© Southwell & District Local History Society          Webmaster: mike.kirton@southwellhistorysociety.co.uk

The campaign was organised following the symposium held on 29th March 2011. A very big thank you to all those who have supported our campaign so far.  Your support no doubt helped to secure the following positive outcome:

The Planning Application for 29 houses was turned down by Newark and Sherwood District Council on 8th November 2011. This will not be the end of the campaign as the planners continue to earmark the site for 13 houses. We will, no doubt, require  your further support.  

The  reasons for the refusal are summarised as:

1. The proposed development is out of keeping with the local vernacular and neither enhance nor preserve the special interest, character and appearance of this part of Southwell Conservation Area Character Appraisal.
2. The application site is identified as a preferred residential site for 13 dwellings.
3. In the absence of further detailed archaeological investigations the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would not have an adverse impact on any archaeological remains that currently exist on the site.
   
   

The full text of the refusal can be accessed on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website.

To understand fully the significance of the Roman Site Click here to read about the discovery of the Roman Villa.

A recent article in The Bramley entitled ‘Careful Custodians or Cultural Vandals?’ explains something of the background to our campaign. Click here   The importance of the site has been recognised by leading experts and their views were expressed at a symposium held last year in Southwell.    Click here to read a report of the symposium.

As a first step we are preparing an application for change of use of the Church Street Site to a heritage park.

The campaign must continue as there is still a possibility that planning permission will be granted for the building of 13 dwellings on the site, which was the original permission when the site was first sold, but has now expired.

SHPC is currently working on a much larger plan to enhance our wide-ranging historic heritage and we will keep the public informed via local newspapers and other media as our plans unfold.

OUR VISION

The Roman settlement on Church Street lies partly on the site of the former Minster School. Uncertainty over this land continues following relocation of the school and the sale of the site with planning permission for speculative housing despite considerable local opposition.

The emergence of an Anglo-Saxon church and the later Norman Minster from a high-status Roman complex presents a unique tourism, heritage and educational opportunity.

It is proposed by Southwell Heritage Trust that the component parts of this historic core should be presented and marketed as an integral whole to provide a tourism and heritage destination of regional and national importance. There is considerable scope to develop the unique story of Southwell’s growth through the ages by incorporating the components of the historic core into an Outstanding Heritage Area.

We aim to acquire and landscape the Church Street site, together with the adjoining Orchard site that is being acquired by the Town Council, and provide first stage interpretation through markings and sign boards. Further development of the site as a Roman Heritage Park would include interpretation boards and a facility for community investigation, digs, educational projects and visits.

Professor Warwick Rodwell, Archaeologist and Architectural Historian to Westminster Abbey and other major cathedrals, considers that to allow building on the site would be “an act of cultural vandalism”.

We must ensure that we do not make the mistakes of the past, and allow this precious resource to disappear. The success of our petition has demonstrated a strong public feeling in support of the campaign and the message is clear - DON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Visit us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Roman-Southwell/136060953132972?ref=ts#!/pages/Save-Roman-Southwell/136060953132972?sk=app_103199439735866

These pages are in association with Southwell Civic Society and

Southwell Community Archaeology Group.