February 26, 2001 16:45: REMAINS of a Roman villa will stay intact even though a new centre will be built on the archaeological site.

Work on the Rye Environmental Centre, in High Wycombe, will begin in the late summer after delays to allow completion of archaeological surveys.

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is working with county archaeologists to design foundations that will keep the remains of the Roman villa, on the Rye, High Wycombe, intact.

Nick Forster, Rye Environmental Project Officer for BBOWT, said: "It's great to be able to ensure that part of High Wycombe's history is preserved and apt since the whole project is about appreciating what is already around us and protecting it."

County archaeologists, already aware a Roman villa had previously occupied part of the site of Holywell Mead swimming pool, wanted to ensure that all previous details had been thoroughly recorded.

The most recent survey uncovered part of one of the walls of the original villa.

The Rye Environmental Centre will be a base for environmental groups and a venue for events and educational activities.

The old caf building will be renovated using recycled and local materials and will be a positive example of energy conservation.

The idea for the innovative project came from past leader of the council, Frances Alexander, who brought together 16 local environmental groups.

Much of the scheme has been funded by a £576,551 grant from Biffaward, a multi-million pound environmental fund which uses landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.

The grant includes money from Wycombe District Council and the Environment Agency.

Kelly Clayton