Land west of No. 1 Claybush Road, Ashwell, Hertfordshire

Oxford Archaeology East has been commissioned by Croudice Homes to undertake a desk-based assessment on a 1.8 hectare proposed development Site on the south-western edge of the historic village of Ashwell in order to assess the archaeological resource of the Site and the surrounding landscape.
Evidence for archaeological remains (in the form of a Scheduled Monument, Listed Buildings, cropmarks, findspots and sub-surface remains) from the Neolithic to the modern period have been identified within the 0.5km study area, but outside the proposed development Site. Remains of Bronze Age date have the most potential to be present within the Site due to the presence of a number of probable barrow cropmarks within the immediate vicinity. There is also a high potential for post-medieval/modern remains as an early 19th century windmill is known to have stood in the south-west part the Site, which is illustrated on historic maps between 1822 and 1888.
Effects on the historic landscape need to be considered ahead of development, particularly as the proposed Site is located 0.6km north-east of the scheduled remains of Arbury Banks Iron Age hillfort. The setting of these remains form part of this heritage asset that is of national importance and legally protected. Therefore, there is a need to preserve the significance of this asset through appropriate treatment of its setting.
Overall, it can be said that there is a moderate likelihood for preserved archaeological remains across the Site and that the proposed development has the potential to adversely affect any sub-surface remains.