Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone, Epping Forest, Essex An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for Waltham Forest Friendly Society by Heather Hopkins Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code NFC08/97 October 2008 Summary Site name: Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone, Epping Forest, Essex Grid reference: TQ 3867 9745 Site activity: Desk-based assessment Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Heather Hopkins Site code: NFC 08/97 Area of site: c. 50 ha Summary of results: The site lies in an area where comparatively little archaeological research has been carried out, but which has produced limited evidence for prehistoric and Roman settlement, and is in a topographic setting that may have been favoured for early settlement. The site has never been developed. There is only a very low potential for any remains of national importance to be present, but a moderate potential for remains of local interest. Golf course construction would involve some truncation of the archaeologically relevant levels. It is anticipated that further information on the archaeological potential of the site will be required from field observations (trial trenching) in order to devise a mitigation strategy if required. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford9 08.10.08 Steve Preston9 10.10.08 i Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd, 47–49 De Beauvoir Road, Reading RG1 5NR Tel. (0118) 926 0552; Fax (0118) 926 0553; email [email protected]; website : www.tvas.co.uk Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone, Epping, Essex An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Heather Hopkins Report 08/97 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of land located at Netherhouse Farm, Sewardstone, Epping, Essex (TQ 386 975) (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr Bruce weller, of Weller Designs Ltd, Bishopsmead House, Bishops Mead, West Street, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7DU, on behalf of Waltham Forest Friendly Society, and comprises the first stage of a process to determine the presence/absence, extent, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains which may be affected by development of the area. Planning permission is to be sought from Epping Forest District Council to construct an eighteen-hole golf course centred on Barn Hill. The development will landscape the site altering the contours and include the formation of seven water features. Site description, location and geology The site consists of the top and slopes of Barn Hill, a wooded outcrop in the midst of open agricultural land. A site visit on 10th October 2008 confirmed that the site currently consists of open farmland with two small wooded areas (the most northerly one shown on the Ordance Survey is not present). There is mixed vegetation but no development may be seen on the site. The development area is centred on TQ 386 975. The site is on the summit of Barn Hill, mainly located on London Clay, with a capping of till (mainly chalky, sandy clay), and the possibility of patches of Claygate Member London Clay and Bagshot Formation Sand along the eastern margin (BGS 1994). The site rises from 28m above Ordnance Datum at the extremities to a ridge at 80m in the centre, and covers approximately 0.5 sq km. Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is to be sought from Epping Forest District Council to develop the present open land into an eighteen-hole golf course. Preliminary proposals indicate that the upper slopes will be landscaped by cutting and filling the present contours while the lower slopes will be landscaped through the importing of additional soil. 1 Seven water features would be created. It is understood that the existing woodland/copses within the site will be retained. Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16 1990) provides guidance relating to archaeology within the planning process. It points out that where a desk-based assessment has shown that there is a strong possibility of significant archaeological deposits in a development area it is reasonable to provide more detailed information from a field evaluation so that an appropriate strategy to mitigate the effects of development on archaeology can be devised: Paragraph 21 states: ‘Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer’s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning authority to request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out...’ Should the presence of archaeological deposits be confirmed further guidance is provided. Archaeology and Planning stresses preservation in situ of archaeological deposits as a first consideration as in paragraphs 8 and 18. Paragraph 8 states: ‘...Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation...’ Paragraph 18 states: ‘The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining planning applications whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled...’ However, for archaeological deposits that are not of such significance it is appropriate for them to be ‘preserved by record’ (i.e., fully excavated and recorded by a competent archaeological contractor) prior to their destruction or damage. Paragraph 25 states: 2 ‘Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the development and that development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, it would be entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself ... that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the excavation and recording of remains.’ The site is within the District of Epping Forest. The Epping Forest Local Plan (1998) was amended in 2006 as part of the Local Development Framework. Policies relating to archaeology were retained from the original Plan (EFD2008). These include: ‘Policy HC1- scheduled monuments and other archaeological sites ‘On sites of known or potential archaeological interest, planning permission will only be granted for development which would not adversely affect nationally important remains, whether scheduled or not, or their settings. The council will also require: ‘(i) the results of an archaeological evaluation to be submitted as part of any application; ‘(ii) the preservation in situ, and provision for appropriate management, of those remains ‘And their settings considered to be of particular importance; ‘(iii) provision for recording and/or excavation by a competent archaeological organisation ‘Prior to the commencement of development, where in situ preservation is not justified. ‘Policy HC2- ancient landscapes ‘The council will not grant planning permission for development which could adversely affect the nature and physical appearance of ancient landscapes (identified as such on the proposals map). ‘Policy HC3- registered parkland ‘The council will not grant planning permission for development which could adversely affect the areas of registered parkland (identified as such on the proposals map). ‘Policy HC4- protected lanes, commons and village greens ‘The council will not grant planning permission for any development which would damage or be detrimental to the historic or landscape character of protected lanes (identified as such on the proposals map), commons or village greens. ‘Policy HC5- Epping Forest ‘The Council will not grant planning permission for any development or use which could prejudice the historic nature and wildlife value of Epping Forest (identified on the Proposals Map) or its function as open space for the purposes of public enjoyment. ‘Policy HC6- Character, Appearance And Setting Of Conservation Areas ‘Within or adjacent to a conservation area, the Council will not grant planning permission for any development, or give listed building consent or consent for works to trees, which could be detrimental to the character, appearance or setting of the conservation area.’ The site is close to the edges of, but not within, both Epping Forest and the Lee Valley Regional Park. Green Lane, along the site’s eastern boundary, forms a linear extension of the Lee Valley Regional Park. The site is not specifically designated an ‘ancient landscape’ on the Proposals Map. English Heritage (2005) also provides specific guidance relating to golf courses, the gist of which is that the building of new golf courses may be incompatible with sympathetic management and conservation of historic landscapes, and that assessment of impacts on archaeology should be required prior to the formulation of specific 3 designs. This (draft) guidance relates specifically to registered parks and gardens, but the principles may also be extended to ‘the wider historic landscape’. Methodology The assessment of the site was carried out by the examination of pre-existing information from a number of sources recommended by the Institute of Field Archaeologists paper ‘Standards in British Archaeology’ covering desk-based studies. These sources include historic and modern maps, the Essex Historic Environment Record, geological maps and any relevant publications or reports. Archaeological background General background Sewardstone is located just south of the