Prepared and maintained by Cambridge Development Archaeologyfor development teams working across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.
Sources, review dates and corrections →What the Cambridgeshire HER is
The Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record is the county record of known archaeological sites, finds, historic buildings and previous investigations. It is a starting point for professional assessment, not a complete map of everything below ground.
A search normally considers the development boundary and a suitable surrounding area. The results need interpretation alongside geology, historic mapping, previous disturbance and the depth and footprint of the proposed works.
What a design brief does
A design brief is issued for the particular planning requirement. It sets the purpose, minimum scope and expected outputs of the archaeological work. The appointed contractor responds with a Written Scheme of Investigation explaining exactly how that brief will be delivered.
- Site background, planning context and the reason work is required
- Fieldwork coverage or method expected by the archaeological advisor
- Recording, sampling, reporting and archive requirements
- Monitoring, communication and sign-off points
- Standards and research frameworks relevant to the work
What to send for a reliable scope and price
Send the decision notice and exact condition wording, the issued brief, red-line and impact plans, current layout, utility or foundation information, previous archaeological reports and the construction programme. Missing impact depth or phasing information is one of the main reasons a tender carries broad assumptions.
Where no brief has been issued, the condition and planning history are still enough for an initial review. They show the trigger, the stage reached and whether earlier work may already address part of the requirement.
Sources checked and practical limits
Sources were checked 19 September 2026. The county pages below explain the public process and access arrangements. Site-specific HER information and a live brief should always be obtained through the proper professional and planning channels.