Legislation
The legislation controlling archaeological work which came into existence in 1990 was called Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16). This not only introduced the obligation for developers to fund archaeological work on their sites, but also set up a structured hierarchy and order of works, in order to minimise the occurrence of chance findings and thus delays to the development and unforeseen expenses for the developer. This is still the case, although the legislation has been updated twice since PPG16.
In 2010 PPGs 15 and 16 were replaced by Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the historic environment (PPS5). In 2012 the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) replaced PPS5 . English Heritage has developed the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) in response to the recent changes in the planning system. Further changes dealing with heritage assets and local plans have been enacted in 2013 and 2016. The Historic England website includes extensive information on revisions to planning policy, the heritage protection reform programme and what it sets out to achieve.
In 2010 PPGs 15 and 16 were replaced by Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the historic environment (PPS5). In 2012 the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) replaced PPS5 . English Heritage has developed the National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) in response to the recent changes in the planning system. Further changes dealing with heritage assets and local plans have been enacted in 2013 and 2016. The Historic England website includes extensive information on revisions to planning policy, the heritage protection reform programme and what it sets out to achieve.
