10th June 2005, 05:42 PM
Moley, you're absolutely right. A couple of months ago I had confirmation of your rumour (from an EH employee) that Scheduling has been pretty much put on hold for now, with listing being given priority and Scheduling only done in emergencies. The Monuments Protection Programme looks like it has gone out of the window completely, so no-one is appraising sites adequately. In effect, archaeology is taking a back seat in the discussions about the historic environment, and it's unacceptable. Who knows what we are going to lose as a consequence. I know EH's budget has been cut, but that's no excuse for the shoddy treatment archaeology is getting from them at the moment. The designations review is supposed to be leading to a unified list which includes all historic sites - not just the nice buildings! 
All I seem to get out of EH these days is a torrent of guidance and consultation papers, and weasley corporate promises about how they are doing things better, whilst at the same time the day-to-day reality is that they're more concerned with their outreach programmes and public image than with doing any real archaeological protection work. The direction that EH is taking at the moment is an absolute disgrace, and it's high time that someone started saying so.
All I seem to get out of EH these days is a torrent of guidance and consultation papers, and weasley corporate promises about how they are doing things better, whilst at the same time the day-to-day reality is that they're more concerned with their outreach programmes and public image than with doing any real archaeological protection work. The direction that EH is taking at the moment is an absolute disgrace, and it's high time that someone started saying so.