SNN109864 - Archaeological Desk-Based Heritage Assessment of Land at Wales Street, Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Archaeology conducted an archaeological desk-based heritage assessment of land at Wales Street, Kings Sutton, Northamptonshire. There are no designated assets within the site boundary. There is evidence for significant middle-late Iron Age activity to the east, evidence for which has been found on a number of sites immediately to the north of Kings Sutton. It is considered unlikely that there will be dense settlement within the current site due to the proximity of the River Cherwell, but there may be associated field systems. Scattered Roman finds and a possible inhumation have been found close-by, although recent investigations have found no further evidence for Roman activity in the vicinity of the site. A Roman small town lies 800m to the north of the site, but little investigation has been undertaken. Kings Sutton is thought to have been an important centre during the Saxon period and was only one of three towns in the county to have a market at Domesday. It was, however, eclipsed by Banbury and Brackley during the medieval period. There was a brief renaissance during the 17th century when a medicinal spring was discovered at Astrop. A second spring was also discovered within the site in the mid 18th century and was known as Bog Spring. It is considered that there is a medium-high potential for Iron Age remains of local importance to be present. Any removal of topsoil/subsoil at the eastern end of the bund may encounter remains of post-medieval buildings, likely to be barns. Drainage of surplus water from Bog Spring may be affected by the proposals and may have to be diverted.