Land north of Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, County Durham
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.
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.
Undesignated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest
Outline planning permission for the erection of up to 100 dwellings.
Cropmarks of uncertain identification had been recorded east and north of the development site. There was nothing recorded on the HER within the site boundary.
A greenfield site over the Durham County Council 1 ha threshold for evaluation.
A desk-based assessment identified and mapped cropmarks within the site boundary, and recommended geophysical survey.
The geophysical survey showed very clearly that the cropmarks were evidence of a series of ditched enclosures with internal features, probably a settlement.
Subsequent trial trenching broadly confirmed the results of the survey, identifying a settlement of 2nd – 4th century Roman date.
A pre-commencement planning condition was attached to the planning permission requiring a programme of archaeological investigation, recording, analysis, publication and archiving.
The excavations recorded a Roman settlement, including a sandstone building, other structures, a kiln for making tiles, and a well. A regionally significant site in an area where evidence of Roman settlement is not very common.
Post-excavation is currently in progress.
- Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment. Unpublished report, no 4031.
- Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington: Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report, no 4052.
- Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees: geophysical survey phase two. Unpublished report, no 4132.
- Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees: archaeological evaluation. Unpublished report, no 4212.
