Land South of the Maltings, Peasmarsh, East Sussex

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT:

LAND SOUTH OF THE MALTINGS, PEASMARSH, EAST SUSSEX

Planning Reference: Pre-planning NGR: TQ 8898 2269 AAL Site Code: PETM16

Report prepared for Frankham Consultancy Group

By Allen Archaeology Limited Report Number AAL 2016031

February 2016

Contents

Executive Summary ...... 4 1.0 Introduction ...... 5 2.0 Site Location and Description ...... 5 3.0 Planning Background ...... 5 4.0 Methodology ...... 6 Data Collection ...... 6 5.0 Archaeological and Historical Background ...... 7 6.0 Cartographic Information ...... 8 7.0 Site Visit...... 9 8.0 Constraints ...... 11 9.0 Discussion and Conclusions ...... 11 10.0 Acknowledgements ...... 12 11.0 References ...... 12 Cartographic Sources ...... 12

List of Plates

Plate 1: Residential buildings at east of site and bordering road, facing northwest ...... 9 Plate 2: Residential buildings at northwest of site, facing west ...... 10 Plate 3: Car park area, garages and electricity substation at southwest of site, facing northwest ..... 10 Plate 4: Residential buildings and landscaped lawn area at east of site, facing west ...... 11

List of Appendices

Appendix 1: List of ESHER Entries within a 1km search area ...... 13 Appendix 2: Figures ...... 15

List of Figures

Figure 1: Site Location ...... 15 Figure 2: Location of proposed development area showing position and direction of site visit photographs (base plan provided by client) ...... 16 Figure 3: Map showing location of ESHER entries within a 1km search radius ...... 17 Figure 4: Extract of 1871–1874 Ordnance Survey map with site outlined in red ...... 18 Figure 5: Extract of 1929–1939 Ordnance Survey map with site outlined in red ...... 19 Figure 6: Extract of 1961 Ordnance Survey map with site outlined in red ...... 20

Document Control

Element: Name: Date: Report prepared by: Joshua T. Hogue DPhil MSc BSc (Hons) and Jesse 12 /02/2016 Johnson MSc BSc (Hons) Illustrations prepared by: Joshua T. Hogue DPhil MSc BSc (Hons) an d Jesse 12 /02/2016 Johnson MSc BSc (Hons) Report edited by: Chris Clay BA MA (Hons) 18/02/2016 Report reviewed by: Natasha Powers BSc MSc MCIfA MCMI 19/02/2016 Version no: 1.0 19/02/2016 Allen Archaeology reports are printed double sided on 100% recycled paper to reduce our carbon footprint.

Cover image: Residential buildings and grassed area at east of site, looking southwest

Executive Summary

• Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Frankham Consultancy Group to prepare a desk- based assessment to evaluate the archaeological potential of land off The Maltings in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, in advance of the submission of a planning application for a residential development.

• Data was gathered from a range of primary and secondary sources including a search of the East Sussex Historic Environment Record, historic maps and online resources.

• There is no evidence for activity within the study area prior to the medieval period, and the village is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. The first clear evidence of activity in the study area relates to the early 12 th century Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is located c.0.80km from the proposed development area. It has been suggested that the original medieval settlement was focused around the church, although there is no physical evidence of this. It seems more likely that the church is located in relation to the adjacent medieval moated site at Peasmarsh Place, and that the core of the medieval settlement may have been in the area of the modern village.

• The existing settlement is concentrated along Main Street, and cartographic sources indicate that a building stood at the southern edge of the proposed development area during the post-medieval and early modern eras. The tithe map indicates that the site was within a plot of land known as Oast House Field, and this may indicate a function for the building. Otherwise the proposed development area remained as agricultural land until the residential development of the site in the later 20 th century.

• Development of the site is likely to have had some impact upon the archaeological resource within the site boundaries, but there remains some potential for features and deposits associated with the post-medieval and possibly with the medieval development of the village to survive within the proposed development area, with particular reference to a structure of possible post-medieval date on the southern site boundary.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Allen Archaeology Limited (AAL) was commissioned by Frankham Consultancy Group to prepare a desk-based assessment to evaluate the archaeological potential of land off The Maltings in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, in advance of the submission of a planning application for a residential development.

1.2 The document has been completed with reference to current national guidelines, as set out in in the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists ‘ Standard and guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment ’ (CIfA 2014), and the Historic England documents ‘Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning ’ (Historic England 2015a) and ‘ Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment ’ (Historic England 2015b).

2.0 Site Location and Description

2.1 The proposed development site (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’) is located in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, in the administrative district of Rother District Council. It is situated approximately 4.8km northwest of Rye. The site is approximately 5.5ha and presently occupied by a number of buildings. It is centred at NGR TQ 8898 2269 and is approximately 23m above Ordnance Datum.

2.2 The bedrock geology comprises mudstone, siltstone and sandstone of the Wealden Group formed during the Cretaceous period with superficial deposits of alluvial clay, silt and sand (http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html).

3.0 Planning Background

3.1 This desk-based assessment has been prepared to inform a planning application that has been submitted for the demolition of existing buildings on the site and building of replacement dwellings. This is the first stage of archaeological investigation, intended to provide detailed information that will allow the planning authority to make an informed decision as to whether further archaeological investigations will be required prior to or following the determination of a planning application for the proposed development.

National Planning Policy

3.2 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published on the 27 th March 2012 (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012) and supersedes Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (Department for Communities and Local Government 2010).

3.3 The relevant sections of the NPPF concerning archaeological and cultural heritage assets, are Paragraphs 58 and 61 of ‘Section 7. Requiring good design’, and Paragraphs 126-141 of ‘Section 12. Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’ (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012). Paragraph 128 has special relevance concerning the responsibilities of planning applicant:

3.4 Paragraph 128 ‘In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance

and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation’ (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012).

Local Planning Policy

3.5 The Rother Local Plan: Core Strategy was adopted by Rother District Council on 29 th September 2014 (Rother District Council 2014) and replaces the Rother District Local Plan (2006). In accordance with NPPF paragraph 216, the policies contained within the new plan will be used alongside current development plans in determining the outcome of planning applications.

3.6 The relevant policy of the Rother District Council Local Plan: Core Strategy (2014) concerning archaeological and cultural heritage assets is EN2: Stewardship of the Historic Built Environment.

‘Development affecting the historic built environment, including that both statutorily protected and the non-statutorily protected, will be required to: (i) Reinforce the special character of the district’s historic settlements, including villages, towns and suburbs, through siting, scale, form and design; (ii) Take opportunities to improve areas of poor visual character or with poor townscape qualities; (iii) Preserve, and ensure clear legibility of, locally distinctive vernacular building forms and their settings, features, fabric and materials, including forms specific to historic building typologies; (iv) Make reference to the character analysis in Conservation Area Appraisals, where relevant; (v) Reflect current best practice guidance produced by English Heritage and HELM59; (vi) Ensure appropriate archaeological research and investigation of both above and below-ground archaeology, and retention where required.’

4.0 Methodology

Data Collection

4.1 A full range of primary and secondary archaeological and historical sources were consulted in the preparation of this document. The sources consulted were as follows:

• East Sussex Historic Environment Record (ESHER) – a database of archaeological sites and artefacts, listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments. A search of this resource was undertaken for a study area extending 1km from the centre of the site.

• The Keep, East Sussex Records Office – holds a range of historic maps, for example enclosure maps, Tithe maps, estate plans, and former editions of Ordnance Survey maps of the development area.

• Allen Archaeology’s own reference library – secondary sources pertaining to the archaeology and history of the region.

• Heritage Gateway Website – searchable online resource allowing access to the National Monuments Record (NMR) and Archaeology Data Service (ADS), online national databases of archaeological sites and artefacts. Also includes information pertaining to Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings, as well as data from the Defence of Britain project, which has mapped surviving monuments relating to 20 th century military sites. A search was conducted of these resources to identify any significant buildings, sites or findspots not covered by the ESHER search, and to highlight other major sites within a wider study area.

• A site visit was carried out on 6th February 2016 in order to assess the present situation of the development area, to identify any areas where the potential archaeological resource may be particularly well preserved or damaged by recent development, and to observe the site in its landscape context.

4.2 Each archaeological and historic site and Listed Building identified in the study area has been allocated a one or two digit ‘Site’ number and assigned to a specific period according to the definitions outlined on the English Heritage Periods List (formerly the RCHME Archaeological Periods List). These sites are described in the Archaeological and Historical Background section (See Section 5.0 below). Further details are provided for each site in Appendix 1, and where applicable the sites are depicted on Figure 3.

5.0 Archaeological and Historical Background

5.1 There is no evidence of any activity in the region until the medieval era. The settlement of Peasmarsh does not appear in the Domesday Book of 1086, and is first mentioned in documentary sources from the mid 13 th century. The name derives from the Old English pise and mersc meaning ‘marshy land where the peas were grown’ (Watts 2011, 464)(Site 1). It has been speculated that the village might have moved since the medieval period, and that the original location of the earliest elements of the village may have been adjacent to the early 12 th century church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is located c. 0.80km southwest of the proposed development area (Site 2). However, there is no physical evidence to support this assertion and it seems probable the church was associated with the adjacent manor at Peasmarsh Place. Peasmarsh Place (HE ref. 1217122) is located just outside the study area 0.23km west of St. Peter and St. Paul Church. It was built during the early 17 th century, although it was erected on earlier foundations, possibly dating from the 12 th century. It was not uncommon for manorial properties and churches to be constructed some distance from the main settlement during the medieval era (Cooper 2014), as appears to be the case here, and as such it is quite probable that the historic core of the medieval settlement was within the area of the modern village.

5.2 The majority of evidence for activity in the region comes from the post-medieval era. The settlement was focused along Main Street (now the A368), just to the south of the site and a

number of buildings survive dating from between the 16 th and 19 th centuries (Sites 3–30), focussed largely along this road. These are mostly cottages, including the 17 th century South View (Site 29) and Oast Cottage (Site 30), which are located adjacent to the southern corner of the proposed development. There are also several farmhouses (Sites 31–33) and a, now converted, oast house utilised for drying hops (Site 34), reflecting the agricultural focus of the region.

5.3 The ESHER records very few archaeological investigations within the region. However, archaeological excavations undertaken in the 1950s revealed evidence of a late 17 th century brick kiln (Site 35), which was located c. 0.42m northeast of the proposed development area.

5.4 There is a single ESHER record of 20 th century date within the study area, although cartographic sources record the expansion of the settlement of Peasmarsh during this era. The record refers to Norland Wood WW2 Operational Base, remnants of which survive 0.74km south-southeast of the proposed development area (Site 36).

6.0 Cartographic Information

6.1 There is no enclosure map available for Peasmarsh, and as such the first available map for consultation is the 1840 Tithe Award of Peasmarsh. It shows that the proposed development area was primarily within a single field known as Oast House Field, which was utilised as arable land. There is a structure at the southern edge of the site, which might have been an oast house given the name of the plot (https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/localand familyhistory/esro/tithemaps/MapViewDual.aspx?ID=112672&X=589158.9393&Y=122703.01 99&SF=1.5875&Ref=&L=tm_peasmarsh&px=0&py=0).

6.2 The 1871–1874 Ordnance Survey shows the area in greater detail ( Figure 4). It also shows a building at the southern edge of the site, with a track curving around the northern side of this building. The majority of the site formed part of a single large open field, although there was a northeast-southwest aligned field boundary through the western edge of the proposed development area. There were buildings lining Main Street towards the northwest and southeast of the proposed development area, including a school and post office c. 50m west of the site. Development appears to be focused around the junction of Main Street and School Lane to the south of the site

6.3 The 1929–1939 Ordnance Survey map shows no changes within the proposed development area (Figure 5). There was some limited residential development along Main Street towards the northwest and southeast of the site. A timber yard is now shown to the west of Main Street, around 55m west of the proposed development area.

6.4 The 1961 Ordnance Survey map the large open field which contains the site was an orchard or plantation during this time (Figure 6). There was substantial development throughout the settlement with numerous residential buildings being constructed on the land to the south of the site off Main Street. The site itself remained undeveloped until the current buildings were constructed prior to 1976.

7.0 Site Visit

7.1 The site was visited by Natasha Powers of AAL on Saturday 6 th February 2016. Selected photographic images taken during the site visit are shown in the text and their locations are indicated on Figure 2.

7.2 The proposed development is currently occupied by residential properties, probably representing sheltered accommodation for the elderly, and is bordered to the northwest and southeast by The Maltings, to the southwest by properties fronting on to Main Street, and to the northwest by further housing (Plate 1).

Plate 1: Residential buildings at east of site and bordering road, facing northwest

7.3 The main site access is from The Maltings to the northwest of the site. Its runs southwest from The Maltings, broadly dividing the site into two halves. To the northwest of the access is a row of six terraced bungalows with front and rear gardens (Plate 2), with a tarmac car parking area to the rear of these properties. In the northwestern corner of this parking area is a row of six flat roof garages for these properties, and an adjacent electrical substation (Plate 3).

Plate 2: Residential buildings at northwest of site, facing west

Plate 3: Car park area, garages and electricity substation at southwest of site, facing northwest

7.4 To the southeast of the access is a broadly L-shaped arrangement of one and two storey flats and houses with a day room or visitors centre at the north end of the complex. To the front of these buildings is a landscaped lawn area with paths around the perimeter, sloping down slightly from the northwest. The areas around the buildings appears to have been landscaped to form level terraces for the construction of the properties (Plate 4).

Plate 4: Residential buildings and landscaped lawn area at east of site, facing west

8.0 Constraints

8.1 There are no Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks or Gardens, or Battlefields with the study area.

8.2 There are 34 Grade II Listed Buildings, one Grade II* Listed Building, and one Grade I Listed Building within the within the study area. Oast Cottage (HE ref. 1275488) is located c. 33m east of the proposed development (Site 30). Despite the location of this building bordering the southwest corner of the site, and the subsequent intervisibility, it cannot be considered to be of a negative impact due to the site being currently occupied with residential housing.

9.0 Discussion and Conclusions

9.1 There is no evidence for activity in the study area prior to the medieval period. However, given the near absence of archaeological fieldwork in the study area it is not possible to ascertain at this time if this reflects a genuine settlement pattern or purely relates to the lack of archaeological investigation. In addition to the lack of archaeological works, the region also lacks data from the National Mapping Programme (NMP), which elsewhere provides a geo- referenced database of aerial photographic cropmarks.

9.2 The first clear evidence of activity in the study area relates to the early 12 th century Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which is located c. 0.80km from the proposed development area. It has been suggested that the settlement was focused around this region during the medieval period, although this remains speculative, and in all likelihood the church is sited here due to the adjacent medieval moated manor at Peasmarsh Place. The settlement is now concentrated along Main Street, which has been the focus of settlement from at least the mid 17 th century, based on the ages of extant buildings, but it is quite probable that the core of medieval settlement was also in this area.

9.3 The proposed development is located just to the rear of properties fronting Main Street and available cartographic sources indicate that a large building was located at the southern edge of the proposed development area from at least early 19 th century. The Tithe Map refers to the field in which the site is situated as Oast House Field, and as such there is some possibility that this structure may have been an oast house. Based on the existing mapping this structure appears to have been located just to the south of the L-shaped residential block. Although much of the development area, particularly around these buildings, appears to have been levelled and landscaped, potentially truncating the archaeological resource, the location of the putative oast house appears relatively undisturbed, and elements of the structure may survive on site.

10.0 Acknowledgements

10.1 Allen Archaeology Limited would like to thank Frankham Consultancy for this commission.

11.0 References

Cooper, C, 2014, The exploration of lived experience in medieval buildings through the use of digital technologies , Doctoral Thesis, Southampton: University of Southampton

CIfA, 2014, Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, Reading: Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

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

Department for Communities and Local Government, 2012, National Planning Policy Framework , London: Department for Communities and Local Government

Historic England, 2015a, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning , London: Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

Historic England, 2015b, Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment: The MoRPHE Project Managers’ Guide, London: Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England

Rother District Council, 2014, Rother Local Plan: Core Strategy , Rother District Council

Rother District Council, 2006, Rother District Local Plan , Rother District Council

Watts, V, 2011, The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Cartographic Sources

1871–1874 Ordnance Survey map (www.promap.co.uk)

1929–1939 Ordnance Survey map (www.promap.co.uk)

1961 Ordnance Survey map (www.promap.co.uk)

Appendix 1: List of ESHER Entries within a 1km search area

Site HER No. Grade & Easting Northing Description Date No. Listing No. 1 MES4260, 588945 122634 Peasmarsh mentioned as Pisemershe 1247 Medieval MES19564 AD, possibly now relocated and/or reduced in size due to emparkment. It is possible that it might have been located nearer the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. 2 MES4241, 1217124(I) 588718 121842 Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Church Medieval DES3255 Lane, 12 th century church with C13th additions. 3 MES4250, 1217333(II) 588210 123151 King's Head Cottages, C18 th two-storey Post-medieval MES25336, building, once three cottages. DES3276 4 DES4054 1275461(II) 588342 123027 Pond Cottage, C18 th or earlier two-storey Post-medieval cottage. 5 DES4055 1275462(II) 588110 122914 Oak Cottage, C18 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 6 DES4057 1275473(II) 589053 122540 Hales Stores with the house attached, Main Post-medieval Street, C18 th -19 th L-shaped block. 7 DES4059 1275493(II) 588334 123137 Sharwell’s Home for the Eldery, C17 th or Post-medieval earlier timber-framed house. 8 DES4063 1275554(II) 588423 121850 C19 th stables, tack room and coast house, Post-medieval approximately 40m no rthwest of Peasmarsh Place. 9 DES4064 1275555(II) 588328 122066 Peasmarsh House, early-C19 th vicarage. Post-medieval 10 DES4066 1275558(II) 588732 122928 Birds Kitchen, C18 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 11 DES3257 1217127(II) 589259 122446 Stream Farmhouse, C18 th front to older Post-medieval building. 12 DES3258 1217128(II) 589044 122561 Sunnyside, C18 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 13 DES3259 1217129(II) 589123 123521 Old House, C17 th or earlier L-shaped building. Post-medieval 14 DES3268 1217318(II) 589248 122443 Stream Farm Cottage, C18 th or earlier two- Post-medieval storey cottage. 15 DES3269 1217319(II) 589075 122544 Old Well Cottage, C17 th two-storey cottage. Post-medieval 16 DES3270 1217327(II*) 588531 123097 Woodside, c.1790 three-storey house. Post-medieval 17 DES3271 1217328(II) 588543 123136 The stables of Woodside, C18 th two-storey Post-medieval stables. 18 DES3272 1217329(II) 588186 123225 The White House, C18 th or earlier, two-storey Post-medieval house. 19 DES3273 1217330(II) 589013 122509 Ivy Cottage, early-C19 th two-storey cottage. Post-medieval 20 DES3274 1217331(II) 588825 122759 White Knights, early-C19 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 21 DES3275 1217332(II) 588500 122985 The Cock Inn, Post-medieval 22 DES3279 1217337(II) 589122 123522 Old Winders (formerly Winder's Farmhouse), Post-medieval C18 th L-shaped house. 23 DES3282 1217340(II) 589077 122486 The House And Cart Inn, early-C19 th two- Post-medieval storey public house. 24 DES3292 1217367(II) 588769 122842 The Farthings, early-C19 th Post-medieval

Site HER No. Grade & Easting Northing Description Date No. Listing No. 25 DES3296 1217379(II) 588290 122425 Bushy Farmhouse, C18 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 26 DES3351 1217748(II) 589692 122468 Rumpel’s Motel, early-C19 th two-storey Post-medieval house, now motel. 27 DES3283 1399151(DL) 589049 122489 Shamrock, early-C19 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 28 DES10811, 1392725(II) 588955 122487 The Rectory, mid-C16 th timber-framed house, Post-medieval MES4253, with signficant later alternations and MES25319 replacements during 1930s. 29 DES4058 1275488(II) 589010 122597 South View, C17 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 30 MES26686 588996 122627 Oast Cottage, mid-C19 th house and shop. Post-medieval 31 MES8559 589165 123427 Old House Farm, shown on 1805 OS map. Post-medieval 32 MES4249, 589047 122517 Cherry Tree Cottage, late-C17 th timber- Post-medieval MES25422 framed building with later additions. 33 DES3286 1217343(II) 588196 122858 Tanhouse, C18 th two-storey house. Post-medieval 34 DES4047 1275363(II) 588156 122862 Tanhouse Oast, C19 th pair of round Post-medieval oasthouses and granary converted in a house. 35 MES4242 589400 122900 Late-C17 th brick kiln, found during excavations Post-medieval undertaken in the 1950s. 36 MES19326, 589200 121900 Norland Wood WW2 Operational Base Modern MES19564, utilised by Iden Patrol. MES19618, MES19619

1:10,000,000 1:1,000,000

Site Locaon

1:25,000

Site Code PETM16 Scale 1:10,000,000 Figure 1: Site locaon outlined in red 1:1,000,000 1:25,000 @ A4 © Crown copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100047330 Drawn by J Johnson Date 11/02/16

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