AN OPPONENT of York’s biggest housing development has sought to get the site registered as a medieval battlefield in an apparent last-minute attempt to block the scheme.

But English Heritage, which will consider the application for the Germany Beck site in Fulford, has said that even if it agrees to registration, it would not prevent Persimmon’s 700-home housing development going ahead.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said even if the area was classed as a historical battleground, it would not necessarily mean planning developments could not take place, as battlefields do not have the same protected status as a scheduled monument or a listed building.

She said: “If the site of the Fulford battle was to be registered this wouldn’t change the existing planning decision. When considering if a battlefield should join the register, several aspects are taken into account; how easy it is to understand the site, how much of it survives, how authentic it is and how the landscape helps us to understand more about the battle that took place.

“The Germany Beck housing development would have little effect on the archaeology in the ground. Previous assessments haven’t found any evidence of the battle in this specific area. With a development such as this, we’d like to see some interpretation and explanation about the battle so the site’s history was brought to life. A decision on whether Fulford becomes part of the register is still being considered.”

Andrew Bowes, managing director of Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said: “Whilst this is an issue for English Heritage, Persimmon Homes and Hogg Builders (York) Ltd can confirm that we are committed to the Germany Beck development.”

In 1066, the Germany Beck area was the site of the fierce and bloody battle of Fulford which saw the Viking army of Harold Hardrada and his ally, Tostig, fight and defeat the Northern Earls Edwin and Morcar.