Archaeologists ask to check proposed housing site in Addingham (From Craven Herald)

Archaeologists ask to check proposed housing site in Addingham

8:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News

Archaeologists want to check for evidence of a Roman road before a housing scheme can go ahead.

West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service (WYAAS) has asked Bradford Council to impose a condition on any planning approval for seven houses at the Street House Farm, The Street, Addingham, stating no development can take place until a programme of archaeological recording has been secured.

WYAAS has also recommended trial trenching prior to the determination of the planning application to establish if a Roman road survives.

The service says the proposed development crosses the course of Roman Road 72a, which ran from Ilkley’s Roman fort to Skipton.

The road is officially designated as a Class III Site of Archaeological Interest and WYAAS says the name “Street” suggests further evidence of a road.

In a response to Bradford Council, WYAAS said: “Any ground works undertaken by this development may reveal evidence of the Roman road which is regionally significant.”

Addingham Civic Society, meanwhile, has called on Bradford Council to reject the plans. Secretary Peter Wikinson said: “The proposal would have a serious impact on the group of listed buildings formerly comprising Street House Farm.”