SWX8320 - Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Development : Ambulance Station, West Street, Poole. November 1995.

The proposed development area is in an area of post-medieval reclamation that may seal important archaeological deposits. There is a fairly high possibility of the presence of material related to Iron Age/Romano-British salt workings and to pre-reclamation sea defences. It is very likely that the site straddles one or more ancient shorelines- this would account for the “former in filled creek” hypothesised by the soil investigation firm. There is also a high possibility of existing evidence of boatbuilding in the medieval and post-medieval periods. The relative shallowness of the foundations of the proposed ambulance station may preclude damage to archaeological remains- especially if they are raised to avoid the water table. Similarly, damage to such material by the construction of the storage tank and petrol interceptor could be minimised if they were sited in archaeologically sterile areas.