Geophysical survey by A Bartlett of BCC, with a supplementary evaluation by P Jones of SCAU, in order to test the potential effectiveness of geophysical survey over the site. A number of magnetic anomalies were detected, although no corresponding archaeological features were revealed, suggesting that full geophysical survey of the site would not be productive. Subsequent evaluation involving the excavation of 464 trenches by A Taylor of TVAS in advance of possible mineral extraction revealed a wide range of finds and deposits.

Evaluation in 2002 by A Stephenson of AOC prior to a residential redevelopment resulted in the collection of a number of environmental samples. Completion of scientific analysis provided evidence for flood plain formation, together with the presence of woodland and grassland, as well as cultivated ground during the Early Neolithic. Evidence for woodland clearance and peat formation was also found, as were remains of beaver and domesticated or wild cattle

Evaluation by E Eastbury of MoLAS prior to redevelopment found that most of the site had suffered severe truncation of any potential deposits during the construction of the existing buildings. A small area was found to contain a deep feature, containing stratified material dating from the Late Neolithic to Roman periods. Owing to the large size of the feature, its extent or exact nature could not be verified. A subsequent watching brief on the area where the feature was presumed to continue provided no further information.

Watching brief by R Lambert of SCAU during the excavation of service and drainage trenches relating to the construction of a new toilet block. No features were revealed, but a small quantity of human bone, likely to be relatively recent, was collected. A few stray finds, including a flint flake likely to be of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, and clay pipe, were retrieved from the spoil.

Excavation of a test pit by R Le Brocq as part of the Time Team `Big Dig’ reported finds of Neolithic and post-medieval date.

Fieldwalking by G Rapson of SyAS following ploughing of the field revealed Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age flint, and prehistoric, Roman and post-medieval pottery.

Evaluation by Bryan Matthews of OA in advance of residential redevelopment exposed a number of features of Roman and prehistoric date, together with a 19th/20th century horse burial. The subsequent excavation is reported on elsewhere (SyAC 91, 187–216).

Large-scale evaluation programme by A Manning of WA. Varied results were recorded, ranging from largely negative areas where no finds or features of archaeological interest were revealed, through to evidence for Neolithic activity, Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement, and post-medieval agricultural land management. Subsequent excavation revealed a significant number of pits, postholes and gullies of Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age date.

Landscape survey by Philip Masters of ACTA as part of the SCC and SyAS ASHLV study programme. In total, 150 features were recorded across the common. Predominantly, these were a series of boundary earthworks, hollow-ways and tracks. Many of these probably date from the use of the common during the Second World War by the Canadian Army, although the vast majority are probably medieval or post-medieval, and many can be identified on historic maps.

Report by G Hayman in SyAC 94, 251–292