What is Archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of past human activity through the recovery and analysis of the remains that people leave behind. This can take the form of upstanding earthwork remains, below ground remains such as evidence of buildings, ditches and pits; artefacts such as bones and pottery; and environmental information such as the remains of pollen and insects that can survive within soil. A wider definition of archaeology can include the study of standing built structures, historic landscapes and less tangible cultural information. 

Why do I have to do archaeology?

Archaeological remains are an irreplaceable resource; and in the UK, archaeology is an integral part of the planning process. Nationally important archaeological remains can be protected in law as scheduled monuments, although the majority of archaeological remains are not protected. Many archaeological remains are not known until a site is investigated as part of the planning process. 

In England, archaeological remains, whether nationally designated or not, are addressed as heritage assets by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) ‘Section 16: Conserving and enhancing the historic environment’. Archaeological remains are similarly addressed by Planning Policy Wales and by Scottish Planning Policy. Archaeological remains are therefore a material consideration in the planning process. 

The NPPF directs local planning authorities to require any applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected. Where there is potential for a site to include archaeological remains, the authority should require developers to submit a desk-based assessment of these remains; and, where necessary, a field evaluation, such as using geophysical survey or trial trenching.

The NPPF also directs local planning authorities to take account of heritage assets affected by a proposed development in the determination of a planning application. If any archaeological remains identified within a site are of sufficient importance, there is the potential that these might need to be preserved in situ and therefore prevent or constrain development. However, this is unusual and normally the determining authority will make a balanced judgement on the effect of a development on archaeological remains. 

If planning permission is granted for a proposed development that may affect archaeological remains, then the local planning authority may require the developer to undertake archaeological fieldwork. This is usually secured via conditions imposed on the planning permission. 

An archaeological planning condition will typically indicate that no demolition or development can take place before a programme of archaeological work has been carried out. It may contain details about what is required, or this may be set out separately in advice or a brief from the local planning authority’s archaeological advisor. Contact one of our heritage consultants for more information.

Common archaeological terms (after the NPPF)

• Archaeological interest: There will be archaeological interest in a heritage asset if it holds, or potentially holds, evidence of past human activity worthy of expert investigation at some point.
• Heritage asset: A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. It includes designated heritage assets and assets identified by the local planning authority (including local listing).
• Historic environment: All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.
• Setting: The surroundings in which a heritage asset is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Elements of a setting may make a positive or negative contribution to the significance of an asset, may affect the ability to appreciate that significance or may be neutral. 
• Significance: The value of a heritage asset to this and future generations because of its heritage interest. The interest may be archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic. Significance derives not only from a heritage asset’s physical presence, but also from its setting. For World Heritage Sites, the cultural value described within each site’s Statement of Outstanding Universal Value forms part of its significance.

If you are looking to upgrade a building, please contact Rob Johns on 07384 469978 email rob.johns@berrys.uk.com.