nps archaeology

01-04-17-2-1078

Blicking Hall: Multi-Use Trail, Norfolk NR11 6NG

Archaeological Monitoring

Written Scheme of Investigation

Prepared for:

Katherine Mortlock BSc (Hons) MCIIOB National Trust

Planning Ref: TBC

September 2016

nps archaeology

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Job Number 01-04-17-2-1078

Client Katherine Mortlock, National Trust

Location Blickling Hall, NR11 6NG

District North Norfolk

Planning Reference TBC

Grid Reference TG 17905 28686

Completed Robby Copsey 23-09-2016

Reviewed Ben Philip Hobbs 27-09-2016

Issue 1

Disclaimer This document has been prepared in good faith on the basis of information available at the date of publication without any independent verification for the exclusive use and benefit of the named client and for the sole purpose for which it is provided. NPS Archaeology does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or currency of the content of this document nor its usefulness in achieving any purpose. This document is not intended to nor should it be relied upon by any third party. NPS Archaeology accepts no responsibility nor liability should this document be used for any alternative purpose other than for which it is intended nor to any third party. NPS Archaeology will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on information in this document.

nps archaeology Scandic House 85 Mountergate Norwich NR1 1PY T 01603 756150 F 01603 756190 E nau.mail@nps.co.uk W nau.nps.co.uk © NPS Archaeology Ltd 2016, all rights reserved

Contents

Introduction.............................................................................................................. 1

Mitigation Strategy ................................................................................................... 3

Archaeological Monitoring ....................................................................................... 3

Post-Fieldwork Processes ....................................................................................... 4

Report and Archive .................................................................................................. 4

Timetable and Resources ....................................................................................... 6

Project Staff ............................................................................................................. 7

Quality Standards .................................................................................................... 8

General Conditions .................................................................................................. 9

Access, Health and Safety .................................................................................... 10

Insurance............................................................................................................... 11

1

Blicking Hall: Multi-Use Trail, Norfolk

NR11 6NG

Archaeological Monitoring

Written Scheme of Investigation

Introduction

1 Planning permission to improve and widen existing paths which creates a loop by building a new trail through a short section of parkland and field at Blickling Hall was granted by North Norfolk District Council and Broadland District Council with a Condition referring to archaeology. Its states that:

No development shall take place until a Written Scheme of Investigation for a programme of archaeological works has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The Scheme shall include an assessment of significance and research questions, and:

i. The programme and methodology of site investigation and recording:

ii. The programme for post investigation assessment;

iii. Provision to be made for analysis of the site investigation and recording;

iv. Provision to be made for publication and dissemination of the analysis and records of the site investigation;

v. Provision to be made for archive deposition of the analysis and records of the site investigation; and

vi. Nomination of a competent person or persons/organisation to undertake the works set out within the Written Scheme of Investigation.

The development shall then be carried out in accordance with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation

Reason:

In the interests of archaeology and in accordance with the approved Written Scheme of Investigation.

2 The Historic Environment Impact Assessment (2016) which was commissioned for inclusion with the Planning Application has highlighted two locations which will require a watching brief during the course of the construction work. These locations are denoted with a broken blue line within the relevant areas on Figure 1.

2

Area 1. (The Great Wood – at the edge where the track will skirt around the car park)

Aim of work being undertaken:

The contractor is undertaking works to install a 2.5m wide, entirely new path, finished with a crushed aggregate surface.

The purpose is to allow users of the multi-use trail to circumnavigate the car park, avoiding potential contact with vehicles.

Construction method “E” will apply to this section.

The ground excavation works will be in a margin to an approximate depth of approximately 100mm.

The building contractor will carry out excavations.

Due to the proximity of trees it is likely that the majority of the route will be excavated using the hand-dig method.

Area 2 (Bucks Common)

Aim of work being undertaken:

The contractor is undertaking works to install a 2.5m wide, entirely new path, finished with a crushed aggregate surface.

The purpose of constructing away from the existing path is to avoid damaging important trees.

Construction method “E” will apply to this section.

The ground excavation works will be in a margin to an approximate depth of approximately100mm.

The building contractor will carry out excavations.

Due to the proximity of trees it is likely that the majority of the route will be excavated using the hand-dig method.

3 The Historic Environment Impact Assessment (2016) assumes a low level of archaeological potential within these areas. The assessment identifies an archaeological bank through an existing gap immediately SW of Woodgate car park within Area 1.

4 In order to comply with planning conditions, Katherine Mortlock of the National Trust has requested that NPS Archaeology prepare a Written Scheme of Investigation detailing an appropriate programme of archaeological works to fulfil the requirements of the Brief for Archaeological Investigation and Report issued by Katherine Mortlock.

3

Mitigation Strategy

5 The programme of archaeological works presented in this document has been designed to mitigate the impacts of the proposed works. Where archaeological remains are identified, and these cannot be preserved in situ, the potential impact of the scheme will be minimised by appropriate levels of archaeological excavation and recording (preservation by record).

6 A three-stage mitigation strategy will be undertaken to record, process and report on any archaeological remains identified at the site. The stages of this strategy may be summarised as follows.

i. Archaeological Monitoring. Due to the potential for previously unidentified archaeological remains to exist almost anywhere within this area, all ground disturbance works will be monitored by an archaeologist. If previously unrecorded archaeological features and deposits are identified and these are deemed to be of significance appropriate levels of excavation and recording will be required.

ii Post-Fieldwork Processes. The drawn and written stratigraphic/structural record will be cross-referenced and analysed to provide a synthesis of the results of the work. Cleaning and cataloguing of any artefacts and ecofacts recovered will be carried out throughout the duration of the fieldwork. The finds will be cleaned, marked and packaged in accordance with the archive requirements of Norfolk Museums Service.

iii. Report and Archive. The report will describe the results of the monitoring with data presented in tabular, graphic and appendix form. Copies of the report will be submitted to the client and to NHES. The archive will be prepared for deposition with Norfolk Museums Service.

7 The procedures and methodology for each of the stages outlined above are described in detail below.

Archaeological Monitoring

8 All works that affect below ground deposits will be monitored by an experienced archaeologist. The monitoring will be carried out in accordance with the Standard and guidance for archaeological watching briefs (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014) and the guidelines set out in the document Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (Gurney 2003).

9 If areas of significant archaeological remains are encountered that cannot be recorded safely or to the appropriate standard by the monitoring, consultation will take place with National Trust authorities and more detailed excavation may be required.

10 If excavation depths exceed 1.20m, or the excavation sides are considered too unstable to provide safe working conditions, NPS staff will not enter the excavations.

11 All archaeological deposits, features and layers will be assigned individual context numbers and recorded on standardised forms employing a pro forma recording system approved by Norfolk Historic Environment Service (NHES). The records will include full written, graphic and photographic elements with site and context numbering compatible with the Norfolk Historic Environment Record numbering system. Plans will be made at a scale of 1:50, with provision for 1:20 and 1:10 drawings. Sections will be recorded at scales of 1:10 and 1:20 depending on the detail considered necessary.

12 A digital photographic record will be maintained of archaeological deposits, layers and features to record their characteristics and relationships, and general shots will be taken to document the progress of the work. Monochrome 35mm photographs will be taken of remains considered to be significant.

4

13 All artefacts and ecofacts will be collected and, where possible, related to the context from which they derived. All artefacts will be retrieved unless volume and quantity of particular classes or items justify an on-site sampling policy. In all such eventualities relevant specialists (see Project Staff) and National Trust authorities will be consulted to agree a strategy. All retained materials will be stored in stable conditions until arrangements for their processing and analysis are made.

14 If any items of gold or silver are discovered they will be removed to safe storage and reported to the local coroner according to procedures set out in the Treasure Act 1996 (and amendments). Where removal cannot be effected on the same working day as discovery, suitable security measures will be taken to protect the items from theft. NPS Archaeology will inform National Trust authorities, NHES and the Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer of such discoveries as soon as is reasonably practical.

15 If any human remains or burials are uncovered which must be removed, an application for a Licence for the Removal of Human Remains will be made in compliance with Section 25 of the Burial Act 1857 prior to their removal.

16 Any interpretable and datable archaeological deposits considered to hold potential for survival of palaeoenvironmental remains will be sampled according to guidance issued by English Heritage (Historic England) in Environmental Archaeology 2nd Edition (2011).

Post-Fieldwork Processes

17 The drawn and written stratigraphic/structural record will be cross-referenced and analysed to provide a synthesis of the results of the work.

18 The cleaning and cataloguing of any artefactual materials recovered will be undertaken on completion of the trial trenching. All retained materials will be cleaned, marked and packaged in accordance with the requirements of National Trust Authorities and Norfolk Museums Service (NMS).

19 An archive structured in accordance with guidelines set out in Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and curation (Brown 2007) will be created.

20 All finds work will follow the procedures set out in Standard and guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and research of archaeological materials (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2014). Finds data will be entered on a spreadsheet to aid analysis and report preparation.

Report and Archive

21 A client report will be prepared that presents the stratigraphic, structural, artefactual and environmental evidence and analyses, and a synthesis of the results of the monitoring.

22 The report will present data in written, tabular, graphic and appendix form. A list of archive components generated by the work and a reference to the intended place of archive deposition will be included in the report. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, NPS Archaeology will retain copyright in and ownership of all documentation and other materials prepared by NPS Archaeology. NPS Archaeology may publish or jointly publish any description or illustration of the works with the prior consent of the client.

23 A draft copy of the report will be presented to the National Trust for approval within four weeks of the completion of the monitoring. An advance (interim) report for the

5

purpose of expediting planning applications may be supplied upon request by the client and by agreement with Local Planning Authorities.

24 On approval of the report, the National Trust will advise the Local Planning Authority accordingly. Multiple copies of the approved report can be produced as appropriate and presented to the client. One copy of the report may be sent to the Historic England Science Advisor for the East of England, if considered appropriate.

25 The online OASIS record initiated prior to the start of the programme of archaeological work will be completed when the report is approved by the National Trust. This will include submission of a pdf version of the final report to the Archaeology Data Service via the OASIS form.

26 A single integrated archive for all elements of the work will be prepared according to the recommendations set out in Environmental standards for the permanent storage of excavated material from archaeological sites (UKIC Conservation Guidelines 3, 1984) and Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and curation (Brown 2007), and in accordance with NMS requirements for archive preparation, storage and conservation.

27 The archive will be fully indexed and cross-referenced. It will be integrated with Norfolk Museums Service project accession numbering and Norfolk Historic Environment Record’s numbering system. A full list of archive contents and finds boxes will accompany the deposition of the archive and finds.

28 All archaeological materials, excepting those covered by the Treasure Act 1996, will remain the property of the landowners. NPS Archaeology will seek to reach a formal agreement with the landowners for the donation of finds to Norfolk Museums Service.

29 Deposition of the archive and finds (by prior agreement with the landowners) with Norfolk Museums Service will take place within six months of the completion of the published report.

30 If NMS are not making new archive accessions and no confirmation is provided of when new archives will be accepted, NPS Archaeology reserve the right to make alternative arrangements. From 1 January 2016 NPS Archaeology may charge for storage of prepared archaeological archives.

6

Timetable and Resources

31 The different stages of archaeological work have different time and staff requirements. The timetable for fieldwork assumes that there are no major delays to the work programme caused by factors outside of NPS Archaeology’s reasonable control. Such circumstances would include without limitation: long periods of adverse weather conditions, flooding, repeated vandalism, ground contamination, delays in the development programme, unsafe buildings, conflicts between the archaeological recording methods and the protection of flora and fauna on the site, disease restrictions, and unexploded ordnance.

32 The proposed earliest start date for the archaeological work is one working week upon notification from the client. The timetable for the monitoring is dependent upon the needs and progress of the construction scheme. It is anticipated that archaeological works will commence in October 2016 and the National Trust will be advised as far in advance of commencement as possible. The monitoring will be staffed by one–two archaeologists as appropriate to the extent of archaeology revealed.

33 The financial resources for this work are subject to separate agreement with the client and are not reproduced here.

7

Project Staff

34 The project will be co-ordinated on a day-to-day basis by the Project Officer who will be dedicated to the project throughout its duration. The Project Manager will assume overall responsibility for the delivery of the project.

35 The Project Officer will have experience in watching brief monitoring and excavation and experience with NPS Archaeology's pro forma or similar recording systems.

36 NPS Archaeology staff associated with the project will be:

Project Management

Project Manager Andrew Crowson, BA

Project Staff

Assistant Project Officer Ben Hobbs, BA

Finds Officer Rebecca Sillwood, BA, ACIfA

Site Assistants Robby Copsey, MA, PCIFA

37 NPS Archaeology reserves the right to change its nominated personnel at any time should project programmes change.

38 The analysis and reporting of artefacts and ecofacts will be coordinated by the Finds Officer and will be undertaken by NPS Archaeology staff, or other nominated specialists drawn from the list below:

Specialist Research Field

Susan Anderson Anglo-Saxon and later pottery, human skeletal remains, brick and tile, fired clay

Andrew Barnett Medieval and later numismatic items

Barry Bishop Worked flint

Esther Cameron Textiles

Julie Curl Faunal remains, shell

Richard Darrah Wood technology

David Dobson Graphics and illustration

Valerie Fryer Plant and animal macrofossil remains

Frances Green Palaeoenvironmental remains, architectural stone

Deborah Harris Conservation

David King Window glass and lead

Adrian Marsden Pre-medieval numismatic items

Quita Mould Leather

Andrew Newton Metalworking residues

Andrew Peachey Prehistoric and Roman pottery, worked flint

Ian Riddler Anglo-Saxon metalwork and artefacts

8

Quality Standards

39 All staff employed or sub-contracted by NPS Archaeology will be employed in line with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ Code of Practice.

40 NPS Archaeology operates under a recognised Quality Management System and is accredited with BS EN ISO 9001:2008.

41 The guidelines set out in the document Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (Gurney 2003) that remain current will be adhered to. Provision will be made for monitoring the work by NHES in accordance with the procedures outlined in the document Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE) (English Heritage 2006, republished April 2015 by Historic England). Monitoring opportunities for each phase of the project are suggested as follows:

i during archaeological trial trenching

ii during post-fieldwork analysis

iii upon receipt of the final report

42 A further monitoring opportunity will be provided at the end of the work upon deposition of the integrated archive and finds with NMS.

43 NPS Archaeology operates a Project Management System. Most aspects of this project will be co-ordinated by an Assistant Project Officer who has the day-to-day responsibility for the successful completion of the project. The Assistant Project Officer’s performance is monitored by a Project Manager. Overall responsibility for the successful delivery of the project lies with the NPS Archaeology Manager, who has responsibility for all of NPS Archaeology's work and ensures the maintenance of quality standards within the organisation.

9

General Conditions

44 NPS Archaeology will not commence work until a written order, or signed agreement is received from the client. Where the commission is received through an agent, the agent is deemed to be authorised to act on behalf of the client. NPS Archaeology reserves the right to recover unpaid fees for the service provided from the agent where it is found that this authority is contested by said client.

45 A 7.4-hour working day is normally operated by NPS Archaeology, although their agents may work outside these hours.

46 NPS Archaeology shall not be held responsible for any delay or failure in meeting agreed deadlines resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control. Such circumstances would include all those listed in para. 31.

47 NPS Archaeology expects any information concerning the presence of TPOs and/or, protected flora and fauna on the site to be provided by the client prior to the commencement of works and accepts no liability if this information is not disclosed. No excavation will take place within 8.00m or canopy width (whichever is the greater) of any trees within or bordering the site.

48 NPS Archaeology will not accept responsibility for any tree surgery, removal of undergrowth, shrubbery or hedges or reinstatement of gardens. NPS Archaeology will endeavour to restrict the levels of disturbance of to a minimum, but wishes to bring to the attention of the client that the works will necessarily alter the appearance of a site.

10

Access, Health and Safety

49 NPS Archaeology expects the client to arrange suitable access to the site for its staff, any required plant and welfare facilities on the agreed start date.

50 Reasonable access to the site will be granted by NPS Archaeology to National Trust Authorities and other representatives of the client who wish to be satisfied, through site inspections, that the archaeological works are being conducted to appropriate professional standards and in accordance with the agreements made.

51 In advance of works commencing, NPS Archaeology will prepare and submit a Health and Safety Risk Assessment and Method Statement to the client. All NPS staff will be briefed on the contents of the Risk Assessment and required to read it. Personal protective clothing and equipment will be issued and used as required.

52 NPS Archaeology will ensure that all work is carried out in accordance with NPS Property Consultants Limited's Health and Safety Policy, to standards defined in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act, 1974 and The Management of Health and Safety Regulations, 1992, and in accordance with the health and safety manual Health and Safety in Field Archaeology (SCAUM 2007).

53 The client will provide NPS Archaeology with all information reasonably obtainable on the location of live services including overhead utilities before site works commence.

54 Whether or not CDM regulations apply to this work, NPS Archaeology expect the client to provide information on the nature, extent and level of any soil contamination present. Should unanticipated contaminated ground be encountered during the works, excavation will cease until an assessment of risks to health has been undertaken and on-site control measures implemented. NPS Archaeology will not be liable for any costs related to the collection and analysis of soils or other assessment methods, on-site control measures, and the removal of contaminated soil or other materials from site. In case of contaminated soil, it may be necessary for NPS Archaeology to produce a revised Risk Assessment and/or adapt the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation in consultation with the client.

55 Should any disease restrictions be implemented for the area during the excavation, fieldwork will cease and staff will be redeployed until they are lifted. NPS Archaeology will not be liable for any costs related to on-site disease control measures and for any additional costs incurred to complete the fieldwork after the restrictions have been removed.

56 NPS Archaeology will provide copies of NPS Property Consultants Ltd Health and Safety policy on request.

11

Insurance

57 NPS Archaeology’s Insurance Cover is:

Employers Liability £5,000,000

Public Liability £50,000,000

Professional Indemnity £5,000,000

58 Full details of NPS Archaeology's Insurance cover will be supplied on request.

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© Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 100019340

01-04-17-2-1078 - Blickling Multi-User Trail - WSI & WB.

2.5m wide entirely new paths to be monitored

0 1000m

>5m wide, existing surface access track

3m wide, entirely new path

2.5m wide, entirely new path

2.5m wide, new path following line of existing path

Additional 1.0m wide, extension strip to existing

hardcore base and compacted Carrstone topped

path to make total new path of up to 2.5m wide

Scale 1:7500 at A3