Major plans to build 150 homes near Chesterfield could be delayed by archaeological digs

‘Extensive’ archaeological digs will take place before building work at a major new homes development near Chesterfield can begin.
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Planning permission was granted to build 150 properties on a 6.6-hectare site to the west of Northmoor View, Brimington, in 2018, despite fierce opposition in the area.

More than 600 people signed a petition calling for the plans to be refused because of fears about traffic problems, the strain on GP surgeries and schools, and danger to wildlife.

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Chesterfield Borough Council threw out the plans, but developers received the green light after an appeal.

The location of the planned 150-home development in Brimington, which could be delayed by archaeological finds.The location of the planned 150-home development in Brimington, which could be delayed by archaeological finds.
The location of the planned 150-home development in Brimington, which could be delayed by archaeological finds.

Civic leaders have been asked to comment on outstanding elements of the plans – and believe the development could face delay due to the site’s archaeological significance.

Chesterfield and District Civic Society chairman Philip Riden said: “Developers were required to fund some preliminary archaeological excavation, which revealed modest but definite evidence for Romano-British occupation and also slag, which appeared to be the product of bloomery (probably medieval) iron smelting.

"This has led to the imposition of a condition under which more extensive excavation must be carried out before the site is built over.

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“This in turn means that the site has the potential to produce fresh information concerning two aspects of Brimington’s history: the possible occupation of the hill-top site of the later village during the Roman period and the exploitation in the Middle Ages of the ironstone found in the Coal Measures on which Brimington stands, using bloomery furnaces.”

A total of 24 trenches were dug across the site in 2019, and it has now been revealed that 16 contained archaeological deposits.

Reports on the council’s website say: “Identified features include field boundaries, drainage ditches, industrial pits and a road (Bates Lane) which was demarcated by parallel ditches.

"The field systems have been dated to the Romano-British and medieval periods.”

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MAP Archaeological Practice will now carry out a ‘targeted archaeological excavation’ to ‘fully assess’ a 2.8-hectare area of the site.

Archaeologists say if human remains are encountered during the course of the excavation,’their removal will take place under the conditions of licences for the removal of human remains to ensure that they are treated with due dignity’.

Developers the Vistry Group say their project will eventually provide much-needed housing and construction jobs.

However, a number of residents have written objection letters.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.