By development type
Archaeology by development type
Two schemes on identical ground can carry completely different archaeological scopes, because what matters is how much ground you disturb and how deep you go.
Scheme types
Find your development type
Each page sets out why this scheme type carries the archaeological requirement it does, and the approach that keeps it proportionate.
Life science and laboratory development
Laboratory schemes combine deep foundations, heavy servicing and fixed occupation commitments, which makes archaeological programme risk unusually costly.
Grid and fibre connection corridorsData centre development
Data centres combine a large footprint, deep services and grid connection works — three separate archaeological scopes that are often programmed as one.
Arguing preservation in place across the arraySolar farm development
Solar schemes cover very large areas with comparatively shallow disturbance, which makes them one of the few development types where archaeological scope can genuinely be argued down.
Near total across a small footprintBattery energy storage
Battery storage sites are small in area but heavily engineered, with substantial slabs, plinths, drainage and grid connection works.
Total stripped areaLogistics and industrial development
Large-format sheds strip very large areas to formation level, which makes total disturbed area the dominant archaeological cost variable.
Multi-year, phasedStrategic housing development
On a strategic housing allocation, archaeology is a multi-year programme item that interacts with infrastructure delivery, phasing and sales release.
Academic year handoverStudent and co-living development
Student and co-living schemes in Cambridge are typically dense urban sites with immovable September handover dates.
Multiple landscapes in one schemeInfrastructure and utilities
Roads, water mains, cable routes and drainage schemes are linear works, and linear works cross multiple landscapes and sometimes multiple authorities.
Full excavation ahead of each working phaseMinerals and quarrying
Mineral extraction removes the archaeological resource entirely, which is why quarry schemes carry some of the most demanding archaeological requirements of any development type.
Start on site delayed by an undischarged conditionCare homes and later living
Care and later living schemes sit on modest sites but usually involve full-footprint slabs, extensive drainage and hard landscaping, so disturbance is close to total.
Project review
Tell us the scheme and we will scope the archaeology around it
Development type, footprint and depth of disturbance are the three things that decide the archaeological requirement. Send them and we will respond specifically.