2nd May 2013, 01:12 PM
Sith Wrote:<Cough!> The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (the primary legislation relating to Scheduled Monuments, which are by definition nationally important) makes damaging a Scheduled Monument a criminal offence punishable by a sentence of up to six months and a fine. It's just a shame so few convictions are brought..
Though I'd say the legislation needs beefing up, expanded to cover non-scheduled remains etc......and of course fines need to be handed out.
If there was such a law, and industry knew that it was one of those things on the list that they had to pay for, like mitigation of noise and water pollution, building and fire regulations, ecological mitigation, health and safety/cdm regulations etc etc it would be covered in the initial costings so they'd just pay it (usually!).
At the moment it usually comes down to the question 'do we have to pay for this?'
answer.....'well, maybe, depending on a, b or c.'
response...'ok, well lets try and get out of it then.'