There are many threats to the historic environment in both our towns and countryside, particularly from development and changes of land use. Archaeological remains are vulnerable to destruction from urban and rural development, road and pipeline construction, mineral extraction, forestry and agriculture. Their protection must be balanced against the need for economic growth and development.

Designated Sites

A small proportion of sites of national archaeological importance have statutory protection as Scheduled Monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. For works which are proposed on these designated sites, Scheduled Monument Consent may be required from the Department for Culture Media and Sport. English Heritage acts as Government advisor on such archaeological matters, and should be contacted for advice and guidance if you are considering, or intending to carry out works which affect a Scheduled Monument. Information on designated sites in the County is available from the North Yorkshire Historic Environment Record, more details about which can be found via the navigation link to the left of this page.

Non-Designated Sites

For non-designated sites, the Historic Environment Team can provide information and advice on the protection and management of the archaeological resource. It does so to a wide range of people and organisations, including developers, agents, consultants, architects, utility companies, farmers, landowners and public bodies.

Information about management advice for the rural environment can be found on the rural archaeology web page, which can be accessed via the navigation link to the left of this page.

Other protection is provided through the planning process. National guidance has been issued in the form of Planning Policy Guidance notes 15 and 16: Planning & The Historic Environment, 1994 and Archaeology and Planning, 1990. Local Development Frameworks and Local Plans contain policies relating to the historic environment.

Archaeological remains are a material consideration in the planning process. The Historic Environment Team seeks to prevent the unnecessary loss of archaeology through development, and does so by provision of information and advice to the seven District Councils and North Yorkshire County Council, in accordance with national and local planning policy and legislation.

Anyone considering, or intending to develop a site is encouraged to consult the archaeology team for advice at an early stage, prior to submitting a planning application. This could help to save time and money and avoid delays later on.

An initial consultation of the Historic Environment Record will show whether there are any known, or likely, archaeological remains within, or adjacent to, a proposed development.

More information on archaeology and development can be found in the leaflet accessible in the 'Useful Downloads' section below.

Countryside You can find out more about countryside services by following this link.

Useful Downloads Archaeology and Development leaflet [1Mb] Information about archaeology and development in North Yorkshire   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) The ALGAO Website English Heritage The English Heritage web site Archaeological advice - frequently asked questions Do you do archaeological digs ? What should I do if I find an object or buried feature in my garden ? I have an archaeological condition on my planning permission. What should I do ? Contacts Rural Archaeologist archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 533578 Full details for Rural Archaeologist Development Control Archaeologist archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 532316 Full details for Development Control Archaeologist Historic Environment Team Leader archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 532839 Full details for Historic Environment Team Leader Archaeology archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 0845 8 72 73 74 Full details for Archaeology