WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE
Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2014/15
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.
During the report period, the West of Scotland Archaeology Service dealt with 1801 new
casework items: 198 fewer than in the previous year. This 10% decrease is a result of
reductions in three specific categories of preliminary or supporting casework, and disguises
an overall picture of continuing growth in the main planning and development caseloads.
Monitoring of the weekly lists of planning applications received from the ten Councils andfrom the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority constituted 549 of the newwork items. The weekly lists are monitored to ensure that applications raising potential
archaeological issues are identified for follow-up work where they have not been fully dealt
with at pre-application stage. From the weekly lists, and through direct referrals from theplanning officers within the member authorities, 886 new planning applications wereidentified as potentially raising archaeological issues, and a further 366 other items of new
casework were also dealt with or initiated.

New Casework 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015
Council Area
Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianNational Park Authority
General/Multi-Council
Total

Total New Casework
Items
349
154
88
134
134
109
187
215
96
190
141

Weekly lists

Planning Applications

Other

50
47
47
50
50
50
51
51
51
51
51

208
84
27
52
50
44
108
122
33
104
54

1801

549

886

91
23
14
32
34
15
28
42
12
35
36
4
366

The number of new planning applications identified as potentially raising archaeologicalissues was 886, a decrease of 4.5% on last year’s number which had, however, been a highpoint in the trend over the previous five years. Nevertheless, the proportion of theseapplications which proved to raise archaeological issues (47%) was markedly higher than in
the last five years, where the proportions ranged from 36% to 40% of cases. This 18% rise in
the proportion of cases which raised significant issues in a single year meant that the number
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

of cases requiring archaeological intervention (417) is the highest recorded annual total for
the Service.
The modest decrease in the overall numbers of planning applications which were assessedfor potential archaeological impacts disguised more localised variations and development
pressures. In most authority areas, the numbers of applications identified as potentiallyraising archaeological issues was similar to or slightly above the general trend of previous
years. However, in the Argyll and Bute Council area, there was a substantial 34% reductionin the previously very large number of applications which had to be assessed for potential
archaeological issues, but which were then discounted as raising no substantive issue. This
number was successfully reduced following a significant fall in the direct referrals to theService from the planning staff within the Council, who were able to rely more heavily on theService’s monitoring of the weekly lists of planning applications to identify those applications
which would raise significant issues. This reduction in the number of “no issue” responses
which followed assessment of direct referrals from the Council’s planning staff was acontributory factor in increasing the casework efficiency of the Service, and also had apositive effect on the speed of processing the planning applications affected.

Summary Table of Planning Applications 2009-2015
Nos. Identified for Comment
Argyll & Bute
East Ayrshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
West LothianNational Park
Total

Nos. Raising Archaeological Issues

09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15
301 327 316 244 316 208
97
82
81
80
115
112
82
60
65
51
62
84
32
28
32
25
24
38
29
15
29
32
21
27
12
6
14
8
6
12
51
35
40
39
51
52
13
14
10
10
16
16
8
8
18
15
4
2
4
9
53
46
44
45
55
50
19
23
24
22
30
25
50
23
30
28
24
44
20
12
17
9
11
21
69
54
56
94 103 108
35
20
31
36
36
39
114 102 136 134 134 122
50
56
63
65
58
66
34
31
6
14
17
33
11
7
3
8
7
10
76
98
96
83
79 104
29
42
34
33
36
57
14
19
55
54
64
54
4
6
24
27
30
21
881 818 891 833 926 886
326
296
337
332
369
417

In addition to casework items generated from weekly lists and planning applications, a further
366 items of other new work were initiated in the report period. This was a significant fallfrom last year’s record numbers, but was largely as a result of changes to two categories ofwork: Historic Environment Record information management referrals and the provision ofadvice on agri-environment matters. (See table below, figures for previous year in brackets).
Pre-application planning enquiries
Development Plan consultations
Permitted development enquiries
SRDP audits and other agri-environment matters
Other Archaeological Consultations
Historic Environment Record information management matters
General or SMR enquiries
Policy liaison matters
Other (includes items sent in error)
Total

131 (153)
5(6)
39 (26)90 (158)
28 (18)46 (128)
21 (19)
6
(4)
(0)
(0)
366 (512)

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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The underlying level of work carried out in the other casework categories is similar to thehigh levels of last year, once the changes to the Historic Environment Record (HER)
information management referrals and the provision of advice on agri-environment matters
are discounted. The fall in HER information management referrals is a direct consequence ofHistoric Scotland’s own workload, where their Designations Team concentrated on otherareas of Scotland during the reporting period and therefore needed to confer or consult with
our Service less often. Changes to the government’s implementation of EU agri-environment
schemes resulted in a marked drop in referrals or requests for information and advice after
the end of the 2014 calendar year.
Pre-application enquiries continue to be a major and important area of casework, as they
help the development management staff in member councils to facilitate the processing ofplanning applications which follow on from these enquiries. Such pre-application
engagement with the Service allows potential issues to be raised at an earlier stage,
meaning that the developer can identify possible time delays and costs well in advance, andcan address them before submitting an application. This minimises the archaeological issues
still to be addressed at the application stage, and can sometimes remove the requirement for
the attachment of archaeological conditions to planning consent.
In addition to identifying and initiating new casework, the Service carried forward work on

411 cases which had been initiated in previous years, including a significant number fromlast year’s record levels of new casework. These continued casework items largely consist ofproviding advice on the appropriate scale of fieldwork and reporting required to satisfy
conditions on consents which have been granted in earlier years, and of monitoring suchwork when it is carried out by commercial archaeological organisations on behalf ofdevelopers. The level of this activity therefore constitutes a better measure of sustained
development activity than the number of planning applications lodged or consented. Over thereporting period, the number of such cases carried forward was almost exactly the same
number as in the previous year. This continues the high level of such activity reported lastyear, where this measure had increased by more than 168% over a two year period,
reinforcing the suggestion that this trend reflects a genuine increase in economic activity inthe development sector,
The previous work to digitise older paper-based casework file documents which had been
being carried out with the assistance of a part-time volunteer was supplemented this year
when a commercial scanning company was contracted to scan backlog files in bulk so that
the Service could complete a move away from paper-based archive and reduce storage
requirements before moving office. Approximately 300,000 images of document pages,
plans, 35mm slide photographs were digitally captured and indexed, but await crossreferencing and integration into the Service’s computerised Consultations database.
Because of a marked increase in the planning application casework over the year, less staff
time was available for updating the Historic Environment Record. During the reporting period
78 new site records were added to the Historic Environment Record database, andamendments or additions were made to 209 existing site records. These numbers weresignificantly lower than in recent years, but reflect pressures of work in other areas, such as
the incorporation of new archaeological event records and archive records which are derived
from reports received by the Service from archaeological contractors and contain newarchaeological information.
During the reporting period 234 archaeological event records were created, an increase of
36% on the previous year. A total of 254 archive records were created, 67% more than in theprevious year. The increases in these records are a result of the increased levels of
The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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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archaeological fieldwork carried out in recent years and reported on in previous annual
reports. It is likely that this trend will continue as there were 163 recorded archaeologicalevents (excavations, field surveys, building recording surveys, watching briefs, desk based
assessments, etc.) during the report period, an increase of 28% on last year’s total.
During the reporting period, the Service assisted two PhD candidates with data for their
theses, and assisted or liaised with eleven local amateur archaeological or historical groups
or individuals throughout the WoSAS area in their researches or local heritage projects.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

1

Running the Service

1.1

The Service's Steering Group met four times during the year to consider various
matters in connection with the running of the Service. The Service’s Joint Committee
met on three occasions, on 1 May 2014, 6 November 2014, and on 19 March 2015.

1.2

The Service relocated its office during the year and this move to smaller, moresuitable accommodation was made possible by contracting out the scanning andindexing of archaeological archive and planning documents. This reduced theService’s former document storage requirements by more than 95%. The one-off
costs of the document scanning project, and of the office relocation, were met fromthe Service’s financial reserves.

1.3

The balance in the Service's reserve account at year end stood at £103,562 (seeAppendix 2). The reduction in the level of financial reserves at the financial year end
was less than had been predicted as the commercial scanning project was completed
under the budget estimates, and because in line with previous years, othercontingency spending was not called on.

1.4

The overall level of external income to the Service over the report period was broadlyas predicted. Officer time spent representing the Service and its member Councils at
ALGAO:Scotland (Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers) meetingsand contributing to ALGAO:Scotland’s policy liaison work with Historic Scotland andother national agencies resulted in a reimbursement payment of £575 to the Service.
After national-level discussions with the Forestry Authority, transitional payments
administered and part-funded by Historic Scotland were made to the Service forproviding advice through the final stages of the Scottish Rural Development
Programme (SRDP). The Service received £5,563 in 2014 for the provision ofarchaeological advice to agricultural and forestry agents.

1.5

Transitional payments for SRDP advice and information from the national agencies
covered the 2014 calendar year, with an agreement that any fees to the Council
archaeological services for providing this information and advice from January 2015
could be recouped from the overall fees paid to the forestry agents. Despite guidance
to this effect from the Forestry Authority, uptake from the agents to date has beenminimal. Consequently, consultations from forestry agents declining a fee charge
have been treated as un-resourced work, and removed from our priority work-load
lists.

1.6

The Service’s existing Access to Information and Charging Policy was revised and,after receiving Joint Committee approval on 19 March 2015, was put in place at theend of the report period.

1.7

The record increase in the proportion of planning applications which raisedarchaeological issues from among the number flagged up from our monitoring of theplanning authorities’ weekly lists and through direct referrals from our planning officercolleagues is unprecedented. As the scale of increase over a single year isparticularly high, it is unlikely that this rate of increase will be sustained. The
extremely high yearly total may however represent a continuing genuine increase inenabling activities associated with economic development.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

1.8

As noted in last year’s report, the Service had adapted its operating procedures tomake more efficient use of the Councils’ e-planning systems through a newarchaeological impact mitigation system. This revised paperless working method
received a Commendation at the 2014 Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. This is
one of the Scottish Government's most prestigious events, and celebrates
achievements in planning, from high-level visions to development on the ground. The
Commendation, which was in the Development Management category, was inrecognition of the Service’s very deliberate commitment to deliver an improved levelof service to planning officer colleagues. The Judges also stated that whilst
archaeology is not necessarily a mainstream part of the planning system, they felt it
was important to raise its profile and significance. They also commended how theService had created a much more streamlined system which was sophisticated but
still accessible to others.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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 78 new site records were added to the Historic Environment
Record database, 209 existing site records were amended, 234 archaeologicalevents records were added, and 254 archive records were created (index to reports
received by the Service in paper and digital formats). This was a further increase in
the enhancement of the Historic Environment Record, but because of workload
priorities was concentrated on the integration of records arising from current
archaeological fieldwork rather than on the identification of previously unrecorded but
currently unthreatened sites in the landscape.

2.2

The Service’s website (http://www.wosas.net) was updated over the report period witha further 7 news items from throughout the WoSAS area, and with monthly updates ofHistoric Environment Record data. During the same period, there were just over
550,000 “hits” on the Service website.

2.3

Continuing liaison between the Service as a member of the Association of Local
Authority Archaeological Officers (ALGAO:Scotland) and the national heritageagencies has allowed the Historic Environment Record (HER) to continue tocontribute on a cost-neutral basis to shared data sources which are being developed
under the Scottish Historic Environment Data Strategy (SHED Strategy).

2.4

Contact with the spatial information programme team of the Scottish Government’s
Improvement Service continues to ensure that the Historic Environment Record
meets with the nationally-established protocols required to comply with the European
Union’s Inspire Directive concerning data access. The Service has also been in
discussion with other Council services regarding shared access to digital data forwhich licenses had previously to be purchased from Service resources.

2.5

During the report period, the Service assisted two PhD candidates with data for their
theses, and assisted four amateur archaeology groups with Historic Environment
Record data for survey project purposes, in return for a commitment from theenquirers to provide a copy of any resultant information to the Historic Environment
Record. The Service also provided data and assistance to seven other individuals andcommunity groups who had need of historic environment advice, but who had noarchaeological expertise.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

3

Advice to Argyll and Bute Council
Development Plan Advice

3.1

There were no requests for assistance from the Council during the report period in
respect of development plan advice.
Development Management Advice

3.2

Over the report period 50 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 208 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or byCouncil staff. The number of potentially significant applications assessed fellsignificantly as a result of a reduction in direct referrals from Council staff which
resulted in “no issue” responses. The more streamlined system of identificationmeans that the proportion of potential cases which actually raised significant issuesrose considerably. The level of casework continues at a high level, meaning that
Argyll and Bute Council remains the largest Council user of the development
management advice service over the report period.

3.3

The 208 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Refusal 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
Other condition e.g. archaeological mitigation strategy required
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument or listed building)
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

4
17
44
39
1
5
1
1
96

Altogether 112 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
3.4

Refusal of the submitted planning application was recommended in respect of four
new proposals for the erection of dwelling houses in rural areas, where the proposals
were located close to a Scheduled Ancient Monument. In each case the detailed
location or the scale of the development was assessed as being likely to significantly
affect the landscape setting of the nationally important monument in a way that could
not be adequately mitigated. In accordance with national and local government policy,
refusal of the submitted applications was recommended.

3.5

Given the density of surviving archaeological remains throughout Argyll and Bute, it isno surprise that large numbers of quite modest developments require some form ofarchaeological mitigation. This is particularly true where modern developments takeplace in historically significant locations. Small-scale development at The Glebe on
Iona resulted in the recovery of medieval pottery and a bronze pin, metalworking
debris and worked flint artefacts, all of which required off-site analysis. The full daterange of the artefacts has still to be reported, but it is likely that the dates extend

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

beyond the known historical occupation of that part of the island in the medieval
period. The costs of post-excavation analysis is often overlooked, but can
unexpectedly add to the complications of development management in historic areas.
3.6

During the reporting period, initial preparation for a further phase of the long-termsand and gravel extraction at Kilmartin Quarry got underway. The concomitant phaseof the archaeological work that was built into the development programme when it
was first granted consent in the 1990s started with archaeological monitoring of the
stripping of topsoil from the site. This uncovered a continuation of the long prehistoric
cursus monument found in earlier phases, along with several small cairns, aprehistoric roundhouse and a wealth of other features. The excavation and recordingof these features was projected to occur after the current reporting period and will bereported on at later stage.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

3.7

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 91 other items of casework, including 22 pre-application enquiries,
41 SRDP consultations, and 9 enquiries from statutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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 Plan Advice

4.1

There were no requests for assistance from the Council during the report period in
respect of development plan advice.
Development Management Advice

4.2

Over the report period 47 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 84 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

4.3

The 84 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Refusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

2
11
12
13
46

Altogether 38 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
4.4

Refusal of the submitted planning application was recommended in respect of two
new proposals for the erection of renewable energy projects: a 19-turbine wind farmat Dalmellington and a two-turbine development near Patna. In each case thedetailed location and/or the scale of the development was assessed as being likely tosignificantly affect the landscape setting of important monuments in a way that could
not be adequately mitigated. In accordance with national and local government policy,
refusal of the submitted applications was recommended.

4.5

Archaeological excavation and recording took place at Dumfries House near
Auchinleck on the World War II site reported on last year. The site had been part of a
Royal Tank Corps training camp, which had been converted to a Prisoner of War
camp in 1943, and later to a post-war repatriation centre for Polish servicemen. Sites
like this are now increasingly rare and, because they have typically been poorly
recorded in the past, deserve recording before they are removed for new
development.

4.6

Development of a disused church site in New Cumnock for new housing included
archaeological control over the demolition and subsequent examination of the clearedsite. The site was that of the medieval castle which had formed the historic focus forthe formation of the village, and remains of its walls and surrounding ditch wereidentified and recorded.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

4.7

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 23 other items of casework, including 12 pre-application enquiries,
3 SRDP consultations, and 2 enquiries from statutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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 Renfrewshire Council
Development Plan Advice

5.1

There were no requests for assistance from the Council during the report period in
respect of development plan advice.
Development Management Advice

5.2

Over the report period 47 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 27 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

5.3

The 27 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

2
3
7
15

Altogether 12 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
5.4

The Service advised on, monitored, and received reports on the results of a numberof archaeological evaluations in advance of development, but no major sites requiring
further excavation were discovered during the reporting period. Although such results
seem negative, part of the work of the Council archaeologist is to develop better
predictive modelling techniques and a better understanding of past land-use patterns.
For these analytical purposes, identifying genuine gaps between the sites of former
human activity across all our Council areas is almost as important as locating thesites themselves.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

5.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 14 other items of casework, predominantly comprising 8 preapplication enquiries, and 5 statutory undertaker enquiries.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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 Glasgow City Council
Development Plan Advice

6.1

Advice was provided to the Council in two instances regarding archaeological sites
and areas of archaeological potential during consideration of the Local Development
Plan.
Development Management Advice

6.2

Over the report period 50 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 52 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

6.3

The 52 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument or listed building)
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

2
7
6
1
36

Altogether 16 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
6.4

The Service was consulted at the pre-application stage of the latest phase of a new
development on the banks of the Kelvin near Partick Cross. The development site
included the most likely location for the medieval summer residence of the Bishops ofGlasgow. Later described as a castle, the Bishop's residence is more likely to havebeen a strong, stone-built defensible house with extensive gardens. Following
detailed discussions between the landowner, the developer, the Council's planning
service and our Service, a programme of site investigation was agreed, to be followedby more extensive archaeological fieldwork if the early results showed that thesurvival of the medieval residence was possible.

6.5

The Service recommenced discussions with the developer of a farm steading
conversion, immediately adjacent to the Roman Antonine Wall Fort site at Balmuildy
to the north of the city. The proposed development site includes part of the Scheduledarea of the Roman fort and its associated bath-house, so discussions on thedevelopment, and how to minimise and mitigate its effects on the Roman FrontiersWorld Heritage Site are particularly complex, and involve the Council, the developer,and Historic Scotland.

6.6

Development on a site with a small footprint at Airds Lane off Bridgegate, close to themedieval burgh of Glasgow's south-western edge resulted in the identification of quite
substantial stone walling. This was interpreted as remains of the foundations of theformer Briggait Kirk, a relatively late building that was demolished in 1918. Although
this church was not of great archaeological interest in its own right, the survival of its

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

foundations in an area which had been extensively redeveloped illustrates that
substantial remains from the past can survive below our modern towns and cities.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
6.7

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 32 other items of casework, including 9 pre-application enquiries, 3
enquiries regarding statutory undertakerings, and 2 queries from engineers dealing
with site investigation works in the vicinity of structures of known archaeologicalsignificance.

6.8

During the report period the manager of the Service represented the Council on theAntonine Wall Research Group and contributed to a consultation on the future
research priorities of archaeologists working on the Antonine Wall World Heritage
Site.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

7

Advice to North Ayrshire Council
Development Plan Advice

7.1

There were no requests for assistance from the Council during the report period in
respect of development plan advice.
Development Management Advice

7.2

Over the report period 50 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 50 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues by the Archaeology Service.

7.3

The 50 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

7
13
5
25

Altogether 25 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
7.4

Development work around the Hunterston Power Station was preceded by extensive
archaeological evaluation, which found an extensive multi-phase late Bronze Age andearly Iron Age palisaded settlement overlooking Hunterston Bay. As well as providing
evidence of different phases of occupation continuing over a long period, the site also
produced evidence of metalworking and a wealth of other pits and post holes thatmake this site a major new prehistoric find. Close liaison between the Service and thearchaeological consultant and their archaeological contractor also allowed adevelopment in a sensitive and secure area to be successfully carried out withoutcompromising the detailed recording of the high density of important archaeologicalremains which had been identified during the evaluation phase.

7.5

Relatively small-scale development work at Blackwaterfoot on Arran found a Bronze
Age roundhouse, a large circular palisade and early Neolithic "pit groups" which may
be the scant surviving remains of timber houses which have been more heavily
damaged by ploughing in later centuries. Despite its modest site area, thisdevelopment demonstrated that sites which are considered suitable for developmentin the modern period are also likely to have been considered suitable for occupation
over a long period in the more distant past, and that evidence of such continuing
occupation may still survive below ground level to be discovered by archaeological
techniques.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

7.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 34 other items of casework, including 11 pre-application enquiries,
9 SRDP consultations, and 2 enquiries from statutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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8

Advice to Renfrewshire Council
Development Plan Advice

8.1

There were no requests for assistance from the Council during the report period in
respect of development plan advice.
Development Management Advice

8.2

Over the report period 50 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 44 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or by Council staff.

8.3

The 44 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning
Advice Note 2/2011:
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition requiredStandings buildings survey condition
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

4
12
3
2
23

Altogether 21 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
8.4

The continuing phased redevelopment of the former Royal Ordnance Factory inBishopton meant that, during the reporting period, further elements were carried outof the major archaeological mitigation scheme involving historic building recordingand evaluation by trial trenching at the former. The complex discussions which hadtaken place at the start of the project between the Service on behalf of the Council,
and the developers’ archaeological contractor meant that new detailed applications
have been processed more speedily as they have complied with the approved
Archaeological Mitigation Strategy for the site. Two further areas of the former factorywere “signed off” after archaeological recording had been completed.

8.5

Monitoring of the demolition of the modern offices at Cotton Street, Paisley inpreparation for redevelopment revealed fragmentary structural evidence of a lateeighteenth century churchyard wall. The church and its graveyard had been identified
as having been present on the site, but despite documentary records suggesting that
all remains had been disinterred before the intensive 1970s development of the site,
human remains were subsequently discovered and retrieved by the archaeologists forreburial.
Other Advice within the Council’s Area

8.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 15 other items of casework, including 7 pre-application enquiries, 4
SRDP consultations, and 2 statutory undertaker enquiries.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

9

Advice to South Ayrshire Council
Development Plan Advice

9.1

There were no requests for advice from the Council in respect of the development
plan over the report period.
Development Management Advice

9.2

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 108 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or byCouncil staff.

9.3

The 108 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
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
Refer to Historic Scotland (scheduled monument or listed building)
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

8
14
12
2
1
2
69

Altogether 39 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
9.4

Continuing archaeological mitigation work for William Grant & Sons Distillers at the
Curragh, near Girvan, revealed further phases of prehistoric activity in the area. A lateprehistoric palisaded enclosure with a roundhouse inside it has been established as
being of Bronze Age date and appears to have been built on an alignment facing
seaward towards Ailsa Craig. A wealth of other prehistoric remains have also beenfound in the area in the ongoing works, including a Neolithic pit alignment and anumber of Burnt Mounds. Burnt Mounds typically comprise large quantities of firecracked and reddened stones, ashy deposits, near to some form of water-troughclose to a burn. They can be from a wide range of dates, and are not fully
understood, but a popular interpretation is that they are prehistoric communal cooking
and feasting sites, so the proximity of this site to a Neolithic pit alignment may besignificant.

9.5

Evaluation of a development area at Ayr College found several groupings of features
forming possible prehistoric roundhouses and a large number of other features andpits with evidence of burning. In common with other recent work within modern builtup areas, this has shown that fragile and fragmentary prehistoric settlement remains
can still be found in areas which have been subject to more modern development.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

9.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 28 other items of casework, which included 16 pre-applicationenquiries, 4 enquiries from statutory undertakers, and 2 SRDP consultations.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

10

Advice to South Lanarkshire Council
Development Plan Advice

10.1

There were no requests for advice from the Council in respect of the development
plan over the report period.
Development Management Advice

10.2

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 122 new planning applications were identified asraising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology Service or byCouncil staff.

10.3

The 122 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Refusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological 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
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

3
5
27
30
1
56

Altogether 66 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
10.4

Refusal of the planning application was recommended in respect of three proposals –two of these were related to the erection of single wind turbines, at Medwyn Park,
Carnwath, and adjacent to the historic battlefield at Drumclog. In each case, theproposals were adjudged to adversely affect the sensitive landscape setting of
nationally important monuments to an unacceptable degree. The other proposal wasfor an agricultural shed within a Scheduled Monument, a Roman Camp which would
have directly affected any surviving Roman remains within the development footprint.
In accordance with national and local government policy, refusal was recommended
in all three cases.

10.5

The implementation of one phase of an archaeological mitigation strategy for
quarrying operations at Newbigging near Carnwath revealed Neolithic and Bronze
Age activity close to a henge monument outside the quarry. The alignment of pits andother features within the landscape setting of a large ritual monument such as ahenge has been seen elsewhere in the Council area quite recently, duringarchaeological mitigation work for the Clyde Windfarm, near Crawford. Recurring
patterns of findings such as these may be evidence that henges and other prehistoricritual sites should be more generally seen as the focus of a range of wider activities inthe broader landscape rather than as more localised activity areas themselves.

10.6

Relatively small-scale development on a previously-undeveloped site at Nairn Street,
Larkhall revealed evidence of a small prehistoric settlement which is likely to be ofBronze Age or early Iron Age date. The roundhouse and pits that were found showthat important prehistoric remains can survive within more modern settlements.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

Other Advice in the Council's Area
10.7

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 42 other items of casework, including 21 pre-application enquiries,
8 SRDP consultations, and 3 enquiries from statutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

11

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council
Development Plan Advice

11.1

There were no requests for advice from the Council in respect of the development
plan over the report period.
Development Management Advice

11.2

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications were received from theCouncil for monitoring by the Service and 33 new planning applications wereidentified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology
Service or by Council staff.

11.3

The 33 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning
Advice Note 2/2011:
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

6
4
23

Altogether 10 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
11.4

A number of small-scale archaeological evaluations occurred in the Council area over
the reporting period, but no major archaeological discoveries were made. Preapplication discussions on a number of new large-scale developments in Clydebank
and the Dumbarton to Bowling area were initiated by developers and by the Council's
staff, and advice was given to prospective developers on the archaeologicalimplications of future development of the non-designated parts of the Roman
Antonine Wall terminal fort site at Old Kilpatrick.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

11.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 12 other items of casework, including 4 pre-application enquiries, 2
SRDP consultations, and an enquiry regarding statutory undertakings.

11.6

During the report period the manager of the Service represented the Council on theAntonine Wall Research Group and contributed to a consultation on the future
research priorities of archaeologists working on the Antonine Wall World Heritage
Site.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

12

Advice to West Lothian Council
Development Plan Advice

12.1

There was one request for assistance from the Council relating to the Local
Development Plan during the report period.
Development Management Advice

12.2

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications were received from theCouncil for monitoring by the Service and 104 new planning applications wereidentified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology
Service or by Council staff.

12.3

The 104 new planning applications received the following responses from the Service
in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning Advice Note
2/2011:
Refusal of planning application recommended
Archaeological assessment or evaluation prior to determination required
Negative suspensive condition requiring archaeological excavation
Archaeological watching brief condition required
Other condition e.g. archaeological mitigation strategy required
No issue, no action possible or necessary, including no issue after further work

2
15
26
13
1
47

Altogether 57 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
12.4

Refusal of the planning application was initially recommended in respect of two
proposals at Kirkhill, Broxburn, where, despite detailed advice, the developer had not
submitted any supporting information to illustrate the extent of visual impacts of thedevelopments on an adjacent Scheduled Monument; this meant that the suitability ofthe design was impossible to assess. In accordance with national planning policy, as
insufficient information had been provided with the application, refusal wasrecommended.

12.5

Archaeological mitigation fieldwork in advance of housing development at Mossend
by AOC Archaeology Ltd. resulted in the excavation of a farm steading from theperiod before the Agricultural Revolution of the eighteenth century. Farm sites likethis have not survived well in the modern farming landscape, and are typically very
difficult to identify and excavate because the remains are usually heavily damaged or
fragmentary. These sites are still poorly understood, but they may represent the lastphases of the form of land-use and occupation that was widespread in lowland
Scotland in the medieval period and are therefore important because they contributeinformation that cannot be retrieved from other sources.
Other Advice within the Council's Area

12.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 35 other items of casework, including 14 pre-application enquiries,
6 SRDP consultations, and 6 enquiries from statutory undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

13

Advice to the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority

13.1

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 2014-15 the National Park Authority paid £16,667 to
the Service for archaeological planning advice, and an additional £1,750 in fees forhistoric environment advice on other Park projects.
Development Plan Advice

13.2

There were two requests for advice and assistance from the Park Authority in respectof the local development plan over the report period.
Development Management Advice

13.3

Over the report period 51 weekly lists of planning applications were received from theCouncil for monitoring by the Service and 54 new planning applications wereidentified as raising potential archaeological issues, either by the Archaeology
Service or by Council staff. In addition further work was done in respect of 9 planningapplications submitted in previous years.

13.4

The 54 identified planning applications received the following responses from theService in terms of the advice contained in Scottish Planning Policy and Planning
Advice Note 2/2011:
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 or necessary, including no issue after further work

3
8
8
1
1
33

Altogether 21 of the identified planning applications required some form of responseto mitigate the effects of the proposals on archaeological remains.
13.5

In addition to the previously unrecorded prehistoric Chambered Cairn identified during
a walkover survey in advance of a hydro-electricity scheme on the Burn of Mar andreported on last year, archaeological work during the implementation of the scheme
uncovered the elaborate remains of a prehistoric Burnt Mound nearby. Burnt Mounds
typically comprise large quantities of fire-cracked and reddened stones, ashy
deposits, near to some form of water-trough close to a burn. They are not fully
understood, but a popular interpretation is that they are prehistoric communal cooking
and feasting sites, so the proximity of this site to a chambered cairn is particularlyinteresting. This case continues to demonstrate that significant monuments still
remain to be discovered across the country, both above-ground and below.
Other Advice within the National Park Authority’s Area

13.6

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including National
Park Authority staff, in respect of 34 other items of casework including 7 preapplication enquiries, 17 SRDP consultations, and 3 enquiries from statutory
undertakers.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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.

21

14

Information and Advice to Developers/Agents and to Statutory Undertakers

14.1

There were 131 requests for information and advice from developers or their agents,
including 55 requests for Sites and Monuments Record digital extracts. There were
34 requests for assistance in connection with Scottish Water, Scottish Water
Solutions, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern Electricity, and Transerve
proposals. The requests for assistance from developers and their agents raised
income of £4,210, a modest increase on the previous year’s total.

15Agri-Environment Advice

15.1

The national agencies for forestry and for the historic environment re-confirmed thatany charges levied by the Council archaeological services for providing information
and advice with regard to agri-environment schemes should be recouped from theoverall fees paid to the applicants and their agents by central government, rather thanfrom separate grant-aid from Historic Scotland. In order to facilitate this change
Historic Scotland and the Forestry Authority agreed to jointly fund transitional
payments to Council archaeological advisers for the provision of advice on
applications to the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) up to the end of
the 2014 calendar year. The Service received a grant of £5,563 in transitional
payments for this period. As in previous years, the grant was distributed
proportionally across Scotland in accordance with the total number of SRDP
applications for which archaeological advice was sought and provided.

15.2

In the run-up to the changes referred to above, guidance on the requirements for, andfunding of the inclusion of historic environment information and management advice
in new agri-environment grant applications was re-issued by the Forestry Authority toforestry agents. From January 2015 onwards requests for information and advice
have been received from the agents, but quoted fee-charges for the provision of theservice have been declined. Consequently, except in the Loch Lomond and theTrossachs National Park area where the National Park Authority has underwritten
the costs, any such consultations have been treated as un-resourced work, andremoved from our priority work-load lists.

15.3

The consultations with central government agencies regarding the inclusion of historic
environment assets within the new European agri-environment grant scheme referred
to in last year's report have continued, but remain unresolved. The inclusion of aformal requirement for archaeological advice to be integral to the assessment criteria
for future schemes has not yet been secured, and a heightened threat to known but
non-designated historic environment assets from subsidised agricultural practices
may be an unfortunate result.

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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 1
Annual Performance Statistics 2014-15 (figures for previous year in brackets forcomparison)

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

95.96%(97.84%)

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

81.64%
83.33%
92.31%
84.62%
88.00%
90.91%
87.04%
88.14%
81.25%
90.00%
92.59%(83.86%)(83.87%)(85.71%)(84.31%)(80.00%)(87.50%)(86.27%)(78.36%)(87.50%)(81.01%)(81.25%)Overall Planning Application Performance

86.19%(82.90%)

Other Work Areas
The performance standard for this area of work is 80% to be actioned within 21
calendar days of receipt.
SRDP/Forestry Advice
Pre-Application Enquiries
Permitted Dev/Statutory Undertakings
Other Archaeological Consultations
General/SMR Enquiries

77.01%
88.55%
92.31%
100%
100%(84.28%)(80.39%)(88.46%)(72.22%)(88.24%)Overall Other Work Performance

87.54%(82.58%)The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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

Appendix 2
WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICEINCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTFOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 20152013/14£2014/15£
Income132,467
28,451
887

Contribution from participating authorities
Fees & Charges
Interest on balances

128,095
26,425797

161, 805

Total Income

155, 317

Expenditure
Employee Costs

140,469

Salaries, NI & Superannuation &Employee Related Costs

144,332

Administration Costs
0
4,627
10,700
192
2,900
142
0
0
85
1,890
20,536

Fees & Subscriptions
Travel & Subsistence
Rents
Printing & Stationery
Equipment Purchase & maintenance
Catering
Postage
Building repairs and security
Purchase of services (miscellaneous)
Audit Fee

270
3,256
4,458
0
2,900
212
0
2,402
14,655
1,910
30,063161,005

Total Expenditure

174,395

800
121,840

Surplus/(Deficit) for Year
Surplus Brought Forward(19,078)
122,640

122,640

Accumulated Surplus

103,562

The Archaeology Service of the Councils of Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, 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.

24