Land South of Kenavon Drive, Reading, Berkshire

Over the course of April, May and July 2019 Oxford Archaeology undertook a
pro-active watching brief at the site of a residential development. The work
comprised the excavation of six trenches which were positioned to investigate
key impact areas of the proposed development.
The site, currently a retail park, was formerly occupied by the Huntley and
Palmers biscuit factory which was demolished in the late 20th century.
The heavily truncated remains of the basement structures associated with the
factory were recorded within several of the trenches. The results of the work
augment those of the previously undertaken trial trench evaluation (PCA
2019) supporting the conclusion that development within the site during the
19th and 20th centuries has significantly reduced the potential for remains of
earlier date to survive within the site.
No remains predating the 20th century were identified during the watching
brief.