Graves from Roman period discovered at new housing site

The trio viewed plans for the 27 flats, nine shared ownership and 18 affordable rented, which are a mix of one- and two-bedrooms. The affordable rented flats are aimed at people who are downsizing.

They also heard about an archaeological dig at the site which found a number of graves from the Roman period containing skeletons - these are being analysed.

Cllr Caroline Horrill, portfolio holder for housing, said: “Victoria House is the latest part of the council's ambitious programme to deliver 300 much-needed new affordable homes across the district.

“This scheme shows the care we take to learn about Winchester history's below ground before we help to build new futures for families above ground. It is satisfying to think that people will be moving into these homes in 18 months.”

HH Drew and Son Ltd was appointed contractor last October and takes possession of the site next month. Completion is due in the autumn of 2017. The previous building on the site was demolished in 2015.

Tracy Matthews, city council archaeologist, said: “Partly excavated in the 1970s, the redevelopment of this site, which lies within the northern Roman cemetery, has provided an opportunity to revisit the site and excavate the remaining burials which survived beneath the 1980s' sheltered housing.

“Information recovered from the newly-excavated burials will add to our existing knowledge of Winchester's Roman cemeteries and provide an exciting opportunity to understand more of the population buried in this cemetery, be they local or from further afield in the Roman Empire.”

New council homes are allocated through Hampshire Home Choice. For further information, and to register for affordable rented homes throughout the area, please visit: www.hampshirehomechoice.org.uk, or for shared ownership homes, visit www.helptobuysouth.co.uk.

Further details of the new homes will be available on here closer to the time the development is due to complete.