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 heritage assets is available online via the National Heritage List for England. Information for designated heritage assets in the County is also available from the North Yorkshire Historic Environment Record, more details about which can be found on the historic sites and monuments 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 utility companies, farmers, landowners and public bodies.

Other protection is provided through the planning process. National guidance takes the form of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) issued in 2012, which supercedes the previous Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5): Planning for the Historic Environment, 2010, that has now been deleted. However, the Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide which accompanied PPS5 as a practical guide to its implementation, remains a valid and Government-endorsed document pending Government's review of guidance supporting national planning policy. Links to both documents, NPPF and the Practice Guide can be found in the 'weblinks' section below.

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. 

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.

Advice is also available to farmers, landowners and agents on managing the historic environment in situations where development is not involved, for example when grants are being sought for new tree planting from the Forestry Authority, or environmental stewardship schemes from Natural England. We can help to ensure the best options are chosen for specific sites to maximise grant aid and avoid potential conflicts between different environmental needs.

Useful downloads Historic environment services [390kb] [pdf] A leaflet explaining the work and services provided by the historic environment team. Historic Environment Record leaflet [629kb] [pdf] Leaflet giving information about the North Yorkshire Historic Environment Record   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window and NYCC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Department for Culture, Media & Sport - policy statement on scheduled monuments This is a link to the Department for Culture, Media & Sport website, where a policy statement on scheduled monuments can be downloaded. Scheduled monument consent - English Heritage guidance This is a link to the English Heritage website, with details of how to apply for scheduled monument consent and application forms to download. HELM - Historic Environment Local Management Information and training from English Heritage and partners, including a guidance library of useful publications about aspects of historic environment management. Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) ALGAO represents archaeologists working for local authorities in the UK. This website provides information about the association, its work and that of its member historic environment services and their contact details. Natural England - environmental stewardship This is a link to the Natural England website, where details can be found about the various environmental stewardship scheme options, through which historic environment features may be managed. National Heritage list for England The National Heritage list for England (NHLE) is the official database which provides access to up to date information on all nationally designated heritage assets. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) This is the page on the Communities and Local Government website from which the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) document can be downloaded. Historic environment planning practice guide for PPS5 This is the page on the English Heritage website from which the practice guide can be downloaded. Contacts Historic environment team archaeology@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 08458 72 73 74 Full details for Historic environment team