Site Event/Activity record ECH4162 - Adlington to Lower House Pipeline, Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

The proposed pipeline route passes through a 5.5km stretch of agricultural land that was largely enclosed in the later nineteenth century. In addition to the considerable number of Listed Buildings, the study area also includes a portion of the non-statutory Registered Park and Garden belonging to Adlington Hall. The archaeological record of the area includes a neolithic axe fragment, a Bronze-Age hammerstone possibly associated with Bronze Age mining in the Alderley Edge area, the site of two medieval water mills, the site of a medieval smithy, the site of a medieval chapel, and several Second World War defence installations. Along the proposed pipeline route itself are a number of sites that are likely to be directly affected by the proposed pipeline. These include parish boundaries and a series of former field boundaries with an associated drainage system. Although the exact location of the site of a medieval smithy is unknown, a former field name identified close to the pipieline route suggests the possibility that the site lies in the vicinity of the proposed route, and this may, therefore, also be affected. The assessed significance of the cultural heritage sites identified, and the likely impact that the development will have on them, has contributed to the recommendations for future action. This includes a permanent presence watching brief along the entire route of the pipeline during the topsoil stripping phase of groundworks; the recording of parish boundaries and the former field boundaries and ditch system should be undertaken during this watching brief. In the event of significant remains being encountered during the watching brief, mitigation may be required. (1)