A fellow petitioner  Jon Hall, has been digging, and posed a question to me that needed investigating.

Here's the question I chucked into Google based on his original question to me...

Q. Regarding the st peter mancroft church in norwich with the underneath crypt on the west side, how far do they come towards where any foundations might be dug in the bike park for a seated covering area?

Here's the response. The following has come from a couple of church sites so the information would seem accurate. 

A. Based on the historical structure and layout of St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, any construction on the west side—specifically in the area of the Millennium Plain/bike park—must consider the extensive underground footprint of the church and its associated structures. 

West Tower Structure: The church features a 15th-century, 100-foot-tall west tower that forms an open vaulted passage or porch at ground level. This structure extends out from the main body of the church and includes heavy buttresses.

Foundation & Crypt Extension: The church, particularly the tower and its adjoining, recently restored areas, rests on significant, deep, and historic foundations. The church spans the full east-west length of the churchyard, with the tower positioned directly at the west end.

Risk of Subterranean Features: The area immediately west of the tower is heavily built upon with old foundations. Furthermore, as a historic site, there is a very high probability of encountering old graves or vaults extending from the churchyard.

The Undercroft Note: Note that some sources refer to an undercroft/crypt at St Peter Mancroft, which sits beneath the church's old Norman foundations. While the primary "Undercroft" exhibition space in Norwich is located under the Guildhall, the area directly around St Peter Mancroft, particularly the west side, has a high density of underground, historic material. 

And the best bit...

Recommendation:

Given that the church stands "cheek by jowl" with the marketplace and the West tower is right on the edge of the pedestrian area, any new foundation for a seating area should be considered directly adjacent to, or on top of, potential, existing, or archaeological underground fabric. A comprehensive archaeological survey and review of the church's site plans by a specialist are strongly advised before any digging occurs. 

Champion 🏆 🥇