Caves
Nottingham’s cave systems are unique in number and type and are protected through legislation and planning policy. Our caves service provides advice, assessments, surveys, and mitigation strategies to support research and development projects.
Conserving cave systems requires a clear understanding of their significance. We achieve this through documentary research, rapid visual appraisals, and measured surveys, including 3D laser scanning. We then interpret and assess the findings to guide conservation and development decisions.
Nottingham City Council places high importance on cave conservation, making them a key consideration in development projects. We can help clients navigate these issues through expert consultancy, surveys, interpretation, and targeted mitigation strategies.
Caves Case Studies
Caves of Nottingham Regeneration Project
Between 2010 and 2020, we completed the Caves of Nottingham Regeneration Project in partnership with SLR Consulting. Funded by Historic England with support from Nottingham City Council and the University of Nottingham, the project also received contributions from the British Geological Survey and Nottingham Historical and Archaeological Society.
We reviewed over 700 of Nottingham’s cave systems, with a focus on sixty-six surveyed using laser scanning. The project produced a report detailing the current understanding of the cave system, with illustrations, descriptions, and assessments of all surveyed caves. This is a valuable springboard for further research, publication and community engagement. It also provided recommendations regarding best practices for managing them in future planning processes which proved useful for the city council when drawing up their Supplementary Planning Document.
Confetti Building
During development of the Confetti building for Nottingham Trent University, a previously unknown cave system was discovered. The cave was investigated, recorded, and proved to be of particular importance due to a rare find. Within the cave we discovered a well filled with large quantities of medieval pottery. Working with the client’s design team and the city planning archaeologist, we ensured the cave was protected beneath the new building.