10th August 2008, 08:01 PM
I can't imagine how 'boxing out' foundations could be done without being part of a planning application, and I cn't see many developers going to the expense of doing that when they might not get their permission, or applying retrospectively, for the same reason (it's not like adding some new windows!).
If the development had involved any demolition beforehand it would need planning permission I would have thought, especially because an area considered likely to have impotant Roman remains is quite probably going to be within a conservation area.
Another, perhaps smaller scale issue, might be people making substantial alterations to gardens within areas of archaeological importance, especially if for some reason there is relatively little overburden. Do you need to apply for planning permission to dig a pond for example (which could basically be as deep as you liked) or alter ground levels, for terracing for example? I remember seeing a lot of soil coming out of a garden on the edge of the area of a Roman fort once and wondering whether they might have affected anything of interest.
On a larger scale, say you owned a greenfield site and it was known to have some archaeological potential, but not protected, is there anything to stop you just taking a machine to it, digging everything out, and then filling it back in again before applying for planning permission? It might be expensive but it might be cheaper than paying for the archaeology. I've probably said too much...!
If the development had involved any demolition beforehand it would need planning permission I would have thought, especially because an area considered likely to have impotant Roman remains is quite probably going to be within a conservation area.
Another, perhaps smaller scale issue, might be people making substantial alterations to gardens within areas of archaeological importance, especially if for some reason there is relatively little overburden. Do you need to apply for planning permission to dig a pond for example (which could basically be as deep as you liked) or alter ground levels, for terracing for example? I remember seeing a lot of soil coming out of a garden on the edge of the area of a Roman fort once and wondering whether they might have affected anything of interest.
On a larger scale, say you owned a greenfield site and it was known to have some archaeological potential, but not protected, is there anything to stop you just taking a machine to it, digging everything out, and then filling it back in again before applying for planning permission? It might be expensive but it might be cheaper than paying for the archaeology. I've probably said too much...!