The role of the planning system in archaeological research Wallingford, on the River Thames in south Oxfordshire, is one of the country's best-preserved medieval towns, with origins as a late Saxon burh. It retains its medieval street plan to a remarkable degree, and substantial remains of the Saxon defences and Norman Castle survive.Yet there is much still to learn about this historic town. Numerous small archaeological investigations initiated as a result of planning legislation are showing how even apparently disconnected pieces of work can add important evidence on the layout and development of the town. This volume in the TVAS Monograph Series brings together the results from almost two decades of investigation at more than a dozen small sites, none of which by itself is especially remarkable, but which produce new insights when combined. They also demonstrate how the requirements of the town planning process can effectively direct research, and amount to a local success story. These results should be viewed as complementary to the research-driven investigations of the academic and community-led Burh to Borough Project currently running in the town.