Land at Gambia Street, London SE1 London Borough of Southwark - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

Wessex Archaeology

The Site is located between two crossing railway viaducts and two roads, with the Jubilee Line beneath. It has had both residential and commercial properties on the area and the street names have been changed from the original Charlotte Street (now Union Street) and William Street (now Gambia Street). Prior to the roads being in place (before the late 18th century) the area was used as tenter grounds and gardens or cultivated orchards.

Finds from the Roman period are selective with pottery from the site having been recovered from the near vicinity. Prehistoric mud flats have been found and peat dating to the Bronze Age, but no evidence has been found for accurately dated finds prior to that period.

Generally the Site is identified as having Low to High levels of archaeological potential for different periods of activity. Subsequent activities may well have impacted upon these archaeological remains. Any proposed development would need to consider whether some of the archaeological remains could be of quality as to be
considered by English Heritage, archaeological advisor to the London Borough of Southwark to warrant preservation in situ. This could severely reduce options to create site wide basements and restrict the layout and density of piled foundation options. English Heritage would seek to address the issues in response to planning application through the requirement for predetermination archaeological evaluation supported by geotechnical analysis.