§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what arrangements have been made to allow archaeological research to be undertaken at the Amphitheatre, Chester, before construction commences on a new court building on any part of that site. [121272]
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§ Jane KennedyThe site is owned by a developer, David McLean Developments Ltd., with whom the Court Service has entered into an agreement to lease. Following demolition of the British Telecommunications building which occupied the same footprint as the new building, David McLean Developments Ltd. funded an intensive series of archaeological excavations in consultation with the City Archaeologist and English Heritage. These excavations impacted upon the design of the building and as a result it has been possible to avoid disturbing the remains of the amphitheatre beneath. In fact, the foundations of the new building have been carefully designed to avoid any remains and to preserve them in situ, for posterity.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if a binding contract has been signed for the construction of a new court building on any part of the Amphitheatre site in Chester. [121271]
§ Jane KennedyThe Court Service signed a legally binding contract with the Developer, David McLean Developments Ltd., on 20 December 1999 whereby the Court Service is legally bound to occupy the building within 21 days of the completion of its construction. The Court Service were aware of the location of the site and of its archaeological significance, but all appropriate approvals in relation to both planning and preservation had been obtained by the developers.