A site investigation was undertaken at Flory's Yard where it was proposed to construct two or three storey housing on a former builder' yard. Two boreholes were drilled on the site using shell and augur techniques and 150mm diameter casing to a maximum depth of 14.0m below ground level. In addition to the boreholes, trial pits were mechanically excavated at four locations on the site. A similar sequence of deposits was encountered in the two boreholes but at different levels. Borehole 1 revealed a 6.0 m thickness of fill material consisting predominantly of clayey silty sand, with some gravel and brick rubble. This material was underlain by loose silty sand to 6.5 m at which depth sand and gravel was encountered. At 9.4 m depth silty clay was penetrated (London Clay). In Borehole 2 only a 3 m thickness of fill was encountered resting on sand and gravel which was underlain by London Clay at 4.6 m below ground level. Ground water was observed standing at 5.6 m in borehole 1 and 1.6 m in borehole 2. The four trial pits revealed a mixed layer of fill material varying between 2.1 m and 3.2 m in thickness. The presence of old rubble and oyster shells 'suggests some of this may be medieval in origin'. In trial pit 3 an 'old masonry wall' was uncovered at a depth of 0.8 m. In trial pits 1 and 2 the underlying natural ground consisted of sand and gravel whereas in trial pits 3 and 4 clay was encountered directly beneath the fill. The trial pit and borehole findings suggest a general covering of approximately 2.0 m to 3.0 m of topsoil and rubble fill which thickens considerably towards the western end of the site; the ground surface here having been built up to form a steep slope towards the rear gardens of houses in Northgate Street. In trial pit 3 the passage of water was observed immediately beneath the topsoil, 'possibly brought to this shall level by the presence of old masonry structures below ground'. This trial pit was located near to a small spring. <1>