Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath Kent

Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath

Kent

Archaeological Evaluation

for Good Energy

CA Project: 770319

January 2016

Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath Kent

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 770319 CA Report: 16019

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 04/01/16 OG DDR Internal Generals Edits REG review B 11/01/16 OG DDR Draft for REG issue

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 4

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 6

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 7

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 8

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-8) ...... 8

Stratigraphic Sequence ...... 8 Archaeology ...... 9

6. DISCUSSION ...... 10

9. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 10

10. REFERENCES ...... 10

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 11 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 12 APPENDIX C: HER SUMMARY SHEET ...... 13

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan showing geophysical survey results (1:2000) Fig. 3 Trench 1, looking north - photograph Fig. 4 Trench 2, looking north-east - photograph Fig. 5 Trench 3, looking east - photograph Fig. 6 Trench 4, looking east - photograph Fig. 7 Trench 5, looking east - photograph Fig. 8 Trench 6, looking north-west - photograph Fig. 9 Trench location plan showing geophysical survey results and proposed solar farm development

SUMMARY

Project Name: Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Location: Wrotham Heath, Kent NGR: NGR6328 5884 Type: Evaluation Date: 21-22 December 2015 Site Code: WHK 15

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in December 2015 at the site of a proposed solar farm at Wrotham Heath, Kent. Six trenches were excavated.

The evaluation was carried out following a desk based assessment (CA 2015a) and geophysical survey of the site (WYAS 2015). Of the archaeological trial trenches excavated three were targeted on the locations of the two PV stations and the internal road associated with the proposed solar farm development, with the remaining three trenches spread at random across the site in order to corroborate the results of the geophysical survey.

The trial trenches measured 30m long and 1.8m wide and did not identify any archaeological features or artefactual material.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In December 2015 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Good Energy at Wrotham Heath Solar Farm, Wrotham Heath, Kent (centred on NGR 6328 5884; Fig. 1).

1.2 A planning application for the installation of a 5MW solar farm (Fig. 9) has been submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council by Good Energy.

1.3 In order to inform the application a programme of archaeological investigation was undertaken on the site. The scope of the evaluation was defined following consultation with Wendy Rogers, Senior Archaeological Officer at Kent County Council (SAOKCC), the archaeological advisor to the LPA, and was informed by a desk based assessment (CA 2015a) and geophysical survey of the site (WYAS 2015).

1.4 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (CA 2015b) and approved by SAOKCC. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014) and the KCC Evaluation Specification Manual Part B. It was monitored by the SAOKCC.

The site

1.5 The proposed development site is situated on farmland approximately 1.8km to the east of the town of Wrotham in north-west Kent, and comprises an irregular parcel of land of approximately 18.2ha in area.

1.6 The site is located within a well-settled landscape, the village of Wrotham Heath lies approximately 700m to the south and the small village of Nepicar lies approximately 400m to the west. The local area also has numerous historic farmsteads. The site is situated between two motorways, the M20 and M26 which meet at a junction approximately 450m to the east. The motorways define the sites northern and southern boundaries and dominate the landscape in this area.

1.7 The site consists of five irregular fields, a mixture of arable and pasture. Due to the impact of the motorways on local land organisation only the site’s western boundary

is of a historic character consisting of a heavily wooded, mature hedgerow. Boundaries within the site include two historic hedgerows as well as modern fences. A historic boundary crosses the site from north to south that is particularly substantial consisting of a broad drainage ditch lined by a large mature hedgerow and mature trees. The drainage ditch at this boundary may be a canalisation of the route of a former watercourse.

1.8 The underlying geology within the proposed development site varies between the north and south of the site. The northern side of the site consists of mudstone of the Gault Formation a sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 100 to 112 million years ago in an environment of shallow seas. The southern side of the site consists of sandstone of the Folkestone Formation an older sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 100 - 125 million years in a similar environment. Both rock types represent bands of bedrock situated on the northern edge of the Weald anticline. The Gault and Greensand bands underlie the chalk hills of the North Downs and overlay the Wealden Group of sands and clays which lie further south. No superficial deposits are recorded at the site.

1.9 The site is situated on land sloping to the south-east. The highest point is at the north-west boundary at approximately 80m AOD, the lowest point is on the southern boundary at approximately 65m AOD. A deep ditch carries a watercourse across the land from north to south draining from a small lake at Wrotham Water. It is likely that this represents the consolidation of a natural watercourse.

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Introduction

2.1 A heritage desk based assessment (CA 2015a) and a geophysical survey (ASWYAS 2015) have been undetaken for the site. A brief summary of these results is presented below and the documents should be consulted for the full results.

Heritage desk based assessment

2.2 Due to limited evidence for settlement, or other intensive activity in the site or study area, which is likely to have been a marginal landscape on the edge of woodland, the assessment identified a very low potential for any buried remains within the site dating from the prehistoric or Roman periods. Cartographic and historic evidence

suggests that most of the site was under agricultural use throughout the medieval, post-medieval and modern periods. The north-eastern part of the site was entirely disturbed by modern quarrying and the northern and southern boundaries were disturbed by the construction of the M20 and M26 motorways. It is likely that arable farming at the site would have left no archaeological remains and may have impacted upon any pre-existing buried remains.

2.3 There are no designated heritage assets within the site. The only known remains identified comprise post-medieval and modern features, including buried, infilled post-medieval field boundaries, the foundations of a former road and the possible foundations of a modern agricultural building.

Geophysical Survey

2.4 A geophysical survey (ASWYAS 2015) of the site was undertaken (Fig. 2). The magnetic survey did not detect anomalies of an archaeological origin. The majority of responses were of a ferrous origin relating to former quarrying, motorway construction, metal fencing, pylons and scatters of iron debris. A large area of magnetic disturbance was present caused by the location of a former quarry and dumping. A former field boundary was identified; this corresponds to the 1840 Tithe Map of Wrotham Parish (CA 2015a) and is visible on Ordnance Survey mapping from 1870. By the 1961 map the boundary has been removed. Responses consistent with variations in the underlying geology were also identified. The survey identified a low potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains within the site.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the trial trench evaluation were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality.

3.2 Specific aims were to:

• target by trial trenching the two PV stations and internal road and establish whether the results of the geophysical survey are a true indication of the buried archaeological resource at the site.

• target the field boundary identified in the geophysical survey to identify its nature and date and establish whether it may pre-date the post medieval period

• establish by providing a random spread of trial trenches within the solar array panel area whether the results of the geophysical survey are a true indication of the buried archaeological resource at the site

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The evaluation comprised of the excavation of 6 no 30m x 2m trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Figs. 2 and 9). The work was undertaken as set out below and in accordance with the KCC Generic Specification Manual Part B.

4.2 Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS, and scanned for live services by trained Cotswold Archaeology staff using CAT and Genny equipment in accordance with the Cotswold Archaeology Safe System of Work for avoiding underground services. The final ‘as dug’ trench plan was recorded with GPS.

4.3 All trenches were excavated by a mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machining was conducted under archaeological supervision and ceased when the first archaeological horizon or natural substrate was revealed (whichever was encountered first). Topsoil and subsoil was stored separately adjacent to each trench.

4.4 All trenches were left open overnight to allow any possible features to weather out.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-8)

5.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts are to be found in Appendices A.

Stratigraphic Sequence

5.2 The natural geology found in Trench 1 (Fig. 3) consisted of mid brownish yellow clay sand with blue clay mottles (101) in its eastern half and light yellowish grey clay

sand with brownish yellow patches (102) in the western end of the trench, found at a height of 68.631m AOD. The natural deposits were covered by a mid to dark greyish brown clay silt topsoil (101).

5.2 Trench 2 (Fig . 4) contained natural geology which varied from light greyish white sandy clay (201) to light greyish white sandy clay (202) located in the eastern end of the trench and was encountered at a height of 67.805m AOD. The natural deposits were covered by mid/dark greyish brown clay silt topsoil (200).

5.3 The natural geology found in trench 3 (Fig. 5) consisted of mid brownish yellow clay sand with blue streaky mottling (302) found at a depth of 73.569m AOD in the western end of the trench and 72.609m AOD in the eastern end. Directly overlaying the natural (302) was a mid greyish yellow silty clay subsoil (301) and above this was a light greyish silty clay topsoil (300).

5.4 The natural geology found within trench 4 (Fig. 6) consisted of light brownish grey sandy clay with patches of light yellowish brown (402) found at a depth of 66.547m AOD, it was covered by a mid brownish grey sandy clay subsoil (401) and a mid/dark greyish brown clay silt topsoil (400).

5.5 Trench 5 (Fig. 7) contained a natural geology which varied from light yellowish grey sandy clay (502) found throughout most of the trench to mid yellowish brown sandy clay (503) found within the western end of the trench at depth of 69.07m AOD. The natural geology was covered by a light greyish yellow sandy clay subsoil (501) and a mid/dark greyish brown clay silt (500).

5.6 Trench 6 (Fig. 8) contained a natural geology that consisted a mid yellowish brown sandy clay (602) found at a depth of 69.034m AOD and overlaid by a mid yellowish brown silty clay subsoil (601) above which was a mid/dark greyish brown clay silt topsoil (600).

Archaeology 5.7 The evaluation did not identify any archaeological features or artefactual material within the excavated trenches.

5.8 Trench 4 targeted the results of the geophysical survey that had indicated a possible linear trend in this location. However, no physical evidence of this anomaly could be identified within the trench.

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 No archaeological features or deposits were identified within the excavated trenches. The results of the evaluation confirmed the results of the geophysical survey and desk based assessment by indicating that the archaeological potential of the site is very low.

7. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Oliver Good, assisted by Jack Martin Jones and Natasha Djukic. The report was written by Oliver Good. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been compiled by Oliver Good, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Damian De Rosa.

8. REFERENCES

Archaeological Services WYAS 2015. Wrotham Heath Solar Farm, Wrotham Heath, Kent. Geophysical Survey. Project Number: 6273.

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2014 Geology of Britain Viewer http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014. Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation

Cotswold Archaeology 2015a. Wrotham Heath Solar Farm, Wrotham Heath, Kent Heritage Desk-Based Assessment: CA Project: 770171. CA Report: 15013

Cotswold Archaeology 2015b. Wrotham Heath Solar Farm, Wrotham Heath, Kent Heritage Written Scheme of Investigation: CA Project: 770319

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L W D (m) No. No. interpretation (m) (m) 1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark brownish grey clay silt with rare 31.7 2 0-0.28 compact flint inclusions. 1 101 Layer Natural Mid brownish yellowish clay sand 19.7 2 0.28+ with patches of blue clay throughout. 1 102 Layer Natural Light yellowish grey with mid 12 2 0.28+ brownish yellow patches 2 200 Layer Topsoil Mid to dark greyish brown compact 30.9 2 0-00.28 clay silt with rare compact flint inclusions. 2 201 Layer Natural Light greyish white sandy clay with 12.9 2 0.3+ sparse gravel inclusions and chalk flecks. 2 202 Layer Natural Light greyish yellow sandy clay with 18 2 0.3+ sparse gravel inclusions white flecks. 3 300 Layer Topsoil Light grey silty clay rare flint 31 2 0-0.3 inclusions 3 301 Layer Subsoil Mid greyish yellow compact clay rare 31 2 0.3-0.45 flint inclusions 3 300 Layer Natural Mid brownish yellow clay sand with 31 2 0.45+ streaks of blue clay and sparse gravel inclusions. 4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid to dark greyish brown compact 31.3 2 0-0.32 clay silt with rare flint inclusions 4 401 Layer Subsoil Mid brownish grey compact clay silt 31.3 2 0.32-0.4 with rare flint inclusions. 4 402 Layer Natural Light brownish grey sandy clay with 31.3 2 0.4+ chalk flecks, sparse gravel inclusions and patches of light yellowish brown sandy clay. 5 500 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark greyish brown company 31 2 0-0.39 clay silt with rare flint inclusions. 5 501 Layer Subsoil Light greyish yellowish with chalk 31 2 0.39- flecks sandy clay rare flint 0.54 inclusions. 5 502 Layer Natural Light greyish yellow with streaks of 22.5 2 0.54+ whitish grey sandy clay with sparse flint inclusions. 5 503 Layer Natural Mid yellowish brown sandy clay with 8.5 2 0.54+ sparse flint inclusions. 6 600 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark greyish brown clay silt with 30.4 2 0-0.24 rare flint inclusions. 6 601 Layer Subsoil Mid yellowish brown silty clay with 30.4 2 0.24-0.45 rare chalk flecks. 6 602 Layer Natural Mid yellowish brown sandy clay with 30.4 2 0.45= chalk flecks and patches of light grey sandy clay.

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in December 2015 at Wrotham Heath. Six trenches were excavated.

The evaluation was carried out following a desk based assessment (CA 2015a) and geophysical survey of the site (WYAS 2015). Of the archaeological trial trenches excavated three were targeted on the locations of the two PV stations and the internal road associated with the proposed solar farm development, with the remaining three trenches spread across the site in order to test results of the geophysical survey.

The trial trenches measured 30m long and 1.8m wide and did not identify any archaeological features or artefactual material.

Project dates 21st to the 22nd of December Project type Evaluation

Previous work Desk Based Assessment

Geophysical Survey Future work No PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Wrotham Heath, Kent Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates SU 6328 5884

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Damian De Rosa Project Supervisor Oliver Good MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc)

Physical Paper Digital BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cotswold Archaeology 2015. Wrotham Heath Solar Farm, Wrotham Heath, Kent Archaeological Evaluation: CA Project: 770319. Report No. 16019

APPENDIX C: HER SUMMARY SHEET

Site Code. WHK 15 Site identification Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath and address Kent County, district and Tonbridge and Malling Borough, Kent / or borough

O.S. grid ref. TQ 634 588 The northern side of the site consists of mudstone of the Gault Formation. The southern side of the site consists of sandstone of the Folkestone Formation. Both rock types represent bands of bedrock Geology. situated on the northern edge of the Weald anticline. The Gault and Greensand bands underlie the chalk hills of the North Downs and overlay the Wealden Group of sands and clays which lie further south. No superficial deposits are recorded at the site Project number. 770319 Fieldwork type. Evaluation Site type. Farmland. Proposed site of Solar Farm Date of fieldwork. 21 and 22 December 2015 Sponsor/client. Good Energy Project manager. Damian De Rosa Project supervisor. Oliver Good Period summary None An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in December 2015 at Wrotham Heath. Six trenches were excavated.

Of the archaeological trial trenches excavated three were targeted on Project summary. the locations of the two PV stations and the internal road associated with the proposed solar farm development, with the remaining three (100 word max) trenches spread across the site in order to test results of the geophysical survey.

The trial trenches measured 30m long and 1.8m wide and did not identify any archaeological features or artefactual material.

13 N Andover 01264 347630 ESSEX Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk London area e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Wrotham Heath Solar Farm MEDWAY Wrotham Heath, Kent SURREY KENT FIGURE TITLE Site location plan 0 1km WEST SUSSEX FIGURE NO. EAST SUSSEX Reproduced from the 2008 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY RP/LJH PROJECT NO. 770319 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 06.01.16 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY DDR SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 3 Trench 1, looking north (2m & 1m scales) Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] 4 Trench 2, looking north-east (2m & 1m scales) PROJECT TITLE Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath, Kent FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770319 FIGURE NOs. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 07/01/16 APPROVED BY DDR SCALE@A4 n/a 3 & 4 5

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 5 Trench 3, looking east (2m & 1m scales) Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] 6 Trench 4, looking east (2m & 1m scales) PROJECT TITLE Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath, Kent FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770319 FIGURE NOs. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 07/01/16 APPROVED BY DDR SCALE@A4 n/a 5 & 6 7

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 7 Trench 5, looking east (2m & 1m scales) Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] 8 Trench 6, looking north-west (2m & 1m scales) PROJECT TITLE Wrotham Heath Solar Farm Wrotham Heath, Kent FIGURE TITLE Photographs

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 770319 FIGURE NOs. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 07/01/16 APPROVED BY DDR SCALE@A4 n/a 7 & 8