Roman ruins could be discovered underneath one of Brentwood’s oldest buildings
Archaeological investigations could be carried out
Early Roman remains could be unearted beneath one of Brentwood’s oldest buildings.
It is now possible that archaeological investigations will be part of conditions for a planned development of the existing car sale rooms off Hutton Road in Shenfield.
These entail he demolition of the existing car salesroom to be replaced with seven townhouses and one retail unit.
The proposed application site is next to the historic 14th century farmhouse and former homestead known as Glanthams, a grade II listed building albeit altered and extended in the 18th and 19th centuries.
But given the sites age means the development of the site is likely to be strictly monitored. A preliminary analysis suggests that along with the presence of a possible moated sited 70 metres to the north there is potential for medieval or even Roman remains to be found.
A archaeological statement as part of the application said: “Given the locations of the buildings on the historic mapping there is a likelihood of encountering post-medieval to modern remains. This assessment has identified a low potential for remains from the prehistoric and early medieval periods, a medium potential for the Roman period and a medium to high potential for medieval and post-medieval to modern remains be present on the site.
“The scope of any further archaeological works that would be needed in advance or during development of the site would need to be discussed and agreed with the archaeological advisor to the local planning authority.”
The site already has been given planning permissions for the development of houses albeit expired.
Pre-application consultation advice undertaken with Brentwood Borough Council said: “The new development will introduce high quality, bespoke new housing that responds intelligently to the heritage sensitivities of the Site and its wider environs.
“The new development will be expressed in a range of traditional materials that will contribute positively to the local context and character of Nos. 15 to 17 Hutton Road, without detracting from the setting of the listed building and resulting in notable improvements to the local street scene and wider heritage context.”