An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Moneystone Quarry, Whiston, Staffordshire M. Adams August 2014 National Museums Liverpool Field Archaeology Unit, Pilotage Building, Mann Island Liverpool L3 1DG. Tel: 0151 478 4260 Fax: 0151 478 4040 © Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside Non-Technical Summary This report describes the result of an archaeological desk study of the proposed regeneration of Moneystone Quarry near Whiston Staffordshire. The study involved a review of the available documentary, cartographic and photographic sources and the site was visited for a ‘walkover’ survey. The desk-study found little evidence for in situ archaeological deposits within the proposed development area. For the earlier periods (Prehistoric and Roman) this may be at least in part the result of the current poor understanding of settlement in the region. During the medieval and post- medieval periods most of the site appears to have been in use as agricultural land, though it lies within a wider landscape of industrial activity, including iron smelting, copper smelting, coal mining and other processes. However, the vast majority of the site has been extensively affected by 20 th century quarrying, although there are documented sites within the site boundary, all have been destroyed and the site is considered to be of no archaeological potential. Contents 1. Background .................................................................................................................. 1 2. Historical and Archaeological Background .................................................................... 5 3. Archaeology Within the Study Area .............................................................................. 9 4. Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 13 5. Summary of Impacts ..................................................................................................... 14 6. Recommendations for Mitigation ................................................................................... 15 7. Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 15 8. References ................................................................................................................... 16 9. Figures.......................................................................................................................... 18 10. Gazetteer of Sites ....................................................................................................... 26 An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Moneystone Quarry, Whiston, Staffordshire. 1. Background This report relates to an archaeological desk-based assessment of two areas of land at Moneystone Quarry, Staffordshire produced for HOW Planning on behalf of the Applicant. The quarry is the subject of proposals for landscaping and restoration alongside re-development for leisure use. Details of the methodology and sources consulted are given in the project design. 1.1. Site Location and Description This study covers the site of Moneystone Quarry, Oakamoor, Staffordshire (NGR SK 0464 4641 (centred) plus an additional fringe of 1 km beyond the site boundaries. The site is an irregularly shaped area approximately 51.8 ha in extent and lies to either side of Eaves Lane, a road connecting the villages of Whiston and Oakamoor villages which lie to the north and south. Most of the site covered by the application is occupied by former a former sandstone quarry worked during the late 20th century, though there are small areas of undisturbed agricultural land on the eastern and southern fringes of the site. The surrounding landscape is largely agricultural in character and t is fringed to the south-west by the Churnet Valley The site lies within the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, an area which includes 967 Listed buildings and structures, 14 Conservation Areas and a number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) within the District outside the Peak District National Park which contains a further 371 Listed Buildings. 1.2 Legislation and Planning Background Archaeological sites may be protected by the following legislation and planning policies. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) as Amended by the National Heritage Act (1983) provides statutory protection for sites of national importance as scheduled by Secretary of State upon advice from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as advised by English Heritage. This Act, building on legislation dating back to 1882, provides for nationally important archaeological sites to be statutorily protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. There are currently around 19,000 entries in the Schedule, covering 35,000 sites ranging from prehistoric standing stones and burial mounds to Roman forts and medieval villages, and include some more recent structures such as collieries and wartime pill-boxes. The scheduling of a monument means that permission - 'scheduled monument consent' - is required for works to that monument. Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent is required for any work that would affect the fabric of a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The National Heritage Act (1983) established the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (English Heritage). English Heritage is an Executive Nondepartmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It acts as the government's advisor on the historic environment, working with the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Departments for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Trade and Industry. The work of English Heritage is overseen by a board of up to 16 Commissioners selected by the Government for the breadth of their national and regional expertise. Expert advisory 1 Moneystone Quarry, Staffordshire. Desk-Based Assessment. committees and panels in turn, advise the Commission. English Heritage works in partnership with the central government departments, local authorities, voluntary bodies and the private sector to: • Conserve and enhance the historic environment • Broaden public access to the heritage • Increase people's understanding of the past The National Heritage Act (2002) extended English Heritage’s responsibility for marine archaeology including ancient monuments in, on or under the seabed within a 12-mile boundary around England. However, the vast majority of archaeological sites have no formal statutory protection and are dealt with through Planning Process. Listed Buildings . The Town and Country Planning Act (1971) as amended by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act (1990) empowers the Secretary of State for the Environment to maintain a list of built structures of historic or architectural significance. Conservation Areas The ‘Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires local authorities to designate areas of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ as Conservation Areas with the aim of preserving and enhancing their character and appearance. English Heritage may need to be consulted with regard to proposed works within a Conservation Area and section 72(1) requires Local Authorities to pay particular attention to Conservation Areas in the planning process. Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. English Heritage has responsibility for maintaining the Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Interest in England under section 8C of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 (Inserted by section 33 of, and paragraph 10 of section 4, to the National Heritage Act 1983). This ensures that they are managed in a manner that considers their historic character and value. Listed building and conservation area legislation requires that statutory consultation takes place with a number of national amenity organisations, such as the Victorian Society, the Georgian Group, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the Ancient Monuments Society, the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and English Heritage. World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO World Heritage List aims to: • Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage; • Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List; • Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites; • Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training; • Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger; 2 Moneystone Quarry, Staffordshire. Desk-Based Assessment. • Support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation; • Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage; • Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) replaced Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 5 in March 2012. It covers all aspects of heritage, applying the term ‘Heritage Asset’ to the diverse components which comprise the Historic Environment. A Heritage asset is defined as ‘A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a