Non-Planning Advice
Other Local Authority Activities
Local authorities have a wide range of responsibilities, that may affect the historic environment, beyond the planning field. Highways Departments co-ordinate the permitted works of utilities companies, that may identify local impacts they may cause. Parks and landscape works may take place within an historic context. Co-ordination of advice with officers covering the natural environment may be necessary. Strategic planning of waste management, flood-risk, and land allocation, may all benefit from a consideration of their wider implications.
Rural Matters – Stewardship and Forestry
A significant proportion of Greater London is rural or semi-rural in character. The GLAAS advise farmers and DEFRA on Higher Level Stewardship schemes that might preserve both below-ground archaeology and historic landscape features. Forestry planting can have a significant impact, particularly on areas that may have been cleared of woodland cover thousands of years ago.
Coastal, Maritime and Foreshore
The Thames, and Thames Estuary, is tidal to Teddington Lock. Many management issues affect the river, including flood defences, dredging , natural and artificial erosion, and occasional development impacts. The river is a marvellous resource, and due to the rise in sea levels over the past 10,000 years, represents a flooded landscape along its foreshore. The waterlogged conditions provide an environment for preservation of artefacts that perish on dry land, notably wood and metalwork. Wooden structures of the Bronze Age and Saxon periods can be seen at low tide, as well as a fallen Neolithic forest. Valuable evidence for ships and ship construction and the industrial usage of the Thames survive along it. Such finds are vulnerable to erosion, and otherwise unprotected, and we seek ways to either protect or record these features before their inevitable destruction.
We advise the Port of London Authority on any planning applications that come within their remit for Greater London. These include works that affect the foreshore and dredging applications. We also advise on any Marine Planning Applications that fall within Greater London.
Utilities Companies
All utilities companies have conservation policies that include consideration of the historic environment. These companies have permitted rights to undertake certain works outside the planning system, but should consult on the implications of major works.
Transport Infrastructure
There are numerous proposals to enhance London’s transport infrastructure, these require extensive planning consultation.
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