Publications
Kit Hill Country Park, Callington, Cornwall: Archaeological Assessment and Management Plan
Kit Hill Country Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, is identified as a significant location with numerous heritage assets of national and regional importance. The study reveals that the site's archaeological features, including Bronze Age burial monuments and medieval mining remnants, are under threat from vegetation overgrowth and high pedestrian traffic in popular areas. Conducted by Wessex Archaeology, this assessment combines earlier surveys, a 2015 field survey, and documentary research to prioritize conservation actions. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to preserve these heritage assets, pending resource availability.
Land adjacent to All Saints Park, St Ann's Chapel, Calstock, Cornwall: Heritage Impact Assessment
A proposed residential development near All Saints Park and St Ann's Chapel in Calstock, Cornwall, is unlikely to cause substantial harm to nearby heritage assets. The study, conducted by South West Archaeology Ltd., found that the development would have a negligible adverse effect on Grade II Listed Salters Farmhouse and non-designated Hingston Down, aligning with 'Less than Substantial Harm' criteria. Modern housing developments in the vicinity provide screening, reducing visual impact. Desk-based research and archaeological trenching suggested minimal risk of significant archaeological findings. The report recommends adhering to local design guidance and using vernacular materials sensitive to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
Heritage Assessment at Trevarthian Farm
A heritage assessment of the proposed Trevarthian Farm development in Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape found that its impact on nearby heritage assets, including Grade II-listed buildings and the World Heritage Site, would be minor. The study, conducted by B. Morris, F. Balmond, and A. Nock, used desk-based research and site inspections (January 15, 2024) following SWARCH HIA methodology. While visual effects on the Church of St Hilary (Grade I) and the broader landscape were noted, most designated assets were sufficiently distant or shielded by topography to mitigate harm. The assessment concluded that the scheme’s adverse impact would be no greater than minor, with negligible effects on most heritage resources.
North Hooe Mine, Bere Alston, Devon: Historic Building Recording
A historic building recording at North Hooe Mine, Devon, reveals the site's significance as part of Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. Despite being derelict since 1855, with buildings plundered by the late 19th century, the surviving structures—including a pumping engine house and smithy—retain key attributes that illustrate the mining landscape's evolution. The study, conducted prior to conservation efforts, documents these remains, which, though in poor condition, hold associative value tied to 19th-century metallurgist Percival Norton Johnson and later failed revivals. The only notable addition post-closure was a 1960s pump house, underscoring the site's historical-illustrative importance.
Chapter 13 Hazards associated with mining and mineral exploitation in Cornwall and Devon, SW England
Cornwall and West Devon, the largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK, present unique mining hazards due to its extensive metalliferous mining history spanning over 2000 years. The study identifies key risks linked to the region's distinctive geology, including steeply dipping mineral veins, deep and complex mine structures, and contamination from ore-processing by-products, particularly arsenic. Additionally, kaolin mining introduces hazards related to waste management and stable spoil tip maintenance. This research highlights the need for advanced heritage preservation techniques and remediation strategies to address these long-standing challenges, positioning Cornwall and Devon as leaders in mining hazard treatment.
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