Site Event/Activity record ECH6239 - Archaeological Watching Brief at 51-57 Upper Northgate Street, Chester

Land at 51-57 Upper Northgate Street has been granted planning permission for redevelopment, comprising the demolition of standing buildings and construction of two new multi storey blocks. Groundworks were archaeologically monitored to fulfil a condition of planning permission. The site lies to the west of the main Roman Road to the north of Chester in an area thought to have been in use throughout the Roman, Medieval and Post Medieval periods. Recent evaluation work identified two Roman ditches which were to be preserved in situ. Below the modern activity a series of four features were identified on the site. At the southern end of the site an 18th century cess pit was identified. To the southeastern edge of the site a linear gulley, running northwest-southeast was identified. This is thought to be a Medieval drainage gulley. Running north-south across the centre of the site was a V-cut Roman boundary ditch. At the northern end of the site was a large V-cut Roman defensive ditch. The Roman activity on the site is thought to date from the 1st to 3rd century. No other features were encountered during the groundworks. (1)