An archaeological survey has been carried out at a Shrewsbury town centre car park to establish whether there are any significant historical artefacts hidden beneath it before work can begin on a multi-million pound building project

A radar exploration of the Barker Street car park site has been conducted by its owners Morris Property who bought the site in a £2 million deal last summer.

The car park is believed to contain considerable archaeological remains.

Bosses are awaiting results from the initial study before carrying out small digs at the site.

Robin Morris, from Morris Property, said: “A radar exploration of the Barker Street car park site has been carried out but the results have yet to be evaluated,.

“Once these results have been processed the next stage will be to excavate trial pits and then we can finalise plans for the proposed scheme.”Mike Watson, head of archaeology at Shropshire County Council, said the car park was a potentially significant historical site as the land was known to have once formed part of the medieval town.

He said Morris Property had also commissioned an historical assessment report last year.

Mr Watson said: “It’s right in the middle of the medieval town and of course the likelihood is there are archaeological remains from centuries of use from the medieval ages and onwards.

“There are centuries of occupation and usage relating to that part of the town. It is potentially a very important site. We know it formed part of the medieval town.”

The car park is situated next to Rowley’s House and Mansion, which comprises the timber-framed warehouse of the 17th century merchant William Rowley and his brick-built mansion. The mansion was erected in about 1618.

The site, excluding Rowley’s, was sold to Morris Property last May following a behind closed doors decision by borough councillors.

Morris has yet to publicly reveal its plans for the site although it is expected to be a mixed scheme of residential and commercial use and also have the potential for a new hotel.