Moorlea, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield - Report on an Archaeological Evaluation

Evaluation trenching undertaken to industry standards and to the specification agreed in a Written Scheme of Investigation with the Derbyshire County Council Historic Environment team. The evaluation was required by Chesterfield Borough Council as Condition 15 of planning permission for the redevelopment of the site. The design of the scheme of evaluation was based upon a Written Scheme of Investigation produced by Solstice Heritage LLP (Williams 2021). The proposed development site is situated within an enclosed parcel of land immediately to the north of Ashgate Road, some 3 km to the west of Chesterfield. The site is centred at grid reference NGR SK 35206 71607 at an elevation of c. 136 m aOD and comprises a former residential dwelling and its surrounding gardens. Trenching was undertaken to characterise the potential effects of the proposed development on the potential archaeological resource within the site. Especially those with the potential to be related to the possible mining shafts, identified on historic mapping and LiDAR, in Ashgate Plantation to the east and likely linked Loundsley Green Colliery (ANMHS 2021). The evaluation has characterised the underlying substrate as being comprised of pockets of clay till which in turn overlays deposits of shale and mudstone. No significant archaeological features were identified, though both Trenches 2 and 3 revealed a layer of modern levelling likely related to the construction of the property still extant on the grounds. This levelling layer sealed a buried ground sur- face. It is considered that the results of the programme of evaluation trenching are sufficient to inform a planning decision in respect of the site.