Mystery after work stops at building site

There was speculation that plans to build 43 apartments and 10 bungalows on a former dairy farm were halted following a major archaeological find

Work on a multi-million pound construction project to build 53 homes has stopped.

McCarthy Stone was building a retirement complex in Halesworth, Suffolk, but activity has not been seen at the former dairy farm for around "two months".

A spokesperson for the company told the BBC: "At present, we’re unable to disclose any additional information regarding the site."

There was speculation that a significant archaeological item had been found, however, excavators who left the site in June said the only remains they found were "relatively minor" and dated back to Anglo-Saxon or medieval times.

However, they confirmed they were waiting to return to the site for "excavation work on two more areas."

The development is due to be finished by spring 2025 and will include communal gardens and parking for residents and visitors.

Town historian David Wollweber, who is also chair of the Halesworth and District Museum trustees, said: "Work has stopped on that site for around two months now and I don't know the reason for that but there have been rumours that it's connected to archaeology but to the best of my knowledge it isn't."

"The archaeologists told us in June that they hadn't really found that much on site, just a building and five graves, which they thought probably dated back to late Saxon times and may be connected to the nearby church."

He said evidence of possible Roman remains was discovered at another building site in Chediston Street in Halesworth in 2021 and these were still being evaluated by experts.

Stuart Boulter, from Cotswold Archaeology, said: "The stopping of building work at the site has got nothing to do with us. We left the site in June after finding some Anglo-Saxon and medieval remains and we are now waiting to return to the site to carry out future excavation work on two more areas."

He confirmed that no evidence of Roman remains had been discovered at the site.

McCarthy Stone operates 530 retirement communities across the UK, including 120 housing with care schemes.

In July 2023, plans to build 43 one and two-bedroom apartments, and 10 bungalows, on land west of Saxons Way in Halesworth were given the go-ahead.

Before submitting the planning application, the property developer carried out a public consultation with the local community and it said 73% of the respondents supported the plans.

At the time the firm said: "We’re confident that there is a local need for retirement accommodation in Halesworth and that this proposal will help to release existing family homes onto the market."

When asked the reason for the work stoppage, a spokesperson for McCarthy Stone, said: "At present, we’re unable to disclose any additional information regarding the site, but we will keep you posted as soon as we’re able to do so."