Wilmslow To Alderley Edge, Cheshire- Desk-based Assessment, Walkover and Topographic Surveys

Following proposals by United Utilities for the construction of a new water main from Wilmslow High Lifting Pumping Station to Alderley Edge Service Reservoir, Cheshire (NGR SJ 84974 81534 to SJ 85792 77757), the Cheshire County Council Historic Environment Officer recommended the completion of an archaeological desk-based assessment relating to the application area. Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was subsequently commissioned by United Utilities to undertake this work.
Of the 141 sites examined, 108 sites of archaeological interest were identified within the study area during the desk-based assessment, of which 81 had been previously recorded in the Cheshire Historic Environment Record (HER) and three in the National Trust Sites and Monument Record (SMR). The remaining 24 sites were identified by inspection of aerial photographs (Sites 101-5) and early mapping (Sites 03, 29, 34-5, 37, 45, 53, 58-60, 62-7, 77, 79 and 84). Seventeen listed buildings were identified within the study area and two Scheduled Monuments. The scheduled monuments comprised Site 01, a medieval boundary marker, and Site 02 a possible Bronze Age barrow beneath a medieval beacon. In addition, part of Wilmslow is designated as an Area of Archaeological Potential by Macclesfield Borough Council. This area falls partially within the study area and is crossed by the proposed pipeline route. Sites 06-8, 12, 15, 18, 20, 23, 26, 85-8, 94, 96 and 100 are within this area.