A total of five archaeological evaluation trenches were excavated in and around the existing Units. The aim of the trenching strategy was to evaluate the potential survival of archaeology of the site, with particular reference to the presence of the former Imber (or Ember) Court and its formal gardens. Trenches to the north of this known structure were located to determine the presence (or absence) of any surviving archaeology and to understand how the proposed works would or would not affect those remains. Ten boreholes made across the site were also monitored. In brief, they showed that modern made ground and disturbance penetrated to around 1.20m, the underlying layers of alluvial sands were generally 2m thick and the gravel beds were found in excess of 3m below the present ground level. The evaluation concluded that the late 20th construction of the Trading Estate, in concert with the prior Cement Works, had severely truncated the archaeological horizon down to the natural geology in many areas. However, to the north of the site several palaeochannels were discovered containing prehistoric burnt and struck flint. This may be evidence of prehistoric hunting activity in and around a former braided river system. Further south and to the west, close to the imprint of the earlier Ember Court, several planting beds of the formal garden were uncovered. No trace of the Court nor its outbuildings were found, due to heavy truncation in this part of the site.