Introduction
The NPPF places the responsibility for dealing with heritage assets affected by development proposals with the developer. Local planning authorities will need to be assured by those applying for planning permission that any such remains are not under threat. As a result developers are required to produce a definitive method of mitigating the effect of development on the historic environment within the planning process. Often it will have been necessary to undertake archaeological work in advance of the planning application being considered to ensure that the local planning authority has been fully informed when coming to a decisions about the proposed development and its impact upon heritage assets. In Lincolnshire archaeological advisors will issue appropriate guidance and advice to aid developers in the fulfilment of their archaeological responsibilities.
The brief
In the majority of cases it will not be necessary for a brief to be produced by the archaeological advisor. If one is required for a particular project it will set out the basic requirements of the project and the standards which are to be adhered to while it is being undertaken. The brief will contain sufficient detail for the developer to use the document to initiate a tendering process. The specifications, or written project designs produced on behalf of the developer must then be reviewed by the archaeological advisor, acting on behalf of the local planning authority. This will ensure that the proposals fully meet the requirements set in the brief. Any documents not deemed to fulfil the brief will be identified to the developer and rejected.
The Written Scheme of Investigation
The responsibility of the developer is to commission an archaeological Written Scheme of Investigation, or project design, from an archaeological contractor. The archaeological contractor will need to be aware when negotiating with the archaeological advisor and/or giving advice to their client of their dual responsibility, the archaeologist will be considered to be acting in a consultancy role. The archaeological contractor or heritage professional should discuss the detail of the Written Scheme of Investigation or mitigation strategy with the archaeological advisor to agree the scope of works prior to submission to the local planning authority for formal approval and discharge of the relevant condition. This document must put forward suitable methodologies and intended timescales.
Mitigation strategy
A Mitigation Strategy is a statement as to how the developer intends to mitigate the effects of proposed development on any heritage asset. This may involve the production of a Statement of Significance and/or a Heritage Impact Assessment. Such a strategy should describe the methodology for mitigation by preservation or recording. The strategy might provide for preservation in situ of any archaeological remains, either by designing a scheme which leaves a particular significant area undeveloped (such as retained green space) or by designing shallow foundations which might override sensitive remains. On the other hand, it may provide for recording archaeological remains prior to destruction by the development; such strategies would normally be accompanied by the submission of a programme of archaeological works (the Written Scheme of Investigation). These should always be produced in consultation with the appropriate local authority archaeological advisor.