SNN112441 - DIRFT III, Northamptonshire: Building Recording Survey (Level I)

In July 2014, Cotswold Archaeology carried out a building recording survey of the remaining radio masts at the site of the former Rugby Radio Station to the east of Watling Street (A5), within the Northamptonshire County boundary. This report presents the survey results for the part of the site that lies within the area designated for the development of DIRFT III. The survey was commissioned by CgMs Consulting and was carried out in accordance with the EH guidelines for a Level I survey. The masts in this area were erected in the 1950s to support the antennas for the new radio station (‘B’ Building) that was built to cater for the increased demand for radio telephone transmission in the post-war years. At this time, with fifty-seven transmitters, the former Rugby Radio Station was the largest radio transmitting station in the world. The survey recorded forty-three masts of three types (Types I, II and III) still standing within the site; reference to historic mapping shows that many of the masts, particularly in the northern part of the site, have been removed. A variety of timber pylons associated with the former radio station was also recorded.