The Buckinghamshire Historic Environment Forum was scheduled to consider updates on the Emergency Recording Fund and the ongoing situation at Mentmore Towers. The meeting was also scheduled to discuss changes to relevant policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework and the forthcoming Local Plan, as well as a topic on creative curation and storage.

Emergency Recording Fund Update

Lucy Lawrence, Principal Archaeology Officer for Buckinghamshire Council, was scheduled to provide an update on the Emergency Recording Fund. This fund is contributed to by Buckinghamshire Council, Milton Keynes Council, and the Buckinghamshire Archaeology Society. The report pack details that the fund was last utilised in April 2026 for the excavation of a significant Roman object hoard discovered in the Chilterns. The excavation, carried out by Oxford Archaeology, uncovered artefacts including millefiore mounts, lion head studs, a denarius, a gaming piece and die, four votive/model axes, and the remains of a copper alloy ceremonial rattle. The hoard was donated to Discover Bucks Museum and has undergone conservation.

Mentmore Towers Update

Joanna Horton, Team Leader Heritage & Archaeology at Buckinghamshire Council, was scheduled to provide an update on Mentmore Towers. The report pack highlights that Mentmore Towers (Grade I listed) is a high-profile case for the Heritage team. A Repairs Notice was served on the owner on 5 August 2026 under section 48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, requiring extensive roof repair works. The report notes that the need for bat surveys and the building's connection to the Batman movies have attracted significant public interest and press coverage. SAVE Britain's Heritage, an organisation that campaigned to save the Towers in the 1970s, was keen to offer support.

Changes to Relevant Policies

Eliza Alqassar, Natural Historic & Built Environment Manager for Buckinghamshire Council, was scheduled to discuss changes to relevant policies. This was to include consideration of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the forthcoming Local Plan. The NPPF sets out the government's planning policies for England and how they are expected to be applied. The Local Plan is a document produced by the council that sets out how land in the local area will be developed.

Creative Curation and Storage

The topic of Creative Curation and Storage was scheduled to be presented by Roz Currie of Wycombe Museum and Brett Thorn, Discover Bucks Museum and Buckinghamshire Keeper of Archaeology. The report pack indicates that the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society is preparing to host its annual Bucks Local History Network conference, with a theme of Political Change in Buckinghamshire, from Civil War to the Suffragettes. The society also has an active archaeology group and continues to digitise its collection of deeds and historic documents.

The Buckinghamshire Council Heritage and Archaeology Team Report, included in the public reports pack¹, details a high level of fieldwork undertaken between July 2025 and June 2026, with highlights including work at a Mesolithic occupation site at Wooburn and a Roman farmstead at Grendon Underwood. The report also provides statistics on planning-related archaeological work and outreach activities.