Scheduled Monument

Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, the Secretary of State compiles and maintains a schedule of monuments considered to be of national importance. In this Act, a "scheduled monument" means any monument which is for the time being included in the Schedule. Inclusion brings the site within a dedicated statutory protection regime distinct from listed building control.

Section 2 of the Act makes it an offence to execute, or cause or permit to be executed, any works to which the section applies — including demolition, damage, alteration, repair, or flooding or tipping operations — unless those works are authorised. Works are authorised where the Secretary of State has granted written consent (referred to below in this Act as "scheduled monument consent") for the execution of the works and they are carried out in accordance with its terms and any conditions attached. Consent may be granted unconditionally or subject to conditions, including a requirement that an archaeologist be given the opportunity to examine and excavate the site before works begin, and breach of an offence under the section can attract a fine.