Project assessment in the ZOA

Certain development projects located within the archeaological observation zone (ZOA) are exempt from archaeological assessment.

In accordance with article 4 of the Law of 25 February 2022 on cultural heritage, the following works are exempt from archaeological assessment:

• Any works within the archaeological observation zone (ZOA) and involving a "Quartier existant" (QE) development plan (PAP) with a surface of less than 100 m2 and a depth of less than 0.25 m;  
  
• Any urgent infrastructure works located within the ZOA;
• Any works within the sub-zone of the ZOA involving a PAP QE with a surface of less than 0.3 ha and a depth of less than 0.25 m;
• Any works within the sub-zone of the ZOA involving a "Nouveau Quartier" (NQ) PAP with a surface area of less than 1 ha;
• Any works on an existing road within the sub-zone of the ZOA.

To determine whether development projects located within the ZOA or its sub-zone may have an impact on the archaeological heritage, an application for archaeological assessment of planned construction work must be submitted to INRA.

The application for archaeological assessment of planned projects must include:

• The duly completed archaeological assessment application ( PDF download French version (Pdf, 354 Kb)/ German version (Pdf, 348 Kb))
• The annexes requested in this form.

The application can be submitted:  

• By post to the Ministry of Culture;
• or directly by post to the INRA;
• or (preferably) to INRA by email, OTX or WeTransfer at the address amenagement@inra.etat.lu .  

The application for archaeological assessment must be submitted :

• The project developer of the proposed works; or
• The owner of the land on which the project is to be carried out; or
• An engineering, urban planning or architectural firm in charge of the project in question; or
• The municipality or the State, as the owner of the land concerned.

The archaeological assessment application must be submitted at the latest when applying for a building or a demolition permit at the latest when the application for an authorisation for construction or demolition is submitted.

To avoid potential delays in the development works, the archaeological assessment application can also be submitted to INRA before applying for the relevant permits.

If other authorisation procedures are required (PAP, specific modifications to the PAG, etc.), the development project or preliminary project can also be submitted for assessment either in advance or alongside the review by other authorities.

Upon receiving the archaeological assessment application, INRA's Service du suivi archéologique de l'aménagement will verifywhether the application is complete.

If it is, an acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to the applicant. This confirmation will include, among other details, the expected date by which INRA will respond to the submitted request.

Following the archaeological assessment, a ministerial prescription will be issued to the applicant. This prescription may include one of the following:

• A waiver of archaeological constraints for land deemed to have low archaeological potential.
• A requirement for  archaeological survey;
• A requirement for  preventive archaeological excavations. 

A copy of the prescription will also be sent to the municipality where the project site is located.

If the development project is modified, a request for a reassessment must be submitted. Based on the new evaluation, an updated ministerial prescription will be issued.

 If no ministerial prescription is issued within 30 working days of receiving the complete application the proposed project will be deemed exempt from archaeological requirements.