SDO21122 - Christchurch Solar Farm, Dorset. Geophysical Survey Report

‘Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd was commissioned by Aardvark EM Limited (the Client), to undertake a geophysical survey on approximately 59 hectares of land north-east of Christchurch, Dorset to inform a planning application for a proposed solar photovoltaic array and associated infrastructure at the site. The results of the survey may also inform future archaeological strategy, if required. The survey has identified a range of anomalies consistent with modern activity and agricultural usage of the proposed development area (PDA) but also of archaeological, uncertain, and possible archaeological origin. These anomalies are identified against a variable magnetic background reflecting changes in underlying sandstone bedrock formations and localised variations in the overlying sand and gravel river terrace superficial deposits. A round barrow and medieval drove track previously recorded in the Dorset Historic Environment Record (DHER) are identified in the northern half of the PDA. A second ring ditch and two right-angled ditch-like anomalies, possibly identifying partial enclosures are also recorded, towards the south-west corner and centre of the PDA respectively. It remains di cult to di erentiate many of the linear anomalies in the survey data from across the PDA, though at least eight can be attributed to former boundaries recorded on historic mapping. The nature of many of the remaining anomalies suggest an agricultural cause, such as other unrecorded boundaries, relict eld systems and/or stronger cultivation effects. Linear anomalies with a unique magnetic signature and/or alignment are interpreted as of uncertain or possible archaeological origin. Elsewhere, the survey records a faint pattern of ridge and furrow to the east, two services, a possible lightning strike and linear trends deriving from modern cultivation methods. Based on the survey data the archaeological potential of PDA is assessed as moderate to locally high where archaeological remains have been identified and moderate to low across most of the PDA.’