-----Original Message-----
From: A news service for British archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Hull
Sent: 25 March 2010 08:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Five key announcements

Dear All

It's been a busy news week in archaeology, with five really significant announcements being made - some of which you'll already have spotted on the list, others not yet. For CBA comment on these issues, visit www.britarch.ac.uk/news

These are interesting times (perhaps no coincidence that an election is about to be announced...). Does anyone have thoughts or comments on them? What do they say about the future of British archaeology?

Firstly, the UK Government has published its 'Statement On The Historic Environment For England'. This states that "The Government believes that the historic environment is an asset of enormous cultural, social, economic and environmental value. It makes a very real contribution to our quality of life and the quality of our places. This document is intended to help Government to realise its vision for the historic environment, and to assist us in working jointly with others to achieve our aims. In it we set out our understanding of the value of the historic environment, and the many roles that Government and others can play." The full statement is available for download at http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/6763.aspx

Secondly, the UK Government has published the new Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on 'Planning for the historic environment' (PPS5). It replaces Planning Policy Guidance Notes 15 (Planning and the Historic Environment, published in September 1994) and 16 (Archaeology and Planning, published in November 1990). The final policy statement can be viewed at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pps5

The PPS is supported by guidance prepared by English Heritage. This may be found on the English Heritage website at www.english-heritage.org.uk/pps

In a separate development, The Art Fund has announced that the Staffordshire Hoard has been purchased for the nation (although further funding is needed for conservation and research): "The Art Fund is delighted to announce that the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest archaeological Anglo-Saxon find ever unearthed, has been saved for the nation. The news comes after the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), the government's fund of last resort for heritage items at risk, pledged £1,285,000 - bringing the campaign to the £3.3m target, just over three weeks ahead of schedule."

In Scotland, there was an announcement of grant funding of £360k over 3 years from Historic Scotland to the Built Environment Forum Scotland (http://www.befs.org.uk/) to enable it to develop its role as an intermediary body to cover the historic environment, in a comparable way to the work of The Heritage Alliance in England. There are also moves to establish a similar heritage networking body in Wales.

Finally, yesterday the MoD & DCMS launched a consultation on the management issues raised by the discovery of the wreck of the HMS Victory. Details are available at http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6773.aspx

Dan.

________________
Dr Dan Hull
Head of Information & Communications
Council for British Archaeology, St Mary's House, 66 Bootham, York YO30 7BZ tel 01904 671417, fax 01904 671384 A Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England 1760254 & Registered Charity 287815.

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