NHER 69957 (Monument record) - Site of late post-medieval probable farm buildings and associated field boundaries

April 2024-April 2025. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site within footprint of proposed East Pye solar farm (Area 87).
This survey identified little of potential archaeological interest. Although a series of north-north-west to south-south-east and east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomalies are likely to represent infilled ditches these all correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Moulton St Michael Tithe map (S1). These include boundaries defining a small, square parcel of land. An area of magnetic disturbance in the north-west corner of this small field coincides with the site of two adjacent buildings shown for the first time on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2). These probable farm buildings were associated with a small walled yard and can be seen from aerial photographs to have been demolished at some time between 1946 and 1988.
Scattered dipolar 'spikes' and areas of magnetic disturbance at the margins of the field were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface – most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2026.

September-October 2024. Aerial Imagery Interpretation.
Examination of available aerial photographs and airborne laser scanning (lidar) data for site within footprint of proposed East Pye solar farm (Area 88).
A rectangular feature is visible at this location on Google Earth aerial imagery from 1999 (HA 24). This clearly coincides with the plot of land associated with the late 19th-century farm buildings shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2). The site of the buildings themselves appears to be associated with a slight parch mark.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2026.

May 2025. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of proposed East Pye solar energy scheme.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2026.

August-November 2025. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site within footprint of proposed East Pye solar farm (Site 1B; Trenches 12-14).
The three trenches excavated at this location were placed to coincide with the boundaries of the small parcel of land that had contained the group of late 19th-century shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2) (and appears to be associated with a cropmark visible on aerial imagery). Three corresponding ditches were recorded but no other features were identified. There was no evidence for surviving remains associated with the demolished farm buildings, although the adjacent ditch was found to contain a range of predominantly post-medieval ceramic building material that was potentially derived from these structures. A single presumably residual late medieval/early post-medieval pottery sherd was also recovered from this feature.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2026.