SNN116427 - Brigstock Solar Farm, Northamptonshire: Geophysical Survey

Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd undertook a geophysical (magnetometer) survey covering approximately 107 hectares on land at Brigstock, Northamptonshire, where the site of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array/solar farm with associated infrastructure is being proposed constituting the Proposed Development Area (PDA). The results of the survey will provide information for the determination of a submitted planning application and may also inform future archaeological strategy at the site, if required. Despite the presence of magnetic disturbance across a large area, likely a result of the spreading of 'green waste', the survey has identified nine distinct areas of clear archaeological activity within the PDA, including multiple ring ditches, settlement activity including four possible kilns and a range of enclosures, ditches and pit-like features. Given the level of archaeological activity in areas of magnetic disturbance it remains likely responses from isolated or weakly magnetic archaeological features are present but masked by this magnetic 'noise'. In addition to the areas of archaeological activity, high magnitude anomalies indicative of burning are evident across the proposed development area in locations identified by cropmarks and charcoal soil marks recorded in the Northamptonshire Council HER. The survey results have corroborated and added to the cropmark and HER data indicating widespread archaeological activity in the landscape and therefore based on these findings the nine identified areas of archaeological activity are assessed as of high archaeological potential and the PDA moderate - high.