36 NEWS FEATURE
How to navigate your development’s past
Clare King of Wessex Archaeology offers an expert perspective on the archaeological issues around developing historic sites, and best practice for gaining successful plan- ning outcomes.
T
he historic environment encompasses a wide range of assets that are likely to be encoun-
tered by housing developments, including buried remains, historic or listed buildings, and historic or protected landscapes or viewsheds. Archaeology has been a key considera-
tion in the planning process since the introduction of Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 in England in 1990, evolving into the current guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This places the emphasis on understanding and conserving the significance of heritage assets as part of sustainable development. Significance varies between different heritage assets, and your Local Planning Authority (LPA)’s archaeologist will also have a view on it, so having your own archaeo- logical advisor is important to help you understand what’s likely to be consid- ered significant on your site. Buried archaeological remains needing assessment and investigation to deter-
mine significance may be present on both greenfield and brownfield sites. On brownfield sites, existing buildings and remains may make planning require- ments more complex, as well as any proximity to existing heritage assets whose ‘Setting’ may be affected by the proposed development. Greenfield sites are likely to present a diverse array of heritage assets, in particular buried remains, which will need assessment and investigation to determine significance. Specialist advice on historic
environment constraints, impacts, and benefits should be sought for housing developments as early as possible; not only to provide a smooth journey through planning, but also to ensure that measures imposed by regulators are proportionate, and the risk of unexpected issues at key construction stages is reduced.
ENGAGEMENT AT SITE ACQUISITION Awareness of potential heritage issues before acquisition of a development site can be very advantageous and calls for expert archaeological advice. With a thorough knowledge and
understanding of what’s there and how it will need to be managed, developers are in a stronger position to negotiate on the costs of buying a site, as well as having an early grip on opportunities and constraints to inform project design.
MANAGING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH REGULATORS LPAs are required to maintain Historic Environment Records (HERs) and to have a planning archaeologist to advise them on heritage issues. The relation- ship between your archaeological advisor and the local regulators is key to achieving successful – and importantly, proportionate – planning outcomes. Often a desk-based assessment (DBA)
and archaeological evaluation surveys will be needed to identify known and potential archaeological and built heritage assets, their significance, and the extent to which the proposed devel- opment would affect them (NPPF para 194). This results in a heritage state- ment, for inclusion in an environmental statement and/or design and access statement when planning permission is applied for. The planning archaeologist will usually issue a brief or specification for the required work, and will monitor and approve it. A good archaeological advisor will
have an excellent relationship with your local planning archaeologist, and work with you to ensure that the specification delivers for your needs, as well as those of the historic environment and local communities. While the archaeological evaluation
work contained in your planning application will enable your project to go ahead, any conditioned mitigation work will also have been negotiated on your behalf with the regulators by your archaeological advisor. They will ensure that the mitigation measures imposed are proportionate to what is there and targeted to the areas of impact, rather than, for example, a costly and unneces- sary full-scale excavation.
EARLY COLLABORATION The historic environment should be planned for like any other development risk – with a proper assessment and mitigation programme. Collaborating with your archaeological team from an early stage will ensure you understand your heritage resource and avoid nasty surprises during your construction phase.
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