The Cambridge Archaeological Unit has been commissioned by Walsingham Planning on behalf of Whitbread to carry out an archaeological desk based assessment of the proposed site of a Premier Inn on Victoria Road in Chelmsford, Essex (TL 70709 07118). The assessment is being undertaken in order to define the potential for survival of sub-surface archaeology on the site, given the known background of historical and archaeological interest within the surrounding area. The Proposed Development Area (PDA) is currently a car park and covers approximately 2118 square metres. It is bounded to the northwest by Victoria Road and the railway line, to the east by buildings fronting on to Victoria Road (currently under redevelopment), to the south by Victoria House and the Rendezvous public house.