Site Event/Activity record ECH6972 - Iddenshall Grange Solar Park, Cheshire: Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment

A Historic Environment Desk-based Assessment was produced in 2021 in support of a proposal to develop a solar farm on land at Iddenshall Grange, Tarporley, Cheshire. The site was also visited on 4th May 2021. It is currently formed of three agricultural fields that have been present since at least the medieval period. As well as the photovoltaic array, the works will incorporate fencing, access tracks, substations, transformers, a swale and associated cable route works. Based on a review of Cheshire Historic Environment Record data, historic mapping, and the Site’s geological and topographical profile, it is considered that there is potential for it to contain features and finds of evidential archaeological interest. The presence of remains of Romano-British and medieval activity is known from archaeological evaluation carried out in the southern part of the site (ECH4137), and there is also considered to be potential for traces of agricultural activity from the prehistoric. However, it is likely that any archaeological remains surviving within the site will have been truncated as a result of ploughing in the past. Additionally, where clay has been historically quarried within the site during the post-medieval period, the extraction pits are likely to have to damaged or disturbed any earlier material within their footprint. A settings assessment was also undertaken to consider whether the development will affect the significance of selected heritage assets through change in their settings causing a reduction in the contribution to their significance made by that setting as a result of the development proposals. The following assets were selected for assessment based on proximity and/or presence within the wider landscape where an effect might be considered possible; of the moated site of Iddinshall Hall (a Scheduled Monument), Iddenshall Hall (a Grade II Listed Building) and Beeston Castle (a Scheduled Monument). Based on the settings assessment, the site and surrounding agricultural landscape makes a positive contribution to these heritage assets. However, it is considered that there would be no harm to the significance of the heritage assets assessed, as their primary significance resides in their architectural, archaeological, and historic interests. (1)