A watching brief was held during the groundwork for redevelopment at the rear of Nos. 30-33 Priory Street. Prior to the visit extensive topsoil stripping and machining away of the southern part of the slope had already taken place. Machining on the south-west quarter of the site revealed terracing and evidence of pits but the area was much obscured by freshly redeposited spoil. The terracing had reduced the level of the site by up to 4m over a length of approx. 160m. Natural sand was within 0.5m of the surface along the central stretch, falling at each end. At the eastern end topsoil extended below the reduced level of the terrace. The north-east region of the site was very muddy and not closely inspected. Massive deposits of topsoil at each end of the terrace would appear to be the result of 19th century cutting of the railway. The grave of an 18th century landowner was discovered in the south-east quarter of the site. <1>