Site Event/Activity record ECH7027 - Archaeological Desk Based Assessment: Frodsham Street, Chester

A desk based assessment and site visit were undertaken in 2022 for land at Frodsham Street, Chester. The site lies within the Chester City Centre Conservation Area, Chester’s Area of Archaeological Importance, and Chester’s Archaeological Character Zones 1 and 24. There are no scheduled monuments or listed buildings within the site. However, the eastern boundary of the site is formed by the historic Chester city wall and tower base which are designated as both a Scheduled Monument (1006785) and a Grade I Listed Building (1376162 and 1376163). There are 14 Non-Desginated Heritage Assets identified within the site on the Cheshire HER. Research shows the site has low potential for any Prehistoric activity. There is medium to low potential for Roman activity likely to be associated with the external legionary fortress ditch, the extra-mural road and the surface of the parade ground. There is medium to low potential for Early Medieval and Medieval archaeological remains within the site and these are likely to be associated with either the defensive ditches to the east of the city wall or industrial/settlement activity. There is medium to low potential for Post Medieval archaeological remains within the site and these are likely to be associated with either the Civil War city defences or properties occupying the Frodsham Street frontage during the later 17th and 18th century. It is likely that any below ground archaeological deposits on the site have been severely truncated by the two phases of later 20th century development - the Mercia Square shopping development built in 1970 which had extensive basements and the present development built between 1992-95. However, depending on the depths of previous ground disturbance, archaeological remains may survive in some areas of the site. In particular, in the north-western part of the site adjacent to the city wall and the foundations of the ‘Drum Tower’. The proposed new basement lies entirely within the footprint of the former Mercia Square basement car park. It is therefore unlikely to have an impact upon any surviving archaeological resource within the site boundary. (1)