23rd March 2006, 06:55 PM
In the main, my understanding is that the IAMs core responsibility is to deal with archaeological remains that are protected through the 1979 AAMA Act, or schedueld ancient monuments. They advise the Secretary of State for the Environment on applications affecting SAMs, and will take an active role in setting conditions for scheduled monument consents, writing briefs for and monitoring fieldwork, approving reports and so on, much like a county curator. Some sites will require both SMC and planning permission. They are assisted by Field Monument Wardens, who regularly visit monuments to assess their condition, and to make sure that agreed management plans are in place.
The Inspectors may also take an interest in major applications, maritime and other consents, monitoring grants, dealing with EH owned monuments, and of course scheduling new ones. I'm sure they do lots more, but you'd have to pin one down and ask them yourself!
The London division of EH does house the equivalent of the county archaeology service for London (the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service) for most boroughs, as Kevin says, but they do not deal with statutory matters - that is left to the inspector.
Hope that helps
ML
The Inspectors may also take an interest in major applications, maritime and other consents, monitoring grants, dealing with EH owned monuments, and of course scheduling new ones. I'm sure they do lots more, but you'd have to pin one down and ask them yourself!
The London division of EH does house the equivalent of the county archaeology service for London (the Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service) for most boroughs, as Kevin says, but they do not deal with statutory matters - that is left to the inspector.
Hope that helps
ML