DCMS’s approach to the identification, protection, conservation and investigation of England’s premier archaeological sites under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 ‘including the principles to which the Secretary of State has regard when determining applications for scheduled monument consent is set out in the policy statement: Scheduled Monuments: investigating, preserving and recording nationally important archaeological sites and landscapes under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Written consent from the Secretary of State is required prior to the commencement of works affecting a scheduled monument. Procedures for applying for scheduled monument consent (SMC), changed on 2 November, 2009. The Secretary of State remains responsible for determining applications for SMC, but responsibility for their administration has now been transferred to English Heritage. New applications and applications to modify existing consents should therefore be sent direct to the relevant English Heritage regional office. | 