If you are a Developer

Planning Applications

The Archaeology Service examines all planning applications submitted to Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus councils.

Should a proposed development be judged to have an impact on known or potential archaeological sites (for instance the historic core of towns) then you will be required to ensure the archaeology is recorded/protected. The initial Planning Condition imposed on the Application may vary from a photographic survey to desktop assessment, to a watching brief or even a full excavation. Once approval for an Application is given, an Archaeological Development Brief will be provided to you, on request, detailing what work is to be undertaken. The developer is obliged to pay for any work undertaken to record the archaeology affected. Please feel free to contact us for advice, even if it is before you have submitted an Application. We can also supply you with an ad hoc list of archaeological contractors.

The Archaeology Policy in the Local Plan is in Chapter 3, Policy Env\19.

There are several national Policies that cover archaeology specifically within the planning system and they are the basis on which our Archaeological Policy is formed. These, along with Aberdeenshire Council's relevant Policies, can be accessed below:

• SHEP 1 - Scottish Historic Environment Policy
• SPP 23 - Scottish Planning Policy 'Planning and the Historic Environment'
• PAN 42 - Planning Advice Note 'Archaeology'
• Env/19 - Local Plan Policy 'Archaeological Sites & Monuments'
• Policy 20 - North East Structure Plan (NEST)

More detailed advice on planning procedures and the separate controls over Scheduled Monuments is given in the associated Planning Advice Note 42 Archaeology - the Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures.