| Summary: | This report presents the results of a heritage impact assessment and geophysical survey carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) on land south of Yelland Quay, Yelland, Fremington, Devon, as part of an outline application for up to 210 dwellings and 1.5ha of Commercial and Business uses (Class E) with associated open space and infrastructure. The site comprises five fields located to either side of industrial units south of the Tarka Trail. It sits on relatively flat land covering an area of c.11ha located to the north-west of the historic settlement of Yelland, in the parish of Fremington. The proposal site sits on what was common land until the late 19th century, when it was enclosed. Much of the site has remained as agricultural land until the mid-20th century when the buildings of the gas storage facility were constructed.
The survey identified 22 groups of anomalies across four fields. These were predominantly linear ditch and/or bank boundary features associated phases of the existing and historic field-system. Drainage features, pits and modern services were also identified. Anomalies associated with agricultural activity, metallic debris and ground disturbance were also apparent. The degree of preservation of the identified features appears to be poor. The majority of the anomaly responses are very weak, suggesting that many of the identified features only survive to a shallow depth; though the low responses may be a result of the waterlogged nature of the ground. However, it is possible that additional, more ephemeral features, are masked by the background geology and modern disturbances.
The results of the geophysical survey would suggest that the archaeological potential for the site is low. The majority of the identified features relate to historic phases of field-system and land drainage which are tentatively suggested as being medieval and post-medieval in date, though the presence of prehistoric activity in the surrounding area means that a prehistoric or Romano-British date cannot be ruled out.
The walkover survey identified that the majority of the heritage assets are largely insulated from visual effect by screening from trees and existing settlement/buildings. A Scheduled Monument (minor adverse), six Listed buildings (negligible adverse) and one non-designated asset (negligible adverse) were deemed to suffer an adverse effect as a result of the proposed development. The effect on the historic landscape and aggregate effects were also deemed to be minimal (negligible adverse), though the cumulative effect was deemed to minor adverse.
With these considerations in mind, the overall impact of the proposed development can be assessed as neutral to negligible adverse. The impact of the development on any buried archaeological resource would be permanent and irreversible, though the surveys would indicate that the archaeological potential for the site is low to negligible. |
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