Potash Minehead, Doves Nest Farm, North York Moors Heritage ...

Potash Minehead, 

Doves Nest Farm, 

North York Moors 

Heritage Desk-Based Assessment 

for 

York Potash Ltd 

CA Project: 3415 

CA Report: 12371 

December 2012

Potash Minehead, 

Doves Nest Farm, 


Heritage Desk-Based Assessment 

CA Project: 3415 

CA Report: 12371 

prepared by 

Chris Morley, Heritage Consultant 

date December 2012 

checked by 

Robert Sutton, Principal Heritage Consultant 


approved by 

Robert Sutton, Principal Heritage Consultant 

signed 


issue 01 

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third 

party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely 

at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission. 

© Cotswold Archaeology 

Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ 

t. 01285 771022 f. 01285 771033 e. enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk


Potash Minehead, Doves Nest Farm, North York Moors: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment 

CONTENTS 

SUMMARY.......................................................................................................... 6 

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................. 7 

Outline.................................................................................................................. 7 

Location and landscape context .......................................................................... 7 

Scope................................................................................................................... 7 

2 METHODOLOGY................................................................................................ 9 

General ................................................................................................................ 9 

Data acquisition ................................................................................................... 9 

Site visit................................................................................................................ 10 

3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT.......................................................................... 10 

Planning policy and guidance context.................................................................. 11 

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) ...................................................... 11 

Local planning policy............................................................................................ 12 

4 BASELINE SURVEY........................................................................................... 14 

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 14 

Solid geology ....................................................................................................... 14 

Soils ..................................................................................................................... 14 

Topography.......................................................................................................... 14 

Hydrology............................................................................................................. 14 

Designated sites .................................................................................................. 15 

Summary of non-designated or potential heritage assets.................................... 15 

Prehistoric (pre-AD 43) ........................................................................................ 15 

Roman (AD43 - AD 410)...................................................................................... 16 

Early medieval (AD 410 to AD 1066) and Medieval (AD1066 to AD 1539) ......... 16 

Post-medieval (AD 1539 to AD 1800).................................................................. 16 

Modern (AD 1800 to present) .............................................................................. 17 

Undated ............................................................................................................... 17 

5 POTENTIAL AND IMPACTS............................................................................... 19 

Summary of development proposals ................................................................... 19 

Known archaeology: significance and impact ...................................................... 19 

Potential archaeology: significance and impact ................................................... 20 

Setting.................................................................................................................. 21 

3



Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 21 

6 REFERENCES.................................................................................................... 23 

Relevant Policy Documents ................................................................................. 23 

Textual sources.................................................................................................... 23 

Maps .................................................................................................................... 23 

APPENDIX A - GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER 

ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIROMENT................................................ 24 

4



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Fig. 1 Site location plan 

Fig. 2 Recorded heritage assets 

Fig. 3 Extract from 1853 OS map 

5



SUMMARY 

Project Name: Potash Minehead 

Location: 

Doves Nest Farm, North York Moors 

NGR: 489715 505018 

Type: 

Heritage Desk-based Assessment 

In November 2012 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by York Potash Ltd to conduct 

a heritage desk-based assessment relating to the proposed Potash minehead at Doves Nest 

Farm, Sneaton, North York Moors National Park. The proposed development primarily 

entails the excavation of two mine shafts and the construction of surface ancillary structures, 

including a welfare compound. 

No World Heritage Sites or sites included on the Tentative List of Future Nominations for 

World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Registered Parks and 

Gardens or Registered Battlefields are located within the Study Area or its immediate 

vicinity. The only designated asset identified comprises a Grade II Listed boundary stone, 

located just beyond the boundary of the proposed minehead to the south-west, and which 

will be not be harmed by the proposed development. 

Thirty-two non-designated heritage assets have been identified within the Study Area, five of 

which are located within the proposed minehead itself. A Post-medieval pond, a Postmedieval 

embanked field boundary and a cluster of undated circular earthworks, possibly 

prehistoric, are to be preserved in situ under the current proposals. Doves Nest Farmhouse 

is to be demolished and a possible enclosure may also be affected by the development, 

though both features are considered to be of limited archaeological significance. 

There is no evidence to suggest significant archaeological activity within the proposed 

minehead, which would appear to have remained primarily in agricultural usage. There is a 

slight, though unconfirmed, potential for prehistoric activity within the proposed minehead 

and the local conditions may also be conducive to the preservation of organic material. 

It is considered unlikely that the proposed development will have a significant impact upon 

the heritage resource. The development does not conflict with local or national heritage 

policy and there are not considered to be any heritage constraints sufficient to preclude the 

proposed development. 

6



1 INTRODUCTION 

Outline 

1.1 In November 2012 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by York Potash Ltd to 

conduct a heritage desk-based assessment relating to land at the proposed potash 

minehead, Doves Nest Farm, Sneaton, North York Moors National Park (centred on 

NGR 489715 505018; Figure 1). 

1.2 The proposed development primarily entails the excavation of two mine shafts and 

the construction of surface ancillary structures, including a welfare compound. 

Other proposed developments include spoil storage, the excavation of balancing 

ponds, and landscaping activities such as tree planting. 

Location and landscape context 

1.3 The proposed minehead is approximately 96ha in size and comprises a number of 

large open fields, currently part of Doves Nest Farm, as well as plantation 

woodland, currently part of Haxby Plantation and Whinny Wood. The site is located 

c.3km south-east of Sleights and c.5km south of Whitby. 

1.4 The proposed minehead is bounded by the B1416 to the south and west, and by 

Haxby Plantation / Whinny Wood to the east. The northern boundary is open, with 

views northwards to Whitby. Height above sea level is approximately 200m, and the 

surrounding landscape is one of undulating farmland interspersed with open moor. 

Scope 

1.5 The assessment focussed on the heritage resource identified within the proposed 

minehead itself, although the heritage resource within a minimum 0.5km study area 

around the proposed minehead has also been assessed in detail and is referred to 

as the Study Area (Figure 2). 

1.6 The objectives of the desk-based assessment were to: 

7



 

 

 

 

identify known heritage assets present within the proposed minehead and its 

immediate surroundings using existing information from publicly available 

sources; 

determine the potential for unrecorded buried archaeological remains within 

the proposed minehead using professional expertise to assess the evidence 

base; 

assess the significance of recorded heritage assets within the proposed 

minehead; and 

assess the impact of the development upon recorded heritage assets. 

8



2 METHODOLOGY 

General 

2.1 The assessment methodology is based on guidance provided by the Institute for 

Archaeologists Standards and Guidance for Desk-based Assessment (IfA 2011). 

2.2 A Study Area was defined (as described in paragraph 1.4) in order to better 

contextualise the heritage resource identified within the proposed minehead, by 

placing it within its wider landscape setting. 

2.3 The identified heritage resource is discussed in Section 4, and a gazetteer of all 

known and potential heritage assets is provided in Appendix A. All assets have 

been attributed a unique reference number, and their locations are recorded in 

Figure 2. 

Data acquisition 

2.4 Historic environment data was requested from the English Heritage Archive (EHA) 

and from North York Moors National Park Historic Environment Record (NYM 

HER). This data related to all known designated and non-designated heritage 

assets recorded at the time of enquiry, and included detail on monuments, 

buildings, find-spots, historic land-use, and previous archaeological investigations. 

2.5 In addition, the following resources were consulted: 

 

 

 

 

 

Historic OS mapping (25 inch to 1 mile); 

The NMR aerial photograph collection; 

The North York Moors National Park Authority Environment and Planning web 

pages; 

The North Yorkshire County Council Historic Landscape Characterisation 

Project database; 

The online British Geological Survey (2012) Geology of Britain Viewer. 

9



Site visit 

2.6 The site of the proposed minehead has been subject to site visitation on two 

separate occasions. The land at Doves Nest Farm was visited on 18th July 2012, 

while accessible areas of the plantation woodland to the east were visited on 21st 

September 2012. Site visitation was carried out in order to identify any heritage 

assets not previously recorded within the PDA, and to assess any other potential 

constraints affecting the proposed development. 

2.7 The site visit was carried out by a qualified archaeologist, with observations 

recorded on pro forma record sheets. 

Watching brief 

2.8 Between 7th and 10th November 2012, an archaeologist was present during the 

stripping of topsoil and subsoil prior to the installation of a temporary drilling rig at 

Doves Nest Farm; this now forms part of the minehead application site and was 

subject to a separate planning application. 

2.9 Although no archaeological remains were known to be located within the site, 

monitoring was undertaken in order to identify any potential unrecorded remains. 

2.10 The soil removed was located next to the stripped area and stockpiled in adjacent 

areas that were not stripped. 

10



3 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT 

Planning policy and guidance context 

3.1 This assessment has been prepared within the following legislative, planning policy 

and guidance context: 

National Heritage Act 1983 (amended 2002) 

Town and Country Planning Act (1990) 

Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act (1990) 

National Planning Policy Framework (2012) 

 

English Heritage Conservation Principles: policies and guidance for the 

sustainable management of the historic environment (2008) 

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 

3.2 The NPPF sets out national planning policy relating to the conservation and 

enhancement of the historic environment. 

3.3 The NPPF defines the historic environment as ‘all aspects of the environment 

resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all 

surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or 

submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.’ 

3.4 Individual aspects of the historic environment are considered heritage assets: 

‘buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes indentified as having a 

degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of their 

heritage interest.’ 

3.5 Heritage assets include designated sites and non-designated sites, and policies 

within the NPPF relate to both the treatment of assets themselves and of their 

settings, both of which are a material consideration in development decision 

making. 

3.6 Key tenets of the NPPF are that: 

11



1) when considering the impact of a proposed development on the 

significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be 

given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the 

greater the weight should be; 

2) significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction 

of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage 

assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and 

convincing justification. Substantial harm to or loss of a grade II listed 

building, park or garden should be exceptional. Substantial harm to 

or loss of designated heritage assets of the highest significance, 

notably scheduled monuments, protected wreck sites, battlefields, 

grade I and II* listed buildings, grade I and II* registered parks and 

gardens, and World Heritage Sites, should be wholly exceptional; 

3) where a proposed development will lead to less than substantial 

harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm 

should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal; and 

4) with regard to non-designated heritage assets a balanced judgement 

will be required having due regard to the scale of any harm or loss 

and to the significance of the heritage asset affected. 

3.7 Local planning authorities are urged to request applicants to describe the 

significance of any heritage assets affected by a proposed development, including 

any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail required in the 

assessment should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is 

sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. 

Local planning policy 

3.8 The North York Moors National Park Authority Local Development Framework 

(LDF): Core Strategy and Development Policies (2008) provides the overall 

strategic planning context for the North York Moors National Park. 

3.9 Heritage is provided for under Development Policy 7 ‘Archaeological Assets’, and 

under Core Policy G ‘Landscape, Design and Historic Assets’. 

12



 

 

Development Policy 7: Archaeological Assets states that: proposals for 

development that would have an unacceptable impact on the integrity or 

setting of a Scheduled Monument, or other sites or remains considered to 

be of national archaeological importance will not be permitted. In the case of 

sites or remains of regional or local importance, development proposals will 

only be permitted where the archaeological interest is capable of being 

preserved in situ. Where this is not justifiable or feasible, permission will only 

be granted where provision is made for appropriate preservation by record. 

In all cases, an appropriate assessment and evaluation will be required to 

be submitted as part of the planning application in areas of known or 

potential archaeological interest. 

Core Policy G – Landscape, Design and Historic Assets’ states that: the 

landscape, historic assets and cultural heritage of the North York Moors will 

be conserved and enhanced. High quality sustainable design will be sought 

which conserves or enhances the landscape setting, settlement layout and 

building characteristics of the landscape character areas identified in the 

North York Moors Landscape Character Assessment. Particular protection 

will be given to those elements which contribute to the character and setting 

of: Conservation Areas; Listed Buildings; Historic Parks and Gardens; and 

Scheduled Monuments and other sites of archaeological importance. The 

re-use of buildings of architectural and historic importance which make a 

positive contribution to the landscape and character of the National Park will 

be encouraged. 

13



4 BASELINE SURVEY 

Introduction 

4.1 This section provides: 

 

 

 

 

an overview of the local geological, pedological, topographical and 

hydrological conditions; 

an overview of the historical and archaeological background of the Study 

Area; 

an assessment of the significance of any affected cultural heritage assets; 

and 

the results of the field survey. 

Solid geology 

4.2 The Study Area is underlain by Sandstone of the Moor Grit Member (BGS Viewer, 

consulted November 2012). No drift deposits are recorded within the site, though 

deposits of Diamicton till have been located immediately west. 

Soils 

4.3 The Study Area is predominantly underlain by Stagnogley soils, comprising brown 

earths, argillic brown earths, brown podzols and stagnohumic gleys. These soils are 

typically loamy or loamy over clayey, stoney, with impeded drainage and 

occassionally also peaty (SSEW 1983). 

Topography 

4.4 Local topography comprises undulating farmland and plantation woodland 

interspersed with open moor. Height above sea level drops gradually across the 

majority of Study Area, from c.220m AOD in the south to c.200m AOD in the north. 

The exception to this is within the woodland to the north-east of the site, where the 

land slopes north-eastwards towards Sneatonthorpe to a height of c.160m AOD. 

Hydrology 

4.5 Three local watercourses find their origin either within, or within proximity to, the 

Study Area. Sneaton Thorpe Beck, a minor tributary of Long Rigg Beck, passes 

through the north-eastern corner of the proposed minehead, while Little Beck and 

Soulsgrave Slack run to the south-west and south-east respectively. 

14



Designated sites 

4.6 No World Heritage Sites or sites included on the Tentative List of Future 

Nominations for World Heritage Sites (January 2012) are located within the Study 

Area or its immediate vicinity. No Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, 

Registered Parks and Gardens or Registered Battlefields are located within the 

Study Area. A cluster of prehistoric Scheduled Monuments are located beyond the 

Study Area on Ugglebarnby Moor to the south-east, though the nearest of these is 

over 2km from the proposed minehead. 

4.7 A single Grade II Listed Structure lies within the Study Area. This comprises a 

boundary stone (1), which is located just beyond the boundary of the proposed 

minehead to the south-west. 

Summary of non-designated or potential heritage assets 

4.8 A total of thirty-two non-designated heritage assets have been identified within the 

Study Area, five of which are located within the proposed minehead itself. 

Prehistoric (pre-AD 43) 

4.9 Moorland within the North York Moors National Park is typically rich in wellpreserved 

prehistoric funerary and settlement remains. This includes cairns, 

barrows, and numerous other features, particularly of Bronze Age and Iron Age 

date (2400 BC to AD43). 

4.10 In proximity to the proposed minehead is Ugglebarnby Moor, which is located c.2km 

to the south-east and which contains just such a dense concentration of recorded 

prehistoric sites. However, only two confirmed prehistoric findspots are recorded 

within the present Study Area, these being an unstratified assemblage of Bronze 

Age arrowheads, scrapers and knives located on moorland c.50m south of the 

proposed minehead boundary (16), and a probable round barrow located c.470m 

south of the proposed minehead boundary (29). 

4.11 Although the proposed minehead sits in relative proximity to a moorland prehistoric 

landscape, there is little evidence for that landscape having extended into the 

present Study Area. Some small-scale prehistoric activity might be inferred from the 

recovered flint tool assemblage, though these are not uncommon background finds 

and no firm evidence of concerted prehistoric occupation is recorded. 

15



Roman (AD43 - AD 410) 

4.12 The proposed minehead is located c.63km north-east of the civitas capital at York 

(Eboracum). In greater proximity is the site of a coastal legionary fort / signal station 

at Ravenscar, c.9km to the south-east. Roman activity is otherwise extremely 

limited in this area of the North York Moors, and no sites dating to this period have 

been identified within the Study Area. 

Early medieval (AD 410 to AD 1066) and Medieval (AD1066 to AD 1539) 

4.13 By the mid 11th century the village of Sneaton, in the Hundred (Saxon 

administrative division) of Langbaurgh, had a population of forty villagers, three 

smallholders and eight freemen (Domedsay Book). It is likely that the area of the 

proposed minehead formed part of the village’s agricultrual hinterland. 

4.14 There are no recorded heritage assets of early medieval date within the Study Area. 

However, the parish boundary between Sneaton and Eskdaleside-cum- 

Ugglebarnby (20) may have its origins in either this or, more likely, the subsequent 

Medieval period. 

4.15 The area of the proposed minehead is likely to have continued in agricultural use 

throughout the medieval period, with an area of ridge and furrow agriculture located 

c.180m to the east (22). The only other Medieval site to be identified is the site of 

Sneatonthorpe hamlet on the north-eastern edge of the Study Area (13). 

Post-medieval (AD 1539 to AD 1800) 

4.16 The majority of identified features date to the Post-medieval and Modern periods, 

and comprise largely of farmhouses, industrial sites and boundary stones. Houses 

dating to the Post-medieval period include Moor House (25), on the western edge of 

the Study Area, and Souls Grave (26), c.300m south-east of the proposed 

minehead. 

4.17 A possible Post-medieval coal and ironstone mine (19) is located on the western 

edge of the Study Area and other possible Post-medieval industrial sites include a 

gravel pit (15) just beyond the western edge of the proposed minehead boundary, 

and a sandstone quarry at Souls Grave Farm (18), c.300m south-east. 

16



4.18 Boundary stones are particularly well represented locally, with 13 having been 

identified within the present Study Area (1 - 10 and 30 - 32). The reason for this 

concentration appears to be their historical use in demarcating the line of the 

Sneaton / Eskdaleside-Cum-Ugglebarnby parish boundary, along the course of the 

modern-day B1416. 

4.19 The only other Post-medieval features identified within the Study Area were both 

agricultural and comprised a large pond (27) and an embanked field boundary (28). 

Both of these features are located within Haxby Plantation, within the proposed 

minehead. 

Modern (AD 1800 to present) 

4.20 Nineteenth century Ordnance Survey mapping shows little difference between the 

site of the proposed minehead during the mid 19th century and the site of the 

proposed minehead today (Figure 3). The road defining the western boundary was 

in existence, as was Doves Nest Farm, its associated fields, and Haxby Plantation. 

The only real difference was the continuation of Belt Plantation, the narrow belt of 

woodland to the right of the road, which ran further to the north. 

4.21 By the late 19th century, the farmland appears to have been a mixture of pasture 

and arable. A block of woodland, labelled ‘Mally Wood’ had also been planted in the 

north (only recently removed), and the north-western-most field was partially 

wooded. No other heritage assets are depicted and no changes are recorded on 

later historic maps, or on post-war aerial photographs. 

4.22 The only modern features of interest within the Study Area are the crash site of a 

British Vickers Warwick Mark I aircraft, which came down at Sneaton Low Moor just 

beyond the southern boundary of the proposed minehead (23), 19th century 

Catwick Farmhouse (17), located c.320m north of the proposed minehead, and 19th 

century Dove’s Nest farmhouse (24), located within the proposed minehead itself. It 

is possible, though unconfirmed, that Doves Nest farmhouse may have been Postmedieval 

in origin. 

Undated 

4.23 Several undated features have been identified. Principal amongst these is a cluster 

of five circular earthworks recorded during the field survey (33). Located within 

Haxby Plantation, within the proposed minehead site boundary, the earthworks 

17



comprise depressions defined by low earthen banks (possibly upcast). The field 

investigator records that these are reminiscent of Bronze Age ring cairns observed 

elsewhere within the National Park, though such an interpretation remains 

uncertain. An earthwork platform (a flattened-off build up of compacted earth) was 

also identified in association with the possible ring cairns. 

4.24 The remaining undated features comprised two possible enclosures recorded on 

aerial photographs (11 and 14). One of these (11) is located on the western edge of 

the Study Area, while the other (14) is located just within the northern boundary of 

the proposed minehead. Two linear features – a probable modern service (21) and 

a ditch (12) – were located in the west of the Study Area outside of the proposed 

minehead. 

4.25 No features, finds or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during 

the installation of the drilling rig at Doves Nest Farm (described in paragraphs 2.8 - 

2.10), only what appear to be modern drainage / plough channels and a number of 

possible tree throws. 

18



5 POTENTIAL AND IMPACTS 

Summary of development proposals 

5.1 The proposed development is likely to include the following elements: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

spoil storage; 

excavation of balancing ponds; 

demolition of existing structures; 

excavation of the two mine shafts; 

installation of access roads and service lines; 

construction of the proposed welfare compound; and 

construction of other above ground ancillary structures; 

5.2 All of these activities have the potential to harm heritage assets, either directly via 

excavation, or by altering subsoil conditions, e.g. via compression, vibration and / or 

affecting groundwater levels. 

Known archaeology: significance and impact 

5.3 Five archaeological features have been identified within the proposed minehead. 

These are presented in Table 5.1, along with their assessed significance and 

projected impact under the current design proposals. 

CA-ref Significance Impact 

14 

Enclosure. This site is weakly evidenced. It 

was identified on aerial photographs, but 

has never been confirmed on the ground 

and may be a natural feature / no longer 

extant. Enclosures are not uncommon and 

this example, if proven, is likely to be of 

limited archaeological significance. 

This site is located in the far north of the 

proposed minehead, adjacent to the 

northern boundary. On the basis of the 

current design, the site would not be 

affected by excavation of the mine shafts 

or of the foundations for the proposed 

super-structural elements. It may be 

affected by topsoil stripping, spoil storage 

and / or tree planting. 

24 

Doves Nest Farmhouse. The farmhouse is 

first recorded on mid 19th century OS 

mapping. Formal assessment of the 

structure has not been possible. However, 

farmhouses of this date are not uncommon 

Under the current design proposals, it is 

proposed to remove the farmhouse in its 

entirety as part of the re-landscaping of the 

minehead. 

19



CA-ref Significance Impact 

and preliminary assessment suggests that 

Doves Nest Farmhouse has been much 

altered from its original form and retains no 

particular historical / architectural merit. It 

is therefore considered to be of limited 

archaeogical significance. 

27 

Pond. This site is extant within Whinny 

Wood. Originally, it may have been 

installed as part of a wider programme of 

water management in this area, which is 

naturally boggy and prone to flooding. 

Ponds such as this are of very limted 

archaeological significance. 

On the basis of the current design, it is 

proposed to retain this feature. As such, it 

will not be harmed by the development. 

28 

Embanked boundary. This site survives as 

an overgrown earthen bank c.1.0m in 

height. It forms the boundary between 

Haxby Plantation and the Belt Plantations 

to the south. Post-medieval field 

boundaries such as this are common, and 

this example, while well-preserved, is 

considered to be of limited archaeological 

significance. 

Under the current design proposals, the 

majority of the earthwork would remain 

unaffected, being as it stands within 

plantation woodland that will be left in 

place to screen the proposed welfare 

compound. There is some possibility for 

limited impact during upgrading of the 

present access road, linking the welfare 

compound to the B1416 to the south. 

33 

Possible ring cairns. It is possible that the 

cluster of circular earthworks identified 

within Haxby Plantation during the field 

survey, may represent prehistoric funerary 

monuments. If so, then they would be of 

archaeological interest and would likely be 

considered significant heritage assets. 

However, the true nature of these 

earthworks remains uncertain, and they 

may equally represent features of much 

lower significance such as Post-medieval 

quarry / extraction pits. 

On the basis of the current design, these 

earthworks (which are also associated with 

an active badger sett) will be preserved in 

situ within Haxby Plantation woodland. The 

earthworks will therefore not be harmed by 

the proposed development. 

Table 5.1 

Known archaeology within the proposed minehead 

Potential archaeology: significance and impact 

5.4 Given the lack of evidence for activity within the proposed minehead boundary prior 

to the Post-medieval period, the potential for encountering significant unknown 

20



heritage assets can only be considered low. No features of significance are 

recorded on either the historic mapping or aerial photography, suggesting that any 

remains that do survive are likely to be no later than early 19th century. Any 

undetected sites would be anticipated to be agricultural and no earlier than Postmedieval. 

5.5 The prevalence of both extant and former watercourses within the proposed 

minehead indicate localised waterlogging. This increases the potential for 

preservation of organic remains, including wood and leather, as well as pollen, 

seeds and other environmental remains of possible archaeological value. This said, 

no organic remains have so far been identified within the proposed minehead. 

Setting 

5.6 The field survey confirmed that the proposed minehead development will have no 

effect on the setting of the Listed boundary stone (1). This site was observed to be 

largely concealed within dense undergrowth, beside a road-sign, and with Belts 

Plantation intervening. 

Conclusion 

5.7 No World Heritage Sites or sites included on the Tentative List of Future 

Nominations for World Heritage Sites (January 2012) are located within the Study 

Area or its immediate vicinity. No Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, 

Registered Parks and Gardens or Registered Battlefields are located within the 

Study Area. 

5.8 The only designated asset identified comprises a Grade II Listed boundary stone, 

which is located just beyond the boundary of the proposed minehead to the southwest. 

Neither the Listed boundary stone itself, nor its setting, will be harmed by the 

proposed development. 

5.9 There is no evidence to suggest previous occupation within the proposed 

minehead, which would appear to have remained primarily in agricultural usage. 

Given the proximity of prehistoric moorland funerary landscapes, and the small 

number of prehistoric sites identified within the wider Study Area, there is a slight, 

though unconfirmed, potential for prehistoric activity within the proposed minehead. 

Local conditions may also be conducive to the preservation of organic material, 

though there is presently no evidence for the survival of such remains. 

21



5.10 In summary, it is considered unlikely that the proposed development will have a 

significant impact upon the heritage resource. The development does not conflict 

with local or national heritage policy and there are not considered to be any heritage 

constraints sufficient to preclude the proposed development. 

22



6 REFERENCES 

Relevant Policy Documents 

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979); 

English Heritage 2008, Conservation Principles: Policies and Guidance for the 

Sustainable Management of the Historic Environment. 

Heritage Coast, North Yorkshire and Cleveland, Management Plan 2008-2013 (3rd 

Review) 

National Heritage Act 1983 (amended 2002); 

National Planning Policy Framework 2012 

North York Moors National Park Authority Local Development Framework: Core 

Strategies and Development Policies, 2008, North York Moors National Park 

Authority; 

Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990; 

Textual sources 

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2010 Geology of Britain Viewer. 

Institute for Archaeologists. 2011. Standard and Guidance for Desk-Based 

Assessment. 

Margary, I.D. 1973. Roman Roads in Britian: Third Edition, London, John Baker. 

SSEW. 1983. Soils of England and Wales. Sheet 1, Northern England. Soil Survey of 

England and Wales. 

White, Young, Green. 2003. North York Moors National Park, Landscape Character 

Assessment. 

Maps 

1893 Ordnance Survey 25” First Edition Map of Yorkshire 

Historic Maps consulted via www.old-maps.co.uk in November 2012 

23



APPENDIX A - GAZETTEER OF RECORDED HERITAGE ASSETS AND OTHER 

ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORIC ENVIROMENT 

No. Source Source ref. Site Description Date East North 

1 EH 327514 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 

Located at Red Gate 

between the parishes of 

Eskdale Cum Ugglebarnby 

and Sneaton 

18th 

Century 

489240 504695 

2 HER 15739.01 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 

Boundary marker stone 

Post-Med / 

Modern 

489136 505915 

3 HER 15739.02 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489130 505796 

4 HER 15739.03 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489143 505705 

5 HER 15739.04 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489142 505570 

6 HER 15739.05 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489161 505409 

7 HER 15739.06 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489177 505245 

8 HER 15739.07 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489194 505101 

9 HER 15739.08 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489205 504986 

10 HER 15739.09 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 


Post-Med / 

Modern 

489204 504153 

24



11 HER 15740 ENCLOSURE? Possible enclosure Undated 488699 505478 

12 HER 7591 DITCH Ditch Undated 488980 505600 

13 HER 7710 VILLAGE Sneatonthorpe Medieval 490700 506100 

14 HER 7593 ENCLOSURE Enclosure Undated 489310 505690 

15 HER 9026 PIT:GRAVEL Gravel quarry 

Post-Med / 

Modern 

489190 505140 

16 HER 12245 ASSEMBLAGE 

Petit tranchet derivative 

arrowheads, scrapers, 

knives 

Prehistoric 489300 504600 

17 EHA 533736 FARMHOUSE 

19th century Catwick 

Farmhouse 

Modern 490000 506000 

18 HER 7658 

QUARRY: 

SANDSTONE 

Sandstone quarry 

Post-Med / 

Modern 

490100 504400 

19 HER 14176 

POSSIBLE 

COAL & 

IRONSTONE 

MINING 

Map evidence for 

purported coal mining and 

later ironstone mining 

Post-Med / 

Modern 

488605 504575 

20 HER 15739 

PARISH 

BOUNDARY 

Boundary between 

Sneaton and Eskdaleside 

Cum Ugglebarnby 

Medieval / 

Post-Med 

489212 504925 

21 HER 7591 BANK/DITCH 

A linear feature identified 

on high level aerial 

photographs. Possibly a 

modern service trench 

Undated 488857 505468 

22 EHA 1532793 

RIDGE & 

FURROW 

Ridge and furrow 

cultivation visible as 

earthworks on air 

photographs 

Medieval / 

Post-Med 

490100 504600 

25



23 EHA 1437473 CRASH SITE 

The crash site of BV336, a 

British Vickers Warwick 

Mark I aircraft, which came 

down at Sneaton Low 

Moor on 13th November 

1943 

WWII 489500 504500 


Dove's Nest Farmhouse 

built in the 19th century 

19th 

Century 

489500 505100 

25 EHA 530266 LONGHOUSE Moor House' 

17th 

Century 

488700 505200 


Souls Grave', built 

between 1770 and 1840 

Post-Med / 

Modern 

490100 504400 

27 

Forest 

Survey 

06/96 POND Large, deep pond Post-Med 489820 505180 

28 

Forest 

Survey 

06/97 

EMBANKED 

BOUNDARY 

Bank and ditch forming 

field boundary within 

Haxby Plantation 

Post-Med 489628 504515 

29 

Forest 

Survey 

06/101 

MOUND / 

ROUND 

BARROW 

One of three large 

undisturbed mounds 

Prehistoric 489377 504081 

30 

Forest 

Survey 

06/83 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 

Rectangular sandstone 

block inscribed ‘Sneaton L’ 

Post-Med 489195 504236 

31 

Forest 

Survey 

06/84 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 

Rectangular sandstone 

block inscribed ‘Sneaton L’ 

Post-Med 489177 504453 

32 

Forest 

Survey 

06/85 

BOUNDARY 

STONE 

Chipped sandstone block Post-Med 489173 504639 

33 

Field 

survey 

n/a 

POSSIBLE 

RING 

DITCHES & 

PLATFORM 

Five circular depressions 

defined by continuous 

earthen banks, with an 

earthen platform at the 

eastern end 

Unknown 489562 504738 

Key: North York Moors Historic environment record (HER); English Heritage archive (EHA) 

26

N 

Cotswold 

Archaeology 

Cirencester 01285 771022 

Milton Keynes 01908 218320 

Andover 01264 326549 

w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 

e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk 

North Yorkshire 

PROJECT TITLE 

Potash Minehead, Sneaton 


FIGURE TITLE 

Site location plan 

0 1km 

Reproduced from the 2008 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with 

the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller 

of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright 

Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 

PROJECT NO. 3415 DATE 04-12-2012 

FIGURE NO. 

DRAWN BY IA REVISION 00 

APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A4 1:25,000 1

N 

site 

20 

13 

study area 

06 

2 

17 

prehistoric 

medieval 

post-medieval 

3 

4 

14 

modern 

WWII 

undated 

11 

21 

12 

5 

6 

Grade II Listed building 

cropmarks 

parish boundary 

25 

7 

15 

8 

24 

27 

05 

9 

10 

33 

32 

1 

16 

22 

19 

31 

23 

28 

18&26 

30 

10 

29 

0 500m 

Reproduced from the 2008 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission 

of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office 

c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 

04 

Cotswold 

Archaeology 



Andover 01264 326549 



PROJECT TITLE 

York Potash Minehead Application Site 

Sneaton, North York Moors 

FIGURE TITLE 

Recorded heritage assets 

SE 

88 89 90 91 


FIGURE NO. 


APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:12,500 2

N 

PROJECT TITLE 

FIGURE TITLE 

Cotswold 

Archaeology 

Potash Minehead, Sneaton 




Andover 01264 326549 



Extract from the 1853 Ordnance Survey 

map 


FIGURE NO. 


APPROVED BY PJM SCALE@A3 1:10,000 (approx.) 3

Potash Minehead, Doves Nest Farm, North York Moors Heritage ...

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