Heronbridge to Curzon Park Pipeline, Chester, Cheshire: Rapid Desk-based Assessment, revised route

United Utilities proposed the installation of a 1.92m long pipeline along roads, and through fields and historic parkland to the south-west of Handbridge, south of Chester, in Cheshire (SJ 40368 64700, NGR centred). The landscape in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline is rich in terms of significant sites of archaeological interest, with sites of numerous periods having been previously identified. This includes remains dating to the Roman, early medieval, and medieval periods, as well as ramparts associated with the siege of Chester during the Civil War, and elements of the post-medieval Eaton Hall estate. Part of the proposed pipeline also lies within the Curzon Park Conservation Area. This report has been revised to reflect a change at the northern end of the pipeline route.
As a result of the potential for negative impacts upon heritage assets of archaeological interest during the works associated with the pipeline, the Development Control Archaeologist at Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Services (CAPAS) advised that a programme of archaeological work should be undertaken. Consequently, United Utilities requested Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake a rapid desk-based assessment of the immediate environs of the proposed pipeline to provide information of any archaeological constraints and inform any requirement for further archaeological work.