18th February 2014, 12:48 AM
My personal opinion is that rather than integrate archaeology into the planning process we should as a profession be campaigning to remove it. The only way to manage our archaeological heritage should be through changes to the law that would result in automatic protect for our buried and built heritage unless permission is granted for its disturbance, recording and in the extreme, its destruction. Such legislation exists in other EU countries and in essence is the policy promoted by the Valetta convention. It would by consequence make unauthorised metal detecting a crime. All current HER staff would be re-employed by a body such as Historic England to monitor and recommend as implementation of the new heritage law. Cost to the tax payers. Nothing. Benefit to the archaeological resource: priceless! I don't think they need a 100% payrise. Maybe 100% job security would be enough...
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...