Plans to build 115 homes on the outskirts of Radstock, Somerset, have been put on hold following the remarkable discovery of a substantial Iron Age settlement in the small village of Haydon.
Archaeologists have uncovered nearly 3,000 bone fragments, close to 1,000 pottery shards, eight storage pits up to 1.6 meters deep, and three rock-cut ditches measuring up to 21 meters wide. The site also revealed both human and animal burial sites, including a dog and a cow buried together—a rare and significant find.
Labour Councillor Lesley Mansell described the discovery as extraordinary, highlighting the richness and complexity of Haydon’s history. “We owe it to our community and future generations to protect this heritage properly, rather than rush into development that could destroy it before it is fully understood,” she remarked.
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The housing development application, submitted by Silverwood Partnership last summer, proposed a mix of three to five-bedroom homes, with 30% designated as affordable housing. Developers argue the project would address local housing shortages and contribute to sustainable community growth.
However, councillors are now calling for a halt to planning decisions until a comprehensive archaeological report by South West Archaeology Ltd (SWARCH) is completed and independently reviewed. SWARCH is assessing whether the site qualifies as regionally or nationally important and determining if the development should be redesigned or paused to protect the burial areas.
Cllr Simon De Beer emphasized the significance of the find: “This is a once-in-a-generation discovery. The quality and preservation of these artifacts demand careful consideration to ensure that decisions respect the archaeological value and the public interest in preserving our shared history.”
A full archaeological report is anticipated in the near future, which will guide the future of the development plans.