Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex) released the following statement, in light of reports that the Institute of Advanced Study received final permission to build eight townhouses in the vicinity of Princeton Battlefield.

The housing project approval follows a compromise reached by IAS and the Civil War Trust to allow the housing project to move forward while still preserving the landmark, and symbolizes the final chapter in Senator Bateman’s longtime, successful effort to protect the battlefield.

“I applaud The Civil War Trust and the Institute of Advanced Study for coming together to reach this historic compromise,” Senator Bateman said. “Maxwell’s Field is an irreplaceable Revolutionary War landmark and a cornerstone of our nation’s history. We fought long and hard to protect it from being bulldozed or forgotten, and I am proud to say that we succeeded.”

“I am confident that this project will not cause the catastrophic damage that we would have seen with the original plan. Although I will continue to keep a watchful eye on the construction, make no mistake – I believe our battle to save the battlefield has been won.”