Proposed South Lakeland Gateway, Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria- Evaluation

L&K Group Plc propose to undertake the development of the South Lakeland Gateway, which would comprises a livestock auction mart, sales area, tourist information and associated infrastructure, at Lane Farm, Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria (NGR SD 5220 8360). The proposed development site lies in the valley of the Peasey Beck, c 10km to the south of Kendal and close to the junction of the M6 motorway and the A590. Previous works as part of the present planning application (05/06/0321) include a desk-based assessment (Egerton Lea 2005) and a metal detector survey. The latter discovered a ‘hoard’ of three Roman coins, to date, the most significant archaeological remains identified within the proposed development area. Following these preliminary works, Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service (CCCHES) issued a brief for a programme of archaeological evaluation to be undertaken within a 2.75ha area identified as having high archaeological potential. Following submission of a project design to meet the requirements of the CCCHES brief, Oxford Archaeology (OA North) were commissioned by L&K Group Plc to undertake the archaeological works.