Protection sought for remains

A group set up to defend Southwell’s heritage has called for the site where Roman remains were discovered to be made a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

At present, only part of the former Church Street site of The Minster School is protected.

Roman remains, including some believed to belong to a temple, have been found on the site.

Caunton Properties, which bought the site in 2007, has applied to Newark and Sherwood District Council for permission to build 31 homes.

If approved, 12 three-bedroom houses, 18 two-bedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment would be built.

But the heritage trust said it was firmly and categorically opposed to any housing on the site.

It said it would be unacceptable to allow any development, except for an appropriate interpretation centre.

The trust, which is dedicated to preserving Southwell’s heritage, wants further archaeological investigations to take place.

According to the trust, the site is one of the most archaeologically important in the country.

In a letter to the district council, the trust said: “The main gap in the story of the town’s heritage is in the post-Roman period before the building of the great minster church.

“From the recent archaeological evaluation so far, we have clear evidence of Saxon activity on this site. These discoveries also add to the national knowledge of the post-Roman period.

“Further archaeological investigation could extend this historical legacy for future generations, both locally and wider afield.

“Southwell provides a unique opportunity for this because, unlike other cathedral sites such as York and Lincoln, the area is still relatively undeveloped.”

The trust said they were pleased the plans showed an open strip of land on the west side of the site where some of the most significant remains were located.

The letter said: “Southwell Heritage Trust does not want to see the site left in limbo for the foreseeable future and would be more than willing to work with the owner and other interested parties to achieve an outcome for the site which would secure this outstanding heritage asset for future generations.”

A special meeting of the town council’s planning committee will be held on Wednesday at 7pm at Southwell Methodist Church to discuss the application.