SDO14634 - Land South of Warmwell Road, Crossways, Dorset

‘Land south of Warmwell Road, Crossways, Dorset has been assessed for its archaeological and heritage potential and opportunities. This report forms the desk based assessment required by paragraph 128 of the NPPF to identify the presence of heritage assets and where present, to assess any impact on their significance. This desk-based assessment has established that no designated heritage assets are present within the study site. However, there are 2 scheduled monuments within 1km of the site, with the monument of ‘Earthwork in Bowley’s Plantation’ of particular relevance, and immediately adjacent to the site. The assessment has considered that the proposed development has the potential to have a positive impact on the understanding of the Scheduled Monument of ‘Earthwork in Bowley’s Plantation’ located to the east of the site in the central area, should the full extent of the monument be established through geophysical survey. Any remains of the monument found to extend within the site area should not be considered for suitable development and preserved in-situ. There are no undesignated assets within on the site in the Dorset Historic Environment Record. The site is considered to have a high theoretical potential for the Iron Age period, and a low-moderate theoretical potential for the Neolithic period. Any currently unknown below ground heritage assets present are likely to be of no more than local significance. The site is being considered for gravel extraction and residential and employment development. On current evidence, it is considered that the proposed development of this site is unlikely to have an archaeological impact significant enough to preclude development, on the majority of the site. It is therefore considered that the development impacts on the theoretical potential of the site can be successfully mitigated against by further archaeological works and a preservation in-situ strategy. It is therefore likely that the planning authority’s archaeological advisor will seek further archaeological information prior to the determination of an application to make an informed planning decision for the site.’