2016:814 - St Michael's College, Enniskillen - Drumclay/Chanterhill, Fermanagh

Pre-development test trenching was carried out at the site of a proposed replacement floodlit 4G sports pitch, an athletic running track and pavilion located at St Michael’s College, Chanterhill Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh in response to a request from Department for Communities Historic Environment Division for a programme of archaeological works to be implemented in accordance with planning policy PPS6 BH4.

A desk-based study and examination of existing site conditions indicated that the proposed development is located within low-lying ground 400m south of two scheduled Crannog sites (FER 211:062 and 211:120) of early medieval origin with several other archaeological sites dating from the prehistoric to early historic periods situated within 1.5km of the development area.

A total of 34 machine-cut trenches were placed across the length of the development site. The test trenches revealed that modern infill deposits extended between 2–3m below existing ground levels with natural boulder clay subsoil identified at 2.2-3m depth. Testing therefore indicates that modern infill associated with the past construction of a grass sports pitch has sealed the natural soil sub-strata within which archaeological material is commonly located to a depth of 2.2-+3m. Given the level nature of the site and significant earthworks undertaken for the development of the existing sports pitch it is not envisaged that any potential subsurface archaeological remains will survive within the boundaries of the proposed development. It is therefore recommended that no further archaeological works be carried out in relation to this development.

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