Archaeological report for House Extension.

macmansion

I recently applied for & received planning permission for a terraced house extension close to Dublin city centre. There's a condition attached requiring an archaeologist to assess the potential impact and monitor the digging of foundations.
I was surprised to see this condition as the area involved is only 4m x 5m in the back garden, but maybe it's fairly common.

Anyway, I'm a bit concerned about the possible cost. Could anybody shed somelight on the likely price I might expect to pay and where would I turn to find the right person?

Thanks

DeepSleeper

It is fairly common to have such a condition if there is a reasonable possibility that archaeological strata exist on the site. Perhaps there is a historic church or castle nearby? Or perhaps it is in the historic core?

Anyway, the best place to find an archaeologist is in the Golden Pages - there are many available now and you can choose from big companies to small, one-person operations. It isn't too common in my experience to find a request for both an Impact Assessment and monitoring in the one condition - usually it is either one or the other. Difficult to estimate price, but take heart that it will be a lot cheaper than, say, three years ago. Usually archaeologists charge a flat rate for an Impact Assessment but charge a daily rate for on-site monitoring (since they don't set the pace at which the digging is done.) I'd say between €500 and €1000 should cover it.

Get your facts together before you start calling archaeologists for quotes - have the Planning Reference Number handy and the exact wording of the planning condition. Be prepared to send out a copy of same and a site map to people you want quotes from, but many will probably look up the site on the planning website and quote on the basis of the info they see there. Get written quotes if you can and seek clarity - Is this an all-in quote? Does it include mileage or is that extra? Do it include the preparation and production of the report? Does it include VAT?

Good luck - and don't worry too much - It is probably just another hoop you need to jump through...

macmansion

That's reassuring although it's still a considerable expense, for me at least. Anyway I'll get a few quotes from the golden pages.

Thanks for being so clear - it's appreciated!

RollYerOwn

There is no surprise in having a condition to have an archaeological impact assessment done attached if you live near the centre of Dublin. I'm sure you are fully aware of the city's rich history. Planning conditions relating to heritage have been a legal requirement for about 20 years.

The point of an archaeological impact assessment is for you to have a professional archaeologist look into the potential for archaeological remains to come up in your development before it goes ahead. My main concern here is that you are going into this without all the facts. It is quite probable that there will be nothing present in your small plot, but if it turns out that you're round the corner from a number of previous excavations, or from a church, or old medieval gardens or something, you could find the potential costs prohibitive. Not trying to scare you, but you need to be forewarned before you commit any more money.

I hate to say this to worry you, but who designed the extension, and have they done it before if they are not aware of these conditions as part of the planning process? Times are tough and nobody would be surprised if you're doing this as cheap as possible.

Fortunately, archaeological services are also now cheaper than they were in the boom, but obviously these are costs which you haven't planned for.

By all means, feel free to PM me if you need some (free) advice on how best to go about this.

happyoutscan

I've just been asked to help a friend with an impact assessment on a small addition to his offices but I have no experience in report work/impact assessments etc. While I'm eager to help - and quite excited to be honest - I'm hesitant as I'm unsure as to if I'm qualified to carry this out. I have my degree in Archaeology but no license, all my work has been as site assistant etc. so I am wondering if I'm qualified to do this?

RollYerOwn

Well, if you don't think you're qualified it means you aren't. How much exactly (I don't mean money, I mean the experience) are you going to get out of this and weigh it up against what the possible outcomes could be.

You might be better off helping your friend by getting some quotes from some of the many different qualified (and currently cheap) archaeologists that you probably have had experience of working with and getting them the best deal for professional services. You might be able to help out with the job free for the experience - your friend might feel better that you were getting something out of it too.

HellFireClub

RollYerOwn wrote: »

There is no surprise in having a condition to have an archaeological impact assessment done attached if you live near the centre of Dublin. I'm sure you are fully aware of the city's rich history. Planning conditions relating to heritage have been a legal requirement for about 20 years.

The point of an archaeological impact assessment is for you to have a professional archaeologist look into the potential for archaeological remains to come up in your development before it goes ahead. My main concern here is that you are going into this without all the facts. It is quite probable that there will be nothing present in your small plot, but if it turns out that you're round the corner from a number of previous excavations, or from a church, or old medieval gardens or something, you could find the potential costs prohibitive. Not trying to scare you, but you need to be forewarned before you commit any more money.

I hate to say this to worry you, but who designed the extension, and have they done it before if they are not aware of these conditions as part of the planning process? Times are tough and nobody would be surprised if you're doing this as cheap as possible.

Fortunately, archaeological services are also now cheaper than they were in the boom, but obviously these are costs which you haven't planned for.

By all means, feel free to PM me if you need some (free) advice on how best to go about this.

There is certainly no small irorny in Dublin Corporation in their lofty office at Wood Quay, dictating to people on this subject.

RollYerOwn

Hellfireclub,
You are, I'm presuming, referring to the fantastic excavations carried out there from the late 1970's from which we learnt so much about medieval Dublin which were done at a time when many of our other cities were being ransacked with no recourse to excavation, preservation, or recording of any kind?

Also, Dublin corporation is not dictating to anyone. They do not implement this, central government does - this is a National policy, which follows international policy, that has been developed in most civilized and even some uncivilized countries to protect at least some knowledge of our heritage prior to it being destroyed by rampant urbanisation, the spread of suburbia, rebuilding of medieval and older cities and the provision of infrastructure throughout large areas.

I hope there's no implication that I speak for Dublin Corporation, by the way, as nothing could be further from the truth.

snowdaisy

Hi Happyoutscan,
I'm afraid i agree that you are in no way qualified to carry out an assessment on your own!
While there is no legal requirement for an archaeologist to be licensed to do this (all other work is usually licensed) u should at least have worked on some assesments as an assistant and be competent and confident that you know and understand the strict requirements for this type of work and the reporting standards. Also you would need experience in 'assessing impacts' of development on potential archaeology here.
Trying to run before you can walk maybe. I'm digging years, am licensed and still am careful when doing these types of straightforward jobs to make sure it is done properly.
I agree that trying to get work on assesment field work for experience would be a start, then get some reporting experience etc...
Good luck