Crosby Ravensworth to Colby Pipeline,Cumbria. Rapid Desk-based Research.

United Utilities proposed the construction of a c 13km long flow transfer structure pipeline, from south of Crosby Ravensworth through Maulds Meaburn to the southwest of Colby in Cumbria (NGR NY 362134 513956 to NY 366557 520400). The
Cumbria County Council Planning Archaeologist recommended that rapid archaeological desk-based research be undertaken as the first stage in a potential programme of archaeological works. Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was subsequently commissioned by UU to undertake this work.
In total, 41 sites of archaeological interest were identified within the study area during the desk-based research, 34 of which (Sites 01-34) had been previously identified by Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Record (HER), the remaining seven sites were identified on historic maps (Sites 34-41). Amongst the sites identified were five Scheduled Monuments (Sites 13-16 and 28) which include the remains of the two shrunken medieval villages of Maulds Meaburn (Site 13) and Crosby Ravensworth (Site 24). Maulds Meaburn is also a designated Conservation Area. A number of sites were also identified within the core of the medieval villages including archery butts (Site 25), a park pale (Site 26) and a hall (Site 27). Several sites are indicative of post medieval industrial and agricultural activity, including corn/sawmills (Sites 02, 16 and
31), a windmill (Site 04), quarries and associated lime kilms (Sites 08, 11-12), possible indications of wool manufacturing (Site 36) and farms/barns and field systems (Sites 06-07, 09, 18, 35). A single Grade I Listed Building, the church of St Lawrence in Crosby Ravensworth, two Grade II* Listed Buildings and 18 Grade II Listed Buildings are located within the study area, although none of these would be impacted by the proposed pipeline.