Finds delay Thanet Earth opening

Bronze Age burials were among the finds

The opening of a vast agricultural glasshouse development in east Kent has been delayed by hundreds of archaeological discoveries.

The £80m Thanet Earth complex near Birchington was to have delivered its first salad crops to shops this autumn.

But excavations on the 91-hectare site uncovered finds going back to Neolithic times. There have also been problems with the development's power supply.

Seeds are now likely to be planted in December for a February harvest.

Thanet Earth - which includes seven giant glasshouses, reservoirs and a research centre - is being built by fresh produce supplier Fresca Group, based in Paddock Wood.

It adds a lot more to the knowledge about the medieval landscape that wasn't known before Marion Green Canterbury Archaeological Trust

About 30 archaeologists have been excavating and recording finds on parts of the site yet to be developed.

Marion Green, Canterbury Archaeological Trust education officer, said: "It is a huge site so the discoveries that the teams have been making go right back to Neolithic times - from about 2,000 to 3,000 BC up to World War II and all the periods in between."

She said the finds included Bronze Age burials, an Iron Age farming settlement, Roman remains, Anglo Saxon structures, medieval agricultural buildings and "evocative finds" from World War II.

"It adds a lot more to the knowledge about the medieval landscape that wasn't known before," Ms Green added.

Steve McVickers, Thanet Earth managing director, said he hoped planting would begin at the site in mid-December and that he was not worried about the delay.

"We're as fascinated as anyone to see what's being uncovered on a day-by-day basis," he added.

Mr McVickers also said progress at Thanet Earth, which is expected to employ 550 people, was also affected by problems delivering utilities to the site.