Source/Archive record SCH6676 - Tesco, South of Wheelock Street, Middlewich, Cheshire: An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

On-Site Archaeology were commissioned by W A Fairhurst & Partners to carry out an archaeological desk-based assessment to inform a planning application for a proposed development, involving the replacement and extension of an existing Tesco store. The site is located within the historic core of the town of Middlewich. Although Middlewich has been the centre of the salt extraction industry from the Roman period, and possibly earlier, the site does not lie within an area that is likely to contain any such remains. The core of Romano-British activity lies to the northeast of the River Croco. A single reference to Romano-British pottery being discovered in the 1930’s in the vicinity of the site may indicate that some activity of this date extends into the area. The northeast boundary of the site is formed by Wheelock Street, which formed part of the medieval urban fabric of the town from at least the 13th century, when burgage plots are recorded. Previous archaeological investigations along Wheelock Street have revealed the presence of later medieval ditched property boundaries, and pits, together with post-medieval pits and boundaries. There were distinct concentrations of features towards the street frontage, while the areas to the rear contained thick deposits of horticultural soils dating from the medieval period to the 19th century. Previous archaeological evaluation of a portion of the site close to Wheelock Street has been undertaken. This has shown that the site does not contain below ground archaeological remains of such significance as to require the design of the proposed development to be modified. However, a programme of archaeological investigation will be required as a condition of any planning consent for the development. Such a programme is likely to include excavation of limited agreed areas towards the Wheelock Street frontage, together with watching brief elsewhere. In addition to below ground archaeological remains the site contains a Listed Building, consisting of a house built in the 1830’s and altered in the early 20th century. It is currently set within a garden surrounded by mature trees. The trees should be retained to mitigate against the effects of the development upon the setting of the building.