Site Event/Activity record ECH6020 - Heritage Assessment for Land off Giantswood Lane, Congleton

This Heritage Assessment considers land approximately 13.65 hectares in extent off Giantswood Lane, Congleton. In accordance with government policy (National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF]), this assessment draws together the available archaeological, historic, topographic and land-use information in order to clarify the heritage significance and archaeological potential of the site. Although development of the site would not have any impact on Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Registered Parks and Gardens or Registered Battlefields, it has the theoretical potential to impact a Grade II Listed Building (Church of St Michael) which lies to the north of the site. However, existing mature trees along the southern perimeter of the churchyard, dense woodland immediately to the south of the church and topography of the landscape screen views into and from the church, thus avoiding any impact upon its setting. The assessment has established that the site has low/nil potential for any archaeological evidence from all periods. There is potential for waterlogged organic material and palaeoenvironmental remains in palaeochannels and deposits of peat to be buried beneath alluvial deposits within the floodplain of the River Dane. If present, the palaeoenvironmental evidence is likely to be of local interest. Although it is concluded that the archaeological potential of the site is minimal, in view of its river-side location, it is possible that further archaeological work may be requested by the archaeological advisor to the Planning Authority. It is suggested that any such work can be secured by an appropriately worded planning condition.