Site Event/Activity record ECH6928 - 26 & 28 Nicholas Street, Chester, Cheshire: Archaeological Evaluation

In May 2021, an archaeological evaluation was undertaken on land at the rear of 26 & 28 Nicholas Street, Chester. The work follows on from a desk-based assessment and site visit (ECH6927/SCH9049) which outlined the archaeological potential of the area. The proposed development includes the extension and conversion of former office buildings and associated outbuildings to create an aparthotel, also, the erection of 3 apartments on a former car park off Nicholas Street Mews. The desk-based assessment highlights that this part of Chester is known to have been the site of an extensive settlement during the Roman period, which lay between the western defences of the Roman fort and the River Dee. Additionally, in the medieval period the site was also partially within the area of a Dominican Friary (Blackfriars). The site also lies within Chester’s Area of Archaeological Importance as defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979). It also lies on the boundary between Archaeological Character Zone 15 (Nicholas Street) and Zone 29 (Cuppin Street), as defined in the Chester Archaeological Plan, which forms part of the Evidence Base for the Cheshire West and Chester Council Local Plan. These are both Primary Zones, where remains of National Significance are likely to occur. The evaluation comprised three 1.5m-long by 1.5m-wide trenches excavated across the proposed development area. The trenches were located to target aspects of the proposed development, including the location of a proposed extension to the rear of 26 & 28 Nicholas Street, and the new apartments on Nicholas Street Mews. Similar deposits were identified at depth in each of the excavated trenches, comprising a layer of compacted yellow/grey silty clay, within which were red sandstone cobbles. A possible wall foundation was also identified which, combined with the discovery of Roman tile from its surface, indicates the possible presence of a demolished Roman building or associated structure. In each of the trenches the potential Roman deposits were identified at a depth over 1.0m below ground level covered by a significant accumulation of soils containing animal bone, shell, CBM and pottery, which probably reflect agricultural use or garden activity in the medieval and post-medieval periods. An assessment of the impact of the proposed development on the level of identified archaeological remains has indicated that there will a minimal impact overall. This impact will be limited to the insertion of concrete piles for the extension to the rear of 26 & 28 Nicholas Street, which will amount to 4% of the total area. (1)