Home building plans could be delayed by archaeological investigations because the site is close to where the remains of an Iron Age child and juvenile were found.

An application has been submitted for two homes to be built in the spacious back garden of 423 Dover Road in Walmer, Deal.

It has been deemed an area of "archaeological potential" because Iron Age bones and pottery, dated between 600 and 200 BC, were found in the garden of a neighbour at number 429 in 1997.

And east of Dover Road is evidence of a Romano-British aisled barn.

Because of this, Ben Found, Kent County Council's senior architectural officer is recommending that development does not begin until an investigation has taken place.

In a report for Dover District Council's planning committee he said: "It is possible that the proposed development could affect archaeological remains and that further burial remains might be present at the site.

"I therefore recommend that provision be made in any forthcoming planning consent for a programme of archaeological evaluation to be carried out, followed by appropriate measures for the safeguarding and/or further investigation and recording of archaeological remains."

Applicant Wesley Smith, a property developer, wants to build two residential dwellings at the rear of his garden at 423 Dover Road.

Plans reveal the two-storey houses will be finished in cream render on blockwork, with low pitched roofs of man made slate. Both properties will have private gardens and the existing property, where Mr Smith lives, will maintain a garden.

Vehicular and pedestrian access will stay relatively the same, with cars and construction vehicles going through the existing 4.2m driveway but will be extended into the lower reaches of the drive to accommodate a shared drive for the new homes.

Six car parking spaces will be created making a total of eight.

The site falls between the parishes of Walmer and Ripple. While Walmer Parish Council supports the application, Ripple objects.

Its concerns include access and egress for cars - particularly emergency service vehicles entering and exiting on the busy road which locals have highlighted in previous years as having long-standing issues with speeding.

The authority feels sight lines are poor as highlighted by KCC concerns/objections.

However Mr Smith told the Mercury this week that a plan is being drawn up that complies with what highways require.

A covering letter, composed by Patrick Mills, of Clague Architects, at the time of making the application argues: "Visibility splays at the existing junction with Dover Road have been indicated demonstrating that satisfactory visibility is present for the density of the development proposed and for the 30mph speed limit."

KCC Highways said: "It should be noted that the planning consent for 85 dwellings on the opposite side of Dover Road includes works to widen the footway, including the section encompassing 423 Dover Road.

"Once these works are complete visibility splays of 43 metres x 2.4 metres x 43 metres may be available at the access to no. 423. The proposed access may therefore be acceptable with the above highway improvements in place, however this would need to be clarified by the applicant.

Where there are trees and bushes on the site, it is protocol for applicants to provide a full tree survey. This at the discretion of the planning authority and the covering letter reasons there are no trees or other features which dictate the necessity of a survey. It says localised landscaping will ensure there are habitat opportunities for wildlife.

The applications states there is no reasonable likelihood of protected and priority species being present nor any important habitats or other biodiversity.

Mr Smith said: "I’m happy to comply with the archaeological dig and understand that it is necessary before we undertake work.

"The properties have been sympathetically located on the site to ensure minimum impact to neighbours.

"The site lines are now visible due to work I am doing relating to the boundary fence. We are currently drawing up a plan that complies with what highways require."

The application can be seen and commented upon at dover.gov.uk/planning ref 21/00313.

We have contacted Kent County Council to find out when the remains were found.

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