WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE
Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2004/05
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005.
New Casework 2004/05
Council Area
Total New Casework
Items
Argyll & Bute
613
East Ayrshire
198
East Renfrewshire
85
Glasgow
165
Inverclyde
58
North Ayrshire
172
North Lanarkshire
105
Renfrewshire
139
South Ayrshire
138
South Lanarkshire
306
West Dunbartonshire
124
West Lothian167
National Park Authority
77
General/More than
23
1Council
Total

2370

Weekly
lists
53
49
50
48
48
46
45
51
45
52
50
49
46

Planning
Applications
345
82
24
38
6
81
30
56
29
146
52
74
17

Other

632

980

758

215
67
11
79
4
45
30
32
64
108
22
44
14
23

During the report period the West of Scotland Archaeology Service dealt with 2370 new
casework items (this compares with 2028 in the previous year) and carried out work on afurther 383 casework items registered in previous years. Work was therefore carried out on a
total of 2753 separate casework items over the year (2374 in the previous year). 632 of the
new work items were weekly lists of planning applications received from the 12 Councils andthe Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, which were monitored in order to
identify planning applications raising archaeological issues.
Altogether 980 planning applications were identified as potentially requiring archaeologicaladvice across the area covered by the Archaeology Service, an increase of 15.5% on theprevious year when only 847 applications were so identified. More than half of this increase
was a direct result of West Lothian Council joining the Archaeology Service. Since the

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

1Archaeology Service was formally established in 1997, the workload arising from identifying
and commenting on planning applications raising potential archaeological issues has morethan tripled in size (317 in 1997-98, 980 in 2004-05). 347 of the identified 980 applications
raised archaeological issues which required advice from the Service.
Summary Table of Planning Applications 2001-2005

Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianNational Park
Total

Nos. Identified for Comment
01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05
127
210
280
345
56
68
85
82
30
32
42
24
37
35
37
39
3
7
12
6
52
52
60
81
30
39
45
30
46
33
41
56
50
40
59
29
123
158
133
146
36
38
48
52
---74
-4
5
17
590
717
847
980

Nos. Raising Archaeological Issues
01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05
45
90
92
87
27
23
25
27
7
11
13
11
18
12
20
21
-2
5
1
25
31
24
35
14
21
15
18
20
21
11
22
25
13
15
11
49
66
48
70
9
12
10
13
---23
-3
1
8
239
305
279
347

In addition to the weekly lists and planning applications a further 758 items of new work were
processed by the Service in 2004/05 (see table below - figures for previous year in brackets).
Pre-planning application enquiries
Development Plan consultations
Permitted development enquiries
Agri-Environment Scheme audits and other matters
Woodland Grant Scheme advice
Forest Design Plans
Other Archaeological Consultations (includes notification of new site information)
Sites and Monuments Record information management matters
Systems development and support matters
General or SMR enquiries
Policy liaison matters
Other (includes items sent in error)
Total

194 (115)
11 (15)77 (36)343 (184)
5 (6)
2 (2)
41 (40)65 (110)0 (5)12 (54)1 (3)7 (12)
758 (582)

The total number of separate casework items processed by the Service in 2004/05 at 2751
(2370 new casework items plus 383 old casework items) represents an increase of 15.9% in
overall caseload when compared with the previous year. Altogether the Service’s total
caseload has increased by 80.4% since the computerised logging of casework was begun in
April 2000. There has been no increase in the permanent staffing complement of the Service

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

2

to handle this increase in workload, although a temporary member of staff, recruited in 2003,
continues to be employed.
During the report period 368 new records were added to the Sites and Monuments Record
database mainly by the Archaeology Service staff and by volunteers (1220 the previous year),and 1981 (2177 the previous year) existing records were amended.
As notified in last year’s annual report, the Service no longer spends valuable time preparing
formal briefs for archaeological work required by the planning process, but proceeds byamendment of Written Schemes of Investigations (WSIs) prepared by private archaeologicalconsultants on behalf of developers. The developers are required by the wording of theirplanning conditions to submit these WSIs for the approval of member Councils, following
agreement to them by the Service. There were 116 recorded archaeological events(excavations, surveys, watching briefs etc) arising from developer funding during the reportperiod, according to precise date information provided to the Service in site reports. There
were a number of other developer funded events where no exact date information wasprovided in reports, but only calendrical year information. In total the Service has records of
171 archaeological events taking place in calendar year 2004, of which 147 were developer
funded.
The major developer funded excavation in advance of the construction of the Mid Ross golfcourse on the west side of Loch Lomond continued over the report period, finally finishing at
the end of June 2005. It turned out to be the longest running developer funded excavation evermonitored by the Service, running for a total of 13 months. A lengthy period of postexcavation analysis will now take place before the results of the excavation can be published,
all of the funding secured by a Section 75 planning agreement negotiated by the Loch
Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority.
The most significant excavation during the report period in the areas of the member Councils
took place in South Ayrshire in advance of further development of the Craig Tara Holiday
Park, Dunure Road, Heads of Ayr, which discovered a multi-phase Bronze Age cist cemetery,comprising of 15 burial features, sealed by the formation of a scrape barrow, into which eightlater cist burials had subsequently been inserted. This significant discovery highlights once
again the potential of the Ayrshire raised beach for the recovery of buried prehistoricarchaeological remains.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

3

1

Running the Service

1.1

The Service's Steering Group met once throughout the year to consider various mattersin connection with the running of the Service prior to the Service’s Joint Committee
meeting in October 2004. It was not felt necessary to hold a second meeting in
February 2005, as there were no relevant items connected with the running of theService.

1.2West Lothian Council joined the Service on 1 April 2004 and advice continued to beprovided throughout the report period to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National
Park Authority.

1.3

The temporary staff member recruited in October 2003 continued to be employed by
the Service throughout the report period. The effect of the additional staff member canbe seen in the improved performance statistics for the processing of comments onplanning applications (Appendix 1).

1.4

The Service's accounts were still in substantial surplus at the end of the report period(see Appendix 2), because of an unexpected increase in external income, largely
arising from an increased number of requests for agri-environment scheme audits (seesection 17 below). It is still intended that the Service’s annual income and expenditure
should be brought into balance by 2009-10, with the surplus being gradually reduced
by funding the Service’s fifth post to assist with the greatly increased workload as longas there is external income to cover its costs. The costs of the temporary post are morethan adequately covered by external income at present, but it is essential for thestability of the Service that by 2009-10 the costs of the four permanent Service posts
should be met by the member Councils through the planned increases in annual
member contribution levels. The planned financial programme to 2009-10 has been
agreed in principle by the Service’s Joint Committee, but is subject to annual
adjustments in the light of pertaining circumstances.

2

Sites and Monuments Record Maintenance and Development

2.1

Work on the maintenance and development of the Sites and Monuments Record wascontinued during the report period. 368 new site records were added to the Sites andMonuments Record database and 1981 existing site records were amended.

2.2

The Service continued to benefit from work by student and graduate volunteers toclear the backlog of Sites and Monuments Record data entry. It is a requirement of thearchaeology degree course at the University of Glasgow that students should haveseveral weeks of appropriate work experience as part of their qualification. Work for
the Sites and Monuments Record is recognised by the University as appropriate
experience.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

4

3

Advice to Argyll & Bute Council

3.1

Development Plan Advice
During the report period the Service provided further comments on the draft Argyll &Bute Local Plan.

3.2

3.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 53 weekly lists were monitored for the Council (the extra week
may have been an overrun from the previous year) and 345 new planning applications
were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology
Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 58
planning applications submitted in previous years. Argyll & Bute Council remained
the largest Council user of the development control advice service over the reportperiod.
The 345 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Refusal of planning application recommended
9
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 17
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
27
Archaeological watching brief condition required
19Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
9
Other condition
4
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary251
Not received
7
Altogether 87 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

3.4

Recommendations of refusal on archaeological grounds were made in respect of nineplanning applications – a very high number in one Council area in any one year. All
except one of the refusal recommendations were in respect of small scale housing
applications, either within, or in immediate proximity to, Scheduled Ancient
Monuments. Reasons for recommending refusal were either the direct effects on the
Scheduled Ancient Monument, or the potential impacts on the setting of theMonument, all contrary to both national and development plan policies. There was avery noticeable increase in applications affecting Scheduled Ancient Monuments in
Argyll during the report period with a consequent increase in workload from thatsource. A factor in the increase in applications is thought to be the inclusion in thedraft Argyll Local Plan of areas of land designated as rural development opportunities,
encouraging housing applications, particularly single dwellings. The draft Local Plan
makes clear that development in these areas must also meet the environmental policiesof the Local Plan which protect Scheduled Ancient Monuments and archaeologicalsites, but the non-inclusion of the locations of the Scheduled Ancient Monuments on
the draft Local Plan maps is making it difficult for applicants to reconcile the two
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

5policies. During the report period the Service recommended to the Council as part ofits further comments on the draft Local Plan, that information on the locations of
Scheduled Ancient Monuments should be made more easily available to prospectiveplanning applicants. The Council has undertaken to find ways of supplying this
supplementary information.
3.5

During the report period in common with most of the other member Councils, there
were several pre-application enquiries and planning applications in connection withproposed PPP new schools projects. Archaeological evaluations by trial trenching took
place on the sites of the proposed new Lochgilphead School Campus, the Joint
Primary and Secondary School Campus at Rothesay, and the proposed new Hermitage
Academy, Helensburgh. Archaeological remains consisting of trenches, pits,
postholes, slag, charcoal and animal bone of unknown date were found at the site of
the proposed Lochgilphead Campus and further work is to take place.

3.6

Significant prehistoric remains were found during an archaeological watching brief
during foundation digging in connection with the erection of a new dwelling house on
a plot adjacent to Nerabus Cottages, Port Charlotte, Isle of Islay. The remains
consisted of an arc of postholes from a round house, a hearth and several stone tools.

3.7

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 215 other items of casework.

3.8

There were an increased number of enquiries in connection with proposed sites forsmall scale housing developments during the report period. It is thought that thisincrease is also a result of the inclusion of areas for rural development opportunities inthe draft Argyll & Bute Local Plan.

3.9

There continued to be contact with Kilmartin House Museum during the report period.
The Musuem curator requested extract Sites and Monuments Record data for areas
which she hopes to survey and has agreed to provide new information to update therecord in return. The University of Cambride, which is undertaking a programme ofarchaeological work on Lismore each summer, continues to keep the Service aware of
its plans.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

6

4

Advice to East Ayrshire Council

4.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

4.2

4.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 49 weekly lists were monitored and 82 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 22 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 82 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 7
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
11
Archaeological watching brief condition required
8Standings Buildings Survey condition1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
44
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)10
Altogether 27 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

4.4

4.5

4.6

Trial trenching in advance of a proposed residential development on land east of
Moorfield Roundabout, Crosshouse Road, Kilmarnock, uncovered the remains of akiln. Excavation of the kiln and surrounding area demonstrated that the kiln was an
isolated feature and had been a cereal, probably corn, drying kiln. Several sherds ofpottery recovered from the kiln flue have been preliminarily dated to the late medieval
period and appear to have been deposited in the structure after its abandonment. Thismeans that the kiln is potentially earlier than the late medieval period (that is earlier
than the 15th to the 17th centuries). Post-excavation analysis may help to establish amore definite date for the kiln. There should of course be a settlement somewhere in
the area associated with the kiln, but this was not discovered within the boundaries ofthe proposed development.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 67 other items of casework.
There continued to be a number of pre-application enquiries re prospective windfarm
development in common with other member Council areas.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

7

5

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council

5.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

5.2

5.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 50 weekly lists were monitored and 24 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 12 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 24 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
8
Archaeological watching brief condition required2
No issue or no action possible or necessary
12
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)1
Altogether 11 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

5.4

There were four planning applications in respect of the White Cart Flood Prevention
Scheme. The Service had been fully consulted in connection with the preparation of
the Environmental Statement for the scheme. The Environmental Statement concluded
that if consent were to be granted, there would require to be a range of archaeologicalmitigation works. The negative suspensive archaeological condition wasrecommended to the Council for attachment to all consents to ensure that all proposedarchaeological mitigation works are secured.

5.5

Archaeological evaluation by trial trenching of the sites of the proposed new Mearns
Castle and Williamwood High Schools (PPP projects) failed to yield either
archaeological deposits or artefacts.

5.6

5.7

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 11 other items of casework.
Two reports of archaeological survey were received from local amateur archaeologicalgroups in the East Renfrewshire area for inclusion in the Sites and Monuments Record– namely ACFA Occasional Paper No. 6, Blackhouse, Castlehill & Crosslees andArchaeological Survey of lands of Langlee, Bennan and Shieldhill.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

8

6

6.1

6.2

6.3

Advice to Glasgow City Council
Development Plan Advice
During the report period no development plan advice was supplied to the Council. The
Service’s views were sought in connection with a proposed Masterplan for the Govan
area including the area of the church and the former Doomster Hill, both of which dateback to the Early Historic period and the British Kingdom of Strathclyde (that is pre1000 AD).
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 48 weekly lists were monitored and 39 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 27 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 38 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
8
Archaeological watching brief condition required
8
Other condition3
No issue or no action possible or necessary
14
Not received
3
Altogether 21 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

6.4

During the report period the reburial of the skeletons recovered by the developer
funded archaeological excavation on the site of the 15th century Fransciscan Friary(reported in last year’s annual report) took place at the Southern Necropolis, following
a service at the Catholic Cathedral conducted by Archbishop Conti. The skeletons arethought to be the remains of the Friary’s 15th century secular benefactors and werediscovered within the area of the former friary cloister. The excavation and thediscovery of the skeletons was a catalyst for a decision by the City Council in 2004 todraft a Local History and Archaeology Strategy for the City. A member/officer
working group has been created to oversee the task, including 15 City Councillors, oneof them the Chair of the Archaeology Service Joint Committee. Two new posts havealso been created by the City Council specifically to undertake the work arising fromthe Strategy, one of which will be hosted by the Archaeology Service (at no cost to theService) on behalf of the Council’s Development & Regeneration Services
Department. The post is expected to be filled from November 2005. This is the firsttime that a high profile developer funded excavation in the Service’s area will have led
directly to the development and funding of related work in archaeological education,interpretation, and visitor services by a member Council, work which the Service
cannot itself undertake as it is excluded from its Service Level Agreement with themember Councils, but with which it is very happy to co-operate at no cost to the othermembers.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

9

6.5

Developer funded excavations at Gallowgate/Watson Street/Bell Street, Glasgow
found small islands of surviving archaeology from the early period of the burgh’s
history, including truncated rubbish pits from the 13th and 14th centuries and a later
well. The surviving islands of archaeology were between and underneath Victoriancellars.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

6.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 79 other items of casework.

6.7

There were 30 requests for information and assistance from Council officers in respectof proposed new school sites. Archaeological evaluation by trial trenching in respectof the proposed new build Drumry Primary School on the site of the Peel of Drumry
demonstrated that when the 16th century Peel was demolished by the Corporation of
Glasgow in 1958, all archaeological deposits had been scraped off the site and noarchaeological evidence of the former towerhouse remained.

7

Advice to Inverclyde Council

7.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

7.2

7.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 48 weekly lists were monitored and 6 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues by theArchaeology Service. In addition further work was done in respect of 4 planningapplications submitted in previous years.
The 6 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service interms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological watching brief condition required1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
5
Altogether 1 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

7.4

7.5

Archaeological evaluation by trial trenching of some cairns within an area proposed
for a short term quarry at Harelaw, by Port Glasgow, demonstrated that they wereclearance cairns containing no features or finds of archaeological significance, rather
than Bronze Age burial cairns.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 4 other items of casework.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

10

7.6

Advice was sought from geotechnical engineers working on the Gourock Ropeworks
site about a claimed burial ground in the area and the legal position re disturbance ordisinterment of human burials. In the event the burial ground in question appeared tobe outside the boundaries of the proposed development.

8

Advice to North Ayrshire Council

8.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

8.2

8.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 46 weekly lists were monitored and 81 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 20 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 81 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 10
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
12
Archaeological watching brief condition required13
No issue or no action possible or necessary
35
Not received
11
Altogether 35 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

8.4

8.5

8.6

Archaeological evaluation at the site of the proposed new Arran High School, Lamlash
found an oval scoop and pit or post-hole complex. The feature complex contained
charcoal, burnt bone and a single nodule of slag. This feature has been tentatively
interpreted by the excavator as a fire pit with an associated structure or windbreak, but
it is more likely that it is a Neolithic or Bronze Age burial or ritual feature, aninterpretation supported by the finding of a Bronze Age cist at the other end of the site
during further evaluation after the end of the report period. These finds demonstrate
yet again the rich archaeological potential of the Isle of Arran, although archaeologicalmaterial is not recovered on all proposed development sites. For example, evaluation
by trial trenching in advance of a proposed housing development at Glencloy, Brodick
failed to find any archaeological evidence.
Other Advice
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 45 other items of casework.
There was an enquiry from a member of the public researching the Jews harp and wasinterested in Piperhaugh Village in this connection, claiming it as a production site.
The Sites and Monuments Record contains no information on this historical matter,

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

11

but readily available details, including a copy of the first edition 6 inch Ordnance
Survey map were supplied to the enquirer.
9

Advice to North Lanarkshire Council

9.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

9.2

9.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 45 weekly lists were monitored and 30 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 17 planning application submitted in previous years.
The 30 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Refusal of planning application recommended1
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 5
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
8
Archaeological watching brief condition required
2
Other condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
9
Not received
3
Altogether 18 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

9.4

Refusal of planning consent on archaeological grounds was recommended in respectof a residential development at land to the east of Nethercroy Road, Croy. The
proposed development would directly affect the Antonine Wall at this site. The Wall is
protected by development plan policy, most of it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument,
and Scottish Ministers propose to nominate it in 2007 as a World Heritage Site. The
grant of outline planning consent was also opposed by Historic Scotland.

9.5

Archaeological evaluation at the Westway Retail Park, Castlecary Road, Cumbernauld(OKI site) discovered a ditch of probable Roman date under 1.5 metres or more ofmade ground. The site is south of the Antonine Wall and a Roman temporary camp
had been recorded in the area, likely to have been a construction camp when the Wallwas being built in the early 140s AD. The western half of the camp which lay within
the proposed development area of the retail park was thought to have been destroyedby an earlier factory development, which proved not to be the case. The eastern half ofthe camp, which had been in open fields, had already been tested in advance of afactory development in 1998 when no trace had been found. It is remarkable that thewestern half of the camp has survived, clearly protected by landfill as part of an earlier
development.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

12Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 30 other items of casework.

9.6

9.7

Information and advice was sought in relation to a number of proposed wind farmdevelopments and PPP schools projects.

10

Advice to Renfrewshire Council

10.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

10.2

10.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 51 weekly lists were monitored and 56 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 10 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 56 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 4
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
10
Archaeological watching brief condition required
6Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Other condition1
No issue or no action possible or necessary27
Not received
7
Altogether 22 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

10.4

10.5

10.6

An archaeological watching brief was carried out on ground to rear of 5-7 West Brae,
Paisley during the construction of a two storey block of flats. The development area islocated south west of the John Nielson Institute, Oakshaw, which is reputed to havebeen built on the site of a multiple ditched prehistoric hillfort. It was possible thatremains of a ditch or other features could have survived in the area. The watching brief
identified that the site had suffered from extensive truncation from previous
development works and as a result no archaeological features, even if they had beenpresent, would have survived.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 32 other items of casework.
A member of the public expressed concern to the Council about roadworks to at St
Andrews Cross, Renfrew with possible disturbance to the cenotaph which she claimed
was an old construction with connection to the Knights Templar. The Service was able

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

13

to reassure her that the Cenotaph which is in the form of a mercat cross and was
unveiled in 1921, is a recent construction with no medieval connections.
11

Advice to South Ayrshire Council

11.1

Development Plan Advice
No development plan advice was supplied to the Council during the report period.

11.2

11.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 45 weekly lists were monitored and 29 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 21 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 29 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 1
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
3
Archaeological watching brief condition required
6
Other condition1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
14
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)4
Altogether 11 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

11.4

11.5

11.6

Archaeological excavation in advance of further development of the Craig Tara
Holiday Park, Dunure Road, Heads of Ayr, discovered a multi-phase Bronze Age cist
cemetery, comprising of 15 burial features, sealed by the formation of a scrape barrow,into which eight later cist burials had subsequently been inserted. In total 11 cremation
deposits were recovered from the various contexts, as well as seven intact food vessels
and a flint knife. The quantity of archaeological information recovered during the
excavations at Dunure Road was both extensive and potentially highly significant forenhancing the understanding of Bronze Age Scotland. This significant discovery
highlights once again the potential of the Ayrshire raised beach for the recovery ofburied archaeological remains. Several important prehistoric sites have now beenfound in this topographical context.
Other Advice in the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 64 other items of casework, most of it pre-application enquiries inrespect of proposed development or in respect of permitted developments or statutory
undertakings.
There were a number of requests for information and advice in connection withproposed wind farms and road improvements.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

14

12

Advice to South Lanarkshire Council

12.1

12.2

12.3

Development Plan Advice
During the report archaeological information was supplied to consultants acting for theCouncil in respect of Strategic Environmental Assessment of the South Lanarkshire
Local Plan.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 52 weekly lists were monitored (two possibly a carry over fromthe previous report period) and 146 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or byCouncil staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 72 planning applications
submitted in previous years. South Lanarkshire Council remained the second largest
Council user of the Archaeology Service during the report period.
The 146 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 25
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
19
Archaeological watching brief condition required
22Standings Buildings Survey condition
1
Other Condition
1
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)2
No issue or no action possible or necessary68
Not received
8
Altogether 70 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

12.4

Archaeological recording was commissioned by New Lanark Conservation Trust in a
discrete area of Mill Number Two in response to a planning condition attached toconsent for the building of a swimming pool within the mill building. Excavation forthe pool afforded the opportunity to examine the evidence for the survival of features
relating to the original 1788 configuration. Most evidence came from sectional
information only, but demonstrated the sequence of construction and modifications.

12.5

Archaeological excavation at High Parks Farm, Cleghorn prior to housingdevelopment uncovered the line of a Roman road in the area and also found somemedieval and post medieval pottery in the topsoil. No other finds were foundsurrounding the road and no evidence of its Roman date.

12.6

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken in the proximity of the site ofAnnieston Tower, Annieston Grange, Symington prior to residential development.
Only one moderately significant archaeogical feature was observed. This comprised ashallow curvlinear ditch. While the base of a moulded green glass bottle wasrecovered from the top layer of this ditch, no secure dating evidence was recovered. It
was evident that the feature was heavily plough truncated and was shallow as a

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

15

consequence. It is frequently the case that buried archaeological features have beenslighted by ploughing, particularly modern deep ploughing, destroying theirarchaeological evidence, unless there are specific local conditions which havecontributed to a build up of soil over the feature.

12.7

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 108 other items of casework.

12.8

The Service was contacted by the Council’s roads department after Transco had founda well during ground-breaking works for renewal of the gas main in the road outside
St Nicholas Church, Bloomgate, Lanark. Transco was advised to obtain the services ofa private archaeological consultant to record the well before further pipework took
place. The well was revealed to be 5m in depth and partially filled with water. The
remains of a timber circle and an iron plate and fastenings were found. It was recordedin situ before being capped and in-filled with hardcore. Nothing is known about thedate of the well but it may be fairly early.

13

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council

13.1

Development Plan Advice
Advice was provided to the Council during the report period in respect of the draft
West Dunbartonshire Local Plan.

13.2

13.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 50 weekly lists were monitored and 52 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respectof 22 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 52 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 2
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
6
Archaeological watching brief condition required
4
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument)1
No issue or no action possible or necessary36
Not received (requested too late, non material amendments etc)3
Altogether 13 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

13.4

Archaeological evaluation in advance of a housing development at Roman Court,
Duntocher failed to find any trace of the Antonine Wall in this area. The area proposed
for housing was adjacent to the Duntocher Burn and it was hoped to find evidence of
how the Roman engineers had handled the burn crossing whilst maintaining thebarrier.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

16

13.5

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 22 other items of casework.

13.6

There continued to be enquiries about potential developments on the site of theterminal Antonine Wall fort at Old Kilpatrick, partially under a disused bus station
being marketed by its owners. Only a small part of the area of the fort is a Scheduled
Ancient Monument but it is known that archaeological remains survive below theconcrete sub-base of the bus station. All prospective developers were advised thatdevelopment plan policies afford protection to the Antonine Wall, that it is shortly to
be nominated as a World Heritage Site, that the costs of excavation are likely to be sohigh that they could outweigh the profit from any development, and that if prospective
developers wish to persist with an application for planning consent, they should design
their proposals to leave the existing concrete sub-base in situ and disturb the site as
little as possible. The matter of the site’s future was raised by the Service in its
comments to the Council in respect of the draft West Dunbartonshire Local Plan.

14

Advice to West Lothian Council

14.1

Development Plan Advice
Archaeological comments and suggested amendments to the Heritage Section of thedraft West Lothian Local Plan were provided to the Council’s Conservation officer .

14.2

14.3

Development Control Advice
Over the report period 49 weekly lists were monitored and 74 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by theArchaeology Service or by Council staff.
The 74 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 andPlanning Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 12
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
4
Archaeological watching brief condition required
3
Other Condition
4
No issue or no action possible or necessary33
Not received
18
Altogether 23 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

14.4

Service staff provided a continuing professional development training session forWest Lothian Council planning staff at the start of the report period, as the Council
had newly joined the Archaeology Service.

14.5

An archaeological watching brief took place on groundworks associated with thecreation of a new play area for a children's nursery at 216 High Street, Linlithgow

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

17within the area of the medieval burgh. The groundworks at the tail of the plot revealed
3 lime-mortared sandstone walls from an earlier phase of town development. It was
not possible to establish a date for the walls and there is no indication of a building at
this location on 19th century and later maps. The presence of the walls indicates thatmodern development has not removed all earlier remains in this area and thatsignificant archaeological deposits could survive at a greater depth. The walls were
preserved in situ.

14.6

Other Advice within the Council's Area
During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 44 other items of casework.

14.7

The finding of a network of tunnels during the building of a canalside Restaurant near
Linlithgow was reported to the Service amidst claims in the local and national press
that the farm where they were found was once farmed by monks attached to
Linlithgow Palace and that the tunnels may date back to late medieval times. A
member of the Service visited the site. It is more likely that the tunnels were fordrainage and were built in the early 19th century during a period of extensive
improvement of farm land in West Lothian.

15

The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority

15.1

Archaeological advice is provided to the National Park Authority under the terms of achargeable Service Level Agreement. In the year 2004-05 the National Park Authority
paid the Service £14801.33 for archaeological advice.

15.2

15.3

15.4

Development Plan Advice
The Service continued to provide advice to the National Park Authority throughout thereport period in connection with the preparation of the Park Plan, including attendance
at cultural heritage special qualities workshops and meetings.
Development Control Advice
Over the report period 46 weekly lists were monitored and 17 new planningapplications were identified as raising potential archaeological issues by theArchaeology Service or National Park Authority staff. In addition further advice wasprovided in respect of 2 planning applications submitted in previous years.
The 17 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in National Planning Policy Guideline 5 and Planning
Advice Note 42:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required 4
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
3
Archaeological watching brief condition required1
No issue or no action possible or necessary
9
Altogether 8 of the identified planning applications required some form of response to
mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

18

15.5

The major archaeological excavation at Midross continued throughout the reportperiod. In addition the Service provided advice to the National Park Authority inconnection with the proposed development of the second golf course at Rossdhu
House, adjacent to the area of the Midross golf course. It is anticipated thatdevelopment of this second golf course will also raise archaeological issues.

Other Advice within the National Park Authority’s Area
15.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including
National Park Authority staff, in respect of 14 other items of casework. As part of theService Level Agreement with the Park Authority, advice is provided to the Forestry
Commission on Woodland Grant Scheme applications. The Service provided
comments on 5 such applications within the report period.

16

Advice to the Scottish Water

16.1

There were requests for assistance in connection with Scottish Water proposals over
the report period. The previous informal annual retainer arrangement with Scottish
Water had ceased at the end of the previous report period, and all new work wastherefore charged at the Service’s normal hourly charge rate. This raised income of£2,300. In the event the loss of the Scottish Water retainer raised no financial issues
for the Service as it was offset during the report period by increased income from theLoch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority, from West Lothian Council(new Service member), and from the large increase in requests for chargeable agrienvironment audits.

17

Agri-Environment Audits

17.1

Archaeological audits were supplied on an hourly charging basis to agriculturaladvisers for 343 agri-environment scheme applications (184 the previous year,
representing an increase in workload of 86.4%). This raised income of £14,525 for theService. In addition the sum of £4,827.80 was received from Historic Scotland to help
cover the costs of providing the audits, mainly for necessary Sites and Monuments
Record work to allow audits to be efficiently prepared, but it also covers requests fromagricultural advisers for on-site archaeological management advice, although inpractice there was little or no staff time available for farm visits.

17.2

The provision of audits represents a considerable burden on the Service’s staff
resources, particularly in the period December to end of March. Although sufficient
income is brought in from charging for the work to cover the costs of employing atemporary staff member, that staff member becomes unavailable for other Service
work during the busiest months. This same work overload also happens in several
other Council archaeology services in Scotland. In an effort to try to overcome thework overload caused by the provision of archaeological advice to agri-environment
schemes, the Council archaeologists, via their professional Association (ARIA),
opened negotiations with Historic Scotland and the Scottish Executive Environment
and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) during the report period in an effort to findanother solution by provision of digital archaeological information in GIS format for

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

19

online consultation by farmers and agricultural advisers. The provision of such GIS
information by the Scottish Sites and Monuments Record would require substantial
financial investment from the Scottish Executive. Discussions were still in progress at
the end of the report period with the Service being contracted by Historic Scotland at
the beginning of 2005-06 to prepare a report on the current readiness of the Scottish
Sites and Monuments Records to provide the necessary digital information to the
Executive. If funding for the digital project can be achieved, delivery of the GIS
information is expected to take 2 years. The advantage of going down this route is thatit should free up staff resources to provide better management advice to farmers, rather
than the time being spent producing manual data for avoidance purposes. Income fromthe provision of management advice to agricultural advisers and farmers would still be
expected to flow in future, but possibly at a lower level as less time would be spent ondata collation.
18

Outreach

18.1

After a gap of a couple of years, the Service restarted its conference series in
November 2004. The conference which was held at the Western Infirmary Lecture
Theatre was well attended. Papers were given on a variety of topics, including theongoing excavations at Midross, Loch Lomond; a synthesis of the findings fromseveral recent excavations in historic Ayr; the excavation of a palisaded site on the lineof the Glasgow Southern Orbital Road, East Renfrewshire which proved to be the first
firmly dated Dark Age settlement site to be found in the west of Scotland; theexcavations of part of medieval Dreghorn in North Ayrshire; and the excavations at
the Old Pighoose Pottery site in the Gallowgate, Glasgow. The Service is grateful tothe staff of the commercial archaeological contractors who were prepared to give theirtime to speak at the conference. Most of the papers given were the result of developer
funded archaeology arising from the attachment of conditions to planning consents.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

20

Appendix 1
Annual Performance Statistics 2004-2005 (figures for previous year in brackets forcomparison)
Weekly lists
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area of work is
90% to be monitored and actioned within 14 calendar days of receipt.
Performance
61.5%
(50%)
Planning and Listed Building Consultations
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area of work is
80% to be actioned within 21 calendar days of receipt.
Planning Applications
Argyll & Bute
83.5%
(64.6%)
East Ayrshire
80.3%(58.7%)
East Renfrewshire
62.5%(69.0%)
Glasgow City
57.1%
(46.9%)
Inverclyde
50.0%(22.2%)
North Ayrshire
64.3%(50.0%)
North Lanarkshire
65.5%(53.7%)
Renfrewshire
80.4%(61.0%)South Ayrshire
61.5%(48.9%)South Lanarkshire
75.0%(55.4%)
West Dunbartonshire
76.0%(79.2%)
West Lothian76.8%--------Loch Lomond & Trossachs
70.6%(100%)Overall Planning Application Performance
76.3%
(60%)
Other Work Areas
The performance standard agreed with the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service (benchmark
partner) for this area of work is 80% to be actioned within 21 calendar days of receipt.
Agri-Environment Scheme Audits
99.7%(54.6%)
Pre-Application Enquiries
74.1%(55.8%)
Permitted Dev/Statutory Undertakings
73.0%(64.2%)
Forest Design Plan
100.0%(60.0%)
Woodland Grant Scheme
80.0%(100%)
Other Archaeological Consultations
75.8%(61.3%)
General/SMR Enquiries
64.3%(92.6%)
Other
40.0%(50.0%)
Policy Liaison
100%--------SMR Information Management
5.7%(92.3%)SMR Systems Support & Development
100%(100%)Overall Other Work Performance
73.97%(72.7%)(SMR Information Management is incoming information for integration to the SMR. In
addition there is an ongoing programme of enhancement of SMR data).

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.

21

Appendix 2
WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICEREVENUE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2005
115,152.56

Balance B/fwd 01/04/04
INCOME
Core Funding
Glasgow City Council (net)Argyll & Bute Council
East Ayrshire Council
East Renfrewshire Council
Inverclyde Council
North Ayrshire Council
North Lanarkshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
South Ayrshire Council
South Lanarkshire Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
West Lothian Council (balance, rest paid in 2003-04)

7,725.00
22,467.00
11,944.00
7,783.00
8,303.00
11,944.00
11,944.00
11,944.00
11,944.00
16,106.00
11,372.00
4,944.00
138,420.00

Other Income
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority
HS grant aid (IPF SMR)
HS agri-environment support
HS grant aid portal report
Misc

14,801.33
1,000.00
4,827.80
2,850.00
22,415.00
45,894.13

Interest Received On Balances (to be paid in 2005-06)
184,314.13

TOTAL INCOME

299,466.69
EXPENDITURE
Employee Costs
Salaries -

Basic
Supn.
N.I.
Allowances

136,571.36
19,550.09
10,633.52
227.92
166,982.89

Supplies & Services
Equipment Purchase & Maintenance
Catering

7,890.27
466.908,357.17

Transport
Car Allowances

5,759.21

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

22

Administration Costs
Rents
Fixtures & Fittings
Printing & Stationary
Telephones
Postage
Subsistence & Travel

8,733.00
643.12639.90291.40487.793,215.34
14,010.55

Payment To Agencies
Subscriptions

266.50TOTAL EXPENDITURE

195,376.32

Balance c/fwd @ 31/03/05

104,090.37
299,466.69

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North
Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

23