Tyne and Wear Archaeology

The Tyne and Wear Archaeology Service based at Newcastle City Council provide advice on planning applications across the whole of Tyne and Wear.

It is important to consult with the service early on, as it can protect against costly and unexpected finds of high significance.

The Service can provide an initial appraisal of the likelihood that archaeologically sensitive deposits need to be considered for any specific planning application, and give advice on the steps that may need to be taken at each stage of the process.

Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires all planning applications to consider how their proposal takes sub-surface and built heritage assets into account.

If your site is within an area of possible archaeological interest, the applicant may need to give the Planning Authority further information about the likely impact of the scheme on any heritage assets.

This can be carried out as part of the pre-application or as a condition of planning permission.

You may be asked to do one or more of the following:

• A desk-based assessment (PDF 88kb)
• A geophysical survey (PDF 82kb)
• Evaluation trial trenching (PDF 142kb)
• A watching brief (PDF 84kb)
• Building Recording (PDF 84kb)
• Fieldwalking (PDF 3kb)
• Topographic survey (PDF 80kb)
• (These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. )

When you are asked to provide more information pre or post planning determination you will need to employ a professional archaeological contractor to carry out the works as set out in a specification supplied by Tyne and Wear Archaeology Service.

Extensive Urban Survey/Small Towns Reports

The Extensive Urban Survey Programme AKA Small Towns Reports were completed as part of a collaboration between Gateshead Council, The City of Newcastle, Northumberland County Council and the other districts which formed the former County of Tyne and Wear. Copies of the reports can be viewed below in PDF format:

• Gateshead (PDF 3MB)
• North Shields (PDF 1MB)
• South Shields (PDF 1MB)
• Sunderland (PDF 3MB)
• Tynemouth (PDF 1MB)
• (These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format. )

Twentieth Century Defence Sites of Tyne and Wear

An overview of 20th century defence sites across Tyne and Wear (PDF 3.23MB).

Archaeology and Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) 2007

The SPD defines the what the council will do to make sure that the historic fabric of the city is preserved.  It deals with all archaeological remains which are within the planning powers of the Council.