Derby residents (England) who have campaigned for more than a year against a proposal to build housing on a former hotel site (as we reported on a previous news) look set to lose their battle.
     Burton-based developer wants to build 79 homes where a Forte Posthouse hotel once stood. The initial application for the site, made in May last year, outlined plans to build 92 houses and apartments on the site but a decision was delayed because of archaeological interest dating to the Bronze Age. The new proposal involves a smaller development area and fewer properties - 50 one and two-bedroom apartments and 29 two and three-storey houses.
     But residents are still unhappy. Charles Wells, whose home in Greenwood Drive would overlook the new buildings, said: "The fact that the new proposal is 'reduced' is misleading because the density of the houses and apartments will stay almost the same as in the first proposal."
     The application made in 2003 was deferred because a Roman road, known as Rykneld Street, runs through the site. An excavation was ordered and evidence of a Bronze Age site was found, meaning that the developers could not build on certain parts of the land. City council planning officers have recommended the new plan for approval, subject to a number of conditions. Stewart Todd, head of development control and land searches for the council, said: "There've been 40 or 50 letters objecting to the proposal. They will be given the correct consideration."

Source: This Is Derbyshire (22 May 2004)