Prepared and maintained by Cambridge Development Archaeology for development teams working across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.
Sources, review dates and corrections →Last source review: .
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The next decision
An HER search supplies evidence; the adviser’s brief defines the requirement; the contractor’s WSI proposes delivery. None is interchangeable with the planning authority’s written approval.
Commission the documents in the right order
Start with the decision notice, planning reference and current impact plans. Ask the relevant adviser whether a brief or updated requirement is needed. The client or their appointed agent can arrange the request; agree who will do so rather than commissioning duplicate searches.
Issue the same brief and plans to tenderers. The appointed archaeologist prepares the WSI; the planning applicant or authorised agent must ensure the required submission reaches the planning authority. The adviser’s technical acceptance and the authority’s formal condition decision have different roles. If the brief is missing, send the condition and previous reports for an initial document review, not an assumed approved method.
The county publishes allowances of up to 20 working days for briefs including an HER search, and up to 20 working days for initial WSI comments/review. These are separate review stages, not a combined guaranteed completion time. Check fees and any validity or update requirement on the issued brief and current service terms; no universal expiry period is assumed.
Content updated .
HER search, brief and WSI are different things
An HER search supplies the record evidence used in assessment. The archaeological design brief sets the site's requirement through the relevant advisory process. The appointed contractor's WSI explains how that requirement will be delivered. Obtaining records does not approve a method, and issuing a contractor's scheme is not the same as securing the required written approval.
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.
Allow for the county review gates in the programme
Cambridgeshire County Council's archaeological planning page currently advises allowing up to 20 working days for production of briefs, including an HER search, and up to 20 working days for initial comments and review of a Written Scheme of Investigation. Report and publication reviews are project-specific and depend on caseload.
Those are review allowances, not fieldwork durations. Put each submission and response gate into the programme separately, allow time to answer comments, and do not mobilise on the assumption that a draft method is approved.
Sources checked and practical limits
Core sources were reviewed 19 September 2026; the county response-time guidance above was checked again on 28 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.