In order to characterise the archaeological potential of land to the northeast of George V playing fields, Northaw Road East, Cuffley, Hertfordshire, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the owners to undertake an archaeological field evaluation following the results of a desk-based assessment and a geophysical survey. This work was in advance of a planning application to the local planning authority for a housing development. Twenty three trenches were excavated across the site, revealing only two late post-medieval hedgerow field boundaries located in four of the trenches, which correspond with the results of a previous geophysical survey undertaken and the results of historical mapping. No other archaeological finds, features or deposits were present in any of the trial trenches. The site appears to have been under cultivation for most of its history which would explain the lack of archaeological density. Additionally, the effects of ploughing may have destroyed evidence of any earlier archaeological features on the site. On the basis of the results of the evaluation, the risk that the proposed development might disturb significant archaeological remains may be considered to be Low for all periods prior to the post-medieval period and moderate to High for remains of the post-medieval and modern date. However, the importance of any such features should they be encountered may be regarded as Low.
G Jones (Thu,) studied this question.