Wessex Archaeology

SUSSEX HOUSE, HIGH STREET,

CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Ref: 62680.01 April 2006

 SUSSEX HOUSE, HIGH STREET
CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

Archaeological
Desk-Based Assessment

Prepared for

Peter Radmall Associates

Firbank, Ashdown Road
Forest Row
East Sussex
RH18 5BW

By
Wessex Archaeology
Unit 113, The Chandlery,
50 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7QY

Report reference: 62680.1

June 2006

© Wessex Archaeology Limited 2006 all rights reserved

Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786
 SUSSEX HOUSE, HIGH STREET
CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

Archaeological
Desk-Based Assessment

Contents

Summary iii
Acknowledgements iv
1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................1
1.1 Project Background......................................................................................1
1.2 Location, Geology and Topography ............................................................1
2 METHODS...........................................................................................................2
2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................2
2.2 Legislative and Planning Documents...........................................................2
2.3 Sites and Monuments Records WSHER......................................................2
2.4 Documentary Sources ..................................................................................2
2.5 Cartographic Sources ...................................................................................2
2.6 Site Visit.......................................................................................................2
2.7 Best Practice Guidance ................................................................................3
2.8 Assumptions.................................................................................................3
3 LEGISLATIVE AND PLANNING BACKGROUND .....................................3
3.1 National Guidance and Legislation..............................................................3
3.2 Regional and Local Planning Guidelines.....................................................5
3.3 Statutory and local designations ..................................................................6
4 RESULTS.............................................................................................................7
4.1 Archaeological and Historical Assessment..................................................7
4.2 Previous Archaeological Work ....................................................................7
4.3 WSHER Search............................................................................................7
4.4 Prehistoric (c.500, 000 – AD 43) .................................................................7
4.5 Palaeolithic (50000 - 10000 BC) .................................................................7
4.6 Bronze Age (2400 – 700 BC) ......................................................................7
4.7 Iron Age (700 BC – AD43)..........................................................................8
4.8 Romano-British (AD 43-409) ......................................................................8
4.9 Saxon (AD 410 – 1065) ...............................................................................8
4.10 Medieval (AD 1066 – 1499) ........................................................................8
4.11 Post-medieval (c. 1500 onwards)...............................................................10
4.12 Modern .......................................................................................................10
4.13 Unprovenanced ..........................................................................................10
4.14 Cartographic Evidence...............................................................................11
4.15 Borehole Survey.........................................................................................11
4.16 Planning Constraints ..................................................................................11
5 DISCUSSION.....................................................................................................12
5.1 Summary of Archaeological Potential .......................................................12
5.2 Existing and Potential Impacts...................................................................12
6 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................13

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6 BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................14
7 WEB SITES CONSULTED..............................................................................14
8 CARTOGRAPHIC SOURCES........................................................................15
APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND
FINDSPOTS ....................................................................................................................
APPENDIX 2: BOREHOLE RESULTS ......................................................................

List of Figures

Figure 1 Site location maps the Site, Study Area and data synthesized from the WSHER
Figure 2 Map regression exercise showing Tithe Map of 1839 and OS map of 1874
Figure 3 Map regression exercise showing OS maps of 1897 and 1944

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 Summary

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Peter Radmall Associates to produce a

Desk-Based Assessment detailing the archaeological potential of land at Sussex
House, Crawley, West Sussex centred on National Grid Reference 526744 136834.
The Assessment was commissioned in support of an application for outline planning
permission for the construction of a mixed-use scheme of residential apartments and
offices, and will include two levels of parking including a basement.
This Assessment presents the results of the synthesis of archaeological and historical
information from a range of readily available, publicly accessible sources, and is
intended to form a baseline report on the known and potential archaeological resource
within the Site and a surrounding Study Area of 2km ².
There are 44 archaeological sites and findspots recorded within a 1km radius of the
Site ranging in date from the Palaeolithic to the post-medieval period. The vast
majority of these sites are medieval, mostly related to ironworking which forms an
important part of the heritage of the Borough. There are several areas of known
medieval activity close to or immediately adjoining the Site.
Cartographic evidence indicates that the present Site lies within an area of land used
historically for agricultural purposes. Prior to the construction of the present standing
buildings, the northern end of the Site held several small cottages.
The construction of the present buildings in the mid 20th Century, and the widening of
the road (the present A2219) may have impacted significantly on the eastern side of
the Site, but the western side of the Site, currently beneath a concrete cap appears to
have remained largely undisturbed since the medieval period. This Assessment has
established that there is, in general, a moderate potential for the presence of
archaeological remains within the bounds of the Site, mostly likely of medieval
origin.

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 Acknowledgements

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Peter Radmall Associates and would like
to thank Peter Radmall in this regard. Wessex Archaeology would like to
acknowledge the assistance and co-operation of John Mills (West Sussex HER), and
of the staff of the West Sussex Records Office, Chichester.

The report was researched and compiled by Cornelius Barton. Mark Roughley
prepared the illustrations. The project was managed for Wessex Archaeology by
Lawrence Pontin.

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 SUSSEX HOUSE, HIGH STREET,
CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

Archaeological
Desk-Based Assessment
1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Peter Radmall Associates to undertake a

desk-based assessment detailing the archaeological potential of land at Sussex
House, High Street, Crawley centred on National Grid Reference 526744, 136834
(the Site). (Figure 1).
1.1.2 The assessment is required to accompany an application for outline planning
permission for the construction of a mixed-use scheme of residential apartments and
offices as part of the redevelopment of the Site. The new buildings will have an E-
shaped layout, with its spine along the High Street and three arms extending towards
Pegler Way. The space between the buildings will comprise landscaped decks at
first-floor level, above two levels of parking, including a basement.
1.1.3 The Crawley Local Development Framework Proposals Plan adopted 2001 outlines
suitable locations for Business Development during the lifetime of the present Plan
(2001-06). The plan also outlines present policy on the preservation and recording of
archaeological and historic remains within the Borough.
1.1.4 The aim of this assessment is to detail the known archaeological and historical
information relating to the Site and to assess the potential for the presence of
archaeological remains within it. The information will be used to inform the planning
authority with respect to consideration of any archaeological issues relating to the
planning application.
1.1.5 In order to assess the archaeological significance of the Site it will be considered
within a wider Study Area of 2km² (Figure 1). This provides the archaeological and
historical context within which the Site can be assessed.
1.2 Location, Geology and Topography

1.2.1 The Site is located at the north western edge of Crawley town centre. It is bounded
on the east by the High Street, on the north and west by Pegler Way and on the south
by a service road.
1.2.2 The Site consists of a roughly rectangular shaped area of ground, sloping very
slightly down to the north. The Site is currently occupied by three standing buildings
comprising a former bowling alley of 1-2 storeys height, a former bingo hall with
offices of 7 storeys, and a small, single-storey central building formerly in use as a
restaurant.
1.2.3 The underlying geology of the Site consists of deposits of sandy clays and
sandstones. According to BGS mapping the Site lays on or near the “Crawley Fault”,
dividing Tunbridge Sands and Weald Clay (BGS Sheet 302 Horsham, 1972).

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2 METHODS

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 The aim of this report is to provide a detailed inventory and assessment of the known
archaeological resources within the Study Area, and to place the results within a
wider archaeological context. A brief summary of the sources consulted is given
below.
2.2 Legislative and Planning Documents

2.2.1 The West Sussex Structure Plan (2001-2016) and the Crawley Local Development
Plan (2000-2006) were consulted to inform of any existing development controls.
Both these documents have been prepared in accordance with statutory legislation
and planning policy guidance relevant to the historic environment.
2.3 Sites and Monuments Records WSHER

2.3.1 The County Council of West Sussex Historical Environmental Record (formerly the
SMR now the WSHER) maintains a digital database of all known archaeological
sites, findspots and archaeological events within the County.
2.3.2 All records within the Study Area were examined. A synthesised summary is
presented as Appendix 1. This is not a record of all surviving archaeological features
and artefacts, but a record of the discovery and recording of such features and
artefacts.
2.3.3 At the offices of the WSHER a small number of reports were consulted detailing
sites which have not yet been entered into the WSHER database.
2.4 Documentary Sources

2.4.1 A preliminary search of other relevant primary and secondary sources was carried
out at the Guildhall Library, London and in Wessex Archaeology’s own library. The
sources consulted are listed in the bibliography.
2.5 Cartographic Sources

2.5.1 A search of surviving maps was undertaken at West Sussex Records Office. The
study of maps and other associated historical sources helps to clarify the
archaeological potential of the Site in two ways. Firstly, it suggests aspects of the
medieval and later land-use prior to its modern development. Secondly, it pinpoints
areas of the Site, which because of that development, are likely to have become
archaeologically sterile. The maps relevant to the Site are listed in Section 6.
2.6 Site Visit

2.6.1 The Site was visited on the 4th of April 2006. The aim of the visit was to assess the
general aspect, character, condition and setting of the Site and to identify any
potential impacts not evident from secondary sources. The Site was viewed from a
number of locations around its perimeter, principally from publicly accessible
locations along the High Street and from the existing car park at the rear. A brief
digital photographic record of the Site and its setting was compiled and these images
are included in the project archive.

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2.7 Best Practice Guidance

2.7.1 This assessment has been carried out in accordance with the Institute of Field
Archaeologists’ Standards and Guidance for Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment
(IFA 2001).
2.8 Assumptions

2.8.1 The West Sussex Sites and Monuments is composed of secondary information
derived from varied sources only some of which have been directly examined for the
purposes of this study. The assumption is made that this data, as well as that derived
from other secondary sources, is reasonably accurate.

3 LEGISLATIVE AND PLANNING BACKGROUND

3.1 National Guidance and Legislation

Archaeology
3.1.1 Principal legislation concerning protection of important archaeological sites
comprises the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (as amended).
3.1.2 Guidance on the importance, management and safeguarding of the archaeological
resource within the planning process is provided by Planning Policy Guidance Note
16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG 16) issued by the Department of the
Environment in November 1990. The underlying principle of this guidance is that
archaeological resources are non-renewable, stating that:
…Where nationally important archaeological remains, whether scheduled or not, are
affected by proposed development there should be a presumption in favour of their
physical preservation. (Paragraph 8)

3.1.3 Paragraph 19 states:

In their own interests…prospective developers should in all cases include as part of

the research into the development of a site… an initial assessment of whether the site
is known or likely to contain archaeological remains.

3.1.4 Paragraph 22 adds:

Local Planning Authorities can expect developers to provide the results of such
assessments …as part of their application for sites where there is good reason to
believe there are remains of archaeological importance.

3.1.5 In addition paragraph 25 advises:

Where planning authorities decide that the physical preservation in situ of

archaeological remains is not justified in the circumstance of the case…it would be
entirely reasonable for the planning authority to satisfy itself, before granting
planning permission, that the developer has made appropriate and satisfactory
provision for the excavating and recording of the remains. Such excavation and
recording should be carried out before the development commences, working to a

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 project brief prepared by the planning authority and taking advice from
archaeological consultants.

Listed buildings
3.1.6 Protection for historically important buildings is principally based upon the Planning
(Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Recent guidance on the
approach of the planning authorities to development and historic buildings is
provided by Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic
Environment (PPG 15).
3.1.7 Paragraph 2.16 of PPG 15 states:
‘Sections 16 and 66 of the Act [Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas)
Act 1990] require authorities considering applications for planning permission or
listed building consent for works which affect a listed building to have special regard
to certain matters, including the desirability of preserving the setting of the
building’.

3.1.8 Paragraph 1.1 of PPG 15 addresses the historic environment:

It is fundamental to the Government’s policies for environmental stewardship that
there should be effective protection for all aspects of the historic environment. The
physical survivals of our past are to be valued and protected for their own sake, as a
central part of our cultural heritage and our sense of national identity. They are an
irreplaceable record which contributes, through formal education and in many other
ways, to our understanding of both the present and past. Their presence adds to the
quality of our lives, by enhancing the familiar and cherished local scene and
sustaining the sense of local distinctiveness which is so important an aspect of the
character and appearance of our towns, villages and countryside. The historic
environment is also of immense importance for leisure and recreation’.

Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings and Historic Parks and Gardens

3.1.9 Guidance on the identification and protection of historic buildings, conservation
areas, historic parks and gardens and other elements of the historic environment is
provided by National Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic
Environment (PPG 15) issued by the Department of the Environment in September
1994.
3.1.10 The elements of the built heritage outlined above are given statutory protection
through the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. This
protection is achieved by the inclusion of suitable buildings within the lists of
buildings of special architectural and historic interest (‘Listed Buildings’) and the
designation of Conservation Areas.
3.1.11 Historic parks and gardens are a fragile and finite resource: they can easily be
damaged beyond repair or lost forever. In order to recognise the existence of those
sites which are of particular historic importance, English Heritage is enabled by
Section 8C of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 (inserted by
section 33 of, and paragraph 10 of Section 4, to the National Heritage Act 1983) to
compile the Register of Parks and Gardens of special historic interest in England.
3.1.12 Although inclusion on the register does not offer statutory protection, PPG15 states
that local planning authorities should ensure the protection of registered parks and

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 gardens when preparing development plans and in determining planning
applications:
“The effect of proposed development on a registered park or garden or its setting is
a material consideration in the determination of a planning application”
(PPG15 paragraph 2.24)

3.1.13 A combination of statutory legislation and policy guidance should mean that
development plans reconcile the need for development with the interests of
conservation  including archaeology. Detailed development plans should include
policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological
interest, and their settings.
3.1.14 Decisions by planning authorities on whether to preserve archaeological remains in
situ, in the face of proposed development, have to be taken on merit, taking account
of development plan policies and all other material considerations  including the
importance of the remains  and weighing these against the need for development.
A similar situation exists with regards to the potential impact of development on the
physical fabric and setting of Listed Buildings, sites included on the Register of
Historic Parks and Gardens and Conservation Areas.
3.2 Regional and Local Planning Guidelines

3.2.1 The West Sussex Structure Plan 2001-2016 (2005, 17) also contains policies and
explanatory text relating to management of archaeology and the wider historic
environment.
3.2.2 Policy CH7 states:
“(a) Development should not be permitted unless the archaeological heritage of
West Sussex is protected and preserved and, where possible, opportunities are
taken to promote the educational and amenity value of sites and areas (historic
landscapes).

(b) Local Plans will include policies to ensure:

(1) the physical preservation in-situ of nationally important archaeological areas,

sites or monuments, whether scheduled or not, and their settings;”

(2) the protection of other important archaeological areas and sites including,
where appropriate, the preservation of the remains in-situ;

(3) where necessary, that site evaluation is undertaken to define the character and
significance of the archaeological or historic interest of proposed development
sites; and

(4) the excavation and recording of archaeological remains, the preservation of

any finds and the subsequent publication of results.”

3.2.3 The Crawley Local Development Plan 2000 -2006 (adopted), broadly follows the
Structure Plan outlined above. Chapter 4 Built/natural Heritage contains policies
and explanatory text relating to the management of Listed Buildings (policy BN11-

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 15), Buildings of Historical Interest (policy BN16), Conservation Areas (policies BN
1-6)), Historic Gardens (policy BN18) and Archaeology (policy BN17).
3.2.4 In particular, policy BN17 states:
3.2.5 “Archaeological remains are irreplaceable and are particularly vulnerable to
disturbance and destruction. There are 4 sites in the borough designated as Scheduled
Ancient Monuments and 13 sites have been recorded by the County Council as
Archaeological Sensitive Areas. These are identified on the Proposals Map. 38 other
areas of suspected archaeological interest have also been identified. These latter sites
have not been fully investigated and other sites may be discovered, possibly in the
course of development. The Borough Council will seek to protect all important
archaeological sites as part of Crawley's heritage. In areas where the remains are less
significant, it may not be necessary to resist development, especially where they can
be physically preserved on the site. As a last resort, remains can be recorded before
development commences. Improved management and interpretation of Crawley's
archaeological remains will help them become an educational resource which can be
appreciated by all”
3.2.6 The policy further states that
3.2.7 “All development proposals will be appraised to assess their possible effects on
archaeological remains and, if necessary, a field evaluation will be required.
Development proposals which adversely affect Scheduled Ancient Monuments or
their setting will be strongly resisted.
3.2.8 In archaeologically sensitive areas and other areas of archaeological interest,
development may be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the remains will be
preserved in situ and / or can be satisfactorily recorded. The Borough Council will
seek to improve the management and interpretation of these sites.”
3.2.9 Policy BN 11 states that
3.2.10 “Proposals for new development including extensions, alterations or changes of use
affecting a listed building or its setting will only be permitted if:
(i) there is no adverse impact on the building’s historic or architectural interest
(ii) the scale and form of the existing building is respected, including its roof
profile, doors and windows, and internal layout..”

3.2.11 The Policy further states

3.2.12 “Development, however minor, can adversely affect the historic or architectural
qualities of a listed building. Most alterations to listed buildings require Listed
Building Consent. The Borough Council will seek to ensure that all changes,
including adjacent development, complement the existing building and preserve or
enhance its character, appearance and setting. Many listed buildings are of
archaeological interest and this therefore needs to be taken into account when
applications are considered.”
3.3 Statutory and local designations

3.3.1 The Site does not contain areas protected by Statute, and will not have a significant
bearing upon any areas designated as or containing scheduled monuments. The wider
study area contains two archaeologically sensitive areas as defined by the Local Plan,
but these will not be impacted by the proposed development.

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3.3.2 Opposite to the Site at 101 High Street stands The Old Punch Bowl public house, a
Grade II* listed building of originally 15th Century date.

4 RESULTS

4.1 Archaeological and Historical Assessment

4.1.1 The information in this section is derived from the sources outlined in Section 2.
4.2 Previous Archaeological Work

4.2.1 No archaeological works have previously been undertaken on the Site.

4.3 WSHER Search

4.3.1 A search of the WSHER considered a study zone of 2km² centred on NGR 526744
136834. This search generated 44 records.
4.3.2 The search indicated that no archaeological investigations; activities, findspots or
historic structures are recorded within the Site. However, a large number of
excavations have been conducted in the immediate vicinity of the Site perimeter.
4.3.3 In order to gain a fuller understanding of the archaeological potential of the Site, a
visit was made to the office of the WSHER to examine records of recent excavations
which are not yet listed on the WSHER database, and to study more closely the
records of excavations that have taken place close to the Site.
4.3.4 For the purposes of this report each individual WSHER record has been allocated a
unique Wessex Archaeology (WA) number. These numbers and the extent of the
Study Area are plotted on Figure 1 and listed in the Gazetteer (Appendix 1).
Archaeological features, deposits and historical findspots are referred to in
chronological order. Undated records or those of uncertain provenance are
considered at the end of the Section.
4.4 Prehistoric (c.500, 000 – AD 43)

4.4.1 The WSHER lists as findspots the locations of a number of prehistoric artefacts or
assemblages. A flint dagger of “prehistoric” date held at Lewes Museum is recorded
as being found in Crawley. The precise location of the findspot is unknown; the
record dates to 1931. Similarly, 18 flint arrowheads are recorded as having been
found in a nursery or garden in Crawley in 1936, but the exact location is not known.
4.5 Palaeolithic (50000 - 10000 BC)

4.5.1 A group of four Palaeolithic axes (WA1) are recorded as having been recovered in
Crawley although an exact location is not specified (Woodcock 1981 from WHSER).
4.6 Bronze Age (2400 – 700 BC)

4.6.1 Evidence of Bronze Age occupation in the area is slight. Two pits and a linear
feature (WA2) were excavated during excavations in advance of the ASDA
redevelopment in 2003, and these were dated to the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron
Age by associated pottery. There are no other Bronze Age sites or findspots in the
Study Area.

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4.7 Iron Age (700 BC – AD43)

4.7.1 The Iron Age saw a rise in activity in the Weald area generally. The increased
occupation of the area is probably due in part to the presence of rich ore deposits. A
bloomery of Iron Age date is recorded at Goffs Park (WA3). A bloomery is an early
form of industrial hearth used for smelting haematite into iron.
4.7.2 A small Iron Age site was excavated (WA4) in 1970 in advance of construction. The
site consisted of two curving ditches, believed to be the eastern side of a small
enclosure. A number of sherds of Iron-Age pottery of different types were recovered;
it is believed that the enclosure may have contained a pottery manufacturing site.
4.7.3 During the excavation of twelve trial trenches close by at (WA5) two small sub-
circular features were exposed, tentatively dated to the Iron Age by a single sherd of
pottery. All three of the above lie approximately 800m to the southwest of the Site,
slightly outside the immediate study area.
4.8 Romano-British (AD 43-409)

4.8.1 There is no definitive evidence of a settlement at Crawley during the Romano-British

period, although the road from Londinium to Brighton ran through what would later
become the town centre. Ironworking continued to take place in the area and
Romano-British ironworking nearby in Crawley Down is described in the Bulletin of
the Wealden Iron Research Group (1985). Roman iron mines are recorded at Holtye
to the east and Alfoldean to the west (roman-britain.org 2006).
4.8.2 At the Crawley Barn excavation in 1973 (WA6) a quantity of Roman pottery was
recorded. This site is recorded as being of medieval date, and the reason for the
presence of Roman pottery is uncertain. There are no other results from the Romano-
British period recorded in the Study area.
4.9 Saxon (AD 410 – 1065)

4.9.1 Pottery of this date was recovered during excavation in advance of the construction
of the ASDA supermarket (WA7) but the find appears to be an isolated one and there
are no other recorded sites of Saxon date in the Study Area.
4.10 Medieval (AD 1066 – 1499)

4.10.1 There is no mention of Crawley itself in the Domesday survey of 1086, and is first
listed as a Vill in the Hundred of Buttinghill in 1296. It appears to have been a part of
the possessions of the Poynings family, who in 1202, received licence from King
John to hold a market in the High Street on Fridays, for which “Michael de
Poynings…gave the King a good Norway Goshawk.” (VCH 1940, 125). The wide
high street suggests a cigar-shaped market place, a common phenomena in new
medieval towns.
4.10.2 The medieval period appears to have been a time of relative prosperity in Crawley,
with a number of large buildings being erected (see WA08, WA09 below).
Ironworking continued to play a major role in the local economy (Saunders et al
1998; Bulletin of the Wealden Iron Research Group 1988, 1989, 1990), and almost
all the medieval sites investigated in Crawley have contained evidence of smelting or
smithying, usually in the form of waste materials such as slag. During excavations in
Maidenbower, to the south west of the City Centre, a number of medieval iron-
quarrying pits were recorded (Wessex Archaeology 2003).

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4.10.3 The Church of St. John the Baptist (WA08) is recorded in the Victorian County
History as being of originally 14th Century construction. The only remaining ancient
parts of the structure are the south wall of the nave, probably 14th Century, and the
roof, of 16th Century date (VCH p.146).
4.10.4 The remains of another building of similar date were found at 103 High Street a
building known as the “Moat Hall” (WA09). This lay directly opposite the Site on
the east side of the High Street, and was found to be the remains of a 14th Century
timber-framed Moot Hall, or meeting-hall, recorded before being demolished and
removed to Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, West Sussex for reconstruction
in 1973. The building was timber-framed and the floor, dated to the 14th Century by
pottery fragments within it, was metalled with ironworking slag (W.I.R.G Bulletin
1973).
4.10.5 During the construction of the Crawley High Street Relief Road, a number of
excavations were undertaken in the area around the Site. One phase of this work, at
WA10, found medieval ironworking waste in the form of tap slag, with associated
pottery of 12th-14th Century date. To the south, excavations at (WA11) and (WA12)
found further evidence of medieval ironworking, again mainly in the form of waste
materials such as slag deposited in pits. Also uncovered were a number of gullies,
ditches and pits, one of which at (WA 12) exceeded 2.5m in depth (Saunders et al
1998) The function of this feature was not established, but it did not contain organic
material. Analysis of the pottery sherds recovered dated the features to the 12th -14th
Centuries.
4.10.6 Excavation was also undertaken at land off Pegler Way (WA13) at which further
evidence for medieval industrial activity was found, including a pit for processing
flax for linen production. No evidence for smithying was found, but once again many
of the features excavated contained ironworking slag. A short distance to the south at
Ifield Road (WA14), an evaluation found medieval pottery sherds but no associated
features.
4.10.7 Another large area of medieval activity was excavated in advance of the ASDA
superstore development in 2003 (WA15 – WA18). Spread across the area of the
development were discovered a large number of pits, postholes and ditches. Some of
the evidence from this site was considered hard to interpret as a result of flooding,
but a hearth and a possible working surface were recorded. The site was dated to the
12th – 13th centuries by large quantities of medieval pottery.
4.10.8 Further evidence of the medieval occupation of the area derives from the Crawley
Leisure Park site (WA19-WA21). This area, approximately 250m to the north of the
Site, was excavated in 1997 in advance of construction of the present Leisure Park
buildings. A medieval field system with associated features including a smithy, a
trackway and a well were recorded across an area of approximately 4 hectares. This
site is slightly later than those detailed above, being of late 13th to early 14th Century
date (Cooke et al 2001).
4.10.9 South of the Site during excavations at the Old Post Office on the High Street
(WA22) further medieval remains were found, including more rubbish pits which
again contained large quantities of ironworking waste. The foundations of a medieval
tenement and well were also exposed. Another pit containing medieval iron slag was
found at (WA23), again on the High Street. Ironworking evidence from this period

9
 was also found at (WA26), when a tree uprooted by a storm was found to have been
growing over a number of pieces of bloomery slag and a furnace bottom.
4.10.10 Adjacent to the Site, approximately 50m to the north west, stands a Grade II* Listed
Building, The Old Punch Bowl Inn (WA27). The first phase of the buildings
construction has been dated to the early 15thCentury, and like the other medieval
buildings mentioned in the text it has seen frequent renovations and changes of use.
4.10.11 At 16 High Street, to the south of the Site, a building (WA28) recorded prior to
demolition had four major phases of use, being first constructed as a single-storey
open hall in the 15th Century and subsequently raised to two storeys and enlarged in
the 16th-17th Centuries. Some of the timbers were dated in 1996 using
dendrochronology, and are now awaiting display in Crawley Museum.
4.10.12 Several smaller medieval sites are recorded, notably at Woolborough Road (WA29)
where a number of pits and two gullies were dated to the medieval period by the
quantities of iron slag found within them. Another similar site consisting of several
large pits filled with material including ironworking slag was excavated at the
junction of the High Street and Kilnmead Road (WA30).
4.10.13 Finally, an evaluation off Goffs Park Road exposed two sub-circular features
(WA31). The date of these could not be firmly established, but they have been
tentatively assigned to the medieval period due to the find of a single sherd of
medieval pottery found nearby.
4.11 Post-medieval (c. 1500 onwards)

4.11.1 The post-medieval period appears to have seen something of a lull in the
development of Crawley. Most of the ironworking sites described above were
abandoned or turned over to arable or pasture land, as can be seen from the map
regression exercise detailed in section 4.14 (Figures 2 and 3). The main body of the
town contracted to a boundary some 50m to the south of the Site and remained there
until the mid 19th Century, at which point the town began to expand once more.
4.11.2 The sites recorded from this period on the WSHER are generally related to small
property boundaries or industrial activity. A 19th Century brick well with an
associated ditch was uncovered during the aforementioned excavations at the Old
Post Office (WA32). A series of brickworking sites are also known to have existed
from the OS maps of the time (WA33-WA36). At (WA37) a late post-medieval
boundary ditch was discovered to be surviving in a heavily truncated state due to
previous development. Another ditch of similar nature and date was found during an
evaluation nearby at Victoria Road (WA38) which appropriately enough also
uncovered surviving foundations of a Victorian date (WA39).
4.11.3 Finally, a Baptist Chapel and cemetery dated by gravestone inscriptions to 1858 was
recorded at (WA40) prior to destruction for redevelopment in 1982.
4.12 Modern

4.12.1 A World War II installation (WA41) is marked as “15 Command Workshop” on the
OS map of 1946.
4.13 Unprovenanced

4.13.1 Two prehistoric findspots are recorded as being within the Study Area, listed in the
gazetteer as (WA42) and (WA43) (see 4.4.1 above). These consist of records of a

10
 flint dagger and a collection of flint arrowheads respectively. Neither findspot can
now be precisely dated or located, and therefore do not appear on the study area map
on Figure 1.
4.14 Cartographic Evidence

4.14.1 The earliest map consulted is a Tithe map from 1839 (Figure 2). Due to the small
scale of this map it does not show the study area in great detail, but the site area can
be established and it is readily apparent that in this period there were no buildings on
the Site area. It is important to note, however, that there is also no sign of the smithy
and buildings described in (WA19-WA21), to the north of the Site.
4.14.2 The route of the present A2219 was already in use by this time, and it can be seen
from the study of subsequent maps that the line of the road has broadened somewhat
whilst retaining its original line, which may have had some impact upon the western
side of the Site.
4.14.3 The OS maps from 1874, 1896 and 1944 were also consulted at West Sussex Record
Office (Figures 2 and 3). These maps show that prior to the present standing
buildings there was some small amount of development in the north end of the Site.
On the OS map of 1874 a small building with an adjoining garden has been
constructed at the north west of the Site area, with smaller structures at the rear. This
building is still standing in 1896. By 1944 a further partitioning of the northern area
of the Site has taken place and there are now three plots of land in the northern end
of the Site, containing a total of eight small buildings. The nature of the buildings is
uncertain but they were most likely small cottages with sheds or barns to the rear.
4.14.4 There is no evidence for development on the south-western part of the Site since the
medieval period.
4.15 Borehole Survey

4.15.1 A limited geotechnical survey of the western side of the Sites was undertaken on 15th
December 2004. Three boreholes were sunk to a maximum depth of three metres.
Immediately below the concrete capping, the boreholes detected a yellow-brown
sandy clay with some brick and gravel stones at a depth of 0.30-0.50m below ground
level, overlying cleaner deposit of yellow-brown grey sandy clay at 0.50-1.0m. It
may be that the upper clay deposit consists of made ground and the lower of
undisturbed natural, which would support the conclusion above that the Site has
remained largely undeveloped at least since the medieval period. Although this
evidence is obviously very limited, it suggests that the potential for the survival of
archaeological remains on the Site is high.
4.16 Planning Constraints

4.16.1 The Site does not contain any Scheduled Monuments or Listed Buildings, although
there is a Grade II* Listed Building opposite the Site. Since the development will
alter the character of the surrounding area it may be necessary to obtain Listed
Building Consent with regard to issues of setting.
4.16.2 There is no additional archaeological guidance (beyond that which applies as
standard) relating to the Site in either the Structure Plan or the Local Plan.

11
5 DISCUSSION

5.1 Summary of Archaeological Potential

5.1.1 The volume of archaeological data derived from within the 2km Study Area is high.
The vast majority of the evidence is of medieval date, but there is also some potential
for surviving remains of other periods.
5.1.2 The presence and nature of land use in the earlier prehistoric period is unclear. No
sites of earlier prehistoric date (before 2,400 BC) are known to exist in the study
area, and the evidence for occupation of the region at this time consists of a few
isolated findspots of uncertain provenance. However earlier prehistoric material has
been found in Crawley occasionally, and while the relative scarcity of such material
means that any such remains as were found would generate a great deal of interest,
there is in general a low potential for the preservation of significant early prehistoric
deposits within the Site.
5.1.3 The evidence for Bronze Age activity in the area is also very scarce. It is considered
that there is a low potential for significant archaeological remains of this period.
5.1.4 The Iron Age period appears to have seen the first rise in importance for the area,
with evidence from four separate sites within the study area for Iron Age activity.
The Wealden Iron Research Group continues to make discoveries on a yearly basis,
and it appears likely that the potential exists in the area for the discovery of Iron Age
sites of considerable size and importance. The potential for such remains on the Site
area is considered moderate.
5.1.5 Evidence of Romano-British activity within the Study Area is likewise scarce, being
confined to a single findspot, although this findspot is located very close to the Site.
Crawley does not appear to have been inhabited during this period. The potential for
significant Romano-British remains on the Site is considered low to moderate.
5.1.6 Given the lack of Saxon sites or findspots in the area the potential for such remains
on the Site is considered low.
5.1.7 The evidence from the medieval period shows a heavy concentration of activity
around the Site. Excavations to the immediate north and south have found evidence
of widespread ironworking and settlement in the area all around the Site, stretching
as far as the ASDA Superstore and Leisure Centre developments (see Figure 2).
Since a large part of the Site area appears to have been undisturbed since the
medieval period the potential for surviving medieval remains is considered very
high.
5.1.8 The cartographic evidence described above indicates that most of the Site has been
under low-level cultivation since the medieval period. The northern area of the Site
may contain remains of the footings of 19th Century buildings, but these will
probably be of limited archaeological significance and therefore the potential for
significant remains of a post-medieval or modern date is moderate to low.
5.2 Existing and Potential Impacts

5.2.1 The Site visit, undertaken in April 2006, noted no significant impacts to the Site
other than the present standing buildings described above. The western side of the
site is occupied by a car park, and the gently sloping and slightly uneven ground
surface suggest that the Site has not been significantly landscaped at any point.

12
5.2.1 A full and final assessment of the potential impact of this development will be
possible only when final architectural details, including the size and projected depth
of building and other footings, are available.

6 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1.1 This assessment has established that there is a low potential for the presence of early
prehistoric or Bronze Age remains, moderate potential for the presence of
archaeological remains from the Iron Age or Romano-British periods, and a very
high potential for surviving remains of the medieval period, probably relating to
ironworking.
6.1.2 The overall potential for significant archaeological remains to be present on the Site
must therefore be characterised as moderate.
6.1.3 In view of the identified potential of the Site, discussions will take place with the
Local Planning Authority and the Archaeological Advisor to establish whether any
further evaluation is required, and in the event that it is, to agree its timing and scope.

13
6 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bulletin of the Wealden Iron Research Group (series 1) 6 1973
Bulletin of the Wealden Iron Research Group (series 2) 5 1985, 8 1988, 9 1989, 15
1995
Crawley Borough Council 2001 Local Development Plan 2001-2006 (Adopted)
Crawley BC.
Cooke, N with Andrews, P. Gale, R. Hinton, P. Loader E, and Mepham, L. 1997
Excavations on A late Medieval Ironworking Site at London Road Crawley, West
Sussex 1997 in Sussex Archaeological Collections 139, 2001
Institute of Field Archaeologists Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Desk-
Based Assessments 2001
Saunders, M. J with Hodgkinson, Letts, Richards, Reilly, Timby and Winder
Archaeological Investigations on the Route of the Crawley High Street Relief Road,
Crawley, West Sussex in Sussex Archaeological Collections 136, 1998
Victoria History of the County of Sussex Vol vii Ed. LF Salzman 1940
Wessex Archaeology Crawley Schools Private Finance Initiative Thomas Bennet
College, Crawley, West Sussex: Archaeological Evaluation Report 2003
West Sussex County Council, 2005, West Sussex Structure Plan 2001-2016, WSCC
(Chichester).
Woodcock, A. The Lower and Middle Palaeolithic in Sussex BAR Report 1981

7 WEB SITES CONSULTED

West Sussex Structure Plan 2001-2016

Adopted 24 October 2004; Published February 2005
http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/content/your-council/plans-policies-reports-and-
initiatives/structure-plan-2001-2016.jsp?sectionNumber=2
(viewed 15/03/06)
Homepage of the Wealden Iron Research Group
http://users.argonet.co.uk/users/tonysing/WIRG/
(viewed 07/04/06)
Homepage of Roman Britain.org
http://www.roman-britain.org/maps

(viewed 06/04/06)

14
8 CARTOGRAPHIC SOURCES

Documents reproduced as figures in this report are in bold. Those not illustrated are
in Italics.

Tithe Map 1839

Ordnance Survey Maps:
1874
1897
1944
1966
1971

British Geological Survey 1972, Map Sheet 302 Horsham

15
APPENDIX 1: GAZETTEER OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND FINDSPOTS

Name WA WSHER Easting Northing Period Type

number number
FLINT AXES 1 4036-WS686 526700 136500 PALAEOLITHIC FINDSPOT FLINT AXES- LOCATION UNCERTAIN
ASDA SITE 2 7158-WS7213 526615 136501 LBA/EIA OCCUPATION SITE LINEAR FEATURE AND PITS
GOFFS PARK 3 7544-WS7619 526300 136300 IRON AGE BLOOMERY BLOOMERY LISTED BY W.I.R.D
SOUTHGATE PART OF ENCLOSURE WITH
ASSOCIATED IRON AGE POTTERY-
SETTLEMENT AND POSSIBLE POTTERY
4 4017-WS678 526220 136220 IRON AGE FINDSPOT MANUFACTURING SITE
44 GOFFS PARK POTTERY MANUFACTURING SAME
5 5695-WS4398 526200 136200 IRON AGE FEATURE AS WA3
CRAWLEY BARN ROMAN POTTERY AT CRAWLEY
6 5308-WS3991 526850 136850 ROMAN FINDSPOT BARN EXCAVATION
ASDA SITE WELL AND PIT FEATURES DATED BY
7 7156-WS7211 526710 136460 SAXON PIT SINGLE POTTERY SHERD
ST JOHNS CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST
CHURCH FIRST CONSTRUCTED 13TH
STANDING CENTURY, SURVIVING 14TH AND 16TH
8 4015-WS676 526860 136540 MEDIEVAL BUILDING CENTURY FEATURES
MOAT HALL MOAT HALL 103 HIGH ST. C14TH
HIGH STREET BUILDING RECORDED PRIOR TO
REMOVAL TO SINGLETON OPEN AIR
9 4027-WS680 526850 136850 MEDIEVAL HOUSE MUSEUM.
HIGH STREET IRONWORKING EVIDENCE FOUND BY
RELIEF ROAD 10 5690-WS4393 526800 136950 MEDIEVAL OCCUPATION SITE EXCAVATION
HIGH STREET PIT, FINDSPOT
RELIEF ROAD AND IRONSTONE IRONWORKING EVIDENCE FOUND BY
11 5961-WS4394 526630 136600 MEDIEVAL WORKING EXCAVATION
HIGH STREET IRONWORKING EVIDENCE AND
RELIEF ROAD FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED FEATURES FOUND BY
12 5692-WS4395 526720 136480 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT EXCAVATION
PEGLER WAY 13 n/a 526745 136958 MEDIEVAL Additional medieval ironworking site
HAMMERSON POTTERY SHERDS FOUND DURING
IFIELD EVALUATION- NOT ASSOCIATED
14 7348-WS7416 526595 136569 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT WITH ANY FEATURES

1
 ASDA SITE PIT POSTHOLE POSSIBLE WORKING SURFACE AT
15 7161-WS7216 526585 136532 MEDIEVAL DITCH AND FLOOR ASDA DEVELOPMENT
ASDA SITE PIT POSTHOLE MEDIEVAL FEATURES AT ASDA
16 7160-WS7215 526532 136519 MEDIEVAL AND GULLY DEVELOPMENT
ASDA SITE 17 7159-WS7214 526648 136524 MEDIEVAL
ASDA SITE 18 7157-WS7212 526724 136407 MEDIEVAL
CRAWLEY MEDIEVAL SMITHY AND POST-MED
LEISURE PARK 19 6858-WS6893 526882 137170 MEDIEVAL OCCUPATION SITE INN FOUND BY EXCAVATION
CRAWLEY TRACKWAY AND FEATURES CONTEMPORARY WITH
LEISURE PARK 20 6861-WS6896 526883 137188 MEDIEVAL BUILDING SMITHY
CRAWLEY FIELD SYSTEM
LEISURE PARK AND
IRONWORKING FIELD-BOUNDARY DITCHES WITH
21 6862-WS6897 526741 137179 MEDIEVAL SITE IRONWORKING WASTE
OLD POST MEDIEVAL TENEMENT FOUNDATION
OFFICE 22 5696-WS6916 526763 136450 MEDIEVAL OCCUPATION SITE FOUND BY EXCAVATION
26-36 HIGH
STREET FEATURES AND IRONWORKING EVIDENCE FOUND BY
CRAWLEY 23 6871-WS6906 526725 136509 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT EXCAVATION
DRIFTWAY 24 5304-WS5473 526750 137000 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT IRONWORKING WASTE
SPENCERS
ROAD 25 5305-WS3990 526500 136500 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT IRONWORKING WASTE
HIGH STREET IRONWORKING SLAG FOUND
26 5306-WS5474 526800 136500 MEDIEVAL FINDSPOT ADJACENT TO CHURCH
101 HIGH
STREET STANDING 15TH CENTURY BUILDING
CRAWLEY 27 5307-WS5475 526826 136780 MEDIEVAL HOUSE 101 HIGH STREET LISTED GRADE II*
16 CRAWLEY
HIGH STREET 28 5689-WS5478 526739 136460 MEDIEVAL HOUSE 15TH CENTURY HOUSE 16 HIGH ST
7
WOOLBOROUGH FEATURES WITH IRONWORKING
ROAD 29 6872-WS6907 527026 137198 MEDIEVAL PIT AND DITCHES WASTE
KILNMEAD AND FEATURES CONTEMPORARY WITH
HIGH STREET 30 6882-WS6919 526916 137157 MEDIEVAL PITS SMITHY
44 GOFFS PARK MEDIEVAL FEATURES AT 44 GOFFS
ROAD 31 6874-WS6909 526257 136125 MEDIEVAL PITS ROAD
OLD POST POST- IRONWORKING WASTE AT OLD POST
OFFICE 9-11 32 5697-WS6917 526791 136408 MEDIEVAL OCCUPATION SITE OFFICE SITE

2
 HIGH STREET
WEST GREEN POST-
BRICKFIELD 33 6218-WS4878 526600 136800 MEDIEVAL BRICKWORKS FROM OS MAP 1909
BRICKWORKS
ON NORTH SIDE POST-
OF RAILWAY 34 6219-WS4878 525800 136700 MEDIEVAL BRICKWORKS FROM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
PERRYFIELD POST-
ROAD 35 6220-WS4880 526400 136100 MEDIEVAL BRICKWORKS FROM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
BRICKFIELD
SOUTH OF
CRAWLEY POST-
STREET 36 6221-WS4881 527000 136100 MEDIEVAL BRICKWORKS FROM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
SHAWS GARAGE POST-
37 6583-WS5365 526680 136660 MEDIEVAL CROPMARK POSSIBLE GARDEN BOUNDARY
VICTORIA ROAD POST- RE-CUT BOUNDARY DITCH FILLED
38 6875-WS6910 526478 136620 MEDIEVAL DITCH WITH IRON SLAG
VICTORIA ROAD VICTORIAN
FOUNDATION OF
POST- TERRACE
39 6876-WS6911 526437 136622 MEDIEVAL HOUSING FROM UNPUBLISHED DOCUMENT
BETHEL BAPTIST CHAPEL RECORDED
BAPTIST POST- CHAPEL AND BEFORE DESTRUCTION FOR
CHAPEL 40 6881-WS6918 526578 136454 MEDIEVAL CEMETERY REDEVELOPMENT
WWII
INSTALLATION 41 6655-WS7775 526716 137358 WWII COMMAND POST
NO CLEAR
PROVENANCE 42 4016-WS677 527000 136000 PREHISTORIC FINDSPOT FLINT DAGGER
NO CLEAR FLINT ARROWHEADS- LOCATION
PROVENANCE 43 4014-WS675 527000 136000 PREHISTORIC FINDSPOT UNCERTAIN

3
APPENDIX 2: BOREHOLE RESULTS

Borehole Number 1
Depth below Deposit
ground level
0.30m Reinforced concrete
0.50m Soft firm yellow grey brown clay with some brick and gravel
1.00m Yellow brown sandy clay
1.00m Hard rock

Borehole Number 2
Depth below Deposit
ground level
0.30m Reinforced concrete
0.50m Soft firm yellow grey brown sandy clay with some brick and gravel stones (SANDY CLAY)
1.00m Stiff yellow brown friable sandy CLAY (SANDY CLAY)
1.50m Stiff brown mottled fissured MUDSONE
2.50m Very stiff yellow brown sandy mottled CLAY with some yellow stone fragments (SANDY CLAY)
3.00m Hard rock

Borehole Number 3
Depth below Deposit
ground level
0.40m Reinforced concrete
0.50m Soft brown sandy silty CLAY (SANDY SILTY CLAY)
0.70m Yellow blue grey SILT (SILT)
1.60m Very stiff brown mottled sandy MUDSTONE (MUDSTONE)
2.50m Very stiff brown sandy MUDSTONE (MUDSTONE)
3.00m Hard rock

1
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