SNN109647 - University of Northampton - Park Campus, Northampton, Northamptonshire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment

In January 2014 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by The University of Northampton, to carry out a Heritage Desk-Based Assessment of land at the Park Campus Northampton. The objective of the assessment was to identify the nature and extent of the heritage resource both within the site and its immediate environs. There are five previously recorded heritage assets located within the proposed development site. These consist of Moulton Park and its boundary, the West Lodge of Moulton Park (later the site of Moulton Park House), two World War II military sites associated with Boughton Green Road, and an undated ring ditch (a possible prehistoric burial site), although the evidence for this is unclear and no trace of it is recorded on aerial photographs, historic mapping, or during the walkover survey. Because the site was converted from the park to a university campus at the end of the 20th century, any remains of the military sites, undated ring ditch, and West Lodge are likely to have been destroyed. However, the park's boundary wall is still defined by the boundary of the university campus and despite later additions and upgrading, aspects of the boundary wall may date to the 19th century and earlier. During the walkover survey, a ha-ha was noted within the landscaping of the university campus which ran along the same alignment as the garden boundary of Moulton Park House, shown on historic mapping and aerial photographs. Therefore, this feature is likely to date to the late 19th century. An entrance lodge, probably also of 19th century date, and trees within the site were also noted during the walkover survey as surviving historical components of Moulton Park. Potential effects of the proposed development upon the settings of designated heritage assets within the study area have also been assessed. No adverse effect upon any of the Listed Buildings within the study area or the Scheduled Monument, the Church of St John the Baptist, to the north, will be expected as a result of the development.