2023:512 - 49 Toberdoney Road, Dervock, Ballydrain, Antrim

An archaeological desk-based assessment confirmed that the development site at 49 Toberdoney Road was located within an archaeological landscape with a number of SMR, and Industrial Heritage sites located within a 2km study area. Further to this, one of the SMR sites (ANT007:056) was recorded in SMR records located within the boundaries of the site below the current parlour. The desktop survey and current site conditions study identified a potential for archaeological activity and surviving sub-surface archaeological remains within the development area.

Archaeologically monitored topsoil stripping was carried out on 19 June 2023 along the northern and eastern boundaries of the site. The subsoil consisted of an orange brown, well-draining silty sand which contained small to medium rounded stone scatted throughout. The topsoil measured between 0.2m and 0.3m in depth.

The stripped area along the northern boundary measured approximately 100m in length and 4m in width and was the location for the proposed new access lane to the proposed milking parlour. At the eastern end of this stripped area, where the access lane would re-join the Toberdoney Road, it splayed to become a triangular shape approximately 25m in length and 15m in width. No archaeological materials were uncovered.

A north to south orientated area which ran along the eastern side of the existing concrete yard area was also archaeologically monitored. It measured approximately 90m in length and 5m at its widest point, however it tapered to around 2m at its most southern 10-15m. The proposed plans depict this area as forming a new concrete lane running along the eastern side of the proposed new milking parlour. No archaeological materials were uncovered within this area.

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