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Ancient monuments

How is a site or building scheduled?

To be eligible for scheduling, the following broad criteria is used:

  • Period - the length of time it remained in use;
  • Rarity - monuments with few known comparators are more likely to be scheduled;
  • Documentation - information from earlier investigations at a site can inform on its significance;
  • Group value - where a monument forms part of a wider geographical landscape of important sites;
  • Survival/condition - the degree to which the surviving remains convey the size, shape and function of the site;
  • Fragility/vulnerability - threats to the site from natural agencies, tourism or development can lead to a monument being scheduled for its protection;
  • Representivity - how well the monument represents diverse similar types and/or whether it contains unique features;
  • Potential - its ability to contribute to our knowledge through further study.

Historic England gathers information on a site, defines a boundary around it and advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of its eligibility for inclusion on the schedule. There is no appeal against the scheduling process.