Archaeological Consultancy

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.

 English Heritage

Within the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough there are 22 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. A list of these is available from the Conservation Officer, telephone 01226-772576.  This is a single A4 sheet which contains the parish, monument number, and title and map reference of all 22 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 MBC by the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (SYAS). Contact details for SYAS are as follows:
• SYAS, Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH, which can be contacted on 0114 273 6428 or 0114 273 6354.
•  Information is available on-line at www.sheffield.gov.uk/SYAS

Archaeological Advice
Barnsley MBC 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), based at Howden House, 1 Union Street, Sheffield S1 2SH, which can be contacted on 0114 273 6428 or 0114 273 6354.  Information is available on-line at www.sheffield.gov.uk/SYAS
Government guidance on this subject is available in the Department for Communities and Local Government document Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning, available on-line:

Barnsley MBC has produced a leaflet, Archaeology and Development  Supplementary Planning Guidance Note no.12, which gives advice to developers, architects, agents and landowners seeking to develop land or property which may have archaeological significance.

http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/bguk/docs/planningpolicy/spg/12archae.pdf