Site Event/Activity record ECH6231 - 2 The Square, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: Standing Building Assessment

This building assessment considers the rear range and yard of 2 The Square, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. In accordance with government policy (National Planning Policy Framework), this assessment is based upon an external and internal inspection and record of the buildings in question together the available archaeological, historic, topographic and land-use information in order to clarify the heritage significance and archaeological potential of the site. The assessment has established that based on the available evidence, the site has a low potential for archaeological remains of prehistoric and Roman date. There is some potential for Medieval and Post-Medieval below ground archaeology. Therefore, a watching brief is considered appropriate mitigation where archaeology of this date may survive, in order to place the pre- and post-fire development of the Medieval market and Georgian square of Holmes Chapel into context. The toilet block and shed are not considered to be of any architectural or historical significance and no further work is recommended for these structures. Although the rear range of 2 The Square has been extensively altered to such an extent that it cannot be considered worthy of preservation, there remains the possibility that monitoring of its demolition may have the potential to answer some or all of the questions left open after this initial assessment. It would seem probable that this building dates from the later 18th or early 19th century, and that it was extensively altered in the later 19th century and again in the 20th century. In light of this, a controlled archaeological watching brief of the demolition is proposed as an appropriate response. A written scheme of investigation would therefore need to be approved by the local planning authority, prior to the commencement of any works.