A number of test pits and trenches were dug as an archaeological evaluation of land occupied by playing fields, tennis courts and a car park. The evaluation was carried out in response to proposals for a new retail park on the site. Eight test pits were excavated in the Colchester Borough Council lorry and car parks but revealed no clear deposits or finds of archaeological significance to depths of around 2m below present ground levels. However, a ?water deposited sandy clay layer at the base of some of the pits could possibly be of medieval origin and contain preserved organic material. Six test pits placed in the former tennis courts of the Colchester Institute produced a quantity of residual Roman material but no deposits or substantial finds of clear archaeological significance were encountered to depths of 2 metres below the ground surface. However a silt and sandy clay layer occurred in three trenches and contained some preserved organic material in the form of wood/timber one piece of which appears to be structural timber of medieval date. The trenches on the Colchester Institute playing fields demonstrated clear Roman deposits in water-logged levels occurring at about 1.2m below the ground surface in each trench. Remains included individual finds and a small number of features including a ditch and spread of mortar containing fragments of red painted wall plaster. A trench at the southern end of the site showed possible Roman levels occurring close to the ground surface.<1><2>