Ladyewell House, Fernyhalgh Lane, Preston, Lancashire. Archaeological Watching Brief.

Following a request by Croft Complete Homes Ltd and under the recommendations of Lancashire County Archaeological Service, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertook an archaeological watching brief on the 15th November 2004 during the construction of a conservatory adjoining Ladyewell House, Fernyhalgh Lane, Fulwood, Preston (centred on SD 5562 3363).
Ladyewell House is situated at the end of the metalled section of Fernyhalgh Lane which runs south-west from D’urton Lane, c 2.5km east of the village of Broughton,
and is located in an area of some archaeological potential. Local archaeological sites range from prehistoric and Roman find spots to a medieval oratory (small chapel) and shrine. The proposed development was to include the excavation of a foundation trench 1m wide, 0.8m deep and running for a total distance of 17m, forming three sides of a 7m by 5m rectangle against the rear of the building. However, after excavation of the initial 4m of the foundation trench to a depth of up to 1.4m, the ground was deemed to be unsuitable for building and ground works were halted. No archaeological features were observed and resumption of the watching brief will not
be required during future development, as this will take place on a concrete raft.