This Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment (DBA) has been prepared by Mott MacDonald (MM) on behalf of Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) for Severn Trent Water. This DBA is required to support a planning application for the construction of a new motor control centre (MCC) kiosk at Loughborough Sewage Treatment Works (STW) in Loughborough, Leicestershire at National Grid Reference (NGR) SK 53032 21267 (hereafter referred to as 'Area 1') which will require planning permission. This DBA will also assess impacts to the historic environment arising from a new pipeline connection to the north of the STW, located at NGR SK 52902 21811 (hereafter referred to as 'Area 2') that will be undertaken as permitted development. Area 1 remained predominantly rural and undeveloped until the construction of a sewage farm during the late 19th century. Circa 1974, the Loughborough Sewage Treatment Works was also constructed across the area of the former sewage farm. Area 2 has remained a greenfield site with no prior development. This area has generally been in use as agricultural and pastoral land, which is now used as a nature reserve. The potential for any unknown archaeological remains is considered to be low in Area 1. Therefore, no further work is recommended due to the existence of the current STW which likely has truncated and/or removed any surviving archaeological remains. Works as part of Area 2 will be completed under permitted development rights. The pipeline construction will be undertaken as an open cut trench. In line with best practice, a programme of Archaeological Monitoring and Recording (Watching Brief) may be appropriate.
Rebecca Dolan (Wed,) studied this question.