We protect the city’s existing buildings, streetscapes and buried archaeological remains from planning and development.

We do this by following policies set out in the Bristol Local Plan.

Our archaeology officers are responsible for:

  • identifying archaeological monuments and helping with their preservation
  • making sure that finds are recorded within Bristol's Historic Environment Record
  • giving advice to planning officers and developers on the impact of planning applications on heritage assets
  • advising on the creation of local planning policies
  • sharing information about Bristol's history with the general public, community groups, building owners, developers, historic environment professionals and other teams within the council

Advice on planning applications

We can offer you advice on your planning application and tell you whether the work will have any archaeological impact. You should talk to us as early as possible to avoid having to change your plans. Find out how to make a planning pre-application enquiry.

Find out more about  pdf how we consider archaeological issues in the planning process (1.53 MB)

We do this by following policies set out in the Bristol Local Plan.

Our archaeology officers are responsible for:

  • identifying archaeological monuments and helping with their preservation
  • making sure that finds are recorded within Bristol's Historic Environment Record
  • giving advice to planning officers and developers on the impact of planning applications on heritage assets
  • advising on the creation of local planning policies
  • sharing information about Bristol's history with the general public, community groups, building owners, developers, historic environment professionals and other teams within the council

Urban archaeological strategies

A strategy for the Historic Environment in Bristol, funded by English Heritage, is being produced. This will explain how we plan to manage the city’s historical environment and carry out research in the future. It will also establish important links with education, tourism and cultural and public art projects.