The compilation of a list or ‘schedule’ of almost exclusively prehistoric monuments in England was first undertaken nearly 140 years ago when the 1882 Ancient Monuments Protection Act – England’s oldest legislation for heritage protection – was passed. Since then, the list has expanded to cover almost 20,000 monuments.

However, the terms ‘monument’ and ‘ancient’ can be misleading, as today’s schedule encompasses a much wider range and age of structures. Scheduled Monuments (formerly known as Scheduled Ancient Monuments) today include above and below ground features, from burial mounds to medieval castles, hillforts, such as Cadbury Castle in Somerset, pictured top, monasteries or abandoned villages to sites of more recent human activity such as collieries and Second World War defence fortifications.

How does a site gain entry to the Scheduled Monuments list?

In England, anyone can nominate a site to be considered for protection through scheduling. Historic England, the Government’s expert heritage advisor, will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) who will make the final decision on whether a site should be scheduled or not.

In Scotland, where there are over 8,000 scheduled monuments, Historic Environment Scotland will determine what is scheduled. Wales has over 4,000 scheduled monuments, and Northern Ireland more than 1,900.

Historic England produces selection guides for assessing the importance of a site, the criteria of importance including rarity, survival, vulnerability, finds and group value. Only deliberately created structures, features or remains can be scheduled. A good example is the world’s first iron bridge, pictured above, erected over the River Severn at Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, in 1779 and widely considered one of the most important structures of the Industrial Revolution.

This can also include a site comprising, or comprising the remains of, any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other movable structure, provided the object or its remains at the site are a matter of public interest.

Scheduled Monuments, unlike Listed Buildings, are not rated by category or degree of importance, but are all considered of national importance. Sites which are scheduled do not give the general public any new rights of access.

What kind of protection is afforded to sites and structures once included on the schedule?

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 provides the legislative framework for protection of Scheduled Monuments across Great Britain. Historic England will be consulted on any planning applications for development which may affect a Scheduled Monument.

Works which directly affect a Scheduled Monument – for example, resulting in loss or damage, repair or alteration – in both England and Scotland will require Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC), from DCMS or Historic Environment Scotland respectively.

If a building is both scheduled and Listed, the Ancient Monuments legislation will take precedence and SMC rather than Listed Building Consent would be required for works, and SMC will be required irrespective of whether planning permission is needed.

It is against the law to disturb any Scheduled Monument without consent, cause deliberate damage, or use a metal detector of remove an object form the site without a licence.`

Further information

Contact Savills Planning

Read more: 'In plain English': property jargon explained by the experts