Archaeological Field Evaluation at Padley Chapel, Grindleford, Derbyshire

A proposal was submitted to the Peak District National Park Authority for the construction of a toilet block at Padley Chapel, Grindleford. The archaeological implications of the proposal could not be adequately assessed with the available information and the Peak District National Park Authority placed a requirement for an archaeological field evaluation be undertaken in accordance with the DOE Planning Policy Guideline - Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16 1990). ARCUS was commissioned by Smith and Roper, Architects and Surveyors to undertake the archaeological field evaluation. A single L-shaped trench was excavated with the footprint of the proposed building. Two sub-rectangular features of archaeological significance were identified. These were interpreted as being post holes for large, stone gateposts common in the area around the site, which had probably been removed in the twentieth century. All the finds recovered were identified as being of the late post medieval period.