Site Event/Activity record ECH6302 - Omega South. Desk Based Assessment

Desk-based Assessment in support of a planning application for a residential and mixed use scheme within the Omega South property development site in Warrington. The site comprises a large part of the former RAF/USAAF Burtonwood Airbase, although the remains of the airbase are quite limited. The assessment was undertaken in July 2016 and with a visit to the proposed Scheme in the same month (14th July). A total of two scheduled monuments and one locally listed building have been identified in the outer study area and include a Pickett-Hamilton Fort (SM1020869), the moated site of Barrow Old Hall (SM1013363) and the site of Cherry Tree Farmhouse (DCH12786). None of these assets will be physically affected by the proposal and there is potential for the Scheme to have beneficial impact on the setting of the World War II Pickett-Hamilton Fort (SM1020869). Of the non-designated heritage assets identified, which range from the Early Medieval to the Modern period, three lie within the Scheme and comprise the site of Burtonwood Airfield (1), the site of building known as Old Fold (3) and an historic township boundary between Great Sankey (CH862) and Burtonwood (CH863). A forth asset, the site of Slynehead Farm (2), is located just outside the Scheme. Below-ground remains associated with these assets are likely to be subject to significant harm resulting from ground disturbance undertaken during construction works. In addition, archaeological evidence from the surrounding area and historical mapping suggests that there is the potential for unknown assets, from the Prehistoric to the Industrial period, to be present within the proposed Scheme. An outline mitigation strategy is suggested to enhance the significance of the setting of the Pickett Hamilton Fort SM1020869 and a scheme of mitigation for the impacts to buried archaeology has been devised following discussions with the Development Management Archaeologist and Team Leader at Cheshire Archaeology Planning Advisory Service (CAPAS).