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Field work: Responding to planning conditions
When the planning permission has been granted, your local planning authority may have imposed a number of conditions relating to heritage and archaeology to mitigate the impact of the proposed development. The response to these conditions will be the preparation and carrying out of a number of archaeological field operations. Learn more about the process below.
Geophysical Surveys and Archaeological Field Evaluation
If the archaeological impact of the proposed development had not been, or not sufficiently been, considered prior to submitting a planning application, the local planning authority may request the presentation of the results of a geophysical surveys or Archaeological Field Evaluation prior to determining the planning application.
Building Survey and Recording
A programme of archaeological building investigation and recording will determine, as far as is reasonably possible, the nature of the archaeological resource associated with a specified building, structure or complex. It will draw on existing records (both archaeological and historical sources) and fieldwork. It will be undertaken using appropriate methods and practices which satisfy the stated aims of the project, and which comply with the Code of Conduct, and other relevant regulations and by-laws of CIfA. The programme will result in the production of drawings, an ordered accessible archive and a report (Chartered Institute for Archaeologist Standard and Guidance).
When listed buildings or buildings of historical interest are to be converted, a programme of building recordings will be carried out as a way of preserving a record of the standing remains before their conversion. The building recordings are carried out to Historic England’s ’Understanding historic buildings: A guide to good practice 2016‘.
Watching Brief
An archaeological watching brief will record the archaeological resource during development within a specified area using appropriate methods and practices. These will satisfy the stated aims of the project, and comply with the Code of Conduct and other relevant regulations of CIfA (Chartered Institute for Archaeologist Standard and Guidance).
Planning conditions requiring the implementation of an Archaeological Watching Brief are more common when the impact on the heritage and archaeological resource is thought to be minimal. The watching archaeologist will work closely with the ground contractor during all groundworks to record any archaeological remains uncovered.
Archaeological Field Evaluation
An archaeological field evaluation will determine, as far as is reasonably possible, the nature of the archaeological resource within a specified area using appropriate methods and practises. These will satisfy the stated aims on the project, and comply with the Code of Conduct and other relevant regulations of CIfA (Chartered Institute for Archaeologist Standard and Guidance).
When archaeological remains are known or expected to be present within the development site, the local planning authority can request that the results of an Archaeological Field Evaluation are presented before the determination of a planning application. At this stage the project design can be modified to ensure the preservation in situ of the archaeological resource or to avoid delays and extra costs.
Archaeological Excavations
When heritage or archaeological assets have been identified within the development area and when their preservation in situ is not possible or desirable, an archaeological excavation will be conducted in order to preserve the archaeological remains by records and publication.
