Home Up The planning process The Public Inquiry Archaeology work Precautionary principle Ecology Supervisory failures Site's potential Impact Community Presentation script CLOSING STATEMEN
York City Planning documents online
YouTube videos
The Final Report

Kindle edition of Finding Fulford is now available
The Fulford Tapestry


Visiting Fulford
Map York
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Evidence presented to
the public inquiry:
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Summary
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Archaeology
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Precautionary principle
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The
ecology
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Supervisory failures and defects in the work done
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The
potential of the area
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The
impacts that will flow and what the rules say
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The
exclusion of the community and their rights and role in the planning process
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Script for the presentation
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Closing statement (with call in letter for
reference)
2. Precautionary principle
2.1. We will now explore the clear rules that all say the site should be
protected. We will also investigate what constitutes proof. In ODPM call-in
letter it states the principle that ‘taking into account the presumption in
favour of the physical preservation of nationally important archaeological
remains and their setting’ (J I-iii).
- 2.1.1. The various arguments for why the battlesite qualifies were set out
above. The failure of the planning system to demand a proper investigation must
be considered as one reason for any shortfall in the body of evidence. Put
another way, it is not sensible to say that there is no evidence when nothing
was done to collect it.
- 2.1.2. Denying access must not be rewarded by the planning rules and the
precautionary principle set out by the ODPM must be applied in favour of this
internationally important site.
2.2. Burden of ‘proof’ seems to have been subtly shifted to those opposing
change.
- 2.2.1. It is clear from every other aspect of the planning system that it is the
proposers who are obliged to undertake study the impacts of their change before
any decision is made. Why was this rule not applied to the battlefield?
- 2.2.2. There is extensive precedent where those who propose to disturb the
status quo must shoulder the burden of investigation and demonstrate that their
proposal will not do harm to this irreplaceable piece of our heritage.
- 2.2.3. ODPM asks in the call-in letter about PPG 16 and the ‘adequacy of any
assessment’ as well as ‘options for minimising and avoiding damage.’ The
developers must resume this burden before any permission can be granted.
2.3. Nature of the proof called for needs be explored to forestall claims by the
proposers of the development that the location has not been ‘proved’.
- 2.3.1. Scientific proof requires some testable and reproducible evidence. This
is an absolute standard but nobody is suggesting that a battle should be
restaged and the effects observed over a millennium. Modern science is forced by
its high level of proof to operate with the theories of evolution, relativity,
quantum mechanics and now global warming. It is impossible to ‘prove’ these
theories but we have no trouble working with them although they will all have
their critics until they can be ‘proved’. The fact that a theory is unproved
does not mean that it is wrong or that the scientists are uncertain about their
theories. So it is often necessary to operate below the level of absolute proof.
- 2.3.2. The ‘criminal’ model of proof requires a case is established beyond
reasonable doubt. This still sets a challenge for the side that has to do the
proving. It was argued that that burden must be bourn by the proposers of any
development, not the objector.
- 2.3.3. The rule for civil cases rests on the balance of probability and this is
a sensible test of ‘proof’ for archaeological sites. This has already been
achieved at Fulford.
- 2.3.4. All that remains is to find an appropriate forum to ‘try’ the evidence of
the battlefield. The closed system adopted by the developers and planning
authorities is not suitable as they are not impartial.
Research progress report
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Links
YouTube videos
The evidence reviewed
A guided tour of the
battlefield
The tidal surge - riding
the river to Riccall
Battlefield Trust site This is a wonderful, new resource for those who want
to know about the battlefields of England and Wales.
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