EHG6372 - DBA and walkover survey - proposed BESS, Dalchork

A desk-based assessment and walkover survey were undertaken by Renewable Planning Consultancy in 2024 at the site of a proposed Battery Energy Storage System at Dlachork, Sutherland. Immature trees covered most of the Site, thinner and smaller towards the boggier north end. The entire site was surveyed for potential archaeological features, as well as locating those that were previously known. The site had previously been included as part of an archaeological assessment and a walkover survey undertaken in advance of Dalchork Woodland Development Project in 2013. Ground conditions, confirmed during the walkover, indicate that commercial forestry plantation had been undertaken within the site, including ploughing for drainage, planting and subsequent felling. It was considered that forestry practice may have adversely impacted previously surviving buried archaeological deposits and features. Ploughing related to plantation works was visible across most of the Site, except for in the location of two burns; one to the north and another to the south, evidently diked in antiquity. The hut circle (M100) which had previously been identified was almost entirely covered in vegetation with only two stones visible to its southeast, which were readily observed in profile and in plan. An exclusion zone of c.20 m had been maintained as per previously recommended mitigation in advance of tree planting. Only one of the previously recorded cairns (M101) was observed, with the other (M102) either destroyed during the planting or completely hidden beneath the thick boggy vegetation close to the gate/access into the site. Large, rounded stones had been ploughed out, presumably during the forestry plantation, and had been loosely placed around the Site. There was no indication that these were archaeological in nature. Only one additional potential asset was identified; a small quarry (M103) was visible to the southwest of the site, cut c.2 m max into the hillside and accessed via a narrow track out its southwest side to adjoin the road, now the A836. Based on its association with the extant road, it was considered likely to date to the latter end of the post-medieval period. The assessment determined that although the site has been disturbed due to forestry plantation, reducing the potential for as yet undiscovered archaeology, there still remained the potential for archaeological remains to have survived below-ground. Proposed mitigation was recommended by the THC Planning Archaeologist following further consultation, based on the archaeological risks identified in the assessment. This included a programme of archaeological works, the exact methodology of which will need to be agreed by the THC Planning Archaeologist in advance in the form of a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI). It was anticipated that the programme of archaeological works would be required to be undertaken pre-construction, secured as a condition of S36 consent and deemed planning permission. <1>