4.15 Major Projects

The Major Projects is a centrally managed resource of specialists in project management, building, procurement, and associated professional disciplines. The department provides EH with the capability of achieving conservation and public enjoyment of the built heritage by direct hands-on intervention. It allows the two principle spending departments (Conservation and Historic Properties) to concentrate their resources directly on their core activities. The principle activities which form the basis of the department's business are the delivery of large and complex projects; setting and assuring quality, standards, and procedures; giving advice to Conservation, Historic Properties, and other departments; and outreach - the exchange of knowledge with the conservation industry at large.

In the two years since its establishment, the department has been involved in building rescue projects, completed the new-build museum and interpretation centre at St Augustines, Canterbury (see also sections 4.14 and 4.17), taken responsibility for other major projects in various stages of development; processed successful Lottery bids; introduced the latest project management procedures; taken responsibility for Health and Safety; and focused the activities of existing professional teams through the introduction of business management systems and controls. Full consideration of the archaeological implications of any development is an essential part of all the projects, and we work closely with Archaeology Division in the preparation of archaeological briefs. We also make use of the CAS and Ancient Monuments Laboratory specialists in undertaking practical work on particularly sensitive sites. Archaeological work that has resulted from our projects, has been carried out at Whitby Abbey, Wigmore Castle, St Augustine's Abbey (see also section 4.14 ), Down House, Stonehenge, Chiswick Cascade, and Hill Hall.