Consultancy


Reconciling the desire to progress with the need to preserve

Maintaining this country's heritage has become a real issue in the last two decades with increasing legislation and greater awareness of the archaeological resource. Evaluating the impact of development on archaeology forms the foundation of many planning proposals. Quality information is therefore of paramount importance.

Foundations is an independent archaeological management consultancy dealing with the underlying issues both within and without the planning process. If your company needs archaeological advice or assessment on any project, discussing it first with us will benefit you. Because we are completely independent of local or national government, Foundations is able to offer impartial, unbiased professional advice and management at the right time, to the right standard.

Consultancy can be tailored in a client-friendly manner to provide appropriate and reasonable guidance. This can vary from preliminary appraisals of a site prior to purchase, through to full desk-based assessments and EIA chapters followed by mitigation design.

In England, Archaeology and the planning process is generally covered by Planning Policy Statement 5 (2010), supplemented by remnant Local Plans, Local Development Frameworks and Regional Spatial Strategies. Circular 60/96 fulfills a similar purpose in Wales, while in Scotland archaeology is covered by National Planning Policy Guideline 5. As a result archaeological works will often be included as a planning condition to ascertain the potential importance of a site.

In some cases development sites may contain Scheduled Monuments (as defined by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979). Any development of these sites would require consent from the Secretary of State.

Foundations provides a professional interface with local planning authorities as well as the relevant government bodies. We can produce mitigation and management strategies acceptable to all parties that will help minimise the impact of a development on an archaeological site and facilitate progress through the planning process. Early consultation, preferably before planning permission is sought, can identify likely archaeological constraints, and help minimise or prevent subsequent difficulties or delays. Foundations can also prepare desk-based archaeological assessments and Heritage Chapters for Environmantal Statements as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.

 

Last updated on 2nd May 2001

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