SNN110454 - Former Conservative Club Car Park, New Street, Weedon, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample Investigation, November 2014

Planning permission (DA/2014/0431) was granted by Daventry District Council for the construction of three dwellings, alterations to land levels, access provision, detached garage building, landscaping and associated works at the former Conservative Club car park, New Street, Weedon, Northamptonshire (grid ref. SP 6300 5915). The development lies in an archaeologically sensitive area and a condition requiring archaeological investigation was attached to the planning permission. Albion Archaeology was commissioned to carry out the archaeological works. Archaeological monitoring took place on 10th November 2014. An area measuring 15m by 4m was stripped under archaeological supervision within the footprint for the new houses. This showed a 300mm layer of topsoil above undisturbed geological clay. The stripped area lay within a previously undisturbed garden area at the west end of the site. Examination of the other areas affected by the development showed negligible potential for archaeological survival. The natural slope of the site had been terraced away to form the car park, resulting in the removal of more than 3m of soil at the western edge of the terrace. The site of the new garage building towards the east end of the development was formerly the location of an electricity substation. Substantial foundations and ducting below the substation would have removed any potential archaeological remains that might once have existed there. Following consultation with the Northamptonshire Assistant Archaeological Advisor it was agreed that no further archaeological monitoring would be required during the development works. The project archive will be retained by Albion Archaeology until deposition at the Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre (NARC) when this opens.