Land North of Bersted

Project type: Evaluation

An archaeological evaluation comprising 168 trial trenches, each measuring 50 metres in length, was carried out in May and June 2005, on land at North Bersted, Bognor Regis, West Sussex. This was undertaken as part of the planning application process for a potential new housing development, during one of the largest archaeological evaluation projects undertaken in the UK.

The trenching revealed a dense concentration of archaeological remains, in the form of ditched field systems, dating mostly from the Late Bronze Age period. A strip of low-lying alluvial clay running across the centre of the site revealed a preserved waterlogged landscape and the remains of at least one Bronze Age burnt mound. Three large ditches were also found across the site, two of which dated from either the Late Bronze Age and one possibly from the Roman period.

In addition to this, a Late Iron Age/Early Romano-British parallel ditched track way was traced through several trenches in the northern area of the site, near to pits, postholes and other ditches dated to the same period.

Further potential for Late Bronze Age and Middle to Late Iron Age/Early Romano-British settlement was found in the south-western extent of the site, and the entrance to a possible livestock enclosure dating from the Late Bronze Age to Middle Iron Age was discovered in the centre north of the development site. A second possible enclosure dating to this period was revealed in the centre south of the site.

Traces of an 18th century barn, known of from cartographic evidence were found in the northern part of the site, and some remains of Post medieval field boundaries were also located. Finally, a previously unknown World War 2 Anti-Tank Trap was traced through several trenches in the southern half of the site.

The results of this archaeological survey were drawn on in preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed development site.

Archaeology South-East produced the final version of this EIA statement, and developed a mitigation strategy for this site involving the preservation in situ of some of the more important features (in areas of landscaped public open space) and a programme of archaeological excavation for other parts of the site. These proposals were reviewed at a Public Inquiry, at which Archaeology South-East presented expert witness. Planning consent has now been granted.

Project Officers: Dominic Perring, Sam Worral
Client: Berkeley Strategic
Project type: Evaluation