Object

Representation ID: 55617

Received: 29/09/2020

Respondent: Historic England

Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage
Whilst we broadly welcome the inclusion of a policy in relation to sustainable drainage reference should be made to the need to consider archaeology in the design and layout of sustainable drainage systems.
Archaeology is an irreplaceable resource and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to its significance. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. Reference could be made to this in sections 4.1 and 5 and Appendix A.
Buried waterlogged archaeology may be at particular risk from changes in the water environment. Consideration should be given to the most appropriate course of action to protect buried waterlogged archaeology though the design of Sustainable Drainage Systems. Waterlogged deposits, such as peat have the potential to preserve organic remains that are relatively rare in the archaeological record. They are of great importance for the information they provide about everyday objects such as drinking and eating vessels (wooden bowls, leather bottles, horn cups), clothing (fabric, shoes), modes of transport (boats, trackways) and equipment of subsistence (fishtraps). To maintain the preservation of organic materials, it is essential that the conditions which contributed to their survival (waterlogged; anoxic) remain the same. While saturated with water, oxygen is excluded which limits the presence/action of most soil fauna (insects, moulds, and micro-organisms) and fungi which feed on organic matter. The lowering of the water-table in an area could result in the remains becoming exposed to oxygen, which can enhance the degradation and loss of any remains that are present. We suggest that the SPD should discuss how these sorts of sites will be managed, which makes reference to the Historic England ‘Preserving Archaeological Remains’ guidance (2016): https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/preserving-archaeological-remains/
Reference should be made to the Ciria SuDS Manual which offers more guidance.
See our comments on historic environment policy framework in respect of archaeology.
Suggested Change:
Include reference to buried archaeology in relation to SuDs.