SNN107250 - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Land at Banbury Lane, Northampton

David Wilson Homes (South Midlands) have commissioned CgMs to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment of land proposed for development at Banbury lane, Northampton. The site is approximately 6.92 hectares in extent and is centred at National grid Reference SP726580. The assessment considers the available archaeological and historical information for the site and surrounding area in order to identify currently known archaeological ‘heritage assets’ within the proposal site, clarify the archaeological potential of the site, and assess the archaeological implications of proposed development. The assessment has confirmed that the proposed development site (study site) does not contain any sites or areas protected by designation as a Scheduled Monument or other form of national heritage designation (‘designated heritage assets). Development within the site will have no impact on the significance of any site which such national heritage designation. The assessment has also established that the study site is not currently identified as containing any know archaeological remains which could form an ‘undesignated heritage asset’ under the terms of national planning policy. The 19th century Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal, which runs along the western boundary of the development site, represents an undesignated heritage asset of local significance. Review of available archaeological information for the surrounding area suggests that the site has a high potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains of Iron Age and Roman rural settlement or field systems, and a high potential for medieval and post-medieval agricultural evidence. The assessment considers that any such Iron Age and Roman remains would be considered to be of local or possibly county significance; medieval and later remains are of no more than local significance. The site has been assessed as having a low potential for the presence early prehistory and for Saxon period remains. The proposed development will result in extensive disturbance to and loss of any below-ground archaeological remains within the site, and affect the significant of any such assets. The development will not affect the significance of any heritage assets in the surrounding area. It is recommended that a program of further archaeological investigation is undertaken in advance of development to record any surviving archaeological evidence, and that the results of these investigations are published as appropriate. These measures can be facilitated by a suitably worded condition attached to any planning permission granted.