SIR: How good to read that Professor Martin Biddle is pressing to have a proper archaeological exploration of the Central Winchester Regeneration site (A Roman amphitheatre under Silver Hill site?, July 23). Good too to see, in the editorial, that the Chronicle supports this, and hugely welcome that the editor is able to say so openly that the paper was wrong to encourage development of the previous scheme that would have resulted, as he says, in a white elephant. Professor Biddle's series of Winchester Studies is internationally renowned, as is his reputation. The City’s members and officers must surely pay attention. Everyone who wants to see a flourishing city emerge from the pandemic must hope that he will succeed where so many of us mere campaigners have so far failed.

The obvious result of a thorough dig would be that the findings would dictate the development. This could mean everything from the display of an amphitheatre to, as he says in the article, new buildings designed and located so unavoidable impact (lift shafts, service trenches, also the placing of any taller buildings and consequent design of foundations) causes the least possible disturbance.

The current proposal to sell the entire site to a single developer, despite earlier plans and pleas to the contrary, would endanger such a subtle approach. A monolithic development is seldom the answer to any problem, but especially not in a city where the layers of history are so central to its personality.

Archaeology aside, it’s immensely depressing to learn that WCC has reverted to its initial decision, some 25 years ago, to ignore the adjacent areas, the central car park and the Broadway. The recognition a few years ago, possibly in the JTP era of vastly better consultation, that the site is not actually walled off but merges with its neighbours, was significant, and too important to ditch now.

Judith Martin,

Romsey Road,

Winchester