Haverfordwest skeletons discovery pushes up council costs
- Published
Hundreds of remains and artefacts were unearthed last year
The discovery of remains from more than 240 people, found during the redevelopment of a department store, significantly pushed up costs.
The "hugely significant" find was made under the old Ocky White building in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire last year.
Deconstruction for the new food market was paused while archaeologists dug.
A meeting heard the project was "significantly in excess" of where councillors wanted it to be when it started.
Last year's discovery at the town centre site is one of Haverfordwest's most comprehensive archaeological digs in its history.
Dyfed Archaeological Trust had been in search of the St Saviour's Priory, founded by a Dominican order of monks in about 1256, which was located in the area, but the exact location was unknown.
Hundreds of skeletons were found in the ancient burial ground, with roughly half of them being children.
A mysterious puncture wound was also found in one of the skulls excavated, which may provide evidence of Haverfordwest's medieval warfare.
Ocky White was a popular shopping mainstay for more than a century before its riverside premises closed in 2013
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, in March the council heard the overall cost amounted to just over £6m, including a building purchase cost of £288,000.
But on Wednesday, Pembrokeshire County Council said the cost had increased to more than £12m due to a number of factors including energy prices and fuel costs.
Councillor Paul Miller previously said "there certainly was" overspending.
"It has been wildly expensive, but we are confident it will make a huge and significantly positive contribution to Haverfordwest when it is completed this year," he added.
The site is being redeveloped to become a food emporium, bar and rooftop terrace.
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