A Scheduled Monument Consent consultant is a heritage specialist who guides landowners and developers through the process of obtaining Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) from Historic England. SMC is required before any works that would have the effect of demolishing, destroying, damaging, removing, repairing, altering, adding to, flooding or tipping on a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The consent regime is administered nationally by Historic England - not local planning authorities - and the process involves detailed archaeological assessment and justification.
What they do
- Identify whether a site or structure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Advise on the scope of works likely to require SMC
- Prepare pre-application submissions to Historic England
- Commission and oversee archaeological assessments
- Manage SMC applications through Historic England
- Prepare condition and monitoring plans for approved works
- Advise on management agreements for scheduled land
- Represent clients at Historic England meetings and inquiries
When you need one
You will need a Scheduled Monument Consent consultant if any of the following applies to your project.
Typical costs (UK, 2025)
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-application advice | £1,000 - £2,500 |
| SMC application preparation | £2,000 - £6,000 |
| Archaeological assessment for SMC | £1,500 - £5,000 |
| Condition monitoring and management plan | £800 - £2,500 |
| Historic England pre-application meeting support | £600 - £1,500 |
| Hourly rate | £85 - £150 / hr |
SMC work typically involves more complexity and longer timescales than LBC applications. Costs depend on the nature of the monument, the works proposed and the depth of archaeological assessment required.
Qualifications to look for
Full IHBC membership indicates demonstrated competence in built and historic environment conservation practice in the UK.
Chartered archaeologist status with the CIfA, the professional body for archaeologists in the UK. Look for members with specific scheduled monument experience. Check membership at archaeologists.net.
A chartered town planner with demonstrable SMC casework experience, typically found in specialist heritage planning consultancies.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Scheduled Ancient Monument?
A Scheduled Ancient Monument is a nationally significant archaeological site protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. There are around 20,000 scheduled monuments in England. Any works affecting a scheduled monument require Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England.
Can development ever take place on a scheduled monument?
Very rarely and only for works that preserve and enhance the monument. Historic England will almost always refuse Scheduled Monument Consent for development that would damage or destroy the archaeological remains.
What is the difference between a scheduled monument and a listed building?
A listed building is a standing structure of special architectural or historic interest. A scheduled monument is typically an archaeological site - buried remains, earthworks, ruins - though some monuments are also listed buildings.