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

malting during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The town continued to prosper from trade in cattle, sheep, corn and cheese and during the nineteenth century, foundries and agricultural implement makers were established.

12.54. Field Patterns: The landscape of the area is essentially open and was probably mostly under open downland grazing until formal Parliamentary enclosure in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries created the vast majority of the regular, straight-sided fields visible today.

12.55. The Modern Landscape: Landscaped Gardens and Estates were created around Lockinge House, including ornamental tree plantings such as those on Ardington Down. The area also includes many rides and gallops.

2.5. Previous Fieldwork Events 2.5.1. The OHER records seven previous fieldwork events in the Study Area (Appendix 1, Figure 1). With the exception of EOX432, which records the identification and reburial of two sets of human remains at All Saints’ Church in Chilton, these represent investigations under development control protocols whose results have already been captured in the OHER and are discussed in detail above.

2.6. Historic Map Examination 2.6.1. Superceded OS mapping dated from 1876-2013 at 1:2,500 and 1:10,000/10,560 (scales sourced from Envirocheck) was examined to identify additional historic landscape features and previous impacts in relation to the Site. Detailed observations made with regard to the smaller-scale maps are tabulated as Appendix 2 and summarised below. Where necessary, these were confirmed through review of the large-scale maps.

2.6.2. Earliest map editions dated 1883 and 1900 show the Site to be situated in a field system north of Chilton village and bisected by a north-south aligned byway running from Down Barn to the village, which is exists today. Impacts from a succession of (most likely insubstantial agricultural) buildings established next to the track prior to the construction of the A34 are now contained within the footprint of the more recently built Manor Court and its grounds, now part of the UKAERE. With the exception of immature tree belts around the field boundaries, probably established as part of the landscaping around the A34, no previous impacts can be traced on either parcel of land.

2.7. Site visit 2.7.1. A site visit was undertaken on 4th March 2014 by an appropriately qualified archaeologist. Observations relating to surface features of potential archaeological interest, topography, hydrology, existing impact and any potential constraints on further archaeological work were made. Photographs and site notes were taken and maps sketch annotated. Weather conditions on the day of the survey were dry, bight and mild, with dry ground conditions, and good access to the main impact areas was available. There is therefore a high confidence in the results of the survey.

2.7.2. The area of the south-bound on-slip and associated roundabout lies slightly elevated above the A34 and is gently undulating. At the time of the visit, the field was covered in rough grassland, and surrounded by a belt of immature trees (see Plate 1). Rabbit burrows on its eastern extent showed an underlying substrate of weathered chalk and gravel. No archaeological observations were made on this parcel of land.

2.7.3. The site of the north-bound off-slip and its associated roundabouts lie slightly below the level of the A34. The ground level was observed to rise very gently towards the north and west, although the site appears generally even. The field was also covered by rough

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

grassland and surrounded by immature trees (see Plate 2). No archaeologically relevant observations were made on this part of the Site either.

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

3. Potential Impacts and Recommendations

3.1. Archaeology 3.1.1. There are no known archaeological remains within or close to the Site limits, although there is both settlement and funerary evidence present in the Study Area, most significantly at Hagbourne Hill and within the area now occupied by the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. The wider region overall represents a highly significant prehistoric landscape associated with the Ridgeway and the numerous archaeological monuments and sites alongside it. Archaeological remains, where present, are therefore likely to contribute to the understanding and value of this regional resource.

3.1.2. Historic map evidence indicates that no impact has occurred on the Site prior to the construction of the A34. The Site is situated on two parcels of rough grazing land either side of the A34 and the landform suggests the road to have been terraced into a slight west-facing slope at the junction with the Newbury Road. No evidence of levelling was observed during the site visit; both fields appeared to feature naturally undulating contours. The Site’s location close to the Newbury Road overbridge makes it likely, however, that an impact on these two parcels of land would have occurred during the construction of the embankment and bridge structure, although this may have been fairly localised and limited to the vicinity of the two roads forming the junction.

3.1.3. Given the evidence compiled by this study, it is likely that the archaeological potential of the Site is moderate to low where no previous ground disturbance has occurred. Any surviving archaeological remains could date anywhere between the Prehistoric and post- medieval periods. The construction of the north-facing slip-roads would therefore likely destroy any surviving archaeological deposits within the footprints of the roads and within ancillary work areas, such as for compounds, storage areas, haul roads, and drainage. It is therefore recommended that further field-based survey be undertaken to clarify the archaeological potential. In the first instance, this should comprise a watching brief by a qualified archaeologist during geotechnical site investigation (SI) works. The potential to undertake a non-intrusive survey by a geophysical technique suited to the local chalk geology should also be considered. This would serve to inform any further mitigation strategies that may be required in relation to the Scheme.

3.2. Built Heritage 3.2.1. Chilton features a small number of listed buildings reflecting its historic character within the Study Area. However, the village is entirely visually separated from the Site and therefore the Scheme will have no physical or visual impacts on their settings. There are no designated or non-designated assets within or near the limits of the site, it is therefore recommended that no further assessment is required with regard to built heritage assets.

3.3. Historic Landscape 3.3.1. Although the Site sits at the boundary between two Historic Landscape Character Areas, these form part of a visually cohesive landscape around the Site. This is partly characterised by open rural vistas to the north and east, partly by the visually prominent modern developments of the A34, the science park, and the commercial areas south of the overbridge. The Development would result in a minor alteration to the local landscape, but would be both consistent with its immediate highway environment. Furthermore, due to the low height of the development and proposed and existing

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

vegetation screening, it would not be highly visible in the wider landscape. The Development will also be concealed in part by the existing southern slips, road bridge, existing vegetation and topography. It is therefore considered that the Scheme would not alter the Historic Landscape Character significantly. 4. Consultation

4.1.1. Consultation with Richard Oram, Planning Archaeologist for Oxfordshire County Council, was undertaken in April 2014 who agreed with the conclusions of this assessment and advised that as an initial assessment a watching brief on any geotechnical investigation should be undertaken, since this may enable the identification of any areas disturbed by the building of the overbridge or of recent made ground. For any undisturbed areas a mitigation by means of a strip, map and sample investigation prior to the main construction phase was considered an appropriate mitigation measure.

4.1.2. Consultation on the Scheme was also undertaken with Richard Peats, the regional Inspector of Monument for English Heritage in April 2014. He advised that since no impact on high Grade Listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments (including their setting) was anticipated from the Scheme, he declined to offer any comments.

A34 Chilton Interchange - Development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Sources

Bradley, R. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Resource Assessment Neolithic and Early Bronze Age

Crawford, S. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Resource Assessment Early Medieval Period

Hind, J. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Resource Assessment Post-medieval and Modern Period (AD 1540 - )

Lambrick, G. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Resource Assessment Later Bronze Age and Iron Age Period

Land Use Consultants. 2002. Integrated Landscape Character Assessment - Technical Report

Miles, D. et al. 2003. Uffington White Horse and its Landscape: Investigations at White Horse Hill Uffington 1989-95 and Tower Hill Ashbury 1993-4. Oxford Archaeology Thames Valley Landscapes Monograph No. 18

Mumby, J. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Resource Assessment Later Medieval Period

Web resources

Solent Research Framework on the Oxford Archaeology website at: http://thehumanjourney.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=553&Itemid=277

Accessed on 27/02/2014

North Wessex Downs Historic Landscape Characterisation: http://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/projects/historic-environment/historic-landscape-character.html http://imp.northwessexdowns.org.uk/test2/index.php?f=map_form

Accessed on 28/02/2014

Figures

A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Plates

Plate 1: Area of proposed south-bond off-slip and roundabout, looking north from Newbury Road

Plate 2: Area of proposed north-bound on-slip, looking south towards Newbury Road

Appendices

A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

A. Gazetteer

Gazetteer PRN/Source Name Site Type Description Period(s) Easting Northing Importance no

AH1 MOX164 Grim's Ditch: West SCHEDULED Section west of Chilton Plantation. Runs Iron Age 448071 184555 High of Chilton Plantation MONUMENT 740m in length along slopes of valley on north slope of Downs below Ridgeway. Ditch 6m across, fairly shallow; bank seen as rise on hedgeline. Surrounding area in arable. Quarry has removed 60m length of earthwork at north end AH2 MOX10484 Church of All LISTED BUILDING C12th nave, C13th south aisle, C14th Medieval to Post 448950 185950 High Saints, Church Hill GRADE II* chancel and tower and porch c.1847. Medieval Chancel restored c.1876

AH3 MOX19682 PLACE FARM LISTED BUILDING Farmhouse, now house. C15 wing to rear, Medieval to Post 449088 185822 High HOUSE, THE LANE GRADE II* C16 front range Medieval

AH4 MOX19488 NOS 1-4 LISTED BUILDING House, now divided into 4 dwellings. Mid Post Medieval 449017 186032 Medium (CONSEC), GRADE II C17, with C18 addition to right, late C19 CHILTON HOUSE, addition to left and C19 alterations CHURCH HILL AH5 MOX19203 THE MALT LISTED BUILDING House. Early C18, with C20 alterations Post Medieval to 449014 185796 Medium HOUSE, MAIN GRADE II Modern STREET AH6 MOX19489 DENE HOLLOW LISTED BUILDING House and addition, now 2 dwellings. Post Medieval to 449178 185928 Medium AND DENE GRADE II C17, with C19 alterations and C20 Modern LODGE, DENE replacement of some timber-framing C19 HOLLOW brick plinth AH7 MOX19550 NOS 1 & 2, THE LISTED BUILDING House, now 2 dwellings. C17, with early Post Medieval to 449072 185843 Medium GREEN, THE LANE GRADE II C18 addition to end of cross-wing, and Modern with C20 alterations AH8 MOX19921 EAST HOUSE, LISTED BUILDING Vicarage, now 3 dwellings. C17 origins, Post Medieval to 448983 185907 Medium MIDDLE HOUSE, GRADE II C18 encasement and alterations, C19 Modern AND WEST addition to rear right HOUSE, CHURCH HILL AH9 MOX20024 THE GODDARDS, LISTED BUILDING House. Early C17, with later C17 additions Post Medieval to 449034 185897 Medium CHURCH HILL GRADE II Modern AH10 MOX24143 Possible Later DITCH Evaluation revealed a possible prehistoric Early Neolithic to 447998 186708 Medium Prehistoric and ditch terminus and a large post-medieval Post Medieval Post-Medieval boundary/drainage ditch. ditches at Fermi Avenue

A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Gazetteer PRN/Source Name Site Type Description Period(s) Easting Northing Importance no

AH11 MOX10966 Hagbourne Hill CEMETERY?, PIT, Bronze Age and Iron Age material found Late Neolithic to 449690 186790 Medium Bronze/Iron Age INHUMATION, SQUARE in mixed contexts. ?La Tene cemetery of Late Iron Age Cemetery BARROW? rectangular pits, with B/A material indicative of earlier cemetery as well. Good quality objects acquired by British Museum. No clear evidence to support presence of square barrow. AH12 MOX10483 Bronze Age Barrow BOWL BARROW Probably a bowl barrow. Probable site of Bronze Age 449600 186410 Medium ('Mount Skippet') barrow located on hilltop. Completely ploughed out with vague whiter spread on cap. AH13 MOX10490 Bronze Age BARROW Four barrows visible along the line of a Bronze Age 448150 185860 Medium Barrows hedgerow aligned SSW-ESE of RAF AP made into a 6" scale mosaic by the OS in 1950. Site now destroyed AH14 MOX12819 Bronze Age and PIT, DITCH, GULLY, PIT A Bronze Age pit and Roman settlement Early Bronze Age 448140 186000 Medium Roman features at features were recorded. to Roman Chilton Field AH15 MOX10624 Iron Age settlement, SETTLEMENT, Three of the 5 evaluation trenches yielded Early Iron Age 449712 187040 Medium Hagbourne Hill FINDSPOT archaeological deposits in pits, postholes Farm and a gully, all of which represent settlement. Pottery recovered suggests EIA date. Good archaeological potential of site AH16 MOX10491 Iron Age and FINDSPOT 13 sherds picked up on surface of field Early Iron Age to 449700 186700 Low Roman Pottery after ploughing Roman AH17 MOX12568 Early to Middle Iron DITCH, PIT, POST Early - Middle Iron Age settlement Iron Age 447906 186251 Medium Age settlement at HOLE, RUBBISH PIT represented by ditches, pits and Chilton postholes. AH18 MOX10566 Milestone MILESTONE Type T2 Post Medieval 448530 185690 Low

AH19 MOX10573 Former Methodist CHAPEL Tiny chapel, now abandoned and almost Post Medieval 449023 185290 Low Chapel, The inaccessible. Inscription on porch reads: Bargeway 'The Methodist Chapel 1855' with original name shown as: 'Primitive Methodist'

AH20 MOX24377 Site of Post QUARRY A probable Post Medieval quarry visible Post Medieval 449670 186820 Low Medieval quarry as a faint earthwork and cropmark was mapped from aerial photographs. AH21 MOX23821 Site of Tandem Van BUILDING Former site of RAF Harwell and formerly Modern 447969 186816 Low de Graaff Building part of the headquarters of the UKAEA. (Building 477) Building 477 housed the Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator. Demolished by 2009

A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Gazetteer PRN/Source Name Site Type Description Period(s) Easting Northing Importance no

AH22 MOX23822 GLEEP (Graphite BUILDING Located on former site of RAF Harwell, Modern 448055 187058 Low Low Engery now the headquarters of the UKAEA. Experimental Pile) GLEEP hanger demolished and made hanger safe. AH23 MOX10487 Undated Potsherds FINDSPOT Bead rim and incised pottery Unknown 449100 186150 Low AH24 MOX24378 Undated parallel BANK (EARTHWORK) Faint earthwork of two possible parallel Unknown 449350 186280 Low banks banks of unknown date mapped from aerial photographs.

Previous Fieldwork Events

PRN/Source Name Event Type Description Period(s) Easting Northing Importance Recorded EOX432 All Saints Church Post-excavation analysis 2 Skeletons were found in the digging of Medieval/Unknown 448955 185955 Medium the new church tower. They may date to c. 1160 when the original Norman church was built. Skeletons not excavated EOX710 Chilton School, Watching Brief Watching brief undertaken during Negative Evidence 448435 185925 Negligible Downside groundworks to construct new school building. No archaeological features were observed. Only finds were occasional 20thC brick & tile. BA cemetery seen not to extend into this area. EOX778 Hagbourne Hill Evaluation Investigation carried out in advance of Iron Age 449705 187055 Medium Farm construction of agricultural buildings terraced into the hillside. Iron Age settlement evidence EOX1334 An Archaeological Watching Brief A watching brief on groundworks Middle Iron Age 447911 186259 Medium Watching Brief at associated with building a synchroton light Diamond Building source revealed ditches, pits and Project, Rutherford postholes forming part of an early - middle Appleton Laboratory Iron Age settlement.

EOX1755 Evaluation at Evaluation A field evaluation (39 trenches in area of Roman 448140 186000 Medium Chilton Fields ca 7ha) undertaken ahead of residential development uncovered 29 features, most probably belonging to the Roman period. Their complexity suggests a farming settlement very close by to the W and occupied for several centuries. Some of undated features may relate to Bronze Age activity as well. Highest archaeological potential in the W area of site, along with small areas in the E.

A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

Gazetteer PRN/Source Name Site Type Description Period(s) Easting Northing Importance no

EOX3280 Fermi Avenue, Evaluation Evaluation consisted of 4 evaluation Prehistoric, Post- 447998 186708 Low Harwell Science trenches excavated over 4 days; two medieval and Innovation features were found in Trench 1: Possible Centre Later Prehistoric and Post-Medieval ditch terminus and a large ditch. Site is of local significance. EOX3326 Fermi Avenue, Watching Brief Evidence of a large ditch was observed Prehistoric, Post- 447984 186695 Medium Harwell Science within the southern area of the site. medieval and Innovation Related to EOX3280 Campus

!( Heritage Asset

± !( Listed Building

!( Scheduled Monument

Area of land alteration to the highway including areas for landscaping

Historical Landscape Areas Blewbury Downs AH22 EOX778 !( !( !( AH15 Hendred Plain

AH21 AH20 !( !( AH11 1.8km buffer of site !( EOX3280 AH16 EOX3326 !(!( AH10 !(

AH12 !(

AH24 EOX1334 !( AH17 !( AH23 !(

AH4 EOX1755 !( !( AH14 EOX432 AH13 EOX710 AH6 !( AH2 !( !( !( AH9 !( AH8 !( AH7 AH5 !(!( AH3 !( Kilometers AH18 !( 00.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

AH19 Atkins Limited © !( Consulting Engineers The Hub, 500 Park Ave, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Tel: +44(0)1454 662 000 England, Fax: +44(0)1454 663 333 BS32 4RZ www.atkinsglobal.com

Client

Oxfordshire County Council

Project

A34 Chilton Interchange Development of North Facing Slip Roads

Title AH1 !( Heritage Constraints

Sheet Size Designed / Drawn Checked Authorised Original Scale HJM HW BB 1:14,000 A3 Date 14/03/14 Date 14/03/14 Date 14/03/14

Drawing Number Rev 5126689_HER_CON_GEO001 Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2013 02 A34 Chilton Interchange - development of North Facing Slip Roads Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment

B. Historic Map Observations

Date Scale Key Details 1883 1:10,560 This map edition shows the Site as open fields bisected by a track Berkshire running from Down Barn to Chilton village. At Hagbourne Hill a “Supposed Roman burial ground” and “Tumulus” are annotated, as is the Methodist chapel AH19 at South Row. The village is fairly nucleated at this time, however, well-connected to the rural landscape and farms around it by a network of tracks and roads. 1900 1:10,560 The field east of the track now shows a rectangular sub-division. Berkshire Some minor changes in land division also in evidence elsewhere around Chilton. A north-east/south-west orientated alignment of stones is newly shown South of Lower Road. The Didcot and Newbury & Southampton Railway has been established south-east of the village. 1913-14 1:10,560 A small building and further field sub-division has been established Berkshire within the Site adjacent to the dividing track (to its west). No significant changes in the Study Area. Two chalk pits are shown south of Hagbourne Hill. 1960 1:10,000 Within the Site, two buildings are now present alongside the track. Ordnance Survey Plan In the western third of the Study Area the construction of the Atomic Energy Research Centre (AERE), including a network of roads and residential housing, is underway. Some piecemeal residential development along Lower Road and the Bargeway in the area of Chilton. At Hagbourne Hill, the area previously marked as a Roman burial ground is now annotated as “Bronze and Iron Age Remains found” (AH11). 1967 1:10,000 No notable changes in the Study Area. The Atomic Energy Research Ordnance Survey Plan Centre still under development. 1971-73 1:10,000 Within the Site, the area adjacent to the track now features a pond Ordnance Survey Plan and group of small round earthworks of probably agricultural nature, as well as a rectangular building. Chilton has also experienced residential extension at its southern extent. The railway is now annotated as dismantled. Archaeological remains are no longer noted at Hagbourne Hill. 1981 1:10,000 The A34 has been constructed and now bisects the Site in a north- Ordnance Survey Plan east-south-west direction, crossing the existing farm track by way of an underpass at an angle, while Hagbourne Hill Road crosses the new road by an overbridge. Between the existing track and the A34 a new building is present, labelled as ‘Manor House’. 1990-1993 1:10,000 Does not over the Study Area. Ordnance Survey Plan

2006 1:10,000 A new building and access roads have been established adjacent to 10k Raster Mapping the track (today part of UKAERE). No significant changes in relation to Chilton. The Harwell International Business Centre has now been established on the former research site. Residential housing within its former southern extent has been demolished, and the area close to the A34 has been redeveloped for commercial purposes. 2013 1:10,000 No significant changes. The former research centre is now shown 10k Raster Mapping as the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and continues to be remodelled.

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