20th June 2005, 12:51 PM
It's a pity other sections of the archaeology industry don't take on more newly qualified undergrads, in order to provide tomorrow's fully fledged experienced professinals, and to take their fair share of the time and expense of on the job training.
Consultants exist because that is the way the system was set up. To my mind, and, I gather, a number of other people's, the adverserial system we have is inappropriate and unbalanced, and a product of the dogma of its time. I say unbalanced because a developer, via his architect, as another consultant, is positioned, opposite the planning authority. One tries to work with them for the good of all, but one often gets stuck in a adverserial situation: the planner fancies a change to the building and you don't: ultimately the planner will invariably win becasue he has the power (unless you're Tesco and can threaten expensive appeals).
Not so with archaeology. The beleagured county mountie may well not even have the support of his "colleagues" in the planning department and is effectively fighting a rearguard, damage limitation action.
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.
Consultants exist because that is the way the system was set up. To my mind, and, I gather, a number of other people's, the adverserial system we have is inappropriate and unbalanced, and a product of the dogma of its time. I say unbalanced because a developer, via his architect, as another consultant, is positioned, opposite the planning authority. One tries to work with them for the good of all, but one often gets stuck in a adverserial situation: the planner fancies a change to the building and you don't: ultimately the planner will invariably win becasue he has the power (unless you're Tesco and can threaten expensive appeals).
Not so with archaeology. The beleagured county mountie may well not even have the support of his "colleagues" in the planning department and is effectively fighting a rearguard, damage limitation action.
Today, Bradford. Tomorrow, well, Bradford probably.