York Historic Environment Record

On-Site Archaeology was commissioned by O'Neill Associates to carry out an archaeological desk-based assessment in support of an application for planning permission to redevelop a plot of land to the rear of 46-48 Bootham, York. This assessment of the archaeological potential of the site has indicated that the site may contain features of Roman, medieval and post-medieval/early modern date. This assessment has indicated that the site lies within part of an extensive Roman cemetery, close to the line of a significant Roman road. However, investigations within the vicinity of the site have consistently revealed substantial thicknesses of medieval to post-medieval soil horizons, which seal the Roman features. These soil deposits have generally been in excess of 1m thick and in one case as much as 2m thick. It is reasonable to assume that a similar thickness of soil may be present on the site considered by this assessment. In addition to the potential for Roman period features to be present at some depth the Marygate frontage of the site may also contain structural remains dating to the medieval and post-medieval period. The potential presence of the archaeological deposits on this site should not prevent planning permission from being granted. Preliminary discussions with City of York Principal Archaeologist have identified the need to carry out archaeological evaluation trenching to determine if archaeological mitigation measures will be required prior to or during development. The evaluation trenching and any subsequent mitigation can be secured through attaching appropriate conditions to the grant of planning consent.