30th May 2004, 08:02 PM
Well I agree with Peter in that most housing developers, in the current housing price boom, can easily absorb archaeological costs. I'm currently working on a development so huge that the cost of the archaeology (5 people for 6 weeks plus post ex)is working out at about ?50 a house! So going back to Bajrs original point - No, large commercial developers shouldnt recieve help to fulfill their planning obligations. They may not see any material benefit to their business but thats not the point, it is providing a benefit to our cultural and historical heritage which they would have otherwise destroyed.
However this still doesnt help the small homeowner, building an extension because he can't afford to move. Yes he may be improving the value of his home but this isnt actually putting cash into his pocket and archaeological costs are often a bank breaking extra. Local government funded WB's on small sites is one way to help subsidise this type of development.
And can I just object to one statement made... 'I am not convinced the 2/3 of watching briefs and evaluations that do not find anything are that necessary'. Well, yes, in hindsight maybe, but doesnt the beauty of this job lie in the fact that you'll never know what might turn up? I've always been told that the absence of archaeology can be just as important as its presence and if we dont check on development we'll never know what we've missed. I know my local curatorial archaeologist has recieved calls in the past from public spirited developers who have come across something but had no planning condition applied.
However this still doesnt help the small homeowner, building an extension because he can't afford to move. Yes he may be improving the value of his home but this isnt actually putting cash into his pocket and archaeological costs are often a bank breaking extra. Local government funded WB's on small sites is one way to help subsidise this type of development.
And can I just object to one statement made... 'I am not convinced the 2/3 of watching briefs and evaluations that do not find anything are that necessary'. Well, yes, in hindsight maybe, but doesnt the beauty of this job lie in the fact that you'll never know what might turn up? I've always been told that the absence of archaeology can be just as important as its presence and if we dont check on development we'll never know what we've missed. I know my local curatorial archaeologist has recieved calls in the past from public spirited developers who have come across something but had no planning condition applied.