Archaeology - Print version

Archaeology and development

Coventry contains an exceptional range of archaeological remains dating from the prehistoric period to the 20th century. Coventry has often suffered from the misconception that much of its history was lost in the Blitz of the Second World War and to the redevelopment that followed, but this is not true.

Archaeological work undertaken as part of new developments has shown the extent and significance of surviving archaeological remains in the City, even in intensively developed areas. Archaeological remains are non-renewable and it is therefore essential that they are properly safeguarded - in line with government guidance, the Council's own policies, and recognised best practice - without preventing or discouraging the regeneration, which is essential to Coventry's future.

Some archaeological sites in Coventry are protected by law as scheduled monuments, work is not permitted on these sites without the consent of the secretary of state.

Archaeological remains can play a positive role in regeneration, providing a context for future development, whilst they can also be an asset to local communities for education, tourism and leisure.

Archaeology and the planning process

Coventry's archaeology is protected through the planning process, which makes sure that archaeology is managed in line with government guidance (National Planning Policy Guidance [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2]) and the Coventry Local Plan (Policy HE2). This guidance note ensures that archaeological sites are taken into consideration when they will be affected by any development.

Types of development that may affect archaeological remains

• buildings
• extensions and modifications to existing buildings
• construction of car parks or roads
• installation of drainage or services
• landscaping.

The developer should always contact the planning archaeologist when the development site is identified, and before the design is begun. The planning archaeologist will be able to advise whether or not there will be archaeological implications and the likely requirement for further archaeological work.

The planning archaeologist uses the Coventry Historic Environment Record (HER) to assess all planning applications for archaeological implications and advises planning control about archaeological conditions of planning permission.

Inadequate assessment of archaeological implications can result in the refusal of planning permission.

If archaeological remains are found in an evaluation, the planning archaeologist will advise planning control that a condition is attached to the planning permission. This will be to ensure that the archaeology is preserved, either in the ground by modifying the proposed development plan, or is excavated and recorded before development begins.

In other cases, developers may be required to undertake other programmes of archaeological work as a condition of planning permission. These programmes may include buildings recording, archaeological evaluation, geophysical survey or a watching brief - where an archaeologist is required to be on site to monitor any works that involve ground disturbance.

Coventry Local Plan Policy HE2: Conservation and Heritage Assets. Policy HE2 states that “development proposals will be supported where they conserve and, where appropriate, enhance those aspects of the historic environment which are recognised as being of special historic, archaeological, architectural, artistic, landscape or townscape significance” and that “Where material change to a heritage asset has been agreed, recording and interpretation should be undertaken to document and understand the asset’s archaeological, architectural or historic significance. The scope of the recording should be proportionate to the asset’s significance and the impact of the development on the asset.

All archaeological works undertaken across Coventry must comply with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists [https://www.archaeologists.net/] standards and guidance. 

To view the areas of identified archaeological constraint in the city please refer to the planning map [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/planning-2/online-planning-map].

Scheduled monuments

Scheduled monuments [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7098/scheduled-monuments] are archaeological sites that are legally recognised as being of national importance.  These can range in date from the prehistoric period to the 20th century, and can take many different forms, including: buildings, earthworks or a cropmark in a field. There are 20 scheduled monuments in Coventry, mostly dating from the medieval period. They include the surviving sections of the city wall and its gates, Caludon Castle and the sites of several manor houses.

Scheduled monuments are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State (known as Scheduled Monument Consent) must be obtained before any sort of work can begin on the site of a scheduled monument, including archaeological work.

For further information, please visit Historic England [https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/hpg/has/scheduledmonuments/] on Scheduled Monuments.