EHG5882 - Desk-based assessment and walkover survey - proposed A9-A96 link road, Smithton, Inverness

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were carried out by Jacobs in 2018 in order to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment for a proposed link road scheme between the A9 and A96 at Smithton, Inverness. The study area extended 200m from the proposed scheme. Baseline conditions were suplemented by the results of geophysical survey (see EHG) and aerial imagery analysis. Designated cultural heritage assets up to 2km from the proposed scheme were included in the baseline where there was potential for impacts on their setting. In total, 100 cultural heritage assets were considered as part of the baseline, comprising 83 archaeological remains, eight historic buildings, and nine historic landscape types (HLT). Before mitigation, significant potential impacts during construction resulting from their removal were identified on 16 archaeological remains of possible prehistoric date. The potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains in the undeveloped areas of the study area has been assessed to be high. Where modern development is likely to have disturbed or removed archaeological remains that may have been present the potential for unknown archaeological remains has been assessed to be low. Further archaeological mitigation may be required in advance of construction to mitigate the impact on any previously unknown archaeological remains identified during archaeological trial trenching. Potential impacts on the Scheduled Monument (Asset 14) during construction and operation comprise the severance of this cultural heritage asset from other prehistoric archaeological remains identified within the study area. The proposed scheme would also change Asset 14’s setting, introducing noise and visual intrusion, as well as changing the topography to the east of this cultural heritage asset. While the Scheduled Monument (Asset 14) would not be physically impacted during construction, works would be within 2m of the Scheduled Area. It will be clearly demarcated with protective fencing, and residual impact after mitigation has been assessed to be Slight. No significant impacts were identified for historic buildings or historic landscape types as a result of the construction or operation of the proposed scheme. <1>