Planning Case Study 165

The excavations in 1996-7 in advance of and during the housing development revealed extensive early to middle Anglo-Saxon settlement remains. The following summary is taken from the draft post-excavation assessment and project design of 1996:

"Two areas contained evidence for post-built double-square 'hall' type buildings, the largest c. 10 m by c. 5 m. Eight were complete and discernible in plan, a further two were seen in partial plan, and other post-holes may represent other buildings or fence lines. Of particular interest was a Saxon well with its wattle lining and other timber surviving intact. Provisional study suggested an early Saxon date for some of the pottery, although there were certainly pieces dating to the middle (Ipswich ware) and late (Thetford ware and St Neots ware) Saxon periods. The latter was associated with ditches to the north of the area, which appeared to define the rear boundaries of properties fronting Church Street. Only isolated features produced conclusively middle Saxon pottery. A small number of pits and a ditch were thought to be medieval, although dwellings had shifted elsewhere by this time. A number of post-medieval boundary ditches were also noted. These are thought to represent the boundary to 'Berrycroft', an undeveloped close in the centre of Willingham which existed prior to 1575."

A significant Anglo-Saxon settlement site was therefore recorded in advance of development. The analysis of the results remains unfinished and there is no report or publication. The premature discharge of the planning condition prevented enforcement action to secure the completion of the project.