AN ENGLISH Heritage works compound for the Roman site on Groundwell Ridge has been given the go-ahead.

Council members gave their full support to the scheme at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

It will allow English Heritage to conduct a more in-depth investigation into the site.

Coun Charles Lister (Con, Abbey Meads) said: "I think the scheme will create much interest for people in the area and they will want to experience and see what is found."

The site, just off Pennine Way, will have two excavation trenches.

There will also be a mock-up trench used for visits by school children, along with huts in which to store finds, workers' huts and a toilet.

A viewing platform will allow visitors to view the work without intruding on the dig itself.

David Webb, a logistics manager for English Heritage, said: "I am pleased planning permission has been given to the compound. We plan to begin moving in on June 2 so that by June 9 we can start excavations and welcome members of the public and school children."

Excavations will be carried out in two large trenches one of which is expected to contain ruins of a building which is believed to be either a villa, large farmhouse or a religious sanctuary.

Dr Pete Wilson, a senior archaeologist at the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology in Portsmouth, said excavations would take place over seven weeks and be more detailed than ever before.

"Last year we simply carried out investigations to see whether the cycle paths the council were planning to put in would affect the archaeology beneath.

"Now we hoping to answer the questions about what was really here. I have no doubt it will lead to even more questions."

A second trench will allow archaeologists to investigate what is believed to be a Roman road.

Last year's excavations saw a team of 13 archaeologists on site. This year, Dr Wilson hopes to have between 30 and 40 at any one time of which around 10 to 15 will be made up of local volunteers.

The site was discovered in 1996 when contractors working for a housing developer uncovered buried walls of Roman buildings.

The site, then valued at £1million, was saved from developers by an Evening Advertiser campaign.