Number 5 Dalton Square, Lancaster- Archaeological Assessment, Building Investigation and Evaluation

Following a request by Lancaster City Council, Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) undertook an archaeological assessment prior to the proposed partial demolition and redevelopment of Number 5 Dalton Square, Lancaster, Lancashire (centred on SD 4792 6161). The site lies to the rear of Dalton Square, a late eighteenth century planned development, which occupies former lands belonging to a Dominican Friary, founded in 1260. Previous excavation at Numbers 3 and 7 Dalton Square, and on Sulyard Street to the north, have uncovered remains of the friary. The site is therefore located in an area of some archaeological potential. As a result of this, Lancashire County Archaeological Service (LCAS) recommended that the programme of works be undertaken prior to any development commencing.
The programme of works involved a desk-based assessment of the development area, a building investigation of the extant nineteenth century extension to the main Georgian building, and two phases of evaluation. The desk-based assessment was undertaken in order to identify, where possible, the owners or tenants of the building (and their occupations), along with the known uses for the structure and any recorded alterations or development to the building. The building investigation comprised a detailed survey of the building in order to provide an outline of its form and phasing. The first phase of the evaluation was carried out to the rear of the building in order to assess the presence or absence of archaeological remains; the second phase of evaluation works will be undertaken on demolition of the extension. The first phase of evaluation work and the building recording was undertaken on the 1st and 2nd of December 2004, and the desk-based assessment was completed on the 17th of December 2004.