Land at Brackenhale School, Rectory Road, Easthampstead, Bracknell, Berkshire
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Land at Brackenhale School, Rectory Road, Easthampstead, Bracknell, Berkshire An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) Limited by Sean Wallis and Heather Hopkins Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code BSB 09/19 March 2009 Summary Site name: Land at Brackenhale School, Rectory Road, Easthampstead, Bracknell, Berkshire Grid reference: SU 8685 6812 Site activity: Desk-based assessment Project manager: Steve Ford Site code: BSB 09/19 Area of site: 1.45ha Summary of results: The site lies in an area of modest archaeological potential but with a scheduled monument (a round barrow) nearby to the north. The northern portion of the site has been intensively developed for the previous school buildings and is considered to have no archaeological potential. The archaeological potential of the southern portion of the site is less clear. This zone comprises a terrace of former playing fields though the extent of ‘cut’ (which has compromised any archaeology present) as opposed to ‘fill’, which has taken place during construction is not known. Field evaluation will be required to confirm whether there is any archaeological potential in this latter zone. 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 22.03.09 Steve Preston9 23.03.09 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 Land at Brackenhale School, Rectory Road, Easthampstead, Bracknell, Berkshire An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Sean Wallis and Heather Hopkins Report 09/19 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of a plot of land located on the south east side of Rectory Lane, Easthampstead, Bracknell, Berkshire (SU 8685 6812) (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr Cliff Buddery, of Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) Ltd, Berkeley House, Abingdon Science Park, Barton Lane, Abingdon, OX14 4NB 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 redevelopment of the area. Site description, location and geology The site comprises an elongated rectangle of land of c. 1.45 ha which were formerly a part of Brackenhale School (Fig. 1). The site lies at a height of approximately 80m above Ordnance Datum but slopes down towards the south. The northern boundary of the site is formed by Rectory Road, the east and south by retained parts of Brackenhale School, and the west by housing (Fig. 11). The northern portion of the site is occupied by former school buildings and ancillary features such as car parks. The southern portion of the site comprises playing fields. The playing fields themselves lie on near level ground with a marked break in slope between the school building zone and the playing fields. This suggests a degree of terracing to form the playing field surface, though the extent to which this construction is 'cut' rather than 'fill' cannot be easily discerned, as reference to the topography of adjacent parcels of land is also confused by the presence of modern development. The underlying geology of the site is mapped as Bagshot Beds (BGS 1981). Planning background and development proposals Outline planning permission (07/01259/OUT) has been granted by Bracknell Forest Borough Council, for the redevelopment of the site for housing. The proposed redevelopment consists of 63 dwellings with associated parking and public open space. Access will be via Rectory Lane. The outline consent is subject to a condition (12) which states: ‘No development shall take place until the applicant…has secured and implemented a Desk-Based Assessment as part of a phased programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation (method statement), which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 1 ‘REASON: The site lies within an area of archaeological potential, specifically relating to prehistoric remains. An archaeological evaluation (trial trenching) is required to mitigate the impact of development and ensure preservation by record of any surviving remains. This is to be undertaken as the provisional stage of a phased programme of works should initial investigation warrant further mitigation.’ Archaeology and Planning (PPG16, 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: ‘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 Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan, (BFBLP 2002) adopted in 2002 states: POLICY EN6 Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance 2 2.53 planning permission will not be granted for development which would adversely affect the character and appearance of ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance or their settings. Where appropriate, the borough council will require by condition(s) or seek by agreement a conservation and/or enhancement scheme which may include public access management arrangements. 2.54 Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, scheduled ancient monuments enjoy statutory protection from development likely to have an adverse impact on their character or appearance. In accordance with Government advice, there is a presumption in favour of preservation in situ of all nationally important archaeological remains and their settings whether scheduled or not. Therefore, development proposals will be resisted where they would involve significant alteration or damage, or would have a detrimental impact on the setting of visible remains. The Borough Council will encourage owners of important archaeological sites to maintain them in good order and will endeavour to set an example through the management of sites in its ownership. POLICY EN7 Other important archaeological remains 2.55 Planning permission will not be granted for development which would adversely affect those important archaeological remains which are not the subject of policy EN6. In assessing proposals, the borough council will have regard to the need to preserve these archaeological remains and, where appropriate, will require an assessment of the site and an evaluation of the remains prior to the determination of the planning application. 2.56 The existence of some archaeological remains are already known to the Borough Council, however, additional sites will continue to be identified as a result of new information and field work evaluation. The Borough Council will seek to ensure that adequate opportunity is given for the importance of the archaeological deposits to be assessed so that an informed judgement can be made on whether their value calls for preservation or further investigation. The Borough Council will ensure that any adverse effects of a development proposal upon these archaeological remains will be suitably mitigated. In such cases archaeological assessment and evaluation will be carried out by an accredited archaeologist, prior to planning permission being granted. The full significance of many sites is often unknown and so it is important that proper evaluation is undertaken early to establish their true value and to record or salvage artefacts and features which may be threatened by development and to explore the possibility of mitigating its impact by preservation of the remains in situ. These two policies