East Midlands Knowledge Network: Routes To University Expertise

 

Jelson Ltd

Archaeological and Heritage Services

Description and aims

Development presents particular challenges to protecting the historic environment – both above and below ground. Inevitably new development may often have an impact on both the built environment and buried archaeological remains. Early assessment, however using a combination of documentary research and trial trenching enables historic buildings to be identified and a picture of the depth and significance of surviving archaeological deposits to be built up and to identify any areas of previous disturbance. Sometimes design solutions, for example piling, can be reached which protects buried archaeology. Elsewhere a programme of excavation before development may be needed to ensure that deposits are adequately investigated and recorded for the benefit of future generations.

About Jelson Ltd

Jelson Limited is a leading East Midlands real estate company. Jelson Ltd has been building new homes, houses, apartments, flats and bungalows throughout the East Midlands for over 100 years.

How the project is being undertaken

ULAS has helped mitigate the impact of a large residential development on an archaeological site is at Birstall north of Leicester for Jelson Ltd. After a staged series of evaluation including a desk-based assessment, field-walking, geophysical survey and extensive programme of trial trenching, it was clear that most of the area could be developed with no impact on any archaeological sites. However in one area the remains of an extensive settlement dating back to the Iron Age were identified. Here, excavation proved necessary to ensure that the more vulnerable deposits could be adequately recorded before construction started.

Impacts and benefits

Archaeology and historic buildings can be successfully incorporated into – and often enhance – development projects. The key to this being successful is always by involving historic environment professionals, experienced in such projects, at the earliest stage of planning. The expertise from ULAS resulted in:

  • Potential problems being identified at an early stage and mitigation measures implemented, so avoiding costly delays
  • Ensuring the excavation and preservation of historical sites which is in keeping with planning laws
  • Assessing the depth and significance of the surviving archaeological deposits to be built upon
  • Identifying areas of previous disturbance which ensured stronger and sustainable buildings

For more information about the project

If you would like to hear more about this project or ULAS, please contact Richard Buckley or Patrick Clay, University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS), University of Leicester
Email: rjb16@le.ac.uk/ pnc3@le.ac.uk
Telephone: 0116 252 2848

University

University of Leicester

Academic Lead

Richard Buckley and Dr Patrick Clay

Archaeology and Ancient History

Contact

Richard Buckley

0116 252 2848

Website

ULAS