New plans for remains site

Amended plans that would see fewer homes built on Church Street, Southwell, have been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council.

The plans for the site, which contains remains of what is believed to be a Roman villa, are for 29 homes — reduced from 31.

They also include further measures to try to prevent damage to any archaeology that may lie under the site.

Archaeological experts and heritage groups have expressed concern about any development on the land.

They believe the Roman remains are unique and may provide a link between the Romans in Southwell and Southwell Minster being established on the site.

The application will now not be discussed by the district council’s planning committee in April.

The chairman of Southwell Town Council, Mr Roger Dobson, said he was pleased the decision date had been moved back.

He said: “Those involved in the consultation process should have longer. The application has been put back time and time again and we have now been told it’s likely to be discussed in May.

“We have a large percentage of the town interested in this and who feel very strongly about this. It is a huge issue and shouldn’t be rushed.”

The application was due to be discussed by the town council last night.

A district council spokesman said the application had been removed from the schedule for the April meeting because some of the statutory consultees needed extra time to respond.

She said the official deadline was March 27 but comments would still be considered if they were submitted as soon as possible.