An Archaeological Assessment of Nosterfield, Ladybridge and The Thornborough Plain
PART 2 THE PROPOSED LADYBRIDGE FARM EXTENSION
Introduction
Ladybridge Farm is the subject of a planning application for the extraction of sand and gravel by Tarmac Northern Ltd as an extension to the existing quarry at Nosterfield. The proposed extraction area covers 44ha over a series of fields, both arable and pasture, immediately to the east of the existing works. A comprehensive archaeological evaluation of the site was undertaken between October 2003 and October 2004 in order to characterise the extent, nature and date of archaeological deposits that could be present on the site.
This evaluation did not take place in isolation. A substantial body of archaeological data has already been recovered from work undertaken on Nosterfield Quarry between 1992 and 2004. To date 56ha of ground has been archaeologically investigated immediately to the west of Ladybridge Farm. Consequently, prior to the evaluation, the character and potential of archaeological deposits across this area was well established. In addition to the archaeological evaluation of Ladybridge Farm, the current proposal has also prompted three other bodies of archaeological work.
- In 2003 English Heritage commissioned Newcastle University to undertake a desk based assessment and a limited programme of archaeological fieldwork. The results of this exercise were to provide an informed response to proposals for increased mineral extraction in the area. The interim results from this work have been produced and are accessible through the Thornborough Project website.
- In 2004 the Thornborough Plains Consultation Group commissioned a Conservation Plan. This is being undertaken with a view to producing management guidelines for the Thornborough Area. The project, which is part funded by English Heritage, Tarmac Northern and North Yorkshire County Council, is seeking to collect the views of stakeholders across the Thornborough area and establish the significance of aspects of the landscape. The study area for the Conservation Plan originally covered approximately 1950 ha and was bounded by the village of Well to the west, Langwith to the north, Kirklington to the east and West Tanfield to the south. Following a public meeting held on 20th April 2005, the proposed Conservation Plan Boundary is being reviewed and the study area scaled down.
- In 2004 English Heritage commissioned West Yorkshire Archaeology Services to undertake the transcription of all available aerial photographs in order to provide up to date coverage for the Thornborough area in advance of the conservation plan.
The studies undertaken by Newcastle University and West Yorkshire Archaeology Service have been funded by the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund.
As relevant to this application PPG 16 states that;
"Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation i.e. a presumption against proposals which would involve significant alteration or cause damage, or would have a significant impact on the setting of the visible remains."
In assessing relative importance of archaeology against other factors including the need for proposed development PPG16 acknowledges that gravel extraction is different from other forms of development;
"Archaeological issues are often important in minerals planning, particularly in the extraction of sand and gravel. River valleys have produced an attractive place for man to settle but at the same time areas often contain valuable sand and gravel resources. Minerals can clearly only be worked where they are found so they often differ from other forms of development in that there is not the same flexibility of choice of location" Para 11.
Under current planning guidelines, therefore, the archaeological issues relating to the proposal to extract mineral from Ladybridge Farm are two fold;
- Are there nationally important archaeological remains on Ladybridge Farm? The proposed extraction of gravel at Ladybridge Farm will result in the inevitable removal some archaeological deposits within the site. Under PPG16 there should be presumption in favour of the preservation of archaeological remains of national significance, if they exist. Should the proposal be approved archaeological deposits would be preserved by record subject to an approved scheme of mitigation.
- Does the proposal have a significant impact on the setting of the Thornborough Henges? Ladybridge Farm is located approximately 0.9Km from the schedule monuments of the Thornborough Henges. Under PPG16 it is necessary to establish the significance of any impact that the development would have on the setting of these monuments.
The following seeks to address both these issues in depth.
The Archaeology of Ladybridge Farm
Ladybridge Farm has undergone a comprehensive, phased and measured evaluation. The complete results of this exercise are presented in Ladybridge Farm, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire, Archaeological Evaluation, (FAS, 2005). The evaluation was undertaken in the context of a comprehensive and large scale watching brief on the neighbouring Nosterfield Quarry site. An interim report was requested by NYCC and has been produced as supporting documentation of this application, Nosterfield Quarry, Interim Report, (FAS, 2005).
Together these two reports form the basis of the most informative and comprehensive study of the sub-surface archaeology of the area. To date the archaeological fieldwork undertaken in association with the Nosterfield Quarry has archaeologically sampled a total of 2.9% of the original 1950ha Conservation Plan study area as defined by English Heritage. With the additional information from research undertaken by Newcastle University, these results provide a comprehensive and informative assessment of the archaeological deposits within the Ladybridge Farm site.
Desk Based Assessment
In 2003 an archaeological desk based assessment was undertaken by Field Archaeology Specialists on behalf of Tarmac Northern for inclusion with the Environmental Statement in support of the planning application for Ladybridge Farm. Whilst a general study was undertaken over an area of approximately 90 square kilometres a more detailed examination was made of 12.5km. This focused on Ladybridge Farm itself. In conclusion the desk based assessment stated:
"The landscape study has proved that the area of the proposed mineral extraction is sited within an archaeological landscape of great significance and cannot be viewed in isolation. The monuments and sites investigated for research purposes or in response to development in the detailed assessment area clearly belong to a much broader landscape which has developed since the Early Neolithic period with shifting foci of ritual significance in a sequence which has yet to be clearly understood.
Of the known sites immediately under threat from the present proposals for gravel extraction, the peat deposits to the east of Ladybridge Farm (DBA 330) are deemed to be of high significance, Category B, since they may be of exceptional palaeo-environmental interest. The linear cropmarks (DBA 43) and a possible geological feature (DBA 61), are classed as category D, and in the south-western corner of the proposed site, there was a relatively high incidence of prehistoric finds from fieldwalking which could indicate a settlement site (DBA 70) and as such has been allocated to category C.
Given that the evidence suggests that only a small percentage of sites and features are visible through aerial reconnaissance, it is likely that the area of proposed extraction contains a number of currently unknown structures, features and deposits of archaeological importance."
In order to test these predictions, the desk based assessment recommended that;
"...a suitable evaluation programme be implemented prior to determination of a planning application."
The Evaluation
A method statement outlining the programme of evaluation was prepared by Field Archaeology Specialists and approved by North Yorkshire County Council Heritage Unit. The details of the evaluation were agreed with the Heritage Unit prior to the commencement of fieldwork. The evaluation was undertaken between October 2003 and October 2004.
The Methodology
The evaluation was designed to build up a picture of the archaeological potential of the Ladybridge Farm site in a series of logical phases. This allowed the results from one phase of evaluation to direct the next in a targeted approach. The initial phase, which comprised an assessment of the aerial photographic evidence, desk based assessment and fieldwalking was followed by a programme of geophysical and topographic survey. In addition to providing a general coverage of the site, the geophysical survey was located to test known cropmarks and lithic concentrations. An augur survey was undertaken to record profiles through areas of potential peat deposits in areas to the west and east of the site. Surface concentrations were further tested in a series of hand excavated sieved test pits. The final phase of evaluation comprised the excavation of a series of machine excavated trenches. These were located to provide general coverage across the site in addition to targeting potential anomalies recorded during the geophysical survey, fieldwalking and desk based assessment.
In summary the evaluation comprised:
| Investigation | Detail | Area Covered | Sample of Site (44ha) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desk Based Assessment | 2003 | 90km | |
| Auger Survey | 157 augers | Unquantifiable | |
| Topographic Survey | 44ha | 100% | |
| Total Collection Fieldwalking | 100% coverage | 37.7ha | 86% sample |
| Magnetometer | 7 areas | 13.3ha | 30% |
| Soil Resistance Survey | 3 areas | 2.9ha | 6.6% |
| Sieved Test Pits (1mx1m) | 112 pits | 0.011ha | 0.025% |
| Hand Excavated Trenches (3mx3m) | 9 pits | 0.008 | 0.018% |
| Evaluation Trench | 27 trenches | 0.87ha | 1.98% |
| Complete Trenching | 0.89ha | 2.02% |
The Results
The full results of the evaluation are presented in the evaluation report:
Garner-Lahire, J. Spall, C. & Toop, N. 2005. Archaeological Evaluation. Ladybridge Farm, Nosterfield, North Yorkshire (FAS).
A summary is presented below.
Surface Collection
A programme of total coverage fieldwalking was undertaken over all of the ploughed fields within the proposal area. This represented 86% of proposal area as Area E and Area F were under grass and are not responsive to this technique. The fieldwalking recovered a total of 206 pieces of struck flint or chert over an area of 37.7ha.
This can be broken down into fieldwalking areas:
| AREA | Area (ha) | Lithics (Total) | Lithics (Datable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 13.6 | 16 | 1 |
| B | 12.2 | 43 | 4 |
| C | 2.2 | 62 | 1 |
| D | 9.9 | 85 | 8 |
A concentration of 131 pieces of struck flint from an area of 8.3ha was recognised in southwest corner of Ladybridge Farm (Area C) and centrally along the southern boundary of the site (Area D). This appears to correspond with observations made by The Vale of Mowbray Neolithic Landscape Project (Harding, 1996). Unfortunately the data from this project is currently not available to cross reference.
Whilst the exercise recovered a moderate amount of struck flint, the assemblage was largely undiagnostic of date and function.
Topographic Survey
The topographic survey located the eastern edge of a large infilled lake which had been recorded as a major feature on Nosterfield Quarry to the west. No evidence for ridge and furrow was recorded. It also recorded the presence of a large depression in the centre of the site which was tested by auguring.
Geophysics
The geophysical survey recorded a total of 46 anomalies. 19 evaluation trenches were located to sample these anomalies of which only 2 were identified as archaeological features and a further 7 proved to be sink holes. A further 46 features that were recorded during the trenching did not appear as anomalies in the results of the geophysical survey.
The magnetometer survey appeared to be effective at detecting negative features with ploughsoil in their backfills. Unfortunately this meant that most of the archaeological features which contained gravel and sand rich backfills were not detected, whilst natural features, such as sinkholes were more easily visible in the results.
Auger Survey
The auger survey was undertaken to map subsurface deposits and identify areas of palaeo-environmental potential. A total of 157 auger holes were sunk in low lying areas or areas of topographic anomaly. The survey identified the western edge of the infilled lake and established that, unlike in the area on Nosterfield Quarry to the west, there was no peat. The auger survey identified organic deposits in a number of depressions and sink holes and in particular established the presence of peat deposits with high paleao-environmental potential to the east of the site.
Test Pitting
The results from the test pitting reflected the general distribution of material that had been recorded in the fieldwalking.
Evaluation Trenching
In addition to characterising the archaeological deposits within Ladybridge Farm, the programme of evaluation trenching was designed to target areas of archaeological potential which had been identified in the fieldwalking and geophysical survey.
A notable result of the evaluation was the paucity of archaeological features. A total of only 55 potential features were allocated and sampled during the evaluation. Of these four proved to be modern land drains and three modern field boundaries. Seven sink holes and eight natural depressions were also recorded within the evaluation area in addition to a modern dog burial. Of the remaining features four were shallow gullies, including a curvilinear feature and remain undated.
A total of twenty seven 'pits' were excavated during the evaluation. The term 'pit' has been used to describe any non linear cut archaeological feature encountered in the evaluation. Due to the sterile nature of the deposits that fill these features, it is unlikely that any represent primary rubbish deposits. Of the 'pits' recorded in the evaluation a total of ten (37%) are less than 0.1m deep, seven (26%) are 0.15m deep and ten (37%) are between 0.2m and 0.6m deep.
In terms of their diameter the pits range in size between 0.2m and 2.5m. Ten of the 'pits' (37%) are less than 0.5m in diameter, twelve (44%) are between 0.5m and 1.0m and five of the 'pits' (19%) are larger than 1.0m in diameter.
As can be seen above the majority of pit features are relatively small and shallow, with seventeen of the twenty seven pits (63%) being 0.15m deep or less. Some of the features recorded in the evaluation were only 0.03m deep. The shallow depth of many of these features suggests that they have undergone severe truncation leaving only their basal fills intact.
Twenty of the 'pits' and the four gullies identified and excavated during the evaluation did not contain any finds. Only seven of the pit features contained material. Four of these contained a small assemblage of pottery and flint, three features contained a small assemblage of flint only and are summarised below.
| Feature | Flint Assemblage | Pottery Assemblage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 flakes | Grooved Ware - small assemblage |
| 2 | 1 flake | - |
| 6 | 1 flake | - |
| 7 | 6 flakes | Non diagnostic - small assemblage |
| 16 | 16 pieces including a scraper and leaf shaped arrowhead | Grimston Ware - small assemblage |
| 17 | 2 flakes | Late Neolithic? |
| 18 | 7 pieces including a core and scraper | - |
| TOTAL | 41 lithics |
As can be seen, the quantity of finds and the quality of the assemblage is severely limited. The pottery recovered from the four pits spans a period of 1000 years (3500BC-2500BC). The pottery from F7 contained no diagnostic elements at all and may not be Neolithic, and that from F17 cannot be clearly identified.
As at the existing quarry immediately to the west, the archaeological features are widely dispersed. With the exception of two trenches (Int23 and Int27), there was a maximum of two non-modern archaeological features in each trench. In Interventions 23 and 27 there were three features each.
Conclusion
The evaluation at Ladybridge Farm recorded a low density, dispersed and highly truncated pattern of archaeological features on the site. The features lacked environmental potential and exhibited poor preservation of faunal remains. The majority of flint was undiagnostic and surface scatters did not appear to correlate with in situ archaeological features. Apart from general statements regarding presence and absence very little of substance can be said of the date and character of activity on the site.
In the context of the Desk Based Assessment, the evaluation did not support the levels of significance which were originally ascribed to the flint scatter recorded by the Vale of Mowbray Neolithic Landscape Project (DBA 70) or the cropmarks visible in the aerial photographs (DBA 43 and DBA 61). Indeed none of the linear cropmarks were identified as archaeological features on site and it is suggested that they may have been destroyed by ploughing.
The most recent transcription of aerial photographs undertaken by WYAS shows that three fields within the Ladybridge Farm proposal contained ridge and furrow earthworks in the immediate post Second World War period. Both the topographic survey and evaluation trenching failed to identify any trace of these features anywhere on the site.
Evidence for the severe truncation of archaeological deposits was also evident in the pits recorded during the trenching. From this it is clear that between 0.3m and 0.5m of archaeological deposits have already been destroyed. This has removed any evidence for occupation surfaces, buried soils or shallow archaeological features which could relate to structures or boundaries. On average it has also removed an estimated 65% of the features that survive. The potential of archaeological features that have survived on the site has also been severely limited in this way.
The presence of a number of sink holes does provide a valuable opportunity to sample and investigate these features with a view to obtaining important palaeo-environmental information. The evaluation succeeded in identifying sink holes and depressions on the site which contained well preserved organic deposits. These deposits could be highly significant if dateable sequences of sediment deposition survive. Sampling and analysis of these features could provide further evidence for the vegetational history of the area.
The Significance of Archaeological Deposits on Ladybridge Farm
PPG16 states that; "Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation. Cases involving the archaeological remains of lesser importance will not always be so clear cut and planning authorities will need to weigh the relative importance of archaeology against other factors including the need for proposed development" Para 8.
The criteria for defining nationally important archaeological remains are given in Annexe 4 of PPG16. These criteria form the basis for scheduling archaeological remains and are used by EH to establishing feasibility for funding excavation projects. They are summarised below.
- Period
The heavily truncated, shallow, isolated pits from Ladybridge farm cannot be said to characterise a category or period as defined in Annexe 4. - Rarity
Whilst only four pits within the Ladybridge site can be securely dated by ceramic to Neolithic period, archaeological excavation elsewhere in the landscape has shown that they are not unique either at Thornborough or elsewhere. Pit groups of this date have recently been found at Dishforth during the widening of the A1 where extensive areas of pits and pit groups of earlier and later Neolithic date were distributed along several kilometres of motorway corridor (Northern Archaeological Associates pers. comm.). As such the rarity of these features is not sufficient to merit scheduled status. - Documentation
In historical periods, contemporary documents can provide a background information which will add historical significance or provide a provenance to a monument or group of features. Due to the period and nature of the archaeological features at Ladybridge Farm there is no documentation relating to these deposits. - Group Value
Within the Ladybridge Farm proposed extraction area there are only four pits dated by ceramic evidence to the Neolithic period. Group value is based of an understanding of chronology and relationships between features. In such a small sample where there is no distinctive spatial or chronological relationship, the features cannot be argued to have group value. There distance and chronological relationship with pits on Nosterfield Quarry, must be assumed but cannot be proven. Their chronological and spatial relationship with the monuments in the Thornborough landscape is similarly assumed with the current state of knowledge. - Survival/Condition
As has been outlined above, due to the destructive nature of agricultural practices from at least the Medieval period the archaeological deposits on Ladybridge Farm are heavily truncated and have limited archaeological potential. The features that are present on the site probably represent a small fraction of what was originally there, with only the deepest of archaeological features surviving. It should be assumed that shallower features and occupation surfaces, if ever present, have been destroyed. - Fragility/Vulnerability
Whilst the archaeological deposits within Ladybridge Farm are highly vulnerable to further ploughing, their limited potential does not merit their statutory protection. - Diversity
For the reasons outlined above, Ladybridge Farm does not contain high quality features or any with a single important attribute to merit statutory protection. - Potential
In our opinion, the archaeological deposits on the site do not demonstrate the justification for scheduling as defined in section viii of Annexe 4. The remains are highly truncated, poorly preserved and widely dispersed across a large area. Whilst they do provide evidence for human activity in the proposed extraction area they offer little evidence as to the nature, date and intensity of that activity. If the archaeological deposits are considered to be of such potential that did merit their status as nationally important archaeological remains then we would expect them to be afforded statutory protection under the 1979 Act.
No nationally important archaeological remains were found during the Ladybridge Farm evaluation. For reasons outlined above there is low potential for nationally important remains to be present within the proposed extraction area. With this being the case, under paragraph of 8 of PPG16 the archaeological remains at Ladybridge Farm can be defined as archaeological remains of lesser importance. Within this definition the planning authorities will need to weigh the relative importance of archaeology against other factors including the need for proposed development.
The archaeological deposits that have been recorded in the evaluation are of limited potential and highly truncated. They do however, form a component in the archaeological context of the Thornborough area.
Within the planning system preservation by record is an accepted and standard means of mitigating the effects of development on archaeological deposits of lesser value. Within the planning framework hundreds of precedents of this type are given every year throughout the county.
In 1998 a precedent for preservation by record of nationally significant archaeological remains was set in the immediate area of Thornborough Moor. English Heritage granted Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) for the total excavation of the double pit alignment located to the south of the Central Thornborough Henge. This was granted in response to the perceived threat of the intensification of agriculture within the area of the scheduled monument. If the new agricultural regime had been implemented it may have resulted in the partial destruction of the upper levels of the monuments. In this instance it was deemed necessary that the double pit alignment was completely excavated and preserved by record.
Consequently, Dr Harding from Newcastle University undertook the excavation of the double pit alignment in 1998 and 1999. A report for this work is still outstanding.
If archaeological remains of national significance which are under statutory protection do not merit preservation in situ in advance of agricultural intensification, it is difficult to justify the preservation of archaeological remains of far lesser significance which are not and will not meet the criteria to achieve statutory protection.
Having established that the archaeological remains on Ladybridge Farm are not of national significance they should not be afforded statutory protection under the 1979 Act. If a presumption in favour of their preservation in situ is made in response to this planning application, they will continue to undergo the same destructive process caused by intensive agriculture which has resulted in their present heavily truncated state. Continued ploughing of these fields will undoubtedly reduce the archaeological potential of these features further and without intervention will result in their complete destruction without record in a matter of years.
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