Redearth Primitive Methodist Chapel, Redearth Road, Darwen, Lancashire: Archaeological Post-Excavation Assessment (Project Stage 2 of 4)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (BwDBC) submitted proposals (planning reference 1-/05/0499) for the development of an educational academy on land at Redearth Road and Sough Road, Darwen, Lancashire (centred on SD 6951 2201). A desk-based assessment (Gifford 2006) revealed that the development encompassed several sites of cultural heritage significance and, accordingly, Lancashire County
Archaeology Service (LCAS), the county council’s body responsible for advising local planning authorities on heritage matters, requested that a programme of archaeological works should be undertaken as a condition of the planning consent. One of the cultural heritage sites to be impacted upon by the development was that of the former Redearth Primitive Methodist Chapel and associated burial ground, on Redearth Road (SD 6953 2190).