Planning Case Study 24

Able UK Ltd, North and South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, on the south bank of the Humber estuary (c.1.5km south of Case Study no. 23)

2012-2015

Planning scenario(s)

1 - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant new heritage assets - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant archaeology on the development site (i.e. the results created significant new knowledge), especially where none was previously known in the HER.
7 - Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission - Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission and were necessary in order to enable the development to be permitted.

Heritage assets affected

Non-designated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest

Type of application & broad category

Marine Energy Park (AMEP) – 408 ha

Local planning authority

Authority: North Lincolnshire Council and National Infrastructure Commission
References: NSIP ref: TR03001; EIA; PA/2013/1034

Development proposal

Construction of manufacturing and logistics facilities to support the offshore wind industry.

Archaeological information known about the site before the planning application was made, or before the development commenced, as appropriate

An area of known archaeological potential due to previous surveys and investigations in the area including the Humber Wetlands Survey

Archaeological/planning processes

Pre-determination evaluation of the Able Marine Energy Park site in 2012 uncovered Iron Age and Roman settlement as above (Case Study no. 23). Permission was granted by the Secretary of State in 2013.

A pre-commencement condition was placed on planning approval PA/2013/1034.

Evaluation was followed by machine stripping and excavation of a total of 12ha across 11 sites.

This revealed a series of small, isolated middle Iron Age enclosures followed by a more complex pattern of late Iron Age enclosures and open settlements that extended across a large area of the Humber foreshore. Many of the large earthworks constructed during the later Iron Age were later used to form a part of an extensive Romano-British field system. These were associated with much larger, estate-like settlements that included aisled buildings, grain stores, metalworking areas.

Construction of the marine energy park is yet to commence, but the land is being used for port-related storage of vehicles.

Outcomes: archaeological

Pre-determination evaluation revealed significant new, and unexpected, archaeology in an area of known potential.

The Able UK developments on the Humber (see also Case Study no. 23) have continued intermittently for well over a decade. Completing the evaluations and mitigation works at an early stage has provided the developer with flexibility to their plans without delays for undertaking archaeological investigation at the last minute, or finding unexpected archaeological remains during the development.

References and links/bibliography

  • GSB Prospection 2010, Able UK Ltd Marine Energy Park. Unpublished report.
  • Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd 2012, Proposed Able UK Ltd Marine Energy Park, North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report.
  • Allen Archaeology Ltd 2013, Archaeological evaluation report: Able Marine Energy Park, North Killingholme. Unpublished report.
  • Allen Archaeology Ltd 2018 Archaeological Assessment Report and Updated Project Design: Able Humber Port, East Halton & North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire. Unpublished report.