05/04/2016. Who are archaeologists and what do we do? Archaeology and the Planning Process and Some Helpful Tips

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1 Archaeology and the Planning Process and Some Helpful Tips Who are archaeologists and what do we do? Curators (local authorities, HS, RCAHMS) Consultants Contractors Academics (Higher Education) Community amateurs, volunteers etc More than 90% of archaeological fieldwork in Britain is undertaken in response to the planning system The domestic commercial market for archaeology is estimated at 100 million Clive Waddington BA, MA, Phd, MCIfA, FSA Since 1990 large-scale open area excavation has become more common and new kinds of archaeology are being discovered The regulatory body for archaeologists is the Institute for Archaeologists Archaeology is the study of all phenomena, above or below ground, through time through their surviving physical evidence. It is discipline and a tool/technique for studying the historic environment The Historic Environment includes buried remains, upstanding structures, buildings, landscapes, streetscapes, places associated with events and people, etc. The legacy of many thousands of years of human activity and the interaction between people and places. Very little in Britain is truly a natural environment. It is irreplaceable Main Causes of Destruction to Monuments Development & Urban 27% Demolition and Building Alteration 20% Mineral Extraction 17% Agriculture 10% Road Building 9% Natural, Vandals, Military etc 5% Unknown 17% Typical Impacts on the Historic Environment the development footprint area itself change to historic building fabric ancillary works such as haul roads, bunds vibration damage and noise mitigation planting of trees reduction in landscape legibility dewatering of surrounding landscape subsidence dust and airborne pollution movements of heavy traffic long-term effects on setting and character 1

2 Legislative Framework for Planning and Archaeology In addition to normal planning framework set out in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990: the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 provides specific protection for buildings and areas of special architectural or historic interest the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 provides specific protection for scheduled monuments the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 provides specific protection for protected wreck sites Any decisions relating to listed buildings and their settings and conservation areas must address the statutory considerations of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (see in particular sections 16, 66 and 72) as well as satisfying the relevant policies within the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan. Core planning principles NPPF Key Points 17...conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations 12. Conserving and enhancing the historic environment 128. In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. Contd The effect of an application on the significance of a non-designated heritage asset should be taken into account in determining the application. In weighing applications that affect directly or indirectly non designated heritage assets, a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset Local planning authorities should make information about the significance of the historic environment gathered as part of plan-making or development management publicly accessible. They should also require developers to record and advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) in a manner proportionate to their importance and the impact, and to make this evidence (and any archive generated) publicly accessible. Planning Practice Guidance How can proposals avoid or minimise harm to the significance of a heritage asset? A clear understanding of the significance of a heritage asset and its setting is necessary to develop proposals which avoid or minimise harm. Early appraisals, a conservation plan or targeted specialist investigation can help to identify constraints and opportunities arising from the asset at an early stage. Such studies can reveal alternative development options, for example more sensitive designs or different orientations, that will deliver public benefits in a more sustainable and appropriate way. Decision-taking regarding non-designated heritage assets requires a proportionate response by local planning authorities. Where an initial assessment indicates that the site on which development is proposed includes or has potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, applicants should be required to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. Historic England Good Practice Advice Notes Good Practice Advice Note 1. Local Plan Making Good Practice Advice Note 2. Managing Significance in Decision-Taking in the Historic Environment Good Practice Advice Note 3. Setting of Heritage Assets Good Practice Advice Note 4. Enabling Development (forthcoming) Historic England Advice Note 1. Conservation Areas Historic England Advice Note 2. Making Changes to Heritage Assets Historic England Advice Note 3. The Historic Environment and Site Allocations in Local Plans Minerals and Historic Environment additional provision Mineral Products Association British Aggregates Association National Minerals Forum CBI Minerals Group Mining Association UK Planning Officers Society Historic England Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers Chartered Institute of Field Archaeologists Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers 2

3 Archaeological Evaluation Areas should not be allocated for development unless PA satisfied that development could occur areas of higher and lower archaeological potential should be flagged in the local plan Provide a clear up-front evidence base implications for local authorities as well as developers Basis for structured dialogue and pre-app discussion Evaluation should be the minimum necessary to inform a planning decision A proportionate approach to evaluation and decision-making Question-led approach evaluation is not a sampling exercise targeted work Consistent approach but tailored methodology for each site Fieldwork should draw on techniques appropriate to the landforms and types of archaeology expected use of landform element approach Pre-Determination Evaluation Techniques Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) Walkover Survey Geophysical Survey Fieldwalking Evaluation Trenching Sediment Coring Setting Study Building Appraisal Post-Permission Mitigation Measures No further work required Watching Brief Targeted Excavation Strip, Map and Sample Building Recording Earthwork Survey Fieldwalking Palaeoenvironmental Analysis Case Study: Cheviot Quarry, Northumberland Watching brief during machine strip of topsoil Strip, Map and Sample of the exposed remains Site had been subject to an ES and evaluation trenching but they did not reveal the full extent of the archaeological remains across the site evaluation trenching was a blunt tool unsuited to finding that type of archaeology Extended over 4 ha in an area known to be rich in archaeological remains Early Neolithic pits containing ceramics, flint, seeds etc. 3

4 Neolithic Settlement Carinated Bowl Pottery σ 13 C 14 Age Cal. Date (95%) Site Context Lab ID Material Type C (BP) Cheviot Quarry Pit 052 OxA Hazelnut Carinated Bowl ± cal BC Cheviot Quarry Pit 052 OxA Carbonised Residue Carinated Bowl ± cal BC A Late Bronze Age Farm. Cheviot Quarry Pit 051 OxA Hazelnut Carinated Bowl ± cal BC Cheviot Quarry Pit 051 OxA Carbonised Residue Carinated Bowl ± cal BC Impressed Ware Site Context Lab ID Material Pottery Type σ 13 C C 14 Age (BP) Cal. Date (95%) Cheviot Pit MAP F204 OxA Carbonised Impressed Ware ± cal BC Quarry Residue Cheviot Quarry Pit MAP F219 OxA Carbonised Residue Impressed Ware ± cal BC Grooved Ware Site Context Lab ID Material Pottery Type σ 13 C C 14 Age (BP) Cal. Date (95%) Cheviot Pit 2168 SUERC Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Quarry Cheviot Quarry Pit 2168 OxA Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Cheviot Quarry Pit 2133 OxA Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Cheviot Quarry Pit 2133 SUERC Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Milfield North Pit 1 Lower Fill OxA Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Milfield North Pit 1 Lower Fill OxA Hazelnut Grooved Ware ± cal BC Radiocarbon Dates for the Bronze Age Settlement σ 13 C ( ) Lab No. Sample ID Material 14C (BP) Calibrated Date (95%) PDE (95%) Dark Age Farmstead/Halls.. BA House 1 SUERC /117/1 Birch ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /117/2 Fruit Tree (apple/pear etc.) ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /69/1 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /69/2 Hazel ± cal BC. SUERC /81/3 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /82/2 Emmer Wheat ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /89/2 Oak twig ± cal BC. BA House 2 SUERC /161/2 Hulled Barley ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /161/1 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /156/2 Willow ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /156/1 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /127/2 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /127/1 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /150/1 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC SUERC /128/2 Hazel ± cal BC cal BC 4

5 Award winning Heritage Trail on the site of Bede s Maelmin Enrich peoples lives and deliver public benefit (ie sustainable development) What were the outcomes? Evaluation trenches were a very blunt tool for finding these types of remains Having a flexible mitigation approach where can scale up a watching brief to a SMS is good How can archaeology contribute to sustainable development? 1. LPAs and developers can use heritage outcomes as a sustainability indicator Certain landforms and landscapes are favoured more in the past for settlement than other areas Community involvement can provide a win-win for all stakeholders sustainable development via public benefit Carefully thought out work and analysis can deliver important knowledge gain and understanding of local and national significance - sustainability Going the extra yard to deliver a legacy at the end realised the full value of the archaeological work at a relatively modest extra cost public benefit 2. Allows for innovative ways for developments to deliver for communities 3. Generates interest, knowledge and publicity of sustainability credentials of developments Memorial to RAF Milfield & war dead BBC national news, audience 5m + Award-winning heritage site providing public access and chance for involvement A world wide reach 5

6 Tips on getting archaeology right Quality does matter Always get the best desk-based assessment/es you can afford Make your archaeological consultants/contractors explain the full implications and entire cost path Maintain open and regular dialogue with the local authority-developer-consultant-contractor Identify how the archaeology/heritage can work for the development and add value Get the local community on-side early consultation Use of competent archaeologists meeting CIfA standards only use Registered Organisations Results should be published in formats accessible to archaeological community and wider public It pays to get the best advice and use quality archaeological professionals difficult in what is basically a failed market and all archaeologists tell you they are the best. Therefore, Invest in company s that employ permanent staff and have CDP Get the best DBA and Environmental Statement you can afford this will identify the most cost-effective approach to the entire project in advance. This helps with risk management Aim for targeted, question-led evaluation work that gets good results in the most economic way Ensure the archaeological contractor makes sense of the archaeology and makes it relevant and available to people, especially the local community Integrate the archaeological strategy with other material considerations (e.g. biodiversity) Investment in archaeology can lever in additional funding (e.g. HLF, RDAs, EU, EH, National Parks, Charities etc.) providing huge value-added and a return on the investment Take Home Point Value of positive public engagement Brings communities together can change perception of development Provides free form of advertising/publicity for the developer Heritage can add real economic value through improved sustainability indicators shareprice up, supply chain advantage, winning contracts, attractive to buyer Generates trust between developer and the local planning authority smoother passage for future developments creating mutual confidence thereby reducing risk for all Contribute to improved quality of life for this and future generations 6