Plans for new flats could lead to the discovery of hidden historic treasures, archaeologists say.

Eight homes are proposed for land in Military Road, Dover, which is currently used as a car park.

But experts warn the plot will need a thorough check for rare artefacts, after land nearby has proved to be a historic goldmine.

Medieval skeletons, pottery and a 3,500-year-old boat have all been unearthed in the surrounding area.

In a letter to planning officers at Dover District Council, Ben Found, senior archaeological officer for Kent County Council, said: “The proposed development lies within an area that is generally very rich in archaeological remains.

“In particular the site lies in an area where there is high potential that remains of Romano-British date might be present.

“Previous development of the site is likely to have had a negative impact on any archaeology that might once have been present.

“Nevertheless the potential exists for archaeological remains of Romano-British (or other) date to be present within the proposed development site.”

Mr Found recommends, if the plans are approved, an archaeologist should watch the excavation work in case anything valuable is found.

Romano-British means a fusion of the culture of the Roman occupants with that of the Ancient Britons between 43 to 410 AD.

The main landing for the invasion was at Richborough, near Sandwich.

The Romans used the area’s Dour Estuary in central Dover as a port and called the settlement Dubris.

One of the most important finds was the remains of a town house in New Street in the1970s, just under 190 metres from this proposed development area.

This is now the Roman Painted House tourist attraction.

A Roman cremation burial was also found in 1881 during construction work at Dover Priory railway station, also nearby.

An area of possible Roman walling was discovered during construction of a post office in Biggin Street in 1913 and Victorian redevelopment of that street uncovered Roman pottery.

Discoveries from other eras in history have also been found in the area.

A large Iron Age pit was unearthed during the building of the present York Street dual carriageway in 1971, and Anglo-Saxon pottery was found during excavation at Biggin Street in 1999.

A Norman iron spur was uncovered during the digging up of a drain in Worthington Street in 1894.

During the rebuilding of the Prince Albert pub in Biggin Street in 1879, workmen came across a number of complete skeletons.

These were likely to have been related to the nearby medieval St Edmunds Chapel.

The remains of a medieval priory now forms part of Dover College.

One of the most important finds in the area has been of the Bronze Age Boat, which is now in Dover Museum.

This was uncovered in 1992 during the construction of the present A20 Townwall Street.

Archaologists had also warned of possible finds when planning permission was given two years ago to replace the nearby Club Karma nightclub in Adrian Street with flats.

John Mount, of Whitfield, is behind the application for Military Road, and has applied to DDC to replace the car park with a three-storey block of eight flats.

These would be one and two bedroomed with six parking spaces.

There have been no objections submitted by locals and both Dover Town Council and the civic group Dover Town Team support the application.