Coventry’s £450m regeneration advances with archaeological work
Shearer Property Regen has begun archaeological works for the City Centre South project, a £450m regeneration scheme in Coventry.
These initial works aim to understand, document, and preserve the site’s heritage before construction starts.
Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology are conducting surveys and excavations at various locations, starting at the Barracks car park and moving to Bull Yard and Shelton Square.
The project is expected to take seven to eight weeks with minimal disruption to businesses and visitors.
It involves digging 23 trial trenches of different sizes and depths to locate the historic city wall and other archaeological remains. Any significant findings will be logged, protected, and further investigated.
Hill and SGP are collaborating with Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police to ensure emergency procedures are in place in case any unexploded ordnance from World War II bombings is discovered during trenching.
Andy Fancy, managing director at The Hill Group said: “We are committed to carrying out the archaeological investigation works at City Centre South both safely and sensitively to protect any historical findings before the start of construction. These works are a routine part of the development process and essential due to the development’s location at the heart of Coventry’s historic centre.”
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration, and climate change at Coventry City Council said: “I’m pleased that this work is underway – along with the work to relocate Shopmobility to a new location at Salt Lane car park it’s the first visible work on site.”
“This work to map and record information is important and Hill and SPG are very experienced so I’m sure it will be done efficiently and carefully with the data used to help support future stages.”
