Different Species?

[Alfie]

Dear Peter,
I was not suggesting that developers do not need consultants.Far from it. I was just noting that from your list of questions that diggers wouldnt know the answer to, that you and I advise developers on the same matters, its just I generally do it before consultants do, at the earliest stages of a development. My point was that if there is an assumption that I am misleading a developer, why should that be? and doesnt that say say something about the nature of archaeological consultancy?
Rest assured, I deal with 90 development applications a week, council taxpayers money is not spent on giving free advice to developers, I simply advise them how their development impacts the historic environment, what they need to do next, and why ( which is basically covered by your list). If I had to advise each of them through the whole proccess this place would grind to a halt.
I doubt I am clever enough to do it anyway because I cant make head nor tail of your last paragraph!
Best wishes
Alfie

[drpeterwardle]

I would disagree about the stage at which curators advise developers - they are not always the first people to speak to a developer about archaeology. I normally advise from the land purchase or feasability stages of development which can be several years before we even speak to the planners let alone submit a planning application.

Peter

[Alfie]

I also advise at the pre-purchase stage, I have very good links with local land agents and Planning Consultants which I deliberately foster.They all now offer an initial archaeological appraisal on all developments/purchases because it adds value to the service they provide and costs them nothing.