As a result of archaeological planning conditions set by local authorities, developments may require the presence of a professional archaeologist to monitor and record archaeological remains exposed during ground works, soil-stripping and piling.

The requirement of a Desk Based Assessment is now a common first response by planning authorities to planning applications with possible archaeological and heritage issues.

A DBA seeks to gather background information on a site relating to past use and aims to assess the potential, character and significance of any archaeological remains which may be affected by development. The resulting technical report is instrumental in any decision on further planning conditions affecting the site.

For these reasons many developers now choose to commission a DBA prior to their formal planning application, both in order to save time and, if necessary, allow for a suitable mitigation strategy to be presented as part of the initial proposal. If undertaken as a predetermination exercise the assessment of archaeological potential also allows for an estimate of possible cost implications and is now increasingly undertaken to minimise risk.

Fieldwalking Surveys are a non-intrusive method for evaluating open field sites through the collection of surface finds via systematic field walking and/or metal detection. They are often required as part of a larger programme of archaeological work which usually aims to assess and characterise the archaeological potential of a green field site marked for development.

Local planning authorities may require an intrusive evaluation to assess the affect of a proposed development on any sub-surface archaeological remains. This usually requires the excavation of a number of trial trenches or test pits over a sample area, typically between 2% and 5% of the total development area. The project is usually designed to produce a predictive model for potential archaeological remains and assess the likely density, preservation and depth of any archaeological deposits. All archaeological features and deposits encountered must be recorded and are generally subject to sample excavation to gain additional information regarding the character and significance of the remains.

The results of the evaluation fieldwork are subject to a contiguous programme of post-excavation analysis to enable the creation of a detailed archaeological report. At this stage an Interim Report may be produced to ensure the progress of a planning application. Once all necessary analysis work is complete the finalised Evaluation Report is submitted to the appropriate planning authorities where it becomes instrumental in future decisions regarding suitable mitigation strategies and the need for any further archaeological work prior to development.

Open area excavation usually arises as the result of an agreed mitigation strategy which allows a development to continue on the condition that archaeological features still likely to be affected are investigated further and recorded in detail. The size and complexity of an excavation is dependent upon both the nature of the archaeology and the objectives of the mitigation strategy. Targeted excavations may be as small as a few square meters, with larger sites ranging up to several hectares involving several phases of work as a development progresses.

Following the excavation, all resulting data is usually subject to an Assessment Report (including an Updated Project Design) which defines a suitable programme of post-excavation work; including the production of a detailed final report, the submission of an organised archive to an appropriate curatorial body and dissemination of the results to the wider community in level with the significance of the findings.