§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to require planning authorities in England to inform solicitors making their local searches if there are archaeological remains present on the land.
§ Sir George Young[holding answer 7 May 1991]: No. Any archaeological remains which are scheduled as ancient monuments under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 arc registered as a local land charge and can be identified in local searches.
Details of non-scheduled sites of known archaeological interest are registered on the sites and monuments record held by county councils—English Heritage for London—and can be consulted by anyone.
Guidance has been issued to all planning authorities—DOE Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning—which emphasises the availability of the sites and monuments record and encourages both developers and planning authorities to consult it when considering potential development.