EDO6544 - Gore Cross, Bradpole; desk-based assessment 2018

This assessment has shown that the development of the study site has the potential to cause less than substantial harm to the significance of the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, the Bradpole Conservation Area, the bowl barrow on Barrow Hill, Steeps Farmhouse and the non-designated Gore Terrace and Newfoundland. However, it has also been shown that through the implementation of simple design solutions within the study site, including: • Screening along the eastern boundary combined with a set back to the development there would help to protect the character of the views from the south (see plate 6) and mitigate the harm which could be caused to this view. • Use of open space and landscaping to break up the development would soften the effect to the views from Waddon and Watton Hills and preserve the heritage value of the views from these locations. • Finally, the retention of framed views of the church from within the development would serve to preserve the views, and also increase access to, and appreciation of the views. Furthermore, with high quality design of the residential units and careful consideration of landscaping within the proposed development a sympathetic setting for the views of the church could be achieved. Any harm to the significance of the church, farmhouse and barrow could be completely avoided. It has also been shown that with careful design of the development, in particular along the southern boundary of the study site, the effects to the Bradpole Conservation Area, Gore Terrace and Newfoundland could be reduced, and perhaps avoided altogether. It is considered that the required measures are well within the scope of normal planning practice and could be readily achieved through careful design and liaison with the LPA. As such it is considered that the development of the study site could be made acceptable through careful design. A review of the available evidence has shown that the study site may have the remains of a cursus, however this interpretation is not clear on present evidence. The geophysics also suggests that the study site may have the remnants of field boundaries dating to the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods. This assessment has concluded that, based on the available evidence and with reference to the relevant Historic England scheduled guidance, the enclosure would be of local to regional significance if it is a cursus monument. This assessment has also concluded that other remnants of Medieval and Post-Medieval field boundaries are of no more than local interest. The proposed development would also result in the loss of the archaeological remains present within the study site. While these remains are of interest, they are not thought to be of sufficient interest as to preclude development or require preservation in situ. Their loss could be mitigated by a programme of archaeological works, which would serve to characterise these remains, date them and enhance understanding of the significance of these remains and of other associated remains. In summary, the proposed development would only result in the loss of archaeological remains of local to regional significance. These remains are of interest however they are not of such significance as to require preservation in situ, or preclude development provided suitable measures are in place to mitigate their loss. Therefore, the available evidence has provided a model of the archaeological baseline which is sufficient to inform the principle of the development of the study site.