Archaeology
Archaeological remains can survive anywhere and everywhere, often unseen and unsuspected. From fields and villages to towns and cities, archaeology is all around us and shapes our surroundings. It poses both risks and opportunities for all developments, whether in urban or greenfield locations.
Orion’s skilled archaeology team is experienced in advising landowners, developers and their agents on all aspects of potential and actual archaeological matters. Providing pragmatic support from the start of a project with land disposal or acquisition, right through to planning and the discharge of archaeological planning conditions.
As a CIfA Registered Organisation & accredited CIfA members, we problem solve with our clients in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our mix of specialist expertise and commercial understanding means we can be relied upon to deliver honest and accurate advice, negotiate favourable outcomes with statutory bodies, and establish and manage archaeological fieldwork.
Built heritage
The built environment is in a continual state of flux which means that conservation of historic buildings is about managed change. Many buildings will have the capacity and flexibility to accommodate new elements, although these must be designed sensitively to reflect the importance of their ‘host’ buildings.
Orion’s dedicated built heritage team are well-practised in advising on such projects, where building owners may face challenges in accommodating new uses or functions without compromising what is special about the historic building structure.
As IHBC accredited and RIBA chartered specialists, we problem solve with our clients in a timely and cost-effective manner. Our mix of built heritage expertise and commercial understanding means we can be relied upon to deliver targeted, balanced advice and to negotiate favourable outcomes with statutory bodies.
Service specification
Land acquisition / due diligence
Identifying and quantifying the potential planning constraints and financial risks posed by archaeology and built heritage at the early stages of development planning and land acquisition.
Archaeological and built heritage assessment
Detailed, technical heritage assessment work that can include heritage statements, archaeological and historic environment desk-based assessments, statements of significance, archaeological and heritage setting assessments, heritage impact assessments, conservation management plans, scheduled monument consent applications and built heritage condition surveys.
Archaeological evaluation and excavation fieldwork
We provide expert advice on the scope and timing of fieldwork that is required to address site-specific heritage issues as well as skilled procurement and management of archaeological evaluations, excavations and historic building recording works. We adopt a pragmatic approach to this important work, to facilitate clients’ proposed developments, to support planning applications and the discharge or planning conditions.
Specialist historic building advice
Detailed fabric analysis of historic buildings to inform repair, remediation and alteration works. We also specialise in obtaining Certificates of Immunity against a building being listed, and curtilage listing issues. Although de-listing is not a common incidence, detailed research and well-constructed argument can succeed in overturning a listing decision, and Orion has a proven track record in this specialist field.
Historic building recording
Orion Heritage undertake on-site surveys on a diverse range of historic buildings to produce a comprehensive historic building record. Examples of buildings that may require such an assessment are listed buildings, unlisted buildings, scheduled monuments and other structures that may have been identified as being historically significant.
Heritage management planning
A heritage management plan identifies what is of significant heritage value in a place and provides expert guidance on how to manage these features appropriately. This can be as part of a new development or as a standalone piece of work for a specific monument or area of historic or archaeological interest. This detailed process involves consultation with interested parties to agree fitting and relevant programmes of conservation and presentation for the future.
Environmental impact assessment
Orion Heritage provides historic environment input into Environmental Impact Assessments. This includes, where necessary, incorporating data from desk-based assessments, geophysical survey, evaluations and historic building and setting assessments into the production of heritage chapters of Environmental Statements.
Expert witness
Heritage expert witness services for Public Inquiries, Hearings and Written Representations.