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Last chance to save Roman site




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A group set up to preserve the heritage of Southwell fears it may be facing its last chance to save important Roman remains for future generations.

Southwell Heritage Trust is campaigning to stop development on the former Church Street site of The Minster School, where Roman remains were found.

It is concerned about letters sent to Newark and Sherwood District Council from English Heritage and an archaeologist that support the development.

Plans have been submitted to build 31 homes.

In her letter to the district council, Nottinghamshire County Council archaeologist Ursilla Spence acknowledged the remains were of national importance but said the site could be developed.

English Heritage also supported the application.

Mr Roger Dobson, of the heritage trust, thought the experts were reluctant to change their opinions from those they gave in 2002 when preliminary investigations took place before outline planning permission was granted for 13 homes.

He said: “Since 2002 circumstances have dramatically changed due to the finds from the excavations including the wall, which no one expected, and we therefore feel that, because of what has been discovered, planning permission should be refused.

“It is our last chance. Once we have got houses over the archaeology we will have lost the opportunity to investigate the site.

“If there was future excavation it might fill the gap in the history of the town between the Romans, the Saxon burial ground, which was found in the centre of the site, and the Norman minster.”

The remains of what was believed to be a Roman villa were discovered in 1959 by Mr Charles Daniels when building work started on The Minster School.

During the excavations high quality mosaics, a bath house and 30 skeletons were discovered.

In 1971 more than 200 skeletons were discovered during work on a new building.

It was originally thought that remaining archaeology on the site would have been destroyed during building work.

A dig two years ago revealed more remains, including a wall that could belong to a Roman temple.



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