York Historic Environment Record

Archaeological excavations at Monks Cross, immediately to the south of the proposed development site, have revealed evidence for Bronze Age or Iron Age activity, and at least one feature dates to the Neolithic period. Further pre-Roman activity in the area is attested by a curvilinear boundary excavated at Hopgrove Farm. The remains of two Roman temporary camps are located within the study area. But apart from the physical remains of the camp itself, no contemporary features associated with this period were identified during the excavation, suggesting any activity was confined to the area of the camp itself. Some evidence for Roman settlement activity has been recorded just beyond the study area and the probable Roman road linking York to Malton runs across the south of the study area. There is evidence from the nature of the field boundaries and from aerial photographs to indicate that the site has been ploughed during the medieval and post-medieval periods, which may have disturbed or truncated any archaeological deposits. Sand pits and sand holes are also located within the study area, and a number of small ponds are located on the proposed development site, suggesting that extraction has been undertaken at some point in time. The now disused Midland Railway also ran through the proposed development site, which may have also damaged any archaeological remains.