Archaeology and Planning Guide
In November 1990 the government passed Planning Policy Guidance note 16 which is generally known as PPG16. This brought about a revolution in the way that archaeological remains in the UK were to be handled within the development process.
PPG16 places emphasis on preservation of the archaeological resource either in situ or by record (excavation). Perhaps the most significant aspect of PPG16 is that it set out a ‘polluter pays’ principle meaning that developers became financialy responsible for the successful handling of archaeological issues on their land.
Step by step
An average process involves several basic steps, many of which are optional depending on the specific situation of a site. This guide aims to outline the standard steps, but to be certain what is required on a particular project you should get in touch with us directly so that we can be more helpful.
1) Initial Assessment
In the case of best practice, the developer should assess the risk posed by archaeology to their development. This might even take place before purchase. Typically this would be a Desk Based Assessment. We also offer confidential informal advice to our clients who are considering the purchase of a site which may contain archaeology.
2) Planning Permission
Once a planning application has been submitted to a Local Planning Authority, they will make a decision about whether any archaeological work wll be required in advance of development. Often the Desk Based Assessment is submitted as part of the planning application.
The way that these decisions are made varies according to the local planning authority, but generally they will refer the decision to a specialist advisor, in London this is English Heritage and in the counties this is typically the County Archaeologist. Some other cities and local authorities have their own archaeological advisors.
If there is any doubt about the archaeological remains on site the advisor will typically recommend some on site investigative works such as an Archaeological Evaluation. This work is sometimes requested ‘pre-determination’ of the planning application meaning before the application decision can be made. This is normally required when a site is thought to contain very important remains that might prevent development or cause a serious redesign of the project.
3) Planning Consent (with conditions)
The vast majority of archaeological work undertaken in the UK is undertaken under a project design secured by means of a planning condition. This rather open-ended approach means that the local planning authority is able to grant consent without specifying the exact nature of the works in the planning permission.
The level of works required is then agreed with the local planning authority archaeological advisor. It is quite common for this to include investigative works such as Archaeological Evaluation or Non Intrusive Survey. The local authority may then decide that the construction works need only be monitored by an archaeologist under a Watching Brief.
If archaeology is identified on the site, a strategy to mitigate the impact on the archaeology would be needed; this usually takes the form of an Excavation.