Site Event/Activity record ECH5774 - Archaeological watching brief at Hole House, Warmingham (Project Revolution)

Permission has been granted for extension of a Gas Processing Plant and link to the Nation Gas Transmission System, electricity and manifold compounds, conversion of 10 brine cavities to gas storage and associated infrastructure at Hole House, Warmingham. As a condition of this planning permission an archaeological watching brief was required during topsoil stripping. Fieldwork was carried out between May 2009 and November 2013 by Claire Statter and Blair Poole of L – P : Archaeology, on behalf of EDF Energy. All works were carried out strictly in accordance with an approved specification of works. Historic research suggested that although the site lay close to areas of Prehistoric and Roman activity, and fell close to the bounds of a medieval deer park, it had never been settled or developed. The site revealed a consistent stratigraphic sequence of a thin layer of topsoil overlying the natural sand subsoil and clay. No finds were recovered from the site and no archaeological features were identified during the topsoil strip. These results have given an important insight into the landscape of this area, showing that the area has never been developed and shows no sign of being settled in the past. With viewing such a wide part of the landscape, this can help in defining the area's character.