Housing plan sparks fears for ancient site

Sue Toft-Hunt said the plain-an-gwarry was the cultural foundation of the village

Plans to build next to the remains of an ancient outdoor amphitheatre near Truro would impact the "cultural foundations" of the community, residents have warned.

Up to 70 homes have been earmarked for a field in the village of Playing Place, near to an historic plain-an-gwarry from which the village derives its name.

Developers Legacy Properties said they would preserve the history of the site and increase public access and visibility as part of the proposals.

Locals, however, said it was the wrong place for the development because of the history attached to the area.

Plain-an-gwarry, which means "playing place" in Cornish, are circular, outdoor spaces historically used for public events like sports or entertainment.

Sue Toft-Hunt, from the Playing Place Action Group, said: "The rounds are the foundation of the village from which we take our name - a link to our cultural foundations.

"No, we can't always go in it because it is a farmer's field but if it's surrounded by houses you lose the character. You lose the spiritual element," she explained.

She added residents were also worried about increasing the population and adding extra strain to roads and facilities like the doctors' surgery.

The field in Playing Place contains the remains of two rounds - including a plain-an-gwarry

A plaque has been put up near the site, which historian Phil Davey said would have been a prominent location to watch Christian plays in the 1500s.

"People would've gathered from all around because we're on the Falmouth-to-Truro road and the whole of the earthworks would've been sat on," he said.

He agreed it was important to protect the area.

"There are very few playing places with any existing trace. Perran Round and the plain in St Just are the two that have the significant remains - and this one has got some remains."

A plaque has been put up to mark where the Plain-an-Gwarry was in Playing Place

Cornwall councillor Martyn Alvey said he had shared residents' concerns until he saw the plans but now felt "less concerned".

"It gives me reassurance that they [the developers] are considering the sensitivities of the site," he said.

"And obviously the various statutory consultees such as Historic England will be casting their expert eye over the application very critically."

Paul Clark, from Legacy Properties, said they had not received "significant concerns" about the impact on local roads and infrastructure and the company had done "extensive work" around the plain-an-gwarry.

"Our proposals not only preserve these features but also represent an opportunity to enhance their visibility and interpretation," he said.

"By integrating better design, signage, improved public access and natural surveillance, we can protect this heritage in perpetuity while connecting the community more deeply to its past."