Land at British Salt, Cledford Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire East Archaeological Watching Brief Report

Oxford Archaeology (OA) North was commissioned by BSA Heritage Limited, on behalf of Stoford (Middlewich) Limited, to undertake an archaeological watching brief of a proposed new warehouse development on land north of the British Salt Works, Cledford Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire East (NGR: SJ 7143 6465). An archaeological and heritage statement had been produced by BSA Heritage to accompany the planning application for the redevelopment of the site. The BSA Heritage statement highlighted the low archaeological potential of the site and the recommendation for an archaeological watching brief of the groundworks required by the proposed development was made by the Development Management Archaeologist for Cheshire Archaeological Planning Advisory Service (APAS), on behalf of Cheshire East Council. OA North were subsequently commissioned by BSA Heritage to produce a written scheme of investigation (WSI) and maintain the archaeological watching brief, which was
undertaken over seven days, between 25th August and 8th September 2022.
As required by the WSI, the topsoil stripping was monitored throughout the proposed development area. This revealed a mixed deposit of silty clay and salt, and, several sondages were excavated, to approximately 2m below ground level,
through this material to ascertain its origin. The sondages identified that there was substantial made ground deposits across the entire site, which appeared to overlie a dark grey black silt clay deposit. No archaeological remains or finds were encountered during the watching brief. As it was clear that there were substantial made ground deposits on the site, it was agreed in consultation with BSA Heritage and the development management archaeologist that no further
archaeological work would be required on the site.