SNN115339 - Heritage Assessment: Land at Rothersthorpe Road, Kislingbury

This Heritage Assessment has considered the potential impact of the proposed development of land at Rothersthorpe Road, Kislingbury. It has assessed the proposed development in terms of direct impact on below ground archaeology and in terms of the visual and perceptual impact of the development on nearby heritage assets. The following briefly summarises the impacts. Assessment of the area of the proposed development undertaken in 2016, comprising desk based data gathering and site inspection, indicates that there is no prospect of nationally significant archaeology at the development site. Archaeology has been found in the vicinity and the landscape patterning does indicate the potential presence of some, possibly, prehistoric and Roman period evidence. In terms of direct impact, therefore, assessment has demonstrated that there is archaeology within the proposed development site, which based on the morphology of the geophysics data is of regional rather than of national significance. In consequence the next step will be further evaluation in the form of trial trenching. In terms of impact on the setting of historic assets and their significance, a 1km radius study zone was adopted within which heritage assets were appraised and assessed. An initial scoping exercise based on this study zone considered the extent to which the proposed development might be seen or felt to disrupt historic relationships. It concluded that the topography and the location of the majority of designated heritage assets meant that the potential impact of development fell on those assets on the periphery of the village. The listed buildings studied for the purposes of assessment are illustrated in Appendix 1. The heritage assets potentially at risk were both listed buildings along Bugbrooke Road and Camp Lane and the conservation Area of the village. These were fully appraised employing the four stage assessment recommended by Historic England. Significance was established by reference to the National Heritage List, the setting identified during a site inspection and impact assessed using the criteria for visual and perceptual effects noted in Appendix 3. The result was that assessment found the development could not be seen from the majority of buildings and may only be obscurely visible in views from the Nook and The Cottage on the Green Camp Lane. In particular in winter conditions when the foliage is off the trees. In addition to the lack of intervisibility the impact of the proposed development was assessed in terms of the perceived expansion of the residential area of Kislingbury. The impact of development was tested against the principal approach to the development, when passing the proposed development and in situations where historic relationships could be perceived. This involved considering the impact of development on the edge of Kislingbury when approaching or leaving along Rothersthorpe Road. The perception of an increasing residential area and the potential disruption of historic relationships were found to be limited in this area. Consequently when considered overall the perceived effect was found to be neutral. This heritage assessment has examined evidence from written, map, archive and published sources for Heritage Assets at Kislingbury, considered to be directly at risk of physical damage or harmed by visual intrusion or perceived change due to residential development. In terms of national, regional and local policy the application has been found to be successful in proposing a scheme which has important public benefits, the provision of housing, and which will not cause harm to the historic environment.