Year: 2020

Rescue says: it’s not only the Stonehenge decision that should worry us all

News, Rescue Says / December 8, 2020

Rescue is dismayed to see how arguments surrounding the Stonehenge tunnel seem to have degenerated into a slanging match between archaeologists. How could this have happened? The argument should be focused on a decision that impacts severely on the surroundings of one of our most important monuments, not about the how, what or who of …

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Rescue Says: A303 Stonehenge DCO granted – A sad day for our archaeological heritage

Featured, Headline, News, Rescue Says / November 18, 2020

On 12 November 2020 Transport Secretary Grant Shapps granted a Development Consent Order for the Stonehenge Expressway and Tunnel scheme across the World Heritage Site (WHS). His decision flies in the face of the Examining Authority’s (ExA) recommendation for refusal. The five Planning Inspectors found that“The effect of the Proposed Development on the OUV of …

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RESCUE response to the consultation on the Planning for the Future White Paper

Featured, Headline, News / October 29, 2020

Rescue have responded to the consultation on the Planning for the Future White Paper. RESCUE members recognise that there is an urgent need for new housing and that such housing needs to be affordable to the many who are now excluded from the housing market and that it must address the critical issue of climate …

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Rescue respond to proposed changes to the current planning system

Featured, Headline, News / September 29, 2020

The Government are currently consulting on a series of wide ranging changes to the Planning System. Key amongst these will be the Planning White Paper, which Rescue will be responding to in detail. Our response below concerns proposed changes to permission in principle: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-current-planning-system Read our response below:

Rescue’s AGM 2020 and Open Meeting: The Future of Digitisation

Featured, Headline, News / September 25, 2020

The Rescue 2020 AGM and Open Meeting went virtual, via Zoom. It was very well attended, and the open meeting was a great success. The theme was “Digging Into The Future of Digitisation: what does this mean for Archaeology?” Brendon Wilkins (Dig Ventures) and Dr Chiara Bonacchi (University of Stirling) presented thought-provoking perspectives on the …

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Rescue Says: a government fixated on simplification of planning law is not good for our future environment

Featured, News, Rescue Says / August 12, 2020

The government has produced a White Paper for England on planning “Planning for the Future August 2020” from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) which can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future and is open for consultation until 29 October. The core proposals, which relate to local plans, ways of managing the planning system …

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Rescue says: Stonehenge scheme decision delayed again, surely time to give up?

Featured, News, Rescue Says / July 18, 2020

The Transport Secretary has delayed his decision on the A303 Stonehenge Scheme until 13 November to seek the views of interested parties on the major new find around Durrington Walls.   Highways England’s immediate response was as follows: “This find is in the north east corner of the World Heritage Site, well outside the scheme …

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Rescue Says: Build, Build, Build – but what about the consequences?

News, Rescue Says / June 30, 2020

Boris Johnson has today announced a range of proposed measures aimed at shocking the British Economy back into life following the COVID-19 crisis and Brexit uncertainty. These include a repeated commitment to reform the planning system. Amongst specific measures mentioned in the official press release (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-build-build-build) are previously-announced proposals to extend permitted development rights and …

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RESCUE’s response to Historic England’s Local Authority Strategic Framework Consultation

Featured, Headline, News / May 24, 2020

Historic England have recently consulted on their Local Authority Strategic Framework Consultation. This framework is intended to prioritise the partnership work they undertake with local authorities, which underpins the heritage management system in England. Overall, we believe the stated objectives, activities and outcomes include some valuable points but with a rather heavy emphasis on passive …

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Rescue says: Coronavirus – What about the archaeology?

News, Rescue Says / March 28, 2020

Public health and personal safety are paramount: Archaeological site work should not be continuing whilst the current national coronavirus protection measures are in place. It is not an essential service and the travel involved is not necessary. As at late March 2020 Government guidance says one should only go to work outside one’s home if …

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