MP talks of threat to Colchester's Roman Circus

12.00.00am GMT Tue 19th Dec 2006

The setting of the discovery in Colchester of the only Roman Racing Chariot Stadium found in Britain is in danger of being destroyed, the town's MP Bob Russell told the House of Commons.

Speaking during Questions to the Tourism Minister, Mr Russell said that new housing and car parking was planned within feet of the site at Abbey Field, part of the former Colchester Garrison. He pointed out that the discovery was of national and international importance - and he urged the Government to take action to ensure both its protection and promotion as a tourist attraction.

Mr Russell's question in Parliament follows in the wake of an admission by Colchester Borough Council - thanks to probing by Liberal Democrat Borough Councillor Mrs Theresa Higgins - that the Council's consultation process over the future of the site had been flawed and a new consultation was now required.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Russell said: "Two years ago this month, the remains of the only Roman Chariot Racing Stadium in Britain were discovered. It was Britain's largest Roman building, and the Circus could house up to 15,000 spectators.

"The setting is now threatened by new housing and a car park. In view of the international and national importance of the discovery, will the Minister receive a delegation from Colchester to consider how that national site can best be preserved from such destruction?"

Responding, Tourism Minister Mr Shaun Woodward MP acknowledged Mr Russell's interest in the discovery which he recognised "is of national architectural importance." He said, however, that it was a subject for Colchester Borough Council and English Heritage to discuss with developers as a planning issue - although "it will ultimately be a matter for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government" to consider.

Afterwards Mr Russell said that he would be pursuing his concerns with the Government and English Heritage.

"Frankly, had the Roman Circus been discovered in either York or Chester then I am confident that the local authorities there would have been far more pro-active than has been the case with Colchester Borough Council who over the past two years, in my book, have been more interested in seeking an accommodation with housing developers who want to build as close to the site as they can rather than recognising the international significance of a discovering which should by now have been the subject of a tourism and archaeological appraisal which would make Colchester the undisputed centre of Roman history in Britain."

Mr Russell pointed out that a year ago the Planners had recommended approval for a seven-storey block of flats just feet from the edge of the outer wall of the Roman Circus, but Councillors on the Planning Committee had refused to grant it. "It is my hope that Councillors will get a grip and tell Officers it is time that a blueprint was produced which promotes the interests of Colchester's Roman heritage, not the profits of here-today gone-tomorrow property developers."

He added: "Thanks to the efforts of Councillor Theresa Higgins, the Council and the people of Colchester hopefully now have the breathing space to save the setting of arguably the greatest archaeological find ever made in the town and one of the most important in Britain."