Geophysical Survey, Heritage Assessment at Land at Tregenna Lane

This archaeological assessment was undertaken in accordance with best practice. The heritage assessment follows the guidance outlined in: Conservation Principles: policies and guidance for the sustainable management of the historic environment (English Heritage 2008), The Setting of Heritage Assets (Historic England 2015), Seeing History in the View (English Heritage 2011), Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Setting (Historic Scotland 2010), and with reference to Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3rd Edition (Landscape Institute 2013). The impact assessment also follows the guidance outlined in the Principles of Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment in the UK produced by CIfA, IHBC and IEMA in July 2021. The gradiometer survey follows the general guidance as outlined in: EAC Guidelines for the use of geophysics in Archaeology: Questions to Ask and Points to Consider (Europae Archaeologiae Consilium/European Archaeological Council 2016) and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Geophysical Survey (CIfA 2014). The geophysical survey identified 19 groups of anomalies comprising c.231 anomalies. These were a mix of linear ditch and/or bank features associated with phases of the existing and historic fieldsystem and pits associated with possible mining or quarrying activities. The results of the geophysical survey would suggest that the archaeological potential for the site is high. Many of the identified features relate to historic phases of field-system, some reflecting boundaries depicted on cartographic sources from the mid-19th century, other phases of the same field-system tentatively suggested as being medieval and post-medieval in date, though with possible earlier (prehistoric) origins. The majority of the features, however, appear to be associated with possible mineral prospection and mining activity. There are five listed structures (all Grade II), of which one is also a Scheduled Monument; and parts of a World Heritage Site and Conservation Area, within 500m of the site. A site visit indicates that screening from local topography, hedgerows and trees is very comprehensive and that even those assets in relative proximity to the site are largely insulated from any visual effect. As a result the majority of the designated structures were deemed unlikely to experience an appreciable impact. With this in mind, the indirect impact of the proposed development can be assessed as negligible adverse. The impact of the development on any buried archaeological resource may be permanent and irreversible and the archaeological potential is considered unknown, though the geophysical survey indicates that the potential is high.