The DBA follows the 2020 updated Chartered Institute for Archaeologists' (CIfA) Standard and Guidance for Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment, and Historic England's Conservation Principles, Policies and Guidance (Historic England, 2008). The CIfA guidance outlines the necessity of the DBA to enable appropriate mitigation strategies where necessary, in line with the local and national policies in place The following actions have been undertaken for this assessment: � An examination of local, regional and national planning policies in relation to the historic environment; � A search of the Historic England National Heritage List for England (NHLE) dataset for designated heritage assets within the study area; � A search of the West Berkshire and Wilshire HER for archaeological sites, archaeological findspots, locally listed buildings, archaeological priority areas and archaeological event locations within the study area; � A search of the relevant published and unpublished archaeological sources within the wider area via the Archaeological Data Service (ADS); � A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) database for additional findspots within the study area; � An examination of relevant aerial imagery held by the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP); � An examination of Google Earth Pro, for historic images; � An examination of the British Geological Survey (BGS) data; � An inspection of the cartographic evidence for the land use history of the Site; � An examination of the other available online historic sources (identified in footnotes where relevant); and � A research visit to the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre was undertaken on 28th of June 2022. This assessment has been carried out to assess the likely historic environment impacts of the Scheme. This assessment has incorporated a review of the available data from both the Wiltshire and West Berkshire HER within the study area. Within the study area there is a Conservation Area, a Grade II Registered Park and Garden, four Grade II* and 147 Grade II listed buildings. There is likely to be no permanent impact on the significance of these assets, as there are no physical changes to the assets or works that would impact their settings proposed. There is the potential for temporary impacts to the heritage value of the designated Chilton Foliat Conservation Area, Skates Corner, Mill Cottage, Undy's Farm House, The Mill House and Bridge House. This is due to the possible temporary changes to the settings of the assets by temporary construction works associated with the Scheme. No permanent changes to the settings of these designated assets is anticipated. For within the Site, the potential for buried paleoenvironmental remains is considered to be low, it is considered to be medium for Roman, early medieval, post-medieval and modern remains and high for prehistoric and medieval remains. The route of the proposed new rising main is located in agricultural land which has had minimal disturbance, as evidenced by historical mapping and aerial photography, any development at this location is likely to impact archaeological remains (if present) due to their removal or truncation.
Niamh Carty (Sat,) studied this question.