Roman Villa for Channel 4

In the spring of 2010, Genesis Town Planning secured planning permission on behalf of Channel 4/Darlow Smithson Productions to build an authentic Roman 'Villa Urbana' – a high status Roman town house - on the site of the fourth largest Roman city in Britain, at Wroxeter in Shropshire.

As lead consultancy, Genesis Town Planning identified and appointed architects and engineers to advise on the complex design and construction challenges the team would face. Working with the production team, eminent archaeologist Professor Dai Morgan Evans, English Heritage and Shropshire Council, planning permission was subsequently granted in a record 4 weeks by Shropshire Council’s Planning Department.

Channel 4 will broadcast Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, a 6x60 minute documentary series for Channel 4 due to begin on 20th January 2011 at 9pm.

The design for 'Villa Urbana' was inspired by an actual building excavated at this important Roman site and was created by Professor Dai Morgan Evans, visiting professor in archaeology at the University of Chester. Detailed design work was carried out by renowned classical architects, Robert Adam Architects. Only tools and building methods available to the Romans were used during construction and the programme will shed new light on how these incredible feats of ancient engineering were achieved. The villa was built using local materials and suppliers and the local community and volunteers were also invited to be involved during the building process.

The 'Villa Urbana' will mark the 1600th anniversary of the Romans leaving Britain in 410AD and will greatly enhance the tourist experience at the English Heritage site of Wroxeter. In particular, it will help bring history alive for the many school parties that visit the site each year.