Planning Case Study 168

Land north of Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington, County Durham

Dates: 2016-2017

Planning scenario(s)

1 - Pre-determination assessment/evaluation identified significant new heritage assets
7 - Pre-commencement archaeological conditions were attached to a planning permission

Heritage assets affected

Undesignated heritage assets with archaeological and historic interest.

Type of application & broad category

Major, residential

Local planning authority

Authority: Darlington Borough Council

References: Pre-Application enquiry (16/00048/PREAPP), followed by outline application (16/00886/OUT)

Development proposal

Outline planning permission for the erection of up to 100 dwellings.

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

Cropmarks of uncertain identification had been recorded east and north of the development site. There was nothing recorded on the HER within the site boundary.

Archaeological/planning processes

A greenfield site over the Durham County Council 1 ha threshold for evaluation.

A desk-based assessment identified and mapped cropmarks within the site boundary, and recommended geophysical survey.

The geophysical survey showed very clearly that the cropmarks were evidence of a series of ditched enclosures with internal features, probably a settlement.

Subsequent trial trenching broadly confirmed the results of the survey, identifying a settlement of 2nd – 4th century Roman date.

A pre-commencement planning condition was attached to the planning permission requiring a programme of archaeological investigation, recording, analysis, publication and archiving.

Outcomes: archaeological

The excavations recorded a Roman settlement, including a sandstone building, other structures, a kiln for making tiles, and a well. A regionally significant site in an area where evidence of Roman settlement is not very common.

Post-excavation is currently in progress.

References and links/bibliography

  • Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment. Unpublished report, no 4031.
  • Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington: Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report, no 4052.
  • Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees: geophysical survey phase two. Unpublished report, no 4132.
  • Archaeological Services Durham University 2016, Hurworth-on-Tees: archaeological evaluation. Unpublished report, no 4212.