Archaeology and Heritage
The planning application is supported by an archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (including the results of a geophysical survey) and a Built Heritage Statement.
The site itself does not contain any designated heritage assets. However, within a 1km radius, there are two Listed Buildings and two Conservation Areas—Drayton and Banbury. Additionally, the North Newington Conservation Area is situated along the western boundary of the search area. Among these, only Withycombe Farmhouse and its attached stable (NHLE; 1046858) were deemed sensitive to development. Due to the recent approval for housing on the land between the proposed development and the listed building, there will be no impact on the heritage asset.
The site sits within a wider landscape that is well understood as a result of recent archaeological fieldwork. Iron Age settlement is recorded to the north and north-east. The geophysical survey suggests that this site lies within the wider field systems to those settlements. Heavily eroded earthworks of ridge and furrow survive within the south-eastern field. These are of limited archaeological interest, and their loss, is considered to only have a minimal impact on the local historic landscape character. The proposed development, focused on the lower slopes of the site will have no impact on the setting or significance of Crouch Hill.
