WEST of SCOTLAND
ARCHAEOLOGYSERVICE

Annual Report of the West of Scotland Archaeology Service
2020/2021
SummaryThis annual report covers the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, and therefore
includes the majority of the period of the first UK-wide Covid-19 pandemic response“lockdown” which started on 23 March 2020. As with other council services, the sudden needto establish procedures which allowed working from home had a serious impact on Service
delivery in the first quarter of the reporting period, although the adverse impacts on response
times and ease of access to IT-intensive office working procedures were offset to someextent by a temporary reduction in demand for our services which accompanied theeconomic slowdown brought on by the governments’ health emergency responses.
The provision of additional software and hardware IT support by the host authority and thephased relaxation of the government restrictions imposed in the lockdown allowed a gradual
return to more normal service delivery conditions, although still from remote home working
locations. During the reporting period, intermittent Covid-safe access to the Service officespace was phased in to allow those tasks which initially could not be carried out whileworking from home to be re-started. This allowed the Service to resume the update andmanagement of the Historic Environment Record and the provision of Historic Environment
Record data extracts to the archaeological consultants and contractors who required them.
Despite the serious disruptions arising from the health emergency, the Service dealt with
1535 new casework items throughout the year, although this represented 22% fewer
casework items than in the previous year. The reduction in caseload was unevenly spread,
both in the type of work generated and in the council areas most affected. The greater part of
the falloff in casework occurred during the periods of most severe pandemic restrictions.
A total of 627 weekly lists of planning applications registered with the Councils and with theLoch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority were monitored for potential
archaeological impacts. This essential element of the Service’s work identifies applications
raising potential archaeological issues which have not been fully dealt with at the preapplication stage so they can be considered further. This monitoring of the weekly lists, alongwith direct consultations from planning officers, identified 774 new planning applications
which required additional detailed assessment, a 24% reduction in numbers compared to theprevious year.
A further 134 new casework items in other categories were initiated by external sources in
the reporting period, the lowest number in any reporting year since the creation of theService.
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

Table 1. New Casework 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
Council Area

Total of New
Casework Items

Weeklylists

Argyll & Bute

52
53
53
52
50
52
53
49
53
54
54
52

98
58
57
38
44
50
37
51
163
26
104
48

General/Multi-Council

175
118
118
95
105
114
97
109
231
91
170
106
6

25
7
8
5
11
12
7
9
15
11
12
6
6

Total

1535

627

774

134

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

Planning
Applications

Other

Planning Application Casework 2020-2021
The number of new planning applications identified as potentially raising archaeologicalissues was 24% lower than in the previous reporting period. It is likely that the only
statistically significant factor responsible for the reduction is the impact of the Coronavirus
pandemic, as the slowdown in the rate of casework generation corresponded with theperiods of most severe restrictions imposed by the governments’ Covid-19 response.
Of the combined total of 774 applications which the Service staff examined in detail, 457(59%) were assessed as raising potentially significant historic environment issues which
would justify some form of archaeological intervention. This proportion was higher than thefairly stable average (49%) established after the introduction of the Service’s award-winningarchaeological impact mitigation system in 2013-14, but is likely to be a temporary effectcaused by the varying disruption to the established casework referral procedures within theplanning services of member authorities as a result of the pandemic.
The casework response of the Service during the reporting period was affected by thegovernments’ responses to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and the concomitant movetowards working from home where possible. Member authorities were generally able toresume regular publication of weekly list of planning applications soon after the start of the
UK-wide lockdown on 23 March 2020, which allowed our archaeological staff to resume
speedy assessment of the application sites for potential archaeological impacts whileworking remotely. Greater difficulty was experienced in establishing remote access to data
sources and robust communication within the Service and between the Service and theplanning staff in member authorities in the period immediately after the UK-wide lockdown.

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

Table 2. Summary of New Planning Applications 2015-2021
Numbers of applications identified for
detailed further assessment

Numbers of these then assessed asraising significant archaeological issues

15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 20/21
Argyll & Bute
159 160 184 222 235
98
95
101
105
137
145
80
East Ayrshire
99
94
89
86
90
58
40
43
35
26
40
26
East Dunbartonshire
43
44
57
20
12
25
East Renfrewshire
22
24
29
36
32
38
11
9
18
18
14
16
Glasgow
48
63
66
59
69
44
18
31
29
25
32
23
North Ayrshire
55
58
52
46
52
50
32
30
31
23
30
35
Renfrewshire
41
43
42
40
47
37
26
24
26
18
22
20
South Ayrshire
72
92
87
96
74
51
24
34
36
35
37
31
South Lanarkshire
154 140 132 125 179 163
68
67
76
54
83
96
West Dunbartonshire
23
26
40
18
21
26
11
12
13
6
8
8
West Lothian
128
66
92
94 101 104
57
28
53
47
47
67
National Park
65
52
64
65
70
48
31
24
29
26
23
30
Total

866

818

877

930 1014(% raising issues)

774

413

403

451

435

493

457

(48%)

(49%)

(51%)

(47%)

(49%)

(59%)

Continuing Casework 2020-2021
In addition to the identification of new casework and responding to consultations fromplanning officers during the reporting period, the Service also carried forward work on 173
planning cases which had been initiated in previous years. This was a lower number than inprevious years, but can be linked to the effects of the pandemic on the construction industry.
The majority of these applications had been granted consent with archaeological conditions
which required the submission of detailed project design documents for the planning
authority’s approval before development could commence. The Service facilitates thisprocess by providing detailed advice to developers and their agents and archaeologicalcontractors, and to Council planning staff on the appropriate scale of fieldwork and standardsof reporting which should be required to conform to the Councils’ historic environment
policies and so satisfy the attached archaeological conditions. The short-term cessation ofcommercial archaeological fieldwork as a result of the first Covid-19 lockdown, followed by agradual reintroduction of such projects over the reporting period reduced the demand forsuch assistance from the Service to the commercial archaeological sector, and this appears
to be the main factor in the reduction in number of such cases.
Typically, around 40% of the work arising from developments consented in earlier years
involves project planning discussions and agreements ahead of fieldwork or are related tosetting the scope of post-fieldwork analysis or reporting requirements. A greater number ofsuch cases involve facilitating the commercial archaeological fieldwork required to implement
conditions, and providing comments on the resulting reports and analysis. This type of work
was easily adapted to remote working practices, but a temporary halt had to be made to themonitoring by the Service of the fieldwork carried out by commercial archaeologicalorganisations in response to planning conditions. Monitoring of fieldwork resumed when
Covid-safe measures and procedures were put in place.
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

Other New Casework 2020-2021
In addition to casework items generated from weekly lists and planning applications, a further
134 items of other new work of various types were initiated in the report period. (See Table 3
below, figures for the previous year in brackets).

Table 3. Summary of Other New Casework 2020-2021
Pre-application planning enquiries

29

(90)

Permitted Development enquiries

11

(27)

Development Plan consultations

0(1)

Policy liaison matters

6(4)

Historic Environment Record information management matters

49

(87)

General or Historic Environment Record enquiries

21

(45)

Other Archaeological Consultations

11

(24)

Scottish Rural Development Programme audits and other agri-environment matters

7

(92)

Other (includes items sent in error)

0

(0)

Total

134 (370)

As has been the case in previous years, the proportion of new casework items in the different
categories has varied in comparison to the earlier reporting periods, but with few exceptions
the numbers have been well below the normal averages. The categories of casework listed
are largely generated by external demand, and are affected by the scale of work undertaken
by other bodies. With the exceptions of policy liaison discussions, which have been largely
unaffected, and forestry and agri-environment matters, where the Service has not engaged inunresourced work, the downturn in casework appears to be an effect of the coronavirus
pandemic response on the work of others.
Pre-application planning enquiries
The number of pre-application enquiries to the Service over the reporting period is much
lower than the average level recorded in previous years. Informal conversations withcommercial archaeological contractors indicates that the reduction in demand for preapplication advice is a temporary effect of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on commercial
archaeological work, especially in the early part of the reporting period. Archaeologicalcontractors have continued to rely on their familiarity with the likely policy requirements ofCouncils within the Service area, particularly with regard to greenfield developments andhouseholder applications, and on the procedural guidance provided previously by theService.
Permitted development enquiries
The scale of the fall in advance enquiries from statutory undertakers is broadly in line withthe fall in other categories of casework compared to those recorded in last year’s report, but
it is not known whether this is significant. A number of wayleave officers working for the
statutory undertakers are now seeking confirmation that the mitigation measures they intend
to put in place for projects are appropriate to the needs of the historic environment.
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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, including consultationon the review of the Planning Advice Note dealing with Planning and Archaeology.
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 Local Government 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 to virtual
workshops and consultations in relation to HES’s development of its own corporate policies,of Scottish national heritage policy, of policies relating to heritage designations, and thecontent and scope of specialist guidance documents for Managing Change in the Historic
Environment.
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 liaised with and provided advice to Police Scotland inconnection with a reported find of human skeletal material. Subsequently, the Service
facilitated an archaeological intervention to recover remains of a prehistoric burial using a
notification and call-out contract system set up and funded by Historic Environment Scotland.
Historic Environment Record matters
Government restrictions on office working which were imposed in the Covid-19 lockdown
meant that secure access to the Historic Environment Record was suspended at the start of
the recording period. The provision of additional software and hardware IT support by thehost authority allowed the Historic Environment Record to be consulted remotely, but the
security and resilience of remote access could not be guaranteed at a level which would
allow updates or alterations to the Record. The phased relaxation of the government
pandemic restrictions allowed the introduction of intermittent Covid-safe working in theService office space. While such physical access to the office workstations ensured secureaccess to the full range of the Historic Environment Record database modules, priority was
given to those tasks which were needed to support the responses to the planning application
caseload and to meet the renewed demand from archaeological consultants for Historic
Environment Record data extracts.
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The reintroduction of limited Covid-safe office time has allowed the Service to resume theupdate and management of the Historic Environment Record, but a backlog of data
amendments and additions has yet to be fully integrated due to the pressure of new planningcasework. The data entry backlog includes some casework handling data from the start of
the reporting period.
The prioritization of responding to planning application casework during the Covid-19
pandemic has limited the time which the Service’s staff could devote to updating the Historic
Environment Record (HER). During the reporting period, 53 new site records were added to
the HER database, and amendments or additions were made to a further 67 existing site
records. In addition, 45 cross-referenced archive records were created within the HER
following the receipt of reports on completed archaeological projects.
During the reporting period 40 archaeological event records were created. The incorporationof such records into the HER partly depends on the regularity of notifications of new fieldwork
by commercial archaeological contractors and academic and amateur researchers submitted
to the nationwide ‘OASIS’ archaeological activities reporting system, in which local Authority
HER services have an important data verification and validation role.
Public engagement, training, and research assistanceDuring the reporting period, the Service’s engagement with the public has been seriously
compromised by the nature of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, in addition to responding to e-mail requests for information or advice, theService also assisted or liaised with two local amateur archaeological or historical groups
and one university department in the preparation of heritage projects.
Agri-environment matters
Due to pressure of work in altered circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic, andbuilding on the practice initiated in recent years, consultation requests from Scottish Forestry(formerly the regulatory arm of the Forestry Commission Scotland) inviting comments on thehistoric environment impacts of forestry grant applications they had received have not beenprocessed. Instead, responses have been provided through each planning authority’s
consultation response process, when requested by the member authority.
Separate consultation responses to Scottish Forestry have not been provided as these would
require a considerable expenditure of un-resourced staff time. Following the decision not to
respond independently of our member authorities, such unresourced requests have not beenentered into the casework log, thereby making an additional small but valuable saving in
officer data entry time.
Other requests for information and advice from commercial forestry companies have been
dealt with, where the chargeable fee has been accepted in line with the relevant forestry
industry guidance. Since the withdrawal of centrally funded payments to Local Authority
HERs to offset the costs of providing archaeological information and pre-application advice toforestry agents and landowners seeking public grants, there has been no significant uptake
from these applicants for the mediated information which would help to minimise 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.

6

1

Running the Service

1.1

The Service’s Joint Committee met virtually on 19 November 2020, and prior to thison 17 August 2020, the pre-audit annual accounts for 2019/20 were distributed
digitally to the Joint Committee for their consideration, as set out in governanceprocedures previously agreed with Audit Scotland. The Joint Committee met virtually
once again on 25 February 2021.

1.2

Due to the pressures on all member authorities in their responses to the Covid-19
pandemic, the Service's Steering Group has been in effective abeyance since theonset of the first national lockdown. Management issues have been dealt with throughthe host authority, and by exchange of e-mails with Steering Group members as
required.

1.3

The balance in the Service's reserve account at financial year end stood at £150,465(see Appendix 2). The level of financial reserves at the financial year end was higher
than had been predicted in budget forecasts. This was largely because an
unbudgeted surplus arising from unspent contingency funds and reduced salary andemployee-related costs as a result of a continuing temporary change to staff workrostering. This surplus would have been greater had it not been partly offset by areduction in fee income following the suspension of fee-chargeable work during thefirst half of the reporting year because of revisions to work practices as a result of theCovid-19 pandemic. The level of financial reserves is kept under annual review as
specified in the Service’s approved Reserves Policy.

1.4

The amount of external income generated over the report period by the Service’s
Access to Information and Charging Policy fell to around a third of what had been
generated in the preceding three years following a review of the revisions to thepolicy approved by the Joint Committee in March 2015. Over the current reporting
period, the Service received £5,300 for the provision of archaeological information
and advice to developers and their agents. However, as was reported previously, forthe greater part of the reporting period Covid-19 restrictions on working practicewithin the Service meant that it was not possible to provide external clients with thelevel of service required to justify levying a fee. Since the resumption of fee-charging,the uptake in requests for information and advice have steadily climbed to nearprevious monthly levels. Consequently, there would appear to be no immediate needto review the provisions of the policy or the published scale of charges.

1.5

Continuing a pattern reported on in the preceding four years, and notwithstanding theunexpected impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been no significant
uptake from forestry agents for archaeological information and advice to inform their
grant applications since centrally funded transitional payments for the provision ofsuch advice and information were phased out. Similar outcomes have been noted byother local authorities across Scotland who are unable or unwilling to undertake thiswork without additional external resources. This diminution in the range of mediatedinformation available for planning environmentally sustainable forestry operations is amatter of concern which has been raised once again with national forestry andheritage 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.

7

2

Historic Environment Record Maintenance and Development
2.1

During the report period 53 new site records were added to the Historic Environment
Record (HER) database, 67 existing site records were amended, 40 archaeologicalevents records were added, and the HER was informed of the commencement of 57
new fieldwork events. Following the receipt of reports on previous archaeologicalprojects 45 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 was directed towards a re-design to allow a relaunch bringing the online content up to date with procedural changes and therequirements of the Scottish Historic Environment Data Strategy (SHED Strategy)
which have still to be finalised. The new “front end” website has been in operation
since early in the reporting period.

2.3

In order to comply with agreed common data collection standards proposed to meetthe requirements of the Scottish Historic Environment Data Strategy (SHED Strategy),
the data collection and analysis of the Service website usage has changed to record“visits” and “page views” rather than the more generic “hits”. Under the new reporting
format, the Service website received 80,816 visits and 133,161 page views during thereporting period. For comparison, under the former analytical method, the same
usage would have been recorded as 419,469 “hits”.

2.4

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, HER data was provided toHistoric Environment Scotland for uploading to their Pastmap website, andinformation on chance finds was provided to the HER by the Treasure Trove Unit..

2.5

The Service has consolidated its engagement with the Spatial Information team of thelocal authority Improvement Service and their 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. Since the beginning of theCovid-19 health emergency, the Service has not been asked to update the Spatial
Hub, which was last provided with collated and curated HER data in January 2020. As
the Covid-19 recovery continues, WoSAS will assist member councils to meet thislegal requirement without the need for additional resources.

2.6

Because of lack of access to the GIS input elements of the HER during the early partof the reporting period, the Service suspended the ‘OASIS validation’ of draftarchaeological 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

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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. An improved
version of the OASIS reporting system is being implemented and the WoSAS HER
will be contributing to its editing and upkeep.
2.7

During the reporting period, the Service assisted or liaised with two local amateurarchaeological or historical groups and one university department in the preparationof heritage 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.

93

Advice to Argyll and Bute Council
Development Management Advice

3.1

Over the report period 52 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 98 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 36
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

3.2

The 98 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 98 applications, 92 (93.88%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Archaeological 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

Totals

8
34
38
18
98

Altogether, 80 of the 98 planning applications (81.6%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
3.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 25 other items of casework, including 4 pre-application enquiries, 5
HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 2 enquiries from statutory
undertakers.

3.4

For the third consecutive year, the Service liaised with and provided advice to Police
Scotland in connection with reported finds of skeletal material on one of the Inner
Hebrides. The Service was able to verify that the bones lay in an area which had
produced other remains from the early prehistoric period. Following the police reportto the Procurator Fiscal, an archaeological intervention to recover the remains andinvestigate the site was arranged using a notification and call-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.

104

Advice to East Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

4.1

Over the report period 53 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 58 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 15
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

4.2

The 58 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 58 applications, 54 (93.1%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases

Totals

8
12
4
2
32
58

Altogether, 26 of the 58 planning applications (44.8%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
4.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 7 other items of casework, including 4 HER site information queriesor public enquiries.

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

5

Advice to East Dunbartonshire Council
Development Management Advice

5.1

Over the report period 53 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 57 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 5planning applications which had been submitted in a previous year.

5.2

The 57 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 57 applications, 47 (82.5%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Archaeological 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

Totals

3
8
14
32
57

Altogether, 25 of the 57 planning applications (43.9%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
5.3

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, 2
HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 1 enquiry from a statutory
undertaker.

5.4

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.

126

Advice to East Renfrewshire Council
Development Management Advice

6.1

Over the report period 52 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 38 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 8planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

6.2

The 38 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 38 applications, 34 (89.5%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:

Archaeological 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

Totals

5
6
5
22
38

Altogether, 16 of the 38 planning applications (42.1%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
6.3

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

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

7

Advice to Glasgow City Council
Development Management Advice

7.1

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. In addition further work was done in respect of 17
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

7.2

The 44 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 44 applications, 39 (88.6%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases
1

Totals

6
14
1
1
21
44

Altogether, 23 of the 44 planning applications (52.3%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
7.3

The refusal of an application was recommended for proposed development within theAntonine Wall Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site on grounds that
insufficient archaeological information had been provided with the application toassess the impact on the Roman frontier remains.

7.4

Enforcement action was taken due to a breach of an archaeological condition on aconsent granted in a previous year. Development work was halted until remedialaction was agreed and implemented.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
7.5

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 11 other items of casework, including 4 pre-application enquiries, 5
HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 1 enquiry regarding statutory
undertakings.

7.6

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.

148

Advice to North Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

8.1

Over the report period 52 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 50 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 9planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

8.2

The 50 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 50 applications, 47 (94.0%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases

Totals

3
16
15
1
15
50

Altogether, 35 of the 50 planning applications (70.0%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
8.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 12 other items of casework, including 3 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.

15

9

Advice to Renfrewshire Council
Development Management Advice

9.1

Over the report period 53 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 37 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 9planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

9.2

The 37 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 37 applications, 34 (91.9%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
Archaeological 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

Totals

5
9
6
17
37

Altogether, 20 of the 37 planning (54.0%) applications identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council’s Area
9.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 7 other items of casework, including 4 HER site information
queries, and 2 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.

16

10

Advice to South Ayrshire Council
Development Management Advice

10.1

Over the report period 49 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 51 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 14
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

10.2

The 51 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 51 applications, 48 (94.1%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases

Totals

3
11
16
1
20
51

Altogether, 31 of the 51 planning applications (60.8%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the Council's Area
10.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 9 other items of casework, which included 5 pre-applicationenquiries, and 3 HER site information queries or public enquiries.

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

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 163 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 29
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

11.2

The 163 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 163 applications, 159 (97.5%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases

Totals

1
22
34
35
2
1
1
67
163

Altogether, 96 of the 163 planning applications (58.9%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
11.3

The refusal of an application for housing development adjacent to Gilbertfield Castle
was recommended on grounds that insufficient archaeological information had been
provided with the application to assess the impact on the castle and any possible
associated remains in the adjacent area.

Other Advice in the Council's Area
11.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 15 other items of casework, including 6 pre-application enquiries,
3 HER site information queries or public enquiries, and 2 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.

18

12

Advice to West Dunbartonshire Council
Development Management Advice

12.1

Over the report period 54 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 26 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 7planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

12.2

The 26 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 26 applications, 22 (84.6%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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

Total of cases

Totals

1
1
4
2
18
26

Altogether, 8 of the 26 planning applications (30.1%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
Other Advice within the Council's Area
12.3

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including Council
staff, in respect of 11 other items of casework, including 1 pre-application enquiry, 5
HER site information queries, and 1 enquiry from a statutory undertaker.

12.4

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.

12.5

The Service continued to advise on the historic environment implications of thecouncil’s City Deal project at Dunglass foreshore, and continued to liaise with design
teams in order to minimise 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.

19

13

Advice to West Lothian Council
Development Management Advice

13.1

Over the report period 54 weekly lists of planning applications from the Council weremonitored by the Service and 104 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 14
planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

13.2

The 104 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 104 applications, 95 (94.1%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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
No issue, or no action possible

Total of cases
1

16
32
14
3
1
Totals37
104

Altogether, 67 of the 104 planning applications (64.4%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.
13.3

The Service recommended the refusal of an application for the demolition of existingbuildings to make way for a distillery development at Midhope Castle which would be
adapted to provide visitor accommodation. Our recommendation was on the basisthat insufficient information had been provided to assess the potential impacts on the
fabric of the castle, on its setting, and on any archaeological remains that mightsurvive within the footprint of the development.

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 12 other items of casework, including 1 pre-application enquiry,
and 3 HER site information queries or public enquiries.

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

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 2020-21 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 48 new planning applications were identified as raisingpotential archaeological issues. In addition further work was done in respect of 10planning applications which had been submitted in previous years.

14.3.

The 48 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 48 applications, 42 (87.5%) were actioned within 21 days (ourperformance standard is 80%), with the results set out in the table below:
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, or no action possible

Total of cases

8
10
4
6
2
Totals18
48

Altogether, 30 of the 48 planning applications (62.5%) identified for detailed
assessment required some form of response to address the potential impacts of the
proposals on archaeological remains.

Other Advice within the National Park Authority’s Area
14.4

During the report period advice was provided to a variety of clients, including National
Park Authority staff, in respect of 6 other items of casework including 1 preapplication enquiry, 1 HER site information query, and 1 enquiry from a statutory
undertaker.

14.5

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 national
historic environment policy matters relevant 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.

21

15

Information and Advice to Developers/Agents and to Statutory Undertakers

15.1

There were 29 requests for pre-application information and advice from developers or
their agents, including 13 requests for Historic Environment Record digital extracts. In
addition, detailed advice on the implementation of planning conditions was provided
to archaeological contractors working for developers on 79 cases where planningpermission had been granted in previous years.

15.2

There were 11 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 first half of the reporting period difficulties with remote access to the fullrange of the Service’s IT systems meant that we were unable to provide the digital
data extracts required by developers and their agents. The provision of suchassistance to developers and their agents was phased back in by the Service in thethird quarter of the reporting period, allowing us to recommence levying charges forthe provision of the data in accordance with the WoSAS Access to Information andCharging Policy. The resumption of fee-earning activities generated £5,300 income
for the Service.

16

Agri-Environment Advice

16.1

Although there is guidance from Scottish Forestry (formerly the Forestry Authority)
recommending that applicants seeking forestry grants secure archaeologicalinformation and advice on the possible cultural heritage impacts of their proposals
from local authority HERs, with few exceptions, landowners and agents have beenreluctant to do so since centrally funded payments to local authority HERs tounderwrite the costs of providing such advice and information without charge to theapplicants were halted.

16.2

Except where requested by a member authority as a contribution to their own
consultation response, requests for comments or advice on the adequacy ofarchaeological provisions of new forestry proposals received from Scottish Forestry in
relation to operating their own regulatory framework are treated as un-resourced workand are removed from our priority work-load lists and performance statistics checklist.

16.3

Where the Service’s priority work-load allowed, we previously replied to the Scottish
Forestry consultation requests with responses which were limited to general advice
and summary information, or which drew attention to apparently incomplete orinadequate provisions for the historic environment within the proposals as set out.
During the reporting period and because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been
insufficient capacity within the Service to respond to these consultations without
detriment to our core functions.

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 1
Annual Performance Statistics 2020-21 (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

100.00%(98.81%)

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

93.85%
93.10%
82.46%
89.47%
88.64%
94.00%
91.89%
94.12%
97.53%
84.62%
82.69%
87.50%(92.34%)(92.22%)(86.36%)(90.63%)(81.16%)(92.31%)(91.49%)(90.54%)(94.41%)(100.00%)(94.06%)(97.14%)Overall Planning Application Performance

90.74%(92.11%)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

96.55%
100.00%88.89%
80.00%
83.33%(91.11%)(85.19%)(93.35%)(91.67%)(44.09%)Overall Other Work Performance

92.72%(75.72%)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

Appendix 2

WEST OF SCOTLAND ARCHAEOLOGY SERVICEINCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTFOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2021
2019/20£

2020/21£
Income138,090
41,334
1,027

Contribution from participating authorities
Fees & Charges
Interest on balances

138,090
21,967944

180,451

Total Income

161,001

Expenditure
Employee Costs

141,122

Salaries, NI & Superannuation &Employee Related Costs

144,949

Administration Costs
150
870
6,700
3,000
100
0
2,020
13,878Fees & Subscriptions
Travel & Subsistence
Rents
Equipment Purchase & maintenance
Catering
Purchase of services (miscellaneous)
Audit Fee

200
0
6,700
3,000
0
3,424
2,060
15,384

153,962

Total Expenditure

160,333

26,489123,308

Surplus/(Deficit) for Year
Surplus Brought Forward

668
149,797

149,797

Accumulated Surplus

150,465

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.

24