ARTEFACTS dating from thousands of years ago have been uncovered in an archaeological survey of a proposed new caravan site.

The survey at Colt Park Farm at Aldingham, on the Coast Road near Ulverston, which already contains the Coniston View holiday lodges, was a condition set by South Lakeland District Council as part of granting a change of use for the four-hectare piece of land to allow up to 50 touring caravans to be sited on the site.

A previous application for 84 caravans over eight hectares was refused in May 2020.

READ MORE: Thumbs down for 84 caravan pitches on farm near Ulverston

Greenlane Archaeology was commissioned to carry out the survey. It involved excavating eight trenches that were identified as possible 'areas of archaeological interest' by a geophysical survey carried out in March.

The site is within an area of general archaeological interest with human activity thought to have been present as early as 12,000 years ago.

Maps of the area showed the area has been open fields since at least the mid-19th century and these indicate that it was initially part of a park of probable medieval origin. 

The report details the historic findings in the area of Aldingham: "The area is rich in archaeological remains and some of the earliest recorded in the county, dating to the period immediately after the last Ice Age, have been recorded in caves near Scales. 

"Probable prehistoric urn burials, perhaps of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, are known to have been found near Aldingham in the early 19th century - these are thought to have been discovered close to Colt Park Farm."

Relating specifically to the findings of the current survey, the report states: "A small collection of pieces of chert, probably of local origin and perhaps deriving from tool manufacture in the late Mesolithic to early Neolithic, were recovered in three trenches all located close to the crest of the hill.

"However, the lack of any associated features and the generally shallow nature of deposits means that these are of limited significance and indicative of the sort of general background activity that has been found across the wider area."

Pottery was also found dating back to between the 12th and 14th centuries (medieval), and earthenware designated as "undateable and could belong to any period from the Roman onwards."

The survey has been submitted to SLDC for approval.

READ MORE: Plans to extend holiday park re-submitted despite receiving thumbs down last month