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Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix 8.1: Heritage Statement 163390-JAC-REP-EEN-000007 Revision A04

Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017

Network Rail

Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Capacity Improvement Scheme

Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix 8.1: Heritage Statement

Document Reference 163390-JAC-REP-EEN-000007

Author Jacobs

Date June 2021

Revision Number A04

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Network Rail Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Capacity Improvement Scheme

Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix 8.1: Heritage Statement 163390-JAC-REP-EEN-000007 Revision A04

Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix 8.1: Heritage Statement

Document Version Control

V Version Date Author Reviewer Approver A01 Apr 2020 R. McNaught S. Griffin L. Anastassiades A02 May 2020 R. McNaught S. Griffin M. Gralewski A03 Jul 2020 R. McNaught S. Griffin M. Gralewski A04 Jun 2021 R. McNaught S. Griffin A. Naik

Report for: Authored by:

Network Rail Jacobs Western Route 1180 Eskdale Rd Western House Winnersh 1 Holbrook Way Reading Swindon RG41 5TU SN11BD

© Copyright 2021 . The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Network Rail. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of constitutes an infringement of copyright.

Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of Network Rail, and for the exclusive use of Network Rail, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the Network Rail. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. 2

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Environmental Impact Assessment – Appendix 8.1: Heritage Statement 163390-JAC-REP-EEN-000007 Revision A04 Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY BACKGROUND ...... 2 2.1 National Policy ...... 2

2.2 National Guidance ...... 2

3. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ...... 5 3.2 Geology ...... 5

3.3 Topography ...... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 6 4.1 Introduction ...... 6

4.2 Study Area ...... 6

4.3 Data Sources ...... 6

4.4 Assessment of Value of Heritage Assets ...... 7

5. BASELINE CONDITIONS ...... 8 5.1 Introduction ...... 8

5.2 Archaeological Remains ...... 8

5.3 Historic Buildings ...... 15

5.4 Historic Landscape ...... 21

6. POTENTIAL FOR IMPACTS ...... 25 6.1 Construction ...... 25

6.2 Operation ...... 26

7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 27 REFERENCES ...... 28

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Tables

Table A5.1: Summary of archaeological remains ...... 8

Table A5.2: Summary of historic buildings ...... 15

Table A5.3: Summary of historic urban character areas ...... 21

Plates

Plate A 5.1: pedestrian tunnel (Asset 102) ...... 20

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 This Heritage Statement assesses the value of the baseline heritage assets within 200m of the red line boundary of the Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Capacity Improvement Scheme (hereafter known as the Scheme). It also outlines the potential impacts on them and identifies any additional surveys or works required.

1.1.2 This Heritage Statement is a detailed study of available baseline data and includes information on non-designated assets obtained from the Oxford Historic Environment Record. The baseline supports the Historic Environment Chapter 8 within Volume 2 of the Environmental Statement. The appendix is supported by Figures 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 within Volume 3 and Appendix 1.5 – Glossary and Acronyms within Volume 4.

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2. LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY BACKGROUND

2.1 National Policy

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979

2.1.1 Scheduled Monuments are, of national importance and are protected by law. It is a criminal offence to damage a Scheduled Monument. Consent (known as Scheduled Monument Consent) must be obtained from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport before any works affecting a Scheduled Monument may take place.

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

2.1.2 Listed Buildings are recognised to be of special architectural or historic interest. Under the 1990 Act, planning authorities are instructed to have special regard to the desirability of preserving a Listed Building, its setting, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. The 1990 Act outlines the duty for local planning authorities to designate ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the appearance or character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’. These are known as Conservation Areas.

Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953

2.1.3 The 1953 Act conferred powers on Historic England to create a register of Historic Parks and Gardens which are assessed to be of special historic interest. Inclusion of a site on the register does not confer any additional legal protection of the site. It does however make the effect caused by a proposed development on the sites and their settings a material consideration in relation to the development.

2.2 National Guidance

National Planning Policy Framework

2.2.1 National planning policies concerning the conservation of the historic environment are set out in Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), 2019). Although the Scheme does not need to obtain planning permission, the NPPF has been used as guidance for the assessment.

2.2.2 The NPPF recognises that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource which should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their archaeological significance. Archaeological significance (hereafter referred to as ‘value’) is defined by the Glossary on page 71 of the NPPF, as 'the value of a heritage

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asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest'. For the purposes of this report, the term ‘value’ will be employed. This is to avoid confusion with the terminology for Environmental Impact Assessment ‘likely significance effect’. This value may be related to archaeological, architectural and artistic or historic interest, and may also derive from the setting of the asset.

2.2.3 Under Paragraph 189 of the NPPF, applicants for planning permission are required to provide a description of the value of any affected heritage assets and their settings in sufficient detail to understand the potential impact of the proposal on them.

2.2.4 When determining planning applications, Paragraph 192 of the NPPF instructs local planning authorities to take into account:

• “the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the (archaeological) significance (value) of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; • the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities including their economic vitality; and • the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.” 2.2.5 In making planning decisions, great weight is to be given to the conservation of designated heritage assets; the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be.

2.2.6 Where development would lead to substantial harm or total loss of value, local planning authorities are instructed to refuse consent, unless it can be demonstrated that it is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh the harm or loss or that certain requirements are met (NPPF, Paragraph 195).

2.2.7 Where development would lead to less than substantial harm to the value of a designated asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal (NPPF Paragraph 196).

2.2.8 Under NPPF Paragraph 197, the impact of a proposed development on the value of undesignated heritage assets is to be taken into account in determining planning applications, with a balanced judgement to be made with regards to the scale of any harm/loss, and the value of the asset.

2.2.9 Where a heritage asset would be wholly or partially lost, local planning authorities are instructed to require developers to record and advance understanding of the value of the heritage assets in a manner proportionate

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to their importance and the impact. This evidence should then be made publicly accessible through deposition with the relevant Historic Environment Record (NPPF Paragraph 199).

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3. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY

3.1.1 This section describes the geology and topography, which are influencing factors on human land use from the earliest prehistory to the present day.

3.1.2 A summary of geology and topography is also a requirement of discipline best practice guidance (CIfA 2014, Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, Updated Jan 2017); Reference 2.N in DMRB LA 106

3.2 Geology

3.2.1 Bedrock geology of the study area is the sedimentary Oxford Clay formation and West Walton Formation, which was formed in the Jurassic Period approximately between 157 and 166 million years ago (British Geological Survey).

3.2.2 Within the study area, the superficial deposits are largely made up of alluvial deposits including clay, silt, sand and gravel. After being laid down approximately 2 million years ago, these deposits have been continually reworked within the study area by the meandering and a number of smaller tributaries including the (British Geological Survey).

3.3 Topography

3.3.1 The city of Oxford is located at the edge of a gravel terrace close to the confluence of the Rivers Thames and Cherwell. The land surface is relatively level and low lying due to the proximity of the Thames floodplain, and the presence of the low hills of the Wytham and Boars Hill create the impression that the city is located in a shallow basin surrounded by hills and meadows (Beckley and Radford 2012).

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4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 The historic environment is recognised as comprising all aspects of the environment which have resulted from the interaction between people and places through time. The elements of the historic environment that are considered to hold value are called heritage assets (MHCLG 2019, Annex 2). For the purposes of this report heritage assets have been considered under three subtopics:

• Archaeological Remains; • Historic Buildings; and • The Historic Landscape.

4.2 Study Area

4.2.1 A study area for this Heritage Statement was defined as a 200m buffer extending in all directions from the red line boundary of the Scheme. The study area for this assessment was selected based on professional judgement and is considered appropriate for historic buildings and the historic landscape due to the nature of the proposed works and anticipated sensitivity of the receiving environment.

4.3 Data Sources

4.3.1 Data used to determine the baseline conditions for this assessment was gathered from the following sources:

• National Heritage List for England (NHLE) for information of designated heritage assets; • OCC for information on Conservation Areas; • City of Oxford Urban Historic Environment Record (COUHER) (which incorporates the Oxford Urban Archaeological Database (UAD)) for information on designated and undesignated heritage assets, and • Published reports on the OCC Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) and Oxfordshire HLC (Tompkins 2017) for information on the historic landscape. 4.3.2 A walkover of the study area was conducted on 29 January 2020 to confirm the validity of the heritage asset data gathered from the sources listed above, and to identify any potential undesignated heritage assets which should be taken into consideration. A number of undesignated historic buildings were no longer present, these have been reflected within the baseline data as ‘the

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site of’. As a result of the walkover, the Botley Road Pedestrian Tunnel (Asset 102) of local historic interest was added to the baseline.

4.3.3 Asset data were entered into a database and unique reference numbers allocated to each individual asset. These numbers are used throughout the following text and figures for ease of reference.

4.4 Assessment of Value of Heritage Assets

4.4.1 As defined in Section 2.1.7, the NPPF defines archaeological significance as the value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest, and that heritage interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic (MHCLG 2019, Annex 2).

4.4.2 For the purposes of this report, the value of identified heritage assets was assessed on a five point scale of Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very Low, based on professional judgement informed by the guidance provided in Conservation Principles: Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (English Heritage 2008), and the four categories of heritage interest identified in the NPPF (archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic).

4.4.3 Setting is defined in the NPPF as the surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced, the extent of which may change over time (DCLG 2012, Annex 2), and is recognised to contribute to the value of heritage assets. Assessment of the contribution of setting to the value of heritage assets was undertaken in accordance with the guidance provided in The Setting of Heritage Assets: Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3 (Second Edition) (Historic England 2017).

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5. BASELINE CONDITIONS

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 A total of 117 heritage assets were identified within the study area, comprising 71 archaeological sites, 31 historic buildings and three Conservation Areas, and 11 historic urban character areas and one Registered Historic Park and Garden. The value of these heritage assets has been assessed to be:

• 4 heritage assets of high value; • 21 heritage assets of medium value; • 41 heritage assets of low value, and • 51 heritage assets of very low value.

5.2 Archaeological Remains

5.2.1 Summary details and an assessment of the value of all 71 archaeological remains assets identified in the study area are presented in Table A5.1. The location and, where appropriate the extent, of all undesignated archaeological sites on Volume 3 – Figure 8.2 – Non-Designated Heritage Assets. There are no designated archaeological remains.

Table A5.1: Summary of archaeological remains Asset Asset name Designation Value No. 1 Botley Causeway Non-Designated Very low 2 Ditch Non-Designated Low 3 Fiddler's Island Stream Non-Designated Low 4 Site of Post-medieval Stone Non-Designated Very low Vault, Botley Road 5 Flint arrowhead from Botley Non-Designated Very low Road Allotments in 1998 7 Bulstake Stream Non-Designated Low 8 Mould from the River Thames Non-Designated Very low near Osney Allotments in 1926 9 Site of Osney Bridge Non-Designated Low 10 Spur from Excavations in Osney Non-Designated Very low in 1878 15 Site of Osney Abbey Mill Non-Designated Low 16 Early Medieval Finds from Non-Designated Very low Excavations At Osney Mill In 1962-3

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Asset Asset name Designation Value No. 18 Pottery from watching Brief in Non-Designated Very low Russell Street in 1985 20 Seal from Cripley Road in 1891 Non-Designated Very low 21 Site of Medieval Dovecote, Non-Designated Very low Osney Abbey 23 Pottery from watching brief at Non-Designated Very low Trajan House, Mill Street, Oxford 24 Site of Civil War Powder Mill, Non-Designated Low Osney Mill 25 Saxon Cemetery, Osney Non-Designated Low 26 Medieval/Post Medieval Non-Designated Very low Surfaces, Pits and Ditches, Trajan House 27 Roman Coins, Osney Mill Non-Designated Very low 28 Pottery, metalwork and animal Non-Designated Very low bone from excavations at Osney Abbey, 1975-83 30 Medieval Worked Stones, Non-Designated Very low Osney Mill 31 Coin, counter and tokens from Non-Designated Very low Osney c1879 32 Pottery from excavations near Non-Designated Very low Sidings, Botley Road 34 Site of Osney Abbey Non-Designated Low Gatehouse, Mill Street 35 Site of former GWR Station Non-Designated Very low 36 Stone coffins, tiles and other Non-Designated Very low finds from Osney Abbey in the late 19th century 37 Non-Designated Low 41 Pottery from trial borings Non-Designated Very low between Munsey's Mill and the Cemetery in Osney Town in 1951 43 Padlock from Osney Churchyard Non-Designated Very low in 1878 44 Tiles from Osney Cemetery in Non-Designated Very low 1919-20 45 Site of Civil War Town Defences Non-Designated Low (E of Oxford Station)

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Asset Asset name Designation Value No. 46 Bell and key from Osney Non-Designated Very low Cemetery in 1860s 48 Paleo-channel located at Saïd Non-Designated Very low Business School 49 Site of Medieval Fishponds, Non-Designated Low Rewley Abbey 51 Castle Mill Stream Non-Designated Low 52 Site of Goods Shed, Osney Non-Designated Very low Lane 54 Medieval Tenement Plots, Non-Designated Very low Former Royal Mail Depot, Becket 56 Site of former LMS Station Non-Designated Very low 58 Site of Rewley Abbey, Moats Non-Designated Medium 60 Pottery and clay pipe from Non-Designated Very low watching Brief at the Old LMS Station in 1999 61 Site of Malthouse/brewery On Non-Designated Very low Ruins of Rewley Abbey 62 Civil War Defences, Rewley Non-Designated Low 64 Old Rectory, High Street, St Non-Designated Low Thomas 66 Pottery and animal bone from Non-Designated Very low excavations at Hollybush Row in 1999-2000 68 Pottery, tile, metalwork and Non-Designated Very low animal bone from excavations near Oxford Station 70 Tiles from excavations at Christ Non-Designated Very low Church New Buildings in 1893 73 Site of Medieval Wealden Non-Designated Very low House, Junction of St Thomas' Street and Hollybush Row 74 Nos 2-3 Hollybush Row Non-Designated Very low 75 No 31 Park End Street Non-Designated Very low 76 Historic Buildings, Hollybush Non-Designated Very low Row 77 Site of Medieval Occupation Site Non-Designated Very low with Stone Foundations at Hollybush Row

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Asset Asset name Designation Value No. 79 Pottery and animal bone from Non-Designated Very low excavations in Hollybush Row and St Thomas's Street in 1989- 90 80 Animal bones from excavations Non-Designated Very low in Hollybush Row c1894 82 Site of Hollybush Inn, Park End Non-Designated Very low Street 83 Site of Eagle Steam Brewery Non-Designated Very low 84 Site of Drain, High Street, St Non-Designated Very low Thomas 85 Pottery from excavations at Non-Designated Very low Hall's Brewery, High Street, St Thomas' in 1947-8 86 Site of Medieval Settlement, St Non-Designated Low Thomas 87 Site of Former Chapel, St Non-Designated Very low Thomas' Street 88 Site of Antiquity Hall, Hythe Non-Designated Very low Bridge Street 89 St Thomas Street Non-Designated Very low 90 Site of Medieval Building, St Non-Designated Very low Thomas Street 91 Medieval Building Tile, 39-40, Non-Designated Very low Hythe Bridge Street 92 Assorted finds from excavations Non-Designated Very low at 54-55 St Thomas's Street in 1994 94 Hollybush Row - Oxpens Road Non-Designated Very low 95 Site of Historic Buildings, High Non-Designated Very low Street, St Thomas 96 Hythe Bridge Street Non-Designated Very low 97 Wareham Stream Non-Designated Very low 98 Site of Historic Buildings, Hythe Non-Designated Very low Bridge Street 99 Civil War Defences, Second Non-Designated Low Phase 100 Extent of Civil War Defences, Non-Designated Low Oxford 101 Site of Osney Abbey Precinct Non-Designated Medium

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Prehistoric (pre-AD 43)

5.2.2 Only two prehistoric heritage assets are known within the study area; the findspot of a flint arrowhead from allotments on Botley Road (Asset 5), and a paleo-channel identified during construction of the Saïd Business School on Park End Road (Asset 48). These assets are limited indicators or archaeological and paleoenvironmental potential. Taking this into account, the value of both has been assessed to be very low.

Roman (AD 43 to 410)

5.2.3 This period is represented within the study area by the finds of some coins during drainage works at Osney Mill in 1897 (Asset 27). They span a range between the early 1st and late 3rd centuries AD and offer an indication of the importance of Oxford during this period. They are not necessarily indicators of the presence of archaeological remains and taking this into account the value of this asset has been assessed to be very low.

Early Medieval (AD 410 to 1066)

5.2.4 Archaeological discoveries from the city including human burials and pottery suggest that a Saxon settlement was already in existence from the late 8th or early 9th century AD, and documentary sources including the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle first record a town or burh in AD 914-919 (Beckley and Radford 2012). The medieval settlement located near St Thomas Street (Asset 86), the site of Rewley Abbey Moats (Asset 58), and the route of St Thomas Street (Asset 89) are all believed to have early medieval origins, and the site of a Saxon Cemetery (Asset 25) also belongs to this period. Elsewhere in the study area there have been several finds of pottery, metalwork and other artefacts dating from the early medieval period (Assets 16, 28, 70, 85 and 92). Most of these assets have been removed or partially removed and have been assessed to be of low or very low value. Rewley Abbey Moats (Asset 58) is an exception which was assessed to be of medium value because of its archaeological potential and its historic interest as part of the site of Rewley Abbey (Asset 57).

Medieval (AD 1066 to 1540)

5.2.5 Archaeological remains associated with demolished buildings dating to the medieval period have been identified within the study area (Assets 26, 54, 73, 77, 84 and 90). Botley Causeway (Asset 1) was a 16th century construction to create a road in and out of the west of the city by means of bridging the many streams and river channels. These assets are of historic and

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archaeological interest at a local scale and their value has been assessed to be Very low.

5.2.6 Five sites associated with medieval Osney Abbey are located within the study area, including the site of the abbey gatehouse (Asset 34) and precinct (Asset 101), as well as Osney Abbey Mill (Asset 15), a dovecote (Asset 21) and fishponds (Asset 49). Of these, the value of the site of Osney Abbey precinct (Asset 101) was assessed to be medium to reflect its association with the scheduled and listed remains of Osney Abbey itself (Asset 22), and the value of the sites of the abbey mill, gatehouse and fishponds was assessed to be low to reflect their levelled state. The site of the abbey dovecote (Asset 21) is known to have been comprehensively redeveloped and consequently its value has been assessed to be very low.

5.2.7 Sheepwash Channel (Asset 37) was constructed in the medieval period to connect the River Thames and Castle Mill Stream (Asset 51), and although the Thames navigation and towpaths (Asset 11) were constructed in the late 18th century, it is believed that elements of the riverside improvements within the study area may be of medieval date. Taking their historic and archaeological interest as elements which have shaped the development of the medieval city, the value of all three heritage assets has been assessed to be low.

5.2.8 Eleven findspots of medieval material have been identified within the study area (8, 18, 23, 30, 36, 44, 46, 66, 68, 79 and 91). These are indicators of archaeological potential, but since the associated finds have already been removed the value of all eleven has been assessed to be very low.

Post-Medieval (AD 1540 to 1901)

5.2.9 Sites related to the 17th century Civil War are represented by several elements of the extensive defences constructed by the Royalist forces initially in 1642 and reinforced in 1646. Within the study area are the site of two guard houses near Rewley Abbey (Assets 45 and 62), plus sections of the defensive earthwork circuit (Assets 99 and 100). There is also the site of a gun powder mill (Asset 24) close to Rewley Abbey mill. The value of all five heritage assets has been assessed to be low because of their limited potential to contribute to the understanding of the Civil War sieges of Oxford.

5.2.10 Later in the post medieval period the west of Oxford developed as a residential area and evidence of this can be seen in the sites of residential properties (Assets 4, 61, 76, 83, 87, 88, 94, 95 and 98), inns such as Antiquity Hall (Asset 88), and a former non-conformist chapel on St Thomas’ Street (Asset 87) which were demolished and their sites redeveloped. The site of

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the Goods Shed on Osney Lane (Asset 52) and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) Station (Asset 56) is indicative of the rapid development of the railway in Oxford during the late 19th century. These heritage assets were removed in the 1990s when their site was redeveloped as a business park and the Saïd Business School respectively. The value of these assets resides largely in the historic interest that their physical remains would have embodied. Consequently, the value of all of these heritage assets has been assessed to be very low.

5.2.11 The arrival of the Great Western Railway (GWR) in Oxford in 1844 enabled the growth of industry in the town which in turn led to the expansion of the suburbs including those within the study area. By the 1850s the London and North Western Railway (LNWR; later LMS) had built their own terminus to the east of the first railway station. The original GWR station (Asset 35) was demolished to make way for the current station in 1970. The LNWR Station (Asset 56) was built by the same contractor who constructed the Crystal Palace and shared many design features in its wrought iron and glass construction. It survived as a tyre sales depot until 1999 when it was dismantled to make way for the Saïd Business School and moved to a preserved railway in Buckinghamshire. Both assets are of historic interest at a local level but taking their removal into account the value of both has been assessed to be very low.

5.2.12 Small scale industrial buildings were common in the western suburbs of post- medieval Oxford as evidenced by the sites of the Eagle Steam Brewery (Asset 83) on Park End Street and another brewery or malthouse (Asset 61) within the grounds of Rewley Abbey. No surface trace of either site survives today, and the value of both heritage assets has been assessed to be very low.

5.2.13 Seven findspots of post-medieval artefacts have been identified within the study area (10, 20, 31, 32, 41, 60 and 80), including finds of pottery, animal bone and metalwork dating from this period. These are indicators of archaeological potential, but since the associated finds have already been removed the value of all eleven has been assessed to be very low.

Potential for Unknown Archaeological Remains

5.2.14 Despite the extensive post-medieval and modern construction that has taken place there is considerable evidence from archaeological works conducted within the study area that indicates that archaeological remains of all periods may survive. Taking this into account, the potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains has been assessed to be medium.

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5.3 Historic Buildings

5.3.1 Summary details and an assessment of the value of 31 historic buildings and three Conservation Areas identified in the study area are presented in Table A5.2, below. The location of all designated historic buildings is shown on Volume 3 – Figure 8.1 – Designated Heritage Assets, and undesignated historic buildings on Volume 3 – Figure 8.2 – Non-Designated Heritage Assets.

Table A5.2: Summary of historic buildings Asset Asset Name Designation Value No. 6 Bridge at north end of street forming the Grade II Listed Building High junction with Botley Road, Bridge Street 11 River Thames and towpath from Osney Bridge Non-Designated Low to Four Streams Junction 12 The River Hotel, Botley Road, Oxford Non-Designated Low 13 Electricity Generating Plant, Osney Non-Designated Low 14 Osney Mill Cottage, Mill Street Grade II Listed Building High 17 The Kite Public House, Mill Street, Oxford Non-Designated Low 19 Toll House, Botley Road Non-Designated Medium 22 Osney Abbey Scheduled Monument and High Grade II Listed Building 29 Fragment of upstanding medieval wall from Non-Designated Medium Osney Abbey 33 Swing Bridge, LNWR Station Scheduled Monument High 38 Osney Abbey, Buildings Non-Designated Medium 39 Jericho Canal Wharves Non-Designated Low 40 Osney Mill Stream Non-Designated Low 42 Church of St Barnabas, Cardigan Street, Grade I Listed Building High Jericho 47 Oxford Canal Roving Bridge (243) at Isis Lock Grade II Listed Building High 50 Oxford Canal Non-Designated Low 53 Church of St Thomas the Martyr, St Thomas' Grade II Listed Building High Street 55 Former Castle Hotel, Park End Street, Oxford 1 Non-Designated Low 57 Rewley Abbey Scheduled Monument High 59 St Thomas Vicarage, Becket Street Grade II Listed Building High 63 Combe House, St Thomas' Street Grade II Listed Building High 65 Cooper's Marmalade Factory, No. 27 Park End Grade II Listed Building High Street

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Asset Asset Name Designation Value No. 67 Drain, Hollybush Row Non-Designated Low 69 Front Wall, Fence, and Gate Piers of The Grade II Listed Building High Lodge, St Thomas' Street 71 The Lodge, St Thomas' Street Grade II Listed Building High 72 Osney Lane Stream Non-Designated Very low 78 Former Castle Hotel, Park End Street, Oxford 2 Non-Designated Low 81 The former Chequers Public House, Hollybush Non-Designated Low Row, Oxford 102 Botley Road Pedestrian Tunnel Non-Designated Low 103 Osney Town Conservation Area Conservation Area Medium 104 Jericho Conservation Area Conservation Area Medium 105 Central (University and City) Conservation Area Conservation Area Medium 106 29 Abbey Road (formerly St. Frideswide's Non-Designated Low Curate's House)

Houses

5.3.2 Six houses have been identified within the study area. The oldest is The Lodge, St Thomas' Street (Asset 71), a 19th century building built of rubble with mullioned windows and a tile roof. It was partially founded on the remains of a 13th century predecessor. It is located on the north side of St. Thomas’ Street at its junction with Hollybush Row with its associated walls and gate piers (Asset 69). Assets 69 and 71 are both are built of dressed rubble and are designated as Grade II Listed Buildings. The Lodge has been modernised with PVC double glazed windows and is attached to a recently constructed small multi-storey office block. Taking their designation into account, the value of both assets has been assessed to be high.

5.3.3 Combe House (Asset 63) was built in 1702 as a school and is a two-storey building of dressed stone rubble with a stone tile roof. It is designated as a Grade II Listed Building, and in consideration of this its value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.4 Osney Mill Cottage (Asset 14) is a two-storey house of rendered brick with a tile roof located on an island in the River Thames. It was built in the 19th century and is designated as a Grade II listed Building and taking this into account its value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.5 St. Thomas’ Rectory (Asset 59) is a late 19th century redbrick house with decorative stone dressings and bands, a tile roof, and brick stacks. It was designed by Clapton Crabb Rolfe (1845-1907) a practitioner of the Gothic

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Revival style, and architect of numerous churches and other buildings for the diocese of Oxford. It is designated as a Grade II Listed Building and taking this and its historic interest into account its value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.6 Number 29 Abbey Road (formerly St. Frideswide's Curate's House) (Asset 106) is a late 19th century house constructed of red brick, with a tiled roof. It is located on the west side of Abbey Road, within a garden which slopes down to the River Thames. Taking its local architectural and historic interest into account, the value of Asset 106 has been assessed to be low.

5.3.7 The Toll House, Botley Road (Asset 19) was constructed by GWR in 1850 to replace a mid-18th century predecessor which was demolished to make way for the nearby railway station. It operated on the Botley and Newland turnpike road for 18 years before becoming a public house, a function it still serves today. It is a two-storey three-bay building constructed from stone with slate roofs. An early 20th century single-storey extension to the east by local architect J.R. Wilkins appears to be more in the style of a 19th century toll house than the original. Taking its architectural and historic interest into account, the value of Asset 19 has been assessed to be medium.

Places of Worship

5.3.8 Osney Abbey (Asset 22) was founded in 1129 and was a religious house belonging to the Augustinian order. It was demolished during the Dissolution in 1539 and much of the stonework sold off for use in construction elsewhere in the city. Only a half-timbered building believed to be of 15th century date survives from the site, the rest having been redeveloped as a housing estate in the late 20th century. The surviving part of the site has been designated as a Scheduled Monument and Grade II Listed Building. Taking its historic interest and designation into account, the value of this heritage asset has been assessed to be high.

5.3.9 Rewley Abbey (Asset 57) was founded in the early 13th century as a Cistercian Abbey. It too was demolished during the Dissolution, and its site redeveloped as a railway station in the 19th century, and again as the Saïd Business School and a housing estate in the late 20th century. The only standing remains are a length of stone wall with a gate on the south bank of the River Thames which today form part of the boundary of a modern housing development. Foundations of the wall of chapel uncovered during construction of the Saïd Business School have been also been conserved. Rewley Abbey is designated as a Scheduled Monument, and taking this into account, its value has been assessed to be high.

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5.3.10 The Church of St Thomas the Martyr on St Thomas’ Street (Asset 53) was also founded in the 13th century, and largely rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, and restored in the late 19th century. In 1847 Canon Chamberlain founded one of the first communities of the Oxford Revival, an Anglo-Catholic religious movement which sought to reinstate some older traditions into the then current practices of Anglican faith and theology. Because of its architectural and historic interest, the Church of St Thomas the Martyr has been designated as a Grade II listed Building. Taking this into account, the value of this heritage asset has been assessed to be high.

5.3.11 Constructed in the mid-19th century, the Church of St Barnabus, Cardigan Street (Asset 42) is a substantial building which towers over the surrounding streets of modest 19th century terraced houses. It was constructed in 1868 in the Italianate Romanesque style to a design by leading church architect of the time Arthur Blomfield. It has been designated a Grade I listed Building because of its architectural interest as well as its use of innovative construction techniques and materials. Taking this into account, the value of this heritage asset has been assessed to be high.

Industrial and Commercial Buildings

5.3.12 Cooper's Marmalade Factory (Asset 65) was constructed in 1902 to meet demand for what had originally been a by-product of Frank Cooper’s grocery business on High Street. The factory and adjoining offices are constructed from red brick with stone dressings and a tall chimney at the south of the site. The factory was extended in similar style in 1925 and was converted to offices in the late 20th century. It is designated as a Grade II Listed Buildings and taking this into account its value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.13 The former Electricity Generating Plant, Osney (Asset 13) is located on the banks of the River Thames and was built in 1892 to a design by architect A P Brevitt. It supplied power to the City until closure in 1968 and is undergoing conversion to form part of the Saïd Business School. Taking its architectural and historic interest into account, its value has been assessed to be low.

Hotels and Public Houses

5.3.14 Five hotels and public houses of historic or architectural interest have been identified within the study area, and all were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to capitalise on the volume of train travellers arriving and departing nearby. The River Hotel (Asset 12) was originally a private dwelling named Bridge House built in 1878 for builder George Jones who constructed many houses in the Botley Road area. The Kite Public House, Mill Street (Asset 17) was built in 1900 on the site of an earlier pub, and features

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elaborate architectural details including baroque parapet gables and Venetian windows. The Former Castle Hotel 1 (Asset 55) is located on the south side of Park End Street and was built in 1888 to capitalise on the growing numbers of rail passengers arriving opposite. It is a red brick building in a distinctive French baroque style. The Former GWR Hotel (Asset 78) occupies a prominent location at the east end of Park End Street and was built in 1935 in 1935 in neo-Georgian style to a design by J.C. Leeds. The former Chequers Public House (Asset 81) occupies the north corner of the junction between Hollybush Row and St. Thomas’ Street. It was built in 1913 by Wilkins and Jeeves who were responsible for many Oxford pubs in the early 20th century. Taking their non-designated status and local level of historic and architectural interest into account, the value of all five assets has been assessed to be low.

Bridges and Tunnels

5.3.15 There is a small abut diverse group of bridges and tunnels in the study area. The Swing Bridge (Asset 33) was constructed in 1850 to serve the London and North Western Railway station and allow boat traffic to continue to use Sheepwash Channel. Asset 33 is designated as a Scheduled Monument and its value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.16 The bridge at the north end of Bridge Street (Asset 6) is of early 19th century date and comprises a single span constructed from coursed rubble with ashlar parapet walls built to carry the road across the . Oxford Canal Roving Bridge (243) at Isis Lock (Asset 47) is a cast iron single span bridge with brick abutments built in 1790 to allow horses to cross the canal where the towpath changes sides. Assets 6 and 47 are Grade II Listed Buildings and taking this into consideration their value has been assessed to be high.

5.3.17 Botley Road pedestrian tunnel (Asset 102) (Plate A5.1) is a brick lined passage allowing pedestrians to pass under the railway south of Oxford Station and forms an integral part of the south abutment of the bridge which carries the railway over Botley Road. The exact date of the arch is not known. It may well have been constructed in 1850 as part of improvements made by the GWR but was certainly in place by 1878. Botley Road pedestrian tunnel is of local historic interest and its value has been assessed to be low.

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Plate A 5.1: Botley Road pedestrian tunnel (Asset 102)

Canals, Wharves and Watercourses

5.3.18 The geography and character of Oxford is in many ways defined by its position on the River Thames, known locally as the Isis, and the abundance of tributaries and artificial channels within the city. As well as a canalised stretch of the River Thames from Osney Bridge to Four Streams Junction (Asset 11), the Oxford Canal (Asset 50) and Jericho Canal Wharves (Asset 39) illustrate the importance of water transport to the industries of the city before the arrival of the railways in the late 19th century. Although it had its origins in the medieval period, Osney Mill Stream (Asset 40) continued to power to the neighbouring mill throughout the post-medieval period until the introduction of steam power. Taking their non-designated status and historic interest into account, the value of these assets has been assessed to be low.

Conservation Areas

5.3.19 Three Conservation Areas are located partially within the study area: Osney Town (Asset 103), Jericho (Asset 104), and Central (University and City) (Asset 105).

5.3.20 Osney Town Conservation Area (Asset 104) is partially within the study area at its south-western edge. It takes in the early 19th century terraces south of Botley Road, the green space of Osney Cemetery and the site of Osney Abbey, and modern housing on Gibbs Crescent. Page 20 of 28 OFFICIAL

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5.3.21 The Jericho Conservation Area (Asset 104) is located at the north-eastern edge of the study area. It encompasses the earliest industrial suburb of Oxford and this is reflected in its terraces of late 18th and early 19th century workers’ housing and artisan cottages. These are interspersed with landmark buildings of high value like the Church of St Barnabus (Asset 42), the Radcliffe Infirmary, and University Printing House (both outside the study area).

5.3.22 The Central (University and City) Conservation Area is located on the east side of the study area. It takes in the majority of central Oxford and takes in a large number of designated heritage assets such as the Scheduled castle, and iconic listed buildings. These include many of the historic colleges and the Radcliffe Camera (all outside the study area). Within the study area it includes the mostly undesignated terraced housing flanking St Thomas Street, as well as the Church of St Thomas the Martyr (Asset 53) and other post-medieval buildings at the junction with Hollybush Row. Taking their designation as Conservation Areas into account, the value of all three assets has been assessed to be medium.

5.4 Historic Landscape

5.4.1 Detailed data for the historic landscape of the study area was obtained from the COUHER, and a combination of this and the Historic Urban Character Areas (HUCA) described in the published Central Oxford Historic Urban Character Assessment (Oxford City Council 2012) were used to form the baseline for this assessment. This study established HUCAs as “blocks of urban historic character defined by an assessment of land use, built form and plot type” (ibid., 1). The city of Oxford has a long and complex history, and this is reflected in its historic landscape. The HUCAs and their accompanying Broad Character Zones (ibid., 8) allow the baseline character of the study area to be established at a scale appropriate to the potential impacts from the Proposed Development.

5.4.2 Summary details and an assessment of the value of one Grade II* Registered Historic Park and Garden and 11 HUCAs identified in the study area are presented in Table A5.3, below. The location of all historic landscape assets is shown on Volume 3 – Figure 8.3 – Historic Landscape Assets.

Table A5.3: Summary of historic urban character areas Asset No. Asset Name Designation Value 93 Worcester College, Park and Gardens Grade II* Registered High Historic Park and Garden HUCA 1 Osney Island: Mill Street and Botley Road Non-Designated Low

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Asset No. Asset Name Designation Value HUCA 2 Osney Island: Osney Abbey Non-Designated Medium HUCA 3 Osney Island: Transport and Business Non-Designated Low HUCA 4 Osney Island: Open Recreation Non-Designated Medium HUCA 5 The Western Suburb: Residential Non-Designated Low HUCA 6 The Western Suburb: Factories and Offices Non-Designated Low HUCA 7 The Western Suburb: Castle Mill Stream and Non-Designated Low Fisher Row HUCA 8 Pre-1880 Settlement Non-Designated Medium HUCA 9 Modern Residential Non-Designated Very low HUCA 10 Allotment Gardens Non-Designated Low HUCA 11 Meadow Non-Designated Very low

Parks, Gardens and Public Open Spaces

5.4.3 Worcester College Park and Gardens (Asset 93) was created in the early 19th century as picturesque pleasure grounds for the enjoyment of the Fellows. The park occupies a roughly triangular plot bounded to the north by the 19th century terraces of Jericho, by the Oxford Canal (Asset 50) and the River Thames to the south-west, and by the Worcester College buildings and Walton Street to the east. The park was laid out with the college quadrangle at its east edge, the formal Fellows’ Garden to the north, and the whole centred around an artificial lake, and with wooded perimeter paths. This heritage asset has been designated as a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden. Taking this into account its value has been assessed to be high.

Broad Character Zone A: Osney Island

5.4.4 The Osney Island Broad Character Zone (Zone A) covers the bulk of Osney Island, a modified natural feature formed by channels of the River Thames. This zone comprises mostly early modern development around the railway, and the site of medieval Osney Abbey (Oxford City Council 2012, 9). Zone A contains four HUCAs: Mills Street and Botley Road (HUCA 1); Osney Abbey (HUCA 2); Transport and Business (HUCA 3); and Open Recreation (HUCA 4).

5.4.5 The Mill Street and Botley Road area (HUCA 1) comprises mainly Victorian terraced streets north and south of Botley Road and bounded to the west by the River Thames and the east by the railway and Oxford Station.

5.4.6 The Osney Abbey area (HUCA 2) is defined by the arc of Osney Mill Stream and its narrow riverside meadow to the south-west, with 19th century housing on either bank with the mill in between and modern marina to the south. The Page 22 of 28 OFFICIAL

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open space and trees of the former cemetery occupies the north-east corner, and mid-20th century housing of Gibbs Crescent to the south.

5.4.7 HUCA 3 is the Transport and Business area; an irregular plot of land including the north south corridor formed by the railway and including Oxford Station, associated car park and depots, as well as land redeveloped as modern business units. Although the Scheduled railway Swing Bridge (Asset 33) is within this area, it has a strong modern aesthetic. Taking this into account, the value of HUCA 3 has been assessed to be low.

5.4.8 The Open Recreation area (HUCA 4) is located at the very south-eastern edge of the study area and is a rough triangle with the modern ice rink at its centre and with its shape defined by the River Thames and Castle Mill Stream, Oxpens Road, and HUCA 3. The ice rink is surrounded by grassland and scrub giving it more open character than its neighbouring areas.

Broad Character Zone B: St. Thomas and the Western Suburb

5.4.9 Zone B encompasses the medieval suburb of St Thomas and related development south of the castle (located 200m east of the study area), combined with development on the former site of medieval Rewley Abbey to the north. Zone B is made up of three HUCAs: Residential (HUCA 5); Factories and Offices (HUCA 6); and Castle Mill Stream and Fisher Row (HUCA 7).

5.4.10 The Residential (HUCA 5) is a Sub rectangular form with the medieval Church of St Thomas the Martyr (Asset 53) and its churchyard at its north-west corner. Although the church and street pattern are of medieval date, the houses which make up most of HUCA 5 are a mixture of 19th century terraced cottages, and 20th century flats and private houses. Taking its post-medieval and modern character into account, the value of HUCA 5 has been assessed to be low.

5.4.11 HUCA 6 encompasses the distinctive area of Factories and Offices which are located at the east end of Frideswide Square, and north, south and between Hythe Bridge Street, Park End Street, and alongside Hollybush Row. Although the majority of buildings in this area were constructed in the later 20th and early 21st centuries, it still contains a row of 19th century commercial buildings and the distinctive Cooper’s Marmalade Factory (Asset 65). Among the modern buildings is the Saïd Business School by architect Dixon Jones, a subtly monolithic structure in pale stone, buff brick and glass. Taking its largely modern character into account, the value of HUCA 6 has been assessed as low.

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5.4.12 The Castle Mill Stream and Fisher Row area (HUCA 7) is located at the eastern edge of the study area. Its sinuous shape is defined by the Castle Mill Stream which marks most of its eastern boundary. Although HUCA 7 includes the designated remains of medieval Rewley Abbey, the presence of much 20th century residential and commercial development gives it a modern feel. Taking this into account, the value of HUCA 7 has been assessed to be low.

5.4.13 There are also a number of HUCAs outside of the Broad Character Zones. Pre-1880 Settlement (HUCA 8) comprises two distinct regions: New Osney in the south-west of the study area, and Jericho in the north-east. New Osney is a sub-rectangular area south of Botley Road and west of the River Thames. Jericho is closer to the city centre north of Worcester College Park. Both are characterised by uniform and well-preserved terraces of 19th century housing with some sensitively designed modern structures. The value of this type has been assessed to be medium.

5.4.14 HUCA 9 is a narrow linear block of modern residential property located north of Oxford Station. This area comprises a uniform estate of 21st century multi- storey residential blocks. The value of this area has been assessed to be very low.

5.4.15 A large area of Allotment Gardens (HUCA 10) is located north of Botley Road at the west of the study area. Twenty Pond Meadow Allotments have been in use since the late 19th century and are well tended today and surrounded by mature trees and hedges. The value of this heritage asset has been assessed to be low.

5.4.16 HUCA 11 is a large area of low-lying meadow west of the River Thames at the north-west of the study area. The value of his heritage asset has been assessed to be very low.

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6. POTENTIAL FOR IMPACTS

6.1 Construction

Archaeological Remains

6.1.1 The site of the former GWR Station (Asset 35) (very low value) is located within the red line boundary of the Scheme. There is potential that some remains associated with this heritage asset could be permanently removed during Platform 5 construction works. This potential impact has been reviewed during the Environmental Impact Assessment.

6.1.2 The non-designated Site of Osney Abbey Precinct, (Asset 101) (Medium value) falls within the red line boundary at the southern extent. It is anticipated that the setting of this asset would not be impacted by the temporary presence of construction plant. Based on the nature of the proposed track works within the existing rail corridor, no physical impact on this asset is anticipated. This potential impact has been reviewed during the Environmental Impact Assessment.

6.1.3 There is potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains and appropriate measures have been proposed within the Environmental Statement.

Historic Buildings

6.1.4 No impact is predicted for the Scheduled Monument Swing Bridge, LNWR Station (Asset 33) (High value) or its setting, as this is outside of the red line boundary.

6.1.5 The undesignated asset Botley Road Pedestrian Tunnel (Asset 102) (Low value) would be permanently removed during construction of the railway bridge replacement, Botley Road highway works and new footpath and cycle path routes. Appropriate measures (for example historic building recording in line with Historic England guidance) have been proposed within the Environmental Statement.

6.1.6 There would be a short-term temporary impact from the presence and operation of construction plant on the settings of two undesignated historic buildings: Toll House (Asset 19) (Medium value), and Former Castle Hotel (Asset 55) (Low value).

Historic Landscape

6.1.7 The Scheme is located almost entirely within the Transport and Business area (HUCA 3), although small sections of the red line boundary intersect the Mills Page 25 of 28 OFFICIAL

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Street and Botley Road (HUCA 1), Osney Abbey (HUCA 2), and Factories and Offices (HUCA 6) character areas. However, no potential impacts have been identified on historic landscape assets.

6.1.8 The Scheme is within the Oxford Tall Buildings Zone, and the view cones affecting views from Boars Hill and Raleigh Park. The Scheme includes structures at a similar scale to those already existing at the station. Cranes used in the construction of the Scheme may be temporarily visible from these viewpoints, albeit distant.

6.2 Operation

6.2.1 No potential impacts are predicted during operation of the Scheme.

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7. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1.1 The site of the former GWR Station (Asset 35). There is the potential that some remains associated with this heritage asset could be permanently removed during Platform 5 construction works.

7.1.2 The Site of Osney Abbey Precinct, Undesignated asset (Asset 101). This falls within the red line boundary at the southern extent. No physical impact on this asset is anticipated. It is anticipated that the setting of this asset would not be impacted by the temporary presence of construction plant.

7.1.3 The undesignated asset Botley Road Pedestrian Tunnel (Asset 102). This would be permanently removed during construction of the Botley Road Bridge and road works.

7.1.4 There would be a short-term temporary impact on the settings of two undesignated historic buildings: Toll House (Asset 19), and the Former Castle Hotel (Asset 55).

7.1.5 There is potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains which could be affected by the Scheme.

7.1.6 No potential impacts during operation of the Scheme have been identified.

7.1.7 The Environmental Impact Assessment has assessed the extent of impacts of the Scheme on heritage assets, whilst seeking to design out or mitigate any impacts where practicable.

7.1.8 The Oxford City Council archaeological advisor has been consulted on measures relating to the potential for unknown archaeological remains within the red line boundary of the Scheme.

7.1.9 The Oxford City Council Conservation Officer has been consulted during preparation of the Environmental Statement. Appropriate measures have been agreed with Oxford City Council and proposed within the Environmental Statement.

7.1.10 No requirements for further heritage surveys have been identified at this stage.

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REFERENCES

Alan Baxter. (2019). Oxford Central (City and University) Conservation Area: (Draft) Character Appraisal Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act. (1979). Beckly, R., and Radford, D. (2012). Chapter 5: Anglo-Saxon and Viking, in Oxford City Council, 2012 British Geological Survey. (ND). Geology of Britain viewer: URL http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/viewer.html. Accessed May 2020 English Heritage. (2008). Conservation Principles: Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act. (2013). Highways Agency. (2007). Volume 11, Section 3 Part 2 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Cultural Heritage Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act (1953). Historic England. (2017). The Setting of Heritage Assets, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning Note 3, Second Edition Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. (2019). National Planning Policy Framework Oxford City Council. (2005). Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016, Adopted November 2005 Oxford City Council. (2008)., Osney Town Conservation Area Appraisal Oxford City Council. (2010). Jericho Conservation Area Designation Study Oxford City Council. (2012). Central Oxford Historic Urban Character Assessment Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act. (1990). Tompkins, A., and Malone, C. (2017) Oxfordshire Historic Landscape Characterisation

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