SDO11523 - A Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed Development of Land between numbers 28 and 30, Bell Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset

The preliminary archaeological assessment of the proposed residential development between numbers 28 and 30, Bell Street, Shaftesbury, comprised the collection and assessment of information from historical, documetnary and archaeological sources, as well as a site visit. The site covers an area of approximately 220 square metres, in an area of the town where very little systematic archaeological investigation has previously been carried out; a recent investigation during groundworks at Parson's Pool, immediately north of the site, has revealed small quantities of medieval pottery, but as yet, the results remain unpublished. The documentary study has traced the origins and development of the site from 1615, revealing that no building was present on the site initially, but a 1799 map shows a structure on the site. By 1817, this building has seemingly been demolished, as only a small outbuildinng is shown in the south west corner of the plot, the remaining area being open ground. This is much the same layout as today. It is considered likely, based on an analysis of all recorded evidence, its position within the town's historic core and the study of historic maps indicating the apparent low probability of later post-medieval or modern disturbance, that the proposed redevelopment area lies within a part of the town where there is potential for the presence of important archaeological remains, most likely of early post-medieval date, but potentially of any period from the later prehistoric onwards. However, positive evidence for the survival of archaeological deposits on the site, or proof of their absence, cannot be determined without further, intrusive evaluation.