An appeal has been lodged against the council’s refusal of a housing development on a site that could be hiding Roman remains of potentially national significance.

Landowner George Rhys and Exeter-based developer Waddeton Park Ltd want to build homes on the Southwick Court water meadows between Trowbridge and Southwick.

But concerns have been raised after Roman remains were discovered on the site earlier this year.

One architect and antiquarian, Martin Valatin from Bradford on Avon, believes the site could be hiding the remains of a large Roman villa, along with a smaller 1st century villa, barns and other buildings that could include a bath house and a religious shrine.

After Wiltshire Council refused the 180-home plan for the site earlier this year, developers have now appealed.

Wiltshire Times: Architect and antiquarian Martin Valatin with his map of Roman remains at Southwick Court Fields. Photo: Trevor Porter 69619-6Architect and antiquarian Martin Valatin with his map of Roman remains at Southwick Court Fields. Photo: Trevor Porter 69619-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

A public inquiry is being heard from October 3-7 at the Wiltshire Council offices in Trowbridge.

The site has been promoted through the Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan.

Councillors and archaeological experts objected to the proposed development on heritage and planning policy grounds amid claims the Roman remains could be destroyed.

Mr Valatin and Trowbridge town councillor and former mayor Graham Hill, alongside Wiltshire ward councillor David Vigar, are now preparing for a battle against Mr Rhys and land promoter Waddeton Park at the public inquiry.

Wiltshire Times: The Southwick Court Fields site could be hiding Roman remains of 'national significance'. Photo: Trevor Porter 69619-5 The Southwick Court Fields site could be hiding Roman remains of 'national significance'. Photo: Trevor Porter 69619-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Hill and Cllr Vigar have been accepted as ‘Rule 6’ participants at the inquiry, which means they will be allowed to give evidence as to why the council’s refusal should be upheld.

Cllr Hill said: “The inquiry is the first opportunity that residents and other interested parties will have to make their comments with some hope of establishing a dialogue with the developers.

“The Strategic Planning Committee looked at all of the available evidence and came to the conclusion that the application failed to meet published criteria and did not pass the threshold of information to permit them to accept the application."

In their statement of case for Waddeton Park, Cotswold Archaeology say the site is only a “small Roman farmstead of little importance” and not of a high archaeological value, such as would be required of a Scheduled Monument.

They added: “Verbal discussions with the WC archaeology officer has confirmed that the remains are not of a level of value requiring preservation in-situ, subject to appropriate archaeological excavation as a Condition of any planning approval, prior to construction.”

A spokesperson for Waddeton Park said: “We do not wish to comment.”