Scheduled Ancient Monuments at Risk
Indicator
Number of Scheduled Ancient Monuments at Risk within the
County.
Status
Performance against Scheduled Ancient Monuments at risk in
Worcestershire is fair and stable.
Overview
A schedule of Ancient Monuments is compiled and maintained by
English Heritage on behalf of the Secretary of State. Once included
in the Schedule, monuments are protected by the Ancient Monuments
and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Such monuments are designated as
protected archaeological sites or historic buildings of national
importance.
Performance
As at May 2009, English Heritage holds records of 179 Scheduled
Ancient Monuments (SAMs) in Worcestershire. Present figures suggest
a similar picture to that in 2008. In Worcestershire 35% of
Scheduled Ancient Monuments are at high risk, 36% at medium risk
and 29% at low risk.
For all SAMs classified as being at risk, there are four
condition categories, as follows:
Improving – there is a visible improvement in condition since
the last inspection, typically as a result of ongoing
management.
Declining – Monument deterioration as a result of ongoing
damage, causing loss of fabric which may be gradual (e.g. repeated
cultivation, scrub encroachment) or rapid (severe animal burrowing,
structural collapse).
Stable – Monument shows no signs of active deterioration either
recent or midterm.
Unknown – Not possible to assess trend in condition of fabric as
field assessment not made recently or is not known.
Of the Scheduled Monuments at risk in Worcestershire, 12% are
improving, 39% are stable, 29% are declining and 18% are
unknown.
The local authority breakdown of scheduled ancient monuments is
shown below.
Geographical Context
Of the 1444 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the West Midlands,
12% are in Worcestershire.
29% of the region's Scheduled Ancient Monuments are at high
risk, 34% at medium risk and 37% at low risk. In Worcestershire 35%
of Scheduled Ancient Monuments are at high risk, 36% at medium risk
and 29% at low risk. The regional outlook is therefore slightly
better than that for Worcestershire.
Actions
35% of Scheduled Ancient Monuments are at high risk in
Worcestershire (compared with 29% at low risk). In addition, 29% of
Scheduled Ancient Monuments are declining (compared with 14% that
are improving).
Virtually all archaeological work in the region is undertaken as
part of development proposals. Local authority archaeological
advisors appraise every planning application and make
recommendations on requirements for preservation or for an
appropriate level of recording if preservation is not feasible.
Within the planning system, a sequential process begins with
assessment and evaluation of the archaeological impact of a
proposed development before a planning application is determined.
Further recording, consisting of excavation, watching brief, or
building recording as appropriate, may be required as conditions of
planning permission.
Further information
For further information on Scheduled Ancient Monuments see
Worcestershire County Council's Archaeology pages at Worcestershire
Heritage Services and at English Heritage's web site.
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