SNN115665 - Shacks Barn Farm, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Heritage Settings Assessment

In October 2020 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Clowes Developments to undertake a Heritage Settings Assessment in respect of land at Shacks Barn Farm, Northamptonshire. The Site is located directly to the east of the A43 and directly to the south of the A413, the south-western extent of the Site is bounded by a solar farm and the south-eastern extent is bounded by arable farmland. The development proposal seeks the construction of a commercial development for mixed employment, c.10ha in total area, with units ranging in size from 650sq m to 7000sq m. The objective of this assessment was to identify the nature and scale of harm, if any, caused by the proposed development to the significance of Lordsfield Farm Scheduled Monument, an extant moat and probable site of the former manor house of Whittlebury, which is located 600m south-east of the Site. Lordsfield Farm Scheduled Monument is a well-preserved example of a medieval small square moat with a relatively undisturbed moat island. It has a high potential for the preservation of remains of the house structure within the moat island and the moat ditches also offer the potential for well-preserved waterlogged remains. Following a detailed appraisal of the setting of Lordsfield Farm Moated Site this assessment has found that the proposed development would cause no harm to the significance of Lordsfield Farm Scheduled Monument through changes to its setting. There will be limited visibility from Lordsfield Farm to the Site, as tree cover and topography combine to largely screen the proposed development from the Scheduled Monument. The important elements of its physical surrounds and experience will not be altered by the proposed development. The assessment has considered the impact of the proposed development on the significance of the Scheduled Monument in accordance with paragraph 193 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The South Northamptonshire Local Plan also requires that the potential impact of the proposed development upon the significance of the Scheduled Monument is considered. No harm to the significance of the Scheduled Monument has been identified.