BAA concerned over archaeological investigations

The British Aggregates Association (BAA) is concerned over delays and high costs being experienced by many of its SME members by the imposition of "over-the-top" pre-application archaeological investigations.

The need for a reasonably rapid and inexpensive search is laid out in planning guidance where there is evidence of significant national important archaeological remains (PPG15) and this is fully supported by the industry, said the BAA.

However, there has been a trend in the south and East Anglia and more recently in Yorkshire for more onerous conditions that have made several operators consider sterilising the reserve rather than proceeding. 

BAA has written to planning minister Keith Hill requesting that he review both the guidance, and the application of this guidance by individual mineral planning authorities.

"We have specifically requested that any archaeological digs be carried out subsequent to any successful approval of the mineral application but prior to commencement of operations - which would go a long way to resolve the current problems - and most particularly for SME operators as represented by BAA. Clearly we would also need to be clear about the extent and limit of such investigations," said BAA secretary Peter Huxtable.

He continued: "Once again there is evidence that while the government remain committed to speeding up the planning process and making it more industry friendly, some local authorities are thwarting this - and not ensuring time limits for consultees are more rigidly enforced."