Historic Environment Guidance for Wave and Tidal Energy

By Antony Firth

The recent growth in wave and tidal energy demonstrates our dependence on the sea in seeking to meet society's needs. It is the latest phase of a very long relationship with the sea for resources, driven this time by recognition that future use must be much more sustainable than in previous centuries. Mindful of our place in history as we shape the environment of the future, it is important that this new use of the sea does not detract from what remains of our predecessors' use and inhabitation of the coasts and seas around us.

The guidance is intended for wave and tidal energy developers; regulators; curators; environmental and engineering consultants; and archaeological contractors/consultants. It is intended to provide an introduction both to wave and tidal energy and to the historic environment, and to present guidance on specific issues where there is a common interest in achieving resolution. The guidance is intended to enable all parties to engage with the historic environment constructively; to help provide clarity in relation to planning; to avoid circumstances in which heritage assets become an unreasonable or unexpected constraint; and to create greater certainty for all concerned.

This guidance was commissioned as part of the National Heritage Protection Plan work in mitigating the impact of energy generation on heritage. It was supported by English Heritage, Historic Scotland and Cadw, the document was prepared by Fjordr Ltd.

Contents

1 Introduction
2 Relation to other Policies and Guidance
3 Roles and Processes
4 Historic Environment: policy, approaches and terminology
5 Historic Environment: themes, asset types and contexts
6 Historic Environment: archaeology in high energy environments
7 Wave and Tidal Energy: status and trajectory
8 Wave and Tidal Energy: spatial distribution
9 Wave and Tidal Energy: technologies
10 Potential Impacts from Wave and Tidal Energy Development
11 Significance
12 Heritage Assets in their Wider Surroundings
13 Uncertainty and Risk
14 The Historic Environment and other schemes relating to Wave and Tidal Energy Development
15 Enhancing Public Benefit
16 Archaeological Data, Data Management and Archiving
17 Site Investigations
18 Anomalies
19 Assessment, Analysis and Publication

Additional Information

  • Series: Guidance
  • Publication Status: Completed

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