Archaeology and development

Archaeological remains are a non-renewable resource, and are often fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction. For centuries, archaeological sites have been discovered during building work.

Unfortunately, many important remains have been destroyed during development and until recently, relatively few sites were examined.

Since 1990, government planning guidance has ensured that archaeology is taken into account during development.

Development proposals are assessed to establish whether or not they are likely to disturb archaeological remains. If so, then planners and developers must treat the remains appropriately.

Scheduled Monuments are subject to different legislation and this is overseen by English Heritage.

When a developer or householder submits a planning application in Kent or Medway, the local planning authority can refer it to the Heritage Conservation Group at Kent County Council. Applications in Canterbury are referred to the City Archaeologist.

We then use the Historic Environment Record, and other resources, to assess the potential of archaeological remains being present.

Sometimes, recent activities such as quarrying will have already removed any buried archaeology, but the high density of archaeological sites in Kent means that many areas will have some archaeological potential.

If a proposed development is likely to affect archaeological remains, we will issue advice to the planning authority.

Typically, we will recommend that any planning consent includes a condition for some form of archaeological work to take place before or during the development. On occasion, we will advise refusal of a planning application following an evaluation carried out in advance of the work, but this is very rare.

The applicant will usually employ a professional archaeological contractor to carry out the work, working to an approved specification. A similar process applies to developers such as utility companies, who do not have to go through the normal planning process.

The form of the archaeological work will vary depending on our knowledge of the site, and the development proposals. It is often necessary to evaluate a site's potential for archaeology before deciding on appropriate action to mitigate the impact on it from a development. This second stage of work can include preserving important remains, fully excavating them, or perhaps having an archaeologist monitor the site during development (a watching brief).

Even when archaeological work on site is completed, a programme of reporting and post-excavation analysis is necessary as part of the necessary mitigation. Once this process of evaluation, mitigation and publication has been secured, the Heritage Conservation Group will advise the local planning authority that all its requirements have been met.

More information on carrying out archaeological work, as part of the development control process, can be found on our Environment and planning section. There is a similar provision for the care of historic buildings during the development control process.