Manx National Heritage Response
Manx National Heritage
Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin
Presenters of the Story of Mann
Manx National Heritage, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3LY Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin, Doolish, Ellan Vannin IM1 3LY
- Address: 44 (0)1624 648000
- Phone: +44 (0)1624 648001
- Email: www.gov.im/mnh
- Website: [email protected]
RECEIVED
29 SEP 2009
MANAN NATIONAL HARITAGE DOUGLAS
Manx National Heritage, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 3LY Eiraght Ashoonagh Vannin, Doolish, Ellan Vannin IM1 3LY
Our Ref: 09-01399/ACCJ
29th September, 2009
Ms E J Callow Secretary to Planning Committee Department of Local Government and the Environment Murray House Mount Havelock DOUGLAS
Dear Ms Callow
PA No 09/01399/B: Department of Transport - Improvements to visibility splays at highway junction, Cross Four Ways, Ballasalla, Malew.
I write on behalf of Manx National Heritage, whose statutory responsibilities pertaining to the protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the Isle of Man are defined under the terms of the Manx Museum and National Trust Act.
The above scheme lies within a well-known area of archaeological potential. A series of standing stones have been recognised in the Billown area for centuries, and more recently the development of the limestone quarries at Billown has been preceded by a major programme of archaeological excavation and a wider project to investigate the prehistoric remains occurring in the surrounding landscape, including the area around Cross Four Ways. These lasted for ten years and revealed that the area contained an unusually high concentration of Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age remains spanning approximately 3,000 years. Within historical times, a smithy stood at the crossroads until demolished as part of earlier road improvements.
Due to the potential archaeological sensitivity of the area we therefore recommend that the applicant undertakes a watching brief during the removal of topsoil and that this be governed by condition. MNH can produce a brief for these archaeological works, and the applicant would need to apply for a licence to excavate for archaeological purposes under the terms of the Manx Museum and National Trust Act.
We trust that these comments will be of help to the Committee in making its decision.
Yours sincerely,
A.C.C. Johnson Curator – Field Archaeology Inspector of Ancient Monuments
