20 Ropemaker Street Archaeology Desk Based Assessment
August 2017
20 ROPEMAKER STREET, 101-117 (odd nos) FINSBURY PAVEMENT and 10-12 FINSBURY STREET LONDON EC2
LB ISLINGTON
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT
Prepared for Manford Properties (BVI) Ltd and Great Elm Assets Ltd
Mills Whipp Projects 40, Bowling Green Lane London EC1R 0NE 020 7415 7000
June 2017
20 Ropemaker Street, 101-117 (odd nos) Finsbury Pavement and 10-12 Finsbury Street EC2
Summary
The purpose of this report is to identify the archaeological potential of deposits on a Site at 20 Ropemaker Street, 101-117 (odd nos) Finsbury Pavement and 10-12 Finsbury Street EC2 in LB Islington and consider the scheme’s likely impact on them. The Site is centred on TQ 3275 8180 and is c. 33,000 sq m (Fig. 1). During the preparation of this report the Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) was consulted for an area of 250m radius centred on the Proposed Development (Historic England report No. 12269) (Fig. 2). The Site but does not contain any Scheduled Ancient Monuments and does not lie within a Designated Archaeological Area as defined in Scheduled Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The research indicates that there is a low potential for significant prehistoric archaeology on the Site. In the Roman period the area close to the north of the city wall was used as a burial ground c.100m south-east of the Site.
Later in the Roman period the Moorfields marsh began to form, possibly due to the Walbrook becoming partially blocked. The subsequent marsh deposited alluvium over the Roman land surface. The potential for significant Roman archaeology on the Site is considered to be low given its location away from the burial grounds and beyond the city wall.
During the mediaeval period the Site occupied the now fully formed Moorfields marsh. Following attempts to drain the area it was used for pasture. In the 13th century the manor house ‘Finsbury Court’ was built the main buildings lying north of the Site. The Site lay in the southern part of the manor precinct and was occupied by a garden with a small building adjacent to Finsbury Pavement.
In the 18th century the Site was developed. On its western side a Chapel was built, possibly with a burial ground and further north the Site was occupied by a distillery.
A major redevelopment of the Site took place in 1950s and again in the 1970s. Most of the Site has existing basements and in some areas double depth basements although the north- west corner of the Site has no basement. Archaeological survival is generally considered to be poor. The buildings on the Site are fully occupied no archaeological evaluation will be possible until vacant possession in 2019.
The Proposed Development is described as:
“Demolition and redevelopment of existing buildings to provide a 27 storey, plus 3 basement levels, building with office use (Class B1) at all basement levels, ground, and upper floors, and flexible retail uses (Class A1/A2/A3) at part lower ground and ground floor levels, along with associated landscaping and works.”
Excavations undertaken in 1978 have provided enough data for the potential of the Site to be assessed. It is extremely unlikely that there are heritage assets of national or regional significance on the Site. Heritage assets of local interest may be present.
The Site is within an Archaeological Priority Area as defined by LB Islington. It is policy for planning applications in APAs to be accompanied by an “assessment”. It is proposed that this report fulfils the needs of the planning authority. It is suggested that the archaeological aspects of the development can be secured by means of conditions attached to the planning permission. 20 ROPEMAKER STREET, 101-117 (odd nos) FINSBURY PAVEMENT and 10-12 FINSBURY STREET LONDON EC2
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Geology and Topography
3. Prehistoric
4. Roman
5. Saxon and Mediaeval
6. Post Mediaeval
7. Archaeological Potential
8. Impact Assessment
9. Conclusions
Appendix 1 Archaeological Gazetteer Appendix 2 Sources Consulted Appendix 3 Report Specification Appendix 4 Planning and Legislative Background
Fig.1 Site Location and Finsbury Court Fig.2 Archaeological Background Fig. 3 Wyngaerde 1544 Fig.4 Copperplate Map 1553 Fig.5 Agas 1562 Fig.6 Braun & Hogenberg 1572 Fig.7 Faithorne & Newcourt 1658 Fig.8 Moorfields 1665 Fig.9 Morgan 1677 Fig.10 Rocque 1746 Fig.11 Horwood 1799 Fig.12 Ordnance Survey 1873 Fig.13 Ordnance Survey 1894 Fig.14 Ordnance Survey 1913 Fig.15 LCC Bomb Map 1945 Fig.16 Ordnance Survey 1958 Fig.17 Existing Basements Fig.18 Existing Basements and 1978 Excavations Fig.19 GIS Data / Historic England Fig.20 Proposed Basement
20 ROPEMAKER STREET & 101-117 FINSBURY PAVEMENT LONDON EC2
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Mills Whipp Projects has been commissioned by Manford Properties (BVI) Ltd and Great Elm Assets Ltd to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment of Site at 20 Ropemaker Street and 101-117 Finsbury Pavement (Fig.1).
1.2 The Site is centred on TQ 3275 8180 on the western side of Finsbury Pavement at the junction with Ropemaker Street. It lies within an Archaeological Priority Area as defined by LB Islington advised by the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS), part of Historic England.
1.3 The Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) has been consulted for an area 250m radius centred on the Site with relevant data drawn from a wider area (GLHER Report 12269). The chief cartographic sources have been used and a selection of these is appended as figures. Printed primary and secondary sources for the history of the area have been employed, and research undertaken in the London Metropolitan Archive and London Library.
1.4 The Site slopes down from north-east to south-west possibly reflecting the historical topography of the area. It is currently occupied by 1970s office blocks with single and double depth basements. There is no basement in the north-west corner of the Site but modern foundations are present.
1.5 Before the construction of the existing building an archaeological investigation was undertaken. This demonstrated that the Site at that time had undergone extensive truncation in the 1950s and no significant archaeological deposits are likely to be present in the basemented part of the Site.
1.6 A Site inspection was carried out by Mills Whipp Projects on 12th April 2017 and the London Archaeological Archive Centre was consulted on 15th June 2017.
1.7 Dates used in this report:
Palaeolithic c 700,000–8,000 BC Mesolithic c 8,000–4000 BC Neolithic c 4000–2000 BC Bronze Age c 2000–600 BC Iron Age c 600 BC–43 AD Roman 43–410 Saxon 410–c 1000 Mediaeval c 1000–1500 Post mediaeval–modern (1500–present)
Ropemaker DBA v6
2. GEOLOGY and TOPOGRAPHY
2.1 The Site lies on the on the northern side of the River Thames on the upper part of the valley side. In this area the geology consists progressively of older Pleistocene and Eocene beds outcropping down the riverbank. Basal geology is composed of London Clay buried beneath drift deposits formed of Pleistocene (Quaternary) fluvial sediments deposited by the early River Thames (British Geological Survey, 1:50 000 Series, sheet 256). These deposits are arranged in flights or gravel terraces representing the remains of former Thames floodplains, the highest (most northerly) being the oldest with each terrace becoming progressively younger down the valley side.
2.2 Deposit modelling by the British Geological Survey (BGS) specifies two gravel terraces within this part of southwest Islington. The older Hackney Gravel lies on the northern side of the Site while the younger Taplow Gravel lies beneath the Site. Discrete areas of both gravels are shown capped by a sandy silt brickearth (Langley Silt) which formed in the Late Devensian stage (32,000-10,000BC). It is considered to be a combination of loess and water lain sediments and was an important source of building material in London in all periods. That closest to the Site is shown to lie approximately 400m to the west. Just west of the Site the survey indicates that the gravel gives way allowing the basal London Clay beneath to outcrop in two relatively small areas.
2.3 Archaeological interventions within the study area have been used to refine the BGS model. Excavations on the Site (site code: FINP78) recorded the highest brickearth at 11.46m OD and the highest gravel at 9.41m OD. In addition, a palaeo-channel was recorded to a depth of 9.26m OD. Excavations at 127-139 Finsbury Pavement in 1996 just north of the Site (site code: FIS96) recorded brickearth at 12.28m OD and Taplow Gravel at 11.33m OD (MoLA, 2009, 11). Brickearth was also recorded in 1998 on the other side of Finsbury Pavement at 50 Finsbury Square (site code: FSQ98). It lay at 11.73m OD but was truncated so it too is likely to have originally lain at over 12m OD (MoLA, 2009, 19). It capped the Taplow Gravel. These interventions show that in the immediate vicinity of the Site the Taplow Gravel has a brickearth cap which lies at an elevation of over 12m OD.
2.4 Further north the older Hackney Gravel was recorded during several archaeological excavations. At 25-32 Chiswell Street, approximately 120m to the north-west it was recorded at 14.40m OD (site code: CSU96) (MoLA, 2009, 26). At Bunhill Row, approximately 400m north of the Site, the gravel was recorded at 16.50m OD capped with brickearth at 17.10m OD (site code: BRV98). This indicates that the brickearth cap is widespread in southwest Islington.
2.5 The brickearth sloped down from the western side of Finsbury Pavement to the east and south. At 119-125 Finsbury Pavement just north of the Site, truncated brickearth lay at 11.30m OD (Gaz.ref.9, Birbeck 1990 16). Approximately 200m to the east at 31-35 Wilson Street it lay at 10.87m OD (HER 082890, Norton 1994 27) while excavations at 10-13 Dominion Street revealed the truncated brickearth at 11.18m OD (Gaz.ref.4, Mackie 1988 i).
2.6 The deposit model therefore shows that untruncated brickearth was likely to be the highest natural deposit on the Site probably at an original elevation of c. 11.50m OD to 12.00m OD i.e. roughly 3m to 4m below the existing pavement. The brickearth geology can attract early settlement as it is well drained and produces lighter soils. It is also a useful building material and was quarried throughout this area from the Roman period onwards. A mediaeval brickearth quarry was recorded at 50 Finsbury Square on the other side of Finsbury Pavement (MoLA, 2009, 19).
2.7 On the Site the modern ground level slopes down from the north-west at c.15m OD to the south-east at c.14.5m OD reflecting vestiges of the historical topography of the area, although heavily masked by later levelling within the Walbrook headwaters. Excavations and observations of the drift geology in the immediate vicinity of the Site are hampered by the generally deep, modern basements in this part of Moorfields, most removing the brickearth cap and the upper portion of the terrace gravel so altering the original topography. Nevertheless, brickearth and gravel has been recorded at the following elevations during interventions in the immediate vicinity of the Site. Maximum elevations have been used in an effort to lessen the effect of truncation:
101-117 Finsbury Pavement ( Site) brickearth at 11.46m OD; gravel at 9.41m OD (Gaz.ref.8)
25-32 Chiswell Street (north of Site) brickearth 14.47m OD; gravel 14.40m OD (Gaz.ref.3)
119-125 Finsbury Pavement (north of the Site), truncated brickearth lay at 11.30m OD (Gaz.ref.9)
127-139 Finsbury Pavement (north side of Site) – brickearth 12.28m OD; gravel at 11.33m OD (Gaz.ref.10)
50 Finsbury Square (east side of Site) - brickearth 11.73m OD (Gaz.ref.13)
25 Ropemaker Street (west side of Site) – gravel 14.47m OD (Gaz.ref.16)
2.8 Topography shaped the early settlement pattern, mainly because of its influence on soil quality and the availability of fresh water. In this case the location of the Site on the terrace gravels is characterized by numerous small streams rising from springs further north and draining southwards into the Thames. The area was dominated by the River Walbrook; a dendritic stream system which rose in the Shoreditch area from numerous sources, gradually combining to discharge near Cannon Street station. Its main channel lay south of Finsbury Circus. The stream’s numerous shallow valleys gave rise to marshy valleys cutting the gravels which resulted in a ridged topography of gravel bars.
2.9 Chiswell Street, approximately 50m north of the Site, may follow the line of one such bar which may have formed a natural crossing of the marshy area; it may have provided access to the mediaeval manor house Finsbury Court. The name ‘Chiswell’ is derived from OE ceosol meaning flint, pebble (EPNS 1942 93, 97) (similarly Chesil Beach in Dorset).
2.10 The data generally shows the natural slope southwards towards the Thames as would be expected. At Bunhill Row, approximately 320m north of the Site the gravel was measured at 16.50m OD while by the Site it is recorded at 14.40m OD and at Finsbury Circus to the south at 10.20m to 7.60m OD (Gaz. Ref. 15). A (possibly) natural channel recorded at 127-139 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref.10) may be one of the tributaries of the Walbrook (MoLA, 2009, 11). Its N-S alignment means any southern continuation could cross the Site.
2.11 During the Roman period the Walbrook became choked with domestic and industrial waste and further encroachments impeded the stream's flow. This was further reduced by the building of the City wall c.200 AD which blocked the upper reaches of the Walbrook valley. As a result the land north of the City wall became flooded by excess waters. This eventually created a fen or moor which gave the name ‘Moorfields’ to the area; the pre-existing topography being buried by deposits of alluvial silt and clay. Subsequent drainage works and infilling have masked this landscape.
3. PREHISTORIC
3.1 Palaeolithic material has been found in the underlying gravel Taplow Terrace but archaeological material from this “would appear to have been derived from the earlier higher terraces” (Wymer, 1991, 3) and is, therefore, residual material considerably out of context.
3.2 Generally, there is no evidence that long term prehistoric settlements lay in the City area, although occasional prehistoric finds indicate the presence of transient populations. A few investigations have revealed traces of a prehistoric presence near the Site.
3.3 At the Imperial House, Finsbury Pavement Island Site (Gaz.ref 7), 127-139 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref.10) and River Plate House, Finsbury Circus (HER 043895, 043897, 043898, 043901) some residual Iron Age sherds were reported. The largest concentration of prehistoric material was uncovered in investigations by Brian Philp of Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (Gaz.ref.12) at the Honourable Artillery Ground, some 300m north-west of the Site. Forty-four sherds of Late Bronze Age I Early Iron Age pottery were found, together with struck flints and fire cracked flints (Philp 1996 73-88). The excavator considered the context of the material to have been a small stream leading to the Walbrook (Philp pers.comm.)
3.4 A flexed burial, described as 1st century Roman, was found at 12-15 Finsbury Circus (HER 043716-20) but this would be an extremely unusual posture for a Roman burial. The flexed burial position is common in the Iron Age. The traces of Iron Age occupation found in the area may indicate a small settlement lay on the western banks of the Walbrook. Nonetheless, in the Late Iron Age central London generally 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 i.e. south of the Site (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.
4. ROMAN
4.1 In the mid-1st century AD the Romans established the town of Londinium as a trading entrepot on the southern side of Cornhill, a low hill on the Taplow Gravel terrace to the east of the Walbrook. By the end of the 1st century it probably became the de facto capital of the province and by the end of the 2nd century its limits were defined by a landward defensive wall. At this time the city occupied two low gravel hills bisected by the valley of the River Walbrook.
4.2 The Site lay approximately 250m north of the City wall in an area crossed by streams forming the headwaters of the Walbrook. They were prone to seasonal flooding and Roman water management attempts only achieved limited success. As noted above the Walbrook became blocked by debris causing the upper parts of the stream to flood the higher ground north of the City. The situation was exacerbated by the construction of the City wall c.200 AD, likely accelerating the formation of the later marsh. There are indications that marsh deposits were accumulating during the Roman period over quarries to the north of the Site at 2- 14 Bunhill Row (Gaz.ref.2). Excavations at Finsbury Circus recorded evidence for ‘deteriorating environmental conditions and for the onset of marsh formation’ from deposits dating to the second half of the 3rd century AD (Harward, 2014, xv). Londinium survived until the mid 5th century.
4.3 Excavations to the south of the Site have revealed a road running north - south from Copthall Avenue through Finsbury Circus (HER 043716-20), possibly being the main axis of communication on the western side of the Walbrook valley (Maloney 1990 44). The projected line of this road runs approximately 100m east of the Site. This road predated the City wall and seems to have been crossed by an east- west road on the north side of Finsbury Circus (Gaz.ref.5 and HER 043716-20). It is possible this north-south road remained open after the construction of the wall by means of a postern near Moorgate (Perring 1991 92). The main N-S route from the city Ermine Street, however, lay approximately 500m east of the Site.
4.4 Roman law forbade burial within the pomerium or city limits. This led to the development of cemeteries along the arterial roads out of Roman cities: Londinium was no exception. Archaeological investigations indicate a cemetery lined the north- south road at Copthall Avenue and Finsbury Circus to within 100m of the Site. Six excavations were undertaken here between 1987 and 2007. It is referred to as the ‘Upper Walbrook Valley cemetery’ (Harward et al, 2015). Its focus appears to lie between Finsbury Circus and Eldon Street (ie Gaz.ref.5) along an east-west minor road leading from the main road. At least 125 inhumations and ten cremation burials dating AD 43 – 400 have been recorded but its main period seems to have been c. AD 120-200. The excavator suggests this was a ‘discrete entity to the west of the ‘northern’ cemetery’ which lay by Ermine Street over 250m further to the east around Bishopsgate (Harward et al, 2015, xv, 3).
4.5 Other investigations at Bonhill Street (Gaz.ref.1), 25-32 Chiswell Street (Gaz.ref.3), 15-17 Eldon Street (Gaz.ref.5), 119-125 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref.9) and 127-139 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref.10) have revealed Roman pottery and Roman quarries. 5. SAXON and MEDIAEVAL
Saxon
5.1 Apart from a supposed Saxon spur from ' Moorfields ' (HER 080134) and one residual sherd of chaff tempered ware (Malcolm 1993 22) there is little evidence for Saxon occupation north of the City wall. The Domesday Book records that the Canons of St Paul' s held 9 acres of land just east of the Site , at Bishopsgate, in 1066 (Morris 1975 3.27). The area of the Site probably belonged to St Paul's Cathedral in the mediaeval period and was undoubtedly a bog.
Mediaeval
5.2 In the mediaeval period the area of Moorfields was part of the prebendal manor of Finsbury owned by St Paul's. A charter of William I granting land to St Martin le Grand mentioned the moor as a landmark (Stow 13). About 1180 a chronicler called Fitzstephen wrote a description of London which included a description of Londoners skating in wintertime on "that great marsh which washes the walls of the City on the north side" (Stow 508). The Site formed part of this waterlogged land. Gradually, expansion from Cripplegate and Bishopsgate led to some limited encroachment but most of the moor was waste ground.
5.3 The first reference to Finsbury, Vinisbir ', occurs in 1231. At this time the marsh seems to have been drained sufficient to grow crops. On the western side of the Site the land ‘appears to have been divided into strips running north-south … each reflecting the previous pattern of selions (strips of land)’ (MoLA, 2009, 5). These were then turned into gardens and houses were built on the south side of Chiswell Street, approximately 200m west of the Site, in the vicinity of Milton Street. Most of the other fields in the manor were for pasture.
5.4 In the 13th century Finsbury Court manor house lay on a natural prominence within Moorfields marsh at the present junction of Chiswell Street and Finsbury Pavement i.e. directly north of the Site (Gaz.ref.6). It seems the manor house was reached from Aldersgate by a gravel causeway through marsh, along Chiswell Street. 'Chiswell' is derived from OE ceosol meaning flint, pebble (EPNS 1942 93, 97). At this time it may already have been moated. The manor house is likely to have had a manorial court by 1288.
5.5 Manorial accounts from 1506-7 indicate the range of buildings and enclosures forming the manor house. They were arranged around a central court. The southern range lay adjacent to the northern side of the Site. MoLA suggest that a court house lay on the southern side of the central court with a barn to the east, a chamber block on the western side and stables and a coach house on the southern side. South of this, on the Site, lay a garden and stable which may have included a postern with bridge over the moat. Finsbury Court was burnt down during rioting in 1695.
5.6 The remains of the manor house were excavated in 1997/8 (site code: FIS96) (Gaz.ref. 6). The early archaeological features relating to the manor house included pits, gullies, stakeholes and a ditch cut into the natural brickearth. Pottery retrieved from the features indicates a 12th century date. The excavator suggests that the gullies and ditch may represent drainage features and could also represent boundaries while the pits may be for quarrying building material (MoLA. 2009, 12). Further remains showed that the 14th-16th century buildings were built with Kentish ragstone, tile and brick around a cobbled yard surface. Foundations were of post and pad and possibly pier bases. The manor house remains were extensively truncated by modern developments.
5.7 A brick land drain was recorded on the north-eastern part of the Site. The red bricks date to the later mediaeval or Tudor period. The manor house moat cut across the drain. It was at least 8m wide and 2m deep, dated by pottery to 1340-1450. Two feeder / drainage ditches may be associated with it. A second section of the early moat was recorded further to the south running aligned NE-SW towards the Site (MoLA, 2009, 13). The moat may be seen on the eastern side of Finsbury Court on the Copperplate Map (Fig. 3). A final section of a large drainage ditch was recorded on the eastern side of the moat’s southern section and may relate to it. It drained southwards and was again 8m wide. Stakeholes on its western side suggest a fence line. The manor house and Site are shown on the Copperplate map of 1553 (Fig. 3).
5.8 Elsewhere in Moorfields, west of the manor house, a few houses were built in the 13th century, including a tannery, le Taninghus (Baddeley 1921 91). However, most of the area remained "waste and unprofitable ground" so that in the early 14th century it was all let for 4 marks (£2 13s 4d) per annum (Stow 380). In 1301 an inspection of Moorfields by the Lord Mayor's Court had to be undertaken by boat (Bell 1924 145).
5.9 The area was transformed in 1415 when the Lord Mayor, Thomas Falconer, breached the City wall to create a new gateway, Moorgate (040498). “This gate he made for ease of the citizens, that way to pass upon causeys into the field for their recreation” (Stow 31). This gate was probably only a postern as it was rebuilt in 1472 by the Mayor William Hampton. The causey or causeway became known as Finsbury Pavement.
5.10 In 1477 Ralph Joceline, Mayor, repaired the City wall between Aldgate and Aldersgate. He also "caused Moorfield to be searched for clay, and brick thereof to be made and burnt; he likewise caused chalk ... to be burnt into lime in the same Moorfield" (Stow 11). As a result "this field was made the worse for long time (Stow 380). Traces of lime burning were recorded at 4-6 Finsbury Circus (041443). Enclosures for gardens were destroyed in 1498 and Moorfield "was made a plain field for archers to shoot in" (Stow 380).
5.11 In 1511 the Mayor, Roger Acheley "caused dikes and bridges to be made, and the ground to be levelled, and made more commodious for passage, since which time the same hath been heightened" but "yet it stood full of noisome waters (Stow 380, Fig.3). Stow considered that the "moorish" nature of the ground would defy any long term drainage scheme (Stow 32).
5.12 Finally, in 1527 Thomas Seymour, Mayor, improved the sluices and ditches and drained the marsh, making " made main and hard ground, which before being overgrown with flags, sedges, and rushes, served no use". Unfortunately, the area proved a useful rubbish tip for Londoners despite prohibitions by the Mayor. In 1544 Wyngaerde (Fig.3) shows the causeway with a railing leading into Moorfields.
5.13 Archaeological investigations corroborate the picture presented by the historical sources. The whole Moorfields area was crossed by streams such as those found at 101-117 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref 8), 119-125 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref 9), which was canalised to form the eastern arm of Finsbury Court moat, 7-21 Wilson Street (082890) and 19-23 Worship Street (08209301). On the Site (Gaz.ref.18) a poorly recorded intervention in 1978 (FINP78) noted deposits which may represent a stream or ditch.
5.14 Extensive mediaeval quarrying has been identified at excavations all around the Site, such as 25-32 Chiswell Street (Gaz.ref 3), 10-13 Dominion Street (Gaz.ref 4), Finsbury Island Site, Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref 7) and 127-139 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref 10). These quarries acted as sumps for the surrounding ground and so accumulated marsh deposits. These deposits are waterlogged and anaerobic which results in good organic preservation. Furthermore, as the disused quarries were ideal for garbage disposal vast amounts of waste leather, horn, wood, timber have survived. Quarries at 25-32 Chiswell Street (Gaz.ref 3), 10-13 Dominion Street (Gaz.ref 4) and 127-139 Finsbury Pavement (Gaz.ref 10) have all produced well preserved deposits.
5.15 As land reclamation proceeded large amounts of soil and debris were imported to raise the ground level. At Bonhill Street (Gaz.ref.1) levelling was reportedly 10m deep, but such a depth undoubtedly encompasses a backfilled quar ry. Elsewhere, such as 25-32 Chiswell Street (Gaz.ref 3), 10-13 Dominion Street (Gaz.ref 4), Finsbury Square Car Park (Gaz.ref 11), Honourable Artillery Company Ground (Gaz.ref.12) and South Place (080499), the dumped soils could be 1.0m to 5.5m deep .
6. POST MEDIAEVAL
Early Post Mediaeval
6.1 The open space north of the City proved a useful gathering point. The Protector Somerset was met by the Mayor and Corporation at Moorfields after defeating the Scots at the Battle of Pinkie in 1548. The Copperplate Map of 1553 (Fig.4) shows the general area being used for archery, grazing and as a tenterground (for cloth stretching). The main complex of Finsbury Court lay north of the Site the Site occupying the southern part of the manor precinct. The northern part of the Site was defined by manor house buildings, the south and east by walls and the west by a hedge. A survey of 1567 described Finsbury Court as comprising “a great barn, gatehouse and stables, court and orchard” surrounded by a moat utilising a natural stream on its eastern side (Gaz.ref 9), (Holmes 1963 25). In the 17th century the moat and drainage channel to the east were re-cut with a stepped profile that was partially revetted with wooden planks and posts (MoLA, 2009, 15). It was later backfilled. Excavation on the Site (Gaz.ref.8) revealed no sign of the moat. This is probably the result of modern truncation.
6.2 Maps of 1562 (Fig.5) and 1572 (Fig.6) show open public ground being used for a variety of purposes. In the early 16th century the paths crossing the fields were formalised as gravel walks and avenues of trees planted, being described in 1607 as "the garden of this city and a pleasurable place of sweet airs for citizens to walk in" (Weinreb & Hibbert 278). The Site is again depicted as occupying the southern portion of the Finsbury Court precinct.
6.3 In 1641 the Honourable Artillery Company moved to Moorfield and a gun foundry was established near Bunhill Fields by the mid 17th century. The layout of the Moorfield gardens is shown in 1658 (Fig.7). The Site was mostly open gardens with buildings on the eastern side. Bunhill Fields was made a burial ground for Dissenters in 1665.
Great Plague 1665 and Great Fire 1666
6.4 In 1665 the Great Plague broke out in London, claiming more than 100,000 victims. By this time the area of Moorfields was particularly unhealthy as dung, rotten vegetables and discarded offal from the City streets were dumped there. The adjacent parish of St Giles beyond Cripplegate (now the Barbican area) suffered notably high mortality rates.
6.5 A graveyard had been opened in 1569 at Bethlehem Hospital, south of the Site, to relieve the congested City churchyards. This graveyard was rapidly overcome during the Great Plague and a complaint was made to the Court of Aldermen regarding the "noisome stenches arising from the great number of bodies buried therein during this mortality" (Bell 1924 210). As a result the Corporation opened additional graveyards at Moorfields in Finsbury Fields and next to Bunhill Fields (Fig.8). The chaotic conditions in London led to haphazard burials in pits and ditches. A contemporary poem records "In feilds ye mixed corps ly up & downe I Upon ye Master are ye servants thrown " (quoted in Bell 1924 340). 6.6 Samuel Pepys wrote on 30th August 1665 "I went forth to Moorfields to see (God forgive my presumption!) whether I could see any dead corpse going to the graves; but as God would have it did not " (Bell 1924 209). Pepys mentions using tobacco during the Plague. Tobacco was regarded as a prophylactic against plague as "experience shows that tobacco, where it is smoaked much, will furnish a room for continuance, and they that take it will stink of it long". As a result 17th century plague pits can be closely dated by the remains of clay pipes smoked by the bearers and then thrown into the pit (Palmer 1985 17). The Plague subsided by early 1666.
6.7 As London life approached normality the Great Fire broke out in September 1666. Following the Great Fire, Moorfields became a refugee camp for the homeless (Weinreb & Hibbert 278) where Pepys found the area "full of people, and poor wretches carrying their goods there" (Pepys 5th Septr 1666). Debris from the Fire was spread over open ground around the City, including Moorfields and has been found at 2-14 Bunhill Row (Gaz.ref.2).
Later Post Mediaeval
6.8 The Site was not affected by the Great Fire but the general area was steadily built up during the late 17th century. Moorfields remained an open park in the midst of an increasingly crowded city. Immediately to its west, however, Morgan’s map of 1677 (Fig. 9) shows the area was densely built up. At that time Rope Makers Alley was named, presumably due to presence of local craftsmen. In 1672 Moorgate itself had been rebuilt and in 1676 the New Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam) was built on the southern side of Moorfields, although by the early 18th century there were still large open spaces to the north. Finsbury Court was burnt down during rioting in 1695. The Site was also probably affected.
6.9 Increased population led to the creation of a new parish, St Luke's City Road. In 1746 the layout of Moorfields still recognisably retained the early 17th century pattern of a park but the remainder of the area, including that of the Site, was urban (Fig. 10). Rocque shows the Site occupied by numerous buildings and alleys including Rope Maker Alley, Horse & Groom Stable Yard and the Bell & Bull Stable Yard - both leading onto Finsbury Pavement.
Mid 18th century Independent Meeting House
6.10 One of the first acts of William III upon taking the throne was to pass the Toleration Act in 1689. The Act, for the first time, guaranteed freedom of worship for Protestant dissenting groups and granted these groups the right to establish their own licensed places of worship (attendance at Anglican church services was compulsory up until the Act). Although nonconformists were forced to accept the Anglican 39 Articles and remained barred from public office, Protestant congregations grew in numbers along with and a growth of separate registers. Many nonconformists also recorded vital events within the established church to ensure the legality of the event so no separate registers exist.
6.11 From the late 17th century onwards it is a notable feature in London that outside the City boundaries (ie beyond the jurisdiction of the Corporation of London) Protestant independent meeting houses or chapels were established by charismatic preachers. Generally, these meeting houses would survive for a short period and then close. As means of providing an income the owners cum preachers elicited donations and charged for burials. The records, if ever made, generally do not survive.
6.12 On Rocque’s 1746 map (Fig.12) an ‘Independent Meeting House’ (that is one of these self-sustaining Low Church chapels) is marked on the western side of the Site with a yard on its west side. It is possible that it may have included a small burial ground.
6.13 There is no reference to the Meeting House or burial ground in the standard source for disused burial grounds in London (Mrs Basil Holmes 1896) and there are no records of the Meeting House or any possible burials in the London Metropolitan Archives despite intensive research (General Register Office London and Environs List of Non Parochial Registers Vol 42 (1969), Guildhall Library Greater London Parish Registers (1990), Guildhall Library City of London Parish Registers (1990), Guildhall Library London Local Archives (1989), London Metropolitan Archives Cemetery Records (2015), London Metropolitan Archives Non Anglican Register Transcripts (2010), London Metropolitan Archives Records of Non Conformists (2012), Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts Record Repositories in Great Britain (1991)).
6.14 It is, therefore, not possible to establish any details of the Meeting House. All that can be stated with certainty is that it post-dates 1682 (Fig.9) and had been demolished by 1799 (Fig.11).
Later 18th century onwards
6.15 The pressure on the highway at Moorfields was increased when a new road, City Road, was built in 1761 to improve access from Marylebone to the City. In 1762 the Moor Gate was demolished to ease access to London Bridge and the open ground of Moorfields became attractive for building. Consequently, between 1775 and 1800 a new Finsbury Estate was designed and built by George Dance with its centre at Finsbury Square opposite the Site. In 1799 the Site is shown occupied by the southern part of a factory making “British Wine” which occupies the entire block (Fig. 11). Terrace houses are shown lining the street frontages of Finsbury Pavement, Rope Maker Street and Finsbury Street. Further road improvements in 1840 involved the creation of Moorgate Street to extend the main route to London Bridge.
6.16 In 1873 a similar pattern of landuse was recorded, the factory now being called a Distillery (Fig.12). The distillery expanded occupying most of the Site by the early 20th century (Figs.13 and 14). The area in the north-western part of the Site, 10-12 Finsbury Street, apparently did not have basements. These buildings in 1904 were occupied by a leather warehouse and a printer (Goad 1904 London Vol I Sheet 25).
6.17 The Site was bombed in World War II (Fig. 15). Most of the western buildings were destroyed totally and the main building was badly damaged. The Site was cleared and by 1952 Finsbury Court was being built. By 1958 the development was largely complete (Fig.16). The buildings were demolished and replaced by new office blocks in 1978 which still occupy the Site. Most of these have basements and in some areas double basements although the north-west corner of the Site has no basement (Fig.17).
6.18 Prior to construction in 1978 an archaeological excavation (Gaz.ref.8) was undertaken on the Site. This revealed natural deposits beneath the 1950s basement slab. No archaeological features were found.
7. ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL
Archaeological Significance
7.1 The prehistoric material found in the study area indicates some sort of presence in the area but this cannot be defined.
7.2 It is possible Roman quarries could have lain on the Site but these are of limited interest.
7.3 It is unlikely that Saxon material is present.
7.4 The Site lay within the precinct of Finsbury Court, a mediaeval manor house. It lay within the southern area and was occupied by stables with possible and open ground.
7.5 It is probable that extensive late mediaeval and early post mediaeval brickearth quarries lay on the Site. The quarries themselves are of limited interest but may contain a wide range of artefacts well preserved by the anaerobic conditions.
7.6 A plague pit would arouse archaeological interest but the Great Plague burial pits were likely to be on the northern side of Finsbury Square. No excavations near the Site have found any human remains nor were any bones reported during evaluation on the Site in 1978 (Gaz.ref.18) or during the construction of the present buildings.
7.7 The development of the Site after the Great Fire 1666 may be regarded as being of low to medium interest, particularly the Independent Meeting House, and possible burial ground, and the distillery.
Archaeological Survival
7.8 It is likely the top of undisturbed brickearth originally lay on the Site between 11.50m and 12m OD (see 2.7 above).
7.9 Archaeological investigations were undertaken on the Site in 1978 prior to the construction of the present building (Gaz.ref.8). These excavations demonstrated that only natural deposits lay below the previous basement slab, which was shallower than the present slab. A probable palaeo-channel was recorded in the north-east of the Site. No archaeological features, including the moat for Finsbury Court, were found.
7.10 Most of the Site has existing basements, in some areas double depth basements (Fig.17) to at least 11m OD. Therefore, in the basemented areas the only archaeological elements likely to be present will be heavily truncated cut features such as wells, pits and quarries.
7.11 The north-west part of the Site has no basement but substantial foundations are located there. Archaeological survival may be greater in that area.
7.12 The development of the Site after 1945 will have caused extensive and perhaps total destruction of any earlier deposits.
7.13 Archaeological survival is likely to be poor.
Assessment
7.14 The documented landuse of the Site had varied landuses, particularly the manor house precinct, a chapel, perhaps with a burial ground, and a distillery, which would be regarded as being of archaeological interest.
7.15 The depth and extent of the existing basements is known. Given the scale of the existing buildings and extent of foundations it is likely that modern intrusions have damaged or removed most of the pre 1950s deposits. Further damage will have caused by the insertion of services across the Site.
7.16 It is possible that discrete areas of relatively undisturbed ground may exist where limited archaeological deposits could survive, particularly in the north-west corner of the Site.
Suggested Archaeological Strategy
7.17 The Site lies within an Archaeological Priority Area. It is LB Islington policy to require an “assessment” to be submitted with any planning application. Sometimes this means undertaking a pre-determination evaluation to ensure that if heritage assets are present which are of sufficient significance then preservation in situ can be achieved.
7.18 The Site is divided into a number of separately tenanted properties. All the buildings are fully tenanted. Tenants include a bank, a building society and a high security computer company. All these tenants have sensitive alarms for security reasons so not only are their properties unavailable for archaeological evaluation but all the adjacent properties are equally unavailable. Vacant possession will be in 2019.
7.19 The excavations undertaken in 1978 (Gaz.ref.8) have provided enough data for the potential of the Site to be assessed. That information and the research undertaken for this report has demonstrated that those deposits likely to be present are low to medium grade importance and furthermore the existing basements will have removed most archaeological deposits. It is extremely unlikely that there are heritage assets of national or regional significance on the Site. Heritage assets of local interest may be present.
7.20 Under these circumstance it is suggested the archaeological aspects of the Site can be adequately secured by means of conditions attached to the planning permission.
8. IMPACT ASSESSMENT
8.1 The new development will entail the construction of a three storey and single storey basement (Figs 20).
8.2 All earlier deposits will be removed.
9. CONCLUSIONS
9.1 The Site has been occupied from at least the 13th century. The construction of the existing buildings will have caused extensive destruction of earlier deposits. There is no indication that deposits of national or regional significance lie on the Site. Heritage assets of local interest may be present.
9.2 The Site is fully occupied by tenants includes some with highly sensitive alarms on their premises. It is not possible to undertake field evaluation prior to vacant possession in 2019.
9.3 The Proposed Development will remove all earlier deposits.
9.4 The excavations undertaken in 1978 (Gaz.ref.8) have provided enough data for the potential of the Site to be assessed. That information and the research undertaken for this report has demonstrated that those deposits likely to be present are low to medium grade importance and furthermore the existing basements will have removed most archaeological deposits. It is extremely unlikely that there are heritage assets of national or regional significance on the Site. Heritage assets of local interest may be present.
9.5 The Site is within an Archaeological Priority Area as defined by LB Islington. It is policy for planning applications in APAs to be accompanied by an “assessment”.
9.6 It is proposed that this report fulfils the need of the planning authority.
9.7 It is suggested that the archaeological aspects of the development can be secured by means of conditions attached to the planning permission.
APPENDIX 1 GAZETTEER
Gaz.ref. 1 Address: Bonhill Street / Trinton Grange, Worship Street Finsbury Square NGR: TQ 3290 8210 HER: 080384 / 080488 Description: Watching Brief BON76/TRG76 Roman pottery found. 16th century levelling containing leather to depth of 10m.
Gaz.ref.2 Address: 2-14 Bunhill Row NGR: TQ 3264 8199 HER: .082928 / 082930 Description: Watching Brief BNH88 Probable Roman quarry pits found and possible Roman marsh deposits. Dumps of 17th century found.
Gaz.ref.3 Address: 25-32 Chiswell Street NGR: TQ 3260 8200 HER: 083558 / 083559 Description: Evaluation CSU96 Probable Roman quarry pits found. Mediaeval quarries containing leather, bone and horn waste. Sealed by post med levelling containing numerous metal objects.
Gaz.ref.4 Address: 10-13 Dominion Street, Ling House NGR: TQ 3287 8180 HER: 082070 Description: Excavation LHO88/LIG88 Mediaeval quarries sealed by post mediaeval dumps. Highest brickearth at 11.18m OD. 17th cent dumps 10.50m OD to 12.60m OD.
Gaz.ref.5 Address: 15-17 Eldon Street / Finsbury Circus Area NGR: TQ 3295 8165 HER: 041656 / 041657 Description: Roman quarries, backfilled with brickearth which was cut by 24 Roman inhumations. South of burial lay an east-west Roman road. General area of Roman cemetery.
Gaz.ref.6 Address: Finsbury Court, Chiswell Street/City Road/Finsbury Pavement NGR: TQ 3275 8185 HER: 08039901 Description: Prebendal manor house comprising barn, gate, stables, court and orchard; part of moat found. First reference to Finsbury 1231
Gaz.ref.7 Address: Imperial House, Finsbury Pavement Island Site NGR: TQ 3281 8179 HER: 082948 / 082949 Description: Excavation FIP92 revealed cut features reportedly either prehistoric or Roman. Traces of late med quarries very truncated. Mediaeval marsh deposits over poss prehistoric/Roman features. Highest brickearth 10.04m OD, gravel at 8.64m OD.
Gaz.ref.8 Address: 101-117 Finsbury Pavement (SITE) NGR: TQ 3280 8180 HER: 080494 Description: During February 1978 the Inner London Archaeological Unit undertook an excavation FINP78 at the Site (see Fig. 18). The excavation comprised 6 trenches undertaken in the then basement.
Trench 1: top of slab 11.10m OD, makeup 0.30m deep, top of natural at 10.90m OD.
Trench 2 top of slab 11.66m OD, makeup 0.20m deep, top natural at11.46m OD.
Trench 3 top of slab 11.66m OD, makeup 0.35m deep, top of natural 11.31m OD.
Trench 4 top of slab 11.66m OD, makeup 0.30m deep, top of natural at 11.36m OD.
Trench 5 top of slab11.66m OD, makeup 0.35m deep, top of natural at 11.31m OD
Trench 6: top of slab 11.56m OD, makeup 0.40m deep. A series of waterlain deposits were uncovered from under the slab at 11.16m OD extending to 9.26m OD. At that depth incoming water prevented further excavation.
No finds were made. Soil samples were taken but probably not processed.
In brief the excavation undertaken prior to the construction of the present building demonstrated extensive truncation had removed all horizontal stratigraphy and had cut into the natural deposits.
Gaz.ref.9 Address: 119-125 Finsbury Pavement Veritas House NGR: TQ 3275 8185 HER: 08039901 Description: VER90 Roman pottery from channel. Natural channel used as eastern arm of moat for mediaeval Finsbury Court, backfilled 17th century. Highest brickearth 11.31m OD.
Gaz.ref.10 Address: 127-139 Finsbury Pavement NGR: TQ 3277 8188 HER: 083683 Description: Excavation FIS96 Residual Iron Age pottery recovered from later features. 083681. Sherd of 1st/2nd Roman pottery found in later feature. 083682. An 11th century pit and 15th century quarry found. Also 17th century well and wall. Highest brickearth 12.28m OD, gravel at 11.33m OD.
Gaz.ref.11 Address: Finsbury Square Car Park NGR: TQ 3286 8195 HER: 080474 Description: Watching Brief revealed late 15th century leatherworking debris likely to be dumped material.
Gaz.ref.12 Address: Honourable Artillery Company Ground City Road NGR: TQ 3275 8200 HER: 083638 / 083639. Description: Excavation revealed a deposit of late Bronze Age / Early Iron pottery was recorded, mediaeval and 17th pottery.
Gaz.ref.13 Address: 50 Finsbury Square NGR: TQ 3283 8188 HER: MLO75748 Description: Excavation FSQ 98. Medieval and post-medieval pitting probably for brickearth extraction. MOLAS.
Gaz.ref.14 Address: 1-2 Finsbury Square NGR: TQ 3278 8195 HER: MLO75768 Description: Evaluation FBY01 revealed mediaeval land reclamation, features associated with draining Moorfields marsh and 17th dumps of rubbish.
Gaz.ref.15 Address: 16-18 Finsbury Circus / 18-31 Eldon Street NGR: TQ 3295 8165 HER: MLO98983 Description: Excavation ENS03 revealed Roman quarry pits possibly for nearby road. Burials and cremations also uncovered. Roman midden dumps. Evidence for post med reclamation. Natural gravels at 10.20m to 7.60m OD.
Gaz.ref.16 Address: 25 Ropemaker Street NGR: TQ 3268 8184 HER: MLO98399 Description: Watching Brief RMZ06 revealed 16th cent peaty clay possibly in quarry. London Clay at 9.15m – 11.05m OD
Gaz.ref.17 Address: 3-10 Finsbury Square NGR: TQ 3278 8199 HER: ELO12021 Description: Evaluation revealed numerous drainage ditches 12th – 15th cent and 16th cent brick drain. Natural brickearth at 13.30m OD
Gaz.ref.18 Address: 101-117 Finsbury Pavement NGR: TQ 3275 8180 HER: 080494 Description: Evaluation FINP78 revealed possible stream or ditch
APPENDIX 2 SOURCES CONSULTED
Arup Associates Ltd., 2006, 25 Ropemaker Street, Ropemaker Place Archaeological Study
Baddeley, JJ, 1921, Cripplegate
Bell, G , 1924, The Great Plague in London in 1665
Birbeck, V., 1990, Archaeological Investigations at Veritas House
British Geological Survey Sheet 256
DGLA, Dept. of Greater London Archaeology Museum of London
DUA, Dept. of Urban Archaeology, Museum of London
EPNS, English Place Name Society , Middlesex (1942)
General Register Office Main Series & Society of Friends Series, 1969, London and Environs List of Non Parochial Registers Vol 42 pp 97-114
Goad 1904 London Vol I Sheet 25
Greater London Historic Environment Record
Guildhall Library, 1990, City of London Parish Registers
Guildhall Library, 1990, Greater London Parish Registers
Guildhall Library, 1989, London Local Archives
Harward, Powers and Watson, 2015, The Upper Walbrook valley Cemetery of Roman London, Excavations at Finsbury Circus, City of London, 1987-2007, MoLA Monograph 69
Holmes, Basil, Mrs, 1896, The London Burial Grounds
Holmes, MR., 1963, Moorfields in 1559
ILAU, Inner London Archaeological Unit
KARU, Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit
Lobel, M., 1991, City of London, Historic Towns Atlas
London Archaeologist, Excavation Roundups (1987 - 1989)
London Metropolitan Archives, 2012, Records of Non Conformists
London Metropolitan Archives, 2015, Cemetery Records
London Metropolitan Archives, 2010, Non Anglican Register Transcripts
Mackie, A., 1988, Excavations at Ling House, 10-13 Dominion Street LIG88 Archive Report
Malcolm, G., 1993, Imperial House Island Site, Interim Summary of Archaeological Investigations
Maloney, C., 1990, Archaeology of Roman London Vol. I: Upper Walbrook valley in the Roman period
MOLA Museum of London Archaeology, 2009, Finsbury’s moated manor, medieval land use and later development in the Finsbury Square area, Islington, MOLA Archaeological Studies Series 20
MoLAS, Museum of London Archaeology Service
Morris, J., 1975, Middlesex Domesday
Norton, E., 1994, 25-32 Chiswell Street, Archaeological Assessment
Palmer, R., 1985, The Pest Anatomized
Perring, D, 1991, Roman London
Philp, B., 1996, Rescue Excavations in London, Kent Archaeological Review 124
Pitt, K., 1996, 129 -139 Finsbury Pavement, Archaeological Evaluation
POD, Post Office Directories
RCHM, Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1928, London Vol III Roman
Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts, 1991, Record Repositories in Great Britain
Stow, J., 1960 edn, Survey of London in 1598
Weinreb, B., and Hibbert C., 1985, London Encyclopaedia
Wymer, JJ, 1991, The Lower Palaeolithic Period in the London Region, Trans Lond & Middx Arch Soc 42
APPENDIX 3 Report Specification
Site Location
AP3.1 The Site is roughly rectangular and lies north of Ropemaker Street, east of Finsbury Street and west of Finsbury Pavement EC2 (Fig.1).
AP3.2 The 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. The Site lies within an Archaeological Priority Area as defined by LB Islington.
Report status
AP3.3 The assessment has been prepared to ascertain the archaeological potential of the Site.
Origin and scope of the report
AP3.4 Mills Whipp Projects has been commissioned by CORE to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment of the Site (Fig.1). The purpose of this report is to identify the archaeological implications of the redevelopment.
AP3.5 The Greater London Historic Environment Record (HER) was interrogated for a study area comprising a circle 250 in radius centred on the Site. In the preparation of this report research has been undertaken in the London Metropolitan Archives, the London Library and the Guildhall Library.
AP3.6 The report has been carried out in accordance with the standards specified by the Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists.
Aims and Objectives
AP3.7 A desk based assessment as defined by the CIFA 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.”
AP3.8 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.”
“a programme of assessment of the known or potential archaeological resource 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, regional, national or international context as appropriate.”
AP3.9 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.”
AP3.10 The submission of a desk-based assessment 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
AP3.11 The assessment has been carried out in accordance with guidance from various bodies including the 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.
AP3.12 Survival of archaeological deposits on the Site depends on previous land- use, so an assessment has been made of the destructive effect of the previous and present activity.
AP3.13 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. APPENDIX 4 PLANNING & LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
AP4.1 In 2012 the government published the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which replaced earlier documents. 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 there is a presumption in favour of such developments. This involves seeking ‘positive improvements in the quality of the built, natural and historic environment’.
AP4.2 The NPPF sets out within the planning system a set of 12 core land-use planning principles should underpin plan-making and decision-taking. That principle (Section 12) 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’.
AP4.3 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.
Greater London Regional Policy
AP4.4 The London Plan (Greater London Authority 2011) sets out the historic environment policies for Greater London. Policy 7.8 refers to heritage assets and archaeology:
POLICY 7.8 HERITAGE ASSETS AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Strategic
A London’s heritage assets and historic environment, including listed buildings, registered historic parks and gardens and other natural and historic landscapes, conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, registered battlefields, scheduled monuments, archaeological remains and memorials should be identified, so that the desirability of sustaining and enhancing their significance and of utilising their positive role in place shaping can be taken into account.
B Development should incorporate measures that identify, record, interpret, protect and, where appropriate, present the site’s archaeology.
Planning decisions
C Development should identify, value, conserve, restore, re-use and incorporate heritage assets, where appropriate.
D Development affecting heritage assets and their settings should conserve their significance, by being sympathetic to their form, scale, materials and architectural detail.
E New development should make provision for the protection of archaeological resources, landscapes and significant memorials. The physical assets should, where possible, be made available to the public on-site. Where the archaeological asset or memorial cannot be preserved or managed on-site, provision must be made for the investigation, understanding, recording, dissemination and archiving of that asset.
Local Planning – LB Islington Development Management Policies 2013
F. Archaeology and scheduled monuments
i) The council will ensure the conservation of scheduled monuments and non- designated heritage assets with archaeological interest which are of demonstrably equivalent significance.
ii) Archaeological priority areas and scheduled monuments are identified on the Policies Map and in Appendix 7. All planning applications likely to affect important archaeological remains are required to include an Archaeological Assessment.
iii) Archaeological remains should be retained in situ. Where this cannot be achieved measures must be taken to mitigate the impact of proposals through archaeological fieldwork to investigate and record remains in advance of works, and subsequent analysis, publication and dissemination of the findings. Legislation
AP4.7 The principal legal structure governing archaeology is the Scheduled Ancient Monument and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) and the Burial Act (1857) and Disused Burial Grounds (Amendment) Act 1981 as appropriate.
Guidance
AP4.8 The guidance papers issued by the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service (Historic England) 2015 and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014 have been observed.