'Bronze Age stone will not stop holiday park plans'

A forestry agency has said plans for a woodland holiday park will not be affected by the discovery of a stone dating back to the Bronze Age.

A single standing stone thought to be part of a larger ceremonial site dating back 3,700 years was found in Farley Wood after excavations by Forestry England in partnership with archaeology series Time Team.

Save Farley Moor campaigners hoped the discovery may put the brakes on plans to build 75 cabins in 140 acres of woodland off Farley Lane.

However, in a statement, Forestry England said: "Following recent excavations at the Farley Moor Standing Stone, we are confident that it will remain unaffected by our proposals for a Forest Holidays location."

Plans for the scheme - which are being considered by Derbyshire Dales District Council - also include a car park, shop, cafe, outdoor play area, and an archery range.

But residents and campaigners, including more than 3,000 who have signed a petition against the scheme, have raised objections including concerns over a potential increase in traffic problems.

Campaigner Sarah Benson said: "We're very much hoping that these significant findings will ensure that the proposed development doesn't go ahead.

"There are also reports of other significant stones within the area designated for development that still require a full archaeological investigation."

Dr Lawrence Shaw, Forestry England's lead historic environment adviser, had confirmed that what had been discovered was evidence of a much more complex ceremonial landscape, including the original standing stone.

However, Forestry England has said the standing stone lies outside of the proposal, and its preservation will continue.

It added: "The wider landscape that surrounds the monument has been forested for approximately 50 years, meaning that the prehistoric landscape to which the site was originally connected has long since been altered.

"As a result, the proposals will not affect the setting or historic landscape character of the site.

"As part of the planning application process, an Archaeological Assessment was carried out and submitted with the application which noted the presence of the standing stone but that no other known sites or monuments are recorded as being present within the proposed development area.

"The county council has assessed the proposal and raised no objections on heritage grounds.

"Based on this, we are confident we can take the appropriate mitigation measures to account for these and any other unknown features, as is normal within the planning process."

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