Roman ruins found at school could add £1m to repair bill

The discovery of Roman ruins at a school could add £1m to the refurbishment cost because of delays, according to the council.

Newport City Council had approved plans for a new sports and teaching block at Caerleon Comprehensive School to create a "modern teaching environment" for staff and pupils.

But construction was paused in the summer after the discovery of what was believed to be a Roman parade ground wall and road.

The council warned the delays could increase the "already growing outlay" being spent on the school improvement project.

The developer appointed a qualified archaeologist to oversee work at the site before it was escalated to a full excavation after the remains were found.

Heneb, a Welsh archaeology trust, is due to record their findings this week after construction resumed last month on parts of the site.

The school refurbishments were already expected to go over the original budget by between £6m and £7m, with the council report stating a "funding solution will need to be identified and agreed".

The council is footing 35% of the project's costs and the Welsh government will contribute the rest of the funding through a joint partnership.

According to a council report, the Welsh government would have to agree to any extension of the project and to any further funding. An update on the programme is expected in early 2027.

Meanwhile, the council could cover any increases to its own share of the project by drawing on rollover funding from its wider schools improvement budget.

Caerleon was one of three permanent legionary fortresses in Roman Britain and its archaeological riches include an amphitheatre, barracks and baths.

Elsewhere, a discovery dating back to the Roman era was made earlier this year after a village, dubbed "Port Talbot's Pompeii", was also unearthed.

It is the largest Roman villa ever found in Wales with scans revealing a defensive enclosure and an aisled building, possibly used as a barn or meeting hall.

Many Roman artefacts are found in Wales because the region was heavily occupied, fortified and mined by the Roman military for over 300 years.