SNN43379 - Land at College Farm, Aynho, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment and Building Recording

This archaeological desk-based study has demonstrated that the College Farm site lies within an area of known archaeological potential. Although the site itself contains no known pre-medieval remains. It has been argued that the farm is likely to represent the site of the medieval Hospital of St James and St John although no known medieval remains have been identified in either the buildings or the wider area of the site. No detailed development proposals have yet been formulated and it has therefore not proved possible to produce a detailed impact assessment of the proposed development. In broad terms it is however understood that the development proposals are likely to comprise the construction of new housing on the currently unoccupied area to the west of the main farm buildings and the conversion to housing of the current farm buildings. The construction of the new buildings would appear to have the potential to affect hitherto unknown archaeological deposits. It is therefore likely that all areas of ground disturbance will be subject to a field evaluation prior to the determination of any planning application. It should also be noted that any construction activities, including the laying of new services, within the area of the main farmyard may also affect archaeological deposits. It has been agreed in this report that this section of the site is likely to represent the focus of the medieval Hospital of St James and St John and it is therefore possible that this area will contain medieval remains associated with this foundation. It is therefore likely that any areas of ground disturbance will be also be subject to a programme of field evaluation. The conversion of the historic farm buildings is likely to obscure some historic features and remove others, even if the exteriors largely remain unchanged. In the light of the detailed plans it would be appropriate to consider a further stage of recording work the parts of the fabric that are being altered or obscured.