Heritage Assessment, Geophysical Survey at Homewood Solar Farm

The desk-based research and impact assessment were undertaken in accordance with the relevant guidance and in line with the SWARCH HIA methodology3. The site was visited on the 1st April 2025 by F. Balmond. The location of the proposed development was inspected, and the adjacent heritage assets visited. Photographs of the site of the proposed array were taken to and from the heritage assets are included in this report. The geophysical (gradiometer) survey was undertaken in accordance with current best practice and CIfA guidance; and follows the guidance outlined in Geophysical Survey in Archaeological Field Evaluation (English Heritage 2008); Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (2020); EAC Guidelines for the use of geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016). 'Archaeological geophysical survey uses non-intrusive and non-destructive techniques to determine the presence or absence of anomalies likely to be caused by archaeological features, structures or deposits, as far as reasonably possible, within a specified area or site on land, in the inter-tidal zone or underwater. Geophysical survey determines the presence of anomalies of archaeological potential through measurement of one or more physical properties of the subsurface.' (Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey 2020). The results of the survey will, as far as possible, inform on the presence or absence, character, extent and in some cases, apparent relative phasing of buried archaeology to better understand any heritage assets on the site within their immediate context and potentially inform a strategy to mitigate any threat to the archaeological resource. HIA - The PV panels are assumed to be south facing and therefore are considered likely to have some impacts on nearby heritage assets, namely the high value assets at Hinton Priory which may experience a moderate adverse effect. Some mitigation measures are proposed below which would, to some extent, ameliorate the effects of the development. It is recommended that further screening of the site particularly to the south and west may help to mitigate for the impacts upon the high value heritage assets located to the south of the site. An alternative would be to locate the proposed PV panels at the northern end of the field and to introduce screening in the form of a new field boundary; this would likely provide the greater reduction in harm. Geophysical outcomes - The geophysical survey supports the conclusion of the HIA that the archaeological potential of the site is likely to be low. However, any impact on an unproven buried archaeological resource would be permanent and irreversible. Whilst further archaeological works, such as targeted evaluation trenching would validate and clarify the results of this phase of geophysical survey and aid to confirm the presence or absence and condition and context of any buried archaeology resource on the site. It is considered that there is little merit for undertaking in this instance.