SDO10129 - Kings Arms Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Charter Consultant Architects to undertake an archaeological Desk-based Assessment of land at the King's Arms Hotel Christchurch, Dorset, centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 415993 092765. The Site is the subject of a planning application for the construction of 21 town houses and three apartments with associated parking on the land to the rear of the Hotel. It is proposed to retain the Kings Arms Hotel on the Site. Information relating to the historic environment was collated from a number of sources within a 300m radius site-centred Study Area. The aim of this Assessment is to collate the known archaeological and historical information relating to the Site and to assess both its archaeological potential, and the impact any proposed development may have upon it. The information will be used to inform the planning authority with respect to consideration of archaeological issues relating to the planning application. The Site is situated within the historic core of Christchurch, whose origins lie in the Saxon period. The town developed around the Castle and Priory during the medieval period and the Site is located within the core Saxon and medieval settlement area. Sixty-nine archaeological sites and findspots ranging in date from prehistoric to post-medieval, including fourteen Listed Buildings and three Schedules Monuments, were recorded within the Study Area. The land to the rear of the Kings Arms has not been the subject of significant development activity during the post-medieval period and therefore any below ground deposits present would have the potential to survive relatively well. Overall there is a moderate to high potential for the presence of archaeological deposits ranging in date from the later prehistoric thorough to the post-medieval period. There is an emphasis on the potential for the presence of remains relating the Saxon burh (fortified settlement) as the line of the defensive ditch has been projected to pass directly through the Site on a north-south alignment. There is also a higher potential for the presence of remains relating to Saxon and medieval settlement activity, as the Site is located within the core of the historic town. It is possible that the proposed development could have implications with regards to the setting of two of the Scheduled Monuments and a number of the Listed Buildings within the Conservation Area.