East Lancashire Paper Mill, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment.

In response to a request from Libero Architects, acting on behalf of P&F Properties Ltd, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertook an archaeological desk-based assessment of the East Lancashire Paper Mill, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester (centred on SD 7915 0735). The assessment was required to inform the planning process in advance of the redevelopment of the area, and was compiled during March and April 2004.
The assessment examined the relevant archive sources, including maps, plans and journals, as well as referring to the Greater Manchester Sites and Monuments Record (SMR). In total, 26 sites of archaeological interest were identified within a 1km radius of the East Lancashire Paper Mill, although the proposed work will only impact upon the mill and any earlier remains that may survive beneath the footprint of the extant buildings.
The paper mill is not considered to be of national importance, and therefore does not merit preservation in situ. It may, however, be of high local or regional significance, and a rapid photographic survey of the standing buildings in advance of demolition should be considered as an appropriate mitigation recording strategy. In addition, there are potentially sub-surface remains of regional significance, which would require preservation by record should they be directly affected by redevelopment.
These include elements of a prehistoric settlement, a section of a Roman road, and a calico printing works. The recommended form of response in these instances is,
initially, archaeological evaluation by trial trenching.