Extra15 Sites

Lancaster District Extra Sites Initial Desktop Archaeological Assessment

16 April 2018

Lancashire Archaeological Advisory Service

1 Carr House Lane, Lancaster LA1 1SW

[email protected] Introduction and Methodology

Lancaster City Council, as part of the evidence base to support the emerging Local Plan, are seeking an archaeological assessment of a number of sites across the Lancaster District, proposed to be allocated for development.

Lancashire Archaeological Advisory Service has been commissioned to extract a relevant data set from the Lancashire Historic Environment Record, held by Lancashire County Council, and to provide an initial archaeological appraisal of each of the proposed development sites in order to identify any nearby archaeological heritage assets and to assess the potential scale of impact. The boundaries of the sites, names, etc. were provided by Lancaster City Council as ArcGIS shapefiles.

For each site the following information has been requested:

• Identification of known heritage assets (designated and non-designated) within the site; • Outline assessment of the site's potential to retain unknown buried deposits; • Identification of designated or non-designated heritage assets nominally within 500m or such other distance as may be appropriate taking into account the significance of the asset and the circumstances of the site; • Overall conclusion to establish whether the site is considered to be of no archaeological significance/ of some archaeological significance/ of high archaeological significance and whether any heritage assets are considered to be of negligible/local/regional/national importance; • Recommendations for future survey, where it is deemed appropriate.

The assessment has been undertaken utilising existing datasets, archaeological reports, publications, etc. held at the Lancashire Historic Environment Record. No further documentary research has been undertaken nor have further sources of information been sought out. Only where specifically stated has a targetted site visit also been conducted.

Limits of this assessment

This assessment work has been undertaken using professional judgement by Peter Iles, BSc MSc MCIfA. No formal system of scoring has been used to assign potential or significance to the proposed development sites, although experience of such procedures and of providing information and advice on archaeological planning matters in Lancashire has contributed to the conclusions drawn. Statements that follow should therefore be taken as an informed professional opinion, rather than fact.

Land at Moor Lane Mills DOS

This is a brownfield site a little to the east of Lancaster City Centre. It lies between Moor Lane, Bulk Street, Nelson Street and the Lancaster Canal and is presently occupied by a series of car parks and the surviving buildings of Moor Lane Mills South, which are currently in use as offices. On the southern (Nelson Street) side of the site and excluded from it, stands a former Independent Methodist Chapel of 1829 and an adjacent 20 th century building, now a Roman Catholic Chapel and dance studio. The site falls completely within the Lancaster Conservation Area and the main mill building is Listed Grade II (the other two surviving mill buildings may be Curtilage Listed, but this needs to be confirmed). The site is likely to have been utilised since at least the middle prehistoric period – excavations on an adjacent site at the rear of 5 Dalton Square revealed a well-preserved soil horizon containing Mesolithic or Neolithic stone implements and hazelnut shells. There is no evidence of Roman activity on the site and it probably falls outside the civilian settlement associated with the fort on Castle Hill, but the line of a Roman road is said to run eastwards from it, approximately on the line of Moor Lane. In the medieval period the site seems to have fallen immediately outside the precinct of the Lancaster Friary, with Bulk Street approximately representing the boundary. Moor Lane is likely to have been extant during this period, accessing the stone quarries and grazing to the east of the town and leading (eventually) to the Forest of Bowland. Docton's reconstructed map of 1684 notes 'The First Houses' on the south side of Moor Lane within the site and Mackreth's 1778 map also shows these with what appear to be the remains of strip fields running to their south. Bulk Street and Nelson Street had been established by the early 19 th century, although the latter did not yet cross the canal. Within the site Plumb, Rose and Monmouth Streets had been established and a less formal route named Piccadilly is also noted to the east side on Binn's map of 1821. Moor Lane Mills are said to have originated as a sailcloth manufactory extant 1775-1825, being replaced by the present steam-powered cotton mill at that date and clearly shown on the OS 1:,056 map of 1849 (Sheet Lancaster 10). By this date most of the area was built up, with a single strip of open yards surviving between Monmouth Street and the new cotton mill. By the 1890s this area had also been overbuilt by weaving sheds to the cotton mill. The strip between Bulk Street and Monmouth Street, as well as land north of Plumb Street, was cleared by the 1960s, the weaving sheds were demolished in 1986 and the remaining buildings on the Bulk Street/Moor Lane corner also lost about this time. Some remains of the former buildings survive in and around the present car parks as boundary and retaining wall features, and it is probable that buried remains of the 19th century structures will also survive. Earlier buried remains could also exist in pockets between areas of later disturbance or buried under 'make-up' deposits, but it will be difficult to predict where these exist without trial excavation.

As noted above the Listed Gd II former mill building stands at the northeast corner of the site and the two adjacent stone buildings may also be 'curtilage listed'. Moor Lane Mills North on the opposite side of Moor Lane are also Listed Gd II as are nos 4-10 Sulyard Street. The cathedral of St Peter, diagonally southeast of the corner of the site across the canal is Listed Gd II*, as is Lancaster Town Hall, 85m to the southwest. The former cooperative building, now Equitable House and converted to flats, is unlisted but a building of some architectural presence on the northwest side of the site. As noted above, the site falls within the Lancaster Conservation Area. Finally, whilst the adjacent Lancaster Canal is itself unlisted, it is of some heritage significance and its setting should be considered as part of any development scheme

The buried 19 th century remains on the site are considered to be of local archaeological significance, but surviving medieval and earlier remains could be of county significance.

A formal heritage statement should accompany any planning proposal for the site, which should include the results of a desk-based study and walk-over survey, but archaeological investigations of the potential buried remains can be made a condition of any planning consent granted.

LPSA 21: Land south of 18-24 Monkswell Avenue, Bolton-le-Sands

This site comprises three open fields on the west side of the By-Pass Road at Bolton-le-Sands, the larger block south of the cricket field and the smaller (separated by the Mill Dam stream) lying between the rear of properties on Monkswell Avenue and the early 19 th century Monkswell Farmhouse and attached converted barn. The land is open on the OS 1848 OS 1:10,560 mapping (sheet Lancashire 24) and probably formed part of Monkswell Farm at that time. The Mill Dam is also shown on that map, running northwest to feed Bolton Mill on Mill Lane. In 1891 the buildings are annotated 'Monk's Farm and 85m to the south is Monk's Well. The Historic Environment Record does not note a monastic connection to this site, nor if the name simply reflects the original owner's name, although grants of land to Furness Abbey are recorded in the 13 th century. The Record does not note any early findspots in the immediate vicinity, although some prehistoric, Roman and medieval material is reported in the general area.

The site lies just to the west of the Bolton-le-Sands Conservation Area and some 80m northwest of the Listed Gd II Packet Bridge over the Lancaster Canal. The Gd II former Packet Boat Inn and 6-7 Packet Lane lie a short distance beyond the bridge.

The site is of unknown but probably local or negligible archaeological significance.

A formal heritage statement does not appear to be necessary for development here, but an archaeological watching brief could be requested by planning condition.

LPSA 108: Woodlands, Garstang Road, Cockerham

This is a single residential plot on the southwest side of the road at Cockerham, containing a detached 20 th century dwelling and situated between similar single dwelling plots. The Historic Environment Record notes the presence of the pedestal of a possibly medieval stone cross, a short distance to the southeast at the junction with Cockerham Road, where some now-demolished houses are shown on the OS 1:10,560 map of 1847 (sheet Lancashire 39). To the north is the site of the village school, now incorporated into the present school and to the east the projected line of a Roman road. This road line, which has been traced from LiDAR but has yet to be confirmed by formal excavation, has been suggested as an alternative to the 'traditional' line of the Preston- Lancaster road, deviating from that line at Catterall and crossing Cockerham Road between Garstang Road and the River Cocker.

The closest Listed Buildings are the Gd II* church of St Michael and the Gd II sundial base in the churchyard, a little under 400m to the west. 425m to the east is the Gd II Cocker House Bridge. Development on this site should not impact the settings of these sites.

The site is considered to be of negligible archaeological significance.

No further archaeological work is considered necessary.

LPSA 123: Corless Farm, Anyon Lane, Dolphinholme

This plot includes the buildings of Corless Farm and backs onto the Listed terrace of 19-28 Corless Cottages, apparently also including their gardens. Some further farm buildings are shown on 19 th century mapping adjacent to the farm, but it is otherwise a greenfield site. The terrace is said to have been built as mill workers cottages in 1796, but the origin of the farmstead is not noted in the Historic Environment Record. It seems probable that it pre-dated them, but this needs confirmation. A broken Elizabeth I shilling is recorded as found nearby but there are no other recorded archaeological sites immediately adjacent.

The site falls partly within the Dolphinholme Conservation Area and is c.100m to the west of the Listed Gd II church of St Mark (built 1897-9 replacing a smaller chapel of 1839). Development of this plot should not impact the setting of the church.

The site is of unknown but probably only local archaeological significance, relating to the farm and former farm buildings.

On its own a simple heritage statement accompanying any planning application would be considered to be adequate, with any subsequent archaeological investigation required by planning condition. It is noted however that there is a considerable area of land at Dolphinholme suggested for development. If some or all of these are allocated it may be appropriate to undertake a more detailed historical and archaeological study of the whole area.

LPSA 256: Land west of Torrisholme Cricket Club

This site appears to fall into the townfields of Skerton immediately northeast of the grounds of 'Cross Hill', a large house off Torrisholme Road, which have now been developed as Endsleigh Grove. Archaeological work associated with the construction of the adjacent A683 revealed some undated earthworks, post medieval lime kiln sites and what may have been some isolated prehistoric pits. The find of a Neolithic stone axe is also reported some 250m to the north of the site. It is possible that further early remains will exist on this site, and it appears to be crossed by a medieval field boundary or lynchet.

There are no Listed Buildings or other designated heritage assets close enough to this site to be impacted by its development.

The site is considered to be of local archaeological significance.

A formal heritage statement should accompany any planning proposal for the site, which should include the results of a desk-based study and walk-over survey, but archaeological investigations and recording of the medieval boundary and potential buried remains can be made a condition of any planning consent granted.

LPSA 372: University of Cumbria Campus, Coulston Road, Lancaster

This site stands on the ridge on the eastern side of Lancaster, where a significant number of prehistoric cremation burials have been reported, including within the college grounds. The site appears to have been farmland before it was purchased by the Government as the barracks and depot of the 4 th (King's Own) regiment of foot in 1879, the site opening the following year. The barracks were developed over the years and adapted to the changing needs of the army until their

closure in 1959. The site was then purchased by the Church of England, and was converted to a teacher training college dedicated to St Martin, which opened in 1964. Further adaptions and construction followed to develop the site for its educational use and it currently forms the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria. A significant number of the barracks buildings and structures still stand, including the south and southwest sections of defensive perimeter wall. The density of development within the site would suggest that survival of further early remains is unlikely (although not impossible). Buried remains of lost barracks buildings or other military activity could, however, survive.

The site is not within one of Lancaster's Conservation Areas and the closest Listed Buildings, at Golgotha, are sufficiently removed not to be impacted by development here.

The site is considered to be of at least county significance and it may be that some elements of the barracks merit consideration for Listing.

Any proposals for development or redevelopment should be accompanied by a detailed heritage statement that investigates the potential for early buried remains to exist here, that sets out the date and significance of each of the extant standing buildings (including the perimeter wall), and which carefully assesses the impact of any proposed works upon this potential and significance. Field evaluation and, if required, mitigation works including building recording, can be made a condition of any planning consent granted.

LPSA 589: Land south of 27 Shady Lane, Slyne

This is a small infill plot in a residential area, opposite the Church of St Luke, Slyne. The first occupation here seems to be Hanging Green Cottages, to the north of the development area. The church has a datestone of 1898 and most of the surrounding housing had been erected by the later 20 th century. There are no recorded archaeological sites in the immediate vicinity of the development area.

The church and Hanging Green Cottages (now 2-4 Hanging Green Lane) are Listed Gd II. No other designated heritage assets lie close enough to be impacted by development here.

The site is considered to be of negligible archaeological significance.

A formal heritage statement should accompany any planning proposal for the site, assessing the impact of the proposals on the Listed buildings but no archaeological work is recommended at this time.

LPSA 593: Land north of Manor Lane, Slyne

This site lies on the edge of the present built-up area of the village, to the rear of historic properties along Main Road but separated from them by a row of converted farm buildings (themselves mainly pre-dating the OS 1848 OS 1:10,560 mapping). The site appears most recently to have been farmland associated with these buildings, but may originally have been part of the plots running back from the Main Road buildings or more specifically from the house dated 1681 known as 'The Manor House' and its adjacent barn. This is a building of some architectural distinction and is unlikely to have been an isolated structure at the end of the village, nor to have been the first building on the site, and medieval occupation could be anticipated here. A whetstone of Roman or

medieval type is reported to have been found near the site, but there are no other recorded archaeological sites in the immediate vicinity. It seems possible that there will be some buried remains associated with the occupation along Main Street, such as medieval and later rubbish pits, the foundations of outbuildings and former boundaries.

The site is adjacent to but not within the Slyne Conservation Area. The Manor House is Listed Gd II* and only some 75m from the development area, although separated from it by the 'barn conversions' noted above. Other Gd II buildings include 136 Main Road, the 19 th century turnpike milestone next to no. 130 and the wall and Gatepiers to The Manor house. Slyne Hall is located on raised ground 250m to the northeast and the Church of St Luke 220m to the west, both of which are also Gd II.

The site is considered to be of local significance.

A heritage statement should accompany any proposal for development here, addressing the potential impact on the Listed Buildings, Conservation Area and buried remains. Any subsequent archaeological investigations can however be required by planning condition.

LPSA 632: Land east of Home Farm Close, Wray

This is a substantial greenfield site within the townfields of Wray, extending through agricultural fields (also used for the Wray festival) towards but not up to the River Hindburn. Map and aerial photographic evidence would suggest that it was originally divided up into a series of long, narrow, curving fields, probably representing medieval strips. There are no recorded archaeological sites within the development area but a Bronze Age axe was recovered from the south side of the village and settlement of this date is known at many sites in the wider vicinity. The remains of the former boundaries are likely to exist here and there is an unknown but significant potential for the presence of further prehistoric remains.

The development area lies just outside the Conservation Area at Wray. Many of the buildings along Main Road are Listed Gd II, as is Wray Bridge. Those to the west are, however, separated from the development area by Home Farm Close and the buildings alongside it and those to the south are separated from it by gardens and the inserted Riverside/Raebeck dwellings.

The site is considered to be of county significance.

A full programme of archaeological investigation, including topographic and geophysical survey, as well as trial excavation, will be needed on this site. A report on such work should be submitted with any development proposal.

LPSA 687: Land south of Lancaster Road and west of Strands Farm Lane, Hornby

This is a greenfield site west of the Strands farm development. It is located at the south end of the medieval village of Hornby and is crossed by the projected line of a main Roman road (though its actual course has not been confirmed here). The line of the former Green Ayre to Wennington railway line (opened 1849, closed 1967) forms the southern boundary of the site. Finds of prehistoric, Roman and medieval material have been made in the general area, but not within the site itself. Trial trenching undertaken on the Strands Farm development site found evidence of medieval remains but no earlier material was identified.

The closest Listed Building is the Gd II 198 th century former police station, now converted to housing. The development lies just to the west of the Hornby Conservation Area.

The site is considered to be of local to county significance.

LPSA 689: Land east of Hest Bank Lane, Slyne

A greenfield site adjacent to the early-mid 20 th century development at the junction of Hest Bank Lane and Lancaster Road, Slyne. The fields to the west are named 'Gallows Closes' on the OS 1848 1:10,560 mapping (sheet Lancashire 30) and the 1845 Slyne Tithe Apportionment, which may suggest the former site of a gallows. About 170m north is the 17 th century Throstle Grove Farm, whilst the remains of a 2 nd century settlement are said to exist at Brantholme, a little under 600m to the west. There is likely to be a Roman road running north from Lancaster and passing in the vicinity of this site, but whilst a number of lines have been suggested its actual course is yet to be confirmed.

There are no Listed Buildings close enough to the site to be impacted by its development.

The site is considered to be of local archaeological significance.

A formal heritage statement should accompany any planning proposal for the site, which should include the results of a desk-based study and walk-over survey, but archaeological investigations of any potential buried remains or topographical recording of extant earthworks can be made a condition of any planning consent granted.

LPSA 714: Land west of Forge Lane, Halton

This site sits immediately to the southeast of the former Town End Farm site, now converted to dwellings. The farmhouse here has a datestone of 1672 but the settlement is of pre-Conquest origin and the site may well be significantly older. To the south is a former watermill site, said to have been in existence in 1251, but the three storey stone building demolished in the 1960's was built c.1753 by Smeaton, and rebuilt after a fire in 1863. The only remains are the Lower Weir which supplied a pond (now drained), a fragment of the tailrace where it enters the Lune River below the bridge; and the base of a kiln. It was separate from a second mill to the east shown on the OS 1:10,560 mapping (sheet Lancashire 30), which became incorporated into the Halton Mills oilcloth operations. Recent archaeological evaluation of the site to the east side of Foundry Lane showed no evidence of early remains surviving there, although a single prehistoric flint was recovered from the topsoil. Two other chert flakes had been found previously on the allotment site north of the development area and there is some potential for further lithics to be present here.

The development area lies completely within the Halton Conservation Area. Town End Farmhouse and an adjacent former stable/granary building are Listed Gd II, as is the gateway to manor House (formerly Mansion House) on the opposite side of Low Road. Manor House itself is Listed Gd II* and whilst the other side of the farmstead to the development area is raised above it.

The site is considered to be of local archaeological significance.

A formal heritage statement should accompany any planning proposal for the site, which should include the results of a desk-based study and walk-over survey and an assessment of the impact of any proposals on the setting of the adjacent Listed buildings and Conservation Area. Archaeological investigation of potential buried remains or lithic scatters can be made a condition of any planning consent granted.

LPSA 715: Mayfield, School House Lane, Halton

A mainly greenfield area at the eastern end of the village, no known heritage assets fall within the land parcel. The northern part is occupied by a 20th century house and its garden. The projected line of a Roman road runs to the north of the site, and seems to line up to earthworks at Oakenhead to the northwest, but is actual course has not been confirmed by excavation. Halton Green to the west is probably of at least medieval origin and a fragment of Anglo-Saxon cross is recorded as built into a wall at Halton Green East Farm. There are no other archaeological sites in the immediate vicinity of the development area. Late 19 th and early 20 th century mapping shows a 'marshy hollow' in the centre of the site, possibly a former extraction pit or quarry, but this seems to have been filled in during the later 20 th century and is not visible on modern aerial photography.

Green Beck House, c. 300m to the east, is Listed Gd II. Beyond this Halton Green East and Halton Green West farmhouses are both Listed as Gd II* and there is also a Gd II Listed barn there.

The site is considered to be of negligible archaeological significance.

No further archaeological investigation is considered necessary.

Middleton Business Park (West), Middleton

This is a substantial and partly brownfield site to the south of the A683 and west of Imperial Road. It includes a former oil depot, perhaps part of the adjacent Trimpell refinery and chemical works, built 1939-48 and closed in 1976. The area was formerly farmland on the fringes of Heysham Moss. There is some potential for prehistoric remains on the land that has not been disturbed by the oil depot or other works, but trial excavations on a number of sites in the vicinity have not produced conclusive evidence for early settlement here.

There are no Listed Buildings nearby whose settings could be impacted by development here.

The site is considered to be of negligible archaeological significance.

No further archaeological investigation is considered necessary.

Land south of Major Industrial Estate, Middleton

This plot is brownfield land, formerly part of the Trimpell refinery and chemical works, built 1939-48 and closed in 1976. The industrial buildings have since been cleared.

There are no Listed Buildings nearby whose settings could be impacted by development here.

The site is considered to be of negligible archaeological significance.

No further archaeological investigation is considered necessary.