Development Sector Package
Development Sector Pacakge
Site Scan are offering a free introductory consultation to discuss the capabilities of the techniques we employ for site investigation and recording in relation to your projects. It will cover how our services will reduce the timescale required (and therefore overall cost) to accurately assess, record and produce multifunctional data regarding a potential development site.
Geophysical, topographical and contour surveys are elements of a site assessment ‘toolkit’ that can efficiently provide accurate site data. However, these techniques are traditionally used in academic research and have often been overlooked by the commercial sector. Site Scan’s services will aid developers and planning consultancies to ‘de-risk’ development projects. This can be achieved by utilising Site Scan’s assessment within a framework to formulate project strategies when considering potential development sites.
Geophysical surveys offer an opportunity to the developer to determine the likelihood of archaeological activity within a site prior to its purchase. The data would enable possible archaeological problems to be factored into a project from its outset. These initial exploratory surveys would afford the developer the opportunity to discuss with a local authority any potential archaeological issues, and again if undertaken at the outset, it would safeguard against financial commitments to unsuitable sites.
Topographical surveys and 3D modelling can provide data which can be utilised to illustrate the impact of a proposed development on a landscape. This data can be used to assess the initial reaction of a local authority or community council to a project. The data retrieved by topographical surveys can be used in conjunction with Digital Photogrammetry. As a result of ‘merging’ these techniques it is possible to accurately assess the volume of physical features on a site (e.g. bowl depressions, mounds, ditches, and banks etc). Therefore, if the landscaping of a site was required (e.g. the removal of a bank or the in-fill of a ditch), the volumes of soil/rubble needed could be accurately calculated. Furthermore, the utilisation of this site assessment framework would facilitate a localised and controlled evaluation of features/anomalies determined on a site, prior to either its purchase or a formal planning application.
The results of such an assessment would be produced for the client in a report format, which would assist in accurate and speedy decision making. This would help ensure that a project’s financial investment is protected and that it will yield a viable return.
Archaeology has become a fundamental part of the planning process. Site Scan feels that it is essential to illustrate to developers and planning consultants how our services are relevant to your business and can solve problems in development and therefore, improve both the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your development project.
Geophysical Surveys
Geophysical surveys can help protect financial investment in development projects. They provide crucial data on buried archaeology/anomalies within a site. If this information is not available to the developer it could result in the expensive modification of development plans or in worse case scenarios, planning permission being rescinded.
Site Scan would like to invite both developers and planning consultants to involve us in your project strategies from the outset. The most effective time to commission a geophysical survey is prior to the acquisition of the proposed block of land. This allows the developer to assess the impact of archaeological activity prior to the application for planning permission. Also the survey would provide accurate data for location of test-pits/trenches if an archaeological brief becomes an integral requirement of the planning consent. A survey that determined the presence of archaeological activity would afford the developer the opportunity to source a new site if appropriate.
Topographical Surveys Contour Surveys & 3D Modelling
These are standard techniques for accurate archaeological landscape recording that can be utilised for site data collection prior/during development projects. The level of detail obtained by these surveys can be ‘tailored’ by the client to suit the requirements of the project e.g. recording a landscape with contours on a pitching of 1 metre or less. The data retrieved by both topographical and contour surveys can also be utilised to produce 3D models of a site. This type of data allows for the comprehensive consideration of a development site, in relation to the sympathetic planning of new structures within the landscape.
Digital Photogrammetry
This technique allows for accurate recording of features or structures to an incredible level of detail. The information produced results in a total record of the subject surveyed, that can be interrogated to produce 3D measurement including volume and area. The process can be used to produce photo-realistic virtual modelling with applications such as ‘walkthroughs’ or artefact research or can be converted to Cad or illustration packages.
The process involves taking a pair of photographs, (stereo pair), of an object from two calculated positions. The stereo pair is then orientated and set to real coordinates to produce a 3D digital terrain model. |The model is then contoured and textured to produce a 3D photograph which can be manipulated in Virtual 3D space. Any measurement can then be taken directly from the photograph.
Site Scan have been asked to prepare a management plan to record 2.5 acres of medieval stone wall, ranging from 3 to 10 metres high. The photogrammetry results will be converted to digital drawings to facilitate the accurate rebuilding of sections of wall; on a stone by stone basis, in the event of future collapses. The data produced can be used to obtain accurate measurements in height, width and depth. This technique could also be applied to historic building reconstruction/development.
Other applications include topographical survey such as stockpiling or quarrying. In such circumstances the error produced by averaging troughs and peaks, used in conventional survey, is eliminated. Volumes, cuts and fills are accurate and can be produced in considerably less time than standard survey methods.
For further information on how geophysical surveys or digital photogrammetry can solve your surveying problems, in development projects, contact Site Scan (Archaeological) Ltd.