Universal Great Britain - Construction Updates

[xtpower]

Are we thinking there will be some sort of official "spade in the ground" moment that's publicised from Universal?

No idea, we assume there should be, but that field is a muddy bog right now, so not sure execs will want to suffer it .

 

[Jake S]

universal execs asking if there’s a nasty bog nearby

 

[EllieB]

No idea, we assume there should be, but that field is a muddy bog right now, so not sure execs will want to suffer it .

If they haven't already realised that Universal branded wellies are a good investment for this project, they soon will.

 

[xtpower]

Thanks to @ProjectUniversal over on his facebook page. We have pictures of a large area of stripped top soil and people investigating.

 

[EllieB]

Gold would be great. What you don't want them to find is unexpected archaeological remains. If they do, they'll have to pause work and call in some archaeologists to excavate and record everything before they can continue.

That's unlikely, thankfully, given that a lot of the site has had construction on before, but the archaeological survey mentioned a varied history on the site so it's not impossible.

 

[xtpower]

Gold would be great. What you don't want them to find is unexpected archaeological remains. If they do, they'll have to pause work and call in some archaeologists to excavate and record everything before they can continue.

That's unlikely, thankfully, given that a lot of the site has had construction on before, but the archaeological survey mentioned a varied history on the site so it's not impossible.

There is excavation to be done, but seems bog standard stuff, nothing particularly exciting was found via the trial trenches. This is less an investigation and more a 'let's find the exact spot for excavation' situation.

 

[EllieB]

If they expected to find anything, I think they'd have targeted it already to get it out of the way early on. Anything they do find is likely to be unexpected, like accidentally discovering a Roman mosaic when they start digging building foundations.

It wouldn't stop construction anyway, not long term, it'd just be a delay.

 

[xtpower]

If they expected to find anything, I think they'd have targeted it already to get it out of the way early on. Anything they do find is likely to be unexpected, like accidentally discovering a Roman mosaic when they start digging building foundations.

It wouldn't stop construction anyway, not long term, it'd just be a delay.

They were kinda prevented from doing any excavations until the SDO was approved. But this stuff was all listed in the planning docs under 'archaeological mitigation' - multiple spots require excavation as a form of mitigation.

 

[extrobeiuf]

If they expected to find anything, I think they'd have targeted it already to get it out of the way early on. Anything they do find is likely to be unexpected, like accidentally discovering a Roman mosaic when they start digging building foundations.

You joke... but that literally happens . Couple of years ago, just 15 mins away from the UGB site in my hometown Olney, they uncovered a roman bathhouse with mosaic whilst building a new Aldi.
Ultimately it was 'preserved in situ'... which means they covered it up and built the supermarket anyway.

Olney: Roman villa mosaic found under Aldi supermarket site

Archaeologists say the remains uncovered in Olney, Buckinghamshire, are of "high significance".

www.bbc.com

Bit heartbreaking, but shows that there's just so much ancient archaeology in the UK that it doesn't usually block/prevent development.

 

[EllieB]

Yes, haha, I know it does, that's why I was joking about it. I don't work in the heritage sector anymore but I used to, and public archaeology was part of my degree so I used to be well versed in what happens when you accidentally dig up an iron age long house when you're building a new housing estate, or similar.

Excavate to record then remain in situ is usually the preferred situation, because it preserves everything for possible future excavation if anyone ever wanted to. It also tends to be quicker than full excavation, because then you have to record everything as it comes out of the ground. Sometimes you've got no choice though, if the construction will destroy what's there.

The UK is such an archaeologically dense place that as you say even seemingly amazing stuff doesn't usually stop new development, unless it's "we think we just found King Richard under the car park" level of national interest.

 

[extrobeiuf]

Haha, well at least my casual observations match your far more relevant first hand experience

But, it should give others comfort that 'finding something' doesn't automatically create a blocking issue. Just adds to the rich tapestry of the area's history!

 

[EllieB]

Absolutely. And thanks for sharing the link, I always enjoy a "there's some history under this supermarket you didn't know about" story!