Commercial Services We Offer

Below you will find a list of all our commercial services. If you wish to discuss a project with us or need a quote for services, please either fill in the form at the bottom of the page or contact Hazel or Rupert direct on heritage@pasttopresent.org

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.

Nottingham is home to over 860 recorded sandstone caves, many of which lie hidden beneath properties throughout the city. These artificial, manmade caves span from the Medieval period to more recent uses, including Second World War air raid shelters. While not every building will have a cave beneath it, the assumption within Nottingham’s planning framework is that caves are likely to be present — making Cave Assessments a critical requirement for many city centre planning applications.

At Past to Present Archaeology, we specialise in the delivery of high-quality Cave Assessments to support your planning submission. These reports demonstrate due diligence in identifying, protecting, and responding appropriately to Nottingham’s nationally significant cave heritage.

Our assessments include:

• Historical and archaeological background research
• Review of Historic Environment Records (HER)
• Site surveys to identify visible or suspected cave features
• Impact assessment of your proposed development
• Significance appraisal of any identified caves
• Clear recommendations for mitigation, where necessary

We work closely with developers, architects, and local authorities to ensure compliance with planning conditions while helping your project move forward smoothly. With a quick turnaround and a highly skilled heritage team, we provide confidence and clarity at every stage.

Get in touch today to discuss how we can assist with your cave assessment needs.

At Past to Present Archaeology, we offer expert magnetometer survey services using the industry-standard Bartington Grad 601 gradiometer. Magnetometry is one of the most efficient and widely used techniques in archaeological geophysics, ideal for rapidly identifying buried features such as ditches, pits, postholes, enclosures, industrial activity, and settlement remains — often invisible from the surface.

This non-invasive method is highly effective across a range of soils and landscape types, producing fast, detailed results that support both pre-planning assessments and research-driven investigations. Our surveys are typically undertaken as part of planning-led archaeological work, informing developers, consultants, and heritage bodies of the presence or absence of potential archaeological remains.

Our service includes:

• Full project planning and grid layout
• High-resolution field survey using Bartington Grad 601
• Data processing, visualisation and interpretation
• Integration with GIS and CAD outputs where required
• Clear, well-illustrated reporting compliant with CIfA and Historic England guidance

Whether part of a broader archaeological strategy or a standalone assessment, our magnetometry services deliver clear, actionable results with a fast turnaround. We are fully equipped to support small and large-scale projects across rural and urban environments.

Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and how our geophysical survey team can assist.

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.

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.

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

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.