The Prescot Street site is being redeveloped by Grange Hotels. Before starting to build on the site, the developer has to apply for planning permission from the local planning authority.

As the site is in an area where a lot of archaeology has survived, the planning authority give permission for the development with the condition that all the archaeology is properly excavated before the new building work starts.

The developer funds all of the archaeological excavations and post-excavation work, including a publication of the results at the end of the project.

In fact, any developer has to wait until the archaeology on any site in England is examined, if there is a possibility that there may be archaeology in the ground. This is an important part of the country’s planning laws, and is known as Planning Policy Guidance 16 Archaeology and Planning, to give it it’s full title.