Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Proposed Lodge House Extension Surface Mine Scheme, Derbyshire

In September 2009, ARCUS were commissioned by UK Coal Ltd to produce an archaeological desk-based assessment of land impacted by the Proposed Lodge House Extension Surface Mine Scheme, between Smalley and Shipley, Derbyshire (centred on 442208, 345176). The assessment was required in relation to the proposed opencasting of the site and comprised cartographic and documentary research, along with a site visit. The area of greatest archaeological potential appears to be the field at the north- west of the site, which contains two sides of a possible sub-rectangular enclosure. This is not recorded by the HER but is visible as a linear soilmark feature on aerial photographs and may indicate prehistoric or Romano-British settlement within the site. This feature will be destroyed by the excavation and extraction programme envisaged by the current development proposals. The majority of the proposed opencasting area appears to have been in agricultural use since the medieval period. However, bell pits indicate that coal-mining took place to the south of the site during this period and it is possible that this activity extended into the proposal area. Coal-mining also occurred in the western part of the site during the early 19th century and it is possible that sub-surface deposits associated with this activity may survive in this area. At least three 19th-century buildings stood within the site, although only one of these is likely to have associated sub-surface features.