Date issued: 18 May 2020
As Colchester Amphora Homes prepares to begin construction of new, high-quality houses and apartments at Creffield Road, Lexden, archaeologists are set to start work on a four-week excavation which aims to throw more light on the town’s remarkable Roman history.
Colchester Archaeological Trust (CAT), which carried out an initial survey of the area in December 2019, returns to the site today (Monday 18 May). Its initial explorations revealed the remnants of a two-mile Roman road that ran in a straight line connecting the city of Camulodonum to the prestigious temple complex at Gosbecks.
In keeping with social distancing requirements, CAT will implement new safer working measures, including a reduced team, staggered start and finish times and the digging of two trenches spaced two metres apart. The investigation work is supported by Colchester Borough Council’s Archaeological Advisor, Dr Jess Tipper.
Cllr Theresa Higgins, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, said: “We are very excited by the opportunity this prestigious new development from Amphora Homes gives us to discover more about Colchester’s rich heritage. We also welcome the safe working measures CAT will employ to enable this valuable work to go ahead. It means we can keep our ambitious plans to build more homes on track, which will ultimately help to support our economic recovery following the impact of Covid-19.”
The development at 60, Creffield Road will be the first from Amphora Homes to reach market. It is within the company’s first phase of development to deliver 400 new homes across the borough on behalf of Colchester Borough Council.
Amphora Homes has an ambition to improve the quality and availability of homes for private sale and affordable rent for local people; with all profits returned to Colchester Borough Council for reinvestment into core services.
Paul Smith, Group Commercial Director at Colchester Commercial Holdings, said: “Amphora Homes is delighted to be developing the restoration of a locally listed Victorian villa into elegant and spacious apartments, together with the construction of two new three-storey town houses. These well-designed new homes will be built to a high standard befitting this historic and highly sought-after part of Colchester.”
CAT will be providing Amphora Homes with a filmed Dig Diary recording the progress on site so that the public can have an opportunity to learn more about the site and share in the discoveries. For more information on CAT visit: https://www.thecolchesterarchaeologist.co.uk/
For more information on Colchester’s history and pre-history visit: https://colchesterheritage.co.uk/
For more information on Amphora Homes and the Creffield Road development visit www.amphora-homes.co.uk
ENDS
Page last reviewed: 18 May 2020