Old Port, Chester
May 11, 2006 by Blair Poole
The development of Old Port Area Chester required a multifaceted approach to archaeology. The banks of the River Dee in Chester were redeveloped and landscaped to include a cycle path and promenade as well as several residential and commercial property developments.
Multiple contractors had responsibility for the development. L – P : Archaeology worked closely with the Chester City Council and each of the individual developers involved in the project to ensure the archaeology was approached in an efficient, holistic manner. Through liaison with each party responsible it was possible to reduce the costs and streamline the works necessary.
Archaeological works at the site involved a desk based assessment, archaeological evaluations and watching briefs as well as a full open area excavation at the site of Chester’s former workhouse.
Through these combined investigations a detailed picture of the changing course of the River Dee, its flood defences known as the Cop and the past development of the Old Port area was built up.
The results of these investigations are published in the Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Volume 80.
| Client: | Chester City Council, Harry Fairclough and David Mclean Homes |
| Site: | Old Port, Chester |
| Development type: | River Frontage redevelopment |
| Archaeological Contract: | £90,000 |