Archaeology and development

Archaeological remains of national importance may be protected by scheduling under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (as amended). It is an offence to damage a scheduled ancient monument. Consent must be obtained from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for any proposed works. Contact English Heritage for information and advice on scheduled ancient monuments.

The government has published a Planning Policy Statement (PPS5) for local planning authorities and prospective developers on the treatment of the historic environment in the planning process. PPS5 says that the effect of an application on the significance of a heritage asset or its settings is a material consideration in determining the application.  A heritage asset is any building, monument, site, place, area or landscape positively identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions.  A heritage asset can be of archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic interest.  There is a presumption in favour of the conservation of designated heritage assets (conservation areas, listed buildings, registered historic parks, scheduled ancient monuments and other sites of national archaeological importance).  The Regional Spatial Strategy, Local Development Plans and Frameworks also contain policies relevant to the historic environment.

Applicants are expected to provide with their application a description of the significance of any heritage asset and its setting and how it will be affected by their proposed development.  For all except small-scale developments this will normally require commissioning expert advice and the preparation of an historic environment assessment report.  For sites with archaeological potential a field evaluation may be necessary. 

To find out if your proposed development is likely to affect a heritage asset or lies in an area of archaeological potential please submit your request for advice through our online shop.  If you wish to contact us first, please complete the request for archaeological planning advice form and attach a map clearly showing the location and extent of the site along with a brief description of the proposed works. There is normally a charge for archaeological planning advice which depends on the size and nature of the development.

Where planning permission is granted for works which would harm a heritage asset a condition will normally be applied to require appropriate investigation, recording and publication. 

If commissioning or planning for an historic environment assessment or archaeological fieldwork please refer to our Archaeological Guidance page, which includes generic briefs for certain types of project.

If your development is covered by an archaeological planning condition you will need to secure our agreement to a written scheme of investigation and subsequent reports. There is normally a charge for archaeological planning advice – this depends on the size and nature of the development. Please submit your request request for advice through our online shop. If you wish to contact us first, please complete the request for archaeological planning advice form (PDF)

We aim to provide a substantive response within 10 working days of receiving your order.

Refer to the Historic Environment Service Specifications and Charging Policy for further details (PDF)

You can contact us at County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1UY