Ashton Park, Trowbridge Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

Ashton Park, Trowbridge

Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

For Pegasus Planning Group

On behalf of Ashton Park Trowbridge Ltd

CA Project: 3513 CA Report: 11181

August 2011

Ashton Park, Trowbridge

Heritage Desk-based Assessment

CA Project: 3513 CA Report: 11181

prepared by Jonathan Hart, Publications Officer

date 3 August 2011

checked by Richard Morton, Consultancy Project Manager

date 3 August 2011

approved by Robert Sutton, Principal Consultancy Manager

signed

date 3 August 2011

issue 02

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...... 3

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 4

Outline...... 4 Location and landscape context ...... 4 Scope...... 4

2 METHODOLOGY...... 5

3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT ...... 6

Planning policy and guidance context...... 6 Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5: Planning for the Historic Environment ...... 6 Local planning policy...... 8

4 OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE RESOURCE AND A SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE SITE AND ITS WIDER ENVIRONS...... 8

Introduction ...... 8 Summary of statutory and non-statutory designated heritage assets...... 8 Summary of non-designated or potential heritage assets...... 9 Geology, topography and the palaeoenvironment ...... 9 Previous Archaeological Works ...... 9 Prehistoric (pre AD 43) ...... 9 Roman (AD 43–c. AD 410) ...... 10 Early medieval (AD 410–1066) ...... 10 Medieval (1066–1539) ...... 10 Post-medieval (1540–1800) and modern (1801–present) ...... 10 Undated ...... 13 The Walkover Survey...... 14

5 CONCLUSIONS...... 15

6 REFERENCES ...... 16

APPENDIX A - GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIROMENT ...... 19

APPENDIX B - LOCAL PLANNING POLICY...... 21

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan Fig. 2 Recorded Heritage Assets Fig. 3 Extract from 1760 Plan of the Manor of Steeple Ashton Fig. 4 Extract from 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map Fig. 5 Extract from 1805 Map of the Parish of North Bradley Fig. 6 Extract from 1843 Map of the Parish of North Bradley Fig. 7 Extract from 1887 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map Fig. 8 Photograph: earthwork near Yarsbrook Farm, looking east Fig. 9 Photograph: cropmark near Lower Biss Farm, looking north-east Fig. 10 Photograph: the site, looking south-west from the A350/West Ashton Road junction Fig. 11 Photograph: the site, looking east from Drynham Park Farm

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SUMMARY

Project Name: Ashton Park, Trowbridge Location: Trowbridge, West Ashton and North Bradley, Wiltshire NGR: Centred on ST 8726 5682 Type: Heritage desk-based assessment

In July 2011 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Pegasus Planning Group on behalf of Ashton Park Trowbridge Ltd to carry out a desk-based assessment of land at Ashton Park, Trowbridge, West Ashton and North Bradley, Wiltshire. The objective of the assessment was to identify the nature and extent of the heritage assets within both the site and its immediate environs.

No designated heritage assets or non-designated heritage assets recorded by English Heritage, Wiltshire HER or the NMR lie within the site.

A number of ridge and furrow earthworks are present within the site, comprising heritage assets of archaeological interest of low significance. The location of the former settlement at Biss lies within the site. Although no traces of the former buildings remain above ground, these may survive as sub-surface features (such as foundations) and, if so, would be heritage assets of archaeological interest of low significance. A small number of post- medieval earthwork features have also been identified from field inspection, also of low potential archaeological suignificance.

No prehistoric artefacts or remains are recorded within the atudy area, and only a small number of sherds of Roman pottery, suggesting a generally low potential for the presence of currently unrecorded settlement of these periods within the site itself. However, the location of the site alongside the River Biss does raise some potential for unrecorded remains of this date to be present. Similar locations overlooking river valleys in the county are known to have been attractive for prehistoric and Romano-British settlement, and have yielded the remains of prehistoric occupation.

On the basis of current baseline records, no heritage assets of greater than a low significance are recorded within the site, and no significant heritage constraints to potential development identified.

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1 INTRODUCTION

Outline 1.1 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned in July 2011 by Pegasus Planning Group on behalf of Ashton Park Trowbridge Ltd to carry out a desk-based assessment of land at Ashton Park, Trowbridge, West Ashton and North Bradley, Wiltshire (centred on ST 8726 5682; Figure 1).

Location and landscape context 1.2 The proposed development site is located to the south-east of Trowbridge. It comprises c. 220ha of agricultural land and is generally flat, rising to a higher ridge along the line of the A350 at the eastern site boundary. The River Biss, a tributary of the Avon, flows broadly north/south through the site, and one of its own tributaries, the Blackball Brook, runs through the northernmost part of the site. The site is bounded to the north-west by fields, to the north-east by fields and by Biss Wood, to the east by the A350 and the villages of West Ashton and Yarnbrook, to the south by the A363 and to the west by a railway. The site includes Lower Biss Farm, a group of modern corrugated iron barns and other light modern buildings, but excludes the buildings of Biss Farm and other adjoining farm buildings along the site boundaries.

Scope 1.3 The aims of this assessment are to:

 identify known heritage assets within the site and in its surroundings using existing information from publicly available sources;

 determine the potential for as-yet unrecorded buried archaeological remains on the proposed development site, using professional expertise to assess the evidence base; and

 provide an assessment of the significance of heritage assets, using professional expertise and industry guidance.

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2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 The assessment methodology is based on guidance provided by the Institute for Archaeologists Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (IfA 2008).

2.2 The study area has the proposed development site at its centre (centred on ST 8726 5682) and encompasses a buffer of 500m around the edge of the site. The size of the study area ensured that historic mapping and data sources provide sufficient information about the site and its surroundings from which to assess known and potential impacts on the heritage resource. This in turn provided a clearer indication of the site’s history, context and archaeological potential.

2.3 Historic environment data was requested in July 2011 from English Heritage’s National Monument Record (NMR) and the Wiltshire Historic Environment Record (WHER). This comprised data on designated heritage assets such as Scheduled Monuments and Listed buildings, and non-designated assets comprising archaeological find-spots, sites, investigations, historic buildings, cartographic and other documentary records and information on historic landscape character.

2.4 In addition the following resources were consulted and documents studied:

 Historic maps and documents available at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre;

 The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website for designated heritage assets comprising Scheduled Monuments, Registered Battlefields, Registered Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest and World Heritage Sites;

 Historic aerial photographs, studied at the NMR in Swindon, to identify known and potential archaeological sites and evidence of historic land use within the site; and

 British Geological Survey Geology of Britain Viewer, consulted July 2011.

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2.5 A site walkover survey was undertaken on 22 July 2011 to identify known heritage assets, to gain an understanding of the nature and context of the heritage resource and to assess the potential for survival of currently unknown heritage assets within the site. The walkover survey included a Level 1 landscape survey (EH 2007) and Level 1 building survey (EH 2006).

2.6 Known heritage assets within the study area are reported in Section 4 and listed in a gazetteer (Appendix A). All assets in the gazetteer are referred to numerically in bold within the text and are located on Figure 2.

3 3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT

Planning policy and guidance context 3.1 The assessment is written within the following legislative, planning policy and guidance context:

 National Heritage Act 1983 (amended 2002);

 Town and Country Planning Act (1990);

 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990);

 Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (2010);

 PPS5 Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide (2010); and

 English Heritage Conservation Principles: policies and guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment (2008).

Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5: Planning for the Historic Environment 3.2 PPS5 is the main national policy guidance document related to the historic environment. It sets out planning policies relating to the conservation of the historic environment. It classifies as ‘heritage assets’ all those parts of the historic environment that have significance because of their historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest. Its policies cover heritage assets which are designated and those which are non-designated. Policies relate to the treatment of

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the assets themselves and their settings, both of which are a material consideration in development management decision making.

3.3 The Practice Guide for PPS5 (DCLG/DCMS/EH, 2010, pp.7) states that “The PPS sets out the Government’s objectives for the historic environment and the rationale for its conservation. It recognises the unique place the historic environment holds in England’s cultural heritage and the multiple ways it supports and contributes to the economy, society and daily life. The PPS also identifies the historic environment as a non-renewable resource. Its fragile and finite nature is a particularly important consideration in planning. Conserving this resource for future generations accords with the principles of sustainable development. Government places a priority on its conservation and has set out tests to ensure that any damage or loss is permitted only where it is properly justified.”

3.4 The polices in PPS5 are based on the principle that the historic environment and its heritage assets should be conserved and enjoyed for the quality of life they bring to this and future generations. Heritage assets should be put to appropriate uses consistent with their conservation and with policies on climate change, and should be employed in place shaping and in enhancing local character (Policies HE1, HE2 and HE3).

3.5 In development management, planning authorities are obliged to ask the applicant for a description of the significance of the heritage assets affected and the contribution of their setting to that significance. The level of detail required should be ‘proportionate to the importance of the heritage asset and no more than sufficient to understand the significance of potential impact’ (Policy HE6).

3.6 Policies also recognise that decisions are based on the nature, extent and level of significance of heritage assets, and on a level of information proportionate to the importance of the asset. There is a presumption in favour of conserving designated assets and their settings, as well as those assets and their settings which merit designation but have not yet been formally assessed (Policy HE9).

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3.7 Where there will be substantial harm to or total loss of significance of a designated asset, consent may be refused unless it is demonstrated that i) the substantial harm to or loss of significance is necessary in order to deliver substantial public benefits, or ii) the nature of the asset prevents all reasonable uses of the site, no viable medium term use can be found, conservation through grant funding is not possible, and the loss is outweighed by the benefits of bringing the site back into use (Policy HE9.2). Proposals that preserve or make a positive contribution to the setting of a heritage asset are to be regarded favourably (HE10).

Local planning policy 3.8 Regional planning policy is set out in Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan (adopted April 2006, policies saved from April 2009), which provides the overall strategic planning context for the Region. The relevant policies from this document are detailed in full in Appendix B.

3.9 District Planning policy is detailed in the West Wiltshire District Plan (adopted June 2004, Saved Policies) . The relevant policies from this document are detailed in full in Appendix B.

4 OVERVIEW OF THE HERITAGE RESOURCE AND A SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF THE SITE AND ITS WIDER ENVIRONS

Introduction 4.1 This section provides an overview of the historical and archaeological background of the study area in order to provide a better understanding of the context and significance of the heritage resource that may be affected by the proposed development. This assessment then determines the significance of any affected heritage assets and the potential for encountering buried archaeological remains within the site as well as predicting their likely nature, extent and condition.

Summary of statutory and non-statutory designated heritage assets 4.2 There are no Scheduled Monuments, Listed buildings, World Heritage Sites, Registered Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest, Registered Battlefields or Conservation Areas within the site. Several grade II Listed buildings are present outside the site, within the study area (see below).

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Summary of non-designated or potential heritage assets 4.3 A number of earthworks and a crop mark are located within the site, along with the location of a former settlement called Biss with post-medieval or earlier origins and an enclosure near Yarnbrook, which formerly enclosed several buildings. These are discussed below. None of these features are recorded on the Wilthsire HER or the NMR.

Geology, topography and the palaeoenvironment 4.4 The solid geology of the majority of the site comprises the Oxford Clay Formation of the Callovian to Oxfordian geological era (BGS 2011). Superficial Alluvial deposits are present along the courses of the River Biss and the Blackball Brook, along with superficial Head deposits comprising clay, silt, sand and gravel along the western edge of the Biss. The ridge along the eastern edge of the site comprises sandstone of the Hazelbury Bryan Formation of the Oxfordian geological era (ibid.). There is some potential for deposits of palaeoenvironmental interest to be sealed within alluvial deposits, although none are currently recorded in the study area.

Previous Archaeological Works 4.5 Four previous programmes of archaeological work have been undertaken within the study area, of which one included parts of the site. These comprised:  an evaluation in 2001 at Manor Farm which identified a post-medieval drain and surface (Fig. 2, 1);  an evaluation in 2004 on land South West of Ashton Farm and Manor Farm which identified post-medieval ditches and pit scoops pre-dating the relocation of West Ashton in the 19th century (Fig. 2, 2);  a desk-based assessment and evaluation in 2005 of land east of Trowbridge which identified remains associated with a deserted post-medieval setlement at Blackball (Fig. 2, 3) and investigated an earthwork bank, probably a woodland boundary (Fig. 2, 20; WA2005); and  a desk-based assessment in 2009 of land at Ashton Park which comprised the northernmost parts of the current site around Biss Farm (Fig. 2, 28; CA 2009).

Prehistoric (pre AD 43) 4.6 No prehistoric finds or features have been recorded within the site or the study area.

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Roman (AD 43–c. AD 410) 4.7 Two sherds of Roman pottery were found 400m west of the site in 1987 during construction of the White Horse Business Park (Fig. 2, 4), but no features of this date have been identified within the study area. The site is located 15km south-east of the Roman town of Aquae Sullis (Bath).

Early medieval (AD 410–1066) 4.8 No Anglo-Saxon finds or features are recorded in the study area. Evidence of Saxon settlement has been recorded beyond the study area at Trowbridge (Eagles 2001, 224; WCAS 2004, 8).

Medieval (1066–1539) 4.9 West Ashton lies to the south of the site, and comprises a ribbon settlement along the Bratton Road. The village originated in the medieval period and is recorded in a 13th-century document (Fig. 2, 5; CA 2001, 4). A medieval pilgrim’s ampulla was recovered from land south of the village (Fig. 2, 6). The precise original location of the village is unclear.

4.10 It is possible that the post-medieval settlement of Blackball, to the north of the site (see below), was the site of the medieval settlement of Lovemead/Lowmead recorded in a document of 1341 (VCH 1965). However, no evidence of medieval settlement was recorded during an archaeological evaluation of the former post- medieval settlement at Blackball (Fig. 2, 3; WA 2005). Similarly, a former settlement at Biss (see below) might have medieval origins, although there is currently no evidence to support this.

4.11 Castle Wood is depicted on the 1773 Andrews and Dury Topographical Map of Wiltshire and extended between and including what are now Biss and Green Lane Woods to the north of the site. This woodland may be of medieval or earlier origin if it was part of Kayred wood, recorded in a document of 1370 (VCH 1965).

Post-medieval (1540–1800) and modern (1801–present) 4.12 The earliest plan showing the site in its wider context is the 1773 Andrews and Dury Topographical Map of Wiltshire. Settlements at Trowbridge, Lower Studley, North Bradley, Steple (sic) Ashton and West Ashton are shown, but none are depicted in detail. Extensive woodland called Castle Wood is shown in the north-eastern part of the study area, of which the modern Biss and Green Lane Woods are remnants.

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4.13 Post-medieval Listed buildings (all Grade II) are present within the study area, although none are located within the site itself (Fig. 2, 9-19). The possible site of a fulling mill is described in the North Bradley Tithe Award as adjacent to fields named as Rack Close and Rackham, names indicative of fulling (Fig. 2, 8).

4.14 A former small settlement Blackball, to the north-west of the site (Fig. 2, 3) is first recorded in a document of 1617 (VCH 1965) and was abandoned in the mid 19th- century. An evaluation of the presumed location of this settlement in 2005 recorded the remains of structures associated with 17th and 18th-century artefacts (WA 2005).

4.15 Another former small post-medieval settlement was present at Biss, within the site itself (Fig. 2, 27). The settlement at Biss is first depicted on the 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map (Fig. 4). It is also shown on the 1840 map of the Tithing of West Ashton but had gone by the time of the 1887 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map. It is possible that the settlements at Blackball and Biss originated before the post- medieval period, although there is currently no evidence to support this.

4.16 The land to the east of the River Biss lay within Ashton Steeple and West Ashton parishes whilst that to the west lay within North Bradley parish. For ease of reference, the following description of the detailed mapping maintains this division.

East of the River Biss 4.17 The earliest detailed map of the land east of the river is the 1760 Plan of the Manor of Steeple Ashton in the County of Wilts belonging to Walter Long which includes two fields within the site immediately north of the Blackball Brook (Fig. 3). Of these, the westernmost comprised a meadow and part of Sloe Grove Woods (no longer extant), whilst the easternmost was also a meadow, but is shown as former strip fields, a relic of medieval cultivation practices. These meadows are also depicted on the 1770 Amour Acre Farm estate plan.

4.18 The majority of the land east of the river is first shown in detail on the 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map (Fig. 4). This shows that much of the land east of the River Biss lay within West Ashton Wood, which was part of the former extent of Castle Wood. Small fields are shown along the eastern bank of the river and adjoining the roads. The settlement of Biss (no longer extant) is shown in the location of the

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modern Lower Biss Farm and takes the form of several buildings surrounded by an enclosure. Earthworks were found in this location during the walkover survey (see The Walkover Survey, below).

4.19 The 1839 Map of Amour Acre Estate (not illustrated) depicts the two fields north of the Blackball Brook, shown to the south of the remaining part of Castle Wood. Further woodland is shown along the southern bank of the brook.

4.20 The 1840 map of the Tithing of West Ashton (not illustrated) covers a comparable area to the 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map and shows that the land use had changed little in the intervening years. The settlement at Biss remained. The accompanying Award details the land use and shows that most of the fields were pasture. A similar pattern is apparent on the 1841 Map of the Tithing of Steeple Ashton which includes the fields north of the Blackball Brook

West of the River Biss 4.21 The parts of the site to the west of the River Biss are first depicted in detail on the 1805 Map of the Parish of North Bradley which shows the land as comprising fields with patches of woodland (Fig. 5). A droveway is apparent leading from the western part of the site towards the river near Biss, presumably indicating that a bridge or ford existed at Biss. A similar pattern is depicted on the 1807 Map of North Bradley Inclosure, which extends into the westernmost parts of the site.

4.22 The area west of the river is next depicted in detail on the 1843 (Tithe) Map of the Parish of North Bradley, which shows the land use litytle changed from 1807 (Fig. 6). Most of the site comprises fields, described for the most part in the accompanying Award as pasture, with smaller amounts of arable. Drynham Park Farm is shown adjoining the north-western site boundary.

Ordnance Survey mapping 4.23 Detailed Ordnance Survey (OS) maps of the site commence with the 1887 1st Edition 25” series (Fig. 7). This shows several major alterations to the local landscape. The settlement at Biss is no longer depicted and the Wiltshire, Somerset and Weymouth line of the Great Western Railway had been built along the south- western site boundary. In addition, parts of the site had been included in emparking works associated with Rood Ashton Park (Fig. 2, 7 and Fig. 7). The park is centred on Rood Ashton House to the immediate east of the study area (Wood 2000, 1) and

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was remodelled in the 1840s, during which time West Ashton was relocated to its current position, as shown on the 1887 OS plan. On the 1887 OS plan, a driveway associated with the park is shown running through the two fields north of the Blackball Brook along the northern site boundary (Fig. 7) and this extended to Castle Lodge, a Grade II Listed building belonging to the park (Fig. 2, 19). The Church of St John the Evangelist (Grade II Listed, Fig. 2, 15) was constructed within the park in the mid 19th century. Although the park itself lay largely outside the site, the two fields in the north-easternmost part of the site adjoining the A350 lay within the park as shown on the 1890 1st Edition 6” OS map. The park itself is not a Registered Park.

4.24 These changes aside, the 1887 OS maps show that the general land use had changed very little from that depicted on the 1840 Tithe maps. Most of the fields were retained, although some had been amalgamated by removing the former boundaries. Little change is apparent on the Editions of 1901, 1924 and 1939. Aerial photographs, available for the site for the years between 1945 and 1995, show the subsequent land use. The woodland that formerly surrounded Biss Farm was being cleared by 1959, whilst Carter’s Wood (Fig. 7), a remnant of West Ashton Wood depicted on the 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map, was being cleared by 1955 and had become fields by 1963. Ridge and furrow earthworks are apparent across much of the western part of the site on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s (Fig. 2), along with the remains of former field boundaries adjoining West Ashton Road (Fig. 2, 24). By the 1960’s many of these earthworks, including the field boundaries, had been ploughed out. A small number survived however, and were recorded during the site visit (Fig. 2).

4.25 The pylons running through the site are first apparent on photographs taken in 1963. By 1976, the track leading from West Ashton Road to Lower Biss Farm had been constructed, although no buildings had been built. Buildings at Lower Biss Farm are visible on the next available photographs, taken in 1995, where they appear as lightly-built farm outbuildings.

Undated 4.26 An undated linear feature, visible on aerial photographs as a cropmark/earthwork, is recorded in the northern part of the study area, outside the site (Fig. 2, 20). An evaluation trench excavated across this feature did not recover any dating evidence

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although it was concluded that it is likely to be a former woodland boundary (WA 2005).

4.27 Undated linear earthworks are recorded to the east of West Ashton village, outside the site (Fig. 2, 21; WHER). These earthworks are likely to be of medieval or post- medieval date.

The Walkover Survey 4.28 A small number of earthworks were identified during the site visit. Most appear to comprise the remains of ridge and furrow cultivation, including headlands. The locations of these are shown on Fig. 2. A further earthwork near Yarnbrook (Fig. 2, 22) comprised a ditch enclosing one corner of a field (photograph, Fig. 8). The earthwork is in the location of a small sub-rectangular enclosure depicted on the 1843 (Tithe) Map of the Parish of North Bradley (Fig. 6, 22) where it is shown as enclosing a building. The building and enclosure are depicted on the 1901 2nd OS Edition. By the time of the 1924 3rd Edition, the building is no longer shown, although the enclosure remained. The enclosure is not depicted on the 1939 Edition OS map but is visible on aerial photographs taken between 1945 and 1976. Other earthworks within the same field were very irregular and are probably of natural origin.

4.29 An undated cropmark was also identified during the site visit (Fig. 2, 23). This appeared as a 1m-thick ring of taller grass 13m in diameter (photograph, Fig. 9). Although not visible on aerial photographs and potentially of recent agricultural origin (such as surrounding a cattle feeder) or natural origin, the feature might instead be of archaeological origin.

4.30 Further earthworks were visible within the same field as the cropmark. These appear to comprise furrows either side of a headland (Fig. 2, 25) and are visible on aerial photographs (Fig. 2). In the field to the immediate east, a linear bank earthwork was identified on a broadly north-east/south-west alignment (Fig. 2, 26). This is visible on aerial photographs and on the 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure map, where it is shown as a boundary associated with the settlement at Biss. On the 1st and succeeding editions of the OS maps, the earthwork forms part of the parish boundary between North Bradley and West Ashton and this is still the case on current mapping.

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5 CONCLUSIONS

Known Heritage Assets and Potential

5.1 No designated heritage assets or non-designated heritage assets recorded by English Heritage, Wiltshire HER or the NMR lie within the site.

5.2 A number of ridge and furrow earthworks are present within the site (Fig. 2). These were formerly more extensive, particularly west of the River Biss and might survive as sub-surface features. The survival of at least one headland and the fact that the furrows do not exactly match the historic field layout, suggests that they are of medieval origin and as such form part of the former medieval landscape. They are therefore considered heritage assets of archaeological interest of low significance.

5.3 The location of the former settlement at Biss lies within the site (Fig. 2, 27). Biss was a farm or hamlet and was certainly in existence from 1818, and may have earlier origins, potentially in the medieval period. Buildings were present in the 1840s but had vanished by 1877. Although no traces of the former buildings remain above ground, these may survive as sub-surface features (such as foundations) and, if so, would be heritage assets of archaeological interest of low significance. An earthwork bank that was probably associated with the settlement at Biss survives within the site and forms part of the historic and current parish boundary between North Bradley and West Ashton (Fig. 2, 26). As such, it is considered to be a heritage asset of archaeological interest of low significance.

5.4 The location of a small enclosure containing buildings, apparent on mapping from 1843 to 1939, lies in the south-eastern part of the site near Yarnbrook (Fig. 2, 22). The buildings ceased to be depicted from 1924 and although no traces of them remain above ground, remains may survive as sub-surface features and, if so, would be heritage assets of archaeological interest of low significance. The enclosure survives as an earthwork and is also considered to be a heritage asset of archaeological interest of low significance.

Potential for unrecorded heritage assets

5.5 No prehistoric artefacts or remains are recorded within the atudy area, and only a small number of sherds of Roman pottery, suggesting a generally low potential for the presence of currently unrecorded settlement of these periods within the site

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itself. However, the location of the site alongside the River Biss does raise some potential for unrecorded remains of this date to be present. Similar locations overlooking river valleys in the county are known to have been attractive for prehistoric and Romano-British settlement, and have yielded the remains of prehistoric occupation.

5.6 A cropmark near Lower Biss Farm was recorded during the site visit (Fig. 2, 23). This is not apparent on any aerial photographs and is potentially of natural or agricultural origin, although it is also possible that it is archaeological in origin.

Survival/Previous Impacts

5.7 Ridge and furrow cultivation, particularly to the west of the River Biss, may have impacted on any earlier sub-surface archaeological features that may have been present whilst further truncation may have occurred as a result of post-war ploughing. Many of the former ridge and furrow earthworks have been leveled by modern ploughing. However, there remains potential for any archaeological features that may be present to survive beneath the plough line and in a number of fields, earthworks have survived historic and modern ploughing.

Concluding statement

5.8 On the basis of current baseline records, no heritage assets of greater than a low significance are recorded within the site, and no significant heritage constraints to potential development identified.

6 REFERENCES

Policy Documents Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979)

Department of Communities and Local Government 2010 Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment

Department of Communities and Local Government, Department of Culture Media and Sport & English Heritage 2010 Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment: Historic Environment Practice Guide

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English Heritage 2008 Conservation Principles: Policies and Guidance for the Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment

National Heritage Act 1983 (amended 2002)

Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

Textual sources BGS (British Geological Survey) 2010 Geology of Britain Viewer. Online resource at http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html accessed July 2011

Institute for Archaeologists 2008 Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2001 Land at Manor Farm, West Ashton: Wiltshire, Archaeological Evaluation, unpublished typescript report 01099

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Land at Ashton Park, Trowbridge, West Ashton and North Bradley, Wiltshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment unpublished typescript report 09082

Eagles, B. 2001 ‘Anglo-Saxon presence and culture in Wiltshire c. AD 450–c. 675’, in P. Ellis (ed.) Roman Wiltshire and after, Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History Society, Devizes, 199–233

EH (English Heritage) 2006 Understanding Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice. English Heritage Publishing

EH (English Heritage) 2007 Understanding the Archaeology of Landscapes: A guide to good recording practice. English Heritage Publishing

VCH (Victoria County History) 1965 Wiltshire Vol. VIII, The University of London Institute of Historical Research, London

WA (Wessex Archaeology) 2005 Land East of Trowbridge, unpublished typescript report

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WCAS (Wiltshire County Archaeology Service) 2004 Trowbridge: Extensive Urban Survey, typescript report

Wood, S. 2000 Rood Ashton: history and origins of the house and park, typescript report

Cartographic Sources (WSHC = Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre) 1760 A Plan of the Manor of Steeple Ashton in the County of Wilts belonging to Walter Long WSHC ref. 1252/IL 1770 A Map of an estate belonging to the Right Honourable William Seymore call’d Amour Acre Farm, WSHC ref. 873/24H 1773 A Topographical Map of Wiltshire, WSHC ref. Andrews and Dury sheets 7 and 10 1805 A Map of the Parish of North Bradley in the County of Wilts, WSHC ref. 2153/L1 North Bradley 1807 A Map of North Bradley Inclosure and Award, WSHC ref. EA75 1818 Steeple Ashton Inclosure and Award, WSHC ref. EA107 1839 Map of Amour Acre Estate, WSHC ref. 1553/70H 1840 Tithing of West Ashton and Register, WSHC ref. TA Ashton Steeple: West Ashton 1841 A Map of the Tithing of Steeple Ashton and Register, WSHC ref. TA Ashton Steeple 1843 A Map of the Parish of North Bradley in the County of Wilts (Tithe Map) and Register, WSHC TA Bradley, North 1887 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 25” series, sheets 38.8 and 38.12 1890 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 6” series, sheet 38 1901 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey 25” series, sheets 38.8, 38.12 and 38.16 1924 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey 25” series, sheets 38.8, 38.12 and 38.16 1939 Ordnance Survey 25” series, sheets 38.8, 38.12 and 38.16 1968 Ordnance Survey 6” series, ST 8456 & 8556 1970 Ordnance Survey 6” series, ST 8656 & 8756 1974 Ordnance Survey 6” series, ST 8657 & 8757 1990 Ordnance Survey 6” series, ST 8655

APPENDIX A - GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIROMENT

No. Description Period Status NGR WHER ref. Major (all ST) NMR ref. Source EH ref. 1 Previous archaeological work 2001: Post- - 8813 1321 CA Manor Farm: Post medieval drain and medieval 5526 surface identified during evaluation 2 Previous archaeological work 2004: Post- - 8812 1326 WHER South West of Ashton Farm and Manor medieval 5519 Farm: post-medieval ditches and clay pit scoops identified during evaluation. These pre-date the relocation of the village in the 19th century 3 Previous archaeological work 2005: Medieval - 8709 ST85NE538 WA Land East of Trowbridge desk-based 5740 2005 assessment and evaluation identified remains associated with deserted medieval village 4 Two sherds of Roman pottery found in Roman - 8604 1284 WHER 1987 during construction of the White 5580 Horse Business Park 5 Settlement at West Ashton: village with Medieval - 8807 1300 WHER medieval origins. Known as Westaston 5565 in 1248. 6 Find spot: medieval pilgrim’s ampulla Medieval - 8760 1311 WHER 5550 7 Rood Ashton Park Post- - 8770 ST85NE534 WHER medieval 5625 8 Possible site of fulling mill: North Post- - 8670 1361 WHER Bradley Tithe Award shows adjacent medieval 5500 fields as Rack Close and Rackham, indicative of fulling 9 Southview Farmhouse Post- Listed 8596 313962 EH medieval building 5679 Grade II 10 Drynham Lane Farmhouse Post- Listed 8611 313842 EH medieval building 5615 Grade II 11 Willow Grove Post- Listed 8615 313847 EH medieval building 5550 Grade II 12 Two monuments and gateway in burial Post- Listed 8594 313845 EH ground of former Baptist chapel medieval building 5540 313846 Grade II 13 Kings Farmhouse Post- Listed 8597 313848 EH medieval building 5525 Grade II 14 Manor Farmhouse Post- Listed 8611 313849 EH medieval building 5509 Grade II 15 Church of St John Post- Listed 8789 435740 EH medieval building 5590 Grade

II 16 The White House Post- Listed 8798 435742 EH medieval building 5551 Grade II 17 16 Bratton Road Post- Listed 8807 435743 EH medieval building 5529 Grade II 18 Manor Farmhouse Post- Listed 8812 435741 EH medieval building 5530 Grade II 19 Castle Lodge Post- Listed 8811 435739 EH medieval building 5660 Grade II 20 Linear feature south-east of Green Undated - 8785 1343 WA Lane Wood: undated ditch and bank 5758 2005 earthwork, probably the former wood boundary. Faintly visible on 1991 aerial photos and evaluated in 2005 21 Linear earthworks and ridge and furrow Undated - 8813 ST85NE453 WHER west of west Ashton 5564 22 Earthwork identified during walkover Undated - 8695 - - survey 5528 23 Cropmark identified during walkover Undated - 8715 - - survey 5613 24 Earthwork visible on 1946 aerial Undated - 8720 - - photographs 5630 25 Earthwork identified during walkover Undated - 8730 - - survey 5615 26 Earthwork identified during walkover Undated - 8720 - - survey 5608 27 Former settlement at Biss, depicted on Post- - 8724 - 1818 1818 plan medieval 5610 plan 28 2009 desk-based assessment of land at - - 8726 - CA Ashton Park which comprised the 5682 2009 northernmost parts of the current site around Biss Farm

APPENDIX B - LOCAL PLANNING POLICY

Wiltshire and Swindon Structure Plan (adopted April 2006, policies saved from April 2009)

Policies HE1 to HE7 concern the historic environment. Those that are relevant to the current site are detuiled below:

HE2 Features of archaeological or historic interest and their settings should be protected from inappropriate development. Where nationally important archaeological or historic remains, whether Scheduled sites or not, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation “in situ”.

HE5 World Heritage sites, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Registerd battlefields, Registered parks and gardens and other historic sites should be enhanced, as far as practicable, through appropriate management, interpretation and public access arrangements, having regard to the impact of any new development on the character of the area.

HE7 The architectural and historic heritage of the plan area will be safeguarded from inappropriate development. Development proposals should preserve or enhance the character of conservation areas. Development involving listed buildings should have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

West Wiltshire District Plan (adopted June 2004, Saved Policies)

C13: Archaeology: Nationally Important Sites All Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other nationally important sites and monuments will be protected and preserved in situ. Planning permission for development proposals in or near such sites which would be damaging and/or detrimental to the monument and its setting will not be permitted.

C14: Archaeological Field Evaluation An archaeological field evaluation will be required where development proposals would affect a site of known archaeological interest or where evidence suggests the existence of such a site. An archaeological field evaluation may be requested prior to a decision on an application for development where the archaeological value of the site is as yet unknown.

C15: Archaeological Assessment Archaeological assessment will be required for development proposals within the Areas of Archaeological Interest, or affecting an area of 1 hectare or more within Areas of Higher Archaeological Potential, as shown on the Proposals Map. The results should be submitted with the planning application.

C16: Archaeological Investigation and Recording In considering applications for development on sites of archaeological value, or in areas of archaeological significance, where the physical preservation of remains is not warranted, planning permission will be granted provided the archaeological value of the site is adequately recorded. Consideration will be given to the use of conditions and/or agreements to ensure that adequate access, time and resources are available to allow investigation, recording and dissemination of archaeological evidence prior to the start of development.

C27: Listed Buildings The character of buildings listed as being of special architectural or historic interest in the District will be protected. Planning permission or listed building consent will not be granted for any development that would adversely affect the character or setting of any listed building.

21 N t 01285 771022 Cotswold f 01285 771033 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk e [email protected]

Wiltshire PROJECT TITLE Ashton Park, Trowbridge

FIGURE TITLE Site location plan

0 1km

FIGURE NO. Reproduced from the 2004 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with PROJECT NO. 3513 DATE 02-08-2011 the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller DRAWN BY LG REVISION 00 of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1 86 87 88 89 N

PARK DRIVE 20

site 5757 study area 7 Roman

7 medieval post-medieval/modern undated

9 cropmarks 19 28 earthworks previous archaeological works Grade II Listed building

24 direction of ridge and furrow FORMER EXTENT OF earthworks visible on aerial ROOD ASHTON PARK photographs 25 direction of ridge and furrow 10 earthworks observed during 23 walkover survey 27 5566 26

4 21 6 16 5 17 18 12

22 Reproduced from the 2002 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 11 1 0 500m 13

2 t 01285 771022 14 Cotswold f 01285 771033 55 Archaeology w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 8 e [email protected]