A PREVIOUSLY unknown Williamson tunnel has been unearthed, sparking a row over plans to build student flats at the historic site.

Local historians fear the proposed flats, at an area of the tunnels on Smithdown Lane, Edge Hill, could destroy the newly uncovered tunnel.

Site owners Goldcrest Finance insist that they will protect the discoveries.

The company began work on the flats in late December last year.

The Daily Post understands Liverpool City Council regards that as a technical breach of conditions on the planning permission, which required an archaeological survey to be completed first. They intervened to halt the work and sent in surveyors – who found the tunnel.

If the survey makes historically significant finds, Goldcrest Finance may have to redraw their plans.

The labyrinth of tunnels was built in the early 1800s by retired tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson. Their original purpose is a mystery.

A spokesperson for RA Fisk & Associates, architects for the company, denied they had breached planning conditions: “We understand that the conditions relating to this planning application were discharged prior to the commencement of this initial phase in 2001.”