SDO20811 - The Boat Yard, Ferrybridge, Weymouth. Archaeological Desk Based Assessment

‘Heritage Planning Services Ltd have been commissioned by A & Q Partnership on behalf of the developer to prepare an archaeological desk-based assessment (DBA) for the Boat Yard, Ferrybridge, Weymouth (the Project Site). The objective of this DBA is to identify the nature, extent and significance of any archaeological resource within the Project Site and its environs (the Study Area) in order to understand the potential implications of residential development upon the site. The Project Site is situated in Wyke Regis, at the very south of Weymouth and north of Portland Harbour. It is located on reclaimed land north of Ferrymans Way and west of Passage Close. The site lies close to the bank of the East Fleet, a shallow tidal lagoon that separates the shore from Chesil Beach / Bank which runs for 29 km from West Bay (Bridport Harbour) to Portland. Chesil Beach, The Fleet and Portland Coast form part of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site. Avalon Planning and Heritage have been commissioned to complete a heritage impact assessment. As such impact of the proposed development on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and built heritage assets will not be considered in this report. Although there is minor potential for Roman activity within the Study Area, the topography of the proposed development site rules out the potential for significant archaeology to occur. This is supported by the results of the trench evaluation of the site in 1995, which revealed 20th century materials relating to the modern reclamation of the land. The archaeological potential of the Project Site is low, as such no further archaeological investigation is recommended in line with the current planning application.’