Corporate archaeology: Is it the future or is it the past?

[kevin wooldridge]

like it or not the current state of archaeology is dependent on the construction industry. In the current world economic crisis what are the forecasts for construction. It is difficult to grasp the wider picture so what is the feeling out there? Deregulation of planning will help construction but not archaeology.

I can see where you are coming from regarding deregulation of planning, but I am not so sure that it will help construction....experience tends to suggest that when groups or individuals get upset over environmental issues it actually becomes more difficult for construction to proceed. Having to unchain those crusties from the bulldozers every morning, obtain eviction notices for the sustainability camp etc etc. Sure new legislation might make the activities of construction companies legal, but it wouldn't necessarily make them acceptable. The government seems deaf to the trumpets that suggest regulation combined with consultation often eases difficult development through the planning process. But I think they underestimate the potential and strength of environmental protest. OK at the end of the day the house/road/nuclear power station will be built, but costs may spiral and really whilst they claim new rules will do away with red tape, what they really mean is they will reduce costs. If costs instead increase and public indignation is raised at the same time, where is the logic of changing the system.

I note that in 1991 it was estimated 48% of archaeology funding came from developers. I am guessing that something like a further 30% came from direct grants though local goverment (i.e premises and staffing costs for the old county and city unit system). Leaving 22% to be picked up from national government and other sources. Accepting that the 30% from local government has now been largely transferred to the 'private' sector, how does the proportion of national and other funding stand up in 2011? Would the proportion of EH, Historic Scotland, CADW, National Trusts, other statutory bodies funding still equal that of 1991?