Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Land at Main Street, Ulleskelf, North Yorkshire

In April 2005, ARCUS were commissioned by Smart Developments to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Main Street, Ulleskelf, North Yorkshire (centred on SE 520 401). The assessment was requested in relation to a planning application for the residential redevelopment of the site, and comprised a site visit and walk-over survey, along with documentary and cartographic research. The desk-based assessment was based on an earlier report but has been revised and incorporates further documentary and cartographic research. No features of immediate archaeological potential were observed within the site during the walk-over survey. The desk-based assessment indicated that no intrusive archaeological investigations or detailed surveys have been conducted within the proposal area and knowledge of the sites potential buried archaeology is currently minimal. The site comprises a rectangular plot running south from Main Street, with an adjacent sub-rectangular plot to the south-west. Documentary and cartographic sources indicate that the northern part of the site has been developed from at least the mid-nineteenth-century, with the remaining land to the south having contained trees, walled or fenced enclosures and a grassed paddock during this period. Following the demolition of Marlborough House in 2005, a series of nineteenth- and twentieth-century agricultural outbuildings are the only standing structures within the site. Substantial structures may have been located at the north-west of the proposal area prior to the mid-nineteenth century, with the agricultural buildings subsequently being constructed partly on the site of this feature. The nature and form of the main plot is reminiscent of the layout of medieval burghage plots. Many of the surrounding properties along Main Street also follow this pattern, perhaps suggesting that the modern perimeters may respect plot boundaries that were established during the medieval period. The lack of known archaeological sites and find-spots in the immediate area, coupled with the apparently undeveloped nature of the majority of the site itself, suggests that the archaeological potential for surviving sub-surface deposits is moderate to good, although previously unknown deposits cannot be discounted. Further archaeological evaluation would be required to establish the extent and condition of any surviving archaeological deposits.