Planning Practice Note
Archaeology - Planning policy and decisions
INTRODUCTION
Archaeology is a very important feature of our heritage and national identity. Archaeological remains exist from all periods from the Stone Age to the present day. They are a finite resource which is all too easily damaged or destroyed by erosion, mineral extraction, modern methods of agriculture and, above all, by new development.
There are well over half a million archaeological sites in England with more being discovered all the time. The extent of yet undiscovered sites is not known. The planning system can play its part in protecting the interests of archaeology in a number of ways:
- recording and understanding where archaeological remains do or might exist;
- requiring assessments of potential archaeological damage to be carried out before new developments are permitted;
- not allowing developments to destroy important remains;
- requiring less important remains to be properly recorded before they are damaged by development.
SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS
The most important archaeological sites are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, designated by the Secretary of State for Culture, the Media and Sport under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Scheduled Ancient Monuments include ruins above ground as well as archaeological remains that lie below ground level. There are 204 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in South Shropshire including many prehistoric hill forts and earthworks, and mediaeval castles.
The Secretary of State continues to add ancient monuments to the Schedule from time to time as well as amending their boundaries in the light of the latest evidence.
Under section 2 of the Act, it is a criminal offence to undertake any of the following works to a Scheduled Ancient Monument without consent from the Secretary of State:
- demolition, destruction or damage;
- removal of any part or article, repairs, alterations or additions;
- flooding the land or tipping on it.
Scheduled Monument Consent
Anyone proposing works referred to above must apply for consent to carry them out from the Secretary of State. This is called Scheduled Monument Consent. Information is available from English Heritage (see contact list below).
SITES AND MONUMENTS RECORD
The Sites and Monuments Record for Shropshire is maintained by Shropshire County Council as part of the Shropshire Environmental Record. This is a comprehensive schedule of archaeological remains and finds of some 1,772 sites that are not protected by legislation but which have archaeological or historic importance. The SMR is continuously updated with new records and information.
CENTRAL MARCHES HISTORIC TOWNS SURVEY
This survey was carried out in 1996 and covered most of the small towns (and former towns) in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. The South Shropshire towns which were studied were Bishop's Castle, Burford, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Clun, Ludlow and Lydham.
The outcomes of these studies are used to assess the requirements for archaeological investigations as part of the planning process in those towns.
PLANNING POLICY
Planning policy on archaeology is contained in a number of documents.
Government policy
Government policy is contained in Planning Policy Guidance 16 Archaeology and Planning 1990.
Local Plan policy
The South Shropshire Local Plan contains policies which:
- state that planning permission will not be granted for developments which would adversely affect Scheduled Ancient Monuments or other nationally important sites;
- require archaeological evaluations to be submitted with planning applications on sites of archaeological significance;
- require the preservation in situ of important archaeological remains;
- the proper recording of archaeological remains for which removal is authorised.
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PROCEDURE
Archaeological investigations can cause delay in the planning process, so it is advisable to start any necessary investigations as early as possible.
Pre-application discussions
The LPA encourages applicants for planning permission to consult officers on their proposals at an early stage. If there is a likely need for an archaeological investigation, applicants will be informed at this stage.
Archaeological evaluations
Applicants may ask Shropshire County Council's Natural and Historic Environment Team for a brief for a archaeological evaluation that the applicant may commission from any reputable archaeological unit. The study would normally include:
- a desk-top study of the history of the site and any records which might be available;
- if necessary, some on-site trial investigations, to assess the likelihood of there being any significant archaeological interest;
- a written report.
Consultations on planning applications
The LPA will carry out consultations on planning applications with archaeological implications and may require an evaluation to be carried out if this has not already been done.
Planning decisions
The LPA's determination of planning applications will take into account the results of any consultations and archaeological evaluations, as well as other material considerations. Possible outcomes include:
- planning permission with a condition that:
- an appropriate officer must be allowed to observe any excavations in case anything of archaeological interest is disturbed;
- an archaeologist (employed by the developer) records any archaeology which is exposed;
- further archaeological investigations are carried out before work starts on site or during the works;
- deferral to allow more archaeological investigation to be undertaken or to review foundation design;
- refusal of planning permission on the grounds that:
- insufficient investigations have been carried out; or
- the development would be too damaging to the archaeological interest of the site to be permitted.
CONTACTS
- English Heritage: (0121) 625 6820
- Shropshire County Council:
- Historic Environment Section: (01743) 252562
- Archaeology Unit: (01743) 25401
- Planning Support: (01584) 813000
Stone House, Corve Street,
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1DG.
Tel: (01584) 813000
Fax: (01584) 813128
e-mail: planning@southshropshire.gov.uk
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Planning and Building Control. Last Updated: 13/2/2007.
