Research services

Tender description

The National Heritage Act 2002 redefined an ‘ancient monument’ to include any site comprising, or comprising the remains of, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other movable structure, or part thereof, in, on or under the seabed. In order to provide for the conservation and enhancement of significant marine heritage assets, including those most at risk through neglect, decay or other threats, within UK territorial waters adjacent to England, Historic England is seeking to procure, within a single contract, assessment functions to support marine protection and management for the two-year period April 2017 to March 2019 (inclusive). Effective marine protection advice is reliant on the provision of field observations to underpin the core functions of protection and management of, and access to, the marine historic environment in order to realise wider social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits. Both the UK Marine Policy Statement (2011) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2012) recognise the need to protect and manage marine cultural heritage in a manner appropriate to its significance.