Heritage Assessment at Land at Deer Leap, Priddy, Somerset

Archaeological desk-based and on-site assessment to evaluate the heritage of the site using historical baseline data (including documentation, aerial and on-the-ground photographs, LiDAR, historic and current maps). Avon Archaeology Limited (AAL) were commissioned, to undertake a Heritage Impact Assessment relating to the MHNL's site at Deer Leap Priddy, Somerset. The site was used as a carpark, picnic area and viewing point, and is also at a convergence of footpaths. The proposal for the site involved a number of changes and improvements to the site, such as the renewal of picnic benches, information panels and signage, and a number of other changes. It was intended that the latter should include a new circular drystone wall feature immediately to the north-east of the car park, together with associated access in the form of permissive paths. The site itself lies in a highly sensitive area, both archaeologically and in landscape terms. Within the immediate environs of the site there is an extremely dense concentration of multi-period heritage assets, although the overwhelming majority are known only as upstanding earthworks, from field survey, LiDAR or aerial photography. In short, any proposal for the site would require the highest standards of visual and archaeological sensitivity. The findings of this assessment suggest that any harm upon or impact to the setting and significance of nearby heritage assets, by the proposed changes to the car parking area, would be less than substantial, and in terms of visual aesthetics will likely to represent a significant improvement on the current situation. It was also advised to close off the desire path which currently runs over the top of the scheduled barrow; if left unchecked, the level of damage would become severe. It was strongluy advised to keep walkers well away from the scheduled monument. The scheme does in fact propose to re-open access to, and clearly mark, the public bridleway and public footpath, which are rather further away from the Scheduled Bronze Age barrow (which straddles the site's northern boundary) than the current desire path, which goes right over the top of the monument. However, even this modification would still allow users of the public footpath within the scheduled area, which AAL does not consider a sufficient solution. The main impact of the proposed development is likely to be on potential in-situ archaeological assets, in the course of necessary earthmoving and landscaping operations. It is very likely that the South-West Heritage Trust will require this specific element of the work to be subject to mitigation.