SDO14491 - Former Milldown School, Blandford Forum, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation.

‘In November 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Bellway Homes Ltd at the former Milldown School, Blandford Forum (centred on NGR: 388303 107385; Fig. 1). Twelve trenches were excavated revealing prehistoric (and possibly Romano-British) occupation of the site in the form of pits and ditches which included pottery dating to the early prehistoric (Neolithic / Middle Bronze Age) and worked and burnt flints of a probable Bronze Age date. In terms of dating, this corresponded with the findings of an earlier evaluation (AC 2012) in the eastern half of the development, although the features identified during that phase of evaluation did not extend into any of the 2014 trenches. It is likely therefore that some form of area excavation (mitigation) will be required as a planning condition prior to construction.’