Archaeological Desk Based Assessment at 30 Inns Court, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS4 1TX

Border Archaeology was instructed to carry out an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment with regard to a proposed extension to the north side of 30 Inns Court Green Whitchurch Bristol BS4 1TX, together with associated redevelopment and landscaping works. Border Archaeology was instructed to carry out an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment with regard to a proposed extension to the north side of 30 Inns Court Green Whitchurch Bristol BS4 1TX, together with associated redevelopment and landscaping works, the results of which can be briefly summarised thus: Prehistoric: The potential for prehistoric remains has been assessed as Low, reflecting the absence of evidence for activity dating to this period within the study area. Romano-British: The potential to encounter evidence of Romano-British activity has been assessed as High. This assessment reflects the identification of multiple building foundations and associated features of 2nd to 4th century date in an area located only c. 10m south of the site. The assessment also takes into account the identification of a farmstead and enclosed settlement of this date in the wider study area, with evidence of metalworking and agricultural activity of 1st to 4th century date also encountered. It is therefore considered that there is notable potential to encounter further Romano-British structural and boundary features within the site. It is likely that later development activity will have disturbed earlier features to some extent but the identification of residual material of this date during investigations elsewhere suggests the archaeological resource within the site is unlikely to have been completely destroyed. Medieval: The potential to encounter medieval archaeology has been assessed as High. This assessment primarily reflects the documentary, archaeological and structural evidence relating to Inns Court, a manor house of 14th-15th century origin identified to the immediate south of the site, the surviving Grade II* Listed 16th century stair turret of which has been incorporated into Holy Cross Inns Court Vicarage. Walls probably associated with the manor house were also identified in the area to the west of the vicarage during excavations undertaken in 1997, with sherds of 14th century pottery also recovered. As such, there is significant potential for the discovery of features or finds associated with medieval activity in the vicinity of the site and possibly for structural remains such as outbuildings. It is however acknowledged that later development activity may have disturbed any such features. Post-Medieval: The potential to encountering evidence of a post-medieval date has been assessed as Moderate. This assessment principally reflects the evolving use of the manor house to the south of the site, which had become a farmstead by the 19th century, and the associated features indicated within the site on historic mapping. These features included a pond, a footpath and a small outbuilding associated with Inns Court. While there is potential that the construction of Woodcroft Aged Persons Home within the site in the 1960s damaged or destroyed evidence of these features, it is still considered that archaeological evidence of these features and other aspects of land use around the manor house and farmstead may survive within the site. Overall Conclusion: The archaeological potential of the site has been assessed in overall terms as High, with particular reference to encountering archaeological remains associated with Romano-British and medieval activity. This assessment principally reflects the significant evidence of Romano-British and medieval occupation identified during archaeological excavations only c.10m south of the site, coupled with evidence from documentary sources, with further significant evidence for Romano-British settlement and associated activity identified in the wider study area.