Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street Bridgnorth Shropshire...1.6 Despite no reference of the town in the...
Transcript of Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street Bridgnorth Shropshire...1.6 Despite no reference of the town in the...
Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street Bridgnorth
Shropshire
Archaeological Watching Brief
November 2013
for
on behalf of
CgMs Consulting
McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles Limited
CA Project: 4167 CA Report: 13568
Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street Bridgnorth Shropshire
Archaeological Watching Brief
CA Project: 4167 CA Report: 13568
prepared by Tom Weavill, Project Supervisor
date 8 November 2013
checked by Richard Young, Project Manager
date 11 November 2013
approved by Cliff Bateman, Principal Fieldwork Manager
signed
date 12 November 2013
issue 01
This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely
at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.
© Cotswold Archaeology
Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover
Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House
Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Wadworth Road
Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire
Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 2
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3
The site .............................................................................................................. 3
Archaeological background ................................................................................ 3
Archaeological objectives ................................................................................... 5
Methodology....................................................................................................... 5
2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) ......................................................................................... 6
3. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 7
4. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 7
5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 7
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................... 9
APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM........................................................................... 10
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2 The site, showing location of observed groundworks (1:250)
Fig. 3 Photograph
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
SUMMARY
Project Name: Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street
Location: Bridgnorth, Shropshire
NGR: SO 71282 93100
Type: Watching Brief
Date: 20 August and 11 and 14 October 2013
Planning Reference: Shropshire Council 11/01349/FUL
Location of Archive: To be deposited with Shrewsbury Museum and Art Galley
Site Code: RGS 13
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during
groundworks associated with the construction of retirement apartments, car parks and
landscaped gardens at Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and
no artefactual material was recovered. The continuations of a cellar wall and a brick surface
revealed during previous evaluation of the site (CA 2013) were not present within the
observed groundworks. It is likely that the late post-medieval buildings, which fronted on to
Salop Street (CgMs 2011b), were demolished and removed during the modern period, most
probably immediately prior to the construction of the former garage complex in the mid 20th
century.
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 In August and October 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an
archaeological watching brief for CgMs Consulting, on behalf of McCarthy & Stone
Retirement Lifestyles Limited, at Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth,
Shropshire (centred on NGR: SO 71282 93100 Fig. 1). The watching brief was
undertaken as planning permission granted by Shropshire Council (SC; ref.
11/01349/FUL) for the construction of retirement apartments, car parks and
landscaped gardens on the site had a condition (no. 15) requiring the
implementation of a programme of archaeological work.
1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with an Archaeological Mitigation
Strategy prepared by CgMs Consulting (2011a) and approved by Mick Krupa and
Andy Wigley of the Historic Environment Team, SC. The fieldwork also followed the
Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2009), the
Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991) and the
Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project
Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).
The site
1.3 The proposed development is 0.55 ha in extent, and comprises a former car
showroom, filling station, garages, and repair workshops in various stages of
demolition, as well as car parking. The site lies at approximately 66m AOD and is
located on a rocky outcrop with the ground level dropping away significantly beyond
the southern and eastern boundaries. The site is bounded to the north by Salop
Street, to the south and east by residential properties and to the west by a car park.
1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Bridgnorth Sandstone
Formation of the Permian period (BGS 2013). Natural gravels overlying the
sandstone bedrock were encountered during the watching brief.
Archaeological background
1.5 An extensive desk-based assessment was carried out by CgMs Consulting (2011b).
This information is summarised below.
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
1.6 Despite no reference of the town in the Domesday Book, Bridgnorth developed into
an important medieval centre for manufacture and trade and is included in Matthew
Paris's map of Great Britain c.1340 (Buteux 1996). The current site lies outside the
limits of the medieval town defences but in close proximity to the West Gate (also
called Hungry Gate or St Mary's Gate) (Historic Environment Record (HER) 00375).
Tenement plots extend westward from Pound Street into the site (HER 05682). The
mapped extent of the undefended medieval town on the HER encompasses part of
the eastern third of the site (HER 6044). The medieval street system recorded by the
HER (HER 05647) includes Salop Street which forms the northern boundary of the
site.
1.7 The HER contains two post-medieval entries for the site. The tenement plots south
of Salop Street are described as post-medieval expansion of the town (HER 06042)
and the post-medieval extent of the town is also recorded (HER 06045).
1.8 The earliest map available is the Plan of Bridgnorth from 1777. The alignment of
modern-day Salop Street is depicted and there are buildings fronting Salop Street
from within the site. The current site spans four plots of land (CgMs 2011b, Figure
2).
1.9 Salop Street is labelled as Towns End on the 1835 Plan of Bridgnorth (CgMs 2011b,
Figure 3). The map shows ribbon development along Salop Street/Towns End,
extending west from the town itself. Three buildings are mapped fronting this road,
with an out-building to the rear.
1.10 The First Edition Ordnance Survey map dated 1884 (CgMs 2011b, Figure 5)
continues to show two of the buildings fronting Salop Street that were depicted on
the 1835 Plan (CgMs 2011b, Figure 3). There are also three additional buildings
further to the west within the site. Structures to the rear of the buildings fronting
Salop Street are noted in the east of the site. The south-west corner shows a
possible irregular structure. The remaining southern two thirds of the site are
undeveloped at this stage.
1.11 The 1962 Ordnance Survey map (CgMs 2011b, Figure 7) shows that the site had
been redeveloped and now closely resembles its present layout. The rear of the site
was now being utilised with lockup garages along the southern boundary and also in
the centre of the site. A building is marked as a garage in the east. The south-east
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
limit of the site is illustrated with hachures indicating a steep slope. This evidence
exaggerates the natural topography of the site and indicates that the ground has
been raised at this point to create a level platform for the erection of the garage
buildings. The western boundary now has buildings along its full length.
1.12 Building recording was carried out as a condition (no. 15) of planning consent to
demolish a non-designated building in a Conservation Area (CA 2012). A
photographic record and a floor plan of each storey was made and alterations to the
fabric of “The Lodge” (the building on the western boundary) over time noted.
1.13 In January and February 2013 CA carried out an archaeological evaluation of the
site. Five trenches were excavated. A single post-medieval pit was revealed in the
eastern part of the site sealed by a post-medieval cultivation deposit (CA 2013). This
post-medieval cultivation deposit extended across the majority of the southern part
of the site. A probable cellar wall was revealed in the northern part of the site
fronting Salop Street. A possible brick surface, 412, was also revealed to the west of
the cellar wall (see Fig. 2).
Archaeological objectives
1.14 The objectives of the archaeological works were:
to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried
archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development
groundworks;
at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work
and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions
that can be drawn from the recorded data.
Methodology
1.15 The fieldwork followed the general methodology set out within the Archaeological
Mitigation Strategy (CgMs Consulting 2011a). Following agreement between Mick
Krupa, SC, and Cathy Patrick, CgMs, the archaeological watching brief was to be
undertaken during intrusive groundworks within 10m of Salop Street. This comprised
the monitoring of the excavation of a service trench (trench 6) in the eastern portion
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
of the watching brief area and a foundation trench (trench 7) excavated in the
western part of the watching brief area (Fig. 2).
1.16 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic
records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork
Recording Manual (2007).
1.17 The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble
and will be deposited with Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery. A summary of
information from this project, set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the
OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.
2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)
Service trench (trench 6)
2.1 A service trench in the eastern part of the watching brief area was excavated to a
depth of 64.38m AOD (1.5m bpgl). The natural red sand and gravels 601 were
encountered at a depth of 65.58m AOD. This was overlain by stone and rubble
hardcore 600, interpreted as a make-up layer for a former tarmac surface that was
recorded during the evaluation (CA 2013) but which had been removed by the time
of the watching brief.
Foundation trench (trench 7)
2.2 Foundation trench 7 was excavated across the northern part of the watching brief
area to a depth of 64.25m AOD (1.18m bpgl). The natural red sands and gravels
703 were encountered at 67.25m AOD. The cellar wall, 404, identified during the
preceding evaluation was identified. It was shown to extend only 0.5m to the east
before being completely truncated. The natural and wall were covered by demolition
deposit 702, a mixed deposit containing fragments of brick and mortar. This was
covered by tarmac surface 701, formerly the garage forecourt.
2.2 No features, deposits or artefacts of archaeological interest pre-dating the late post-
medieval period were observed during groundworks.
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
3. DISCUSSION
3.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological
background above and CgMs 2011b), the watching brief identified no archaeological
remains pre-dating the late post-medieval period within the area of observed
groundworks.
3.2 The cellar wall, 404, identified during the preceding evaluation (CA 2013) was
revealed during the current works and was seen to continue for only 0.5m beyond
the limit of the evaluation trench before becoming completely truncated by 20th-
century activity. The presence of brick and mortar within layer 702 probably
originates from the demolition of the wall. Cartographic evidence appears to show
the cellar wall relates to a structure present on an 1835 plan of Bridgnorth (CgMs
2011b; see Fig. 2 below).
3.3 The brick surface 412 recorded during the evaluation (CA 2013) was not found
during groundworks as the depth of the surface was recorded as 65.25m AOD and
the depth of the foundation trench in this area was 65.43m AOD. The brick surface
probably relates to the structure depicted on the 1835 plan of Bridgnorth which
fronted onto Salop Street (CgMs 2011b; see Fig. 2 below).
4. CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Tom Weavill who also wrote the report. The
illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Tom
Weavill and prepared for deposition by Jon Hart. The project was managed for CA
by Richard Young.
5. REFERENCES
BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 Geology of Britain Viewer
http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geology viewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 13 March
2013
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
Buteux, V. eds 1996 Archaeological Assessment of Bridgnorth Shropshire
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2012 Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire:
Historic Building Report. CA typescript report 12288
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire:
Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 13086
CgMs Consulting 2011a Archaeological Mitigation Strategy: Rutters Garage, Salop Street,
Bridgnorth, Ref: CP/12079
CgMs Consulting 2011b Archaeological Desk Based Assessment: Rutters Garage, Salop
Street, Bridgnorth
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTION
Trench No.
Context No.
Type Fill of Context interpretation
Description L (m) W (m) Depth/ thickness (m)
Spot-date
6 600 Layer Rubble Stone and rubble hardcore levelling for the previously removed tarmac surface
>7.94 >0.86 0.20
6 601 Layer Natural substrate
Mid reddish brown silty sand >7.94 >0.86
7 700 Layer Pile mat Rubble and hardcore >34 >2 0.60
7 701 Layer Surface Tarmac and concrete >34 >2 0.03
7 702 Layer Demolition deposit
Dark reddish brown sandy silt with brick and mortar inclusions
>34 >2 0.90
7 703 Layer Natural substrate
Same as 601 >34 >2
7 704 Fill 705 Fill of service trench
Grey reddish brown sandy clay >8.4 >0.5 >1.3
7 705 Cut Service trench Vertical sided cut >8.4 >0.5 >1.3
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Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Short description
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold
Archaeology during groundworks associated with the construction
of retirement apartments, car parks and landscaped gardens at
Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed
during groundworks, and no artefactual material was recovered.
The continuations of a cellar wall and a brick surface revealed
during previous evaluation of the site (CA 2013) were not present
within the observed groundworks. It is likely that the buildings,
which fronted on to Salop Street (CgMs 2011b), were demolished
and removed during the modern period, most probably immediately
prior to the construction of the former garage complex in the mid
20th century.
Project dates 20 August and 11 and 14 October 2013
Project type Watching brief
Previous work Desk-based Assessment (CgMs Consulting 2011), Evaluation (CA 2013)
Future work Unknown
PROJECT LOCATION
Site Location Rutters Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Study area 0.55ha
Site co-ordinates SO 71282 93100
PROJECT CREATORS
Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology
Project Brief originator Shropshire Council
Project Design (WSI) originator CgMs Consulting
Project Manager Richard Young
Project Supervisor Tom Weavill
MONUMENT TYPE None
SIGNIFICANT FINDS None
PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive (museum/Accession no.)
Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)
Physical None None
Paper Shrewsbury Museum and Art Galley Trench sheets, digital photo register
Digital Shrewsbury Museum and Art Galley Digital photos
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Rutter’s Garage, Salop Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 13568
site
Shropshire
CotswoldArchaeology
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A4
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
N
0 1km
Site location plan
Rutters Garage, Salop StreetBridgnorth, Shropshire
4167LGLM 1
25-10-2013001:25,000
Reproduced from the 2007 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109
c
CotswoldArchaeology
Cirencester 01285 771022
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A4
PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY
3
25-10-201300N/A
4167LGLM 3
Rutters Garage, Salop StreetBridgnorth, Shropshire
Photograph
3 View of groundworks, looking north-west