Scheduled ancient monuments

To protect archaeological sites for future generations, the most valuable of them may be scheduled. Monuments included in the schedule of ancient monuments have statutory protection. This work is undertaken by Cadw, which is a division within the Welsh Government.

A schedule has been kept since 1884 of monuments whose preservation is given priority over other land uses. The current legislation, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, supports a formal system of Scheduled Monument Consent for any works to a designated monument.

Scheduled monument consent

Any proposal to carry out works at a scheduled ancient monument which would have the effect of demolishing, destroying, damaging, removing, repairing, altering, adding to, flooding, or covering up a monument must be the subject of an application for scheduled ancient monument consent. Indeed, an application for scheduled monument consent also has to be made for works that may be beneficial to the monument, such as consolidating masonry, or for conducting a research excavation.

It is 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 consent.

Conviction for these offences can lead to fines.

Wider protection to ancient monuments and archaeological remains is now governed by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended and updated by the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

A suite of supporting secondary legislation came into effect on 31 May 2017 following the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 legislation that received Royal Assent and became law on 21 March 2016. Further provisions have been introduced, whereby:-

There is now provision for consultation, interim protection and review for scheduled monuments. These provisions make scheduling more open and accountable and give interim protection to historic assets while the Welsh Ministers consult on proposed designations. 

There is now a simplified scheduled monument consent process. This establishes a streamlined application process for minor, beneficial works to a scheduled monument.

Ancient monuments in Caerphilly county borough

There are 48 scheduled ancient monuments within the Caerphilly county borough area, details of which are available to download below:

Further information

Further details about scheduled ancient monuments and associated Grants are available on the Cadw website.