South Lodge Courtyard, Merton College, Oxford
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South Lodge Courtyard, Merton College, Oxford An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for Merton College by Steve Preston Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code MCO08/24 April 2008 Summary Site name: South Lodge Courtyard, Merton College, Oxford Grid reference: SP 5190 0620 Site activity: Desk-based assessment Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Steve Preston Site code: MCO04/24 Area of site: c. 400 sq m Summary of results: The site lies just outside the medieval city walls, in a location likely to have been favoured for settlement from prehistoric times onwards. Saxon and medieval settlement remains have been found close by and a medieval grange barn is also considered probably to have been located nearby. A small area of the site to be developed has previously been built upon but most has always been gardens within its recorded history. The site therefore has considerable general and specific archaeological potential. It will be necessary to provide more information from field observations in order to devise a scheme to mitigate the impact of the proposal on any archaeological remains that may be present. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford9 30.04.08 Joanna Pine9 11.04.08 i South Lodge Courtyard, Merton College, Oxford An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Steve Preston Report 08/24 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of a plot of land of around 400 sq m located off Rose Lane in Oxford (SP 5190 0620) (Fig. 1) and comprises the first stage of a process to determine the presence/absence, extent, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains which may be affected by redevelopment of the area. The project was commissioned by Mr Jolyon Price of Ridge and Partners LLP, The Cowyards, Blenheim Park, Oxford Road, Woodstock, OX20 1QR on behalf of Merton College, Oxford. Planning permission is to be sought for the construction of a new lecture theatre on the site. In light of the possibility of archaeological remains being present which might be affected by the proposed development, this report has been requested to accompany the application, in order to inform the planning process with regard to potential archaeological implications. This report will provide a basis on which to formulate a strategy to mitigate the effects of the development on any archaeological remains that might be present . Site description, location and geology The site comprises a small irregularly-shaped parcel of land in central Oxford, between South Lodge and Meadow Cottages, to the west of Rose Lane and south of High Street, facing the Botanic Gardens and backing onto Merton College. It includes part of the college’s Rose Lane building, which is stepped slightly above the surrounding ground level. A wall of Merton College, which also formed part of the medieval city wall forms the western boundary of the plot, but is not included within the area to be developed: it does not appear that any of this wall is original in this location. The site lies at around 57m above Ordnance Datum on the floodplain of the River Cherwell just north of its confluence with the Thames, in an area where both rivers are extensively braided. The site’s geology is mapped as being on the First Terrace (floodplain) gravels (BGS 1982), very close to the boundary with the alluvium of the valley of the Cherwell. 1 Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is to be sought for the construction of a new lecture theatre on the site; the development will affect only around 400 sq m of the 1400 sq m plot (Fig. 2). Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16 1990) provides guidance relating to archaeology within the planning process. It points out that where a desk-based assessment has shown that there is a strong possibility of significant archaeological deposits in a development area it is reasonable to provide more detailed information from a field evaluation so that an appropriate strategy to mitigate the effects of development on archaeology can be devised: Paragraph 21 states: ‘Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer’s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning authority to request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out...’ Should the presence of archaeological deposits be confirmed further guidance is provided. Archaeology and Planning stresses preservation in situ of archaeological deposits as a first consideration as in paragraphs 8 and 18. Paragraph 8 states: ‘...Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation...’ Paragraph 18 states: ‘The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining planning applications whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled...’ However, for archaeological deposits that are not of such significance it is appropriate for them to be ‘preserved by record’ (i.e., fully excavated and recorded by a competent archaeological contractor) prior to their destruction or damage. Paragraph 25 states: ‘Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the development and that development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, it would be entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself ... that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the excavation and recording of remains.’ The Oxfordshire Structure Plan (OCC 1998) follows a similar line: Policy EN10: 2 ‘There will be a presumption in favour of physically preserving nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings. Where development affecting other archaeological remains is allowed it should include appropriate measures to secure their preservation in situ or where this is not feasible, recording of archaeological features before development.’ Similarly, the Oxford Local Plan (OCyC 2005), includes several relevant policies: ‘Policy HE1 Nationally Important Monuments ‘Planning permission will not be granted for any development that would have an unacceptable effect on a nationally important monument (whether or not it is scheduled) or its setting.’ ‘Policy HE2 Archaeology: ‘Where archaeological deposits that are potentially significant to the historic environment of Oxford are known or suspected to exist anywhere in Oxford but in particular the City centre Archaeological Area, planning applications should incorporate sufficient information to define the character and extent of such deposits as far as reasonably practicable, including, where appropriate: ‘a. the results of an evaluation by fieldwork; and ‘b. an assessment of the effect of the proposals on the deposits or their setting. ‘If the existence and significance of deposits is confirmed, planning permission will only be granted where the proposal includes: ‘c. provision to preserve the archaeological remains in situ, so far as reasonably practicable, by sensitive layout and design (particularly foundations, drainage and hard landscaping); and ‘d. provision for the investigation and recording of any archaeological remains that cannot be preserved, including the publication of results, in accordance with a detailed scheme approved before the start of the development.’ ‘Policy HE3 Listed Buildings ‘Planning permission will be granted for the re-use of redundant or unused listed buildings for new purposes compatible with their character, architectural integrity and setting. ‘Planning permission will not be granted for proposals involving demolition of a statutory listed building. ‘Planning permission will only be granted for works involving an alteration or extension to a listed building that is sympathetic to and respects its history, character and setting. ‘Planning permission will only be granted for development which is appropriate in terms of its scale and location and which uses materials and colours that respect the character of the surroundings, and have due regard to the setting of any listed building. ‘Policy HE6 Buildings of Local Interest. ‘Planning permission will only be granted for development that involves the demolition of a Building of Local Interest, or that would have an adverse impact on the building or its setting, if: ‘a. the applicant can justify why the existing building cannot be retained or altered to form part of the redevelopment; and ‘b. the development will make a more positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area.’ The proposal area is within the City centre Archaeological Area and a conservation area. The Local Plan outlines specific requirements within this area. ‘5.2.3 The Proposals Map identifies the City centre Archaeological Area. The City Council will require an archaeological assessment, which may include field evaluation, as part of any planning 3 application that involves significant breaking of the ground in the City centre Archaeological Area, regardless of previous archaeological information on the application site. In addition, there are known concentrations of past human activity elsewhere in Oxford and the