ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 1 Archaeology & Cultural Heritage Assessment JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 2 INTRODUCTION ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Objectives Key Tasks Desk Based Assessment Geophysical Survey Trial Trench Evaluation Consultation Mitigation Measures Types of Impact Defining Setting Views SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA Assessing Impact BASELINE CONDITIONS Proposals Location & Topography Geology & Soils The Archaeological and Historic Landscape Information from the Historic Environment Record (HER) The Geophysical Survey The Trial Trench Evaluation Listed Buildings and other Cultural Heritage Features PREDICTED LIKELY EFFECTS Assessment of Direct Impacts of Construction/Establishment Assessment of Indirect Impacts of Construction/Establishment Assessment of Operational/Decommissioning Impacts Restoration activities across the wider quarry SCOPE OF MITIGATION CUMULATIVE IMPACTS JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 3 RESIDUAL EFFECTS CONCLUSIONS Tables 1.4 - 1.9 Annex 1.1 Legislative and Policy Framework Annex 1.2 Desk-Based Assessment Annex 1.3 Geophysical Survey Annex 1.4 Trial Trench Report JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 4 Introduction 1.1 PHOENIX CONSULTING ARCHAEOLOGY LTD has been instructed by DAVID L WALKER LTD on behalf of TARMAC to prepare an Archaeology & Cultural Heritage assessment to support a planning application for a c.47.6ha. Southern Extension to their extant workings at Alrewas Quarry, Staffordshire (NGR SK16741241). Although the application includes for re-phasing of the current site, the means of archaeological mitigation is already covered on the current site and therefore this report addresses the potential for impact from the proposed extension only (the Site). 1.2 This chapter assesses the extent and importance of known archaeology and other features of cultural heritage interest in and around the Site. It also discusses the likelihood of further archaeological finds being made on Site, the potential impacts of the proposed development on archaeology and other features of cultural heritage interest, and a range of mitigation measures to minimise those potential impacts. Specifically, the chapter evaluates direct and indirect impacts on archaeological finds and sites in addition to any potential indirect impacts on other cultural heritage components in the surrounding landscape (including Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments and Conservation Areas). 1.3 Registered Parks and Gardens, Historic Battlefields and World Heritage Sites are not considered within this assessment as there are no such designations within the wider landscape. 1.4 National and local policy guidelines on archaeology (see Annex 1.1) recommend that important archaeological sites should be protected and where possible preserved in situ. However, for features of lesser importance preservation by record is an acceptable alternative. If important sites are assumed to exist, a condition may be attached to any granted planning permission which requires their preservation in situ or outlines a scheme of further archaeological investigation. JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 5 Assessment Methodology Objectives 1.5 The key objectives of the impact assessment are to: ● identify key archaeological finds and sites, including Scheduled Monuments, on and within 3km of the Site; ● identify key Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas within 3km of the Site; ● identify other heritage assets, such as non-Listed Historic Buildings within 1km of the Site; ● assess the impacts of constructing and operating the development upon the cultural heritage assets listed above, including consideration of their setting; ● identify measures for avoiding or mitigating potential impacts; ● detail any residual effects that cannot be mitigated. Key Tasks 1.6 The assessment has involved the following key tasks: ● a desk-based baseline assessment to collect all readily available information on the archaeology and historic aspects of the landscape and to assess the probability of the survival of archaeological remains – see Annex 1.2; ● review of the results of an archaeo-geophysical survey across the Site – see Annex 1.3; ● review of the results of an archaeological trial trench survey across the Site – see Annex 1.4; ● consultation with relevant parties; ● site visit to assess setting of cultural heritage assets; and ● consideration of a range of measures to mitigate potential impacts of the proposed development on known and potential archaeology and other cultural heritage assets. Desk-Based Assessment 1.7 To undertake an initial assessment of the survival of archaeological and other JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 6 cultural heritage assets across the Site a desk-based assessment has been undertaken (Annex 1.2). This collected all available data of the study area and its surrounds. The information was considered in the context of 'background information' on the physical environment, particularly geological and geomorphological conditions and past and present land-uses of the area. The sources of information used in the desk assessment are summarised below: Historic Environment Record 1.8 The Historic Environment Record (HER) of Staffordshire County Council was made available during the assessment (search 2019). The Council HER Officer assisted with the collection of known records. Computer printouts of relevant archaeological information were obtained from this source. 1.9 The HER is not a complete listing of the actual archaeology and other cultural heritage features which may exist across, or in the vicinity of the site, nor is it seen as such by the Council Archaeological Officer, but it is a useful basis on which to begin an assessment. Documentary and Cartographic Research 1.10 Relevant documentary and cartographic records held by the County and District Records Offices (Stafford and Lichfield) were consulted during this assessment and are reported upon below. In addition, Local Studies Libraries were visited. The aim of the research was to provide a summary of the landscape history of the Site. Documents held by the Public Record Office (PRO) in Kew and the National Monuments Record (NMR) in Swindon were also consulted. Aerial Photographic Data 1.11 Aerial photographs covering the Site and its surrounds which are held by the NMR were reviewed. These included vertical and oblique shots. Geophysical Survey 1.12 The majority of the site has been investigated by a detailed magnetometer survey (Annex 1.3). Readings were collected on 1m transects using fluxgate gradiometers, and were plotted at 25cm intervals along each transect (Bartlett JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 7 2012). The results from the geophysical survey are discussed in more detail below. Trial Trench Evaluation 1.13 The geophysical survey plots provided the basis for the location of trial trenches (Annex 1.4). Trenches were positioned across geophysical anomalies that suggested below-ground archaeology, geophysical anomalies that were of uncertain character, cropmark features as detailed in the HER as well as blank areas to act as a control. The results from the trial trench survey have provided the necessary information with which to appropriately assess the impact of the proposed development on the archaeological resource. Consultation 1.14 In the preparation of this impact assessment, consultation has taken place with all relevant curatorial officers involved in the protection and management of heritage assets within the areas to be affected by the proposed development. This has included: ● Mr Shane Kelleher – County Archaeological Officer, Staffordshire County Council Natural, Rural County Advisory Team; ● Suzy Blake – Historic Environment Records Officer, Staffordshire County Council Natural, Rural County Advisory Team; ● Mr Nick Carter – Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Historic England (West Midlands Team); ● Ms Claire Hines– Conservation Officer, Design and Conservation Team, Lichfield District Council; ● Mr Edward Higgins – Conservation Officer, Design and Conservation Team, Lichfield District Council; Mitigation Measures 1.15 A range of measures that might be taken to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on known and potential archaeology and other cultural heritage features in the landscape is provided (if appropriate) following the discussion of potential impacts. JUNE 2019 TARMAC ALREWAS QUARRY – SOUTHERN EXTENSION P a g e | 8 Types of Impact 1.16 A development can result in two types of impact upon a cultural heritage asset: direct and indirect impacts. Direct impacts arising from a development are likely to only affect archaeology and heritage features within the Site boundary. Indirect impacts are defined as any impacts upon other heritage features (including impacts to settings) as a result of the presence of the proposed development. Policy guidance recognises the need to protect the ‘setting’ of historic buildings and heritage features. 1.17 Historic England have published guidance on how to define the extent of the setting of heritage assets: The Setting of Heritage Assets: Historic Environment: Good Practice Advice in Planning, Note 3 (second edition) 2017. The following methodology below draws upon that document, guidance contained within the NPPF (2019), and the National Planning Practice Guide (NPPG 2014). Defining Setting 1.18 The NPPF (2019 - Chapter 16: Conserving