Generic brief for an archaeological evaluation (trial trenching)

Monitoring is carried out by the Council Archaeology Service, normally acting on behalf of the local planning authority, to ensure that projects are being carried out in accordance with the brief and approved project design, to enable the need for modifications to the project to be independently considered and validated and to control and validate the use of available contingencies.

A minimum of two weeks notice of the commencement of works should be given and a programme of monitoring should be agreed with the Council Archaeology Service prior to the commencement of fieldwork The archaeological contractor should keep the Council Archaeology Service regularly informed of the project's progress and facilitate the monitoring of the project at each stage, including post-excavation. In particular, there should be no substantial modification of the approved brief and project design without the prior consent of the Council Archaeology Service and no fieldwork should be carried out without the service's knowledge and approval. Trenches should not be backfilled without agreement from the Council Archaeology Service.

Monitoring visits will normally be documented by the Council Archaeology Service and the archaeological contractor will be informed of any perceived deficiencies. The Council Archaeology Service has a charging policy in place for site monitoring visits.

The Council Archaeology Service should be informed at the earliest opportunity of any unexpected discoveries, especially where there may be a need to vary the project design. The archaeological contractor should carry out such reasonable contingency works as requested by the Council Archaeology Service within the resources defined in the project design.

In the event that the Council Archaeology Service considers that the approved project design is not being complied with without reasonable justification then action will be taken in accordance with Buckinghamshire Council's archaeological enforcement policy.