18 August 2008
A public car-park in Hue Street will be temporarily closed to allow an archaeological dig to be completed. The 27 space car-park, situated opposite the Post Horn pub will be closed for two weeks from Monday 1st September.
The site has been identified as being a suitable location for the development for much needed housing in St Helier. However a research study in 1970 found evidence of 13th and 14th century occupation in a crescent shaped area. It is considered highly likely that more Medieval material exists in the site. The site will therefore be dug up to establish the extent of any archaeological remains and the possible consequential impact on the planning application process.
Principal Property Manager of Property Holdings, Philip Ahier commented: “The site is said to be the largest undeveloped open site in a part of the town that was cleared between 1970 and 1974 for redeveloping, and has lain open since. We are obviously keen to see the development of sites that have been approved by the States for disposal, but not without prior investigation of any archaeological remains.”
An archaeological dig is also hoped to reveal the truncated remains of the 19th and 18th century buildings built in a period of rapid growth of the town.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Property Holdings have completed an initial desk top study of the site, which was produced by the Société Jersiaise Archaeology Section. Following the Planning Dept’s approval of that document, it requested that a contractor be appointed to produce a written scheme of investigation. The appointed contractor submitted its scheme, and following approval by the Planning Dept, a request has been made to undertake an archaeological investigation of the site.
gov.je