Managing nationally significant archaeology within a major new residential development
The project
Orion Heritage is providing archaeological consultancy and project management services for Highover Farm, Hitchin, a major residential development scheme delivering 700 new homes in Hertfordshire.
Initial surveys and evaluation work had indicated archaeological potential across the site, but the scale and significance of the discoveries uncovered during excavation substantially exceeded original expectations.
Working on behalf of Barratt David Wilson Homes and Redrow, Orion Heritage has played a central role in managing the archaeological strategy for the development, acting as the key interface between the client team, archaeological contractor, local authority archaeological advisors and planning stakeholders throughout a fast-moving and evolving process.
Excavations undertaken by Headland Archaeology have revealed evidence of human activity spanning thousands of years, including prehistoric ceremonial activity, settlement remains, historic routeways and an extensive Romano-British cemetery associated with a settlement dating from the decades following the Roman conquest of Britain.
As investigations progressed, the significance of the archaeology required continual review of excavation priorities, mitigation approaches and programme management. Orion Heritage’s role has focused on helping balance the importance of the discoveries with the practical realities of delivering a major housing scheme, developing solutions that allowed archaeological investigation and development planning to progress together.
The results
The project has involved extensive coordination and ongoing consultation with the local authority historic environment team, planners, museum stakeholders and the wider consultant team, particularly as the complexity and importance of the archaeology became clearer during excavation.
The site is expected to make a major contribution to understanding prehistoric and Romano-British activity in Hertfordshire, with post-excavation analysis and scientific investigation still ongoing. Emerging advances in archaeological science and burial analysis are expected to provide particularly valuable insight into the lives, origins and movement of people connected to the settlement.
Alongside excavation and analysis, the project also presents significant opportunities for public engagement and placemaking within the future development, helping connect the emerging community with the deep history of the site.
Key outcomes
- Archaeological consultancy and management for a 700-home development scheme
- Coordination between developer, archaeological contractor and local authority stakeholders
- Management of archaeological mitigation within a live development programme
- Significant prehistoric and Romano-British discoveries exceeding initial expectations
- Ongoing post-excavation analysis and scientific investigation
- Support for future public engagement, interpretation and placemaking opportunities within the development
