Red tape may halt replica hut

Building regulations may thwart attempts by young history enthusiasts to understand the lives of our ancestors by recreating an ancient shelter.

Newark and District Young Archaeologists’ Club planned to build a replica Iron Age hut during the summer holidays, but the necessary planning permission may not come in time.

It was hoped to erect the circular building — about 31/2 metres or just over 11ft in diameter — at Ashcroft, Edingley Hill, Edingley.

In a supporting letter to the district council the club’s leader, Mrs Sue Rodgers, said: “This type of experimental archaeology helps us to understand the lives of our ancestors, their need for shelter, their use of natural materials and their building skills.

“We also plan to invite local school children to the site to learn about how people lived in the past and, working in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council’s community archaeologists, we hope to bring the past to life during an open day planned for September/October.”

The hut would be made of wooden stakes interwoven with thin branches covered with mud and clay to form wattle and daub. The thatched roof would be supported on wooden rafters.

The club planned to build the hut in August or September and demolish it about six months later.

Mrs Rodgers said if temporary permission was not granted before August the group may lose money for the project given by the county council’s Building Better Communities scheme.

Mrs Rodgers said: “The summer holidays are the only chance this year for the children to spend the time needed to build the hut and the funding we have been given is for this financial year only.”

She said they understood the need for tight building regulations but said the project would leave no lasting mark.

Mrs Rodgers said the group submitted a preplanning application in April and was surprised to be told they needed to submit a full application.

She said: “At a cost of £70, the application was submitted but we are now told that due to the length of time needed to process the application we may not have the decision in time for the project to commence in August.

“The proposed building is little more than the type of den often built by children during their school holidays and we had hoped that making the district aware of our plans would result in the project being seen for what it is; an educational building exercise for a group of young people that will have no lasting effect on the landscape.”

A principal planning officer for the district council, Mr Richard Exton, said: “This application falls outside of what is defined as a temporary structure, in terms of planning legislation.

“Planning applications are dealt with through statutory planning periods, and this application will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”