WELSFORD STREET LONDON, SE1 5RA
ARCHAEOLOGY DESK BASED ASSESSMENT & HERITAGE STATEMENT
VOLUME 1: ARCHAEOLOGY
Prepared for LB Southwark
Mills Whipp Projects Ltd., 40, Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0NE
020 7415 7044 [email protected]
December 2017
Executive Summary
The purpose of the desk based assessment of archaeology is to identify the archaeological potential of the development site and summarise the impact of the proposed development on it. It has been prepared by Mills Whipp Projects.
The site is centred on National Grid Reference TQ 3411 7858 and is approximately 0.21ha in area.
During the preparation of this report the Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) was consulted for an area of 500m radius centred on TQ 3411 7858 (Historic England report No. 137750) (Fig. 2). The chief cartographic sources have been used and a selection of these is appended as illustrations.
This research shows that the subject site does not contain any Scheduled Ancient Monuments and does not lie within a Designated Archaeological Area as defined in Schedule Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The site does not contain any listed buildings but does lie within in the Bermondsey Lake Archaeological Priority Zone (APZ). Under the provision of Saved Policy 3.19 a pre- determination evaluation of the site will be required. There are no known non- designated archaeological remains listed within Historic England’s Historic Environment Record on the site.
During the prehistoric/Roman period the site is likely to have lain a few hundred metres north of the Bermondsey Lake. Ancient occupation would probably have focussed on the lake’s shoreline and Neolithic and Bronze Age peats and a platform have been recorded by the Old Kent Road. During the Roman period the site lay in a managed agricultural landscape approximately 300m north of the main Roman road, Watling Street. Landuse in the area of the site remained agricultural until the 18th century when market gardening was also carried out (Figs. 3-6). The area of the site was developed in the late19th century, mainly with residential housing. The site was occupied by a row of houses on its eastern Welsford Street frontage while at their rear the ground remained undeveloped (Figs. 7-12). By the 1970s the site had been cleared and the housed replaced with a row of garages (Figs. 13 -15).
A geotechnical survey showed that most of the site has a deposit sequence composed of modern made ground, containing brick and concrete fragments and clinker. This lies on the natural gravel. In the central area of the western car park, however, window sample WS3/3A (Appendix 3) shows there may be some survival of more ancient soil directly over the gravel.
The site is considered to have a low potential for significant archaeology.
WELSFORD STREET, LONDON, SE1 5RA
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Executive Summary
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Report Specification
3. Planning Background
4. Archaeological Background
5. Archaeological Assessment and Impact Assessment
6. Conclusions
Appendix 1 Archaeological Gazetteer Appendix 2 Sources Consulted Appendix 3 Borehole Logs
Figures
Fig.1 Subject Site Fig.2 Archaeological Background Fig.3 Rocque 1746 Fig.4 Horwood 1799 Fig.5 Ordnance Survey 1801 Fig.6 Horwood 1819 Fig.7 Stamford 1862 Fig.8 Ordnance Survey 1871 Fig.9 Ordnance Survey 1894 Fig.10 Ordnance Survey 1914 Fig.11 LCC Bomb Map 1945 Fig.12 Ordnance Survey 1951 Fig.13 Ordnance Survey 1970-78 Fig.14 Ordnance survey 1986 Fig.15 Photograph of current site Fig.16 Proposed site plan Fig.17 Foundation Design Plot 1-6 Fig.18 Foundation Design Plot 7-10
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Mills Whipp Projects Ltd. has been commissioned by LB Southwark to prepare a desk based assessment of archaeology for the proposed development of the Welsford Street site (hereafter ‘the site’) (Fig.1).
1.2 The rectangular shaped site is centred on National Grid Reference TQ 3411 7858 and is approximately 0.21ha in area. It lies about 1.1km south of the River Thames. Thorburn Square lies on its northern side and Lynton Road on its southern (Fig. 1). Its western side is defined by the rear gardens of properties fronting onto Reverdy Road and its eastern side by Welsford Street.
1.3 A site visit was carried out on the 11th December. The ground surface of the western car park is composed of tarmac and concrete in which several service covers are set (Fig. 15). It varies in height from 2.05m OD to 2.13m OD. The garages on its eastern side have floor levels at 2.37m OD to 2.47m OD. Opposite the site Welsford Street lies at 2.28m OD to 2.38m OD. The highest recorded elevation of the Kempton Park Gravel Formation on the site is 1.11m OD (Appendix 3, BH1).
1.4 The subject site does not contain any Scheduled Ancient Monuments nor does it lie within a Designated Archaeological Area as defined in Schedule Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979. It does, however, lie within the Bermondsey Lake Archaeological Priority Zone (APZ) (previously DLO35764) and close to the Old Kent Road APZ (previously DLO35767). There are no known non-designated archaeological remains or listed buildings on the site as indicated by Historic England’s Historic Environment Record (HER) (report No. 13775).
1.5 It is noted that archaeological HER entries within the 500m radius study area around the site are not evenly distributed but cluster within its southern section just north of the Old Kent Road. This has been taken into consideration when assessing archaeological potential of the site.
1.6 It is proposed to build ten houses (a mix of 2b, 2b WC and 4b) in a traditional format similar to houses along Welsford Street. They will be founded on strip foundations.
1.7 In undertaking this work the following documents have been adhered to: • GLAAS Guidance for archaeological projects in London 2015 • Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists - Code of Conduct • Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists, 1994 Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-based Assessments • English Heritage, 1991 - Management of Archaeological Projects
2. REPORT SPECIFICATION
Report status
2.1 The assessment has been prepared to ascertain the archaeological potential of the subject site and is intended to form part of the planning application documentation for the redevelopment of the site.
Origin and scope of the report
2.2 Mills Whipp Projects has been commissioned by LB Southwark to prepare the archaeological desk based assessment. The purpose of this report is to identify the archaeological implications for the redevelopment.
Aims and Objectives
2.3 A desk based assessment as defined by the Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists (CIfA, 2001) will:
“determine, as far as is reasonably possible from existing records, the nature of the archaeological resource within a specified area. It will be undertaken using appropriate methods and practices which will satisfy the stated aims of the project, and which comply with the Code of Conduct, Code of Approved Practice for the Regulation of Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology, and other relevant Bylaws of the Institute of Field Archaeologists.”
2.4 A desk based assessment represents:
“a programme of assessment within a specified area or site on land, inter-tidal zone or underwater. It consists of a collation of existing written, graphic, photographic and electronic information in order to identify the likely character, extent, quality and worth of the known or potential archaeological resource in a local, national or international context as appropriate.”
2.5 The purpose of desk-based assessment is to:
“gain information about the known or potential archaeological resource within a given area or site, (including its presence or absence, character and extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and relative quality of the potential archaeological resource) in order to make an assessment of its merit in context, leading to one or more of the following:
• the formulation of a strategy to ensure the recording, preservation or management of the resource
• the formulation of a strategy for further investigation, whether or not intrusive, where the character and value of the resource is not sufficiently defined to permit a mitigation strategy or other response to be devised
• the formulation of a proposal for further archaeological investigation within a programme of research.”
2.6 The submission of a desk based assessment report to accompany a planning application conforms with the intent of paragraph 7 (under ‘The Role of Public Authorities and Planners’) of the Code of Good Practice established by the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Council of Europe (CHCE 2000), which states that before taking decisions affecting the archaeological heritage, planners should
“obtain adequate information and advice, applying non-destructive methods of investigation wherever possible; and also with the intent of paragraph 1 (under ‘The Role of Architects and Developers’) which states that the purpose [of assessment] will be not only to establish if it is necessary to dig but also to build a picture of [the site’s] morphology and its potential.”
Methodology
2.7 The assessment has been carried out in accordance with guidance from various bodies including the Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists and the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (see above). In summary the work has involved identifying the client’s objectives, identifying the sources available for consultation, assembling, consulting and examining these sources.
2.8 Survival of archaeological deposits on the subject site depends on previous land-use, so an assessment has been made of the destructive effect of the previous and present activity.
2.9 In order that the appropriate archaeological response can be identified, consideration has been given to the need for either further assessment and/or field evaluation work to identify and locate surviving deposits on the site.
3. PLANNING BACKGROUND
General
3.1 The proposed development of the site is subject to planning guidance and policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), The London Plan and LB Southwark’s Local Plan. These recognise the importance of heritage assets of which they are the custodians.
National Guidance: National Planning Policy Framework
3.2 In March 2012 the government published the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which replaces national policy relating to heritage and archaeology (Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment). It aims to provide a simpler and clearer policy framework for the Government’s planning policies which ‘must be taken into account in the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans’ (NPPF, 2012, 1). Its principal objective is to ‘contribute to the achievement of sustainable development’ and so there is a presumption in favour of such developments. This involves seeking ‘positive improvements in the quality of the built, natural and historic environment’ (ibid).
3.3 Within the planning system a set of 12 core land-use planning principles should underpin plan-making and decision-taking. That relating to the historic environment states that planning should: ‘conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations’.
3.4 Section 12 of the NPPF ‘Conserving and enhancing the historic environment’ provides guidance for planning authorities, property owners and developers. In summary its key points are:
• Local Plans should set out to promote a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment.
• Local Planning Authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. In the case of archaeology a desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation may be required.
• Any harm or loss of a heritage asset or in some cases its setting, should require clear and convincing justification. • Where proposed development will harm a designated heritage asset LPAs should refuse consent unless there are exceptional circumstances. Where proposals lead to less than substantial harm, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal.
• The effect of proposals on non-designated heritage assets should also be taken into account in determining an application. A balance of judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm and the significance of the heritage asset.
Regional Policy: The London Plan
3.5 The London Plan, published July 2011, includes the following relevant policies regarding the historic environment in London:
Policy 7.4 Local character
Strategic 3.6 A Development should have regard to the form, function and structure of an area, place or street and the scale, mass and orientation of surrounding buildings. It should improve an area’s visual or physical connection with natural features. In areas of poor or ill-defined character, development should build on the positive elements that can contribute to establishing a character for the future function of the area.
Planning decisions 3.7 B Buildings should provide a contemporary architectural response that:
a has regard to the pattern and grain of the existing spaces and streets in orientation, scale, proportion and mass
b contributes to a positive relationship between the urban structure and local natural landscape features, including the underlying landform and topography fan area
c is human in scale
Policy 7.8 Heritage assets and archaeology
Strategic 3.8 A London’s historic environment, including natural landscapes, conservation areas, heritage assets, World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and memorials should be identified, preserved and restored.
3.9 B Development should incorporate measures that identify, record, interpret, protect and, where appropriate, present, the site’s archaeology.
Planning decisions 3.10 C Development should preserve, refurbish and incorporate heritage assets, where appropriate.
3.11 D New development in the setting of heritage assets, and conservation areas should be sympathetic to their form, scale, materials and architectural detail.
3.12 E New development should make provision for the protection of archaeological resources and significant memorials. Where the artefact or memorial cannot be moved from the site without damaging its cultural value, the assets should where possible be made available to the public on-site.
LDF preparation 3.13 F Boroughs should, in LDF policies, seek to maintain and increase the contribution of built heritage to London’s environmental quality and economy while allowing for London to accommodate change and regeneration.
3.14 G Boroughs, in consultation with English Heritage, Natural England and other relevant statutory organisations, should include appropriate policies in their LDFs for identifying and protecting heritage assets scheduled ancient monuments, archaeological assets, memorials and natural landscape character within their area.
Policy 7.9 Heritage-led regeneration
Strategic 3.15 A Regeneration scheme should make use of heritage assets and reinforce the qualities that make the heritage asset significant. This includes buildings, landscape features and views.
Planning decisions 3.16 B New development should repair, refurbish and re-use heritage assets including buildings at risk. It should be demonstrated that the proposed development would give adequate status to the heritage asset in the design of the proposal.
Archaeology in LB Southwark
Sites within an APZ 3.17 The site lies within the Bermondsey Lake Archaeological Priority Zone (APZ) (previously DLO35764) and close to the Old Kent Road APZ (previously DLO35767). An APZ “is a defined area where there’s significant known archaeological interest or particular potential for new archaeological discoveries… The Southwark APZs and the Greater London APAs are currently under review and will be reclassified into a tiered system in due course.” (Southwark Council’s web site).
3.18 Southwark Council further advise early consultation with the archaeology officer regarding the proposed development scheme so an individual appraisal may be made commensurate “to its archaeological significance and to the impact of the development proposal”.
Saved Planning Policy 3.19, 2007 3.19 The Council’s “approach to archaeology in the planning process is set out in Saved Policy 3.19 of the Southwark Plan 2007, which states:
Planning applications affecting sites within Archaeological Priority Zones (APZs)… shall be accompanied by an archaeological assessment and evaluation of the site, including the impact of the proposed development. There is a presumption in favour of preservation in situ, to protect and safeguard archaeological remains of national importance, including scheduled monuments and their settings. The in situ preservation of archaeological remains of local importance will also be sought, unless the importance of the development outweighs the local value of the remains. If planning permission is granted to develop any site where there are archaeological remains or there is good reason to believe that such remains exist, conditions will be attached to secure the excavation and recording or preservation in whole or in part, if justified, before development begins”.
4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
Geology and Topography
4.1 Pleistocene drift geology in North Southwark consists of the Kempton Park Gravel Formation, capped in places with a layer of brickearth varying in thickness between about 1m and 3m. These drift deposits overlay the basal geology of the Thanet Formation’s London Clay and the Upper Chalk. The deeply buried drift deposits normally represent the base of the archaeological sequence. They form a series of low-lying islands (eyots) that stretch along the ancient inter-tidal zone defining the post-glacial southern bank of the Thames in the North Southwark area. The surface of the islands lays at elevations of around 0.5m to 1.5m OD. They were separated by tidal channels filled with alluvium producing mud flats at low tide. Peats can form along their edges.
4.2 Just south of the inter tidal zone, in the study area, the natural topography appears to be less complex and is composed of a large post- glacial lake, referred to as Bermondsey Lake (now an APZ), in the vicinity of the Old Kent Road. Higher ground lay about 400m to the north where the site is. Here the natural gravel reaches an elevation of 1.44m OD, similar to that of the eyots. Further west natural sand and gravel has been recorded at an elevation of 1.90m OD at Dunton Road, approximately 350m from the site (Gaz ref. 6). It seems that this higher ground did not have a brickearth cap.
4.3 To the south of the site archaeological interventions have consistently recorded alluvium and peat in the area between Mandela Way/Rolls Road and the Old Kent Road. In places the peat/alluvium has been recorded at -2.34m OD (Gaz. ref. 7) and consistently below sea level (Gaz. refs. 2, 4 & 8). The presence of alluvium and peat suggests that the edge of Bermondsey Lake may lie in this area. Indeed, MoLA speculate that the sand and gravel buried beneath clay and peat recorded at Cooper’s Road in 2013 “may represent evidence for the prehistoric Bermondsey Lake” (Gaz. ref. 8, approximately 220m south of the site). A note of caution is, however, needed with regard to the site’s study area, as the distribution of the archaeological interventions here is particularly uneven. Most lie south in the vicinity of Old Kent Road with none to the north of the site.
4.4 In the 1980s the alluvium and peat recorded during the Bricklayers Arms investigations just west of the study area, was correlated with Bronze Age deposits which showed a local change in pollen assemblages from grass/barley (Poacea) and sedges (Cyperaceae) dominated assemblages to an Alder (Alnus) dominated fen carr, suggesting a wetter environment and opening up of the ancient forest. Human impact is evident in the later phases of the sequence indicated by the brushwood platform at Bricklayers Arms (Gaz. ref. 10) and it has been noted that such peat deposits are generally associated with Late Bronze Age sites (MoLA, EH 2000, 89).
4.5 Although the general shape and distribution of the higher ground and the lake is likely to have remained broadly the same from the early post- glacial period to the Prehistoric/Roman period, small changes in sea level would have profoundly affected their peripheral areas, expanding and reducing their floodplains and encouraging the development of peats as vegetation colonised the exposed mudflats. These localised changes ‘can have major archaeological implications concerning the nature, extent and chronology of the exploitation of particular locales within the floodplain’ (PCA, 2004, 11). Although sea levels have gradually, but not consistently, risen since the last Ice Age, this natural topography of the prehistoric/Roman period is generally taken to be representative of the base strata when the archaeological record begins in earnest.
Prehistoric
4.6 Prehistoric pottery and flint finds have been recovered from the North Southwark area indicating occupation of the inter-tidal zone, including Bermondsey Lake, from the Mesolithic onwards. This area would have provided good hunting and fishing and the islands are likely to have attracted early seasonal settlement.
4.7 Mesolithic flints have been recorded at Marlborough Grove approximately 470m south of the site, presumably close to Bermondsey Lake (Gaz. ref. 3). Fifty-six worked flint ‘pieces’ and debitage were found on the weathered natural sand including cores, blades, flakes and burnt flint. A sandstone rubber was also found. At Humphrey Street approximately 370m southwest of the site (Gaz. ref. 15) an assemblage of Mesolithic or Neolithic struck flints, including 2 blades, were recorded in the vicinity of peat deposits.
4.8 On several other sites in the southern part of the study area Neolithic flints have been recorded indicating early occupation in the vicinity of the site. Residual flint flakes have been recorded at Rolls Road, Mandela Way and the Old Kent Road in the vicinity of peats and water lain deposits likely to be associated with the northern shore of the ancient Bermondsey Lake (Gaz. refs. 2, 4 & 17). Also at the Bricklayers Arms railway yard, approximately 260m southwest of the site, prehistoric flints and two Neolithic stone axes were discovered during investigations in 1987 (Gaz, ref. 10). Late Neolithic and Bronze Age wooden platforms and trackways were also noted at the former Bricklayers Arms Railway Depot although later investigations in 1998 at the Bricklayer’s Arms Estate only recorded agricultural activity of mediaeval and later date sealing the gravels (London Archaeologist, 1998, 23).
4.9 This Neolithic activity indicates a continuation eastwards of the broad area of occupation and settlement activity similar to that recorded further west, for example on the Horselydown Eyot at Tower Bridge Road, Druid Street, Tooley Street and Tanner Street. These investigations provide indications of flint working while environmental evidence suggests that the local environment consisted of damp waste ground with sedges and Alder (PCA 2004, 20).
4.10 There is abundant evidence for continued occupation around the northern shore of the Bermondsey Lake in the Bronze Age. Archaeological investigations at Mawbey School, approximately 220m south of the site (Gaz, ref, 7) recorded alluvium and peat. Three wooden stakes were imbedded into the peat which may be of Bronze Age date while at the Bricklayers Arms railway yard (Gaz, ref. 10) further Bronze Age peat was recorded this time associated with a wooden platform composed of interlaced branches. Such structures indicate landuse on the Bermondsey Lake’s northern shore. The Historic Environment Record (HER) also lists a Bronze Age socketed axe as a chance find just south of Rolls Road (Gaz, ref. 16).
4.11 This occupation activity could be interpreted with respect to a broader managed landscape and land tenure patterns represented by Bronze Age archaeology to the west on Horselydown Eyot. Here Bronze Age parallel fence lines were recorded possibly indicating a seasonal use for cattle management and later in the Bronze Age there is evidence for cultivation soils on the site. A more permanent settlement may have been established in the Bronze Age at Fennings Wharf by London Bridge where a ring barrow and associated cremations were uncovered (Drummond-Murray et al 2002).
4.12 During the Iron Age organic peaty silt formation occurred on the southern edge of Horselydown to the west of the site, suggesting a water level rise inundating the periphery of the higher ground. Pollen analysis indicates that at this time the vegetation cover consisted of open alder woodland with elder and sedges while the drier ground was occupied by hazel and bracken. Organic silt was radiocarbon dated at between 410 and 360 BC. Although a scatter of Iron Age burials have been recorded in this area, no significant settlement sites have yet been discovered in the broader North Southwark landscape.
4.13 Within the study area around Welsford Street there are no HER entries of Iron Age date. When compared to the frequency of HER entries for the Neolithic and Bronze Age, this data appears to reinforce the suggestion that occupation in this period in parts of North Southwark was limited. In the Late Iron Age central London appears to have been ‘peripheral to events taking place to the north and east…’ and it may be as Millett (1990, 89) has argued, that it was ’precisely because there was no strong tribal presence in the area that the Roman town, Londinium, was placed where it was on the north bank of the Thames (MoLA / EH 2000, 113). During an assessment of London’s archaeological evidence, Gerald Wait and Jonathan Cotton suggest that in the Mid to Late Iron Age London lay at the junction of several ceramic zones and may have been a ‘liminal’ region on the edge of the ‘contact zone’ of continental influence (ibid). The HER data for the study area suggests that that North Southwark could also have lain within this region.
Roman
4.14 Sea levels continued to rise in the Roman period inundating the periphery of the higher ground in North Southwark. What influence this may have had on the norther shore line of Bermondsey Lake or indeed if the lake was by now silting up, may only be speculated. Certainly, the alignment of the Roman road Watling Street appears to run across the area where the northern part of the lake once lay.
4.15 The main Roman occupation of the area, however, lay approximately 2km west of the site in the vicinity of Borough High Street where the southern suburb of Londinium lay. One of the main routes into this settlement was Watling Street, the antecedent to the Old Kent Road, which ran inland across Kent from the coast at Richborough (Rutupiae) and Dover (Portus Dubris). The Old Kent Road on the southern side of the study area is an Archaeological Priority Zone (APZ) based on the Roman road’s broad alignment.
4.16 Roman ditches running parallel to the Old Kent Road have been recorded on numerous investigations on the northern side of the modern road (Gaz. refs. 2, 4, 5, 15 & 17). Of note are three ditches excavated by Mandela Way in 1993. A length of over 40m was excavated of two of the ditches. The northern one’s fill contained a complete jar dating to the 3rd- century AD along with fragments of tile and bone which the excavator suggests represent domestic activity. They also “appear to demarcate an agricultural zone of cultivated land and could have been used as a flood defence or levy” (Gaz. ref. 4). It seems that the ground in this area remained waterlogged in the Roman period.
4.17 On the southern side of the Old Kent Road, at Glengall Road, another Roman ditch running parallel to the main road was recorded (Gaz. ref. 5). In this case most of the finds dated to the 4th-century AD. Later excavations revealed a further five Roman ditches but no evidence of the road was found. Some of the ditches may be field boundaries or part of a drainage system. Further Roman ditches parallel to the Old Kent Road were excavated at Humphrey Street to the southwest of the site (Gaz. ref. 15). Here the excavator suggests they may have formed road side ditches for an earlier route created “as a preliminary to Watling Street”.
4.18 Such evidence of domestic finds from the fills of these ditches has been taken to suggest that a Roman settlement lay in the area. The number of ditches now known in the area obviously indicates an intensely managed landscape with indications of land drainage as well as the possibility that some may be the lateral roadside ditches for Watling Street. Intriguingly, the HER also lists a find spot in the general area for a stone carved head of the Roman god Janus found in the 17th century. Gazetteer reference No.18 indicates only the general location of the find spot. It may have once belonged to the terminus or gateway to a Roman building.
Saxon
4.19 Although there is evidence for Saxon occupation at Bermondsey Eyot in the general vicinity of the later Bermondsey Abbey and the presence of Saxon pottery indicates a possible settlement on that eyot, further east in the study area, there are no HER entries of Saxon date.
Mediaeval
4.20 Documentary Evidence indicates that the subject site lay within the manor and parish of Bermondsey. The manor of Bermondsey was held before the Conquest by Earl Harold, in 1086 by the king. The land in 1086 was for eight ploughs, of which one was on the demesne and four were held by twenty-five villeins and thirty-three bordars. Documentary evidence shows that the general area of the site was now occupied by meadow and woodland. All lands and tenements held of Bermondsey Manor were pleadable in the court of that manor by writ of right according to the custom of the manor and not at common law.
4.21 The parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, is bounded by Southwark on the west, by Rotherhithe on the east and by Camberwell on the south. The river frontage extends only from St. Saviour's Dock to Cherry Garden Pier. It comprises an area of 620 acres. The parish became important from the existence of the abbey, which probably reclaimed, embanked and cultivated it. But it preserved its rural character until the 17th century.
4.22 The settlement was protected from the river by banks and dikes, but was yet subject to frequent incursions of the tide. According to tradition the water- course of the Neckinger was once navigable from the Thames to the monastery. The Mill Stream in Bermondsey appears to have reached the Thames at St. Saviour's Dock, which has derived its name from St. Saviour's Mill. The existence of these tidal streams is recorded in placenames. In the early 14th-century there is mention of 'le waterweye,' and of 'le Handbrigge' on the west of the highway by 'le watergang' of the prior; and in 1639 tenements are described as lying between the Stonebridge and the parish church. Neckinger Street still preserves the name of the stream. Pevereffelde, 'le gretewal,' the common path called Shiteburlane and the garden of Beaurepeyr occur with 'le Handbrigge.'
4.23 But the dominating feature of Bermondsey was the great Cluniac Priory. Built on a large scale, with a very fine church and well endowed, it should to all appearances have been a flourishing house. From early times, however, it was in difficulties, whether from the inundations described above, from the mismanagement of the parent house abroad. It was dissolved in 1537. (VCH 1912 17 – 24).
4.24 It is likely that the marshy conditions to the south of the site continued into the mediaeval period and it is noted that further to the west in the early post-mediaeval period local industries took advantage of the water supply including brewing, tanning and cloth manufacture. Within the study area, however, the paucity of mediaeval finds suggests an open landscape with only limited occupation and an agricultural landuse. Only one mediaeval find is recorded in the study area, a mediaeval tile from a ditch fill at Humphrey Street (Gaz. ref. 2). Later cartographic evidence illustrates this situation in the post-mediaeval period.
Post Mediaeval
4.25 Rocque’s map of 1746 (Fig. 3) illustrates the agricultural landuse of the area and shows the site to occupy a region of regular square fields with ditch and hedge boundaries. The site lies in one of the fields between the Old Kent Road to the south and the Blue Anchor Road to the north. Within the study area ploughsoils are recorded at Coopers Road Estate (Gaz. ref. 1), Dunton Road (Gaz. ref. 6) and Cooper’s Road/Rolls Road (Gaz. ref. 8).
4.26 This situation continued until the second half of the 19th-century although in some areas more intense cultivation and market gardening is shown to the north of the site. It is illustrated by the maps of Horwood in 1799, the Ordnance Survey of 1801 and again Horwood of 1819 (Figs. 4-6). The latter marks the area ‘part meadow and part garden’. Garden soils were recorded at Marlborough Grove (Gaz, ref. 3), Dunton Road/Mandela Way (Gaz. ref. 4) while bedding trenches were noted at Humphrey Street (Gaz. ref. 15). To the south of the site Horwood shows a small stream forming the parish boundary between Bermondsey and Camberwell, its line may lie in the vicinity of the ancient shoreline of Bermondsey Lake (Fig. 6). Just over forty years later, Stanford’s map of 1862 (Fig. 7) shows the new Bricklayers Arms Extension railway line and the suburban encroachment in the vicinity of the site, although the site itself still lies in an open area marked ‘market gardens’.
4.27 The Bricklayers Arms terminus was originally a passenger terminus built in 1843-4 by South Eastern Railway near the Bricklayer’s Arms Inn on the Old Kent Road as an alternative to the London bridge terminus. Its railway line, the Bricklayers Arms Extension, ran east to west approximately 300m south of the site. Rail traffic, however, returned to the London Bridge terminus in 1845 and so it became South Eastern Railway’s principal goods station dealing in agricultural products from the south-east and paper from Kent. By the 1900s the site comprised of two large sheds, a granary, coal yard, cattle dock and had stabling for 300 draughthorses, a locomotive depot and workshop. In 1963, following the Beeching Report its functions were reduced to express parcels which finally ceased in 1981 and the yard closed in 1983. Following the redevelopment of the yard in the 1980s its eastern stable block was converted into a metalwork shop and the western blocks and house became a riding school. All four buildings that comprised the St James’ stables survive.
4.28 The Ordnance Survey map shows that by 1871 the study area had finally been developed with residential streets. To the north of the site St Anne’s Church had been built but not yet Thorburn Square (Fig. 8). The site itself can be seen to be surrounded on the east, west and southern sides by houses and their gardens while four terraced houses occupy its eastern side. Thorburn Square appears on the Ordnance Survey map of 1894 (Fig. 9). The houses are shown surrounding St Anne’s Church and in so doing isolate a patch of land at the rear of the houses on the eastern side of the site. This ground remained open, apart from a line of small outhouses along its northern and eastern sides (it is still open ground now). 4.29 A well is shown on the southern boundary of the site. This situation is also shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1914 without the well (Fig. 10). There is little change shown on the LCC WWII Bomb Map of 1945 or the Ordnance Survey map of 1951 (Figs. 11 & 12). A Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment was undertaken at the site in April 2014, which indicated a low risk (Ian Farmer and Associates, 2017, 6). By 1970-78, however, the site is shown to be clear of buildings and the properties around Thornbury Square have been rebuilt and the square enlarged (Fig. 13). The OS 1986 map shows the garages on the eastern side of the site and a row of trees separating them from the car park on the western side (Fig. 14). 4.30 Figure 15 shows the site looking eastwards across the car park towards the garages in December 2017. The east part of the Site is occupied by three rows of garages accessed from Welsford Street, which run roughly east to west. The garages are stood on tarmac and concrete hardstanding and bounded by a row of trees to their north. Part of Welsford Street, running parallel and to the north of the garages, is located within the Site boundary and provides access to the west part of the Site. The car park is formed of tarmac hardstanding and loose stone and is enclosed by a brick wall on its east, south and west sides. To the north the Site is bounded by a row of 1960s flats forming the south side of Thorburn Square, which encloses St. Anne’s Church.
5. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT & IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Significance
5.1 The principal archaeological feature in the vicinity of the site is the Bermondsey Lake. Archaeological evidence indicates that in the Neolithic and Bronze Age its northern shoreline was occupied. Settlement activity is represented by possible fence lines, trackways and a brushwood platform. The site lies several hundred metres to the north of this zone on higher gravel. Unfortunately, there is little archaeological evidence in this area to point towards the nature of landuse here and it is probable that most ancient activity was focussed to the south by the lake. The potential for significant prehistoric archaeology existing on the site is considered to be low / medium.
5.2 In the Roman period Watling Street lie in the vicinity of the Old Kent Road and there is evidence for roadside ditches and land management features in this area. The regular occurrence of Roman domestic finds in this area suggest a settlement nearby. Again, the site is situated several hundred metres to the north, most likely in an area of agricultural landuse. The potential for significant Roman archaeology existing on the site is considered to be low.
5.3 Agricultural landuse continued through the mediaeval and early post mediaeval periods until the suburban expansion of North Southwark reached this area in the second half of the 19th century. The site was occupied by a row of terraced houses fronting onto Welsford Street while the remainder of the site was open. The houses were demolished sometime in the 1950s or 60s (Figs 12 & 13). The potential for significant mediaeval and post mediaeval archaeology existing on the site is considered to be low.
Survival
5.4 Although cartographic evidence indicates that the western half of the site has remained open, undeveloped ground throughout history, oddly, seven of the eight boreholes sunk for the geophysical survey recorded modern inclusions e.g. brick, concrete, clinker, in the made ground sealing the natural gravel (Appendix 3). This suggests that ancient deposit survival on the site may be limited to a central area in the western car park.
Geotechnical Survey (Appendix 3)
5.5 In July 2017 a geotechnical survey of the site was carried out by Ian Farmer and Associates comprising of eight boreholes. They recorded the natural Kempton Park gravels overlain by made ground to depths of between 0.60m and 3.50m below ground level (bgl) but with an average depth of 1.65m. With the exception of window sample WS3/3A in the centre of the car park, all the made ground contained modern inclusions.
5.6 Borehole (BH) and window sample (WS) logs indicate the following deposit sequence (simplified) from the site’s surface down to Kempton Park Gravel. A borehole transect is shown in Appendix 3. Depths for the bottom of each deposit below ground level are shown in brackets.
BH 1: made ground - sand with modern inclusions (1.30m) orange brown clay (KPG Formation) (1.70m) natural gravel (8.20m)
BH 2: made ground - sandy, silty clay, modern inclusions (3.50m) natural gravel (8.00m)
WS 1: made ground - silty sand modern inclusions (0.90m) orange brown sand (KPG Formation) (1.25m) natural gravel (5.45 end of borehole)
WS2: made ground - clayey, silty sand modern inclusions (0.85m) natural sand (KPG Formation) (2.45 end of borehole)
WS3: made ground – sand no modern inclusions (0.45m) (end of borehole at 0.70m)
WS3A: sand with modern inclusions (0.45m) silty, coarse sand, no modern inclusions (0.60) natural gravel (3.45 end of borehole)
WS4: topsoil over sand with modern inclusions (1.10m) natural gravel (5.45 end of borehole)
WS5: sand with modern inclusions (3.30m) natural gravel (4.45 end of borehole)
5.7 The geotechnical information suggests that, apart from the vicinity of WS3/3A, the site may have suffered truncation, although the map regression exercise does not provide any information on what the cause may have been. Window Sample WS5 and Borehole BH2 indicate local truncation to depths of approximately 3.50m bgl while the remainder show the gravel at depths between 1.10m to 1.70m bgl.
Ground Contamination
5.8 A ground contamination assessment was carried out by Ian Farmer and Associates in 2017. It identified ‘asbestos in one location’, borehole WS4 at the north-eastern corner of the garages (Appendix 3), together with ‘elevated concentrations of heavy metals (lead, mercury) and PAH compounds (benzol(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(ah)anthracene within the Made Ground across the site with associated risks to human receptors’ (Ian farmer Associates, 2017, Exec Summary).
Topographical Survey
5.9 A topographical survey was undertaken by Matrix Surveys in 2014 (Dr. No. 01, File No. 14/1830H). It shows that the ground surface of the site in the western car park varies from 2.05m OD to 2.13m OD. Where the garages are situated their floor levels lie at 2.37m OD to 2.47m OD. Opposite the site Welsford Street lies at 2.28m OD to 2.38m OD.
5.10 The surface of the car park is composed of tarmac and concrete.
Impact Assessment – Proposed Development (Figs. 16-18)
5.11 It is proposed to build ten houses (a mix of 2b, 2b WC and 4b) in a traditional format similar to houses along Welsford Street. The new residential properties will have associated landscaping and parking areas. The geotechnical report recommended ‘shallow spread foundations to support the new structures’ (Ian Farmer Associates, 2017, Exec Summary).
5.12 It is proposed to build two plots of residential buildings; six located roughly centrally within the western car park area (Plot 1-6) and four fronting onto Welsford Street (Plot 7-10) (Figs. 16-18). They have gardens to the rear and smaller front gardens.
5.13 Foundation designs ‘will incorporate strip foundations on compacted soil with ground floor beam & block ventilated floors’ (Pellings Design Team minutes 23rd November 2017). Strip foundations will be 600mm wide and 1000mm deep as shown on Figures 17 & 18 (Plot 1-6 & Plot 7-10 respectively) from drawings by Scott White and Hookins - Dr. Nos. L01016-100 (rev PO2); L0106-104 (rev PO2).
5.14 Below ground drainage will require a number of new drain cuts within the footprint of the proposed buildings. They have a general invert level of approximately -0.60m OD (Scott White and Hookins Dr. No. L0106-100 (rev P02). An ‘AquaCell’ tank is also required which lies at the rear of Plot 7-10 and has an invert level of –1.50m OD.
5.15 Landscaping will involve the following elements as shown on drawing number 0046/17/B/1A by HW & Co (2017). • planting areas in Plots 1-6 • Pocket Park will have low level surfacing • Hard surface areas in the Pocket Park with aggregate on a sub-base hogging • New planting involves some trees for screening in rear gardens
5.16 The landscaping is not considered to have an impact on potential archaeology.
5.17 Given that natural gravel on the site i.e. the base of the archaeological sequence, was recorded at a maximum depth of 0.60m (1.44m OD), it is likely that the strip foundations, drains and the AquaCell tank would impact on the potential archaeology. This has been identified in the central area of the western car park. The geotechnical information suggests that the remainder of the site may have suffered truncation and therefore there would be no development impact here.
6. CONCLUSIONS
6.1 The site lies within the Bermondsey Lake Archaeological Priority Zone (APZ) as defined by LB Southwark. Under Saved Policy 3.19 a pre-determination evaluation of the site is required.
6.2 Deposit modelling, based on the results of the excavations in the study area, the Historic Environment Record (HER) data and the geotechnical data indicate that the site lay on relatively high ground a few hundred metres north of the Bermondsey Lake. In antiquity this area is likely to have been less intensely occupied than that of the lake’s shore to the south.
6.3 The geotechnical survey shows that the substrata on the site, with one exception, is composed of modern made ground which overlies the natural gravel. Window Sample WS3/3A indicates that there could be the potential for ancient deposits to survive in the central part of the western car park. A deposit described as a gravelly, silty sand with no inclusions was recorded sealing the natural gravel at the base of the modern made ground. The overall potential for significant archaeology existing on the site is therefore considered to be low. Nonetheless, further archaeological evaluation of the site will be necessary under LB Southwark’s Saved Policy 3.19.
APPENDIX 1 – GAZETTEER
The HER data has been provided by Historic England (GLHER Report 13775). It has been collated for a study area of 500m radius centre on TQ 3411 7858. This gazetteer provides a summary of that data. All entry locations have been digitally sited using the HER’s grid references.
1. Address: Coopers Road Estate, Southwark NGR: TQ 3392 7826 HER No.: MLO75374 Event ID: ELO1005 Description: An archaeological evaluation in 2001 (site code CRJ01) comprised six trenches 20m x 2m. Peat deposits were recorded possibly representing the edge of a prehistoric channel or mere. To the south post-mediaeval cultivation soil was recorded.
2. Address: Humphrey Street / Rolls Road / Rowcross Street / Old Kent Road NGR: TQ 33760 78367 HER No.: MLO Event ID: ELO10572 Description: Evaluation in 1993 recorded natural sand at -1.5m OD and peat deposits across much of the site. Two ditches of Roman date were recorded running parallel to Old Kent Road. It was 1.7m wide and 0.55m deep. Residual Neolithic flint flake was found in the fill along with a Roman roofing tile. The second ditch was 2.5m wide and contained Roman and mediaeval tile.
3. Address: 21-35 Marlborough Grove, Southwark SE1 NGR: TQ 34206 78099 HER No.: MLO59555,59503 Event ID: ELO10576, 10577 Description: Evaluation in 1993 (site code MAG93) recorded natural alluvial sandy silt at 0.45m OD and natural weathered sand at 1.07m OD. Evidence for Mesolithic temporary occupation was recorded. 56 worked “flint pieces” were found including flakes, cores, blades and burnt flint across the site. A linear feature was recorded that may be prehistoric. Also raw material, debitage and cores (232 pieces) were recorded as well as a micaceous sandstone possibly used as a rubber. Post mediaeval brick structures were also recorded along with garden soils.
4. Address: Old Kent Road / Dunton Road / Mandela Way / Humphrey Street - Tesco Superstore, SE1 NGR: TQ 33672 78457 HER No.: MLO62927, 62921 Event ID: ELO10579, 10581 Description: Evaluations in 1990 and 1993 recorded natural sands and silt at -0.35m OD and peat deposits at 0.2m OD and water lain clay at 1.0m OD A deep sequence of water lain deposits within a channel was recorded on the eastern edge of the site with some residual Neolithic flint flakes. It also found evidence for three Roman ditches, two of which were over 40m in length, in same general alignment as the Old Kent Road. The fill of the northern ditch contained an almost complete 3rd century jar and fragments of tile and bone which the archaeologist suggests represents domestic activity. The ditches “appear to demarcate an agricultural zone of cultivated land” (a field) and could have been used as “a flood defence or levy”. They were associated with several gullies and two post holes – possibly a fence line. The fills of these features contained 1st -2nd century pottery. Post mediaeval brick wall foundations of a building by Old Kent Road and garden soil was also recorded.
5. Address: 430-432 Old Kent Road / Glengall Road, Southwark, SE1 NGR: TQ 33955 78095 HER No.: MLO67508 Event ID: ELO10582 -3, 12746, Description: Evaluation in 1995 (site code OLK95) recorded sandy gravel at 1.58m OD. A ditch running parallel with the Old Kent Road was also recorded which the archaeologist thought may be one of the roadside ditches belonging to Roman Watling Street. The later excavation further explored the ditch. Most of the finds dated to the 4th century. The site was excavated in 2012 when natural gravel was recorded at 1.33m OD. Also five Roman ditches were revealed but no evidence for the Roman road was found. It is thought that the ditches may be field boundaries or part of a drainage system. Pottery dates the ditches to 200-400AD.
6. Address: 30-32 Dunton Road, Southwark, SE1 NGR: TQ 3373 7879 HER No.: MLO105006, 104957, 104956 Event ID: ELO13097 Description: A watching brief in 2012 recorded natural sandy gravel and clay at 1.90m OD. Six post mediaeval quarry pits were dug into the gravel. They were backfilled after the 17th century. The pits were sealed by ploughsoil.
7. Address: Rolls road (former Mawbey School), Southwark, SE1 NGR: TQ 34027 78329 HER No.: MLO67994-5, 104708 Event ID: ELO13279 Description: Evaluation in 1995 (site code MAW95) recorded natural gravel at between -1.01m OD and -2.34m OD. Alluvium and peat deposits were also recorded. Three wooden stakes were recorded embedded into the peat. The peat may be Bronze Age. It was found at -1.40m OD and was 0.36m thick. The lowest peat was at -2.34m OD and was only 80mm thick. The peat was sealed by 19th century reclamation dumps to consolidate the ground for the construction of Mawbey School.
8. Address: Cooper’s Road and Rolls Road, SE1 NGR: TQ 3398 7834 HER No.: MLO Event ID: ELO15009 Description: Watching brief in 2013 recorded natural sand and gravels at 0.40m OD sealed by layers of clay and a layer of peat which may represent evidence for the prehistoric Bermondsey Lake. A post-mediaeval cultivation layer was also recorded.
9. Address: Bermondsey Lake Archaeological Priority Area NGR: TQ 3425 7818 (2430m by 2179m HER No.: DLO35764 Event ID: ELO Description: Archaeological Priority Area
10. Address: Bricklayers Arms Railway Yard, Rolls Road NGR: TQ 3380 7850 HER No.: MLO17790-1, 19953, Event ID: ELO2817 Description: excavation in 1987 (site code BLA87) recorded Bronze Age peat and a wooden platform made of interlaced branches. Prehistoric flint flakes and two Neolithic stone axes were also found.
11. Address: 67-7 Marlborough Grove, SE1 NGR: TQ 34213 78252 HER No.: MLO98104 Event ID: ELO Description: Evaluation in 2003 and 2004 recorded natural gravel at between -2.89 and 1.27m OD. No archaeology was observed on the site.
12. Address: Dunton Road, Southwark NGR: TQ 3371 7874 HER No.: MLO Event ID: ELO12648 Description: Evaluation in 1991 recorded post-mediaeval ploughsoil. The site suffered bomb damage in WWII.
13. Address: 419-423 Old Kent Road, Southwark NGR: TQ 33887 78205 HER No.: MLO98752 Event ID: ELO7698 Description: Evaluation in 2007recorded natural at 0.15m OD and ploughsoil (undated) up to 0.70m thick. No archaeology was observed.
14. Address: Former Bricklayers Arms Goods Depot, Catlin Street, Southwark NGR: TQ 34467 78262 HER No.: MLO89367 Event ID: ELO Description: The stables and forge are the last surviving structures on the site of the former Bricklayer’s Arms Goods Depot. Originally a passenger terminus built in 1843-4 near the Bricklayer’s Arms Inn on the Old Kent Road by South Eastern Railway and the London and Croydon Railway as an alternative to the London bridge terminus. However, traffic returned to the London Bridge terminus in 1845 it became South Eastern Railway’s principal goods station dealing in agricultural products from the south-east and paper from Kent. By the 1900s the site comprised of two large sheds, a granary, coal yard, cattle dock and had stabling for 300 draughthorses, a locomotive depot and workshop. In 1921 it employed about 1,300 people and 800,000 tons of traffic per year. In 1963, following the Beeching Report its functions were reduced to express parcels which finally ceased in 1981 and the yard closed in 1983. Most of the stables were demolished in 1980s and 90s but those surviving were built between 1902 and 1914 on the south of the east yard at St James’ Road, mainly to look after sick horses and included a hospital block. Following the redevelopment of the yard in the 1980s the eastern block was converted into a metalwork shop and the western blocks and house became a riding school. All four buildings that comprised the St James’ stables survive.
15. Address: Humphrey Street, Southwark NGR: TQ 3375 7830 HER No.: MLO60028-9, 60031-2 Event ID: ELO Description: Evaluation in 1993 (site code HPS93) recorded a peat deposit suggesting the site lay on the edge of a body of water. An assemblage of Mesolithic or Neolithic struck flints including two blades were also found on the site. Two Roman ditches were excavated running roughly parallel to each other and to the Old Kent Road. They might relate to an earlier Roman route created as a preliminary to laying out the metalled roads in the Flavian period. The latest deposits were post- mediaeval bedding trenches set at right angles to the Old Kent Road and shown on 18th century maps.
16. Address: Old Kent Road, Southwark NGR: TQ 341 783 HER No.: MLO4190 Event ID: ELO Description: Find spot for a Bronze Age socketed axe with double mouth moulding and side loop.
17. Address: 281-442 Old Kent Road / Rowcross Street / Humphrey Street / Rolls Road NGR: TQ 3370 7830 HER No.: MLO58518 Event ID: ELO Description: Watching brief in 1991 and 1993 revealed two ditches of Roman date. One ran parallel with the Old Kent Road and was 1.7m wide and 0.55m deep. Finds from the ditch included a residual flint flake and blade of Neolithic date and small fragments of Roman roof tile. The second ditch included Roman and Mediaeval tile.
18. Address: St Thomas Watering Place NGR: TQ 3543 7763 (3480 by 1330), 339 785 (point) HER No.: MLO11472, 4260 Event ID: ELO Description: A head of Roman god Janus was found in the 17th century in the general area – possibly belonging to a terminus or gateway of a Roman building. Location of possible mediaeval execution site. New gallows erected in 1559.
APPENDIX 2 – SOURCES CONSULTED
ACAO, 1993 Association of County Archaeological Officers, Model briefs and specifications for archaeological assessments and field evaluations
BADLG, 1986 British Archaeologists and Developers Liaison Group, Code of Practice
British Geological Survey 1998, 1:50,000 Series, Sheet 270 South London, Solid and Drift Edition
Greater London Authority, 2004 The London Plan: Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London
Historic England, 2015, GLAAS Guidance for archaeological projects in London 2015
Ian Farmer Associates 2017, Welsford Street, Ground Investigation Report, Contract 52620A
IfA, 2001 Institute for Archaeologists, By-laws, standards and policy statements of the Institute: standard and guidance: desk-based assessment
London Archaeologists, 1998, London Fieldwork and Publication Round-up 1998
Museum of London Archaeology (MoLA), 2011, Londinium a new map and guide to Roman London
Museum of London (MoLAS) & English Heritage (EH), 2000, The archaeology of Greater London, An assessment of archaeological evidence for human presence in the area now covered by Greater London.
PCA, 2004 Assessment of an Archaeological Excavation at 53-65 Tanner Street, Southwark, London, SE1.
Saunders, A (ed) 2005 The London County Council Bomb Damage Maps 1939- 1945, London Topographical Society and London Metropolitan Archives
Victoria County History 1912 A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 4
APPENDIX 3 - BOREHOLE LOGS