SDO14858 - Holmwood Park, Ferndown, Dorset. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report.

‘A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land at Holmwood Park, Ferndown in Dorset. The project was commissioned by Goadsby Planning & Environment, on behalf of their client Libra Homes, with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features on the site ahead of further development in this area. The site comprises pastures and set aside land directly to the north of Christchurch Road, 6.5km to the north-west of Bournemouth, Dorset and 2km to the south of the centre of Ferndown, Dorset. The Site occupies a roughly square parcel of gently sloping land, ranging from 10m to 25m above Ordnance Datum (aOD). The gradiometer survey was undertaken over all accessible parts of the site and has demonstrated the presence of anomalies of possible archaeological interest within the survey area, along with regions of increased magnetic response, agricultural drainage, trends and several ferrous regions. Two bands of anomalies lie at the southernmost extent of the survey area, and are considered to be of possible archaeological interest. They are consistent with the remnants of ditches or parts of enclosures, although it is difficult to determine their function or date. Clusters of pit-like anomalies have been identified throughout the survey area, and an archaeological interpretation cannot be ruled out entirely; however, such responses may be consistent with natural or agricultural features. Several broad anomalies in the southern portion of the Site are typical of natural features, such as former channels. Extensive drainage is visible across the survey area, particularly towards the western and southwestern extents of the survey. Extensive magnetic disturbance can be seen in the middle of the Site, which is likely to relate to modern or historic dumped deposits. Trends of varying orientation are visible throughout the survey area, although their origins are largely uncertain. A number of modern services have also been identified within the western and central parts of the Site.'