Department for Culture Media and Sport
scheduled ancient monuments
A Scheduled Ancient Monument is defined in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the National Heritage Act 1983 as a protected archaeological site or historic building of national importance.
We are responsible for identifying and scheduling (registering) new sites, as well as ensuring that scheduled sites are protected. English Heritage (EH) advises us in these matters.
The schedule currently includes about 19,700 entries. These range from prehistoric standing stones and burial mounds to more recent structures such as collieries and wartime pill-boxes.
For more information visit The Schedule of Monuments page of the EH website
Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC)
The scheduling of a monument means that permission is required for works affecting that monument. Each year the Department processes about 1,000 applications for scheduled monument consent.
The Secretary of State, in consultation with EH, assesses each case individually to ensure that damage to protected sites is kept to a minimum. Our aim is to provide an initial response within 14 working days, and to make a final decision within four months of receiving an application.
Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded below:
For more information visit The Effects of Scheduling page of the EH website
Completed applications forms should be sent to:
DCMS
Historic Environment Designation Branch
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
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