Entech House London Road, Woolmer Green Hertfordshire

Entech House London Road, Woolmer Green

Hertfordshire Archaeological Evaluation

For CgMs Heritage

on behalf of Taylor Wimpey - North Thames

CA Project: MK0077 CA Report: MK0077_1 Accession number: WEWHM: 2019.6

June 2019

Entech House London Road, Woolmer Green Hertfordshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: MK0077 CA Report: MK0077_1 Accession Number: WEWHM: 2019.6

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 6/6/19 BHH Ray Internal General Edit Richard Kennedy Review Greatorex

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

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 6

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 6

5. RESULTS (FIGURES 1 – 2) ...... 7

6. DISCUSSION ...... 8

7. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 9

8. REFERENCES ...... 9

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 10 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 11 APPENDIX C: HERTFORDSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD SUMMARY SHEET ...... 12

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure 1 Site location (1:25,000) Figure 2 Trench location plan (1:1000) Figure 3 Trench 1, Photograph Figure 4 Trench 2, Photograph Figure 5 Trench 3, Photograph Figure 6 Trench 4, Photograph Figure 7 Trench 5, Photograph Figure 8 Trench 6, Photograph

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

Summary

Project Name: Entech House Location: London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire NGR: 25212 19019 Type: Evaluation Date: 3 June 2019 – 4 June 2019 Planning Reference: 6/2017/0848/MAJ Accession Number: WEWHM: 2019.6 Location of Archive: Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum Site Code: TECH19

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire in June 2019. The works comprised of the excavation of six trenches, each measuring 25m by 1.8m.

Despite the archaeological potential of the wider environs of the site, all of the trenches were archaeologically sterile with no finds, features or deposits recovered, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

The archaeological evaluation did reveal a small amount of modern building remains, associated with a recently demolished building.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In June 2019 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for CgMs Heritage on behalf of Taylor Wimpey - North Thames at Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 25212 19019 (see Figure 1).

1.2 The evaluation was undertaken to fulfil a condition of planning permission granted by North Hertfordshire District Council for 72 dwellings and their associated gardens (Ref: 6/2017/0948/MAJ) conditional on a program of archaeological works

A No development shall take place/commence until an Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. The scheme shall include an assessment of archaeological significance and research questions; and: 1. The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording; 2. The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording as required by the evaluation; 3. The programme for post investigation assessment; 4. Provision to be made for analysis of the site investigation and recording; 5. Provision to be made for publication and dissemination of the analysis and records of the site investigation; 6. Provision to be made for archive deposition of the analysis and records of the site investigation; 7. Nomination of a competent person or persons/organisation to undertake the works set out within the Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation

B The development shall take place/commence in accordance with the programme of archaeological works set out in the Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (A) C The development shall not be occupied/used until the site investigation and post investigation assessment has been completed in accordance with the programme set out in the Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (A) and the provision made for analysis and publication where appropriate.

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

1.2 The archaeological evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CgMs Heritage (2019) and approved by Simon Wood, Historic Environment Advisor to North Hertfordshire District Council. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014)

The site

1.3 The proposed development area measures c. 0.5ha in area and is situated to the north of the small village of Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire. It comprises a single plot of land, which previously was used as industrial space. The site is bounded to the north by agricultural land and the south by residential properties and their associated gardens and to the west by railway line. The site lies on reasonably level ground, approximately 94/95m aOD (above Ordnance Datum).

1.4 The bedrock geology of the site is recorded as Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation and Seaford Chalk Formation (BGS 2019). The site is located within an area of very mixed glacial superficial deposits (clay, silt, sand and gravel) and glaciofluvial deposits (sand and gravel) (Ibid). During the evaluation natural geology comprising silty clay, and sandy gravel was identified.

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 The following archaeological background material is summarised from the Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (CgMs 2017) prepared for the site.

Prehistoric (500,000 BC – AD 43) 2.2 A single Palaeolithic axe head was recorded from a gravel quarry north of Heath Road, c. 800m south-west of the site, although the precise location of the find spot is now unknown.

2.3 From aerial photographs of Woolmer Green, it is suggested that there is an extensive later Prehistoric landscape of field systems, enclosures and funerary monuments; however, none of these features have been archaeologically excavated, leaving their date and function unknown.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

2.4 Two Iron Age coins are noted from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), located to the east of the site. The precise locations of these coins have been kept out of the public domain due to them being made of gold and silver.

Roman (AD 43- AD 410) 2.5 No sites suggesting Roman settlement or agricultural activity have been recorded within a 1km radius of the site

Early medieval and medieval (AD410 – AD 1539) 2.6 Woolmer Green is not mentioned in Domesday (1086), although the manor of Merdelai (Mardleybury) is noted. The manor is recorded as having nine households and 200 pigs. The presence of such a high number of pigs implies a heavily wooded area, with a very sparse human population inhabiting small homesteads and farmsteads.

2.7 In 1296, Woolmer Green is recorded as being the home of Thomas de Woluemere.

Post - medieval and modern periods (AD1540 – present day) 2.8 The 1923 Ordinance Survey Map shows the first development of the site. A large linear building was constructed in the centre of the site, noted as a condensed milk factory. The eastern part of the site had been heavily planted with trees, many still present today.

2.9 The 1937 Ordinance Survey Map shows large scale changes to the site, by which point is noted to be Chemical Works. Adjacent to the London Road a lodge had been built; while to the west, the small structures have been demolished and replaced by a new building.

2.10 Further expansions of the buildings on the site are noted on the 1960 Ordinance Survey map and additional buildings added to the site prior to an aerial image dated to 2000.

2.11 In 2019, prior to the archaeological evaluation, the aforementioned buildings had been demolished.

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the evaluation are to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance Standard and guidance: Archaeological field evaluation (CIfA 2014). This information will enable North Hertfordshire District Council to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2019).

3.2 The archaeological evaluation also aims to assess the nature and extent of existing disturbance and intrusions within the site that may have been detrimental to the survival of any archaeological remains.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of six trenches measuring approximately 25m in length and 1.8m wide in the locations shown on the attached plan (Figure 2). Trench 1 was moved slightly to the north-east due to ecological constraints, Trench 3 was brought slightly to the south-east to avoid obstacles associated with the demolition works being carried out on site, and Trench 4 was turned significantly to the south-west due to the aforementioned obstacles. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual.

4.2 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual.

4.3 Deposits were assessed for their paleoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

Samples from Archaeological Sites. No deposits were sampled and no artefacts were noted from the site.

4.4 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their office in Andover. The site archive will be deposited with Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGURES 1 – 2)

Trench 1 5.1 Trench 1 was orientated on a north-east/south-west alignment to the west of the site. No archaeological features were noted within the trench. The natural geology, 102, comprised of compact mid-brown orange silt/clay encountered at 0.7m bpgl. It was overlain by loose mid-orange/brown silty/clay made ground, 101, measuring 0.35m thick, which was then sealed by mid-grey/brown clay/silt topsoil, 100, measuring 0.35m thick.

Trench 2 5.2 Trench 2 was located towards the west of the site and was alligned broadly north/south. It contained similar stratigraphy to Trench 1; the silt/clay natural geology was encountered at 0.6m bpgl, it was covered by 0.15m of loose mid- orange/brown silty/clay made ground and sealed by 0.45m of mid-grey/brown clay/silt topsoil. No archaeological features were identified.

Trench 3 5.3 Trench 3 was located in the south-west corner of the site and was north-west/south- east orientated. As with Trenches 1 and 2, no archaeological features were identified within the trench and the stratigraphy was broadly similar. The silt/clay natural geology was encountered at 0.8m bpgl, it was covered by loose mid- orange/brown silty/clay made ground measuring 0.7m thick, then sealed by 0.1m of mid-grey/brown clay/silt topsoil.

Trench 4 5.4 Trench 4 was located in the centre portion of site, it was broadly north-east/south- west orientated. Unlike the 3 aforementioned trenches, the natural geology of Trench 4 could not be reached for health and safety reasons. At 1.4m bpgl made ground comprising of mid-orange/brown sand/clay, 401 was still being excavated,

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

which contained significant modern debris inclusions. Overlying this made ground was a sandy silt mid-brown grey layer, 400, containing significant CBM and stone measuring 0.5m thick.

5.5 Cut into layer 401 was modern linear feature 403 measuring 0.7m wide, it contained a mixed dark grey/brown and orange/brown sand/silt fill with frequent modern debris, including brick inclusions, as well as the remains of foundations associated with modern demolished buildings noted on the site.

Trench 5 5.6 Trench 5 was located in the centre of the site on a broadly east/west allignment. As with Trench 4, it contained a significant amount of made ground, assocated with the now demolished buildings. The natural mid-brown/orange gravel/sand geology was encountered at 0.8m bpgl, it was overlain by 0.8m of made ground comprising of mid-orange/brown sand/clay, containing occasional modern debris inclusions.

5.7 Trench 5 also contained a modern feature. Pit 502 measured in excess of 0.5m wide and contained a mid-brown/orange silt/sand fill which had significant inclusions of CBM.

Trench 6

5.8 Trench 6 was located in the south-east corner of the site, alligned broadly north/south. The natural geology, comprising of mid-brown/orange clay/sand was encountered at 0.3m bpgl and was sealed by mid-grey/brown sand/silt topsoil. The trench contained patches of bioturbation and rooting due to its close proximity to trees.

6. DISCUSSION

6.1 The archaeological evaluation revealed limited remains of the industrial buildings that were demolished prior to the evaluation, and no finds, features or deposits predating the modern period. It is likely that any archaeological remains that may have been present within the site were truncated by modern development.

Modern (AD 1801 – present day) 6.2 Trenches 4 and 5 revealed a small number of remains associated with the industrial buildings noted above. Trench 4 contained foundations of a modern building, likely to be that noted on aerial photography located to the north of Trench 4 in the central portion of site.

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

6.3 Trench 4 also contained a linear feature aligned north/south containing a significant amount of modern debris. It is unclear as to what this feature relates to, although it is likely to be related to the building noted above.

6.4 Trench 5 contained a potential pit featuring a large proportion of modern debris. It is unclear as to what this feature may relate to, but it is likely to be associated with the modern buildings.

7. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Bethany Hardcastle assisted by Luke Bateson. The report was written by Bethany Hardcastle and Ray Kennedy. The illustrations were prepared by Ryan Wilson. The archive has been compiled by Emily Evans, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Ray Kennedy

8. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2019, Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 6 June 2019

CgMs Heritage 2017, Heritage Desk-Based Assessment: Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

CgMs Heritage 2019, Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation: Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

CIfA, 2014, Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists: Reading

DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2019, National Planning Policy Framework

9 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W (m) D No. No. interpretation (m) 1 100 Layer Topsoil Mid grey brown, clayey silt, loose >25 >1.8 0.35 compaction with frequent small angular stone inc. 1 101 Layer Made ground Mid orange brown silty clay, loose >25 >1.8 0.34 compaction, frequent modern debris 1 102 Layer Natural Mid brown orange, silty clay, compact >25 >1.8 with occ. small angular stone inc. 2 200 Layer Topsoil Mid grey brown, clayey silt, loose >25 >1.8 0.45 compaction with frequent small angular stone inc. 2 201 Layer Made ground Mid orange brown silty clay, loose >25 >1.8 0.15 compaction frequent modern debris 2 202 Layer Natural Mid brown orange, silty clay, compact >25 >1.8 with occ. small angular stone inc. 3 300 Layer Topsoil Mid grey brown, clayey silt, loose >25 >1.8 0.1 compaction with frequent small angular stone inc. 3 301 Layer Made ground Mid orange brown silty clay, loose >25 .1.8 0.7 compaction frequent modern debris 3 302 Layer Natural Mid brown orange, silty clay, >25 >1.8 Compact with occ. small angular stone inc. 4 400 Layer Made ground Mixture of CBM and stone, occ silty >25 >1.8 0.5 sand 4 401 Layer Made ground Mid orange brown sandy clay >25 .>1.8 >0.9 4 402 Cut Cut of ditch Modern ditch/construction cut >1.8 0.7 4 403 Fill 402 Fill of ditch Mixed dark grey brown and orange brown >1.8 0.7 sandy silt, frequent modern debris 5 500 Layer Made ground Mixture of CBM and stone, occ silty sand >25 >1.8 0.8 5 501 Layer Natural Mid brown orange gravelly sand >25 >1.8 5 502 Cut Cut of pit Potentially sub-oval shape, unexcavated >1.5 >0.5 5 503 Fill Fill of pit Mid brown orange silty sand >1.5 >0.5 6 600 Layer Topsoil Mid grey brown sandy silt, occ. small >25 >1.8 0.3 stone inclusions 6 601 Layer Natural Mid brown orange clayey sand, frequent >25 >1.8 small stone inclusions and rooting

10 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire Short description An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Entech House,

London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire in June 2019. The works comprised of the excavation of six trenches, each measuring 25m by 1.8m.

The archaeological evaluation did reveal a small amount of modern building remains, associated with a recently demolished building. Project dates 3-4 June 2019 Project type Archaeological evaluation

Previous work Desk Based Assessment (CgMs 2017)

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Entech House, London Road Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates 25212 19019

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

Project Manager Ray Kennedy Project Supervisor Bethany Hardcastle MONUMENT TYPE none SIGNIFICANT FINDS none PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) - WEWHM : animal bone etc.) 2019.6 Physical Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum none Paper Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum Trench recording sheets, black and white film, registers Digital Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2019 Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report MK0077_1

11 © Cotswold Archaeology Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

APPENDIX C: HERTFORDSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD SUMMARY SHEET

Site name and address: Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire County: Hertfordshire District: North Hertfordshire Village/Town: Woolmer Green Parish: Planning application reference: 6/2017/0948/MAJ HER Enquiry reference: WEWHM: 2019.6 Funding source: Developer Nature of application: 72 dwellings and their associated gardens

Present land use: Offices Size of application area: 0.5ha Size of area investigated: 0.5ha NGR (to 8 figures minimum): 25212 19019 Site code (if applicable): TECH19 Site director/Organization: Bethany Hardcastle/Cotswold Archaeology Type of work Evaluation

Date of work: 3/06/19 Start: 3/06/19 Finish: 4/06/19 Location of finds & site archive/Curating museum: Cotswold Archaeology Milton Keynes/Welwyn Hatfield: Mill Green Museum

Related HER Nos: Periods represented: None

Relevant previous summaries/reports CgMs Heritage 2017, Heritage Desk-Based Assessment: Entech House, London Road,Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

Summary of fieldwork results: An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Entech House, London Road, Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire in June 2019. The works comprised of the excavation of six trenches, each measuring 25m by 1.8m.

The archaeological evaluation did reveal a small amount of modern building remains, associated with a recently demolished building.

Author of summary: Ray Kennedy Date of summary: 15/08/19

12 5 524000 5 526000 2 2 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0

222000020000

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CAMBRIDGESHIRE Andover 01264 347630 N Cirencester 01285 771022 SUFFOLK Cotswold Exeter 01392 573970 Milton Keynes 01908 564660 Archaeology Suffolk 01449 900120 MILTON KEYNES w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE e [email protected] PROJECT TITLE LUTON BEDFORDSHIRE Entech House, London House, ESSEX Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire

FIGURE TITLE HERTFORDSHIRE Site location plan THURROCK

READING SLOUGH 0 1km London DRAWN BY RW PROJECT NO. MK0077 FIGURE NO. © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 CHECKED BY DJB DATE 10/05/2019 WINDSOR AND Ordnance Survey 0100031673 APPROVED BY RK SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 MAIDENHEAD N 2 FIGURE NO. 01908 564660 cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 01285 771022 @ 01264 347630 01449 900120 01392 573970 Ordnance Survey 0100031673 Ordnance Survey

www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk MK0077 10/05/2019 1:1000

enquiries Andover Cirencester Exeter Milton Keynes Suffolk w e 1:1000 Site boundary trench Evaluation Drain PROJECT NO. DATE SCALE@A3 RW DJB RK Cotswold Archaeology 0 50m © Crown copyright and database rights copyright 2019 © Crown PROJECT TITLE Entech House, London Green, Hertfordshire Woolmer FIGURE TITLE location plan Trench DRAWN BY DRAWN CHECKED BY APPROVED BY

552530025300

London Road 6 T T6

Longmead 4

T T4 Wickfield Close 5 T T5

552515025150 3 T T3 1 T T1 2 T T2

East Coast Mainline 0 0 5 0 1 0 9 9 1 1 2 219150 2 219000 Trench 1, looking south-west (1m scales)