A small excavation (0.18ha. in area) was undertaken in 2016 focussed on the features defined in evaluation trenches T1, T2 and T3, in the northeast part of the site of the Innovation Centre (the area of new car parking). The excavation revealed a number of boundary ditches, pits and post-holes dating to the early/mid 13th – mid 14th century, suggesting the existence of a small medieval farmstead in close proximity to the site. A single Roman pit was also excavated (F61). 900 sherds (c.8.9kg) of medieval pottery were recovered, dating to the early/mid 13th - mid 14th century; the sherds principally derived from cooking pots, although a small quantity of finewares (47 sherds) were also present. A single Roman pit was also excavated (F61), at the northwest corenr of the site.<1>

The excavation plan would suggest that the medieval occupation continues to the east and south of the excavated area, although features were not defined in the adjacent evaluation trenches. Trial-trenched evaluation relating to this development (of the large 2.8ha. site) was undertaken in 2016 (CAT report 918, ECC3658).<2>