In 1991, Countryside Stewardship Scheme grants were introduced in England, mainly for landowners outside ESAs, with a similar scheme now being piloted in Wales. Yet according to some archaeologists, the various schemes are patchy and at times inadequately applied - little more, in fact, than a good start. Recently, the Government announced its intention to draw up a Rural White Paper, asking various special-interest groups for ideas. This is a dangerous misapprehension, as the historical value of a piece of land does not always correlate with its scenic beauty or nature-conservation importance. If the agreements are to be worthwhile, the Government should take advice.
Normal cultivation is one of the greatest causes of archaeological harm in the countryside.
Some of its deleterious effects could be checked by tighter controls on agricultural support grants, with grants only made available for benign operations. At present, farmers are permitted to continue ploughing their barrows, and to set aside land of no conservation value whatsoever. In Scotland, the Government pays for pre-afforestation archaeology, and should extend its responsibilites south of the border. Derelict land Burdened by its sometimes ugly appearance, derelict land is usually a prime target for reclamation. Yet it often marks the site of historically important industrial processes, and hasty land clearance may be regretted in the future - just as the redevelopment of historic town centres in the 1960s, considered ugly then, is widely regretted now.