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8 Cultural Heritage Final FINAL Bake Farm Environmental Statement Chapter 8 CULTURAL HERITAGE INTRODUCTION 8.1. This chapter provides an assessment of the potential archaeological and heritage implications of a proposed solar energy farm at Bake Farm, Coombe Bissett, Wiltshire (Site centre SU 113 277; Fig. 8.1). It has been prepared by Archaedia. Site context 8.2. Chapter two and three of this ES provide a detailed description of the application site and the proposed development. In summary, the application site is within four agricultural fields to the north east of the village of Coombe Bissett (The Site; Fig. 8.1) and extends over an area of 40.2 hectares. The proposed development comprises a solar farm, access track, cable trench and related development. 8.3. This chapter aims to establish the presence or absence, character and extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and relative value of the known or potential heritage assets within the Site. In order to understand the context of the Site, it aims to establish the history and land-use development of the area and its environs, thereby allowing an assessment and quantification of the relevant impact of the proposed development on this resource. In addition it considers the impact on the settings of designated assets in the wider area. Finally, the effects of the proposed development and the need for and scope of any mitigation required to address such effects are set out. Planning context 8.4. Chapter five of this Environmental Statement (ES) sets out the full planning policy context at the national and local levels. The paragraphs below identify guidance and planning policy relevant to archaeology and cultural heritage. National planning policy and guidance 8.5. Chapter 12 of the NPPF1 deals with 'Conserving and enhancing the historic environment' and states that “heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource” (Paragraph 126). Paragraphs 128 and 129, which deal with determining planning applications, state the need to identify and assess the significance of heritage assets and their settings, and take this into account when considering the impact of the proposed development. In the case of designated assets, and non-designated assets of demonstrably equivalent significance, great weight should be given to the asset's conservation (Paragraphs 132–134 and 139). 8.6. Paragraph 141 notes that: “Local planning authorities should … require developers to record and advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) in a manner proportionate to their Department for Communities and Local Government (March 2012). 1 Chapter 8: Cultural Heritage July 2014 8 - 1 Bake Farm Environmental Statement importance and the impact, and to make this evidence (and any archive generated) publicly accessible. However, the ability to record evidence of our past should not be a factor in deciding whether such loss should be permitted.” 8.7. Hedgerows of historic importance are afforded protection under The Hedgerow Regulations 1997, section 97 of the Environment Act 1995.2 Any hedgerow which is defined, at that date, as being of historical or ecological importance requires a grant of consent by the local planning authority prior to removal. Development plan policy 8.8. The application site is located in the administrative area of Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority created in 2009 incorporating Salisbury District Council. For the purposes of section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the statutory development plan currently comprises: • The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (adopted February 2012); • Policies ‘saved’ from the Salisbury District Local Plan 2003. 8.9. The South Wiltshire Core Strategy (SWCS) was adopted in February 2012. It primarily deals with housing and employment development for which there are specific targets divided across a hierarchy of towns and villages, with visions for individual ‘Community Areas’. 8.10. The 2003 Salisbury District Local Plan (SDLP) remains part of the statutory Development Plan by virtue of some policies having been ‘saved’ by ministerial Direction. Whilst parts of it have since been superseded by the South Wiltshire Core Strategy, the SDLP continues to play a role in determining planning applications, particularly in relation to detailed technical issues. Archaeology and ancient monuments is addressed in sections 6.31 to 6.36 and set out in policies CN21-23. Inherent mitigation 8.11. The proposed solar farm contains inherent mitigation, i.e. mitigation that is ‘designed in’ and forms a key component of the proposed site layout. The main form of this inherent mitigation is the set back of the solar array modules from the boundary hedgerows by a distance of 8.4 metres. ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Sources 8.12. This assessment has been undertaken with reference to relevant national and local legislation and policy and guidance listed above, and also to good practice guidance provided in The Institute for Archaeologists Standards and Guidance: desk-based assessment.3 2 Hedgerow regulations act, 1997. 3 Institute for Archaeologists 2012, 7. Chapter 8: Cultural Heritage July 2014 8 - 2 Bake Farm Environmental Statement 8.13. The following sources were consulted in compiling the baseline information: Wiltshire and Swindon Historic Environment Record (HER), Wiltshire and Swindon Archives (Record Office), Wiltshire Studies Library, English Heritage (EH) National Heritage List for England, English Heritage Archives and Archaedia archives. Study area 8.14. HER records were examined for a study area of 1km from the main application site boundary. All heritage assets within 0.5km of the Site are described in section 8.53 and shown on Fig. 8.2 (note: all figures are presented at the end of this chapter, following the appendices). Selected heritage assets between 0.5km and 1km of the Site are also indicated on Fig. 8.2. 8.15. English Heritage records for statutorily designated sites, including Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields, were examined for an area up to 5km from the Site. Selected sites are described in sections 8.27–8.31 and are located on Fig. 8.1. 8.16. This assessment also considers the potential impact on the settings of higher level designated heritage assets (Scheduled Monuments, Grade I and II* Listed Buildings, Grade I and II* Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields). Selected sites are described in sections 8.32–8.34 and are located on Fig. 8.1. Surveys 8.17. A field visit was undertaken on 28.8.12 and 23.4.14 by Tim Gent, BA, MPhil, MIFA (sections 8.47-52 below). This comprised a walkover survey of all areas within the application area and visits to designated heritage assets (where possible) to assess potential impacts on settings. 8.18. A geophysical survey of the two westernmost fields of the assessment Site has been undertaken by Stratascan Ltd.4 Additional potential heritage assets identified by the survey are assessed in this chapter. These are identified as assets 8 a-d within the text and tables below, and on Fig. 8.2 at the end of this chapter. Full details of the survey are presented as a separate report (Appendix 8.1). Assessing impact significance Valuation of the heritage asset 8.19. According to the English Heritage Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide the term ‘heritage asset’ “embraces all manner of features, including: buildings, parks and gardens, standing, buried and submerged remains, areas, sites and landscapes, whether designated or not and whether or not capable of designation” (section 3.10, Ref 17.2.). 8.20. The definition of the value of the identified heritage assets is defined as follows: • unknown – insufficient information is available to allow a reliable assessment to be made; 4 Stratascan Ltd, 2012. Chapter 8: Cultural Heritage July 2014 8 - 3 Bake Farm Environmental Statement • low – significant at a local level; • medium – significant at a local or regional level; • high – significant at a national level; or • very high – significant at an international level. 8.21. The definition of the value of known but undesignated heritage assets within the Site, or assets identified during the course of the assessment is determined by professional judgement, supported where required by appropriate consultation. Impact magnitude 8.22. The magnitude of any impact on a heritage asset (receptor) is based on the following values: • None – No change to the asset; • Negligible – Negligible change to the asset; • Small – A minor change to the asset; • Medium – A fundamental change to the asset; or • Large – Major destruction of an asset. Impact significance 8.23. The definition of the significance of the impact on the heritage assets will be defined as follows (with criteria indicated in table 8.1 below): • No impact – Where no impact is identified; • Negligible – Where the effects are negligible; • Minor – Where the impact relates to heritage assets of low value, or the effect is on heritage assets of medium value, but the impact is limited; • Moderate – Where the effects relate to heritage assets of low to medium value, or the effect is on heritage assets of high value, but the impact is more limited; • Major – Where the effects are significant and relate to heritage assets of medium to high value, or the effect is on heritage assets of high value, but the impact is more limited; or • Severe – Where the effects are significant and relate to heritage assets of high or very high value. All impacts on assets of very high value are severe. Table 8.1 – Impact significance matrix MAGNIT- NONE NEGLIGIBLE SMALL MEDIUM LARGE UDE VALUE / SENSITIVITY VERY HIGH NO IMPACT SEVERE SEVERE SEVERE SEVERE HIGH NO IMPACT MINOR MODERATE MAJOR SEVERE MEDIUM NO IMPACT MINOR MINOR MODERATE MAJOR LOW NO IMPACT NEGLIGIBLE MINOR MINOR MODERATE UNKNOWN NO IMPACT UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN UNKNOWN . Chapter 8: Cultural Heritage July 2014 8 - 4 Bake Farm Environmental Statement 8.24.
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