Archaeological Desk-Based Appraisal, 11-15 Fargate 18-36 Chapel Walk, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

In December 2007, ARCUS were commissioned by F. J. Architects to undertake a desk- based appraisal of 11-15 Fargate and 18-36 Chapel Walk, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (centred on SK 35480 87367). The appraisal was produced in relation to a planning application for redevelopment at the site and included a site visit, along with documentary and cartographic research. The desk-based assessment indicates that development is likely to have begun to occur along the sites Fargate frontage during the medieval period, with the remainder of the site comprising burgage plots at that time. The majority of the site had been developed by 1736 and contained tenements in 1793, with the Spread Eagle public house standing at the junction of Fargate and Chapel Walk from at least 1839. The eastern part of the site was part of the yard belonging to the Unitarian Nether Chapel in 1793 but had begun to be developed by 1808. Mid-19th-century retail outlets, offices and outbuildings throughout the majority of the site were demolished between 1887 and 1888 and replaced by a substantial redevelopment that included Goldsmiths Chambers at the Fargate/Chapel Walk junction. These late 19th-century buildings were demolished in 1959 and were replaced by the present-day structures, including Fargate Court. Extensive basement levels associated with this development are likely to have impacted upon any pre-20 th- century sub-surface archaeological deposits that may have been present. The present-day no.s 30 to 36 Chapel Walk also appear to be 1960s constructions but do not contain basements. There is thus a slightly greater potential for the survival of sub-surface archaeological deposits in this area. However, the early to mid-19 th- century engravers workshop that was present at no.32 Chapel Walk between 1841 and 1961 appears to have been located above ground level and the nature of the property at ground level in this area is unclear. Although previously unknown archaeological deposits and features cannot be ruled out, there is only a low potential for the survival of such deposits.