County: Down Site name: Crabtree Road
Sites and Monuments Record No.: Proximity to DOW023:009 Licence number: AE/23/072
Author: Eoin Halpin
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 737785m, N 851273m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.391400, -5.878358
The proposed development of lands 63m to the north-east of No. 12 Crabtree Road Ballynahinch, Co. Down (LA07/2021/1168/F), consisted of the installation and erection of a battery energy storage compound, which included several components of plant and machinery along with associated development.
In their consideration of the application Historic Environment Division: Historic Monuments (HED: HM) were content that the proposal satisfied PPS 6 policy requirements, subject to conditions for the agreement and implementation of a developer-funded programme of archaeological works. This was to identify and record any archaeological remains in advance of new construction, or to provide for their preservation in situ, as per Policy BH 4 of PPS 6.
In response to HED, a phase of archaeologically monitored topsoil stripping across the entire footprint of the development was undertaken, with particular attention paid to the north-eastern portion of the site where there was the possibility of some archaeology associated with the curving line of the field boundary which may reflect the line of the ‘Fort’ (DOW029:009) recorded on the OS 1st edition map.
The stripping took place in July 2023. Evidence for agricultural plough furrows, still active stone-filled field drains and modern post-holes for agricultural sheds was uncovered. In addition, it was noted that undisturbed natural ran up to and under the curving field boundary, proving that no ditch feature associated with the nearby rath site extends into the area of the subject site.
AHC Ltd 36 Ballywillwill Road, Castlewellan Co Down BT31 9LF
