BUILDERS are to be asked to keep a sharp eye open for Roman remains if a plan to build new homes in Colne gets the go ahead.

Archaeologists want to make sure that if any historic items are unearthed during excavation work on the site off Barrowford Road they are left alone until specialists can record the find.

A spokesman for the Lancashire Sites and Monuments Record office said: "A number of coins from the third century and a medallion have been found in the Greenfield area, but nothing has been uncovered on this particular site."

Councillors have been recommended to agree to the scheme for nine bungalows behind Carlton Court flats complex, despite reservations from planning officers and local people.

A report says the coin finds suggest there may have been an early settlement in the area, but the site is not considered important enough for a formal archaeological response to the bungalow scheme.

There are concerns about building the bungalows close to Vivary Way, which takes traffic from the end of the M65 motorway.

Thirteen letters objecting to the scheme have been sent to Pendle Council. Among the main arguments are that the site would add a hazardous access road to Barrowford Road, and that it would add to noise and air pollution in the area.

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