Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC)

A monument which has been scheduled is protected against disturbance or unlicensed metal detecting. The Secretary of State must be informed about any work which might affect a monument above or below ground, and English Heritage gives advice to the Government on each application. In assessing each application the Secretary of State will try to ensure that damage done to protected sites is kept to a minimum.

Further advice regarding what it means when a monument is scheduled can be obtained from the relevant regional team. To find your closest team check our contact us page.

Written consent must always be obtained before any work on a scheduled monument can begin. Some development may also need planning permission, which will need to be obtained from the Local Planning Authority.

Some types of work, generally related to agriculture or gardening, where these activities are already being carried out, are allowed to go ahead without consent, again the relevant regional team will be able to provide further advice on what requires consent.

Advisory Services for Planning and Development

An overview of the SMC process can also be downloaded below for further information.

How to Apply for Scheduled Monument Consent

Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) applications are decided by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport but the administration, process and handling of applications are undertaken by English Heritage. Application forms should be sent to the relevant English Heritage regional office. For guidance on how to fill out the SMC Application Form ( 99kb), see the Notes for Applicants ( 84 Kb)

Scheduled Monument Clearance

Works by or on behalf of government departments and their agencies have Crown exemption from statutory scheduled monument consent controls under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. However, all works to a scheduled monument by government departments and their agencies including repair and excavation require Scheduled Monument Clearance. For further information on how to apply for Scheduled Monument Clearance please see the GHEU pages on the HELM website and download the Guidance note for Crown Bodies on the removal of crown immunity and their historic estate ( 52kb).

Managing Scheduled Monuments

We aim to encourage owners to maintain their scheduled monuments in good condition by adopting sympathetic land uses. This may simply mean restricting stock levels sensibly or controlling undergrowth. English Heritage has locally based Historic Environment Field Advisers who can offer owners more detailed advice on how to manage their monuments. Please contact us for further information on this.

For some sites in rural settings, the best form of management may be through agri-environmental incentive schemes, run by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Grants

There is a range of grant incentive schemes for owners, including programmes run by Natural England for farmers or through Stewardship for land managers generally. English Heritage makes grants to help with major repairs. Our regional teams and Historic Environment Field Advisers can give owners advice on local schemes and general management issues.

Available Grants

Criminal Offences

It is a against the law to:

Damage a scheduled monument by carrying out works without consent
Cause reckless or deliberate damage
Use a metal detector or remove an object found with one without a licence from English Heritage

Conviction for these offences can lead to fines.