MP's Roman threat to new homes

A new development of 2,500 homes in Colchester may be under threat due to its location in the vicinity of a significant archaeological find.

Builders Taylor Wimpey are due to build the houses at the site of the former army barracks in Colchester, but the town's MP Bob Russell is opposed to the move due to the discovery of Britain's only known Roman Chariot race track when the barracks were demolished, Property Week reports.

He told the magazine: "This is the most important archaeological discovery for 50 years. It is of national and international significance."

Mr Russell wants to raise money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Heritage Memorial Fund to maintain the land as a monument.

Those living in the area who may have been hoping to buy one of the new homes may consider self build as an alternative way to acquire a home should Mr Russell succeed in stopping the development.

Colchester was Britain's first Roman capital and visible remains of the period include the town walls built to protect against a repeat of the sacking carried out by the Iceni during Queen Boudica's revolt.