13th August 2008, 01:11 AM
In the original scenario, as posted, there appears to have been no condition as yet for a WB etc. Therefore as the developer is contracting the archaeologist outwith the planning process, there would be no need to produce a WSI, or even to inform the Archaeological Officer - in the same way that a local archaeological society would be within their rights to excavate a trench on private farmland.
The only way round this situation I can see would be to have the whole matter covered by caveats and contingency budgets in the formal quote. Make the quote a mini WSI where it is clear the advice of the AO is sought before works requiring the use of the contingency are contemplated.
Better still of course is to persuade the developer it is in their best interest to work with the AO from the moment they contact you. Sometimes a very uphill struggle, but you know it makes sense in the long run!
The only way round this situation I can see would be to have the whole matter covered by caveats and contingency budgets in the formal quote. Make the quote a mini WSI where it is clear the advice of the AO is sought before works requiring the use of the contingency are contemplated.
Better still of course is to persuade the developer it is in their best interest to work with the AO from the moment they contact you. Sometimes a very uphill struggle, but you know it makes sense in the long run!