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13.0 CULTURAL HERITAGE The consideration of the application of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 is intended to be indicative rather than definitive. Searches relating to the information necessary for the regulations are restricted to those that are 13.1 Introduction readily available. For instance, Worcestershire Archaeology will not usually This Chapter of the ES has been prepared by Worcestershire Archaeology have undertaken exhaustive searches of documents (particularly textual and comprises a Cultural Heritage Assessment of the proposed extension documents) held by a Records Office. Wildlife and landscape criteria are to Hints Quarry. The application site is considered to have the potential to also beyond the scope of this assessment and have not been considered. include heritage assets, the significance of which may be affected by the development. 13.2.3 List of sources consulted Cartographic sources 13.2 Methodology • William Yates, 1775 Map of 13.2.1 Personnel • Ordnance Survey. 1834 1" to 1 mile, Map of Staffordshire sheet The assessment was undertaken by Tom Rogers (M.Sc); who joined 62NE Worcestershire Archaeology in 2005 and has been practicing archaeology • 1847 Tithe Map of Hints since 1993. Robin Jackson (BA, AiFA) edited the report. Illustrations were prepared by Carolyn Hunt. • 1847 Tithe Map of Packington • Ordnance Survey. 1888 Edition 6" to 1 mile Sheet 59 SW 13.2.2 Documentary research • Ordnance Survey, 1890 1st Edition 6" to 1mile Sheet 58 SE All relevant information on the history of the site and past land-use was collected and assessed. Records of known archaeological sites and • Ordnance Survey, 1902 2nd Edition 25" to 1 mile Sheet LIX.9 monuments were obtained from Staffordshire Historic Environment Record • Ordnance Survey. 1902 2nd Edition 25" to 1 mile Sheet LVIll.l 2 (HER) based on a study area of 1km radius from the centre of the quarry. Historic maps and aerial photographs and other documents were • Ordnance Survey, 1923 25" to I mile Sheet LlX.9 consulted at and Stafford Record Offices and at the William Salt • Library. Ordnance Survey, 1922 25" to 1mile Sheet LVIll.12 The results are mapped on Figure 13.1, produced within Appendix 13 , Aerial photographs and the details of individual features of the historic environment are given in Appendix 13.1 . Event records have been omitted where this would • March 1948 CPE/UK/2469 Frame 4300 repeat information in other record types, and would not materially affect the • 1963 Fi lm 62, Run 13, Frame 595 assessment. HER references have been used throughout this assessment but during its preparation additional heritage assets have been identified • 1982 Run 13 Frame 254 and their details are given in Appendix 13.2 (reference numbers have the prefix AHA).

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Documentary sources A D, 1984 Soils and their use in midland and western , Soil Survey of England and Wales, 12 • Daffern, N, 2013 Archaeological watching brief at Hints Quarry, Tamworth, Staffordshire (Phase 6b) Worcester Archaeology report no • Staffordshire County Council, 1999 (amended 2007 ) Staffordshire 2012 and Stoke-on-Trent Minerals Local Plan 1994-2006; saved policies extended beyond 27 September 2007 • DCLG, 2012 National Planning Policy Framework , Department for Communities and Local Government • Staffordshire County Council, 2009 Historic Environment Character Assessment Final report for Council • DCLG/DCMS/EH, 2010 PPS5 Planning for the historic environment: historic environment planning practice guide , Department • Staffordshire County Council, 2013 An assessment of the for Communities and Local Government/Department for Culture, Media consistency of policies in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent minerals and Sport/English Heritage local plan with the National Planning Policy Framework • English Heritage, 2011 The setting of heritage assets , English • Soil Survey of England and Wales, 1983 Soils of England and Heritage Wales: Sheet 3 Midland and Western England • Entec, 1999 Chapter 14 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage , part • 'Hints (St Bartholemew)', A Topographical Dictionary of England of a Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed extension to (1848), pp. 518-521. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk :(Date Hints Quarry prepared by on behalf of Nash Rocks accessed: 02 September 2014). • IfA, 2012 Standard and guidance for historic environment desk- • WA, 2014 Proposal for the preparation of the cultural heritage based assessment , Institute for Archaeologists, updated 16 November chapter for an Environmental Impact Assessment of Hints Quarry, 2012 Tamworth, Staffordshire Worcestershire Archaeology, Worcestershire County Council, unpublished document dated 9 th July 2014, P4372 • Krawiec, K, 2008 Hints Quarry, Staffordshire. An Archaeological Watching Brief 2008 , Birmingham Archaeology report, Project No 1785 • Krawiec, K, Edwards, E, and Brickley, M, 2010 A middle Bronze 13.2.4 Other methods Age cremation and other prehistoric Features at Hints Quarry, Staffordshire, Transactions of the Staffordshire Archaeological Society A site visit was undertaken on 1 st September 2014. • English Heritage, National heritage list for England URL: http: This assessment is limited to consideration of heritage assets and potential //www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/process/national- assets that are relevant to the application site . heritage-list-for-england :date accessed (05 September 2014) • McNicol, D, 2009 Hints Quarry, Staffordshire. An Archaeological 13.2.5 Impact assessment criteria Watching Brief 2009 , Birmingham Archaeology report, Project No 1988 The criteria cited in Table 13.1 have been used. • Moscrop, D, 2006 Hints Quarry, Staffordshire. An Archaeological Watching Brief 2005 , Birmingham Archaeology report, Project No 1305

• Ragg, J M, Beard, G R, George, H, Heaven, F W, Hollis, J M, Jones, R J A, Palmer, R C, Reeve, M J, Robson, J D, and Whitfield, W

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Table 13-1 Impact assessment criteria for heritage asset Impact Criteria Impact Criteria Not Significant Impacts that have no long-term effect on any heritage asset. Major Beneficial Demonstrable improvement to a designated heritage asset of the highest order (or its setting), or non-designated asset (or its setting) Minor Adverse Minor harm to a designated heritage asset (or of archaeological interest of demonstrable its setting), or non-designated asset (or its significance equal to that of a scheduled setting) of archaeological interest such that the monument. Designated assets will include level of harm will demonstrably have a minor scheduled monuments, grade I/II* listed affect the area and its heritage resource, either buildings, grade I/II* registered parks and at a local or regional level. For instance grade II gardens, registered battlefields, protected listed buildings, Conservation Areas and wrecks or World Heritage Sites. Improvement undesignated heritage assets important at a may be in the asset's management, its amenity sub-national level. value, setting, or documentation (for instance enhancing its research value). It may also be in Minor harm to a designated heritage asset (or Moderate Adverse better revealing a World Heritage Site or its setting) of the highest significance, or non- Conservation Area's significance. designated asset (or its setting) of archaeological interest of demonstrable Beneficial : Demonstrable improvement to a designated significance equal to that of a scheduled heritage asset (or its setting), or non- monument. For instance scheduled designated asset (or its setting) of monuments, grade I/II* listed buildings, grade archaeological interest such that the level of I/II* registered parks and gardens, registered improvement will demonstrably have a minor battlefields, protected wrecks or World Heritage affect the area and its heritage resource, either Sites. at a local or regional level. For instance grade II listed buildings, Conservation Areas and Harm to a designated heritage asset (or its undesignated heritage assets important at a setting), or non-designated asset (or its setting) sub-national level. Improvement may be in the of archaeological interest such that the level of asset's management, its amenity value, setting, harm will demonstrably affect the area and its or documentation (for instance enhancing its heritage resource, either at a local or regional research value). level. For instance grade II listed buildings, Conservation Areas and undesignated heritage assets important at a sub-national level.

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Impact Criteria Impact Criteria significance of a Conservation Area as a whole. Harm to a designated heritage asset (or its Major Adverse setting) of the highest significance, or non- designated asset (or its setting) of Unknown Where there is insufficient information to archaeological interest of demonstrable determine either significance or impact for any significance equal to that of a scheduled heritage asset, or where a heritage asset is monument. For instance scheduled likely to exist but this has not been established, monuments, grade I/II* listed buildings, grade or where there is insufficient evidence for the I/II* registered parks and gardens, registered absence of a heritage asset. For instance battlefields, protected wrecks, World Heritage where further information will enable the Sites or harm to a building or other element planning authority to make an informed that makes a positive contribution to the decision. significance of a Conservation Area as a whole.

Substantial harm to, or loss of, a designated heritage asset (or its setting), or non- designated asset (or its setting) of 13.3 Cultural Heritage Context archaeological interest such that the level of harm or loss will demonstrably affect the area Hints Quarry occupies an elevated position to the north of the A5 and the and its heritage resource, either at a local or settlement of Hints, and to the west of Hopwas which is on a stretch of the regional level. For instance grade II listed River Tame between Tamworth and Efford. Surrounding land use is buildings, Conservation Areas and predominantly arable cultivation, with a number of small areas of undesignated heritage assets important at a woodland. Much of the permitted quarry site has been, or is, subject to sub-national level. active quarrying.

This chapter is concerned with a proposed north west extension to the site Severe Adverse Substantial harm to, or loss of, a designated comprising two parcels of land on a ridge overlooking the existing quarry to heritage asset (or its setting) of the highest the south and east. The larger parcel of land to the west was under significance, or non-designated asset (or its cultivation, at the time of the site visit, being planted with carrots. A modern setting) of archaeological interest of reservoir has been constructed in the eastern part of this field. The field to demonstrable significance equal to that of a the east is currently uncultivated and covered in rough grasses growing scheduled monument. For instance scheduled from soil ridges likely to have been used recently for growing vegetables. A monuments, grade I/II* listed buildings, grade large, partly overgrown soil bund separates the two parcels. The proposed I/II* registered parks and gardens, registered extension is bound to the north by Knox's Grave Lane, a tree lined bridle battlefields, protected wrecks, World Heritage path which lies in a slight holloway. Sites or the loss of a building or other element that makes a positive contribution to the

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From the site there are extensive views to the south-west towards open extension. A possible rectangular enclosure (HER ref 01414 - MST1406) country and Sutton Coldfield. In the foreground the recent to was recorded in the field immediately to the south-west of Buck's Head A5 road improvement scheme has bypassed the former A5 which Cottages and immediately to the west, two parallel linear features (HER: runs along the course of Roman Watling Street. 01415 - MST1407) extend north-south for approximately 300m curving slightly to the north-west. These cropmarks may represent the buried 13.3.1 Geology and soils remains of a prehistoric or Roman enclosed farmstead and a droveway, in which two ditches define a route for moving livestock. The bedrock geology of the site consists of Triassic sandstone and conglomerates of the Bromsgrove Sandstone Formation (234 – 248 million A ring-ditch (HER: 01416 - MST1408) noted on aerial photography years (Ma) before present) to the west, and the Kidderminster Formation immediately to the west of these features may represent the truncated (242 – 248 Ma) to the east. Sporadic superficial deposits consisting of Mid remains of a prehistoric burial monument. Pleistocene till are also recorded within the vicinity (British Geological Immediately north of the proposed extension four parallel, east-west Survey). aligned linear features (HER:01553 - MST1545), have been recognised as The soils identified within the site by the Soil Survey of England and Wales cropmarks running parallel to Knox's Grave Lane. (1983) are those of the 551a Bridgnorth Soil Association consisting of "well Other monuments drained sandy and coarse loamy soils over soft sandstone. Occasional deeper soils. Risk of water and wind erosion". A landscape park exists around Packington Hall (HER: 40070 - MST6179), one corner of which lies just within the study area. The extent of the park is 13.3.2 Designated assets mapped from the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 6-inch mapping dated 1903. The park is not visible from the proposed extension. There are no designated assets (Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Registered Battlefields, Registered Parks An early 20th century triangular cast iron milepost (HER 51416 - and Gardens or Wrecks) within the proposed north West extension of the MST12686) is located on the south-west side of the A51 near Common site, within the quarry boundary as a whole, or the study area. Barn. The milepost gives distances to Lichfield and Tamworth. Within the quarry the series of small pit like features, identified during 13.3.3 Undesignated assets watching briefs in 2006 and 2008 and described in section 13.4 below are recorded on the HER as 52260 - MST13696. Staffordshire Historic Environment Record lists ten monuments within the study area of 1km centred on the quarry, of which three are within the Findspots: quarry (although now removed by mineral extraction). No monuments are A Romano-British lead pig (HER: 01698 - MST1690) was found in 1772 recorded within the area of the proposed extension. The monuments within the study area are depicted on Figure 13.1 and described below:- during gravel digging on Hints Common. The pig has markings believed to refer to the local ' Deceangi ' tribe. Another lead pig with the same Cropmarks: inscription was found in the area, and is now stored in the British Museum. This is recorded on the HER as within the current quarry, although the Within the study area, there are four monuments where features of actual findspot is only vaguely located. potential archaeological origin have been recognised as cropmarks on aerial photographs. All of these are in the vicinity of the proposed quarry

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A silver Late Iron Age unit or coin (HER 61059 - MST19944) of north- Victoria County History and no parish histories could be found relating to eastern ( Corieltavi ) type was recovered during metal detecting in Swinfen either Hints or Packington. and Packington parish in October 2009 about 250m north of the northern edge of the proposed quarry extension. The parish of Hints is described in Lewis's topographical dictionary of 1848 as:- The flint scraper and flint flake recovered during the watching brief of 2005 and described in section 13.4 below are recorded as 51649 - MST13066. HINTS (St. Bartholomew), a parish, in the union of Tamworth, S. division of Historic Landscape Characterisation the hundred of and of the county of Stafford, 4 miles (W. by S.) from th th Tamworth; containing 213 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1831a. 3r. The area of the proposed quarry extension was characterised as 18 /19 12p., of which three-fourths are arable, and the remainder, with the Century planned enclosure on Staffordshire's Historic Landscape exception of about 58 acres of woodland, meadow and pasture. Its surface Characterisation project. is beautifully diversified with hills, some of which are finely wooded, and Historic buildings the lower grounds are watered by a clear rivulet, which flows through the centre of the parish; the soil is generally a rich loam, and the prevailing There are no historic buildings recorded on the HER within the study area. timber is oak and ash of luxuriant growth. The estate is the property of W. However, some buildings of historic interest were noted during the site H. Cawley Floyer, Esq.: the mansion of the family has been enlarged by visit. the present proprietor. The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £80; Buck's Head Cottage (AHA001) is a brick-built cottage which stands in an patron, the Bishop of Lichfield; appropriators, the Dean and Chapter. The isolated position to the west of the proposed extension. The house has church is a modern structure in the Grecian style, and, from its situation, is been modernised but has a date-stone on the frontage from the 1870s. To a picturesque object in the scenery. A small school was founded, and is the rear of the cottage, a small set of farm buildings (AHA002) comprise a supported, by the Floyer family. Canwell was formerly distinguished for a brick-built threshing barn with regular brick piercings on sides and gables priory, founded by Gever Riddle in 1142, for Benedictine monks, and which and a gabled roof with gables projecting above the roof line (Shona was one of those establishments assigned to Cardinal Wolsey, towards the Robson-Glyde pers.comm.) and a low open fronted cattle shed. erection and endowment of his intended colleges. On Hints Common, in 1792, a pig of lead was discovered, weighing 150lbs., on which was Hedgerows inscribed, in bas-relief, "imp. vesp. vii. t. imp. v. cos."

The hedge line separating Knox's Lane and the proposed quarry extension The extract for Hints from White's history, gazetteer and directory of is a parish boundary which has existed for more than 30 years. It is Staffordshire is little different from this except that it notes the existence of therefore considered to constitute an 'Important' hedgerow under the a Roman tumulus close to the church. Hedgerow Regulations 1997. The hedgerow currently to the south of the proposed extension, while likely to be historic, does not meet the criteria to Stebbing Shaw's Staffordshire, published in 1801, does provide an constitute an 'important' hedgerow. account of the history of the parishes but this concentrates largely on the genealogy of the major landowners. The Floyer family of Hints are 13.3.4 Historical background described as a branch of an old Devon family, who acquired the parish in the mid-seventeenth century. Ralph, the last Floyer died in 1793, leaving The parish of Hints lies in the hundred of Offlow about 4 miles to the west the manor to his nephew, William Humberston Cawley who took the family of Tamworth. Few historical references to the parish were uncovered name (Entec 1999). during this study. This part of Staffordshire has not been covered by the

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13.3.5 Aerial photographs On the 1834 1" map of Staffordshire the site is shown with some field boundaries dividing the landscape. No buildings are shown in the location Vertical aerial photographs covering the period 1948 - 1982 were viewed of Bucks Head Cottages but Knox's Grave Lane is depicted as a road, an as part of this assessment in Staffordshire Record Office. extension to Tamworth Lane to the west. This is given equal status by the cartographer to other small roads in the area. Common Barn, the 1948 CPE/UK/2555 Frame 4300: At this time the site was a series of farmstead which was formerly stood central to the quarry is marked and enclosed fields, with small areas of woodland. The farm and associated the area to the north east is labelled Packington Heath. buildings of Common Bam were present and only small-scale quarrying had taken place to the south of Knox's Grave Lane. There are no signs of The area covered by Hints Quarry is divided between two parishes and features of archaeological interest in the western field although in the field tithe maps for both of these are held at Lichfield Record Office. Much of to the east, two linear cropmarks cross in the western part of the field and the quarry is within the Parish of Hints, while the eastern part is within the may be related to other linear cropmarks in the field to the north-east township of Packington, in the Parish of Weeford. Both tithe maps were (outside of the proposed quarry extension). prepared in 1847. The proposed extension lies within the Parish of Hints comprising three parcels all owned by William Humberston Cawley Floyer 1963 Film 62 Run 14 Frame 5952: In the central field a linear mark in the who was a major landowner within the parish and let to a John Greenshill eastern side appears to continue into the field to the north but is probably who had them set to arable in 1847. The field which forms the larger part natural in origin. A former field boundary in the eastern field is also evident. of the extension is recorded as 'Bowling Green' the field now to the east of Linear cropmarks in the field to the north-west are apparent on this the bund was 'Knock's Grave Hill' and the field to the west was one of two photograph. referred to as 'Big Burn'.

1982 Run 13 Frame 254: In the western field there is a slight, dark linear There is no tithe map for the parish of Hints and it is probable that the mark visible immediately north of Bucks Head Cottages. In the eastern dominance of a single landowner would have allowed enclosure to be field a linear feature, a former field boundary evident on the OS maps, is achieved through private agreement without the need for a parliamentary evident which divides the field into two, parallel to the western edge of the act (Entec 1999). present bund. There are no features of archaeological interest in the st western field. On the 1 edition OS map of 1888-90 the site is shown with farm buildings associated with Bucks Head Cottages but not the cottage itself. Small 13.3.6 Cartographic sources ponds are shown to the north and south of this group of buildings. The layout of the fields is little changed from present except that the eastern and western fields are divided by boundaries which no longer exist. Bucks A range of Ordnance Survey (OS) and earlier maps of this site were nd Head Cottage and the northern pond is depicted on the 2 edition viewed as part of this assessment, and are listed in the bibliography. Ordnance Survey map of 1902. There is no change on the 1922-23 edition or a revision of 1938. Yates' map of 1775 shows the site as being largely agricultural, with some small areas of woodland. There are no buildings marked within the site and no other potential archaeological features.

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13.4 Previous Cultural Heritage Studies No archaeological features were revealed during a further watching brief 2009 (McNicol 2009; HER event ID 2008), and it was concluded that the area investigated either had been devoid of archaeological features or that A desk-based assessment of the area of the proposed Hopwas Quarry the surface produced by machining was not suitable for the definition of was undertaken by West Yorkshire Archaeology Service in 1997 (HER small archaeological features. event ID EST1433 – not available for this study), and the Cultural Heritage Chapter of a previous Environmental Impact Statement was prepared by A further watching brief of an extension to the east of the area currently Entec in 1999 (ref ES 2002 accompanying application for a western being assessed was undertaken in 2013 by Worcestershire Archaeology extension to Hints Quarry and the amalgamation of Hints and Hopwas (Daffern 2013). No archaeological remains were encountered with the Quarries). exception of plough scarring thought to result from modern agricultural activity. Following recommendations in these documents, an archaeological watching brief was carried out in 2005 by Birmingham Archaeology in two 13.5 Designations and Planning Policy discrete areas within the quarry (Moscrop 2006, HER event ID EST1757). A single archaeological feature was identified; a possible hearth-pit, which Present government planning policy is contained within the National contained a few sherds of Romano-British pottery, and a large amount of Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012). This is supplemented by heat-shattered and cracked pebbles. A flint scraper and a flint flake (51649 detailed guidance which had related to earlier government policy but which - MST13066) of unknown prehistoric date were also recovered during the is at least partially still relevant to the present policy (DCLG/DCMS/EH watching brief in the south-western corner of the quarry. 2010).

Further watching briefs were undertaken in 2006 and 2008, also by Staffordshire's Minerals Local Plan, adopted in 2009 is now under review, Birmingham Archaeology. In 2006 several features of prehistoric date were and Staffordshire County Council is preparing a Minerals Local Plan to identified at the base of the hill as well as a former field boundary, visible replace the current plan which will control mineral related development on the 1 st edition Ordnance Survey map (Krawiec 2008, Krawiec et 2010; within Staffordshire up to 2030. HER event ID Event ID: EST1875 ). The most significant feature was an unurned cremation pit of middle Bronze Age date (radiocarbon dated to Currently a number of policies have been 'saved' from the previous plan, 1540-1410 cal. BC). The cremation was of one adult individual. A middle – which include the following which are of relevance to the current proposal. late Bronze Age pit was also excavated a short distance to the north-east and other pits further to the north east which included one from which late MLP Policy 24 states that ' Prior to the determination of a planning Bronze Age to early iron Age pottery was recovered and another to the application for any mineral development, which might affect a feature or south east which was devoid of finds. area of known or potential archaeological interest, or its setting, the applicant(s ) will be required to submit an archaeological evaluation of the In 2008 several more pit features were identified and excavated, with only full effects of the proposal by a competent person or body. This will be two revealing pottery dated to the Early Bronze Age (Krawiec, 2008; HER based on documentary research, site investigations and if necessary, trial event ID Event ID: EST1875). It was concluded that the cremation and pits excavations .' may represent ritual activity that may have occurred with the internment and acts of veneration, or that they relate to settlement activity in an, as yet Saved policies have been considered in relation to the National Planning unknown but nearby location. Policy Framework (SCC 2013) and is relevant to paragraph 128 which states that ' In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets

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affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of 1.3km to the north-east of Hints Quarry and Horsley Brook Farm 1.6km to detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than the north-west, but no inter-visibility between these buildings and the is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their proposed extension. significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should The buildings at Buck's Head Cottages described above are unlisted. have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate These stand immediately to the west of the proposed quarry extension and expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is the extension would have an impact on the setting of these assets. Buck's proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with Head Cottage (AHA001) however faces to the west and is surrounded by archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require tall hedges and it is considered that the extension would have a Minor developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where Adverse impact on the setting of this building particularly in the light of the necessary, a field evaluation .' proximity to the existing quarry to the south. The setting of the farm buildings to the rear (AHA002) has already been affected by the existing 13.6 Direct Impacts quarry to the south and it is considered that the extension to the north and east would have a Minor Adverse impact. There is a potential for the survival of archaeological features in the The line of the Roman Road of Watling Street to the south of the quarry, proposed north west extension to the quarry. These would likely take the formerly the A5, now Rock Lane/Watling Street is not designated. There is form of negative features (such as ditches, pits or postholes) cut into the inter-visibilty between the road and the lower (southern) parts of the quarry natural substrate. Mineral extraction in this area would destroy such but the view towards the proposed extension to the quarry is interrupted by features. the new A5 bypass, trees and field boundaries and it is considered that the extension to the quarry would have a Not Significant impact on the setting It is not thought that the sinking of three groundwater recharge wells in the of this asset. field to the west of the quarry extension would have a significant impact on heritage assets, should they exist. 13.8 Mitigation Measures 13.7 Indirect Impacts In order to mitigate the impacts identified above, i t is recommended that initial stripping of the proposed extension to the natural substrate be There are no listed buildings or other designated assets within the quarry subject to an archaeological watching brief. This should be undertaken on boundary or the study area. There is some inter-visibility between the the condition that the method of stripping is suitable for the recognition of lower (southern) parts of the quarry and a Grade II listed range of farm archaeological features i.e. removal of topsoil and subsoil to the top of the outbuildings to the north-west of Bucks Head Farmhouse which stands on natural substrate using a machine fitted with a toothless grading bucket or the north side of Watling Street, the former A5. The view towards the similar to leave a smooth surface. A contingency should be allowed for proposed extension to the quarry, however, is interrupted by trees and field additional staff to be available at short notice, should archaeological boundaries and it is considered that the extension to the quarry would remains be uncovered during this process. have a Not Significant impact on the setting of this asset. There are seven listed buildings in Hopwas, 1.3km to the east, but there is There is little potential for the survival of archaeological remains beneath no inter-visibility between this village and the quarry as the wooded the reservoir in the eastern part of the central field and this area should not Hopwas Hill lies between. There are two listed buildings at Packington Hall be included in either watching brief or evaluation.

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The scope and specification of mitigation works should be agreed with Hints Quarry has been the subject of previous archaeological desk-based Staffordshire County Council. assessments and watching briefs. The proposed extension lies on ridge commanding extensive views to the south west towards the course of the Any watching briefs required would be concluded by production of an Roman Watling Street road. Historical information relating to the environs archaeological report (and appropriate publication) to be deposited for of the quarry is sparse. Cartographic sources demonstrate that the area of public consultation with Staffordshire Historic Environment Record and a the quarry, including the proposed extension has been agricultural for the project archive to be deposited at a local museum. last several hundred years. Previous watching briefs within the quarry have revealed a series of small pits some of which contained prehistoric pottery 13.9 Residual Effects and a prehistoric cremation. The Staffordshire Historic Environment Record includes several areas of cropmarks in the vicinity of the proposed If the above mitigation measures are followed (during and subsequent to extension and records that an Iron Age coin and Roman lead pig were extraction) it should ensure that any adverse impacts are restricted in found close by. Aerial photographs show cropmarks within the proposed scope to "not significant" or "minor adverse". This is based upon the extension which may be archaeological in origin. current assumptions on the date, density, complexity and condition of the known and expected archaeological remains. As the majority of the land There are no designated assets within the proposed extension. There is will revert back to agricultural use, restoring the local historic landscape slight inter-visibility with one group of listed buildings but the sight line is character, there will be no permanent negative effect upon the setting the interrupted and it is considered that there is no significant impact on this surrounding listed buildings or archaeological sites. asset. It is concluded that there is a potential for the survival of prehistoric 13.10 Recommendations remains which, should they survive, be vulnerable to mineral extraction. Mitigation strategies are recommended to offset this potential loss. It is recommended that the mitigation measures described in section 13.8 above should be undertaken to offset the loss, or possible loss of 13.12 Conclusions archaeological features within the proposed quarry extension. Archaeological works undertaken in advance of previous extensions to the 13.11 Summary quarry have demonstrated the survival of archaeological features dating Worcestershire Archaeology has prepared the Cultural Heritage from the later prehistoric period. The presence of pits and a cremation Assessment of a proposed extension to Hints Quarry Staffordshire. The suggests that the area was settled during this period and the buried proposed development site is considered to have the potential to include remains of such settlement may survive in the vicinity. This may be heritage assets, the significance of which may be affected by the represented by the set of cropmarks to the west of the development but application. may equally survive elsewhere or have been removed by later agricultural or quarrying. This chapter describes and assesses the significance of the heritage assets (and potential heritage assets) that are potentially affected by the The pits and cremation were recorded within the current quarry area which application. The setting of heritage assets is considered. The potential was formerly a gentle south facing slope, whereas the proposed extension impact of the application, and the need for further on-site evaluation and is on the cusp of the hill affording considerable views to the south, a mitigation, is assessed. location which may have been attractive in the prehistoric period as a defendable site. An Iron Age coin was found 250m to the north of the proposed quarry extension and a flint scraper and flake from the quarry

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itself. Furthermore linear cropmarks have been identified on aerial photographs of the proposed extension which may have archaeological origins. The potential for survival of heritage assets from the prehistoric period is considered to be Moderate to High.

The site lies close to the Roman Road of Watling Street. Romano-British pottery was recovered from the possible hearth found during the 2005 watching brief and two Roman lead pigs were found in the area during the 18 th Century. The potential for survival of Romano-British deposits is considered to be low to moderate.

The site lies away from the medieval settlement in the area which is concentrated on the valley floor. The lead pigs discovered here were described as being dug up on Hints Common and the name of the former farm Common Barn, as well as its location on the hill to the north of the settlement of Hints, implies that this was common land prior to enclosure and is unlikely to have been settled. Knox's Grave Lane is clearly a well- used route and was probably in use during this time and there is a slight possibility that there was scattered settlement along this lane particularly as this may have been common land. The name Knox's Grave may imply a solitary grave but the tithe map records a parcel of land to the east of the proposed extension as Knox's Grave it may be concluded that were a grave to exist, it would be there.

The potential for survival of archaeological deposits from the medieval and post-medieval periods, other than features relating to agricultural practice, is considered to be low.

It is considered that should archaeological deposits be uncovered, it is unlikely that they will be of national importance and may therefore be preserved by record through a programme of archaeological works prior to mineral extraction.

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CULTURAL HERITAGE 13

Hints Hopwas Quarry P a g e | 194 SLR Consulting Limited