SNN116940 - Land at Moreton Road, Eydon, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Observation & Recording (OIRAP)

Arthian Ltd (Arthian) (formerly Mabbett & Associates Ltd) were appointed by Manning Construction Ltd (‘the Client’) to undertake archaeological monitoring and recording (‘The Investigation’) on land at Moreton Road, Eydon, Northamptonshire, centred at National Grid Reference (NGR): SP 54445 50496 (‘the Site’). The work was undertaken in support of an application for the construction of a new residential development (‘the Proposed Development’). The work is to be undertaken following the granting of outline planning permission by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) (ref: WNS/2023/0260/OUT), condition 5 of which states:No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Planning Authority. This written scheme will include the following components, completion of each of which will trigger the phased discharging of the condition:i. fieldwork in accordance with the agreed written scheme of investigation;ii. post-excavation assessment (to be submitted within six months of the completion of fieldwork, unless otherwise agreed in advance with the Planning Authority);iii. completion of post-excavation analysis, preparation of site archive ready for deposition at a store (Northamptonshire ARC) approved by the Planning Authority, completion of an archive report, and submission of a publication report to be completed within two years of the completion of fieldwork, unless otherwise agreed in advance with the Planning Authority.Reason: To secure the provision of archaeological investigation and the subsequent recording of the remains, to comply with Government advice in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (Section 16). This information is required prior to commencement of the development as it is fundamental to the acceptability of the scheme. The work was undertaken by Arthian in line with NPPF paragraph 208 (DLUHC 2025), following a request for archaeological monitoring and recording by the Lead Planning Archaeologist to the local planning authority, and comprised archaeological observation and recording during the excavation of the strip foundations for the proposed building. This document comprises the report of the results of the Investigation. The investigation recorded a small number of modern features comprising evidence for agricultural drainage activity in the form of clay/ceramic field drains, most likely necessary due to the extreme fall of land on the plot. No pre-modern remains or artefacts were present. Based on the available evidence derived from a desk-top study and the results of the archaeological investigation, it is considered that the potential for significant archaeological remains to be present within the Site is low. Therefore, it is considered that no further archaeological input is required.