DEVELOPERS got more than they bargained for when they chose a site in Lindal for 35 homes as an archaeological excavation had to take place.

The site at London Road in Lindal was deemed to need archaeological work following an assessment which found there may have been anomalies due to iron mining, a report said.

Chandler's Country Homes Ltd are seeking approval from Barrow Borough Council in regard to the archaeological evaluations as well as highways and drainage amendments to the original application.

A summary from Greenlane Archaeology, who took on the commission, said: "The evaluation comprise of six trenches targeting various geophysical anomalies.

"It revealed that where any physical evidence relating to anomalies was discovered this was caused by changes in the local geology.

"In most areas no features of any type were revealed and only a handful of finds were recovered from the topsoil in some of the trenches, all of which were post-medieval in date and probably result from a rubbish disposal.

"A single piece of iron working slag was also recovered, which may have derived from the bloomery process and so is perhaps medieval, or earlier, in date, but this one fragment cannot be taken as indicating that iron smelting was being carried out nearby.

"The site therefore has limited archaeological potential."

The general plans for the site are for 35 houses (four of which will be affordable), car parking, landscaping, and highways infrastructure.

The majority of the houses will be detached with four two-bed terraced houses and two three-bed semi-detached houses.

The development will also include eight two-bed terraced bungalows in order to meet local demand, according to the planning statement.

The design and access statement said: "The layout of the site provides safe, social and inclusive green amenity spaces.

"The main green amenity space is simple in its design and will provide a pleasant aspect for the dwellings which surround the green.

"The green is surrounded by a shared surface road using Tobermore tegula setts."

Outline planning permission has already been granted by Barrow Borough Council.