Archaeological Evaluation at land off Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Solihull

During spring 2025, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken at land off Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Solihull, West Midlands. The project was commissioned by RPS Consulting Services Ltd on behalf of their client, in advance of residential development. Planning permission for the development has been granted subject to a programme of archaeological works (planning reference PL/2022/02282/PPFL). An Historic Environment Assessment was submitted in support of the planning application which noted that the site, and the adjacent lands, had been occupied by a workhouse during the late 18 th and 19 th century. Reference to the mapping data indicated that a fever hospital extended into the northern portion of the proposed development area. In addition, a map of Warwickshire, produced by Thomas Kitchin during 1777, suggested that structures fronting onto Birmingham Road may have also been present on the site during the 18 th and 19 th century. Accordingly, the archaeological advisor to the local planning authority considered that the proposed development had the potential to impact upon possible heritage assets and requested an archaeological evaluation to determine the date, significance and degree of preservation of any remains in accordance with paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A total of 18no. trenches of varying length were excavated, representing a c.3% sample of the site. A total of 18no. trenches of varying length were excavated, representing a c.3% sample of the site. A series of heavily truncated linear features, comprising shallow ditches and single course brick foundations were revealed in Trenches 1 - 6 at the northern portion of the site. Reference to the historic mapping data indicated that the brick foundations revealed in Trenches 3 and 5 corresponded with the western boundary wall of a possible garden plot attached and to the north of the Meriden Union Workhouse. The very shallow ditches corresponded with the route of 19 th century paths annotated on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey mapping and likely formed relict remnants of 19 th century workhouse garden features. Trenches 11 and 13, within the southern portion of the site, revealed a series of 4no. NW-SE aligned, c.1m wide, furrows of probable post-medieval date. No other finds, features or deposits of archaeological significance were revealed during the course of the works. It is worth noting, however, that extensive modern vertical and horizontal truncation was revealed across the site, associated with the dumping, storage and removal of waste as well as ground disturbance caused by defoliation. Accordingly, the works were hampered by numerous constraints including tree stumps from recently felled trees, a dilapidated greenhouse, modern demolition debris and contamination in the form of possible asbestos sheets and hydrocarbons, which necessitated the micro-movement of several trenches. Nevertheless, the methods adopted allow a high degree of confidence that the aims of the project have been achieved. Conditions were suitable to identify the presence or absence of archaeological features. It is considered that the nature, density and distribution of archaeological features provides an accurate characterisation of the development site as a whole.