Greenfield Road, Colne, Lancashire -Archaeological Landscape Survey

Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) was commissioned by Nexus Planning Ltd, acting on behalf of RB Business Park Ltd, to undertake an archaeological investigation in advance of the proposed development of land off Greenfield Road in Colne, Lancashire (centred on NGR 387380 439696). The work was carried out to satisfy a condition attached to planning consent (Application Ref 13/13/0593P) that required an appropriate programme of archaeological investigation of the site be carried out in advance of development. The scheme of archaeological work was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation, prepared by OA North, with allowed for an enhanced English Heritage Level 1-type landscape survey. The survey was undertaken in February 2015. The archaeological survey revealed evidence for medieval/post-medieval agricultural exploitation across most of the site, including broad ridge and furrow cultivation typically associated with medieval open-field agriculture. Three, tree-lined bank and ditch field boundaries were also recorded, indicative of post-medieval enclosure of open-field cultivation into enclosed field plots within the property of Greenfield Farm. The post-medieval field boundaries were overlain by an industrial/modern period drystone wall associated with a row of houses on the north side of Greenfield Road. Whilst the archaeological survey has identified physical evidence for medieval/postmedieval agricultural activity in the study area, these features have little potential for any further study. It is thus concluded that there is little merit in carrying out any additional archaeological investigation in advance of, or during, the construction phase of the proposed development.