Imagine vacationing on the very grounds where Roman soldiers once stood guard nearly 2,000 years ago. But here's where it gets controversial: plans to build holiday lodges and camping pods on part of the ancient Roman fort Branodunum in Brancaster are moving forward, sparking debate over preservation versus development.
West Norfolk Council’s planning committee is set to review an application on January 12th, with a recommendation to approve the transformation of a field off the A149 into a temporary holiday retreat. The proposal, submitted by borough and parish councillor Tom de Winton, includes five three-bedroom lodges and three one-bedroom 'pods,' complete with new access roads and parking for guests. According to the planning statement, these accommodations are strictly for short-term stays, ensuring they won’t become permanent second homes.
And this is the part most people miss: the site is part of a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a Roman fort established around 230 AD. While Historic England doesn’t oppose the development in principle, they emphasize that Mr. de Winton must secure scheduled monument consent—a separate process from planning permission—before any construction begins.
Not everyone is on board. Five objections have been raised, with concerns ranging from the project’s lack of community benefit to its potential impact on the historic landscape. To address noise concerns, a bank with an acoustic fence will be built between the site and nearby homes on Saxon Field.
Branodunum, once a formidable fort with 10ft walls stretching from the A149 to the harbor, now lies largely in ruins. It was part of a network of shore forts guarding the coast from Norfolk to Hampshire for 150 years, until the Romans withdrew and the forts fell into disuse 1,600 years ago. Today, a housing estate sits on its western edge, while the main fort is owned by the National Trust.
Here’s the bold question: Is it right to build modern holiday accommodations on land steeped in ancient history? Does this development honor the past, or does it risk overshadowing it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation worth having.
