York Historic Environment Record

A Desktop Assessment was prepared to assist with consideration of development proposals for the land occupied by the former Sessions factory, Huntington, York. Cartographic sources show little development has taken place here from 1771 until the construction of the Ebor Press print works. Documentary evidence however, refers to the presence of two Roman practice camps at Bootham Stray, 1 kilometre from the site, while excavations during the 1920s, immediately west of the proposed development revealed a significant Roman villa or possible military complex. Archaeological work in areas to the southeast of the study area has recorded a site of prehistoric occupation at Huntington Moor South. The assessment indicates that the site is located within a landscape that has seen significant Late Prehistoric and Roman activity and therefore the possibility of encountering deposits from these periods cannot be ruled out. The preservation and survival of any archaeological features in at least some areas of the site is likely to be good as development within in the vicinity of the study area has been limited.