Site Event/Activity record ECH4689 - Oakhanger Hall, Taylor's Lane, Haslington

Observations made during groundworks for construction of new stock building on site of the former hall (demolished in 1820s). Originally disturbance was to be limited to a level where remains of the hall would not be impacted. Hardcore and concrete slab would then be laid, thus ensuring preservation in-situ of bulk of remains. Unfortunately, ground conditions proved much more difficult than anticipated and it proved necessary to lower the ground levels more drastically than originally anticipated, resulting in the full exposure of the foundations of the former hall and, eventually, their total removal. The decision was, therefore, taken to record the hall, within the context of the ongoing development. In the event, the flexibility of the contractors and the comparative simplicity of the remains meant that it proved possible to obtain a complete plan of the main elements of the structure and gain a deeper understanding of its structure and likely date.