Method Statement – Archaeological Services
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Archaeological Services
MWH can deliver the following range of Archaeological services:
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Strategic advice
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Auger Surveys
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Consultation
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Excavations
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Feasibility Studies
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Watching Briefs
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Desk Studies
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Environmental Impact Assessment
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Field Studies
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Palaeo-environmental Interpretation
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Geophysical Surveys
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Geo-archaeological Interpretation
MWH can undertake all aspects of an
archaeological survey including evaluations,
excavations, field surveys, augur surveys,
watching briefs, controlled top soil strip,
archaeological recording, earthwork surveys,
geophysical surveys, post-excavation assessment,
excavation reports and publications records.
Where appropriate MWH would consider subcontracting out these specialist services under the
supervision and management of an appropriate
project manager with experience in environmental
assessment.
MWH’s particular expertise is in linear infrastructure, such as pipelines, roads and rail. Our
emphasis is upon good communication and recognition of our customer’s individual needs and
priorities.
All archaeological work undertaken would be carried out to the standards set by the Institute of
Field Archaeologists.
MWH’s approach will depend on the customer’s individual needs, typically, archaeological advice
is delivered using specialist sub-consultants in the following situations:
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Agri-environmental Schemes - Much of this work involves advice on the archaeological
implications of strategic land use planning and of development proposals.
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Advice for Landowners and Managers - Advice is available to groups or organisations
wishing to undertake management or survey work in, or contemplating major works that
may have an impact on archaeological sites in the countryside.
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Advice for Prospective Developers - Within the planning process there is a presumption in
favour of the physical preservation of nationally important archaeological sites and their
settings. In exceptional cases, therefore, archaeological issues may provide an overriding
constraint against a development proposal. More usually, where archaeology is present
development can often be accommodated by undertaking archaeological recording, so
mitigating the construction impact.
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Strategic Planning and Development Control - A key aspect of this service is supporting
government authorities in formulating appropriate policies concerning archaeology and the
historic environment in their strategic and local plans (i.e., the County Council’s Minerals,
Structure and Waste Plans, and the Local Plans compiled by each district or borough).
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Method Statement – Archaeological Services
MWH’s philosophy is to develop solutions through teamwork, and a high degree of collaboration
exists between the engineering and environmental teams in order to develop environmentally
sensitive and cost effective solutions. Thus, environmental assessment is viewed as a process
that can result in direct benefits to a project, and not merely as a consenting issue. The
understanding that exists between the environmental and engineering staff is particularly useful
where archaeological reports need to be prepared on the basis of generic engineering designs
for Build-Own-Operate projects.
MWH can also provide expert witnesses for public inquiries.
Requirements of the European Directive 1997/11/EC
MWH recognises that EIA is a procedure that must be followed for certain types of development
before they are granted development consent. The requirement for EIA comes from a European
Directive (85/33/EEC as amended by 97/11/EC). The procedure requires the developer to
compile an Environmental Statement (ES) describing the likely significant effects of the
development on the environment and proposed mitigation measures. The ES must be circulated
to statutory consultation bodies and made available to the public for comment. Its contents,
together with any comments, must be taken into account by the competent authority (e.g. local
planning authority) before it may grant consent.
THE MWH APPROACH AND TEAM
Archaeological Services will be completed by an experienced team of consultants drawn from
MWH’s sub-consultants located across the UK, with management and direction from MWH’s
Jacquie Critchley. Jacquie is a Chartered Town Planner with 20 years experience in planning
and environmental assessment, including archaeological services. The team will be structured
so that where site visits are required the staff from the nearest office are used enabling cost
savings to be made to the customer in terms of mobilisation.
All projects will be managed in accordance MWH’s Product Delivery System, which includes both
MWH’s quality assurance and environmental management procedures.
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