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Old ink drawing of Durham with the cathedral and castle visible and Archaeological Services logo

Desk-based assessments

Desk-based assessments provide baseline data on archaeological and heritage assets that may be impacted by a proposed development. Data is collected and evaluated from available archaeological and historical sources, to establish what archaeological deposits may be present on a development site or in its vicinity. They can demonstrate that no further archaeological work is required for a development, or be used to inform the design of appropriate evaluative or mitigation strategies. They may also be needed to underpin scoping documents and environmental assessment chapters, which we can also provide.

 

Heritage assessments and statements

Heritage statements are designed to support developments in relation to their potential impact on heritage assets. This most often relates to where they could affect the setting of conservation areas, or of designated assets, such as listed buildings and scheduled monuments. They can assess if the change to an asset’s setting has an effect on the significance of the asset, and can sometimes assist in appropriate design. We have successfully provided numerous heritage statements, for developments ranging from relatively small changes and extensions to existing buildings within conservation areas, to major developments within the setting of World Heritage sites.  

A series of four old maps showing Durham peninsular and the castle and cathedral

Historic maps are used to identify the extent of previous occupation and land use, and hence the likelihood of archaeological deposits being present 

Panoramic view of Durham Cathedral and the surrounding landscape

Development on the edge of conservation areas and World Heritage sites may need to be assessed for its potential impact on the historic environment 

A farm in County Durham seen in the valley bottom, with a viaduct and buildings behind

The identification of historic assets such as farm buildings and this railway viaduct enables the potential impact of a development on their setting to be assessed

A brick series of arches and flues, part of a brick kiln excavated prior to development

This industrial brick kiln was identified on an obscure historic map, enabling its excavation and recording to be conducted before the site was developed