Development plans halted by discovery of human remains

Taylor Wimpey’s application to build a road connecting to a 200-house development off Boat Lane has been deferred following a Wychavon District Council planning committee meeting.

This comes after Aidan Smyth, Wychavon archaeology and planning advisor, revealed that human remains had been found on the site, in a possible fish pond.

As such, Mr Smyth called for the application to be deferred to allow for further archaeological work to take place, a motion supported unanimously by councillors at Thursdays committee meeting.

Councillor Frances Smith, who seconded the motion, said: “This has been and still is a very emotive issue for the people of Evesham for many years.

“The site has got huge historical, archaeological, importance and I just think that it is too emotive for it to be delegated to the officer.

“I think we need to be fair to the public that it is open and fair that they can see what is happening there.”

The o-going archaeological works to the south side of Boat Lane

In the heritage consultation response document on the planning application, Mr Smyth explained that human remains had been found in a possible fish pond in the planned development area.

He added: “It cannot be discounted that further structures could survive within the PDA.

“Until further archaeological works are undertaken the reserved matters application should not be determined.”

A statement from district councillor Peter Griffiths, of Evesham North Ward, was also read out at the meeting.

"This site represents probably the last significant development within the centre of the town and will ultimately lead to 200 new homes on the north side of the river," wrote councillor Griffiths.

"The committee will have heard about the extensive archaeological complications attracted by this application and I have little to comment on this subject save that the specialists employed must be allowed to complete their work and report on their findings and any recommended actions followed precisely."

Tom Armfield, representing Taylor Wimpey, spoke before the councillor’s voted to defer, asking for the application to be delegated to the planning officers.

He said: “I can absolutely assure you today that Taylor Wimpey is committed to exploring and cherishing the site’s archaeology as we are to supporting the new Hampton bridge and building the new high-quality infrastructure and homes Evesham needs.

“But we cannot do any of these things without reserve matters approval.”

He added: “It is in no one’s interests for these applications to be held up any longer, the site has already been allocated for new homes, outline planning permission has already been granted.

“The thing that needs to be approved now is infrastructure to support these new homes and the people of Evesham.”