Stanbury House Basingstoke Road Spencers Wood Berkshire Heritage

STANBURY HOUSE BASINGSTOKE ROAD SPENCERS WOOD BERKSHIRE

HERITAGE ASSESSMENT STANBURY HOUSE BASINGSTOKE ROAD SPENCERS WOOD BERKSHIRE

HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

Project: SH2206

Document: 2019/82 Version 1.0

Compiled by Approved by Jo Barker Drew Shotliff

Issue date: 12th July 2019

Produced for: Phillips Planning Services Ltd

On behalf of: Cooper Estates Ltd

Contents

List of Figures...... 4

Preface...... 5

Version History...... 5

Structure of this Document ...... 5

Key Terms...... 6

Non-technical Summary ...... 7

1. INTRODUCTION...... 9

1.1 Planning Background...... 9

1.2 Site Location and Description...... 9

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE HERITAGE ASSESSMENT...... 10

2.1 National Policy Framework ...... 10

2.2 Research Frameworks...... 10

2.3 Method Statement...... 11

3. HERITAGE ASSESSMENT ...... 12

3.1 Archaeological and Historical Assets...... 12

3.2 Cartographic Evidence and Historic Landscape Character...... 16

3.3 Setting ...... 17

3.4 Assessment of Potential and Significance ...... 17

4. IMPACT ASSESSMENT...... 19

4.1 The Proposed Development ...... 19

4.2 Direct Impacts on Heritage Assets and Mitigation...... 19

4.3 Direct Impacts on the Setting of Heritage Assets...... 20

4.4 Confidence Rating for the Current Study ...... 20

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 21

6. APPENDICES ...... 22

6.1 Appendix 1: Designated Heritage Assets within 900m of the PDA ...... 22

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6.2 Appendix 2: Archaeological and Historical Sites Listed on the HER within 900m of the PDA 22

6.3 Appendix 3: Previous Archaeological Investigations...... 28

6.4 Appendix 4: Historic Landscape Characterisation Areas...... 29

6.5 Appendix 5: Historical Maps...... 30

6.6 Appendix 6 – Significance and Impact Criteria...... 31

List of Figures

Figure 1: Site location Figure 2: Monuments and listed buildings within a 900m-radius study area around the PDA Figure 3: Previous archaeological investigations (“events”) within a 900m-radius study area around the PDA Figure 4: Historic landscape characterisations within 900m of the PDA Figure 5: 1856 Shinfield Green Enclosure Map Figure 6: 1882 Spencers Wood Common Enclosure Map Figure 7: 1898–1900 first edition 6-inch OS map Figure 8: 1900–13 second edition 6-inch OS map

The figures are bound at the back of the report.

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Preface All statements and opinions in this document are offered in good faith. This document has been prepared for the titled project or named part thereof and was prepared solely for the benefit of the client. This document should not be relied upon or used for any other project without an independent check being carried out as to its suitability and the prior written authority of Albion Archaeology (a trading unit of Central Bedfordshire Council).

Albion Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability for the consequences of this document being used for any other purpose than the purposes for which it was commissioned. Any person/party relying on the document for such other purposes agrees and will, by such use or reliance, be taken to confirm their agreement to indemnify Albion Archaeology for all loss or damage resulting therefrom. Albion Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability for this document to any party other than the persons/party by whom it was commissioned. This document is limited by the current state of knowledge

Albion Archaeology is grateful to Paul Watson of Phillips Planning Services Ltd for commissioning the project. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the staff at the Berkshire Archaeology Historic Environment Record.

Albion Archaeology St Mary’s Church St Mary’s Street Bedford, MK42 0AS : 0300 300 8141 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.albion-arch.com

Version History Version Issue date Reason for re-issue 1.0 12/07/2019 n/a

Structure of this Document After the introductory Section 1, the objectives of the heritage assessment are discussed against the background of national and regional policy and research frameworks in Section 2. Section 3 contains the heritage assessment. This gives a summary of the known information on all historical, archaeological and architectural heritage assets within the study area and assesses their significance. The impact of the development on known and potential heritage assets and likely mitigation strategies are discussed in Section 4. Section 5 is the bibliography and Section 6 contains the appendices.

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Key Terms Throughout this report the following abbreviations are used:

HER Berkshire Historic Environment Record, Reading CIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists LPA Local Planning Authority OS Ordnance Survey PDA Proposed development area

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Non-technical Summary Phillips Planning Services Ltd are gathering baseline information in support of a planning application for residential development of land at Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire.

As part of this work, Albion Archaeology has been commissioned to prepare this heritage assessment. Its purpose is to characterise the nature, likely date and significance of known and potential heritage assets within the proposed development area (PDA). The assessment is based on a 900m-radius study area around the PDA. It also advises on the most suitable techniques currently available to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on any affected heritage assets. The assessment has been drafted in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The PDA lies in a landscape rich in archaeological remains. A number of early prehistoric ring ditches and possible settlement sites lie on the edge of the Spencers Wood plateau in the south-east corner of the study area, overlooking the Loddon River Valley.

Multi-period settlement sites are located within the 900m-radius study area to the north, east, south and west of the PDA. These generally consist of late Iron Age to early Roman settlement enclosures, typically with residual evidence for some early to middle Iron Age occupation and continuation into the Saxon and medieval periods.

Historical and cartographic evidence suggests that in the medieval and post-medieval periods the PDA was within the common agricultural land that was part of “Spencers Wood Common”. This land, including the PDA, was enclosed in the mid-19th century, but continued to be used for agriculture. Residential properties began to be built along Basingstoke Road in the late 19th century when Spencers Wood started to develop as a settlement.

No evidence for archaeological remains has so far been revealed within a 500m-radius study area around the PDA, or on the PDA itself. A geophysical survey, undertaken in 1997 on the PDA, located a small number of potential archaeological features. A trial-trench evaluation, undertaken on land immediately to the west of the PDA and within its north-west corner did not reveal any significant archaeological features or artefacts.

It needs to be stressed that not all archaeological features are susceptible to detection by geophysical survey; on its own, it cannot categorically predict the presence or absence of archaeological features on any given site. There may also be archaeological anomalies present on the PDA which were picked up by the geophysical survey and which have not yet undergone archaeological testing.

Suggestive of the low archaeological potential of the PDA is the fact that no artefacts of any period were retrieved during the 1999 trial-trench evaluation, suggesting a lack of settlement activity nearby.

The potential for archaeological heritage assets of any period to be present on the PDA is, therefore, assessed as low. If any were found, they would most likely consist of stray artefacts spread through chance losses or manuring. These would be of low significance.

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Based on previous finds within the study area, there may still be a low to moderate potential for the retrieval of early prehistoric flint assemblages. Such finds could be of low to moderate significance, depending on their location, nature and quantity.

The proposed development comprises up to 120 residential units and associated infrastructure. Groundworks associated with this type and scale of development (such as the construction of building foundations, services, earthmoving and landscaping) can result in slight to moderate harm to sub-surface archaeological heritage assets.

The significance of any direct impact on potential archaeological heritage assets (before mitigation) is classed as slight for the Roman to post-medieval periods and as slight/moderate for the prehistoric period (see table, below).

Archaeological Potential for Significance of Potential Significance of heritage assets heritage assets potential impact of impact within the PDA heritage assets development (without mitigation) Prehistoric (before Low Low / moderate Slight to Slightly to/ c. 43 BC) moderate harm moderately significant Roman to Anglo- Low Low Slight to Slightly Saxon (43 BC–AD moderate harm significant 1066) Medieval (1066– Low Low Slight to Slightly 1550 moderate harm significant Post-medieval Low Low Slight to Slightly (1550–1900) moderate harm significant Modern (1900– Negligible Negligible Slight to Insignificant present) moderate harm

If required by the LPA, any direct impact of the new development on potential buried archaeological remains could be mitigated by measures to investigate and record the presence/absence, nature and significance of the potential archaeological heritage assets. This could be achieved by a programme of archaeological works during development which could monitor groundworks and investigate and record any potential archaeological finds and features.

There are no built heritage assets with a visual or historical inter-relationship with the PDA. The impact of the potential development on the setting of any heritage assets is, therefore, assessed as no change.

This assessment carries a rating of reasonable confidence, particularly in the light of the 1997 geophysical survey that was carried out across the PDA and which recorded few potential archaeological remains. Similarly, the 1999 trial-trench evaluation in the north- west corner of the PDA did not reveal any significant archaeological remains.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Planning Background Phillips Planning Services Ltd are gathering baseline information in support of an outline planning application at Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire. The application seeks permission for the construction of up to 120 new homes with all detailed matters reserved other than access, which is to be taken from Basingstoke Road.

As part of this work, Albion Archaeology has been commissioned to prepare this heritage assessment. Its purpose is to characterise the nature, likely date and significance of known and potential heritage assets within the proposed development area (PDA). It also advises on the most suitable techniques currently available to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on any affected heritage assets.

In 2019, the government re-issued the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This assessment has been drafted in accordance with this framework.

1.2 Site Location and Description Spencers Wood lies to the south of Reading in the parish of Shinfield east of the River Loddon, a tributary of the River Thames.

The PDA lies on Basingstoke Road which runs along the eastern edge of the village. It consists of a plot of land for Stanbury House, one of a row of residential houses along Basingstoke Road, and a large open area that lies behind the residential properties and along Wellington Court to the north. To the south the PDA is bounded by a large drain and further open fields lie to the west and south. The boundaries are bordered by large mature trees and hedgerows and there is a small clump of woodland extending into the north-western edge of the site.

There is a slight rise in land from the A33 to the west of Spencers Wood to the village, which lies on a small flat plateau before the land falls again towards the River Loddon in the east. The plateau is formed by a deposit of River Terrace Deposits 5 sand and gravel over London Clay Formation clay, silt and sand1. The PDA lies at c.65m OD. It is centred on grid reference SU 714 667.

1 Contains British Geological Survey Materials NERC (2014)

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2. OBJECTIVES OF THE HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

2.1 National Policy Framework This assessment aims to implement the vision for the historic environment as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework – Section 16: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment (NPPF) that was reissued in 2019 (MHCLG 2019).

Annex 2 of the NPPF defines a heritage asset as: “A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing)”.

Designated assets comprise, amongst others, Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Parks and Gardens and Conservation Areas. Undesignated assets are any heritage assets that may formally be identified by the local planning authority to be important for the area, for example through local listing or as part of the plan-making process. These undesignated assets are still material in planning decisions and evidence of local listing and information on these heritage assets is held in the local Historic Environment Record (HER).

According to the NPFF the significance of heritage assets is demonstrated by their value to this and future generations because of their archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic interest and their setting.

National and regional planning policy and research frameworks provide the setting within which the heritage assets affected by the proposed development can be characterised and their significance assessed. The potential impact of the proposals on them can then be evaluated and, as necessary, appropriate mitigation measures proposed. This will include potential impacts on the setting of heritage assets within and close to the PDA.

2.2 Research Frameworks English Heritage has produced an extensive library of national guides covering a wide range of topics, and most of these are available for free download from the HELM website2.

The research framework that has been devised for the region is the Solent Thames Research Framework3. This covers the historic counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and is a vital tool for the assessment of any heritage asset within its local, regional and national historic environment setting.

The research framework comes in three parts: a resource assessment, which provides a comprehensive chronological review of the historic environment as investigated so far; a research agenda which was devised in a series of period based research

2 Historic Environment Local Management (HELM) http://www.helm.org.uk 3 Solent Thames Research Framework, hosted by the Oxford Archaeology website: http://thehumanjourney.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=553&Itemid=277

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seminars, identifying those areas where current knowledge is incomplete and suggesting approaches to address research questions; and a county resource assessment, summarising what is known for each county.

2.3 Method Statement Known and potential heritage assets were identified on the PDA and within a 900m buffer of its boundary (Figure 2). This search buffer is referred to as the study area.

During the preparation of this document, the sources of information listed below were consulted.

2.3.1 Berkshire Historic Environment Record (HER) This is a database of archaeological information, which contains written and pictorial records of known archaeological monuments, previous archaeological investigations, find spots and buildings of historical and archaeological significance.

The HER contains information specific to the county of Berkshire. It is maintained by Berkshire Archaeology and located at the Central Library in Reading.

2.3.2 Heritage Gateway database The Heritage Gateway is an online database that provides integrated access to local and national heritage information resources and collates entries of all Historic Environment Records throughout England. However, results provided by the Heritage Gateway do not provide as thorough a coverage of a given area as a search of the relevant Historic Environment Record itself and can therefore only ever provide a general background to a specific study area.

2.3.3 Cartographic data and historical records Early maps and other illustrations of an area can be a very productive form of research. Often, they indicate dramatic changes in land-use during the post-medieval and modern periods. This can be very helpful in appreciating how the archaeological resource may have been affected by the expansion of settlements and/or industrial sites during, in particular, the 19th and 20th centuries.

2.3.4 Portable Antiquities Scheme data The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is a DCMS funded project for the voluntary recording of objects found by the members of the public in England and Wales. The majority of these are objects found by metal detector. They usually represent stray finds which are not in a secure archaeological context but can give a useful indication of the potential presence of archaeological or historical sites or assets nearby. PAS data is held and distributed by the relevant HER.

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3. HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

3.1 Archaeological and Historical Assets

3.1.1 Introduction This section discusses the known heritage assets as listed in the HER within the search area. The PDA lies in an area rich in archaeological remains. The majority have been recorded in a wider 900m to 1km radius from the PDA rather than close to it. These are briefly discussed below but are not reviewed in detail. Assets within 500m of the PDA are few and are all listed in the paragraphs below.

Figures 2–4 and Appendices 1–4 should be viewed in conjunction with this text, which describes the significance and potential of heritage assets within the PDA and study area. On the figures and in the text, sites and findspots listed in the HER are given with the prefixes MWK or MRM; designated monuments are prefixed DRM; previous archaeological investigations (“events”) are prefixed ERM or EWK; and historic landscape characterisation areas are prefixed HRM.

Cartographic sources are listed in Appendix 5 and significance and impact criteria are explained in Appendix 6. For the purposes of this document, the remains listed below are presented in chronological order from prehistoric to modern.

3.1.2 Previous archaeological investigations (Figure 3) A wide-ranging geophysical survey (EWK 153-160) was carried out on eight blocks of land in Spencers Wood which were under consideration for residential development in 1997. This comprised two phases: in Phase I the areas were subjected to rapid magnetic susceptibility scanning. Based on those results several areas were selected for detailed Phase II magnetometer and resistivity scans (Stratascan 1997a and b).

On Block 6 (EWK 158) field 6/8/3, an area adjacent to the PDA (west and south) was selected for detailed geophysical survey. This revealed a number of anomalies with archaeological potential.

This western part of the field (including the north-west corner of the PDA) was subsequently tested by trial trenching (EWK 121, Area 3). No trace of the Roman road which also dissected the evaluation area was found, and any features encountered turned out to be periglacial in nature. Unfortunately, due to waterlogging, a circular geophysical anomaly with archaeological potential could not be tested and two other trenches, which lay across geophysical features, had to be moved. However, overall, no significant archaeological features or artefacts were discovered during the trial trenching (Cotswold Archaeological Trust 1999).

Block 7 to the north of the PDA (EWK 159) revealed no anomalies with archaeological potential.

Block 8 (EWK 160) at the northern limit of the study area revealed several rectilinear and curvilinear anomalies that could represent enclosures from different periods. Evaluation and subsequent excavation of parts of the area by trial trenching found

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evidence for a settlement of early to middle Iron Age date (EWK 189, ERM 1287) as well as Iron Age/Roman settlement evidence further to the west (EWK 857 ERM 1054).

Several multi-period settlement sites have been identified during archaeological investigations close to the edge of the 900m study area. These are:

 ERM 1423, Land at Spencers Wood, an evaluation to the east of the PDA which revealed evidence for Iron Age, Roman and Saxon settlement (MRM 16753, 16755, 16758 and 16759).  ERM 1287, Grazeley Road, Reading, an excavation to the north of the PDA, which identified an assemblage of Bronze Age pottery as well as middle to late Iron Age settlement and evidence for iron production. It also revealed a late Saxon hearth (MRM 16599, MWK 15715). An undated pit (MWK15464) in an area of burnt flint associated with Iron Age pottery was found during a small intervention (EWK13) to the south.  ERM 93 and ERM 94 at Grazeley to the west of the PDA represent an evaluation of an area of cropmarks. This revealed a multi-ditched late Iron Age/early Romano-British settlement enclosure with internal features (MWK 15603-10).  ERM 373, a large-scale excavation at Land at Basingstoke Road, to the south of the PDA revealed evidence from the Mesolithic to the post-medieval period. The majority of artefacts and features dated to the late Iron Age/early Romano-British period but there was also evidence for possible Anglo-Saxon and medieval activity (MRM 15932-6, MRM15977-8).

There are further small-scale desk-based assessments, evaluations and watching briefs which supplement the information revealed in the larger investigations. All interventions are listed in Appendix 3.

3.1.3 Prehistoric (Palaeolithic to c.AD 43) A large number of heritage assets within the study area date to the prehistoric period. These consist of a group of early prehistoric enclosures, ring ditches and linear features at the south-eastern edge of the study area (MWK 1818-1822, plus further monuments outside the study area). Fieldwalking as part of the River Loddon Valley Survey (EWK 156) in this area also retrieved a relatively large number of flint flakes and artefacts which were interpreted as a number of “sites” (MWK 15254, 15256, 15266, 15272 and more sites outside the study area). In 1870 a Gallo-Belgic gold stater (MWK 8573) was found in the same area.

This part of the study area lies on the south-west facing slope of land overlooking the valley of the River Loddon. Prominent riverside locations were favoured in the prehistoric period for the siting of burial and ritual sites and also settlements.

Further to the north, two Neolithic axes (MWK 8574, 8575) were found in the gardens of the Rectory and an adjacent residential house, c. 450m to the north-east of the PDA.

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Evidence for early, middle and late Iron Age settlement has been recorded throughout the study area. The sites are located at the eastern, western, northern and southern edges of the study area and are listed in Section 3.1.2 above. Usually, early and middle Iron Age occupation is evidenced by residual pottery in later Iron Age features. Mainly enclosed late Iron Age settlements with continued occupation into the Romano-British period developed on the same sites.

3.1.4 Roman (c. AD 43 to c. AD 410) The conjectural line of the Roman Henley to Silchester Road (MWK 4813) runs diagonally across the study area, crossing the western half of the PDA. Identification of a number of banks and terraces by local historians suggests that the course of the road may be further to the west. An archaeological evaluation testing the line of the road found no evidence for it (EWK 121). Whether the location of the road was directly through the study area or further to the west, it is still associated with the relatively large number of Roman settlement sites within the study area.

Two further possible Roman roads (MWK 16297) are located to the north-west of the study area. However, the HER records that there is no associated physical evidence to support this.

Romano-British settlement evidence has been revealed to the north, east, west and south of the PDA, all within a radius of 750–900m. The settlement remains are usually part of multi-period sites with occupation starting in the late Iron Age and continuing into the Saxon period. The sites are discussed in Section 3.1.2.

3.1.5 Anglo-Saxon (c. AD 410 to 1066) Evidence for Anglo-Saxon occupation was retrieved from several of the investigations within the study area (MRM 16599, MRM 16758 and MRM 15932). An Anglo- Saxon spearhead (MWK 8577) was found in a garden in Clares Green Road.

The nearest late Saxon manor that is recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086 is at Shinfield, c.2km to the north-east.

3.1.6 Medieval (1066–1550) In the medieval period Spencers Wood was most likely agricultural land. The fact that it was part of the common land before enclosure is suggested by its name of “Spencers Wood Common” on the enclosure map.

The 1997 geophysical survey (EWK 158) identified a large number of linear anomalies in the area to the south of the PDA. These were interpreted as agricultural marks. An area of medieval ridge and furrow cultivation (MRM 16496) was confirmed in this area by the county archaeologist during a field inspection (EWK 113) in 2001.

The Loddon Valley Survey (EWK 122) in the south-eastern part of the 900m-radius study area picked up several findspots of medieval pottery (MWK 15355, 15356, 15362. These are likely to be the result of random losses or scatter during manuring, rather than identifiers for medieval settlement sites. A medieval artefact scatter dating

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to the 12–13th century (MWK 1115) and a tile hearth (MWK 1116) were found in the same area and might indicate an area of occupation.

Some medieval settlement activity was recorded as part of the multi-period settlement sites to the north and south of the PDA (Section 3.1.2).

3.1.7 Post-medieval (1550–1900) Spencers Wood developed as a settlement in the post-medieval period. The 1856 enclosure map shows it as no more than a crossroads with the main Basingstoke turnpike road and the road leading to Hyde End. The crossroads is lined with a number of fields and small plots of land, including a chapel shown on the 1862 map. This is now gone but is still commemorated in the name of “Chapel Lane” to the south-east of the PDA.

A group of five postholes (MRM 16600) were recorded during a strip, map and survey exercise in the north-eastern part of the study area (ERM 1315). These are most likely part of a post-medieval or modern boundary. Post-medieval boundary ditches were recorded in most of the larger evaluations and excavations to the north, east, south and west of the PDA (Section 3.1.2).

The listed buildings below indicate that a small number of cottages were already part of the landscape before enclosure. The school building gives evidence of the growing population of Spencers Wood in the late 19th century.

Basingstoke Road is the original route of the Reading South Turnpike (MWK 6178) which runs southwards from Reading, through Spencers Wood and onwards to Riseley. An early 19th-century milestone (DRM 2336) still stands on the road to the south-east of the PDA. It is a Grade II listed structure.

There are three Grade II listed buildings within the 500m-radius study radius:

 DRM 2382 – a late 17th-century cottage in the garden of no. 9 Walnut Tree Cottage. This is now a garden store and playroom.  DRM2463 – Hill House, an early 18th-century cottage with late 19th-century alterations at the northern edge of the 500m-radius study area.  DRM 2386 – a late 19th-school house, which is now a library and residential house and lies to the immediate south-east of the PDA.

3.1.8 Modern (1900–present) Stanbury House Camp, a WWII prisoner of war camp, was located to the north of the PDA (MRM 16749). There are still partial remains of several huts located under trees by the driveway. The GHQ stop line, which was constructed in 1940, runs along the A33 road corridor and includes several pillboxes spaced at regular intervals. These lie largely outside the 900m study area. The exceptions are MWK 5567 and MRM 16576 to the north and south of the study area, which are shown on Figure 2.

The building within the PDA, adjacent to its access road on the western side of the Basingstoke Road, is labelled “Stanbury House” on modern OS maps; it is of 20th- century date and is not a heritage asset.

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3.2 Cartographic Evidence and Historic Landscape Character

3.2.1 Enclosure map for Shinfield Green 1856 (Figure 5) Until enclosure much of the land that is now Spencers Wood was common land and split between the parishes of Shinfield, Grazeley and Swallowfield. It is marked on the enclosure map as “Spencers Wood Common”. The enclosure map shows a number of larger fields and smaller plots along the crossroads of the main Basingstoke turnpike road and the Hyde End road. The PDA is shown to the south of these particular enclosures but would have formed part of the same post-enclosure landscape.

3.2.2 Spencers Wood Common enclosure map 1882 (Figure 6) A more detailed map was drawn up for Spencers Wood Common itself a few years later. The PDA is split between two enclosures and a third piece of unenclosed land. Again, the map shows Spencers Wood as nothing more than several larger and smaller plots of land at the crossroads of Basingstoke Road and Hyde End Road. On this later map, however, a few smaller property plots along the Basingstoke Road, which later developed into residential properties, have been established.

The plot of land to the south-east of the crossroads accommodates a chapel and a number of other buildings. This is still echoed in the present-day “Chapel Lane” but the chapel itself has disappeared and no record exists for it in the HER.

3.2.3 1898-1900 first edition 6-inch OS map (Figure 7) By the late 19th century Spencers Wood has developed into a small settlement with the majority of buildings lining Basingstoke Road and Hyde End Road. The settlement extends all the way to the south to the junction of Basingstoke Road and Beech Hill Road. Opposite the PDA, “The Square”, which is the focus of modern Spencers Wood, has been laid out and buildings line some of its edges.

To the north-west of the PDA a number of houses have developed at “Stanbury” with an access road along the northern edge of the PDA. Most of the current land boundaries have been established and several farms dot the wider countryside.

The residential property plots to the east of the PDA lining Basingstoke Road have been set up but not all plots are built upon yet. The infant school (DRM 2368) is shown to the south-east of the PDA, catering for the developing population of the village.

The PDA itself still comprises open fields.

3.2.4 1901-1913 second edition 6-inch OS map (Figure 8) Only a few years later more buildings line the Basingstoke Road and the rectangle of “The Square” opposite the PDA. The map shows St Michael and All Angels Church to the north of the PDA; the church was consecrated in 1908. The PDA itself shows no change from the earlier OS map.

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3.2.5 Historic landscape characterisation (Figure 4) Historic landscape characterisation areas in the vicinity of the PDA are shown on Figure 4 and described in Appendix 4. Many of the areas relate to post-war and modern housing, associated with the growth of Spencers Wood during this period.

The western half of the PDA falls within an area of grassland, representing enclosed fields derived from piecemeal enclosure and subject to reorganisation since the early 19th century (HRM3990); its current layout appears later 20th century in origin.

The eastern half of the PDA falls within an area of grassland east of Highlands Country House (HRM3985), originally parkland created following parliamentary enclosure of Spencerswood Common.

3.3 Setting Spencers Wood is a late 19th-century/20th-century settlement with houses of both periods lining Basingstoke Road, The Square and Hyde End Road. The 19th-century houses are predominantly built in red brick with white brick detailing around doors and windows and decorative brick bands. The 20th-century housing stock largely mirrors this building style but there are also a number of modern bungalows built in yellow brick or painted white.

Along Basingstoke Road most buildings are set back from the road and have front gardens, often with mature trees and/or shrubs lining the road. The northern boundary of the PDA is made up of mature trees lining the access road to what was Stanbury and is now Wellington Court.

There are only two extant built heritage assets within the 500m study area. These are a school building and a milestone along Basingstoke Road, both Grade II listed structures. The roadside setting of the milestone is vital for its significance. The school building is now converted to residential use and its setting does not add to its significance.

The built-up area of Spencers Wood lies predominantly east of Basingstoke Road. The land to the west, between the road and the A33 bypass in the west is still largely open fields used for pasture with tree-lined boundaries and small areas of woodland.

3.4 Assessment of Potential and Significance The PDA lies in a landscape rich in archaeological remains. A number of early prehistoric ring ditches and possible settlement sites lie on the edge of the Spencers Wood plateau in the south-eastern corner of the study area, overlooking the Loddon River Valley.

Historical and cartographic evidence suggests that in the medieval and post-medieval periods the PDA was part of the common agricultural land that was part of “Spencers

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Wood Common”. This land, including the PDA, was enclosed in the mid-19th century, but continued to be used for agriculture. Residential properties began to be built along Basingstoke Road in the late 19th century when Spencers Wood started to develop as a settlement.

No evidence for archaeological remains has so far been revealed closer to the PDA within the 500m-radius study area, or on the PDA itself. A geophysical survey, undertaken in 1997 on the PDA, located a small number of potential archaeological features. A trial-trench evaluation, partly encompassing the western half of the PDA, tested some of the geophysical anomalies but only revealed periglacial features and features of limited archaeological significance that produced no finds (Cotswold Archaeological Trust 1999).

It needs to be stressed that not all archaeological features are susceptible to detection by geophysical survey; on its own, it cannot categorically predict the presence or absence of archaeological features on any given site. Some of the geophysical anomalies from the 1997 survey are as yet untested.

Suggestive of the low archaeological potential of the PDA is the fact that no artefacts of any period were retrieved during the evaluation (ibid 1999), suggesting a lack of nearby settlement activity.

Based on previous finds within the study area, there may still be a low to moderate potential for the retrieval of early prehistoric flint assemblages. The modelling of artefact dispersal and the formation of secondary context assemblages is one project aim identified in the Solent-Thames research framework (Wenban-Smith 2010, 3). Improving the understanding of disturbed material in the ploughsoil and the contribution of small flint scatters to our understanding of Mesolithic settlement is also highlighted (Hey 2010). For this reason, any prehistoric finds from the PDA could be of low to moderate significance, depending on their location, nature and quantity.

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4. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

4.1 The Proposed Development The proposed development comprises up to 120 residential units and associated infrastructure, accessed from a new road off Basingstoke Road to the south of Stanbury House.

Groundworks associated with this type and scale of development (such as the construction of building foundations, services, earthmoving and landscaping) can result in slight to moderate harm to sub-surface archaeological heritage assets (Section 6.6.3). .

4.2 Direct Impacts on Heritage Assets and Mitigation The potential for and significance of heritage assets to be present on the PDA has been assessed as low for any given period with the exception of the prehistoric period. For the prehistoric period the potential for the recovery and mapping of flint artefacts from secondary contexts is low to moderate. The significance of those artefacts would be low to moderate; while the significance of any other potential archaeological heritage assets would be low depending on their exact nature.

The significance of any direct impact on potential archaeological heritage assets (before mitigation) is, therefore, classed as slight for the Roman to post-medieval periods and as slight/moderate for the prehistoric period.

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4.3 Direct Impacts on the Setting of Heritage Assets There are no heritage assets within a visual or historical inter-relationship with the PDA. The impact of the potential development on the setting of any heritage assets is, therefore, assessed as no change.

4.4 Confidence Rating for the Current Study This assessment carries a rating of reasonable confidence, particularly in the light of the 1997 geophysical survey that was carried out across the PDA and which recorded few potential archaeological remains. Similarly, the 1999 trial-trench evaluation in the north-west corner of the PDA did not reveal any significant archaeological remains.

As a general rule, desk-based assessments cannot be used as a predictive tool for the precise location and characterisation of sub-surface, and therefore non-visible, archaeological deposits. The nature of desk-based studies means that they rely on artefacts being reported and logged in the HER and information from intrusive investigations in the vicinity of the subject site and the wider landscape.

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5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cotswold Archaeological Trust, 1999 Spencers Wood, Reading, Berkshire: Archaeological Evaluation, CAT Job: 883; Report: 99993

Hey, G. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Research Agenda. Late Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic. (Online). Available at: http://thehumanjourney.net/pdf_store/sthames/phase3/Research%20Agendas/Upp er%20Palaeolithic%20and%20Mesolithic%20Research%20Agenda.pdf. [Accessed: 10th July 2019].

Historic England 2017, The setting of Heritage Assets, Historic Environment Good Practice Advice in Planning: 3 (2nd Edition)

Stratascan 1997a, A report for CgMs on a Geophysical Survey carried out at Spencers Wood/Three Mile Cross, Nr. Reading, Phase I.

Stratascan 1997b, A report for CgMs on a Geophysical Survey carried out at Spencers Wood/Three Mile Cross, Nr. Reading, Phase II.

Wenban-Smith, F. 2010. Solent Thames Research Framework Research Agenda. The Lower and Middle Palaeolithic Period. (Online). Available at: http://thehumanjourney.net/pdf_store/sthames/phase3/Research%20Agendas/Lo wer%20and%20Middle%20Palaeolithic%20Research%20Agenda.pdf. [Accessed: 10th July 2019].

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6. APPENDICES

6.1 Appendix 1: Designated Heritage Assets within 900m of the PDA

6.1.1 Listed Buildings HER no. Description Grade Period DRM 2382 COTTAGE IN GARDEN OF NO 9 (WALNUT TREE COTTAGE) II Post-medieval Cottage now garden store and playroom. Late C17. Timber framed with painted brick infill, north gable all painted brick; thatched roof hipped to right gabled on left. DRM 2463 HILL HOUSE II Post-medieval Early C18, altered late C19. Painted stucco, hipped old tile roof. Rectangular plan. 2 storeys, attic and basement. DRM LIBRARY THE SCHOOL HOUSE II Post-medieval 2386 School and School house, now library and house. 1890. Grey brick with orange brick headers and band patterning, quoins and window dressings. Tiled gabled roof. DRM MILESTONE AT SPENCERS WOOD II Post-medieval 2336 Early C19. Stone monolith. Semi-circular plan with splayed top. Inscribed in faint and non-uniform letters: Basingstoke, Reading, Southampton. One of series of similar milestones between Reading and Basingstoke. Listed for group value. DRM2113 THE HOMESTEAD II Post-medieval House. Early C19 extended late C20. Brick with hipped, tiled roof. Rectangular plan. 2 storeys and attic. DRM2233 THE LIEUTENANT'S COTTAGE II Post-medieval Cottage. C18. Painted brick, old tile gabled roof.2 storeys; flanking chimneys DRM NULLIS FARMHOUSE II Post-medieval 2087 Farmhouse. Mid C16. Timber frame, part brick infill, part wattle and daub, part weather-boarded. Old tile, half-hipped roof.

6.2 Appendix 2: Archaeological and Historical Sites Listed on the HER within 900m of the PDA

HER no. Name Description Period 1115 Medieval artefact scatter Ploughing in this area produced Medieval medieval and later pottery and tile fragments. 1116 Tile hearth A hearth of tile, set on edge was Medieval located, at a depth of 10ins below ground. Pottery was also found from the area and was generally 12-13th century in date 1818 Cropmark feature - north of Irregular/oval enclosure, only visible on Prehistoric? Lamb's Farm, Swallowfield RAF cover. Fairly convincing. 1819 Cropmark feature - north of Irregular/rectangular enclosure with Prehistoric? Lamb's Farm, Swallowfield rounded corners (east corner missing). Visible only on RAF cover. Fairly convincing. 1820 Cropmark feature - north of Small, unbroken ring visible only on Prehistoric? Lamb's Farm, Swallowfield RAF cover, situated outside nearby enclosures.

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HER no. Name Description Period 1821 Cropmark feature - north of Regular double ditched linear. South Prehistoric? Lamb's Farm, Swallowfield end is open, north end is bulbous and closed. 1822 Cropmark features - north of Two pairs of short ditched parallel Prehistoric? Lamb's Farm, Swallowfield linears (probably not enclosures). Only visible on RAF cover. Dubious 1850 Linear cropmark features - both Linear cropmarks visible both sides of Prehistoric? sides of Foudry Brook, Foudry Brook between Lambwoodhill Shinfield Common and Foudry Bridge. 1862 Crop mark - east of Foudry Brook, Irregular linear and mottled crop. Prehistoric? Shinfield Linear curves forming possible incomplete enclosure. Dubious, and the entire setting may be natural. 1865 Crop mark trackway - Foudry Angled double ditched feature. Prehistoric? Brook, Shinfield Probably a trackway although possibly the west "side" gives appearance of large enclosure. Confused by natural linears and modern drainage. 1866 Cropmark pits- Foudry Brook, Cropmarks of possible pits. This may Prehistoric? Shinfield indicate a settlement if these features are in fact genuine. 4813 Henley to Silchester Roman road Route of 160cc to 4a, generally Roman accepted. Margary says: 'at Stanbury a distinct alignment of hedgerows and lanes past Beech Hill to Faircross where (4a) is joined' this may or may not trace the tail end of the unlocated 'Camlet' route to Verulanium <2>. Line shown on GIS is conjectural.

5553 / GHQ stop line, Berkshire The GHQ stop line constructed in 1940 Modern 5567 enters Berkshire at Swallowfield, continues to Reading up the A33 corridor. It then follows the Kennet and Avon canal as far as the western county boundary. It comprises pillboxes, tank ditch, and tank traps. 6178 Reading South Turnpike The route of the turnpike is along the Post- A33 south of Reading, then on medieval unclassified roads via Three Mile Cross to Spencers Wood. From Spencers Wood on B3349 to Riseley. From Riseley follows both lines of A32 to county boundary, representing a fork in the road going south. 8573 Gold stater - Spencer's Wood A Gallo-Belgic gold stater was found in Prehistoric Common, Shinfield 1750 in a field near Spencer's Wood Common 8574 Neolithic axe - Rectory Garden, A Neolithic axe found at Rectory Prehistoric Shinfield Garden, Shinfield.

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HER no. Name Description Period 8575 Tranchet axe? - "The Laurels" A flint implement of "Thames pick" Prehistoric Clares Green Lane, type was found in the garden of "The Spencers Wood, Shinfield Laurels" Clares Green Lane <1>. The axe is classified as Neolithic, but is similar to a Mesolithic 'Thames pick', which Wymer <4> classifies as a tranchet axe 8577 Saxon spearhead at Clares Green A Saxon spearhead of unusual type. It Anglo- Road, Shinfield is transitional from spear to lance head Saxon with an 'open' or split socket and is dated 'post-pagan'. 15254 Flint flake and blade A flint flake and a blade were found Prehistoric during fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey. 15256 Flint flake A flint flake was found during Prehistoric fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey. 15266 3 flint blades and a flake Three flint flakes and a blade were Prehistoric found during fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey. 15272 Flint flake A flint flake was found during Prehistoric fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey 15355 Medieval findspot A medieval pottery sherd was found Medieval during fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey. 15356 Medieval sherd A medieval sherd was found during Medieval fieldwalking during the Loddon Valley Survey. 15362 Roman and medieval pottery Roman and medieval pottery was found Roman to during fieldwalking during the Loddon medieval Valley Survey. 15464 Pit at Grazeley Road, Three Mile The single undated pit was Undated Cross, Shinfield approximately 1.40m wide and 0.63m deep, with a bowl-shaped profile; burnt flint was concentrated in the base. The surrounding subsoil had a high density of burnt flint up to 50% in patches and a single sherd of Iron Age pottery was found. 15600 Linear features - Grazeley Field Various linear features identified Undated 14, Shinfield during a geophysical survey. The features are of unknown character and date. 15601 Linear features and pits Grazeley Various linear features and Undated Field 14, Shinfield pits/postholes identified during archaeological work. 15602 Features at Grazeley Field 13, Various linear features and Undated Shinfield pits/postholes of an unknown character and date were identified during archaeological fieldwork.

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HER no. Name Description Period 15603 Late Iron Age settlement - Field An interrupted ditch sub-circular Prehistoric 13, Grazeley, Shinfield enclosure <1> was initially interpreted as a possible causewayed enclosure from cropmark plot and geophysical survey <2> but shown to be a possible Late Iron Age/early Romano-British settlement enclosure during subsequent evaluation. Features that were excavated included a large pit and a number of linear features. This type of multi-ditched enclosure is of a relatively rare form. 15606 Iron Age pit - Field 13, Grazeley, A large sub-circular late Iron Age pit Prehistoric Shinfield approximately 2.08m in diameter and 0.99m deep. 49 sherds of Late Iron Age pottery and one sherd of Romano- British pottery were recovered from its fill, along with animal bone, burnt flint, fired clay, slag and charcoal. 15607 Late Iron Age linear features - Three late Iron Age linear Prehistoric Field 13, Grazeley features/ditches were identified during archaeological evaluation. 15608 Romano-British settlement - field Various pits, ditches and post holes Roman 13 indicative of possible 1st century and 3rd and 4th century settlement <1> and <2>. The early Romano- British features were concentrated in and around the southern area of a large multi-ditched enclosure identified by aerial reconnaissance. The later Romano-British features all lay towards the eastern area of the evaluation area. 15609 Trackway at Grazeley-Field 13, A Post medieval trackway was Post- Shinfield, identified during archaeological medieval fieldwork 15610 Medieval features at Grazeley A medieval linear feature and gully Medieval Field 13, Shinfield were recorded during an archaeological evaluation of Field 13, Grazeley. 15616 Land at 102 Grazeley Rd, Three Iron Age and Romano-British activity Prehistoric Mile Cross, Shinfield identified during a desk- based to Roman assessment. 15641 Features on land at Spencers Evaluation undertaken by Cotswold Post- Wood, Reading Arch Trust. Nine evaluation trenches medieval were excavated in areas previously subjected to geophysical survey. An undated posthole and a ditch dating to the post-medieval or modern period were identified in two separate trenches. 15642 Medieval pottery sherds - Three sherds of medieval pottery were Medieval Spencers Wood found while fieldwalking. 15690 Linear features at Gravelly Bridge Linear features probably representing Post- Farm, Shinfield two systems of access and enclosures medieval from different periods of land use. Some may be recent but others extend under the modern hedgerow.

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HER no. Name Description Period 15715 Middle Iron Age occupation and An unenclosed middle Iron Age Prehistoric iron production site at occupation site with two ring gully Grazeley Road, Shinfield structures, one of which was associated with iron production. 15932 Ditch containing Anglo-Saxon A ditch feature containing possible Anglo- pottery - Land at Saxon pottery sherds at Spencers Saxon Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood. Wood 15934 Late Iron Age-early Romano- Evidence of late Iron Age-Early Prehistoric British Occupation - Romano-British occupation was to Roman Basingstoke Road, Spencers revealed in Area B of this site. This Wood comprised of a concentration of late Iron Age-early Romano-British features including gullies, ditches, pits and post holes. These appear to represent the remains of an enclosure or enclosures positioned on higher ground, with the quality and quantity of the finds assemblages and the presence of pits and post-holes suggesting domestic activity. 15935 Middle Iron Age occupation - Limited evidence of middle Iron Age Prehistoric Basingstoke Road occupation was revealed during archaeological evaluation. 15936 Later Romano-British activity - Features and finds were identified Roman Basingstoke Road indicating 3rd-4th century activity at Basingstoke Road. 15977 Medieval ditches and finds - Two medieval ditches and an Medieval Basingstoke Road assemblage of finds were recovered during an evaluation. The assemblage comprised probable 14th-century pottery, ceramic building material and three pieces of burnt clay. 15978 Worked flint assemblage - A number of hard hammer flakes and Prehistoric? Basingstoke Road shattered pieces were present, along with a number of soft hammer flakes, including two blades suggesting a Mesolithic element is represented in the assemblage. 16297 Possible Roman road, Mereoak Two possible Roman roads existed - Roman Lane & Bloomfield one following the line of the lane past Hatch Lane, Shinfield, Grazeley Parish Church, and the other Wokingham running along the line of Mereoak Lane and Bloomfield Hatch Lane from Great Lea Common. There is no associated evidence to support this. 16496 Ridge and furrow - Shinfield Ridge and furrow identified by the Medieval County Archaeologist in 2001. 16576 Pillbox - Basingstoke Road A type FW3/24 pillbox located between Modern Beech Hill Road and Basingstoke Road. Recorded by the Pillbox Study Group 16599 A late Saxon pit or hearth - A late Saxon pit or hearth feature was Anglo- Grazeley Road, Reading revealed during archaeological Saxon excavation.

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HER no. Name Description Period 16600 Post-medieval postholes at A group of five postholes were Post- Parklands, Basingstoke identified during a strip, map and medieval Road survey exercise. The fills contained modern pottery and brick fragments, indicating a modern date. It is likely that the postholes form part of a boundary or outbuilding, however no such feature can be identified on maps of the site from 1872-1990. 16749 Stanbury House Camp, Stanbury World War II Prisoner of War camp. Modern Park German working camp. The huts were located under the trees by the drive. There are partial remains. 16753 Iron Age activity at land at A possible pit containing four sherds of Prehistoric Spencers Wood, Shinfield middle Iron Age pottery was revealed during an archaeological evaluation. 16755 Roman activity at land at Spencers Two Roman ditches, brick, tile and Roman Wood, Shinfield pottery sherds were revealed during an archaeological evaluation. 16758 Early medieval activity at land at Early Saxon material was identified in Anglo- Spencers Wood four linear features during an Saxon archaeological evaluation. 16759 Linear features at land at Spencers During an archaeological evaluation a Post- Wood number of post-medieval linear features medieval and several undated gullies and ditches were discovered. 17641 Undated ditch and a post-medieval Gully, field system, ditch Post- gully at Land at Spencers Wood medieval / undated 17655 Field system and features at Croft Post hole, gully, field system, ditch, pit Middle to Road, Spencers Wood late Iron Age 18164 Linear features at Land at Beech Ditch Undated Hill Road, Spencers Wood 18186 Features at Land at Beech Hill, Post hole, hard standing, ditch, pit Late Iron Spencers Wood Age / early Roman 18187 Undated features at Land at Ditch and pit Undated Beech Hill, Spencers Wood 18325 Activity at Land North of Croft Field system and cremation burial Iron Age / Road, Spencers Wood Romano- British 18326 Activity at Land North of Croft Field boundary and findspot Late Road, Spencers Wood medieval / post- medieval 18383 Linear features at Land at Ditches and field system Late Sheepbridge Court Farm, prehistoric / Swallowfield, early Roman 18384 Features at Land at Sheepbridge Pits Medieval Court Farm, Swallowfield

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6.3 Appendix 3: Previous Archaeological Investigations Event ID Name Dates Type EWK13 44-70 Grazeley Road, Three 05/02/1998 - 23/07/1998 Watching Brief Mile Cross, EWK33 Swallowfield By-Pass 25/08/1978 - 20/09/1978 Watching Brief EWK93 Grazeley Field 11 & 13 01/04/1999 - 30/04/1999 Evaluation EWK94 Grazeley New Settlement 01/09/1997 - 30/09/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK100 Land at 102 Grazeley Road, 01/11/2000 - 30/11/2000 Desk Based Assessment Three Mile Cross, EWK112 72-90 Grazeley Road, Three 21/02/2000 - 28/06/2000 Watching Brief Mile Cross, EWK113 Ridge and Furrow - Spencers 10/01/2001 - 20/01/2001 Casual Observation Wood, Shinfield, EWK121 Land at Spencers Wood, in two phases (1999) Evaluation Reading, EWK122 Spencers Wood at some time (1999) Systematic Fieldwalking Survey EWK132 20-36 Grazeley Road, Three 20/08/2001 - 18/09/2001 Watching Brief Mile Cross, EWK153 Shinfield Court 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK154 Nullis Farm: Block 2 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK155 Land at Croft Road 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK156 Bodys Farm, Spencers Wood, 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK157 White House Farm, Spencers 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey Wood, EWK158 Spencers Wood 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK159 Stanbury Park 30/10/1997 - 21/11/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK160 Three Mile Cross 30/10/1997 - 16/12/1997 Geophysical Survey EWK167 Great Lea House Farm 01/06/1997 - 30/06/1997 Aerial Photograph Interpretation EWK189 Grazeley Road, Three Mile 13/01/2003 - 29/01/2003 Evaluation Cross, EWK208 Land at Basingstoke Road, 01/08/2003 - 31/08/2003 Desk Based Assessment Spencers Wood ERM262 Diddenham Manor Farm, 01/02/1990 - 31/03/1990 Trial Trench evaluation Grazeley, ERM349 Loddon Valley (Berkshire) at some time (1990/1991) Systematic Fieldwalking Fieldwalking Survey Survey ERM373 Land at Basingstoke Road, 01/11/2004 - 15/12/2004 Evaluation Spencer's Wood, ERM546 British Gas Pipeline at 01/04/1994 - 30/04/1994 Watching Brief Swallowfield, ERM721 Land to the rear of The Firs, 21/05/2007 - 27/05/2007 Evaluation Ilex, Dunboyne, Elmhurst and Hillside House ERM857 Mereoak Lane, Three Mile 20/08/2007 - 28/08/2007 Evaluation Cross, Reading, ERM916 Proposed Shinfield Bypass 01/08/2008 - 31/10/2008 Gradiometer Survey Route and land at Ryeish Green, ERM1054 Mereoak Lane, Three Mile 02/06/2008 - 01/10/2008 Area Excavation Cross, Watching Brief ERM1086 Ashdown, Basingstoke Road, 05/10/2009 - 20/11/2009 Watching Brief Spencer's Wood, ERM1178 Land at Grovelands Road, 24/11/2010 - 24/11/2010 Evaluation Spencers Wood,

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Event ID Name Dates Type ERM1287 Grazeley Road, Reading, 10/01/2011 - 15/03/2011 Area Excavation Berkshire ERM1315 Parklands, Basingstoke Road, 04/04/2011 - 05/04/2011 Evaluation Spencers Wood, Excavation / Strip and Record ERM1328 23 Beech Hill Road, Spencers 11/04/2012 - 12/04/2012 Watching Brief Wood, ERM1329 Land to the rear of Ashdown, 28/03/2012 - 28/03/2012 Evaluation Basingstoke Road, ERM1423 Land at Spencers Wood, 10/04/2012 - 27/04/2012 Evaluation Reading, ERM1452 Three Mile Cross, Spencers 01/05/2012 - 02/05/2012 Desk Based Assessment Wood, ERM1465 Land at Spencers Wood, 01/02/2013 - 28/02/2013 Desk Based Assessment Wokingham, ERM1502 Land off Beech Hill Road, 01/01/2013 - 31/01/2013 Desk Based Assessment Spencers Wood, ERM1716 Shinfield/Spencers Wood 01/10/2008 - 31/10/2008 Desk-Based Assessment ERM1721 Land at Blanke Villa, Lambs 01/09/2008 - 30/09/2008 Desk-Based Assessment Lane, Spencers Wood ERM1734 76-82 Grazeley Road, Three 01/09/2012 - 30/09/2012 Mile Cross ERM1737 The 'Warrens Croft' Site, 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2005 Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood ERM1753 Land at Spencers Wood, 23/03/2015 - 31/03/2015 Reading ERM1795 Croft Road, Spencers Wood 18/05/2015 - 19/05/2015 ERM1796 Croft Road, Spencers Wood 18/03/2015 - 25/03/2015 ERM1819 Land west of Beech Hill Road 13/08/2015 - 13/08/2015 Spencers Wood ERM1899 Beech Hill, Spencers Wood 15/02/2016 - 19/02/2016 ERM1954 Land South of Croft Road, 07/11/2016 - 07/11/2016 Negative Spencers Wood ERM2029 Parklands, Three Mile Cross 01/04/2017 - 30/04/2017 Desk-Based Assessment ERM2072 Land North of Croft Road, 20/03/2017 - 31/03/2017 Spencers Wood ERM2106 Phase 2B and Area C 02/10/2017 - 15/12/2017 Evaluation (negative) Spencers Wood ERM2117 Land on Beech Hill Road, 02/08/2016 - 12/08/2016 Spencers Wood ERM2247 Land at Basingstoke Road, 01/12/2018 - 31/12/2018 Desk-Based Assessment Spencers Wood ERM2262 Grazeley Road 84-86, Three 11/11/2013 - 22/11/2013 Watching Brief Mile Cross (negative) ERM2268 Land at Sheepbridge Court 08/12/2014 - 30/09/2015 Evaluation and Watching Farm, Basingstoke Road, Brief Swallowfield

6.4 Appendix 4: Historic Landscape Characterisation Areas UID Name Type HRM3974 Grassland north of Beech Hill Enclosed fields derived from piecemeal enclosure. Road, Spencers Wood They have been subject to reorganisation since the early 19th century and the current layout appears later 20th century in origin.

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UID Name Type HRM3977 Terraced houses at Clements Modern terraced houses Close, Spencers Wood HRM3978 Detached houses at Beech Houses originating in the early 20th century. Hill Road, Spencers Wood HRM3982 Detached houses at Diana Modern small housing estate Close, Spencers Wood HRM3985 Grassland east of Highlands Parkland created following parliamentary enclosure Country House, Spencers of Spencerswood Common Wood HRM3986 Highlands Country House, Present on 1761 map of Berkshire, probably Spencers Wood originates in the early post-medieval period HRM3987 Planted woodland north of Woodland planted in the late 19th/early 20th century White House Lane, Spencers Wood HRM3988 Wellington Court, Spencers Wellington Park, previously known as Stanbury Park Wood HRM3990 Grassland east of the A33, Enclosed fields derived from piecemeal enclosure. Spencers Wood They have been subject to reorganisation since the early 19th century and the current layout appears later 20th century in origin. HRM3999 Agricultural farmland north of Agricultural farmland Lambs Farm, Spencers Wood HRM4000 Body's Farm, Spencers Wood Farmstead, called Mullins Farm on the 1st edition OS map (1870s). Probably present on John Rocque's map of Berkshire (1761) HRM4001 Spencers Wood village Rural settlement HRM4004 Detached houses at Modern housing estate Sevenoaks Drive, Spencers Wood HRM4006 Detached houses at Halfacre Modern housing Close and Askew Drive, Spencers Wood HRM4007 Spencers Wood Recreation Small public park, probably present on the 1st edition Ground OS map (1870s) HRM4008 Allotments west of Orchards Allotment gardens, probably present on the 1st Close, Spencers Wood edition OS map (1870s) HRM4009 Terraced houses at Stanbury Modern housing Gate, Spencers Wood HRM4013 Houses around Appletree Modern housing Lane, Spencers Wood HRM4014 Houses south of Hyde End Housing originating in the early post-Second World Road, Spencers Wood War period HRM4016 Houses around Montgomery Modern housing Drive and Larchside Close

6.5 Appendix 5: Historical Maps Year Map/document Source 1856 Enclosure map of Shinfield Green Berkshire Record Office online project: http://www.berkshireenclosure.org.uk/ 1861 Spencers Wood Common Berkshire Record Office online project: Enclosure map http://www.berkshireenclosure.org.uk/ 1898–1900 First edition 6-inch OS map National Library of Scotland online map resources 1901–1913 Second edition 6-inch OS map National Library of Scotland online map resources

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6.6 Appendix 6 – Significance and Impact Criteria

6.6.1 Criteria for assessing the importance of heritage assets Importance Designation of Assets Definition of Importance of Asset High World Heritage Sites Places of international importance due to its ‘outstanding universal value’ Scheduled monuments Places or structures of national importance. Listed buildings (Grade I or II*) Undesignated heritage assets and Registered parks/gardens (Grade I or II*) archaeological remains of potentially Battlefields equivalent value. This includes assets which:  are rare in the historic environment record or  are a good example of a type site or  have a high potential to add to regional and national research criteria

Moderate Listed buildings (Grade II) Places or buildings of regional or high local Registered parks and gardens (Grade II) importance. Conservation areas This includes assets which: Undesignated  are more commonly found in the historic environment record or  have particular regional associations or may have important associations on a local or parish level (e.g. they have meaning to local population or embody something of the special identity of a locality)  have moderate potential to add to local and regional research criteria

Low Undesignated Assets which:  are relatively poorly preserved or  have limited significance on a local level  have a low potential to add to local and regional research criteria

Negligible Undesignated Places or buildings that have no known archaeological, historical or cultural importance. Sufficient investigation must have been undertaken to demonstrate that there is a low risk that any as yet unknown heritage assets might survive, or where any potential surviving remains have no value within the context of the current study.

Uncertain Undesignated Sites where there is evidence that a heritage asset may exist, but where there is insufficient information to determine its nature, extent and degree of survival given current knowledge (e.g. cropmarks untested by fieldwork or random finds spots).

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6.6.2 Criteria used for assessing the setting of assets

Value of Setting Effect on Significance of Heritage Asset Attribute

Makes a major contribution to the significance of the heritage asset, for example because it is itself a significant heritage asset or because it is a very prominent High feature of the setting. Substantial change to this attribute would almost certainly considerably reduce the significance of the setting as it relates to the asset and would not normally be reversible. Makes a moderate contribution to the significance of the heritage asset, for example, because it is itself a locally significant heritage asset or a notable feature of the setting. Substantial change to this attribute would almost certainly reduce the Moderate integrity of the asset’s setting and to some degree reduce the significance of the setting as it relates to the asset. Such changes may be temporary or reversible, but might persist for a longer term. Makes a minor contribution to the significance of the asset, for example having no heritage value in itself or comprising a small element in the setting. Substantial Slight change to this attribute might lead to a slight loss of its overall integrity or significance of the setting of the asset. The changes may be short term.

Neutral Makes no apparent contribution to the setting of the asset.

Comprises a small intrusive element in the setting of the asset, or one that is itself a Slightly heritage asset. The intrusiveness may be limited to a short term. Removal of the Intrusive attribute would not normally be justified but mitigation would be beneficial. Detracts somewhat from the significance of the heritage asset, but is not a very prominent feature of the setting and does not involve large-scale activities or Moderately emissions. The attribute itself may have some heritage value, thus offsetting its Intrusive intrusiveness. Removal or mitigation of the intrusion would increase the significance of the setting in relation to the asset. Detracts highly from the significance of the heritage asset and has no heritage value in its own right. This might be because it is a very prominent feature of the setting, Highly involves large-scale activities or produces copious emissions. Removal or Intrusive mitigation of the intrusion would almost certainly increase the significance of the setting in relation to the asset.

6.6.3 Criteria for assessing the magnitude of development impacts on assets Magnitude of Impact on Asset Effect of Impact

Causes total destruction of or permanent change to most key elements of the asset that results in major loss of integrity and reduction in significance. Substantial Substantial Harm change to the setting of the asset. Any such change would almost certainly result in total loss of significance of the asset and would not normally be reversible. Either: causes permanent change to or loss of many key elements of the asset that lead to a moderate loss of its overall integrity and reduction in significance. Moderate Harm Moderate change to the setting of the asset. Or: temporarily causes major loss of integrity and significance, e.g. through restricting accessibility and visibility, or by altering its setting. Either: causes permanent change to some key or peripheral elements of the asset, or changes to the setting of the asset, that lead to a slight loss of its overall integrity Slight Harm or significance. Or: temporarily causes moderate loss of integrity and significance, e.g. through restricting accessibility and visibility, or by altering its setting.

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: 32 Heritage Assessment Albion Archaeology

Magnitude of Impact on Asset Effect of Impact

No change No appreciable change to the asset or its setting. Either: delivers some improvement to the asset that does not increase its overall Slight Benefit integrity or significance. Or: arrests an existing process of adverse change. Either: causes long-term improvement of the asset, involving some increase in its Moderate Benefit integrity or significance. Or: reverses an existing process of adverse change. Causes major benefit to the asset that increases its integrity and significance. Such Substantial Benefit change would almost certainly increase the significance of the asset.

6.6.4 Significance of effects matrix Highly Very Highly High Insignificant Significant Significant* Significant** t e s

s Moderately Highly

a Moderate Insignificant Significant

f Significant Significant* o

e Slightly Moderately c Low Insignificant Significant

n Significant Significant a t r

o Slightly Negligible Insignificant Insignificant Insignificant p significant m I Unknown Unknown Unknown (Highly Unk. (V. Highly Uncertain (Insignificant?) (Significant?) Significant?) Significant?) Moderate Substantial No Change Slight Harm Harm Harm

Magnitude of impact (on the asset or its setting)

* Highly significant impacts will require “exceptional” development justification ** Very highly significant impacts will require “wholly exceptional” development justification Otherwise, judgements should be balanced with regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the importance of the heritage asset

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: 33 Heritage Assessment Albion Archaeology

BERKSHIRE

Twyford READING

BERKSHIRE Spencers Wood Wokingham

SU READING

69 1670 00

Proposed Shinfield development area 68 Proposed 1668 00 development area

Spencers Wood 1666 00 Study 66 area 1 km 4710 00 4712 00 4714 00 4716 00 71 72 73 74 Figure 1: Site location Detail map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Central Bedfordshire Council. Licence No. 100049029 (2011) Contains Open Source Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010.

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment

Albion Archaeology

MWK15715

MWK15715 MWK5567 MRM16599

MWK5567 MWK15464 MWK16297 DRM2233

MWK 6178 MRM16600 MWK15609 MWK15616 MWK15607 MWK156 10 MWK15610

MWK15603 MRM17641 MRM18325-6 MWK15602 DRM2463

DRM2087 MRM18325

DRM2382 MWK8575 MRM16749 MWK8574 MRM18325 1670 00 MWK8577 MWK15606-8 MRM17655 MRM16758 MRM16753 & 5 MRM16758 & 9

PDA MRM16755

DRM2386 DRM2113 MWK15601 DRM2336

MWK15256 MWK15254 MRM16496 MWK4813 MWK15642 MWK15356 MWK1115-6

MWK15354 MWK8573 MWK15266 MWK15355 MRM15978 MRM1593 4

MRM18187 MRM15977 MWK1822 MWK15366 1660 00 MRM18164 MWK15272 MRM15932 MRM15 361 MWK8572 MWK1820 MWK1819 WK15641 MRM15934-6 MRM18186 MRM16576 MWK1821 MWK1818 500 m MWK15362

4710 00 4720 00

12345 Listed buildings 12345 Monuments

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment

Albion Archaeology

EWK160 EWK160 ERM1287 ERM857 EWK189 ERM1287 ERM2106

ERM1734

ERM1054 ERM2262 EWK153 EWK13 EWK112 EWK132 DRM2233

ERM2029

ERM1315 EWK100

ERM1753 EWK93 ERM1465

EWK94 ERM721 EWK159 EWK154

ERM2072

1670 00 ERM2247 ERM1423

ERM1796

EWK121 ERM1954 ERM1178 EWK 33 PDA ERM1423

EWK94 EWK155

EWK158

EWK94

EWK113

EWK156

EWK122

EWK157 ERM1328 ERM1086 ERM1737 ERM1329 ERM 211 ERM1819 ERM349 ERM1502 ERM1737 1660 00 EWK121 ERM1899 EWK208 EWK157 ERM1721 ERM 211 ERM 373 500 m

4710 00 4720 00

12345 Event

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment

Albion Archaeology

HRM4004

HRM4006 HRM4009 HRM3988HRM39 90

1670 00 HRM4007

HRM3990 HRM4008 HRM4013

PDA

HRM3985 HRM4001 HRM4014

HRM3986 HRM4016

HRM3987 HRM3977

HRM3978 HRM4000 HRM3982

HRM3999

1660 00 HRM3974

HRM3974

500 m

4710 00 4720 00

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment

Albion Archaeology

PDA

Figure 5: 1856 Shinfield Green Enclosure Map (location and scale of PDA approximate)

PDA

Figure 6: 1882 Spencers Wood Common Enclosure Map (location and scale of PDA approximate)

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment

Albion Archaeology

PDA

Figure 7: 1898–1900 first edition 6-inch OS map

PDA

Figure 8: 1900–13 second edition 6-inch OS map

Stanbury House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood, Berkshire: Heritage Assessment