Operations Department
Watching Briefs
The majority of occasions where watching brief conditions are applied is to fulfil planning conditions. They may be applied as the sole archaeological requirement or as follow-up to more major pieces of work. Outside of the planning framework watching briefs of geotechnical investigations often provide qualitative information of both ground conditions and the nature and quality of archaeological deposits.
However the work is initiated, Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited (PCA) will approach it professionally, with both the client’s need and the required end result in mind. On occasions where results are not forthcoming during the watching brief PCA will negotiate with the planning authority or their advisors to cease activity on site. Reports will be prepared and where appropriate submitted to the planning authority in support of the planning application.
It is fair to say that for the most part archaeological watching briefs are undertaken by one, or possibly two, members of staff. They usually monitor a variety of groundworks, and when archaeological deposits are observed, request a period of time to identify and adequately record such remains. It is the intention of all parties that disruption to the works should be avoided as much as possible, for instance by the archaeologist accessing the areas during quiet periods, or by the plant moving to another area of site. Co-operation is often the key word during watching briefs.
|
