AS Archaeology & Heritage Services offer a comprehensive range of cost-effective solutions to both the commercial and private developer. Although not exclusively engaged on projects which are development driven the vast majority of the requests we receive for assistance are as result of planning application referral.

Listed below is a brief explanation of the most frequently delivered services requested of us. There are additional services which are not itemised below which can be tailored to the specific requirements of the project.

AS Archaeology & Heritage Services will ensure that your development addresses the three overarching & interdependent ‘objectives’ of social, economic & environmental matters as set-out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, paragraph 7).

The Government’s Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), gives information on how national policy is to be interpreted locally. It is the PPG which includes particular guidance on how matters relating to your development may affect the historic environment. 

Heritage plays an important role in delivering all three sustainable development ‘objectives’. Government’s policy is for heritage assets to be conserved for the enjoyment of this and future generations.”

The planning system comprises a number of different elements, both on a local and national level. As heritage specialists we will guide your project from conception to conclusion seamlessly to ensure it addresses all planning requirements.

An archaeological Evaluation, Watching Brief or Excavation are controlled examination of buried deposits and features that maybe found during development of your site. These are known as intrusive investigations as they involve the physical digging of the ground in order to record, and build up a picture of the site archaeologically.

Which type of intervention (Evaluation, Watching Brief or Excavation) will be determined by the Local Authority heritage service which advise the planning department. The process normally commences with a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) which we prepare on your behalf and submit to local heritage service for approval. The WSI sets the agreed conditions for the archaeological investigations which are required to satisfy your planning clause. 

As heritage experts we will handle all aspects of the required archaeological work to ensure your planning conditions are satisfied.

An Historic Building Recording, or Archaeological Standing Building Recording Survey is a measured survey of an historic building (which normally comprises a drawn, photographic and written record undertaken in accordance with Historic England criteria).

When alterations are proposed to an historic building, as part of a planning application or Listed Building Consent Application, the planning authority may attach a condition with the requirement to undertake an Archaeological Standing Building Recording, to ensure that an appropriately detailed record of the building is carried out prior to the commencement of works.

A Heritage Statement (sometimes referred to as a Heritage Impact Statement or Statement of Significance) describes a built heritage asset, assesses its architectural and historic significance and its setting and determines the impact of the proposed development on the heritage asset, in terms of its fabric, intrinsic significance and associated setting.

A Heritage Statement may be required by the planning authority as part of a planning application, where the development proposals may affect the fabric or setting of a listed building or a non-designated heritage asset (such as a locally listed building) and/or the site is located within a designated Conservation Area.

Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (also sometimes referred to as a Desk-Top Assessment or Study) is a non-intrusive desktop appraisal using available archaeological and historical information, to identify any archaeological (i.e. buried) heritage assets that may potentially exist within a site and determine their significance.

The Assessment report forms an initial stage of investigation of the site and may be required as part of the submission of a planning application, should the planning authority have identified that the site is located within a known area of archaeological significance.

An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment is normally informed by consultation of the regional Historic Environment Record, historic mapping, published reports and documentary sources .