Information and Downloads from the West of Scotland Archaeology Service

GUIDANCE AND DOWNLOADS

This page provides information and useful documents for three main types of service user, these being developers, archaeological contractors, and planning authorities.

INFORMATION FOR DEVELOPERS

Since the publication of National Planning Policy Guideline 5 (NPPG5) in 1994, archaeology has been a material consideration in the Planning Process. This means that developers must address any detrimental impact on the archaeological resource arising from their development proposals. Current policies state that archaeological deposits should be preserved in situ wherever possible. If preservation is not possible, Planning Authorities may attach conditions to planning consent requiring the developer to fund measures to mitigate the impact of their development on the archaeological resource.

There are a number of possible ways in which a developer can reduce the impact of their proposals on the resource. One option may involve altering details of development proposals in order to avoid damage to archaeological deposits, an approach known as preservation in situ. Where this is not feasible, an alterative may be for the developer to employ an archaeological contractor to excavate archaeological material, producing a report detailing their results. This approach is known as preservation by record. It is important to be aware that under this approach, developers are responsible for funding the excavation of archaeological material threatened by their proposals, as well as any post-excavation measures that may be required, up to and including publication.

The British Archaeological Jobs Resource website contains a comprehensive section providing information for developers, and provides a useful guide to the position occupied by archaeology within the development process. Developers undertaking archaeological mitigation works as a condition of planning consent should download a copy of our informal list of archaeological contractors. At its meeting on 3 April 2009 the West of Scotland Archaeology Service Joint Committee approved the West of Scotland Archaeology Service Procedural Guidance for Archaeology and Development for general application across the 11 WoSAS Member Councils. 

Guidance For Developers:
Informal List of Archaeological Contractors
WoSAS Procedural Guidance for Archaeology and Development

Information for Archaeological Contractors

Fieldwork undertaken as a result of planning conditions should conform to the standards set out in the WoSAS Standard Conditions. These conditions are subject to periodic review, and will be regularly updated. Before undertaking fieldwork for submission in support of a planning application, archaeological contractors should consult a current version of our standard conditions, to ensure that they are aware of our requirements regarding the need for consultation, periods of notice, and standards for data submission. Failure to conform to these conditions could result in reports submitted as a result of developer-funded fieldwork being declined as unacceptable, resulting in additional cost to the client. 

Information for Archaeological Contractors: 

Information for Councils

As part of the Service Level Agreement that established the West of Scotland Archaeology Service, the Service Manager produces an annual report for the Steering Group. The Service is run by a Joint Committee, made up of Councillors from the various Local Authorities who contribute to the Archaeology Service.

Reports For Councils:

INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC

Members of the public can contact the Archaeology Service for information about recorded sites, to give us additional information about the already-recorded sites, or to report details of features not already included in the Historic Environment Record database. Your information can then be added to the public record for use by other researchers. Providing information to the HER also ensures that it can be taken into account when assessing the potential impact of development proposals. You can email us using the form on the 'Contact' page of our website. A printable version of the WoSAS reporting form is also available for download.

Information for the public:

Joint Committee Minutes

List of minutes of Joint Committee meetings:

List of Annual Reports

Each year, the Manager of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service produces a report for members of the Management Committee and Steering Group, outlining the activities of the Service over the preceding twelve months. These documents are available to download from this page:

Joint Committee

The Archaeology Service is hosted by Glasgow City Council, which employs the 3 professional staff, and also provides personnel, finance, and health and safety support. The team is managed by the Service Manager who under the terms of the Minute of Agreement has responsibility for day to day running of the Service, and for the Service budget. The Manager reports to a Steering Group of officers of the 11 Councils. The Service is run by a Joint Committee, comprising the following Councillors:
 

Councillor Alastair Redman
Argyll and Bute Council
Substitute TBC
Argyll and Bute Council
Councillor Iain Linton
East Ayrshire Council
Councillor Gordon Jenkins (substitute)
East Ayrshire Council
Councillor Rosie O'Neil
East Dunbartonshire Council
Substitute TBC
East Dunbartonshire Council
Councillor Stewart Miller
East Renfrewshire Council
Councillor Jim McLean(substitute)
East Renfrewshire Council
Councillor Rhiannon Spear (Convener)
Glasgow City Council
Substitute TBC
Glasgow City Council
Provost Ian Clarkson
North Ayrshire Council
Substitute TBC
North Ayrshire Council
Councillor Natalie Don
Renfrewshire Council
Councillor Mags MacLaren (substitute)
Renfrewshire Council
Councillor Brian McGinley
South Ayrshire Council
Substitute TBC
South Ayrshire Council
Councillor Alistair Fulton
South Lanarkshire Council
Provost Mary Donnelly (substitute)
South Lanarkshire Council
Councillor Iain McLaren
West Dunbartonshire Council
Councillor Diane Docherty (substitute)
West Dunbartonshire Council
Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick (Vice-convenor)
West Lothian Council
Councillor Damian Timson (substitute)
West Lothian Council