CONTRACTORS working with developers and the County Archaeology Department are already making finds as they dig into land earmarked for the Forest's biggest ever housing development.

And with only a quarter of the site tackled – hundreds more trenches are to be dug – the Wessex Archaeology team has found a Roman quern stone (a hand-operated millstone) and a mesolithic flint blade.

"The find is not unlikely considering the amount of Roman activity in the area but it does point to the fact that they were growing crops and grinding grain here," said spokesman for the team Nick Cooke.

Also uncovered were two ditches, again Roman, which pointed to a field system on the site, and the work was now moving into an exciting phase with exploration around Rodley Manor, where medieval earthworks are visible.

The department is co-operating with developer Robert Hitchens to carry out the survey.

"The work has already produced what we would call 'interesting features'," said a department spokesman.

He added: "Work is likely to go on for some time – at least another month – and this is certainly the largest archaeological evaluation that has ever been carried out in the Forest of Dean area.

"Because the land has been under constant cultivation, since medieval times at least, we have yet to discover what might lay even deeper under the surface."

He said his department had already carried out a desk-based assessment and had come to the conclusion that there could be significant value from the current exploration. But he added it would be unlikely the housing scheme would be halted unless there was a find of national importance which would have to be preserved in situ.

"It is more likely items will be catalogued and preserved," he said.

The giant housing scheme means hundreds of new homes will be built on land adjacent to the Lydney bypass. This week the land was dotted with mechanical diggers and teams of archaeologists carefully scraping trenches in the ground.

Construction of homes on the site, along with allocations for industrial use, was heralded in the District Local Plan. However a spokesman for Robert Hitchins said the archaeological work did not mean they had 'pushed the button' to start the scheme, but obviously they would like to start as soon as was practical. And he said a start would obviously have an impact on the local economy and create big employment opportunities.

A Forest of Dean District Council spokesman said no planning applications had yet been received but the Review has learned that an official from Robert Hitchins was meeting with the council this week.

"The hope is that we will be able to let the building go ahead on a phased basis, asking for infrastructure such as factory units and community facilities before more land is released," the council spokesman said.