Highfield Park, Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire- Archaeological Scoping Study

Rural Solutions requested that Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertake a scoping study for a proposed upgrading and refurbishment of a caravan park at Highfield Park, Fenny Bentley, Derbyshire (NGR SK 1710 5095). The proposed development includes demolishing some existing buildings and conversion of some of the others for the purposes of a reception and leisure facility, as well as refurbishment of some existing facilities, provision and siting of portable holiday accommodation units, landscaping, and removal of some existing hedges in the reordering of the site, whilst retaining and reinforcing existing perimeter planting. The aim is to integrate the site into the landscape at the same time as providing more up-to-date accommodation.
The objective of the scoping study was to identify the nature of the known and potential archaeological resource. The study provides a baseline analysis, preliminary impact prediction and recommended methodology for further work. The work was undertaken in October 2008.
The scoping study comprised a search of records held by the Derbyshire Historic Environment Record (HER) in Matlock, the National Monuments Record (NMR), historic Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping available on line, and the archives and library held at OA North. In addition to this, the site visit was carried out, in order to relate the landscape and surroundings to the results of the scoping study.
Twenty-five sites have been identified within the study area, two of which are within the proposed development area (ridge and furrow of possible medieval origin, Site 22, and Highfield Farm, Site 25), and therefore may be impacted by the proposed development. Sites 01-21 and 23-4 were identified from the HER and NMR, of which, five were Listed Buildings (Site 11, LB no. 80304; Site 12, LB no.80305; Site 14, LB no. 80302; Site 23 LB no.80383; and Site 24, LB no.80384), and one (Bassett Wood Bowl Barrow, Site 05, SM 13320) was a Scheduled Monument. Sites 22 and 25 were identified through the consultation of historic and current maps, aerial photographs and the visit to the site.
The scoping study has also shown that there is potential for Bronze Age archaeology in the area, as a number of barrows are located within the study area and wider vicinity. The ridge and furrow identified within the study area, including Site 22 located in the proposed development area, testifies to the agricultural use of the land during the medieval and post-medieval periods. The area has also been subject to lead mining and a series of shafts were shown on some of the historic OS mapping.
A desk-based assessment of the proposed development area, including consultation with the Peak District National Park Authority Archaeologist is recommended to establish the need for and inform any mitigation strategy, which could be suitably conditioned as part of any granting of planning permission. In addition, the plans of the proposed development indicate that the farmhouse and a barn at Highfield Farm are to be demolished, and associated outbuildings are to be extended and altered (Site 25).A building survey is recommended in order to characterise these buildings and make a permanent record of them before they are demolished or altered.