THE second Battle Of Fulford has started over whether the historic conflict of 1066 was fought on land where 700 homes are now set to be built.

The two sides lined up yesterday at the public inquiry into Persimmon Homes' controversial scheme for land around Germany Beck on York's southern outskirts.

On one side was Chas Jones, of the Fulford Battlefield Society, armed with letters of support from TV presenters Peter Snow and Professor Richard Holmes. On the other was Paula Ware, of MAP Archaeological Consultancy, speaking on behalf of the developer.

Mr Jones said there was agreement among all responsible authorities, including the developers, that Germany Beck was the likely location for the battle, and the site should not be developed.

But Paula Ware said all the archaeological work undertaken so far had failed to yield any physical evidence to suggest the site was the location of the battle.

Mr Jones claimed the developers had failed to carry out a relevant investigation before the plans were approved, while his group had been denied access to let it pursue research.

He said the group was due to publish a report in late 2006 which would make a "strong evidential case that Germany Beck is the core of the battlefield of 1066". Pending this, an outline report had been prepared for the inquiry.

Peter Snow, who has just completed the BBC 2 series Battlefield Britain, said in a letter he was "delighted and very encouraged" by Mr Jones' efforts to preserve the site.

He said: "Fulford is one of the most significant (battlefields), and it would be reassuring to know that everything possible is being done to preserve it."

Prof Holmes, who has written and presented a number of BBC 2 series, including Battlefields Of The Second World War, said it was too easy to do lasting damage to lasting damage to sites of major historical importance.

He said: "The fact that Fulford is not at present a well-known battle does not make it an unimportant one."

Paula Ware said 11 trenches had been excavated between 2002 and 2003, and provided no evidence for the battle. A metal-detecting survey earlier this year had also found no material relating to the battle.

An Historic Landscape Appraisal had examined primary and secondary sources to assess the likely location. Only one source, Symeon of Durham, had cited Fulford as the location of the battle, but it was impossible to identify the specific location referred to.

"It is... highly unlikely that the 1066 battlefield site still exists in any meaningful form," said Paula.

1066 Battle of Fulford

IT has been dubbed the forgotten battle of 1066. The Battle Of Fulford is undoubtedly less famous than the conflict at Hastings, and indeed the Battle Of Stamford Bridge.

But historians claim it was still of great importance, and played its part in shaping the country's destiny for centuries to come. In the Fulford battle, fought on September 20, 1066, Harald Hardrada defeated northern earls Edwin and Morcar.

The victory prompted King Harold Godwinson to march north, where he beat Harald and his ally, Tostig Godwinson, at Stamford Bridge on September 25.

Harold then marched south at great speed to Hastings, where his exhausted and depleted army was narrowly defeated on October 14 by the Normans, led by William. The rest is history.

TV battlefields presenter Prof Richard Holmes said in his letter to the inquiry: "Had Harold not had to march north to face the situation brought about by the defeat of his earls at Fulford, the fate of England might so easily have been different."