SDO12352 - Chantmarle (Former Police Training College) Cattistock, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation

On January 18th 1996 Wessex Archaeology undertook an archaeological trial trenching evaluation in connection with a proposed residential development at the site of the former Police Training College, Chantmarle House, near Cattistock, Dorset (centred on ST 587 023). The site is known to have been subject to extensive disturbance in the past. Prior to the evaluation an assessment of the archaeological potential of the site had identified localised areas which appeared to represent intact ground surfaces. These areas were targeted for trial trenches. Three trial trenches were excavated. Although each trench contained evidence for ground disturbance and/or intrusions of some sort (e.g. field drains, oil pipe) areas of intact ground surfaces and soil profiles were recorded, that is, areas with the potential for the survival of archaeological deposits or features. However, no deposits of archaeological significance were encountered in the trenches. A very small collection of finds was made, only one of which - a small sherd of medieval pottery dated 14th/15th century - is of archaeological interest. Overall, the results of the evaluation suggest that there is a low potential for archaeological activity in the evaluation areas. It does not, therefore, appear that the proposed development will incur an impact on deposits of archaeological significance.