Winscott Farm, Soulbury, Buckinghamshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching

The trial trenching took place on 2nd September 2024 and comprised ten trenches. The initial eight trenches set out in the WSI were amended due to on-site constraints, with the altered ten trenches each 6.5-30m long and 1.8m wide. The only trench with the original proposed length and position was Trench 6. Changes to the trench lengths and locations were approved prior to their alteration by the BCSAO. The trenches were set out by dGPS survey and tied into the national grid. They were opened using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat-edged bucket, operated by an experienced driver under constant archaeological supervision. The spoil from each trench was scanned for artefacts. All investigation and recording was carried out by experienced Albion Archaeology staff. All archaeological features or deposits in the trenches were cleaned and recorded using Albion Archaeology's pro forma sheets where possible. All deposits were assigned a unique context number, commencing at 100 for Trench 1, 200 for Trench 2 etc. Each trench was subsequently drawn and photographed as appropriate. Outline planning permission (19/04199/APP) was granted by Buckinghamshire Council for Land at Winscott Farm, Stewkley Road, Soulbury. The development work comprises the demolition of some existing structures and the erection of new buildings to provide a total of six dwellings, including extensions to the farmhouse and the extension and conversion of several existing barns. The planning consent was conditional on implementing a programme of archaeological work before any development began. In order to assess the potential of the land around the farm buildings to contain sub-surface archaeological remains, Albion Archaeology was commissioned to undertake a programme of trial trenching, which took place on 2nd September 2024. Ten trenches were excavated, revealing only modern features relating to the use of Winscott Farm since the 19th century. Nothing of earlier archaeological provenance was identified, suggesting that the planned development is unlikely to have a significant negative impact on any archaeological remains.