Proposed Premier Inn Site, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex. An Archaeological Evaluation.

Abstract

A trench-based evaluation, comprising four trenches covering a combined total of 99sqm, was undertaken within a former car park situated in Chelmsford, Essex. Despite being located only 190m from the Cathedral, 500m from the core of the Medieval city and 1km from the regionally significant Roman centre of Caesaromagus, little evidence of anthropogenic activity was encountered at the site. Although the archaeological sequence was relatively well-preserved, the only features to be identified were Post-Medieval in origin. These were associated with two phases of horticultural activity. The first, which probably commenced during the mid-late 18th century, consisted of a series of closely adjacent sub-rectangular planting beds; thirteen examples of this feature-type were encountered. The second was late 19th-mid 20th century in date. At this time, the area was utilised as an allotment and an extensive layer of 'garden-soil' was generated. Finally, during the 1950s this material was capped by the present car park surface.