What Should I do if I am a …

Utilities Builder

Construction and refurbishment of pipelines, overhead electrical line refurbishments and other similar utility works may impact on known or potential archaeological sites, and you are required to ensure that the archaeology is appropriately recorded and/or protected. 

Depending on the significance of the sites and the nature of the works proposed, the mitigation can range from a walkover survey to a watching brief or full excavation.  

Should proposed works be considered a threat to known or potential archaeological sites then an Archaeological Development Brief will be provided for you by the Archaeology Service, detailing the mitigation work required. Please note: the developer is obliged to pay for any work undertaken to record the archaeology affected. 

Works requiring planning permission will be dealt with through the normal planning process. Other works may not require planning permission but should still take account of potential impacts on archaeology in line with legislation, Scottish Government policy and best practice. These include: 

Electricity Act 1989  Schedule 9 (Preservation of Amenity and Fisheries) 

Water Industry Scotland Act 2002  

National Planning Framework 4  policy 7 ‘Historic Assets and Places’ 

PAN2/2011  

Delivery of public benefit and social value for archaeology in the planning process  

Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS) 

Information and advice 

The Archaeology Service can provide information on the historic environment to help in assessing archaeological impacts and can advise on appropriate mitigation for proposed works in Shetland, both on and off-shore. 

When consulted, we can: 

  • carry out a search of all known sites within the scheme's boundary 
  • assess potential impact on the archaeological record 
  • provide you/ your archaeological consultant with details of known sites affected 
  • provide GIS shapefile extracts (on request) 
  • advise on appropriate mitigation measures  

Please be advised that a charge is applied for this service    

Charges