Archaeologists have warned that budget cuts to the sector will leave future generations facing a lost legacy of historic heritage abandoned “to short-termism” and “financial expediency”.
Rescue: the British Archaeological Trust warned that years of cutbacks mean Britain was “close to reaching a point at which the provision of services designed to safeguard our historic environment is no longer adequate.”
It said there had been a “significant decline” in expert advice on archaeology and conservation of the nation’s heritage.
Specialist advisers act as a safeguard against planning proposals which would otherwise damage local heritage, as they help councils to make informed decisions. Yet local councils across England have lost about one in three archaeological advisers and building conservation experts since 2006, according to the charity.
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| Heritage in crisis: RESCUE responds to the fifth report on local government heritage staff resources In July 2013 a report on local government staff resources allocated to archaeology and building conservation was issued jointly by English Heritage, The Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers and the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. The information summarised in the report shows clearly and unequivocally that there has been a significant decline in the availability of the specialist advice that local authorities require if they are to deal properly and responsibly with our archaeological and built heritage. http://rescue-archaeology.org.uk/2013/09/22/heritage-in-crisis-rescue-responds-to-the-fifth-report-on-local-government-heritage-staff-resources/
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