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Ellendale Environmental Archaeologists are experienced and professionally accredited to undertake archaeological surveys and management and enlisting the help of our archaeologists at the start of your project will benefit all stages of a development.

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Why Choose Ellendale Environmental For Archaeological Assessments?

Archaeology surveys and assessments may be required as part of a planning application. In many cases it will be necessary for developers to commission archaeological work before or during development, in accordance with current government guidance. All historic environment assets whether designated or not are material considerations in the planning process and UK Governments recognise the historic environment as a fragile resource and have adopted policies for understanding its significance and for ensuring its appropriate management during development.

In the UK, legislation and planning guidance provides the framework for protection of the historic environment, together with European legislation and guidance from international non-governmental organisations, in particular National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF - published March 2012. PPS 5 Practice Guide) in England, 'Planning Policy Wales' in Wales, SPP and PAN 2/2011 in Scotland) and development plans.

Ellendale Environmental can provide the following ARCHAEOLOGICAL services:

  • communication with a local or national authority to discuss your project and the historic environment assets and their value or legal protection;

  • archaeological Desk-based Assessment (DBA) to support outline or detailed planning applications;

  • archaeological surveys including field investigations, including geophysical survey, targeted trench or pit excavation (trial pits), or building investigation including analysis and interpretation of results;

  • reporting to the local authority on the results of investigations or production of a technical report, Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) and Environmental Impact Assessment chapter;

  • recording or conservation work in advance of, during development or post-excavation analysis and recording in accordance with the terms of a planning condition;

  • community or public engagement;

  • publication of findings and technical reports.

deSK-BASED ASSESSMENT

Used to assess the known or potential archaeological resource within a specified area or site through examining existing records. A desk-based assessment is undertaken by collating existing written and graphic information for archaeological features and resources and identify the likely character, extent, quality and worth of the known or potential of the archaeology in local, regional or national context.

WALKOVER SURVEY

A Walkover Survey is a non-intrusive method that comprises a visual inspection of a specific area or landscape where development is proposed, e.g. an overhead line, underground cable or residential development. The walkover surveys are able to identify visible features of archaeological or historical significance such as earthworks (e.g. ridge and furrow) or field boundaries.

As a result of the Walkover survey, visible features of archaeological interest will be identified which may assist in informing appropriate mitigation measures in advance of the proposed development.

FIELD INVESTIGATIONS (EXCAVATIONS)

Excavation is undertaken where a development will impact on known archaeology. Through excavation archaeologists are able to examine the archaeological resource within a given area or site within the framework of defined research objectives, to seek a better understanding of and compile a record of that resource which can be submitted to local authorities.

WATCHING BRIEF

An Archaeological Watching Brief (sometimes called an Archaeological Observation) is usually specified as part of a Planning Condition or WSI as defined by The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists’ Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief. The Archaeological Clerk of Works (ACoW) on site will monitor groundworks and ground breaking activities where there is either a history of archaeological remains or a high likelihood of encountering them. Our ACoWs are experienced in working alongside contractors and will monitor ground breaking activities such as foundations or trenching and record any archaeological remains encountered. If significant remains are found, our ACoWs will advise on an appropriate level of archaeological mitigation and liaise with local authorities and statutory bodies in order for works to proceed as smoothly as possible.

Protective and detailed survey

A survey undertaken to support agreed design solutions such as: a final walkover survey to mark out significant archaeological remains within the proposal and fully check the area identified for planting; or a detailed measured survey to record the landscape prior to planting.