SNN116530 - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Oundle School Project 24, New Boarding House, Milton Road, Oundle PE8 4AB

Border Archaeology was instructed to carry out an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment with regard to the demolition of the former Primary School buildings on site and the proposed construction of a purpose-built girl’s boarding house for Oundle School at Milton Road, Oundle, North Northamptonshire PE8 4AB. The assessment results can be summarised as thus: Prehistoric: The potential for encountering evidence of buried remains of prehistoric date has been assessed as Low. This assessment reflects the sporadic and unstratified nature of prehistoric remains encountered within the study area, and within the wider surrounding area of the development site. Should any artefacts or deposits relating to this period be encountered during the proposed development these would be considered of Medium to High significance, particularly if any finds were recovered from stratified contexts and any deposits or cut features identified within a secure stratigraphic sequence. If unstratified finds of this period were encountered within the site these would be deemed to be of Low to Medium significance. Romano-British: The potential for encountering evidence of Romano-British activity within the site has been assessed as Low. This assessment reflects the scarcity of finds from the period and the complete lack of RomanoBritish features, deposits or sites recorded within the designated study area and the wider surrounding area, with the nearest settlement located around 1km to the NE on the eastern banks of the River Nene. Should any archaeological features or deposits of a Romano-British date be encountered during the groundworks for the proposed development these would be considered of Medium to High importance given the scarcity of evidence for Roman activity in the parish, particularly the lack of stratified finds and contexts. Such findings could assist in defining the nature and extent of Romano-British activity in Oundle. Medieval: The potential for encountering remains associated with medieval activity has been assessed as Moderate to High. This assessment reflects the site’s location on the western fringes of the Anglo-Saxon manorial enclosure and monastic settlement, and its location within the medieval town core settlement. Drumming Well Lane is thought to reflect the W boundary of the Anglo-Saxon settlement, though an Anglo-Saxon gully is recorded to the W of the site which might suggest that the settlement extended slightly further to the W, or perhaps is indicative of agricultural activity in the surrounding hinterland. In the same vicinity to the W of the site is also the recorded findspot of unstratified medieval finds. During the later medieval period the site appears to have lain at the northern extent of the long thin burgage plots which ran N from West Street. Should any features or deposits or finds of an Anglo-Saxon or later medieval date be encountered throughout the groundworks for the proposed development these would be of High importance as they could indicate the nature and extent of land-use within the development site and inform research on the origins and developing topography of Saxon and medieval Oundle. Post-medieval: The potential for encountering buried archaeological assets of a post-medieval date has been assessed as High. This assessment reflects the post-medieval development of the site, which appears to have been undeveloped until the mid-19th century, when the school was built. The site is likely to have formed the rear extent of the former medieval/post-medieval tenement block to the S fronting onto West Street. The site may have formed 2 Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment Oundle School Project 24, New Boarding House, Milton Road, Oundle PE8 4AB March 2023 gardens or have been employed for agricultural cultivation. Several structures associated with agricultural activity, barns, cart sheds etc, are noted in the surrounding area. There is a high probability of encountering buried remains in the northern extent of the site related to the dwellings which occupied the NW corner of the site until the 1960s, and the remains associated with the school building. Buried soil horizons were encountered during ground investigation works (window samples, inspection pits etc.) within the site in 2023. The 19th and 20th century buildings are likely however to have truncated any surviving archaeological deposits or features related to any earlier dated activity though deposit survival may be good in areas of the site not impacted upon by current standing buildings and previously demolished buildings, as indicated by the recent site investigation. Should any features or deposits or finds of a post-medieval date be encountered throughout the groundworks for the proposed development these would be of Low importance, but of local significance. Overall Conclusion: The archaeological potential of the site has been assessed in overall terms as Moderate, with reference to encountering archaeological remains of medieval and post-medieval date. The potential to encounter remains of Prehistoric and Romano-British date are assessed as Low. Recommendations: It is Border Archaeology’s considered opinion that, prima facie, the archaeological potential of the site does not present an impediment to the proposed development. Given the Moderate potential of the site it is recommended that an appropriate programme of archaeological work, the details of which to be agreed with the archaeological officer of North Northamptonshire Council will be necessary to determine the extent, depth, and significance of buried archaeological features and deposits across the site