SNN114588 - Land southwest of West Haddon Road, East Haddon, Northamptonshire: Report on an archaeological evaluation

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by On-Site Archaeology Ltd at land southwest of West Haddon Road, East Haddon, Northamptonshire in October 2022. The evaluation, carried out on behalf of H.W. Brown, was in advance of a proposed development comprising of the erection of a solar farm. The evaluation consisted of the excavation of seven trial trenches, each measuring approximately 50m by 2m, in order to provide a 2% representative sample of the site. A recent geophysical survey of the site revealed magnetic responses which included numerous features indicative of later prehistoric settlement and occupation. These features also correlate with crop mark evidence, visible on aerial photographs, which are recorded in the Historic Environment Record (HER). The excavation of the trial trenches revealed many archaeological features, which generally corresponded with the geophysical survey, confirming an extensive and complex area of archaeology concentrated in the northern half of the site. The features, including linear ditches, probable ring ditches and occasional discrete features, are thought to represent late prehistoric occupation. Intersecting ditches and the variable orientation of the features possibly indicate at least three phases of activity. Dating evidence, comprising of three sherds of late Iron Age pottery and a small iron spearhead, was limited to a single probable ring-ditch. The archaeological features were overlain by a subsoil deposit, probably representing an historic ploughsoil, followed by modern ploughsoil. These two layers had a combined thickness of between 0.,35m and 0.50m. The results of the evaluation will be used to determine what mitigation measures may be required to enable any proposed development to proceed. The proposed development has been designed in a way to avoid significant below ground impact. The solar panels will be supported on narrow rectangular piles, each of which will be 70mm x 20mm in plan. A total of 1400 of these will be required. This equates to a total area of below ground impact of 11.76m2 across the entire site of c. 3.5 hectares, less than 0.0004%. The use of bog matting during construction will avoid any damage by mechanical plant to the archaeological features. Any decisions regarding future treatment of the archaeology will be made by the North Northamptonshire Council Assistant Archaeological Advisor.