Section 17 Management Agreements

Objectives:

• Ensure appropriate care and maintenance of scheduled ancient monuments at risk or in unacceptable condition.
• Secure better management of monuments to improve or maintain their condition against deterioration.
• Provide or improve public access and on-site presentation of ancient monuments.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Owners and occupiers of scheduled monuments are eligible to apply.

Key Features:

• Agreements typically run for three to five years.
• Funding can include payment for one-off repairs, usually carried out at the start of the agreement term.
• More major repairs are addressed under a separate Repair Grants for Heritage at Risk scheme.
• Focus is on monuments where environmental stewardship funding (from Natural England’s agri-environment scheme) is not available or appropriate.
• The scheme supports preservation, maintenance, management, and presentation of ancient monuments.
• The program operates under Section 17 (1-9) of the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
• The scheme is open indefinitely with no fixed end date; applications can be made any time during the year.

Application Process:

• Interested parties should contact their local Historic England office to discuss entering into a Section 17 Management Agreement.
• Further detailed information and guidance are available on the Historic England website.

This program aims to protect and enhance the condition and accessibility of ancient monuments through collaborative management agreements with landowners, ensuring their long-term preservation and public benefit.