Exclusive By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 07:58, Friday, 14 August 2009

Roman remains have been found under the site of a proposed Sainsbury’s store in Carlisle which is poised for approval next week.

The remains – said to be potentially significant – were discovered underneath the site of the convenience store in Stanwix – but should not delay any building work significantly.

Councillors will debate revised plans for a Sainsbury’s Local and nine flats next Friday but they have been recommended for approval by planners.

An archaeological excavation of the former Gates Tyres depot on Scotland Road last month uncovered a Roman well with Roman tiles, pottery and decayed animal bone, a Roman military ditch and a 30mx20m cobbled surface – believed to be part of a Roman courtyard.

A 28-page report on the excavation also concludes that the presence of Roman roof tiles indicated substantive buildings were nearby.

Jeremy Parsons, historic environment officer for Cumbria County Council, described the finds as “potentially significant”.

“It shows Roman activity to the north of Hadrian’s Wall,” he said.

“We often assume that Hadrian’s Wall was the northern limit of the Roman empire, except for a brief period when they extended into Scotland.“

Mr Parsons admitted he was ‘a little surprised’ by the finds – buried around half a metre deep – and said he had not expected to find evidence of a well, or of the roof tiles which could indicate buildings.

“We don’t know if it relates to a fort or farmstead, or even a large settlement,” he added. “There was certainly something substantive in the vicinity.

“There will need to be more work in that area to find any further remains.”

Mr Parsons said the work would not delay any building work for too long.

The area has significant Roman history with a south gate of Hadrian’s Wall uncovered in 1932 and internal buildings, including a granary, located within Stanwix School. A dig in the grounds of the nearby Cumbria Park Hotel in 1984 revealed a north curtain wall, rampart and internal tower of a Roman fort.

Original plans for a Sainsbury’s store on the Stanwix site were turned down last August but that decision was overturned on appeal and planning inspector Christopher Millns awarded £40,000 costs against the council, saying they had acted “unreasonably”.

The council had argued the scheme would cause an “unacceptable” increase in traffic but, in reaching that view, the development control committee went against advice from the county council as highway authority.

Sainsbury’s, also planning a store on Caldewgate, were unable to say how long it could be before they move onto the site.

The supermarket giant is also planning a large £40m superstore in Caldewgate, which could create up to 500 jobs.

First published at 05:18, Friday, 14 August 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk