Revised plans see new part of Cam community taking shape around Roman villa remains
24 Sep 2020

The new homes being built around Roman villa remains in Cam are proving popular with house buyers as a new part of the community starts taking shape around the historic find. The remains, at Bovis Homes’ Millfields location in Cam, survived unprotected for almost 2,000 years before being uncovered during archaeological work ahead of the construction of new homes. Artefacts have now been taken away from the site and the foundations of the villa extensively recorded before being carefully backfilled with specialist sand, in accordance with Historic England requirements, to ensure continued preservation. The development has since been redesigned by the housebuilder so no homes are built on top of the villa site, and the new location that is taking shape near Cam and Dursley railway station is now proving popular with those looking to discover a modern property gem. Sharon Nash, regional marketing manager at Vistry Cotswolds, said: “Bovis Homes’ Millfields location is proving very popular with home buyers, we’ve been so impressed with the high levels of demand and sense of community here in Cam. “The Roman villa remains are a wonderful part of our Millfields development and we’re delighted to preserve these finds and celebrate them with the local community.” Following the discovery of the villa foundations and other materials, including pottery, last year, two public events were held to showcase the findings, with tours led by the housebuilder’s consultant Thames Valley Archaeological Services (TVAS). To view a video of the remains, including an explanation of the findings and their historical context, visit Bovis Homes’ YouTube channel. Nigel Lush, Cotswold regional technical director at Bovis Homes, said: “Bovis Homes is very proud to preserve a valuable part of Cam’s history and an information board, at the location of the remains, has been placed for the community. We’d also like to thank TVAS for their commitment and support throughout the findings and preservation process. “We’ve been working closely with the local community and local councillors, to work through a coordinated approach to maintaining the villa and we’re delighted to preserve these historical artefacts. “We redesigned our development after discovering the remains, so that no homes are built on top and have done all we can, with TVAS, to ensure these findings last forever.” Among the uncovered stonework is a bath house annexe, with a cold pool and a hypocaust ?" which would have heated the bath house ?" plus, some personal items including coins, pins, broaches and spoons. There are also fragments of pottery and animal bones. Agata Socha-Paszkiewicz, regional office manager at TVAS (South West) in Taunton, said: “With the condition of the walls and the setting within the site, the best action was to rebury the remains. They have been reburied by the specification provided by Historic England, using the proper method and record of the findings and their location is stored for everyone to see and for future works. “Bovis Homes decided to go much further than it is legally obliged to. We have full excavation and preservation by record and in situ, which Bovis Homes agreed to do and pay for, and agreed to redesign their development.”

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