SATURDAY DECEMBER 30 2023 – ‘THE ANCIENT BOUNDARY BUS-WALK’ – THE PARISH BOUNDARY OF IFIELD AND ‘THE MAKING OF THE ENGLISH LANDSCAPE’ BY W.G. HOSKINS
“Everything is older than we think…So I believe in general that boundaries are one of the most ancient features in the English landscape…This speculation…leads us on to the conjunction of place names ending in -field and their relationship to known (and unknown) Romano-British sites. I think it probable that the word ‘field’ carries this ancient meaning and should be explored accordingly”
W. G. Hoskins – ‘The Making of the English Landscape’ [page 20]
DECEMBER 25 2023 – IFIELD PARISH HERITAGE SITE AND NATURE PARK
JUNE 28 2021 – COULD THIS BE A BOUNDARY STONE OF THE ANCIENT PARISH OF IFIELD ? – The Ifield Society
HISTORIC ENGLAND LETTER TO HORSHAM DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING – 27 OCTOBER 2020 [REF: PL007 18982]
Dear Sir/Madam Planning
EIA/20/0004 – LAND WEST OF IFIELD, WEST SUSSEX
REQUEST FOR EIA SCOPING: MIXED DEVELOPMENT
We think it essential that an integrated landscape approach to assessment of heritage assets (both designated and non-designated) is undertaken and translated into the report.
The assessment should also take account of the potential impact which associated development activities (such as construction, servicing, maintenance, and associated traffic) might have upon perceptions, understanding, and appreciation of the heritage assets in the area.
The assessment should also consider the likelihood of alterations to drainage and ground water patterns that might lead to in situ decomposition or destruction of below ground archaeological remains and deposits, and can also lead to subsidence of buildings and monuments.
The Conservation Area, the majority of the Listed Buildings (Grade II), and other built heritage will be a matter for the Local Authority. Impacts on these heritage assets will, however, also need to be examined within the heritage baseline assessment and ES chapter.
5. Asset specific advice
St Margaret’s Church
The development has the potential to impact on the Grade I listed St Margaret’s Church.
We appreciate that the setting of the church is largely focused on the village and the densely vegetated Ifield Meadows area. However, as discussed at the pre-application stage, there are some incidental wider landscape views to the tower from a PRoW [Public Right of Way – Ed]to the south-west within the site, above the intervening tree belts.
The setting of the church and potential impacts of on its significance will need to be examined in detail within the heritage baseline assessment and the ES chapter.
Ifield Court moated site
The development has the potential to impact on this scheduled monument.
Impacts could occur from changes within its setting, and from disturbance of potential currently unrecorded associated non-designated below ground archaeological remains.
Understanding the setting of the moated site, and how the scheme would change this (including potential visual changes and disruption to tranquillity) and how this may harm the asset’s significance, will be a key requirement for the EIA.
‘PLACE SERVICES-ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL LETTER TO HORSHAM DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING DEPARTMENT – 2 NOVEMBER 2020 [EIA/20/0004]
SPECIALIST ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVICE
Dear Sir/Madam
RE: EIA/20/0004 West of Ifield
Advice provided X
The site known as West of Ifield has considerable potential for archaeological remains to be present. The geophysical survey and previous fieldwork, both in and adjacent to the site, has established the presence of archaeological remains, including a probable large settlement site spanning the period between the Late Bronze Age and the later Roman period, as well as a number of other prehistoric/Roman enclosures. It can be anticipated that this will be accompanied by burials on the edges of the settlement or in the near vicinity. There is also the earthwork remains of a circular mound, the date of which is as yet unknown, although interpretations as a barrow, small motte and windmill mound have all been suggested.
There are geophysical anomalies suggestive of iron-working pits, again of as yet unknown date, but they could be prehistoric, Roman or medieval in origin. There are also a number of areas of potential ironworking activity close to the River Mole and the Ifield Brook, and a possible bloomery. There is high potential for significant palaeo-environmental deposits associated with both water courses, and their former routes.
PARISH BOUNDARY AT KILNWOOD VALE
IFIELD PARISH HERITAGE SITE AND NATURE PARK vs ‘THE MEADOWS’ DEVELOPMENT WEST OF IFIELD
LETTER SUBMISSION [UNPUBLISHED]
Dear EditorNew year archaeological excitement is growing after a serendipitous Christmas discovery of a short extract written nearly 70 years ago by W. G. Hoskins in his 1955 book ‘The Making of the English Landscape’ [page 20]:“I believe…that boundaries are one of the most ancient features in the English landscape…This speculation…leads us on to the conjunction of place names ending in -field and their relationship to known (and unknown) Romano-British sites. I think it probable that the word ‘field’ carries this ancient meaning and should be explored accordingly”Exploration is now taking place within and around the ancient boundary of the Parish of Ifield – searching for evidence of a Roman villa estate.
Yours sincerely
Richard W. Symonds
The Ifield Society