Article: Archaeology and Planning Article Body There are many threats to the historic environment in both our towns and countryside, particularly from development and changes of land use. Archaeological remains are vulnerable to destruction from urban and rural development, road and pipeline construction, mineral extraction, forestry and agriculture. Their protection must be balanced against the need for economic growth and development. Designated Sites A small proportion of sites of national archaeological importance have statutory protection as scheduled monuments under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. For works which are proposed on these designated sites, scheduled monument consent may be required from the Department for Culture Media and Sport. English Heritage acts as government advisor on such archaeological matters, and should be contacted for advice and guidance if you are considering, or intending to carry out works which affect a scheduled monument. Ancient Monuments Within the Barnsley Council there are 23 scheduled ancient monuments. A list of these is available from the Conservation Officer who can be contacted on (01226) 772561. This list consists a single A4 sheet which contains the parish, monument number, and title and map reference of all 23 monuments. Also available are a site plan, an individual description and a statement of importance for each monument. Non designated sites Other local unscheduled sites of archaeological interest are included in the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), which is maintained for Barnsley Council by the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (SYAS). The contact details for SYAS are: SYAS, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH Telephone (0114) 273 6428 or (0114) 273 6354. Further information is available on-line at www.sheffield.gov.uk/SYAS Archaeological advice Barnsley Council does not have its own specialist archaeological staff, and instead jointly funds a shared service with the other three South Yorkshire districts which is based in Sheffield City Centre. Any archaeological enquiries should be directed to the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (SYAS), contact details provided above. Archaeological policy and guidance Government guidance on this subject is available in the Department for Communities and Local Government document PPS 5 Planning for the Historic Environment Barnsley Council has produced a leaflet, Archaeology and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance 12 Archaeology and Development, which gives advice to developers, architects, agents and landowners seeking to develop land or property which may have archaeological significance. Role of South Yorkshire Archaeology Service The primary role of the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (contact details above) is to help protect and preserve our archaeological heritage, which forms part of our historic environment. SYAS provides advice on the management of archaeological sites to the Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and Sheffield councils, as well as to developers, landowners, the Forestry Commission, and Defra, among others.