Evaluation at Bromsgrove Golf Course, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

During late autumn 2025 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken at Bromsgrove Golf Course, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire (NGR SO 97043 70836). The project was commissioned by Tor and Co. Planning Ltd. on behalf of Blenheim Strategic Partners in advance of proposed development. Comprising one 1.5ha field, sub-divided into three partitions, the Site is located within the extreme north-west of a wider c.38ha development area centred on the grounds of Bromsgrove Golf Course. The Historic Environment Advisor at Bromsgrove District Council (the Curator) considered that the proposed development has the potential to impact upon possible finds, features or deposits of archaeological significance within the Site as a geophysical survey across the wider gold course identified a number of anomalies that may be archaeological in origin, including a possible rectilinear enclosure. Accordingly, the Curator requested a phase of evaluation trenching be undertaken in order to determine the date, significance and degree of preservation of any archaeological features in accordance with paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework (MHCLG 2025). The evaluation results revealed no evidence of any settlement activity or past occupation of the Site with most potential archaeological features observed having a natural or animal-created origin. Although the presence and location of a possible archaeological feature identified by the geophysical survey was confirmed within Trench 1, with Ditch 104 accurately correlating with the southern side of the possible rectilinear enclosure suggested in the geophysical survey interpretation, the northern side of this putative enclosure was not present and it would appear likely that the differential response was caused by a band of natural gravels extending through the sandy natural substrate. Ditch 104 contained no finds or settlement waste, therefore it seems unlikely to have been located close to any significant settlement activity. The ditch did not correspond with any features annotated on the historic mapping and was interpreted as a probable relict field boundary of uncertain date. The ditch was not parallel or coaxially aligned with any modern boundaries so may potentially be of earlier provenance than the post-medieval period. The methods adopted allow a high degree of confidence that the aims of the project have been achieved. Conditions were suitable in all of the trenches to identify the presence or absence of archaeological features. It is considered that the nature, density and distribution of archaeological features provide an accurate characterisation of the development site as a whole.