Planning Case Study 113
167 Barnwood Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Planning scenario(s)
Heritage assets affected
Undesignated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest
Type of application & broad category
Local planning authority
Authority: Gloucester City Council
References: 12/00686/FUL
Development proposal
Demolition of existing building and erection of Class A1 food store and 12 no. apartments with associated cycle and car parking facilities.
Archaeological information known about the site before the planning application was made, or before the development commenced, as appropriate
While outside the historic core of Gloucester this development site was located next to a known Roman road in an area that had previously produced evidence for settlement and burial activity of Roman date.
A World War II civil defence fire station building was present on the site.
Archaeological/planning processes
A desk-based assessment was undertaken, followed by limited on site evaluation (two trenches). The scope of the evaluation was restricted by standing buildings and by the access needs of businesses operating on the site.
The desk-based assessment indicated "some potential for below ground archaeological remains, particularly of Roman or medieval date... not of such significance so as to require preservation in situ, or that would influence the development design" (Cotswold Archaeology 2012). It was thought probable that previous development on the site would have heavily disturbed ground levels.
The evaluation identified Roman features of the mid 1st /early 2nd century AD including a pit, ditch, possible trackway and walls that were aligned with nearby Roman Ermin Street, as well as some medieval features.
A pre-commencement planning condition requiring further evaluation and any appropriate mitigation was the only way to allow the application to proceed. Following the granting of planning permission evaluation found significant archaeological remains of Roman date.
Outcomes: archaeological
A collection of 1st century AD pottery, metalwork and glass had been deposited in one of several quarry pits, and an unusual cremation burial was located within a mortuary enclosure next to the Roman road.
The Roman material is of considerable significance in both a local and a national context. The unpredicted mortuary enclosure and pottery assemblage necessitated additional time and resources during the archaeological programme on site and in subsequent analysis.
The results of this investigation are published in Britannia, from which the following summary is taken:
"Excavations at Barnwood, Gloucestershire, revealed several phases of activity dating to the AD 60s. This included gravel quarrying, with one quarry pit containing a significant assemblage of pottery, metalwork and glass with strong first-century military associations. A large roadside enclosure contained ditches and a post-hole alignment; these were replaced by a square burial plot containing a post-built structure and several pits, which yielded a lead ossuarium containing cremated human remains and a collection of burnt beans and hobnails. The location of the site raises questions regarding the organisation of the military landscape around Gloucester during the first century"
(Brindle, Holbrook, and Sausins 2018).
Other outcomes/outputs e.g. other public benefit such as public engagement, research and new/changed work practices
Two public talks were given about the results of the project.
References and links/bibliography
- Cotswold Archaeology 2012, 167 Barnwood Road, Gloucester, Heritage Desk-Based Assessment. Unpublished report, CA Report 12235.
- Cotswold Archaeology 2013, 167 Barnwood Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, Archaeological Evaluation. Unpublished report, CA report 13104.
- Brindle, T, Holbrook, N, and Sausins, D, 2018, A First-Century AD Burial Plot at Barnwood, Gloucestershire: Excavations in 2013–14, Britannia 49, 147-177.
