The dig begins for historical treasure on the former Sussex House site
jpco-18-1-12-Sussex house archaeological dig (Pic by Jon Rigby)
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have begun digging up the former Sussex House site and will deposit any findings with Crawley Museum.
Contractors have five weeks to dig trenches on the site between Peglar Way and High Street before work begins on the new development.
In November Crawley Borough Councils planning committee unanimously approved proposals to build a Morrisons, a 110‐bed Travelodge hotel, new restaurants and a 500 space car park on the former office block and ten‐pin bowling alley site.
Iain Williamson, an archaeology consultant for URS, said: “We have found a line of five or six square post lines which look to be the structure of a possible medieval house block.
“There is also a drainage ditch and a spread of iron working waste which again possibly dates to the late medieval period.
“Crawley was the centre of the wrought iron industry and we appear to have a layer of waste material associated with iron production in this part of Crawley.”
The on-site car park will remain open and accessible throughout these initial works and has been phased to keep the maximum number of possible spaces available.
A report will be made at the end of the dig which will record any findings and will inform future archaeologists.
The scheme is the first part of Town Centre North.
Chris Ward, Land Securities’ development director, said: “Though we are not yet in a position to finalise the construction timetable, we are pleased to be taking this important step.
“We will keep the community informed of our progress, and hope that people bear with us while these preliminary works take place.
“Anyone with queries can contact us via our usual Freephone project community line or email address.”
Queries can be made via info@landsec-crawley.co.uk or 0800 019 2205.
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Weather for Crawley
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
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