Consultation has begun on plans for Brading Roman Villa. Picture by Peter Boam.
A CONSULTATION into a major scheme at an Isle of Wight heritage site started with a meeting for neighbouring residents and local groups last night (Tuesday).
Around 40 people were at the villa for the invite-only meeting, which focussed on the ambitious Roman Landscape Project at Brading Roman Villa.
The meeting, organised by Petersfield-based consultation expert Carolyn Haynes, outlined the vision of the Oglander Roman Trust, which owns the ancient site.
Members of the trust, including its chairman, Anthony Turnbull, were there to outline the plans.
According to information supplied by the trust, the proposals may include opening a new exhibition space in the centre for items loaned by the British Museum and to conserve and re-establish the villa’s hypocaust, a Roman under-floor heating system.
The plans, subject to funding, could also help to create a modern storage solution for the many artefacts unearthed at the 60-acre site and create computer-generated reconstructions of how the ancient villa landscape may have looked centuries ago.
The trust also hopes to use funds to improve the habitat of the red squirrel population by introducing cob nut woodland and to create a children’s playground, with some general landscaping on the site.
Attendees included representatives of the Brading Residents’ Action Group, the Brading Town Trust, Brading Green Group and the Brading Business Association.
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk