§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis scheduled monument consent was granted to Hammerson Property Group for the Roman remains in Upper Thames street.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyA trial excavation of the site was undertaken by the Museum of London in 1988 and the results were evaluated by English Heritage. On the basis of that excavation an evaluation scheduled monument consent was granted to the developers on 22 December 1988 on condition that the Museum of London be allowed up to six months to carry out an archaeological excavation beneath part of Dominant House.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates have been made of how much of the total Roman site under Dominant House and Fur Trade House will be destroyed if the proposed development in Upper Thames street by Hammerson Property Group proceeds.
§ Mrs Virginia BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 18 April 1989, column77. It is estimated that the current area of excavation covers about 20–25 per cent. of the known area of the monument.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the extent of the damage to the Roman remains on the Hammerson site in Upper Thames street caused by the 1964–65 building construction; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLess than 10 per cent. of the area of the current excavation was removed or disturbed by the construction of Dominant House in 1964.
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§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between his Department and the City of London regarding safeguarding the Roman remains on the Hammerson Propery Group site in Upper Thames street; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere has been no direct contact between the Department and the City of London on this matter. We have been represented throughout by our statutory advisors on archaeology, English Heritage.