2015:595 - COOLKEERAGH (Maydown Road and Electra Road North of 19 Maydown Road, Derry), Derry

It is proposed to develop the site for an in-vessel compost facility to process kitchen and organic waste and a bio drying plant for municipal and biodegradable waste.

The bio drying plant is to be constructed along the south-western boundary of the site, primarily within the area under investigation although a portion of the bio dryer is to be located within the adjacent area of existing concrete hardstanding to the immediate south-west of the site. In addition, works associated with drainage and treatment provision are to be located along the eastern site boundary.

No other construction works are proposed at present within the remainder of the site; however, it is anticipated that the entire area of the PDA surrounding the bio dryer will be utilised for hardstanding. Archaeological works were therefore undertaken within the entire site except for the area of the existing site compound within the north-west portion of the site.

Monitoring of topsoil stripping/primary ground reduction works was undertaken during 14–18 December 2015. All mechanical ground-breaking was conducted by means of a back-acting mechanical excavator furnished with a toothless, flat-bottomed ditching bucket (sheugh bucket).

Removal of topsoil and overburden revealed glacial subsoil, which primarily consisted of a light orange boulder clay and seams of fragmented schist bedrock which was encountered at a depth of 0.2–2.2m. Within the southern and western portions of the PDA, the topsoil had a depth of 0.2–0.4m and directly overlay subsoil. Within the eastern and northern portions of the site the topsoil overlay redeposited layers of clay to a depth of up to 2.2m.

On-site discussions with the Senior Inspector for the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland; Historic Environment Department: Historic Monuments Unit (DOENI:HED:HMU) and the nature of the existing site conditions and proposed site layout resulted in an amendment to the methodology within the north and eastern portions of the site with the excavation of test pits rather than bulk excavation of overburden/fill material. Five test pits were excavated within the area of fill and confirmed that construction depth would be achieved within fill deposits. The topsoil, therefore, was not stripped from this area, in consultation with DOENI:HED:HMU.

No archaeological features, remains or deposits were identified within the area under investigation during archaeological works at the site.