THE historic Roman fort at Burgh Castle will become more accessible to visitors after councillors approved a scheme designed to encourage more visitors to the attraction.

THE historic Roman fort at Burgh Castle will become more accessible to visitors after councillors approved a scheme designed to encourage more visitors to the attraction.

A new access on Butt Lane will lead visitors to a coach and car park, and disabled access footpaths and information boards will be other new features to the site, popular with walkers.

A previous scheme for the fort, one of the best preserved in the country, had included a visitors centre although this was omitted from plans because of high costs.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the development control committee Lothingland ward councillor and committee vice-chairman Mark Thompson, said he fully supported the application.

“I'm saddened we could not get a visitors' centre in the scheme but this is a lovely area and is one of my favourite places to visit in the borough,” he said.

The application, made by the Norfolk Archaeological Trust, will see images and the history of the late 3rd century monument feature on two display areas at the site which is currently reached from a footpath off Church Road. There will be parking for 29 cars, three coaches and cycles.

The 90-acre site is owned by the trust but the remains are looked after by English Heritage. Planning officers said the scheme would “benefit the local area and will ease congestion along Church Road and encourage visitors to the fort, enhancing local leisure facilities”.