The Old Fisons Site, Paper Mill Lane Bramford, Ipswich

Desk- Based Assessment

SCCAS Report No. 2012/019

Client: Barton Willmore LLP

Author: M. Sommers February 2012

The Old Fisons Site, Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich

Desk-Based Assessment SCCAS Report No. 2012/019 Author: M. Sommers Editor: Dr R. Gardner Report Date: February 2012

HER Information

Report Number: 2012/0019

Site Name: The Old Fisons Site, Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich

Planning Application No: n/a

Date of Fieldwork: n/a

Grid Reference: TM 1253 4749

Client/Funding Body: Barton Willmore LLP

Client Reference: n/a

Curatorial Officer: Dr. Jess Tipper

Project Officer: M. Sommers

Oasis Reference: n/a

Site Code: n/a

Digital report submitted to Archaeological Data Service: http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/library/greylit

Disclaimer

Any opinions expressed in this report about the need for further archaeological work are those of the Field Projects Team alone. Ultimately the need for further work will be determined by the Local Planning Authority and its Archaeological Advisors when a planning application is registered. Suffolk County Council’s archaeological contracting services cannot accept responsibility for inconvenience caused to the clients should the Planning Authority take a different view to that expressed in the report.

Prepared By: M. Sommers Date: 17th February 2012

Approved By: ******************* Position: ******************* Date: ******************* Signed: *******************

Contents

Summary List of Abbreviations used in the text 2

1. Introduction 1 Site description 1 Topography and Geology of the Application Site 3 Scope of this report 3 Methods 3 Legislative frameworks 4

2. Results 5 County Historic Environment Record search 5 Listed buildings 9 Site Visit 12 The Application Site to the east of the railway 12 The Application Site to the west of the railway 17 Old Paper Mill House 18 Paper Mill Lane 18 History of the Application Site 18 Map regression 23

3. Assessment of impacts and effects 35 The archaeological potential of the PDA 35 Potential of preserved archaeological remains 37 Assessment of the impact of the development on the archaeological resource 38

4. Mitigation measures 39

List of Figures Figure 1. Location plan 2 Figure 2. Historic Environment Record Entries - recorded locations 8 Figure 3. Listed Buildings 11 Figure 4. Site walkover, east of the railway line 13 Figure 5. Site walkover, west of the railway line 16 Figure 6. L.D. Stamp’s land use map of 1937 (rescaled extract) 20 Figure 7. Joseph Hodskinson’s map of 1783 (rescaled extract) 21 Figure 8. ‘A Plan of the Intended Navigation’ by Lenny & Jessop, 1790 (extract) 22 Figure 9. 1st Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1882 24 Figure 10. 1st Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1882 25 Figure 11. 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1904 28 Figure 12. 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1904 29 Figure 13. 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1926 32 Figure 14. 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1926 33

List of Plates Plate 1. structures with 19th century components to the south of the North Warehouse 12 Plate 2 dock entrance, as seen from the north-west bank of the River Gipping 14 Plate 3 Possible former quayside 14

List of Abbreviations used in the text

DBA Desk Based Assessment HER Historic Environment Record PAS Portable Antiquities Scheme PDA Proposed Development Area PPS 5 Planning Policy Statement 5 SM Scheduled Monument SCCAS Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service SCCAS/CT Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service / Conservation Team SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest

Summary

The Desk-Based Assessment of the archaeology of the Application Site has identified a medium to high potential for archaeological remains from the prehistoric period up to the medieval period and a very high potential for evidence relating to the 19th century chemical works that formerly operated on this site to be present within the Application Area. These works were once the largest ‘artificial manure works’ in the world and this site represents a rare survival of a significant but poorly studied industry.

In order to fully understand the site’s archaeological potential and to ensure that the proposed development does not result in the loss of archaeological evidence it will be necessary to undertake further assessment of the site. The precise nature of this work will be the decision of the County Council Conservation Team but is likely to involve a trenched evaluation designed to sample areas of the site at risk from the proposed development. The results of this work would then inform any future mitigation strategies that may be deemed necessary.

The standing structures are currently in poor repair and there is a real danger of them being irreparably damaged. The restoration and re-use that is proposed would ensure their long term survival and provide an opportunity for a detailed study of the structures with the potential to reveal further evidence of the site’s industrial history.

1. Introduction

This report comprises a Desk-Based Assessment of available archaeological sources in order to determine, as far as reasonably practicable from existing records, the previous land use, the nature of the archaeological resource and the potential for significant archaeological evidence to exist within the Application Site. In addition, the likely effect of the proposed development on any identified archaeological resource will be assessed and a possible mitigation strategy proposed.

It is focussed on the potential for buried archaeological remains within the Application Site. An assessment of the architectural and historic significance of a listed structure and other buildings in its curtilage, which lie within the site was produced by Andrew Brown of Woodhall Planning and Conservation and is available as a separate report.

The Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, Field Team, was commissioned by Barton Willmore LLP to undertake this assessment.

Site description

The Application Site comprises two areas of adjacent land lying either side of the main London to Norwich railway line. These are identified as Land West of the Railway Line and Land East of the Railway Line. As part of traffic management measures associated with the proposed development a plot of land to the north, identified as Old Paper Mill House, and a 1.4km length of Paper Mill Lane itself, are also been included within the Application Site (see fig. 1)

The portion of the Application Site lying to the east of the railway is the site of a large chemical works set up in the mid 19th century for the production of super phosphate fertilizer for agricultural use and a number of related buildings are still extant, including the North Warehouse, a Grade II listed structure, parts of which date from the 1850s.

The NGR for the approximate centre of the Application Site is TM 1253 4749. See figure 1 for a location plan.

Norfolk

SUFFOLK

P A

E R

I L L

N E

Essex

0 25km 01km

612000 613000 N

OLD PAPER MILL HOUSE

248000

LAND EAST OF THE RAILWAY

LAND WEST OF THE RAILWAY PAPER MILL LANE

247000

2 Topography and Geology of the Application Site

The local topography comprises gently sloping valley sides on plateau fringes and a river floodplain. The British Geological Society 1:50,000 Solid and Drift Map, published 1990, indicates that the Application Site is located on floodplain alluvium which in turn overlies undifferentiated river terrace deposits (sand and gravel). The underlying solid geology comprises soft fissured chalk with flint (Newhaven Chalk Formation). Ground investigation has also indicated the presence of occasional peat layers and pockets.

Scope of this report

In order to set the Application Site in its archaeological context a study area of c.500m from its boundary was selected for examination.

Methods

The methodology involved interrogating the following sources of data:

• A search of the Suffolk HER for any records within 500m of the Application Site (which includes sites identified from aerial photography). A synthesis of these results are described and mapped in the main body of this chapter.

• An examination of the literature with reference to archaeological excavations within the study area.

• A search for all listed buildings within the study area. A summary is presented in the main report, Section 2.

• An assessment of all cartographic sources relevant to the Application Site to identify historic landuse, the siting of old boundaries and earlier buildings within the study area.

• Site walkovers were conducted on the 18th and 25th January 2012, for which notes and digital photographs were taken.

3 Legislative frameworks

The National Planning Policy Framework streamlines national planning policy into a consolidated set of priorities to consider when planning for and deciding on new development. The framework reaffirms protections for the historic environment and heritage. It provides guidance for planning authorities, developers and others on planning and the historic environment. This guidance advises developers to discuss their plans, preferably at a pre-planning stage, with the County Archaeological Planning Officer for any possible archaeological constraints on their development proposal. The planning guidance sets out to protect nationally and locally important monuments and their settings. There will be a presumption in favour of preservation in situ of important remains. In certain circumstances field evaluation will be carried out to enable an informed decision to be made. On sites where there is no overriding case for preservation in situ, provision will be made for their recording and excavation prior to development. Although recommendations for a mitigation strategy will be put forward, ultimately, any archaeological work that may be deemed necessary will be determined by the Local Planning Authority and its Archaeological Advisors when the planning application is registered.

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979 statutorily protects Scheduled Monuments (SMs) and their settings as nationally important sites. There are no SMs within 500m of the Application Site. The nearest SMs to the Application Site are a series of Anglo-Saxon sites in central Ipswich, 4.8km to the south-east, and the site of the small Roman town of Combretovium, situated on the bank of the River Gipping some 5km to the north.

Listed buildings are protected under the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act of 1990. This ensures that listed buildings are given statutory protection against unauthorised demolition, alteration and extension. Buildings are listed because they are of special architectural importance, due to their architectural design, decoration and craftsmanship; also because they are of historical interest. This includes buildings that illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history or have a close association with nationally important persons or events. There are four Listed Buildings located within 500m of the Application Site (see Fig. 3).

4 2. Results

County Historic Environment Record search The HER only represents the archaeological material that has been reported; this is the ‘known’ resource. The discovery of archaeological sites can be dependant on the previous land uses. Large scale excavations, such as quarries etc., can result in sites being exposed whereas, in contrast, meadows and pasture, where the underlying deposits rarely become exposed, offer relatively little opportunity for the exposure of buried remains. It is not therefore, a complete reflection of the whole archaeological resource of this area as other sites may remain undiscovered, this can therefore only be considered as the ‘potential’ resource.

It should be noted at this point that prior to the National Planning Policy Framework and its predecessors (PPS5 and PPG 16), archaeological investigations were not routinely carried out on development projects and any archaeological remains that may have been encountered on such sites may not been recorded. This is in particular reference to the many modern structures present on the site, the construction of which were not subjected to any archaeological investigations.

The locations of the sites and findspots identified through the HER search are marked in figure 2 which should be viewed in conjunction with Table 1.

HER ref Description Period

BRF Misc. Medieval pottery scatter, 13th/14th century, + associated metal finds. Med

BRF001 Bramford Pit (Coe's Pit), Pits 1 and 2: Palaeolithic flint flakes allegedly from the Preh & Red Crag, and others; two Prehistoric hearths and animal bones. Also the site of Pmed a group of post-medieval lime kilns recorded on early Ordnance Survey maps.

BRF002 Late Palaeolithic, possibly Mesolithic artefacts. Preh

BRF003 Site of an undated ring ditch and the corner of a rectangular enclosure, recorded Preh? as cropmarks visible in aerial photographs.

BRF005 Medieval pottery scatter, 13th century. Med

BRF006 Site of an undated ring ditch, c.6m in diameter, recorded as a cropmark visible in Preh? aerial photographs.

BRF007 Site of an undated ring ditch, large double circle, outer ditch c.50m in diameter, Preh? recorded as cropmarks visible in aerial photographs.

5 HER ref Description Period

BRF008 Site of an undated ring ditch, c.24m in diameter, recorded as a cropmark visible Preh? in aerial photographs.

BRF010 Bronze Age cremation urn, discovered in 1904. Preh

BRF011 Bramford Brickworks Pit No. 2: Palaeolithic implements recorded as having been Preh & found in pit No. 2. Also fragments of a Roman urn were recovered from the west Rom side of the old disused pit.

BRF012 Post-medieval (prob. Late 19th century) well seen at 'The Gables', Bramford. Pmed

BRF013 Neolithic flint flakes and a small flint core recovered from the back garden of 76 Preh The Street, Bramford.

BRF016 Undated, probable burial mound visible on a terrace west of the River Gipping, to Preh? the east of Lower Dairy Farm.

BRF020 A concentration of Medieval pottery, mainly 12th to 14th century. Med

BRF021 A concentration of Medieval pottery in south-east corner of a ploughed field Med abutting Bramford Common, mainly 12th to 14th century.

BRF022 Undated, probable burial mound visible on a terrace west of the River Gipping, to Preh the east of Lower Dairy Farm.

BRF023 'Lorraine Way', a length of Roman road part of Pye Road which runs from Rom Colchester to Venta Icenorum near Norwich (Margary 3c).

BRF027 Site of an undated ring ditch, c.40m in diameter. Possibly two phases as a non- Preh? concentric arc abuts the north-east side. Recorded as a cropmark visible in aerial photographs.

BRF028 Metal detector find: Anglo-Saxon bronze, inlaid with silver, strap end fragment. Sax

BRF029 Metal detector find: Iron Age gold stater, fairly worn and slightly bent. IA

BRF030 Metal detector finds: Anglo-Saxon bronze plate brooch, cross shaped, and a coin Sax of Cnut.

BRF033 Metal detector find: Anglo-Saxon gilded copper-alloy disc brooch with cloisonné Sax decoration.

BRF034 Metal detector find: Fragment of a Roman bronze plate brooch, circular with Rom projections, cut out areas and settings for annular bone pieces. An unusual, probably C1 type.

BRF035 Metal detector finds: Four Roman coins (date range AD268-AD308) and a Rom 'mandolin-shaped' spoon fragment. Metal detector finds.

BRF039 Site of a pair of post-medieval lime kilns and a well recorded on the 1st edition Pmed Ordnance Survey map.

BRF040 Scatter of Anglo-Saxon pottery sherds includes Ipswich ware and Thetford ware. Sax Collected from a back garden between 1988 and 1992.

BRF042 Site of a group of post-medieval brick kilns, part of the Bramford Brickworks, Pmed recorded on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map.

6 HER ref Description Period

BRF043 Site of an undated ring ditch, c.15m in diameter, situated within a rectangular Preh? enclosure (BRF044). Recorded as a cropmark visible in aerial photographs.

BRF044 Site of an undated rectangular enclosure, c.50m by 30m, surrounding a small Preh? ring ditch (BRF043), recorded as a cropmark visible in aerial photographs. Possibly related to a trackway and field system to the north-west (BRF045).

BRF045 North-west to south-east trackway running alongside small fields to the north- Preh? east. Recorded as a cropmark visible in aerial photographs. Possibly related to a rectangular enclosure (BRF044) and a small ring ditch (BRF043) lying to the south-east.

BRF048 Bramford Mill, post-medieval water mill. A watermill on this site is indicated on Pmed Bowen's map of 1755 and Hodskinson’s map of 1783.

BRF050 Early Stour navigation barge with steam engine located in the bank of the River Pmed Gipping, below the water level.

BRF057 Metal detector find: Anglo-Saxon elaborate bronze boss fitting. Sax

BRF063 Site of an undated ring ditch, on the east corner of a field boundary (which Preh? possibly cuts the monument). Also, part of a sub-rectangular enclosure with an opening to the east, abutting Somersham Road. Recorded as cropmarks visible in aerial photographs.

BRF074 Metal detector finds: two silver Roman coins and a sherd of Roman pottery. Rom

BRF076 'The Old Paper Mill': post-medieval water mill, brick and weather boarded with a Pmed slate roof. Built as a paper mill, later converted to grind corn. Internal, breast- shot, iron water wheel survives. A watermill on this site is indicated on Hodskinsons map of 1783. Also, 'Paper Mill Farm': barn and farmhouse have 16th century framing, farmhouse originally part of a larger building. Other buildings include an 18th century granary and 19th century outbuildings.

BRF078 'Grove Farm': group includes an 18th century granary, 19th century stables and Pmed other 19th century sheds and a barn.

BRF085 Stray finds recovered during monitoring of the Bramford to Wattisham gas Rom & pipeline; includes two Roman body sherds of potter, three sherds of medieval Med pottery and a sherd of Late medieval pottery. IPS096 Metal detector find: Roman, enamelled bronze brooch. Identical to Collingwood Rom and Richmond No. 102.

WHI Misc. Metal detector find: bronze Roman coin (reported findspot, artefact not seen). Rom

WHI003 Metal detector finds: three bronze Roman coins; one of Victorinus (AD268- Rom AD270), one of Valens (AD364-AD378) and an unidentified sestertious.

WHI011 Metal detector finds: Late Iron Age gold coin and a bronze spur terminal. Also a IA & Rom Roman silver coin and a post-medieval spur.

Table 1. Historic Environment Record Search

7 612000 61 WHI003WHI003 3000 WHI003WHI003 N BRFBRF 020020 WHIWHI 011011

BRFBRF 050050 BRFBRF 016016 WHIWHI MiscMisc

BRFBRF 022022 BRFBRF 074074 BRFBRF 076076 BRFBRF 001001 BRFBRF 001001

248000 BRFBRF 035035 BRFBRF 039039 BRFBRF 042042 BRFBRF 034034 BRFBRF 023023

BRFBRF 021021 BRFBRF 057057

BRFBRF 011011

BRFBRF 008008 BRFBRF 008008 BRFBRF 063063 BRFBRF 029029 BRFBRF 033033 BRFBRF 045045 BRFBRF 045045 BRFBRF 028028 BRFBRF 003003

BRFBRF 085085 IPSIPSIPS BRFBRF 085085 BRFBRF 044044 BRFBRF 030030 096096 096096

BRFBRF MiscMisc BRFBRF 043043 BRFBRF 078078 247000 BRFBRF 006006 BRFBRF 007007 BRFBRF 002002

BRFBRF 027027

BRFBRF 010010

BRFBRF 005005 BRFBRF 013013 BRFBRF 005005

BRFBRF 048048 0 500m BRFBRF 040040 BRFBRF 048048 BRFBRF 040040 BRFBRF 012012 Figure 2. Historic Environment Record Entries - recorded locations

8 Listed buildings A search was carried out on the Suffolk HER and on the Heritage Gateway web site http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk, from which the following descriptions have been taken. There are four Listed Buildings within the study area, including the North Warehouse, which lies within the site (for locations see Fig. 3).

1. NORTH WAREHOUSE AT FISONS HORTICULTURAL DIVISION WORKS (Grade II; List Entry No. 1263014) Warehouse, built as a factory for the manufacture of superphosphate fertilizers. C.1858-60, for Joseph Fison; the 2 uppermost of the 4 storeys were added in later C19. The main block is about 90 metres long, in about 24 bays, and spans about 25 metres. Attached to the east side at the south end is a parallel contemporary range of similar span but only about 25 metres in length. 4 storeys with a further floor within the roof space. Timber-framed with horizontal weatherboarding, apart from the west elevation (adjacent to a branch railway line), which is of tarred red brick up to 1st storey level for most of its length, with arcading at bay intervals. The arches have scone imposts and raised keystone; most are blind, with segmental-headed windows beneath the head. Segmental roofs, bituminous-felt clad. Most of the original windows in the timber-framed upper storeys are unaltered; in the side walls are small-pane hopper windows in pairs, each pair filling the width of one bay. In the gables are fixed small-pane sashes. The intermediate floors are of heavy lateral timber beams on circular storey-height cast-iron columns.

2. GROVE HOUSE (Grade II; List Entry No. 1250917) 3 houses (Little Grove, Grove House and The Grove), formerly one. The central core early C19, for Edward Packard. A late C19 extension at the north end, and a second at the south end with a terracotta date plaque 1889. From the garden side (formerly the entrance front): Original house of 3 storeys, 3 windows. Central slightly set-forward entrance bay. Red brick, a plain band at 2nd floor and a pediment above the entrance bay with modillioned cornice. Deep moulded cornice at the eaves. Hipped slated roof. Sash windows; those at ground and 1st storeys having segmental heads of gauged brick, tripartite small-pane sashes. 2nd floor windows smaller with flat arches. 1-storey flat-roofed entrance porch with corner pilasters and modillioned

9 cornice; 6-panelled door with glazed sidelights. Pair of 2-panelled inner entrance doors, the upper panels glazed; elliptical fanlight with delicate radiating glazing bars. The 3 storey extension to north has a semicircular flat-roof bay window with heavy mullions and transomes.

3. RUTTERS FARMHOUSE (Grade II; List Entry No. 1251604) House. Early C17. Rendered timber frame in part underbuilt in brick on ground floor. Plaintile roof and brick end stacks. 3-unit central staircase plan. 2 storeys and attic. 2-window range of 2- light casements over 3-light casements. Central glazed door and gabled porch. Further single- and 2-light casements to sides and single-storey extension to right side. Outshut to rear conceals diamond mullion window on former rear wall. INTERIOR: Frame partly visible has jowled posts. Camfered spine beams. Roofhas butt purlins and coupled rafters. A house caved 'Rutters' is shown on this site on a map dated 1634.

4. OUTHOUSE APPROXIMATELY 8 METRES WEST OF RUTTERS FARMHOUSE (Grade II; List Entry No. 1262551) Bakehouse/washhouse. C19. Red brick with pantile roof and brick left end stack. Central doorway. Retains fireplace opening with oven and copper. Included with Rutters Farmhouse for group value.

33 22 44

11 Site Visit The Application Site was visited on the 18th January 2012 to view the land to the east of the railway and again on the 25th January 2012 to view the land to the west of the railway.

The purpose of the visits was to examine the site for extant archaeological features or monuments, such as earthworks, or historic structures, and to assess the effects of previous land use on any potential archaeological resources that may be present within the Application Site.

The Application Site to the east of the railway In the eastern section of the Application Site (see Fig. 4 for the layout of this area) no obvious archaeological features or monuments were identified but a number of historic structures were noted. In addition to the listed North Warehouse and associated buildings (marked in red on Fig. 4), a group of buildings within which sections of wall built of soft red brick, suggestive of 19th or early 20th century construction, were noted (marked in green on Fig. 4). These structures are coincidental with buildings marked on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet map of the area (published 1904; for an extract see Fig. 11) suggesting they, or at least components of these structures, are parts of the former Bramford Works (Plate 1).

Plate 1. structures with 19th century components to the south of the North Warehouse

N modern structures of no interest 10 m structures of possible interest

approx. area of

concrete surface/slab 1 2

5 0 m m 25 listed or historic structures m

m 0 1

former dock entrance

g n i p edge of ip G terrace r e v i R ?cellar

1 0 m edge of terrace

1 0 m

10m 1 5 m

0 100m

Figure 4. Site walkover, east of the railway line

13 In an area immediately to the north of this group of buildings a subterranean, brick lined chamber was exposed in a narrow circular bore cutting into the ground to depth of c. 2m (marked with a green star on Fig. 4). Although it was not possible to fully examine this feature, it is likely to be a cellar related to a demolished building and is probably 19th century in date.

Plate 2 dock entrance, as seen from the north-west bank of the River Gipping

Plate 3 Possible former quayside

14 The chemical works at Bramford made great use of the River Gipping in order to transport the raw materials and resultant products. A dock is marked on the early Ordnance Survey maps lying immediately to the east of the railway bridge over the river. River transport ceased during the 1930s and the dock itself had been filled by the 1960s although the entrance, formed in concrete, is clearly visible on the south-east bank of the river (Plate 2). The dock itself was presumably revetted on all sides and probably survives as a buried feature within the Application Site. South of the dock entrance, the boundary of the Application Site comprises a substantial revetment reinforced with iron/steel plates (Plate 3). This may be related to a large warehouse, that formerly stood on this site, or to the use of this stretch of the river as a quayside for the loading and unloading of river barges.

Potential for the survival of archaeological remains Much of the Application Site lying to the east of the railway line is covered in concrete hardstanding relating to roadways, open yards and the floor slabs of former structures that have been demolished (marked in grey on Fig. 4). Some of the floor slabs may relate to buildings associated with the 19th century chemical works, some of which were not demolished until the second half of the 20th century.

The natural topography of the area slopes down to the west, towards the river and within the eastern section of the Application Site there is evidence for terracing. This is particularly noticeable at the southern end of the large modern structure marked in black in figure 4. The land immediately to the south is located at a substantially higher level with a steep and clearly artificial slope between the two levels suggesting a significant truncation of the earlier land surface. The land at the northern end of the eastern section of the Application Site is clearly much higher than the adjacent riverbed and the land on the opposite bank. A vertical retaining wall (see Plate 3) runs alongside the river path suggesting that to a certain extent, this particular part of the Application Site has been artificially raised to the same level as the remainder of the site.

N length of former river channel

pittedpitted 1 0 areaarea m

1 0 m

1 5 m

1 0m

1 0 pit m

R 1 iv 0 e m r channel G ip p in g

1 0m possible earthwork

16 The Application Site to the west of the railway To the west of the railway the land within the Application Site gently undulates but is generally level although with a very gentle slope down to the south; the tapering, southern end of the site is flat and low-lying. It comprises grassed meadows with occasional hedgerows and ditches dividing the land into large fields. The River Gipping forms the western boundary for much of this section of the Application Site; the railway line forms the eastern boundary. At the southern tip of the western section the railway line is on a raised earthwork embankment but this reduces in height as the land rises to the north until they are roughly similar levels before the land dips down in the vicinity of the railway bridge. See figure 5 for details noted in this section of the Application Site.

A meandering, reed filled linear depression is present running approximately north-west to south-east becoming more regular and straight as it proceeds to the north. This is likely to be a naturally formed channel that may be a relict of the River Gipping, whose path across the valley bottom will have altered over time. This channel forms the boundary of the Application Site towards its southern corner. It has been maintained, to a certain extent, as a drainage ditch and a number of perpendicular ditches drain into this channel in the southern, lower lying half of this area. This channel eventually drains into the River Gipping below the weir (formerly a lock on the navigation) at the Bramford Mill site, some 700m to the south.

A former section of the River Gipping is present as a linear pond at the northern end of the site. The river in this location was realigned during the construction of the railway line in the 1840s to facilitate the construction of a railway bridge over the river. It is drained by a ditch on the south side which formerly joined the channel described above.

No obviously significant archaeological monuments, in the form of earthworks, were identified although the site of a ring ditch and a possible enclosure identified from aerial photographs (HER ref. BRF 043 and 044) was very slightly raised in relation to the surrounding land. A former extraction pit is present in the central area. It is not marked on the 1904 OS map but does appear on the 3rd edition map (published 1926; for a extract see Fig. 13), which shows it was accessed via a trackway exiting from south- east which joins a north-south track lying to the east. An area of lagoons is delineated by a series of modern fences towards the north of this area. The 2nd and 3rd edition Ordnance Survey maps indicates a series of pits and spoil heaps, some rectangular and

17 others with irregular shapes, which appear to be related to the chemical works (suggested in Fig. 6. Stamp’s land use map of 1937, which colours this area red suggesting an association with the chemical works).

Potential for the survival of archaeological remains Other than the area of pitting to the north and the single extraction pit there was no obvious indication of any significant alterations of the ground levels. As far as could ascertained by the site visit, other then the area of pits and the extraction pit, the area has only seen pastoral use.

Old Paper Mill House A two-storey, brick built house with a tiled roof. A single storey outbuilding stands in the garden to the south. This area was not entered and was only viewed from Paper Mill lane and a riverside path. No significant archaeological evidence was noted in this area.

Paper Mill Lane Comprsies a narrow lane leading from the B1067 at Bramford through to the junction of the A14 and the B1113. Just wide enough for two way traffic over the majority of its length. A 660m length of pavement exists at the southern end of the lane, on the eastern side of the roadway. Intermittent hedges are present on either side. No significant archaeological evidence was noted in this area.

History of the Application Site The Application Site lies within the Gipping Valley to the north of the large town of Ipswich. The River Gipping is one of the major waterways in the region, being a main route of drainage from the central clay area of Suffolk out to the North Sea at Felixstowe (the stretch below Ipswich is known as the River Orwell). As a navigable waterway it has acted as a main transport route across the region and would have been a focus for settlement from at least the Neolithic period (around 4000 BC). Numerous archaeological sites and findspots are recorded along the entire length of the valley. These include Neolithic occupation sites, Bronze Age, and Iron Age settlements, Roman villas and farms, a substantial Roman town, Anglo-Saxon sites and many medieval settlements, some of which have formed the basis for many of the modern towns and villages that lie along the Gipping Valley.

The Application Site is situated within the parish of Bramford although the actual village lies 1.2km to the south of the factory site. The parish and a church are recorded in Domesday Book of 1086 (as Brunfort or Branfort). From at least the 16th century the village was focussed along Bramford Street, the main north-south road through the parish, although there may have been an earlier focus around the site of the present church and river crossing. The present church, St Mary’s, is 14th century in date but may be on the site of the church mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Throughout the greater part of the Application Site’s recorded history it consisted of agricultural land probably related to Papermill Farm, which is situated approximately 150m to the north-east (Papermill Farmhouse and one of the extant barns are timber framed structures, parts of which date from the 16th century), or Grove Farm to the south. The early Ordnance Survey maps show the Application Site (excepting the area of the later chemical works) as open fields, presumably pasture. The majority of the area is shaded green, indicating open grassland, on L. D. Stamp’s land use map of 1937 (Fig. 6; the purple shaded section indicates gardens and this relates to this part of the site’s use as allotments in the late 19th/early 20th century).

Bramford Paper Mill, after which the farm is named, is a post-medieval watermill located on the river just to the north-west of the farm, and is one of many mills that lie along the River Gipping. As its name implies, its purpose was the manufacture of paper, primarily from cotton and linen rags that were probably collected from Ipswich and brought to the mill in carts along Paper Mill Lane as well as by the river. The paper mill probably dates from the 19th century (the mechanical process for manufacture of paper was perfected in the early 19th century) although it may have originally been built to grind corn as a mill is indicated in this location on a map by Joseph Hodskinson, published in 1783 (Fig. 7). It is marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map as a paper mill but by the end of the 19th century its output was probably too small to be profitably in the face of large, factory scale mills and it was converted to grind corn, as indicated on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map (Fig. 11).

The River Gipping, which runs alongside the Application Site, has probably been used for the transportation of goods and people from the prehistoric period. The earliest reference for its use is by Danes in 860 who reportedly sailed up the River Gipping and

19 one of its tributaries, the River Rat, to the site of the village Rattlesden. Stone for the great abbey at Bury St Edmunds was brought up the river in 1065 and the bells of Stowmarket church were transported down river to be re-cast during the 17th century. The first formal proposals to actually construct a navigation from Stowmarket to Ipswich appeared around 1719 but were dropped following objections from Ipswich Corporation who feared a loss of trade and it was not until 1790 that a Parliamentary Bill for its construction was eventually passed. The navigation opened three years later, the first trip being undertaken on the 14th September 1793. Although the stretch of the River Gipping that runs alongside the Application Site is relatively straight and wide, suggesting it has been canalised, a plan of the proposed navigation, dated 1790 (see Fig. 8), suggests the only works undertaken in this area was the creation of locks at Bramford Corn Mill to the south and Bramford Paper Mill to the north.

0 500m

Figure 6. L.D. Stamp’s land use map of 1937 (rescaled extract)

500m

Figure 7. Joseph Hodskinson’s map of 1783

(rescaled extract - approx. extent of the Application Site is outlined in red)

It is possible that some earlier works had been undertaken, possibly in relation to previous navigation of the river or to improve drainage in the valley.

It is not until the mid 19th century with the construction of the railways line and the establishment of the chemical works that any significant activity is recorded within the Application Site. The Ipswich and Bury Railway Company opened their line between the two Suffolk towns in December 1846 although by 1847 the line had been amalgamated with the Eastern Union Railway Company to create a continuous route between Bury St Edmunds and Colchester where a further company provided services to London. By 1849 the railway had been extended to Norwich with the line to Bury St Edmunds being reduced to the status of a branch line. A spur was created off the line which ran into the

21 Application Site to serve a series of sidings adjacent the chemical works as well as a series of lines that ran in and about the various structures of the chemical works. Additionally, a line ran through the works site and across Paper Mill Lane to provide a rail connection to a series of quarries and a brickworks which had been established to the east of the lane. The precise date of the commencement of quarrying on this site, which was initially for chalk that was burned in kilns to make lime, is unknown. A lime kiln is marked on the navigation proposal of 1790 which would suggest that quarrying was already underway in this area by the end of the 18th century and the creation of the navigation and the railway would only have acted to accelerate the expansion of industrial activity in this area.

Figure 8. ‘A Plan of the Intended Navigation’ by Lenny & Jessop, 1790

(rescaled extract - approx. extent of the Application Site is outlined in red)

The railway line ran through the town of Stowmarket and offered a viable alternative for the transportation of freight on the navigation resulting in a sharp drop in traffic on the river. By the end of the 19th century river navigation to Stowmarket had virtually ceased although the stretch between Bramford and Ipswich was still in regular use by the chemical works within the Application Site until the late 1920s/early 1930s. A dock and quay were present at Bramford to enable the transhipment of goods. The dock is visible on the 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey map indicating it was in place by at least the 1880s and is also marked in the 2nd and 3rd editions. The two companies maintained their own fleet of steam and dumb barges. Each steam barge could tow two dumb

22 barges of up to 35 tonnes capacity. The County HER records that one of the steam barges lies buried under the bank of the river just to the north of Bramford Paper Mill (HER ref. BRF 050).

The main history of the Application Site revolves around its 19th century establishment of the two chemical works of Edward Packard (Bramford Works) and Joseph Fison (Eastern Union Works), both of which occupied the entirety of the Application Site to the east of the railway line. The history of this area from the mid 19th century onwards is included in a report, ‘North Warehouse, Former Scott’s Site, Bramford: Assessment of Architectural and Historic Significance’, by Andrew Brown of Woodhall Planning and Conservation, who were commissioned by Barton Willmore LLP to undertake a study of the site structures. In summary; it was discovered in the 1840s that superphosphate fertilizer could be produced from coprolites (stony nodules rich in phosphates which could be found across East Anglia). In 1849 Edward Packard set up a factory in Ipswich to grind and treat coprolites to create superphosphate but quickly relocated to a purpose built factory at Bramford in 1851 (identified as ‘Bramford Works’ on early OS maps). Joseph Fison was also producing superphosphates in Ipswich in 1850 and set up the Halifax Works on the outskirts of the town. In 1858 he moved his operations to Bramford and established a factory immediately to the north of Packard’s works (identified as the ‘Eastern Union Works’ on early OS maps). Both companies continued to flourish and expand throughout the late 19th century and into the early 20th century on their adjacent sites. During the First World War the fertilizer industry was put under the control of the Ministry of Munitions and used to produce explosives. After the war the two companies were amalgamated.

Map regression The earliest map examined for this assessment was Joseph Hodskinson’s map of the county of Suffolk published in 1783 (Fig. 7). Although of a large scale it is relatively detailed showing most settlements and even quite minor roads and some individual structures. The River Gipping and Paper Mill Lane are depicted as are Bramford Mill and Bramford Paper Mill but no structures or features are shown within the Application Site. Although a group of buildings are shown at Grove Farm no buildings are shown in the area of Papermill Farm. This could be an oversight or an indication that the farm is later and 16th century components in the extant buildings had been recycled from elsewhere.

200m

Figure 9. 1st Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1882 (rescaled extract)

100m

Figure 10. 1st Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1882 (enlargement of Fig. 9; The North Warehouse is outlined in green)

25 A plan of the proposed river navigation dated to 1790 shows little detail being concerned only with alterations to the river (Fig. 8). It does show that the course of the river has already been established as the only works proposed for the navigation is the construction of deviation channels with locks to enable craft to get past the watermills. The plan does show the buildings at Papermill Farm and appears to show that Paper Mill Lane ran directly alongside the existing river at that point. A bridge, named Bishop’s Bridge, is shown in roughly the same location as an existing footbridge, known as Bushman’s Bridge. A lime kiln is shown to the east of the river although its precise location is unclear. It is possibly within the Application Site but is more likely to be further to the east.

1st edition Ordnance Survey The 1st edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, published in 1882 (Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 for an enlargement of the eastern area) clearly shows the two chemical works: Edward Packard’s Bramford Works to south; and Joseph Fison’s Eastern Union Works to the north. The actual division between the two is unclear but it is probably coincidental with the southern end of the North Warehouse (the listed structure; the approximate extent is outlined in green in Figs. 10, 12 & 14) where a continuous east to west boundary is marked on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd editions of the Ordnance Survey maps.

The 1st edition map does not shade the buildings so it is not clear what is a roofed structure as opposed to an open yard. In this case the majority of compartments shown are probably roofed buildings that cover much the central third of the Application Site to the east of the railway and together form the Bramford Works. The North Warehouse and a number of smaller buildings occupy the northern third of the site and comprise the Eastern Union Works. A pair of rectangular buildings is situated within the area of land between the North Warehouse and the river. One of these is connected to the North Warehouse by an aerial walkway which passes over a series of railway tracks (visible in the 1890/96 illustration, Fig. 2 in A. Brown’s report: Appendix 1).

Railway sidings are present between the railway line and Bramford Works which continue to just beyond the North Warehouse. These curve to the east as they progress towards the northern end of the Application Site with a single track then leading out across the Paper Mill Lane and into a quarry to the east of the lane. A single siding runs

26 immediately adjacent to the North Warehouse which is clearly for loading operations in or out of the building. A number of railway tracks can be seen emerging from some of the Bramford Works buildings. These do not appear to be connected to the railway sidings suggesting they may have been used solely for movements within the works.

A circular gasometer (a gasholder) is marked within the Bramford Works. This indicates that gas was being produced on site, either deliberately for use within the works or as a by-product of the chemical fertiliser production. The gasometer is clearly in an open yard and a second open yard is located immediately to the north although they appear to be separated by a wall or fence (their interpretation as open yards is confirmed in later mapping). Close to the northern boundary of the northern yard and adjacent a group of small rectangular buildings, a small circle is marked which could be interpreted as a storage tank or a possible chimney.

In the southern third of the eastern Application Site the land is less cluttered and a number of structures are marked that appear to be domestic houses associated with the chemical works. A row houses lie alongside Paper Mill Lane, many of which are quite large semi-detached buildings with large gardens although a short terrace of four houses is also present along with numerous outhouses and sheds. It is not clear which direction these houses face as the larger semi-detached buildings appear to have thin extensions to the rear which probably contain the scullery and washhouses which would suggest these, and presumably the rest of the houses adjacent Paper Mill Lane, face west, into the factory site. A further two terraces, each of eight houses, run parallel to Paper Mill Lane and set back, closer to the railway a further terrace of four houses are marked. The two terraces of eight houses appear to face west and have shared rear yards to the east with what are likely to be washhouses and toilets at the eastern end. The terrace of four houses also appears to face west and have a single block which presumably contained toilets and washhouses to the east. A total of four pumps are marked (two are simply marked ‘P’) in this area and a further two are depicted immediately adjacent Paper Mill Lane (marked ‘P’). These are undoubtedly hand cranked pumps, situated above sealed wells which would been the source of water for the houses. These pumps seem to be more closely associated with the terraced houses which could suggest the larger, semi-detached houses had a piped water supply. These houses, with their clear association with the chemical works, would have been for workers at the factory with the semi-detached properties being for the more senior staff.

200m

Figure 11. 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1904 (rescaled extract)

100m

Figure 12. 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1904 (enlargement of Fig. 11; The green outline indicates the North Warehouse)

29 Just beyond the southern limit of the eastern Application Site, but probably associated with the chemical works, a row of three lime kilns are marked along with a row of small structures; a well is also indicated. A track exits the works/housing site to the south running alongside the area of the kilns before turning east and joining Paper Mill Lane.

The western section of the Application Site is marked as open fields with occasional ditches and hedgerows. A footpath or track is marked running diagonally across the large field in the northern half of the western section before turning south and later south-east before heading towards the footbridge over the River Gipping. It starts adjacent to the railway line and was presumably accessed by crossing the railway line. A possible crossing point is approximately aligned with a roadway running west to east through the chemical works and out to Paper Mill Lane. The railway and the adjacent land are at roughly the same level at this point. A second access point to the western Application Site from Paper Mill Lane is via a trackway passing under the railway to the west of ‘Grove House’, a house built for Edward Packard (now a Listed Building, see above). Access can also be made via the riverside towpath which runs under the railway bridge.

A building corresponding with the The Old Paper Mill House and its outbuilding are marked indicating they had been constructed prior to this survey. It is unnamed on all three of the early Ordnance Survey maps.

2nd edition Ordnance Survey The 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map, published 1904 (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12), marks the extent of roofed structures with hatching or shading. Although this makes the identification of such structures easier it does remove some of the detail of building separation visible in the 1st edition map. This later map shows there has been little alteration to the southern of the two chemical works (Bramford Works) between the two surveys as all the structures appear to still be present but with only two additional structures in the yard to the northern yard, which is no longer separated from the yard to the south. The gasometer is still marked in the same location but is no longer labelled. This does not necessarily mean it is no longer used to store gas; although it should be noted that it has disappeared by the time of the 3rd edition map. The number of railway lines around the works has increased and these now appear to be connected to the main sidings either through sharp curves leading to points or by a small single wagon

30 sized turntable (visible as a small circle towards the southern end of the sidings). A signal box is marked on the west side of the main railway line which would have controlled access to the works sidings.

The area of housing to the south has significantly changed. The terraces have been cleared and a large rectangular building has been constructed across the site of the western terrace of four houses. A number of other buildings are also attached to the southern and eastern walls of what was the southern most building of the factory in the 1st edition survey and a further three pairs of semi-detached houses have been constructed on the west side of Paper Mill Lane; it is not clear which direction these houses face. No pumps are marked indicating that the wells were no longer in use, suggesting that all the houses had piped water supplies.

Fison’s Eastern Union Works to the north has seen some significant expansion in the number of buildings within the works site with the addition of structures to the east of The North Warehouse, a group of three structures to the north and a large building fronting the riverside to the west. A number of small structures have also been built against the eastern and southern boundaries of the Eastern Union Works. Some of these additional structures replace or possibly incorporate buildings marked on the 1st edition map.

A trapezoid shaped area, labelled ‘DOCK’ is outlined close to the railway bridge over the river. A pair of dotted lines runs across the path adjacent to the river which indicates the location of the dock entrance and suggests it was crossed by a footbridge. A rectangular building sits on the west side of the dock which appears to be situated partially over the dock itself. A crane is marked in the vicinity of the northern end of this building but the precise location is not clear (possibly within the building itself). This building is entered by a pair of railway lines at its southern end, suggesting it was a covered loading bay for the transferring of materials between the works and river barges. These features are also marked on the 1st edition map but the dock is not labelled.

The field boundaries in the Application Site to the west of the railway are largely unaltered. The biggest change being the creation of an area of allotments in a strip about 70m wide and 300m long lying adjacent to the railway line (two large areas of

200m

Figure 13. 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1926 (rescaled extract)

100m

Figure 14. 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale sheet, pub. 1926 (enlargement of Fig. 13; The green outline indicates the North Warehouse)

33 allotments are also marked to the east of Paper Mill Lane). The footpath, which was marked on the 1st edition map, has been slightly realigned. Its original route now forms the northern extent of the allotments before it turns south and runs roughly along their western boundary. It then continues on this alignment before turning to the west and on to a footbridge that is coincidental with the site of the present Bushman’s Bridge. A pair of footbridges over ditches within the Application Site is marked, one of which is along the line of the above mentioned footpath. A series of pits are marked immediately to the north-west of the allotments along with a small rectangular building. Three of these pits are regular rectangles whilst a fourth is two overlapping rectangles, all of which appear to be water filled tanks. Their straight edges and right angled corners suggest they may have been revetted. Around these pits are what are probably irregularly spoil heaps.

3rd edition Ordnance Survey The 3rd edition Ordnance Survey shows few significant changes to the Bramford Works. There has been some infilling of the southern yard, the gasometer is no longer present and the internal railway system has been slightly altered with some additional tracks. The general arrangement of buildings to the south is unchanged but the open area where the terraces were located is now outlined with a border of black dots, which although slightly ambiguous, are probably indicating a quarry or a waste heap. Within the Eastern Union Works there has been further expansion in the number of buildings with the erection of a large building in the south-east corner, the infilling of spaces between and to the north of buildings associated with the North Warehouse and the addition of buildings to the north of the river frontage. The dock is still extant and what is probably a covered access road or track from the Bramford Works has been added on the west side.

Within the Application Site to the west of the railway the only changes visible are a shortening of the area allocated to the allotments, an increase in the number of water filled pits to the north-west of the allotments and the excavation of an extraction pit to the south-west of the allotments.

34 3. Assessment of impacts and effects

The archaeological potential of the PDA An examination of the Suffolk HER for an area up to 500m from the Application Site has identified a total of forty-six archaeological sites or findspots some of which fall within the Application Site itself, suggesting an overall high potential for deposits relating to earlier historical periods to be present within the Application Site. The majority of sites recorded on the HER are from documentary evidence, antiquarian discoveries or cropmarks seen in aerial photographs. The nature of the Application Site, being grassed meadows or a heavily developed industrial site, has to a certain extent, precluded the opportunity for further sites to be discovered by metal detector users and consequently the number of sites recorded in the HER is lower than might be expected in the Gipping Valley.

Paleolithic and/or Mesolithic flint artefacts have been recovered from three sites situated on the west facing valley slope, two of which were quarry pits (HER refs BRF001, BRF002 & BRF011; see Fig. 2 for their locations). Although these are significant finds they are likely to have been recovered from deeply buried deposits which have restricted their identification to the areas of quarrying. It is probable that further artefacts of this period are present within the valley although, due to their rarity and depth, there is only a very low potential for their being encountered during the proposed development.

A large number of cropmarks, probably relating to prehistoric burial mounds or field systems, have been identified in the valley bottom and artefacts, including Neolithic flint flakes, a Bronze Age cremation burial and high status coins of the Iron Age period, have also been recovered. The spread of these recorded artefacts and sites would indicate that there is a medium to high potential for further prehistoric sites to be present within the Application Site.

There have also been a significant number of Roman finds/sites recorded in the vicinity of the Application Site and an important Roman road runs along the valley towards the small Roman town of Combretovium, situated on the bank of the River Gipping some 5km to the north. No Roman sites have been recorded in the valley bottom with most

35 finds being restricted to the higher ground to the east; consequently there is only a low to medium potential for Roman sites to be present within the Application Site.

Anglo-Saxon sites have been recorded on the high ground and the sloping valley side to the west of the Application Site indicating activity in the area during this period. Additionally, the town of Ipswich which is an important Middle to Late Saxon town is located about 5km down the river. No Anglo-Saxon artefacts have been recorded in the valley bottom in the vicinity of the Application Site but significant Anglo-Saxon settlement activity has been recorded immediately adjacent to the river at Barking to the north. Consequently there is a medium to high potential for Anglo-Saxon remains to be present within the Application Site.

A small number of medieval sites, in the form of pottery scatters, have been recorded on the HER although these are generally alongside the main north-south road on the western side of the valley. No medieval sites have been recorded in the immediate vicinity of the Application Site and the early map evidence, although much later than the medieval period, does not show any earlier settlements or farms within the site. The Application Site therefore has a low potential for medieval archaeology.

It is not until the post-medieval period, particularly the late 18th century through the early 20th century that there is significant activity within the Application Site with the construction of the river navigation, the railway line and the industry these attracted. Starting with the quarrying and lime production, known on the east side of Paper Mill Lane with a possible suggestion of an 18th lime kiln on the west side of Paper Mill Lane, through to the early creation of the chemical fertiliser works in the mid 19th century. Although the North Warehouse still stands its function, at least in its present state, is that of a storage area. There is little obvious evidence within the site of the actual processes involved in the fertiliser production. It is likely that much of this processing would have involved storage of raw materials, crushing mills, processing tanks, drying areas, and areas for final processing, packaging and dispatching along with offices, accommodation and worker facilities. From the map evidence it can be seen that virtually the entire Application Site to the east of the railway was at one time covered in buildings relating to the two works. Although there has undoubtedly been some later disturbance from the construction of the relatively modern buildings that occupy parts of the site to the south of the North Warehouse it is highly likely that significant and

36 interpretable remains of earlier buildings associated with the works survive as buried features. These probably include evidence of the early machinery used, their locations, the location of various processes, the sites of tanks, channels etc., or even the preserved in-situ remains of tanks, machinery, floor surfaces etc are entirely possible. The North Warehouse has been used for storage throughout much of its recorded existence but it is known to have been extensively remodelled during the 19th century and therefore may also contain evidence for the early activities at this site below the existing floors as well as within the building’s fabric. Consequently there is a high to very high potential for significant evidence relating to the site’s industrial history surviving within the Application Site to the east of the railway.

The area to the west of the railway has not been subjected to such intensive use. There may be localised areas of interest, such as the pitting in the northern area, or the potential for revetting or sluices etc. along the banks of the navigation, this part of the Application Site has, in general, a low potential for significant post-medieval archaeological evidence.

Potential of preserved archaeological remains Within the Application Site to the west of the railway there is no recorded activity, other than the areas of localised activity noted above, that could have had a severely detrimental effect on any buried archaeological remains that may exist within this area.

In the eastern area of the Application Site there has been considerable activity from the mid 19th century onwards which is likely to have significantly disturbed or destroyed any earlier remains. Archaeological evidence of the 19th century activity is also of great significance although a proportion of this has been undoubtedly lost through occasional remodellings of the works throughout its life, particularly in the later 20th century when much of the southern area was cleared and a new processing plant constructed. As much of the earlier processing would have involved deep foundations, substantial machinery mountings, and tanks, channels etc. cut into the factory floors, it is highly probable that much evidence will have survived as buried features. Evidence may also survive as components within the later structures that are extant on site.

37 Assessment of the impact of the development on the archaeological resource Site investigation has revealed the presence of contaminated ground that will require remediation prior to the development.

Removal of c. 300 to 400mm of material off the surface of the entire site is proposed (excepting within the buildings to be retained), including any existing slabs, flooring or foundations. The entire site would then be buried under a capping layer of inert material up to 900mm thick. As the remains of the former works structures would probably have only been cleared to ground level significant remains are likely to be exposed immediately beneath the existing surfaces within the site. Consequently, this work has the potential to severely damage and/or destroy buried remains relating to the recent history of the site.

The majority of the proposed construction will be on piled foundations with connecting ground beams. This will result in minimal disturbance to any buried remains. However, on sites where piling is to be employed it is normal practice for the area to be probed and any buried obstacles that could impede the piles are removed. On a site such as this the buried obstacles that require removing are liable to be the buried remains of the earlier chemical works and as such would be of archaeological interest. Development involving wholesale grubbing of obstructions would be likely to cause severe damage and possibly complete destruction of any archaeological evidence that may be present.

38 4. Mitigation measures

Any mitigation strategies that may be required for the redevelopment of this site in regard to its archaeological potential will be the sole decision of the County Council Conservation Team. The first stage is liable to involve a programme of trial trenching in order to fully understand the precise nature of the buried deposits and their significance at this site and to determine the levels of survival and depths of occurrence to enable a greater understanding of the possible threat to the archaeological resource. This work would entail the mechanical excavation of a series of trial trenches to sample all areas of the site at risk from the development proposals. The results of the trenched evaluation would then inform any future mitigation strategies that may be deemed necessary, such as monitoring of groundwork, open area excavation or in certain cases, preservation in-situ. Until such work is undertaken, it is usually impossible to define the full extent of any archaeological work that may be required on a site. Although it is possible for an evaluation to be carried out prior to the demolition of buildings on the site this would limit the areas potentially available for sampling. Consequently, it may be prudent undertake the evaluation after the site has been cleared although care must be taken during demolition to avoid unnecessary damage to any potentially significant buried features or deposits.

All standing structures, other than the obviously modern buildings in the south-west zone of the Application Site to the east of the railway, will likely need to be examined in order to assess their significance in relation to the former works. Any significant remains should be recorded to a suitable level of detail (English Heritage level 2 Building Recording). The listed buildings will also require recording prior to alteration/refurbishment/demolition (possibly to a higher level) as they are likely to contain evidence for earlier uses in the form of fixtures, fittings, signage and evidence of possible wear patterns.

With this in mind the sites developers are strongly advised to liaise with the County Conservation Team at the earliest opportunity to clarify the likely need for any archaeological work.

39 5. Conclusions / Recommendations

Through an examination of the Suffolk HER and a historic map search, this DBA has set the Application Site within its immediate archaeological landscape.

In conclusion, there is limited potential for encountering buried archaeological remains dating from the prehistoric through to the medieval period but there is a very high potential for encountering buried archaeological remains relating to the Application Site’s use as an early industrial history.

Additionally, careful examination and recording of the North Warehouse, parts of which consist of the earliest surviving structure on the site, also has the potential to yield further evidence relating to the early industrial activity of the site.

This report only identifies the possible archaeological potential of this site. As previously stated, in order to fully access the actual levels of survival it will be necessary to undertake field evaluation, in the form of a trenched evaluation. The need and precise form of any further that may be deemed necessary will be at the discretion of the Suffolk County Council Conservation Team. Until such work is undertaken it will not be possible to define the full extent of any further archaeological works that may be required.

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