Knocknagael to Tomatin 275kV Reinforcement Tomatin Substation Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation

Transcription

1 Knocknagael to Tomatin 275kV Reinforcement Tomatin Substation Archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation

2 Applies to SHE Transmission Classification External Uncontrolled if Printed Document Reference LT000019/ENV/T&C/002 Revision 0 The author/owner of this document is This document has been approved for issue Date of issue Review date Kenneth Reid Environmental Project Manager by James Wheater 27/10/16 N/A Town Planner 1

3 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION Background Purpose of this Report Aims and Objectives 4 2. ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL 5 3. METHODOLOGY Watching Brief Mitigation Error! Bookmark not defined. 4. REPORTING 7 5. GUIDANCE FOR CONTRACTORS 8 ANNEX 1: FIGURES 14 2

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5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SHE Transmission) has applied for consent to construct the Tomatin substation ( the Development ), which is located approximately 5km southwest of Tomatin, within The Highland Council (THC) area. An Environmental Appraisal (EA) was completed in respect of the Development, and an application for consent under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to construct and operate the Development was submitted to The Highland Council in February 2016 under planning reference 16/00792/FUL. 1.2 Purpose of this Report This Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) (prepared by CFA Archaeology Ltd on behalf of SHE Transmission) is based upon the requirement for archaeological work to be undertaken during construction of the Development, as secured through a planning condition, and following the guidance in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), Planning Advice Note (PAN) 2/2011 and Scottish Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) Aims and Objectives The aim of this WSI is to complete archaeological works to meet the requirements detailed within the condition of consent. The objectives of the WSI are to: Present a summary of the Survey from the Environmental Appraisal; Demarcation/protection of known sites in close proximity to construction works, to ensure their preservation. Provide details of the final reporting; and Provide guidelines for the contractor. Archaeological work will be conducted with regard to the Highland Council Standards for Archaeological Work (April 2012) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists' Standards and Code of Conduct. Recording of all elements will be done following established methods. The requirements detailed within this WSI shall be undertaken in full by the appointed Archaeological Clerk of Works (ACOW). 1 Historic Environment Scotland (June 2016) Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement, 4

6 2. ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL 2.1 Introduction An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey was prepared as part of the Environmental Appraisal (EA) included with the application for T&C consent. 2.2 Summary of Survey Results The baseline survey identified a post-medieval hill track (Site 1) of lesser heritage importance, to the south, and post-medieval townships (MHG26196, MHG26197, MHG26198 & MHG26218) lie further to the south, southeast, and west. Figure 1 identifies the locations of these features in relation to the Development. These features are located entirely within an existing commercial conifer plantation (Garbole Wood). As such these features are likely to have been damaged, lost or destroyed as a result of forest operations and management. 2.3 Proposed Mitigation The hill track (Site 1) is considered of lesser importance, and as such no mitigation is proposed for this feature. Our contractors have indicated no works are required in the vicinity of the townships identified in Figure 1. Notwithstanding this in order to ensure their protection the contractors shall: Fence off known cultural heritage features where works are in proximity to them, and microsite works around the feature to avoid damage; and No development is intended within these demarcated areas but if a site cannot be preserved in situ then a programme of mitigation (e.g. evaluation, excavation, watching brief) will need to be agreed in advance with THCHET. No mitigation is proposed in any other part of the Development as no evidence of cultural heritage or archaeological features has been identified where construction works are required. Guidance for the contractor in relation to archaeology is detailed below and provides brief and clear guidelines for all construction contractors undertaking any ground works such as topsoil and overburden stripping, cut/fill excavations, or access track construction. The guidelines contain details of arrangements for calling upon professional archaeological support in the event that buried remains of potential archaeological interest are discovered. The guidelines will be included as an appendix to the final version of the Contractors Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). 5

7 3. METHODOLOGY 3.1 Demarcation/Protection of Sites Sites which lie within 50m of all working areas will be demarcated to ensure their preservation. The following sites (as shown on Figure 1) may need to be demarcated in advance of construction works taking place in their vicinity: MHG26197; MHG26196; and MHG The sites will be located by GPS and a baseline photographic record will be made of the surviving remains. All photographs will contain a metric scale. Sites will be fenced off with a visible barrier. Wherever possible this demarcated area will include a minimum 5m buffer zone around the site. It is the responsibility of SHE Transmission s contractor to provide durable, highly visible barrier fencing and fencing pins/wooden stakes. Fencing will be installed by the contractor and the ACOW shall check they are correctly installed prior to start of construction in these areas. The details of the locations of the sites to be fenced off will be supplied to the Contractor, and their importance explained to all site staff via a toolbox talk. No development is intended within demarcated areas but if a site cannot be preserved in situ then a programme of mitigation (e.g. evaluation, excavation, watching brief) will need to be agreed in advance with the THCHET. All fencing will remain in place for the duration of construction works and be regularly checked to ensure that no site is impacted on by the works. 6

8 4. REPORTING Where archaeological site works are undertaken reporting shall comprise: Illustrated reports, describing the results of the work will be produced. The reports will include all elements normally required by THCHET. A costed Post-excavation Research Design (PERD) for post-excavation and publication (as appropriate). A summary report for Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. The project will be reported using the online OASIS protocol. The report(s) shall be produced within four weeks of the completion of on-site works. The project archive, comprising all of the ACOW s record sheets, plans and reports, shall be deposited with the National Record of the Historic Environment within twelve months of completion of fieldwork and any relevant post-excavation analyses. Finds shall be subject to the Scots laws of Treasure Trove and Bona Vacantia, and shall be reported to the Crown Agent for disposal. Appropriate conservation of finds shall be conducted before disposal. A digital copy of the reports with plans and DES entry on CD - in PDF and doc formats shall be supplied to THCHET. The inclusion of photographs, plans and illustrations will fall within the current guidelines for archival standards set by the Archaeology Data Service and RCAHMS. A full copy of all digital photographs and digital data, where available, shall be produced and presented on CD in archive stable format. 7

9 5. GUIDANCE FOR CONTRACTORS There is the possibility that features and objects of archaeological importance may be discovered during the construction of the substation, in particular during topsoil stripping operations for the platform, foundation excavations, access roads, and lay down areas/compounds. There is a duty upon SHE Transmission and their contractors to ensure that archaeological sites and items are not destroyed or damaged. These unexpected discoveries can only be reported through the vigilance of construction staff working on site. Known archaeological features shall be fenced off to ensure that construction activities do not encroach upon them. These sites must be avoided - do not drive plant across them, park vehicles, store materials or dump spoil on them. Do not enter fenced off and marked out areas without first checking with the ACOW that it is okay to do so. Archaeological remains and artefacts are protected by Scottish, UK and European Law and damage to such remains may cause SHE Transmission to be in breach of their statutory consents and could result in prosecution of the individual causing damage. The following guidance should be followed carefully by all contractors working on site. Report any discoveries to the Site Manager who will contact the ACOW, and SHE Transmission. THCHET will be informed for advice where required. How do I recognise what is significant? Without training you can t be expected to know what is and isn t important. But there are some questions you can ask yourself: Does it look artificial? If it is an object, does it look man-made? Does it look out of place in this environment? What sort of things might I find? Some examples of the kinds of features or items that you may encounter are: Stone built cairns. Field walls, often of turf and stone or of stone alone. Trackways or old roads. Ruins of buildings. Stone-built sheep pens or shelters. Items such as simple stone tools, flint, wooden tools, pottery or metalwork. Pits or ditches showing up as dark circles and broad lines in the subsoil. Photographs showing typical archaeological discoveries for this type of environment are shown on the following pages. What do I do if I find something? In the event of the discovery of a suspected archaeological feature or object, stop work at that location immediately and notify the Site Manager. They will notify the ACOW and SHE Transmission. The ACOW will then decide whether work may proceed or whether it is necessary for a recording exercise to be conducted. Work may need to be stopped at that location until the find is investigated by the ACOW. If you find an object which you think is archaeologically important, try not to move it (unless it is likely to get lost) as the removal of an object from its discovery position removes it from its context, making an interpretation of its meaning and significance difficult. 8

10 Where an archaeological object is accidentally excavated (or if it has to be moved) it is important that the ACOW is informed as soon as possible so that the find can be investigated. Digital photographs of the find and its location should be ed to the ACOW as soon as possible for an initial assessment, and work in the area should cease pending further advice. Any object accidentally excavated from the ground should be stored in a plastic bag or Tupperware box until it can be collected / examined. Do not wrap it in old newspaper or paper towels, as this can be harmful to the object. If the object is wood or leather and is very wet it is a good idea to try and keep it in the same state and not let it get dried out. Do not try to clean any objects. According to the law, all newly discovered ancient objects in Scotland, whether of precious metal or not, belong to the Crown, not the finder, and must be reported and handed to the ACOW. If you find bones that you think might be human, it is very important not to disturb them further than has already happened and make sure the Site Manager is informed immediately. The law requires the police to be informed as soon as possible; this should be done by the ACOW. Examples of features which may be encountered and must be reported Figure 1: Turf and stone field bank Figure 2: Old field boundary / wall under peat 9

11 Figure 3: Partially overgrown stone clearance cairn Figure 4: Stone cairn exposed Figure 5: Remains of a shieling hut 10

12 Figure 6: Remains of a shieling/building exposed under peat Figure 7: A pit visible in the subsoil 11

13 Figure 8. A linear ditch visible in the subsoil Figure 9. Pottery sherds 12

14 Figure 10. Flint tools 13

15 ANNEX 1: FIGURES 14

16 ± Legend Planning Boundary Existing Access Track (No Upgrade) Existing Access Track (Upgrade) New (Permanent) Proposed Tomatin substation development boundary (see plan SWN for details) 1 Cultural Heritage Site ABCD HER Site 1 MHG26218 MHG26197 Figure 1 - Cultural Heritage: Constraints Proposed Tomatin Substation Environmental Appraisal MHG26198 Client: SHE Transmission Plc MHG26196 Date February 2016 Drawn by SW Project No. Issue UK Contains Ordnance Survey data Crown copyright and database right License number EL km A3 1:5,000