Heritage Management
Agri-environmental and woodland schemes
The Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal agri-environmental schemes, jointly funded by the UK Government and the European Union, offers farmers payment for the careful management of their land. Farmers are encouraged to manage their land in a more environmentally friendly way. They are offered financial incentives to protect the wildlife and existing habitats, create new habitats, encourage more public access and protect the landscape including historical/archaeological features.
These schemes provide an opportunity for farmers to gain funding to continue the guardianship of our rich and finite historical inheritance which many have undertaken for generations.
The Better Woodlands for Wales scheme, run by the Forestry Commission, gives a similar opportunity to safeguard the historic environment in new and existing woodlands.
What are Historic Archaeological Features?
We are all familiar with historic features such as hillforts, standing stones, cairns and castles, many of which are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments or Listed Buildings. However, there are many more features which fall into the non-designated category and they also require recognition and conservation. These may include industrial remains, evidence of early cultivation/agricultural practices, stone building remains, limekilns, quarries, WW2 sites, sunken lanes and buried archaeological remains. Buried remains are no less important than visible features, but are often fragile and highly vulnerable to farming activities. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust maintains the HER which holds information on over 25,000 known historical monuments and archaeological sites in Southeast Wales. In addition to the computerised geographical information system the collection includes over 7000 paper record files including documents, plans, maps and photographs.
Advisory Service
If you would like to consult our records for historical/archaeological features on your land, need further advice or want to inform us of possible new sites you may have found please contact Susan Hughes (Heritage Management Officer) or email sue@ggat.org.uk