Planning Case Study 61
Land At Penns Mount, Vicarage Hill, Kingsteignton, Devon
Planning scenario(s)
Heritage assets affected
Undesignated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest
Type of application & broad category
Local planning authority
Authority: Teignbridge District Council
References: 16/02222/MAJ
Development proposal
Outline application for the erection of up to 90 dwellings, access and landscaping, 4.56ha.
Archaeological information known about the site before the planning application was made, or before the development commenced, as appropriate
The application site is situated on a hilltop. Isolated flint finds have come from the area to the north of the site, and the HER has records of lynchets on hill.
Archaeological work in connection with a previous development on the lower hillslope and adjacent to part of this proposed development site revealed the entrance to a double-ditched Romano-British enclosure that contained 1st century AD pottery suggesting early occupation or contact with the Roman military. This enclosure was situated overlooking the river crossing and eastwards along the estuary where other Romano-British enclosures are recorded. The other enclosures are located 5-6 km to the east on the north side of the estuary, and therefore probably outside the scope of the desk- based assessment (see below), but when these sites are considered together they form a Romano-British landscape adjacent to the estuary rather than just isolated settlements.
Archaeological/planning processes
A desk-based assessment identified only a small collection of flint from the development site, but noted that its prominent hilltop location might have made it an attractive location for prehistoric settlement.
A programme of geophysical survey and field evaluation was undertaken. This identified the remaining two-thirds of the substantial double-ditched enclosure. The site had been truncated by ploughing and, while no internal features appeared to have survived, the ditches were well preserved. The site was readable in the landscape as a strategic Roman site, with prospects along the estuary where other Romano-British settlements are known. It is probably situated at the main crossing point of the River Teign.
Because of the significance of the early Roman enclosure it was recommended that it should be preserved in situ by excluding it from the development area.
The application was refused by the LPA on landscape and archaeology grounds, but permission was granted at a planning inquiry with a pre-commencement planning condition. The enclosure site will now be developed and will be fully excavated in advance.
Outcomes: archaeological
Complete archaeological excavation of the Romano-British enclosure.
Other outcomes/outputs e.g. other public benefit such as public engagement, research and new/changed work practices
The planning condition attached to the permission given at appeal included public interpretation:
"Condition 21 - No development shall take place until the applicant has secured the implementation of a programme of archaeological work in accordance with a written scheme of investigation, and proposals for interpretation boards, or the like, including a timetable for their installation, which have been submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The development shall be carried out at all times in strict accordance with the approved scheme, or such other details that may subsequently be agreed in writing by the local planning authority."
While the Roman enclosure site will be developed (and the site fully excavated) there will be public open days allowing access to the on-going work, as set out in the WSI.
The public open space within the development has been redesigned in the shape of a Roman shield to ‘reflect’ the heritage of the site. There will also be a time-trail in the new development and an interpretation board. The public engagement and interpretation proposals are set out in the WSI submitted to, but not yet formally approved by, the LPA.
References and links/bibliography
- AC Archaeology 2013, Land at Penns Mount, Vicarage Hill, Kingsteignton, Devon, Historic Environment Assessment. Unpublished report.
- Substrata 2015: An Archaeological Gradiometer Survey. Land at Penns Mount, Kingsteignton, Teignbridge, Devon. Unpublished report 1509PEN-R-1.
- AC Archaeology 2016: Land East of Penns Mount, Vicarage Hill, Kingsteignton, Devon, Results of an Archaeological Trench Evaluation. Unpublished report ACD1479/2/0.
- AC Archaeology 2016: Land East of Penns Mount, Vicarage Hill, Kingsteignton, Devon, Results of an Archaeological Trench Evaluation. Unpublished report ACD1479/3/0.
- AC Archaeology 2016, Land at Penns Mount, Vicarage Hill, Kingsteignton, Devon, Updated Historic Environment Assessment. Unpublished report ACD1479/4/1.
