Another public protest has been held over a controversial new housing site where archaeological works have been taking place with an application also now being made to Historic England in a bid to halt the development.
Some residents dressed up as Romans – togas and all – at a gathering to display their opposition to the scheme for which planning permission is in place to build 812 homes south of Marske on a greenfield site the size of 71 football pitches off Longbeck Road, along with other elements such as a pub, petrol station and hotel.
Archaeological investigations on behalf of developers Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes have so far uncovered Romano-British pottery, animal bones and flint tools.
Meanwhile, campaigners claim there is evidence of a Roman ‘ladder’ settlement, various iron age roundhouses and a bronze age burial mound, extending over 50 acres.
A local archaeologist, Dr Kendra Quinn, who has been on the site, has now applied to Historic England to formally schedule the site in an attempt to preserve it for future generations.
From left to right, Councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd, archaeologist Dr Kendra Quinn and Marske parish councillor Peter Finlinson at the site Picture: David Learoyd
The organisation confirmed the application – which could add it to a list of nationally important archaeological sites and mean further consent be required from the Secretary of State for any works – was under consideration.
Dr Quinn, who is based in Redcar, said the site was too valuable to be built on and could provide clues about life in the area going back 2,000 years.
She said: “I appreciate the requirement for homes for people, but this site is of great interest.
“It has continuous inhabitation over such a long period and is so extensive that I really feel we need to try to preserve it for people not just of the area, but for the wider nation, and also for future generations.
“Once it’s excavated and built over, it’s gone forever.”
A spokeswoman on behalf of the developers said archaeological consultants were continuing to investigate the site and all historic findings would be reviewed.
She said: “In line with the permissions granted by the Local Authority, as well as advice from Historic England, the team of professional archaeologists are currently focused on the north western part of the site.
Councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd, right, in Roman garb during the protest with his daughter Asta. Picture: Peter Downham
“So far, investigations have recovered Romano-British pottery, animal bone and flint tools. “As these investigations continue, all historical findings will be reviewed, as per the archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation.”
The spokeswoman declined to comment on the Historic England application, nor what it might mean for the continued development.
The firms said work was being undertaken in line with best practice standards and guidelines produced by the Chartered Institute for Archaeology and Historic England.
A petition has been launched on the change.org website by Marske councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd in support of Dr Quinn’s application.
It said Saxon and Viking era finds had also been recorded at the site with a field where excavations have been taking place a potential congregation point with Roman roads running south, east and west.
The petition wording claimed Redcar and Cleveland had one of the lowest scheduled protection rates for historic monuments in the UK.
On Tuesday evening 2,908 had signed the petition with the target 5,000 signatures.
Cllr Learoyd, who chairs the planning committee on the council and was among those dressing up as a Roman at the protest at the weekend in Marske town centre, said: “Dr Quinn has been instrumental in identifying objects identified by drones and has uncovered far more details than the archaeology reports presented to the council prior to [planning] approval.”
The councillor said the short-notice gathering had brought Marske’s centre to a standstill with some of those attending carrying banners with the words ‘Save Marske’s history’.
Cllr Learoyd said councillors had not been fully informed of the “rich historical value” of the site and the developers were “erasing British history”
The development first received outline planning permission in 2017 after an appeal with more detailed matters being approved by the council last year at a meeting which heard allegations from then committee chairman Councillor Stuart Smith of threats and bullying involving protestors.
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