89 95 Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey

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1 89 95 Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for Bovis Homes by Jennifer Lowe Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code LRR 03/36 April 2003

2 Summary Site name: Ladbroke road, Redhill, Surrey Grid reference: TQ Site activity: Desk-based assessment Date and duration of project: Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Jennifer Lowe Site code: LRR 03/36 Area of site: c. 0.6 ha Summary of results: Archaeological potential for this site seems to be low-moderate. Monuments identified: None This report may be copied for bona fide research or planning purposes without the explicit permission of the copyright holder Report edited/checked by: Steve Ford Steve Preston i

3 89-95 Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment by Jennifer Lowe Report 03/36 Introduction This desk-based study is an assessment of the archaeological potential of land at Ladbroke Road Redhill, Surrey (Fig. 1). The project was commissioned by Mr John Strange, of Bovis Homes and comprises the first stage of a process to determine the presence/absence, extent, character, quality and date of any archaeological remains which may be affected by redevelopment of the area. Site description, location and geology A site visit on the 3rd April 2003, revealed that the site is located on a residential road, north of Redhill station, and is currently occupied by seven residential properties. Each of the properties has both front and rear gardens, and the majority have concrete drives A footpath runs along the back of the properties, next to a playground and tennis courts. The rear of the properties is located at a much higher level than the tennis courts/playground, which suggest that some landscaping occurred during the construction of the activity areas. The development area is centred on TQ , and the area of the site is approximately 0.6ha. The underlying geology is Folkestone Beds (BGS 1978), and the site is at a height of approximately 85m above Ordnance Datum. Planning background and development proposals Planning permission is being sought for the development of 45 sheltered apartments for the elderly, with provisions for parking and a landscaped garden area. Archaeology and Planning (PPG ) provides guidance relating to archaeology within the planning process. It points out that where a desk-based assessment has shown that there is a strong possibility of significant archaeological deposits in a development area it is reasonable to provide more detailed information from a field evaluation so that an appropriate strategy to mitigate the effects of development on archaeology can be devised: Paragraph 21 states: Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer s own research indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning authority to 1

4 request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out... Should the presence of archaeological deposits be confirmed further guidance is provided. Archaeology and Planning stresses preservation in situ of archaeological deposits as a first consideration as in paragraphs 8 and 18. Paragraph 8 states:...where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, are affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation... Paragraph 18 states: The desirability of preserving an ancient monument and its setting is a material consideration in determining planning applications whether that monument is scheduled or unscheduled... However, for archaeological deposits that are not of such significance it is appropriate for them to be preserved by record (i.e., fully excavated and recorded by a competent archaeological contractor) prior to their destruction or damage. Paragraph 25 states: Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstances of the development and that development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, it would be entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself... that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory provision for the excavation and recording of remains. The Surrey Structure Plan1994 also provides guidance for further protection of the archaeological heritage. Policy PE13 states: Archaeological assessment or evaluation will also be required prior to development on sites of 0.4 hectares or more. Where archaeological remains are identified which cannot be preserved in situ, proper archaeological investigation will be required prior to development The Reigate and Banstead Borough Local Plan 1994 reiterates this further. Policy PC8 states The Borough Council, in conjunction with Surrey County Council, will identify Areas of High Archaeological Potential. When such areas are affected by development proposals, the Borough Council will require field evaluation providing for proper and timely preservation or recording. Methodology The assessment of the site was carried out by the examination of pre-existing information from a number of sources recommended by the Institute of Field Archaeologists paper Standards in British Archaeology covering desk-based studies. These sources include historic and modern maps, the Surrey Sites and Monuments Record, geological maps and any relevant publications or reports. 2

5 Archaeological and historical background General background In general it seems that there is relatively little information about the archaeology of Redhill. The earliest activity noted in the area is a Mesolithic flint scatter, recorded north of Redhill station. This is discussed further below, but it is possible that this collection of flints could also represent the earliest Mesolithic artefacts recorded in the county (Ellaby 1987). To the north of the study area, at Merstham an excavation revealed considerable prehistoric activity (Saunders and Weaver forthcoming). Small quantities of Neolithic and Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age features were recorded, however, the most intense period of occupation on the site was during Late Iron Age/Roman times, with some late activity dating to the Saxon period. The presence of the earlier prehistoric pottery is significant as very little is known of this period in the area. Neolithic activity is, as would be expected, mainly centred on riverside sites, which produced course pottery and small gravel flint assemblages (Field and Cotton 1987). In general, evidence for activity during the Roman and Saxon periods is very sparse. It was thought that Saxon settlement in Surrey began in the early 5th century, in the northern half of the county, and spread throughout the 6th (Poulton 1987). A charter dated to AD 947 mentions the presence of beorgas or barrows, north of Ladbroke Road, at Merstham, and in the same spot the supposed 9th century battle of Battlebridge was supposed to have occurred (information from SMR). The historical sources for Redhill are fairly sparse. Redhill is not recorded in Domesday Book, however by 1301 the area was know as Redehelde meaning the Red Slope (Mills 1998), which probably refers to the underlying geology of the area. It is known that the neighbouring town of Reigate has its origins in the early medieval period, and this is evident through the presence of a Norman castle, which was probably built in the 1090s of ringwork-and-bailey type (Turner 1987). Reigate is mentioned in Domesday Book as being held by Queen Edith and valued at 40 (Williams and Martin 2002). However Redhill s origins are more likely to lie in the late post medieval period where the arrival of the railway in 1841 saw the town expand considerably (O Connell 1977). Several industries from Reigate relocated to Redhill, such as Tanneries, Timber Yards and Breweries (VCH, 19671), and presumably also brought an influx of people. Surrey Sites and Monuments Record A search of the Surrey Sites and Monuments records (SMR) was made on the 3rd April 2003, covering a 1km 3

6 radius around the site. This revealed only 9 entries in close proximity to the site. No entries lay within the development area itself. The results from this search are listed in Appendix 1, and summarized below; their locations are plotted on Figure 1. Prehistoric Several entries on the SMR are for prehistoric activity in the vicinity of the site. In particular there appears to be a significant quantity of worked flint objects. To the south of the site, close to Redhill Station a Mesolithic chipping floor was identified [Fig. 1; 6]. This was located between the years 1848 and 1860 and recovered a collection of flakes, which were also accompanied by numerous cores (VCH 1963). The extensive flint collection also had some associated features. Two pits were recorded within the vicinity, but these were not investigated further [6] and therefore their exact date is unknown. Slightly further south, on the opposite side of the railway, a Neolithic/Bronze age double headed flint axe was found [1]. Roman A few entries date to this period. A selection of coins was recovered from the centre of town, and these included coins of Vespasian, Nero and other emperors [2]. Perhaps more of more relevance, a bowl dating to the 1st 2nd century, was recovered from a garden at 96 Ladbroke Road [4]. The house is located immediately opposite the proposal site and could indicate the presence of Roman activity in this area. Similarly a Roman coin was recovered from the playing fields immediately to the rear of the site. The coin was a follis of Constantine I which dates to the early 4th century [5]. Saxon/Medieval There are no entries for these periods within a 1km radius around the study area Post Medieval One entry is noted on the SMR for this period and it refers to a cast iron milestone, which is located north of the site, on the road that leads from London to Brighton [6]. Undated/Negative results A watching brief carried out adjacent to the station revealed a possible wall of rough uncut stone blocks [7]. No dating evidence was associated with this feature (Pollinger 1997). North west of the site on land on the opposing 4

7 side of the railway an evaluation was carried which was in the vicinity of the medieval settlement of Wiggie [8]. The evaluation revealed that the area had experienced extensive disturbance probably during the construction of the current buildings on the site. One area of the site had not been disturbed but no archaeological features were recorded (Jackson et al. 1999). Scheduled Ancient Monuments There are no Scheduled Ancient Monuments on, or within the vicinity of, the site. Listed buildings There are no listed buildings on, or within the vicinity of, the site. Cartographic and documentary sources A range of Ordnance Survey and other historical maps of the area were consulted at Surrey History Centre, Woking in order to ascertain what activity had been taking place throughout the site s later history and whether this may have affected any possible archaeological deposits within the proposal area (see Appendix 2). The earliest maps consulted were Saxton (1575), Norden (1594), Van den Keere (1605), Speed (1611) and Seller (1693). Redhill is not recorded on any of these maps. The earliest map to actually name Redhill is Senex (1729), but no significant detail is recorded for the site (not illustrated). Rocque s map of 1768 (Fig 2) shows the Redhill area in slightly more detail, although Redhill itself is not named. The area around Wigg[g]y Street and Lingfield Street appears to correspond with the site, which appears to be arable land at this time. Perhaps more interesting is the mention of Ladbrook house, which is located north of the site. The Greenwoods map of 1829 (Fig. 3) does not provide much further detail for this site. By this time the distinctive straight road from Redhill to Merstham in the north is quite clear. Again the presence of Wiggy Farm, and the mention of Frenches, which can be seen on some of the later maps, fix the area of the site. By 1846, the tithe map for Reigate (Fig. 4) records very little activity on the site. The railway is noticeable running from north to south as is the main route from Redhill. According to the accompanying apportionment the site was at this time arable land, and was owned by a James Weller Ladbrooke, which possibly explains the origins of the later road name. 5

8 The First Edition Ordnance Survey, 1872, (Fig. 5) shows some significant development on the site. One large property appears now to occupy the site, with a large plot of land to the rear laid out as formal gardens. A second building is also present but this appears to be associated with the garden, rather than a residential dwelling. All of the properties at the northern end of the street appear quite substantial with large associated gardens perhaps suggesting this was a fairly affluent area at this time. The Second Edition Ordnance Survey of 1896 (Fig. 6) shows a few minor changes on the site. The property has been subdivided to create two distinct areas. The new boundary to the south of the original building appears to correspond roughly with the southern edge of the development area. An additional building has also appeared to the rear of the large structure. The 1913 Edition Ordnance Survey (Fig. 7) indicates some significant changes in the area. To the north west of the site, and forming this boundary for the development area, Lynwood Road has now been developed. The area of the large house has not changed much although the additional building noted on the previous map has now gone. The small area north of the large property has now been divide up into two plots of land, one appears to be in use as an orchard and has a small structure located in its the north west corner. According to the Ordnance Survey of 1935 (Fig. 8), very little has changed. The northern area of the site is now open land, which is associated with a building outside the development area. However by the Ordnance Survey of 1967 (Fig. 9) the site and its surrounding area have changed substantially. Ladbroke Road has taken on the form familiar today. Rows of detached houses now line the street, and the plots of 89 to 95 are clearly visible. The larger structure noted above, which appears to have been on the site from at least the late 19th century, has now been replaced by the properties at 91 and 91a Ladbroke Road. Geotechnical test pits A geotechnical survey carried out by Southern Testing (2002) recorded 9 hand-dug augers across the site, the results of these are listed in Appendix 3. In summary, the test pits encountered the natural sand of the Folkestone Beds at depths of either c. 0.40m or c. 1.4m. Where the sand was deeper, intervening layers of silt and or made ground ( fill in Appendix 3) were encountered. It is unclear if the silt is a natural deposit or has been imported to level up the site for landscaping. Given that landscaping does seem to have occurred, the latter may be more likely. This may in turn be taken to imply that significant truncation of the natural (and, presumably, of any archaeologically relevant levels) has not taken place. 6

9 Discussion In considering the archaeological potential of the study area, various factors must be taken into account, including previously recorded archaeological sites, previous land-use and disturbance, the area of the site and future land-use including the proposed development. The cartographic and historical sources indicate that the site has undergone relatively little development in its more recent history. From the late 19th century onwards the site was occupied by one property which appears to have been removed to make space for the current properties on Ladbroke Road. It is possible, however, that any archaeological deposits present on the site will be relatively undisturbed due to the lack of development on the site during its more recent history. As indicated above, the origins of Redhill appear to be of late post-medieval date. The survey of the SMR indicates that there was some, albeit limited, earlier activity. The Mesolithic flint scatter hints at very early occupation of the area, but beyond this little, or no, prehistoric activity is noted. Perhaps the most significant find on the SMR is the Roman pot retrieved from the house at 96 Ladbroke Road, in close proximity to the proposal site which could indicate Roman activity within the vicinity. In general the site appears to have low to moderate archaeological potential. The SMR, historical sources and fieldwork within the vicinity of the site all suggest that there is little activity in this area. However one factor to be taken into account is the size of the site. The Surrey Structure Plan (1994) states that archaeological assessment or evaluation will also be required prior to development on sites of 0.4 hectares or more. This site slightly exceeds this limit and therefore further investigation may be requested. If this is the case it may be necessary to provide further information about the potential of the site from field observations in order to draw up a scheme to mitigate the impact of development on any below-ground archaeological deposits. A scheme for such an evaluation would need to be drawn up and approved by the archaeological advisers to the Borough and implemented by a competent archaeological contractor. The information provided by the fieldwork can be used to draw up a mitigation strategy to minimize the effects of development on any archaeological deposits present. References BGS, 1978, British Geological Survey, Sheet 286, Drift Edition, 1:50000, Keyworth Ellaby, R, 1987, the Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic in Surrey, in J Bird and D G Bird (eds), The Archaeology of Surrey to 1540, Surrey Archaeological Society, Guildford Field, D and Cotton, J, 1987, Neolithic surrey: a survey of the evidence in J Bird and D G Bird (eds), The Archaeology of Surrey to 1540, Surrey Archaeological Society, Guildford Jackson, G, Maloney, C and Saich, D, 1999, Archaeology in Surrey , Surrey Archaeol Collect, 86 Mills, A D, 1998, Dictionary of English Place Names, Oxford PPG16, 1990, Dept of the Environment Planning Policy Guidance 16, Archaeology and Planning, HMSO 7

10 Pollinger, L, 1997, Redstone Annex site, Redhill, Surrey, An Archaeological Watching Brief, Thames Valley Archaeological Services report 97/59, Reading Poulton, R, 1987, Saxon Surrey in J Bird and D G Bird (eds), The Archaeology of Surrey to 1540, Surrey Archaeological Society, Guildford O Connell, M, 1977, Historic Towns in Surrey, Surrey Archaeological Society, Guildford Saunders, M J and Weaver, S, (forthcoming), The excavation of a late Iron Age/Early Roman settlement enclosure and prehistoric and early/middle Saxon deposits at Battlebridge Lane, Merstham, Surrey 1999 Thames Valley Archaeological Services draft publication report 98/65, Reading Southern Testing, 2002, Preliminary Site Assessment Report; Ladbroke Road, Redhill, report A1896, East Grinstead Turner, D, J, 1987, Archaeology of Surrey, , in J Bird and D G Bird (eds), The Archaeology of Surrey to 1540, Surrey Archaeological Society, Guildford VCH, 1967, Victorian County History, Surrey, 1 and III, University of London Institute of Historical Research Williams, A and Martin, G H, 2002, Domesday Book, A Complete Translation, London 8

11 APPENDIX 1: Sites and Monuments Records within a xx m search radius of the development site No SMR Ref Grid Ref (SU) Type Period Comment Double headed flint axe Neolithic/Bronze Age Coins Roman Coins of Vespasian, Nero and other emperors Chipping Floor Mesolithic Located close to Redhill station possible pits?neolithic Pottery Roman 1st-2nd Century Coin Roman Follis of Constantine I 4th Century Milestone Post Medieval London to Brighton Road Wall Watching brief by TVAS Negative evidence Evaluation found nothing. 9

12 APPENDIX 2: Historic and modern maps consulted 1575 Saxton s map of Surrey 1594 Norden s map of Surrey 1605 Van den Keere s map of Surrey 1611 Speed s map of Surrey 1693 Seller s map of Surrey 1729 Senex map of Surrey 1768 Rocque s map of Surrey 1829 Greenwoods map of Surrey 1846 Reigate Tithe map 1872 First Edition Ordnance Survey, Surrey Sheet XXVI Second Edition Ordnance Survey, Surrey Sheet XXVI Third Edition ordnance Survey, Surrey Sheet XXVI Ordnance Survey, Surrey Sheet XXVI Ordnance Survey Sheet TQ 28/50 & 29/ Ordnance Survey Sheet TQ 28/51 & 29/ Ordnance Survey Sheet TQ 25/35 10

13 APPENDIX 3: Geotechnical survey results 11

14

15

16

17 Prehistoric Post medieval SITE Roman Undated/ Negative SITE TQ Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure 1. Location of site within Redhill and Surrey. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Pathfinder 1190 TQ25/35 1:25000 Ordnance Survey Licence AL52324A0001

18 SITE Ladbroke House, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure 2. Rocque s map 1768.

19 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure 3.Greenwood s Map 1829

20 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure 4. Reigate Tithe Map, 1846

21 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure 5. First Editon Ordnance Survey, 1872

22 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR03/36 Figure 6. Second Edition Ordnance Survey, 1896.

23 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR03/360 Figure 7. Third Edition Ordnance Survey, 1913

24 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure Edition Ordnance Survey Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Pathfinder 1190 TQ06/16 1:25000 Ordnance Survey Licence AL52324A0001

25 SITE Ladbroke Road, Redhill, Surrey, 2003 LRR 03/36 Figure Ordnance Survey Reproduced from Ordnance Survey TQ28/51&TQ29/51, TQ28/50 & TQ29/50 1:25000