Archaeological Development Control
Background Information
The latter half of the 20th century saw an increased awareness amongst the public at large and government in general in heritage issues, particularly with regards to the preservation of historic/archaeological features which were under increasing threat from modern development. As a result of this, a new national planning policy guidance note was issued by the then Department of Environment Planning Policy Guidance Notes 16 (PPG 16): Archaeology and Planning (Doe 1990). This guidance built on the already expanding system of local authority archaeological curators, many of whom were based in county/district museums or in some cases county or district planning and/or environment departments. It clearly set out that archaeological remains were a “…finite, and non-renewable resource, in many cases highly fragile and vulnerable to destruction…”. As a result, the preservation of archaeological sites and their setting became a material consideration in the planning process. It also clearly advised that developers and planners consult the local authority archaeological curator at the earliest possible time in the project design stage so as to take on board any archaeological considerations in the design of the development.
What do we do?
The Archaeology Section is based in the Adult and Community Services, Libraries, Learning and Culture at Durham County Council and provides archaeological advice to all 7 district council planning authorities in County Durham as well as to the Unitary Authority of Darlington.
This advice ranges from development control advice (including planning applications, mineral planning, utilities & general development orders) to non-planning issues such as the new environmental stewardship schemes recently introduced by Natural England and other possible impacts on the historic environment by utility or forestry schemes.
Local planning authorities routinely require the Archaeology Section to assess the impact of a proposed development against what is archaeologically known about the area using the Historic Environment Record (HER) - formely the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR).
The Historic Environment Record is a database of all known archaeological sites, interventions, and listed buildings in the county and Darlington which is maintained by the Archaeology Section of Durham County Council. Once it is established whether a development may have an impact, or not, on archaeological remains, either known or unknown a recommendation is given to the planning authority. This may range from a clear no objection when there is no archaeological interest; or a requirement for the developer to supply more information before a decision; through to a recommendation for refusal where the development would have an unacceptably high impact on significant archaeological remains.
Results
In recent years,we have been active in ensuring the conservation, management and recording of many archaeological sites throughout the county. We have been involved in securing archaeological recording works, either pre-determination, or as a condition of planning permission on a variety of development sites across the county. These investigations vary from small infill style developments to new housing, or industrial estates and infrastructure projects such as gas, water or electric. In 2006 the Archaeology Section scanned 5244 planning applications and made positive comments over 1%. As a result of the new farming subsidies regulated by Natural England and known as Environmental Stewardship, we have provided management advice and data on 42 applications and helped to ensure that historic features in rural areas are positively managed.
The work of the Archaeology Section has ensured that there is an increased level of knowledge and understanding of the history and heritage of County Durham from the Mesolithic (c. 10,000 BC) through to 20th century. Development-led archaeological work has produced new data which would not have been accessible were it not for the level of current development in the county and the introduction of the new Environmental Stewardships schemes by Natural England. This new data has been used to inform the Sharing Visions: North East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment, which is now available to purchase from County Durham Books or ourselves.
If you have a query of would like more information please contact us:
Archaeology Section
Libraries, Learning and Culture
Adult and Community Services
Durham County Council
The Rivergreen Centre
Aykley Heads
Durham
Co. Durham
DH1 5TS
Tel: 0191 3708842/8843
Email: Archaeology
Links to Archaeology Information
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Introduction to the Archaeology Section
