EHG5983 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed Ackron Wind Farm

Technique(s)

Organisation

Arcus Consultancy Services

Date

Aug 2019

Description

An archaeological desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by Arcus Consultancy Services in 2019 on land located at Ackron Farm and Golval Farm, approximately 2 km south-east of Melvich. The purpose of this wortk was to establish the known or potential archaeological resource baseline and provide design advice for the proposed Ackron Wind Farm. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will utilise the baseline within the archaeological assessment to fully assess any potential effect to archaeological resource and heritage assets within a separate EIA Report chapter. A general walkover of the area around the Development infrastructure and known archaeological sites was conducted. No additional archaeological features were noted. The archaeological potential of the core study area and surrounding area was concentrated along waterways and in these areas the potential is high, especially along the lower elevations of Ackran Burn and Giligill Burn, with the scheduled Halladale Bridge hut circles (SM3304) situation on Gilligill Burn just out with the core study area. The high elevation and exposed nature of the area where wind farm infrastructure would likely to be located lowers the archaeological potential. Any archaeological remains that survive subsurface would likely relate to the transhumance utilisation of the landscape during the post-medieval period, e.g. sheepfolds, and be of low significance. As such, it was considered that there is a low potential for any unknown archaeological features to survive subsurface. In conclusion, it is likely that any work undertaken on this site would have low potential to have a direct impact upon potentially significant, previously undiscovered archaeological remains. Consultation should be undertaken with the the Highland Council archaeologist to agree appropriate mitigation measures, where required, following the final design. There was also the potential for indirect impacts to affect designated heritage assets. Consideration of indirect effects would be reported on fully in the EIA Report, taking into account the way in which the Development may affect the setting of nationally important sites. <1> The results of the archaeological assessment were included in the full environmental impact assessment. <2>

Sources/Archives (2)

Map

Location

Location Melvich
Grid reference Centred NC 9126 6227 (3183m by 3563m) (2 map features)
Map sheet NC96SW
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Operational Area CAITHNESS SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
Civil Parish FARR

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Jan 31 2023 4:58PM

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