Archaeology and planning

If you are planning a development, it pays to seek the advice of the city archaeologist as early as possible before submitting a planning application. This can save time, money and avoid problems later.

For developments which cross the border into the South Hams, you may also need to contact the Devon County Archaeological Service.

An initial consultation will show whether there is any known, or likely, archaeology within or adjacent to a proposed development site. After this preliminary appraisal it may be necessary to commission a fuller archaeological assessment or evaluation by a professionally qualified archaeological contractor. A list of these contractors can be provided on request. The archaeological report should be submitted with the planning application, and must include an assessment of the likely effects of the development and any measures proposed to reduce its impact. The Local Planning Authority may defer a planning decision until this information is available.

The main priority is to preserve important archaeological remains in-situ whenever possible. To achieve this, the impact of the development on the archaeology should be minimised, or if this is not possible, detailed archaeological excavation, recording and publication of the results will be required. If the archaeology is particularly important, planning permission may not be granted. Generally the costs of archaeological work made necessary by development would, in most cases, be borne by the developer.

Archaeological considerations will be a material consideration for the Local Planning Authority when making a planning decision. If further archaeological work is needed this can be secured by the use of a planning condition, or a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. A typical condition would be:

No part of the development allowed by this permission shall be commenced until the applicant (or their agent of his successors in title) has made arrangements, to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, for a programme of archaeological work, in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Local Planning Authority.

A programme of recording can involve a full excavation of the archaeology in advance of the development, although on smaller sites, recording may take place once development has started, this is known as a watching brief. The type of archaeological work requested can take a number of forms:

Desk-based assessment

A detailed study of the available information about a site before a planning application is submitted or approved. Sources of information can include the Historic Environment Record (or SMR), published reports, journals, historic maps and photographs.

Evaluation

A survey or trial excavation to assess the nature, extent and importance of archaeological remains within a proposed development area, before a planning application is submitted or approved. Techniques can vary but may include fieldwalking, geophysical survey and trial trenching.

Excavation and recording

A controlled programme of fieldwork, usually involving full excavation, with analysis and publication of the findings, to provide a lasting record of archaeological evidence that will otherwise be destroyed by the development.

Watching brief

The recording of the archaeological evidence coming to light during the course of the development.

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