Morley Carr Farm, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees
1 - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant new heritage assets
Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant archaeology on the development site (i.e. the results created significant new knowledge), especially where none was previously known in the HER.
4 - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation led to a modified development proposal
Pre-determination assessment/evaluation results led to a change in the extent or design of development.
7 - Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission
Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission and were necessary in order to enable the development to be permitted.
Non-designated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest of regional importance
Residential development of up to 350 dwellings and associated community facilities, on a 22.18ha site
An area of potential due to its size and proximity to a green lane, a situation that has numerous local comparators in respect of prehistoric and Roman activity. The farm buildings were also identified of being of possible interest.
A direct enquiry regarding the potential of the land was made in August 2011 by a prospective developer to the LPA’s archaeological advisors.
Pre-application evaluation was recommended and a geomagnetic survey carried out in February 2012 in response to a brief. It noted a number of discrete areas of anomalies. Further work was requested pre-determination, and trial trench evaluation took place in March which revealed a well-preserved Iron Age settlement.
The planning application was submitted in April 2012. It included (following advice from the LPA’s archaeological advisors) a scheme for preservation in situ of the identified archaeological deposits relating to the Iron Age settlement.
The archaeological advisors requested the inclusion of two conditions, one of which was a to ensure the physical preservation of the Iron Age site during development. The other condition made provision for archaeological monitoring in the vicinity of site and post-excavation/publication for the results including of the evaluation. Both conditions were added as advised, and were implemented successfully.
Archaeological monitoring in 2014, during installation of access road to south of the archaeology, revealed the western ditch of the Iron Age settlement.
Pre-determination evaluation led to the preservation in situ and archaeological mitigation by recording of different parts of the development site. The site is considered to be of regional importance, one of a growing number of later prehistoric settlement sites identified in the Tees Valley through developer-funded fieldwork.
The two planning conditions used were:
- 4 No development shall commence until the developer has provided a method statement detailing the how the physical preservation of the Iron Age settlement will be achieved. This should include proposals for fencing around the [heritage asset] to a design approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing. No works shall take place within the area inside that fencing unless approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Reason: In the interests of the preservation of any archaeological remains.
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- A) No demolition/development shall take place/commence until a programme of archaeological work including a Written Scheme of Investigation has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. The scheme shall include an assessment of significance and research questions; and:
- The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording,
- The programme for post investigation assessment,
- Provision to be made for analysis of the site investigation and recording,
- Provision to be made for publication and dissemination of the analysis and records of the site investigation,
- Provision to be made for archive deposition of the analysis and records of the site investigation,
- Nomination of a competent person or persons/organisation to undertake the works set out within the Written Scheme of Investigation.
- B) No demolition/development shall take place other than in accordance with the Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (A).
- C) The development shall not be occupied until the site investigation and post investigation assessment has been completed in accordance with the programme set out in the Written Scheme of Investigation approved under condition (A) and the provision made for analysis, publication and dissemination of results and archive deposition has been secured. Reason: In the interests of the preservation of any archaeological remains.
- A) No demolition/development shall take place/commence until a programme of archaeological work including a Written Scheme of Investigation has been submitted to and approved by the local planning authority in writing. The scheme shall include an assessment of significance and research questions; and:
- Archaeology Services, West Yorkshire Archaeology Service 2012, Land at Morley Carr Farm, Yarm, Stockton-on Tees. Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report, No. 2313.
- Archaeological Service, West Yorkshire Archaeology Service 2012, Morley Carr Farm Yarm, Cleveland, Archaeological Trial Trenching. Unpublished report no. 2330.
