SDO15227 - Dorchester Combined Park & Ride and Trunk Road Service Area. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Buro Happold Ltd to prepare an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of land south of the A35 Dorchester bypass and directly east of the A354 (centred on 368418, 88715). This study is intended to support a planning application for the development of a park and ride facility and service area at the Site, to be submitted to West Dorset District Council. The aims of this study were to assess the known and potential heritage resource within the Site and the surrounding area, and to assess the likely impacts of the proposed development on this resource. The recorded historic environment resource within a 1km Study Area around the Site was considered in order to provide the context for the discussion and interpretation of the known and potential resource. Additionally, a theoretical Zone of Visual Influence (ZVI) was created within a 5 km radius from the Site, within which designated heritage assets of national importance were identified. The proposed development will impact the setting of Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort located less than 1 km to the west, and a number of funerary monuments within close proximity to the Site. It is considered that these impacts can be mitigated through careful design and landscaping, therefore this study has identified no overriding heritage constraints which are certain to prohibit development. However, further assessment of the impact of the development on the setting of Maiden Castle should be undertaken following the completion of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and the confirmation of design details. This assessment has established that there is a clear archaeological interest within the Site. This is defined as the potential for the presence of buried archaeological remains, in particular relating to prehistoric and Romano-British activity, which is prevalent in the surrounding landscape. There are also the remains of a potential medieval field boundary within the Site which will be impacted by the proposed development. Due to a lack of previous archaeological investigation, the presence, location and significance of any buried heritage assets within the Site cannot currently be confirmed on the basis of the available information. Given the high archaeological potential of the Site, it is recommended that further work be undertaken in order to assess this potential. A geophysical survey has been commissioned, the results of which will determine whether further intrusive investigations are required. The need for, scale, scope and nature of any archaeological works should be agreed through consultation with the statutory authorities’