This is Archaeology: What is an ‘archaeological approach’ to the built environment?
‘Archaeology’ is not just stuff buried in the ground but the process of looking at evidence from the past to work things out about how people used to live from the traces they left behind. Our built environment is full of traces of how people lived in the past. This is often referred to as the ‘evidential value’ or ‘archaeological interest’ of a place. When CBA caseworkers assess LBC and planning applications for change that will impact the historic environment we are particularly concerned about potential impacts on these traces of past activity - a place’s archaeological interest, or evidential value. We assess sites for the ways buildings demonstrate how people have outwardly expressed what they consider to be important, as well as what buildings reveal about how people lived & used sites.
The planning casework database: You can see what we do...
Our priorities for comment
Impacts on evidential value/archaeological interest
Some listed buildings have higher evidential value (or archaeological interest) than others. Multi-phased buildings often illustrate how a place has evolved over time through adaptations made to buildings in response to advances in technologies and shifts in societal attitudes. We offer advice on how changes to buildings can be done in a way that minimises any harmful impacts on this evidential value. When LBC applications are based on an understanding of what makes the building special, and how we can see its historical uses and development, it is possible to formulate plans for alterations that maintain those significant parts whilst adapting it for contemporary wants and needs.
We saw a great example of this in the reuse of an outhouse in Cornwall.
One of the most impressive examples of how buildings can document the development of a place along with its social and cultural backdrop was at Low Whita (Bells) Farm in the Yorkshire Dales. The CBA were delighted to be part of securing 2 Grade II* Listings for this previously undesignated site.
In Radnorshire, Wales we championed the case for retention of a former pigsty and its reuse as a garden outbuilding, recognising the evidential value of small vernacular agricultural buildings. This not only would have retained the evidential value but also provided savings on embodied carbon (see below). Unfortunately, the building was demolished prior to the application being submitted. We succeeded in gaining the support of the Local Authority and wrote it up as an article for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC) Context magazine.
Lots of LBC applications are for the adaptive reuse of buildings like factories, barns or chapels that have become redundant in their original function. It is important to find new uses for redundant buildings. Otherwise, they are not looked after and will soon be lost altogether. Taking an archaeological approach to these buildings helps identify the aspects of a site that demonstrate how its form and original function are related to each other. We can then ensure changes don’t erode a site’s historic character or remove our ability to understand their past uses. Proposals for the reuse of an industrial site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter show what a fine balance adaptive reuse can be as well as what is possible with a bit of imagination.
As well as built archaeology we do also consider potential impacts on buried archaeology. We flagged up the likelihood that proposals to build a new house within the curtilage of a house on the outskirts of St Albans could impact on significant undesignated Roman archaeology. This had not been considered within the application documents. However, due to the site’s location on an important road that entered Roman Verulamium, we advised that archaeological evaluation would be essential. Find the details here.
We were also concerned regarding the impact on buried archaeology due to the proposed installation of a new access ramp at St Mary’s Church, Chepstow, Wales. We considered that there was a high potential for archaeological assets in this area including possible Norman fabric relating to the earliest stage of the church and the priory. Supported by the Archaeological Trust, we gained a full planning condition for a watching brief during works.
Communal value / public participation
Some buildings make a strong contribution to a local sense of place. They might be local landmarks, related to local industries or a building type that lots of people in a community have a relationship with like schools, libraries and pubs. We speak up for the way that local people value these sites and opportunities for this value to be embraced and developed as part of local identity. We provided this type of advice to a series of applications for the reuse of Lowestoft Post Office.
Developing sites with high buried archaeological potential can offer great possibilities for public participation. The buried archaeology of places is a really interesting aspect of local history and contributes to local identity and a sense of place. Creating opportunities for people to get hands on with archaeology is something we champion within the planning process. An example of this type of application is the development of this site in Kent.
Reusing historic buildings for their embodied carbon
Old buildings don’t only contribute to the history of a place and its character, they also contain a lot of embodied carbon in their building materials. As a society we are all increasingly aware that we need to change our habits across the board to tackle climate change. The CBA believe one important way this should be done is through preferentially adapting and reusing old buildings instead of demolishing and building new. Compelling research into the embodied carbon in pre-1919 building stock, commissioned by Historic England, shows how important not wasting the embodied carbon in standing buildings is if the UK is to reach its legally binding commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. Recent Historic England research has found that “Compared to refurbishing a traditional Victorian terrace, a new building of the same size produces up to thirteen times more embodied carbon. We provided this type of advice in response to the redevelopment of an area in central Darlington, which you can read here.
Let’s work together
Further information, useful links and where to go next
If you would like to know more about how to successfully manage change to the historic environment there is lots of information out there.
These documents could help you develop your own proposals or to stand up for the heritage that matters to you.
Identifying what makes a place special
- The first step in protecting a place is identifying what makes it special. Historic England’s ‘Conservation Principles’ provides great guidance on how to do this.
- If you are looking to put proposals together for changes to an old building then Cadw’s guidance ‘Heritage Impact Assessment in Wales’ provides a well structured staged approach to minimising any harm to the site that could come about through changing it.
Guidance on best practice in looking after heritage
- Historic England have a lot of guidance about caring for heritage. Check out their resources online.
- Historic Environment Scotland also offer advice on the care of historic buildings.
- The SPAB offer excellent advice around the repair of old buildings.
- If you want to know more about retrofitting old buildings then the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance is a great place to start.
- The Vernacular Architecture Group have resources to help with buildings care, buildings archaeology, and a list of publications.
Where you can research the history of a place
If you want to research a listed building in England or Wales then you can search for it online.
- Historic England
- Historic Wales
- In Northern Ireland there is the Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI) where you can explore on a map and look up sites and buildings
- In Scotland you can search via Canmore, which has information on sites as well as archives and archaeological records.
Historic Environment Records (HERs) are maintained by local authorities to record information from a variety of sources about geographical locations. You can search for your local HER online to see what information already exists about a place you are interested in.
- In Wales you can search for HER information through Archwilio or through Coflein – the national records database.
- The People’s Collection Wales website is a fascinating collection of photographs, documents, audio and video recordings and stories that link to the history, culture and people of Wales.
- Historic England have an archive of photographs and records which you can search online.
- Your local library and archives service may be able to help provide you with local census data, historic maps, and other relevant information about local history.
- Old Maps allows you to search for historic map details of places in Britain.
- The National Archives online search will help you to find historic records.
- Some buildings may feature in the Royal Institute of British Architect’s archive collections – find out more on their website.
- The Victoria County History has been collecting and researching histories of English counties since 1899. You can find the histories online or there is a phone app where you can explore records and find out what’s nearby as you travel.
- If you’re interested in historical research into a specific topic or area, the Institute for Historical Research has put together a list of online freely accessible archives, papers and resources to explore.
- Vision of Britain have a digital resource which lets you explore maps and statistics in different formats.
Planning legislation
Planning decisions are made against the criteria that is set out in planning legislation and policy. This is different for each of the home nations.
- In England the principal national planning policy document is The National Planning Policy Framework. Section 16 specifically deals with the historic environment.
- In Wales, the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is supported by the principal planning document Technical Advice Note 24: The Historic Environment.
- In Scotland there is the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland.
- In Northern Ireland there is Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage.
Community involvement in planning
Communities are increasingly being encouraged to have their say about changes in their local area. This might be through formulating local lists or by being consulted on specific plans. If this is something you are interested in getting involved with then check out your local authority's planning pages on their website to see what is already happening in your area.
Developing local lists is a way for communities to identify the places that contribute to local character: