Contact our team today

+44 1722 326867

+44 1722 326867

 

The offshore and onshore historic environment is a key consideration in the planning process for all offshore wind schemes.

Wessex Archaeology's trusted experts will guide you through the process, managing relationships with stakeholders and regulators, ensuring that the historic environment is managed effectively from screening stage through to post-construction monitoring.

Archaeology and Offshore Wind Developments

  • Heritage monument on coastline

    1. SCREENING

    Examining the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment

    An awareness of the impact to potential historic sites is required by developers at this stage.

    We'll start building a picture of the archaeological potential to help you and the regulators understand more about the impact to the historic environment across the scheme.

    What services will you need?

    • Pre-application consultancy and advice  
    • Stakeholder management and engagement

  • Geophysical assessment being undertaken

    2. SCOPING

    Defining the scope of work needed to be undertaken by the developer

    At this stage we will undertake the following to meet your offshore planning requirements: 

    • Discussions with key stakeholders
    • Definition of requirements
    • Scoping report submitted to regulators

    What services will you need?

    • Pre-application consultancy and advice  
    • Scoping report preparation
    • Stakeholder management and engagement

  • Geophysical survey data showing archaeological remains

    3. ASSESSING

    Conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

    At this stage you will be required to undertake a more detailed assessment of the potential impact of the development. 

    We will: 

    • Establish baseline understanding of the study area
    • Undertake surveys to target areas of interest or remains and offer clarification
    • Develop of any necessary mitigation measures

    What services will you need?

    • Baseline formulation
    • Geophysical and geotechnical surveys
    • Field inspection (Diving, ROV)
    • Assessment of geophysical and geotechnical data
    • Archaeological evaluation
    • Impact assessment
    • Mitigation measures planning

  • Diver surveying an underwater wreck site

    4. IMPLEMENTING

    Enacting site-based measures

    Once the preparatory stages have been completed, we will carry out mitigation work in line with the policies and procedures, as outlined in a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) and Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (PAD).

    Mitigation measures fall into two groups:

    • Intrusive (Relocating / Excavating / Conserving)
    • Non-intrusive (Avoiding / Covering / Stabilising)

    It may also involve on-going supervision during building work (watching brief). Reporting will be part of this stage.

    What services will you need? 

    • Written Scheme of Investigations (WSI)
    • Protocol for Archaeological Discoveries (PAD)
    • Subsea services for asset protection, documentation, relocation and excavation
    • On-site supervision (Watching Brief)
    • Reports & Publication

  • Offshore windfarm

    5. MONITORING

    Ongoing assessment and monitoring

    Throughout the scheme development, the archaeological mitigation methods must be monitored to examine whether they are effective.

    What services will you need?

    • Monitoring methods plan
    • Inspection and reporting

Contact our team today

+44 1722 326867

+44 1722 326867