The Purpose of a Watching Brief

A watching brief is often specified by a Local Authority where a previous evaluation or Desk Based Assessment has indicated the presence of an uncertain or low intensity of archaeological features. It is defined as a formal programme of observation and investigation conducted during any operation carried out for non-archaeological reasons such as construction work.

Sometimes sites may go straight to a watching brief stage without prior investigation, for example where other developments in the vicinity have indicated a limited but likely potential for the presence of archaeology. It offers the opportunity for suitable intervention and recording where unexpected archaeological features are identified.

Written scheme of investigation

A watching brief is often the most cost-effective method of mitigating the archaeological risk to a development. If required, Groundworks Archaeology can produce a Written Scheme of Investigation (methodology statement) for the monitoring of groundworks on a development site which meets with the approval of the planning authority.

Once approved, and a date for the commencement of the groundworks is set, one of our experienced team will attend site to monitor the works and ensure any archaeological remains which are revealed are appropriately recorded.