Source/Archive record SCH6590 - Jubilee Wood, Eccleston: Historic Landscape Assessment

The Grosvenor Estate proposes to plant a wood to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee, covering approximately 23 ha and located to the north and east of the village of Eccleston. This is an area of considerable archaeological and historic potential, the nature and extent of which are explored below. Tree planting has the potential to do considerable damage to archaeological surfaces and other features. Additionally, the roots of large deciduous trees as they mature are very likely to disrupt and even destroy archaeological sites. This has emerged as an issue in terms of local authority support for the proposal, which is a significant element in terms of potential funding via the Forestry Commission. The purpose of this report is therefore to consider the potential implications of the proposals and how these might best be taken forward. Following an introduction which sets out the process and introduces the topographical setting, the report will consist of two parts: part I will set out the archaeological, conservation and historical issues, working through compartment by compartment; part II will suggest mitigation strategies and recommend some changes to the design to order to minimise the impact on archaeological, conservation and historical issues. The intention is to offer a way forward capable of allowing the proposal to proceed to the Forestry Commission as a bid for funding with support from West Cheshire and Chester planning authority. This report is compiled on the strength of consultation with the Cheshire HER at Backford House, and discussion there with Rob Edwards, site evaluation by the author and a site visit to discuss issues with Mike Morris for West Cheshire and Chester planning authority. A search was conducted on the Cheshire HER of an area encompassing the whole of the proposed woodland with adjacent areas (black line on figure 1 below). Outside the village, all areas of the proposed woodland east of Eaton Road are designated ‘Late Post Medieval Agricultural Improvement’ on this Historic Landscape Characterisation map, with area A (north of the A55) designated ‘C20th Agricultural Improvement’.