Bournemouth and Poole College Desk-based Assessment

AOC Archaeology Group undertook an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of the Lansdowne campus of the Bournemouth and Poole College, Bournemouth, Dorset, in advance of the proposed redevelopment of the site for the provision of upgraded educational facilities. This was required because the application site included three Grade II Listed Buildings, known as Woodcote House, Ascham House and the Municipal College Buildings (comprising The Clock Tower Building and Strathern).

Map regression, in combination with documentary research, demonstrated that Woodcote House and Ascham House formed part of the original 19th century Victorian development of Bournemouth town, which was characterised by large detached villas situated in spacious woodland settings. The assessment also concluded there was a potential for the survival of human activity in the Lansdowne area and wider district of Bournemouth dating to the Lower Palaeolithic (c.500,000 – 150,000 BP).

A walkover survey of the site identified a number of additional buildings of historical interest, namely the Old Girls School, the Main Hall and the B-Block which, due to their physical link to the statutory protected buildings on the site, were Listed by Association.

Using the desk-based assessment, AOC Archaeology Consultants were able to advise on the need for a review of design proposals at an early stage and for early discussions on suitable mitigation with the local planning authority, thus avoiding costly re-design works at a later stage and the risk of planning consent refusal.

AOC Consultant: Chloe Brown
Client: Sheppard Robson