In 2014 an archaeological evaluation was carried out at Mill Yard, West Malling. This work was carried out prior to the sites redevelopment and involved five trial trenches within the footprint of the proposed building.

The report states that:
"Cut into the natural geology 2.6m from the western edge of the trench was a linear approximately 1.5m in breadth, extending from south-west to north-east. The cut [1006] had steep sides and a flat base. The fill (1005) consisted of a mixture of greyish brown soil and small pieces of Kentish ragstone. Several large pieces of ragstone were located at the base of the trench. Eight pottery sherds of a broadly Post-Medieval nature was recovered from the feature including four sherds of Late Post-Medieval Normandy stoneware dating to c.1870- 1940. In view of the large pieces of ragstone at the base, this feature probably represents a robber trench.

Approximately 2m from the eastern end of the trench were located two features in close conjunction, both cut into the natural geology. A roughly L-shaped feature with clearly defined edges and filled with broken tile and brick, and at the outer right angle was a large circular feature with a dark burnt fill. The L-shaped cut [1010] had vertical edges to the west and south and very deep, with the base being undetermined. The fill (1009) was a mixture of dark brown soil and pieces of broken peg-tile and red brick, both of which displayed evidence of being burnt. Pottery sherds retrieved from this feature (1009) date from c1450 to 1575AD with a clay pipe stem fragment dated to c.1580-1610/1640AD. The circular feature consisted of a cut [1008] with vertical sides and flat base and a fill (1007) of heavy charcoal content and a single copper alloy nail dated to pre-c.1750-1800. In view of the burnt tile and charcoal filled posthole, it is probable that these two features represent the remains of a building which was destroyed by fire. These features were sealed by a clean layer of mid grey to brown soil (1003) 0.40m thick containing a mixture of chalk and charcoal. This is possibly represents light agricultural use during the Late Medieval period, perhaps related to the Abbey. At the bottom of this layer and within the north wall of the trench was located a human burial with an associated animal
burial, oriented with the head to the east but apparently not within a grave cut." (1)

<1> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2014, Archaeological Evaluation of Land at Mill Yard, West Malling in Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31684.