Controversial housing project on Thornton archeological site is still on hold

A controversial housing project in Thornton earmarked for land which is also a potentially important archaeological site is currently on hold.

Campaigners are hoping to ensure that the historic site and green space in isn’t destroyed by plans to build 158 houses there.

The site on Bourne Hill has been found to contain evidence of an Iron Age settlement and later Roman occupation.

Among the items of interest discovered on the site were round houses and ceramic items thought to date from between 2 BC and 2 AD.

However, a large number of houses have been either built or proposed for this area of Thornton, as Wyre Council looks to accommodate new houses required by the current Local Plan.

One of these housing projects in the scheme by Eccleston Homes to build the 158 homes on the dig site.

What is happening on the site?

The application to build the new estate has already been approved by Wyre planning committee, back in June 2023, but a number of conditions were stipulated - including the preparation of an archeological report - and building cannot commence until these conditions have been met.

Eccleston commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OAN) to conduct an archeological survey, with OAN visiting the site in September.

OAN is stlll working on the final, full report. although it has already made a number of findings.

Eccleston Homes, meanwhile, has temporarily ceased any preparatory work on the site due to the winter conditions.

Latest comments from Save Bourne Hill

Carol Barnes, of Save Bourne Hill, said: "There is currently no activity on the site.

"We are waiting for answers to our questions from a number of different parties and also awaiting the final reports from OAN as well as a separate report on the impact of building the ecolology of the site.

"While there have been no developments in the past two months, we are waiting to see what moves are made in the next couple of months.

"It is essenmt5al that this site is protected, both in terms of the wildlife and the archaelogical value of it."

Wyre Council previously stated: “ We have held discussions with the developer to reiterate that work cannot commence until all conditions are discharged and we would like to reassure the public, once more, that all work so far has proceeded in accordance with the standard process for managing archaeological sites in the planning process."

Eccleston Homes have so far not issued a statement on the matter.