Archaeological Evaluation at Archaeological Evaluation at The Paddock, Warren Lane, Cottered

The archaeological evaluation comprised the excavation of seven trenches, each measuring 20m in length by 1.8m in width (Figure 2). Trenches were set out using a Geomax Zenith 60 GPS unit. Trench 6 was re-orientated by 90 degrees from its proposed alignment due to the presence of a field boundary. The trenches were excavated under constant archaeological supervision using a mechanical excavator fitted with a 1.8m-wide toothless ditching bucket. Overburden was removed in spits not exceeding 0.15m in thickness until the natural geological horizon or the first archaeological deposits were reached. All excavation and recording followed standard Past to Present Archaeology procedures. A full written record of the stratigraphic deposits was made on standard context recording sheets. Sections were drawn at 1:20, and plans at appropriate scales. A comprehensive photographic record was made using a digital SLR camera, with trench shots, feature shots, and general site photographs. Each feature, deposit, or layer was allocated a unique context number and given a full written description. A summary of the contexts is provided in Appendix 1. No stratified archaeological finds were recovered. Modern material (brick, tile, pottery) encountered in Trench 2 was photographed but not retained. No finds were bagged or labelled as a result. No human remains were encountered during the evaluation. No environmental samples were taken, as no suitable archaeological deposits were identified. The evaluation at The Paddock, Warren Lane, Cottered, was positioned close to the medieval core of the village. The site lies only a short distance to the north/northeast of the Lordship moated site and associated manorial complex (MHT1137; MHT2745), with the parish church of St John the Baptist (MHT4335) located immediately to the north. Given this setting, there was a reasonable expectation that medieval activity, potentially relating to the manorial site, moated enclosures, or ancillary features of the settlement, might extend into the development area. In practice, the evaluation trenches were largely blank. Trenches 2 and 4 each contained single linear features, but these produced either modern finds (Trench 2) or no finds at all (Trench 4). The steep, regular form of the Trench 4 feature suggests it may represent a relatively recent drainage cut rather than a medieval boundary or enclosure ditch. No structural remains, deposits of clear medieval origin, or artefact scatters were identified across the site. While it remains possible that the undated linear feature in Trench 4 reflects peripheral or ancillary activity associated with the medieval core, the absence of diagnostic material culture or stratified deposits indicates that the development area does not preserve significant archaeological remains. The overall results therefore suggest that the PDA lay outside the principal focus of medieval settlement and activity at Cottered, and that the potential for encountering significant archaeological remains within the footprint of the proposed development is low.