Soil-stripping, mapping and sampling by J Robertson and N Randall of SCAU, during the creation of a park and ride facility, following evaluation in 2007. A comparatively large number of Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age features were revealed, including pits, ditches and stakeholes. Evidence of activity from the Neolithic to Early Iron Age was evident in the finds assemblage.

Watching brief by J McNicoll-Norbury of TVAS during stripping for a soil storage area. The truncated remains of a Bronze Age pottery vessel – possibly a placed deposit – were revealed, together with a small ditch that contained medieval pottery. See TVAS monograph 11

Watching brief by G Rapson of MOLA during underground cabling works. An area of Bronze Age activity in the form of a layer containing pottery and worked flints was revealed, as well as four undated field ditches and an apparent flint structure – also undated. A limited programme of fieldwork carried out concurrently nearby provided further evidence for prehistoric activity, as well as occasional Roman pottery.

Evaluation by S Holden of PCA recovered residual prehistoric flints and Bronze Age and Roman pottery, but later post-medieval deposits immediately overlying the natural horizon suggests the site was subject to landscaping in the 19th century.

Evaluation by N Randall of SCAU of a further area of the site revealed a scattering of burnt flints and a sherd of a Bronze Age or earlier pot, and a modern pit.

Evaluation by R Lambert of SCAU prior to residential redevelopment of a former playing field. A Mesolithic feature and a Bronze Age cremation represented the only earlier prehistoric activity on the site. However, a number of postholes and a large pit were dated to the Middle Iron Age and indicated an intensification of activity during this period. It was considered that these features may relate to a settlement of this date in the area – possibly in areas adjacent to the site developed for housing prior to PPG16 and therefore not investigated.

Evaluation by D Swift of ASE revealed a number of linear features, probably drainage and/or boundary ditches of post-17th century date, although they rarely produced datable material. Two of the ditches produced small quantities of Late Bronze Age and Late Iron Age pottery, although there was no conclusive evidence to suggest that this material was not residual in later features. Some small pits/postholes were also found, although none contained dating evidence. Most of the datable material was recovered from the topsoil, and was predominantly post-medieval in date.

Evaluation by F Raymond of BAS identified significant Bronze Age deposits concentrated on a plateau of land in the south-eastern part of the site, and this area was subsequently excavated. Activity commenced during the Mesolithic period, and is marked by the presence of a flint scatter from the southern part of the site. There were no concentrations of flint and no features, suggesting the principal focus, if there is one, lies or lay to the south and east. The focus of Early and Middle Bronze Age activity was located on the eastern side of the site.

Evaluation by J Robertson of SCAU prior to the construction of a park and ride facility. A series of pits was revealed, including two very large intercutting pit complexes. A prehistoric date for the features was suspected, as both Bronze Age and Iron Age pottery were present, although intrusive Roman and medieval/post-medieval pottery and tile was also recovered. Further work is planned.

Evaluation by R Lambert of SCAU prior to the construction of a series of new school buildings revealed a number of features, including a concentrated in-situ scatter of Bronze Age pottery and struck and burnt flint of considerable interest. The wider area of the site revealed further Bronze Age features such as ditches and a number of undated features of a possibly similar date. Roman activity was also recorded in the form of ditches and pits, although the concentration of features was not dense, suggesting outlying activity related to an as yet unspecified site elsewhere in the vicinity.