Scheduled Ancient Monuments of Thurrock
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We would like your comments on the Thurrock Scheduled Ancient Monuments document.
Scheduling is the selection of nationally important archaeological sites. Although archaeology is all around us, Scheduled sites form a carefully chosen sample of them, which are closely managed.
While some change may be possible, there is a presumption that they will be handed on to future generations in much the same state that we have found them.
Note: This document was updated on 2nd February 2022 at 7pm to remove a blank page on page 82, and to clarify the authorship of the document by Place Services, now shown on the front cover.
Scheduled monuments are not always ancient, or visible above ground. There are over 200 categories of monuments on the schedule in the country, and they range from prehistoric standing stones and burial mounds, through to the many types of medieval site - castles, monasteries, abandoned farmsteads and villages - to the more recent results of human activity, such as collieries.
Only deliberately created structures, features and remains can be scheduled. There are almost 20,000 Scheduled Monuments on the list with Historic England. Scheduling is reserved for carefully selected sites, which create a representative sample of sites from different epochs.
If you are the owner of a scheduled monument (or are acting on behalf of the owner) and you wish to carry out works to the monument, you will need to apply for prior written permission from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Scheduling does not affect your freehold title or other legal interests in the land. If a monument is scheduled this does not give the general public any new rights of public access. A good general rule with archaeological sites is the less disturbance of the ground the better.
Decisions on national importance are guided by the Principles of Selection laid down by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, covering the basic characteristics of monuments. They are:
- Period
- Rarity
- Documentation/Finds
- Group value
- Survival/condition
- Fragility/vulnerability
- Diversity
- Potential
For more information on what a Scheduled Monument is and the full national list visit: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/scheduled-monuments/
