Albion Square, Whitehaven, Cumbria- Archaeological Evaluation, Excavation and Watching Brief

In 2010 Copeland Borough Council submitted planning application to redevelop two parcels of land site located to the north and south of Albion Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria (NGR NX 9713 179). In recognition of the archaeological potential of the site, Cumbria County Council Historic Environment Service (CCCHES) requested that any groundworks associated with the preparation and redevelopment of the site should be preceded by an appropriate scheme of archaeological works. Subsequently Energy Coast West Cumbria (Properties) Ltd (ECWC) acquired the site and implemented the design and construction of enabling works to allow the construction of the proposed
development to commence. The enabling works included the evaluation and investigation of the North site as it was considered by CCHES that the North Site held archaeological potential.
On behalf of ECWC, WYG Engineering Ltd (WYG) commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake a trial-trench evaluation and a targeted open-area excavation at the site between May and August 2012. An intermittent
watching brief took place in December 2012 and February 2013.