Romano-British items found at Marske housing development

Developers confirmed some Romano-British items had been found at the site of the housing development

Calls have been made to halt a huge housing development after the discovery of Roman artefacts.

Preparatory works have been taking place on a greenfield site on the outskirts of Marske.

A councillor claimed evidence of a Roman villa and outbuildings had been unearthed.

However, the developers, while confirming some "Romano-British remains" had been discovered, said no villas or outbuildings had been found.

The controversial 812-home development first received outline planning permission in 2017, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Permission was given for a convenience store, primary school, nursery, GP surgery and pharmacy, community hall, petrol filling station, drive-thru restaurant, pub and hotel.

Dr Tristan Learoyd said he had written to the secretary of state to demand the full site be excavated

Local councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd claimed evidence of a Roman villa and outbuildings had been discovered along a right of way known locally as Plummers Lane.

He said he understood the archaeological finds had occurred earlier last year, but he had only found out last week after visiting the site and speaking directly to contractors working on behalf of a local archaeological services company.

Mr Learoyd believes there could be more to unearth and has written to the secretary of state to "demand a halt to the development until the full site has been excavated".

'No Roman villas'

A spokeswoman for the developers Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes said the pre-start work on the site had revealed some Romano-British remains, "including ditched enclosures, pottery and worked flints".

However, she said no Roman villas or outbuildings have been found to date.

A Historic England spokesman said: "We are aware that there has been an archaeological discovery at a housing development site in Marske-by-the-Sea and we are providing technical advice to the developer's archaeological contractor.

"It is our understanding that the contractor is following best practice in this matter and is working in close consultation with the local authority."