Site Event/Activity record ECH4522 - Land at Mill Street/Princess Street, Congleton. An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

This report presents the result of a desk based assessment of the site of a proposed development on land at Mill Street/Princess Street, Congleton. The aim was to identify the nature of the archaeological resource within the study area, assess its significance and make appropriate recommendations for the future treatment of any remains which may be affected by the proposed development. The study area lies on the north side of the historic town of Congleton. Within the study area three separate areas were identified. None of the known sites identified are considered of national importance, However, there are potential remains within the study are of local or regional significance which, where affected by the proposed development, will require appropriate recording to be made. Site 1 is the Site of Stonehouse Green Mill to the north. The possible remains of the wheelhouse, engine house and boiler houses should be evaluated though trial trenching and if significant remains be found there may be a subsequent recommendation for their excavation. Area should also be sampled for evidence of early land use and possible deposits associated with Howty Brook Site 2 is the south-west of the study area which contains an area fronted by Mill Street and defined at the rear by a line of a curving boundary. This was built upon by the late 18th century and may well have contained post-medieval and possibly medieval development. Site 3 is at the South eastern part of the study area and was undeveloped until the 19th century when Victoria Street, Albert Street and Princess Street were laid out. In the case of site 2 and the part of area 3 west of Princess street, evaluation should be carried out through trial trenching. Should significant remains be found there may be a subsequent recommendation for their excavation and which may possibly have been associated with the Howty Brook. Such samples should be subject to a preliminary assessment as to whether they merit more detailed analysis. In the case of the area to the east of Princess Street, because of the likely low level of impact on archaeological remains there are no recommendations for further work