SDO14501 - New Barn Farm, Knowlton, Dorset. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment.

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by St Giles Farms to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at New Barn Farm, Knowlton, Dorset, centred on National Grid Reference 402370, 109950. The development is to comprise the conversion of a Grade II Listed Barn into two dwellings and associated works. The modern features within the farm, which will be removed as part of the development, comprise agricultural buildings, outbuildings and concrete surfaces located within and in the vicinity of the Knowlton Circles Scheduled Monument. The Knowlton Circles and the site lie within Cranborne Chase, which is well known for the high number of preserved archaeological remains, including Neolithic ceremonial monuments, Bronze Age funerary sites and later settlements and field systems. This assessment has established that the site is partially located within the Late Neolithic henge of the Knowlton Circles Scheduled Monument, the setting and remains of which may be affected by the development. Scheduled Monuments are of national importance. Any works undertaken within the extents of the Scheduled Monument, carried out above or below ground level, will require an application to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for Scheduled Monument consent in advance of any works. It is considered that the impacts to the setting of the Scheduled Monument are appropriately mitigated by the development proposals, as the development will provide improvements to the setting and, as a result, to the significance of the assets. Due to the presence of archaeological remains of national importance within the site, it is likely that additional archaeological investigations may be required by English Heritage and the Senior Archaeologist at Dorset County Council. If a trial trench evaluation is required at the pre-application stage, it is considered that the front yard location is more appropriate for such works, due to lack of extensive concrete surfaces. Such investigation will provide a unique opportunity to record in detail the henge ditch, contributing to the current understanding of the Scheduled Monument without impacting upon the remains. It is considered, that groundwork within and beyond the Scheduled Monument should be subject to archaeological monitoring. Within the Scheduled Monument, the intrusive work can be limited to archaeological hand-cleaning and mapping of features exposed beneath the large areas of concrete, if no other impact (excavation) is planned. In this scenario, the archaeology within the Scheduled Monument is to be preserved in situ beneath introduced made ground. However, ground disturbance works will require more detailed archaeological investigation. The archaeological investigation of features, which will be impacted upon by the lowering of floor levels within the barn, is likely to be requested. Overall, it is considered that the proposed development, in association with a programme of archaeological works, may have a beneficial effect on the Scheduled Monument, as it will improve the setting of the asset and provide an opportunity to investigate the henge and protect its remains. The need for, scale, scope and nature of any further archaeological works should be agreed through consultation with the statutory authorities.’