28th July 2010, 01:53 PM
I know for a fact that Wessex are busier than they've been in years - for now at least the 'downturn' is in full reversal, at least on the construction front. The 'Heritage Statement' and DBA are becoming more sought after in advance of planning since the introduction of PPS5. Archaeoelogical work, both desk based and in the field, is increasingly sourced through national and international environmental consultancies, hence the demand for nationwide services...the big consultancies tend to stick with the devil they know and the bigger set-up with multiple offices nationwide is best placed to accommodate them.