Joseph Rank House Phase 2, Harlow. Desk-Based Assessment

This study was commissioned by Luminus Developments Ltd in advance of a proposed re-development. The assessment aims to define the archaeological potential of the land likely to be affected by the development. The site is Joseph Rank House, Harlow and the car park situated immediately to the north. The proposed development includes the conversion of Joseph Rank House to residential accommodation and the demolition of the car park and redevelopment of the site for commercial, residential and parking space. The site is situated on land deemed to have low archaeological potential as it lies in Harlow New Town beyond the limit of the Old Town, which was the focus of Harlow’s economic and social development up until the Post Medieval period. Furthermore, the site has undergone significant modern disturbance and truncation as a result of the sub basement parking within the car park. There are however, prehistoric remains in the form of the Parndon Hill Mounds, three round barrows, recorded immediately to the north of the site and it is therefore possible that some evidence for prehistoric activity may be present in the locality in any areas of the development not subject to modern disturbance. The site is centred on TL 544332 210010.