Lane End Farm, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire

An Archaeological Evaluation

for David Wilson Homes Southern

by Jo Pine and Andy Taylor

Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd

Site Code LEFS03/109

February 2005

i

Summary

Site name: Land at Lane End Farm, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire Grid reference: SU 7343 6870 Site activity: Evaluation (Two Phases) Date and duration of project: 13th–19th October 2004 and 17th–18th February 2005 Project manager: Steve Ford Site supervisor: Jo Pine and Andy Taylor Site code: LEFS03/109 Area of site: c.6 ha Summary of results: No archaeological deposits were encountered Monuments identified: None Location and reference of archive: The archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at Reading Museum in due course, with accession code REDMG:2003.335 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 28.02.05 Steve Preston 28.02.05

1

Land at Lane End Farm, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire An Archaeological Evaluation

by Jo Pine and Andy Taylor

Report 03/109 Introduction

This report documents the results of two phases of an archaeological field evaluation carried out at a former

horticultural station and nursery of c. 6ha on the north side of Cutbush Lane, Shinfield (SU7343 6870). The work

was commissioned by Mr Andrew Lehmann of David Wilson Homes Southern, Norgate House, 1 Tealgate,

Charnham Park, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 OYT.

Outline planning permission (O/2003/8525/6) has been granted by Wokingham District Council for the

construction of 164 new dwellings following demolition of existing structures on the site. As a consequence of

the possibility of archaeological deposits on the site which may be damaged or destroyed by groundworks, a

field evaluation has been requested in accordance with Archaeology and Planning (PPG16, 1990) and the

District’s policies on archaeology. The field investigation was carried out to a specification approved by Mr Kev

Beachus of Babtie, then archaeological advisers to Wokingham District. The fieldwork was supervised by Jo

Pine and undertaken with Sian Anthony and Tim Christian between the 13th and 19th of October 2004 and by

Andy Taylor with Ceri Falys between the 17th and 22nd February 2005. The site code is LEFS03/109. The

archive is presently held at Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading and will be deposited at Reading

Museum in due course with the accession code REDMG:2003.335.

Location, topography and geology

The site is located on the north side of Cutbush Lane, Shinfield (SU7343 6870) and is c. 6ha in extent. It was

formally a horticultural station and nursery containing large green houses, associated structures, access ways and

scrubland. At the time of the first phase of fieldwork the site was in the process of being demolished by a

contractor and several areas were inaccessible or occupied by live services. The site slopes from the north-east at

c.67m above Ordnance Datum to c.58m at the south-west. The site is located on the border of London Clay and

Plateau gravel (BGS 1946) both of which were encountered within the evaluation trenches with an outcrop of

valley gravel close by

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Archaeological background

The site lies in an area relatively rich in archaeological deposits visible from the air (Gates 1975) and with

further evidence gained from field survey (Ford 1997). A wide range of dates and site types are present within

the area. To the south of the site, field evaluations uncovered elements of a probable Iron Age ditch (Saunders

2001; Taylor 2001). Iron Age and Roman boundary features and a cremation burial have recently been located

further to the west on Hollow Lane (Taylor 2002).

Objectives and methodology

The aims of the evaluation were to determine the presence/ absence, extent, condition, character, quality and date

of any archaeological or palaeoenvironmental deposits within the area of development. This work was to be

carried out in a manner which will not compromise the integrity of archaeological features or deposits which

would warrant preservation in situ, or might better be excavated under conditions pertaining to full excavation.

The specific research aims of this project are;

a) To determine if archaeologically relevant levels have survived on this site. b) To determine if archaeological deposits of any period are present.

The specification for both phases of the evaluation called for the excavation of 110 trenches each 1.8m

wide and 30m long (10% of site area) in a stratified random configuration. In the event it was not possible to

achieve this number due to severe logistic and access problems on the site. A reduced number of trenches was

excavated and their lengths will vary according to access. This revised strategy was arrived at in consultation

with Ms Fiona McDonald of Berkshire Archaeology, archaeological advisers to the District Council.

For the phase 1 evaluation the logistical problems included the presence of buried and overhead cables

(live), large stands of trees which are to be retained, access routes which need to be retained, areas of Japanese

Knotweed infestation, nesting bats and active badger sets. In the first phase of the evaluation, 57 trenches were

excavated by the use of a 360° type machine fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. Fifty-six of the trenches

were dug under constant archaeological supervision (Tr 1–56) and one (Tr 57) was excavated by the contractor

whilst trying to locate a live service. Trenches 1–56 ranged in length between 10.2m and 66m and were 1.8m

wide. Trench 56 was 0.70m wide and 42m long. Three grubbing holes (A–C) were also excavated by the

contractors and these were also examined.

Phase two of the fieldwork comprised trenches 58–69 which were dug using a JCB type machine fitted

with a toothless ditching bucket. Again logistical problems such as the presence of the construction site

3

compound as well as an area being used for the storage of concrete pipes meant some intended areas could not

be trenched.

A complete list of trenches giving lengths, breadths, depths and a description of sections and geology is

given in Appendix 1.

Results

Phase 1 Trenches

The trenches have been summarized according to stratigraphy.

Trenches 1, 2, 23–25, 33–36, 38–44, 48–56 (Plate 1)

These trenches showed topsoil onto a light grey brown sandy silt subsoil deposit onto light orange/yellow/light

brown sand (with varying amounts of clay within its matrix) and varying amounts of gravel and clay patches. No

archaeological features were observed in these trenches and many had been disturbed by field drains.

Trenches 9, 15–17 (Plate 2)

The stratigraphy in these trenches was demolition rubble onto light grey brown sandy silt subsoil onto light

orange/yellow/light brown sand (with varying amounts of clay within its matrix) and varying amounts of gravel

and clay patches. No archaeological features were observed in these trenches and trench 16 had been disturbed

by modern postholes (glass filled) and live service trenches.

Trenches 3–4, 14, 22, 30 and 32

The stratigraphy in these trenches was demolition rubble directly onto light orange/yellow/light brown sand

(with varying amounts of clay within its matrix) and varying amounts of gravel and clay patches. The lack of

topsoil and subsoil suggests truncation of these areas. No archaeological features were observed and the trenches

had been heavily disturbed by field drains and redundant water pipes.

Trenches 5–13, 18–21, 26–28, 31, 37, 45–47 (Plates 3, 4)

These trenches showed a very thin band of demolition rubble onto light brownish/orange clay. These trenches

had been disturbed by modern services and modern features probably elements of the structures that once stood

4

in these areas. No topsoil or subsoil was observed in these trenches suggesting these areas had been truncated

and topographically these areas were much lower than the surrounding land surface. It appears the building

foundations had severely disturbed these areas and probably destroyed any archaeological deposits if they had

existed.

Contractors excavations

Three holes (A, B and C) have been excavated by the contractor, when grubbing out various modern structures

and tanks. The sections remaining were examined and in the case of (B) the base was examined; it was not

possible in the other two due to water ingress. The stratigraphy in the sections was a thin band of demolition

rubble c. 0.05–0.20m deep onto light orange clay. No archaeology was observed.

Trench 57

A trench was excavated by contractors to locate a modern service. This was approximately 42m long, 0.70m

wide and 0.50m to 1.00m deep. The stratigraphy was made ground/demolition rubble (0.50–0.70m deep) onto

orange clay at the southern end and sand and gravel at northern end. This trench had been disturbed by modern

services and no archaeological deposits were observed.

Phase 2 Trenches

All trenches measured 1.60m wide and consisted of topsoil overlying subsoil overlying gravel natural.

Trench 58

This trench consisted of topsoil overlying subsoil gravel natural. A ditch was identified between 5.50m and

8.20m. Aligned approximately east–west this was investigated and found to contain fragments of post-medieval

brick and tile (not retained). Two gullies were also noted in this trench between 10.50m and 11.00m and 18.00m

and 18.90m. Upon investigation both were found to contain pieces of clinker and modern brick.

Trench 65

This trench consisted of topsoil overlying subsoil overlying gravel natural. At the western end of the trench a

possible feature was identified. This was found to contain pieces of clinker as well as large pieces of wood and

root remains. This most likely represents a former treebole or grubbed out hedge.

5

Trench 69

This was an area of 30m x 25m that had been stripped by the groundworks contractor without archaeological

supervision before the second phase of trenching had begun. However, it had been stripped with a toothless

bucket to expose the archaeologically relevant levels. It was examined shortly after it had been striped and was

therefore in a fresh condition. No deposits nor finds of archaeological interest were observed . A modern ditch

observed in trench 58 to the north west was also visible in this area.

Finds

No archaeological finds were recovered during the evaluation. Modern 19th- and 20th-century finds such as

glass, brick and tile, metalwork and flowerpots were noted in features but not retained.

Conclusion

No archaeological deposits were recorded during either phase of the fieldwork and no finds were recovered.

Large areas of the site had been badly truncated, probably during construction of the horticultural station and

nursery; indeed some of the greenhouse bases had been terraced into the hillside. This truncation will have

destroyed any archaeological deposits if they had once existed in these areas. Small tracts of land to the south

west, north and a larger area to south-east had not been disturbed by the previous structures. However, even in

these areas no archaeological deposits were encountered. On the basis of the results of the field evaluation the

areas of site which have been trenched have little or no archaeological potential.

References

BGS, 1946, British Geological Survey, 1:50 000, Sheet 268, Drift Edition, Keyworth Ford, S, 1997, ‘Loddon Valley (Berkshire) fieldwalking survey’, Berkshire Archaeol J 75, (for 1994–7), 11–33 Gates, T, 1975, The Thames Valley, An archaeological Survey of the River Gravels, Berkshire Archaeol Comm

Pubn 1, Reading PPG16, 1990, Archaeology and Planning. DoE Planning Policy Guidance note 16. (HMSO) Saunders, J, 2001, 84 Oatlands Road, Shinfield, Wokingham, Berkshire, Archaeological evaluation, Thames

Valley Archaeological Services report 00/72, Reading Taylor, A, 2001, 82 Oatlands Road, Shinfield, Wokingham, Berkshire, Archaeological evaluation, Thames

Valley Archaeological Services report 01/23, Reading Taylor, A, 2002, Excavations of Iron Age and Roman Landscape features at Hollow Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire

2002, Thames Valley Archaeological Services draft publication report 02/14, Reading

6

APPENDIX 1: Trench details 0m at W or S end

Trench Length (m) Breadth (m) Depth (m) Comment 1 27.0 1.8 0.36 at W,

0.40 at E Aligned E–W. Topsoil 0.15m deep onto light grey brown clay silt 0.18 deep onto gravels with orange brown clay patches.

2 30.5 1.8 0.31 at W, 0.29 at E

Aligned E–W. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light grey brown clay silt 0.13 deep onto orange brown clay with gravel patches.

3 10.2 1.8 0.28 at NNW, 0.25 at SSE

Aligned NNW–SSE. Made ground 0.25 deep onto orange brown clay with gravel patches.

4 12.2 1.8 0.23 at NE, 0.27 at SW

Aligned NE-SW. Made ground 0.20 deep onto orange brown clay with gravel patches.

5 32.5 1.8 0.18 at N, 0.22 at S

Aligned N-=S. Demolition layer 0.10 deep onto orange clay.

6 35.9 1.8 0.13 at NW, 0.12 at SE

Aligned NW–SE. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto sticky orange clay. Modern rubble filled pit at SE end.

7 26.7 1.8 0.12 at W, 0.15 at E

Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto sticky orange clay.

8 23.30 1.8 0.12, 0.15 Aligned N-S. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto sticky orange clay. [Plate 3] 9 37.0 1.8 0.70 at E,

0.40.at W Aligned E–W. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto made ground 0.20 deep onto light grey brown clay silt 0.30 deep onto orange clay with occasional gravel. [Plate 2]

10 26.5 1.8 0.45 at N, 0.30 at S

Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.20 deep onto orange brown clay.

11 37.0 1.8 0.05 Aligned N–S. Demolition rubble 0.05 onto orange brown clay with gravel patches.

12 36.0 1.8 0.13 Aligned NW–SE. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto orange clay. 13 20.0 1.8 0.40 at ENE,

0.10 at WSW Aligned ENE–WSW. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep at W, 0.30 deep at E onto orange yellow clay.

14 66.0 1.8 0.60 at W, 0.30 at E

Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto orange sands and gravels with occasional yellow orange clay.

15 38.00 1.8 0.20 at NE, 0.50 at SW

Aligned NE–SW. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep at NE end onto orange light brown sand and gravels. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto sand 0.05 deep onto light grey brown clay silt 0.30 deep onto orange light brown sand and gravels.

16 47.60 1.8 0.40 at E, 0.45 at W

Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto yellow sand 0.05 deep onto sandy silt 0.25 deep onto sand and gravels with occasional orange yellow clay.

17 26.00 1.8 0.30 Aligned NE–SW. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto light grey brown clay silt onto sand and gravels with occasional clay.

18 22.20 1.8 0.24 Aligned N–S. Demolition rubble 0.08 onto orange clay. 19 23.50 1.8 0.10 Aligned SE–NW. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto orange clay. 20 22.70 1.8 0.22 Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.15 onto orange clay. [Plate 1] 21 16.70 1.8 0.23 Aligned E–W. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto orange clay. 22 35.30 1.8 0.41 at NW,

0.60 at SE Aligned NW–SE. Demolition rubble 0.02 deep onto buried topsoil 0.15 deep onto orange yellow sandy clay.

23 36.6 1.8 0.20 Aligned NW–SE. Mid brown silty clay 0.07 deep onto mid grey brown sandy clay 0.08 deep onto sandy clay.

24 21.2 1.8 0.34 Aligned NW -SE. Mid grey brown clay silt 0.10 deep onto light grey clay silt 0.16 deep onto orange clay with occasional gravels. [Plate 4]

25 21.20 1.8 0.45 Aligned NW–SE. Topsoil 0.25 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.30 onto light orange brown clay sand with occasional gravels.

26 19.50 1.8 0.40 at N, 0.20 at S

Aligned N–S. N end topsoil 0.15 deep onto mid grey sandy silt 0.20 deep onto clay sand. S end demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto mid grey brown clay silt 0.10 deep onto orange clay.

27 27.80 1.8 0.10 Aligned NE-SW Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto orange clay. 28 14.50 1.8 0.12 Aligned N–SE. Demolition rubble 0.10 deep onto orange clay. 29 18.00 1.8 0.16 Aligned N–S. Made ground 0.13 deep onto light brown clay silt 0.16 deep. 30 24.95 1.8 0.12 Aligned SW–NE. Made ground 0.01 deep onto light brown clay silt 0.12

deep. 31 10 1.8 0.15 Aligned N-S Made ground 0.10 deep onto light brown clay silt 0.05 deep

onto orange clay. 32 31.20 1.8 0.40 at N,

0.35 at S Aligned N–S. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.20 deep onto light orange brown clay sand with gravels at S end.

33 40.00 1.8 0.30 to 0.60 Aligned NE-SW. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light and mid grey brown sandy silt 0.30 deep onto compact sand with occasional gravels.

34 18.20 1.8 0.50 Aligned E-W. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light grey brown silt 0.30 deep onto light grey clay sand with gravels.

35 18.50 1.8 0.90 at W, 0.80 at E

Aligned E -W. Demolition rubble 0.35 deep onto mid grey brown clay silt 0.20 deep onto dark grey silty clay 0.30 deep onto clay sand.

36 17.00 1.8 0.40 at N, 0.37 at S

Aligned N–S. Topsoil 0.10 deep onto light to mid brown grey sandy silt 0.30 deep onto light orange brown clay sand with occasional gravel.

37 24.00 1.8 0.10 Aligned NE–SW. Demolition rubble 0.05 deep onto orange clay. 38 17.00 1.8 0.38 at SW, Aligned NE–SW. Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light brown grey clay silt 0.20 deep

7

Trench Length (m) Breadth (m) Depth (m) Comment 0.39 at NE onto light brown yellow clay sand with very occasional gravels.

39 31.10 1.8 0.50 at SW, 0.38 at NE

Aligned NE–SW. NE end Topsoil 0.15 deep onto light brown grey clay silt 0.15 deep onto light brown mottled clay sand. SW end topsoil 0.20 deep onto light brown grey clay silt 0.20 deep onto light yellow orange sandy clay with occasional gravels.

40 20.00 1.8 0.50 Aligned E-W. Made ground 0.20 deep onto mid grey brown clayey silt 0.30 deep onto mid orange brown clayey sand.

41 25.00 1.8 0.60 Aligned E-W. Made ground 0.40 deep onto brown sandy silt 0.20 deep onto orange clayey sand.

42 32.00 1.8 0.40 Aligned E-W. Made ground 0.20 deep onto buried topsoil 0.05 deep onto light grey sandy silt 0.15 deep onto orange clayey sand.

43 27.20 1.8 0.50 at SW 0.30 at NE

Aligned NE-SW. NE end Demolition rubble and humic mix 0.05 deep onto light brown silty sand 0.25 deep onto yellow sand. SW end made ground 0.45 deep onto orange brown sandy gravel.

44 28.30 1.8 0.60 Aligned E-W. Humic mix 0.10 deep onto light grey silty sand 0.50 deep onto light yellow sand with occasional gravel.

45 28.30 1.8 0.45 Aligned E-W. Humic brown silty clay 0.45 deep onto yellow orange clay. 46 17.50 1.8 0.30 at SSE

0.25 at NNW Aligned NNW-SSE. Demolition rubble 0.15 deep onto yellow orange clay.

47 23.50 1.8 0.30 Aligned NW-SE. Demolition rubble and clayey silt mix 0.20 deep onto orange clay.

48 32.00 1.8 0.30 Aligned NE-SW. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey sandy silt 0.10 deep onto light brown silty sand with iron panning.

49 31.40 1.8 0.35 at W 0.50 at E

Aligned E-W. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey sandy silt 0.10-0.20 deep onto light brown silty sand with occasional rounded stones.

50 16.50 1.8 0.57 Aligned E-W. Topsoil 0.22 deep onto light grey sandy silt 0.30 deep onto light brown silty sand with iron panning.

51 22.00 1.8 0.50 at NW 0.45 at SE

Aligned NW-SE. Topsoil 0.22 deep onto light grey sandy silt 0.28 deep onto light orange light brown sand with iron panning.

52 25.80 1.8 0.40 Aligned E-W. Topsoil 0.15-0.20 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.20 deep onto light orange brown silty sand with iron panning.

53 29.00 1.8 0.40 at NNE 0.30 at SSW

Aligned NNE-SSW. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.10-0.15 deep onto light orange brown silty sand with iron panning.

54 8.00 1.8 0.35 at S 0.40 at N

Aligned N-S. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.10 deep onto light orange brown silty sand.

55 43.00 1.8 0.45 at S 0.38 at N

Aligned N-S. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.18-0.20 deep onto light orange brown sand with occasional gravel.

56 53.50 1.8 0.42 at SW 0.35 at NE

Aligned NE-SW. Topsoil 0.20 deep onto light grey brown sandy silt 0.15-0.20 deep onto light brown silty sand with iron panning.

57 42.00 0.70 0.50-1.00 Made ground or demolition rubble 0.50 deep max onto orange clay and southern end or sand and gravels at northern end

Hole A 7.00-13.00 8.00 c.1.00 Sections showed Demolition rubble onto Orange clay Hole B 12.00 12.00 c.1.00 Sections showed Demolition rubble onto Orange clay Hole C 9.00 9.00 c.1.00 Sections showed Demolition rubble onto Orange clay

58 21.20 1.60 0.45 0.00m-0.12m; 0.12m-0.42m subsoil; 0.42m-0.45m+ gravel natural. 59 20.20 1.60 0.38 0.00m-0.10m topsoil; 0.10m-0.36m subsoil; 0.36m-0.38m+ gravel natural. 60 19.00 1.60 0.41 0.00m-0.13m topsoil; 0.13m-0.33m subsoil; 0.33m-0.38m clayey; 0.38m-

0.41m gravel natural. 61 20.30 1.60 0.48 0.00m-0.11m topsoil; 0.11m-0.19m sandy silt; 0.19m-0.46m subsoil; 0.46m-

48m+ gravel natural. 62 11.60 1.60 0.34 0.00m-0.15m topsoil; 0.15m-0.32m subsoil; 0.32m-0.34m+ gravel natural. 63 21.20 1.60 0.40 0.00m-0.15m topsoil; 0.15m-0.36m subsoil; 0.36m-0.40m+ gravel natural. 64 11.30 1.60 0.36 0.00m-0.15m topsoil; 0.15m-0.33m subsoil; 0.33m-0.36m+ gravel natural. 65 20.50 1.60 0.34 0.00m-0.15m topsoil; 0.15m-0.33m subsoil; 0.33m-0.34m+ gravel natural. 66 10.00 1.60 0.32 0.00m-0.11m topsoil; 0.11m-0.28m subsoil; 0.28m-0.32m+ gravel natural. 67 22.40 1.60 0.29 0.00m-0.08m topsoil; 0.08m-0.25m subsoil; 0.25m-0.29m+ gravel natural. 68 25.20 1.60 0.32 0.00m-0.12m topsoil; 0.12m-0.27m subsoil; 0.27m-0.32m+ gravel natural. 69 30.00 25.00 0.40 0.00m-0.12m topsoil; 0.12m-0.39m subsoil; 0.39m-0.40m+ gravel natural.

Land at Lane End Farm, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire, 2004Archaeological Evaluation

Figure 1. Location of site within Shinfieldand Berkshire.

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Pathfinder SU66/76 at 1:12500.Ordnance Survey Licence 100025880

68000

69000

SU73000 74000

SITE

LEFS 03/109

SITE

32

1

2

34

5 6

7

9

8

10

11

12

13

57

Hole B

18

19

20

21

Hole C

22

23

24

25

26

27

37

28

Overhead Power Cables

Bats

Badgers

Buried Services

33

34

3536

38 39

29

30

31

Hole A

14

15

16

17

44

43

42

45

46

47

40

41

Trees

Trees

Overhead Power Cables

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

N

LEFS03/109

Land at Lane End Farm,Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Reading, 2005

0 50m

58

5960

61

62

63

64 65

66

67

68

69 (Stripped Area)

SU7320073300

73400

68700

68800

Demolition debris

Japanese Knotweed Area (Exclusion Zone)

Cutbush Lane

Figure 2: Location of trenches, grubbing holes and stripped areas

0 2m

Land at Lane End Farm, Cutbush Lane, Shinfield, Berkshire, 2005

Figure 3. Representative sections LEFS 03/109

Demolition rubble

Natural

Trench 8N S

Trench 9E W

Topsoil

Made ground

Subsoil

Natural

Demolition rubble

Natural

Trench 20E W

Trench 24NW SE

Buried soil

Clayey silt

Natural

64.15m

63.91m

62.83mAOD

63.04m

Plate 2. Trench 9 looking west, scale 2m.LEFS 03/109

Plate 1. Trench 20 looking east, scale 2m.

Plate 4. Trench 24, looking north west, scale 2m.LEFS 03/109

Plate 3. Trench 8 looking north, scale 2m.