Wellesley Zones K and M, Aldershot Urban Extension, Evaluation, Hampshire Collated Site Records, Security Copy

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Taylor Wimpey UK Limited (West London; and Grainger (Aldershot) Ltd, 'the client') to undertake an archaeological evaluation prior to the construction phase of Zones K and M, Aldershot Urban Extension (AUE). The archaeological works are centred on NGR 486729 151561, at Buller Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 2DH. The evaluation was carried out as a part of planning permission (12/00958/OUT) granted for the development of up to 3,850 dwellings including access, demolition of buildings, a local neighbourhood centre (including retail, office and community uses), small scale employment, two primary schools, a waste facility, day care provision, associated amenity space and a pavilion. The application also included sustainable drainage systems, landscape structure planting and the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). The overall proposed development is known as the Wellesley Development. The AUE is to be developed in phases and has been divided into 20 separate zones. The proposed archaeological field evaluation was undertaken in association with the residential development, associated green space and infrastructure within Zones K and M, which form part of the Wellesley site, and consisted of 41 machine excavated trial trenches. During the course of the evaluation evidence of heavy truncation caused by construction and demolition of 19th century military buildings and terracing were uncovered but also remnants of original topsoil in Area C that falls in Zone K. Three modern features were uncovered in Area A and C (Zone K) and in Area E (Zone M).