This booklet, published in 2003, aims to help housing associations understand the duties of developers with regards to archaeological heritage and the historic environment.  It highlights the added value that heritage can bring in terms of sustainability, social inclusion and community cohesion.

The booklet brings together the Housing Corporation, the Institute of Field Archaeologists and English Heritage. We are united in the belief that good housing schemes that build on the past and give it new relevance in the present can play a major role in fostering flourishing communities. Tenants enjoy living in town and city centre buildings with historical character and distinction, and the community in general benefits from the regeneration of sites and buildings that form an important part of the town’s fabric and history.

This booklet will help to understand the duties of developers with regard to archaeological heritage and encourages them to exercise those responsibilities with due care. It does not attempt to be comprehensive – the proper care, repair and maintenance of building fabric are important issue for social landlords which are dealt with elsewhere.

The booklet is illustrated with examples and the themes covered include:

• The key to all sound housing schemes - to start from a thorough understanding of the site
• Who can help: sources of funding and advice
• Heritage and sustainability
• The community benefits of integrating archaeology and historic architecture into housing schemes: their role as educational assets and opportunities for public participation
• Street names, signs, landscaping, on-site interpretation, maintenance of ancient boundaries – all of these can be used to keep memories alive, stress the individuality of the development and foster a sense of place
• Summary of the major heritage legislation (in 2003) that might apply to a housing association’s land or buildings.