ALGAO:UK are proud to publish the following report ‘Archaeology in Development Management 2022-23: Heritage Market Report’ undertaken for us by Kenneth Aitchison of Headland RSK. The report is a follow up to the 2019 ‘Archaeology in Development Management: its contribution in England, Scotland & Wales’. Looking in detail at the work and impact of Local Authority Archaeological Services within Planning across the UK the report provides an important snapshot and evidence base 5 years on from the original and immediately following Covid.
Four key messages from the report are:
1. small public investment leads to major economic return: in 2022-23 £26.3M public investment in Local Authority Archaeology Services unlocked and shaped £302M developer contributions to the delivery of public benefits in Commercial Archaeology, equating to a return of £11.48 for every £1 invested.
2. informs planning decisions - More evidence before consent leads to less mitigation after consent: 82% growth in predetermination recommendation’s
3. managing risk, not preventing development: in 2022-23, 442,761 Planning Applications reviewed across England, Scotland and Wales of which 20,075 Applications (4.5%) had archaeological considerations. Only 0.06% of which are recommended for refusal demonstrating that LAA advice is overwhelmingly to manage risk and inform development, not prevent
4. cost of archaeological investigation: in 2022-23 97% of archaeological investigations are planning-led but they only represent 0.22% of total construction costs