SNN105457 - Land at The North Side of Gregory Street, Northampton, County of Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Assessment

This report presents the results of desk-based assessment work carried out by the Museum of London Archaeology Service on the site of an area of land on the north side of Gregory Street, Northampton. The report was commissioned by Woods Hardwick Planning on behalf of the client, West Homes. This report considers the archaeological potential of the site. The site lies in an area of high archaeological potential primarily dating from the Saxon period onwards and is located on the site of St Gregory's church, a possible saxon foundation that probably was rebuilt in Norman period and late incorporated into the 16th-century Free School after the church went out of use. The site lies within the Late Saxon burh adjacent to the Saxon palace and settlement recorded around St Peters. The site itself is a Schedule Ancient Monument and previous archaeological evaluation on the site recorded Late Saxon and medieval features and probable remains associated with the cemetary of St Gregory's. numerous finds have been recorded in the direct vicinity of the site and the site lies in an Area of Acknowleged Archaeological Value in relation to the Saxon and medieval settlement of Northampton. Probable archaeological deposits and features consist, primarily, of activity associated with the Saxon development of the site, the foundation fo St Gregory's and its churchyard, the establishment of the 16th-century Free School and surrounding medieval and post-medieval development of the site. In situ prehistoric remains have also been recorded to the west of the site and the site lies adjacent to the postualed Roman road through Northampton. The report concludes that in line with the normal planning policy guidance in respoect that the site lies within a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Area of Acknowledged Archaeological Value, it is recommended that an appropriate mitigation strategy would have to be formulated. The preparation fo a mitigation strategy would be the basis of possible Scheduled Monument Consent to allow any future development of the site.