An archaeologist has applied to have a site for 800 new homes on the Yorkshire coast protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument over fears the development could destroy the remains of a Roman villa.

Concern is growing in Marske-by-the-Sea, near Redcar, after rumours began circulating that contractors working on the 118 acres of agricultural land allocated for housebuilding had discovered a Roman villa, outbuildings and even an Iron Age roundhouse ahead of construction beginning.

Yet developers Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes have denied that the remains were significant, saying only that some Romano-British archaeology had been recorded but no villa.

Marske-by-the-Sea: Thousands protest over plans to build 800 homes on site of 'Roman villa' on Yorkshire coast after dispute over heritage