APS Archaeology Review

Professional archaeological services imply high-quality consulting and advice, a broad range of fieldwork, in-house archaeological specialisations, and assistance for community-led heritage initiatives.

Archaeological Project Services (APS) is a well-known company that provides a wide range of consulting and fieldwork services. They are based in Heckington, Lincolnshire, and serve clients across the UK in the building and development industries. They cater to public entities and private persons.

Find The Best Archaeology Companies

APS is a well-established organisation with over twenty-five years of experience, and they are well-positioned to assist their clients with a variety of planning-related archaeological difficulties. Learn more in this APS Archaeology review.

APS Archaeology Overview

Archaeological Project Services, a division of the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire, provides competent, competitive archaeological services throughout England. They have a long history of delivering expert guidance and high-quality archaeological services, founded in 1993 as the commercial archaeology part of Heritage Lincolnshire.

The immensely experienced and client-friendly staff at APS, based in the East Midlands and working countrywide, is dedicated to creating speedy and cost-effective solutions for their clients’ planning and pre-planning requirements. Along with various other accreditations and memberships, their Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Registered Organisation status ensures professionalism and high standards.

Services Offered By APS Archaeology

To developers and agencies, APS provides an entirely competent archaeological and cultural heritage pre-planning and advisory service. This will cover all areas of project planning and execution.

They can provide early-stage planning advice on archaeological implications, provide supporting paperwork such as method statements and Environmental Impact Assessments, and collaborate with their clients to develop mitigation methods.

APS Archaeology’s services include:

Planning

The 2012 National Planning Policy Framework for England mandates that the historic environment, particularly the archaeological record, be preserved and enhanced with care and thought. Archaeological work may be required as part of the planning process for any development, whether brownfield or greenfield, large or little, as a pre-determination evaluation and inquiry or as a condition of planning permission.

It is the developer’s responsibility to give the local authority sufficient information, which will be utilised by the authority’s archaeological advisor to establish the type and scope of archaeological research necessary. To assist developers with any archaeological requirements, APS can provide the following services:

  • assistance and direction throughout the planning stage of a project;
  • negotiating with the municipal government on your behalf;
  • replying to any requirements that have been outlined in advance;
  • completing all archaeological tasks; and
  • submitting documentation to be released from your planning condition.

Heritage Statements

Heritage Statements are newer documents that were created in response to the National Planning Policy Framework of 2012. According to the guidance, a local authority may ask an applicant to produce proof of the significance of any heritage assets that may be impacted by their development plans.

The amount of detail that must be included in a Heritage Statement varies depending on the proposal. It will consist of a statement and assessment of the significance of archaeological and cultural heritage assets, a review of the projects’ anticipated impact on the identified heritage assets, and a plan for mitigating those impacts.

Desk Based Assessments

A local government may respond to a planning application by stating that they lack adequate information to make an informed decision and request additional information, including an assessment of archaeological potential.

Developers may also want to know about a site’s archaeological consequences before purchasing it or submitting a planning application. A desk-based evaluation can provide a more unambiguous indication of the possibility for archaeology to be present on-site in both of these scenarios.

Desk-based assessments entail the analysis, interpretation, and compilation of data from a variety of sources, including:

  • databases on archaeology in the local and national contexts;
  • old and modern maps, which are usually kept in county archives;
  • information from the past, which county archives departments likewise hold;
  • aerial images, which can be found in both local and national collections;
  • reports on earlier archaeological investigations that have not been released;
  • published accounts of the study area’s archaeology, history, and geology;
  • geotechnical studies; and
  • an assessment of the site’s conditions and constraints.

This data is subsequently delivered to the client in the form of a report.

Environmental Impact Assessments

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a procedure that entails gathering extensive data to determine the environmental repercussions of a significant infrastructure or development project. Archaeological and cultural heritage data are collected with data from various other disciplines, including landscape, hydrology, ecology, and noise. The data is compiled and presented in the form of an Environmental Statement (ES).

For archaeology and cultural assets, the EIA procedure entails:

  • establishing baseline conditions – comparable to a desk-based assessment, an evaluation of the known archaeological and cultural heritage assets existent at the site and in the surrounding area;
  • collecting additional site-specific information, such as archaeological field surveys and investigations, such as geophysical surveys or trial trenching if necessary, to provide sufficient information on the presence of (and potential for) buried archaeological remains that the proposals may impact, and
  • conducting an impact assessment of the potential effects (direct and indirect, harmful or helpful) of the proposed development based on the evidence gathered, and methods to minimise or reduce impacts are offered where applicable.

APS has considerable expertise conducting EIAs for archaeological and cultural heritage resources for various projects, including quarries, renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms, road schemes, and industrial, retail, and housing complexes. They provide advice and coordinate with various disciplines participating in the client’s EIA.

Mitigation

The archaeological potential of a site can be investigated using various techniques, ranging from a desk-based evaluation to a geophysical survey to excavation. As the archaeological potential is found, analysed, and solutions explored to mitigate any damage or loss of archaeological sites and deposits, each level of study can be considered mitigation.

The information acquired during the site evaluation is used to determine the nature and scope of the projects’ anticipated impacts on archaeological remains and propose mitigation strategies to minimise or mitigate any negative consequences.

The following are some examples of mitigation measures aimed at preventing or reducing the adverse effects of development:

  • archaeological remains in situ preservation;
  • architectural methods to avoid or safeguard archaeological remains; and
  • an archaeological study, documentation, and distribution program.

APS has a proven track record of working with clients to develop effective mitigation plans. They’ve dealt with a wide range of developmental difficulties in urban and rural areas with great success.

Character Appraisals

Conservationists, developers, and local planning authorities can use character appraisals to help regulate change in historic regions. Their goal is to enhance planning decisions by assisting in understanding and communicating the character of a particular area.

The project aims to comprehend and present why a particular place is unique and which aspects inside the area contribute to and detract from its unique qualities.

The appraisal process, like a desk-based assessment, entails an extensive initial investigation of historical records. Still, it also necessitates different stages of work, such as acquiring new socioeconomic and geographic data and local community involvement.

Conservation Management Plans

APS can assist you in developing a Conservation Management Plan, whether it’s for personal use to guide and inform decision-making or as part of a more significant request for financing to carry out conservation work.

A Conservation Management Plan will include extensive study and fieldwork to declare heritage significance for the site, area, or place in question.

Once significance has been recognised, any suggested new use, change, repair, consolidation, access, and future management can be examined. The task will also entail determining the following steps and submitting recommendations for a scheme of works.

APS Archaeology Contact Details

Suppose you are interested in getting more information about archaeological excavations, archaeologist businesses, artefacts, and other archaeology features. In that case, you can head to the APS Archaeology website or contact their offices through the following:

Head Office

  • Address: The Old School, Cameron Street, Heckington, Lincolnshire NG34 9RW
  • Phone: 01529 461618
  • Email: [email protected]

Lincoln Office

  • Address: Sparkhouse, Ropewalk, Lincoln LN6 7DQ
  • Phone: 01522 837231
  • Email: [email protected]

APS Archaeology Reviews

There are currently no written reviews about APS Archaeology.

Summary

To sum up this APS Archaeology review, APS provides cost-effective, custom-tailored solutions for all archaeological and cultural heritage demands in the planning and development process. From initial planning through site assessment to mitigation and report publication, their highly experienced project management team will respond fast to identify the best solution for your project.

Reach out to APS if you want hard work paired with accurate knowledge when processing an archaeological project.

Full List Of Archaeology Companies

We have compiled a list of archaeology companies below:

Best Archaeology Companies

After plenty of research, we have reviewed the best tried and trusted Archaeology Companies available in the UK.

Quick Links

Best Archaeology Companies Nationwide Archaeologists Archaeologist Surveys Top Rated Archaeology Companies