NHER 66136 (Monument record) - Possible linear and discrete features

May 2018. Desk-based Assessment.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm on the historic environment. This study incorporated the results of an initial walkover survey and the first phases of geophysical survey.
See relevant chapter of Environmental Statement and associated appendices for further detail (S1).
P. Watkins (HES), 19 October 2022.

November 2021-March 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (Area 607).
This survey identified a range of linear anomalies, although the majority were thought to be of natural or agricultural origin. Only a small number of the linear anomalies and several discrete anomalies were identified as being of undetermined origin - and therefore at least potentially archaeologically significant. This area is known to have been a military training area so it is possible that at least some of the anomalies represent pits or trenches dug during either World War One or World War Two (a large number of such features are visible on aerial photographs of the area and summarily recorded under NHER 38424). It is surprising that the survey appears to have identified little evidence for a complex of World War One practise trenches in the northern half site that are clearly visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs of the area – including recent imagery such as (S2). These features are recorded as NHER 38418.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 October 2022.

February-June 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (P3TT07; Trenches 1044-1055).
The twelve trenches excavated at this location revealed no archaeologically-significant features or deposits. It is again surprising that there was no evidence for the World War One practice trenches visible on aerial photographs (NHER 38418), particularly as three of the trenches coincided with the mapped locations of these features.
No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 October 2022.