9. Archaeology
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9. Archaeology Introduction 9.1 This Chapter reports the outcome of the assessment of likely significant environmental effects arising from the Proposed Development in relation to archaeological resource. 9.2 The Chapter describes the consultation that has been undertaken during the EIA, the scope of the assessment and assessment methodology, and a summary of the baseline information that has informed the assessment. 9.3 A number of effects have been avoided in advance of the assessment and where relevant, these are clearly stated. The assessment reports on the likely significant environmental effects, the further mitigation measures required to prevent, reduce or offset any significant adverse effects, or further enhance beneficial effects. The conclusions are provided both in terms of the residual effects and whether these are considered significant. 9.4 This Chapter is intended to be read as part of the wider ES with particular reference to the introductory chapters of this ES (Chapters 1 - 5), as well as Chapter 19: Cumulative Effects Assessment. Policy and Guidance Framework 9.5 The assessment has been prepared to comply with relevant policy and guidance which is listed below and set out in more detail in the Archaeological Assessment (Appendix 9.1): 9.6 Chapter 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2019) and supporting National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) (2019). 9.7 Swindon Borough Council Local Plan (2015), in particular Policy EN10. Guidance 9.8 Historic England Good Practice Advice Note 2: Managing Significance in Decision Taking in the Historic Environment (2015); 9.9 Historic England Advice Note 12: Statements of Heritage Significance: Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets (2019); 9.10 Historic England Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance: For the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment (2008); 9.11 Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk- Based Assessment (2017); and 9.12 International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties (2011). 9.1 Summary of Consultation 9.13 Table 9.1 provides an overview of the consultation that has informed the design of the Proposed Development, the consideration of likely significant effects and the methodology for assessment. Table 9.1: Summary of Consultation Body / Contact Date and Form of Summary Organisation Consultation Historic England Hugh Beamish 16/10/2018, Scoping Expects the ES to contain a Opinion thorough assessment of the likely effects of the Proposed Development on the historic environment. Wiltshire Melanie 16/10/2018, Scoping Advised that it is an County Council Pomeroy- Opinion archaeologically sensitive area. Archaeological Kellinger Expects to see a comprehensive Service chapter on cultural heritage including the results from a programme of archaeological evaluation. Historic England Hugh Beamish 17/01/19, Written Recognises assessments of Built Post-Application Heritage and Archaeology are Advice undertaken in different contexts but reference to discrepancies, and recommendation that these disciplines are coordinated closely. Historic England Hugh Beamish 17/05/2019, Written Acknowledges satisfactory Post-Application clarification of methodology used in Advice the ES. Scope of the Assessment 9.14 An EIA Scoping Report was submitted to SBC in August 2018, as presented in Appendix 1.1. This section provides confirmation on the scope of the assessment presented within this Chapter. The scope of this chapter relates only to buried archaeological features within the 500m radius study area; all above ground heritage assets and potential effects on setting are assessed in Chapter 8: Built Heritage. Effects which are Not Significant 9.15 The following effects, which are not significant, were identified as part of the EIA Scoping Report and are not considered further in this Chapter. The effects are listed in this section with the supporting evidence outlined below. 9.2 Direct and indirect effects on buried assets during operation 9.16 The Proposed Development will have no appreciable effect on the archaeological resource during the operational phase of the development. No below-ground disturbance that might affect archaeological features is anticipated beyond the construction phase. Potential impacts resulting from compaction as a result of car park creation and usage or changes to drainage and water levels that might result in harm to surviving organic deposits will have already been mitigated through design and no on-going effects are anticipated. 9.17 Since the submission of the EIA Scoping Report (Appendix 1.1) in August 2018 the following additional effects are not considered significant and the evidence to support this is outlined below. Indirect effect on buried deposits (settings) 9.18 No significant impact has been identified on the setting of below-ground archaeological deposits within the Site. The Roman farmstead has no appreciable presence in the landscape or any apparent associative elements; consequently, the setting provides no contribution to the heritage significance of this asset. Likely Significant Effects 9.19 The following effects are considered elsewhere in the ES: • Effects relating to above ground heritage assets, including listed buildings and Conservation Areas are assessed in Chapter 8: Built Heritage. 9.20 The following effects are considered significant and are reported within this Chapter: • Construction: ‒ Direct effect on buried archaeological deposits Extent of the Study Area 9.21 The study area comprises the area of the Site plus 500m from the redline boundary for Historic Environment Record (HER) data. Background Studies to Inform the ES 9.22 The following background studies have informed this Chapter: • Baseline desk-based assessment (Appendix 9.1) - This survey has been undertaken to ascertain the potential impact on archaeological assets within the Site and the surrounding areas in accordance with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessments and with reference to Historic England and ICOMOS Guidance. It includes consultation with the Swindon and Wiltshire HER and with Historic England (Archives). • Two geophysical surveys have been undertaken within the study area and the wider environs in May 2017 (Archaeological Surveys Ltd Ref. No. J669, 2017) and June 2017 (Archaeological Surveys Ltd Ref. No. J714, 2017) by SBC in regard to the Eastern Villages Southern Connector Road and as part of this Proposed Development. 9.3 • An archaeological field evaluation (New Eastern Villages Southern Connector Road, Wanborough, 2018) has been undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology on behalf of SBC in regard to the Southern Connector Road; the report is not yet publicly available, but relevant trench locations associated with this work have been identified and the general results communicated by the County Archaeologist. • A second scheme of evaluation trenching has been carried out as part of the Proposed Development encompassing both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Foundations Archaeology Ref. 1337; Appendix 9.2). Assessment Methodology Methodology 9.23 The archaeological assessment involves a desktop study of presently available archaeological, historical, aerial photographic and other relevant information. Government guidance on heritage (NPPF) encourages a proportionate consideration of the significance of any known or potential heritage assets present within a site, and the effect of the Proposed Development upon that significance, where development is being considered, prior to formal planning applications being submitted. This allows an assessment of the implications of any development proposal. This informs the decision as to whether heritage assets with an archaeological interest are likely to be present, whether a field evaluation is considered necessary, and may contribute to the development of an appropriate mitigation strategy if required. 9.24 The value of archaeological remains resides primarily in their evidential value. The degree to which the buried resource is likely to contribute to knowledge is judged in this report in relation to local, regional or national contexts, as specified in the CIfA Standards and Guidance. 9.25 The methodology is drawn from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologist’s Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-based Assessments and with reference to Historic England Guidance, including The Setting of Historic Assets, Managing Significance in Decision Taking in the Historic Environment and Conservation Principles and Cultural Heritage Management Plans in Section 6, Part 2, Volume 10 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges by the Highways Agency. The methodology has changed slightly from that set out in the Scoping report in order to reflect current best-practice. 9.26 Given the nature of heritage assets, this assessment process involves a degree of subjective interpretation based on existing data sources and professional judgement. This is particularly the case when assessing the potential presence and likely significance of buried archaeological deposits that may still exist within a site. The assessment of the significance and the effect on above ground heritage, including on their settings, similarly involves a degree of interpretation and professional judgement because different elements of a heritage asset or its setting contribute differentially to