An archaeological and historical - Archaeology Data Service

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Mottisfont Estate archaeological survey CKC Archaeology Page 38 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───────── recommendations. Other less urgent recommendations are listed under individual sites in the nventory, as indicated above. .2 Management recommendations: those needing urgent attention .2.1. There is a tendency for historic quarries on the estate to be used for rubbish tipping. In particular, the management's attention is drawn to the extensive tipping in the quarry behind Hatt Farm. This has clearly been systematic and deliberately planned, possibly by a Trust tenant. Steps should be taken to prevent this activity, where feasible. In the case of the Hatt Farm Quarry, the rubbish should be removed and properly disposed of. 7.2.2. The stealing of garden furniture and ornaments (urns, statues, seats, even encaustic tiles) is on the increase. There are many examples of thieves using plant machinery to remove heavy objects. Mottisfont Abbey has a particularly fine and extensive collection of valuable urns and statuary. The management should be aware of this problem, and take steps to increase the security of the estate's gardens outside opening hours. 7.2.3. Vegetation on the island in the Mill Stream that forms part of the former mill site is likely to cause serious problems soon. Saplings have taken hold on the island, and their roots are causing damage to the masonry remains of the mill. This will get worse as the saplings grow, causing serious potential for damage from erosion during flood conditions. It is recommended that the saplings be cut down and treated to prevent regrowth. Other vegetation should be removed and its regrowth monitored. During vegetation removal, it is recommended that a survey of the upstanding remains of the mill is undertaken. 7.3 Management recommendations: general considerations 7.3.1 Integrity of the estate Recommendation: Management should try to ensure that the integrity of the estate as a whole is preserved. This goes beyond retaining the land as a single unit, but includes the preservation of all the eatures within it, not just those that are obviously historic such as the buildings. Old tracks, edgerows and even old trees are as important in a landscape as historic buildings. .3.2 Trees ecommendation: Historic recognition of trees should be extended to include all historic trees, ncluding those not planted as part of designed landscaping. he difference with trees in non-designed areas is that they do not necessarily need replacing if hey die. It is often preferable that areas of historic woodland are allowed to regenerate naturally. ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───────────
Mottisfont Estate archaeological survey CKC Archaeology Page 39 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───────── What is required of management, however, is that practices should not be adopted that will accidentally damage historic trees. This includes considerations such as the inappropriate siting of car parking in areas where this will cause root compaction to historic trees. 7.3.3 Hedgerows Recommendation: Historic hedgerows and boundaries should be respected. Some of the hedgerows on the Mottisfont estate are of great antiquity. These should be vigorously preserved, both as habitats and as historical boundary alignments. Where hedgerow trees are lost through natural causes, the management should consider their replacement. Care should be taken to ensure replacements are in keeping with the original hedge. Such statements may be obvious, but exotic species, even when they are closely related cultivars to native species, should not be encouraged. It should be noted that, since June 1997, planning regulations have been introduced to protect hedgerows considered to be important. It is now an offence to grub up a hedgerow without applying to the local authority for permission. They, in turn, assess whether the hedgerow merits preservation, and gives a decision accordingly (Howard 1998). Further details can be found in ppendix 4, section 2.5. .3.4 Trackways ecommendation: Historic trackways should be respected. he ancient trackways of the Mottisfont estate are amongst some of its oldest features. It could e argued that many of the old tracks and lanes date to at least Saxon times, if not earlier. It is ital that they should not be harmed in any way. Diversions of old tracks for the convenience of otor vehicles should be particularly resisted. nfortunately, many of Mottisfont's old trackways have been converted to modern usage, often iving them inappropriate surfaces, allowing motorised use on them. There is little that can be one about much of this now, but undisturbed tracks should not be given this treatment in future. .3.5 Motorised vehicles ecommendation: The use of non-essential motorised vehicles on the estate should be restricted. his recommendation follows on from 7.3.4. Clearly the Trust's staff need to have access to ertain areas, but the indiscriminate use of heavy motor vehicles can be devastating for rchaeological remains. In particular heavy tractors and tracked vehicles carrying out forestry ork can cause much damage to earthworks in woodland, as well as to the fragile nature of the ncient trackways on the estate. It is recommended that should such vehicles be needed in the ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───────────
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