Land at Highfield Lane, Prudhoe, Northumberland: archaeological desk-based assessment

The works included the study of pertinent cartographic and other historical sources, records of previous archaeological interventions and sites listed in the Historic Environment Record (HER) within 1km of the proposed development area. A walk-over survey was also conducted, to help ascertain the potential of the proposed development area to contain any archaeological resource. There is no direct evidence for prehistoric or Roman activity within the proposed development area, but the presence of activity in the vicinity indicates that an as yet unidentified resource has the potential to exist. The site is likely to have been under agricultural use during the medieval period. Ridge and furrow earthworks, the remains of medieval or post-medieval ploughing, are extant in the southern part of the site. Quarrying activities in the north-western part of the site will have removed any archaeological resource that may have been present in that area. Across the remainder of the site, the proposed development has the potential to impact upon any archaeological resource that may be present through ground reduction and the construction of foundations and associated services. No archaeological deposits have been identified which require preservation in situ.