P C A PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION, INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING.

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1 PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION, INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING P C A March 2015 PRE-CONSTRUCT ARCHAEOLOGY LTD R12026

2 DOCUMENT VERIFICATION PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION, INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING Quality Control Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Project Number Report Number K3667 R12026 Name & Title Signature Date Text Prepared by: Tom McCarthy 06/03/2015 Graphics Prepared by: Graphics Checked by: Project Manager Sign-off: Jennifer Simonson 15/01/2015 Josephine Brown 16/01/2015 Kevin Trott 11/03/2015 Revision No. Date Signature Approved 1 12/03/15 Kevin Trott Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited Unit 54 Brockley Cross Business Centre 96 Endwell Road London SE4 2PD

3 PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: AN OBSERVATION, INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING Local Planning Authority: Northamptonshire Central National Grid Reference: SP PCA Site Code: PIBH 14 Planning Ref: S/2014/0911/FUL Written and researched by: Tom McCarthy Project Manager: Kevin Trott Commissioning Client: Walsingham Planning Bourne House Cores End Road Bourne Road Bucks Sl8 5AR Contractor: Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd Midlands Office Kettering Road Little Bowden Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 8AN Tel: Website: Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd March 2015 PCA Report No.R12026

4 CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND AIMS AND OBJECTIVES METHODOLOGY FIELDWORK METHODOLOGY POST FIELD METHODOLOGY THE CONTEXTS THE RESULTS CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PLATES FIGURE 1 SITE LOCATION... 7 FIGURE 2 PLAN OF AREAS MONITORED...16 FIGURE 3 SECTIONS APPENDIX 1. CONTEXT INDEX SUMMARY APPENDIX 2. OASIS DATA COLLECTION FORM PCA LTD, R

5 ABSTRACT An archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording was undertaken by Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. during redevelopment works at The Premier Inn, The Green Man, Brackley Hatch, Syresham, Northamptonshire. Stephen Brooker of Walsingham Planning commissioned Pre- Construct Archaeology Ltd. to oversee the program of archaeological works. An earlier Historic Environment Desk Based Assessment on the site was undertaken in June 2014 by Pre-construct Archaeology, the study identified that there was a moderate potential for archaeological evidence on the site, and a full assessment was carried out recommending that further archaeological mitigation should take the form of archaeological monitoring of intrusive works during the course of development. This archaeological monitoring was carried out between the 26 th September & 7 th January There were no archaeological features or finds found during the monitoring works. Although the site is within an area of potential archaeological significance, the works only revealed a sequence of natural layers, buried subsoil and overlaying modern disturbance.. PCA LTD, R

6 1. INTERODUCTION 1.1 Background A planning application was submitted to South Northamptonshire Council for a new 20 bedroom block extension which adjoined the current hotel building to the rear of the Premier Inn hotel at Brackley Hatch. The application also warranted the extension of the existing car park within the southwest corner of the site The car park extension was located on previously undeveloped land, whilst the Premier Inn hotel extension occupied an area that had been impacted on by previous development on the site, though the installation of the hard standing that currently occupied most of this area, to the rear of the existing building, was not thought to have resulted in any significant disturbance A Written Scheme of Investigation (PCA 2014) detailing the methodology by which the Observation, Investigation and Recording would be undertaken was prepared in August 2014 prior to the commencement of fieldwork, in accordance with a program of archaeological works set by Liz Mordue of Northamptonshire County Council. Along with the Charted Institute for Field Archaeology Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Watching Brief (CIFA 2014) The archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording was undertaken between 26 th September 2014 and 7 th January The aim of the Observation, Investigation and Recording was to identify and record any surviving archaeological remains and/or deposits that would have been impacted upon by the groundwork s Following approval of the project by the Local Planning Authority, the completed archive comprising written, drawn and photographic records will be held by Pre-construct Archaeology until such time as Northamptonshire Museum Service are able to accept it Site records were compiled using the unique site code PIBH Site location and description The proposed development site lies immediately to the north-west of the A43 to the rear of the Green Man public house (Figure 1). A roughly rectangular plot of land surrounds the public house and adjacent Premier Inn, which effectively forms a single complex. The plot is bounded by the A43 to the south-east and surrounded by open farmland with a small stream that passes the site to the north. The site is centred at NGR SP Geology and Topography Geology: The solid geology of the site is characterised by the bedrock of Blisworth Limestone Formation in the south and west of the site and Rutland Formation Mudstone within the north and east of the site both formed in the Jurassic periods. The superficial deposits are recoded as mid Pleistocene Galciofluvial deposits of sand and gravel formed in the PCA LTD, R

7 Quaternary period. Towards the stream in the north-eastern portion of the site, it is possible the superficial deposits will be clay, silt, sand and gravel alluvium, also formed during the Quaternary. ( Topography: The site is currently occupied by the Green Man public house which stands facing the A43 and the adjacent Premier Inn building with a current capacity of 61 bedrooms, which consists of a rectangular block the longest axis of which it is aligned with the A43. Car parking and a propane gas storage area are located to the south and west of these standing buildings A considerable area of rough grassland falls within the site; these green areas are found to the west and north of the hard standing which forms the car park. The plot is an irregular subrectangular shape, measuring c.200m north-south by 125m east-west. (Figure 2), though the area that will be impacted by the proposed development is considerably smaller. There is a noticeable slope from south to north across the site itself and the ground also rises to the west. The existing hard standing has been laid on a terrace that cuts into the bank to the west; this is particularly noticeable in the northern part of the site. The site is bounded by the A43 to the south-east, hedgerows and fields to the north and west and the valley formed by a small stream to the north-east. 1.4 Historic and Archaeological Background A detailed account of the potential archaeological and historic background of the site was detailed in the Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment undertaken by PCA (Killock 2014). Only a short Summary will be detailed here Research and a study of the Northamptonshire Historic Environment Record shows that there is limited signs of prehistoric activity in the immediate environs of the site. However, archaeological interventions undertaken some distance to the south-west have produced evidence of Iron Age occupation Northamptonshire has a rich Roman archaeological resource and the excavations conducted along the A43 corridor have demonstrated the potential for Roman settlement in the locality. However, very little evidence of Roman occupation has been recovered from the immediate vicinity of the site The Premier Inn site is close to the village of Syresham which lies to the south-west. Syresham was reported as Sigresham in the Domesday Survey compiled in 1086, demonstrating that an Anglo-Saxon village had been established prior to the Norman Conquest, though at present, no archaeological evidence has been found Syresham was a small but probably prosperous village set within the woodland landscape of Whittlewood Forest which dominated the local area. Although some of the woodland was cleared for agriculture, much of it is likely to have been deliberately preserved in the medieval period as a royal hunting lodge that was established by King John at Silverstone in the period PCA LTD, R

8 AD This establishment was periodically rebuilt or refurbished before it was abandoned in Essentially the area has retained rural land-use up to the present day though the wider hinterland is of course now dominated the motor racing industry. The most notable change to local land-use has been the upgrading and re-routing of the A43. PCA LTD, R

9 D E R B Y S N O T T S L I N C S R U T L A N D L E I C S W A R K S N O R T H A N T S C A M B S Syresham B E D S O X O N B U C K S H E R T S N The Site km Crown copyright All rights reserved. License number PMP Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd /01/15 JS Figure 1 Site Location 1:20,000 at A4

10 2. AIMS AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The aims and objectives of the archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording were to address the following objectives: To record the nature, extent, date, character, quality, significance and state of preservation of any archaeological remains affected by the investigation. To assess where appropriate the ecofactual and palaeo-environmental potential of archaeological deposits and features from within the site. In addition, the evaluation will seek to address the following research questions: To set the site and its potential archaeological remains into the context of the wider landscape To confirm the presence or absence of any prehistoric to Saxon remains within the area; To confirm the presence or absence of medieval activity in the area that may relate to crop marks observed in aerial photos on the northwest side of the A43. To confirm the presence or absence of any post medieval activity in the area that relating to the Green Man Inn. PCA LTD, R

11 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Fieldwork Methodology The foundation and drainage trenches, along with the car park extension were excavated by a 20 tonne tracked excavator that was monitored under constant archaeological supervision. The spoil from machine excavation was also scanned for any unstratified artefacts Underlying natural deposits and potential archaeological layers were cleaned using hand tools following machining operations and recorded as set out in the PCA fieldwork manual (Taylor and Brown 2009). Contexts were recorded according to PCAs fieldwork manual approved for use in Northamptonshire, including written, photographic and drawn records Deposits or the removal of deposits judged by the excavating archaeologist to constitute Individual events were each assigned a unique record number (often referred to within British archaeology as 'context numbers' and recorded utilising PCAs printed proforma Foundation & drainage trench plans, along with the stripped car park area were drawn at a scale of 1:50 and representative sections at a scale of 1:20. The locations of the interventions and the heights of deposits were compared to Ordnance Survey benchmarks and surveyed using a Global Positioning System (GPS) rover unit and Total Station Theodolite (TST). A full photographic record was made, including digital, black and white prints and 35mm colour transparencies. 3.2 Post fieldwork methodology English Heritage s Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (EH 2006) was used as the framework for post-excavation work The archive from the mitigation works is currently held by PCA at their office in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner, the site archive will be deposited with Northamptonshire Museum service once they have the facilities to receive it. 3.3 The Contexts A unique context number was assigned to each distinguishable depositional event. There were thirteen contexts, including layers, deposits, and surfaces. They are presented in table form in the appendix (see Appendix 1). There were no archaeological cut features found in the excavated areas, only a series of layers were evident that produced no artefactual evidence. PCA LTD, R

12 4. THE RESULTS 4.1 During the course of the construction work for the re-development of the Premiere Inn, The Green Man, Brackley, a scheme of archaeological monitoring was undertaken. This was deemed necessary due to the archaeological significance of the site, and the proximity to entries on the Northamptonshire Heritage Environment Record listed in the desk based assessment carried out by PCA. 4.2 Throughout the monitoring of all goundworks associated with the development, a sequence of soil layers was exposed in the sides of the foundation and drainage trenches. These consisted of a moderately loose topsoil layers, mid grey in colour and of a silty clay consistency (100). A series of make-up layers, all with moderately loose silty clay/sand, mid grey or orange-brown in colour, with profuse concrete and brick inclusions (101; 102; 104 & 105). These layers were all situated to the north-east of the hotel and within the car park extension to the west (Figure 3 & 4). Within Section 3 a re-deposited subsoil layer (108) was sandwiched between the underlying demolition layer (109) and the sealing make-up layer (104). The three demolition layers encountered within Sections 2-4 (106; 109 & 110) were situated to the north-east and south-east of the hotel building (Figure 2 & 3). A single tapering subsoil (107) was recorded adjacent to the north-eastern limits of the new-build within Section A series of orange-brown natural deposits (103), (107) & (111) were evident in the car park extension and within the hotel extension (Sections 1, 2 & 4), only one section (Section 4) recorded an underlying grey natural sandy clay (112). 4.4 The findings of this Observation, Investigation and Recording report suggests that the study area, although within an area of potential archaeological significance, did not reveal any archaeological remains apart from modern disturbances and traces of buried subsoil layers overlying natural geology. PCA LTD, R

13 5 CONCLUSIONS 5.1 The Observation, Investigation and Recording fulfilled its aims and objectives by identifying and recording a sequence of geological and archaeological stratigraphy surviving on the site. 5.2 Natural deposits recorded on the site comprised of superficial deposits of clay (Section 4) and the overlying sand and gravel alluvium (Sections 1, 2 & 4) all formed during the Quaternary period. To confirm the presence or absence of any prehistoric to Saxon remains within the area. 5.3 There was no artefactual material that was recovered from the site that related to any Prehistoric to Saxon presence on the site. To confirm the presence or absence of medieval activity in the area that may relate to crop marks observed in aerial photos on the northwest side of the A Apart from an undated subsoil layer recorded within Section 2 (Figure 2 & 3) there was no evidence for any medieval activity within the disturbed area on the site. To confirm the presence or absence of any post medieval activity in the area that relating to the Green Man Inn. 5.7 The undated subsoil layer (mentioned above) may relate to either the medieval or postmedieval periods. The sequence of demolition and make-up layers/deposits on the site probably relate to the construction of the existing Premier Inn. The fragments of brick encountered were all later 20 th century in date (Jane Young, pers. Comm.) and were not contemporary with the bricks that make up the Green Man Inn. 6. BIBLIOGRAPHY PCA LTD, R

14 Brook K, Premier Inn, The Green Man, Brackley Hatch, Syresham: Written Scheme Of Investigation For Archaeological Works Pre-construct Archaeology Ltd 2014 Carlisle-Lancaster, S 2001 A43 Towcester to M40 Dualling Project Soil Disposal and Landscaping Areas Archaeological Evaluation at Area G (Pimlico) Syresham Northamptonshire Unpublished Northamptonshire Archaeology report Cooper, N. (ed.), 2006, The Archaeology of the East Midlands: an Archaeological Resource Assessment and Research Agenda for the East Midlands. Leicester Archaeology Monograph No. 13. University of Leicester Foard, G and Deegan, A 2008 Mapping Ancient Landscapes in Northamptonshire Kilock D, 2014, Premier Inn at the Green Man, Silverstone, Northamptonshire: An Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd, unpublished Knight, D, Vyner, B & Allen, C East Midlands Heritage. An Updated Research Agenda and Strategy for the Historic Environment of the East Midlands. University of Nottingham & York Archaeological Trust. Standards Working Party of Northamptonshire Archaeological Archives Working Group Northamptonshire Archaeological Archives Standard. Northamptonshire Archaeological Resource Centre (NARC) Taylor, J. & Brown, G PCA Fieldwork Induction Manual Operations Manual 1 Online Sources British Geological Survey 2014: Geology of Britain viewer 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PCA LTD, R

15 Pre-construct Archaeology ltd would like to thank for Stephen Brooker of Walshingham Planning for commissioning the work. PCA are also grateful to Liz Mordue of Northamptonshire archaeological advisory team for monitoring the work. Fieldwork was carried out by Steve Jones. Project management undertaken by Kevin Trott of PCA Midlands. Identification of the brick samples taken from the site were analysed by Jane Young. Figures accompanying this report were prepared by Jennifer Simonson of PCA s cad department. PCA LTD, R

16 PLATES Plate 1: East facing section 1, Area A. 2x 1m scales Plate 2: North view of Area A. 2 x 1m Scales Plate 3: South-eastern view of Area B. 2 x 1m Scales PCA LTD, R

17 Plate 4: North-Eastern facing section 5. Area B. Scales 1 x 2m PCA LTD, R

18 N / S5 Area B battered slope S3 S2 Hotel Area C S4 The Green Man Inn battered slope Area A S1 A / m Crown copyright All rights reserved. License number PMP Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd /01/15 JS Figure 2 Trench Location 1:1,000 at A4

19 SE NW NW SE m OD [100] [101] m OD m OD [104] [105] m OD [102] [106] [103] [107] Section 1 Area A Northeast Facing [103] Section 2 Area B Southwest Facing SW NE SW NE m OD [104] m OD m OD [100] m OD [108] [110] [111] [109] [112] Section 3 Area B Southeast Facing Section 4 Area C Southeast Facing NW SE m OD [100] [101] m OD [104] [105] 0 2m Section 5 Area B Southwest Facing Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd /01/15 JS Figure 3 Sections 1-5 1:50 at A4

20 APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT SUMMARY Context Category Description Colour Texture Inclusions Interpretation Above Below Section No. (Figure 3) 100 Layer Mid grey brow n Moderately lose silty clay Occasional angular stones Topsoil 101-1, 4, Layer Mid grey brown 102 Layer Mid grey brown Moderately lose silty clay Moderately lose silty clay concrete fragments Ground make up ,5 occasional concrete frags Modern make up Natural Orange brown Firm sandy clay Occasional ironstone frags Natural , Layer Grey soft silty sand Occasional flint pebbles Modern make up 103,108-2,3,5 105 Layer Orange brown friable sand Brick fragments Modern make up ,5 106 Deposit Dark grey brown 107 Layer Dark grey brown firm mixed clay Brick fragments Demolition layer soft silty clay Occasional round pebbles Subsoil Layer Mid grey orange Moderately lose silty clay Occasional round pebbles Redeposited Deposit Greyish brown Moderately lose silty clay Brick fragments Demolition deposit PCA LTD, R

21 Context Category Description Colour Texture Inclusions Interpretation Above Below Section No. (Figure 3) 110 Deposit Dark grey brown Moderately sandy clay lose Brick fragments Demolition layer Deposit Orange brown Firm sandy clay Ironstone fragments Natural layer Layer Grey Firm sandy clay Natural clay PCA LTD, R

22 APPENDIX 2: OASIS FORM OASIS ID: preconst Project details Project name Short description of the project PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY An archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording was undertaken by Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. during redevelopment works at The Premier Inn, The Green Man, Brackley Hatch, Syresham, Northamptonshire. Stephen Brooker of Walsingham Planning commissioned Pre-Construct Archaeology Ltd. to oversee the program of archaeological works. This archaeological monitoring was carried out between the 26th September and 7thJanuary There were no archaeological features or finds found during the monitoring works. Although the site is within an area of potential archaeological significance, the works only revealed a sequence of natural layers, buried subsoil and overlaying modern disturbance. Project dates Start: End: Previous/future work Any associated project reference codes Type of project Current Land use Investigation type No / No PIBH14 - Sitecode Recording project Industry and Commerce 3 - Retailing ''Watching Brief'' Project location Country Site location Site coordinates England NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SYRESHAM PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SP N W Point Project creators Name of Organisation Project brief originator Project design originator Project director/manager Project supervisor PCA Midlands Northamptonshire County Council Kevin Trott Kevin Trott Steve Jones PCA LTD, R

23 Project archives Physical Archive Exists? Digital Media available Paper Media available No ''Images raster / digital photography'',''text'' ''Context sheet'',''drawing'',''plan'',''report'',''section'',''unpublished Text'' Project bibliography 1 Publication type Title Author(s)/Editor(s) Other bibliographic details Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) PREMIER INN, THE GREEN MAN, BRACKLEY, SYRESHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSERVATION, INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING REPORT McCarthy T R12026 Date 2015 Issuer or publisher Place of issue or publication PCA Midlands Market Harborough Entered by Entered on 11 March 2015 Kathryn Brook (kbrook@pre-construct.com) PCA LTD, R

24 PCA PCA SOUTH UNIT 54 BROCKLEY CROSS BUSINESS CENTRE 96 ENDWELL ROAD BROCKLEY LONDON SE4 2PD TEL: / FAX: info@pre-construct.com PCA NORTH UNIT 19A TURSDALE BUSINESS PARK DURHAM DH6 5PG TEL: FAX: info.north@pre-construct.com PCA CENTRAL THE GRANARY RECTORY FARM BREWERY ROAD PAMPISFORD CAMBRIDGESHIRE, CB22 3EN TEL: info.central@pre-construct.com PCA WEST BLOCK 4 CHILCOMB HOUSE CHILCOMB LANE WINCHESTER HAMPSHIRE SO23 8RB TEL: info.west@pre-construct.com PCA MIDLANDS KETTERING RD LITTLE BOWDEN MARKET HARBOROUGH LEICESTERSHIRE LE16 8AN TEL: info.midlands@pre-construct.com