SNN102487 - Daventry: DIRFT Phase 2, Environmental Statement

The technical study on the archaeology and cultural heritage associated with the proposed DIRFT West site has identified the archaeological resource present on the site. This resource has been identified from the baseline surveys including a desk-top study, monitoring of geotechnical test pits and the construction of a newt pond, geophysical surveys and trial trenching work carried out on the site. This work has identified nine archaeological cultural heritage sites, three are considered to be of regional/county importance, four have local importance and two are considered to be unimportant. None of the sites have national importance. The three of regional/county importance comprise an Early to Middle Neolithic site, a Middle Iron Age settlement and extant ridge and furrow. One of the sites of local importance comprises two hedgerows defined as historic under the Hedgerow Regulations. An assessment of the predicted impact of the proposed development on these sites ranges from moderate adverse to neutral. It is concluded that the archaeolgical resource can be satisfactory mitigated through design and additional measures including watching briefs, recording actions and protection by bunding in limited areas subject to compression tests.