Sterne Bridge, Sowerby Bridge - Copley Vally Regeneration Project, Skircoat, West Yorkshire. Archaeological Photographic Building Recording and Watching Brief.

I and H Brown Ltd commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake a programme of archaeological recording during the initial infrastructure works associated with the redevelopment of Copley Valley in Sowerby Bridge, West
Yorkshire (centred on NGR SE 075 233). The proposed redevelopment relates to an overall area of 15ha, which lies mainly to the north of, and adjacent to, the river Calder, with the Calder Hebble Navigation Canal defining the northern extent of this area. A portion of the development, which is known as ‘The Island’ to the west of Sterne Bridge due to its position between the two waterways, and ‘The Hub’ to the east of the bridge, is to be developed for residential, commercial and leisure purposes.
The development area was formerly occupied by sites of industrial archaeological interest, with Sterne Mill occupying part of The Hub, and Canal Mill occupying the
western end of The Island, as well as Milner Royd Mill lying to the south of the river.
As a result, planning permission for The Island and The Hub was granted (planning ref: 11/00200/FUL) with an archaeological condition. Consultation with West
Yorkshire Archaeological Service (WYAAS) led to the establishment of a targeted watching brief as the first phase of work, during the initial preparatory ground work,
and this was undertaken by OA North between September 2011 and February 2012. In addition, WYAAS also requested that Sterne Bridge (NGR SE 04683 23249), which was to be demolished as part of the preparatory works, should be subject to a photographic survey and watching brief prior to, and during, demolition.