Medieval history unearthed in West Sussex

Developers have discovered items dating back to medieval times during an archaeological dig in the town centre. 

Archaeologist Dylan Hopkinson in the car park with some medieval smelted iron ore [Credit: This is Sussex]

Trenches have been dug at the Sussex House site in the first stage of its regeneration. And contractors have found evidence that the site was being lived or worked on between the 11th and 16th centuries. 

On January 9 work began on digging two trenches inside the car park and another two on the outskirts of the site, which is between High Street and Peglar Way. 

In two of the trenches, which have been dug to a depth of about half a metre, six square post holes, a drainage ditch and a layer of iron work waste have been found. 

Iain Williamson, from archaeology company URS which is carrying out the work, said: "During the planning process the site was flagged up as having the potential for having medieval remains. 

"Crawley was important in the Wealden iron industry during the period when it was the centre of the English iron industry." 

The contractors are phasing the work so the car park will remain open throughout. They plan to dig a total of ten trenches and expect to complete the work by early February. 

Once finished a report of the findings will be produced and handed over to Crawley Museum. 

The Sussex House development is the first phase of the Town Centre North regeneration scheme unanimously approved by Crawley Borough Council in November. 

A Morrisons supermarket, a Travelodge hotel and, potentially, restaurants and bars will be built on the site. 

As this early work takes place, Land Securities continues its negotiations to come to an agreement over the possession of the Bar Med building. 

Land Securities is the freehold owner of the building and has a leasehold agreement with Bar Med's management company, The Stonegate Company, until 2034. 

If the companies cannot reach an agreement, an option which has been discussed as a last resort is for Crawley Borough Council to use compulsory purchase powers to allow the development to go through. 

A spokeswoman for The Stonegate Company said: "We are in discussions with Land Securities regarding reaching an agreement on the proposed development as are a number of other businesses that may be affected by the plans. 

"If this should get to compulsory purchase action, this can be a lengthy process and we will continue to trade our business for the benefit and enjoyment of our customers until any decision has been made either way." 

Source: This is Sussex [January 18, 2012]