Louth community asked to '˜dig deep' to save Julian Bower site

Campaigners hoping to save the Julian Bower site from potential development are asking residents to '˜dig deep' and help them to purchase the land after being granted permission from the owners to submit a '˜full and final offer'.

As reported previously, the site has been a subject of controversy after the landowners, King Edward VI School Trust, submitted applications to build new homes on the former playing field site.

One of these applications - for 12 new houses - has been granted permission on appeal, with archeological conditions attached.

However, a group of campaigners believe that the site may have immense historical value and have been backed by the Council for British Archeology who say it is a ‘potentially significant archeological site’.

One suggestion is that the Julian Bower site may have been home to the Anglo-Saxon ‘Sidnacester’ cathedral which has been lost and sought for over a thousand years.

Now, the campaigners are hoping that the community will rally round to help them put in a substantial bid to buy the site.

But time is running out - with the group given just five weeks to raise the necessary funds and submit a formal bid.

• Pick up a copy of today’s Louth Leader (July 12) for the full story.