A PROPOSED monument commemorating an historic army barracks in Essex could cause “harm” to the remains of an ancient Roman chariot racing track sharing the site, Historic England has said.

The government body has objected to a planning application for a commemorative monument and two blue plaques, which would recognise the Royal Artillery Barracks as one of the earliest in Colchester Garrison.

The applicant says it is “surprised” by the objection and that Historic England provided no evidence or rationale.

The Roman Circus, or chariot racing track, is the only one of its kind in Britain, and one of only six in the north-west provinces of the Roman Empire.

It is a scheduled ancient monument, which means in planning law it is protected from developments which “lead to less than substantial harm”, according to the objection.

However, the monument to the barracks would celebrate “a very important part of Colchester’s military history”, according to the applicant’s response.

The barracks were renamed Le Cateau Barracks after the First World War, after the battle of the same name.

A section of the objection read: “In our view, the proposed erection of a commemorative monument would have a negative impact upon the setting of the scheduled monument and would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the monument.”

Historic England is also recommending a new location for the monument is found, away from the circus.

The proposed land would be donated specifically for the purpose of the monument, according to the applicant’s response.

A section read: “It is with some surprise that Historic England has submitted an objection to the siting of the new commemorative monument at Sergeants’ Mess and we would look to respond to that objection.

“We would submit there is no demonstrable harm caused by these proposals to the significance of the Roman Circus Ancient Monument and request the planning authority to approve both the construction of the Le Cateau Artillery Barracks Monument and the two commemorative Blue Plaques.”

The blue plaques would be for Major Raymond England and the Officers’ Quarters.