An archeological survey was part of Andium Homes planning permission for 147 new homes on the site, and they hired a specialist firm to examine the site and carry out the trenching.

Dominique Caunce, Head of Policy & Communications at Andium Homes, explained that the archeological investigations, which are being carried out by Wessex Archeology, was planned beforehand as the initial desktop study anticipated that part of the site may be covering previous structures.

Pictured: The foundations found at la Collette could belong to the former married quarters.

She said: "These works are in strict accordance with guidelines from the Historic Buildings section of the Department of Planning and Environment and have been approved and signed off by that Department. The work involves the careful excavation of pre-selected areas of the site under the watching brief of a fully qualified team of Archaeologists. 

"The Archaeological inspection is a condition of our Planning Permit for the low rise redevelopment. We must discharge these conditions before we can start the redevelopment. We will be working with Planning and Jersey Heritage to understand what they are and what, if anything, needs to be done."

Pictured: The old married quarters at la Collette, on Green Street. (The IslandWiki)

Kevin Pilley, director of Policy and Projects at Planning and Building Services, explained: "This is a standard process where a site is anticipated to present interest and it was a condition of the planning application. We have a number of sites designated by the Archeological department as being of interest and, where someone wants to carry out works there, they will have to carry out a survey which, depending on the nature of the site, can vary from a basic study to physical intervention like at la Collette."

The area undergoing redevelopment at La Collette was at one time the site of married quarters for soldiers. The buildings were built at the beginning of the 19th century and then demolished in the early 1960s to make way for the current flats. It is unclear however if the foundations that have now been uncovered belong to those former quarters which were listed in the 1861 census as Government Cottages.

While no timeline has been given on how long the survey will take, it is unlikely it will delay the redevelopment of the site. Kevin Pilley says: "It depends on findings but it would have to be significant for it to affect the consent that was given to the planning application. We will record whatever is found and it will come in contribution to the local knowledge. A report will be made available in the public and academic domain."