No Saxon settlement found on site for new homes

AN EXPERT archaeologist has ruled there is no Saxon settlement on an historic site where a developer plans to build 10 new homes.Letters of objection have flooded in to Sedgemoor District Council after proposals to build 10 houses in the grounds of a Grade II listed home in Axbridge were revealed.Axbridge town councillors suspected remains of a Saxon settlement were likely to be hidden under where homes are planned to be built on land in the grounds of the Manor House in High Street.An archaeology survey was ordered by town councillors before the planning application was considered by the district council. The British Museum was also informed of the plans.But Somerset County Council's top archaeologist, Steve Membery, has now visited the site and, despite residents' claims that a Saxon settlement exists in grounds, says there is nothing of archaeological note on the site.He said: "Archaeologically speaking, there is no story. This is purely a matter for Sedgemoor District Council and its planning department."The applicant, Mrs A Chard, has also applied to remove stone boundary walls around the house to make room for the new development of 10 two-bedroomed homes.The town council also says the proposals would overdevelop the area, overlook neighbours and generate more traffic and parking problems for an already congested street.Sedgemoor planning officer Rob Morgan said: "Although I cannot put a figure to it, I have had much more objection than I would expect for an application such as this."The applicant, however, has put a lot of time into putting the application together and careful consideration has been put into the issues to which people have objected. It is likely it will be considered by the development and control committee on October 24.