Representation by Historic England (Historic England)
- Date submitted
- 30 March 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Historic England The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (HBMCE) is better known as Historic England, and we are the Government’s adviser on all aspects of the historic environment in England, including historic buildings and areas, archaeology and historic landscapes. We have a duty to promote conservation, public understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment. We are an executive Non-Departmental public body and we answer to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Proposal Cottam Solar Project. Solar photovoltaic array and electrical storage and connection infrastructure, with a generation capacity of greater than 50 MW. Representation We note the scheme has it appears largely addressed the setting of designated heritage assets and earthwork monuments of equivalent importance through design (layout and deployment of green space) with the exception of Scheduled Monument NHLE ref 1016978 Thorpe medieval settlement where setting impacts are identified in the submitted environmental statement as ‘moderate adverse’ – ‘significant’ in EIA terms, which we would see as a considerable level of less than substantial harm in NPS/NPPF terms. With regards to buried archaeological remains it is important that risk of avoidable / unmitigated damage to sensitive remains is well managed in proportion to their importance. This can be achieved through layout, deployment of green space and construction options for cabling and panel mounting etc. Archaeological risks can thus be well addressed, but only if there is a sound understanding of where archaeological sensitivity and importance lies across the site. Sufficiency of field evaluation is vital because some features (such as for instance early medieval burial grounds or Roman high-status buildings) would be both of high importance and high sensitivity to the insertion of panel mounting piles. Discussion is continuing as regards the extent of archaeological evaluation and deployment of intrusive and non-intrusive techniques, the reliance upon / complimentary nature of such techniques, and the timing there-of; all in the context of concerns around the management of archaeological and project risk. In the context of sufficiency of evaluation work we refer you in the first instance to the expertise of local authority archaeological advisors. It is they who will (should DCO be granted with appropriate requirements) advise upon the acceptability of written schemes of investigation (WSI) and their accordance with a robust overall archaeological strategy secured through DCO submission. Combined cable connection corridors with other Solar NSIP have the potential to minimise cumulative impacts in archaeologically sensitive areas, which we would welcome. Please confirm receipt of this relevant representation. Please copy future correspondence to e-midlands@HistoricEngland.org.uk