PROPOSED NEW POLO GROUNDS CIRENCESTER PARK POLO

PROPOSED NEW POLO GROUNDS
CIRENCESTER PARK POLO CLUB
DAGLINGWORTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
PROGRAMME OF
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORDING
For
CIRENCESTER PARK POLO CLUB
CA REPORT: 06154
DECEMBER 2006
PROPOSED NEW GROUNDS
CIRENCESTER PARK POLO CLUB,
DAGLINGWORTH, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
PROGRAMME OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORDING
CA PROJECT: 2017
CA REPORT: 06154
Author:
Kate Cullen
Approved:
Cliff Bateman
Signed:
…………………………………………………………….
Issue: 01
Date: NOVEMBER 2006
This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any
third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report
entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.
© Cotswold Archaeology
Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ
Tel. 01285 771022
Fax. 01285 771033
E-mail:[email protected]
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
CONTENTS
SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 3
1.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 4
The site ................................................................................................................ 4
Archaeological background.................................................................................. 4
Methodology ........................................................................................................ 5
2.
RESULTS ............................................................................................................ 5
3.
DISCUSSION....................................................................................................... 5
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 6
5.
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 6
APPENDIX 1: METHOD STATEMENT ........................................................................... 7
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1
Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2
The site, showing location of new playing fields (1:5000)
2
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
SUMMARY
Site Name:
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club
Location:
Daglingworth, Gloucestershire
NGR:
SO 9899 0350
Type:
Watching brief
Date:
June 2006
Planning Reference:
04/00509/FUL
Location of Archive:
To be deposited with Corinium Museum, Cirencester
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology (CA) during
groundworks associated with the conversion of agricultural land to three polo pitches. The
attending archaeologist also ensured that the approved methodology for the works was
adhered to.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks and no
artefactual material predating the modern period was recovered. The shallow depth of the
ploughing activities undertaken to provide the playing surfaces appears to have ensured that
the depth at which archaeological features and deposits were previously identified in the
archaeological evaluation were not reached or impacted upon.
3
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
In June 2006 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching
brief for Cirencester Park Polo Club, on land adjoining the Cirencester Park polo
grounds, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire (centred on NGR: SO 9899 0350; Fig. 1).
1.2
The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning
consent (Planning ref: 04/00509/FUL) for groundworks associated with the
conversion of agricultural land to three polo grounds. The objective of the watching
brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.
1.3
The archaeological fieldwork was carried out in accordance with a Method
Statement agreed by Charles Parry (Gloucestershire County Council Archaeological
Section) the archaeological advisor to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and with a
subsequent written scheme of investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2005) and
approved by the LPA acting on the advice of Charles Parry. The fieldwork also
followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by
the Institute of Field Archaeologists (1999) and the Statement of Standards and
Practices Appropriate for Archaeological Fieldwork in Gloucestershire (GCC 1996).
The site
1.4
The Cirencester Park polo grounds are situated within Cirencester Park, north of the
A419 and west of Cirencester town centre. The new grounds lie to the north-west of
the existing polo lawns on agricultural land formerly under an arable regime (Fig. 2).
1.5
The site lies at approximately 160m AOD. The underlying geology of the area is
mapped as Forest Marble of the Middle Jurassic era (BGS 1998).
Archaeological background
1.6
A planning application to change the land use of the application area from
agricultural to three polo fields was granted planning permission by Cotswold District
Council in May 2004 (planning reference CT.8394). However, this consent required
any intrusive groundworks associated with the construction of the polo grounds to be
subject to a further planning application following archaeological evaluation.
4
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
1.7
© Cotswold Archaeology
Archaeological evaluation of the application areas was subsequently undertaken in
September and October 2004 (GCC 2004).
It identified concentrations of later
prehistoric activity, including Neolithic pits, post-holes and a ditch, an early Bronze
Age pit, and Iron Age activity (ibid).
1.8
Following consultations between Agrostis Turf Consultancy, Cirencester Park Polo
Club, Gloucestershire County Council Archaeological Section and Cotswold
Archaeology, it was agreed that the provision of the three polo grounds would be
undertaken without recourse to intrusive terracing, drainage etc. Instead, grass seed
would be sown over the existing land profile (see attached Method Statement from
Agrostis Turf Consultancy within Appendix 1). Should the provision of intrusive works,
such as drainage, be required in the future it was agreed by all parties that they would
be subject of a further planning application.
Methodology
1.9
The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2005). During
site visits the attending archaeologist ensured that the agreed method statement for
the works was adhered to, primarily that the ploughing prior to reseeding did not
exceed 200mm in depth.
1.10
Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA
Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (1996).
1.11
Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited
with Corinium Museum.
2.
RESULTS
2.1
The intermittent observation of the intrusive ploughing works did not reveal any
archaeological deposits or artefacts.
3.
DISCUSSION
3.1
The shallow depth of the ploughing activities undertaken for the three polo grounds
and surrounding area appears to have ensured that the depth at which
5
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
archaeological features and deposits were previously identified in the preceding
archaeological evaluation were not reached or impacted upon.
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM
4.1
Fieldwork was undertaken by Richard Young, and the report compiled by Kate
Cullen. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been
compiled by Kate Cullen, and prepared for deposition by Teresa Gilmore. The
project was managed for CA by Cliff Bateman.
5.
REFERENCES
BGS (England and Wales) 1998 Cirencester Sheet 235 Scale 1:50000
CA
2005
Cirencester
Park
Polo
Club:
Proposed
New
Grounds,
Daglingworth,
Gloucestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological
Recording
GCC 2004 An Archaeological Evaluation at Cirencester Park Polo Club, Daglingworth,
Gloucestershire
6
Proposed New Grounds, Cirencester Polo Club, Daglingworth, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX 1: METHOD STATEMENT
7
© Cotswold Archaeology
METHOD STATEMENT CONCERNIING THE DESIGN AND DEPTH OF
GROUNDWORKS
Establishment of Three new Polo Grounds at Cirencester Park Polo Club
20 July 2005
Introduction
It is our intention to establish three new polo grounds on the site. The grounds are to
be located within the site as indicated below in relation to the existing ground
(Peddington).
GROUND 3
GROUND 2
GROUND 1
Peddington
(exists
already)
It is understood that the design and depth of groundworks required for the
development shall be approved in writing by the local planning authority prior to the
commencement of the development.
Depth of Groundwork
The grounds are to be established on the existing land surface and no adjustment or
disturbance of the soil profile below a depth of 200 mm will take place. Neither will
there be any trenching or drainage incorporation that would disturb the soil profile
below 200 mm. No groundworks are to be undertaken for additional elements such as
fencing, parking etc.
Areas
Each polo ground occupies 329 x 165 metres, (54 285 sq m or 5.43 hectares,
13.4 acres). Thus the three polo grounds occupy 16.28 hectares. The unaffected areas
within the site may be demarcated with fencing during the progress of the works if
necessary.
Access and Tracking
Suitable access may be achieved to the three specific polo areas with the barest
minimum of tracking over land not ultimately being developed for polo. Any such
tracking will be specified at the outset. Vehicles will have grass tyres and will not
affect deeper layers of the soil profile to the extent that would be produced using
industrial or agricultural tyres. No caterpillar-tracked vehicles will be used in the
operation.
Cultivation
1. A plough or disc harrow shall be used to break the surface. Thereafter the
topsoil shall be cultivated to a maximum depth of 200 mm to relieve
compaction and produce a good tilth. A stone burier may be used for this
purpose.
2. The surface shall be trimmed and graded with an approved blade grader to
form a level and smooth surface i.e. free from humps, depressions and ruts.
3. Repeated passes of a Cambridge roller or similar device shall firm the surface.
4. Through repeats of the above three treatments a surface will be achieved that
is to the satisfaction of the engineer on site.
5. All stones and other debris with any dimension greater than 20 mm shall be
removed from the upper 50 mm of the topsoil using an approved mechanical
stone rake or collector. All collected material shall be tipped on site as
directed. (Provisional)
6. A final seedbed preparation shall be undertaken to produce a firm, smooth and
evenly consolidated surface with no ruts or wheel marks.
Seedbed fertiliser
The contractor shall supply and evenly apply 500 kg/ha of granular fertiliser with
analysis of 10:15:10 and lightly work into the seedbed.
Seed
The contractor shall provide the specified seeds mixture for sowing at the rate of 350
kg/ha. Sowing shall be carried out during suitable conditions. The total quantity of
seed shall be divided in half, each half being sown evenly with an approved
distributor in transverse direction to provide a total rate of sowing of 350 kg/ha.
Lightly rake seed into immediate surface care being taken not to work seed into drills
or ridge the surface. (Provisional)
Stone pick
When the grass is about 35 mm in height, the contractor shall lift and remove off site
all surface stones having one dimension of 20 mm or more. (Provisional)
Roll
Following stone removal, the contractor shall carefully roll under suitable conditions
using a flat roller.
First cut
When the grass is no more than 40 mm long, mowing shall be carried out using a
sharp front-mounted rotary mower. No more than 25 mm of the foliage shall be
removed
Repeat mowing shall be undertaken on four further occasions with the blades set to
cut at 30 mm.
Formation of Non-Polo Surfaces
The establishment of the ground cover on the non-polo areas will involve Cultivation
Item 1 (see above) and seeding procedures only.
Dr Tim Lodge
Project Manager
Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office
c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109
N
0
2.5km
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
PROJECT TITLE
Gloucestershire
Cirencester Polo Park, Daglingworth,
Gloucestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Site location plan
SCALE
1:25,000@A4
PROJECT NO.
2017
FIGURE NO.
1
Reproduced from the 2007 Ordnance Survey Landplan map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office
c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109
99
N
GROUND
2
GROUND
3
GROUND
1
03
SP
0
500m
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
PROJECT TITLE
site
proposed polo ground
Cirencester Polo Park, Daglingworth,
Gloucestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Location of proposed polo
grounds
SCALE
1:5000@A4
PROJECT NO.
2017
FIGURE NO.
2