SNN110670 - Land adjacent to 14 Hardwick Village, Hardwick, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample Investigation and Publication, 2016

Planning permission (WP/2014/0102/FUL) was granted by the Borough Council of Wellingborough for the construction of a four-bedroom, two-storey dwelling, with a garage and access, on land adjacent to 14 Hardwick Village, Hardwick, Northamptonshire. As the development area lies in a known area of medieval settlement, a condition (no. 3) was attached to the planning permission (in line with NPPF paragraph 141), requiring the implementation of a programme of archaeological work prior to the commencement of any development. The Northamptonshire County Council Assistant Archaeological Advisor stated that a mitigation programme of archaeological strip, map and sample investigation and publication was required, targeted on the areas of new construction. A brief was issued, specifying the required work (NCC 2015). Albion Archaeology was commissioned to carry out the archaeological works, the approach to which was specified in a written scheme of investigation (Albion Archaeology 2015). An area totalling c. 230m2 in extent was subject to archaeological investigation. A number of ditches, pits and post-holes were recorded. These are likely to be associated with one or more settlement enclosures, fronting on to one of the roads close to the village centre. Pottery from the excavated features suggests occupation from the 10th to the 14th century. The presence of animal bone and an assemblage of charred plant remains provide further evidence for domestic activity. Free-threshing wheat and oats appear to have been the main cereals cultivated and used by the settlement’s inhabitants. Development of the site has provided the opportunity for the first archaeological investigation within Hardwick. Although limited in scale, the results of the work add to our knowledge and understanding of the origin, development and economy of rural settlements in eastern Northamptonshire, thereby contributing to research objectives identified in the regional research agenda.