Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Valley View, Valley View Road, Heptonstall, West Yorkshire

In September 2007, ARCUS were commissioned by Strata Construction Ltd to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment at Valley View, Valley View Road, Heptonstall, Halifax, West Yorkshire (SD 987 280). The assessment was required as a planning condition for residential redevelopment of the site. The desk- based assessment comprised a site visit, documentary and cartographic research. The site is close to the 13th-century church of St Thomas Becket and the main street of Heptonstall, Towngate. By the 18th century it was part of a farm known as Ogdens Land, and may have previously been part of an open field. The site was not adjacent to any lanes in the post-medieval period, suggesting that it is unlikely to have contained any dwellings, although it is possible that other activities may have been undertaken within the vicinity. A barn or outbuilding was recorded at the northern side of the application area in the early 20th century. Hepton Drive and Valley View were laid out in the second half of the 20th century, and the old peoples flats complex was built after 1967. No prehistoric to Roman sites have been recorded within the 1km search area around the site, although no recent archaeological fieldwork has been undertaken within this area, meaning that there is little detailed information on the archaeological background of the site. The old peoples flats (demolished during the preparation of this report) are likely to have caused some damage to sub-surface deposits, particularly in the central area and at the western side of the building, where the site was terraced in some areas and raised in others to provide level floor surfaces. Further archaeological fieldwork, such as trial trenching, would be required to assess the extent, nature and condition of surviving sub-surface archaeological deposits.