10th August 2008, 03:34 PM
I would consider that the best people to contact in this instance would be the enforcement office of the Local PLanning Authority. I am always surprised at the extent of the works which can be carried out as 'permitted works', however, it may be that the scale of works may count as engineering - and may therefore require planning consent, or there is other legislation which would enable the stopping of the damaging works. The planning office/enforcement department should be able to confirm legality of the works, and whether anything can be done to prevent the archaeological damage. Although I would expect the Planning Archaeologist to contact the enforcement office in the first instance, there is nothing to stop a member of public to raise this issue with them.
And before anyone starts apportioning 'blame' it may well be that the planning archaeologist has already contacted the planning department, and had confirmation that the developers are acting within their right. Please remember that most planning archaeologists can only provide advice to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and that the power/responsibility to halt works (if legally possible), lies with the LPA.
And before anyone starts apportioning 'blame' it may well be that the planning archaeologist has already contacted the planning department, and had confirmation that the developers are acting within their right. Please remember that most planning archaeologists can only provide advice to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), and that the power/responsibility to halt works (if legally possible), lies with the LPA.