HBC Field, Ditton, Cheshire. Archaeological Watching Brief.

In 2005 Halton Borough Council (Planning Reference 05/0948/FUL) submitted proposals for the construction of a Strategic Rail Freight Park at Ditton, Widnes, Cheshire. As the proposed development is situated adjacent to Lovel’s Hall, a medieval moated manor and a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 13435), Cheshire Shared Services (CSS) Archaeology and Planning Advisory Service requested that a
programme of archaeological watching brief be undertaken during initial ground works associated with the development. In response, AMEC Environment and Infrastructure UK Ltd produced a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI; Appendix 1)
and Oxford Archaeology (OA) North was commissioned to undertake the archaeological works, which took place between August and December 2012. The watching brief comprised the monitoring of three main elements: the trenching for
drainage and manholes associated with the new access road; the topsoil strip of Areas A and B for the new access road and associated landscaping; and the excavation of
eight test pits.