OpenLegislation

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979

1979 c. 46 · Enacted 4 April 1979 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 4 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 4 November 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 7(4)words insertedHistoric Environment (Wales) Act 2016 s. 10(1)
s. 7(4A)insertedHistoric Environment (Wales) Act 2016 s. 10(2)
s. 18(5)words substitutedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 13(a)
s. 18(5)words substitutedTrusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024 Sch. 1 para. 13(b)

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to ancient monuments; to make provision for the investigation, preservation and recording of matters of archaeological or historical interest and (in connection therewith) for the regulation of operations or activities affecting such matters; to provide for the recovery of grants under section 10 of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 1972 or under section 4 of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 in certain circumstances; and to provide for grants by the Secretary of State to the Architectural Heritage Fund.

[4th April 1979]C1C2C3I1C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act extended by Gas Act 1986 (c.44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(xxxvii), Sch. 8 para. 33

C2

Act amended (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c.15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(xxiii), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

C3

Act extended by Electricity Act 1989 (c.29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 1(1)(xxxiii), Sch. 17 paras. 33, 35(1)

C4

Act modified (17.7.1992) by S.I. 1992/1732, arts. 1, 3(1)

C5

Act amended (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(xxvii); S.I. 1996/218, art.2

C6

Act restricted (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 12, Sch. 7 para. 4(4)

Act except the Treasury function under s. 50: powers transferred (1.7.1999) by virtue of S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch.1

Act modified (6.5.1999) by S.I. 1999/677, art. 3.

C7

Act (except Pt. II) extended (S.) (8.9.2000) by 2000 asp 10, s. 36, Sch. 5 para. 7 (with s. 32); S.I. 2000/312, art. 2

C8

Act modified (30.5.2007) by National Assembly for Wales Commission (Crown Status) (No.2) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1353), art. 3

C9

Act restricted (22.7.2008) by Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18), Sch. 9 para. 4(4)

C10

Act transfer of functions (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 2, Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-6)

C11

Act restricted (23.2.2017) by High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act 2017 (c. 7), s. 70(1), Sch. 19 para. 1(4)

C12

Act modified (11.2.2021) by High Speed Rail (West Midlands - Crewe) Act 2021 (c. 2), s. 64(1), Sch. 19 para. 1(4)

Commencement

I1

Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 65(3); Act wholly in force at 14.4.1982

Contents

  1. Part I: Ancient Monuments
  2. Protection of scheduled monuments
  3. 1Schedule of monuments.
  4. 1ACommission’s functions as to informing and publishing.
  5. 1AADuty to consult on certain amendments relating to the Schedule Repealed
  6. 1ABInterim protection pending decisions on certain amendments relating to the Schedule Repealed
  7. 1ACProvisions applicable on lapse of interim protection Repealed
  8. 1ADCompensation for loss or damage caused by interim protection Repealed
  9. 1AEReview of decisions on certain amendments relating to the Schedule Repealed
  10. 1BPublication of the Schedule
  11. 1CAppeal against inclusion etc. in Schedule of monuments
  12. 1DDetermination of appeals under section 1C
  13. 1EProcedure for appeals under section 1C
  14. 2Control of works affecting scheduled monuments.
  15. 3Grant of scheduled monument consent by order of the Secretary of State.
  16. 3AApplication for variation or discharge of conditions
  17. 3BReferral of certain applications to the Scottish Ministers
  18. 3CProcedure for referrals under section 3B
  19. 4Duration, modification and revocation of scheduled monument consent.
  20. 4AModification and revocation of scheduled monument consent by Scottish Ministers
  21. 4BAppeal in relation to scheduled monument consent
  22. 4CDetermination of appeals under section 4B
  23. 4DProcedure for appeals under section 4B
  24. 5Execution of works for preservation of a scheduled monument by Secretary of State in cases of urgency.
  25. 6Powers of entry for inspection of scheduled monuments, etc.
  26. 6ACommission’s powers of entry in relation to scheduled monuments.
  27. 7Compensation for refusal of scheduled monument consent.
  28. 8Recovery of compensation under section 7 on subsequent grant of consent.
  29. 9Compensation where works affecting a scheduled monument cease to be authorised.
  30. ...
  31. 9ZAHeritage partnership agreement Repealed
  32. 9ZBHeritage partnership agreement: supplemental Repealed
  33. ...
  34. 9ZCScheduled monument enforcement notice Repealed
  35. 9ZDScheduled monument enforcement notice: supplementary provision Repealed
  36. 9ZEScheduled monument enforcement notice: appeal Repealed
  37. 9ZFScheduled monument enforcement notice: power of entry Repealed
  38. 9ZGFailure to comply with scheduled monument enforcement notice Repealed
  39. 9ZHEffect of scheduled monument consent on notice Repealed
  40. ...
  41. 9ZITemporary stop notice Repealed
  42. 9ZJTemporary stop notice: power of entry Repealed
  43. 9ZKTemporary stop notice: offence Repealed
  44. 9ZLTemporary stop notice: compensation Repealed
  45. ...
  46. 9ZMInjunctions Repealed
  47. Scheduled monument enforcement notices
  48. 9APower to issue scheduled monument enforcement notice
  49. 9BScheduled monument enforcement notices: further provisions
  50. 9CAppeal against scheduled monument enforcement notice
  51. 9CADetermination of appeals under section 9C
  52. 9CBProcedure for appeals under section 9C
  53. 9DExecution of works required by scheduled monument enforcement notice
  54. 9EOffence where scheduled monument enforcement notice not complied with
  55. 9FEffect of scheduled monument consent on scheduled monument enforcement notice
  56. 9FAEnforcement by the Scottish Ministers
  57. 9GStop notices
  58. 9HStop notices: supplementary provisions
  59. 9HAPower of the Scottish Ministers to serve stop notice
  60. 9ICompensation for loss due to stop notice
  61. 9JPenalties for contravention of stop notice
  62. Temporary stop notices
  63. 9KTemporary stop notices
  64. 9LTemporary stop notices: restrictions
  65. 9MTemporary stop notices: offences
  66. 9NTemporary stop notices: compensation
  67. Interdicts
  68. 9OInterdicts restraining unauthorised works on scheduled monuments
  69. Acquisition of ancient monuments
  70. 10Compulsory acquisition of ancient monuments.
  71. 11Acquisition by agreement or gift of ancient monuments.
  72. Guardianship of ancient monuments
  73. 12Power to place ancient monument under guardianship.
  74. 13Effect of guardianship.
  75. 14Termination of guardianship.
  76. Acquisition and guardianship of land in the vicinity of an ancient monument, etc.
  77. 15Acquisition and guardianship of land in the vicinity of an ancient monument.
  78. 16Acquisition of easements and other similar rights over land in the vicinity of an ancient monument.
  79. Agreements concerning ancient monuments, etc.
  80. 17Agreements concerning ancient monuments and land in their vicinity.
  81. Powers of limited owners
  82. 18Powers of limited owners for purposes of sections 12, 16 and 17.
  83. Public access to monuments under public control
  84. 19Public access to monuments under public control.
  85. 20Provision of facilities for the public in connection with ancient monuments.
  86. Transfer of ownership and guardianship of ancient monuments
  87. 21Transfer of ancient monuments between local authorities and Secretary of State.
  88. Ancient Monuments Boards
  89. 22Ancient Monuments Boards. Repealed
  90. 23Annual reports of Ancient Monuments Boards. Repealed
  91. Local inquiries
  92. 23ALocal inquiries
  93. 23BLocal inquiries: further provision
  94. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  95. 24Expenditure by Secretary of State or local authority on acquisition and preservation of ancient monuments, etc.
  96. 25Advice and superintendence by Secretary of State.
  97. 26Power of entry on land believed to contain an ancient monument.
  98. 27General provisions as to compensation for depreciation under Part I.
  99. 28Offence of damaging certain ancient monuments.
  100. 29Compensation orders for damage to monuments under guardianship in England and Wales.
  101. 30Disposal of land acquired under Part I.
  102. 31Voluntary contributions towards expenditure under Part I.
  103. 32Interpretation of Part I.
  104. Part 1A: Inventories of gardens and designed landscapes and of battlefields
  105. 32AInventory of gardens and designed landscapes
  106. 32BInventory of battlefields
  107. Part II: Archaeological Areas
  108. 33Designation of areas of archaeological importance.
  109. 34Investigating authorities for areas of archaeological importance.
  110. 35Notice required of operations in areas of archaeological importance.
  111. 36Certificate to accompany operations notice under section 35.
  112. 37Exemptions from offence under section 35.
  113. 38Powers of investigating authority to enter and excavate site of operations covered by an operations notice.
  114. 39Power of investigating authority to investigate in advance of operations notice any site which may be acquired compulsorily.
  115. 40Other powers of entry on site of operations covered by an operations notice.
  116. 41Interpretation of Part II.
  117. Part III: Miscellaneous and Supplemental
  118. ...
  119. 41ARegister of historic parks and gardens in Wales Repealed
  120. Restrictions on use of metal detectors
  121. 42Restrictions on use of metal detectors.
  122. Powers of entry
  123. 43Power of entry for survey and valuation.
  124. 44Supplementary provisions with respect to powers of entry.
  125. Financial provisions
  126. 45Expenditure on archaeological investigation.
  127. 45ADevelopment and understanding of matters of historic, etc. interest: grants and loans
  128. 46Compensation for damage caused by exercise of certain powers under this Act.
  129. 47General provisions with respect to claims for compensation under this Act.
  130. 48Recovery of grants for expenditure in conservation areas and on historic buildings.
  131. 49Grants to the Architectural Heritage Fund.
  132. Application to special cases
  133. 50Application to Crown land.
  134. 51Ecclesiastical Property.
  135. 52Application to the Isles of Scilly.
  136. 52AThe Broads.
  137. 53Monuments in territorial waters.
  138. Supplemental
  139. 54Treatment and preservation of finds.
  140. 55Proceedings for questioning validity of certain orders, etc.
  141. 56Service of documents.
  142. 57Power to require information as to interests in land.
  143. 58Offences by corporations.
  144. 59Prosecution of offences: Scotland.
  145. 60Regulations and orders.
  146. 61Interpretation.
  147. 62Special provision for Scotland.
  148. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  149. 64Transitional provisions, consequential amendments and repeals.
  150. 65Short title, commencement and extent.
  151. Schedule A1: LAPSE OF INTERIM PROTECTION Repealed
  152. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  153. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  154. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  155. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  156. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  157. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  158. Schedule A2: DECISIONS ON REVIEWS BY PERSON APPOINTED BY WELSH MINISTERS Repealed
  159. Decisions on reviews by appointed persons Repealed
  160. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  161. Powers and duties of appointed person Repealed
  162. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  163. Appointment of another person to make a decision on a review Repealed
  164. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  165. Public local inquiries, hearings and written representations Repealed
  166. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  167. Directions Repealed
  168. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  169. Delegation Repealed
  170. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  171. Supplementary provision Repealed
  172. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  173. Schedule 1: Control of Works Affecting Scheduled Monuments
  174. Part I: Applications for Scheduled Monument Consent
  175. 1Paragraph 1
  176. 2Paragraph 2
  177. 2AParagraph 2A
  178. 2BParagraph 2B Repealed
  179. 2CParagraph 2C
  180. 2DParagraph 2D
  181. 3Paragraph 3
  182. 3AParagraph 3A Repealed
  183. 4Paragraph 4
  184. Part II: Modification and Revocation of Scheduled Monument Consent
  185. 5Paragraph 5
  186. 6Paragraph 6
  187. 7Paragraph 7
  188. 8Paragraph 8
  189. 9Paragraph 9
  190. 10Paragraph 10
  191. 11Paragraph 11
  192. Schedule 1A: DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN APPEALS BY PERSON APPOINTED BY THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS
  193. Determination of appeals by appointed person
  194. 1Paragraph 1
  195. Powers and duties of appointed person
  196. 2Paragraph 2
  197. Determination of appeals by the Scottish Ministers
  198. 3Paragraph 3
  199. 4Paragraph 4
  200. Appointment of another person to determine appeal
  201. 5Paragraph 5
  202. Local inquiries and hearings
  203. 6Paragraph 6
  204. Supplementary provisions
  205. 7Paragraph 7
  206. Schedule 2: Designation Orders
  207. Designation orders by the Secretary of State
  208. 1Paragraph 1
  209. 2Paragraph 2
  210. 3Paragraph 3
  211. 4Paragraph 4
  212. 5Paragraph 5
  213. 6Paragraph 6
  214. 7Paragraph 7
  215. Designation orders by a local authority
  216. 8Paragraph 8
  217. 9Paragraph 9
  218. 9AParagraph 9A
  219. 10Paragraph 10
  220. 11Paragraph 11
  221. 12Paragraph 12
  222. 13Paragraph 13
  223. 14Paragraph 14
  224. 15Paragraph 15
  225. Designation orders by the Commission
  226. 15AParagraph 15A
  227. Operation of designation orders
  228. 16Paragraph 16
  229. Variation and revocation of designation orders
  230. 17Paragraph 17
  231. 18Paragraph 18
  232. Scotland
  233. 19Paragraph 19
  234. Interpretation
  235. 20Paragraph 20
  236. Schedule 3: Transitional Provisions
  237. 1Paragraph 1
  238. 2Paragraph 2
  239. 3Paragraph 3
  240. 4Paragraph 4
  241. 5Paragraph 5
  242. 6Paragraph 6
  243. 7Paragraph 7
  244. 8Paragraph 8
  245. 9Paragraph 9
  246. 10Paragraph 10
  247. Schedule 4: Consequential amendments
  248. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  249. 2Paragraph 2
  250. 3Paragraph 3
  251. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  252. 5Paragraph 5
  253. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  254. 7Paragraph 7
  255. 8Paragraph 8
  256. 9Paragraph 9
  257. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  258. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  259. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  260. 13Paragraph 13
  261. 14Paragraph 14
  262. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  263. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  264. Schedule 5Enactments Repealed