DBAs & Heritage Statements
Desk Based Assessments and Heritage Statements are an essential consideration of your planning application. Often produced in support of a pending application, archaeological DBAs and Heritage Statements inform planning authorities as to the level of impact a development will have on above ground and potential below ground heritage assets, and demonstrates that you have given due diligence to the historic environment.
To help you navigate this pre-application stage, the skilled heritage team at Past to Present Archaeology undertake high quality Desk-Based Assessments and Heritage Statements which provides a study of the historic environment around your particular research area or proposed development site. The assessment involves historical, archaeological and documentary research, interrogation of Historic Environment Records, map regression and site surveys.
Our reports comprehensively assess the significance of any identified heritage assets to allow reasoned decisions to be determined on whether any mitigation and potential off-setting is required. Our specialists offer a quick turnaround to meet the demands of a tight schedule.
A typical report may include:
- A full HER search and review of heritage assets
- A review of designated and non-designated assets
- A review of existing OS mapping
- Use of aerial photographs
- A Records Office visit
- A site visit
Historic Building Recording
Historic Building Surveys form an integral part of the CoBRA (Conservation-Based Research and Analysis) approach advocated by Historic England and are required when alterations are proposed for important historic buildings. Types of historic buildings can include;
- Stately homes,
- National Trust properties,
- Grade I listed buildings,
- Grade II* listed buildings,
- Grade II listed buildings, and
- Locally listed buildings
If you have any of the above properties and are looking to alter the interior or exterior, add an extension or demolish part or all of the building, then you may need a historic building recording on the property as part of gaining planning permission or listed building consent.
A Historic Building Survey indicates the architectural and historic importance of the property by recording its layout and existing fittings, the chronology of past alterations, and the property’s surroundings. This can then be used to devise a strategy for the conservation or alteration of the building.
Our in-house specialists are qualified to conduct all types of survey, from basic Level 1 to the most extensive Level 4 surveys. If you believe you may need a Historic Building Survey, or have been directed to obtain one by your planning office, we offer a no obligation advisory service to help you understand your project’s needs.
Written Scheme of Investigation
Once submitted, your planning application, will be assessed by the heritage officer and the local planning archaeologist. They will advise if your project requires any form of archaeological mitigation and what form that should take.
A conditioned archaeological response (which will be outlined within your decision notice) will always ask for the submission of a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI). This document must outline the proposed archaeological works and detail the methodology the archaeological contractor must take to satisfy the conditions imposed by the authorising body.
A WSI must be submitted to the planning authorities before any form of archaeological work can be undertaken. Depending on the requirements, a WSI typically takes 5-10 days to produce. Our experienced team will prepare the document in line with current national guidance in order to satisfy the planning authority or their archaeological advisors.
Watching Briefs
A watching brief is a regular requirement of planning consents, especially on sites where prior investigations have shown there is potential for archaeological remains of limited or unknown importance. The types of project that often require watching briefs can include, but are not limited to, excavation of foundations for new buildings or housing plots, annexes and conservatories, ground intrusive utility instillation and other ground disturbances, such as attenuation tasks, tree-planting and landscaping.
Watching Briefs require qualified archaeologists to monitor and record intrusive groundworks in case archaeological remains or deposits are uncovered, during your development. This allows for a detailed record of past activity on your site, and helps inform decisions on further development in the wider area. Our expert archaeologists are experienced in undertaking all types of watching brief and work professionally and efficiently to ensure you successfully meet your planning obligations.
Evaluations & Surveys
For larger developments, which could include applications for a few housing plots, it is likely that the local planning archaeologist will require a more detailed assessment of the site, in case your proposed development is in danger of damaging any buried (known or unknown) heritage assets.
If you are required by the Planning Authorities to conduct an archaeological survey through trial trenching our team can guide you through this process. Ground intrusive evaluations involve the excavation of linear trenches of varying length by a machine, in an attempt to establish the nature, extent and quality of any archaeological remains, should they be present. Local authorities will want to see a comprehensive programme of trial trenching so that they can best assess the risk of development to buried assets, which in turn helps them decide whether further archaeological work is necessary, either before or during development.
Planning Authorities will occasionally ask for a detailed survey of your proposed development site. The types of survey could include geophysical survey, topographical survey of historic earthworks and even fieldwalking. All three types of survey are used as tools to assess the archaeological potential of a site. It is however worth noting that these methods may be used in line with another forms of archaeological mitigation.
If you require a site evaluation or survey, our experienced archaeologists will explain the process clearly outlining all the steps required. Our team can undertake the required work efficiently and comprehensively, allowing the production of a detailed report which will inform the local planning authority of the employed methodology, results of the fieldwork and advice on further stages of work.
Excavations
If a proposed development site possesses the potential for significant archaeological remains a comprehensive archaeological investigation will be required. It is usually carried out once planning permission has been granted. The aim of excavation is to preserve the archaeological remains by record prior to destruction by development. These are often lengthy and time-consuming projects and allowing adequate time for this highest priority stage should be factored in to any development plan. Our management and supervisory team have extensive experience in undertaking complex excavations and can deliver on agreed time-scales and budgets.
Following an excavation you will be issued with a report detailing the work and the results, which will act as your evidence for the planning board that you have abided by your obligations. If you require, or think your require, archaeological excavation services feel free to call the team. We will talk happily talk you through the process and implications without obligation
Environmental & Specialist Reporting
Past to Present Archaeology provides high quality and cost-effective environmental processing and analysis services to support archaeological contractors that do not have the capability of undertaking the processing and reporting themselves. Our specialist team and flotation equipment is fast, efficient and comprehensive and we offer a quick turnaround in processing and reporting. Additional specialist reports can be also prepared on request covering a range of macro and micro artefacts including;
- Plant remains
- Pottery (prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-med)
- Metalwork
- Human osteoarchaeology
- Animal bone assemblages
- Flint and stone tool analysis
About our Community Work
Our community archaeology projects provide opportunities for members of the public to gain hands-on experience of archaeology and take an active part in the preservation, and promotion of their local heritage. Without the time or financial constraints of commercial archaeology, community archaeology is at the forefront of genuine high-quality research. Since 2021, we have been running the Prehistoric Suffolk Field School as well as a selection of activity days and shorter courses. Led by highly qualified industry professionals, our community projects are the perfect blend of education and adventure for students, budding archaeologists, and history enthusiasts. From the summer of 2024 we will also be offering the opportunity to join an international Field School.
What People Say About Us
‘Over the past year, Past to Present Archaeology have supported AOC in our fieldwork throughout England by supplying a team of skilled archaeologists. The staff (Rupert, Callum, Hazel and Faith) have all been great to work with, on both a professional and personal level, and work well leading small projects and as part of a team. We would be happy to have any of them on our sites in the future and highly recommend Past to Present Archaeology.’
– AOC
‘I’d like to highlight the really positive contributions that Past to Present Archaeology have made to Dalcour Maclaren. For us, as a consultancy, the diversity of technical specialisms P2P offer is exceptionally helpful and your responsiveness, flexibility and enthusiasm for all scale and scope of projects has proven a real asset for us. As an archaeological contractor, P2Ps ability to provide a well-trained, multi-skilled, diligent work force, has really bolstered our ability to meet deadline requirements and expectations.’
– Dalcour Maclaren