28th February 2008, 12:18 PM
I don't think many on the IHBC see themselves as having anything to do with archaeology - I have had several arguments overthe years with LPA conservation officers about the fact that THEY should be requiring building recording in advance and during works to listed buildings - they see it as down to the archaeologists to ask for this to be done and to provide the briefs and specifications. I have also been undermined on a couple of occasions on site when, after discussing the requirements of drawn and written records, the conservation officer pipes up to the effect that "a few photos" would be enough of a record. Part of the problem is that conservation officers are often untrines in the role but are planners who have either been lumbered with the job or have an interest in buildings so got the job to do, and often on a part time basis. This is improving slowly, I think (a Buildings and Heritage Conservation course I teach on has had a conservation officer or two on it most years for the last five or six years) but even with that the teaching on buildings survey (which I don't teach) is very much on the technical "how to do it" anbd not on how to write specs and monitor the results.