2024:389 - Tullynagraken North, Sligo

Novot Holdings Ltd have received full planning permission for a development on a green field site at Carns Hill, Sligo, consisting of 74 residential units, access, services and landscaping. The archaeological impact assessment report from Fadó Archaeology stated that no recorded archaeological monument would be impacted on, either physically or visually, by the proposed development. The site inspection revealed no finds or features of archaeological significance, however, due to the overall size (2.1 hectares) of the proposed development, it was recommended that the site be subject to a programme of pre-development archaeological testing, part of which should include a geophysical survey. This was undertaken by J.M Leigh Surveys Ltd under license 22R0257. The report noted that no clear archaeological pattern was evident in the responses suggesting that it was possible that plough-damaged archaeological material was spread across this area, however this interpretation was unclear. In response to both the impact assessment and the geophysical survey it was proposed that licensed archaeological monitoring of the initial topsoil strip associated with site development should be undertaken. This was carried out between 26 and 28 February 2024.

The vast majority of the site was topsoil stripped under archaeological supervision, with the only features uncovered being either plough furrows or features associated with drainage.