From: Smith, Roland [mailto:Roland.Smith@reading.gov.uk] Sent: 09

From: Smith, Roland [mailto:Roland.Smith@reading.gov.uk]
Sent: 09 October 2015 09:41
To: Victoria Gibson; Planning Maidenhead
Subject: RE: Phoenix Gymnastics Club - Archaeology - Written Statement of Investigation
(WSI) Ref 15/02107/FULL
Dear Vicky,
Thank you for forwarding a copy of the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) for a
Programme of Archaeological Work prepared by John Moore Heritage Services (JMHS)
(dated September 2015) on behalf of the applicant. I have since been in contact with JMHS,
who have made some modest changes to this WSI.
This now sets out an appropriate programme of exploratory archaeological work, should
permission be granted. You will note in Paragraph 2.10 that the purpose of this exercise
will be to establish the presence, nature and significance of any buried remains so that an
appropriate mitigation strategy can be agreed if appropriate. If no or few buried remains of
limited significance are present, no further mitigation will be sought.
On this basis, following my initial advice, I recommend that should permission be granted
the proposed Condition is revised as follows:
No development will take place until:
i)
The exploratory archaeological investigation as set out in John Moore Heritage
Services’ Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation
(reference 3350, dated September 2015) (or a comparable scheme that has
first been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning
authority) has been implemented and
ii) A written scheme of investigation for a programme of archaeological mitigation
based on the results of the Archaeological Evaluation has been submitted to
and agreed in writing by the local planning authority.
The programme of archaeological mitigation will be implemented in accordance with the
approved details.
This would not preclude the applicant from undertaking the exploratory archaeological
work in advance of the determination of the application if they so wished, thereby
addressing the risk at an early stage.
I trust this is satisfactory. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss
this further.
Regards,
Roland
From: Victoria Gibson [mailto:Victoria.Gibson@RBWM.gov.uk]
Sent: 07 October 2015 08:17
To: Planning Maidenhead
Cc: Smith, Roland
Subject: FW: Phoenix Gymnastics Club - Archaeology - Written Statement of Investigation
(WSI) Ref 15/02107/FULL
From: Molyneux Planning [mailto:molyneuxplanning@btinternet.com]
Sent: 06 October 2015 12:40
To: Victoria Gibson
Subject: Phoenix Gymnastics Club - Archaeology - Written Statement of Investigation (WSI)
Ref 15/02107/FULL
Dear Vicky
Thank you for forwarding to us the comments of Berkshire Archaeology with regard
to this application.
In response to these comments and in consultation with Berkshire Archaeology, we
have had the attached Written Statement of Investigation prepared by John Moore
Heritage Services and now provide this to inform the planning application.
Please let me know if you require any further information with regard to this, or if you
wish to discuss this.
Kind regards
Jan
-Jan Molyneux
Molyneux Planning for SBPC
36-38 The Lawns, Brill, Bucks. HP18 9SN
JOHN MOORE HERITAGE SERVICES
15/02107/FUL – LAND NORTH OF LONGLEA,
FIFIELD ROAD, FIFIELD, BERKSHIRE
NGR SU 910772
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION
WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION
Site Code: BYFR 15
Project Number: 3350
SEPTEMBER 2015
1
Introduction
1.1
A planning application has been submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead for a new gymnastics club and associated parking and landscaping.
Berkshire Archaeology has been consulted regarding this development and has
advised that a programme of archaeological work will be required should planning
permission be granted. The first stage of the programme of archaeological work is a
preliminary archaeological evaluation of the area. This Written Scheme of
Investigation (WSI) outlines the method by which the archaeological evaluation
would be carried out in order to determine the presence/absence of significant
archaeological remains within the area of development. The first part of the document
is site specific while the appendices detail John Moore Heritage Services’ standards
and general procedures.
1.2
Any further stages of work requested will result in a further WSI.
1.3
The site is located north of Longlea on the east side of Fifield Road, Fifield (NGR SU
910772 centred). The site is currently part of a field and the underlying geology is
London Clay (BGS 1981 sheet 269, Solid and Drift).
1.4
The site is located on the fringes of the Middle Thames Valley, an area rich in
prehistoric, Roman and post-Roman remains. This is amply demonstrated by
archaeological investigations and finds spots in the vicinity of Bray as recorded on the
Berkshire Archaeology’s Historic Environment Record. Most prominent of these are a
number of Roman features and finds at Down Place, Water Oakley, to the north of the
application site. Antiquarian investigation in the early 19th century recorded building
foundations, inhumation burials and coins of Roman date. Further investigation in the
early 1970s recorded 60 inhumation burials and evidence for metal working. The site
is conjectured to represent a riverside Roman villa, although unfortunately most, if not
probably all of this site, has been lost to gravel extraction.
1.5
In the wider area excavations have recorded a nationally important Mesolithic (12,000
– 4,000 BC) site at Moor Farm, Holyport, while excavations in the early 1990s and in
the late 2000s at Weir Bank Stud Farm, Bray, and Bray Triangle recorded the remains
of Mesolithic, Neolithic (4,000 – 1,800 BC), Bronze Age (1,800 – 700 BC) and
Roman settlements and other deposits.
1.6
Although the application site lies on London Clay c. 1km from the River Thames, its
archaeological potential is demonstrated by a crop mark complex, 600m to the west, at
Stroud Farm (and since lost to gravel extraction), and a further crop mark enclosure
recorded in the field immediately to the west of Fifield Road, adjacent to the
application site. This latter site was identified during survey for a water pipeline,
which is understood to pass through the western portions of the application site. These
crop marks almost certainly indicate the presence of buried archaeological remains.
1.7
The above archaeological background has been taken from Berkshire Archaeology’s
advice note.
2
Aims
2.1
To undertake an archaeological evaluation of the site.
2.2
To establish the presence or absence of archaeological remains within the site and the
depth of deposits that overlie these remains.
2.3
To determine the extent, condition, nature, character, quality and date of any
archaeological remains encountered. In particular to determine whether the cropmark
enclosure site on the west side of Fifield Road continues onto this development site.
2.4
To determine the degree of complexity of the horizontal and/or vertical stratigraphy
present.
2.5
To determine the implications of the remains with reference to economy, status, utility
and social activity.
2.6
To determine or confirm the likely range, quality and quantity of the artefactual
evidence present.
2.7
To assess the ecofactual and environmental potential of the archaeological features
and deposits. The forms in which such evidence may be present will be determined in
accordance with the guidelines set out in English Heritage’s Environmental
Archaeology: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Methods, from Sampling and
Recovery to Post-excavation and Geoarchaeology: Using earth sciences to
understand the archaeological record.
2.8
To determine the impact of the proposed development on any remains present.
2.9
To address some of the key issues highlighted in the Solent Thames Research
Framework. This will depend on the type and date of remains encountered.
2.10
To inform the need for, and scope of, further phases of work to mitigate the impact of
the proposed development.
3
Strategy
3.1
The investigation will involve the mechanical excavation of ten evaluation trenches
(this excludes the water main and its easement). Each trench would be 30m long and
1.65m wide (see plan). This amounts to a 4% sample of the application area. Trench
positions may be altered due to an overhead power cable. There is a contingency for a
further 25m of trenching to be used only at the request of Berkshire Archaeology.
Mechanical trenching will be supplemented by limited hand investigation of any
archaeological deposits. The integrity of any archaeological features or deposits will
not be compromised. Initially consideration will be given to preservation in situ and
Berkshire Archaeology will be consulted in all matters. See also Appendix 1, par. 1.3
- 1.5.
3.2
Excavation will be by a 7 ton excavator using a ditching bucket. Mechanical
excavation will be taken down to the top of “natural” deposits or any higher
archaeological horizon. See Appendix 1.
3.3
During the trial trenching sufficient features will be sampled by hand excavation to
achieve the objectives. For discrete features such as pits and postholes this will
normally involve half-sectioning a representative sample. Linear features will be
sectioned. Any stone foundations will be partly exposed.
3.4
Site procedures will be as defined in Appendix 1.
3.5
Site procedures carried out will follow CIfA guidelines and the requirements of the
Berkshire Archaeology.
3.6
Adequate notification will be given to Berkshire Archaeology prior to the start of
work to allow monitoring to take place. Mr Roland Smith of Berkshire Archaeology
(or his representative) will inspect the trenches prior to backfilling.
3.7
It is envisaged that a qualified Project Officer and three assistants will undertake the
evaluation trenching work in three days under the overall direction of John Moore
MCIfA.
4
Report an Archive Preparation
4.1
The final report will be completed within two weeks of the end of on-site work and
submitted to Berkshire Archaeology with a copy for the HER. The content and style
of report will be in accordance with CIfA guidelines and the general requirements of
Berkshire Archaeology.
4.2
On completion of the on-site works the site archive will be compiled. This will
contain all the data collected during the on-site work, including records and finds. It
will be quantified, ordered, indexed and made internally consistent. See Appendix 2.
4.3
All retained finds after cleaning, conserving, marking and packaging will be assessed
and recorded using pro forma recording sheets. Initial artefact dating will be
integrated with the site matrix.
4.4
All retained environmental samples will be processed and assessed by experienced
and qualified staff and recorded using pro forma recording sheets.
4.5
Relevant specialists (See Appendix 4) will be contracted to undertake any necessary
post excavation analysis.
4.6
The site archive will be assembled in accordance with the guidelines set out in English
Heritage’s Management of Archaeological Projects 2 and Management of Research
Projects in the Historic Environment as well as in accordance with the guidelines
published in Guidelines for the preparation of Excavation Archives for Long-term
Storage (United Kingdom Institute for Conservation, 1990) and the standards in the
Museum Care of Archaeological Collections (Museums and Galleries Commission,
1994). In addition to the items referred to in section 4.2 the archive will also contain:




Site matrices
A summary report synthesising the context records
A summary of artefact records
A summary of the environmental record
4.7
Security copies of the paper record of the archive will be made in fiche form.
4.8
Should significant remains be found then consideration will be given to a detailed
report published in an appropriate academic journal.
4.9
A microfilm copy of the final report and the archive will be submitted to the NMR as
a public document. A form will also be completed for the online OASIS project.
4.10
The site archive, including the finds (subject to the owners consent), will be deposited
with the relevant depository when one is available. Should this be the case then the
evaluation archive would be deposited along with that of the further works.
5
General
5.1
Work will conform to CIfA Guidelines (CIfA 2014)
5.2
The project will be conducted in accordance with procedures laid out in MoRPHE
(English Heritage 2006)
5.2
Appendix 3 is relevant.
6
Bibliography
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014 Standards and Guidance for an archaeological
Field Evaluation
English Heritage, 2002 Environmental Archaeology: A guide to the Theory and Practice of
Methods, from Sampling and Recovery to Post-Excavation.
English Heritage 2006 Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment
John Moore Heritage Services
3rd September 2015
Appendix 1
Machine Excavated Trenches
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15
1.16
1.17
1.18
1.19
1.20
Excavation
The entire site will be visually inspected before the commencement of any machine excavation. This
will include the examination of any available exposures (e.g. recently cut ditches and geotechnical test
pits).
Normally trench positions will be accurately surveyed prior to excavation and related to the National
Grid. It may be necessary to survey the positions after excavation in some instances.
All machining will be carried out by appropriate sized plant. This will normally be a JCB 3CX or
similar or 360 degree tracked excavator with a 5' or 6' wide toothless bucket. Where access or working
space is restricted a mini excavator such as a Kubota KH 90 will be used.
All machining will be carried out under direct control of an experienced archaeologist.
Undifferentiated topsoil or overburden of recent origin will be removed in successive level spits down
to the first significant archaeological horizon.
Excavated material will be examined in order to retrieve artefacts to assist in the analysis of the spatial
distribution of artefacts.
On completion of machine excavation, all faces of the trench that require examination or recording will
be cleaned using appropriate hand tools.
All investigation of archaeological horizons will be by hand, with cleaning, inspection, and recording
both in plan and section.
A minimum number of features, within each significant archaeological horizon, required to meet the
aims will be hand excavated. Pits and postholes normally will be sampled by half-sectioning although
some features may require complete excavation. Linear features will be sectioned as appropriate.
Features not suited to excavation within the confines of narrow trenches will not be sampled. No
deposits will be entirely removed unless this is unavoidable. As the objective is to define remains it will
not necessarily be the intention that all trenches will be fully excavated to natural stratigraphy. However
the full depth of archaeological deposits across the entire site will be assessed. Even in the case where
no remains have been located the stratigraphy of all evaluation trenches will be recorded.
Any excavation, whether by machine or by hand, will be undertaken with a view to avoiding damage to
any archaeological features or deposits which appear to be demonstrably worthy of preservation in situ.
For palaeoenvironmental research different sampling strategies will be employed according to
established research targets and the perceived importance of the strata under investigation. For
carbonised remains, bulk samples of a minimum of 40 litres will be collected. Bulk samples of at least
40 litres will be taken from waterlogged deposits for analysis of macroscopic plant remains. Columns
for pollen analysis will be taken where appropriate. Mollusc samples will gathered when required.
Other bulk samples for small animal bones and other small artefacts may be taken from appropriate
deposits depending on the aims of the project.
Any finds of human remains will be left in situ, covered and protected. The coroner's office will be
informed. If removal is essential it will only take place under the relevant Home Office license and
local authority environmental health regulations.
All finds of gold and silver will be moved to a safe place and reported to the coroner's office according
to the procedures relating to Treasure Trove. Where removal cannot be effected on the same working
day as the discovery, suitable security measures will be taken to protect the artefacts from theft or
damage.
After recording, the trenches will be backfilled with excavated material.
Recording
For each trench, a block of numbers in a continuous sequence will be allocated.
Written descriptions, comprising both factual data and interpretative elements, will be recorded on
standardised sheets.
Where stratified deposits are encountered a 'Harris'-type matrix will be compiled during the course of
the excavation.
The site grid will be accurately tied into the National Grid and located on the 1:2500 or 1:1250 map of
the area.
Plans will normally be drawn at a scale of 1:100, but on urban or deeply stratified sites a scale of 1:50
or 1:20 will be used. Burials will be drawn at 1:10. Other detailed plans will be drawn at an appropriate
scale.
Long sections of trenches showing layers and any cut features will be drawn at 1:50. Sections of
features or short lengths of trenches will be drawn at 1:20.
1.21
1.22
1.23
1.24
1.25
1.26
1.27
1.28
1.29
Generally all sections will be accurately related to Ordnance Datum. There may on occasions be
instances where this is unnecessary when it will be agreed with the local authority's archaeological
representative in advance.
Registers of sections and plans will be kept.
A full black and white, and colour (35mm transparency) photographic record will be maintained. This
will illustrate the principal features and finds both in detail and in a general context. The photographic
record will also include working shots to represent more generally the nature of the fieldwork.
A register of all photographs taken will be kept on standardised forms.
All recording will be in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Archaeological Field
Manual (Museum of London Archaeology Service 3rd edition 1994).
Finds
All identified finds and artefacts will be collected and retained. Certain classes of material i.e. postmedieval pottery and building material may on occasion be discarded after recording if a representative
sample is kept. No finds will be discarded without the prior approval of the archaeological
representative of the local authority and the receiving museum.
Finds will be scanned to assess the date range of the assemblage with particular reference to pottery. In
addition the artefacts will be used to characterise the site, and to establish the potential for all categories
of finds should further archaeological work be necessary.
All finds and samples will be treated in a proper manner and to standards agreed in advance with the
recipient museum. Finds will be exposed, lifted, cleaned, conserved, marked, bagged and boxed in
accordance with the guidelines set out in United Kingdom Institute for Conservation's Conservation
Guidelines No. 2.
At the beginning of the project (prior to commencement of fieldwork) the landowner and the relevant
museum will be contacted regarding the preparation, ownership and deposition of the archive and finds.
Appendix 2
2 Evaluation Reports
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
The style and format of the evaluation report will be determined by John Moore Heritage Services. The
report will include as a minimum the following:
A location plan of the site.
A location plan of the trenches and/or other type of fieldwork strategy employed.
Plans and sections of features and/or extent of archaeology located. These will be at an appropriate
scale.
A summary statement of the results.
A table summarising per trench the deposits, features, classes and numbers of artefacts encountered and
spot dating of significant finds.
Consideration to the methodology will be given along with a confidence rating for the results
For more extensive and complicated evaluation projects, especially where they form part of large-scale
programmes of work in historic urban centres, the procedures defined in English Heritage's
Management of Archaeological Projects 2nd edition 1991 will be followed for immediate post-field
archive preparation and initial assessment. It will then be agreed with the local authority's
archaeological advisor which aspects will need to be taken forward to the report stage.
Appendix 3
3 General
3.1
3.2
3.3
The requirements of the Brief will be met in full where reasonably practicable.
Any significant variations to the proposed methodology will be discussed and agreed with the local
authority's archaeological representative in advance of implementation.
The scope of fieldwork detailed in the main part of the Written Scheme of Investigation is aimed at
meeting the aims of the project in a cost effective manner. John Moore Heritage Services (JMHS)
attempts to foresee all possible site specific problems and make allowances for these. However there
may on occasions be unusual circumstances which have not been included in the programme and
costing. These can include:
 unavoidable delays due to extreme bad weather, vandalism etc.



3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13
3.14
3.15
trenches requiring shoring or stepping, ground contamination, unknown services, poor ground
conditions
extensions to specified trenches or feature excavation sample sizes requested by the local
authority's archaeological advisor
complex structures or objects, including those in waterlogged conditions, requiring specialist
removal
Health and Safety
All relevant health and safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice will be respected.
With the introduction of the Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 2007 JMHS works
with Clients, Main Contractors, and Planning Supervisors to create a Health and Safety Plan. Each
project will have its own unique plan.
Insurances
JMHS holds Employers Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity
Insurance. Details can be supplied on request.
JMHS will not be liable to indemnify the client against any compensation or damages for or with
respect to:
 damage to crops being on the Area or Areas of Work (save in so far as possession has not been
given to the Archaeological Contractor)
 the use or occupation of land (which has been provided by the Client) by the Project or for the
purposes of completing the Project (including consequent loss of crops) or interference whether
temporary or permanent with any right of way light air or other easement or quasi easement which
are the unavoidable result of the Project in accordance with the Agreement
 any other damage which is the unavoidable result of the Project in accordance with the Agreement
 injuries or damage to persons or property resulting from any act or neglect or breach of statutory
duty done or committed by the client or his agents servants or their contractors (not being
employed by John Moore Heritage Services) or for or in respect of any claims demands
proceedings damages costs charges and expenses in respect thereof or in relation thereto
Where excavation has taken place evaluation trenches will be backfilled with excavated material but
will otherwise not be reinstated unless other arrangements have previously been agreed. Open area
excavations normally will not be backfilled but left in a secure manner unless otherwise agreed.
Copyright and Confidentiality
John Moore Heritage Services will retain full copyright of any commissioned reports, tender documents
or other project documents under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 with all rights reserved;
excepting that it will provide an exclusive licence to the Client in all matters directly relating to the
project as described in the Written Scheme of Investigation.
JMHS will assign copyright to the client upon written request but retains the right to be identified as
the author of all project documentation and reports as defined in the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988.
JMHS will advise the Client of any such materials supplied in the course of projects which are not
JMHS's copyright.
JMHS undertake to respect all requirements for confidentiality about the Client's proposals provided
that these are clearly stated. In addition JMHS further undertakes to keep confidential any conclusions
about the likely implications of such proposals for the historic environment. It is expected that Clients
respect JMHS's and the Institute of Field Archaeologists' general ethical obligations not to suppress
significant archaeological data for an unreasonable period.
Standards
JMHS conforms to the standards of professional conduct outlined in the Institute of Field
Archaeologists' Code of Conduct, the IFA Code of Approved Practice for the Regulation of Contractual
Arrangements in Field Archaeology, the IFA Standards and Guidance for Desk Based Assessments,
Field Evaluations etc., and the British Archaeologists and Developers Liaison Group Code of Practice.
Project Directors normally will be recognised in an appropriate Area of Competence by the Institute of
Field Archaeologists.
Where practicable JMHS will liase with local archaeological bodies (both professional and amateur) in
order that information about particular sites is disseminated both ways (subject to client
confidentiality).
Appendix 4
Specialists that may be used for analysis of materials include:
Prehistoric pottery
Romano-British pottery
Lithics
Medieval and postmedieval pottery
Environmental analysis
Human remains
Animal bone
France Raymond
Paul Booth
Martin Tingle
Free-lance specialist
Oxford Archaeology
Free-lance specialist
Paul Blinkhorn
Mark Robinson
Linzi Harvey
Southampton University
Free-lance specialist
Oxford University
Free-lance specialist