10th March 2006, 06:43 PM
The key to both issues is the universality of the changes. There would be no need for RAOs to leave the scheme or companies to stop using BAJR for fear of being undercut, because no one would be undercutting them - it would be a level playing field (in terms of the wage rises anyway).
The same applies to developers - all developers would face the same increased cost for archaeology. As long as they realised that this was across the board and not just their particular contractor, they would have to accept it (and they would know that at the tendering stage). Furthermore, if developers were going to challenge PPG16, wouldn't they have done it already?
I agree though that it would require an act of will by RAOs, but it would be an act of will without risks attached. Time for the companies who are in the IFA to stand up for the good of the profession - and a means available for them to do it without suffering.
The same applies to developers - all developers would face the same increased cost for archaeology. As long as they realised that this was across the board and not just their particular contractor, they would have to accept it (and they would know that at the tendering stage). Furthermore, if developers were going to challenge PPG16, wouldn't they have done it already?
I agree though that it would require an act of will by RAOs, but it would be an act of will without risks attached. Time for the companies who are in the IFA to stand up for the good of the profession - and a means available for them to do it without suffering.