2012:047 - LARNE: The Market Yard, Antrim

Monitoring of groundworks was carried out in relation to the redevelopment of the Market Yard in Larne, County Antrim. The Market Yard is a walled livestock market dating to the mid 19^th century. NIEA: Protecting Historic Buildings consider the Market Yard complex to be of architectural significance with the majority of buildings within the yard awarded listed protected status. The Market Yard is located within an archaeologically sensitive area with 14 recorded archaeological sites within a 1.5km radius.

Monitoring of groundworks was carried out between September and December 2012 and included ground reduction and the excavation of a number of service trenches and manholes. Formation level was generally located within a layer of made ground though undisturbed subsoil was exposed in areas of deeper excavation. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered during monitoring of groundworks associated with this development.