CAS T LERING ARCHAEO LO G Y - J10 Planning · 2017. 2. 7. · CASTLERING ARCHAEOLOGY REPORT NO. 534, 8 3.5 In conjunction with the assessment, a geophysical survey was undertaken

LAND AT LANE FARM

ROSSETT ROAD

ROSSETT

SJ 37325 57250

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

MARCH 2016

C A S T L E R I N G A R C H A E O L O G Y

R E P O R T N O . 5 3 4

CASTLERING ARCHAEOLOGY REPORT NO. 534, 2

LAND AT LANE FARM, ROSSETT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

CONTRACTED BY

BELLIS BROS. LTD.

WREXHAM ROAD FARM, HOLT, WREXHAM LL13 9YU

UNDERTAKEN BY

PAT FROST, CONSULTANT ARCHAEOLOGIST BA, PGDIP, MCIFA

CASTLERING ARCHAEOLOGY

33 STALLION LANE

PONTESBURY

SHROPSHIRE

SY5 0PN

01743 792297 / 07971751975

email :pat@castleringarchaeolog y.co.uk

www.castleringarchaeolog y.co.uk

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information within this report. However

Castlering Archaeology cannot be held responsible for any errors and inaccuracies contained therein.

mailto:[email protected]


SYNOPSIS

This archaeological desk-based assessment and field walkover has been undertaken to accompany a planning

application for residential development on redundant farmland adjoining Lane Farm, Rossett. The application site

comprises two relatively flat open arable fields to the north and south of the B5012, on the eastern edge of the

present village.

Documentary and cartographic evidence shows that the application site lay within an agricultural landscape which

remained largely undeveloped until the 19th century. Changes in the landscape east and west of the village are

linked largely to an increase in housing and changes in agricultural practice. Today’s open fields have been

created by modifying, amalgamating and straightening the smaller historic field boundaries to create new larger

fields. Aerial photography, undertaken in 2005 and 2009, and the geophysical survey undertaken to complement

this report, show that below ground evidence of these former boundaries survives on the site. The geophysical

survey has also identified below ground evidence of ridge and furrow cultivation in the north field, of possible

medieval or post-medieval date, and evidence of field drainage in the field to the south. These buried agricultural

features, while not being worthy of preservation in situ, warrant a programme of archaeological recording in order to

preserve their extent and profile by record and perhaps gain some dating evidence, prior to any future development in

this area.

The site walk-over confirmed that there is no obvious potential for buried archaeological features within the

application site, other than relict field boundaries. To date no finds have been recorded from the site although the

potential for the recovery of metal objects by means of a metal detector on the fields around the village is

considerable.

The geophysical survey identified two areas where magnetic anomalies were detected. The area in the field to the

south has been recorded from the air as a rectangular feature, interpreted as a possible building, although it was

acknowledged that this feature could be modern. The site visit confirmed that there is no above ground evidence

at this location and the recent geophysical survey results suggest it may be a large ferrous object or buried debris.

Although this feature could possibly refer to something structural which also has metal content, at this location it

is more likely to be redundant agricultural machinery, probably buried in the 20th

century using a mechanical

digger when old field boundaries were removed. The strong signal in the field to the north may also indicate

buried debris, perhaps filling a natural hollow. Both sites require further archaeological investigation in order to

prove or disprove these interpretations.

At this stage it is not possible to fully assess the impact of any future development on potential buried

archaeological remains. However, based on available sources and the recent site walk-over, the overall potential

for significant buried archaeology is considered to be low. This assessment can only be used as a guide to the

potential of buried archaeological deposits and, should they exist, their survival, nature, extent and significance

will only be established through ground disturbing works.

Given the extent of the application site a general mitigation strategy is recommended to allow for archaeological

investigation and recording, to be attached as a condition of any planning approval for development.

This assessment concludes that, allowing for suitable mitigation, development on this land is unlikely to have any

permanent adverse impact on the archaeological resource.


CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Aims of the Assessment

3. Methodology

4. Known Sites of Archaeological and Historic Interest

5. Background History

6. Aerial Photographic Evidence

7. The Application Site

8. Results of the Geophysical Survey

9. Impact Assessment

10. Mitigation

11. Conclusion

12. Acknowledgements

13. References

Appendix 1: Sites of Archaeological / Historic Interest Referred to in the Text

ABBREVIATIONS:

approx. approximately

c. circa

CIfA Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

CPAT Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust

HER Historic Environment Record

m metre

mAOD metre above Ordnance Datum

NGR National Grid Reference

NPRN National Primary Record Number

OS Ordnance Survey

PAS Portable Antiquities Scheme

PRN Primary Record Number

RCAHMW Royal Commission on Ancient & Historic Monuments, Wales


1 . INTRODUCTION

1.1 This archaeological assessment and field walkover survey have been undertaken to accompany a

planning application for residential development on redundant farmland adjoining Lane Farm, Rossett, as seen in

Figs. 1 overleaf. The application site comprises two relatively flat open arable fields to the north and south of the

B5012, on the eastern edge of the present village (NGR: SJ 37325 57250).

Planning and the Archaeological Resource

1.2 The role of planning authorities in respect of the archaeological resource is defined by legislation at both

national and local level.

1.3 Welsh Office Planning Guidance, 2016, Planning Policy Guidance Wales: Chapter 6 Conserving the

Historic Environment (Edition 8) states that The Welsh Government’s objectives in respect of the historic

environment (namely statutory designated and undesignated heritage assets, conservation areas, above and below

ground archaeological remains, the historic landscape and the built heritage) are to:

preserve and enhance the historic environment;

protect archaeological remains, which are a finite and non-renewable resource;

ensure the character of historic buildings is safeguarded;

ensure that conservation areas are protected or enhanced.

Paragraph 6.5.2 states that

...Archaeological assessments commissioned by developers can help provide information on the

archaeological sensitivity of a site before submitting a planning application....

The results of any assessment or evaluation should be provided as part of the planning

application.

1.4 At a local level, Wrexham County Borough Council as the Local Planning Authority has the statutory

duty to manage and protect the historic environment. Chapter 5, Policy EC11 of the Wrexham Unitary

Development Plan, 1996 – 2011 adopted by Wrexham County Borough Council

(http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/planning/udp/written_statement_e.pdf) states that:

Development that directly affects non-scheduled sites of archaeological importance will only be

permitted if an archaeological investigation has been carried out to determine the nature, extent

and significance of the remains ... and a programme of excavation and recording has been

agreed.

1.5 This assessment has been undertaken to assess the baseline conditions in respect of the archaeological

resource in the light of the current legislation.

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/planning/udp/written_statement_e.pdf


Fig. 1 Site Plan


2. AIMS OF THE ASSESSMENT

The principle aims of the assessment are to:

evaluate the archaeological resource by identifying previously recorded and potential sites of

archaeological and historic interest, including standing buildings, structures, earthworks or find scatters,

within or in close proximity to the application site;

determine the potential for any negative / positive impact on the archaeological resource that may exist on

the site;

inform further works and any subsequent mitigation strategy in order to eliminate and / or minimise any

adverse repercussions that the proposed works may have on the resource.

3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 The assessment has been undertaken using proven archaeological techniques, which comply with

Guidelines and Codes of Conduct set out by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA, 2014a); in particular

the Standard & Guidance for Standard and Guidance for historic environment desk-based assessment (CIfA,

2014b). The assessment comprises a desk-based study, which was complemented by a site visit.

3.2 In order to build a chronology of the past land use on the site, the desk-based study has consulted

relevant readily available records held by the following sources:

Historic Environment Record (HER) held by Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, Welshpool (CPAT)

National Monuments Record (NMR), RCAHMW, Aberystwyth

National Library of Wales (NLW), Aberystwyth

Denbighshire Record Office

Flintshire Record Office

Wrexham Archives

3.3 The data have been collated together with information gained from online sources. All sources consulted

are listed in Section 13 and Appendix 1 following.

3.4 A non-intrusive site visit was undertaken on March 8th 2016 in order to:

assess the current land-use and topography;

identify the presence / absence of earthworks and / or structures or the potential for buried archaeological

deposits on the site;

relate the existing landscape to the results of the desk-based assessment.


3.5 In conjunction with the assessment, a geophysical survey was undertaken in March 2016 by Tigergeo to

shed further light on the desk-based research and site-walkover.

3.6 The results of the geophysical survey are commented on in this report and the full report is published

independently by Tigergeo (Roseveare et al, Report No. RWB161).

4. KNOWN SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGI CAL AND HISTORIC INT EREST

4.1 The site lies outside Rossett Conservation Area, designated in October 2011, and is not included in any

other statutory protected area.

4.2 For the purpose of this report, a search area of approximately 500m radius of the application site centre-

point has been considered sufficient to gather archaeological data and assess impact. Interrogation of the Regional

Historic Environment database (HER) and National Monuments Record (NMR) database in respect of the study

area produced 15 known sites of archaeological and / or historic interest within the search area. Sites are

referenced by their Primary Record Numbers (PRN) or National Primary Record Numbers (NPRNs).

4.3 The records comprise:

2 cropmark sites identified within the application site by aerial photography (PRN No. 1000079 /NPRN

409231 & NPRN No. 406336)

1 additional cropmark site (PRN No. 102661)

2 Grade II Listed buildings, namely Canister Cottage and Rossett Hall (PRN Nos 41679 & 26213)

1 Former Smithy (PRN No. 104504)

1 pond site (PRN No. 61528)

5 individual records for findspots located by metal detectors (PRN Nos 54922, 120125, 120168, 141462

& 141465)

1 chapel placename (PRN No. 101535)

1 former chapel (NPRN No. 7899)

1 church (NPRN No. 97210)

4.4 The above data have been taken into consideration when reviewing the historic background of the

application site. The sites are recorded in Table 1 and Fig. 2 following.


PRN /

NPRN

SITE NAME SHORT DECRIPTION

1000079 /

NPRN

409231

Lane Farm Cropmarks

The cropmark feature of a possible post-medieval agricultural building;

similar to expected traces of Roman villas in other parts of Wales; first

identified within the application site by aerial photography in 2007

NPRN

406336

Lane Farm Enclosure The cropmarks of linear boundaries first identified within the

application site by aerial photography in 2005

102661 Gamford House

Enclosure

The cropmark of part of a curvilinear site recorded by aerial

photography in 1998, approximately 500m northeast of application site

northern boundary

PRN

26213/

NPRN

164597

Rossett Hall Mid eighteenth century Grade II listed red-brick Hall, approximately

440m west of the application site; west of the B5445

PRN

41679

Canister Cottage Grade II Listed dwelling, located approximately 320m northwest of the

application site centre point

PRN

61528

Maelor Saesneg pond Pond or possible marl pit in field to northeast of application site

PRN

104504

Rossett Smithy Former Smithy converted to dwelling, sited approximately 330m west

of the application site

PRN

54922

Medieval Coin findspot Find recovered by metal detector, south of Harwood’s Lane;

approximately 100m south of the application site

PRN

141462

14th century penny

findspot

Find recovered by metal detector, south of Harwood’s Lane;


PRN

120125

Medieval Seal Matrix

findspot

Find recovered by metal detector, west of the B5445

PRN

141465

Medieval Seal Matrix

findspot

Find recovered by metal detector, south of Harwood’s Lane;


PRN

120168

Post-medieval Spur

findspot

Find recovered by metal detector in the field to the east of the

application site

PRN

101535

St Peter's Chapel

placename

No physical evidence

NPRN

7899

English Methodist

Church (Primitive),

Chapel

Former chapel now converted to dwelling, approximately 320m west

of the application site

NPRN

97210

Catholic Church Church on Harwood's Lane, approximately 360m west of the

application site

Table 1: Sites of Archaeological & Historic Interest


Fig. 2: Aerial view from the south & location of relevant sites of Archaeological & Historic Interest

(http//www.google-earth.Imagery 10.10.2010)

102661

104504

26213

61528

100007

9

40633

6

54922;

141462;

141465

120168

101535

7899

97210

120125

9

41679

http://www.google-earth.com/


5. BACKGROUND HISTORY

Location, Topography, Geology

5.1 The application site lies east of the post-medieval village of Rossett, sited approximately 10.5km north of

Wrexham and 12.1km south of Chester. Although within Wales, the northern extent of the village lies only 250m

south of the Pulford Brook which defines the Wales – England border. The application site is located east of the

B5445 Wrexham to Chester Road, the main arterial route until the A483 dual carriageway was built through

agricultural land to the west of the village in the 1980s. In modern times, the village has expanded mainly to the

east of the B5445 Wrexham to Chester Road.

5.2 To the south, the River Alyn, a tributary of the River Dee, flows approximately 200m south of the

application site. Flat agricultural land comprising hedge-lined fields extends to the east of the application site

towards the River Dee approximately 2.8km away.

5.3 The solid geology comprises the hard red Triassic sandstones, formed 205-142 million years ago, cut by

the meandering waters of the Rivers Alyn and Dee. The solid geology is overlain by glacial drift deposits of till,

boulder clay, sands and gravels. The overlying sandy loamy soils have presumably favoured agricultural use long

predating any documentary or cartographic evidence (BGS & Rudeforth et al 1984).

Early to medieval settlement

5.4 Although there is no evidence of early settlement within the village itself, a number of prehistoric and

Roman finds have been recovered principally to the northeast of the village. The Rossett Hoard, comprising axes,

tanged knives and four pieces of a gold bracelet of late-Bronze Age date, are perhaps the most notable. The finds

were recovered by metal detectors and are now on display in Wrexham County Museum. In 2002 to the northeast

of the village, a total of 14 artefacts of gold, bronze and ancient pottery believed to be of Middle Bronze Age

(c.1300-1100 BC) were discovered by metal detectors in the Rossett area. The finds, now referred to as ‘The

Burton Hoard’, were declared Treasure Trove and purchased by the National Museum Wales. In closer proximity

to the application site, a Bronze Age Dagger was recovered by a metal detector, within a loop in the River Alyn

approximately 450m from the southwest boundary of the site. The object (PRN 54709) was recorded in 2011

together with a trumpet type brooch of Iron Age date (PRN 120109; c.600BC – 43AD) and a third century Roman

coin (PRN 54707). In 2013, a disturbed Late Bronze Age hoard was found by metal detecting to the east of the

application site in the area of Hall Croft (PRN 129691).

5.5 Evidence of occupation in the Roman period (43 AD to 410 AD) in general is well documented and the

archaeological record for this period is constantly added to. At Holt, approximately 4km southwest of the site, an

extensive Roman site occupied an area of almost 8ha on the west bank of the Dee (PRN 101249). The site

included tile and pottery kilns, workshops, barrack blocks and domestic quarters and at least one bath house. The

site was the works depot of the 20th Legion, attached to the legionary fortress at Chester (Roman Deva),

approximately 9.5km north of Lane Farm. Not surprisingly, in recent years a large number of finds of Roman date

have been recovered by metal detectors from undeveloped land and recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Although the official Roman administration ended in the 5th century, the Roman way of life may have continued

for several centuries thereafter and in rural areas the transition may have been less noticeable.

5.6 The name Rossett is thought to be a corruption of Yr Orsedd meaning a mound or hillock, possibly

referring to a meeting place on the nearby Marford Hill. It is believed that from Saxon times, meetings and

gatherings were held in the area to manage the land and the people (Rossett Conservation Area doc). There is no

archaeological evidence to back this up and the earliest evidence for settlement in the area of present-day Rossett

comes from the Domesday Book of 1086. A mill on the site now known as ‘Lower Marford Mill’ on the south

side of the village is recorded in 1086 (PRN 100363). The current building dates from the late 18th century, but

the early mill was known as the King’s Mill, and tenants of the land were required to send their corn there for

milling.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Dee,_Wales

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_Wales


5.7 To avoid this commitment a ‘free’ mill to rival the King's Mill was built in 1544 on the opposite side of

the road. The original ‘free’ mill was demolished c.40 years later and the present Grade II* listed timber framed

mill (PRN 102640), which heralds the entry into the village from the south, was built. By the 1660s, both mills

were under the ownership of Sir John Trevor of Trevalyn Hall, the Grade II* Listed manor house built in 1576

and sited approximately 1km southwest of the application site (PRN 100376). The Trevor family were one of the

leading families in East Denbighshire by this date. Approximately 800m east of Lane Farm, The Grade II Listed

Trevalyn Farmhouse is believed to have been the home farm of Trevalyn Hall. Although now much modernised,

the timber-framed and stone sections of the house are believed to date to 1588 at least (PRN 102641).

5.8 The borders have long been a region of contention. The boundary between the Welsh Kingdom of Powys

and the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia was fought over in Anglo-Saxon times and, in common with many settlements,

the area of present day Rossett went through periods of both English and Welsh dominance. Finally, in more

peaceful times, small farmsteads were established along the borders. The Late-medieval / early Post-medieval

landscape may have taken the form of isolated settlements, many of which were subsequently deserted, together

with small woods and ploughed fields interconnected by rough tracks and paths. Many of the fields surrounding

the village still retain evidence of medieval agricultural activity in the form of ridge and furrow ploughmarks; the

pattern of rise and fall created by ploughing with a non-reversible plough which is generally assumed to be

medieval in date. An example had been identified in the fields near Gamford Cottages to the east of the

application site (PRN 128217).

5.9 There may have been little in the way of development to either side of the road to Chester, north of the

mills, in the 17th century. D. H. Thomas (1833-1916), a clergyman, historian, one-time Canon of St Asaph’s

Cathedral, writing about the Diocese of St. Asaph in 1908-1913, refers to a Chapel dedicated to St Peter at Rossett

mentioned in documents from 1562. The chapel is believed to have been demolished in the late-18th century and

its precise location is unknown. Database records (PRN 101535) assign a national grid reference which places the

old chapel site within a field northeast of Rossett Hall. However the grid reference may have been assigned

because of Chapel Lane on the east side of the road; the name probably applied when the Primitive Methodist

Chapel was built in 1822 (NPRN 7899). There is no above ground evidence of the Chapel at the given location

and the site of a H

5.10 To the south of the postulated Chapel site, the Grade II listed red-brick Rossett Hall was built c.1750 for

James Boydell, a land surveyor from London, whose family were employed by the Trevalyn Hall estate from the

mid-18th until the late-19th century (PRN 26213).

19th Century village

5.11 Rossett was a very small village in the early 19th century comprising primarily roadside settlement,

surrounded by the estates of Trevalyn Hall, Trevalyn House and Rossett Hall. The core of the village centred

along Gun Street, Chapel Lane and Rossett Green, as recorded by the 2”:1 mile Ordnance Surveyor’s drawing

surveyed in 1819 (Fig. 3 overleaf). Little is known of the history of Lane Farm, although the 1819 map records a

building on the site by this date; the only outlying building on the road east beyond the small settlement.

5.12 In the early 19

th century Rossett consisted of the Townships of Burton and Allington within the Parish of

Gresford. The 1843 tithe map for Allington Township above provides a contemporary record of ownership and

land-use, recording the application site within the Townships of Allington. The map shows that in 1843 the

application site comprised a primarily arable landscape with irregular field boundaries compared to today’s large

fields. Shortly after the Tithe record, the first Church was built at Rossett and the Parish of Rossett was formed out

of the Parish of Gresford.

In 1843 the application site was made up of:

Apportionment 205, the ‘House, building, yard and garden’ on the site of the present Lane Farm,

and 204, the arable land to the south; both leased by John Griffiths from Edward Francis French;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manor_house

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denbighshire

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plough

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Asaph%27s_Cathedral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Asaph%27s_Cathedral


to the west, Apportionments 229 and 230, arable land recorded as ‘Brick Kiln Fields’ owned by

John Williams and let to William Randles;

north of the road, Apportionment 208, arable land and 209 a croft of pasture are owned by

Thomas Edgeworths and leased to Thomas Randles. Randles leases the ‘House, building and

garden’ recorded as Apportionment 210, which is outside the application site boundary.

North of Randles house, Apportionment 589 recorded as grassland known as Moor, owned and

occupied by George Meredith, is also within the application site boundary.

Fig. 3

1819

OS map

Fig. 4

1843 Tithe map & approximate site boundary


5.13 The OS map below, surveyed in 1879 and published in 1881, records Lane Farm with an orchard on its

south side but otherwise little altered since the tithe record. Most of the field boundaries to the north and south of

the road have been ‘formalised’ since the tithe record, although many of the smaller fields are still retained in the

landscape. In contrast a stream boundary appears to separate the north field, where a more formalised boundary

was recorded in 1843. By 1881 Tithe Apportionments 208 and 209 are part of the large field that extends north

from the road. The 1881 map records the new Great Western Railway which opened in 1846 to the west of the

village, including a new station. The village developed as a result of its railway link to Wrexham and Chester with

new housing focussing along Station Road. By 1900 Thomas Randles’ tithe cottage and its rear garden north of the

B5102 is no longer recorded (Fig. 6 below).

Fig. 5: 1881 OS map & inset right

Fig. 6: 1900 OS map left


5.14 The 20th century heralded changes in the landscape east and west of the village in general, linked largely

to an increase in housing and changes in agricultural practice. Today’s open fields have been created by

modifying, amalgamating and straightening the smaller historic field boundaries to create new larger fields. Few

boundaries correspond to the 1843 tithe record, although the land-use has been little changed.

6. AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHC EVIDENCE

6.1 Aerial photography undertaken since the 1940s can often shed light on unrecorded features, which are no

longer visible above ground. Although the RCAHMW hold an extensive catalogue of vertical photography for

Wales, which includes the Royal Air Force Collection dating from the 1940s and the Ordnance Survey Collection

dating from 1955, the four potential frames to capture the application site were missing from the collection.

6.2 Since 1986, the RCAHMW has run an annual programme of aerial reconnaissance and photography,

capturing sites of known and potential archaeological interest from the air. The aerial photographs taken during

aerial reconnaissance by RCAHMW on August 1st 2005 above and Fig. 8 overleaf are two online images

covering the area around Lane Farm. The features recorded form record NPRN 406336 on the coflein database

(http://www.coflein.gov.uk), described as ‘cropmarks of linear boundaries ... of uncertain age and their original

function likewise unknown’. They are classed as enclosure or field boundaries, of probable agricultural origin.

6.3 The linear feature extending west from the farm indicates a change in crop, which is better seen on Fig.

9, the online aerial photograph dated 25.08.2000 (www.ukaerialphotos.com). The change in crop replicates the

field boundary identified by the 1843 Tithe map and 1881 and 1900 OS mapping (Figs 3-5 previous). South of

Lane Farm, Tithe boundaries are also evident and these have also been recorded by the geophysical survey (Fig.

10 following). Fig. 7 also shows a possible rectangular feature created by the tithe boundary on its west side.

However the geophysical survey interprets this as part of a series of land drains. The remaining dis-colourations

on Fig. 7 are more likely to be of glacial origin.

Fig. 7

RCAHMW online

image; 01.08.2005

AP 2005_1597

Water channel / pond

Change in crop

& 1843 / early

20th century

boundary possible

rectangular

feature or

land drain

Tithe

boundaries

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/

http://www.ukaerialphotos.com/


6.4 The aerial photographs above and overleaf were taken during aerial reconnaissance by RCAHMW on 8th

July 2009 covering the area south of Lane Farm. The text accompanying the photographs records ‘the cropmarks

of buried footings of what may be a rectangular building, approximately 20m long’. The cropmarks are recorded

as ‘neat and well defined, suggesting the building may have been quite a recent structure. This is made more

likely as a telegraph pole stands at one corner of the rectangular cropmark’ (NPRN No. 409231; 6.2 & Plate 2

following). There was no evidence of a feature at this location during the site walk-over. The geophysical survey

waterlogged

Change in crop

Fig. 8 RCAHMW online image showing

tithe boundaries in red

(01.08.2005 AP_2005_1598) Fig. 9 AP dated 25.08.2000

Fig. 10

PRN 1000079 /

NPRN 409231

RCAHMW online

image; 08.07.2009

AP_2009_2387


identifies the site as Feature 17 which had a strong magnetic content typical of buried debris, perhaps a large

ferrous object. (Fig. 10 following).

6.5 The RCAHMW record adds that nothing is shown in this position on County Series mapping and that the

cropmark is similar to expected traces of Roman villas in other parts of Wales. Although this feature could

possibly refer to something structural which also has metal content, at this location it is more likely to be

redundant agricultural machinery, probably buried in the 20th century when old field boundaries were removed.

6.6 The circular feature in the field north of the B5102, as seen on Fig 7 previous, although unrecorded in

this form by 19th and 20th century cartography, is likely to be created by an overflowing stream emitting from the

Spring recorded by the OS from 1881 (Figs 5 & 6 previous). The stream appears to have followed a curving

boundary as recorded in 1881 and 1900. The boundary has since been removed and the flow of water may have

been redirected along the northern hedged boundary of the field, when the large housing estate to the east was

built (7.3 & Plate 5 following). The geophysical survey records the boundary as Feature 19 which forms a

boundary between uncultivated wetland and former agricultural land.

7. THE APPLICATION SITE

7.1 The site visit confirmed the open form of the field to the south of the B5012 and the last land-use as

arable. Lane Farm buildings are now separated from the field and the eastern boundary has been removed. The

field dips towards the north-west corner but is otherwise fairly level. The field has a hedged boundary to the roads

to the north and south and the western boundary adjoins a modern residential development.

7.2 The field comprised low stubble and there was no obvious indication of potential for buried

archaeological features or deposits. Plate 2 shows the pole and the overhead lines as identified in the July 2009

aerial photograph Figs 10 and 11 previous. There is no above ground evidence of the rectangular feature recorded

as NPRN No. 409231.

Fig. 11

PRN 1000079 /

NPRN 409231

RCAHMW online

image. 08.07.2009

AP_2009_2388


7.3 The field to the north of the B5012 comprises gently undulating grassland interspersed by a single mature

tree. The field has a western boundary with the housing development and hedged boundaries with occasional trees

elsewhere. A water-filled ditched boundary follows the line of the northern hedgerow. To the south of the hedge

the east and southeast sides of the large sub-circular wet area on the northeast side of the field appears to be

retained by the line of former boundaries recorded by 19th century maps (Figs 4-6 & 5.13 previous). The

boundary was presumably ditched, the same as that to the north today. The feature may have been an early pond

or the result of overflowing of the stream or ditches, albeit seasonal, causing this broad discolouration and

waterlogged area as seen in Fig. 7 previous.

7.4 As in the field to the south, the field to the north showed no potential for buried archaeological features

or deposits. The geophysical survey undertaken as part of the assessment provides additional evidence in respect

of the potential for buried archaeological features or deposits (Section 8 following).

Plate 1:

Field south of

the B5012,

viewed from

the south

Plate 2:

Field south of

the B5012,

viewed from

the southwest

towards the

pole and

Lane Farm


Plate 3: Field north of the B5012, viewed from the southwest; road & Lane Farm to the right

Plate 4: Field north of the B5012, viewed from the northwest towards the single tree; the green area to

the left of the tree represents the possible former pond or course of a stream / ditch, as seen in Plate 5 below

Plate 5:

Field north of the B5012, viewed

from the south towards the pond

/ course of a stream / ditch


8. RESULTS OF THE GEOPHY SICAL SURV EY

8.1 The results of the geophysical survey have confirmed the long-term agricultural use of the site, both

north and south of the B5012. The survey identified former field boundaries as recorded by the tithe map in 1843,

infilled ditches and the presence of medieval or post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation in the field to the north

of the road (Feature 3). In addition, the system of field drainage related to more recent agricultural practices was

recorded.

8.2 As generally expected, the roadside boundaries and those adjoining the residential development produced

strong signals, probably relating to ferrous items or debris associated with their construction or deposited later.

8.3 The feature identified by aerial photography in 2009 (PRN 1000079 /NPRN 409231) was located by a

strong magnetic anomaly, generally indicating a large ferrous object or buried debris (Feature 17).

8.4 The very wet area to the north, as reported on in the site walk-over (7.3 & Plate 5 previous), was not

surveyed and the area around it showed no signs of cultivation, suggesting it may always have retained water.

8.5 Feature 6 of the survey also gave strong signals which, in view of the spring lines, may be an infilled

hollow. A spread of material indicative of a burnt mound was, however, tentatively suggested (Roseveare 2016,

3.3.4).

8.6 The features are identified on Fig. 10 overleaf and the full report will be included as part of the planning

application.


Fig. 10


9. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

9.1 The proposed development site lies outside Rossett’s Conservation area and any other local or regional

historic landscape. Development on this site will have no direct or indirect impact on any Scheduled Monuments

or Listed buildings.

9.2 Although 15 known sites of archaeological and / or historic interest were identified within the 500m

search area, only two of these sites have to be taken into account in terms of potential impact, namely

the ‘cropmarks of linear boundaries ... of uncertain age and their original function likewise unknown’

recorded during aerial reconnaissance by RCAHMW on August 1st 2005 (NPRN 406336)

and

the ‘cropmarks of buried footings of what may be a rectangular building, approximately 20m long’

(NPRN No. 409231).

9.3 Most of the linear features can be interpreted as field boundaries identified by the 1843 Tithe map and

subsequent OS mapping. The site visit confirmed that the field has been under crop and there is no longer any

evidence of former boundaries. The boundaries were also recorded during the geophysical survey and the

remaining linear features were identified as drainage.

9.4 Field boundaries of medieval to post-medieval date, unless they are associated with a nearby monument

or building, are generally considered to be of low archaeological significance. They do however have the potential

to reveal contemporary artefactual evidence which could shed some light on their origins.

9.5 There is neither cartographic nor local knowledge of the date or function of the rectangular feature

interpreted as a possible building (NPRN No. 409231). RCAHMW acknowledge the presence of the overhead

line and pole and the fact that the feature may be modern. The site visit confirmed that there is no above ground

evidence at this location. However, the geophysical survey recorded a strong magnetic anomaly at this location,

which generally indicates a large ferrous object or buried debris. Although this feature could possibly refer to

something structural which also has metal content, at this location it is more likely to be redundant agricultural

machinery, probably buried in the 20th century when old field boundaries were removed.

9.6 To date no finds have been recorded from the application site by the Portable Antiquities Scheme,

although the potential for the recovery of metal objects by means of a metal detector survey remains.

9.7 The site walk-over has confirmed that there is no obvious potential for buried archaeological features or

deposits on either of the two proposed development fields, other than those relating to agriculture. The large sub-

circular feature in the north field is interpreted as a natural water feature, albeit seasonal. The existent ditched

boundaries and the subsurface drainage recorded by the geophysical survey show that attempts at improving the

agricultural land have taken place in the post-medieval period, if not earlier.

9.8 Despite the low potential for significant buried archaeological features, the lack of major ground

intrusion on the site suggests that any buried features and deposits that may be present are likely to be well

preserved.

9.9 At this stage it is not possible to fully assess the impact of proposed development on potential buried

archaeological remains. Proposals could have both an adverse and a beneficial impact on such remains, should

they exist. Without mitigation, potential negative impacts would come from the construction phase during which

the physical impact on any remains would be permanent and irreversible. Beneficial impacts to be considered are


the potential for an increase in knowledge arising from the opportunity to research and investigate the

archaeological remains as a result of the application.

9.10 Archaeology is a non-renewable resource and the impact of construction works on any archaeology that

may exist below ground would be considered to be permanent and adverse. Due to the lack of previous

archaeological investigations and recorded finds within the application site, the general archaeological potential

can only be based on the present landscape together with cartographic evidence, aerial photography, geophysical

survey and professional judgement. This assessment concludes that based on available sources, the archaeological

potential of the site is low.

9.11 This assessment can only be used as a guide to the potential of buried archaeological deposits and, should

they exist, their survival, nature, extent and significance will only be established through ground disturbing works.

10 . MITIGATION

10.1 The potential to recover buried archaeological evidence and/ or chance finds is fairly consistent across

both fields, and although the overall potential is considered to be low, a programme of archaeological

investigation and recording should be conditioned as part of planning consent.

10.2 Features of agricultural origin have been recorded from cartographic evidence aerial photography and the

geophysical survey. Although many of these features can be related to 19th century boundaries, the field to the

north also includes potential evidence of medieval agriculture. Although not warranting preservation, the buried

agricultural features justify some archaeological investigation in order to preserve a sample profile by record, prior to

any construction works.

10.3 Although likely to be the result of modern infilling or burying of debris, the location of the feature

recorded as NPRN No. 409231 which provided a strong magnetic current during the geophysical survey, also

warrants investigation. If the overhead line and pole are to be retained in this position, investigations might take

the form of test pits in order to identify the object or buried debris.

10.4 Similar sampling might be applied to Feature 6 in the north field, to confirm or disprove the presence of

an infilled hollow as identified by the geophysical survey.

10.5 This assessment concludes that in order to secure sampling of archaeological features and preservation

by record, together with investigation of the magnetic anomalies, a mitigation strategy to allow for further

archaeological investigation should form a condition of planning consent.

11 . CONCLUSION

This assessment concludes that, allowing for conditioned archaeological mitigation, the proposed development is

unlikely to have any significant adverse impact on the archaeological resource.

12 . ACKNOWLEDG EMENTS

Castlering Archaeology would like to thank Bellis Brothers Ltd. for contracting the assessment and for

facilitating the site visit and J10 Planning, Chester, for initial contact is respect of the project.


13. REFERENCES

13.1 Bibliography

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014a, Code of conduct. Reading: CIfA

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014b, Standard and Guidance for historic environment desk-based

assessment. Reading: CIfA

Gardnor, Sydney, 2000, The parishes of Gresford and Hope: past and present. WCBC

Hains, B. A., & Horton, A., 1969, British Regional Geology. Central England. London: HMSO

Jones, Helen Morris, 2002, The Spirit of Rossett, Marford & Gresford: The 20th

century in Photographs.

Ashbourne: Landmark Publishing

Lowe, R., 1998, Reflections of a Bygone Age: Allington, and Burton, Rossett. Wrexham

Manley, John, ed., 1991, The Archaeology of Clwyd. Clwyd County Council

Palmer, A.N., 1903, A History of the Old Parish of Gresford in the Counties of Denbigh and Flint. London

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, 1914, Inventory of the Ancient

Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire IV County of Denbigh

Rudeforth, C. C. et al, 1984, Soil Survey of England and Wales; Soil Survey of England and Wales, Bulletin 11.

Harpenden Press

Thomas, D. R, 1908 – 1913, History of the diocese of St Asaph, Volumes 1-3. Oswestry: Caxton Press

Welsh Office, 2014, Planning Policy Guidance Wales: Chapter 6 Conserving the Historic Environment. Edition 7

(Online: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy)

Welsh Office Circular 61/96, Planning and the Historic Environment: Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas

(Online: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/policy/961205circular6196en.pdf)

Wrexham County Borough Council, Wrexham Unitary Development Plan, 1996 – 2011,

(Online: http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/planning/udp/written_statement_e.pdf)

13.2 Cartographic Sources

1819 OS 1”: 1 mile Surveyor’s Drawing, Sheet 316; published November 1927 (NLW collection)

1843 Tithe map of the Township of Allington, Parish of Gresford & Apportionment (NLW A/C 225)

1881 OS first edition 6” map, Denbighshire sheet 22 (NLW), surveyed 1879

1899 2nd

edition OS 25” map, Denbighshire sheet 22.6 (NLW collection)

1900 2nd edition OS 6” map, Denbighshire sheet 22NW & 22SW (NLW collection)

1993 British Geological Survey, Wrexham Sheet 121, Solid and Drift Edition. 1:50,000 Series

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1?ie=UTF8&field-author=John+Manley&search-alias=books-uk&text=John+Manley&sort=relevancerank

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/policy/961205circular6196en.pdf

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/planning/udp/written_statement_e.pdf


13.3 Archives

1787 Map of Trevalyn Estate. NLW collection map No. C18 (N/A)

1900 Trevalyn Estate map. FRO D/TR/2/7/4(N/A)

13.4 Aerial Photographs

RAF verticals 540/112 Frame 30 dated 05.10.1948 (missing from NMR collection)

58/3617 Frames 321; 440 & 441 dated 21.06.1960 (missing from NMR collection)

RCAHMW Colour Oblique Digital Aerial Photographs C865243 (AP_2009_2387); C867279 (AP_2009_2386) &

C867638 (AP_2009_2385) taken on 08 July 2009 by Toby Driver (NPRN 409231)

RCAHMW Colour Oblique Digital Aerial Photographs C841266-7 (AP_2005_1597-8)

13.5 Websites

http://www.coflein.gov.uk http://www.cpat.org.uk http://www.google-earth.com

http://www.rossett.org.uk http://www.ukaerialphotos.com/WREXHAM/Rossett/Rossett.htm

http://wales.gov.uk http://www.wrexham.gov.uk

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/

http://www.cpat.org.uk/

http://www.google-earth.com/

http://www.rossett.org.uk/

http://wales.gov.uk/

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/


APPENDIX 1 SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL / HIS TORIC INTEREST

REFERRED TO IN THE T EXT

HER / PRN

/ NPRN Nos

SITE NAME NGR SHORT DESCRIPTION

PRN 26213/

NPRN

164597

Rossett Hall SJ

36837

57418

Mid 18th century Grade II listed red-brick house with stone

dressings; said to have been built c.1750 for James Boydell.

Cadw ref. listed building 1556

Source: Cadw 2000 Database of Listed Buildings in Wales

NPRN

406336

Lane Farm

Enclosure

SJ

3728

5718

Cropmarks of linear boundaries seen in fields to west of Rossett.

They are of uncertain age and their original function is likewise

unknown. They were recorded during RCAHMW aerial

reconnaissance on 01 August 2005.

Source: RCAHMW Colour Oblique Digital Aerial Photographs

C841266-7.

PRN

1000079 /

NPRN

409231

Lane Farm

Cropmarks

SJ

3730

5717

Post-medieval agricultural building? Roman Villa?

Cropmarks show buried footings of what may be a rectangular

building, approximately 20m long. The cropmarks are neat and

well defined, suggesting the building may have been quite a

recent structure. This is made more likely as a telegraph pole

stands at one corner of the rectangular cropmark. However,

nothing is shown in this position on County Series mapping. The

cropmark is similar to expected traces of Roman villas in

other parts of Wales. Recorded during RCAHMW aerial

reconnaissance on 8th July 2009.


C865243; C867279 & C867638

PRN 41679 Canister Cottage SJ

37022

57541

Grade II listed house, originally built in the late 18th-early 19

th

century as four cottages for estate staff of nearby Rossett Hall.

Source: Cadw 2000 Database of Listed Buildings in Wales

Cadw Ref. No. 17455

PRN 54709 Bronze Age Dagger

findspot

SJ

36822

56896

A narrow-bladed, copper-alloy dagger, 127mm in length, 31mm

in width and 4mm in section.

Source: PAS Database, 2011

PRN 54707 Roman Coin

findspot

SJ

368

569

Roman copper alloy coin, possibly a third century AD sestertius

of Philip II, found south of the village near the River Alyn by a

metal detector.


PRN 54922 Medieval Coin

findspot

SJ

37346

57175

A hammered silver penny, probably Edward I. The coin is in poor

condition & the mint is Canterbury, found south of the village

near the River Alyn by a metal detector.


PRN 61528 Maelor Saesneg

pond 511

SJ

37508

57490

Pond recorded by Maelor Saesneg Historic Landscape

Characterisation Project (CPAT 761); interpreted as probably a

former marl pit.

NPRN 7899

English Methodist

Church (Primitive),

Chapel

SJ

3697

5750

Rossett Methodist Chapel built 1882. Converted for residential

use in late 20th

century.

NPRN

97210

Catholic Church

Christ the King

SJ

3688

5730

Modern Catholic Church, at junction of Holt Rd / Harwood's

Lane, Rossett.


PRN

100363

Lower Marford

Mill

SJ

3651

5698

Grade II Listed former watermill thought to have been in

existence before the year 1050, and served the surrounding area

of Llay Burton, Rossett, Marford and Gresford.

Source: Palmer, 1904

PRN

100369/

NPRN

409230

Hall Croft

Enclosures &Field

System

SJ

3795

5701

Enclosure Complex & Field System of probable medieval date.

Cropmarks showing ploughed-out remains of large field

enclosures, and additional rectangular enclosures, which may

represent the site of a former settlement or dwelling, as recorded

in the HER record for ‘Hall Croft’ PRN 100369. Recorded during

RCAHMW aerial reconnaissance on 8th July 2009.


C865249-50

PRN 100376 Trevalyn Hall SJ

36498

56799

Grade II Listed 3-storey Elizabethan manor house built for John

Trevor in 1576.

PRN 101534 St Peter's Well SJ

3672

5788

The site of a Holy Well believed to be associated with St Peter's

Chapel. Now only located as the site of a spring choked by

vegetation.

Source: Clwyd Archaeology Service, 1981

& CPAT 1988 / 2004 / 2011site visit records

PRN 101535 St Peter's Chapel SJ

369

575

Possible site of Chapel of St Peter at Rossett Green. No physical

trace. The given NGR is likely to have been suggested as it

contains Chapel Lane. The name is, however, likely to have been

given to the thoroughfare as a result of the construction of a

Primitive Methodist Chapel in 1822 at its junction with the B5445

(NPRN 7899 below).

Source: Thomas, D. R. 1908-1913

PRN 102640 Rossett Mill SJ

36462

57036

Grade II * Listed watermill first built on this site in 1544. Current

building was built in 1588 and extended in 1661. Extensive

repairs were made in 1710 and a further extension took place in

the 1820s. Mill was sketched by Turner in 1795.

Source: Pratt 1992 & Welsh Mills Society, 2013 Newsletter

PRN

102641

Trevalyn

Farmhouse

SJ

38253

57309

Much modernised and partly rebuilt Grade II Listed dwelling.

Part timber- framed / part stone. Believed to be the home farm of

Trevalyn Hall of 1576, with which it is a near contemporary.

Internal details date the house to at least 1588. Said to have

originally been owned by the Meredith family, passed in the 19th

century into the hands of a Dr Williams, in whose estate it

remained until 1978, when sold to the Bellis family.

Cadw Building ID: 1529

PRN 102661 Gamford House

Enclosure

SJ

377

575

Cropmark of part of a curvilinear site consisting of at least one

and probably two narrow marks. They quite possibly represent

palisade trenches and are fairly widely spaced. Possible defended

enclosure of Prehistoric date.

AP plot during project in 1998 - a poorly defined cropmark

enclosure probable consisting of double ditches c.12m

apart. Overall diameter c. 120m, extending into adjacent field to

SE, but not visible19/05/98.

Photos: 79-CU-0001 , 79-CU-0003 , 79-012-0033

PRN 104504 Rossett Smithy SJ

3697

5746

Former red-brick Smithy later used as a metal working shop.

PRN

120109

Rossett, Bow

Brooch findspot

SJ

36822

56896

Large trumpet type brooch of Iron Age date. The head is a flat

oval plate from the base of which springs the bow, found south of

the village near the River Alyn by a metal detector.



PRN 120125 Rossett, Medieval

Seal Matrix

findspot

SJ

36823

57385

Lead seal matrix of Medieval date, probably from the 13th

century, found in the area of Rossett Hall farm. Likely to be a

personal seal of Dafydd Ap Iorweth.


PRN 120168 Rossett, Post-

Medieval Spur

findspot

SJ

3761

5730

Silver spur found while metal detecting; discovered post 1996 &

reported as potential Treasure. However, the date mark / hall

mark is clearly that of 1763 and as such the item is less than 300

years old. Therefore, this artefact falls outside the Treasure Act

1996.


PRN 128217 Gamford Cottages,

ridge and furrow

SJ

37886

57224

Area of Medieval R&F captured from LiDAR survey

Source: Environment Agency 1998-2011 Lidar plot & Silvester

2013

PRN 129691 Bronze Age hoard SJ

3857

Late Bronze Age hoard comprising 2 penannular lock-rings

(PRNs 122139 and 129690). A small disc reported at the same

time was a fragment of machinery made of aluminium (PAS

database, 2013; Adam Gwilt, pers. comm., 2013). Area of Hall

Croft

PRN 141462 Rossett, 14th

century penny

findspot

SJ

37206

56933

A silver continental sterling penny of Count John II de

Montcornet of Herstal (1312-24).


PRN 141465 Rossett, Medieval

Seal Matrix

findspot

SJ

37206

56933

A copper-alloy seal matrix dating from the 13th or 14th century.


Documents

CAS T LERING ARCHAEO LO G Y - J10 Planning · 2017. 2. 7. · CASTLERING ARCHAEOLOGY REPORT NO. 534, 8 3.5 In conjunction with the assessment, a geophysical survey was undertaken