Greenfield Road, Colne, Lancashire - Archaeological Landscape Survey

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by Nexus Planning Ltd,
acting on behalf of RB Business Park Ltd, to undertake an archaeological investigation
in advance of the proposed development of land off Greenfield Road in Colne,
Lancashire (centred on NGR 387380 439696). The work was carried out to satisfy a
condition attached to planning consent (Application Ref 13/13/0593P) that required an
appropriate programme of archaeological investigation of the site be carried out in
advance of development.
The scheme of archaeological work was carried out in accordance with a Written
Scheme of Investigation, prepared by OA North, with allowed for an enhanced English
Heritage Level 1-type landscape survey. The survey was undertaken in February 2015.
The archaeological survey revealed evidence for medieval/post-medieval agricultural
exploitation across most of the site, including broad ridge and furrow cultivation
typically associated with medieval open-field agriculture. Three, tree-lined bank and
ditch field boundaries were also recorded, indicative of post-medieval enclosure of
open-field cultivation into enclosed field plots within the property of Greenfield Farm.
The post-medieval field boundaries were overlain by an industrial/modern period drystone
wall associated with a row of houses on the north side of Greenfield Road.
Whilst the archaeological survey has identified physical evidence for medieval/postmedieval
agricultural activity in the study area, these features have little potential for
any further study. It is thus concluded that there is little merit in carrying out any
additional archaeological investigation in advance of, or during, the construction phase
of the proposed development.