Local authorities and archaeology services

While Historic Scotland has an overall concern for archaeology in Scotland and has a legal responsibility to protect Scheduled Ancient Monuments, local authorities are expected to manage and protect archaeological sites within their own areas. The majority of this work is connected with protecting the archaeological resource during the planning process but local authorities also have interests in agri-environment, forestry and other types of rural land management.

Planning and Archaeology

The majority of Scottish Councils have access to archaeological guidance and advice as recommended by Scottish Executive National Planning and Policy Guidelines (NPPG) and Planning Advice Notes (PAN).

• NPPG 5 Planning & Archaeology
• NPPG 15 Planning & Rural Development
• NPPG 18 Planning & the Historic Environment
• PAN 42 Archaeology - the Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures
  The above is not available to download but can be seen as a paper file from your local council. To see the full range of PANS it is worth checking the Scottish Executive website.
• Pan 58 Environmental Impact Assessment

This national guidance includes recommendations for each council to establish a database on archaeological and historic sites in their area. The majority of councils now have access to such a database known as a Sites and Monuments Record (SMR).

While traditionally building work connected with forestry and farming has been exempted from development control, Environmental Impact Assessment and other legislation is increasingly bringing proposed developments within the ambit of the planning authorities.

• Guide to Farm Diversification & Planning Permission in Scotland

Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments have always been legally protected. The protected areas may extend beyond the visible remains, such as with the curtilage of a Listed Building. This may include walls and yards attached to a building. The following guidance material may be helpful:

• The Conversion of Redundant Farm Steadings to Other Uses

Sites & Monuments Records

The local database, known as the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), is the basis for all judgements by local councils on the impacts of development and other types of rural land management. The majority of Scottish Local Authorities now have access to such databases. The majority of the SMR databases are now referenced to digitised maps (known as Geographical Information Systems or GIS).

The data from which an SMR is compiled is variable and includes antiquarian accounts, map data, field evidence, aerial photographs and reports sent in by the public. While some screening of this data does occur, there is currently no regular mechanism for monitoring the current status of archaeological sites on the ground with the information contained on the database. Therefore the SMR information may not correspond with the situation on the ground. Certain classes of monument such as industrial landscapes, World War 2 defences and settlements abandoned at the time of the agricultural improvements in the 18th and 19th centuries, have traditionally been poorly recorded and it is only in recent years that they have been systematically surveyed for SMRs. Furthermore, detailed survey information is dependent on where archaeologists have carried out their work. Large portions of the country have never been examined by archaeologists.

Local authorities also have a responsibility for protecting Listed Buildings and identifying Conservation Areas in their own District.