Following desktop research, AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned by RNA Energy Ltd to undertake an archaeological geophysical survey, using the magnetic gradiometry method to investigate the potential for buried archaeological remains prior to a proposed development at the East Park Energy site, which is within the administrative areas of Bedford Borough and Cambridgeshire County Council, centred at TL 08004 63268. Probable and possible archaeological activity has been detected across all sections of the survey area. Within East Park Site A there are six main foci of archaeological activity. Known from HER assets a possible farmstead with round houses (MBB22222) has been detected, and further settlement/enclosure systems, and double-ditch trackways have been identified as well. East Park Site B contains another eight foci of archaeological activity and those most likely represent wellstructured settlement systems with double ditch trackways, enclosure systems and possible funerary activity. An extensive area of archaeological activity has been detected within the northern part of East Park Site C spreading across approximately 31ha. It reflects a well organised and advanced settlement of probable Romano-British chronology with a network of roads, internal divisions, and possible central main square. It is likely that the area was used for production activity. Additionally, a separate focus of archaeological activity has been detected in the southern part of East Park Site C. Within East Park Site D a scattered archaeological activity was recorded in forms of settlement/ enclosure systems and possible trackways. Multiple linear and circular anomalies and trends classified as having an Unclear Origin have been detected across all sections of the survey areas and archaeological interpretations for these cannot be excluded. Anomalies of modern and historical agricultural origin have been identified across all sections of the survey area in a form of former mapped field boundaries, former mapped footpaths, ridge and furrow cultivation, modern ploughing trends and drains. Anomalies associated with mineral extraction have been detected across all sections of the survey area. These are especially clear within East Park Site D where historic coprolite mining has been recorded (MCB18722). Natural variations have been identified across all sections of the survey area and reflect changes in local geology. The impact of modern activity on the survey data is caused by fencing and other metal objects within, and at, the perimeters of the survey area, others relate to larger pipes and services as well as above ground pylons. In the east of the internal cabling route between Sites C and D two parallel trends of a possible archaeological origin have been detected. These may indicate a trackway associated with enclosures detected to the north in Site D. The results from the internal cabling route between Site B and Site C are dominated by responses from past ridge and furrow cultivation which correspond well with the recorded cropmarks (MCB10795). In the southern section of the grid connection corridor two concentrations of probable archaeology have been detected. These coincide with a known later prehistoric/Romano British settlement cropmark (MBB22334) and a recorded subcircular enclosure (MBB22339). Another group of linear anomalies, on generally north-south and east-west alignments have been detected. These appear to form a series of enclosures that extend beyond the survey limits and may be associated with the recorded later prehistoric/Romano British cropmark recorded to the north (MBB22339). Parallel curving trends have been noted in the northern half of the corridor.
Archaeology AOC (Wed,) studied this question.