Need an Archaeological Assessment in Support of Your Planning Application?
Keystone Heritage Consultancy produces Archaeological Assessments that meet planning authority requirements and get applications moving. Fixed fees. Fast turnaround. No surprises.
We work with architects, planning consultants, housing developers and home owners across England.
WHAT IS AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT?
An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) is an essential document procured during the preliminary stages of the planning process, designed to assess the archaeological risks linked to a location.
An Archaeological Assessment becomes necessary when there is a requirement to understand the potential underground archaeological resources in advance of a planning application. This could arise from a request made by the local planning authority, which seeks further information to assist in their decision-making.
These specialised reports offer a comprehensive Archaeology Impact Assessment that highlights the possible archaeological significance of a site, the effects of development on this resource, and include specific recommendations.
Without one, your application may be declared invalid or delayed while further information is requested. A well-prepared DBA doesn't just satisfy the requirement - it actively strengthens your case for approval.
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WHO WE HELP
Architects & Planning Consultants
Specialist archaeological input - ready when your application needs it.
When your application hits an archaeological requirement, you need a consultant who can step in quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver a report that holds up to scrutiny.
Our reports are evidence-led and proportionate - grounded in NPPF policy and Historic England guidance, and presented in a format planning officers can act on without follow-up queries.
What we do for you:
Archaeological DBA prepared at short notice
Archaeological DBA prepared to NPPF policy
Consultation with Archaeological Officers handled by us
Consistent quality across projects, whatever the programme pressure
Late archaeological DBA requests are one of the most common causes of programme slippage. We work as a dependable extension of your team: concise, policy-compliant reports delivered when you need them, formatted to work seamlessly within your submission. We understand design programmes. We respond quickly, flag anything unusual early, and produce reports that planning officers and archaeologcial officers can work with.
Send an Enquiry - we'll confirm scope, fee and turnaround
Housing Developers
Heritage Assets & Archaeological Priority Areas can shape a scheme's layout, density and design long before it reaches committee. Commissioning a DBA early means you understand your constraints at the appraisal stage, not when it's expensive to change direction.
We work on residential and mixed-use schemes of all scales, providing proportionate advice that supports planning officers in making a positive decision.
What we do for you:
Early-stage constraint reviews to inform site appraisal and design
Archaeological Assessments scaled to the significance of assets affected
Clear, commercially aware advice - we understand that heritage advice needs to serve the project, not obstruct it
Send an Enquiry - we'll review your site's heritage context
Homeowners
Your council has asked for an Archaeological Assessment. Here's what that actually means.
If this is the first time you've encountered an archaeological requirement, it can feel like an unexpected obstacle. It's really just a document that shows your local authority your project is assessing the potential for archaeological remains and the impact that your project will have on them.
We'll explain what's needed in plain English, carry out all the research, and produce a report your planning officer can accept. You don't need to know anything about heritage policy. That's what we're here for.
What we do for you:
Explain the requirement so you know exactly what's involved
Visit your property and carry out all necessary research
Prepare an archaeological assessment written to planning authority standards
Keep you informed at every stage - no chasing, no confusion
Deliver on time, with a fixed fee agreed upfront
Send an Enquiry - we'll confirm scope, fee and turnaround
An Archaeological Assessment includes information from various sources, such as:
Site Visit to understand the site and its environs
historic documents – for example photos, maps and historic documents
Historic Environment Record
Previous Geotechnical Investigations
Previous archaeological reports
Aerial photographs
LiDAR images
Consultation with local authorities
This baseline information is compiled into a report compliant with Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Standards, ready for submission in support of your planning application.
What's Involved?
Contact
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