Archaeological Excavations at New Chichester Site

The new Dudman Group of Companies quarry site in Chichester is progressing nicely after the recent and successful archaeological excavation tests.

Kingsham was identified as a site for mineral extraction in the county 2014 minerals local plan from which West Sussex Council has stated had a ‘proven deposit’ of minerals.

The Dudman Group spent a week working with local archaeologists on the excavation tests, which are part of the planning regulations, to not only make sure the ground is safe to work on but to also give back to British heritage. The tests resulted in several pieces of historic pottery and artefacts being unearthed.

All archaeological excavations were completed with the new 25 ton, LiuGong 925E. The new E-Series excavator meets all of the current European Union emission standards and is fitted with a Stage IIIB engine.

The Dudman Group team has been on site in Kingsham since April 2015 and once extraction begins, the quarry will produce a type of gravel called ‘Chichester Grit’ which will be supplied across Sussex and Hampshire. This new quarry will be the first one in Chichester since the closure of Portfield quarry.

Currently the road into the site is being built and next steps will be the arrival of the screening and concrete plants and welfare facilities.