NHER 35390 (Monument record) - Site of Royal Observer Corps post

Royal Observer Corps post.
Set up June 1959, closed October 1968. No trace remains.
See (S1).
E. Rose (NLA), July 2000.

August 2017-March 2018. Geophysical Survey.
The survey of this field identified a high amplitude anomaly adjacent to Hall Lane that may indicate the location of the Royal Observer Corps post. This anomaly has a diameter of approximately 25m and is centred at TM 2016 9211, about 65m to the north-west of the mapped location of this record.
See report (S2) and NHER 64584 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2021.

August-November 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed route of A140 Long Stratton Bypass.
A trench excavated adjacent to Hall Lane uncovered a substantial pit that had been backfilled with natural clay. This corresponded with the large anomaly identified by the preceding geophysical survey and was likely to have been associated with the Royal Observer Corp post. According to the landowner a layer of rotten timbers in the top of the pit represented the remains of a wooden platform.
See report (S3) and NHER 64584 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 20 February 2024.

October 2021. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of geotechnical investigation undertaken prior to construction of A140 Long Stratton bypass, the aim of which was to confirm the location and condition of the probable ROC bunker identified by the preceding works.
A significant proportion of the roof of the bunker was exposed, which lay beneath the contacted chalky clay deposit observed during the 2020 trial trenching. Recognisable features included a truncated survey meter opening and the possible edge of an entrance hatch. Sondages were dug by machine against the north, south and west faces of the bunker, revealing a stepped foundation, a wooden platform and the original construction cut.
No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 August 2024.

The location of this record has been corrected. Previously it was mapped as a point at TM 2023 9208, a little way to the east of what is now known to be the location of the bunker.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 August 2024.