Residents say Roman heritage 'could be lost forever' if cemetery work goes ahead
Worried residents fear part of Lincoln's rich Roman heritage could be lost forever.
After years of debate, work is soon to commence on a new cemetery in the Long Leys Road area of the city.
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The site of the new cemetery in Long Leys Road, Lincoln.
But with a short archaeological survey unearthing millennia-old finds, some householders fear the City of Lincoln Council is pushing ahead with plans too quickly.
Park Riding Stables owner Arthur Baker, 90, owned the land for more than 65 years.
"I don't think they should be building a cemetery there," he said.
"There's plenty of places they could put it but after 65 years they kicked me off so they could do this.
"I've heard they have taken off the topsoil and found a Roman building there, so what are they going to do about that?"
John Shipton, a member of the Long Leys Road Residents Association, was similarly worried.
"I would like to see the council extend the excavation and perhaps bring in university students to help as I believe there is more Roman archaeology yet to be found," he said.
But Diane Gardiner, projects development officer at the City of Lincoln Council, said the development was essential if the city was not to run out of burial space by 2012.
"The current burial ground in Lincoln at Canwick Road has limited space, so it was important for the city council to locate and develop a new burial site for the city," she said.
"Work has now started on the site at Long Leys Road.
"This week the routine archaeological investigations, under the instruction of the city council archaeologist, will be completed.
"Designs for the multi-faith burial ground will be drawn up over the summer and works to build it will begin once all planning conditions have been met."
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by lynn, lincoln
Monday, May 10 2010, 6:11PM
“And just how many years before it's compulsory to be cremated? If anyone puts me 6ft under the ground, they'd better beware, 'cos I would not be a happy bunny. Nor do I want any flowers, or fuss. One single red rose will suffice, I'd rather have flowers given to me whilst I'm alive and can appreciate their beauty.”
by Jas, Lincoln
Monday, May 10 2010, 12:53PM
“Officials at City Council do concur that this site in question has important Roman remains underneath. The sad affair is that they are limited in what they can say and recommend on what can be done. However, they do confirm what has happened to proposals in the past for a Roman Centre for Lincoln. The chosen site for this were St Marks before the retail park was completed. The Roman Centre would have taken up a part of the complex. Then there was The Lawn uphill of Lincoln. Later which was under discussion was the basement of what is now called The Waterside in the city centre which has Roman features. Nothing ever materialised and now abandoned. This has been disgraceful of those promoting tourism for Lincoln. It looks as though the cemetery is going ahead despite important Roman archaeology which has been found and could be lost forever. So has been the Roman Centre. I dispair when Lincoln has a Roman heritage.”
by Steve Eyre, exiled in Cambs
Monday, May 10 2010, 11:06AM
“It's such a shame to see that Park Riding School and Arthur(Baker) have lost their fight to save the land.
I have to agree with other who state that the land should be excavated properly by experts who can decide how important this area is.
A cemetary is a big mistake - I still wonder who would want to bury their loved ones under the fast moving noisy and in the winter windswept is really beyond me.”
by Peter, Lincolnshire
Monday, May 10 2010, 10:34AM
“Having lived in Lincolnshire and worked in the centre of Lincoln half of my life, expedienecy has been the norm for both Lincoln City Council and Lincolnshire County Council. In building Lincoln's only A46 bypass, Roman archaeology was destroyed along this stretch of road. Not much was recorded too. Irish labourers let it slip as to what was going on. County Hall was responsible for this.
Now City Hall is practically doing the same. They want a cemetery at all costs!
When part of the excavation reveals a Roman villa and other buildings and walls, etc, I have been informed that either a high Roman official or a Roman
general lived there. The Roman archaeology underneath goes beyond the site. There could be remains of a garrison or a Roman settlement. So I would suggest that an extensive excavation should be undertaken. For a new cemetery can wait a while longer. Losing Roman remains cannot as this will be lost forever.”
by Mushroom, Newport
Monday, May 10 2010, 8:49AM
“This site is situated on a blind bend.
.
Developments in similar positions have been refused - but then I guess the City's Planners will be able to give themsleves permission under the "deemed authority" rule.
.”