Archaeological investigations on the planned Westcombe Park development - formerly known as the North Heybridge Garden Suburb - have identified sites of potential interest.

Works to uncover any archaeological finds are now set to take place from the end of this month on certain areas of the site, just north of Heybridge, some of which are close to the site boundaries and residents' homes.

The developer, Countryside Properties, sent a letter to neighbouring residents yesterday (Wednesday, 22 September) to confirm that areas of the site will be "subject to archaeological excavation".

Works will involve the excavation of soils to allow for the "exposure, processing and recording of any archaeological remains" and will take place in two phases - the first phase is likely to take around 16 weeks.

The excavations will take place from 8am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 1pm on Saturday, in efforts to minimise disturbance to residents.

Countryside Properties added: "We are aware of where the badger sets are on site and those areas of ecological sensitivity.

"The archaeological investigations will continue to be undertaken in a manner which avoids areas of ecological sensitivity."

The controversial development to build 1,138 homes on the site was given the go ahead by Maldon district councillors in October 2019.

Maldon District Council had initially turned down the application, but did not defend its decision when Countryside Properties launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

Heybridge is well-known for its Anglo-Saxon, Iron Age and Roman roots - in the mid-nineties, the development of a new housing estate between Crescent Road and Heybridge Approach further revealed its ancient past.

An excavation of the land was conducted in 1993 after house-building company Bovis Homes bought it for development.

Over two years of digging led to the discovery of 2,910 Roman coins and large collections of animal bones and pottery fragments from the late Iron Age and Roman periods.

The site was a major Romano-British village in the 1st Century A.D., with farm plots, roads, wooden buildings and a temple built over an earlier shrine.

The council will also decide whether to approve the strategic landscaping elements proposed for phase one of the Westcombe Park development - including its paths, open spaces and earthworks - in a meeting of the district planning committee next week (Thursday, 30 September).

Planning officers have recommended approval of the application, on the basis that it "sets out a well-designed framework of green spaces and linkages that will ensure the development as a whole delivers the high quality, vibrant and distinctive neighbourhoods that the site aims to achieve".

Countryside Properties has set up a dedicated email, at [email protected], and contact line via 0800 080 3174, for those wishing to contact the Westcombe Park project team.

Residents and stakeholders will be provided with a detailed update on the development ahead of its commencement, which is anticipated to take place later this year.