Exeter University Department of Archaeology & History and the Institute of Heritage Sciences and the Spanish National Research Council in Spain have recently published a ground breaking Lidar based study on the Roman road network of Devon & Cornwall.

Prior to this study, the understanding of the Roman road network in the SW had barely changed since Ivan Margary’s 1967 publication ‘Roman Roads in Britain’ in which he concluded that Exeter was the focus of the road network in South West England. Exeter University’s study has established that instead of Exeter, it was actually North Tawton that was the centre of the road network which radiated out to the tidal estuaries on the north and south coasts of Devon and down into Cornwall.

As well as identifying the key role of North Tawton in the network, utilising Lidar data analysis, the University team have identified an additional 60-70 miles of additional Roman roads to the west of Exeter where very few had previously been recorded, and using predictive modelling, they have identified further possible routes of previously unsuspected Roman roads. This study will radically change the understanding of the South West in the late prehistoric and Roman period. As the report on the study states:

“…further lengths of road are yet to be identified on the ground. Although it could be argued that roads no longer in use and visible as earthworks might be of pre-Roman, or medieval date, the combination of 1) the consistency in construction practice (agger, quarry pits, terracing), 2) the coherency of the road pattern, and 3) in places the stratigraphic relationship with medieval field systems, argues for it being of Roman origin. The network presented here is only that which has been mapped as an archaeological earthwork visible on LiDAR data and, for example, there are gaps between those segments connected by historic tracks, lanes and roads which are likely to have fossilised the Roman route.”

Fitting into these exciting results is the recent discovery of a section of a previously unrecorded and unsuspected Roman road at the proposed business park that forms part of the Sherford new town just to the east of Plymouth. The extensive programme of detailed archaeological investigations that are being undertaken ahead of the construction of the Sherford new town just to the east of Plymouth, has recently discovered a section of a previously unsuspected Roman road. This section of the road which extends across the length of the area towards Plympton demonstrated the construction methods with its crushed slate surface and adjacent drainage points still clearly visible and well-preserved (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-64512968).

At the time of excavation, the road was undated but due to the way it was constructed was thought to be Roman in date. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the soil immediately below the road surface provided a later Iron Age date (300-130BC) date. As these soils pre-date the construction of the road, this dating has been interpreted as being reasonable evidence for the road being of Roman date and probably at the earlier end of the occupation range.

The section of the Roman road excavated at the Business Park is 1.7km to the west of the position od the Roman road in the area predicted by the Exeter University study. The University study predicted that the road would be orientated north-south but the Business Park road is orientated north west -south east. The different orientation could be that the model’s precited route is slightly incorrect or that the road excavated at the Business Park is a previously unsuspected spur off the route identified by the University’s modelling. Whichever explanation is correct, the Sherford Business park excavations have confirmed that the predictive modelling by Exeter University appears to be reasonably accurate and, at least in the Plymouth area, definitely closer enough to inform the research questions of future archaeological investigations relating to the Roman occupation and use of the area.

Rob Bourn, Managing Director of Orion Heritage said,

“Enhancing our understanding of not just Devon, but also Britain’s ancient history, the archaeological work at Sherford continues to be fascinating. We are thrilled to work on these important historic investigations, and hope the findings at Sherford help to encourage everyone to take an interest in local history and the secrets under the soil.”

Orion Heritage has been managing the extensive archaeological investigations that are happening ahead of the construction of the new town on behalf of the Sherford Consortium (Vistry Group and Taylor Wimpey).

Reserved matters permission was sought by Rydon Homes for 26 new homes on land off High Street, Barcombe Cross in Lewes District.

The application was refused on the grounds of the effect of the proposed scheme on the character and appearance of the area. While the reason for refusal was not specifically related to built heritage issues, the site is surrounded on three sides by the Barcombe Cross Conservation Area and so the effect on the character of the conservation area was a significant element of this refusal. The scheme had been allocated in the Lewes District Local plan and outline planning permission for 26 homes had been granted. The scheme was recommended for approval in the committee report but was refused by the Planning Committee.

The primary heritage issue was the effect on the character of the Conservation Area. It was accepted by all parties that the development would have a less than substantial harmful effect on the conservation area but this had been considered to be acceptable, subject to the high quality design of the scheme, when the site was allocated and granted outline consent. The proposed reserved matters scheme was designed in close consultation with the LPA’s planning case officer, Senior Conservation Officer and Landscape officers so as to ensure that the reserved matters scheme was to fit in with the character of the conservation area.

The Inspector concluded that the design of the proposed dwellings would reflect the built heritage and local vernacular which characterise Barcombe Cross. It was accepted that there would be no harm caused to the special interest of the Conservation Area, other than that caused by the loss of an undeveloped field within the setting of the conservation area, as identified as part of the assessment of the outline scheme. He also concluded that the appeal scheme would be respectful of the character, appearance and setting of the Conservation Area, as per the requirements of the local plan policy for the allocation.

Orion Heritage did the archaeological assessment, evaluation trenching and heritage statement for the outline scheme and was the heritage expert witness at the appeal.

Orion’s MD Rob Bourn was the heritage expert witness and the barrister was Richard Turney KC. The archaeological assessment was done by Charlie Willis, Sylvia Lock managed the evaluation trenching and Jan Mathieson and Robin Sheehan did the heritage statement and additional assessment of the Barcombe Cross Conservation Area.

Full planning permission was sought by Hayfield Homes Construction for 40 affordable new homes on land north of Aston in West Oxfordshire District.

The application was refused in a number of grounds including the less than substantial harmful effect on the significance of Aston Conservation Area and grade II Church of St James in Aston not being outweighed by the public benefits.

The Appeal was heard at a Public Inquiry in June 2023, by which time it had been agreed with the Council in the heritage Statement of Common Ground that the effect on the church was a low level less than harmful effect and that the effect on the Conservation Area was also less than substantial harm but the levels of herm with the less than substantial range was not agreed. The NPPF paragraph 202 balance of heritage harm against public benefits was not agreed with the Council’s position being that the heritage harm outweighed the public benefits.

The Inspector concluded that

“… the delivery of 40 affordable housing units in an area where there is a substantial identified need for both market and affordable housing is sufficient to outweigh the limited harm identified to the significance of the listed building, both individually and in combination with the harm to the conservation area. This is notwithstanding the desirability of preserving the listed building and its setting and the need to attach considerable importance and weight to the asset’s conservation.”

In relation to heritage matters, the Inspector also stated

“My conclusions align with the professionally prepared Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment (2022) and subsequent expert evidence prepared by the appellant, which I found to be compelling.”

This outcome demonstrates the importance of meticulous built heritage assessment of the potential effects of development on the heritage significance of nearby Conservation Areas and listed buildings.

Orion’s MD Rob Bourn was the heritage expert witness and the barrister was Giles Cannock KC. The Historic Environment Desk-Based Assessment was produced by Orion’s Hayley Goacher and Robin Sheehan.

View Appeal Decision

Like the rest of Brighton, those of us based at the Orion head office have been stirred and saddened by the extensive damage inflicted to the Royal Albion Hotel following the major very recent fire.

The main section of the Albion Hotel is Grade II* listed and dates from 1826. Its elegant Neo-Classical stucco façades are characteristic of Amon Henry Wilds, the main architect of Brighton’s Regency splendour, best remembered for the Royal Pavilion and some of the iconic Hove crescents. The main façade faces inward toward the Old Steine, providing a clear view across the gardens rather than the sea for the best rooms. It gained the ‘Royal’ title in 1836 following the frequent patronage of distinguished visitors. In 1894, Oscar Wilde stayed at the Royal Albion while composing part of his Poems in Prose in a room overlooking the sea.

In the early 20th century The Royal Albion was run by Sir Harry Preston, a noted local sportsman with broad artistic and literary connections. The Albion became Brighton’s leading hotel, hosting authors, actors, film stars, sportsmen and the Prince of Wales at its height. A prominent fixture in panoramas of Brighton’s seafront, the Royal Albion has been referenced in art by J. M. W. Turner (below), and has provided the setting for a number of novels and films. The Royal Albion has been threatened before, notably by another large fire in 1998, but retains its distinctive 19th century appearance. It is experienced now as a major landmark in the context of the Palace Pier and Brighton’s historic seafront, bearing witness to the glamour of the Regency period.

With the roads around the Albion closed off it was initially difficult to gauge the extent of damage. A wide radius was evacuated in the surrounding area based on fears that the destabilised building may collapse. Over a few days the fire was extinguished, and it was unfortunately confirmed that the historic façade of the west wing must be demolished. The photograph taken by Orion’s Rob Bourn (above) shows that the façade, while still standing, is an empty shell.

It appears that the damage is largely confined to the western wing of the building, which dates from 1856 and is listed at Grade II. The west wing was originally a separate hotel called Lion Mansion, later the Adelphi, before the two hotels were combined in the 1960s. It bears a plaque memorialising William Gladstone, who stayed there frequently through the 19^th century, and sculpted lions above the doorway which reference its original name. Its aesthetic and historical contribution to Brighton’s heritage is substantial. The demolition process will walk on a delicate tightrope, balancing the need to make the building structurally safe, and the need to conserve its heritage value.

In this instance, an Urgent Works notice will certainly be utilised to authorise urgent remedial works without the lengthy application process for Listed Building Consent. Going forward, the demolition and conservation of the Royal Albion will not be a simple process: aside from the immediate risk of collapse, asbestos elements have been identified in ceiling coatings which will require specialist removal. Reports state that Brighton City Council has produced a three-dimensional scan of the façade to aid in reconstruction, and key decorative plaster elements have been saved to enable the production of moulds for future reconstruction.

While there is hope that the Royal Albion may someday be restored to its former glory, the current phase of works constitutes damage control. It is difficult not to react with some shock at the photographs of the 19^th century brick and plaster façade being pulled down by machine (view The Argus article), especially for those with a fondness for Regency architecture. The demolition process has revealed sections of 19^th century brickwork, previously hidden behind the façade, which are informative of historic building techniques. The demolition process, while tragic, is an opportunity to gather information on the hotel’s materials and construction, to aid in its restoration and potentially guard against future instances of fire damage to Regency buildings.

The expression of grief from the people of Brighton is a testament to the impact of built heritage on the collective imagination. Even for those who do not have a direct connection with the Royal Albion, the gap it will leave on the seafront is felt as a deep loss. Many buildings from this period have been converted in recent decades to suit the changing requirements of modern occupiers, and in some cases, this has resulted in the use of unsuitable modern materials which raise the risk of damage. In other cases, Regency buildings lie empty or derelict due to the cost of maintenance. The public interest surrounding to this fire provides scope for further outreach and awareness. With careful management by the Council, the significance of this valuable heritage asset may be preserved for future generations.