Contact:
  • Archaeology
  • Address:
    Planning Services,Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath, BA1 2DP
  • E-mail:
    archaeology@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225-477651
  • Fax:
    01225-477641
  • Minicom:
     NA
  • Page Updated:
    14/09/2007
  • Author:
    Abigail Harrap
A to Z Index

Archaeology in Bath & North East Somerset:

Supplementary Planning Guidance, page 3 of 10

2.0 Guidance, Part A:  Development Control – The Sites and Monuments Record (SMR)

2.1.1   The Bath and North East Somerset Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) is a cumulative record of all known archaeological sites, monuments and historic landscape features in Bath and North East Somerset.  The SMR is held in digital form in a database called Exegesis Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Record.  The database is connected to a GIS (Geographical Information System) called MapInfo which includes Historic maps from the 1840’s, 1884-8, 1904 and 1936 and a variety of other mapped data including historic farm surveys and historic landscapes.   There are over 5,000 entries in the database relating to monuments and sites, and over 2,000 entries relating to archaeological investigations carried out over the past 100 years or so.

2.1.2   The SMR is used as the basis for archaeological and historic environment advice to Planning Policy, Development Control and other Council services.  It is also used by national organisations, developers and their agents, academic researchers, college students and local people seeking information on the District’s past. 

The SMR, formally adopted by Bath and North East Somerset Council in 2002, is available for consultation by appointment.  Enquiries should be made to the Planning Services Archaeological Officer at the contact details shown in the appendix.

2.2    Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

2.2.1  A small proportion (84 in total) of archaeological sites in Bath and North East Somerset are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act, 1979.  These monuments are considered to be of national importance but, as PPG16 recognises, many other nationally important sites have not yet been given scheduled status.  The PPG reminds us that, “…Authorities should bear in mind that not all nationally important remains meriting preservation will necessarily be scheduled…” (Par. 16).

2.2.2               However, it has long been recognised that the range, number and distribution of significant monuments on the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport’s Schedule are not representative and English Heritage, on behalf of Government has been undertaking a lengthy national review of all archaeological sites with the aim of significantly increasing the number of legally protected monuments.  This project is known as the Monuments Protection Programme (MPP).  It is very likely that over the next few years there will be an increase in the number of SAM’s in B&NES.

Any development proposals likely to affect a scheduled monument will require Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and in such cases the setting of a monument as well as its physical preservation are material considerations.  Any works carried out to a SAM without consent is a criminal offence and liable to prosecution under the 1979 Act.  The location of Scheduled Monuments is shown on the local plan proposals maps.

2.2.3  A planning application which adversely affects a scheduled monument will normally be refused and Local Planning Authorities are obliged by law to consult with English Heritage on any application likely to effect a scheduled ancient monument (Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988, Article 18 (1).  It is also important to note that the setting of the monument is a material consideration.  An early consultation with the Bath and North East Somerset  Archaeological Officer is therefore encouraged.  Details of SAM’s are held in the SMR and are defined on the relevant local plan proposals maps.

2.2.4 If a developer wishes to pursue a development proposal affecting a SAM they must apply to the Secretary of State for Media, Culture and Sport for Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC), a procedure entirely separate from the local authority planning process.  Advice on this procedure can be obtained from the Bath and North East Somerset Archaeological Officer and English Heritage South West Regional Office in Bristol.

2.2.5  The majority of recorded archaeological sites, monuments and landscapes are not scheduled and their significance has in many cases yet to be determined through detailed assessment.

Some studies , including the Avon Extensive Urban Areas Survey (grant aided by English Heritage), through which a number of urban and former urban areas were identified for archaeological assessment in the former County of Avon have however, been competed.  These assessments, of which there are three relevant to Bath and North East Somerset, Keynsham, Norton Radstock and Chew Magna, assessed the character of urban areas and identified important sites and zones.   The study areas are shown in figures 5, 6 & 7.  The detailed reports (see bibliography) can be viewed at the Sites and Monuments Record and copies are held by the Bath and North East Somerset Library Service.