Land at Gloucester Road Bath Somerset

Home , Gloucester

Archaeological Watching Brief

for CgMs Consulting Ltd

on behalf of McCarthy & Stone retirement Lifestyles Ltd

CA Project: 5750 CA Report: 16107

February 2016

Land at Gloucester Road Bath Somerset

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 5750 CA Report: 16107

Document Control Grid Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for Approved revision by A 25/02/2016 Nicky Internal Garland review

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.

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ...... 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ...... 5

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) ...... 6

6. THE FINDS AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE ...... 6

7. DISCUSSION ...... 6

8. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 7

9. 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 monitored groundworks (1:5000). Fig. 3 Photos of demolition in progress

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, BANES: Archaeological Watching Brief

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land at Gloucester Road Location: Bath, Bath and North East Somerset NGR: ST 76300 66540 Type: Watching Brief Date: 28 January – 9 February 2016 Planning Reference: 10/04977/FUL Location of Archive: To be deposited with Roman Baths Museum Site Code: BRB 16

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of residential housing at Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset.

No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered. The results of the watching brief indicated that the site had been subject to massive truncation in the recent past.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, BANES: Archaeological Watching Brief

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In January and February 2016 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for CgMs Consulting Ltd on behalf of McCarthy & Stone retirement Lifestyles Ltd at Land at Gloucester Road, Bath (centred on NGR: ST 76300 66540; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for the demolition of the existing building and the construction of 46 residential dwellings and associated parking areas, services and landscaping (Planning ref: 10/04977/FUL).

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a brief prepared by Richard Sermon, Senior Archaeological Officer Bath and North-East Somerset Council, the archaeological advisor to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and with a subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CgMs (2015) and approved by the LPA acting on the advice of by Richard Sermon. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014). It was monitored by Richard Sermon, Senior Archaeological Officer. . The site

1.3 The site is located in Lambridge, located approximately 2.5km to the north-east of the centre of Bath on the corner of Gloucester Road and London Road West (Fig. 2). The site is located immediately to the east to Lam Brook, a tributary of the River Avon, and 250 m to the north-west of the confluence between the two rivers. The site measures 0.77 hectares in area and was occupied by a, now closed, Harvester restaurant and associated parking area

1.4 The site occupied an area of three terraces above the river. The highest point, along the eastern boundary, lies at approximately 25m above Ordnance Datum (aOD), sloping downwards to a height of approximately 22.5 m aOD along the western boundary.

1.5 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Charmouth Mudstone Formation, formed 183 to 197 million years ago in the Jurassic era (BGS 2016). Superficial deposits across the majority of the site were mapped as River Terrace Deposits, comprising sand and gravel, while Alluvium was noted along the western boundary. Each of these deposits was formed up to 3 million years ago in the

3 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, BANES: Archaeological Watching Brief

Quaternary Period and was likely deposited as a result of the flow of the adjacent Lam Brook. A geotechnical investigation of the site undertaken in 2007 recorded up to 1.2m of made ground overlying alluvial deposits (Hydrock Consultants 2007).

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 An archaeological desk based assessment for site the site was undertaken in support of planning permission (CgMs 2014). A summary of the archaeological background and potential for the site is given below:

2.2 Limited evidence for occupation or activity in the earlier and later prehistoric periods has been identified in the area surrounding the site and consequently it was concluded that there was a low potential to uncover remains of this date within the site. In the Roman period the site lay approximately 2.5km to the north-west of the Roman town of Aqua Sulis (Bath) and immediately to the north of the line of the Fosse Way, which follows the line of the modern A4. The Walcott Roman cemetery, located on the edge of Aqua Sulis, is located immediately to the west of the site. Inhumation and cremation burials of Roman date, as well as a number of tombstones, have been uncovered in this area since the 16th century.

2.3 Evidence for Saxo-Norman occupation was identified approximately 200m to the south of the site in 1992. Excavations by the Bath Archaeological Trust uncovered a number of ditches and postholes, as well as a large pottery assemblage. In the medieval period documentary evidence suggests the presence of two fulling mills at Lambsridge, located along the bank of the river. Although the exact location of these mills is unknown, the proximity of the site to a crossing point on the Lam Brook suggests the possibility that at least one mill was located in the immediate vicinity.

2.4 A post-medieval watermill known as ‘Lamsbridge Mill’ is recorded as being located approximately 60m to the north-west of the site. Furthermore, map regression analysis of the area suggests that the site was located within an area of arable and pasture fields from at least the late18th century onwards and possible earlier. Historic Ordnance Survey (OS) maps also suggest the presence of a trackway and footpath across the site in the late 19th century and by the early 20th century a nursery. A glass house is shown as occupying the site on the OS map of 1951.

4 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, BANES: Archaeological Watching Brief

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the archaeological works were (CgMs 2015, 6):

 to record any archaeological artefacts and ecofacts and their context;

 to determine if possible the date of the earliest human activity in this area and the subsequent sequence of occupation;

 to help further inform our understanding of past activity in the area;

 to record any significant archaeological deposits which may be exposed during construction work;

 to record any evidence of archaeological deposits or structures associated with the documented medieval fulling mills;

 to record any evidence of Roman activity in particular relating to the nearby Roman cemetery.

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CgMs 2015). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the removal of concrete slabs and areas of hardstanding, and the grubbing out of all associated foundations (Figure 2). Following consultation with Richard Sermon on the 10th February 2016, it was decided that due to the negative results of the monitored areas thus far and the considerable depth of made ground, no further monitoring work was necessary.

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

4.3 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited with Roman Bath Museum. A summary of information from this

5 © Cotswold Archaeology Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, BANES: Archaeological Watching Brief

project, set out within Appendix B, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)

5.1 The natural geological substrate was not encountered during the fieldwork, however, a thick layer of redeposited alluvium (202, 302) consisting of a mixed yellow/grey clay with brick and concrete inclusions, was revealed beneath the demolished buildings at location at an average depth of 0.6m below ground level. This was overlain by a layer of made ground (101, 201, 301) averaging 0.6m in thickness, which was in turn sealed by 0.3m of concrete slab (100, 200, 300).

5.2 During the watching brief the removal of a large area of hard standing and the footings for the demolished buildings were monitored. Flooding in the south-western part of the site prevented viewing of deposits uncovered during the groundworks in this area (Figure 3). No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.

6. THE FINDS AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

6.1 No finds or biological evidence were encountered during the archaeological investigation.

7. DISCUSSION

7.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the site for both Roman and medieval remains, the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. The evidence from the watching brief suggests that the absence of archaeological deposits was the result of truncation from previous development. The terracing previously noted within the site, may be evidence of prior truncation of underlying deposits and may have occurred during the development of the site for the previous Harvester restaurant.

8. CA PROJECT TEAM

8.1 Fieldwork was undertaken by Tony Brown. The report was written by Nicky Garland. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been compiled by Tony Brown, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by Richard Greatorex.

9. REFERENCES

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2016 Geology of Britain Viewer http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 25 February 2016

CgMs Consulting Ltd 2014 Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. Former Harvester, Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset.

CgMs Consulting Ltd 2015 Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Monitoring Exercise. Former Harvester, Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset.

Charted Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) 2014 Standard and guidance: Archaeological watching brief

Hydrock Consultants 2007 Ground Investigation at The Harvester, Bath: Final Report.

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Area Context Type Context Description L (m) W Depth/thick No. No. interpretation (m) ness (m) 1 100 Layer Concrete slab Modern concrete >24 >9 0.30 1 101 Layer Made Ground Mixed dark brown clayey silt with >24 >9 - concrete and brick inclusions 2 200 Layer Concrete slab Modern concrete >26 >15 0.4 2 201 Layer Made Ground Mixed light grey and dark brown silty >26 >15 0.7 sand with concrete and brick inclusions 2 202 Layer Redeposited Redeposited alluvial clay – mixed >26 >15 - Natural grey/yellow clay with concrete and brick inclusions 3 300 Layer Concrete slab Modern concrete >10 >9 0.30 3 301 Layer Made Ground Mixed dark brown silty clay with >10 >9 1.3 concrete and brick inclusions 3 302 Layer Redeposited Redeposited alluvial clay – mixed >10 >9 - Natural grey/yellow clay with concrete and brick inclusions

APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of residential housing at Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset.

Project dates 28 January – 9 February 2016 Project type Watching brief Previous work Desk based assessment (CgMs 2014) Future work None PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates ST 76300 66540 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Design (WSI) originator CgMs Consulting Ltd Project Manager Richard Greatorex Project Supervisor Tony Brown MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content (e.g. pottery, (museum/Accession no.) animal bone etc) Physical None None Paper Roman Bath Museum Context sheets, site diary Digital Roman Bath Museum Database, digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2016 Land at Gloucester Road, Bath, Somerset: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 16107

9 3 378000 3 374000 3 376000 7 7 7 8 4 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

116800068000

Site 116600066000

116400064000

N Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected] SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE PROJECT TITLE CITY OF BRISTOL Land at Gloucester Road, Bath NORTH SOMERSET BATH AND BANES NE SOMERSET WILTSHIRE FIGURE TITLE Site location plan 0 1km SOMERSET FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2016 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 5750 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller CHECKED BY DJB DATE 02/03/16 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

Excavation of foundations, facing south-east Excavation of foundations, facing south-west

Andover 01264 347630 Cirencester 01285 771022 Cotswold Exeter 01392 826185 Archaeology Milton Keynes 01908 564660 w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE Flooded area in south-western part of site, facing north-west Land at Gloucester Road, Bath BANES

FIGURE TITLE Photographs of groundworks in progress

DRAWN BY LJH PROJECT NO. 5750 FIGURE NO. CHECKED BY DJB DATE 02/03/16 APPROVED BY REG SCALE@A3 NA 3