WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE
Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2018/19
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019.
During the report period, the Service dealt with 1918 new casework items, 144 more than in
the previous year. Around two thirds of this 8.1% increase in casework was due to theintroduction of East Dunbartonshire Council to the Joint Service, but the underlying trend of
casework figures in the areas of the pre-existing Council service continued to rise by 2.5%.
Monitoring the 593 weekly lists of planning applications registered with the Councils and theLoch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority was once again an essential elementof the Service’s work, ensuring that applications which raise potential archaeological issues
which have not been fully dealt with at the pre-application stage can be identified forconsideration. This monitoring of the weekly lists, along with direct referrals from planning
officers, identified 930 new planning applications which required further detailed assessment.
A further 395 new casework items in other categories also arose in the reporting period.
Spatial data from the Historic Environment Record was provided to the local government
Improvement Service’s Spatial Hub website, allowing our authorities to meet the historic
environment element of their statutory responsibilities under the EU INSPIRE Directive
without the need for additional resources.

New Casework 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019
Council Area

Total of New
Casework Items

Weeklylists

Argyll & Bute

51
50
38
51
51
47
51
47
53
51
51
52

222
86
43
36
59
46
40
96
125
18
94
65

General/Multi-Council

373
159
100
95
136
123
104
184
239
77
171
142
15

100
23
19
8
26
30
13
41
61
8
26
25
15

Total

1918

593

930

395

East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianNational Park Authority

Planning
Applications

Other

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

1Planning Application Casework 2018-2019
The number of new planning applications identified as potentially raising archaeologicalissues was expected to increase after East Dunbartonshire Council’s entry to the Joint
Service at the end of the last reporting period. In addition to that increase, there was also astatistically insignificant increase of ten in the number of similar applications from the preexisting Council areas over the year. Of the combined total of 930 applications which theService staff examined in detail, 435 (47%) were assessed as raising potentially significant
historic environment issues which would justify some form of archaeological intervention.
The continuing successful facilitation of a rising number of archaeological interventions has
only been possible through the use of the Service’s award-winning archaeological impact
mitigation system. This streamlined working method allows better use of officer time within
the Service, and within the planning services of member authorities.
Continuing improvements to the availability of externally sourced historic environment data isallowing easier integration of relevant new information into the Historic Environment Record(HER), a process which enhances the quality of Development Management advice provided
by the Service and improves the Service’s average response times.
The full benefits of the improved data and the casework handling system is heavily
dependent on reliable access to planning application documents on member Councils’ online
services. Localised disruptions to the online eplanning system because of IT system failures,software changes, or procedural changes have continued intermittently, and were mitigated
where possible after informing those member authorities affected each time.
Summary Table of Planning Applications 2013-2019
Numbers of applications identified for
detailed further assessment

Numbers of these then assessed asraising significant archaeological issues

13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19
316 208 159 160 184 222
115
112
95
101
105
137
Argyll & Bute
62
84
99
94
89
86
24
38
40
43
35
26
East Ayrshire
43
20
East Dunbartonshire
21
27
22
24
29
36
6
12
11
9
18
18
East Renfrewshire
51
52
48
63
66
59
16
16
18
31
29
25
Glasgow
55
50
55
58
52
46
30
25
32
30
31
23
North Ayrshire
24
44
41
43
42
40
11
21
26
24
26
18
Renfrewshire
103 108
72
92
87
96
36
39
24
34
36
35
South Ayrshire
134 122 154 140 132 125
58
66
68
67
76
54
South Lanarkshire
17
33
23
26
40
18
7
10
11
12
13
6
West Dunbartonshire
79 104 128
66
92
94
36
57
57
28
53
47
West Lothian
64
54
65
52
64
65
30
21
31
24
29
26
National Park
Total

926

886

866

818

877

(% raising issues)

930

369

417

413

403

451

435

(40%)

(47%)

(48%)

(49%)

(51%)

(47%)

In addition to identifying and initiating new casework during the reporting period, the Service
also carried forward work on 322 planning application cases which had been initiated inprevious years. These cases included the Service providing an archaeological expert witness
for South Lanarkshire Council’s representation at two Public Local Inquiries, but the majorityof the cases involved the facilitation of work required through conditions on planning
consents which had been granted in earlier years, by providing advice to developers and toCouncil planning staff on the appropriate scale of fieldwork and standards of reporting
required to satisfy archaeological conditions.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

2

While around 40% of these cases involved project planning discussions and agreements
ahead of fieldwork or were related to the scope of post-fieldwork analysis or reporting
requirements, the greater number involved facilitating the implementation of conditions on
previous consents and resulted in new commercial archaeological fieldwork during thereporting period. This activity has in the past provided a proxy measure of generaldevelopment activity on the ground. The total of 197 such cases carried forward in thereporting period was 15% greater than in the preceding year, and appears to indicate an end
to the slow-down in development activity reported in recent years.
The Service also monitors fieldwork carried out by commercial archaeological organisations
in response to planning conditions to ensure appropriate compliance. This monitoring rolealso provides a measure of independent quality assurance for the developers.

Other Casework 2018-2019
In addition to casework items generated from weekly lists and planning applications, a further
395 items of other new work were initiated in the report period. (See table below, figures forthe previous year in brackets).
Pre-application planning enquiries

105

(67)

Permitted Development enquiries

36

(46)

Development Plan consultations

1(2)

Policy liaison matters

10

(7)

Historic Environment Record information management matters

74

(97)

General or Historic Environment Record enquiries

36

(30)

Other Archaeological Consultations

18

(10)

Scottish Rural Development Programme audits and other agri-environment matters

115

(96)

0

(1)

395

(356)

Other (includes items sent in error)
Total

As is to be expected, the numbers of new casework items in the different categories havevaried in comparison to the last reporting period. However, notwithstanding the expected
impact of the introduction of East Dunbartonshire Council to the Service, there has been amodest increase in the underlying total, taking it above the average level of casework
numbers recorded in recent years.
Pre-application planning enquiries
The substantial rise in pre-application enquiries to the Service casework in this reporting
period has reversed the falls recorded over the previous two years, but the number of theseenquiries remains considerably below the level recorded in the peak year of 2012-2013.
Nevertheless, in combination with the recorded rise in commissioned archaeologicalfieldwork referred to above, the rise may reflect a more optimistic approach to projectplanning by some developers.
Permitted development enquiries
Following the unusually high 70% annual increase recorded in last year’s report, the numberof requests from the statutory undertakers for advice on how to implement their own policies
for the protection of the historic environment fell back by 22% in the reporting period,
returning to a point within the normal range recorded in previous years.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

3As can be readily appreciated, the number of these requests, and the fee income generated
by them through the approved WoSAS Access to Information and Charging Policy varies
according to the timing and scale of the projects brought forward though the infrastructure
providers’ own capital investment programmes.
Policy matters, professional standards and guidance, and liaison with other bodies
During the reporting period, the Service continued to be consulted, and to comment on
Scottish Government proposals for the future of the planning system.
The Service continued to contribute to the ongoing development of Scotland’s Historic
Environment Data Strategy (SHED Strategy), the collaborative national strategy for thecollation, management and exchange of historic environment data.
Through membership of the Scottish HER Forum (formerly the Scottish SMR Forum), theService represented the interests of the member councils in discussions on national data
standards and collaborative working patterns between the local authority HERs and otherbodies including Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU), andthe Improvement Service.
The Service continued to represent the interests of the member councils on an Association of
Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO:Scotland) workgroup on the delivery of
the aims of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy, promoted by HES, and contributed toworkshops and consultations in relation to HES’s development of its own corporate policies,
Scottish national heritage policy, policies relating to heritage designations, and the content
and scope of specialist guidance documents.
Through membership of ALGAO:Scotland, and its ‘observer status’ at meetings of the Built
Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), the Service was able to provide information andadvice relevant to the roles and responsibilities of the WoSAS member councils, so as tobetter inform the discussions of BEFS member organisations.
During the reporting period, the Service provided the ‘curatorial member’ to the Inspection
Panel of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) in the assessment of anarchaeological consultancy wishing to continue to be included in CIfA’s Registered
Organisation scheme.
On three occasions the Service liaised with and provided advice to Police Scotland inconnection with reported finds of skeletal material. In two of these cases, the Service
facilitated an archaeological intervention to recover prehistoric burial remains using a
notification and call-out contract system set up and funded by Historic Environment Scotland.
During the reporting period, the Service also met twice with the Dumfries and Galloway
Council Museums Service and Planning Archaeology Service officers, and with the Societyof Antiquaries of Scotland’s Scottish Archaeological Research Framework Project Manager
to develop a funding bid for a joint project to deliver a Regional Archaeological Research
Framework for South-West Scotland.
Historic Environment Record matters
Continuing high levels of planning application casework have again limited the time which theService’s permanent staff could devote to updating the Historic Environment Record (HER).
However, in the reporting period the Service was fortunate to have continuing help from apart-time volunteer HER assistant and from an intern on a GCC-sponsored three-month
student placement. A total of 940 new site records were added to the HER database, andamendments or additions were made to a further 483 existing site records. In addition, 238
cross-referenced archive records were created within the HER following the receipt of reports
on completed archaeological projects.
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

4

During the reporting period 278 archaeological event records were created. This 16%
increase on the previous period appears to have been partly as a result of an improvement in
the regularity of notifications of new fieldwork by commercial archaeological contractors andacademic and amateur researchers submitted to the nationwide ‘OASIS’ archaeologicalactivities reporting system, in which local Authority HERs have an important role.
Public engagement, training, and research assistanceDuring the reporting period, the Service assisted or liaised with two local amateurarchaeological or historical groups in the preparation of local heritage fieldwork projects orfunding bids.
In excess of a dozen general telephone enquiries from the public were dealt with during theinitial contact call through reference to relevant information in the HER, but because of theshort duration of the calls, these did not trigger a formal time-recording entry in theConsultations Log module of the HER, and are thus not otherwise recorded in our annual
statistics.
Over the reporting period, the Service received 55 working days’ assistance on HER tasks
from a volunteer post-graduate archivist who was provided with the appropriate training indata input and concordance checking. Training in research disciplines, source assessment,
database procedures and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) was also given
to a GCC-sponsored undergraduate student intern during a three-month project to georeference and record in the HER the archaeologically significant sites which could be
identified on a detailed map of Glasgow at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The Service also assisted three PhD candidates with the provision of data for their theses, orby responding to requests for interviews or research survey responses.
Agri-environment matters
While the number of recorded agri-environment casework items has risen somewhat over thecurrent reporting period, once again this disguises the fact that the overwhelming majority of
the cases were consultation requests from Forestry Commission Scotland Conservancy
offices inviting comments on the historic environment impacts of forestry grant applications
they had received.
As has been reported in each year since the withdrawal of centrally funded payments to
Local Authority HERs underwriting the costs of providing archaeological information and preapplication advice to forestry agents and landowners seeking public grants, there has beenno significant uptake from these applicants for the mediated information which would help tominimise identified adverse impacts of their forestry operations on historic environment
resources.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

5

1

Running the Service

1.1

The Service’s Joint Committee met on two occasions, on 20 September 2018, and on
28 March 2019. In addition, the Convenor met with the Manager of the Service on 31
August 2018 to consider the pre-audited annual accounts for 2017/18, as set out ingovernance procedures previously agreed with Audit Scotland.

1.2

The Service's Steering Group met three times during the year to consider various
matters in connection with the running of the Service, including the ongoingassessment of alternative future service delivery models and the development ofproposals for the implementation of a preferred model.

1.3

Following the successful conclusion of the discussions referred to in the last Annual
Report, the Service commenced the provision of the full range of curatorialarchaeological advice and HER services to the East Dunbartonshire Council at thestart of the current report period.

1.4

During the reporting period, the Service carried out a further cost-neutral officerelocation on the same floor of the same building. The Service staff continue to bepart of Glasgow City Council’s Development Plan & City Design group, but arelocated within the same open-plan office as Development Management and BuildingStandards colleagues. The relocation has further improved informal networking
contacts with a range of planning service colleagues and has allowed the team torationalise their work space in a single bank of adjacent desks and storage
cupboards, which has also served to enhance the team’s corporate presence within
the host department.

1.5

The balance in the Service's reserve account at year end stood at £123,308 (seeAppendix 2). The level of financial reserves at the financial year end was higher than
had been predicted in budget forecasts. Once again, this was because of reduced
salary and employee-related costs as a result of a continuing temporary change tostaff work rostering, combined with a modest increase in fee-earned income, andbecause projected contingency spending was not required. The level of financial
reserves is kept under annual review as specified in the Service’s approved Reserves
Policy.

1.6

An 11% increase in the amount of external income generated by the Service’s Accessto Information and Charging Policy over the report period validates the findings of areview of the revisions to the policy approved by the Joint Committee in March 2015,
which suggested that there is no immediate need to review its provisions or charging
rates. Over the reporting period, the Service received £17,100 for the provision ofarchaeological information and advice to developers and their agents.

1.7

Continuing a pattern reported on in the preceding three years, there has been no
significant uptake from forestry agents for archaeological information and advice
since centrally funded transitional payments for the provision of such advice andinformation were phased out. Similar outcomes have been noted by other local
authorities across Scotland who are unable or unwilling to undertake this work without
additional external resources. This diminution in the range of mediated information
available for planning environmentally sustainable forestry operations is a matter ofconcern which has been raised with national agencies.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

62

Historic Environment Record Maintenance and Development
2.1

During the report period 940 new site records were added to the Historic Environment
Record (HER) database, 483 existing site records were amended, 278 archaeologicalevents records were added, and the HER was informed of the commencement of 197
new fieldwork events. Following the receipt of reports on previous archaeologicalprojects 238 archive records (indexed and cross-referenced hyperlinks to the reports
received by the Service in digital format) were created.

2.2

The Service’s website (http://www.wosas.net) was not updated regularly over thereport period, as available staff time is being directed towards a re-design to allow are-launch bringing the online content up to date with procedural changes and therequirements of the Scottish Historic Environment Data Strategy (SHED Strategy)
once these are finalised. Nevertheless, during the same period, there were over
671,000 “hits” on the existing website.

2.3

The Service continued its liaison role with the national heritage agencies and data
providers as the member Councils’ representative on the Association of Local
Authority Archaeological Officers (ALGAO:Scotland), and the associated HER Forum
Scotland (formerly known as the SMR Forum Scotland). WoSAS continued tocontribute to national initiatives on a cost-neutral basis to ensure that the shared data
sources which are being developed under the SHED Strategy meet the needs of the
WoSAS member Councils. During the reporting period, one data exchange with
Historic Environment Scotland was initiated, and information on chance finds wasprovided to the HER by the Treasure Trove Unit on one occasion.

2.4

The Service has consolidated its engagement with the Spatial Information team of thelocal authority Improvement Service and their new Spatial Hub website, which
provides public access to environmental spatial data to ensure that Councils comply
with the INSPIRE (Scotland) 2009 Regulations. The Spatial Hub is designed to allow
local authorities to meet their statutory responsibilities for spatial data access without
having to set up their own INSPIRE-compliant portals. By updating the Spatial Hub
twice during the reporting period with collated and curated HER data, WoSAS has
assisted member councils to meet this legal requirement without the need for
additional resources.

2.5

Throughout the reporting period, the Service engaged in the ‘OASIS validation’ ofdraft archaeological reports received by the HER following data entry or editing by theauthors. OASIS is a UK-wide national archaeological data repository set up at the
University of York with funding from national agencies. It is designed to holdarchaeological reports and information from across the heritage sector. Local
authorities have been given a major role in the validation of the reports generated,
and in integrating the finalised and validated information into local HERs so it remains
available for local researchers and the commercial sector in future. Discussions on
how to update and improve the OASIS reporting system are well-advanced, and the
WoSAS HER has been invited to test and comment on the early release version of
the revised system to ensure the final version is fit for purpose in the modern planningsystem.

2.6

Over the reporting period, the Service received 55 working days’ assistance from avolunteer member of the public, working on the HER. This volunteer, a post-graduate
archivist, has generously donated worktime to the Service over a two year period,
extending her own skill-set while updating the Service HER. Following successful
completion of a pilot study of data concordance between HER entries and Historic
Environment Scotland data, the volunteer has initiated a complete concordancecheck of the HER to assist in future data exchanges under the SHED Strategy.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

7

2.7

The Service was offered the opportunity to take part in Glasgow City Council’sInternship Programme for Glasgow-based students. This programme of three-month
paid summer internship posts is and advertised, recruited and supported by GCC todeliver projects which are of public benefit. WoSAS staff carried out candidate
selection and recruited a third-year undergraduate to deliver a project to georeference and record approximately 140 archaeologically significant sites which could
be identified on a detailed map of Glasgow at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
WoSAS staff provided training, management and mentorship to the intern in researchdisciplines, source assessment, database procedures and the use of Geographical
Information Systems (GIS). Liaison with the National Library of Scotland (NLS) in
relation to the project secured the use of their high-definition digital version of thesource map, which was then geo-referenced to the modern Ordnance Survey mapbase by the intern, and returned to the NLS for them to mount on their own website.
This collaborative project was successfully completed, and the results weresummarised and presented to senior staff within GCC, and to the WoSAS Joint
Committee.

2.8

During the reporting period, the Service assisted or liaised with two local amateurarchaeological or historical groups in the preparation of local heritage fieldwork
projects or funding bids, and dealt with more than a dozen short-duration telephoneenquiries regarding HER information on specific sites or areas.

2.9

Service staff assisted three PhD candidates with the provision of data for their theses,
or by responding to requests for interviews or research survey responses.

2.10

The Service was able to assist West Dunbartonshire Council staff in dealing with thechance find of an underground masonry feature in Levengrove Park in Dumbarton,
which had been exposed by an uprooted wind-thrown tree during a storm. Informationin the HER allowed the early identification of the feature as one of the main elementsof an early eighteenth century engineered water supply for the burgh of Dumbarton,
believed to be the earliest such system in Scotland. The Service also advised andassisted in the subsequent archaeological examination and recording of the feature.
West Dunbartonshire Council secured funding to allow the feature to be consolidated
in situ and displayed to the public within the park.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

8

3

Advice to Argyll and Bute Council
Development Management Advice

3.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 222 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, 188 by the Archaeology Service and 34 byCouncil staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 62 planning applications
which had been submitted in previous years.

3.2

The 222 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 222 applications, 215 (96.83%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

Refusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStanding buildings survey condition
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
Refer to Historic Environment Scotland (Scheduled or Listed asset)
No issue, or no action possible

3
20
30
48
1
8
3
75
188

TotalsCouncil

5
16
3

10
34

Total of
cases

3
25
46
51
1
8
3
85
222

Altogether, 137 of the 222 planning applications (61.7%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
3.3

Refusal of the submitted planning application was recommended in three cases, oneof which was for a small hydro-electric scheme partly within a Scheduled Monumentin Appin. Two other applications, in Kilmartin and Kilfinan, had not been supported byappropriate assessments of their likely impact on nearby Scheduled Monuments, so
the Council was unable to make a fully informed decision respecting heritage policies.

3.4

The continuation of archaeological work in advance of the major housingdevelopment at Dunbeg near Oban revealed further evidence of a well-preserved
Bronze Age village there. Evidence of smaller-scale prehistoric settlements or
farmsteads were discovered throughout the Council area, with good examples being
found at Tighnabruich, and at Ardardan on the banks of the Clyde near Helensburgh.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
3.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 100 other items of casework, including 11 pre-applicationenquiries, 8 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 18 enquiries fromstatutory undertakers.

3.6

The Service liaised with and provided advice to Police Scotland in connection with
reported finds of skeletal material on the Isle of Colonsay. In response to a reportpassed on by the local GP, the Service was able to verify that the bones had eroded
from a prehistoric burial site. Following the police report to the Procurator Fiscal, anarchaeological intervention to recover remains was arranged using a notification andcall-out contract system set up and funded by Historic Environment Scotland.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

94

Advice to East Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

4.1

Over the report period 50 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 86 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 25 by the Archaeology Service and 61 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 36 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

4.2

The 86 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 86 applications, 83 (96.47%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, or no action possible

Total of
cases

5
4
1
15
25

6
6
4
45
61

11
10
5
60
86

Totals

Altogether, 26 of the 86 planning applications (30.2%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
4.3

An archaeological evaluation of farmland north of Kilmarnock was carried out acondition of consent for a housing development. Two ploughed-out areas of intenseburning were identified, and a subsequent excavation revealed that these were likely
to have been large kilns or furnaces for light industrial use. Late medieval and postmedieval pottery fragments were recovered nearby, as was a fragment of metallic
slag. Although it was not possible to determine the purpose of the features with any
certainty, as there had previously been no evidence of any earlier use of the fields forany non-agricultural purpose, it may be assumed that the industrial activity pre-dated
the 18th century Agricultural Revolution.

4.4

Archaeological works carried out in advance of redevelopment of the Cumnock
Academy campus revealed evidence of the 18th/19th century mill which had occupied
the site. Despite heavy disturbance to the site during the building of the school
complex in the later 20th century, which had removed all evidence of the mill buildings
mapped in 1860, stonework and earth-cut features of the mill’s wheel-house andhead-race had survived, allowing characterization of the structural form of a small
corn mill from that period in rural Ayrshire.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

4.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 23 other items of casework, including 7 pre-application enquiries, 5
HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 1 enquiry from a statutory
undertaker.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

105

Advice to East Dunbartonshire Council
Development Management Advice

5.1

Over the report period 38 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 43 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 28 by the Archaeology Service and 15 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 1 planning application which had
been submitted in a previous year.

5.2

The 43 identified planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 43 applications, 39 (90.7%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument or listed building)
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

4

4
1
1
1
1
7
15

8
1
9
1
1
23
43

Totals81628

Altogether, 20 of the 43 planning applications (46.5%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
5.3

Following an application to convert a former farm steading to housing, the Service
recommended pre-determination field evaluation of the site as the farm lay on orclose to the mapped line of the Antonine Wall Roman frontier, now a World Heritage
Site. Although the Historic Environment Scotland mapping of the Roman frontier
skirted to the north of the site, the location of the early modern farm, and the local
topography had led Roman-period experts in the past to suggest that there may havebeen a small Roman military installation on or near the farm site. The evaluation of
the farm yard and an open area proposed for new parking revealed relatively wellpreserved evidence of the Antonine Wall ditch, and the stone facing of the wall-baseitself running through the farm on a line to the south of that previously suggested.
Following discussions with the planning service, the design and timetabling of thedevelopment was amended to avoid disturbance to the surviving elements of the
Roman frontier, and to allow further examination of the site during conversion of the
farm buildings and the rest of the new development.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

5.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 19 other items of casework, including 5 pre-application enquiries, 2enquiries from statutory undertakers, and 1 HER site information query.

5.5

During the report period the manager of the Service also represented the Council on
the Antonine Wall Research Group and contributed to discussions on revisions to the
Supplementary Planning Guidance for development management in and around theAntonine Wall World Heritage Site.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

11

6

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council
Development Management Advice

6.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 36 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 32 by the Archaeology Service and 4 by Council staff.
In addition further work was done in respect of 17 planning applications which had
been submitted in previous years.

6.2

The 36 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. All 36 applications (100%) were actioned within 21 days (our performancestandard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStanding buildings survey condition
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

3
4
3
1
5
16
32

TotalsCouncil2

2
4

Total of
cases

3
4
5
1
5
18
36

Altogether, 18 of the 36 planning applications (50%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
6.3

The archaeological mitigation measures put in place when determining in favour ofthe large-scale housing development at Maidenhill Farm, Newton Mearns continued
into the reporting period. The early phases of work on the large, sloping andoccasionally rocky site had revealed 32 features of significance, including the remainsof hearths and storage/waste pits. Three of the hearths contained pottery dating to
the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Three ditch features which appeared to be
associated with late medieval or post-medieval agricultural activity were also found.
The later phases of work in the summer of 2018 revealed a further 168 features ofarchaeological interest. These included prehistoric pits, a posthole alignment, hearths
and possible structural remains. Parts of the site, despite having shallow soils andoutcrops of bedrock, contained structural remains with rock-cut postholes, aprehistoric cist and possible pit burials and other pits of probable prehistoric. Artefacts
included prehistoric pottery of Early Neolithic and Bronze Age date, Arran pitchstone
flakes and flint tools. Along with other sites excavated nearby, this site is evidence
that prehistoric occupation was not limited to low-lying areas with good, light soils,
and is likely to have been more widespread across the landscape than previously
thought.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

6.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 8 other items of casework, including 1 enquiry from a statutory
undertaker, and 1 HER site information query.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

12

7

Advice to Glasgow City Council
Development Management Advice

7.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 59 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 42 by the Archaeology Service and 27 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 26 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

7.2

The 59 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 59 applications, 55 (93.2%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Refer to Historic Environment Scotland (Scheduled or Listed asset)
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

3
14
1

3
2
1
1
10
17

6
16
2
1
34
59

Totals24
42

Altogether, 25 of the 59 planning applications (42.4%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
7.3

The re-development of a large area in the south of the Gorbals, to the north of the
M74 was preceded by archaeological evaluations. A retail development will occupy
part of the site which was formerly the Malleable Iron Division of the Govan Iron
Works, other divisions of which were excavated before construction of the motorway.
A residential development will occupy a more northerly area which formerly held theIron Works blast furnaces and tenemental housing. Despite intensive redevelopmentof the area in the 1970s and 1980s, the evaluation revealed significant surviving
structures, although deliberate recycling of building materials by the Iron Works
company from the 1870s until the 1920s had removed most of the early Iron Worksstructures. Targeted excavation of the localised surviving elements of the Malleable
Iron Works were completed, freeing the larger area for the retail development.
Alongside the archaeological fieldwork, the post-excavation analysis and reporting will
tie together historical material from other sources to provide a concise history of theIron Works site and its important role in Glasgow’s industrial heritage. Area
excavation of the blast furnaces and a representative sample of tenement types
within the northern part of the site has been agreed, but has yet to take place.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

7.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 26 other items of casework, including 12 pre-application enquiries,
3 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 4 enquiries regarding statutory
undertakings.

7.5

During the report period the manager of the Service represented the Council on theAntonine Wall Research Group and contributed to discussions on revisions to the
Supplementary Planning Guidance for development management in and around theAntonine Wall World Heritage Site.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

13

8

Advice to North Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

8.1

Over the report period 47 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 46 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 30 by the Archaeology Service and 16 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 14 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

8.2

The 46 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. All 46 applications (100%) were actioned within 21 days (our performancestandard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Refer to Historic Environment Scotland (Scheduled or Listed asset)
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

1
8
4

2
4
3
1
6
16

3
12
7
1
23
46

Totals1730

Altogether, 23 of the 46 planning applications (50%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
8.3

In 2017, evaluation of the Lamlash Cemetery Extension on Arran, close to the ruins ofa medieval chapel first mentioned in 1357. No medieval remains were encountered,but several small pit and post‐hole features and a series of dark silt spreads were
found, along with fragments of Arran Pitchstone, a local material traded widely inprehistoric times for its desirability in tool-making and decorative value. Further work
to recover the prehistoric remains before the establishment of the cemetery extension
was recommended, and was carried out in this reporting period. Again, no latemedieval remains contemporary with the surviving medieval building were found, buta deep prehistoric occupation layer lay on the sloping site, later cut through by ditches
which may be associated with an early Christian enclosure close to the chapel site,
and which may be evidence for Dark Age occupation. Other features encountered
include a possible standing stone and the possible remains of a prehistoric stone
circle. Full analysis of the results has yet to be completed, but may reveal rareevidence of a prehistoric ritual site which was superseded by a Christian settlement
and early church site, as has been postulated in a number of places elsewhere in
Scotland in the past.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

8.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 30 other items of casework, including 11 pre-application enquiries,
7 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 3 enquiries from statutory
undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

14

9

Advice to Renfrewshire Council
Development Management Advice

9.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 40 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 32 by the Archaeology Service and 8 by Council staff.
In addition further work was done in respect of 17 planning applications which had
been submitted in previous years.

9.2

The 40 identified planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 40 applications, 39 (97.5%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStanding buildings survey condition
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

TotalsWoSAS

Council

Total of
cases

8
5
1
1
17
32

2
1

10
6
1
1
22
40

5
8

Altogether, 18 of the 40 planning (45%) applications identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
9.3

Routine field evaluation of a proposed housing development on farmland near
Inchinnan identified widespread evidence of past human activity. Consent for thedevelopment was granted subject to a condition requiring excavation of the extensive
plough-truncated prehistoric remains. Several complex wooden roundhouses were
found, along with other simpler circular structures. Other features, such as enclosuresand pits were identified, along with Bronze Age pottery fragments, which appear togive some evidence of the period of occupation, although its full range is still
unknown. In other parts of the site burial cists were found with ceramic vessels
containing cremated human remains. Full analysis will take some time to complete,
but it can already be said that this site is the most important prehistoric excavation in
Renfrewshire in modern times, and will considerably improve our understanding ofprehistoric life in the county, and more widely in lowland Scotland.

9.4

Other prehistoric material was recovered during the archaeological evaluation of abuilt-up site in Wellmeadow Street, Paisley. A ditch of possible prehistoric datecontaining a fragment of a quern stone and a perforated stone tool was found during
work prompted by the proximity of a medieval chapel. The survival of prehistoricmaterial in such a developed urban context was very unusual and unexpected.
Other Advice within the Council’s Area

9.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 13 other items of casework, including 4 pre-application enquiries, 1
HER site information query, and 1 enquiry from a statutory undertaker.

9.6

The Service continued to advise on the historic environment implications of thecouncil’s new City Deal projects, and continues to liaise with design teams in order tominimise risks of delays or unforeseen archaeological costs.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

15

10

Advice to South Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

10.1

Over the report period 47 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 96 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 44 by the Archaeology Service and 52 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 23 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

10.2

The 96 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. All 96 applications (100%) were actioned within 21 days (our performancestandard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilRefusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStandings buildings survey condition
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

1
3
5
5
2
4
24
44

0
4
4
4
3

1
7
9
9
5
4
61
96

Totals37
52

Altogether, 35 of the 96 planning applications (36.5%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
10.3

Refusal of the submitted planning application was recommended where the proposedlarge greenfield housing development would have completely surrounded a
Scheduled Monument and would have required the destruction of another monument
likely to be of national importance in Monkton, near Prestwick. Following discussion
with the Council, the application in its original form was withdrawn.

10.4

The post-excavation analysis following archaeological work on the brownfield site of
the Craigie Campus of the new Ayr Academy revealed that a pattern of 26 closely
spaced fire pits which had been excavated had been the field ovens of a Romanmarching camp. Evidence of re-use suggested that these ovens had serviced atemporary campaign base rather than an enclosure for an overnight halt. Although no
Roman artefacts were found in the features, radiocarbon dating of the charcoal fromthe fires dated the site to the Flavian period in the late 70s and 80s AD, when
Agricola, the Roman Governor of Britannia, was attempting to subdue the northern
British tribes in a series of seasonal campaigns. The site lay on the north bank of theRiver Ayr, near what would have been a fording point, close to the coast and a naval
supply route, and a day’s march north of already recorded temporary camps near
Girvan. The results from this site make a major contribution to our understanding of
Roman military activity in Scotland and are of international significance.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

10.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 41 other items of casework, which included 22 pre-applicationenquiries, 3 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 2 enquiries fromstatutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

16

11

Advice to South Lanarkshire Council
Development Management Advice

11.1

Over the report period 53 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 125 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 65 by the Archaeology Service and 60 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 56 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

11.2

The 125 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 125 applications, 118 (94.3%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

Refusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Refer to Historic Environment Scotland (Scheduled or Listed asset)
No issue, or no action possible

TotalsWoSAS

Council

Total of
cases

9
14
8
1
33
65

1
4
6
10
1
38
60

1
13
20
18
2
71
125

Altogether, 54 of the 125 planning applications (43.2%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
11.3

The Service represented the Council at a Public Inquiry Hearing Session on a Wind
Farm application appeal case at Priestgill, near Abington, on the edge of the existing
Clyde Wind Farm undergoing assessment by the DPES Reporters’ Unit, and at a fullInquiry Session on the landscape and historic environment matters raised by the
Harryburn Wind Farm application because of its predicted adverse impacts onnationally important heritage assets within the Lowther Hills.

11.4

Archaeological advice was provided regarding development proposals within thedesignated nationally important site of the Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Although heavily
developed in subsequent centuries, evidence of the battle has previously been foundin earlier interventions to the north of the Clyde, and the new work examined an areaon the south bank through which defeated Covenanters were said to have fled. A
metal detector survey and trial trenching revealed nothing conclusive for the small
area covered. The Council’s other designated Covenanting battlefield at Drumclog
was also considered during the reporting period, as a local farmer proposes to erect alarge wind turbine close to the designated site as part of the diversification of his
business. Detailed advice and discussions on impacts on the landscape setting of thebattlefield resulted in an amended set of proposals coming forward.
Other Advice in the Council's Area

11.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 61 other items of casework, including 16 pre-application enquiries,
5 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 3 enquiries from statutory
undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

17

12

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council
Development Management Advice

12.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 18 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 8 by the Archaeology Service and 10 by Council staff.
In addition further work was done in respect of 24 planning applications which had
been submitted in previous years.

12.2

The 18 identified planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 18 applications, 16 (88.9%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

TotalsWoSAS

Council

Total of
cases

2

1
3
6
10

3
3
12
18

6
8

Altogether, 6 of the 18 planning applications (33.3%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework examples
12.3

The Service recommended the attachment of conditions requiring field evaluations,followed by further excavation should significant remains be found, for two
development sites in the Vale of Leven. The first development, for housing in Bonhill
was close to a church site in use since the 14th century, while the second was for clay
extraction on farmland above Jamestown, where prehistoric settlement may havetaken place. For comparison, a much less intensive archaeological intervention wasrecommended for a small scale domestic development just outside the site of the
Roman fort at Old Kilpatrick just inside the line of the Antonine Wall Roman frontier,as Roman remains had previously been found in similar circumstances nearby.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

12.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 8 other items of casework, including 3 pre-application enquiries,
and 1 HER site information query.

12.5

The Service was able to advise Council staff on an underground masonry feature inLevengrove Park, Dumbarton, which was exposed by a wind-thrown tree during anautumn storm. Information in the HER allowed the early identification of the feature as
one of the main elements of an engineered water supply for the burgh of Dumbarton
dating to 1714, which is believed to be the earliest such system in Scotland. The
Service also advised on the subsequent archaeological investigation and recording of
the feature, and on its public interpretation after the Council secured funding to allow
it to be consolidated in situ and safely displayed within the park.

12.6

During the report period the manager of the Service also represented the Council on
the Antonine Wall Research Group and contributed to discussions on revisions to the
Supplementary Planning Guidance for development management in and around theAntonine Wall World Heritage Site.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

18

13

Advice to West Lothian Council
Development Management Advice

13.1

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 94 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 51 by the Archaeology Service and 43 by Council
staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 21 planning applications which
had been submitted in previous years.

13.2

The 94 new planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of the policy
and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 94 applications, 90 (95.7%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Avoidance/protection within, or to side of development
Refer to Historic Environment Scotland (Scheduled or Listed asset)
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

5
7
7
1
1
30
51

3
19
4

8
26
11
1
1
47
94

Totals17
43

Altogether, 47 of the 94 planning applications (50%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
13.3

An archaeological condition was attached to consent for a mixed-use development of
the former Victoria Halls in Linlithgow, a late 19th century building on the High Street
Because of the possible survival of evidence of earlier buildings or other uses of thesite monitoring was required during ground disturbance. While demolition work was
progressing, a member of the public informed the Service that it appeared that a“Time Capsule” had been discovered. Following this, the Service liaised with theplanning officer, and a series of complex discussions commenced between theCouncil as advised by this Service, and the main contractor, the demolition
contractor, and Police regarding the legal status and ownership of the materials
found, and the original inventory of the capsule and when it was first discovered. The
developer has intimated that papers from within the capsule will be offered to theCouncil’s Local History Library.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

13.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 26 other items of casework, including 9 pre-application enquiries, 2
HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 1 enquiry from a statutory
undertaker.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

19

14

Advice to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority

14.1

Archaeological advice is provided to the National Park Authority planning service
under the terms of a chargeable Service Level Agreement covering the whole of the
National Park area. In the year 2018-19 the National Park Authority paid £16,667 to
the Service for archaeological planning advice, and other historic environment advice.
Development Management Advice

14.2

Over the report period 52 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 65 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, 20 by the Archaeology Service and 45 by Park
Authority staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 25 planningapplications which had been submitted in previous years.

14.3.

The 65 identified planning applications were assessed by the Service in terms of thepolicy and guidance contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011. Of the 65 applications, 62 (95.4%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Potential issues first identified by:

WoSAS

CouncilArchaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStanding buildings survey condition
Avoidance/protection within or to side of development
No issue, no action possible, including no issue after further work

Total of
cases

2
5
2
1
1
9
20

2
6
5
1
1
30
45

4
11
7
2
2
39
65

Totals

Altogether, 26 of the 65 planning applications (40%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Casework example
14.4

An archaeological excavation in advance of housing development at Succoth,overlooking the head of Loch Long, identified a long sequence of prehistoric activity
on the site from the Neolithic period onwards. The latest features on the site
appeared to be part of a circular structure, but its date, and that of the earlier features
could not be established accurately from the stratigraphic analysis. As is common
with excavations on prehistoric sites, a full interpretation of the evidence recovered
and recorded during fieldwork will only be possible when post-excavation analysis
work has been completed.
Other Advice within the National Park Authority’s Area

14.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including National
Park Authority staff, in respect of 25 other items of casework including 5 preapplication enquiries, 11 forestry consultations, 5 HER site information queries or
public enquiries, and 1 enquiry from a statutory undertaker.

14.6

During the report period the manager of the Service also represented the National
Park Authority in online discussions with other members of the National Parks
Historic Environment Working Group and contributed to discussions on policy mattersrelevant to the Park.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

20

15

Information and Advice to Developers/Agents and to Statutory Undertakers

15.1

There were 105 requests for pre-application information and advice from developers
or their agents, including 31 requests for Historic Environment Record digital extracts.
In addition, detailed advice on the implementation of planning conditions wasprovided to archaeological contractors working for developers on 95 cases whereplanning permission had been granted in previous years.

15.2

There were 36 requests for assistance in connection with Scottish Water, Scottish
Water Solutions, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Electricity, Transerve, andTransport Scotland proposals. These enquiries were generally in relation to advice toassist the statutory undertakers in implementing their own policies for the protectionof the historic environment while operating under Permitted Development Rights. In
those cases where archaeological information or advice was provided and where
fieldwork interventions were recommended, relevant fees were levied by the Service
through its approved Access to Information and Charging Policy.

15.3

During the reporting period the provision of assistance to developers and their agentsin accordance with the WoSAS Access to Information and Charging Policy generated£17,100 income for the Service.

16

Agri-Environment Advice

16.1

Changes to funding priorities and assessment criteria for national agri-environment
schemes in 2014 resulted in less weight being attached to the importance of historic
environment sites and the mitigation of adverse effects on them in decisions on theaward of grants in the current scheme except with regard to forestry projects.

16.2

As has been reported previously, landowners and agents seeking forestry grants
have appeared reluctant to secure archaeological information and advice from the
HER as recommended in procedural guidance on the preparation of new forestry
proposals. Despite Forestry Authority confirmation that local authorities’ fee-charges
for this archaeological service were eligible to be met from the existing public grant,
the same reluctance has been increasingly evident across Scotland since centrally
funded payments to local authority HERs to underwrite the costs of providing suchadvice and information were phased out.

16.3

Except in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area where the National
Park Authority has itself underwritten the costs of providing such advice to forestry
agents planning new forestry projects or felling proposals, and in South Lanarkshire
Council’s area where the Council planning service has on occasion requested our
input for a coordinated consultation response, any such consultations are treated as
un-resourced work and removed from our priority work-load lists if the enquirer has
not accepted the nominal fee as set out in the WoSAS Access to Information andCharging Policy. In the reporting period, the fee-charge was accepted by theenquirers in two requests for information and advice, and detailed responses were
provided within each client’s preferred timetable.

16.4

Where the Service’s priority work-load has allowed, we have continued to respond to
the Forestry Authority’s consultation requests on the competency of forestry
proposals, and where possible, in compliance with the requested timetable forresponse. However, these responses were limited to general advice and summary
information, or drew attention to apparently incomplete or inadequate provisions forthe historic environment within the proposals as set out.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

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Appendix 1
Annual Performance Statistics 2018-19 (figures for the previous year in brackets forcomparison)

Monitoring of Weekly lists of planning applications
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area ofwork is for 90% to be monitored and actioned within 14 calendar days of receipt.
Performance

99.49%(100.00%)

Planning and Listed Building Consultations
The performance standard in the WoSAS Service Level Agreement for this area ofwork is for 80% to be actioned within 21 calendar days of receipt.
Planning Applications
Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow City
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianLoch Lomond & The Trossachs

96.83%
96.47%
93.10%
100.00%93.22%
100.00%97.50%
100.00%94.35%
88.89%
95.75%
95.38%(97.28%)(97.75%)(N/A)(93.10%)(84.85%)(94.23%)(100.00%)(96.55%)(96.21%)(92.50%)(96.74%)(93.75%)Overall Planning Application Performance

96.23%(95.44%)

Other Work Areas
The performance standard for this area of work is for 80% to be actioned within 21
calendar days of receipt.
Pre-Application Enquiries
Permitted Dev’t/Statutory Undertakings
General/HER Enquiries
Other Archaeological Consultations
SRDP/Forestry Casework

86.54%
88.89%
90.91%
81.82%
73.04%(88.06%)(86.96%)(90.00%)(100.00%)(64.58%)Overall Other Work Performance

81.96%(79.52%)The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

22Appendix 2

WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICEINCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTFOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 20192017/18£

2018/19£
Income128,095
31,167449

Contribution from participating authorities
Fees & Charges
Interest on balances

128,095
43,762855

159, 711

Total Income

172, 712

Expenditure
Employee Costs

136,088

Salaries, NI & Superannuation &Employee Related Costs

140,844

Administration Costs
140
1,509
6,700
2,900
89
0
0
1,920
13,258Fees & Subscriptions
Travel & Subsistence
Rents
Equipment Purchase & maintenance
Catering
Building repairs and security
Purchase of services (miscellaneous)
Audit Fee

140
948
6,700
3,000
35
0
1,085
1,970
13,878149,346

Total Expenditure

154,722

10,365
94,953

Surplus/(Deficit) for Year
Surplus Brought Forward

17,990105,318

105,318

Accumulated Surplus

123,308

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire,
Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian,and of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority.

23