Archaeology

9.12 Archaeological remains are a finite resource highly vulnerable to damage and destruction and the desirability of preserving such remains and their settings is a material consideration in determining planning applications. There is a presumption in favour of preserving nationally important remains in place.

9.13 Bury St Edmunds is recognised as a town of considerable archaeological importance and the archaeological remains form an essential and valuable part of Suffolk’s identity. Attention is drawn to Appendix B which shows the part of Bury St Edmunds which is of particular archaeological significance, the majority of which lies within the former town walls.

9.14 The majority of archaeological sites in the Plan area are not shown on the Proposals Map. A full inventory of all known sites is maintained by Suffolk county council’s Archaeological Service (the County Sites and Monuments Record). Policy HC9 applies to all archaeological sites and areas of high archaeological potential throughout the borough.

POLICY HC9: SITES AND FEATURES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

In considering proposals which affect sites of archaeological importance and their setting or sites of potential interest, the local planning authority will have regard to:

• i) the results of any archaeological evaluation required;
  ii) the need to preserve archaeological remains in situ; and
  iii) the need for adequate recording or excavation prior to development commencing.