T H A M E S V A L L E Y ARCHAEOLOGICAL S E R V I C E S S O U T H W E S T Land at Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, Somerset An archaeological desk-based assessment by Tim Dawson Site Code MHQ12/56 (ST 6550 4630, ST 6570 4540, ST 6611 4540 and ST 6657 4547) Land at Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, Somerset Archaeological Desk-based Assessment for John Wainwright and Company Limited by Tim Dawson Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code MHQ 12/56 April 2014 Summary Site name: Land at Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, Somerset Grid reference: ST 6550 4630, ST 6570 4540, ST 6611 4540 and ST 6657 4547 Site activity: An archaeological desk-based assessment Project manager: Andrew Weale Site supervisor: Tim Dawson Site code: MHQ 12/56 Area of site: c.40.28ha Summary of results: This report assesses the archaeological potential of four proposal sites for the development of a quarry tip. The northern and eastern sites, (Areas A, D and parts of C), have lower potential as there are very few sites of archaeological interest in their immediate neighbourhood. It is suggested that mitigation of the development on any archaeological deposits present could be suitably achieved by a recording action implemented by an appropriately worded condition to any consent gained. The south western area (Area B and part of C), however, have higher potential due to the projected line of a Roman road crossing their location and the presence nearby of a possible round barrow cemetery. It is likely that these sites would attract a requirement for further information to be provided about the archaeological potential from field evaluation. This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. All TVAS unpublished fieldwork reports are available on our website: www.tvas.co.uk/reports/reports.asp. Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford9 17.04.14 Steve Preston9 04.04.14 i TVAS (South West), Unit 21 Apple Business Centre, Frobisher Way, Taunton TA2 6BB Tel. (01823) 288 284; Fax. (01823) 272 462; email: [email protected]; website: www.tvas.co.uk Reference plan (not to scale): ii TVAS (South West), Unit 21 Apple Business Centre, Frobisher Way, Taunton TA2 6BB Tel. (01823) 288 284; Fax. (01823) 272 462; email: [email protected]; website: www.tvas.co.uk Land at Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, Somerset An Archaeological Desk-based Assessment by Tim Dawson Report 12/56 Introduction This report is an assessment of the archaeological potential of four areas of land located at Moons Hill Quarry, Stoke St Michael, Somerset (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr Nick Dunn of Land & Mineral Management Ltd, The Roundhouse Cottages, Bridge Street, Frome, Somerset on behalf of John Wainwright and Company Limited, Moons Hill Quarry, Mendip Road, Stoke St Michael, Bath, Somerset, BA3 5JU 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. Site description, location and geology Site visits were made on 18th May 2012 (Pls. 1-4) and 19th March 2014 (Pls. 5-8). Area A, the northern proposal site, currently consists of four fields under pasture all aligned approximately north-south with their highest points at the southern end and sloping down to the north. Area B comprises two main fields both containing scrub and pasture with their high points in the north and sloping down to the south. The western field has boggy patches across its area and a fenced-off enclosure for a covered reservoir in the north, with a trackway and several pipes connecting this to the main road in the south. This field also contains earthworks which correspond to the projected line of a Roman road which crosses the southern proposal site. There are, however, no signs of such earthworks in the eastern field although there are signs of a hedgerow which once divided the field in two (west–east). The projected line of the Roman road also crosses the south-western corner of Area C where there appears to be a slight earthwork to reflect this. This area slopes steeply uphill from a stream in the centre of the northern field towards Long Cross Farm to the east. All of the fields that make up this area are pasture with the majority of the area also containing dense patches of rushes, suggesting waterlogged ground conditions. Possibly as a result of this a bank has been built along the southern and western boundary of the area along with a causeway leading down the hillside from Long Cross Farm. Area D consists of three fields used for pasture with the easternmost including several small wooden sheds around its perimeter. The majority of the fields that make up all four areas are enclosed by hedgerows, some of which incorporate mature trees. Proposal sites A to D have areas of 12.96ha, 12.76ha, 9.86ha and 4.70ha respectively, giving a total area of c.40.28ha. The 1 areas are centred on NGRs ST 6550 4630, ST 6570 4540, ST 6611 4540 and ST 6657 4547. The site is located primarily on Portishead Formation sandstone with an area of mixed andesite and tuff/agglomerates in the land between the two proposal areas (BGS 2000). Both areas are on steeply sloping ground at heights of between approximately 245m and 275m above Ordnance Datum. The parish boundary between Stoke St Michael in the north and Doutling in the south passes between Areas A and B and the hedge that marks the division between Areas C and D is also the parish boundary between Doulting to the west and Cranmore to the east. Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is to be sought for the development of a new landscaped storage area for indigenous quarry wastes either in the north-west or south-west of the present quarry workings. The Department for Communities and Local Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012) sets out the framework within which local planning authorities should consider the importance of conserving, or enhancing, aspects of the historic environment, within the planning process. It requires an applicant for planning consent to provide, as part of any application, sufficient information to enable the local planning authority to assess the significance of any heritage assets that may be affected by the proposal. The Historic Environment is defined (DCLG 2012, 52) as: ‘All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.’ Paragraphs 128 and 129 state that ‘128. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. ‘129. Local planning authorities should identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal (including by development affecting the setting of a heritage asset) taking account of the available evidence and any necessary expertise. They should take this assessment into account when considering the impact of a proposal on a heritage asset, to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the proposal.’ A ‘heritage asset’ is defined (DCLG 2012, 52) 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. Heritage asset includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).’ 2 ‘Designated heritage asset’ includes (DCLG 2012, 51) any ‘World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument, Listed Building, Protected Wreck Site, Registered Park and Garden, Registered Battlefield or Conservation Area designated under the relevant legislation.’ ‘Archaeological interest’ is glossed (DCLG 2012, 50) as follows: ‘There will be archaeological interest in a heritage asset if it holds, or potentially may hold, evidence of past human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point. Heritage assets with archaeological interest are the primary source of evidence about the substance and evolution of places, and of the people and cultures that made them.’ Specific guidance on assessing significance and the impact of the proposal is contained in paragraphs 131 to 135: ‘131. In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of: x the desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation; x the positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities including their economic vitality; and x the desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness. ‘132. When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be.