Wincote Solar Site, Eccleshall: Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment

A desk-based assessment of the historic environment baseline conditions at a site on land at Wincote Farm, Wootton, Eccleshall and a 1km buffer of the site boundary. Data was reviewed from the Staffordshire HER and Historic England. Included a site walkover, and a review of historic mapping, aerial photographs and LiDAR. Also included an assessment of the likely effects of the proposed development on the known and potential heritage assets, with conclusions and recommendations to avoid, reduce or mitigate the effects. The historic map regression and historical background have shown that the proposed development site is located within a post medieval agricultural landscape, which developed from the open fields which supported Eccleshall and the smaller hamlets and villages surrounding it. The assessment concludes that there will be limited settings impacts to the nearby Grade II listed Cash Farmhouse, and the non-designated Johnson Hall and its associated landscape park. The report also assesses that there is a high potential for unknown heritage assets of archaeological interest dating to the post medieval period to survive within the proposed development site. A programme of archaeological works and appropriate screening are recommended to adequately mitigate the predicted impacts to the surrounding heritage assets and below-ground remains.