Site Event/Activity record ECH6905 - An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of North Rode Timber, Kinsey Street, Congleton, Cheshire

An archaeological desk‐based assessment was produced in 2020 to support a planning application for proposed development at North Rode Timber, Kinsey Street, Congleton, CW12 1ES. The assessment identified two potential monuments, recorded within the proposed development area, for which below-ground archaeological features may still exist; these are Park Tannery (HER 2887/62/0) and a watercourse, potentially a mill race. Park Tannery, the site of which lies in the north-eastern part of the proposed development area, is depicted on OS mapping of 1875. However, because of the extent of overburden, stored materials and modern warehousing, the only surviving structural remains relating to the tannery that could be identified was an area of potentially original cobbled flooring at the entrance. The watercourse/possible mill race is depicted on the 1845 Tithe Map and runs north-south along the western edge of the development site. Additionally, in the north eastern part of the proposed development area, there is a bakery depicted on an estate map dating to 1772, however, the construction of the Park Tannery makes it unlikely that any remains relating to this older structure could survive. The study also includes the results of the excavation of a series of six geo-technical pits, across the area of development, in 2020. Brick was identified within the majority of the test-pits; however, it was difficult to determine if these were indicative of the former Park Tannery or more recent structures that once occupied this area. (1)