Spelthorne Borough Council

require an initial assessment of the archaeological value of the site to be submitted as part of any planning application
expect the applicant to arrange an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out prior to the determination of the planning application, where, as a result of the initial assessment, important archaeological remains are considered to exist
have a preference for preservation in situ, and in such circumstances will impose conditions or seek a legal agreement, where appropriate, to ensure that damage to the remains is minimal or will be avoided
require by planning condition or seek a legal agreement to secure a full archaeological investigation and recording of the site and subsequent publication of results in accordance with a scheme of work to be agreed in writing with the Council prior to the commencement of the proposed development, where important archaeological remains are known or considered likely to exist but their preservation in situ is not justified.


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POLICIES BE24 to BE26 – Archaeology and Ancient Monuments
4.73	4.73 “Spelthorne is situated entirely on various alluvial and gravel deposits associated with the Thames, whose river terraces were attractive to ancient settlements. This has resulted in an area rich in archaeological finds and with great potential for further discoveries. From the Neolithic period onwards, significant finds including small settlements have been found across a wide area of Spelthorne with many Roman remains found around the important Roman town of Staines. The Council will seek to protect this archaeological heritage. Government guidance contained in PPG16 paragraph 8 contains a presumption in favour of the preservation of nationally important remains, whether scheduled or not, and their settings, and paragraphs 15 and 16 note the need to protect other important sites identified in the development plan. On the basis of currently available information all Scheduled Ancient Monuments are worthy of preservation, their sites are shown on the Proposals Map. Close liaison will be maintained with the Environment Department of Surrey County Council which holds the archaeological Sites and Monuments Record and with the Surrey County Archaeological Unit which conducts archaeological investigation and research. Any new areas of archaeological importance identified through the national Monuments Protection Programme of English Heritage or local research will be added to the areas covered by the policies which follow. Where archaeological investigation is required in the context of a development proposal, the applicant will be asked to fund the work deemed necessary. Planning conditions or legal agreements will be used where appropriate to secure compliance with policies.
4.74	There are four Scheduled Ancient Monuments which are by definition of national importance within the Plan area (see Appendix 5) and which the Council will seek to preserve from any development adversely affecting site or setting. An application for Scheduled Monument Consent must be made to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for any proposal affecting these sites. In addition to the scheduled sites and monuments, two others of special local importance have been identified on the basis of current information from the County Sites and Monuments Record which should also be preserved (see Appendix 5). The Council will encourage as appropriate the management and interpretation of these sites and monuments to develop their educational and recreational potential. These sites are identified on the basis of currently available information, and during the currency of the plan, additional sites may be identified to be of national importance following archaeological evaluation, or reassessment of sites on the Sites and Monuments Record.

	POLICY BE24
	There will be a presumption against any development which would adversely affect a scheduled or other nationally important ancient monument or its setting. Development adversely affecting a site or monument of County archaeological importance will not normally be permitted.

4.75	In addition to the above sites and monuments, other areas exist where there is good evidence for the existence of archaeological remains based on previous finds, maps or aerial photographs. These individual sites and areas of high potential are shown on the Proposals Map and are listed in Appendix 5. Any development proposal affecting such an area should include an initial assessment by a qualified archaeologist of its archaeological potential and what, if any, further field evaluation is required. An evaluation should assess the impact of the development upon the preservation of any archaeological remains. Where possible, remains should be left in situ. Proposals for development should wherever possible avoid damage to or disturbance of the archaeological remains. The Council will encourage the local display of archaeological finds, where appropriate, at the Spelthorne Museum or other suitable location. Developers are advised to refer to the British Archaeologists and Developers Code of Practice, and to Supplementary Planning Guidance produced by Surrey County Council entitled "Archaeology and Historic Landscapes" which gives a fuller explanation of Areas of High Archaeological Importance.

	POLICY BE25
	In considering proposals for development within areas of high archaeological potential, the Borough Council will:-
	require an initial assessment of the archaeological value of the site to be submitted as part of any planning application expect the applicant to arrange an archaeological field evaluation to be carried out prior to the determination of the planning application, where, as a result of the initial assessment, important archaeological remains are considered to exist have a preference for preservation in situ, and in such circumstances will impose conditions or seek a legal agreement, where appropriate, to ensure that damage to the remains is minimal or will be avoided require by planning condition or seek a legal agreement to secure a full archaeological investigation and recording of the site and subsequent publication of results in accordance with a scheme of work to be agreed in writing with the Council prior to the commencement of the proposed development, where important archaeological remains are known or considered likely to exist but their preservation in situ is not justified.

4.76	Work in recent years has resulted in sites of major archaeological importance being discovered in the course of gravel extraction, where no previous specific evidence existed for them. In view of Spelthorne's river gravel base, it is reasonable to assume that any large scale development is likely to affect features of archaeological interest and that discoveries could be made in any size of new development site. Any new development proposal for sites larger than 0.4 hectares and smaller sites where requested should include agreed arrangements for archaeological assessment or evaluation, and where appropriate investigation, and allow for future preservation of remains as deemed appropriate.

	POLICY BE26
	Outside the defined areas of high archaeological potential, the Borough Council will require an agreed scheme of archaeological assessment or evaluation appropriate for the site concerned to be submitted with any new development proposal for a site larger than 0.4 ha, and for smaller sites if deemed necessary. Where evidence of significant archaeological remains is found then the requirements set out in policy BE25 will apply”.


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