EYO4846 - Focal Building Hungate Development, York: A Report on an Archaeological Excavation
Type
EXCAVATION
Location
Location | Land to the south of Palmer Lane |
---|---|
Grid reference | Centred SE 6077 5179 (21m by 22m) |
Map sheet | SE65SW |
Unitary Authority | City of York, North Yorkshire |
Technique(s)
Organisation
York Archaeological Trust
Date
2007
Description
Between 17 October and 19 December 2007 York Archaeological Trust carried out an
archaeological excavation in advance of the redevelopment of the Focal Building area, part of
the Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd (HYRL) scheme.
The earliest deposits and structures encountered related to the York Union Gas Light Company
(YUGLC) gasworks, which occupied the site from 1837 to 1850. The remains of the main
building, gas-holders and pipe network were found, all significantly truncated by later activity.
The York Union Gasworks were de-commissioned and the site sold by auction in 1850 following
the 1844 amalgamation of YUGLC with its commercial rival, the York Gas Light Company, to
form the new York United Gas Light Company. The site was bought by a William Bellarby and
converted to use as a sawmill. Elements of the sawmill main building, its yards, a cobbled road
and several outbuildings were identified, along with evidence for re-use of the original gas pipe
network to supply gas to the sawmill following a possible upgrade after the 1880s.
The sawmill was eventually demolished during the clearance of the 1930s and 1940s, and
the plot became the location of the Derwent Coachworks. It was found that this enterprise had
partially re-used the yard boundary walls of the sawmill, which in turn were based around the
gasworks site boundary. Elements of the coachworks, including an extensive drainage system
and deeply excavated foundations, had severely truncated earlier deposits and structures
relating both to the Hungate sawmill and to the York Union Gasworks.
Further fieldwork scheduled to occur in the area of the Union Gasworks has good potential
to refine and develop the understanding of this period. Additionally, procedures created to
mitigate the effects of the significant contamination of this area, developed for and refined
during the Focal Building excavation, will inform future fieldwork in this area.
Sources/Archives (2)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
- MYO3695 The York Union Gasworks (Monument)
Record last edited
May 18 2020 1:31PM