Bat Roost Buildings Cinderford Northern Quarter Archaeological Watching Brief

for District Council

CA Project: 4516 CA Report: 14443

September 2014

Bat Roost Buildings Cinderford Northern Quarter Gloucestershire

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 4516 CA Report: 14443

prepared by Luke Brannlund, Supervisor Designate

date 25 September 2014

checked by Richard Young, Project Manager

date 26 September 2014

approved by Cliff Bateman, Principal Fieldwork Manager

signed

date 26 September 2014

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Walworth Road Kemble, Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background ...... 4 Methodology...... 5

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-4) ...... 6

3. DISCUSSION ...... 6

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 7

5. REFERENCES ...... 7

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 8

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...... 9

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:10,000). Fig. 3 Bat Roost One: plan and section (1:1500, 1:100 and 1:20) Fig. 4 Bat Roost Two: plan (1:2000)

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Bat Roost Buildings Location: Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire NGR: SO 63783 15389 (RR1), SO 64089 14776 (RR2) Type: Watching Brief Date: 21 July – 8 August 2014 Planning Reference: P1495/12/FUL (RR1), P0153/13/FUL (RR2) Location of Archive: To be deposited with the Dean Heritage Centre Site Code: BBC 14

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of two bat roost buildings within Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire.

Two possible post-medieval gullies were observed at the northern roost site. No other archaeological features were observed.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Between July and August 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for Council (FDDC) at Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: SO 63783 15389 (RR1), SO 64089 14776 (RR2); Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to planning consents for the construction of two bat roost buildings (FDDC Planning ref: P1495/12/FUL (RR1), P0153/13/FUL (RR2)).

1.2 Following advice from Charles Parry, Archaeologist, Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) planning permission for RR1 (ref: P1495/12/FUL) and RR2 (ref: P0153/13/FUL) was granted by FDDC, conditional on a programme of archaeological work, stating that:

“No development shall take place until the applicant… has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the local planning authority

Reason: to make provision for a programme of mitigation, so as to record and advance understanding of any heritage assets which will be lost, in accordance with paragraph 141 of the National Planning Policy Framework and to accord with Policy CSP.1 of the Core Strategy and Policy 12 of the Cinderford Area Action Plan.”

1.3 A subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) was produced by CA (2013) and approved by FDDC acting on the advice of Charles Parry. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2009), the Statement of Standards and Practices Appropriate for Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire (GCC 1996), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site 1.4 The sites of the bat roost buildings are located approximately 675m apart within Birch Wood, a sub-division of the Forest of Dean. RR1 has a footprint area of

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

approximately 8m by 4m. RR2 is a T-shape design and has a footprint area of approximately 12m by 8m. RR1 is located just inside the western limit of the Cinderford Northern Quarter Area Action Plan (CNQAAP), while RR2 is located outside this area to the south-west. The roost sites lie at approximately 170m AOD in dense woodland.

1.5 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Cinderford Member- Mudstone, Siltstone and Sandstone of the Carboniferous era with overlying superficial Head deposits comprising gravel, sand, silt and clay (BGS 2014). A clay substrate was observed at both roost sites.

Archaeological background 1.6 The Forest of Dean is rich in mineral resources such as iron ore, coal, clay and stone, and the archaeological record indicates that exploitation of these resources has taken place since the Iron Age. Despite this, evidence for settlement activity pre- dating the post-medieval period in the Northern Quarter is minimal (Hoyle 2009); however this may be as much due to poor preservation and a lack of research as to a definite lack of habitation in the area.

1.7 The western part of the Northern Quarter was subject to extensive coal mining in the 19th and 20th centuries. RR1 is located within the area mined as part of the Never Fear Colliery (Hoyle 2009; HER ref. 9980). The colliery was recorded in 1856, but had gone out of use by 1878, when the Ordnance Survey (OS) map recorded an “old coal shaft” on the site, in addition to an old limekiln. In 1835 three shafts labelled “Young Colliers” were shown on the site, however these are not recorded as being part of any documented colliery and were considered unlikely by Hoyle to have been related to the more extensive Young Colliers mine, which was located further to the north-east (Hoyle 2009, 38).

1.8 The OS map of 1878 indicates that with the closure of the Never Fear Colliery the site of RR1 became incorporated into land belonging to the Nelson Brickworks, the main clay extraction pit of which was located approximately 60m south-west of RR1 and is preserved in the modern landscape as a large pond (Old Maps 2013). The OS map from 1902 shows that the Nelson Brickworks had expanded greatly, with additional kilns and a rectangular building close to the site of RR1. By the time of the 1922 OS map however, the brickworks had closed and most of the buildings were no longer recorded. Surviving overgrown earthworks on the site may cover structural

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

remains belonging to the colliery or brickworks (Hoyle 2009). The 1878 map also records the, by then, disused Churchway Colliery, which opened in 1740, immediately to the east of the site (HER ref. 9981).

1.9 Earthworks immediately to the north of RR1 demarcate the route of a dismantled railway. This was a branch of the (previously the Forest of Dean Tramroad) linking the various industrial complexes of the forest to the tidal docks at Bullo Pill (HER ref. 5704). To the north of the railway was the site of the Northern United Colliery (HER ref. 4357). The colliery opened in 1935, the last of the deep mines in the forest, and was the only surviving deep mine when it closed in 1965. Although the pithead has been demolished, several of the buildings, including the office, canteen and pithead baths survive (Hoyle 2009). The standing remains of the colliery are located approximately 80m north of the site of RR1, but there is no evidence that the Northern United Colliery extended south of the dismantled railway toward the current site.

1.10 The area surrounding RR2 appears to have historically formed part of Birchwood and has been characterised by dense woodland throughout the period of industrial activity in the Forest of Dean.

Archaeological objectives 1.11 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

• to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development groundworks;

• at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions that can be drawn from the recorded data.

Methodology 1.12 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2013). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising stripping of the topsoil throughout both areas and the subsequent excavation of foundation trenches (Fig. 2).

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

1.13 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).

1.14 The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble and will be deposited with Dean Heritage Centre. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-5)

RR1 (Figs. 2 and 3) 2.1 The natural clay substrate, 103, was revealed in Trench 1 at an average depth of 0.7m below present ground level (bpgl). This was overlain by redeposited clays 101, 102, 108 and 109, sealed by clay silt topsoil 100. A gully (recorded as 104 and 110) aligned south-west/north-east was observed cutting the natural clay and was sealed by redeposited clay 109. Running parallel, a second smaller gully 106, was also observed. Both contained silt clay fills (105 and 107 respectively) (Fig. 3).

RR2 (Figs. 2 and 4) 2.2 The natural geological substrate 302, consisting of clay and bedrock, was revealed in Trench 3 at an average depth of 0.4m bpgl. It was not reached in Trench 2. It was overlain by silt clay subsoil (201 and 301), which was in turn sealed by clay silt topsoil (200 and 300). No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed.

3. DISCUSSION

RR1 3.1 The gullies observed in Trench 1 are likely to relate to the nearby post-medieval mining activity. It is possible that they represent part of a drainage system associated with the mine shaft seen to the immediate north-west of the trench. Little further interpretation can be suggested.

6 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

RR2 3.2 Despite the archaeological potential of this application area (see archaeological background above), the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. The absence of archaeological deposits may indicate that structural remains either do not extend as far as or were not exposed by the development. As the historic mapping suggests the site of RR2 was always covered in woodland in the post-medieval period the former is probably more likely.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Luke Brannlund. The report was written by Luke Brannlund. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been compiled by Luke Brannlund, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Richard Young.

5. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer. Online resource at http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html accessed 05 August 2014

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief

Hoyle, J. 2009 Cinderford Northern Quarter: Heritage and Archaeological Assessment. Archaeology Service, Gloucestershire County Council

Old Maps 2013 Online resource at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html accessed 24 September 2013

7 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W Depth No. No. interpretation (m) /thick ness (m) RR1 100 Layer Topsoil Dark black-brown clay silt 0.2 RR1 101 Layer Redeposited Mid grey clay 1.1 natural RR1 102 Layer Made ground Dark grey clay 0.2 RR1 103 Layer Natural Orange-yellow clay n/a RR1 104 Cut Cut of gully SW-NE linear in plan with U-shaped 0.5 0.5 0.15 profile RR1 105 Fill 105 Fill of gully Dark brown grey silt clay 0.5 0.5 0.15 RR1 106 Cut Cut of gully SW-NE linear in plan with U-shaped 0.5 0.1 0.1 profile RR1 107 Fill 106 Fill of gully Mid brown-grey silt clay 0.5 0.1 0.1 RR1 108 Layer Redeposited Orange-yellow clay 0.1 natural RR1 109 Layer Made ground Brown-grey clay 0.15 RR1 110 Cut Cut of gully SW-NE linear in plan with U-shaped 0.4 n/a profile RR1 111 Fill 110 Fill of gully Dark brown grey silt clay 0.4 n/a RR2 200 Layer 106 Topsoil Dark brown silt 0.1 RR2 201 Layer Subsoil Mid orange-brown silt clay n/a RR2 300 Layer Topsoil Dark brown silt 0.1 RR2 301 Layer Subsoil Mid orange-brown silt clay 0.3 RR2 302 Layer Natural Grey clay and bedrock n/a

8 © Cotswold Archaeology Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief

APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Bat Roost Buildings, CInderford Northern Quarter Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of two bat roost buildings within Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire. Two possible post-medieval gullies were observed at the northern roost site. No other archaeological features were observed. Project dates Project type Watching Brief

Previous work None Known

Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 63783 15389 (RR1), SO 64089 14776 (RR2)

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Forest of Dean District Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Young Project Supervisor Luke Brannlund MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical n/a None Paper Forest of Dean Heritage Centre Trench Sheets, Context Sheets Digital Forest of Dean Heritage Centre Digital Photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 14443

9 N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Gloucestershire Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2014 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 4516 DATE 12/09/2014 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery O!ce c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 00000 00000 64 65

0000017

Fig 3

RR1

Fig 4 1600000

RR2

SO

N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk CNQAAP boundary e [email protected]

Bat Roost PROJECT TITLE Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire FIGURE TITLE The site showing location of 0 500m groundworks

PROJECT NO. 4516 DATE 24/09/2014 FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2014 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission DRAWN BY REVISION of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office LJH 01 c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:10000 2 N

gully 110 foundation trenches

gully 106 A Depot Tip (disused) gully A 104

limit of excavation archaeological feature

Northern United Depot

Area of 05m topsoil strip only Trench 1

Dismantled Railway

Path

T1 Inset

Disused Kiln Section AA 168m Disused Kiln

SNtopsoil removed topsoil 100 during leveling 176.5m AOD

Pond

101

Track 0 50m

102 c Crown copyright and database rights 2014, Ordnance Survey 0100031673

108 Cirencester 01285 771022 Shaft 109 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 107 105 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk Birch gully e [email protected] Tramway gullydis 106 Wood 104 PROJECT TITLE Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire Path FIGURE TITLE Dismantled 01mBat Roost One: plan and section

PROJECT NO. 4516 DATE 12/09/2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 00 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A3 1:1500, 1:100 & 1:20 3 00000 00000 00000 00000 639 642 640 641

00000150

00000149

Hiberniculum 00000148 T3

T2

Track 147

00000146

SO N Cirencester 01285 771022 Milton Keynes 01908 218320 Cotswold Andover 01264 347630 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk limit of excavation e [email protected]

Hiberniculum PROJECT TITLE Bat Roost Buildings, Cinderford Northern Quarter, Gloucestershire FIGURE TITLE Bat Roost Two: plan

0 100m

PROJECT NO. 4516 DATE 24/09/2014 FIGURE NO. DRAWN BY LJH REVISION 01 c Crown copyright and database rights 2014, Ordnance Survey 0100031673 APPROVED BY LM SCALE@A4 1:2000 4