Heritage

Listed Buildings and conservation areas

Check if a building is listed or located within a conservation area using the interactive map.

• Colchester Conservation Area 5: Mill Field Estate
• Colchester Conservation Area 4: North Station Road and Environs

Historic parks and gardens

Learn more about registered parks and gardens.

Archaeology and planning in Colchester

• Archaeological Strategy for Colchester City
• Further information on Archaeology Management Plans
• Guide for Planning Applicants

Archaeology advice

We provide a brief for each stage of archaeological investigation, but we do not conduct archaeological investigations ourselves. You will need to hire a professional archaeological contractor. The contractor will prepare a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI), which must be approved by us before any investigation begins.

Once we approve the WSI, you must submit it with your application to discharge the planning condition, allowing the fieldwork to begin. We will monitor the fieldwork and review the report to ensure the requirements of the planning condition(s) are met. We will confirm full compliance with the planning condition when the final report is submitted and reviewed.

Historic Environment Record (HER)

The Colchester Historic Environment Record (HER) is a database of all known archaeological sites and historical buildings within the city. It helps identify and assess areas at risk from new developments.

If you need an HER search for a planning application, our Archaeological Advisor can search the record. You can request the search by submitting the Planning Enquiry Application Form.

Submitting an enquiry for archaeology advice or HER search

To request archaeology advice or an HER search, submit the Planning Enquiry Application Form with the following details:

• The planning application number (if you have one).
• A scaled location plan (both proposed and existing) outlining the site in red.
• Agent details (if you have one).
• A brief description of the development.

• Provide the National Grid reference or point of interest, along with the search area (radius).
• If you need digital mapping data, specify the format of data you need, such as Autodesk AutoCAD DWG/DXF or ESRI shapefiles.

Fees for archaeology advice

Archaeology briefs and reporting

• We will provide a brief within 10 working days of receiving the application. This is valid for 6 months.
• A fast-track option is available within 3 working days for an additional 50% fee.
• If a brief expires and needs reissuing, a further charge applies.
• Reports will be reviewed within 30 days of submission or by negotiation for large projects.
• Additional charges are made at the standard rate of £50.00 per hour if the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) or report does not meet the required standards.

Historic Environment Record (HER) searches

We offer three types of HER searches, based on the number of records you need:

• Standard search (up to 75 records): £99.44 (including VAT)
• Extended search (75 to 150 records): £200.09 (including VAT)
• Large/Complex search (more than 150 records): Request a quote

• We will provide the results of the HER search within 10 working days of receiving the application.
• A fast-track option is available within 3 working days for an additional 50% fee.