York Historic Environment Record

The archaeological potential of the site is considered to be low to moderate. Based upon evidence from the surrounding area, it is possible that remains of prehistoric, Roman or medieval date may be present. Cropmark evidence has recorded the presence of boundaries and enclosures to the south of Elvington Airfield. These are likely to represent agricultural field systems, dating to the late prehistoric to Roman periods. Further to the south and west (around Wheldrake Wood) cropmarks suggesting the presence of contemporary settlements and potentially burial mounds have also been recorded. Several of the references in the City of York Historic Environment Record in the vicinity of the site are to medieval ridge and furrow field systems. None of these lie within the boundaries of the site, but they illustrate the predominantly agricultural nature of much of the landscape in the immediate area, beyond the limits of the medieval settlement of Elvington to the east. The area within which the site lies remained undeveloped, being located on common land, which was enclosed during the later 18th century, forming regular rectangular fields. These fields survived predominantly unchanged until the mid 20th century when the airfield was constructed during World War Two. The airfield remained in use after the war, finally being closed in March 1992. The site lies on the southeast periphery of the airfield and may contain remains relating to this period of recent history. The archaeological remains suggested by the cropmarks are not considered to be of sufficient significance to prevent the allocation of this land for development. However, if the site is allocated, archaeological evaluation is recommended, prior to the detailed design of any proposed development. In the first instance this should take the form of non-intrusive geophysical survey, possibly to be followed by the excavation of evaluation trenches. In addition to the below ground archaeological potential of the site the surrounding area contains two listed buildings. One of these comprises the control tower of the former airfield and now forms part of the museum. The upper parts of this tower are just visible from the eastern end of the site. The second listed building is a 19th century wind pump associated with a brickworks, located approximately 800m to the southeast of the site. Due to the natural, vegetational and built topography there appears to be no clear visual link between this monument and the site.