Great Oak, Nr. Bignall End, Staffordshire: Surface Mine Scheme

Great Oak, nr. Bignall End, Staffordshire: Surface Mine Scheme

Written Scheme of Investigation for a Pre-determination Archaeological Evaluation

On behalf of UK Coal Surface Mines Ltd.

Ravens Lane, Bignall End looking east towards Audley Colliery (Late C19th/ Early C20th © Speake 1993, 41 )

Compiled By: Mike Wood and Antony Brown Archaeological Research Services Ltd Angel House Portland Square Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1HB [email protected] www.archaeologicalresearchservices.com

Checked By: Dr Clive Waddington Tel: 01629 814540 Fax: 0191 477 7687

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 UK Coal Surface Mines Ltd (hereafter UK Coal) has identified a potential Surface Mine Scheme known as Great Oak, which is located to the east of Junction 16 of the M6, close to the villages of Audley and Bignall End and centred on grid reference 381599E, 351379N (Figure 1).

1.2 Following an initial cultural heritage Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) (Davies 2012), detailed early consultation between the historic environment team at Staffordshire County Council (SCC), UK Coal and Archaeological Research Service Ltd (ARS Ltd) has established that a programme of pre-determination archaeological evaluation is necessary at the site. Discussions concerning the scale and level of pre-determination work required to provide sufficient information to assess the significance and impacts on the historic environment and inform the planning decision have been undertaken. Subsequent to these discussions, a revision in the site boundary reduced the size of the proposed development from c. 208ha to c.80ha, and the DBA was updated to reflect this change (Davis and Brown, 2013). The updated DBA also included an assessment of historically important hedgerows and a new Setting Study as an appendix.

1.3 This document comprises a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) setting-out the pre-determination archaeological evaluation at the proposed Surface Mine Scheme as required by the Mineral Planning Authority. This document has been updated to take account of changes to the DBA that were necessary due to the revision in the proposed scheme boundary.

1.4 This pre-determination scheme of archaeological evaluation follows a question-led, evidence-based and targeted approach as advocated in ‘Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide' (MHEF 2008).

1.5 The purpose of the pre-determination evaluation works is to determine whether archaeological remains survive within the proposed development area and to characterise their nature, importance and likely extent with a view to informing the planning decision and whether any further archaeological mitigation works are required.

2. SCOPE OF WORKS

2.1 The following WSI sets out a phased programme of works comprising discrete sequential elements:

1. Earthwork and built-remains walkover survey 2. Sediment coring of areas of palaeoenvironmental interest. 3. Geophysical survey of targeted areas 4. Targeted evaluation trenching of areas of interest identified by the DBA and evaluation work 1-3 above

2.2 Discussions with SCC and UK Coal have established that a detailed fieldwalking survey would be inappropriate at this site. Fieldwalking (including metal detecting) is impossible as the site is almost exclusively under pasture, although there are some wetter areas around small watercourses that are effectively set-aside as boggy moor. Monitoring boreholes archaeologically would not be productive as the UK Coal boreholes for Piezometers are not investigating superficial geology and will only log solid geology results at intermittent depths.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

2.3 It has been agreed with SCC that phase 4 of the evaluation (targeted trial trenching) can be undertaken post-determination of the panning application.

3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

3.1 The Great Oak updated DBA (Davies and Brown 2013) demonstrated that within the site itself there are 16 known and one possible heritage asset. These comprise eight discrete areas of levelled ridge and furrow of negligible sensitivity, and one area of extant ridge and furrow of low sensitivity, which were identified by the AP survey. It should be noted, however, that ridge and furrow can sometimes preserve any surviving sub-surface remains particularly well due to the greater depth of soil that is mounded up to from the rigg, thereby giving greater protection from the destructive effect of ploughing to buried features. If any archaeological remains do survive underneath ridge and furrow areas on the site their level of truncation by subsequent ploughing is likely to be less than if it was flat arable land. Other assets include the sites of two former collieries (Diglake Farm/Minnie Pit and Rookery) which are of local (low) value, and the sites of associated mineral railways/tramways which are of negligible value as they have been removed and there will be little, if anything surviving archaeologically. The route of the former Audley Branch Railway and two railway bridges which span it also fall within the site boundary, and these are considered to be of low value.

3.2 Of greater sensitivity are the course of King’s Street Roman road, which is thought to bisect the north-eastern part of the site (AR7), and the site of the farmstead that was depicted on the 1718 Estate map. This farmstead (AR17) was quite extensive and potentially high status, as it appears from the estate map to be the seat of the estate. The fact that it is also situated on the presumed course of the Roman road suggests there may be some historic depth to settlement activity at this location. It is considered that the Roman road is of medium sensitivity, and the site of the farmstead is of low or medium sensitivity, depending upon its antiquity, and the state of survival of any archaeological features associated with it.

3.3 Mapping of landform elements during the DBA, as recommended in ‘Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide' (MHEF 2008) demonstrated that most of the ground is dominated by glacial till superficial cover and sandstone bedrock of the Coal Measures with shallow discontinuous superficial coverage, both of which may have potential to host Prehistoric, Roman and medieval remains.

3.4 This combined evidence indicated a low to moderate potential for prehistoric remains, a moderate to high potential for Roman remains, and a low to moderate potential for medieval remains to be located within the site itself. This fits with the picture obtained from an analysis of the baseline data within the wider area, where there are far fewer archaeological sites from these periods in comparison to post-medieval and later remains.

3.5 From the Seventeenth century, industrial activity was frequently attested. Within a wider 2km study area of the initial DBA this was reflected most strongly in the designated monuments (Listed Buildings) but also within non-designated heritage assets. Furthermore, in most parts of the widest 2-5km study area, particularly Staffordshire, there is a significant peak of activity during the nineteenth century reflecting the strong industrial heritage and the dominance of extractive industries such as coal mining and associated infrastructure (e.g. train lines). Walkover survey at Chatterley Sidings (SLR 2008), outside the development area but within the 2km study area, has also indicated the potential for extant remains relating to slightly earlier post-medieval agricultural practices to be present within the study area in the form of earthwork features.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

3.6 A site visit during the initial DBA identified 20 extant features of archaeological potential within the original proposed development area visible at ground level, dating to the Industrial period and later, that might be considered equivalent to non-designated heritage assets. These are (broadly from west to east) a possible shaft/quarry, stonework adjacent to a brook, a bank next to a brook, a possible disused shaft entrance (on OS mapping), earthworks denoting the line of the former North Staffordshire railway and two shorter branches, two rail bridges, a brick building atop a former railway embankment, a large area of artificial raised ground denoting former colliery slag heap (now partially landscaped), two possible colliery buildings at the Minnie pit site, a possibly artificially enhanced lake and slag heap, shafts 1 and 2 of Diglake Colliery (on OS mapping) the site of the 1895 disaster, possible timber rail sleepers, an unnamed shaft west of the Wedgwood monument (on OS mapping), the now landscaped remains of Jamage Colliery/works and a possible well or manhole.

3.7 Aerial photographic analysis undertaken during the DBA process confirmed a number of the observations made during the site visit, but also identified areas of levelled and extant ridge and furrow cultivation remnants of likely post-medieval date. The extant ridge and furrow coincides with those areas defined in the Staffordshire Historic Landscape Characterisation as irregular fields of post-medieval type. The aerial photographic analysis also identified certain industrial features not observed during the site visit for access reasons, such as the shafts around Diglake Farm, a railway embankment and further areas of quarrying. The aerial photographic assessment also confirmed that there was potential for a number of mine shafts, extraction areas and other industrial workings to survive as sub-surface remains within the Great Oak site. This includes the areas around the Diglake Colliery, the short-lived Minnie Pit, the Rookery Colliery, the Jamage Colliery and works to the northern extent of the site and an unnamed shaft to the west of the Wedgwood Monument. In addition, the sub-surface extent of the Diglake Colliery shafts, the site of the 1895 disaster, are well recorded and there is the likelihood of a variety of remains associated with the mine to survive within. Of these, areas of ridge and furrow (AR5, AR6, AR19, AR23, AR25, AR31, AR32, AR33 and AR34) the Minnie Pit (AR24) and the Rookery Colliery (AR14) all fall within the revised site boundary. Furthermore, although the shafts of the Diglake Colliery are outwith this revised boundary, the below ground extents of the New Ten Foot and East 7 Foot workings fall largely within the area proposed for extraction.(Figure 3).

3.8 The combined evidence therefore indicated a moderate potential for post-medieval remains and a high and known potential for Industrial period and later remains to be located within the Great Oak site.

3.9 The desk-based assessment concluded that Prehistoric or Roman archaeological features encountered within the Great Oak site would probably be of local or regional significance, whilst medieval or post-medieval features would probably be of local significance only. Given the history of the site, the Industrial period shafts and below ground remains which are the site of the Diglake colliery disaster were considered to be of regional significance. Where a documented historical context was not apparent then Industrial period (and later) remains were deemed to be of local significance only.

3.10 During the DBA it was difficult to assess the significance of a number of partially extant remains (for example the former Minnie Pit) as the full extent and state of preservation of these remains could not been observed in any detail (this is to be addressed by the Earthwork and Built-remains Walkover Survey within the pre-determination evaluation).

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

3.11 Depending on the specific design of the proposed Surface Mine scheme the DBA noted that there may be a potential for direct impact to known heritage assets and features of possible equivalent importance within the Great Oak site. There is also potential for impact to occur to as yet unidentified archaeological features in those areas not affected by industrial development. However, given that those areas have been under agriculture for many years, and some areas ploughed in medieval and post-medieval times, any prehistoric or Roman remains that survive could be heavily truncated, although there is a greater potential for survival of such remains in areas of extant ridge and furrow.

4. POLICY BACKGROUND AND GUIDANCE

4.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied to development.

4.2 Paragraph 126 states that local authorities must undertake to, “ recognise that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource and conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance ”.

4.3 Paragraph 128 states that, “ In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk- based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation ” (DCLG 2012, 30).

4.4 The approach taken in devising this scheme of evaluation follows existing planning policy in the form of the NPPF, the PPS5 Historic Environment Practice Guide (still current Historic Environment guidance) and ‘Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide’, to which the PPS5 Guide defers and which is endorsed by English Heritage, the Institute for Archaeologists, the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (England), the Standing Conference of Archaeological Unit Managers (now FAME), the Confederation of British Industry, the Planning Officers Society, the Quarry Products Association (now the MPA), the British Aggregates Association and the Mining Association of the United Kingdom (MHEF 2008). The guidance provides an ordered framework, based on a phased approach, for considering archaeological issues in relation to mineral working. As the first stage in this process, an in-depth historic environment assessment has been undertaken (Davies 2012; Davies and Brown 2013) which included a detailed consideration of the geoarchaeological setting of the proposed development site.

5. EVALUATION OF LANDFORM SETTINGS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL

5.1 The desk based assessment utilised a ‘landform element’ approach as advocated in ‘Minerals and Archaeology – A Practice Guide’ (MHEF 2008) and, following the attribution of landform elements at Great Oak, made an assessment of the likely archaeological significance of the site and the implications of the proposal.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

5.2 The DBA demonstrated that most of the ground is covered by till. This is a superficial geology which, although being known to occasionally host prehistoric and Roman remains, has been shown by many published landscape studies to be typically less likely to host the same density of sites than are found on, for example, sands and gravels. On the basis of the results of a recent assessment of aggregates and archaeology in neighbouring Derbyshire (Brightman and Waddington 2011, Table 5) those parts of the site underlain by sandstone in the eastern part of the site are considered to have some potential to host prehistoric and medieval sites together with later remains dominated by quarrying, but a low potential to host Roman remains. The alluvial (and potential peat) deposits associated with two stream courses within the site might also have potential to contain palaeoenvironmental remains. The till-mantled areas are considered to have the potential to host Iron Age, Roman and medieval remains with areas of flat and free draining ground being the most likely areas for any settlement.

Geomorphological Mapping: Slope Mapping 5.3 In order to further refine the observations made during the DBA in advance of pre- determination evaluation, a detailed desk-based slope mapping exercise has been undertaken; this is an aspect of Geomorphological Mapping as advocated in ‘Mineral and Archaeology – A Practice Guide’ (MHEF 2008).

5.4 The aim of the slope mapping exercise was to refine the areas of the Great Oak site likely to be most suitable for past human settlement and land use, and therefore establish those areas where geophysical survey and evaluation trenching may be likely to obtain coherent results.

Methodology 5.5 A digital terrain model was created in ESRI ArcGIS 9.2 using close resolution survey data provided by UK Coal. Following this a profile slope aspect map was generated. Next, based upon an extensively applied methodology, explicated in Waddington (1999) and derived from Butzer (1982), the slope aspects were categorised as either flat (0-2 degrees), gentle (2-5 degrees), moderate (6-15 degrees) or steep (15-40 degrees) and polygons were drawn around these different categories of slope type (Figure 2).

5.6 Moderate to steep slopes are far less suitable sites for foci of concentrated past human settlement and landuse. In combination with the UK Coal detailed design proposals the interpreted slope map (Figure 2) can therefore be used to help identify areas within the proposed extraction areas where remains of past human activity is least likely. These results, in combination with the previously mapped areas of artificial geology (infilled ground and made ground (Davies 2012; Davis and Brown 2013), therefore establish those areas where geophysical survey and evaluation trenching is considered least suitable and unlikely to yield results relating to past human activity. As is outlined below, it is proposed to adopt a strategy which targets geophysical survey across all areas which are largely flat or gentle-sloped, and to undertake a sample of 30m square grids across those areas which are moderately-sloped.

6. UK COAL : DETAILED DESIGN PROPOSALS

6.1 Subsequent to the DBA, UK Coal has revised its initial site design and provided detailed design proposals for the surface mine site. Due to the depth of coal in parts of the site much of the eastern part of the land ownership boundary has now been removed from the proposed active mineral extraction scheme (see Figure 1).

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

6.2 Under the current design proposals none of the historic farmsteads located within the land ownership boundary (e.g. Diglake Farm) are to be demolished or altered and are unlikely to require any detailed archaeological mitigation.

6.4 Under the current design proposals two unnamed water courses that are depicted on the 1840 tithe map are within the development area, and these have the potential to provide environmental evidence pertaining to the landscape history of the site.

6.5 Under the current design proposals there will be impact upon: part of the earthworks denoting the line of the former North Staffordshire railway, two rail bridges, a brick building atop a former railway embankment, a large area of artificial raised ground denoting former colliery slag heap (now partially landscaped), two possible colliery buildings at the Minnie Pit site and a possibly artificially enhanced lake and slag heap. The full extent and state of preservation of these remains have not been observed in any detail and therefore this will be addressed by the earthwork and built-remains walkover survey (see below) which will assess these features and the impact upon them.

6.6 Under the current design proposals Shafts 1 and 2 of Diglake Colliery, the site of the 1895 disaster, will not be subject to any direct impacts and will not require further detailed archaeological mitigation. However, the sub-surface mine workings (the site of the disaster) do run within the area of direct impact (Figure 3) and may require later mitigation, depending upon the depth of excavation required for the proposed water treatment areas and opencast mining towards the south-west of the site.

6.7 At least seven historic shafts and eight areas of extant and levelled ridge and furrow cultivation remains identified by aerial photography will be directly impacted upon by the proposed surface mine scheme and these will be assessed as part of the walkover survey.

6.8 Subsequent to the DBA, UK Coal has assessed previous National Coal Board records and provided information on a number of further possible shafts and areas of sub-surface historic mine workings. A number of these possible features may be impacted upon by the proposed surface mine scheme, however, the full extent and state of preservation of these remains have not yet been observed in any detail, but will be included in the walkover survey.

7. SCHEME OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRE -DETERMINATION EVALUATION

7.1 The following scheme of archaeological evaluation follows on from the in-depth archaeological assessment undertaken in May 2012 and updated in March 2013 (Davies 2012; Davis and Brown 2013). The scheme of archaeological evaluation has been devised to take account of the varying landform and slope types present (Figure 2) and their suitability to different evaluation techniques, the type of archaeological remains likely to be encountered, and to test areas of archaeological and palaeoenvironmental interest flagged by the assessment.

7.2 The scheme of evaluation is to be undertaken as a phased programme of work using a variety of appropriate techniques suited to the landforms and land use of the study area. They comprise:

1. Earthwork and built-remains walkover survey 2. Sediment coring of areas of palaeoenvironmental interest. 3. Geophysical survey of targeted areas

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

7.3 It has been agreed with SCC that a fourth phase of evaluation, comprising the targeted evaluation trenching of areas of interest identified by the DBA and evaluation work 1-3 above, can be undertaken post-determination of the planning application.

8. EARTHWORK AND BUILT -REMAINS SURVEY (INCORPORATING INTERPOLATED LIDAR RESULTS )

Coverage 8.1 Depending on UK Coal’s requirements the Earthwork and Built Remains survey will be undertaken either within the entire ownership boundary (incorporating if possible LIDAR results) or, more likely, will focus exclusively on the proposed active mineral extraction scheme.

8.2 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target, by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser. LIDAR technology has increasing applications in archaeology for identifying earthwork remains and is advocated as a useful evaluation tool in ‘Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide' (MHEF 2008). LiDAR can create high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) of archaeological sites that can reveal micro-topography that are otherwise hidden by vegetation. LiDAR-derived models can be easily integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for analysis and interpretation.

8.3 Unfortunately at present there is no LiDAR coverage of the part of the Great Oak site that is within the extraction scheme (with the exception of a tiny area north of Woodlands Farm) and UK Coal do not plan to commission flights (D. Green pers comm .). The only Environment Agency LiDAR coverage that crosses into the ownership boundary is restricted to the three map tiles listed below (and at 2m and 1m contour detail only) within the northern and eastern edge of the ownership boundary. No areas to be affected by extraction are covered, and there is little that this data can add to pre-determination evaluation focussing on the proposed active mineral extraction scheme in the western half of the site only. If the Earthwork and Built Remains survey is undertaken within the entire ownership boundary then the three map tiles will be purchased and used to drive the walkover survey in this area.

Maximum Tilename Coverage SqKm DTM DSM Resolution

SJ8152 1m 0.2699 SJ8152_DTM_1m SJ8152_DSM_1m

SJ8252 1m 0.9843 SJ8252_DTM_1m SJ8252_DSM_1m

SJ8251 1m 0.8824 SJ8251_DTM_1m SJ8251_DSM_1m

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

Earthwork and Built Remains Survey Objective 8.4 The objective of the survey is to identify accurately the full extent and state of preservation of those upstanding remains of archaeological origin within the survey area in order to inform on:

1) The location and potential significance of extant and buried archaeology on the site

2) The likely impact of the proposed development upon such buried archaeological remains

3) Minimising the impact of the proposed design and layout upon the archaeology

4) The appropriate level of any further archaeological evaluation

8.5 The analytical field survey will be carried out to English Heritage Level 1 standards within the site boundary. GPS survey techniques will be used to plan the extent of, for example, ridge and furrow earthworks, the line of the Branch Railway, former slag heaps, exposed historic mine workings and structural remains. Building recording to English Heritage Level 1 standard will also be carried out for the remains of any mining buildings and the two railway buildings to create a gazetteer of standing buildings within the report.

8.6 Data Collection will comprise a systematic walkover leading to surface identification of surviving earthworks and built features followed by their rapid recording. The walkover survey will utilise Magellan Mobile Mapper CX mapping grade GPS accurate to within 0.3m which is sufficient for mapping at 1:2500. Identified sites will not be recorded in detail and their greatest extent will only be recorded as points, lines and polygons.

8.7 Where GPS signal is poor, for example under tree cover, annotations will be made onto Ordnance Survey base mapping.

8.8 Recording will include catalogued digital photography of surviving remains, along with notes on nature and extent of survival, dimensions, interpretation, setting and additional environmental information of identified features.

Report 8.9 A report will be produced which will include background information, a summary of the works carried out and a description and interpretation of the findings in the form of a written catalogue.

The report will also include the following. • A Non-technical summary. • Introduction. • A location plan showing the recording areas with respect to nearby fixed structures and roads. • Depictions of all identified archaeological features as points, lines or polygons with appropriately scaled hachured plans. • Data files relating to measured survey will be provided as both a print out and in an electronic format agreed with the Staffordshire Historic Environment Record. This data can be used to supplement the Staffordshire HER.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

8.10 Copies of the report and data will be deposited with the Staffordshire HER Officer (Suzy Blake, Historic Environment Record Officer, Development Services Department, Riverway, Stafford ST16 3TJ). Reports will be provided in both paper and electronic form.

8.11 All work undertaken by Archaeological research services Ltd will be undertaken in accordance with the Institute of Field Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for archaeological field evaluation (revised September 1999).

9. SEDIMENT CORING (F IGURE 3) Coverage and objectives 9.1 A programme of sediment coring comprising two transects is to be undertaken, with the aim being to target potential palaeoenvironmental deposits across extant watercourses and to establish the depth and character of any alluvial deposits within the proposed development. This will reveal whether any buried soils (palaeosols) survive in this area as well as any other organic deposits such as former river course cut offs (palaeochannels), which may have the potential to contain environmental remains relating to past environments and land use activities.

9.2 Assessment of the type of preservation and date of selected sediment samples will be undertaken to establish whether such sediments are of further archaeological interest and whether further archaeological mitigation would be required.

Methodology 9.3 A hand-held sand augur will be used to undertake the preliminary coring across the alluviated area of the site. A transect with 10m intervals will be cored along the course of the two unnamed watercourses which cross the site, and the sediments logged and recorded by a specialist geoarchaeologist.

9.4 Positioning of additional cores will also be based on surface observations on the ground including such factors as changes in slope, vegetation type, ground compaction, soil colour etc .

9.4 Once the extent of any surviving organic deposits has been established the best location for any cores subject to further analysis will be returned to and core/s taken using closed chamber coring equipment so that assessment, and if necessary, full analysis of the residues can be undertaken.

9.5 Organic sediment samples will be taken for assessment purposes from selected cores. Samples will be double bagged in sealed plastic bags and labelled accordingly. The samples will be assessed for their palaeoenvironmental information potential (such as presence/absence of pollen and plant macros, plus a statement of preservation) by a suitably qualified and experienced specialist.

9.6 All coring points will be surveyed using a total station and an accurate plan of the augur survey produced as part of the report.

Report 9.7 A short text report summarising the data from the sediment logs, together with digital photographs and an accurate location plan will be produced. A statement will be included that assesses the importance of any surviving peat deposits together with any radiocarbon dates and will recommend whether further work on any surviving organic deposits would be appropriate.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

The report will form an Appendix to the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement.

9. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY (F IGURE 3) Coverage 9.1 The slope map (Figure 2) and location of infilled and made ground (Figure 3) have been used as the main drivers for targeting areas of the site where geophysical survey may obtain coherent results. The rationale behind this targeted approach is considered in 5.5. to 5.6 above. In addition, the proposed geophysical survey is also restricted to those areas where direct impact will occur (see Figure 3). In addition to the blanket coverage of geophysics in the areas which are generally flat or shallow-sloped, there is a further sample of nine 30m 2 grids testing those areas of moderate slope where there is a lower likelihood of archaeological remains. The areas targeted for geophysical survey comprise a total of c.44.6ha.

Selected technique 9.2 The geophysical survey technique selected for the Great Oak site is magnetometry. Magnetometry, using Fluxgate Gradiometer instruments, is the preferred geophysical technique utilised for the detection of buried features such as iron-based features and objects, or those subjected to firing such as kilns, hearths and even the buried remains of brick walls. It is also used to locate more subtle features such as boundary or enclosure ditches, pits and post holes which have been gradually in-filled by more humic material. The breakdown of organic matter through microbiotic activity leads to the humic material becoming rich in magnetic iron oxides when compared with the subsoil allowing features to be detected. In addition to this, variations in the magnetic susceptibility between the topsoil, subsoil and bedrock have a localised effect on the Earth’s magnetic field enabling the detection of features such as backfilled ditches or pits due to the fact that the topsoil has more magnetic properties than the subsoil or bedrock, resulting in a ‘positive’ magnetic anomaly. Conversely, earthwork or embankment features can also be identified as ‘negative’ magnetic anomalies due to the action of placing less magnetic subsoil on top of more magnetic top soil.

Objectives 9.3 The objective of the detailed gradiometer survey is to identify anomalies of possible archaeological origin within the survey area (see Figure 3) in order to inform on the following. 1) The location and potential significance of buried archaeology on the site.

2) The likely impact of the proposed development upon such buried archaeological remains.

3) Minimising the impact of the proposed design and layout upon any surviving buried archaeology.

4) Where to target any archaeological evaluation trenching.

9.4 The presentation and interpretation of the results will be carried out in accordance with industry standards (Gaffney et al ., 2002). The project will also be carried out in compliance with the codes of the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA 2010a and 2010b) and will follow the English Heritage guidelines ‘Geophysical Survey in Archaeological Field Evaluation (2002).’ ARS Ltd is a corporate member of the International Society of Archaeological Prospection (ISAP).

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

Geophysical Survey Methodology 9.5 A survey grid comprising 30m x 30m individual grids will be set up over the selected survey areas (Figure 3). The survey will use a temporary survey grid accurately positioned using a suitable DGPS system. The temporary grid will be co-registered to the Ordnance Survey National Grid using digital tiles provided by ARS Ltd or suitable digital map tiles provided by the client.

9.6 These grids will then be surveyed using Bartington Grad 601-2 gradiometers. The Grad 601-2 has two gradiometer sensors and therefore collects two lines of data during each traverse. Data are collected in a zigzag fashion within the grid starting in the north-west corner, facing east. Readings are taken every 0.125m on traverses 1m apart. This equates to 7200 readings in a complete 30mx30m grid. Sensor balance will be checked and adjusted at regular intervals.

9.7 Two times each day the data will be downloaded to a PC or laptop using DW Consulting’s ArcheoSurveyor2.

9.8 All staff employed on the geophysical survey will be suitably qualified and experienced for their respective project roles and have practical experience of geophysical survey.

9.9 All staff will be made aware of the archaeological importance of the area surrounding the site and will be fully briefed on the work required by this specification.

9.10 Each member of staff will be fully conversant with the aims and methodologies and will be given a copy of this written scheme of investigation to read. All members of staff employed by Archaeological Research Services Ltd are fully qualified and experienced archaeologists.

Data Processing, Interpretation and Report 9.11 Data processing will be undertaken by a geophysicist using DW Consulting’s ArcheoSurveyor2. Anomalies will be digitised and geo-referenced in the GIS project. They will be colour coded using ARS Ltd’s standard scheme to provide the most likely interpretation. Anomalies will be numbered and catalogued in the GIS and report text as systematic groups or individual anomalies as appropriate. The final report will include a graphical and textual account of the techniques undertaken, the data obtained and an archaeological interpretation of that data and conclusions about any likely archaeology. The report will describe the work undertaken and the results obtained. The report will form an Appendix to the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Statement. It will (as a minimum) include the following.

• A Non-technical summary. • Introduction. • Geological and topographical setting. • Methodology. • Discussion of archaeological and historical background. • Discussion on the results of the survey. • Conclusions and recommendations. • Sources. • Copy of brief. • Figure showing location of the site. • Figure showing location of survey grids and referencing. • Figure showing raw gradiometer data.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

• Figure showing processed data. • Figure showing abstraction and interpretation of anomalies.

9.12 Upon completion one bound and one unbound copy of a written synthetic report will be submitted to the client, and further copies submitted to the SCC Historic Environment Team. A PDF file of the report, the raw geophysical data files and the GIS shape files will be provided on a CD-ROM. Two copies of the CD-ROM are normally provided. The printed report will also be provided with an accompanying CD-ROM.

9.13 The results of all archaeological work carried out will form the basis for a full archive to professional standards, in accordance with current English Heritage guidelines. The project archive represents the collation and indexing of all the data and material gathered during the course of the project. A properly ordered and indexed project archive will also be deposited with SCC.

10. INTERIM REPORTING FOLLOWING THE ABOVE PRE -DETERMINATION EVALUATION WORKS

10.1 Preliminary results comprising a plan of the observed extents of earthwork/built remains, geophysical data potential importance will be made available shortly after the fieldwork has been completed, to help rapidly facilitate an informed decision on the wording of any archaeological condition that might be attached to the planning consent.

11. EVALUATION TRENCHING Coverage 11.1 Following the submission of the interim results of the geophysical survey and earthwork/built remains survey, a targeted evaluation trench layout will be agreed with SCC. Evaluation trenches will be targeted to where they are likely to be able to provide answers to specific questions and to assess below ground areas that are thought to have potential to host buried remains rather than using a ‘blanket-coverage’ percentage-based approach which current practice guidance specifically mentions should be avoided.

11.2 Any changes to the agreed trenching WSI will be discussed with, and agreed with, SCC before implementation. It has been agreed with SCC that the evaluation trenching can be undertaken post-determination of the planning decision.

Objectives 11.3 This phase of evaluation will involve the excavation of a number of trenches to evaluate the below ground survival of archaeological remains. The objective of the evaluation trenching is to identify and assess archaeological features within the survey area in order to inform on:

1) The location and potential significance of buried archaeology on the site

2) The likely impact of the proposed development upon such buried archaeological remains

3) Appropriate archaeological mitigation that may form a condition attached to the planning permission should the application be successful

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

11.4 All elements of the archaeological evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Evaluation (2008b) and with the IfA Code of Conduct (IfA 2008a).

Evaluation Trenching Methodology 11.5 Each trench will be machine stripped under continuous archaeological supervision to the first archaeological horizon in successive level spits, or to a level where it is possible to assess the presence or absence of archaeological features. A toothless ditching bucket will be used. The location of the trench will be accurately recorded in relation to the Ordnance Survey national grid.

11.6 Each trench will be cleaned by hand to allow the identification and planning of archaeological features. Each trench will be planned at an appropriate scale: 1:20 where complex deposits are present or 1:50 in areas of lesser complexity (to be omitted if the trench is completely blank). One representative long section of each trench will be produced, at an appropriate scale, if necessary. Sections and profiles of each feature sampled will be drawn at 1:10 or 1:20, depending on the size of the feature. Spot levels relative to ordnance datum in metres will be taken as appropriate. All features will be investigated - discrete features will be half-sectioned in the first instance; linear features will be sampled a minimum of 20% along their length or a minimum of a 1m sample section, if the feature is less than 10m long, depending on how much of the linear feature is situated within the trench. In addition, the deposits at junctions or interruptions in linear features will be sufficiently excavated for the relationship between components to be established.

11.7 Identified archaeological features will be sampled by manual excavation to allow their date, nature and degree of survival to be ascertained. The sampling strategy to be used will be discussed and agreed with the SCC. Provision will be made to establish whether earlier features/surfaces are sealed beneath later layers. All features investigated will be recorded in plan and section and all finds recovered retained for analysis.

11.8 For brick structures the record will include details of brick dimensions and type (handmade/machine-made, plain/frogged), mortar (colour, composition, hardness) and the extent of structures (number of courses, thickness in skins).

11.9 All identified archaeological features will be accurately fixed using an EDM/Total Station, surveying in either the planning baselines or the features themselves.

11.10 The site archive will include plans and sections at an appropriate scale, a photographic record, and full stratigraphic records on recording forms/context sheets. Each context will be recorded on pro-forma records which will include the following: character and contextual relationships, detailed description (dimensions and shape; soil components, colour, texture and consistency), associated finds, interpretation and phasing, as well as cross-references to the drawn, photographic and finds registers. Each feature will be recorded on an individual record.

11.11 A photographic record will be maintained including photographs of all significant features and overall photographs of each area or trench. All images will be taken in black and white print and digital format, and will contain a graduated photographic scale. The main photographic archive will comprise 35mm b/w SLR print film supplemented by digital SLR (minimum 7 megapixels).

11.12 All stratified finds will be collected by context or, where appropriate, individually recorded

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation in three dimensions. Unstratified finds will only be collected where they contribute significantly to the project objectives or are of particular intrinsic interest. As this is a site of industrial date, all finds and pottery will be initially retained other than material which is demonstrably modern.

11.13 Where features have the potential to contain palaeoenvironmental or datable remains, a sampling strategy will be adopted in order to extract necessary samples to answer key research questions about the deposits. Where deposits have the potential to contain palaeoenvironmental remains or datable material, the entire fill, or a representative sample of larger deposits, will be floated. Flotation of all feature fills with organic content will be undertaken on site employing graduated brass sieves, with 500µ as the smallest fraction. This strategy and approach will be refined dependent on on-site conditions. Provision will be made available for recovery, processing and suitable assessment/analysis. The above strategy will be sufficient to identify botanical macrofossils and charred remains in order to inform on both human activity and the palaeoenvironment.

11.14 Samples will be assessed by a suitable specialist with provision for further analysis as required. Specialist advice on the collection of industrial residues will be sought and their strategies implemented. The advice of the English Heritage Scientific Adviser will be followed in relation to all scientific sampling strategies.

11.15 All retained finds and palaeoenvironmental samples will be treated in accordance with the English Heritage guidance document A Strategy for Care and Investigation of Finds (1995) and the UKIC’s document Guidelines for the Preparation of Excavation Archives for Long Term Storage. Ironwork and a selection of other metalwork, including all coins, from stratified contexts will be X-rayed for identification (which material warrants this approach will be discussed and agreed with SCC) and stored in a stable environment along with other fragile and delicate material.

11.16 Provision will be made for additional specialist advice (e.g. for finds analysis, conservation and scientific dating).

11.17 Finds of "treasure" will be reported to the Coroner in accordance with the Treasure Act procedures.

11.18 If grave cuts are discovered on site, then they will be sampled through hand excavation to determine the presence/absence, depth and preservation of the uppermost burials, before being initially left in situ. Where excavation of human remains is necessary, a license will be obtained from the Ministry of Justice and work will be carried out under appropriate environmental health regulations and, if appropriate, in compliance with the Disused Burial Grounds (Amendments) Act 1981.

11.19 Disarticulated human bone will be quantified, characterised and retained for assessment.

11.20 It should be noted that the archaeological strategy cannot evaluate for the remains of missing miners associated with the Diglake Mine disaster or inform on any subsequent mitigation. The only appropriate mitigation in this case would be preservation in situ.

11.21 The record of the extent and vulnerability of features will be sufficiently detailed to facilitate discussions regarding the need for preservation beneath any future potential development, or any other mitigation measures including further excavation or recording.

11.22 A risk assessment will be undertaken before commencement of the work and health and

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation safety regulations will be adhered to at all times.

11.23 During fieldwork, signage will be displayed on the exterior of site hoardings/fencing, giving details of the archaeological work in progress in order to keep the public informed. Given that the site is presently in use, the provision of site security/fencing will be discussed in detail with the client in advance of the evaluation.

11.24 The presence of unrecorded live services is anticipated and the proposed trench layout is designed to avoid known services. However, there may be unrecorded services and this will require liaison with the client at all times and the use of a CAT-scan on site in the first instance.

Report 11.25 Following completion of the evaluation trenching ARS Ltd will produce a report. The report will include:

• A non-technical summary. • Introduction and objectives of the evaluation. • Methodology of the evaluation. • An objective summary statement of results. • A phased stratigraphic discussion of the archaeological features. • An interpretive discussion of the results, placing them in a local and regional framework and an assessment of the significance of the remains in line with the requirements of the NPPF. • Appropriate supporting illustrations, including a site plan, trench and section plans, feature sections and plans and a phased site plan. • A site location plan at 1:2500 or 1:10000 as appropriate and a phased interpretation of the site as appropriate. • The results of an assessment of artefacts, ecofacts and industrial residues carried out by suitable specialists, who will be furnished with relevant contextual and stratigraphic information. • If sufficiently significant remains are recovered then an analysis of the above based upon the specialist assessment recommendations. • In the event that significant remains are encountered, then a timetable for wider dissemination will be included in the report. • A detailed context index and supporting data in tabulated form or in appendices. • An index to and the proposed location of the archive. • The proposed date of deposition of the archive. • References. • Photographs of work in progress on the site.

Within the report: • All plans will be clearly related to the national grid • All levels will be quoted relative to ordnance datum

11.26 Copies of the final report will be deposited with the HER and will be submitted as a paper copy and a digital copy.

11.27 Additional project dissemination will be undertaken as required related to the significance of the archaeological finds and deposits encountered. For example, it may include an

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation article for the SCC Annual Review or more formal dissemination such as a journal article.

12. MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS 12.1 ARS Ltd will liaise with the SCC archaeologist at regular intervals throughout the course of the work so that appropriate monitoring visits can be arranged. As a minimum, arrangements will be made with SCC for a monitoring visit before and during each phase of work.

13. ARCHIVE DEPOSITION 13.1 A digital, paper and artefact archive, of all parts of the pre-determination evaluation, which will consist of all primary written documents, plans, sections, photographs and electronic data which will eventually be submitted to Staffordshire Museums Service in their standard form when possible. Advice on the retention and discard of finds and samples will have been provided by specialists during the assessment and/or analysis phases and this information will be discussed with the museum when preparing the site archive. The museum service will be notified of intended deposition using the standard accession request form. The digital archive will be deposited with the ADS. ARS Ltd will either arrange for copyright on the deposited material to be assigned to the archive, or will licence the archive to use the material, in perpetuity. This licence will allow the archive to reproduce material, including for use by third parties, with the copyright owner suitably acknowledged.

13.2 All artefacts and associated material will be cleaned, marked, recorded, properly stored and deposited in the archive (see above).

13.3 A full set of annotated, illustrative pictures of the site, excavation, features, layers and selected artefacts will be supplied to the HER and deposited with the archive as digital images on a CD ROM that will be attached with the report.

13.4 The SCC will be notified on completion of fieldwork with a timetable for reporting and archive deposition.

13.5 Written confirmation of the archive transfer arrangements, including a date (confirmed or projected) for the transfer, will be included as part of the final report.

13.6 An OASIS online record http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/project/oasis/ will eventually be undertaken for the project, after client confidentiality has been waived. Key fields will be completed on Details, Location and Creators forms. All parts of the OASIS online form will be completed for submission to the HER. This will include an uploaded .pdf version of the entire report (a paper copy will also be included within the archive).

13.7 SCC will be notified of the final deposition of the archive.

14. CHANGES TO METHODOLOGY OR WORK PROGRAMME 14.1 Changes to the approved methodology or programme of works will only be made with the prior written approval of SCC.

15. STAFF AND SPECIALISTS 15.1 The Project will be managed by Dr Clive Waddington. As an IfA Registered Organisation, all ARS Ltd work is undertaken by suitably qualified staff to the standards stipulated in relevant IfA guidance (2000; 2008a; 2008b; 2008c). Statements of competence for fieldwork staff can be provided upon request. As an IfA Registered Organisation, ARS Ltd only use specialists who can

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation provide the required level of expertise.

16. OUTCOMES 16.1 The results of this programme of evaluation will be used to inform the Mineral Planning Authority in its determination of the planning application. A Written Scheme of Investigation relating to the nature and scope of any historic environment mitigation strategies considered necessary in the proposed development areas will be included. Based on the results of the evaluation an archaeological sensitivity map will also be produced highlighting those areas considered to be of high, medium and low archaeological and palaeoenvironmental potential.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

17. References

Brightman, J. and Waddington, C. 2011. Aggregates and Archaeology in Derbyshire and the Peak District . Bakewell, Archaeological Research Services Ltd.

Butzer, K. W. 1982. Archaeology as Human Ecology . Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Davies, G. 2012. Great Oak, nr. Bignall End, Staffordshire. Archaeological Desk –Based Assessment in advance of a Surface Mine Scheme . Archaeological Research Services Ltd Report 2012/6.

Davies, G. and Brown, A. 2013. A Desk-Based Heritage Assessment of the proposed Great Oak,surface mine scheme nr. Bignall End, Staffordshire. Archaeological Research Services Ltd Report 2013/114.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2006a. Minerals Policy Statement 1: Planning and Minerals . London, Department for Communities and Local Government.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2006b. Planning and Minerals: Practice Guide . London, Department for Communities and Local Government.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). 2012. National Planning Policy Framework. London, TSO.

Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and English Heritage (EH). 2010. PPS 5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide . London, English Heritage.

English Heritage 1995. A Strategy for Care and Investigation of Finds. English Heritage.

Gaffney, V., Gater, J. and Ovenden, S. 2002. Geophysical Survey in Archaeological Field Evaluation . Swindon, English Heritage.

Institute for Archaeologists 2008a. Code of approved practice for the regulation of contractual arrangements in field archaeology . Reading, Institute for Archaeologists.

Institute for Archaeologists 2008b. Standard and Guidance for archaeological field evaluation. Reading, Institute for Archaeologists.

Institute for Archaeologist 2008c. The Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Building Recording. Reading, Institute for Archaeologists.

Institute for Archaeologists 2009. Code of Conduct . Reading, Institute for Archaeologists.

Institute for Archaeologists. 2010b. Draft Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey . Reading, Institute for Archaeologists.

Minerals and Historic Environment Forum (MHEF). 2008. Mineral Extraction and Archaeology: A Practice Guide . London, Minerals and Historic Environment Forum and English Heritage.

SLR Consulting. 2008. An archaeological desk based assessment of land at Chatterley Sidings, Newcastle- under-Lyme . Unpublished report.

Great Oak, Staffordshire – Written Scheme of Investigation for Pre-Determination Evaluation

Speake, R. 1993. Audley In Old Picture Postcards . Volume 2. European Library – Zaltbommel/Netherlands.

UKIC. Guidelines for the Preparation of Excavation Archives for Long Term Storage. Ironwork . UKIC.

Waddington, C. 1999. A Landscape Archaeological Study of the Mesolithic-Neolithic in the Milfield Basin, Northumberland . Cambridge, Archaeopress BAR British Series 291.

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