Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment
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P H O E N I X C O N S U L T I N G A r c h a e o l o g y L i m i t e d ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT Uttoxeter Quarry Proposed Extension Uttoxeter Staffordshire PC248C on behalf of: By G Coates BA MIFA & A Richmond BA PhD MIFA 24th September 2008 Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c CONTENTS Technical summary 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The commission 1.2 Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 1.3 Personal qualifications 1.4 In connection with the commission 1.5 Methodology 2.0 POLICY BACKGROUND 2.1 Legislation 2.2 Planning guidance and archaeology 2.3 West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (June 2004) 2.4 Adopted Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan 1996-2011 2.5 East Staffordshire Local Plan July 2006 2.6 Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Minerals Local Plan 1994 - 2006 3.0 LOCATION, TOPOGRAPHY AND LANDUSE 3.1 Location and current landuse 3.2 Geology and soils 4.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL FEATURES 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The proposed extension area and its surrounds 5.0 ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL 5.1 Extension area 6.0 SUGGESTED MITIGATION 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Walkover & Topographic Survey 6.3 Watching Brief 6.4 World War II pillbox Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 2 Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c 7.0 CONCLUSIONS 7.1 Extension area 8.0 REFERENCES 8.1 Bibliography 8.2 Cartographic Sources 8.3 Aerial photographs APPENDIX Inventory of known archaeological sites & monuments (based upon entries held by Staffordshire County Sites & Monuments Records) LIST OF PLATES Plate 1 Suggested water channel possibly associated with bedworks of water meadow, in northern part of proposed extension. Plate 2 Remains of sluice gate near River Tean [04]. Plate 3 World War II pillbox [05], looking south-eastwards. Plate 4 The 17th century Dove Bridge, looking south-eastwards. LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Location of the proposed extension area. Figure 2 Plan detailing proposed extension area and known archaeology in the vicinity. Figure 3 Extract from 1775 map of the Manor of Crakemarsh. Figure 4 Extract from 1887 First Edition Ordnance Survey map. Figure 5 Extract from 1901 First Edition Ordnance Survey map. Figure 6 Extract from 1938 First Edition Ordnance Survey map. Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 3 Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c Technical Summary The baseline assessment has identified four recorded sites within the proposed extension. These comprise three areas of ridge and furrow earthworks relating to past Medieval agricultural practices and a World War II pillbox located on the south-eastern edge of the proposed extraction area. The walkover survey identified further earthworks associated with post-Medieval bedwork water meadows. The remains of two sluice gates were also identified, adjacent to the southern tributary of the River Tean. The site lies in a wider landscape of recorded prehistoric, Roman and Medieval archaeology. Prehistoric activity is represented by earthworks and cropmarks believed to date to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Evidence for Roman and Anglo-Saxon activity is limited, although the Roman town of Rocester lies 3km to the north of the site. The nearby settlements of Stramshall, Crakemarsh and Uttoxeter all probably had their origins in the Anglo-Saxon period. The proposed extension is likely to have been open land throughout the Medieval and post-Medieval periods, probably pasture with arable on the higher fields. The area is likely to have been subject to regular flooding since prehistoric times, which will have made it unsuitable for many activities including permanent settlement. Water from the Rivers Dove and Tean may have been channelled to create water meadows to create extra hay crops for livestock farming from the late 17th century onwards. One Scheduled Monument, the 14th century Dove Bridge (SM 260), later re- built in the 17th century, lies near the south-eastern boundary of the proposed extension. It will not be directly affected by the proposed extension, but may have its setting affected temporarily during extraction. Its setting is presently compromised by the adjacent A50 trunk road. In light of the above, the archaeological potential of the proposed extension area is considered to be 'low'. This potential could be mitigated by a programme of archaeological recording and observation prior to and during soil stripping. Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 4 Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The commission 1.1.1 Aggregate Industries UK Limited are promoting an extension to their Uttoxeter Quarry, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. The extension covers approximately 87 hectares, and is centred on NGR SK 098 350 (see Figure 1). The proposals have highlighted the need for a desk-based appraisal, which considers the archaeology of the site and its surrounds and the historical elements of the landscape. 1.1.2 This report assesses the extent of known archaeology and historic landscape development in and around the proposed extension and discusses the likelihood of further archaeological finds being made, potential impacts of the development and the mitigation of those impacts. 1.1.3 Planning authorities may, where it is considered that archaeological sites exist, expect applicants to undertake at their own expense an archaeological assessment of their site prior to determination of any planning application. If important archaeological sites are identified a condition may be attached to any permission granted which requires preservation in situ or outlines a scheme of further archaeological investigation that must be undertaken. This document provides the information required by the curatorial authority in order to allow for the assessment of the proposed development on archaeological grounds. 1.2 Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 1.2.1 Phoenix Consulting is an independent consultancy providing a range of archaeological services, including advice, document preparation, planning negotiations, Scheduled Monument negotiations and fieldwork survey and analysis. The Company is Registered as an Archaeological Organisation with the Institute of Field Archaeologists (RAO 44). 1.2.2 Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Limited is committed to ensuring that the client receives a cost-effective service, whilst itself maintaining the highest professional standards. All projects are carried out in accordance with PPG 16 (DoE, 1990), and the guidelines and recommendations issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists and English Heritage. Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 5 SITE Produced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office Licence No. AL 100030371 FIGURE 1 PHOENIX CONSULTING ARCHAEOLOGY LIMIT ED STUDLEY HOUSE AGGREGATE STATION ROAD TURVEY INDUSTRIES BEDFORDSHIRE MK43 8BH 01234 888 800 Site UTTOXETER QUARRY PROPOSED EXTENSION Title Site Location Scale Date NTS April 2008 Drawn by Checked by GC AR Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c 1.3 Personal Qualifications 1.3.1 This document was prepared by Gary Coates and Andy Richmond. Gary Coates is the Manager of Field Services for Phoenix Consulting. He holds a BA degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and is a full Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists (MIFA). 1.3.2 Andy Richmond is a Director with Phoenix Consulting. He holds a BA in Archaeology and Classics and a PhD in Archaeology. He is a full Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists (MIFA). 1.4 In connection with the commission 1.4.1 All records of archaeological sites and finds that relate to the proposed extension area and its immediate vicinity were collected from the offices of Staffordshire County Archaeology Service, which maintains the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) for Staffordshire. As the site is close to the County border with Derbyshire, the Sites and Monuments Record for Derbyshire was also consulted. Reports on previous archaeological work in the area contained in the SMR files were also consulted. 1.4.2 A search was made for all readily accessible manuscript and printed maps and plans and other relevant documents held in the Staffordshire Record Office, Stafford. In addition, maps and plans were obtained from local libraries. 1.4.3 Further research of published material has been undertaken to an extent appropriate to this desk-based assessment. A list of all sources is provided in the Reference section at the end of the report. 1.4.4 A site visit was undertaken on Monday 10th December 2007, during which observations were made and notes taken on topography, current landuse and any visible archaeological or historical features surviving in the immediate landscape. 1.5 Methodology 1.5.1 The desk-based assessment has been carried out in such a way as to allow the report to be structured as follows: Introduction An introduction provides the policy background to the treatment of archaeological remains in Staffordshire, together with a summary of the physical characteristics of the area. The proposed extension area is placed in its topographical and landuse context. Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd 6 Uttoxeter Quarry Extension PC248c Known and Potential Archaeology The known archaeological and historic landscape interest of the proposed extension area and its surrounds is presented and interpreted. An assessment is thereafter made of the archaeological potential of the site, taking into account features of the physical environment and other factors that may enhance or reduce the opportunities for the survival of archaeological remains. Impact of the development An assessment is made of the likely effect that the proposed development would have on any surviving archaeological and historical remains. Mitigation measures Comments are made on mitigation measures that it may be appropriate to apply, prior to or during development, to ensure that the archaeological potential and historic landscape interest of the proposed development area is appropriately and adequately addressed. 2.0 POLICY BACKGROUND 2.1 Legislation 2.1.1 Legislation provides for the protection of the most important and well preserved archaeological sites and monuments (through being added to the schedule list of archaeological monuments, and thus their preservation in situ).