The Anchor Public House, Bankside, London Borough of Southwark An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Spirit Group by Steve Preston Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code ABS07/86 July 2007 Summary Site name: The Anchor Public House, Bankside, London Borough of Southwark Grid reference: TQ3244 8040 Site activity: Desk-based assessment Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Steve Preston Site code: ABS07/86 Area of site: c. 850 sq m Summary of results: The site is in an area of considerable archaeological potential and is occupied by a listed building. Previous evaluation trenching on the site exposed elements of 17th-century building (made ground layers, a cobbled surface and a cess pit) and later (18th- to 20th-century) works interpreted as possibly part of a waterworks, but nothing from any earlier period. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford9 31.07.07 Jennifer Lowe9 02.08.07 i Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd, 47–49 De Beauvoir Road, Reading RG1 5NR Tel. (0118) 926 0552; Fax (0118) 926 0553; email [email protected]; website : www.tvas.co.uk The Anchor Public House, Bankside, London Borough of Southwark An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Steve Preston Report 07/86 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of approximately 850 sq m of land located on Bankside in Southwark (TQ 3244 8040) (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr Mark Thackeray of Cliff Walsingham and Company, Bourne House, Cores End Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5AR on behalf of The Spirit Group, and comprises the first stage of a process to determine the presence/absence, extent, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains which may be affected by redevelopment of the area. A planning application has been submitted to Southwark Borough Council for redevelopment of the site to remodel the rear of the building, to provide a new kitchen and new trolley lift. Site description, location and geology A site visit on 16th July 2007 showed that the site currently consists of The Anchor Public House, a Grade II listed 18th-century brick building with some later alteration, including extensions to the rear and to the west. Much of the interior is not original. There is a small car park, with temporary cabin. The site is located on alluvium, with an outcrop of Kempton Park gravel mapped just on the far side of the railway to the east (BGS 1994). It is at a height of approximately 3m above Ordnance Datum. Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is to be sought for the development of a new rear extension to the existing building on the site, for kitchen and storage space, and including a lift pit, and some internal alterations. Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16 1990) provides guidance relating to archaeology within the planning process. It points out that where a desk-based assessment has shown that there is a strong possibility of significant archaeological deposits in a development area it is reasonable to provide more detailed information from a field evaluation so that an appropriate strategy to mitigate the effects of development on archaeology can be devised. Paragraph 21 states: ‘Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer’s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning authority to 1 request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out...’ Should the presence of archaeological deposits be confirmed further guidance is provided. Archaeology and Planning stresses preservation in situ of archaeological deposits as a first consideration as in paragraphs 8 and 18. Paragraph 8 states: ‘...Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation...’ Paragraph 18 states: ‘The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining planning applications whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled...’ However, for archaeological deposits that are not of such significance it is appropriate for them to be ‘preserved by record’ (i.e., fully excavated and recorded by a competent archaeological contractor) prior to their destruction or damage. Paragraph 25 states: ‘Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the development and that development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, it would be entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself ... that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the excavation and recording of remains.’ Further guidance is provided by the London Borough of Southwark’s Unitary Development Plan (1995, still applicable). Objective E.5 is “To ensure the preservation, protection, investigation, recording and display of the archaeological heritage”. Policy E.5.1 states: ‘The council will seek to conserve and protect the Borough’s archaeological heritage and to enhance the knowledge of its historical development. The policy will apply to sites of potential archaeological importance where ancient remains are threatened by development. 2 ‘(i) The Council will expect the applicant to provide information to enable an assessment of the impact of a proposed development on the potential archaeology of the site. This would usually be desk-based information and would be expected prior to determination of a planning application. ‘(ii) Where there is potential for important remains on a site, which may merit preservation in situ, then the results of an archaeological field evaluation will, if feasible, be required prior to determination of a planning application. ‘(iii) Where the evaluation reveals important remains their protection and preservation will be the primary objective. This can be achieved by redesigning the proposed development and by foundation modification. ‘(iv) Where important archaeological remains cannot be preserved, or where remains do not merit preservation, then the Council will use planning conditions to ensure excavation and recording of the remains prior to redevelopment, i.e., preservation by record. ‘(v) Archaeological investigations are to be undertaken by a recognised archaeological field unit to a written specification. These will need to be approved by the Council prior to the commencement of any work.’ Southwark also has Supplementary Planning Guidance relating to archaeology, including the wording of the proposed new Policy 3.7 for the Draft Southwark Plan (2002, but not yet adopted): ‘Planning applications affecting sites of archaeological potential shall be accompanied by an archaeological assessment and evaluation of the site, including the impact of the proposed development. ‘Development proposals will be required to preserve in situ, protect and safeguard scheduled ancient monuments and important archaeological remains and their settings, and where appropriate, provide for the permanent display and/or interpretation of the monument or remains. ‘The local planning authority will ensure the proper investigation, recording of site and publication of the results by a suitably qualified archaeological contractor, as an integral part of a development programme where a development incorporates archaeological remains or where it is considered that preservation in situ is not appropriate.’ Further policies cover Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Historic Parks and Gardens, Listed Buildings, and other structures of architectural or historic merit, none of these is specifically relevant here. The site lies within one of the Borough’s Archaeological Priority Areas. Methodology The assessment of the site was carried out by the examination of pre-existing information from a number of sources recommended by the Institute of Field Archaeologists paper ‘Standards in British Archaeology’ covering desk-based studies. These sources include historic and modern maps, the Greater London Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Record (GLSMR), geological maps and any relevant publications or reports. Archaeological background General background The lower stretch of the Thames Valley is rich in finds of many periods (Williams and Brown 1999). Many archaeological deposits, covering extensive tracts of the gravel terraces north of the estuary, have been 3 discovered by aerial photography but the nature and extent of occupation and use of lower-lying areas has only come to light in more recent times. River margins, creeks and inlets, including those of the Thames, were preferred areas of settlement in earlier periods, but study of this use is hampered by subsequent inundation due to a rise in sea level and the deposition of deep alluvium. Fieldwork has, nevertheless, located areas of occupation with good preservation of organic remains typified by the examples of wooden trackways laid down to cross low-lying ground in the Bronze Age and earlier (Meddens 1996). The areas of higher ground (e.g. gravel terrace margins) overlooking lower-lying, seasonally-flooded land are a preferred topographic location for occupation. In this context, it should be noted that the site lies on the alluvial and tidal