The site was tested by a programme of three power auger holes and subsequently by eight percussion holes, where sealed tube samples were obtained for laboratory tests of the subsurface material. Soil is type RB3a, the subdominant soil type of the Netherby Association, underlain by an irregular succession of stiff clays, silty clays and sandy clays, coarsely mottled, with lime pockets, lime nodules, gravel and small stone fragments occurring in irregular abundance. At certain depths, discontinuous boulder or lime rubble horizons occur, with sand, grit or clay filling the interstitial spaces between individual fragments. Excavation of the site into a series of level building platforms is recommended, thus removing much of the troublesome surface clay. Equipment of low weight maybe safely supported on rigid pad footings on the soil surface. Piling may be necessary for the heavier equipment, with piles seated at an optimum depth of 18’ below the soil surface.