Planning Case Study 23

Able UK Ltd, East Halton (c. 1.5km north of no. 24), North Lincolnshire.

2009-2017

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

Major planning application and EIA for commercial port-related storage facilities.

Local planning authority

Authority: North Lincolnshire Council
References: PA/2009/0600; PA/2015/1264

Development proposal

Planning permission to erect buildings and use land for purposes within Use Classes A3, C1, B1, B2 and B8 for port-related storage and associated service facilities together with amenity landscaping and habitat creation, including flood defences, new railway siding, estate roads, sewage and drainage facilities - 388ha.

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

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

Archaeological/planning processes

A desk-based assessment and some non-invasive surveys were undertaken for a Heritage Assessment in 2009 as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment.

Pre-determination evaluation of Phases 1 & 2 (of 7) of the development was completed in 2010, revealing a hitherto unknown landscape of regularly spaced Iron Age and Romano-British settlements located along the former saltmarsh. Phases 1 & 2 have since been fully archaeologically investigated as provided for by a pre-commencement condition on the planning permission, and are awaiting commencement of the development. Mitigation of the remaining areas has also been secured as part of the framework for archaeological evaluation and mitigation.

After a hiatus, evaluation continued in 2017 with a geophysical survey that has identified further Iron Age/Romano British settlement across the rest of the site.

Outcomes: archaeological

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

The developer is aware of the potential delays that could be caused by unexpected archaeology turning up just before or during development and is willing to commission both the post-determination evaluation and mitigation works in good time in relation to their plans.

References and links/bibliography

  • AC Archaeology 2010, Able UK Humber Ports Facility - PA/2009/0600 Framework for archaeological evaluation and mitigation strategies. Unpublished report.
  • Allen Archaeology Ltd, 2018 Archaeological Assessment Report and Updated Project Design: Able Humber Port, East Halton & North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire. Unpublished report.