Kimpton Road EIA, Luton Archaeological Assessment · Kimpton Road EIA, Luton Archaeological Assessment H2641_02 30 March 2005 RLS/sd 1 Summary S1 This desk-based archaeological assessment

30 March 2005

Kimpton Road EIA, Luton

Archaeological Assessment

H2641_02

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environmental planning

Contents

Kimpton Road EIA, Luton Archaeological Assessment H2641_02 30 March 2005 RLS/sd

Summary

Section 1 Introduction........................................................................................... 1 Section 2 Methodology ........................................................................................ 1 Section 3 The Site................................................................................................... 1 Section 4 Previously Identified Archaeology and Cultural Heritage............... 1 Section 5 Documentary Sources including Historic Maps and Air Photographs .............................................................................................................. 1 Section 6 Site Visit………………………………………………………………………1 Section 7 Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................1 Section 8 References and Sources .....................................................................1

APPENDICES

Appendix CPM 1 National Guidance and Relevant Local Policy

Appendix CPM 2 Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and Listed Building Information

Appendix CPM 3 Time Chart and Glossary

PLANS

Plan CPM 1 Known Sites of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (CPM2461/03 03/05 GR/RL) Plan CPM 2 Extracts of 1880 25” 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map

and 1938 Revised 25” 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey Map (CPM2641/05 03/05 RLS/LS)


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Summary

S1 This desk-based archaeological assessment has been prepared by CPM Environmental Planning and Design Limited (CPM), part of the Waterman Group on behalf of Southside and City Developments Ltd.

S2 This assessment has been prepared in accordance with Policy E5 of the Borough of Luton Local Plan (adopted March 1997), which deals with archaeology. This policy states that “… archaeological evaluations will be required to be submitted with planning applications where the proposed development would affect a site of archaeological significance or potential as identified by Luton’s museum service” (LBC 1997).

S3 This policy is written in accordance with Policy 13 of the Bedfordshire Structure Plan 2011 (adopted March 1997), which states that “Historic features will be preserved and managed by … ensuring that provision is made for an appropriate level of investigation and recording in advance of any development which is likely to damage or destroy sites and buildings of significance” (CC 1997).

S4 The aims of this report are to assess the potential nature, importance and survival of archaeological and cultural heritage remains within the area of development. The archaeological background has been assessed using the Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records (SMR), which hold records relating to chance discoveries and archaeological site works. The history of the site has been documented by a study of historical maps, books, articles and aerial photographs held by the Bedfordshire and Luton Archive and Records Service, as well as the National Monuments Record (NMR) in Swindon.

S5 This assessment has shown that there is only limited potential for archaeological remains of post-medieval and earlier date to survive within the site area. The only known settlement activity on the site relates to a farm variously called Elm Tree Farm (1876) and Model Farm (1880-1924),on the southern boundary of the site, which was expanded to include a group of semi-detached or terraced properties during the early 20th century. All of these structures had been removed by1938. The farm buildings are not shown on the 1842 Tithe map. None of these structures would be considered of greater than local importance. Moreover, it is likely that they were all but entirely removed when the Vauxhall Motor Company built its engineering works on the same site. Nonetheless, it is likely that, if any remains of these buildings do survive, they will have been extensively damaged and truncated by the subsequent development of the site.

S6 Similarly, outside the footprint of the existing buildings, the major part of the site, if not entirely developed, has been subjected to disturbance through cultivation and construction over the course of the last 400 years. Evidence for considerable terracing on the site suggests that survival of archaeological material of earlier date than


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the motor works is likely to be minimal. As such, it is likely that, should any below-ground archaeological remains still exist, they will have also have been disturbed and truncated.

S7 With regard to the built heritage, there are no listed buildings on the site. The nearest listed building to the site is located on the south side of Kimpton Road. This is the original Vauxhall Motor Company administration building, built in 1907. As a result, the proposed redevelopment may potentially have an impact on the setting of this building. The remaining standing buildings on the site are, for the most part, of negligible architectural or historic interest. The one possible exception is V block, which appears to contain an earlier red-brick factory building with a saw-tooth roof design and a possible clock-tower, now covered by corrugated metal cladding and a water tower. This building would still rate as being of no greater than local importance. Any potential for impact on the Listed Building could be addressed through sympathetic design or landscaping. Removal of the older buildings on the site might be mitigated through recording of the structures prior to and during their demolition.


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Section 1 Introduction

1.1 This assessment has been prepared by CPM Environmental Planning and Design Limited (CPM), on behalf of Waterman Environmental. This report sets out the results of an archaeological and cultural heritage desktop assessment of land north of Kimpton Road, in Luton, Bedfordshire. The location of the site, as well as the wider study area, is shown on Plan CPM 1.

1.2 The aim of the report is to provide a summary of known archaeological information for the area, based on existing data, analysis of historic sources, aerial photographs and a site visit. The likely nature of archaeological deposits and features, which may be impacted upon by any proposed development, is outlined. It follows best practice procedures produced by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA 2001) and contained in Planning Policy Guidance Notes 15 ‘Planning and the Historic Environment’ (DoE 1994) and 16 ‘Archaeology and Planning’ (DoE 1990). Relevant passages are included in Appendix CPM 1. This advice recommends identification of the likely presence and significance of any archaeological deposits or important elements of the historic environment. Local plans tend to reflect this guidance.

1.3 Policy E5 of the Luton Borough Council Local Plan (adopted March 1997) deals with archaeology. This policy states that “…archaeological evaluation will be required to be submitted with planning applications where the proposed development would affect a site of archaeological significance or potential as identified by Luton’s museum service.” (LBC 1997).

1.4 This policy is written in accordance with Policy 13 of the Bedfordshire Structure Plan 2011 (adopted March 1997), which states that “…Historic features will be preserved and managed by … ensuring that provision is made for an appropriate level of investigation and recording in advance of any development which is likely to damage or destroy sites and buildings of significance”(BCC 1997). Both policies are included in full within Appendix CPM 1.

1.5 This archaeological assessment forms the basis for any further archaeological work, such as field evaluation, should this be necessary.


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Section 2 Methodology

2.1 This archaeological assessment is primarily a desk-based exercise. The sources consulted include information in the Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Record (LBSMR) and the Bedfordshire Sites and Monuments Record (BSMR). These consist of records relating to sites and findspots in the area and reports relating to past archaeological investigations.

2.2 The Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service, as well as the English Heritage National Monuments Record (NMR), were consulted for further records relating to the area. Information noted consists of early maps, documents, secondary sources and aerial photographs. The analysis of documentary sources was complimented by a site visit to inspect the current condition of the site and to assess the potential for previously unrecorded archaeology.

2.3 Previously recorded archaeological information, as well as details of listed buildings in the vicinity of the site, is presented in Section 4 of this report. The numbers used in the text are those issued by the Bedfordshire SMR (BSMR). Information from early maps and other historic records, air photographs and secondary sources are presented in Section 5. Section 6 discusses the site visit.

2.4 Having checked the situation on the ground, Section 7 provides a summary of both known structures and features and potential for hitherto undiscovered sub-surface deposits. An appropriate approach to further evaluation and mitigation is recommended where relevant.

2.5 A gazetteer of SMR information is included as Appendix CPM 2. In addition, Appendix CPM 3 provides an archaeological glossary and time chart.

2.6 The locations of the archaeological sites and findspots are shown on Plan CPM 1. Plan CPM 2 show extracts from the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1880 and the revised 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map of 1938.


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Section 3 The Site

Site Location

3.1 The site is located on the south east outskirts of Luton, within the historic county of Bedfordshire. It is centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) TL 1045 2115 and covers an area of 22.76 hectares (see Plan CPM 1).

3.2 The site consists predominantly of factory buildings for the former Vauxhall Motor Works. It is located on the south eastern outskirts of Luton and to the north west of London Luton Airport. As Plan CPM 1 shows, the site boundary is formed by Kimpton Road to the south and east, the buildings of the current General Motor Works to the east and the St Anns housing estate to the north.

Geology and Topography

3.3 Whilst the site occupies part of an unclassified urban area on the Soil Survey of England and Wales (SSEW) Map 4 (1983), it is clear that the town of Luton is on the join between two different geological zones.

3.4 To the north and the west, the underlying geology consists of Chalky drift and chalk, overlain by well drained calcareous coarse and fine loamy soils over chalk rubble, some similar shallow soils and some deeper non-calcareous loamy soils (SSEW 1983).

3.5 To the south and east, the underlying geology consists of Plateau drift and clay-with-flints, overlain by fine silty soils over clayey and fine loamy over clayey soils with slowly permeable sub-soils and slight seasonal water logging. Some well drained clayey soils over chalk are also present. Soils in this area are variably flinty.

3.6 The site occupies a steep, south east facing slope of the River Lea Valley. The ground within the site boundary occupies several terraced steps, dropping downwards from approximately 155m AOD (Above Ordnance Datum) to 120m AOD.


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Section 4 Previously Identified Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

4.1 The archaeological background has been assessed using the Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records. The intention of the search is to locate known archaeologically sensitive sites, which may be affected by groundwork associated with the development of the site, and to predict and extrapolate likely archaeological conditions within the site area from finds made nearby.

4.2 The location of the entries recorded on the SMR within a 0.5 kilometre radius of the site are tabled in Appendix CPM 2 and indicated on Plan CPM 1. The numbers referenced on the plan and in brackets in the text are the Bedfordshire Sites and Monuments Record (BSMR) identifiers. These sites may be recorded under different identifiers in the Luton Borough Sties and Monuments Record. Appendix CPM 3 provides a glossary of archaeological terms and time chart.

Designated Heritage

4.3 There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the boundaries of the site and none is located within the wider study area. The Scheduled Ancient Monument of Someries Castle (SAM No. 20458), lies more than 1 km to the south east and consists of the remains of the castle and associated formal gardens. The ‘castle’, which is the remains of a magnate’s residence rather than a military structure, was probably built some time after 1430, when Lord Wenlock acquired the site. Parts of the building were pulled down in 1742 and subsequent 18th century prints show the building as a ruin (BSMR 360).

4.4 The site is not situated within a County Site of Archaeological Importance or Area of High Archaeological Potential and neither does it include any part of one.

4.5 The site is not located within a conservation area, nor does it contain any part of one within its boundaries. No listed buildings are located within the site boundaries. The nearest listed building is located approximately 150m south east of the site and is the former administration building of the Vauxhall Motor Company.


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Non-Designated Heritage

Prehistoric 4.6 The Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records

contain no sites or findspots of prehistoric date within the 0.5km study area around the site. A scatter of prehistoric flints was reported around 1km to the north east of the site in 1991 (BSMR 16076).

Roman 4.7 The Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records

contain two references to possible Roman activity. Roman pottery lying within a ditch was found in 1960 around 0.5km to the east of the site in an area now occupied by buildings associated with London Luton Airport (BSMR 1466). A single Roman coin find is recorded around 0.5km to the north of the site (BSMR 1949).

Medieval 4.8 The Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records record

no Anglo-Saxon sites or findspots within the 0.5km study area around the site.

4.9 The Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records record a number of known and inferred medieval sites within the 0.5km study area around the site. These include the suggested location of the medieval hospital of St. Mary Magdalene (BSMR 362), which is known to have existed in the area between the 12th and 16th centuries and is believed to lie to the east of the site within an area now covered by buildings associated with London Luton Airport. Remains of a medieval tower and chapel believed to be a summer residence, built in the 12th century by the bishop of St. Albans, are located in a modern cemetery approximately 0.25km to the west of the site (BSMR 361). A medieval settlement is recorded at Lodge Farm, which is now a residential area approximately 0.25km to the North West (BSMR 17102).

Post-medieval

4.10 The Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records contain a large number of post-medieval sites within the 0.5km study area. These are divided between known and inferred industrial and agricultural buildings and features, extant and inferred buildings and Second World War military features.

4.11 Quarries for gravel, sand and chalk are recorded within 0.5km of the site from fieldname data, aerial photographs and historic maps (BSMR 6733, 12429, 12425, 12384). The site of a brick kiln is inferred by a ‘Brick Kiln Field’ fieldname recorded on the 1842 Tithe map approximately 0.5 km to the north west of the site (BSMR 8454). A brick and tile works, including a lime kiln approximately 0.5km to the north east of the site was surveyed on the


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1880 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. It is not shown on the 1901 edition (BSMR 6732). A windmill located approximately 0.25km to the south west of the site is shown on the 1842 Tithe map and is reported to have been blown down in a storm in 1845 (BSMR 3169). A field approximately 0.2km to the south east is named as ‘the Warren’ on the 1842 Tithe map, suggesting the location of a post-medieval or earlier structure associated with rabbit keeping (BSMR 12371).

4.12 Three sites associated with Second World War military activity are recorded within the 0.5km study area. A Prisoner of War camp near to Luton Airport was located on the edge of the 0.5km study area, to the north east of the site (BSMR 17937). Earthworks of military features situated to protect Luton Airport or the Vauxhall Motor Works are located on a promontory around 0.2km to the east of the site (BSMR 12423). A pillbox located around 0.3km to the east of the site is recorded in the BSMR and is now within the area of the terminal buildings of London Luton Airport (BSMR 17922). The boundary of London Luton Airport lies to the east of the site, within the 0.5km study area. It was established as a civilian airport in 1938, in association with an adjoining aircraft factory. It was used as a flying school during the Second World War between 1940 and 1942 and became the base for No. 5 Ferry Pool Pilots from 1942-1943 (BSMR 9271).

4.13 Luton Hoo Park, the boundary of which lies within 0.5km of the southern boundary of the site, was laid out by Capability Brown in the 18th century around Luton Hoo House, designed by Robert Adam (BSMR 6989). It is a Grade II* registered park under the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest in England (RPG No. 1567). The Park contains eleven listed buildings (three Grade I and eight Grade II).

Undated Features

4.14 The 0.5km study area includes several undated features, mostly recognised as cropmarks from aerial photographs. These include a linear cropmark approximately 0.3km to the south east of the site, which corresponds to a boundary recorded on the 1842 Tithe map (BSMR 12441) and a rectangular earthwork of probable modern date approximately 0.25km to the south of the site between courses of a current and former railway line. A semi-circular cropmark is recorded as lying at the limits of the 0.5km study area to the north west of the site (BSMR 9087). The reported find of a skeleton during building works at Gypsy Lane retail estate in 1999 provides another undated find 0.2km to the south of the site (BSMR 17792). A rectangular green shown on the 1842 Tithe map, approximately 0.25km to the north west of the site, which may be associated with the medieval settlement at Lodge Farm, is now reported to have been developed for housing (BSMR 12403). A close or field named ‘Lynces’, which suggests the presence of terraces associated with agriculture, was located around 0.25km north of the site (BSMR 12369). Although this is an undated feature lynchets are an agricultural feature most commonly associated with the medieval period.


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Historic Buildings

4.15 The Borough of Luton contains a total of 101 listed buildings. Only one listed building is within the 0.5km study area. The administration building of the Vauxhall Motor Works is located on the southern side of Kimpton Road. It was completed in 1907 and was designed by H. B. Cresswell. It is a Grade II listed building (BSMR 15182, 15390, 15391, 15392; listed building number 7/4).

4.16 Unlisted buildings recorded by the Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Sites and Monuments Records within the 0.5km study area include Spittlesea Hospital, built in the 1920s to isolate cholera sufferers (BSMR 17778), approximately 0.3km to the east of the site. Someries Farm House, a 17th century building with associated barns, lies approximately 1.2km to the south east of the site (BSMR 2027) and a Dovehouse, shown on the 1842 Tithe map on Crawley Green Road, is situated at the limit of the 0.5km study area to the east of the site (BSMR 12360).

4.17 The Vauxhall Motor Company war memorial, currently located on Kimpton Road outside of the southern site boundary, was unveiled in 1992, having been moved from a previous location in London where it had first been erected in 1920 (BSMR 16976).


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Section 5 Documentary Sources including Historic Maps and Air Photographs

5.1 The Bedfordshire and Luton Archive and Records Service was consulted as to its collection of historic documents and maps relating to the site and its environs.

Historic Maps

5.2 The Tithe map for the Parish of Luton of 1842 appears to indicate that there was no settlement or other built structures on the site, or on adjoining land, at that date. The map shows the area as consisting of several fields, for which names are provided in the accompanying Tithe apportionment. The field names and descriptions suggest that the site was primarily in an area that had previously been common land, called Blackwater Common, and was mostly arable land with some pasture.

5.3 The 1876 map of the Borough of Luton shows the course of the Great North Railway and the Midland Railway running from North West to south east to the south of the site. Elm Tree Farm (named Model Farm from 1880), on the southern boundary of the site, is also shown on the 1876 map. The farm buildings form a rectangular enclosure, with some outlying buildings around 20 metres to the north east. This picture is largely unchanged on the 25” 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, dated 1880 and the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map, dated 1901.

5.4 Examination of the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map also reveals a cemetery, including a ‘friends’ or Quaker burial ground, to the west of the site, which expanded towards the site throughout the late 19th and early 20th century.

5.5 Examination of the 3rd edition of the Ordnance Survey map of 1924 shows the development of a row of semi-detached or terraced houses aligned along Kimpton Road to the west of Model Farm. The development of hydraulic engineering works to the east of the site, along Eaton Green Road, and sewage treatment filter beds and overflow ponds, to the north and east of the site, are also shown, as is the location of recreation grounds to the east of the site on the western side of the current course of the A505. Recreation grounds in the footprint of the current General Motor Works’ building AA are also shown.

5.6 The 1938 revision of the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map shows considerable development of the site for industrial buildings, particularly on the southern and eastern boundaries. A recreation ground in the north east extremity of the site is also shown. The course of Eaton Green Road, which formerly ran along the eastern site boundary, is shown to have been redirected to the current course of the A505 at this date. Large industrial


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buildings are shown fronting on to Kimpton Road and occupying the majority of the southern part of the site. An area on the north western margin of the site does not seem to have been used for development by this date.

Other Sources

5.7 A number of secondary sources, including the Victoria County History (VCH 1972), were examined at the Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service, as well as English Heritage’s National Monuments Record in Swindon. None of these sources mentioned the site specifically before the establishment of the Vauxhall Motor Works in 1905, but a number provided information on its archaeological and historical background. An outline history of the Motor Works, including some details of the development of the factory buildings was described in Collins and Stratton’s British Car Factories from 1896 (1993).

5.8 The Victoria County History for Bedfordshire records that Luton underwent significant expansion in the 19th century, from a nucleus of settlement in the vicinity of the modern town centre. At the time of the Domesday Survey, Luton included a manor held by the king with 30 hides of land, six mills and a market from which the tolls were worth 100 shillings. As an area of good arable soils, Luton had a prosperous brewing industry and was known for straw plait manufacture (VCH, 1972, 350). In the 19th century, various foundries were established, possibly as a result of Luton’s placement on the routes of coal transportation and the establishment of the Midland Railway and a branchline of the Great Northern Railway.

5.9 Collins and Stratton describe the development of the Vauxhall Motor Works as being constrained by space. This led to a particularly dense and unusual multi-storied development of buildings on the site from an initial nucleus of buildings, including a terrace of workers housing on Kimpton Road. They record that the terrace of housing was ‘engulfed’ by new workshops and offices in 1922-1923, whilst rapid expansion of the factory’s buildings took place in the 1930s mostly on the northern side of Kimpton Road (Collins and Stratton 1993). In 1954-1958 block AC, which lies along the eastern side of the site, was constructed at a cost of £36 million by Howard, Fairbairn and Partners (Pevsner 1968). This building required significant groundwork to set it into the hillside and included basements on the eastern side. This building was extended southwards during the 1980s or 1990s. Blocks M, J and P, which lay along Kimpton Road, Block Q, which lay within the area redeveloped for the extension of Block AC and Block X, to the west of Block AC all appear to have been demolished between the 1980s and 1990s, which is likely to have resulted in significant ground disturbance (Collins and Stratton 1993).

Aerial Photographs

5.10 Fourteen oblique and 182 vertical aerial photographs were identified by English Heritage for the site. The obliques were all taken in September


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1947, whilst the verticals span the period from 1941 to 1993. However, prints of aerial photographs from after 1969 were not available for viewing at the National Monuments Record because the negatives were of insufficient quality, or the recorded negatives and prints were held elsewhere.

5.11 None of the aerial photographs show any evidence for the presence of archaeology on the site, either above-ground or below. The obliques show the southern end of the site only. The verticals do, however, provide an interesting record of both the origins and the subsequent development of some of the standing buildings on the site.

5.12 The details of the individual buildings are discussed within Section 6 (below). Aerial photographs taken during and just after the Second World War show that, whilst an expansion in the building stock is evident all around the site, the first new structures on the site since 1938 were the westward extension of Block X between June and November 1955 and the building of Block AC, the groundwork for which is shown in vertical aerial photographs from June and November 1955 (RAF/82/1208/; RAF/58/1919). By 1955, ground in the south west corner of the site had been cleared for an access road and the previously undeveloped land on the north western margin of the site had been developed for car parking (RAF/82/1208). An extension on the north east corner of Block AC was constructed sometime between August 1961 and April 1969 (RAF/543/1426; OS/69110). The development of land on the north western margin of the site for car parking, including associated terracing of St. Anne’s Hill is most clearly shown in vertical aerial photographs from April 1986 (OS/69110).


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Section 6 Site Visit

6.1 The site was visited in March 2005 to assess the current ground conditions and topography of the site and, also, to identify remains of previously recorded sites or any hitherto unrecorded archaeological features of significance.

Archaeology

6.2 The visit failed to identify the remains of any above-ground archaeological features within the boundaries of the site. However, this was partly because the majority of the site is covered either by standing buildings, or concrete. Within the former access roads and vehicle parking areas there is no visible trace of the original ground surface.

6.3 Within the site boundaries, the ground has been extensively terraced with large areas of the original slopes removed before the slope becomes more gradual to the southern edge of the site. There is evidence for multiple phases of very large industrial buildings on the site, which are likely to have required deep foundations. Map evidence from 1938 suggests that industrial buildings covered the footprint of the former Model Farm and housing on Kimpton Road. These factors are likely to have had an impact upon any archaeological strata that may have existed on the site previously.

Buildings

6.4 Inspection of the buildings that are currently on the site suggested that, whilst the majority of buildings appear to date to no earlier than the 1950s, Block V contained an earlier industrial building with a saw toothed roof design and possible clock tower. This is probably a building shown on the 1938 revised 25” 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map to the west of the recreation grounds, which occupied a large part of the site at that date (see Plan CPM 2). This building has apparently been extended along its eastern side and has been clad with corrugated metal sheeting. This building would not be considered of greater than local importance.


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Section 7 Conclusions and Recommendations

7.1 An archaeological assessment has been undertaken for the proposed development site on land to the north of Kimpton Road and to the west of the present General Motor Works and the A505, in Luton, Bedfordshire. This assessment has shown that no known archaeological sites or findspots are located within the boundaries of the site. A small number of prehistoric and Roman findspots, comprising mainly pottery and coins, suggest some activity to the south east of Luton, roughly 500m north east of the site. The nature of the activity is unclear from the finds made to date. Evidence of a landscape of medieval settlements around the site is suggested, although there is no evidence of settlement on the site itself, which primarily appears to have been arable land in 1842. It is likely that, if any remains do survive, they will have been heavily damaged and truncated by subsequent development.

7.2 The available documentary and cartographic evidence indicates that the site was in use for agricultural purposes from at least the middle of the 19th century. Evidence of limited occupation at the southern periphery of the site is evidenced from 1876. The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1880, which is the first detailed cartographic depiction of the site available, shows a cluster of buildings in the same position. These buildings, which formed a rectangular farmyard enclosure, are within the footprint of later industrial buildings and are unlikely to have survived to any extent. The area is now occupied by car parking. The 2nd and 3rd editions of the Ordnance Survey map, as well as the available aerial photographs, demonstrate that the oldest standing buildings on the site date from no earlier than 1924, with the majority only being erected after the Second World War.

7.3 With regard to the built heritage, there are no listed buildings on the site. The nearest listed building is the Vauxhall Motor Company administration building facing the site from the southern side of Kimpton Road. It is proposed that consideration of the proposed developments impact on this building should include the potential for mitigation through design and landscaping and the current impact on the building from the site’s present use and appearance. The standing buildings on the site are, for the most part, considered to be of negligible architectural or historic interest. However, mitigation of the removal of Block V, identified as possibly containing elements of an older building, might include recording of the building before and during demolition. The appropriate treatment of the Vauxhall Motor Company war memorial on Kimpton Road and its setting should be considered.


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Section 8 References and Sources

Collins, P. and M. Stratton 1993 British Car Factories from 1896: A complete historical, geographical, architectural & technological survey Godmanstone

Department of the Environment (DoE) 1990 Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning London

Department of the Environment (DoE) 1994 Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment London

Luton Borough Council (LBC) 1997 Borough of Luton Local Plan Luton

Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) 2001 Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-based Assessments Reading

Bedfordshire County Council (BCC) and Luton Borough Council 1997 Bedfordshire Structure Plan 2011 Bedford

Pevsner, N (ed) 1968 The Buildings of England: Bedfordshire and the County of Huntingdon and Peterborough London

Simco, A. 1984 Survey of Bedfordshire in the Roman Period Royal Commision on the Historical Monuments (England)

Victoria County History (VCH) 1972 The Victoria County History of the County of Bedfordshire, Volume II London

Map Sources

Tithe map of the Parish of Luton, (Map No. MAT 30/1)

12 chains to 1” Map of the Borough of Luton, 1876

OS 1st edition 25” map of 1880

OS 2nd edition 25” map of 1901

OS 3rd edition 25” map of 1924

OS revised 3rd edition 25” map of 1938

OS Explorer 1:25 000 Map No. 182, 1999

Soil Survey of England and Wales (SSEW) 1983, Sheet 6



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Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 - Archaeology and Planning (PPG16)

A1.1 Archaeology is a material consideration in the planning process, and government guidance stresses the important role that LPA’s have in safeguarding the archaeological heritage through the development control process.

A1.2 Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16) sets out the Secretary of State’s policy on archaeological remains on land, and provides recommendations, many of which have been integrated into local development plans. The key points in PPG16 (DoE, 1990) can be summarised as follows:

• Archaeological remains should be seen as a finite and non-renewable resource, and in many cases highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction. Appropriate management is therefore essential to ensure that they survive in good condition. In particular, care must be taken to ensure that archaeological remains are not needlessly or thoughtlessly destroyed. They can contain irreplaceable information about our past and the potential for an increase in future knowledge. They are part of our sense of national identity and are valuable both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and tourism;

• Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by a proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation;

• The key to informed and reasonable planning decisions is for consideration to be given early before formal planning applications are made, to the question of whether archaeological remains are known to exist on a site where development is planned and the implications for the development proposal;

• When important remains are known to exist, or when archaeologists have good reason to believe that important remains exist, developers will be able to help by preparing sympathetic designs using, for example, foundations which avoid disturbing the remains altogether, or which minimise damage by raising ground levels under a proposed new structure, or by careful siting of landscaped or open areas. There are techniques available for sealing archaeological remains underneath buildings or landscaping, thus securing their preservation for the future even though they remain inaccessible for the time being;

• If physical preservation in situ is not feasible, an archaeological excavation for the purposes of ‘preservation by record’ may be an acceptable alternative. From an archaeological point of view, this should be regarded as a second best option. Agreements should also


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provide for the subsequent publication of the results of any excavation programme;

• Development plans should reconcile the need for development with the interests of conservation - including archaeology. Detailed development plans should include policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological interest, and their settings;

• Decisions by planning authorities, in the face of proposed development, on whether to preserve archaeological remains in situ, have to be taken on merit, taking account of development plan policies and all other material considerations - including the importance of the remains - and weighing these against the need for development; and

• Planning authorities, when they propose to allow development which is damaging to archaeological remains, must ensure that the developer has satisfactorily provided for excavation and recording, either through voluntary agreement with the archaeologists or, in the absence of agreement, by imposing an appropriate condition on the planning permission.

Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 - Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15)

A1.3 PPG16 has been supplemented by Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15). PPG15 is to be used in conjunction with PPG16, as expressed in PPG15 paragraph 1. PPG15 sets out the Secretary of State’s policy on the historic built environment, and provides recommendations, many of which have been integrated into local development plans. The key points in PPG15 (DoE 1994) can be summarised as follows:

• There is a presumption against the demolition of Listed Buildings;

• The desirability of preserving and enhancing the character and appearance of Conservation Areas is stressed;

• Alteration and change of use of historic buildings must be appropriate. Applicants need to justify needs for development against the significance and value of historic features; and

• Planning authorities, where they propose to allow development which is damaging to the historic built environment, must ensure that the developer has satisfactorily provided for a programme of building recording or other appropriate works, either through a voluntary agreement with the archaeologists, or, in the absence of agreement, by the imposition of an appropriate condition on the Planning Permission.


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A1.4 The archaeology policies in the Bedfordshire Structure Plan 2011 (adopted March 1997) and the Borough of Luton Plan (adopted March 1997) mirror advice contained in PPG16 and PGG15. Particularly relevant in relation to the archaeological assessment are the following policies.

Bedfordshire Structure Plan 2011 (adopted March 1997)

Policy 13 Preserving Features: A1.5 Historic features will be preserved and managed by:-

• Resisting proposals likely to have an adverse effect upon the character and appearance of historic buildings and Conservation Areas and their settings;

• Promoting measures likely to secure the conservation of historic buildings, especially those identified as being ‘at risk’;

• Preserving Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other sites of major archaeological significance, together with their settings, by resisting proposals likely to have an adverse effect upon them;

• Ensuring that provision is made for an appropriate level of investigation and recording in advance of any development which is likely to damage or destroy sites and buildings of significance; and

• Encouraging the protection and management of historic landscape features, including historic parks and gardens, ancient woodland and ancient hedgerows.

Luton Borough Plan (adopted March 1997)

Policy E5 A1.6 [A] Archaeological evaluations will be requires to be submitted with

planning applications where the proposed development would affect a site of archaeological significance or potential identified by Luton’s Museum Service.

[B] Scheduled Ancient Monuments and other nationally important sites and monuments will be protected and preserved in situ and they and their sites will be protected from all forms of development which would adversely affect their setting.

[C] Other important archaeological remains will normally be preserved in situ. In cases where preservation is neither feasible or nor merited, satisfactory provision for excavation and recording of remains will be required prior to commencement of development.


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Appendix CPM 2 Bedfordshire Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and Listed Building Information


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Appendix CPM 2 Bedfordshire Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and Listed Building Information


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BSMR Ref

NGR (all TL)

Period Description

360 118 201 Medieval Someries Castle – late medieval magnate’s residence

361 101 212 Medieval Tower and Chapel of Saint Anne (Medieval Tower-house remains with Chapel, c. C12th)

362 111 211 Medieval Hospital of St. Mary Magdalene (Medieval Hospital c. C12th – C16th) – inferred location.

1466 116 211 Roman Ditch +Roman pottery, found 1960

1949 108 222 Roman Roman coin 2027 119 202 Post Medieval Building assessment for

listability, Sorrom’s Farm house (built 1660s)

3169 101 206 Post Medieval Windmill, blown down in 1845 6732 114 216 Post Medieval Brick and Tile works + Lime Kiln,

surveyed 1880, not shown in 1901

6733 113 203 Post Medieval Chalk Pit on 1st edition OS Map (1880) – soilmark on 1954 Aerial Photographs

6989 106 200 Post Medieval Luton Hoo Park – Registered Park No. 1567

8454 102 217 Post Medieval Brick Kiln – Brick Kiln Field on Tithe map, 1842

9087 102 220 Un-dated Semi-circular cropmark on aerial photographs

9271 119 208 Modern London Luton Airport 12360 105 217 Post Medieval Dovehouse, Crawley Green

Farm, shown on Tithe Award 1842

12369 111 220 Un-dated ‘Lynces’, fieldname now built over by Falconers Road and Brendon Avenue.

12371 111 204 Post Medieval Close named “the Warren” on the Tithe map, 1842

12384 102 221 Post Medieval Close named “Sand Pit Field” in Tithe map, 1842

12423 111 207 Modern Second World War military earthworks

12425 101 202 Modern Large quarry, shown on 1947 aerial photographs now redeveloped as a sports ground


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BSMR

Ref NGR

(all TL) Period Description

12429 105 202 Post Medieval Area named as “Gravel Pit” on Tithe award – several small hollows recorded on 1965 aerial photographs

12441 111 202 Un-dated Linear cropmark on RAF aerial photographs – alignment corresponds to boundary on tithe awards

15182 106 206 Modern Amendment to List of Buidlings, Vauxhall admistration block on South of Kimpton Road added

15390 106 206 Modern Vauxhall Buildings, Kimpton Road, N. of Admin. Block (1 photo)

15391 106 206 Modern Vauxhall Buildings, Kimpton Road, N.W. of Admin. Block (1 photo)

15392 106 206 Modern Vauxhall Buildings, Kimpton Road – W. of Admin block (2 photographs)

16076 114 224 Prehistoric Prehistoric flints (reported 1991) 16976 105 207 Modern Vauxhall Motors War Memorial,

first erected in London in 1920, moved to Luton and unveiled 1992

17102 102 216 Medieval Medieval settlement at Lodge Farm, now built over.

17778 113 211 Modern Spittlesea Hospital for infectious diseases – Building 1920s

17792 104 205 Un-dated Newspaper report of skeleton discovered near Gypsy Lane Retail Park in March 1999

17922 113 212 Modern Site of Second World War pillbox

17937 115 219 Modern Second World War Prisoner of War camp – Eaton Green Road.


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Listed Building No.

Grade Description

7/4 II Vauxhall Motor Works Administration Building, built 1907-15 by H. B. Creswell, neo William-and-Mary, of brick with brick quoins and a doorway with a big semi-circular pediment



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Time Chart

Palaeolithic c.8000BC and earlier Early stone age, early development of

man and earlier hominids. Mesolithic c.8000BC - 3500BC Middle stone age, nomadic hunter

gatherer groups. Neolithic 3500BC - 2000BC New stone age, first settled agrarian

communities and monumental structures.

Bronze Age 2000BC - 500BC First use of bronze, divided into early,

middle and later sub-periods. Iron Age 500BC - 43AD First use of iron, divided into early,

middle and later, some interaction with Romans and others.

Roman 43AD - 410AD The first historical period, with written

records, saw southern Britain subject to Roman government and culture (also Romano-British).

Early medieval 410AD - 1066AD What has been called the Dark Ages,

the period from the departure of the Roman legions to the Norman Conquest which saw the colonisation of much of Britain by Angles, Saxons and others.

Medieval 1066AD - c.1500AD From the Norman Conquest through to

the Renaissance. Post-medieval 1500 - 1945 Everything in recent centuries, especially

monuments relating to the Industrial Revolution and the military.


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Terms

Air photographs Photographs taken from the air by archaeologists and other organisations such as the OS and RAF often show archaeology on the ground in the form of cropmarks, earthworks or soilmarks.

Anglo-Saxon Vernacular for early medieval period, more specifically archaeology relating to immigrant tribes including Angles and Saxons, who arrived in England after Roman withdrawal in the 5th century.

Archaeological value/potential Value relates to known archaeology and is synonymous with significance and importance, whilst potential is a gauge of the probability of further archaeology lying undiscovered beneath the surface.

Artifact (artefact) Catch all term for a discrete archaeological object as opposed to a site or debris i.e. prehistoric flint work and later metal objects and ceramics, not pottery sherds or walls.

Assarting Process of converting woodland to fields, principally in the medieval period.

Axe One of the commonest stone age artifacts is the axe. These worked stones and flints may have been used for felling, as knives and in trade and ritual too.

Cropmark Uneven growth of crops lying above archaeology: can be seen from the air and can show the plan of former settlements and other sites.

Deposit A sub-surface accumulation of archaeological material.

Deserted Medieval Village Due to de-population in the medieval period, earthworks, ruins or isolated churches mark the sites of past villages (DMV).

Earthwork Mainly earthen features surviving above the ground surface. These are often eroded and a fraction of their original size. Usually only found under pasture.

Enclosure (1) Area encircled by interrupted ditch/boundary, usually thought to represent settlement or animal penning.

Enclosure (2) Creation of enclosed fields from large medieval open fields, Enclosure refers to that enforced by Act of Parliament.


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English Heritage Lead conservation body for the historic environment, consultative role in relation to listed buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Evaluation Suite of methods used to determine location, extent, date, nature and importance of sub-surface archaeology, most often to inform planning decisions.

Features Discrete remains forming part of an archaeological site i.e. ditches, pits, hearths, and walls.

Flint Commonest surviving artifacts and debris from prehistory, shape can define period/purpose. Artifacts made from cores producing waste flakes. Burnt flints indicate fire and hence possible occupation sites.

Fieldwalking Systematic recovery of archaeological material from arable fields can indicate period, extent, nature and location of past activity. Initial evaluation technique (a.k.a. surface artifact survey).

Furlong Sub-division of open field which was further divided into strips which were ploughed by one family.

Geophysical Survey A range of non-intrusive survey techniques (most commonly magnetometry) which can identify buried archaeological features and deposits and is a cost-effective initial evaluation technique. Other techniques used by archaeologists include resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and ground probing radar.

Holloway Remains of ancient routeway eroded over centuries of use. Can be a disused earthwork or in continued use.

Inhumation Burial: usually where a skeleton is recovered as opposed to a cremation burial.

Listed Building Statutory protection for buildings with special historic or architectural value. Grades I and II* require consultation with English Heritage where affected by development. Grade II usually dealt with solely by local planning authority.

Magnetometry Commonest geophysical method used for non-intrusive evaluation of an area of archaeological potential. Buried archaeology has magnetic fields which differ from the natural, allowing walls, ditches and other features to be identified.

Mitigation Strategy Preservation/retrieval of the archaeological value of a development site through excavation, repositioning of


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development or change in the nature of development once identified through evaluation.

Moat/moated site Common archaeological site consisting of continuous, originally water filled, ditch with central platform. Usually dates from medieval period, with possible security/status symbol function.

Open field Central characteristic of agricultural system in many medieval settlements, with perhaps three large fields surrounding the village’s houses and paddocks and sub-divided into furlongs.

Preservation (in situ/by record) Although current guidance advocates preservation of important archaeology in situ i.e. by not developing the area, the alternative (especially with less important remains) is to preserve by record through archaeological excavation.

Post-hole Hole in which structural or ceremonial timbers originally placed, often contains packing stones. Often all that remains of prehistoric buildings.

Ridge and furrow Earthworks relating to medieval and post-medieval cultivation of common open fields in furlongs. Characteristic inverted ‘s’ bend, ridge and furrow thought to aid drainage and increase surface area for cultivation.

Ring ditch Common circular cropmark/soilmark seen on air photographs thought to reflect ploughed out Bronze Age round barrows.

Round barrow Rounded mound usually dating to the Bronze Age and containing burials and cremation burials. Ritual significance and may have served as a boundary marker.

Scheduled Ancient Monument Statutory protection afforded to archaeological sites and monuments deemed to be of national importance. Consent required from English Heritage for activity impacting on the site (SAM).

Sherds Pieces of broken pottery, useful for dating deposits, although can be secondary deposit i.e. in manure spread on arable fields.

Soilmark Uneven soil colouration (from ditches etc.) lying above archaeology: can be seen from the air and can suggest the plan of former settlements and other sites.

Stone Age Vernacular for Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods.


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Stratigraphy Layers of archaeological and natural deposits which allow an understanding of the order in which events occurred.

Trial trenching Excavation of trenches distributed across development site in order to evaluate presence or absence of archaeological deposits, their location, extent, date, nature and importance.

Villa Roman high-status rural residential/agricultural complex.

Watching Brief Observation of works by a trained archaeologist and recording of any archaeology exposed.

Plans

Plan CPM 1 Known Sites of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (CPM2641/03 03/05 GR/RL) Plan CPM 2 Extracts of 1880 25” 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map

and 1938 Revised 25” 3rd Edition Ordnance Survey Map (CPM2641/05 03/05 RLS/LS)

Documents

Kimpton Road EIA, Luton Archaeological Assessment · Kimpton Road EIA, Luton Archaeological Assessment H2641_02 30 March 2005 RLS/sd 1 Summary S1 This desk-based archaeological assessment