Geophysical survey of land off Foxlydiate Lane, Webheath, Redditch, Worcestershire (OASIS ID: wardella2-241312)

Between September 2015 and January 2016 Wardell Armstrong Archaeology (WAA) undertook a geophysical survey of land off Foxlydiate Lane, Webheath, Redditch, Worcestershire. The survey was undertaken for Hayford Developments Limited, to provide information to support a planning application for a mixed-use development at the site. An historic environment assessment of the site has been undertaken by Wardell Armstrong, which will be presented in a separate report. The Worcestershire Historic Environment Record records the presence of Hawthorn Pit Quarry on the east side of the proposed development area, and several distinct areas of ridge and furrow cultivation. Possible settlement earthworks are also recorded on the west side of the site and a holloway is recorded east of Lanehouse Farm. The objective of the geophysical survey was therefore to determine the presence/absence, nature and extent of potential archaeological features within the study area, and the presence/absence of any known modern features within the survey area, which may affect the results. Geomagnetic survey was undertaken over the majority of the study area on a field by field basis, which comprised arable and pasture land at the time of the survey. A majority of the geophysical anomalies detected at the site are believed to be agricultural in origin, including further evidence for former ridge and furrow cultivation, and a number of former field boundaries and quarry pits/ponds, many of which are depicted on historic maps of the site. No other probable archaeological features were detected.