Pirelli Factory, Dalston Road, Carlisle, Cumbria: Desk-Based Assessment and Archaeological Evaluation Report

Architects Plus (UK) Ltd commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North), to undertake a documentary study and archaeological evaluation of the Pirelli Factory, Dalston Road, Carlisle, Cumbria (NGR NY 3878 5356), in advance of a proposed extension to the factory. Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service issued a project brief, requesting a programme of archaeological investigation to inform the planning process. The desk-based study and evaluation were undertaken in August 2013 in accordance with the brief. There were two separate extensions proposed, one north-west/south-eas t long extension immediately adjacent to the existing factory building, and a smaller one north-east /south-west extending out perpendicular to the line of the existing build. The present evaluation only examined the smaller north-east/south-wes t extension. The evaluation was undertaken in August 2013, and comprised five trenches on varying alignments across a cricket pitch. No trenches were placed along the side of the factory as the area had been heavily disturbed during the construction of the existing factory buildings. There were no archaeological features identified in three of the trenches (Trenches 1, 3 and 4). Trenches 2 and 5 five contained tree throws, the tree throw in Trench 2 contained a substantial amount of charcoal suggesting that the tree had been felled and burned. On the basis of the evaluation trenching it is considered that the proposed smaller extension will not impact on any identified archaeological features or monuments.