Site Event/Activity record ESF24151 - Excavation - Land South of Thurmans Lane, Trimley St Mary

An excavation was undertaken following the results of previous evaluation and in advance of the construction of 90 new homes. The excavation area (c. 2.9ha) covered the entire development site, an agricultural field roughly rectangular in plan, with a slight indent to the south. The site was to be excavated in quadrants, starting with Quad 1 in the southeast corner of the site, before focussing on the two quads to the north, along Thurmans Lane (Quads 2 and 3); Quad 4 was in the southwest corner of the field. In practice, the area had to be reduced to the north in order to allow space for cabins and turning space for cars and plant, and an area was left unexcavated to the centre of the site, where a large spoil heap had accumulated. After a site meeting, Quad 4, to the southwest corner of the site was signed off without excavation. The decision was made based on the fact that the concentration of activity had been shown to be focussed on other quadrants and did not appear to be extending into this area. The excavation across the rest of the site had given a good sample of the expected field systems in this area, so whilst of interest, on balance this area was excluded.