A developer plans to build 13 houses for the privileged few looking down on Sunderland. As Sunderland residents we should not have to continually campaign to safeguard this bronze-age prehistoric settlement and surrounding area.
In November 2011, part of Humbledon Hill was granted Ancient Monument status. This should have safeguarded any development from taking place on this area. Recent plans were submitted to Sunderland City Council for 13 large houses and an access road cutting directly through the monument site. This would be damaging to the setting of this beautiful wildlife inhabited historic land.
Unfortunately only part of the hill was granted ancient monument status leaving some of the land unprotected and vulnerable to future development. This unprotected part is still an integral section of the hill setting and is inhabited by many types of wildlife. All of these creatures will be driven away from their homes to an uncertain future.
You can help by signing the petition here:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-humbledon-hill.html
English Heritage has to grant the developer permission to cut through the monument. The developer then has to get the plans passed through the council to build his housing estate for the privileged few home owners to soak up the views looking down on Sunderland.
Humbledon Hill is a five-acre site and home to the remains of a Bronze Age defended settlement. Last December it was added to the list of schedule ancient monuments by English Heritage, which means it is safeguarded from future development.
In 2003 the plot was the focus of a controversial planning bid from Bowey Homes, who wanted to build a housing development there.
Items already found are on display at Sunderland Museum. We pray that Sunderland Council don’t allow the development to proceed.
One hopes also that more can be done with the site, as the area could do with further investigation.
Read more here:
Find out about the site here:
http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1402212
- Book Reference – Author: Higham, N – Title: The Northern Counties to AD 1000 – Date: 1986 – Page References: 127-129 – Type: DESC TEXT
- Unpublished Title Reference – Author: Gaskell, N – Title: ‘Archaeological Evaluation on Land at 24 Alpine Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear’ , CP/558/07. NPA Ltd: Nenthead, Cumbria – Date: 2007 – Type: Unpublished Report – Source: Tyne & Wear HER
- Other Reference – Description: Tyne & Wear HER No 157
- Article Reference – Author: Hale, D N and Still, D A – Title: Geophysical Survey at Picktree, Chester-le-Street and Humbledon Hill, Sunderland – Date: 2003 – Journal Title: Durham Archaological Journal – Volume: 17 – Page References: 1-7
