WORK is continuing for a £36m shops and student accommodation scheme in Cornmarket in Oxford where contractors have found archaeological remains.

Jesus College began work on the project last year and the former Northgate House block has now been demolished.

Contractors are now preparing the site for the replacement building to be constructed.

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A spokeswoman for Jesus College said: “Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an old courtyard, well and possible remains of grain drying ovens on the site of the old Fellows Garden.

“The basement concrete columns have gone in ahead of the ground floor slab being laid in a few weeks’ time.

Oxford Mail:

“For the moment, building work will continue as normal and the project is still due to be finished late summer 2021.”

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Once the new block on the corner of Market Street has been built, it will house new retail units, student rooms and learning facilities.

Huge cranes have been seen on the construction site and in Cornmarket itself.

The scheme is due to be completed in time for the college’s 450th anniversary.

Oxford Mail:

The spokeswoman added: “We’re installing ground source heat pumps to provide a sustainable energy source for the new building.

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"This means drilling boreholes down through the Oxford mud and stone to a depth of 58 metres and this work has now commenced.”